After Being Certified by the Immortal Lord on the Path of Ruthlessness - Chapter 15

Just as Lily had said.

Mi Xiu didn’t return all night.

By the time Jiang Mianhao and Lily emerged from the banyan tree hollow, Ye Qingge’s door was already open.

“Good morning, Lujiu!” Jiang Mianhao waved energetically.

Ye Qingge gave a faint hum. “Are you going fruit-picking again today?”

Jiang Mianhao glanced at Lily before turning back with a nod. “Yes. The fruit tree grandmother has borne too many. If we don’t help pick some, it’ll be harder for her to take human form later.”

With a wave of Ye Qingge’s hand, Jiang Mianhao’s little house took shape.

When Jiang Mianhao and Lily returned, laboriously carrying timber, they were met with the sight of the house from her blueprint standing right before them.

Brown wooden walls, windows on both sides, the panes adorned with butterflies Jiang Mianhao had collected.

Under the sunlight, the butterflies’ silhouettes cast delicate shadows on the table.

The door was arched, flanked by lanterns shaped like lily buds. Withered tree branches hung with flower lanterns, each enclosing a cluster of fireflies.

All around the little house, small grasses and flowers thrived. A thin layer of snow dusted the verdant green, brimming with vitality.

Jiang Mianhao blinked in disbelief, utterly stunned.

Lily was equally shocked, her jaw dropping as the timber in her arms slipped and scattered across the ground.

“Th-this…” Jiang Mianhao hugged her bundle of wood, pacing back and forth in front of her little yard.

Staring at the house that had sprung from the ground, identical to her blueprint, she remained dazed.

“Did you do all this by yourself?” Jiang Mianhao still couldn’t believe it. She blinked and looked at Ye Qingge.

Standing with her hands behind her back, Ye Qingge remained composed, offering only a quiet hum in response to their astonishment.

“Lujiu,” Lily said, eyes wide as she swallowed hard. “You did all this alone, in just this short time?”

Jiang Mianhao couldn’t help adding, “It must’ve been exhausting for you. Why didn’t you wait for us?”

“It’s nothing.” Facing their amazement, Ye Qingge replied calmly, “I just wanted to fulfill your wish sooner.”

Jiang Mianhao’s ears warmed as she recalled the words she’d once shared with Ye Qingge when she was still a little grass.

She had envied Rong Qi for having her own tree hollow, her own private space.

Back then, Lujiu’s tone had been so indifferent that Jiang Mianhao thought it was mere lip service.

But it wasn’t. Every word she had spoken.

Lujiu had remembered them all.

The heat in Jiang Mianhao’s ears refused to fade. Softly, she murmured, “Thank you, Lujiu.”

Her voice carried a shyness she hadn’t even realized herself.

Lily circled the house, still marveling. “I’ve only heard Grandma Rong Qi say her tree hollow was shaped by her original form. Whatever she envisioned, she manifested with spiritual power. It took her ten thousand years of cultivation to achieve that. Lujiu, how many years have you cultivated?”

Lily’s eyes shone with admiration. Lujiu wasn’t just spiritually powerful and formidable in combat.

Now, she had even single-handedly built such an intricate house.

When no answer came, Lily didn’t mind, her attention already captured by the swaying flower lanterns behind the house.

Ye Qingge ignored Lily’s excited scurrying, instead tilting her head to observe Jiang Mianhao’s shifting expressions.

It seemed the words the Matchmaker had spoken last time were useful.

Actions mattered, but after completing them, one shouldn’t forget to say something sweet.

…along with as much physical contact as possible.

Ye Qingge deliberately softened her tone, exuding tenderness: “Alright, don’t stand outside anymore. Would you like to go in and take a look?”

Jiang Mianhao snapped out of her daze, disbelief coloring her voice: “Inside you’ve finished the inside too?”

“Everything you mentioned wanting last time, I’ve arranged it all,” Ye Qingge replied with a faint smile. “If I’ve missed anything, just let me know.”

Jiang Mianhao was beyond astonished. She lifted her foot, ready to step inside.

