The Frost Beneath Her Veil - Chapter 7

Her spirit immersed in the warm pool waters and the woman’s sweet softness, Yin Jiuruo couldn’t help but open her eyes.

She caught only a glimpse of Fu Qing’s trembling dark lashes, brushing against her cheeks like delicate feathers.

Outside the window, thin clouds drifted like mist. Fu Qing kissed the bloodstains at the corner of her lips, a fleeting touch, gone as soon as it came.

Was this how a master treated her disciple? Yin Jiuruo, accustomed to spiritual communion, found herself unsatisfied by such a brief contact, as if tormented by the onset of a love poison.

Yet, the first medicinal bath in the spiritual sea was short-lived.

When Yin Jiuruo opened her eyes again, Fu Qing sat primly on a cushioned chair, her robes immaculate, her posture dignified and noble.

A simple and endearing mechanical black bear stood nearby, seemingly awaiting Fu Qing’s instructions for the evening’s meal preparations.

On Crane Snow Peak, Yin Jiuruo was the only one who needed to eat.

“Venerable One, the lotus pond is in bloom today, and the spiritual lotus roots and seeds are plentiful,” the black bear rumbled in a deep, muffled voice. “There’s also the spirit beast meat caught a few days ago, all can be used to nourish the young mistress.”

“Good. Send them to the kitchen later.”

The mechanical bear turned to Yin Jiuruo, wiggling its ears and greeting her with a “Hello, young mistress,” before lumbering out the door.

“Young mistress?” Yin Jiuruo wiped her hair sheepishly, slipping into the new outer robe Fu Qing had prepared for her.

Fu Qing’s red lips parted gently as she spoke warmly, “You are to become my disciple, so naturally, you are the young mistress of Crane Snow Peak.”

“I see,” Yin Jiuruo murmured, drying her hair while masking the nervousness left by the kiss and observing Fu Qing’s reaction.

But the Daoist Venerable remained as she had claimed untouched by worldly desires, her demeanor cold and serene.

“Xiao Jiu, from now on, you will undergo a medicinal bath once a month. Your spiritual apertures will open naturally, and your hidden injuries will heal,” Fu Qing said, glancing at the sky. “Go explore the sect for now. Return in the evening for dinner.”

“Now?” Yin Jiuruo was taken aback.

“This venerable cannot watch over you at all times. You must make a few close friends and familiarize yourself with the paths connecting the major peaks of Canglan Sect.”

“Yes,” Yin Jiuruo replied, feeling that staying any longer in the same room as Fu Qing would only lead her thoughts astray and unsettle her mind. She hastily agreed and dashed out of Cliffside Residence.

Behind her, Fu Qing’s cool, detached voice called out again, “Xiao Jiu, why so hasty? The crane attendant will guide you. Wait a moment.”

Hearing this, Yin Jiuruo’s fair face flushed crimson. She quickly stopped and waited for the mechanical crane. Meanwhile, Little Fire, who had been absorbing spiritual energy in the courtyard, crawled back onto her shoulder.

“Little Fire, don’t run off.”

Little Fire flickered its tail, obediently nuzzling her palm before gazing longingly in Fu Qing’s direction.

“What are you doing? She’s about to be my master, not yours.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Yin Jiuruo suddenly realized her own feelings just being near this person filled her with joy.

Detecting the possessiveness and pride in Yin Jiuruo’s tone, Little Fire flicked its tail dismissively, hopping away to nap on a plum blossom branch.

Yin Jiuruo huffed quietly, then bowed respectfully toward Fu Qing before following the crane attendant down the mountain path.

Dressed in black feathered robes embroidered with gold, the crane attendant pointed out several routes down the mountain, one of which even led through a waterfall.

Just as they reached the foot of Crane Snow Peak, two tall figures emerged from the snowy mist, Chongyou and Feng Qi.

Feng Qi had already donned the same moon-white disciple robes as Chongyou, smiling happily at Yin Jiuruo:

“Jiuruo, the sect leader has accepted me as his disciple, and I’ve already served him tea.”

Chongyou seemed to particularly like Feng Qi’s cheerful and outgoing personality, her smile never fading.

“The sect has been busy resisting demonic creatures and monsters lately, so the disciple initiation was a bit simple,” Chongyou affectionately patted Feng Qi’s head. “The master told me that we’ll hold a banquet for you in a while. As for you, Junior Sister Jiuruo, your initiation ceremony will be arranged entirely by Her Highness.”

“No need, I’m already very satisfied with all the magical artifacts the master has given me, Senior Sister,” Feng Qi said sincerely, noticing Yin Jiuruo wearing new clothes again and teasing, “Her Highness really spoils you in every way. It hasn’t even been a day, and you’re already in new clothes.”

