It Turns Out The Master's Wife Is Actually Me [GL] - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Chen Qianru watched Cheng Fu’s movements without blinking, a slight curve touching her lips.

From her perspective, this disciple of the Sword Master who looked as delicate as a flower had been staring at the name at the top of the silk with a dark, brooding intensity just a moment ago, only to strike down with a sharp, piercing gaze the next. Judging by the momentum of her stroke, that horizontal line was clearly intended to cross out the name beneath the nib. Yet, in mid-air, it swerved into a large circle of approval.

The simple act of finalizing a roster had turned into a series of twists and turns, full of fickle changes.

A strange glint flickered in the depths of Chen Qianru’s eyes. A disciple of the Sword Master, indeed; a temperament that shifts between joy and anger is only to be expected.

The story of Cheng Fu’s provocative display of spiritual control against Teacher Du in class had already spread like wildfire through the academy. Many students who idolized the Sword Master shared the tale, feeling that this disciple truly inherited her master’s style equally gifted and equally blunt.

Just then, a leisurely melody echoed from the walls of the Fifth Courtyard.

Cheng Fu turned her head. The spiritual sundial was glowing with a faint, shimmering light, clearly performing its duty of announcing the hour. It was the end of the You hour (7:00 PM); in fifteen minutes, it would be time for the Zhiwang students’ evening study session.

Her brow furrowed, and her eyelashes fluttered as she suddenly felt famished. Exhaustion and hunger surged together; even with her generally excellent physical constitution, Cheng Fu felt a wave of dizziness.

But evening study was approaching. Though she had special instruction hours with the Sword Master, she was still a legitimate student of Zhiwang. Evening study was mandatory for all a time to review theory or meditate in a relaxed atmosphere. The only strict requirement was arriving at the classroom on time.

Cheng Fu unfastened the mud-like sword from her waist and turned to Chen Qianru. I’ll fly my sword to the dining hall for a moment. Don’t wait for me; go to the classroom first.

Hearing this, Chen Qianru smiled warmly. As a medical cultivator, she wore a long-strapped medicine pouch over her shoulder year-round. It was pale green with subtle, dark patterns at a glance, it seemed plain, almost unremarkable, but a second look revealed a refined elegance.

A pair of hands infused with the scent of herbs opened the soft pouch. Slender fingers reached inside and accurately pinched out a long, transparent vial containing a pale liquid with floating osmanthus petals.

She pressed it into Cheng Fu’s hand. Flying swords is forbidden within the estate. But no matter; I knew you wouldn’t have time to eat. This is Laurel Bigu Liquid, specifically for cultivators who haven’t reached Spirit Severing but practice diligently. Drink one vial, and you won’t need to eat for seven days.

 The crisp sound of bamboo clappers rang out. The mountainside of Zhiwang, shrouded in a hazy night, remained brightly lit. Through the uncurtained windows, one could clearly see the silhouettes of people in the densely packed classrooms.

Unlike an hour and a half ago, the shadows against the windows were all moving, and the hubbub of voices drifted through the mountain wind. The lonely, snow-covered Mount Zhiwang was suddenly filled with vitality.

As soon as evening study ended, Chen Qianru’s desk was surrounded by students who had previously left their names on the silk memo. Each held a hopeful gaze, staring intently at the gentle medical cultivator seated at her desk.

Qianru, is the list finalized? Did the Sword Master’s disciple look at it?

Stop pushing me! Can’t we go slow and look one by one?

Are you talking to me? Why don’t you look down and see what’s stepping on my foot is that a white-furred beast leg?

Cheng Fu, who had hurried to Chen Qianru’s classroom immediately after the session:

The area around Chen Qianru’s seat was a sea of bobbing heads, shoulder to shoulder. To an outsider, it might have looked like a refugee camp distributing spiritual shells. Cheng Fu stood idly outside the circle, not particularly interested in squeezing in.

She wasn’t in a hurry to see the list; after all, she had already seen the names with her own eyes. She was here to meet the two teammates she hadn’t met yet and get acquainted.

Her entry into Zhiwang had been abrupt, and the opening of the Character Testing Realm happened to be imminent, so both registration and team formation were rushed. With the realm opening in a few days, time was tight; getting to know her teammates and practicing their coordination was now the most urgent task.

Cheng Fu watched with amusement as the students surged to get to the inner circle, thinking to herself Chen Qianru is truly in high demand.

She certainly didn’t think these people were here for her, the Sword Master’s disciple who only knew how to put on a show. These students were full of curiosity about her, true, but it hadn’t reached the point where they were clamoring to team up with her. In the Character Testing Realm, choosing teammates you knew well and trusted was the best strategy.

In their eyes, while Cheng Fu’s control was exquisite, no one had seen her overall performance. Thus, regarding the disciple’s true strength, everyone felt it remained to be seen. A single moment of glory was not enough for cultivators to judge someone’s true power.

Chen Qianru’s popularity proved that she not only had a great personality but also top-tier professional skills; everyone wanted to be on a team with a gentle, beautiful medical cultivator who excelled in healing arts.