If even butterfly-adorned windows could be crafted, then surely that enormous waterbed and the slide she’d dreamed of…

But just as she was about to move, her arm was gently pulled back.

Ye Qingge pointed at the bundle in her arms and said softly, “First, put down the firewood you’re holding, then wash your hands.”

Jiang Mianhao nodded obediently and turned to head back to the banyan tree hollow.

Yet again, she was stopped.

“Wouldn’t running back and forth be tiring?” With a flick of Ye Qingge’s fingers, a clear stream of water materialized midair, cascading down.

Jiang Mianhao blinked in a daze.

A cool sensation touched her palms as Ye Qingge took her fingertips, carefully guiding them beneath the flowing water.

One by one, her fingers were rinsed under the stream, and Jiang Mianhao’s ears grew increasingly warm.

She was now standing so close to Lujiu.

Close enough to hear the rhythm of Lujiu’s breath, to catch the faint, pleasant fragrance that clung to her.

If she tilted her head up just slightly, her lips would brush against Lujiu’s cheek.

Jiang Mianhao swallowed hard as her fingers were tenderly cleansed. Lujiu had always been particular about cleanliness, and she was especially meticulous when tending to Jiang Mianhao.

The soft pads of Lujiu’s fingers grazed hers, the cool water slipping between them, sending a tingling sensation through Jiang Mianhao’s heart.

When the water ceased, Ye Qingge retrieved a handkerchief from her sleeve and gently dried each of Jiang Mianhao’s fingertips.

Jiang Mianhao remained motionless throughout, docilely allowing herself to be tended to.

“All done,” Ye Qingge said, tucking the handkerchief away before lifting her gaze. “So well-behaved. Go ahead now.”

Jiang Mianhao nodded blankly, her ears burning as if they were about to catch fire.

Meanwhile, Lily of the Valley, who had been circling the house in awe, was still marveling at the ingenious design.

By the time she turned back, Jiang Mianhao had already pushed open the door.

The interior nearly made Lily of the Valley’s jaw drop to the floor.

The room was bright, its floor paved with ice. Each polished brick gleaming under the light.

Jiang Mianhao stepped inside slowly, taking in the surroundings.

A windowsill that captured every ray of sunlight, a ceiling that gathered the starry river, window decorations that reflected fluttering butterflies…

And that enormous waterbed, swaying gently at the slightest touch.

“Heavens…” Lily of the Valley gasped once more. “Did you imagine all of this?”

Equally stunned, Jiang Mianhao nodded. “I only ever heard about these things from the storyteller yet Lujiu managed to recreate everything.”

As she spoke, she suddenly turned around, as if struck by a thought.

Bathed in sunlight, the white-robed immortal stood smiling at her.

Their eyes met, and Jiang Mianhao’s breath hitched.

Her heart skipped a beat.

……

……

News of Jiang Mianhao’s new little house spread like wildfire across the summit of Mount Taibai.

When Ye Qingge had first built her own residence, it had already stirred quite a buzz.

But everyone feared Ye Qingge’s formidable spiritual power so much so that even whispering behind her back was unthinkable.

But Jiang Mianhao was different. How could a plant spirit who nearly failed her transformation dare to own her own house?

Some flowers and plants who had transformed earlier than Jiang Mianhao but hadn’t yet ventured down the mountain came in groups to congratulate her.

“Mianhao!” Cold-resistant Grass ran the fastest, nimble on her feet and quick with her words. “Congratulations, congratulations! You’ve transformed into human form and now even have your own little house!”

Jiang Mianhao, who had just dressed neatly and was about to leave, found herself blocked at the door, staring at the smiling faces crowding in.

She had made plans with Lily of the Valley to gather wood on the mountain and help build a house for her as well. Lily of the Valley had already left early in the morning, while Jiang Mianhao had overslept a little and was running late.

But now, the doorway was packed with people. Jiang Mianhao swallowed nervously.

These plant spirits had grown here for generations, emboldened by their large families to act without restraint.

Especially this Cold-resistant Grass, whose parents were notoriously sharp-tongued and fierce. Crossing her meant trouble, even if you were in the right.

