The sound of joyous music mingled with the clinking of glasses. Patrons’ laughter was mixed with ambiguous giggles. The scent of perfume and sweet wine permeated the entire building of Six Ladies, from the top most floor to the bottom ground floor. In a room, away from prying eyes and behind a beaded curtain, was a young man wearing a set of dark navy robes, detailed with golden sparrows. He carried a sour look on his face as a woman wearing semi-revealing clothing poured him another drink. To the side, handsome young woman watched the youth with an amused smile as he downed the remainder of the wine jug.
“That’s number four,” Yu Liulin moved the jugs aside.
“Give me another,” Liang Jun grumbled.
“Haven’t you had enough? If Ren-ge heard I was letting you drink like this, they’d have my head,” Zhen Yueyue said as she sat down beside him.
“I’m so upset!” Liang Jun said, squeezing his fists together. He looked as if he wanted to slam on the table, but decided against it. Instead, the fists landed back in his lap with his anger unreleased. “Zhen-jie, if you had seen them, you would be angry too!”
“I would, I really would have. But you shouldn’t drink so much when you’re this young,” Zhen Yueyue advised.
Yu Liulin moved the fifth jug of wine towards Liang Jun. “Let him drink. Young people should have a healthy way of releasing their anger.”
Zhen Yueyue glared at Yu Liulin, who smiled sweetly in return. “Drinking isn’t healthy.”
“He’s a cultivator though,” Yu Liulin shrugged.
Zhen Yueyue shook her disapprovingly and turned back to Liang Jun. She tugged the wine jug away from him. “Don’t drink anymore. How are you going to get back tomorrow if you have a bad hangover?”
“I’m not even drunk yet,” Liang Jun grumbled. However, he obediently stayed away from the alcohol and took the tea Zhen Yueyue offered him. He took a sip of tea and then angrily shook his fists in the air again. “God, it’s pissing me off!”
Liang Jun breathed out harshly and bit down on the knuckle of his fist. “I wanted to tear them to shreds so badly. Not only did they make fun of WuYe, but they also talked shit about my shizun and Sect Leader. They truly are seeking death.”
“It’s a good thing it was you who took up this mission,” Yu Liulin said as she poured herself a cup of wine. “I think if it were any of those other little rascals, they would have gotten in big trouble.”
“There’s always Su Han and Wen Yi,” Zhen Yueyue said. She glanced at Liang Jun. “If it were them, they wouldn’t have even been caught by Li Ran.”
“Don’t even get me started on Li Ran!” Liang Jun chewed at his lower lip. “If I see him in the future, I’m going to pull him into a dark alleyway and beat him until his head is the size of a pig’s. He’s the scum of the earth. Obviously, he was the one who told his disciples to lure me out that way, yet he acted high and mighty as if nothing happened. What’s the use of taking out your anger on other people? Just because you’re too stupid to hang onto a member of your sect, you’re going to use underhanded methods to try and get him back? Pei! Good thing I’m smart.”
“Right, right, right, you’re the smartest,” Yu Liulin smirked. She poured Liang Jun some more tea. “What are you going to do now?”
“What else can I do? I’ll go back to Jianshi tomorrow and apologize to the ruling minister in Taicheng City. I think it’ll be fine after they see that the problem isn’t persisting,” Liang Jun grumbled. “I’ll also have to report to Sect Leader and tell him what happened.”
Zhen Yueyue patted Liang Jun’s shoulder. “It’s fine. As long as you got out fine, right?”
“When the upcoming conference comes up, I’m going to specifically seek out that stinky woman and give her a piece of my mind. If she gets off without a broken bone then my surname won’t be Liang,” Liang Jun scoffed.
“Screeching Sparrow is still attending the conference?” Yu Liulin asked with surprise in her eyes.
“Of course, we are. The Zhuixing Conference is just once every five years,” Liang Jun said. “It’s a perfectly neutral conference where all sects set aside personal feuds to compete. Even if Lord Yu Lan goes, they technically can’t do anything to him.”
“So long as he isn’t wanted by Frost Cliff Pavilion,” Zhen Yueyue amended.
Liang Jun scoffed. “If Frost Cliff Pavilion had actually granted Li Ran an order to search Screeching Sparrow Sect, do you think he would use such underhanded methods to try to use me? Forget it. I bet Frost Cliff Pavilion asked for evidence and Li Ran couldn’t come up with any.”
