Chapter 79: Old Loli, Insufficient Charm
After massaging Pei Lianxue’s shoulders and checking her meridians, Ye Anping tidied up some newly grown excess acupoints before letting her go.
Since Xuan Xing Sect had already provided her with sect uniform and a Disciple Waist Token, she was now an Entry Disciple of Xuan Xing Sect.
In a few days, elders would be assigned to the Entry Disciples. Those suitable for Sword Cultivator would be assigned to Tianyun Peak, while those suitable for Alchemy would be assigned to Moon Spring Peak… Pei Lianxue, as Feng Yu Die’s companion reader, would undoubtedly be assigned to Tianyun Peak under Xuan Xing Sect along with Feng Yu Die and Xiao Yunluo. Elder Qin of Tianyun Peak was wise and experienced. Ye Anping believed his junior sister would improve significantly under Elder Qin’s guidance. His role was to regularly check her meridians and intervene subtly at critical moments to prevent her from being led down the path of ordinary cultivators.
Next, he needed to prepare for his junior sister’s and his own Foundation Establishment. But before that, Ye Anping had to figure out his Golden Finger. After much thought, the best approach would be to ask Si Xuanji. If even the Void Returning cultivator with her Heaven-Piercing Eye didn’t know, then perhaps no one in this world would.
And so…
…
A few days later, at dusk.
After locking up the Physiotherapy shop, Ye Anping changed into slightly more formal attire and flew his sword to the gates of Xuan Xing Sect. As soon as he arrived, two Xuan Xing Sect Disciples flew down from above and blocked his path.
“Little Daoist friend, this is Xuan Xing Sect territory. Outsiders are not permitted entry.”
Ye Anping quickly cupped his hands in return and replied: “Two seniors, this junior is here to see Miss Xuanji…”
“Xuanji?” The two exchanged glances, seemingly unfamiliar with the name, their faces showing a hint of confusion. “I haven’t heard of anyone named Xuanji. Little Daoist friend, do you have a token or a mountain-visiting pass? If not, I’m afraid I cannot let you in.”
“…” Ye Anping felt a moment of awkwardness. Si Xuanji had explicitly told him to just say “Xuanji,” and the gatekeepers would let him in. How did this happen…
After a moment of silence, Ye Anping cupped his hands again, preparing to turn back. However, at this moment, a voluptuous woman arrived on a flying sword from within. Although she wasn’t wearing the Xuan Xing Sect Disciple uniform, the gatekeepers immediately bowed and greeted her.
“Miss Qiu.”
Ye Anping looked up and immediately recognized her as Si Xuanji’s personal maid, named Qiu Shu Rou. While not a person of great importance, he had a deep impression of her. Qiu Shu Rou’s great-great-grandmother had been saved by Si Xuanji over seven hundred years ago. To repay the favor, the Qiu family had sworn a blood oath: every generation’s family head would choose their most outstanding daughter to serve Si Xuanji, and they would never betray her. Qiu Shu Rou was already the eleventh generation.
“Hmm… you two have worked hard. This young master is a guest, I’ll lead him in.”
Upon hearing this, the two gatekeepers looked slightly surprised and scrutinized Ye Anping again. However, they didn’t dare to say anything further, bowing in response before flying away on their swords.
“Then we shall take our leave.”
After watching them leave, Qiu Shu Rou flew her sword to Ye Anping’s side, sizing him up. Her gaze clearly lingered on his face for a moment. “No wonder… he really is quite good-looking…” Qiu Shu Rou murmured.
Ye Anping blinked speechlessly and cupped his hands, asking: “May I ask how Senior is addressed?”
Qiu Shu Rou returned the greeting with a smile. “You can call me Aunt Qiu. Miss has already told me, I’ll take you there.”
“Thank you for your trouble.” Ye Anping nodded and then summoned his flying sword, following Qiu Shu Rou towards Moon Spring Peak of Xuan Xing Sect.
After flying for a while, Qiu Shu Rou flew beside Ye Anping, as if to remind him: “Young Master Ye, this servant will offer a few words of advice.”
“Yes, please do tell.”
“If I’m not mistaken, Young Master Ye is at Qi Refining Completion, correct?”
“…Yes.”
“Well, Young Master Ye, please don’t be fooled by my young lady’s delicate appearance and frail physique. She is actually very powerful… so if you can’t take it later, just call out loudly, and I will go in and stop my young lady.”
“…Mm.”
“Young Master Ye, please remember, I’m truly not joking. Your small physique might not be able to withstand it…”
“…” Ye Anping nodded speechlessly. Yet, he inexplicably felt an urge to clench his toes in embarrassment. He seemed to understand how Si Xuanji had explained things to Qiu Shu Rou: *—This old woman has taken a liking to a young man named Ye Anping and intends to have him help relieve her loneliness. When he arrives, you lead him in. Remember, don’t reveal my identity. Address me as ‘Miss’ in front of him, and don’t tell anyone else…* Was it something like that?
