Chapter 12
Xie Wen subconsciously hid the wooden box behind him, and gave a stiff laugh. "It's nothing important."
Xie Wen felt a pang of regret. How could she be so pathetic? She couldn't hide anything from him at all. She was utterly utterly humiliated.
Looking at Xie Wen now, Chu Xianyue could see the words "guilt" written all over his face, and the fake smile was blatantly obvious.
If there's no foul play involved, even Chu Xianyue himself would find it hard to believe.
Xie Wen didn't just wait listlessly for Chu Xianyue's judgment; she turned and ran, the sound of her running across the Jiangge Bridge fading away as it stretched along its length.
Chu Xianyue watched Xie Wen's figure rushing away, flowing along with the cherry blossoms in the twilight bathed in the setting sun. Her blue skirt swayed and swayed until she disappeared into the distance, becoming a small dot that flew past the river pavilion.
He felt an unprecedented calm within him. Suddenly, he had the illusion that having more people around wasn't so bad. Chu Xian thought about it more and more, realizing that he had probably been misled too much by that broken blood bead, and that he was starting to think this way.
Xie Wen, still shaken, rushed to her small room and hid before Chu Xianyue could react. She hoped no one would find her. She ran around the room, finding nothing safe, nothing acceptable. Finally, she decided that under the bed was the best spot.
After finishing her work, Xie Wen collapsed onto the bed, drenched in sweat, and sighed. Why did she feel like she'd done something shameful, just like the original owner of this body? Wasn't it all because Chu Xianyue had forced her into this situation? She didn't know why, but she always felt he was like a ghost.
Xie Wen turned over, burying his head in the soft silk quilt, and smelled a faint sandalwood scent, just like the faint scent on Chu Xianyue.
Xie Wen lay comfortably in a starfish position on a large, carved mahogany bed with layers of hanging curtains. A round tea table and wooden stools stood nearby, and the open space in the middle was large enough to sleep a dozen more people. Xie Wen got up and pushed open the paper window opposite. Outside, the river pavilion, cherry blossoms, and night intertwined. Squinting slightly, he could even see Chu Xianyue's house across the street.
Xie Wen couldn't help but wonder what Chu Xianyue was doing at this moment. She was a little bored; within the sect, besides Xie Yichun's place, she had nowhere else to go. The original owner of this body had also been a withdrawn person in her previous life, with few close friends, but plenty of enemies who envied her. Xie Wen didn't want to wander around aimlessly; who knew when she might get herself into trouble?
Now that I've moved to Chu Xianyue's place, why is it still as dull as before? Xie Wen pouted, just as he was thinking, when the cloud-shaped ornament at his waist swayed twice, and Chu Xianyue's voice came, "Xie Wen. Have you had dinner?"
Xie Wen stood by the window and peeked over to see Chu Xianyue's side, but didn't see him. He thought to himself with a hint of sarcasm: "They live across the hall, shouldn't everything be a simple matter of a word? Making such a big fuss, they really don't know the value of money. Does spiritual energy come free?"
Goodness, for Chu Xianyue, it seemed like it was free. Everything was available. Xie Wen was fiercely jealous.
Xie Wen responded with a sound of agreement, hesitating for a few seconds before replying. She had just returned from having dinner at Xie Yichun's place not long ago. But now, almost as if possessed, Xie Wen said, "No."
There was a two-second pause on the other end. Xie Wen figured he probably hadn't expected her to be so blunt. Xie Wen just felt that since he'd asked, she shouldn't waste his effort.
"Then come here. I can't finish the food the disciples in the canteen bring me," Chu Xianyue said.
Xie Wen gave an "oh," thinking to herself, "This guy is so arrogant. He wants to invite her to dinner, so why can't he finish? Is he trying to seduce her again?"
For someone of Chu Xianyue's level of spiritual attainment, three meals a day are not necessary. He should have already practiced abstinence from grains, so why would he need to eat dinner?
He wanted to seduce her.
Xie Wen let out a snort.
Xie Wen was bored anyway, so having a late-night snack seemed like a good idea. He swaggered across the covered bridge, stood in front of his door, and knocked, "Master."
A soft voice came from inside, "Come in."
Xie Wen pushed open the door, bringing with him a chill. It was early February, and just a few days ago there had been heavy snowfall.
The wind stirs the window paper, the cold mist shrouds the flowers, and the chilly spring air hastens the snow's cold.
The door creaked shut, and Xie Wen sat down as if he were at home, picking up his bowl and chopsticks to begin enjoying the delicious food on the table. Chu Xianyue glanced at Xie Wen.
Xie Wen tilted his head, sipping his chopsticks, and asked, "What's wrong, Master?"
Chu Xianyue had never seen anyone as "not polite at all" as Xie Wen. His expression was a little strange. He hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "Nothing much."
Xie Wen gave an "oh" and continued sampling the various dishes she'd never seen before in the dining hall. Tsk, Xie Wen finally realized how vast the class difference was within this sect. Chu Xianyue was living the high life, in a villa, and wielding a precious sword. Compared to him, she, a direct disciple, seemed utterly pathetic.
