Chapter 110: Going Down the Mountain for a Stroll
On the way back to Lingjian Mountain from Nanhua City, Ding Yao held the sword box, silent the entire time.
Min Cheng followed behind her, pursing his lips and lowering his head: "Junior Sister Ding, I told him about the Sword Forest not wanting to cause trouble at this moment."
"Senior Brother is truly intelligent."
No matter what kind of woman, she would not like a weak man, and Ding Yao was no exception.
Although she no longer thought highly of Min Cheng, she never expected this person would be so scared by a single sentence from Ji You that he would spill everything.
The matter of the Sword Forest was no secret. Even if Ji You knew, what could he do? Now, countless Disciples of Asked the Dao Sect were on the mountain, and whether he could leave the mountain alive was a question.
But this incident made her realize how unreliable Min Cheng was...
As the two entered the mountain gate of Lingjian Mountain, the training ground surrounded by the three peaks was already full of Disciples from Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Asked the Dao Sect.
From Mountain and Sea Pavilion came a chief from their pavilion, and from Asked the Dao Sect came Shang Xiyao's Dao Protector Immortal Master.
The Lingjian Mountain Sect Master chatted amiably with them, and on his right sat a woman of unparalleled beauty, dressed in the Master Jian's immortal robe and wearing a glazed immortal crown, drawing countless gazes.
The young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain, currently the fastest in the Sky Soaring Realm.
She was also the highest-ranking woman in the current Qingyun World, without a doubt.
Most of the cultivators in this place were seeing this rumored woman for the first time, and couldn't help but be amazed by her divine beauty. However, though the young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain sat gracefully, she seemed a bit restless, her beautiful eyes occasionally glancing warily towards the foot of the mountain before quickly retracting.
After a long while, dusk began to fall.
The pleasantries between the three great Immortal Sects of the South concluded, and all guests were invited into their rooms.
Yan Shuyi then floated gracefully, returning to her Cloud Top Heavenly Palace, leaving only a captivating touch of red in the hearts of countless immortal sect Disciples.
Subsequently, a pair of delicate small feet landed on the crimson carpet, strolling leisurely to the front of the bed.
"Master Jian, it's already You Shi (5-7 PM). Shall we have dinner now?"
Zhuo Wanqiu was currently in the palace, speaking softly.
Yan Shuyi shook her head, sitting on the bed, lost in thought.
Seeing this, Zhuo Wanqiu did not disturb her, but instead stood to the side, waiting, carefully observing Master Jian's expression.
Tianshu Academy sending Disciples to Ask the Dao, this journey had already stirred up countless rumors. The outer-sect Disciples of Lingjian Mountain had been watching them in every prefecture, and various pieces of news had been sent back to the mountain.
Today, after they entered the city and settled down, Zhuo Wanqiu picked out some important information, such as the inn name and room number, and then reported it.
However, Master Jian showed no particular expression, only saying, 'If they come, they come,' her disdain so unconcealed.
"Why should I personally welcome them? If they have the guts, let them come up the mountain immediately."
Afterward, Master Jian began to Cultivate, no different from her usual routine.
Unexpectedly, not long after, people from Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Asked the Dao Sect arrived on the mountain.
Later, news came from Tianjian Peak, saying that the Tianshu Academy Disciples would be kept at the foot of the mountain for a night, and a Dao Discussion Tea Ceremony would be held to first receive the Disciples from the other two sects.
Although the Sacred Artifact of Lingjian Mountain was managed by the Master Jian, Yan Zhong was the current Sect Master and held the power of decision.
Only then did they realize that Yan Zhong, upon learning of the Tianshu Academy Disciples' departure, had already sent messages to Mountain and Sea Pavilion and Asked the Dao Sect, arranging today's tea ceremony.
At the same time, he had also long planned to keep the Tianshu Academy Disciples outside the mountain for a night, to dampen their sharp Qi. Yan Shuyi agreed with her clan uncle's approach, as this indeed could demonstrate Lingjian Mountain's attitude.
However, since then, Zhuo Wanqiu noticed that Master Jian had become somewhat distracted.
Is there such a big difference between coming up the mountain today and coming up tomorrow? Little Zhuo was a bit exasperated.
Just then, she saw Master Jian suddenly sit up from the bed, pacing back and forth with her smooth, pale jade feet, and immediately called for two maidservants.
"Cui'er, Xing'er, help Master Jian change."
"Yes."
The two maidservants were puzzled, thinking that Master Jian hadn't said she was going to bed, but remembering Master Jian's trust in this Senior Sister Zhuo, they still brought out the nightclothes as instructed.
Zhuo Wanqiu shook her head at the sight: "Bring a long dress for daily wear, not too flashy, but simple and pretty. Master Jian wants to go down the mountain for a casual stroll."
"Ah?"
Cui'er turned her head to look at the darkening sky outside the palace, thinking, 'Does she still want to go out at this hour?'
She couldn't help but turn to look at the bed, finding Master Jian slightly narrowed her eyes, but did not object.
Strange, they had clearly been in the palace the entire time and never left, yet they had never sensed Master Jian's intention.
Was this why they couldn't be promoted to personal maidservants? Cui'er mused, then fetched a dress Yan Shuyi usually wore.
Yan Shuyi indeed stood up, shed her immortal robe, and changed into this simple dress, then walked out of the palace with narrowed eyes.
Although her expression was solemn, a touch of cuteness still shone through.
However, before she could walk a few steps down the mountain, she saw three figures approaching from another pavilion at the foot of the mountain.
The two in front were her parents, and the one behind was Ding Yao.
