Legend of Yu LanCh14 - once the candy melts away, so will your problems

A pair of slim boots gently touched the ground. A slender hand flipped the neat braid over her shoulder as she retrieved her sword and resheathed it. The woman turned on her heels and approached the gates of Drifting Clouds Mountain Sect. She lifted her pendent to the observing guards and entered the sect without halting a step. Her lips were pressed into the usual straight line as she walked past. The two guards watched her and sighed in their hearts, both having the same thoughtโ€””as expected of Drifting Clouds Mountain Sectโ€™s flowerโ€.

โ€œElder Zhou,โ€ a group of younger disciples bowed as Zhou Yingโ€™an walked by. Tx3Lzg

The woman froze and glanced at the disciples. After another moment, she nodded and proceeded on by. The group of younger disciples shuddered. They thought, for a second, they would be getting a scolding.

As the group and the woman pulled further away, the woman let out a low sigh. A headache was incoming.

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When he was younger, there had been many times that Wu Lingtian had used the Shapeshifting Technique. There were missions that had required him to go undercover and he had been the most proficient at it, so the other disciples depended on him. Most of the times he transformed into guards, sometimes he transformed into dandies. There was even a handful of times he had pretended to be women in pleasure houses or mistresses of the rich and powerful. This was, however, the first time he was impersonating someone he personally knew in a place that knew them very well. He was suddenly extra careful about his every step and movement.

โ€œAh? Zhou-shijie,โ€ another voice called out Wu Lingtian. He looked up at the familiar man walking towards him and rummaged his head for how Zhou Yingโ€™an normally interacted with this person. โ€œHow come youโ€™ve come back so soon?โ€ iVz23c

โ€œHe Ling,โ€ Wu Lingtian greeted, his voice pitched much higher than he was used to. โ€œThere was a scripture I was reading and I forgot to bring it with me.โ€

โ€œAh,โ€ Hรฉ Lรญng (ไฝ•ๅ‡Œ) smiled. โ€œI see. Then, Zhou-shijie, are you going to be staying for a while? If you have some time, we canโ€”โ€

โ€œSorry, He Ling,โ€ Wu Lingtian swiftly interrupted him as he had seen happen many times before. He mimicked Zhou Yingโ€™anโ€™s icy expression. โ€œI have to go back to Frost Cliff Pavilion. I asked someone to watch over the office for me, but otherwise, at this moment there is no one there.โ€

He Lingโ€™s smile faltered. A flicker of irritation passed over his face but he nodded nonetheless. โ€œNext time then.โ€

26Zi W

Wu Lingtian gave a noncommittal hum before turning to leave. The long braid nearly smacked He Ling in the face. He didnโ€™t have to see to know that He Lingโ€™s face was currently burning in embarrassment and anger.

This type of conversation had happened so often throughout the years that Wu Lingtian always wondered why He Ling still bothered. Obviously, Zhou Yingโ€™an was not interested in himโ€”or anyone else in this sect for that matterโ€”but he still tried. Instead of getting what he wanted, heโ€™d only get a bruised ego.

Wu Lingtian suddenly thought of a prostitute that he had known when he was younger.

โ€œMen,โ€ she had said as she languidly lifted each hairpin to look at. Her slim, dainty fingers placing them up to her hair as she looked at herself in the copper mirror, โ€œAre creatures who like a challenge. The harder it is to get something, the harder they will try.โ€ m6vfRc

She had turned to Wu Lingtian. Her cherry lips curving into a sweet smile as her eyes squinted suggestively. โ€œYou must not grow up to be like that, Xiao Wu.โ€

Wu Lingtian had furrowed his brows with obvious confusion in his eyes. โ€œBut didnโ€™t you just say all men are like that?โ€

โ€œSome men arenโ€™t!โ€ย  she lightly tapped him on the nose. โ€œOnly entitled scum. Good men arenโ€™t like that, so you can just be a good man.โ€

Wu Lingtian smiled to himself and continued on throughout the sect. He stopped by the main hall, then Rong Meihuaโ€™s old residence and even the courtyard leading towards the dining hall. The hint given to him had been vague, but it had been obvious enough that he understood just where he should be visiting. UR1ku4

On his way away from the dining hall, a bright chirp called out to him. Wu Lingtianโ€™s steps paused as he watched a young woman run towards him. His brows furrowed and his lips pursed as Zhou Yingโ€™anโ€™s had many times before.

