After Faking Her Death and Escaping, the Junior Sister Fell to the Demonic Path - Chapter 11

Qin Qingyi led Zhou Zhixue down the mountain, arriving at the residence halfway up the peak just as twilight was setting in.

By this time, the disciples from the various peaks had finished their classes, so Qin Qingyi took the opportunity to send a spiritual message and summon her two other junior brothers to her, introducing them to Zhou Zhixue.

“Ahem, this is the disciple Master just took in. Her name is Zhou Zhixue. From now on, she’s a disciple of our Hidden Snow Peak and your little junior sister.”

Two children, one tall and one short, stood before Qin Qingyi, staring wide-eyed at Zhou Zhixue, who was hiding behind her.

In fact, they had already seen this little junior sister, as Master and Senior Sister had been accompanying the little junior sister around Hidden Snow Peak these past few days.

There was also the thundercloud not long ago. Although the Sect Master publicly stated that the big commotion was caused by a disciple failing their tribulation, that explanation only fooled outsiders who didn’t know the inside story. As disciples of Hidden Snow Peak, and with the event happening right there, they could have guessed who caused the disturbance even with their eyes closed.

However, they still had their studies and were exhausted from dealing with their assignments every day. Moreover, Master hadn’t formally introduced her, so they hadn’t officially greeted her.

Now, finally meeting face-to-face, they were quite curious about this mysterious junior sister. They fidgeted a bit before softly and gently speaking.

“Hello, Junior Sister. I’m Xie Su of Hidden Snow Peak, ranked second. I’m fourteen this year, and I’ll be your Senior Brother from now on.”

Xie Su, the slightly taller one, stepped forward and introduced himself to Zhou Zhixue.

His face was youthful, but his demeanor was mature, and he spoke very steadily.

Not only did he introduce himself, but he also took out a smooth, round pearl from his Qiankun Bracelet: “This is a High-Quality Eastern Pearl. Placed in a room, it can provide light for a hundred years without dimming. It’s a gift for Junior Sister.”

With that, he stepped closer, intending to give the pearl to Zhou Zhixue.

However, Zhou Zhixue looked at him getting closer with slight nervousness, clutching Qin Qingyi’s robes and trying to shrink back.

Her eyes were fixed only on Qin Qingyi’s skirt, clearly not wanting to face Xie Su.

Seeing this, Xie Su looked at Qin Qingyi, somewhat seeking help: “Senior Sister…”

Though mature for his age, he was flustered in the current situation.

Does Junior Sister… dislike him?

Or did he scare her by being too reckless?

Thinking of this possibility, Xie Su was a little panicked, looking at Qin Qingyi with even more helplessness.

Qin Qingyi could only sigh inwardly. She had to first comfort Xie Su, taking the Eastern Pearl from his hand: “Junior Sister is still young and has a quiet nature. She doesn’t dislike you; don’t overthink it.”

Then, she gently stroked Zhou Zhixue’s forehead and said softly, “Senior Brother prepared a welcome gift for you. It’s a token of his good intentions. Can you say thank you to Senior Brother, please?”

Hearing this, the hand Zhou Zhixue used to tug Qin Qingyi’s clothes slightly relaxed. She lifted her head from Qin Qingyi’s waist and timidly looked at the expectant Xie Su: “Thank you, Senior Brother.”

Xie Su’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, but he still pretended to be composed: “You’re welcome. We are fellow disciples; there’s no need for thanks.”

The other disciple was clearly more lively. Although both were wearing the same disciple robes, the feeling they gave off was distinctly different.

Seeing that Xie Su had finished his introduction, he immediately jumped out:

“Junior Sister, Junior Sister, I’m your Third Senior Brother, my name is Hu Yu.”

Hu Yu looked at the little junior sister with curiosity, scratched his head for a moment, and pulled out two strings of candied haw berries from his Qiankun Bracelet, handing them to Zhou Zhixue: “This is my welcome gift for Junior Sister. I just bought them down the mountain; they’re fresh.”