Yin Jiuruo coughed guiltily, the dark red patterns around her eyes growing even more vivid. “Feng Qi, don’t talk nonsense.”

“It’s true. I’m wearing disciple robes, but that tea-white soft robe you’re wearing is so intricate and gorgeous, it’s stunning.”

Chongyou nodded in agreement. The clothes on Yin Jiuruo were indeed luxurious and beautiful, like fluffy snowflakes, full of vigor.

“Where are you sleeping tonight?” Feng Qi asked mischievously. “Not in the same room as Her Highness, right?”

Remembering Her Highness’s earlier “shocking words,” Chongyou quickly coughed twice to stop Feng Qi from making wild speculations.

“Since we’ve met, let me, as your senior sister, introduce the sect to you.”

“Please enlighten us, Senior Sister,” Feng Qi, though mischievous, was very obedient to Chongyou.

“Junior Sister Yin, our Canglan Sect is one of the top sects in the Nine Continents. Because we have complete inheritance of the five elemental arts wind, thunder, earth, fire, and water disciples can choose the elemental path that suits them, supplemented by swordsmanship, alchemy, talismans, music, and formations.”

Hearing this, Yin Jiuruo immediately perked up. “I’m all ears, Senior Sister.”

“But you, Junior Sister Jiuruo, are different since you follow Her Highness,” Chongyou said, addressing her more warmly. “Those with exceptional talent can cultivate soul power.”

She continued to explain, “Soul power encompasses not only the five elemental forces but also the ability to connect heaven and earth, achieving the path of the divine. Compared to cultivating a single element, it offers greater opportunities for ascension and enlightenment.”

“Currently, there are fewer than a hundred disciples in Canglan Sect cultivating soul power. Naturally, Her Highness possesses immense spiritual power, nearing the pinnacle of the divine path.”

“If one lacks the aptitude and recklessly cultivates soul power, it’s easy to succumb to demonic influences and lose one’s foundation.”

“Succumbing to demonic influences, does that mean truly becoming a demon?” Yin Jiuruo asked curiously.

“Yes and no. Ancient legends say that between heaven and earth exist gods, immortals, demons, humans, asuras, and other beings. Mortals who cultivate can become immortals or demons. Those who succumb to demonic influences mostly become short-lived demonic cultivators, cruel and bloodthirsty.”

“Senior Sister means that succumbing to demonic influences doesn’t turn one into a natural-born demon?”

“Exactly. However, high-ranking demons have vanished from the mortal realm for tens of thousands of years. The Canglan Sect doesn’t know much about them.”

After Chongyou finished her brief introduction, Feng Qi grinned and said, “Jiuruo, it seems I can cultivate soul power. But the monthly allowance for a direct disciple of the Canglan Sect leader is only three thousand spirit stones not quite enough.”

After thanking Chongyou, Yin Jiuruo nodded and said, “On the way here, I noticed there’s a sea at the foot of the mountain. We can gather barnacles. And there are many herds of sheep and cattle in the sect, we can trim their hooves.”

Chongyou was stunned for a moment. “Junior Sister Jiuruo is indeed extraordinarily clever, with such skills.”

“Senior Sister, Jiuruo and I used to make money,” Feng Qi continued to tell Chongyou. “Picking barnacles, trimming hooves, beauty and nail care, we were quite skilled in these areas.”

“So, the brand of sea hares sold in my hometown is called Feng Jiu. Could it be…” Chongyou turned to introduce to Yin Jiuruo, “This is the sect’s library, alchemy room, and artifact forge. That’s the Ten-Thousand Sword Mound, ten floors in total, imprisoning various spirits for disciples to train with.”

“Yes, yes. The Feng Jiu brand was built by Jiuruo and me from the ground up,” Feng Qi said leisurely, following behind.

“So impressive. From now on, this senior sister will follow your lead.”

By now, the three of them had reached the mountainside. The snowy scenery was elegant, the air warm and clear, bathed in a comforting spiritual light.

“Someday, I’ll take you both to watch the sect’s polo matches. They’re quite entertaining,” Chongyou winked. “I can get internal tickets.”

“Polo? Can we participate in the matches too?” Yin Jiuruo asked.

Chongyou turned to look at her, curling her lips. “Junior Sister Jiuruo, you’ll need to grow a bit taller first.”

“Haha, shorty Jiuruo,” Feng Qi made a face.

Yin Jiuruo grabbed some ice grass from the roadside and threw it at Feng Qi. Chongyou couldn’t stop laughing as the two began chasing each other, soon covered in dust.

Just then, the crane attendant who had escorted Yin Jiuruo down the mountain flew over, speaking in a stiff tone:

“Young Master, the Venerable One summons you back for dinner.”

“Is it time already?” Yin Jiuruo glanced at the sky, which seemed to have darkened. “Senior Sister, Feng Qi, I should head back now.”