Xiu Lan drove her heels into the ground and looked at โ€œZhou Yingโ€™anโ€ with a sheepish look. โ€œโ€ฆShishu.โ€

โ€œA young woman running around as such, where is your propriety?โ€ Wu Lingtian felt that his imitation wasnโ€™t too bad. Zhou Yingโ€™an had always been like this. Even if the human body had the function to run, within the sect, as long as she saw someone running she would snap at them.

โ€œI was just excited to see you,โ€ Xiu Lan said. oKB3s0

โ€œStill talking back?โ€

Xiu Lan pouted. โ€œIโ€™m sorry, Shishu. I was wrong.โ€

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โ€œMn,โ€ Wu Lingtian raised his hand familiarly and patted Xiu Lanโ€™s head. Xiu Lanโ€™s eyes widened and Wu Lingtian knew he had made a mistake. He retracted his hand and haughtily tilted his chin. โ€œSo? What were you so excited to see me for?โ€

โ€œHuh? O-ohโ€ฆwell,โ€ Xiu Lanโ€™s small figure deflated. โ€œItโ€™s not really that I was excited to see you for anything. Itโ€™s justโ€ฆโ€ QWEID8

โ€œDonโ€™t stutter. If you have anything to say, just say it,โ€ Wu Lingtian said. Every word he spoke was like sandpaper against his tongue. It was difficult to bear and hard to get out. How come he had never noticed how harshly his shijie treated others?

Xiu Lan seemed to be used to this treatment, however. She lowered her eyes. โ€œShishu, I went out on a mission a few days ago with Shizun, and heโ€ฆhe got really angry.โ€

โ€œHe did?โ€

โ€œI thought thatโ€ฆhe said that we were trying to get Wu-shishu back, but I,โ€ Xiu Lan bit her lower lip. She glanced anxiously at Wu Lingtian, but seeing that he wasnโ€™t going to yell at her she breathed out a sigh of relief. โ€œI think he actually hates Shishu.โ€ LHkuUQ

Wu Lingtian had long known this fact, but Li Ran had been quite good at acting. He put on a confused expression. โ€œWhy do you say that?โ€

โ€œHe justโ€”he got so angry. Shizun isnโ€™t normally get like that! Not with Shishu. I justโ€ฆI feel like something is wrong, but I canโ€™t tell what,โ€ Xiu Lan said. She looked as if she was on the verge of tears. โ€œNow Iโ€™m hearing rumors that Shizun actually wants to kill Shishu, so Iโ€ฆIโ€ฆShishu, Iโ€™m scared.โ€

Wu Lingtianโ€™s fingers twitched at his sides. He resisted the urge to reach out and pat Xiu Lanโ€™s head again. Doing it once was fine, but twice would make Xiu Lan think something was wrong with Zhou Yingโ€™an. It was not her habit, after all.

โ€œItโ€™s fine, your shizun would never kill your shishu,โ€ Wu Lingtian said. Thankfully, Zhou Yingโ€™an was never the type to put emotion into her voice. 0fwTYc

Xiu Lan didnโ€™t appear very comforted, but she also felt that her shishu wouldnโ€™t lie to her. Eventually, she could only nod. She glanced at Zhou Yingโ€™an and walked away, feeling a bit more saddened than she was before. If it had been Wu Lingtian who saw her so worried and sad, he would have definitely patted her head and offered her candy.