Zhou Zhixue didn’t take them, but instead looked up at Qin Qingyi with her bright, innocent eyes, her small hand tightly gripping Qin Qingyi’s sleeve.

Qin Qingyi was helpless and could only take them on her behalf.

She handed one string of the candied haw berries to Zhou Zhixue, knelt down, and gently coaxed:

“Don’t be afraid. They are both your Senior Brothers. Relax, they won’t bully you.”

With that, she placed the candied haw berries near Zhou Zhixue’s mouth: “Want to try? They’re very tasty.”

Zhou Zhixue hesitated, then tentatively took a bite.

The sweet candied haw berries melted in her mouth, and Zhou Zhixue’s eyes sparkled. She liked candied haw berries, but she still blushed and, with restraint, took another bite. Then, she turned to Xie Su and Hu Yu and quietly greeted them: “Hello, Senior Brothers.”

Seeing how shy she was, and due to the various rumors circulating in the sect recently, Hu Yu couldn’t help but step forward to confirm: “Junior Sister, were you also picked up by Master?”

He only asked out of curiosity, but unexpectedly, Zhou Zhixue’s face turned abruptly pale upon hearing this. She buried herself into Qin Qingyi’s embrace, tightly hugging Qin Qingyi’s neck, hiding her face and refusing to look at anyone.

The little one’s shoulders were twitching, and quiet sobs echoed in Qin Qingyi’s ear. Soon, a damp feeling spread across her neck.

Qin Qingyi sighed heavily again in her heart. Over the past few days, she had already heard Master recount Zhou Zhixue’s background: the Human Emperor was slaughtered, and this child was the only surviving bloodline of the Human Emperor lineage. Had Master not happened to pass by and pull her out of the snow, she would likely have died.

Unfortunately, Zhou Zhixue was the only one who survived. Qin Qingyi knew this was her pain. Having just experienced such a terrible tragedy not long ago, how could she be willing to recount it in front of people she had just met? That’s why she chose to escape the conversation.

She was just a child; how could Qin Qingyi blame her for this?

Qin Qingyi looked at Hu Yu, her eyes holding a trace of reproach. Even Xie Su, standing nearby, tugged Hu Yu’s sleeve in disapproval, signaling him to stop talking.

Seeing this, Hu Yu knew he had said the wrong thing. He backed up two steps and stammered anxiously, “I, I’m sorry. If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s okay. I just, I just thought everyone was picked up by Master. I’m sorry…”

As he spoke, he somehow teared up as well. Large tears welled up in his eyes, circled twice, and then fell, soon leaving his face streaked with tears. He looked incredibly pitiful.

He was sobbing uncontrollably, and Xie Su also panicked, clumsily wiping his tears with his sleeve while awkwardly trying to comfort him: “Don’t cry. I know you didn’t mean it. Please, stop crying, alright?”

Seeing this, Qin Qingyi couldn’t bring herself to scold him any further. After all, his background…

She turned her face away. Hu Yu was just a pitiful child, too.

However, for some reason, listening to Hu Yu cry, Zhou Zhixue, who had just stopped sobbing in Qin Qingyi’s arms, began crying even harder. The two children were bawling, and the duet of crying sounds gave Qin Qingyi and Xie Su a massive headache.

It took a long time to finally soothe them. The two children stopped crying, wiping the tear stains from their faces while sniffling, revealing two red, rabbit-like eyes.

“I’m sorry, Senior Sister, I lost control,” Hu Yu choked out, apologizing quietly.

Zhou Zhixue was even worse; her nose was red from crying, and she couldn’t even speak from the sniffling.

Looking at the two children with red eyes, Qin Qingyi gritted her teeth.

Master, don’t let me catch you, or this matter will definitely not be over.

Every time, he dumps the children he picks up on her to raise. What does he think she is? The Nanny of Hidden Snow Peak?!

Master! Even if you hide outside for half a year before coming out, this debt must be settled!

Don’t think you can just dump everything on her!!!