“I heard a rumor that they shattered Yu Lan’s sword,” Yú Liǔlín (余柳林) shifted eagerly. “Is that true?”
Liang Jun thought for a moment. “I didn’t see a sword with him when he arrived. He either kept it in his spiritual space or the rumor is true.”
“Where did you hear that from?” Zhen Yueyue asked.
“A friend who has ways to information,” Yu Liulin flashed a charming smile.
Zhen Yueyue rolled her eyes. “You’re always into those sketchy forms of gossip.”
Yu Liulin pecked Zhen Yueyue on the cheek. “How else would I have gotten to know you?”
Liang Jun frowned and slowly looked away. “Hello, a child is here. Please do not show off your affections.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“Oh, so, now you’re a child?” Zhen Yueyue laughed.
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Zhen Yueyue looked at her significant other and raised an eyebrow. “What are you thinking?”
“Just about how it’d be a great show,” Yu Liulin said. “Just think about it. For the past few hundred years, Yu Lan has never shown up to a Zhuixing Conference. If he shows up now that he’s switched sides, wouldn’t that just rub the righteous cultivators the wrong way?”
Zhen Yueyue smiled to herself. “Oh, I hope he does. I really want to see what those old coots’ faces will look like.”
Yu Liulin sighed. “It’s all just hopeful. I bet if he’s strong enough to show up, he still won’t compete—that is, if the rumor about his sword is true.”
Liang Jun fell silent and thought about the mysterious guest that had been resting in the sect leader’s home. As long as nothing went wrong in the coming month, Wu Lingtian may actually join as a member of the Screeching Sparrow Sect.
By the time Liang Jun returned to Screeching Sparrow Sect the next day, it was reaching high noon, about two days later. Liang Jun debated whether or not he should stop by for food in WuYe City before heading back up and after hearing his protesting stomach, Liang Jun landed his sword just outside city borders and headed in.
WuYe City was bustling with activity as usual. People who had things to smile about smiled, people who had things to mourn mourned. There was not a thing out of place, yet Liang Jun couldn’t shake the feeling of irritation he continued to carry from when he met Li Ran. Normally a good round of drinking would shake Liang Jun out of his annoyance, but he couldn’t help but frown whenever he remembered that scene.
It was a good thing that that Yu whatever left. Li Ran was definitely not any good news. Liang Jun began to wonder how good Wu Lingtian’s patience was to have put up with someone like that for so many years.
Liang Jun stepped into a restaurant and was greeted by a flustered waiter.
“Ah, Young Master Liang, we’re quite busy today—but if you wouldn’t mind sitting with someone, we can still get you seated?”
“Of course,” Liang Jun smiled amicably.
The waiter gave him a relieved look and guided him towards a table somewhat tucked into the corner. “Sir, would you mind sharing a table?”
The man sitting at the table glanced up at Liang Jun. He calmly shook his head and allowed the waiter to wipe the chair across from him for Liang Jun to sit.
Liang Jun glanced curiously at the man in front of him. His hair fell down his back in waves. The mole beneath his eye did not seem out of place with his temperament. There was no sword by his side, but the man wearing white robes with black embroidery on it was obviously a martial hero. As for his caliber, Liang Jun had already made up in his mind that he was very strong with no basis.
Sometimes power isn’t seen, it’s felt through the confidence the other person exuded.
Liang Jun remained silent until his food came. He resisted the strong urge to make conversation with the man in front of him. Although he did want to make friends, the man didn’t seem like he would want to talk very much. Liang Jun kept his mouth tightly sealed as he ate and tried to suppress his tapping foot.
The man finished eating far before Liang Jun and paid the bill. He stood without another look to Liang Jun and left the restaurant.
Liang Jun slurped up the remainder of his noodles and stood to pay. When he got to the front, his wallet already out, he heard the waiter say: “Oh, the gentleman that shared a table with you already paid for your meal.”
Liang Jun’s hands paused. He looked up at the waiter in confusion. “The man before? Why? Did he say anything?”
The waiter shook his head. “I assumed you knew him.”
“No, I…do you know his name?”
The waiter shook his head again. “I think he’s new here though. I only started seeing him here the past few days.”
Liang Jun clicked his tongue with a slight pout and ran out of the restaurant. He knew it was futile now. The man had left more than ten minutes ago and WuYe’s streets were always filled to the brim. Liang Jun let out a sigh and mourned that he might not be able to repay the man for his meal.
That’s fine, Liang Jun thought. If he can’t find him now, he’ll just camp out at the restaurant every day until the man shows up again.
