After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 10

“Master came to look for me last night?”

The next day, sitting on the painted boat heading toward Taiwei Province, Ji Xun Yue asked in surprise.

Zhong Ling nodded. “I saw Master just as he was preparing to leave when I went out to fetch water. He even asked me if I knew where you had gone.”

Ji Xun Yue furrowed her brows. It was already late at night when she went to the God Realm; why was Xuan Huai looking for her so late?

She asked: “What did you tell him?”

“I said you went back to your room after dinner and I hadn’t seen you since.” Zhong Ling propped her head on her hand and asked curiously: “Senior Sister, did you go out last night?”

Ji Xun Yue made up a casual excuse: “I went to the herb fields outside for a while to clear my head.”

Zhong Ling gave a small reply and did not ask further. Ji Xun Yue leaned against the railing in a daze, unable to figure out why Xuan Huai had come looking for her. It wasn’t until Zhong Ling tapped her that she snapped out of her thoughts.

“What is it?”

“Senior Sister, we have arrived.” Zhong Ling hesitated as if she wanted to say more.

Ji Xun Yue smiled: “Let us go. Wen Yin and the others are likely already waiting.”

When they reached the small pavilion, Liu Wen Yin was already waiting there, but Chu Nian had not come. Liu Wen Yin waved at them and ran over to greet them: “I have good news for you. Master agreed!”

“Really? Thank you, Wen Yin!” Zhong Ling was pleasantly surprised. “I will ask Master about it when we return at noon.”

Liu Wen Yin said briskly: “There is nothing to thank me for. As soon as I told Master that you two are Immortal Xuan Huai’s disciples, she agreed immediately.”

The three chatted as they walked to the pavilion and sat down. Zhong Ling looked around: “Why hasn’t Senior Brother Chu come?”

Liu Wen Yin explained: “Senior Brother is actually in Taiwei Province as well, but in a different area. He went early this morning to observe some competition.”

Ji Xun Yue opened the basket and took out the breakfast Zhong Ling had prepared. She repeated: “A competition?”

Liu Wen Yin explained: “It is a competition agreed upon between the immortal sects, usually organized by the six major sects as an exchange between cultivators. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, but I heard the rewards are always quite good. I suppose those sects use it to show off their strength and wealth.”

Ji Xun Yue nodded; this was exactly the kind of competition Yu Qian Chan wanted her to attend.

Liu Wen Yin took a sip of porridge and continued: “Although cultivation methods vary greatly, there are always areas where they overlap. You will surely gain something from watching.” After she finished, she suddenly sighed.

Ji Xun Yue asked with concern: “Why are you sighing? That doesn’t sound like you.”

Liu Wen Yin stopped her chopsticks and complained: “Seeing Senior Brother so busy and tired every day makes me nervous for him. When I first arrived, I thought I would become a deity the moment I stepped into the Immortal Realm. I didn’t expect it to be this difficult.”

Zhong Ling smiled: “Actually, I think even if I cannot become an immortal, being able to live for thousands of years is very lucky.”

Liu Wen Yin scoffed: “Don’t say such discouraging things. If you think that way, your Dao heart will easily become unstable.”

Zhong Ling lowered her voice: “I just feel that such a future is so far away.”

Liu Wen Yin comforted her: “Anyway, just take it one step at a time.”

Zhong Ling’s cheeks flushed slightly, looking a bit embarrassed: “I just said it casually; why did you take it so seriously?”

Ji Xun Yue joined the conversation with a smile: “This girl is so philosophical at such a young age; of course it makes us worry.”

Zhong Ling smiled along and did not continue the topic. After breakfast, Ji Xun Yue asked: “Wen Yin, do you know where the competition is being held?”

Liu Wen Yin thought for a moment and pointed: “It seems to be the trial platform to the east.”

Zhong Ling wrinkled her nose: “Senior Sister, you aren’t going to skip class again, are you?”

Ji Xun Yue made a shushing gesture: “Good junior sister, let me go this once. I would only sleep if I went to class; I might as well go see the excitement.”

