04 Breaking Off the Engagement
In the courtyard, Chu Xianning remained silent for a long while before her delicate pink lips finally moved.
“You don’t need to think about these things, nor do you have to prove anything to me. Just take care of your injuries. My Master will find a way to treat you.”
“Master…”
“Shut up.” Chu Xianning turned her face away. “You are the only disciple I have had in six hundred years. I have taught you to care for the world, so I won’t abandon you.”
“All you need to do is recover well, understood?”
“Understood.” Jiang Huai nodded, resigned.
To outsiders, the cold Master seemed like an older girl who couldn’t bear to hear anyone defy her. After so many years with her, Jiang Huai understood the best way to interact with her—just nod obediently. Talking back could lead to a scolding.
He cleared the bowls and chopsticks from the table and walked into the kitchen. To his surprise, Chu Xianning followed him in. As soon as he set the dishes down, water from nowhere wrapped around them, washing them clean. Chu Xianning’s tone softened slightly as she said, “Go rest.”
“Okay, then you should sleep early too.”
Jiang Huai returned to his room.
………………………………
Jiang Huai actually found it hard to sleep.
These past few days, he had been in a daze while trying to rest. Recently, his injury had improved somewhat, and though his body felt fairly energetic, his meridians suffered nightly from the anguish of overflowing spiritual energy, causing him to roll around in pain like a spinning top on his bed.
Fortunately, he had other ways to pass the time.
There was a small hole by his door, which usually let in little cold wind but was very useful at night. Jiang Huai leisurely moved to the door, pulled up a chair, and sat by the little hole. Through the slight gap, he could see the Firefly Stone glowing in the courtyard, illuminating it like a layer of thin snow shimmering under the moonlight, which mingled with the watery sheen surrounding the white-dressed fairy in the center of the courtyard.
She held a sword, performing a graceful dance with it, the hem of her dress rippling around her slender snow-white legs.
It was Chu Xianning practicing her swordplay.
This set of sword techniques had been demonstrated to Jiang Huai by Chu Xianning when he was young, yet she had never taught it to him. The reason was that this technique was not particularly powerful; it merely incorporated a few dance moves, making it look elegant and flowing.
It was a set crafted by his master in her youth, suggesting that she once had the heart of a girl.
Jiang Huai gazed through the small hole at the white-dressed fairy dancing beneath the moonlight. Her eyes were even colder than the bright moon, yet that faint chill seemed to numb his pain, calming his heartbeat.
Unfortunately, his master only practiced quietly while he slept each night.
After a short while, reluctantly, Jiang Huai tore his gaze away, knowing that his master was likely going to prepare for a bath and change before resting. But just as he moved his eyes, he noticed that her delicate little feet gently lifted under her dress.
His master didn’t like to wear shoes in the courtyard.
Jiang Huai had always remembered this habit and often silently scolded her for it. It was simply too much! His master’s small feet were tender and delicate, gleaming white, perfectly like a work of art, with toes as translucent and pink as pearls. At that moment, as the tips of her feet lifted, he watched her sleeves flutter and the hem of her dress ripple with her movements.
Jiang Huai’s eyes widened slightly.
After spending thirteen years with his master, he had no idea she could dance.
……………………………………
A while later, Jiang Huai lay back down on his bed, feeling quite satisfied.
Master danced for me; she holds me in her heart. Hehe.
He felt as if his body had become warm and snug under the covers, and soon drowsiness washed over him.
……………………………………
The next day, early morning.
The morning mist had just risen, and the clouds had cleared after snowfall.
Jiang Huai climbed out of bed early, wrapped himself in his mink coat, and after washing up, went to the kitchen to start kneading dough, preparing to make hand-pulled noodles for Master.
Even the coldest woman has a soft tongue. If her tongue softens, then even her ears will follow suit. Taking care of his master’s delicate pink tongue was Jiang Huai’s duty as her only truly devoted disciple.
While kneading the dough, Jiang Huai pondered. Since Luo Yueguan was also coming, should he make some extra? After all, he understood that it would be wise to keep things friendly. He knew the engagement would definitely be broken; it was better to act quickly. The longer they waited, the more Luo Qingyu would be talked about, and since she was already somewhat socially anxious, it wouldn’t be good to scare her further.
Lost in thought, Jiang Huai simply decided to knead an extra portion. If there were leftovers, he could always stir-fry them at noon. He had thoroughly studied the extensive cooking skills he acquired from the system and had mastered numerous culinary techniques; he was undoubtedly the little kitchen god of the Tian Xuan Sect.
Jiang Huai had met Luo Yueguan before. As his master’s best friend, who would become his future mother-in-law, he was familiar with her. Compared to his master’s ethereal coldness, Luo Yueguan was an extreme contrast. She had alluring fox-like eyes that always seemed to sparkle, making her incredibly captivating. When she visited his master, she treated him as a naive child, often dressing in revealing attire that showcased her long, slender white legs.