Xie Wen has now realized that it's extremely important to cling to Chu Xianyue's coattails. Therefore, he decides he needs to smile at Chu Xianyue more often and stop giving him the cold shoulder.
Chu Xianyue saw Xie Wen suddenly look up and smile at him as he ate, and his expression became even stranger and more subtle.
Chu Xianyue: Strange and bizarre.
Xie Wen felt that coming to Chu Xianyue's place for a free meal was indeed a wise move. She suddenly asked, "Then, Master, now that I'm staying here, can I eat with you every day from now on?"
The food here in Chu Xianyue is far superior to what's served in the canteen. It's like the difference between an emperor and a commoner!
Chu Xianyue was slightly taken aback, seemingly not having heard what Xie Wen said.
Xie Wen chuckled, realizing he had indeed been a bit shameless. Someone invited him to dinner, and he was already expecting them to treat him to dinner every day.
That's really not very respectable.
Xie Wen stuffed a mouthful of rice into his mouth. "It's nothing, it's just a joke."
Chu Xianyue didn't say anything, seemingly not caring much.
Xie Wen let the matter drop, that's just how he is; he doesn't hold grudges. He just laughs it off and quickly forgets about it.
Later that evening, Xie Wen, having eaten and drunk his fill, left.
Chu Xianyue was speechless; this was the first time he had ever seen someone treat his place like their own kitchen.
With a sigh, she turned her head and saw Xie Wen standing outside the door, slowly closing the door behind her. Her bright face gradually closed between the antique doors, and her figure disappeared into the deep twilight of February.
A sense of peace and tranquility welled up inside Chu Xianyue for no apparent reason. His pale eyes brightened slightly.
When Xie Wen first moved into Feiying Pavilion, she wasn't quite used to it yet. She woke up naturally just as dawn was breaking, something that would normally be impossible. She rubbed her eyes; the morning light outside the window was faint, the sky a cool blue, and the surroundings were so quiet that she could almost hear the cherry blossoms fluttering by.
Xie Wen opened the window and stretched.
When I looked out the window again, my body froze.
Across the bridge, in the small courtyard of the pavilion, Chu Xianyue was sitting at his desk, writing incantations with a brush in hand, and a pile of yellow talisman paper beside him.
Xie Wen: I didn't expect Chu Xianyue to be so self-disciplined...
Xie Wen was about to fold up on the bed and continue lying there like a corpse when, before the window was even closed, he met Chu Xianyue's eyes.
He slightly raised his eyes and glanced at Xie Wen.
He saw it.
I can't pretend I'm still in bed anymore.
Xie Wen resigned himself to his bad luck, washed up briefly, and strode across the bridge to Chu Xianyue's courtyard.
In the open courtyard, there was a trellis for climbing vines, but it was bare, perhaps because it wasn't the right season yet. A few strands of white gauze hung down from above, swaying gently and occasionally brushing against Chu Xianyue's handsome profile.
Xie Wen pursed his lips and called out, "Master."
Chu Xianyue ignored Xie Wen and continued writing the talismans. The ink flowed, outlining things that Xie Wen couldn't understand. After she looked at it for a long time, Chu Xianyue finally put down the pen leisurely. "Drawing talismans, do you still remember?"
Xie Wen shook his head. "I don't remember."
Chu Xianyue sighed softly, "Today, I will teach you."
Xie Wen picked up a piece of talisman paper that looked to her like a dragon and phoenix, and asked Chu Xianyue, "What kind of talisman is this?"
In the blink of an eye, the talisman floated from Xie Wen's hand to Chu Xianyue. He raised his hand and waved it, and Xie Wen was instantly pushed outward by a powerful force, flying out of the room!
It felt like a rocket was strapped to his back; Xie Wen was so fast he didn't even know where he was and almost fainted. After flying around the Jiang Pavilion, Xie Wen was brought back to the courtyard. Although it was only a few seconds, Xie Wen felt like he had been to outer space.
She nearly lost her balance, but Chu Xianyue steadied her. He said with a hint of disdain, "It's just a low-level teleportation talisman. Is that all you're capable of?"
Xie Wen paused for a moment and said, "Everything needs time to adjust. How can you be like this?"
"You think I can't become Chu Xianyue's apprentice without having a few lives?" Xie Wen retorted.
Chu Xianyue raised an eyebrow, unconcerned, "Some spells you'll learn by experiencing them firsthand."
Xie Wen felt that Chu Xianyue's actions were somewhat ill-intentioned. Xie Wen: I don't believe it.
The next second, she felt a pat on the back, and Chu Xianyue's hand was draped over her shoulder. She immediately sensed something was wrong. Sure enough, Xie Wen's vision went black, the world spun around her, and when her vision cleared again, she found herself outside the mountains, in a bustling marketplace. It was a lively morning market, with all sorts of people coming and going, shouting and hawking their wares. Outside the steamed bun shop, steam rose from trays of buns in the morning light, filling the air with their aroma. Just as Xie Wen was about to reach for one, she found her hand had become translucent, passing through the buns, through the pedestrians, and through the carriages.
Xie Wen: !
