After My Faked Death Failed, My Ex-Wife Came Chasing After Me - Chapter 33

Lin Zheng: Dammit, how dare he make a move on my wife

After pulling Cui Daoyan up, he clutched his chest, still shaken. He gave Lin Zheng a solemn bow and said, “Many thanks, Immortal Lin.”

Lin Zheng and Lu Ting’an exchanged a glance, both feeling a hint of guilt. Lin Zheng replied coolly, “There is no need for such ceremony.”

Cui Daoyan steadied his mind, only then realizing his wheelchair had plummeted down the cliff. A look of difficulty crossed his face as he looked at the two of them. “This… could I trouble you two to call a few disciples over to help me back?”

Lu Ting’an scratched her head awkwardly and gave Lin Zheng a look. “No need. We’ll help you back ourselves.”

Cui Daoyan waved his hands hurriedly. “How could I trouble you two? It’s better to call the disciples…”

“Oh, stop talking so much,” Lu Ting’an grumbled. She and Lin Zheng immediately flanked him, hoisting him up by his arms and walking forward without allowing room for argument.

Cui Daoyan was completely unable to break free and could only let them lead him. However, mindful of the propriety between men and women, he felt quite uncomfortable being dragged along. He kept his hands tightly clenched into fists, stiff as a piece of wood, refusing to touch Lin Zheng or Lu Ting’an even the slightest bit.

Seeing this, Lu Ting’an couldn’t help but find it a bit funny. After all, they were the ones who had wronged him first. Once they finally got him back, she looked around the so-called “secret room” of legend and let out a soft sigh.

“It’s far too dark and damp in here. Master Cui has suffered these past years.”

Hearing this, Cui Daoyan merely gave a faint smile. “I have lived here since childhood; I am long accustomed to it. Besides, the secret room is quiet, which makes it suitable for cultivating one’s character.”

Lin Zheng watched him quietly, then bowed. “Master Cui’s broad-mindedness is truly admirable.”

Cui Daoyan paused before offering a gentle smile. “Immortal Lin praises me too much. Your deeds have long spread far and wide. We disciples of demon descent all look up to Immortal Lin as a role model.”

Lin Zheng nodded slightly. “I don’t deserve such praise. Master Cui, we have troubled you much lately. Until we meet again.”

Lu Ting’an also performed a salute. “Until we meet again.”

Cui Daoyan looked deeply at Lin Zheng, his gaze unreadable, and smiled as he returned the salute. “Ladies, until we meet again.”

The next day, just past the hour of the Rabbit (5:00 AM – 7:00 AM), Sun Youqing and her party bid farewell to the people of Shiya Yeyue Pond and flew on their swords back to the Baiyun Luying Sect.

Lu Ting’an still didn’t know how to fly a sword, so as per usual, she rode with Lin Zheng, her hands death-gripped around Lin Zheng’s waist. However, her mouth wouldn’t stay still. “Lin Zheng, didn’t you suspect earlier that Liyin’s escape was related to the Old Master Cui’s death? Now that we haven’t found anything, we’re just going back like this? Are you satisfied with that?”

Lin Zheng glanced back at her. “It’s not that there are no clues, it’s just that there are still some details I haven’t figured out.”

Lu Ting’an was stunned. “What do you mean? What did you discover?”

Lin Zheng said nothing, simply turning back to focus on steering the sword.

Left ignored, Lu Ting’an grew indignant and resentful, reaching out to pinch Lin Zheng’s waist.

When they arrived back at the Baiyun Luying Sect, they saw Lu Qingchen standing outside the mountain gate from a distance, flanked by Elder Feng, Elder Luo, and several others. Seeing the group return, the elders stroked their beards and smiled. “You all worked hard on this journey down the mountain. The Sect Leader has ordered that you rest for a few days before the written portion of the Sect Grand Examination begins.”

Upon hearing this, a cheer erupted among the disciples. Lu Ting’an was especially delighted; this trip down the mountain had truly exhausted her. Being able to rest for a few days before the exam was naturally the best news.

Seeing this, Lu Qingchen approached with a smile and reached out to pat her head affectionately. “An’an, your Master sent word to inform me that you performed very well during this journey. Not only were you not willful or reckless, but you were also calm and resourceful when facing trouble. You even helped subdue a Great Demon like Liyin. Father is proud of you.”

Lu Ting’an was a bit embarrassed by the praise. She scratched her head and said, “I didn’t actually do much. It was mostly Lin Zheng and the others who did the work.”