When she was younger, she loved to pick Jiang Huai up and tickle him. Jiang Huai often regretted that he wasn’t two years younger when Chu Xianning had found him, otherwise he would have rubbed his little face against her ample bosom, begging for treats.
The water in the pot was already boiling. Jiang Huai filled a bowl with his homemade chili oil and, just then, Chu Xianning’s voice rang out softly from behind him, “It’s cold. Don’t make breakfast anymore.”
“It’s chilly in the house; it’s good to warm up by the fire.” Jiang Huai turned to look at Chu Xianning, and a hint of admiration flashed in his gaze.
Perhaps it was because she was meeting an old friend today, or because it was a day that required her to put on a display, Chu Xianning wore a long black dress with golden tassels that accentuated her graceful figure. The fitted waist revealed her slender curves, while the hem of the dress showed off her fair legs, making her look exceptionally elegant and charming.
The dress slightly softened Chu Xianning’s cool demeanor, adding a touch of elegance and brightness.
“It’s almost ready to eat.”
Jiang Huai scooped the noodles out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. The cooked noodles were soft and chewy, and the aroma of his secret chili oil filled the air. Chu Xianning and he each carried a bowl to the courtyard. But just as Jiang Huai picked up his chopsticks, a spirit boat descended from the sky.
Any cultivator from the Tian Xuan Sect could see the remarkably luxurious spirit boat hovering above them.
Everyone could recognize it as the exclusive spirit boat of the Qingxuan Sect’s Master, Luo Yueguan.
Anyone could guess why Luo Yueguan had come to the Tian Xuan Sect.
Some felt regret, some sighed, while others secretly rejoiced.
But Jiang Huai merely paused for a moment, then picked up his chopsticks and continued to eat heartily. He also reminded Chu Xianning, “Master, the noodles should be eaten while hot.”
………………………………
After a short while.
Luo Yueguan’s sword hovered in the courtyard.
Jiang Huai turned his gaze to her.
In the deep winter, Luo Yueguan wore a sleeveless purple qipao. The modified qipao accentuated her slender waist, the neckline connected to her neck, while her smooth shoulders were fully exposed. The hem fell to her ankles, but the side slit revealed glimpses of her snowy legs.
The qipao’s most striking feature was how it highlighted her figure. As Jiang Huai watched her from the side, her round and ample backside created a stunning curve that reminded him of a ripe peach. The thought that this woman would soon be confronting him made him avert his eyes.
Chu Xianning sat there calmly without speaking, while Luo Yueguan’s gaze fell upon Jiang Huai’s face. She first used her spiritual energy to probe his body, confirming that his meridians were shattered and his qi reservoir was broken. Stepping down from her spirit sword, she approached Jiang Huai.
Jiang Huai thought for a moment, then stood up to fetch a chair from the house, placing it beside Luo Yueguan and softly saying, “Auntie Luo, please sit.”
Luo Yueguan adjusted her qipao and sat gracefully. Her light blue eyes were not as languid and charming as usual; instead, they seemed deliberately cold. After a moment, she spoke, “Your cultivation has been ruined?”
“Yes.” Jiang Huai nodded gently.
“What did Granny Jiuy say?”
“There is basically no chance of healing.”
The three medicinal materials were not exceedingly hard to find, but what was difficult was that one needed both the Flower Spirit Physique and the Ice Soul Profound Body. Interestingly, Chu Xianning was the Flower Spirit Physique, while the alluring woman before him was the Ice Soul Profound Body.
She only asked things everyone already knew, as if to make the next part of her words easier to say. Even the harshest truths needed some context to maintain dignity.
So Jiang Huai simply awaited her response in silence.
“Jiang Huai, you are a smart person. Do I need to spell out what comes next?”
Luo Yueguan crossed her long, slender snowy legs, her sharp high heels glinting ominously. She rested her elbow on her thigh, supporting her fragrant cheeks, and gazed intently at Jiang Huai, her eyes cold.
This posture was not elegant or graceful at all, rather it was rather intense.
“Of course I understand, but I have one more thing to ask, Auntie Luo.”
“You may ask.”
“Was breaking off the engagement Luo Qingyu’s idea too?” Jiang Huai focused his gaze on her face, which was his only confusion.
“Qingyu has been in seclusion for these past few days and won’t be coming out for a while. She does not even know that your cultivation has been ruined.”
“Then why doesn’t Auntie wait for her to come out before making a decision?” Jiang Huai asked softly.
At that moment, a flicker of unease passed through Luo Yueguan’s eyes. She looked calmly at him, “Do you know how many whispers have circulated in the Qingxuan Sect these past few days? Most mock me for finding a dull-witted Dao Companion for Luo Qingyu. I didn’t rush over the moment your cultivation was ruined out of respect for you. It’s been three months; since your cultivation cannot be restored, the engagement must be broken sooner or later.”
“But that is not what Luo Qingyu wants.” Jiang Huai said softly.
“I am Qingyu’s mother; my will is her will! Do you still intend to cling to my daughter and burden her for a lifetime?!”
A flash of anger appeared in Luo Yueguan’s eyes.