Cheng Fu lowered her gaze, feeling a fullness in her stomach from the Laurel Bigu Liquid. The liquid was clear and tasted good, with highly effective results—much like Chen Qianru herself.

As she was lost in thought, a sharp whistling wind sounded by her ear. She looked up in surprise, and her eyes reflected the corner of a black robe fluttering past.

Cheng Fu inexplicably felt this scene was familiar.

Sure enough, a moment later, a crisp and arrogant teenage voice rang through the classroom:  Stop crowding! Qianru’s list was settled long ago. It’s not you lot, so disperse already!

The crowd went silent for a moment before indignant voices rose from all directions:

Xin Yunze, who do you think you are? Do you think just because you have talent, Qianru must have picked you? Qianru considers many factors; teamwork is the most important thing in the testing realm, okay!

Exactly, Young Master Xin, don’t be so arrogant. Qianru isn’t one of your brainless fan-girls. Wake up!

Cheng Fu:

Compared to Chen Qianru, Xin the Food-Bucket really showed his true colors. With this young master temperament, his reputation in the academy was likely none too good.

The youth in the black robe stepped toward Chen Qianru. For some reason, he had chosen to wear a black hooded robe today; at a glance, he looked like a suspicious thief in the moonlight, standing out awkwardly among the students in their formal robes.

His handsome face was tucked under the hood. From Cheng Fu’s angle, she could see his jawline and thin lips. Setting aside his temper, he was indeed a bright and handsome youth.

Hearing the rebuttals, Xin Yunze’s sword-like brows slanted upward. He was entirely unfazed by the anger of the crowd. His lips moved, ready to snap back, when his eyes lit up as if he had spotted something, and he instantly shut his mouth.

Senior Sister!

Xin Yunze waved enthusiastically toward Cheng Fu.

As his excited voice fell, the entire hall plunged into dead silence. Everyone’s hearts shuddered; they felt their souls shaking at the sound of Xin Yunze calling her Senior Sister. The circle around Chen Qianru stopped moving as everyone looked back and forth between Xin Yunze and Cheng Fu with looks of shock and fear.

Senior Sister? Xin Yunze calls the Sword Master’s disciple ‘Senior Sister’? When did the Sword Master get a “wild-pheasant” disciple like Xin Yunze?

Cheng Fu went silent. At this moment, she just wanted to flee the beautiful Mount Zhiwang and move to a different academy.

Xin Yunze was oblivious to the thunderous effect of his words. Seeing Cheng Fu frozen in place, he hopped over with a face full of confusion and waved his hand in front of her eyes: Senior Sister? What’s wrong? Why are you ignoring me?

Cheng Fu gave an awkward laugh. Haha! you should just call me Cheng Fu.

Xin Yunze was puzzled, but he uncharacteristically didn’t ask questions, nodding submissively: Okay, I’ll do whatever you say, Sen Cheng Fu.

As the crowd remained silent, Chen Qianru slowly stood up from her seat, a gentle smile on her face that brought joy to anyone who saw it. She pressed her hand down on the silk memo on the desk and said with a hint of regret, Everyone, the list is set. However, there were many candidates, so I’m afraid I cannot let you all review the list one by one. I apologize for that.

No need to worry; if I have the honor of being on a team with you, I will inform you via jade slip and gather the team to get acquainted.

“It’s getting late; fellow students, please go back and rest. No matter who you are teamed with, I hope everyone achieves good results in the testing realm and sees their name on the gold rankings.” After speaking, she clasped her hands and bowed.

Hearing this, the crowd returned the salute and said their polite goodbyes before dispersing.

Cheng Fu spotted a student turning away, swiftly pulling a jade slip from his waist pouch. He stared at it intently as he walked, terrified of missing a message. Seeing that the jade object was small, exquisite, and functioned as a communication device, Cheng Fu reached into her own storage pouch and pulled out her jade slip to examine it.

It was a small, square piece of warm jade. Under the soft white light of the classroom, it glowed with a gentle luster, revealing intricate silver-white patterns. As the light shifted, the character Fu became visible.

Xiao Fu, why are you looking at your jade slip too? A warm, laughing voice sounded in her ear. Cheng Fu looked up to see Chen Qianru had bypassed Xin Yunze to stand beside her, glancing at her jade slip.

Cheng Fu smiled. Didn’t you say you’d notify us via jade slip? I’m checking for messages. What if I don’t get a notification and can’t join the team?

Chen Qianru laughed and tapped Cheng Fu’s forehead. You silly girl, she said, her tone full of helpless affection.

The people gradually trickled out until only three figures remained in the large classroom.

One of the three, Xin Yunze, looked at Chen Qianru and gave a big, silly grin. Sister Qianru, where are Zilu and the others? Didn’t we agree to meet in your class at this time? What’s taking them.

Xin Yunze’s voice cut off as he looked toward the classroom door.

Two slender figures stood at the threshold, their skirts fluttering one in green and one in blue. Judging by their silhouettes, they were both women.