After Being Certified by the Immortal Lord on the Path of Ruthlessness - Chapter 51

Hearing the other’s tone grow timid, Ye Qingge finally showed a trace of expression.

 

She had only meant to tease Jiang Mianhao, yet she hadn’t expected her to be so utterly unaware; even cheerful when chatting with others.

 

That unthinking innocence somehow stirred something real within Ye Qingge.

 

What was this emotion? Even she couldn’t name it.

 

She gave a low hum of acknowledgment and asked, “So, you were in a good mood just now?”

 

Jiang Mianhao nodded, then hesitated and shook her head, unsure how to answer.

 

Lu Jiu was still angry. If she admitted to having fun with Jiang Yuanjuan, it would only make things worse.

 

“I want the truth,” Ye Qingge said, her voice quiet but grave, sensing the shift in her own emotions. “If you lie to me, I’ll truly be angry.”

 

At once, Jiang Mianhao straightened and said obediently, “No, I won’t lie. Not before, not now, and not ever in the future.”

Listening to her assurance, Ye Qingge’s mood lifted slightly, and she gave a faint hum in response.

 

“Just now, I was talking with Sister Jiang. She knows so much!” Jiang Mianhao’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Sister Jiang is carrying Sect Leader Feng’s child. I just learned that ‘having a body’ means having a baby! It’s amazing. How can one body grow another inside it?”

 

Her eyes shone as she spoke, pure wonder lighting her face.

 

This was something Jiang Mianhao had never imagined before. She was, after all, a blade of grass  born from the essence of heaven and earth.

 

All she knew was how to sprout upward and root downward.

 

In her understanding, every living thing in the world began from a seed.

 

But only now did she learn that not all life starts that way.

 

Two people in love could nurture a completely new being together. A life that shared traits of both, yet was entirely its own.

 

The young girl’s innocent face glowed with fascination and quiet reverence.

 

Ye Qingge listened quietly feeling the shifts in her own emotions.

These intricacies of human life were also something Ye Qingge was hearing about for the first time.

 

In truth, she understood only a little more than Jiang Mianhao merely that all things in the universe could take form.

 

But then, a thought surfaced unbidden.

 

Was her own existence, too, the result of two people in love?

 

If so, why were her sisters free to choose their own paths while she had been sealed within a pill furnace, forced to endure the torment of blazing fire?

 

“Sister Ye also said she used to know how to cook,” Jiang Mianhao went on, “but after meeting Sister Feng, she ‘forgot.’”

 

Her tone was light and curious. “Because Sister Feng loves cooking too. Besides sword cultivation, her second favorite thing is experimenting with recipes.”

 

“So, to make Sister Feng feel more accomplished, Sister Jiang deliberately pretends to mess up her dishes. Then she acts all helpless so Sister Feng will take over.”

 

Jiang Mianhao scratched her head, her brow furrowing slightly. “But Sister Jiang also told me that the most important thing between two people in love is honesty. Yet she says this kind of pretending is called ‘hiding your edge’ acting a little clumsy, a little more dependent, to keep the relationship peaceful.”

She tilted her head thoughtfully. “Loving someone doesn’t mean you have to compete or prove who’s better.”

 

“Instead, it’s about trust, reliance, and companionship.”

 

Imitating Jiang Yuanjuan’s tone, Jiang Mianhao repeated every word.

 

Then she carefully watched Ye Qingge’s expression and said softly, “Lu Jiu, let’s be honest with each other, trust each other, rely on each other, and accompany each other, okay?”

 

Jiang Mianhao nervously finished speaking, nearly biting her tongue on the last word.

 

She waited anxiously for a reply, hoping to hear Lu Jiu’s answer with her own ears.

 

Ye Qingge pondered for a moment, raised her head to meet the other’s gaze, and was about to speak when a knock at the door interrupted her.

 

“Lu Jiu?” Ling Lan’s voice came from outside the door. “Sect Leader Feng said the ginseng soup is ready, but Mianhao isn’t in her room.”

 

“Is she?” Ling Lan hesitated, then finally asked, “Is she with you?”

 

Ling Lan gripped her sword, hoping inwardly for a negative answer.

But that hope was dashed the very next moment.

 

“I’m here, Lanlan,” Jiang Mianhao lifted her face to respond, then turned her gaze back to the person in front of her.

 

After waiting a moment without a reply, Ling Lan’s inquiry came again from the doorway.

 

Jiang Mianhao sighed softly and went to open the door for Ling Lan.