The direct Disciple of Asked the Dao Sect had found a spirit sword, which Min Cheng had handed over to Ding Yao, and Ding Yao would certainly report it to Master Jian's parents before delivering it.
After all, those two were the biggest promoters of the marriage alliance between Asked the Dao Sect and Xuanjian Peak.
Yan Father looked at his daughter, a little confused: "Why are you going down the mountain so late?"
"Sitting idly in the mountain is a bit boring. Your daughter wants to go down the mountain for a stroll. Do you two have something?"
Yan Mother took the sword box from Ding Yao: "Didn't you keep mentioning a few days ago that you wanted to buy a sword? Look, Xiyao has found a good sword for you."
Yan Shuyi glanced at it: "Mother, I've already bought one."
"?"
"I'll be back soon."
With that, Yan Shuyi lifted her skirt and clattered down the mountain.
Seeing this, Yan Father and Yan Mother couldn't help but exchange glances, their hearts filled with confusion.
Although their daughter would occasionally slip down the mountain, her expression today seemed unusually different.
Ding Yao stood behind them, watching Master Jian's leaping figure, and then glanced at the location of the inn at the foot of the mountain, biting her lip involuntarily.
She knew Ji You was at the foot of the mountain; she had even run into him during the day.
But she still didn't understand why that ordinary, yet somewhat handsome, man could always change Master Jian's Heart-Nature,
making her act like a naive young woman who knew nothing of the world.
Didn't Master Jian know that Tianshu Academy was here to Ask the Dao?
Having been bullied right to their doorstep, she disregarded the sect's prestige and anxiously rushed to find him.
Immortal Master Sect Master clearly said that the Tianshu Academy Disciples would only be left at the foot of the mountain for one night—could she not even wait one night?
In fact, Ding Yao didn't know that her Master Jian and that ordinary, yet somewhat handsome, man met daily in the Book of Heaven, but it had stopped since he left Tianshu Academy with everyone, and it had been almost half a month since then.
Yan Shuyi had thought they would come up the mountain today.
Who knew that the Sect Master's clan uncle would pull such a stunt, so her mood was no longer as beautiful as before.
"Go down the mountain for a stroll, and by the way, go see that unfamiliar man I've only met twice," Yan Shuyi thought to herself,
and then floated down to the foot of the mountain.
A Sky Soaring Realm cultivator could conceal their Qi, making it extremely difficult for lower Realm cultivators to detect. She went straight up to the third floor, heading directly to Ji You's room.
Before entering the room, she sensed that it was empty, but after a moment of thought, she pushed the door open.
This was an ordinary guest room, except that the futon and tea table had been moved to the window.
Yan Shuyi surveyed the room, then went to the specially moved tea table, reaching out to lift the teapot and shaking it twice.
There was still tea in the pot, as if it hadn't been finished, but it was completely cold, as if he had been out for a long time.
She usually never cared about such small matters; she didn't even know where the undershirt she took off last night was in the palace. Yet, at this moment, she examined every inch carefully, her bright eyes constantly flickering.
Just then, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the window, followed by the soft voices of women.
"Junior Brother Ji isn't back yet?"
"No."
"This is at the foot of Lingjian Mountain. He's been out for three hours. Could he be in some danger?"
"Perhaps—he went to see his fiancée?"
Yan Shuyi was listening intently, her beautiful brows slightly raised.
Wen Zhengxin walked to Ji You's door: "Do you really think Junior Brother has a fiancée on Lingjian Mountain?"
"I think it's highly likely. Otherwise, why would he be so well-behaved after entering Lingzhou? I really want to see what kind of woman can rein in a man as unruly as Junior Brother Ji."
Yan Shuyi hadn't lit the lamp when she entered Ji You's room. Now, she sat quietly on the futon, silent, like a well-behaved cat.
The chitchat outside the door quickly ended. The young Master Jian yawned, a little bored from waiting, so she leaned against the window, only to find a pillow right below where she leaned.
So she blinked and looked out the window.
What her gaze fell upon was her Xuanjian Peak, or more precisely, her Cloud Top Heavenly Palace.
This guy, he's been looking at my boudoir from down here all along—
Yan Shuyi narrowed her eyes, then heard another set of footsteps, two people approaching.
"Brother Ji, earlier, the girl from the brothel kept throwing handkerchiefs at you, and you didn't even turn your head. Could it be that you really have a fiancée on Lingjian Mountain, or several fiancées?"
"Can you keep your mouth shut tomorrow when you go up the mountain? I'd appreciate it."
"There are quite a few in Tianshu Academy too, but I haven't seen you this nervous. Is this fiancée on Lingjian Mountain fiercer?"
"I'm wondering if I should tell you that you're on the wrong floor."
"?! Damn it!"
Ji You watched the talkative Ru Long Immortal Emperor leave, thinking to himself that this fellow absolutely couldn't be kept around. Maybe he should tie him up tomorrow and prevent him from going up the mountain.
He muttered something, reached out and pushed open the door, then his eyes instantly widened.
The room was indeed unlit, but moonlight streamed in through the window.
And in that moonlight, Yan Shuyi sat on the futon, her shoes off to the side, her crystal-clear, jade-like feet slightly curled, watching him with narrowed eyes.
He had just bought a sword and was returning when he encountered many cultivators descending the mountain for a banquet, who said they had seen the young Master Jian of Lingjian Mountain, who was like a goddess, on the mountain, and spoke of her peerless beauty and captivating charm.
But he had never expected that the much-discussed young Master Jian would be quietly waiting in his room at this moment.