Wu Lingtian watched Xiu Lan leave. Only after she had disappeared from his sight did he turn and head for the last location on his list.

Soon, he approached a large, looming residence. He looked up at the empty space above the doors and envisioned the sign that had once been there: โ€œTongyun Hallโ€. Now, the sign had been removed and dust had slowly collected on top of every piece of furniture that had previously been kept meticulously clean. Upon stepping in, it was obvious that no one had visited this place in a long time. Servants must have steered cleared of this area and disciples would have most likely whispered as they were forced to pass it. Even the fish in the pond outside had been removed, either because they had starved to death, or because they had been relocated.

In the blink of an eye, the place that Wu Lingtian could return to had been wiped away, leaving only a silent shell behind. This large hall had once been Wu Lingtianโ€™s home, but now, without the decorative vases, paintings, and sculptures that had been gifted to him for each birthday lining the shelves or placed against the wall, it was simply an empty entrance to a residence for some other future great prodigy that appeared in Drifting Clouds Mountain Sect. MwfFpk

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.

His footsteps echoed as he made his way down the hall. He ignored the hollow feeling in his chest and silently recalled what Rong Meihua had told him before she vanished. He made his way to the back courtyard where a large magnolia tree had been growing since before he had entered the sect. The tree branches scraped past the roof tiles, shielding the courtyard from any form of light. Only bare specks of sunlight managed to peek through. Wu Lingtian slowed to a stop before the tree. He placed his hand and then his forehead on the tree trunk and closed his eyes.

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Wu Lingtian stepped back; his fingertips still lingering on the tree trunk. โ€œThis will be my farewell. I am afraid I cannot return after this.โ€

The tree did not appear to respond, but the chirping birds ceased their song. A stronger wind flew past, throwing the loose hairs on Wu Lingtianโ€™s head into a frenzy. He bowed his head and moved away from the center of the courtyard, ignoring the howling wind that seemed to be tugging on his clothes, begging him to stay. UB0Yhn

Wu Lingtian moved towards a set of stones that had been place deliberately in the courtyard for decoration. He crouched down and looked about for any displaced soil. He recalled the vague words Rong Meihua had uttered. She hadnโ€™t had much time before the demon took her over again, so the hole she had dug was not very deep. She had also noted that it had been near some stone.

He straightened and crossed his arms as he looked across the courtyard. He slowly walked across the courtyard; his head bowed as he observed the ground below him. He continued walking across the courtyard, looking for anything that might seem out of place. When he had finally reached the wall, his eyes caught onto something on

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Wu Lingtian squatted down and began to dig with his hands. He brushed aside the dirt and lifted the wooden box from the ground. His brows furrowed as he ran his fingers over the top of the box, feeling that it was familiar somehow, yet not his. He opened the box and took out the letter from inside. He unfolded it and found that it was made of two pages. The two pages contained Rong Meihuaโ€™s careful handwriting. At the very end was her signature, as well as the seal of the sect leader.

Wu Lingtian read over its contents, finding that it was a documentation and explanation of how everything had happened. There was even an apology at the end, directed towards her three disciples. She hadnโ€™t known who would be the last one to kill her, but she just knew it had to happen one way or another. 8nYtea

He folded the letter and tucked it into the breast of his robes. He looked back down at the dirt covered box and placed it into his spiritual pouch. After covering the hole back up, he paused a moment before stepping into the hall. His feet carried him down the hall until he reached his room. His hand settled against the door but before he pushed it open, he hesitated. There was another presence in the room.

The hand on the door retracted, but the door flew open by itself. Sitting on top of the empty desk was Li Ran. He was no longer wearing the disciple robes of Drifting Clouds Mountain Sect, but wore a set of turquoise robes with faint silver embroidery on its wide sleeves. His hair was not pulled into its usual top knot and flowed down his back. When the two made eye contact, Li Ran smiled sadly.