 

Ling Lan had just finished practicing her sword, and droplets of sweat still clung to the ends of her hair.

 

When she saw Jiang Mianhao, she instinctively took a step back.

 

Despite creating distance, Ling Lan couldn’t hide her concern.

 

“Mianhao,” Ling Lan scanned Jiang Mianhao from head to toe and asked softly, “Are you feeling better? Have all your wounds been treated? Is there anywhere that still hurts? Have you been drinking the medicine Sect Leader Feng prepared?”

 

Jiang Mianhao shook her head. “The physician Sect Leader Feng sent is very skilled. My injuries are much better now, and they don’t hurt anymore.”

 

“That’s good,” Ling Lan nodded. “Next time, don’t push yourself like that. If it hurts, don’t force it. I’m here for you.”

 

“I’ll protect you.”

 

Jiang Mianhao nodded and was about to speak, but then a loud crash erupted from behind them.

 

Clatter!

 

The inkstone on the desk had fallen to the floor, splattering ink everywhere.

 

Their conversation was interrupted, and both of them looked up simultaneously.

 

The person seated at the desk had her back to them and didn’t even turn her head.

 

Nor did she make any move to clean up the spilled ink.

 

“The medicinal soup!” Jiang Mianhao’s gaze darted to the tray she had placed nearby, now stained with ink.

 

This was something she and Jiang Yuanjuan had spent hours carefully preparing.

 

“Lanlan, please go tell Sect Leader Feng that Lu Jiu and I will be there soon,” Jiang Mianhao said, then turned to check her bowl.

 

Fortunately, only the rim of the bowl was stained with ink; the medicinal soup itself remained untouched.

 

Ling Lan glanced at the bowl in Jiang Mianhao’s hands, then at Lu Jiu’s back.

 

She didn’t need to guess. This medicinal soup was something Mianhao had prepared for Lu Jiu.

 

A sour feeling welled up in her chest.

 

Ling Lan quickly averted her gaze. “Then hurry, Mianhao. I’ll go wash.”

 

Before she could finish, the door slammed shut.

 

Ling Lan froze, staring at the ice blade embedded in the door panel, mere inches from the tip of her nose.

 

She lingered outside the door for a long moment before slipping away quietly.

 

Ye Qingge’s expression darkened. For some reason, she felt inexplicably irritated whenever she heard Ling Lan speak.

 

Since when did a lowly grass spirit dare make such bold claims?

 

Jiang Mianhao, clutching the bowl, was startled by Lu Jiu’s sudden action of closing the door.

 

“Lu Jiu,” Jiang Mianhao murmured softly, pursing her lips, “don’t be so harsh with Lanlan.”

 

Ye Qingge lifted her eyes, her gaze sharp and icy, fixed on the young girl before her.

 

Jiang Mianhao felt flustered under that cold stare, even though it had seemed as if things were finally heading toward reconciliation.

 

But now, Lu Jiu was angry again.

 

“I’m sorry, Lu Jiu,” Jiang Mianhao whispered, lowering her head. “I’ve upset you again.”

 

Ye Qingge suppressed the impatience stirring within her and said calmly, “I’m not angry.”

 

Her words, however, carried little conviction.

 

Jiang Mianhao, still holding the bowl, gently tugged at the hem of her clothes, unsure of what else to do.

“I’m not angry,” Ye Qingge lifted her eyes to look at the person before her.

 

Sensing the unease radiating from Jiang Mianhao, she closed her eyes for a moment, letting herself steady the turbulent emotions within. When she opened them again, she spoke softly, using the words the Matchmaker had once taught her.

 

“I just care about you. I won’t be angry with you,” Ye Qingge said gently. “Why would I be upset that there’s one more person to protect you?”

 

Jiang Mianhao hesitated, clutching the bowl of porridge tightly. “I care about you too… so I don’t want you to be angry.”

 

“Mm,” Ye Qingge replied, a faint smile touching her lips. “Let’s make up.”

 

The sudden reconciliation, coupled with Lu Jiu’s gentle explanation, sent little bubbles of happiness rising in Jiang Mianhao’s heart. Her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the bowl.

 

Without waiting for a response, Ye Qingge stood and said, “Let’s go eat.”

 

She stepped around Jiang Mianhao, ready to lead the way.

 

But just as she took a step forward, her sleeve was gently tugged.

 

The moment Ye Qingge turned, warmth brushed against her lips.

Jiang Mianhao, still holding the bowl, stood on her tiptoes and mimicked the way Lu Jiu had kissed her, pressing a soft, tentative kiss to her lips.