Noticing the flicker of fear on Jiang Mianhao’s face, Cold-resistant Grass grinned even wider. “Oh, Mianhao, little sister, it’s been days since we last saw you, and you’ve already changed so much!”

Jiang Mianhao took a step back, wary, looking for a chance to shut the door.

But her thoughts were transparent. Cold-resistant Grass shoved forward, wedging the door open.

Behind her were Heather and Dandelion.

“Let us take a look, little sister Mianhao.”

“Yeah, yeah, don’t be stingy.”

The doorframe was forced open, and the three of them stood squarely in the doorway.

“I didn’t invite you in,” Jiang Mianhao gritted her teeth, refusing to yield at the threshold.

The three of them each occupied a part of the doorframe, smirking mockingly.

Dandelion shook her head, her white hair swaying. “Weren’t you almost crushed to death? What, now that you know the other party is someone powerful, you’re cozying up to them?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Cold-resistant Grass and Heather burst into laughter, covering their mouths.

Jiang Mianhao clenched her jaw, glaring at the three of them.

Even before her transformation was complete, these three had bullied her relentlessly.

Relying on their powerful backers, they often mocked Jiang Mianhao and Lily of the Valley for being orphans.

Lily of the Valley had a fiery temper whenever she heard such taunts, she’d throw punches until the fight was settled.

But today, Lily of the Valley wasn’t here…

“What, where’s that loyal little follower of yours?” Heather peered into her room. “Found yourself a powerful patron and ditched your lackey now?”

The moment Heather finished speaking, darkness flashed before her eyes as a bamboo basket came crashing down on her face.

“D-don’t you talk about Lily of the Valley like that!” Jiang Mianhao gripped the basket, her hands trembling slightly.

Heather, dazed from the hit, clicked her tongue, blood trickling from her nose.

“Hahahaha, Heather, you actually got bullied by an orphan!” Dandelion laughed so hard she swayed, nearly clapping her hands.

Humiliated, Heather raised her hand and flicked her fingers, sending a sharp floral blade straight toward Jiang Mianhao’s palm.

A sharp pain shot through her wrist, and the bamboo basket clattered to the ground.

“Is that all you’ve got, Heather?” Cold-resistant Grass stepped forward, yanking Jiang Mianhao’s hair. “Aren’t you going to slap that pretty little face?”

Jiang Mianhao’s scalp burned with pain. She raised her hand to defend herself, but the next moment, her wrist was seized.

Dandelion’s grip was rough and unyielding, dragging Jiang Mianhao off balance.

Cold-resistant Grass yanked Jiang Mianhao’s hair, forcing her to lift her head.

Pain shot through her scalp and wrists as Jiang Mianhao had no choice but to tilt her face toward Erica.

“Dare to hit me? I’ll make sure you regret it,” Erica sneered, cracking her knuckles before advancing menacingly toward Jiang Mianhao.

Completely restrained, Jiang Mianhao flailed helplessly, kicking and thrashing with all her might.

As Erica drew closer, Jiang Mianhao squeezed her eyes shut in fear.

Just when she thought there was no escape this time, Erica suddenly let out a piercing scream.

The next second, the hands restraining her loosened.

A razor-sharp ice blade, radiating cold, shot past Erica’s ear, slicing off half of it.

Erica shrieked in agony, writhing on the ground.

The dandelion and Cold-resistant Grass, who had been mocking Jiang Mianhao moments ago, paled and turned to look at the source of the ice blade.

Standing there was an aloof immortal clad in white robes, his expression icy. Silver-white lashes partially veiled his golden pupils, and his brow seemed to carry the weight of eternal frost—cold, majestic, and imposing.

The overwhelming aura of a superior being made everyone’s legs tremble, nearly buckling under the pressure.

Jiang Mianhao sniffled, tears still shimmering at the corners of her eyes before rolling down her cheeks.

A single crystalline teardrop fell to the ground and vanished without a trace.

Ye Qingge’s gaze darkened further, an inexplicable irritation flickering within him.

“Who started this?” His voice was frigid, his piercing stare sweeping over every plant and spirit present.