After Being Certified by the Immortal Lord on the Path of Ruthlessness - Chapter 58

Jiang Mianhao was in the kitchen, helping Jiang Yunxie chop the filling.

Two cleavers fell alternately, scattering minced meat across the cutting board.

“Sister Jiang, is this fine enough?” Jiang Mianhao lifted the knife, bits of meat clinging to the blade before slowly sliding off.

“Mian Mian, you’re amazing!” Jiang Yunxie praised. “The filling is chopped so evenly and finely. You’ve really worked hard.”

Jiang Mianhao’s hands ached from the effort. The moment she set down the knife, she let out a couple of soft whimpers and said coquettishly, “It wasn’t hard work! Sister, what should I do next?”

“Next…” Jiang Yunxie glanced outside, tilting her chin thoughtfully. “Why don’t you go talk to your little Lu Jiu? She seems to be waiting for you.”

At this, Jiang Mianhao turned her head and saw a familiar figure in the corridor.

Dressed in white, she stood in the snow, the hem of her robe fluttering in the wind—like a solitary, cold bamboo, standing aloof from the world.

“Go on,” Jiang Yunxie urged. “It’s freezing outside. I won’t go.”

Feeling a little shy, Jiang Mianhao hurriedly washed her hands and ran outside.

“Lu Jiu!”

She dashed over in quick strides, unable to resist saying, “It’s so cold out. Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?”

Ye Qingge looked at the girl before her—rosy cheeks peeking out from a green-lined jacket with a fox-fur collar.

The snow-white fur framed her face, making her look like a soft, pink rice ball.

Unable to resist, Ye Qingge reached out and pinched her cheek softly. “Have you been sneaking food in the kitchen again?”

With her cheek pinched, Jiang Mianhao mumbled, “I haven’t been sneaking food! I was helping Sister Jiang chop the filling. We’re making dumplings tonight for the Longzhi Festival in three days!”

“Alright, then, go play with Sister Jiang.” Though Ye Qingge had only meant a quick pinch, she found it hard to let go. Even after speaking, her hand lingered on Jiang Mianhao’s cheek.

“Lu Jiu, have I really gotten chubbier?” Jiang Mianhao touched the other side of her face. “Lately, I feel like my body has been changing a lot.”

Ye Qingge hummed in response but said nothing.

“I feel like my face has gotten rounder, I’ve grown taller, and my arms have gotten longer.” Jiang Mianhao’s cheeks flushed as she placed her hands on her chest. “And here, it seems to have gotten bigger too.”

It was early morning, and the sword cultivators had already left for patrols and training.

Only the two of them remained on the corridor.

Seeing the innocent expression on the girl’s face, Ye Qingge couldn’t help but curl her lips into a soft smile. “Mm, that means you’re growing up.”

“Growing up!” Jiang Mianhao touched herself, her face turning even redder. “But… why does this part grow too?”

Ye Qingge didn’t know how to answer a question that went beyond her understanding, so she pinched Jiang Mianhao’s cheek a little harder.

Brushing it off casually, she said, “Go ask your Sister Jiang.”

Jiang Mianhao’s cheek stung from the pinch. She rubbed it gently and whispered, “I understand.”

Seeing how the girl looked wronged yet obedient, Ye Qingge’s heart softened. She cupped the round face before her, leaned down, and kissed the reddened cheek she had just pinched. Softly, she said, “It’s not safe on the mountain lately. Stay here and be good. Don’t wander off alone, understand?”

“I understand,” Jiang Mianhao blinked, then reached up to wrap her arms around Ye Qingge’s neck. Standing on her tiptoes, she returned the kiss, her small hands clutching gently.

“Be careful with that green wine too!” Jiang Mianhao murmured. “You must protect yourself.”

Ye Qingge nodded and hummed in agreement. “Alright, I need to head out now.”

“Okay!” Jiang Mianhao obediently let go. “I’ll wait for you to come back.”