โ€œItโ€™s you, Shimei.โ€

โ€œDashixiong,โ€ Wu Lingtian bowed his head slightly. g9zsBc

โ€œMn,โ€ Li Ran pushed aside his wide sleeves and looked around the room. โ€œYou came back quite early. Feng Ling is still here.โ€

โ€œI only came back to retrieve something,โ€ Wu Lingtian replied. He paused. โ€œI passed by Shidiโ€™s home andโ€ฆyouโ€™ve already cleaned it out.โ€

Li Ran chuckled softly. His eyes filled with sadness as they slowly trailed over each remaining item. โ€œIf I left it, what would that make me? He is a traitor. He killed our Shizun. I let him get away already. If I kept his residence up, I am afraid the elders would raise their arms against me.โ€

โ€œThe elders?โ€ eC3k9l

โ€œโ€ฆThey donโ€™t like him,โ€ Li Ran said, his voice barely above a whisper. He pursed his lips, indignation welling up in his eyes. He looked at Wu Lingtian. โ€œYingโ€™an, promise you wonโ€™t tell anyone?โ€

Wu Lingtian nodded.

Li Ran waved for him to come in and close the doors. He chewed at his lower lip for a moment. โ€œI didnโ€™t wantโ€ฆI told them that there must have been a misunderstanding.โ€

Wu Lingtianโ€™s heart jolted. 5egqQz

โ€œBut they didnโ€™t want to hear it,โ€ Li Ran said, picking at his fingertips as he spoke. โ€œThey asked me if I was on his side. They said โ€˜Didnโ€™t you say you saw it with your own eyes? What else is there to investigate?โ€™โ€ Li Ran laughed self-deprecatingly. He looked up at Wu Lingtian with the eyes of a madman. โ€œWhy didnโ€™t I say anything? I could haveโ€ฆI could have told them that I actually didnโ€™t see anything. I could have saidโ€ฆin the fit of the moment, we all thought we saw something but I didnโ€™t.โ€

Li Ran held his hand over his mouth as if he were about to throw up. โ€œIโ€™m so despicable. Iโ€ฆIโ€™m selfish. I was scared of what would happen if I vouched for him and he really had killed our shizun because of evil purposes. But itโ€™s Lingtianโ€ฆheโ€ฆhe would never.โ€

โ€œIf you believed that, then why did you go through with the punishments?โ€ Wu Lingtian could not stop himself from asking.

At this, the tears that had been kept in slowly slipped down Li Ranโ€™s face. He held his head in his hands. โ€œThose werenโ€™t my ordersโ€ฆat that time, I hadnโ€™t even become sect leader yet, so how could I haveโ€ฆShimei, you werenโ€™t here, so you didnโ€™t see it, but when he turned to look at me just before he was locked upโ€ฆI had never seen him look so frightened in his life. I should have stepped in then, but I was still so shocked, Iโ€ฆwhy am I even making excuses?โ€ 64xX2i

Li Ran fell silent as his tears hit the floor. โ€œI was just a coward.โ€

Wu Lingtianโ€™s heart hammered against his chest. Perhaps it was the adrenaline rush, but he actually didnโ€™t remember too much from that night. He only remembered the warm blood against his hand and his cheek and the sight of the head detached from its body. He began to feel sweat accumulating on the back of his neck. He slowly bent his fingers to prove to himself that he could still move before he stepped forward and patted Li Ranโ€™s shoulder.

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โ€œWhat should I do?โ€ Li Ran asked quietly. โ€œWe already lost Shizun. In this world, I only have you and Lingtianโ€ฆbut I canโ€™t bring him back. If I bring him back, the elders will want to execute him for sure.โ€

He looked up at Wu Lingtian. โ€œThey dislike him, you know. They say that heโ€™s a painโ€”that he does too much and that heโ€™s far too arrogant.โ€ Li Ran scoffed. โ€œIf they were half as useful then Lingtian wouldnโ€™t have to leave the sect all the time on missions.โ€ y8Er0H

Li Ran used his palm to wipe away his tears. He took a shaky deep breath. He tentatively looked at Wu Lingtian. โ€œHaveโ€ฆhave you spoken to him? Has he contacted you?โ€

Wu Lingtian lowered his gaze.

