Jealousy and the desire to protect the flower

Xue Yong's incident was a minor incident, not causing much commotion, but it made me more aware of my situation in Liangshan. Beauty and talent are not a blessing in troubled times. Without sufficient strength or support, they are like a child carrying gold in a busy city. Fortunately, I have the support of Gongsun Sheng.

He seemed to realize this, and though he didn't explicitly state it, he became even more strict with my cultivation. Beyond just the "Heart Purification Mantra" and talismans, he began teaching me more practical techniques for harnessing spiritual energy, like how to channel a tiny amount of spiritual energy into my legs to increase my running speed; how to focus it in my eyes to enhance my night vision; and even how to gather a faint trace of thunder energy at my fingertips. While it wasn't as powerful as his Five Thunders, it could still provide a surprising paralyzing effect in a close encounter.

These methods may seem simple, but they are extremely practical, and they are obviously specially selected to address the dangers I may encounter. I know that this is another form of protection from him, so I study them very seriously.

However, the atmosphere in Liangshan has quietly changed with the arrival of Song Jiang.

Song Jiang truly possessed exceptional qualities. He treated everyone, regardless of their status, with unwavering generosity, showing concern and concern for their well-being. This quickly earned him the support of many lower-ranking leaders and followers. Within the Juyi Hall, his voice grew increasingly influential, often drawing support from numerous people when he offered a suggestion. Even Chao Gai sometimes had to consider his opinions.

That day, the leaders gathered in the Juyi Hall to discuss the stronghold's financial and food expenses and future development. Song Jiang pointed out that the stronghold's current population was so large that relying solely on plundering the wealthy and passing caravans was not a long-term solution. He proposed developing legitimate livelihoods, such as utilizing the waterfront to organize fishermen to catch large quantities of fish and dry them, or cultivating mountain land to grow durable crops to achieve self-sufficiency.

This proposal was not objectionable, and could even be considered a wise and prudent one. Chao Gai and Wu Yong both agreed.

However, when discussing who would be specifically responsible for these matters, Song Jiang suddenly changed the subject, looking at me gently and saying with a smile, "I've heard that Miss Bu is not only proficient in music, but also quite ingenious in managing household affairs. Brother Song Qing has mentioned many times before that thanks to her guidance, the logistics of the mountain stronghold are in perfect order. Opening up a new business is a complex matter, requiring someone with a meticulous mind and good planning skills. I, Song, would like to take the liberty of thinking that Miss Bu might be able to take on this important task. Would you like to discuss this with the other leaders?"

As soon as he said this, the hall suddenly became quiet for a moment.

Asking me, a woman, to participate in such a crucial matter that concerns the very foundation of the stronghold? While I did offer some advice on logistics before, it was mostly advisory, not direct control. Song Jiang's move, while seemingly a compliment, actually thrusts me into the spotlight!

Alarm bells rang in my heart. What did Song Jiang mean by this? Did he truly believe I had talent? Or was he trying to draw me into his camp? Or... was this some more subtle attempt to test and exploit me?

I subconsciously looked at Gongsun Sheng. He sat upright in his chair, his eyes lowered, the steam rising from the teacup in his hand blurring his facial expression, making it hard to see clearly.

Wu Yong waved his feather fan, his eyes flickering, but he did not express his opinion immediately.

Chao Gai hesitated. He looked at me, then at Song Jiang, and said, "Miss Bu is indeed talented, but... these tasks are complicated and arduous. I'm afraid..."

"Brother Tianwang, you're worrying too much." Song Jiang said with a smile, "Miss Bu is extremely intelligent. She only needs to provide guidance. The brothers will handle the specific implementation. Besides, this is also for the long-term planning of the stronghold. It's always good to have another person to offer advice."

He spoke without a single mistake, as if he was speaking out of impartiality.

I sneered in my heart and was about to find a suitable excuse to shirk, but Gongsun Sheng, who had been silent all the time, suddenly spoke.

His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, with an unmistakable indifference: "Bu Luanyin is practicing with me at this critical time. She needs to be calm and focused, and should not be disturbed by worldly affairs. The matters of the mountain stronghold's finances and grain will be decided by Chao Tianwang, Song Gongming, and Wu Xuejiu. Why should a woman like her worry about it?"

He directly rejected it for me! There was even a subtle hint of hardness in his tone.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became a little subtle.

The smile on Song Jiang's face froze for a moment, then returned to normal. He laughed and said, "It was Song who was inconsiderate. I was only concerned with the affairs of the mountain stronghold, but forgot that Miss Bu is a cultivator. It is important to cultivate in seclusion, it is important to cultivate in seclusion." Although he said so, there was a very faint haze in the depths of his eyes.