No sooner had she spoken than Lin Zheng stepped forward two paces, solemnly clasping her hands toward Lu Qingchen. “On this journey, the Junior Sister used the life-saving immortal pill she had cherished since childhood to save my life; I hold this deep in my heart. Furthermore, when she was kidnapped by the soul-eating ghost controlled by Liyin, she remained fearless, dealing with it alone for a long time to buy us time for reinforcement, preventing the people of Yuan City from suffering a disaster. If we speak of merit, the Junior Sister should be first.”

Her words left Lu Ting’an frozen in place. Lu Ting’an opened her mouth to say something, but Chen Yunxiao and the others behind her bowed in unison, chiming in: “Yes, yes, what Senior Sister Lin says is absolutely right! This trip was all thanks to Junior Sister’s maneuvering and composure, which allowed us to turn danger into safety. In our view, Junior Sister is truly worthy of being the top of the martial ranking for this Grand Examination!”

“Huh? No, you guys…” Lu Ting’an’s cheeks flushed red from the deluge of flattery. She was so embarrassed her toes were curling. She hurriedly turned to Lu Qingchen. “Master, they’re just letting me win, I actually…”

“An’an.” Sun Youqing stepped forward with a smile, patting her shoulder gently but firmly. “There is no need to be overly humble. You have indeed made more progress on this trip than in the past. Take this as the Sect Leader’s praise and encouragement. I hope you will continue to practice diligently in the future and live up to your title as the Young Sect Leader of Baiyun Luying.”

“…Yes.” Seeing she couldn’t push it away, Lu Ting’an lowered her head and complied, the crimson creeping up to her ears. She stole a glance at Lin Zheng, only to see the latter still looking indifferent. She couldn’t help but wonder to herself.

Is the sun rising from the west? Lin Zheng actually said nice things about me?

Lu Qingchen nodded in satisfaction and turned to the disciples. “Everyone is dismissed. Yunxiao, follow me to the Immortal Greeting Pavilion.”

Chen Yunxiao startled, then replied, “Yes, Sect Leader.”

The disciples left in an orderly fashion under the guidance of their respective masters. Lu Ting’an looked at Lin Zheng and suddenly remembered that Lin Zheng’s things were still at her place. After a moment of hesitation, she tested the waters: “Lin Zheng, where are you going back to? The Hall of Oneness, or…”

Lin Zheng glanced sideways, her tone indifferent. “Where do you want me to go?”

Lu Ting’an was stunned by the question, momentarily confused. “Your books are still with me. Why don’t you… come back to the Yingyue Pavilion with me first?”

She was prepared for Lin Zheng to flatly refuse as she had in the past, but surprisingly, Lin Zheng agreed quite readily: “Fine.”

Lu Ting’an: “?”

Something was wrong. Ten parts wrong out of twelve.

The two walked side-by-side on the bluestone path of the Baiyun Luying Sect. As Lu Ting’an walked, she secretly observed Lin Zheng’s expression, trying to find some clue.

“Lin Zheng,” she finally couldn’t resist speaking. “I think you’ve become a bit strange since we went to Shiya Yeyue Pond.”

Lin Zheng kept her eyes forward. “Why?”

Lu Ting’an bit her lower lip. “Just… not like before. Before, no matter what I said, you’d always go against me, or scold me and tell me not to do things. But now…”

“It’s nothing,” Lin Zheng interrupted coldly. She looked back at her. “You’re overthinking it.”

Hearing her say that, Lu Ting’an actually felt relieved. She laughed, “That’s good. I thought you were possessed or had your soul snatched. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have praised me like that in front of my father and Master.”

Lin Zheng didn’t respond again, simply walking on her own. A faint smile played at the corner of her mouth.

Once they returned to the Yingyue Pavilion and saw the familiar bed, Lu Ting’an cheered and threw herself onto it, rolling around several times.

Lin Zheng poked the Lu Ting’an who was hugging the quilt and refusing to let go. “You haven’t bathed yet; it’s dirty. Don’t roll on the bed.”

“You want to manage me?” Lu Ting’an poked her head out from behind the quilt, grinning and making faces at her, looking entirely like she was asking for trouble.

Lin Zheng was helpless. “I’ll go boil some hot water. You come down and bathe and change later.”

“Oh, got it,” Lu Ting’an replied half-heartedly.

Once she heard Lin Zheng’s footsteps going downstairs, she immediately flipped over, spreading her limbs out in an extremely comfortable position and stretching on the bed.