โ€œI tried to get into contact with him, butโ€ฆwell Iโ€™m not even sure if heโ€™s in Screeching Sparrow Sect right now,โ€ Li Ran murmured. โ€œI made a few fake attempts to appease the elders, but I thinkโ€ฆI think staying at Screeching Sparrow Sect is the safest for him right now. He might get hurt if he returns.โ€

Wu Lingtian listened to Li Ranโ€™s ramblings in silence. When his murmuring came to a stop, Wu Lingtian spoke again. โ€œHe came into contact with me.โ€ yYA4CN

Li Ranโ€™s head shot up. โ€œHe did? You didnโ€™t yell at him, did you? What did you do?โ€

โ€œHe sent me a letter,โ€ Wu Lingtian said. โ€œI already burnt it. But he said that he will be attending the Zhuixing Conference. Apparently, he has an explanation as to why he killed Shizun.โ€

The crazed look in Li Ranโ€™s eyes dispersed. He stood and gripped Wu Lingtianโ€™s shoulders. โ€œIs that true? Shimei, you arenโ€™t lying to me, are you?โ€

โ€œWhat would I gain from lying to you?โ€ Wu Lingtian asked, his voice even and calm. s3AGLR

Li Ranโ€™s hands slowly fell from Wu Lingtianโ€™s shoulders. He choked out a laugh and pushed his hand through his unbound hair. โ€œWhatโ€ฆwhat should I say? Iโ€ฆno, I shouldnโ€™t say anything. Iโ€™ll act coldly, so he knows not to come back. M-maybe Iโ€™ll even act like I donโ€™t believe him?โ€

Wu Lingtian watched his shixiong pace around his old room, his hair becoming a mess because of how many times he ran his hands through it. He felt a pang of sadness. He wanted to reach out and tell Li Ran that he didnโ€™t blame himโ€”that he understood. But the sadness ran deeper, to an unexplainable place that reached far into Wu Lingtianโ€™s soul. It caused an odd uneasiness that, once again, sparked the anxious feeling that told Wu Lingtian that something was off.

After a few more minutes, Wu Lingtian finally opened his mouth bid farewell. Li Ran turned to Wu Lingtian with a frazzled expression. He nodded absentmindedly. โ€œRightโ€ฆgoโ€ฆthenโ€ฆโ€

Wu Lingtian turned to leave, but his arm was quickly grasped by Li Ran. โ€œDa-shixiong?โ€ 90OLRK

โ€œShimei, youโ€ฆbe careful,โ€ Li Ran said, his hands quivering. โ€œBe careful.โ€

Wu Lingtian nodded. โ€œDonโ€™t worry, I will.โ€

The hand released Wu Lingtian. He stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. The further he walked, the quicker his steps became. He took a quick detour to Zhou Yingโ€™anโ€™s room to โ€œaccomplish his purposeโ€ before made his way back to the entrance of the sect.

Wu Lingtian mounted his sword and took to the skies. MbqLc9

The unsettling feeling slowly lifted as the summer wind stung his cheek. The disguise slowly melted from Wu Lingtianโ€™s visage. He pulled his straw hat from his spiritual pouch and tied it around his neck. The veil flowed behind him as he added speed to Zhou Yingโ€™anโ€™s sword, urging it to go faster so he could get away from the sect sooner.

By the time Wu Lingtian returned to Frost Cliff Pavilion, it was night time. He no longer needed the young guard to guide him and he had easily found his way up. When he arrived, he was greeted by Zhou Yingโ€™anโ€™s rigid expression.

Chrysanthemum Garden.