…
Ye Anping felt a few dots appear above his head and didn’t want to think about it any further. After all, this matter couldn’t possibly spread like the rumors Bai Yuexin had spread before. Only he, Si Xuanji, and Qiu Shu Rou should know about it. If this matter were to get out, Si Xuanji herself would lose face – not only would she be an old cow grazing on young grass, but she would also pretend to be young and seduce sixteen-year-old naive youths, leading them down a path of no return… Tsk tsk tsk…
Following Qiu Shu Rou on his flying sword for about fifteen minutes, Ye Anping arrived at a secluded three-courtyard residence nestled within a bamboo forest on Moon Spring Peak. There was also a large lotus pond in the backyard. The girl with Yin-Yang eyes was currently by the pond, sitting on a stone bench in a pavilion. Her short legs dangled, not reaching the ground, and her long, partially dyed black and white hair trailed on the ground.
Seeing Ye Anping fly down on his sword, Si Xuanji immediately jumped off the stone bench and walked over. She performed a graceful curtsy and greeted him: “Young Master Ye, this junior… this young woman has been waiting for a long time.”
Beside Ye Anping, Qiu Shu Rou quickly bowed her head and looked at Ye Anping with a worried expression before going outside to wait. Approaching Ye Anping, Si Xuanji tilted her head and smiled gently, asking: “Young Master Ye, this humble woman has prepared some wine. Would you like to have a few cups first? Or are you in a hurry…?”
“Miss Xuanji has paid her respects.” Ye Anping returned the bow and said, “I have not come to visit Miss Xuanji for the matter of Yang energy.”
“Oh… you haven’t?” Hearing this, the smile on Si Xuanji’s face instantly collapsed, as if disappointed. Her lips turned downwards slightly, and then she led Ye Anping back to the pavilion to sit. “What a pity. I just received a message from Little Qiu. This young woman was worried that she wouldn’t be able to make Young Master Ye happy, and I was quite anxious. To think that Young Master Ye isn’t here for the matter of Yang energy…”
*This old woman is really putting on an act…* Ye Anping smiled and said: “Actually, I have a question I wish to ask Miss Xuanji.”
“Please do tell.”
“Miss Xuanji should be able to see what kind of question it is.”
“Is Young Master Ye referring to the matter of cultivation?” Si Xuanji tilted her head and smiled. “When I first saw you, Young Master Ye, I could tell that you were already at Qi Refining Completion. In just a few days, you’ve gone from the fifth level of Qi Refining to completion. I imagine something must have happened to you.”
“Yes, so I would ask Miss Xuanji to enlighten me. Why has my cultivation suddenly surged?”
“You believe this humble woman knows?”
“…Miss Xuanji appears to be learned and knowledgeable. I imagine you have read many classics. I don’t know anyone else, so I have come to seek your guidance.”
Si Xuanji let out a soft sigh and sat down beside Ye Anping, taking his right hand and spreading it open. “Young Master Ye, previously, this humble woman cast an astrological chart for you once. You are a person who defies destiny, your stellar fortune and fate bound to Tian Shu, the foremost of the Seven Stars. Although I am not entirely certain, the reason for your sudden increase in cultivation is likely due to this.”
“Defy destiny? Tian Shu?” Ye Anping frowned slightly. In the game, Tian Shu referred to the Protagonist, Feng Yu Die.
“All things in the world are under the Heavenly Dao. Beings are born and die according to a set number of destinies. However, you have rebelled against this destiny, breaking free from the Heavenly Dao’s control, like a fish leaping to become a dragon.”
“A carp leaping over the dragon gate to become a dragon?”
“Young Master Ye was originally meant to be a fish in stagnant water, but you have jumped out of the stagnant water and ascended a golden dragon.” Si Xuanji lowered her gaze slightly and, with her slender fingers, lightly wrote in his palm: Feng Yu Die.
“…This is the name of that golden dragon.”
*Fatalism…* Ye Anping frowned and thought for a moment before asking: “In other words, my fate is tied to hers? If she dies, I will die too?”
Si Xuanji shook her head slightly. “If she dies, you will simply fall into another pool of water.”
“So, the current situation is that when I’m with her, I will take away some of her destiny and luck, and my cultivation is also derived from her?”
“You can understand it that way.”
“I see…” Ye Anping nodded. “Thank you, Miss Xuanji, for guiding me.”
“You’re welcome.” Si Xuanji narrowed her eyes and smiled, tilting her head. “Since you’re here, why don’t this humble woman help you suppress your Yang energy? This humble woman has already prepared herself mentally.”
*Didn’t you just say you were anxious?* Ye Anping blinked and quickly stood up, bowing politely. “There’s no need for that. Thank you, Miss Xuanji, I shall take my leave now.”
“Ay…” Without giving Si Xuanji a chance to stop him, Ye Anping, as if facing a formidable enemy, summoned his flying sword at a speed that was practically a getaway and flew away like a streak of light.
Watching Ye Anping fly away, Si Xuanji’s cheeks puffed up in frustration, seemingly angry. However, after a moment, her expression returned to its usual poker face. Si Xuanji looked down at her clothes, lost in thought. Qiu Shu Rou also walked over from the adjacent courtyard. Seeing Si Xuanji examining her current attire, she said: “Little Master, this servant believes it’s not a problem with the clothes.”
Si Xuanji looked at her expressionlessly. “Then he saw through my identity?”
“…This servant believes that’s also unlikely.” Qiu Shu Rou pondered. “If Young Master Ye had seen through your identity, he wouldn’t have spoken to you so naturally before.”
“Then why?” As she asked this question, a parrot’s screeching voice suddenly came from above.
“Insufficient charm!! Insufficient charm!!”
“…”
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“…”