Zhong Ling reluctantly agreed. As Ji Xun Yue walked a few steps, she turned back to remind her: “Junior Sister, if Shen Zhi Yao dares to bother you again, you must tell me.”

Liu Wen Yin said loyally: “Don’t worry about that; I am here too.”

Ji Xun Yue felt relieved and bid them farewell, heading in the direction Liu Wen Yin had pointed.

There were several trial platforms in Taiwei Province, and the eastern one was the largest. Ji Xun Yue had been to Taiwei Province many times before, but she still didn’t know its full layout. Since flying with wind was prohibited on the province, she traversed the vast area, passing several palaces without finding the trial platform.

Looking around, she saw a man in black walking hurriedly. She chased after him and asked: “Excuse me, do you know how to get to the eastern trial platform?”

The man in black had clean features. He glanced at her and explained the general direction. “Thank you,” Ji Xun Yue said, but before she could finish, the man had already walked away quickly. He was heading in the same direction he had pointed out; perhaps he was in a hurry to join the competition.

Ji Xun Yue, however, was in no rush and walked leisurely. Near the trial platform, she saw the man in black again. He was standing with a man in green under a tree nearby. The man in black had his back to her and his head bowed, as if he were being scolded by the man in green.

The Immortal Realm was certainly not some utopia; it was practically a microcosm of the mortal world. Ji Xun Yue was still hesitating whether to intervene when the man in green spotted her.

“What are you looking at?” The man in green had a sharp, mean face and shouted unpleasantly to drive her away.

The man in black turned his head, and she saw several dirty marks on his face. Ji Xun Yue found this interesting and walked forward, saying: “Senior Brother has such a temper.”

Seeing she had no internal energy, the man in green sneered: “What? Do you want to interfere in the business of the Yanming Sect?”

As expected of their sect’s reputation. Ji Xun Yue felt disdain inwardly but maintained a smile: “I wouldn’t dare. Senior Brother must have misunderstood.”

The man in green looked her up and down and said knowingly: “You are quite clever, looking for a backer before you’ve even started cultivating.”

Ji Xun Yue’s face darkened, but she kept her smile, though her tone turned cold: “What does Senior Brother mean by that?”

“Stop acting innocent; I’ve seen many like you,” the man in green said flippantly. “If you want to please me, being this reserved won’t work.”

Ji Xun Yue had heard that some cultivators who failed to join famous sects would try everything to cozy up to people from the six major sects to pave their way; it seemed the man in green took her for such a person. He looked to be only at the Sixth Realm, yet his arrogance was quite high and he was strangely confident.

Seeing Ji Xun Yue remain silent while looking elsewhere, the man in green pushed further, his tone becoming crude: “If you want Senior Brother to teach you cultivation, you have to give something in return, right? Let me tell you a secret: I like girls who are uninhibited.”

“Senior Brother, the competition is about to start,” the man in black interrupted.

The man in green glared at him: “Shut up! Do you have a say in this?”

Ji Xun Yue brought her gaze back, a smile playing on her lips, and asked: “Senior Brother isn’t in a hurry for the competition, yet he wants to flirt with me instead?”

“Since a junior sister has come to my door, why would I refuse?” As the man in green spoke, he reached out to touch her face. “You do have a nice look.”

Ji Xun Yue brushed his hand away and delivered a backhanded slap. The crisp sound left both men from the Yanming Sect stunned.

The man in green snapped out of it, absolutely furious: “You… you bitch, you dare to hit me? Do you know who I am?”

“I am hitting the animal you are. Why don’t you look in a mirror to see who you are?” Ji Xun Yue sneered, repeatedly wiping her right palm on her clothes. “You’ve truly dirtied my hand.”

Humiliated, the man in green tried to lung forward. The man in black quickly stepped in front of Ji Xun Yue to block him: “Senior Brother, this is Taiwei Province; let us not make a scene.”

The man in green pushed him aside: “A scene? Why are you acting so generous? You’re actually laughing at me inside, aren’t you? Do you want to go back and tell everyone in the sect that I was slapped by some girl?”