โ€œI thought you said it was difficult to find,โ€ Zhou Yingโ€™an raised an eyebrow.

Wu Lingtian pulled the letter from his breast pocket and handed it to her. โ€œIt was.โ€ rcKmbS

Zhou Yingโ€™an took the letter and eyed him. โ€œI see. Then, good thing you were the one that went.โ€

Wu Lingtian didnโ€™t respond. He only waited for Zhou Yingโ€™an to open the letter and for her to finish reading. Silence filled the space between the two martial siblings. Wu Lingtian watched Zhou Yingโ€™anโ€™s eyes redden. She tilted her head back and took a deep, shaky breath. Despite this, a tear still escaped from the corner of her eye when she blinked. A broken laugh escaped her lips as she bowed her head and shielded her face.

โ€œNo wonder youโ€™re her favorite,โ€ Zhou Yingโ€™an said, her voice muffled and watery. โ€œYou were the only one that noticed anything was wrong.โ€

Wu Lingtian lowered his gaze. He stepped forward and carefully wrapped his arms around Zhou Yingโ€™an. The cries stuttered for a moment. Zhou Yingโ€™an sniffled and placed her forehead against Wu Lingtianโ€™s shoulder as she hugged him around the waist. He placed his chin against the top of her head and listened to her choked sobs. His eyes looked at the clouds drifting by far above. The discomfort in his chest tightened. j3Jc2H

โ€œWhen I was younger, I was told that when people who have defended the common people or who were kindhearted pass away, they will get sent up to the Heavenly Palace and they will be canonized as gods,โ€ Wu Lingtian said.

Zhou Yingโ€™anโ€™s turned into soft hiccups.

โ€œEven if Shizun is gone, she might still be looking down on us from Heaven,โ€ Wu Lingtian said, his voice soft. โ€œWhenever there are clouds, just take it as her watching us. Maybe one day we will really see her again.โ€

Zhou Yingโ€™anโ€™s fingers dug into Wu Lingtianโ€™s back. A soft giggle left her lips. โ€œI thought you grew up by the demon cultivatorsโ€”who told you something like that?โ€ WH57dO

Wu Lingtianโ€™s heart twisted as a soft smile appeared in his mind. It was almost as if he had been brought back to that day when a piece of candy was pushed past his lips, bringing him out of his depressed stupor. โ€œThere was a person.โ€

Wu Lingtian pulled away and reached into his spiritual pouch. He held out a piece of candy to Zhou Yingโ€™an. โ€œEat.โ€

Zhou Yingโ€™an wiped away her tears with the back of her hand and looked at Wu Lingtian quizzically.

โ€œOnce the candy is completely dissolved, just act as if your problems have disappeared too,โ€ Wu Lingtian said. OXcPm9

โ€œAnd who taught you this little trick?โ€ Zhou Yingโ€™an took the candy and placed it into her mouth. She cringed. โ€œItโ€™s so sweetโ€ฆโ€

โ€œThe sweeter the better,โ€ Wu Lingtian said, ignoring her first question. He took the letter back from Zhou Yingโ€™an and carefully folded it back up.

โ€œWhy are you taking that back?โ€ Zhou Yingโ€™an asked. โ€œI can just file it away for you.โ€

โ€œI will be attending Zhuixing Conference,โ€ Wu Lingtian declared. He tilted his head up to look at the passing clouds. โ€œI can declare my innocence then. Sect Master Zhong will be there to verify its truths. If you do it by yourself, I fear that there will be people who doubt me.โ€ 5n7VyG

Zhou Yingโ€™an nodded. In the cultivation world, the flashier the event the better. This way, the news could get out and spread faster. If they were to do it quietly like this, even if the involved parties knew, the rest of the cultivation world would still be vilifying Wu Lingtian.

โ€œStay here until then,โ€ Zhou Yingโ€™an suggested.

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Wu Lingtian turned to look at her.