Watching the retreating figure, she felt a lingering reluctance to leave, remaining rooted to the spot.

Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder, pressing down with gentle force.

Startled, Jiang Mianhao spun around and breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the person behind her. “Sister Jiang!”

She hadn’t noticed when Jiang Yuanjuan had arrived, but now she stood there, legs buried deep in the snow, looking calm and reassuring.

“Such heavy snow! Why did Sister Jiang come down?” Jiang Mianhao hurriedly reached out to support her. “Didn’t you say you’d wait for me in the kitchen?”

Jiang Yuanjuan blinked and said, “We’re out of vinegar. Go down the mountain and buy some.”

“Vinegar?” Jiang Mianhao frowned in confusion. “What’s vinegar?”

Jiang Yuanjuan’s expression remained unreadable, her tone curt. “Just ask the shopkeeper when you get down the mountain, and you’ll find out.”

“Alright, alright.” Jiang Mianhao agreed repeatedly, still holding onto her. “The snow here is too deep. Let me help you first. You need to change your shoes and socks.”

“No need.” Jiang Yuanjuan brushed off her support. “Hurry down the mountain. I need it urgently.”

Though puzzled, Jiang Mianhao complied. “Okay, then let me at least help you to the corridor.”

This time, Jiang Yuanjuan didn’t refuse, but waved her hand to dismiss Jiang Mianhao’s outstretched arm and strode toward the steps without looking back.

The snow had already reached above her calves, yet Jiang Yunjuan moved with swift, steady steps, unwavering against the cold.

Jiang Mianhao sensed something was off but didn’t dare disobey Jiang Yunjuan’s wishes. Once she saw her reach the corridor, she turned and headed down the mountain.

Ye Qingge searched Mount Hua once more but found nothin except the lost young snake that the patrolling sword cultivators had captured.

Returning empty-handed, an unshakable unease settled in her chest.

As she passed through the bamboo grove, her gaze fell on something lying in the snow—a pouch, resting quietly as if waiting.

Ye Qingge recognized the design, at least vaguely. With a wave of her hand, it floated into her grasp.

But before she could examine it, someone came running from a distance, moving urgently toward her.

“Green Wine, could you return this to me?” Ling Lan called, extending her hand toward Ye Qingge. “This pouch is mine. I accidentally dropped it when I passed by earlier.”

Ye Qingge looked down at the pouch in her hand: pale beige silk embroidered with clumsy, crooked pink stitches.

It was impossible to tell what kind of flower it was meant to be; at first glance, it simply looked ugly.

Yet, its ugliness felt strangely familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before.

But Ye Qingge didn’t dwell on it and handed the pouch over.

Ling Lan tucked her sword under her elbow and cradled the pouch carefully.

The girl’s slender wrist brushed against Ye Qingge’s fingertips.

It was just a fleeting touch. Retrieving the pouch, Ling Lan breathed a soft sigh of relief. “Thank you, Green Wine.”

This pouch had been embroidered by Jiang Mianhao herself. Though Mianhao insisted it was just a practice piece and hardly impressive, Ling Lan still felt a surge of happiness.

Holding it gently, she tucked it into her inner pocket and patted it softly.

Relieved, Ling Lan gripped her sword, steadied her mind, and resumed her practice.

As Ye Qingge withdrew her fingertip, she lifted her gaze to the person practicing before her.

Beneath the pulse her touch had just grazed, spiritual energy rippled vibrantly, awakening in subtle waves that made Ye Qingge’s heart skip a beat.

Intertwined with this mortal flesh and blood before her.

was an immortal bone, a rarity that appeared only once in ten thousand years.

Ye Qingge was still lost in thought when someone came hurrying down the mountain.

It was their junior sister. Spotting Ye Qingge from afar, she shouted desperately, “Immortal Lord! Something terrible has happened! Something terrible!”

“Little Jiang is missing!”