Wu Yong quickly tried to smooth things over: "Sir, you are absolutely right. Miss Bu's cultivation is a big deal. As for establishing a business, we need to make long-term plans and select capable people."

Chao Gai also breathed a sigh of relief and said quickly: "Yes, yes, Miss Bu, it is important to practice."

The matter was thus exposed.

But I could sense that, ever since that day, Song Jiang's gaze on me had lost some of its former gentleness, becoming more scrutinizing and distant. And the invisible barrier between him and Gongsun Sheng seemed even more pronounced.

I knew in my heart that Song Jiang's move was probably not because he really wanted to use me, but more like a test - to test my weight in Gongsun Sheng's heart and to test Gongsun Sheng's bottom line.

Gongsun Sheng's unhesitating protection that day, and even his rejection with a hint of displeasure, was undoubtedly an announcement to everyone: Bu Luanyin is under his protection, and no one else is allowed to touch her, nor to arrange her at will.

This almost overbearing defense reassured me, while also giving me a secret joy. It wasn't that he didn't understand the ways of the world; he just used to disdain it. Now, for my sake, he was willing to show such a tough side in front of everyone in this Gathering Hall.

Is this considered...a manifestation of jealousy?

Although this jealousy does not stem from love between men and women, it is more like a declaration and protection of property.

One evening a few days later, I was practicing my newly learned "Wind Control Technique" in the back mountains, trying to harness spiritual energy to make my body lighter and increase my running speed. Just as I was reaching a crucial point, I suddenly heard a melodious flute sound from not far away.

The sound of the flute is clear and melodious, and it seems particularly ethereal in the twilight-shrouded mountain forest. The technique is quite impressive.

I looked in the direction of the sound and saw a scholar in a green robe sitting on a rock not far away. It was Ma Lin, the "Iron Flute Immortal" who had accompanied Song Jiang up the mountain. He was concentrating on playing and didn't notice me.

I didn't want to disturb him and was about to leave quietly, but Ma Lin just finished singing a song, looked up and saw me.

A flash of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he immediately stood up, bowed and said with a smile: "Mr. Bu? I am Ma Lin. I am sorry for disturbing your peace by playing here."

"Thank you for your courtesy, Captain Ma. The flute sounds so beautiful, why are you disturbing me?" I replied politely and was about to leave.

"Master Bu, please stay." Ma Lin stepped forward quickly and stopped in front of me, his face full of the enthusiasm of a scholar. "I have long heard that Master Bu's pipa playing is superb, unrivaled in the world, and I have long admired him. I am fortunate to meet you today. I wonder if I could ask you a few questions? I also have some experience in this flute art, perhaps we can verify each other's knowledge..."

He's here again! These "cultured people" who followed Song Jiang up the mountain always seemed to have an inexplicable confidence, thinking that they had more in common with "talented women" like me.

I was impatient and was about to reject him coldly when a cold voice sounded behind me:

"She's not available."

Gongsun Sheng appeared behind me at some point. His face was calm, but his eyes were as cold as the surface of a frozen lake, falling on Ma Lin.

When Ma Lin saw Gongsun Sheng, his face turned pale instantly, and he almost couldn't hold the jade flute in his hand. He bowed hurriedly and said, "Greetings... Greetings, Mr. Gongsun! I... I didn't know you were here. Sorry to bother you. I'll take my leave now, I'll take my leave now!" After saying that, he almost crawled and disappeared at the end of the mountain road.

I looked at his disheveled back, then turned back to look at Gongsun Sheng, whose expression was still icy, and couldn't help but sigh: "Master, by doing this...will you offend everyone?"

Gongsun Sheng retracted his gaze and looked at me, his tone calm and unperturbed: "You are such a noisy fellow. I have offended you."

He paused, then added, "If you don't want to pay attention in the future, just reject it directly. There's no need to be hypocritical."

The protection and connivance in these words are almost undisguised.

I looked at his cold eyes and the irritation in my heart caused by the harassment from outsiders disappeared instantly, replaced by a warm feeling of security.

"I understand." I replied in a low voice, but the corners of my mouth couldn't help but rise slightly.

Jealousy arises and the desire to protect the flower grows stronger.

I know that he may not have fully understood the throbbing of "love", but he used his own way to carve out an inviolable territory for me on this dangerous Liangshan Mountain.

This territory has nothing to do with power, it only concerns the will of Gongsun Sheng.

And this, for me, is enough.