โ€œWe have extra rooms and extra clothes,โ€ Zhou Yingโ€™an looked at Wu Lingtianโ€™s attire and frowned slightly. A flash of confusion flashed through her eyes. She looked back up at Wu Lingtianโ€™s expression. โ€œThere are some red robes.โ€ hCiwu4

โ€œNo need.โ€

โ€œLingtian, is now the time to act courteous? You do not have anywhere to return to, right? Just say here. I can clean up a room for you.โ€

โ€œNo need, Shijie,โ€ Wu Lingtian said. โ€œI have a place I can return to.โ€

Zhou Yingโ€™anโ€™s eyes widened before her expression became guarded. โ€œHave you been staying at Screeching Sparrow Sect?โ€ dRYwxP

โ€œIโ€”โ€

โ€œHas Fan Yi taken advantage of you?โ€

Whatever explanation Wu Lingtian had prepared became immediately stuck in his throat. He opened and closed his mouth several times but the only sound you could produce was a very croaked: โ€œโ€ฆAh?โ€

Zhou Yingโ€™an bit her lip angrily. โ€œHas he? You can tell me.โ€ L0ZQf5

โ€œHeโ€”โ€

โ€œHe told everyone that he had romantic designs towards you!โ€ Zhou Yingโ€™an said. โ€œYou were at such a weak state, there is no way he wouldnโ€™t have taken advantage of you.โ€

โ€œโ€ฆHe what?โ€

โ€œDonโ€™t trust him, Lingtian,โ€ Zhou Yingโ€™an said seriously. โ€œHe might be nice now, but who knows what heโ€™ll be like in the future when he thinks he has you by his side. Be careful that he isnโ€™t using you when youโ€™re at your lowest.” 6n8PW4

Wu Lingtian watched his senior martial sister grow angry for him. He wordlessly shook his head. โ€œSect Leader is not that kind of person.โ€

Zhou Yingโ€™anโ€™s eyes widened. โ€œHow do you know? How long have you even known him for? Lingtian, you have to be careful.โ€

Wu Lingtian looked off to the side for a moment before shaking his head again. โ€œI know him. He is not the kind of person to manipulate someone like that.โ€

Zhou Yingโ€™an continued to look unconvinced, however she eventually conceded. โ€œThen, I wonโ€™t keep youโ€ฆat least stay for the night though. You can leave in the morning.โ€ hGNt9T

โ€œNo,โ€ Wu Lingtian pulled his sword out. โ€œIt is more inconvenient for me to travel in the morning. Shijie, you do not need to worry about me. I can take care of myself.โ€

Zhou Yingโ€™an sighed. She pursed her lips and nodded. โ€œAlright. Donโ€™t forget to rest too.โ€

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โ€œMn,โ€ Wu Lingtian nodded. โ€œI will see you in two weeks.โ€

Zhou Yingโ€™an hummed. She watched as Wu Lingtian mounted his sword and took off to the skies. In a matter of moments, he had flown away, leaving not even a shadow behind. JlwvF

Wu Lingtian flew the full day and a half without rest once more. When he landed in WuYe City in the middle of the day, he was greeted by a few stall owners that had come to know his face. The straw hat that he had been planning on lifting up remained against his back as he made his way through the city. He caught glimpses of Screeching Sparrow Sect disciples, making their rounds to various shops and stalls they needed to visit.

His steps slowed to a stop in the middle of the crowded city. He felt himself nudged and pushed in every direction. The sounds of chatter filled his ears and an odd sense of peace slowly washed over him. The sense of unease and discomfort slowly disappeared. He lifted his foot and took a step in the direction of Screeching Sparrow Sect.

He flew the rest of the way, once he stepped out of the gates of WuYe City. He flew up the stairs, not bothering to give them a second glance, and landed smoothly just before the guard towers. When he looked up, he saw two disciples poked their heads out. After confirming who he was by looking at the pendent hanging at his waist, the array retracted momentarily for Wu Lingtian to step in.