As Liang Jun made his way back to Screeching Sparrow Sect, he tried to think of reasons as to why the man bought him a meal without exchanging a single word of conversation. Was it because he was good looking? But if that were so, he would have at least asked for a name, wouldn’t he?
No matter what it was, the irritation Liang Jun felt from several days ago slowly dissipated. Since he was young, he had always taught himself to look on the brighter sides of things. Even if there were people who spat on him, there were still people who offered him clean clothes and warm food. Even if there were people who looked down on him, he still had his shizun and everyone else in Screeching Sparrow Sect. This time, even though he hadn’t been able to teach those assholes a lesson, there was still someone nice enough to treat him to a meal.
Thinking like this, Liang Jun’s mood lightened a whole lot. By the time he returned to the sect, Liang Jun had already recovered his typical countenance.
“I’m home!” Liang Jun announced loudly to the entire sect.
The surrounding disciples glanced over and merely passed him by, an obviously teasing look on their faces. Liang Jun let out a loud sigh and continued to shout. “Why is everyone so cold to me? I went through a lot out there you know!”
“Alright, alright, shut up,” Hua An’ting rolled her eyes. “No one wants to know how much you suffered out in the wilderness.”
Liang Jun clicked his tongue. “That wasn’t happened, alright? There was something else that really upset me, okay?”
Hua An’ting looked at her childhood friend suspiciously, unsure of whether he was joking or not.
Liang Jun smiled and patted her on the shoulder. “I’ll tell you later. I have to go find Shizun and Sect Leader. Do you know where they are?”
“I think Sect Leader is in his study. Second Pillar should be at their own residence,” one of the disciples helpfully replied.
“Thank you,” Liang Jun smiled sweetly. He gave Hua An’ting a pat on the shoulder before jogging off. He ignored her worried gaze and whistled as he traveled to his shizun’s residence. When he made it there, he ran into Wen Yi, who welcomed him back with a small smile. “Shijie! Is Shizun here?”
“Shizun went out earlier today. They should be back tomorrow though,” Wen Yi said.
“Ah,” Liang Jun pouted. “I missed them by just a bit.”
“Did you need them for something?”
“I…I’ll tell you later,” Liang Jun waved his hand as he began to backtrack. “I’m going to go find Sect Leader first.”
Wen Yi’s brow creased with worry, but she nodded. “Alright…he should still be in his study.”
“Mn! Thank you, Shijie!”
Liang Jun let out a breath his mouth as he jogged towards Fan Yi’s residence past the hill. He rubbed at the back of his neck as he walked, hoping the sect leader was there. If he wasn’t, then Liang Jun would have to sit in anxiety until either authority figures returned. He could always tell Tian Xiewen, but the latter would most likely rush to Drifting Clouds Mountain Sect and fight with Li Ran before they could wait for either person to return. He also didn’t want to tell anyone else until he discussed with the sect leader and his shizun what should be done.
Liang Jun felt a depressive air press down on his shoulders as he arrived at Fan Yi’s residence. He shook himself and thought about the kind person who bought him a meal. He slapped his cheeks a few times before heading to Fan Yi’s study.
Just as he stepped up to the door, he heard Fan Yi’s soft, amused chuckle. Liang Jun’s hand froze.
He had never heard the sect leader sound like that before.
“Is it good?”
“Mn,” a soft velvety voice replied.
“Give me a bite.”
“Sect Leader, you can get your own.”
Fan Yi clicked his tongue. “Stingy.”
Liang Jun shuddered. The unconscious sweetness in Fan Yi’s voice was not something Liang Jun was used to hearing in the slightest. He took a step back, unsure of whether he should interrupt or not. However, after thinking about it a bit longer, Fan Yi most likely knew he was already outside the door. Pulling his wits back together, Liang Jun knocked on the door and waited for permission to go in.
“Come in.”
Liang Jun pushed the door open and first greeted Fan Yi before turning to the guest. His mouth froze. He stared blankly at the man in front of him and slowly gasped.
“You—you’re that man from earlier!” Liang Jun said, happily hopping in front of Wu Lingtian.
Wu Lingtian dazedly uncrossed his arms. He removed the candied haw stick from his mouth and looked at Liang Jun. “Oh. It’s you.”
Fan Yi glanced between the two of them. “You two know each other?”
“I saw his uniform earlier and bought him a meal,” Wu Lingtian said.