An inexplicable joy filled her, the happiness of a wild child finally having someone to care for her. Loneliness had once been her footnote, but now things were different.

The crane carried Yin Jiuruo away, its wings spreading wide as she swiftly flew into the distance.

“Too bad the Venerable One has a fiancée,” Feng Qi muttered under her breath.

Chongyou didn’t quite catch it and casually agreed, “The bond between the Venerable One and Young Master Shen is indeed extraordinary. They were supposed to marry a hundred years ago, but something delayed it.”

The mechanical crane flew swiftly. By the time Yin Jiuruo returned to the Xuanye Hall, the exquisite lotus root feast on the table was still perfectly warm.

Lotus root and beast bone soup, steamed lotus root dumplings, lotus leaf and seed drink, lotus flower cakes all arranged in jade-colored dishes.

A blue spiritual note lay on the table. The moment Yin Jiuruo picked it up, Fu Qing’s voice resonated in her spiritual sea.

“Xiao Jiu, I will be in seclusion for three months. You may study on your own.”

Yin Jiuruo’s heart sank with disappointment, she had hoped to see Fu Qing.

The crane attendant standing nearby seemed to sense her feelings and patted her shoulder with its soft wooden wing, comforting her:

“The Venerable One prepared this meal for you. Taste it and see if it suits your palate. Once I understand your preferences, I will report back to the Venerable One.”

“May I ask, Crane Attendant, what does ‘report back to the Venerable One’ mean?”

“Afterward, the Venerable One will adjust each meal according to your preferences.”

The crane attendant set the tableware and left, leaving Yin Jiuruo alone to digest the situation.

Fu Qing cooks?

A Dao Venerable, noble as she is, cooks for me?

Yin Jiuruo didn’t know whether to feel joy or loss. She sat down and picked up a slice of tender lotus root. It was fresh, sweet, and filled with spiritual energy, soothing her hidden ailments.

Her craftsmanship was nearly flawless, it was the first time Yin Jiuruo had tasted lotus root so delicious. Then came the post-meal review, where the crane attendant earnestly insisted she must point out areas for improvement.

“Young Mistress, the Revered One specifically instructed that you must identify some shortcomings.”

“Do I really have to nitpick?” Yin Jiuruo rubbed her temples. She loved food and was picky, but there was simply nothing to criticize about Fu Qing’s cooking.

“Yes, so the Revered One has room to improve.”

“Then… maybe a little more meat?”

The crane attendant nodded in satisfaction before flying out the window into the mist returning to Fu Qing’s secluded retreat to relay Yin Jiuruo’s preferences.

Assuming this was just a formality, Yin Jiuruo was surprised when, over the next three months, every meal was prepared by Fu Qing, delivered by the crane attendant, and improved upon each time.

The food was gentle, delicious, and brimming with spiritual energy, exuding an almost meticulous care.

Three dreamlike months passed. After seeking Fu Qing’s permission through the crane attendant, Yin Jiuruo lifted the barrier and invited Feng Qi and Chongyou to her cliffside residence, asking their opinion on cooking a meal for Fu Qing.

“Jiuruo, are you sure? Your cooking,” could poison someone.

Feng Qi couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence, unwilling to crush Jiuruo’s enthusiasm.

The two of them had little to offer, cooking a meal seemed like the only way to repay the kindness.

Besides, the Revered One had likely already slept with Jiuruo several times. Given Jiuruo’s still-youthful appearance, her small body probably wasn’t worth much anymore.

“That sounds wonderful! When the Revered One emerges from seclusion and sees the meal you’ve prepared, she’ll surely be deeply moved,” Chongyou, unaware of the lethality of Jiuruo’s cooking, offered enthusiastic support.

Encouraged by her senior sister, Yin Jiuruo’s confidence soared. That evening, as Fu Qing emerged from seclusion, she gathered immortal fruits and spiritual herbs to prepare an all-vegetarian feast.

With the crane attendant’s help, she carried the dishes into the Moonlit Residence behind the Xuan Ye Hall.

This was her first-time entering Fu Qing’s private chambers. The hall was scented with calming incense, elegantly furnished with everything one could desire qin, chess, books, and paintings.

Nearby, a deep-sea coral sent by Shen Cangli emitted a faint glow.

Holding a tray of spiritual wine and sweet soup, Yin Jiuruo noticed a portrait hanging by the carved wooden bed.

The artist’s skill was exquisite, rendering the subject lifelike delicate, enchanting, and peerlessly beautiful.

The person in the painting was her. She trembled slightly.

Just then, Fu Qing appeared at the door in snow-white robes.

“Xiao Jiu, the crane attendant mentioned you’ve prepared a meal for me with great care?”

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