The familiar sight of Screeching Sparrow Sect greeted him. As it was the afternoon, the disciples had started their free time. Many ran around while others opted to sit under a tree and read. As Wu Lingtian passed by, their cheerful voices greeted him from every which way. It contrasted the calming greetings he had received as Zhou Yingโ€™an just the day before. naP OB

Before Wu Lingtian knew where he was going, he already found himself knocking on the door.

A soft โ€œcome inโ€ greeted him. Wu Lingtian pushed the door open and stayed in the doorway as Fan Yi lifted his head. The look of surprise didnโ€™t occur. Instead, a warm smile spread across Fan Yiโ€™s face. He set his brush down and stood.

โ€œYouโ€™ve returned,โ€ Fan Yi rounded his desk. โ€œHow was it? Was it successful?โ€

โ€œMn.โ€ HhuTxs

โ€œGood,โ€ Fan Yi looked Wu Lingtian up and down. โ€œYou must be tired. Are you hungry? I can get you something to eat now. You can take a bath first and food will be done once you are finished.โ€

Wu Lingtian mutely shook his head.

โ€œMm, then, do you just want to wash your face a bit and rest?โ€ Fan Yi asked. โ€œJudging by how youโ€™re already back, you must not have rested during your journey.โ€

Wu Lingtian shook his head again. 5R3zmD

โ€œDidnโ€™t I tell you to rest?โ€ Fan Yi sighed. โ€œItโ€™s fine. The guest courtyard has actually finished its repairs while you were gone, so you can move back there now. You can rest until dinner time. I hear tonight weโ€™re eating something with noodles. I feel like we havenโ€™t had noodles in a while.โ€

Fan Yi waited patiently for Wu Lingtian to respond, but the man simply stood there, his eyes trained on Fan Yi. The silence was filled with the gentle sounds of cicadas. Fan Yiโ€™s kind expression turned into one of confusion. He stepped forward and took a closer look at Wu Lingtian.

โ€œYu Lan, are you okay?โ€

โ€œโ€ฆSect Leader.โ€ kZX mj

โ€œHm?โ€

Wu Lingtian lowered his gaze silently.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

It was hard to ignore the trembling of his fingertips.

Fan Yi moistened his lips and drummed his fingers against the sides of his thigh before he reached into his belt and produced a small piece of candy. He unwrapped it and pressed it against Wu Lingtianโ€™s lips. The eyes on the other man widened, but he still obediently opened his mouth. Fan Yiโ€™s finger brushed against Wu Lingtianโ€™s bottom lip. He smiled as he retracted his hand. uFQGDC

He clapped once. โ€œAlright! Once the candy melts, so will all your problems.โ€

Wu Lingtian pushed the candy around his mouth. He glanced at Fan Yi and fought away the embarrassment that was crawling up his neck. โ€œโ€ฆThank you, Sect Leader.โ€

Fan Yi let out a soft sigh and chuckled. He watched Wu Lingtian a moment longer before stepping around. โ€œCome on, letโ€™s get you something real to eat.โ€

โ€œโ€ฆMn.โ€ 6myodS


โ†ณ ๅธˆๅ” can also be used for ๅธˆๅฐŠโ€™s martial sisters

โ†ณ ๅฝคไบ‘ (Tรณngyรบn) โ€“ Could refer to red clouds, as in red light reflecting against the clouds like during sunset/sunrise. It could also be referring to the dark, dense clouds before it begins to snow.

Leave a Comment

6 comments

  1. What is the reputation of a Seducer that Fan Li has?!?

    Also Yu Lan relaxing in all the friendly liveliness is heart warming

    Thank you for chapter

  2. Zhou Ying’an may have accidentally triggered the thing she was trying to warn him about! I thought there was no reason to go back to his sect, but it looks like he had a home and close friends there. That’s a lot to lose all at once.