Chu Xianyue: "This is a divine sense talisman. Our bodies are still in Feiying Pavilion, but our divine senses have flown here."
Xie Wen said "Oh," and then asked, "Does that mean my divine sense can go wherever it wants?" Wouldn't that mean I could be lawless from now on?
Xie Wen couldn't help but laugh when he thought about what he could do with the talisman next. Hehe.
Chu Xianyue said, "The distance depends on your spiritual power."
He tapped Xie Wen on the head. "Also, try to stop thinking about random things."
Xie Wen scratched his head, thinking to himself: Anyway, it's none of your business what I want to do in the future.
Chu Xianyue glanced at Xie Wen, who chuckled, "It's nothing."
For the entire morning, Xie Wen felt like he was being used as a guinea pig by Chu Xianyue to test the various spells he had just developed.
When the last talisman was affixed to Xie Wen, Xie Wen was still standing there perfectly fine, as if nothing had happened. Xie Wen was about to mock Chu Xianyue: "This time, the talisman failed, didn't it!"
Xie Wen opened her mouth and made a strange sound. She immediately covered her mouth and looked at her hands. They were black and furry? How did she turn into a fat cat?
Chu Xianyue actually saw laziness, nonchalance, and even a hint of murderous intent in a cat's eyes. It was hard to imagine that such a thing could be seen in a cat.
Xie Wen: Change back to normal!
In the end, Chu Xianyue turned Xie Wen back to normal. He couldn't stand seeing such a lazy and irresponsible fat cat in his courtyard.
Xie Wen suppressed her desire to attack Chu Xianyue. Chu Xianyue was not going to stay here any longer; who knew what kind of trick he would come up with to torment her later? Xie Wen decided to leave first.
My older sister's place is still the best.
Xie Wen relentlessly harassed Xie Yichun at Half Moon Peak. Perfect timing! Xie Wen decided to try out the Swift Travel Talisman she'd just learned that morning. She tossed the talisman into the air between two fingers, and spiritual light spread along its patterns. In the next instant, Xie Wen vanished without a trace, yet she felt her soul still lingering in Flying Cherry Blossom Pavilion. Why is there never any buffer time?!
In the courtyard of Half Moon Peak, Xie Yichun had been chatting with Pei Xuan for a while. She turned around to go inside to wash the fruit Pei Xuan had brought when suddenly there was a loud bang behind her. Xie Yichun turned around, her eyes brightening. "Awen? When did you arrive?"
Xie Wen barely managed to stand up. "Just now?"
Xie Yichun felt something was off. Where was Pei Xuan?
Xie Wen felt that he had created something when he flew over.
Until Pei Xuan fell from the plum tree not far away, covered in dust and dirt.
Xie Yichun: "Hey, Pei Xuan, what are you doing up in the tree?"
Pei Xuan:?
The three of them finally managed to sit down together.
Xie Wen was very wary of Pei Xuan.
Even after hearing Xie Yichun's explanation, their doubts remained unresolved.
Incidentally, Xie Yichun happened to be in the same group as Pei Xuan in today's barrier class, and the two got to know each other and got along very well.
To express his gratitude to Xie Yichun once again, Pei Xuan specially came to bring her some fruits and vegetables he had grown himself. Pei Xuan's main focus in the outer sect was cultivating spiritual herbs. In the cultivation world, besides popular majors such as sword cultivation, talisman cultivation, and alchemy cultivation, there are hundreds of other diverse and unheard-of niche majors.
Xie Wen understood. Oh, he studied agriculture.
Xie Wen was still not happy. He didn't know why, he was just not happy.
Just as Xie Yichun was about to go back to her room to wash the fruit, Pei Xuan stood up and said, "Miss Xie, let me go with you."
Xie Wen jumped up. "I'm going too."
In the afternoon, Pei Xuan and Xie Yichun practiced swordsmanship together.
Xie Wen stood nearby, staring intently at him.
To prevent him from coveting Xie Yichun.
Xie Wen stayed until dusk fell and the sun began to set. Leaning against the plum tree, Xie Wen yawned several times.
Finally, the two of them finished practicing their swordsmanship.
Xie Yichun, carrying his sword, wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve and asked Pei Xuan, "It's so late, why don't you stay for dinner?"
Xie Wen: "Tsk!"
Why keep him here?!
Xie Wen glanced at Pei Xuan, "You better know your place."
Pei Xuan said shyly, "No, thank you, Miss Xie. I don't want to trouble you."
Xie Yichun said gently, "No, it's just a matter of having an extra pair of chopsticks."
Xie Wen's vision went black. "Sister, have you completely forgotten what I said a few days ago?"
Why would someone you've only known for less than a day have dinner at your house?
Xie Yichun, wake up! Xie Wen really wanted to shake Xie Yichun awake.
For the first time, Xie Wen returned from Half Moon Peak with a belly full of anger.
On the way, the cloud-shaped ornament at his waist moved again.
Xie Wen said irritably, "What?"
She paused for a few seconds before answering, her tone as calm as ever, "Didn't we say we were going to have dinner together?"
Xie Wen glanced at Yun Dang, her eyes unreadable. In the desolate evening, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt for her earlier harsh tone.
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