After Accidentally Entering the Forbidden Land and Forming a Bond with the Grandmaster - Chapter 16

Upon hearing this, Chu Lanci understood that they were aware of his master-disciple relationship with Xie Zhuo.

“I see. I will abide by the rules,” he said with a laugh.

Wei Daoping looked at Chu Lanci and felt that he was indeed just a youth. He seemed so innocent, as if he had not experienced much of the world. He did not even grasp the underlying meaning of the warning. Perhaps it was better this way, as he would be less bothered by the spiteful people in Qianshan. There were many cynical individuals in the sect, and many would likely be envious of anyone becoming the Sect Leader’s cultivation partner.

With that, Wei Daoping led him up the mountain.

Once they arrived, Wei Daoping said, “Our Sect Leader mentioned that he was worried you might not adapt well, so he had a small courtyard built for you to settle in first. In a few days, we will test your spiritual roots. It is mostly a formality. After the test, you will officially enter the inner sect.”

Chu Lanci quickly waved his hands. “But Brother Wei, I do not have any spiritual roots.”

Wei Daoping laughed. “It is fine. That can be resolved. Rest assured and leave it to me. In the future, when people ask, do not say you are from Tingfeng Village. Just say you are a disciple under the seat of Yun Wuxia from the Medicine King Valley. Remember that. You are a medical cultivator from the Medicine King Valley who came to Qianshan to study and discuss the Dao.”

Chu Lanci shook his head. “But I am not a disciple of that Yun Wuxia, and I do not know how to heal people.” Furthermore, he was proud of Tingfeng Village and did not want to abandon his roots.

Wei Daoping saw that the youth was quite stubborn and continued to persuade him. “Now that you have ascended Qianshan and joined the Sect Leader’s lineage, if your identity remains that of a commoner from Tingfeng Village, where would the Sect Leader’s dignity go?”

Xie Zhuo, the Immortal Jingyuan, had five great disciples, and every one of them came from a prominent background, including Wei Daoping himself. His father was a prominent figure in Qianshan, and his family had cultivated there for three generations.

Grassroots cultivation existed, but most such practitioners were still struggling in the outer sect.

Chu Lanci thought to himself, “Is Master ashamed of me? If so, perhaps I should not stay on the mountain.” He did not feel he absolutely had to be there. He lived quite well on his own and did not feel a desperate need to cultivate.

“Then I should go back down the mountain. I cannot let the Sect Leader be troubled,” he said, turning to leave.

This terrified Wei Daoping, who hurriedly grabbed him. “Wait! Little Chu! Chuchu! Do not go! I was wrong. Those were my own words. The Sect Leader never said such a thing. He cherishes you far too much to ever look down on you. Listen to me. The Sect Leader entrusted this matter to me, so I must handle it well. According to the rules, there is no issue with him bringing you into the inner sect; every Immortal has the freedom to take disciples. However, I am also considering the Sect Leader’s reputation. You would not want the whole of Qianshan gossiping, would you? Saying you are from the Medicine King Valley is for your own good; it gives you a proper status so that everyone will respect you.”

Wei Daoping pleaded earnestly. Chu Lanci still did not quite understand. He was just there to learn; did he really need such a grand title? However, being a simple person, he decided it was not a big deal.

“But I truly do not know how to heal people.”

“Do not worry, I will help you. No one will dare to actually test you.” It was all for show. If Chu Lanci truly formed a bond with Xie Zhuo, who would dare challenge the legitimate partner of the Qianshan Sect Leader? That would be suicidal.

“Alright then. You must remind me what to do.”

“Rest assured. Go and see your new cave dwelling. If there is anything you dislike, you must tell me.”

As they spoke, they arrived at the dwelling specially arranged for Chu Lanci. Chu Lanci looked up and saw an exquisite paradise. Though it was called a cave dwelling, it was not as sparse as a typical cultivator’s residence. Instead, it possessed the elegant charm of a mortal estate.

It was a secluded place for cultivation hidden among the mountains. Three buildings were constructed along the terrain, featuring grey walls and green tiles with simple lines. Copper wind chimes hung under the eaves to ward off evil.

To the north lay a sea of clouds; to the south was a pond; to the east stood a bamboo forest; and to the west, a mountain waterfall cascaded down. Following the stone steps down led to a square mountain pond filled with standing lotuses. Further down was another building with a straight pine tree beside it. Walking halfway around the pond, one could see a hexagonal pavilion built over the water, with a simple hut nearby serving as the mountain gate, leading to other parts of Qianshan.

Wei Daoping said, “This house is close to the Sect Leader’s Hall of Immortals, making it convenient for him to visit. Of course, you could stay at the Sect Leader’s residence, but it is often crowded with disciples and is not very quiet.”

Chu Lanci found this strange, assuming Xie Zhuo was coming over to teach him. “Is this the Sect Leader’s wish?”

“It is his wish.”

“He is so good to me,” Chu Lanci could not help but say. “He does not even let me say thank you. But I still feel he treats me too well. I do not even know how to repay him.”