Ji Xun Yue mocked: “If Senior Brother treated his fellow disciples and juniors with respect, how would he end up in such a pathetic state?”

“You’re truly tired of living!” The man in green’s face turned red with rage.

Ji Xun Yue remained unperturbed, her gaze moving past him to two people approaching. As the man in green tried to grab her throat, a sudden bolt of lightning struck his back. He screamed and stumbled forward several steps, falling flat on his face as Ji Xun Yue stepped aside to let him pass.

Satisfied with his humiliation, Ji Xun Yue ran to the side of Xuan Huai, one of the newcomers, and called out in a feigned aggrieved voice: “Master!”

Xuan Huai had been frowning, but when he saw her call for him, his expression softened slightly: “Are you hurt anywhere?”

Ji Xun Yue shook her head and looked at the other newcomer.

“Zhou Yu, what are you doing?” Fang Qingchen’s voice carried anger as his folding fan pointed directly at the man in green.

Zhou Yu, who had been wailing, quickly endured the pain and scrambled up, acting submissively: “Master… Martial Uncle…”

Although Fang Qingchen was often unreasonable, he took his sect’s reputation very seriously: “I could see you from afar pawing at a junior. You have completely disgraced the Yanming Sect!”

Zhou Yu tried to lie: “Martial Uncle, I… I didn’t. She was the one who seduced me!”

Ji Xun Yue wanted to argue, but then she thought it would be better to keep a low profile. Instead, she turned to Xuan Huai for help: “Master, I didn’t. He is slandering me!”

Seeing her on the verge of tears, a flash of astonishment passed over Xuan Huai’s face. He then turned a cold gaze toward Zhou Yu: “Zhou Yu, do you think we didn’t hear what you said?”

Zhou Yu was speechless and then changed his story: “I… I misunderstood this junior sister’s meaning. It was all a misunderstanding!”

Fang Qingchen ignored him and looked at the man in black: “Ji Xiuwen, you were here the whole time. Tell me, is Zhou Yu right?”

Ji Xiuwen said calmly: “Martial Uncle, it seems there was a slight misunderstanding between Senior Brother and this junior sister.”

Fang Qingchen saw the dirt on his face and his mood darkened further: “What happened to your face?”

Ji Xiuwen avoided his gaze: “I… I accidentally fell.”

“You certainly know how to return good for evil and protect the sect’s reputation,” Fang Qingchen sneered. “Zhou Yu, there is no need for you to participate in this trial. Go back and stay in solitary confinement for a year.”

Zhou Yu was terrified and knelt to plead: “Martial Uncle… I was wrong.”

Fang Qingchen ignored him: “Xiuwen, you go in his place.”

Ji Xiuwen looked panicked and uneasy: “Martial Uncle, my aptitude is far worse than Senior Brother’s. I fear I will bring shame to the sect.”

Fang Qingchen narrowed his eyes and looked him over: “Are you questioning my judgment?”

Ji Xiuwen lowered his head and bowed: “Thank you, Martial Uncle. Xiuwen will do his best and will not disappoint you.”

Fang Qingchen waved him away: “Go on then.” He then looked at Zhou Yu with disdain: “Still here making a fool of yourself? Get out of my sight!” Zhou Yu scrambled up and left dejectedly.

Ji Xun Yue watched the entire farce and looked at Ji Xiuwen’s retreating back. From the moment she saw Fang Qingchen appear, she had planned her act for him to see. Ji Xiuwen had also seen Fang Qingchen; not only did he not warn Zhou Yu, but he also played along with the situation. He seemed gentle and kind, but he was actually quite calculating. Zhou Yu’s shove had won him sympathy and a chance to compete.

Ji Xun Yue returned to reality only to find Fang Qingchen staring at her with a half-smile. “Ye Jinyue, why do you have to interfere with the Yanming Sect wherever you go? Could it be that you want to join us?”

Ji Xun Yue naturally had no interest in him: “I wouldn’t dare go there; I’m afraid the senior brothers and sisters would skin me alive.”