Fan Yi chuckled. “Yu Lan, you sure are generous.”
Liang Jun giggled at the man’s statement. “Thank you, Lord Immortal. You didn’t have to.”
Wu Lingtian observed Liang Jun’s expression for a moment and nodded, as if saying he knows he didn’t have to. His gaze slowly moved away from Liang Jun’s face and he returned to eating the candy in his hand.
Liang Jun happily watched Wu Lingtian a moment longer before looking to Fan Yi. His expression cooled and he took on a serious bearing. “Sect Leader, I have something to report.”
“Go ahead,” Fan Yi set down his brush.
Liang Jun glanced at Wu Lingtian and then back at Fan Yi.
“It’s fine. We’re all on the same side here,” Fan Yi said.
Wu Lingtian lazily looked over at Fan Yi before averting his gaze again. His eyes neither confirmed nor denied anything. He just looked as if he did not want to be involved.
“The evil spirit this disciple went out to capture was actually a trap set by Sect Leader Li of Drifting Clouds Mountain Sect,” Liang Jun said without another moment of hesitation. “I asked around and it turns out that Sect Leader Li had tried to file an official case against Yu Lan Sword Immortal so he could search our sect without any repercussions. His case was denied on the grounds of not having enough evidence.”
“How do you know it was a trap then?” Fan Yi asked, his brows furrowed.
“It led me into a strange part, unfamiliar part of Jianshi where people rarely travel through. When I landed, I was almost immediately greeted with members from Drifting Clouds Mountain Sect. The only place nearby was a village that is normally under Jianshi’s protection, however they claimed that that village was under the jurisdiction of the righteous sects. They also spoke provoking words to me and before I could attack them, Sect Leader Li stepped in.”
Fan Yi’s expression darkened. He let out a deep breath and peeked at Wu Lingtian, who remained against the pillar with his arms crossed across his chest. The last of the candied haw left the stick and Wu Lingtian held it limply over his bicep. Noticing Fan Yi’s imploring gaze, Wu Lingtian only quietly looked back.
“I will alert everyone to be careful,” Fan Yi decided. “You start telling the others as well.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Liang Jun snuck a glance at Wu Lingtian. When Wu Lingtian looked back, Liang Jun smiled shyly. He turned back to Fan Yi and clasped his hands together and bowed. “Sect Leader, I will take my leave now.”
“Mn, rest up well,” Fan Yi said.
After being dismissed, Liang Jun truly left, leaving Fan Yi and Wu Lingtian alone.
“Why did you buy him a meal?” Fan Yi asked.
Wu Lingtian looked at Fan Yi. “This is what you want to know?”
“Was it because he seemed upset?”
Wu Lingtian looked away. “Knowing my da-shixiong, he was probably upset that he did not manage to get Frost Cliff Pavilion on his side. He will begin trying any means necessary to retrieve me. If this continues, it will become troublesome for you and the sect. I believe, it is time for me to—”
“Yu Lan.”
Wu Lingtian’s rolled the stick between his thumb and pointer finger.
“Why do you want to leave so quickly? You still have two chances,” Fan Yi said.
“Perhaps I would like to save those.”
Fan Yi stood from his desk and approached Wu Lingtian. “You don’t have to save them.”
Wu Lingtian scrutinized Fan Yi.
“There is a way that you can continuously get my help even after you’ve used up your two chances,” Fan Yi sat down on the table beside Wu Lingtian, his arms crossed over his chest as he looked up at the other man.
“How so?” Wu Lingtian asked, obviously just entertaining Fan Yi.
“You can become my person.”
Wu Lingtian’s expression showed a rare flicker of emotion. His brows furrowed indignantly.
“Join my sect,” Fan Yi continued. His lips pulled into a bigger smile. “Become my Fourth Pillar.”
Lu Yans weakness for sweets is adorable. Also random act of kindness can definitely make the receivers day
Thank you for chapter
isn’t he the cutest 🥺💕 thank you for readddinng :DD
Loving how straightforward this is!!
Me too!!
OMGGGG
Glowingreverie, you’re such a tease (The chapter title and last paragraphs). 😏
😏
I am desperately in love with these characters
(´ ； ω ； `) ♡ ♡ Thank you for your hard work ♡
Are Sect Leaders allowed to seduce their own Fourth Pillars? I hope so.
I usually have a load of things I don’t like about the protagonists, but I have to say I just love both Yu Lan and Fan Yi, and their interactions. The other characters are also all a bunch of cuties ☺