Wei Daoping remained silent for a moment. “Yes, the Sect Leader indeed treats you well. It shows you are special.”

“I am special? Hahaha.” Chu Lanci laughed. He viewed himself as an ordinary person, neither self-deprecating nor emotional about it. “I will go in and look around myself. Brother Wei, you do not need to accompany me.”

Wei Daoping said, “Fine. I will find you for the entry ceremony. I will also send over the items you need for the sect. Oh, right, there is one more thing: the wedding attire.”

Hearing this, Chu Lanci asked curiously, “What wedding?”

Wei Daoping realized his slip. “Oh, yes. The marriage. The Sect Leader told me. It is for the wedding.”

“Your Sect Leader is getting married? Do I need to change clothes too?”

Wei Daoping laughed twice. “You still have to change your clothes. After all, he is the Sect Leader.”

Chu Lanci understood. Xie Zhuo was getting married and had invited him. He took it seriously and nodded. “Okay, I understand. When is it?”

“The Sect Leader did not say, but it should be in the next few days.”

“Alright.” He actually had one small question. Is it really appropriate for a man who is about to get married to do those things with me? But it was only a small doubt. He figured cultivators had eccentric ways of thinking that were beyond the understanding of a mortal like him.

After leaving Chu Lanci, Wei Daoping went to report to Xie Zhuo. He chose his words carefully, praising Chu Lanci’s beauty and lovely nature.

“Master, Young Master Chu is truly elegant and kind-hearted. He said you treat him too well and is very grateful. He is also very sincere; what you see is what you get.”

Though his reactions are a bit slow and he seems a bit dazed sometimes, Wei Daoping thought. But ordinary people could not catch the Sect Leader’s eye; it had to be someone unique like Chu Lanci.

Xie Zhuo listened quietly. He ignored the fluff and only noted that Chu Lanci said he was grateful. “He said that?”

Sensing progress, Wei Daoping added, “Yes, Master. Young Master Chu seems to admire you greatly. He likes you very much. When I asked him to try on the clothes, he agreed immediately. He looks like he cannot wait to marry you.”

Xie Zhuo’s expression remained unchanged, but a small ripple formed in his heart. Anyone would be moved to hear that someone liked and admired them so much.

“However,” Wei Daoping hesitated.

“However what?”

“Young Master Chu does not seem to realize he is the one marrying you. Master, have you really talked this through?” Wei Daoping asked cautiously. He could not be blamed for asking. His Master had been in the forbidden grounds for a hundred years without anyone to talk to; it was understandable if his communication skills were lacking.

Xie Zhuo frowned slightly, feeling a hint of displeasure. Being quick-witted, Wei Daoping immediately said, “But I see that Young Master Chu truly wants to marry you. You just need to mention it slightly, and it will be settled.”

This had to be mentioned! If a misunderstanding occurred and he was the one who had assisted Chu Lanci, the Master might kill him in a fit of rage. If he handled this well, he might gain his Master’s favor; if not, he was finished.

“Mention what?”

Wei Daoping offered a suggestion. “It is simple. For example, give him some gifts and ask for his thoughts? I believe he basically will not refuse.” He wiped his sweat as he spoke. Although he felt Chu Lanci’s thought process was quite unusual, he seemed like a very simple person. Simple and pure, he should be easy to persuade.

Xie Zhuo thought for a moment. Things did seem to be going too smoothly, but he did not overthink it. Firstly, his own status was too high, and secondly, Chu Lanci was too easy to control. According to Wei Daoping, Chu Lanci seemed not to know. But how was that possible? Chu Lanci was the one who had brought up marriage in the first place. Since the question had been raised, however, he decided he would go and ask.

When Xie Zhuo found Chu Lanci, the youth was busy tinkering with his rabbit hutch again, carefully lining it with a layer of soft fluff. He approached silently and watched for a long time, realizing that Chu Lanci was indeed a simple person. At least on the surface, he was beautiful; his eyes were as clear as mountain springs, and his nature was carefree. He did not even notice the mud on the hem of his blue robes.

Watching him made Xie Zhuo’s heart feel peaceful, to the point where he did not even want to hold his sword. During his hundred years of imprisonment, his heart had often been restless and irritable, frequently feeling the urge to self-destruct. He had been trapped in his own inner demons for nearly a century. He had once thought he would be trapped in the forbidden grounds forever. If nothing had changed, he likely would have stayed; he never planned to leave.

But then, Chu Lanci had stumbled in. Since he had decided to come out, he would try once more to see if he could stand up again and become the Immortal Jingyuan he envisioned. He was a man who had died once; he did not care if he died again, nor did he care about the world’s judgment. From now on, he would follow his heart and his will, living freely as himself.

His disciple had no spiritual roots? So what? He did not need to rely on anyone. He only needed to rely on himself, Xie Zhuo.

So, marriage? Fine. He would make his name known across the world once more, together with him. Becoming the partner of the world’s number one, Xie Zhuo, would surely be a very interesting experience. His cute and innocent little disciple, Chu Lanci.

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