Fang Qingchen was clearly displeased but couldn’t explode. He gave a cold laugh: “I have ordered Shen Zhi Yao to apologize to Zhong Ling. I hope this matter ends here.”

Ji Xun Yue was surprised; she didn’t expect a sincere apology from Shen Zhi Yao, but as long as the girl stayed away from her junior sister, it was enough.

Fang Qingchen said to Xuan Huai: “Xuan Huai, consider what I told you carefully.” With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

Once he was gone, Ji Xun Yue let out a sigh of relief. Xuan Huai said with a hint of a smile: “Is your anger gone now?”

Ji Xun Yue looked up at him, seeing the mischief in his eyes and the slight curve of his lips. His expression was like warm spring sunshine, making her heart skip a beat.

“Thank you, Master, for standing up for me.” At this moment, she felt refreshed and in high spirits, temporarily putting her grudges against him aside.

Xuan Huai shook his head: “But I did nothing.”

“Master still doesn’t think I was impulsive?”

“As long as you feel the result is good.”

Ji Xun Yue was satisfied, though slightly annoyed with herself; she feared she would soon offend everyone in the Yanming Sect. She had to remind her junior sister to stay away from them. Remembering what Fang Qingchen said before leaving, she asked: “How did Master end up with Immortal Qingchen?”

It didn’t seem like Fang Qingchen had met Xuan Huai specifically to handle the matter with Shen Zhi Yao.

Xuan Huai told her the truth: “He wanted me to help refine medicine, but I refused.”

Ji Xun Yue froze and then laughed: “It seems my worries were in vain. Master has also offended the Yanming Sect.”

Xuan Huai smiled at her words, a light and clear smile that made it hard to look away. She asked curiously: “The Yanming Sect should have good alchemists; why did they ask for Master’s help?”

Xuan Huai said: “He wants to refine Winter-Withered Grass. Not many in the Immortal Realm know how to refine this herb; he likely heard that I once refined it for the God Realm.”

“Isn’t that…” Ji Xun Yue furrowed her brows and corrected herself before slipping up, “What is that?”

Xuan Huai ignored the oddity in her words: “It is an herb that can increase cultivation, but it easily causes backlash.”

Ji Xun Yue grew thoughtful, wondering why Fang Qingchen would need Winter-Withered Grass. Xuan Huai shifted the topic: “Skipping class again today?”

Ji Xun Yue coughed lightly to hide her embarrassment. Xuan Huai didn’t press her: “Let us go; the competition has already started.”

With him? Ji Xun Yue blinked but did not refuse.

When they reached the trial platform, she found that the competition took place on the ground, but the spectator seats were suspended in the sky. Ji Xun Yue was suddenly in a bind; how could she get up there without using spiritual power?

Xuan Huai said: “I will take you up.”

“Ah?” Ji Xun Yue was stunned, having forgotten that possibility. Xuan Huai reached out his hand to her. His fingers were long and slender with distinct joints, as beautiful as his features. Now, she could only rely on his strength. Ji Xun Yue reached out her right hand but then felt the greasiness from Zhou Yu’s face was still on her palm, so she disdainfully wiped her hand on her clothes a few more times.

Xuan Huai gave a light laugh: “Is this the hand that hit him?” He took out a piece of ice-silk cloth and handed it to her: “Do you want to wipe it again?”

Ji Xun Yue took the cloth and did not refuse his kindness. The ice-silk was smooth and cool, very comfortable. She suddenly remembered that the Soul-Chasing Grass Xuan Huai gave her last time was also wrapped in ice-silk. That grass grew in bitter cold and needed low-temperature storage; ice-silk was also a rare treasure. She had overlooked his thoughtfulness.

Ji Xun Yue’s hands continued their task, but her heart was in a bit of a mess. After all the fuss, she finally placed her hand in Xuan Huai’s. His palm was dry and warm, giving her a strange sense of familiarity. Xuan Huai’s gaze fell on her, focused and gentle, making her lose herself for a moment.

The crowd below was noisy, but she seemed only able to hear Xuan Huai’s voice and the deafening sound of her own heartbeat.