 

Nervous, she closed her eyes, her long lashes trembling like the delicate wings of a butterfly.

 

Ye Qingge remained perfectly still, unmoving.

 

She neither pushed her away nor deepened the kiss.

 

The innocent kiss began with a gentle touch and ended just as softly.

 

Blushing deeply, Jiang Mianhao whispered, “Next time, I won’t push you away again.”

 

Without waiting for Lu Jiu’s reply, she turned and hurried out, her cheeks still flushed.

 

Ye Qingge stayed where she was for a moment, watching the retreating figure, before lifting a hand to lightly touch her own lips.

 

A faint, tender smile curled at the corners of her mouth as she followed after her.

 

By the time, this meal should be considered dinner.

 

Feng Mingyi had personally instructed the kitchen to prepare a lavish spread.

 

The table was laden with delicacies and rare treats, with the ginseng soup placed prominently at its center.

 

“Thank you, Immortal Lord, for aiding Hua Mountain and for helping gather this basket of ginseng,” Feng Mingyi said, raising his wine cup with sincere respect.

 

Ye Qingge, showing no interest in food or drink, made no move to lift her cup, responding only with a faint, “Mm.”

 

Observing the aloof and reticent immortal lord, whose demeanor radiated cold detachment, Jiang Yuanjuan chuckled. “The Immortal Lord has long attained the Way. Did you really think she’d care for wine as you do?”

 

Feng Mingyi scratched his head sheepishly and grinned. “What I love most is you, my dear wife.”

 

“Such smooth talk,” Jiang Yuanjuan teased, though a smile lingered on her lips. “Mian Mian, are you feeling better now?”

 

Her gaze softened warmly. Among the three girls, she had always favored Jiang Mianhao, the youngest and most obedient.

 

Hearing her name, Jiang Mianhao nodded earnestly. “Thank you, Sister Jiang. I’m fully recovered now.”

Even though the two had spent the entire afternoon together, Jiang Yuanjuan pretended as if she had just learned, nodding in acknowledgment.

 

“It’s good that you’ve fully recovered,” Jiang Yuanjuan said with a gentle smile. “Now that you’re better, you can keep me company. How about staying on Mount Hua for a few more days?”

 

As if afraid of being rejected, she added, “Sect Leader Feng spends all her time practicing swordplay, it’s so dull. I felt an instant connection with you. Staying a bit longer would also give your friend a chance to learn sword techniques from Sect Leader Feng.”

 

Hearing this, Ling Lan’s eyes lit up.

 

Feng Mingyi chuckled and asked, “Oh? Which friend wishes to learn from me?”

 

“It’s me,” Ling Lan replied, rising with a cup of wine in hand. “I’ve long heard of Sect Leader Feng’s reputation even before coming to Mount Hua. I humbly request that you take me as your disciple.”

 

Seeing her formal approach, Feng Mingyi also stood and said, “Very well. I’ve seen your swordsmanship. You’re a rare talent, a natural-born sword cultivator!”

 

The atmosphere at the table was warm and cheerful. Feng Mingyi and Jiang Yuanjuan, as a couple, were approachable and treated others with genuine kindness.

 

Apart from Ye Qingge, who remained silent, laughter frequently filled the dining hall.

 

Ye Qingge had no interest in the lighthearted banter; her mind was occupied with the mystery of why Wuli had massacred its way up Mount Hua.

 

Had they achieved their goal by the time they reached the summit, or had they failed?

 

If they had succeeded, why send the soaring bird down the mountain to catch her attention?

 

If they hadn’t, it meant they would likely return to Mount Hua.

 

Lost in thought, Ye Qingge’s expression remained cold and detached.

 

She didn’t even notice when the person beside her got up, left, and returned.

 

A pure white porcelain bowl was gently placed in front of her, filled with the same congee from earlier.

 

When she looked up, her eyes met those of the person beside her.

 

Jiang Mianhao’s gaze was full of anticipation, tinged with a hint of ingratiation.

 

“What is it?”

 

Just as Jiang Mianhao was about to shake her head, Ye Qingge said, “Don’t lie to me.”

 

Even without reading her emotions, Jiang Mianhao’s expression betrayed her thoughts completely.

 

Sure enough, her eyes brightened, and she whispered, “Can we stay on Mount Hua a little longer and have some fun?”

 

Her gaze glistened, her tone soft and pleading, perfectly matching the thoughts swirling in her mind.

 

Ye Qingge was pleased with her honesty and responded with a hum, “It depends on how well you behave.”