Not long after, a very soft calling came from the window. At first, Lu Ting’an thought she had misheard, but listening closely, she realized someone was indeed calling her. She quickly pushed open the window and froze.

She saw Chen Yunxiao standing under the long corridor. He had already changed into casual clothes. He stood tall and elegant, his hair bun tied meticulously, but his eyes looked a bit unnatural.

Lu Ting’an found it strange. Leaning on the windowsill, she asked, “Second Senior Brother, are you looking for me?”

Contrary to his usual self, Chen Yunxiao nodded shyly, his voice as quiet as a mosquito. “Yes… could Junior Sister come down for a chat?”

Confused, Lu Ting’an climbed off the bed and ran out the door, stopping in front of him. “Second Senior Brother, what’s the matter?”

Chen Yunxiao rubbed his hands together, his expression becoming more and more cramped. “Junior Sister, do you know… what day it is the day after tomorrow?”

Lu Ting’an thought for a moment and cried out, “Huh? Don’t tell me the written exam starts the day after tomorrow? Didn’t Father say we could rest for a bit?”

Chen Yunxiao shook his head hurriedly, his face turning even redder. He whispered, “No, no. The day after tomorrow… is your coming-of-age ceremony (Ji Ji).”

Lu Ting’an blinked, then realized: “Oh, I forgot about that, but it’s not really a big deal.”

“H-how is it not a big deal?” Chen Yunxiao interrupted her urgently. Meeting Lu Ting’an’s suspicious gaze, he had to bite the bullet. “A few years ago, the Sect Leader said that once you reached your coming-of-age, he would choose a suitable match for you from within the sect—someone from a clean family and of upright character. Now, the Sect Leader has agreed to… to betroth you to me.”

Before he could finish, Lu Ting’an jumped three feet into the air, horrified: “What did you say?!”

Chen Yunxiao was startled by her reaction, stammering, “I-In fact, the Sect Leader had this intention before. I thought you knew, Junior Sister…”

“I don’t want to!” Lu Ting’an immediately retorted loudly. “I’m so young, why would I want to get married instead of focusing on cultivation and making progress every day?!”

This shout made Chen Yunxiao flinch. He froze on the spot for a long while before coming to his senses, explaining frantically: “I didn’t mean it like that. Then… then when you want to get married, I’ll come back… come back…”

Before he could finish, his face was flushed crimson with shame, and he practically fled the scene, leaving Lu Ting’an standing alone in the wind, disoriented.

Is this a joke?!

She shook her head vigorously, trying to clear her mind. Just as she turned around, she walked right into Lin Zheng, who had come out of the west wing.

Lin Zheng stood with her hands behind her back. Her expression remained calm, but there was a mist-like layer over her eyes, and her brow was slightly furrowed, revealing a rare hint of displeasure.

For some reason, Lu Ting’an felt a sudden pang of guilt. She swallowed hard and slowly shuffled to Lin Zheng’s side, whispering, “You… heard all that?”

Lin Zheng gave a faint “Mm.”

Lu Ting’an fell silent, lowering her gaze and pretending to be busy looking elsewhere.

Lin Zheng pursed her lips and looked down at her. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally spoke: “Do you like him?”

Lu Ting’an was stunned. She looked up and met Lin Zheng’s gaze. Her breath hitched, and then she said decisively, “No.”

The moment the word fell, Lu Ting’an thought she saw Lin Zheng’s shoulders tremble slightly, as if she were experiencing a moment of relief.

Lin Zheng gazed at her face and spoke word by word, with great solemnity: “Matters of the heart must be carefully considered. What may seem ‘suitable’ in the eyes of others may not necessarily be suitable for you.”

Lu Ting’an was dazed. She couldn’t understand why Lin Zheng was suddenly telling her this, but she still nodded obediently and gave a low response: “Oh.”

The courtyard became quiet for a moment.

After a while, seeing that Lin Zheng remained silent, Lu Ting’an couldn’t help but wave a hand in front of her eyes, asking cautiously, “Lin Zheng, what’s wrong with you?”

Lin Zheng turned her head away, her tone cold. “Nothing.”

Lu Ting’an scratched the back of her head. Without thinking much of it, she said, “Then go to the study later and get your books yourself. It’s getting late; if you don’t hurry back to the Hall of Oneness, you’ll likely break the curfew.”

“No need,” Lin Zheng said suddenly.

Lu Ting’an froze, looking at her in surprise. “What did you say?”

Lin Zheng turned back to face her, her expression blank as she said, “I’m not going back today. I’ll be staying overnight at the Yingyue Pavilion.”