The Villainess Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 43

By the time the three of them rushed over, the thunderous sounds within Mingcun Hall had already ceased, but the sight before them was one of utter devastation. Shards of broken tiles were scattered everywhere, and a massive pit had been gouged out of the once-smooth white jade path in front of the hall. The pit was so deep its bottom was invisible, and billows of hot steam surged from within.

Several blue-robed immortal cultivators stood by the edge of the pit, calmly casting formations to repair the ground. Dozens more immortal servants scurried in and out, clearing the broken bricks and debris, leveling the damaged flowerbeds, and replanting the vegetation.

“Junior Brother Yan.” Mo Liuzheng grabbed a passing blue-robed cultivator and whispered, “What happened?”

The cultivator, addressed as Junior Brother Yan, had eyes so incredibly small they looked like two sesame seeds embedded in a mooncake. He gripped his sword, saluted, and replied, “Senior Sister Mo, the Grand Sect Master and Sect Leader Bai had some sort of dispute. Sect Leader Bai was consumed by rage and struck out.”

“Was anyone injured?” Mo Liuzheng pressed.

“No. Only the Sect Leaders and Elders were inside the hall at the time. Seeing things spiral out of control, they had set up defenses early.” The cultivator’s face remained pale, clearly still shaken.

Mo Liuzheng and Qi Rongyin exchanged a look, seeming as if they wanted to say something, but they remained silent upon noticing Yun Chuanzhi.

Likely afraid that saying something unpleasant would lead to me reporting them, Yun Chuanzhi thought. She didn’t mind and stepped forward to ask, “Where are the Grand Sect Master and Sect Leader Bai now?”

Perhaps because his eyes were too small to see clearly or his memory for faces was poor, the male cultivator actually mistook Yun Chuanzhi for an immortal cultivator of the sect and bowed to her as a Senior Sister.

“The Grand Sect Master is furious and is currently alone atop Mingcun Hall, likely trying to calm her emotions.” The male cultivator pointed to the crater in the ground. “As for Sect Leader Bai, she stormed out of the hall and flew away in a flash.”

He then spread his hands. “I have no idea where she went.”

“Alright, thank you.” Yun Chuanzhi nodded and waved goodbye to the complicated-looking Mo Liuzheng and Qi Rongyin. “I’m going to look for my Sect Leader. Farewell.”

“Farewell,” Mo Liuzheng waved with a smile, though her eyes were fixed longingly on the ceramic jar in Yun Chuanzhi’s hand.

Yun Chuanzhi laughed and tossed the jar to her. Mo Liuzheng caught it joyfully with a sweep of her sleeve. By the time she looked up to give her thanks, the girl’s slender figure had already vanished into the flower bushes.

Yun Chuanzhi claimed to be looking for Bai Fenghe, but in reality, she crossed her arms and wandered alone through the secluded parts of the mountain. The surroundings were quiet and serene, filled only with the shadows of flowers and the chirping of insects.

Setting aside the fact that she had no clue where Bai Fenghe had gone, even if she did, she could not perform the wind-riding technique and certainly wouldn’t be able to catch up.

She originally intended to find a cultivator to send her back down the mountain, but as she was about to speak, a thought occurred to her, and she hesitated.

When she first arrived at Mount Buxi, she believed there was a blood feud between Bai Fenghe and Bai Xiaochen. But after the events in Youji City, she realized that wasn’t the case.

Bai Fenghe trusted Bai Xiaochen; otherwise, she wouldn’t have sought her protection during a crisis. Similarly, Bai Xiaochen cared for Bai Fenghe; otherwise, her face wouldn’t have turned pale upon hearing her sister was in danger.

So, what was the cause of their current mutual hostility?

Yun Chuanzhi looked up at the glittering golden roof of Mingcun Hall. She took a tentative step forward but stopped quickly.

Do not intervene in the karma of others, Yun Chuanzhi shook her head. This was the survival logic she had maintained during her decades in Wujian City. Everything in the world has its destiny; outsiders need only respect it.

Why meddle? The world had never been particularly kind to her anyway. It would be better to go back, find some snacks, and lie on her bed.

Yun Chuanzhi lowered her eyelashes and retreated into the shade of the trees. Sunlight struck the roof of Mingcun Hall, and the shattered light scattered at her feet like a floor of crushed gold.

She sighed and stepped into that golden light.

Because of the struggle that had just occurred, Mingcun Hall was not as heavily guarded as usual. Yun Chuanzhi followed the coming and going servants and easily entered the hall.

This was her second time inside Mingcun Hall. She was quite familiar with the layout and soon found the stairs, beginning her ascent.

Mingcun Hall had seven floors. The stairs wound upward in a spiral, steep and towering. By the time Yun Chuanzhi reached the third floor, she was gasping for air. By the time she forced herself to the top floor, her legs were trembling uncontrollably.

Being a “salted fish” is fine, but I really must exercise more often to avoid suffering like this next time, Yun Chuanzhi vowed silently.

The seventh floor of Mingcun Hall was the Library. It was filled with bookshelves as tall as ancient trees, packed tightly together. Countless ancient texts and treasures were stacked upon them. Yun Chuanzhi felt as though she had plunged into a labyrinth, turning circles like a headless fly.

Finally, Hei Dan’er (the puppet) took the lead and found a bookshelf with a loose base. After a light twist of an ancient book on the top shelf, the bookshelf slowly sank into the ground, revealing a dim secret passage.

“There’s even a hidden mechanism,” Yun Chuanzhi marveled. As she passed through, she and the puppet on her shoulder let out an even louder exclamation of surprise.

When looking up from the ground, she had assumed the top of Mingcun Hall was simply a massive golden dome, majestic but purely decorative. But entering the dome now, she realized its ingenuity.

The golden circular tower roof was not a solid object but a pale golden barrier. Close up, the barrier looked as calm and smooth as water, yet it wasn’t ethereal like a regular boundary. If one reached out to touch it, one could see what looked like fireworks blooming within the thin barrier.

Yun Chuanzhi touched it only once. The barrier, which had been like still water, instantly became like a frozen bubble, rapidly covered in golden “frost flowers.” When she touched it again, it was as hard as copper or iron.

“Yun Chuanzhi?” A voice, colder than the frost flowers, rang out behind her. “What are you doing breaking into Mingcun Hall again?”

Hei Dan’er heard the voice and zipped back into her sleeve. Yun Chuanzhi turned to find Bai Xiaochen staring at her. The woman stood tall and elegant, holding a strange box in her hand. Her eyes held an irrepressible weariness. “What has happened to Bai Fenghe now?”

“Sect Leader Bai is fine,” Yun Chuanzhi shook her head quickly. “I came up here on my own.”

“You?” Bai Xiaochen looked Yun Chuanzhi up and down, pointing her index finger at the barrier behind her. “If you touch that again, you will be reduced to ashes. Do not blame this Sovereign for not warning you.”

Yun Chuanzhi followed her gaze to the barrier behind her, then looked back at Bai Xiaochen. She reached out and struck the barrier firmly.

The frost flowers within the barrier immediately melted, transforming into countless blooming flowers. Sunlight pierced through the colorful petals, and the space beneath the vast dome was suddenly filled with the swaying shadows of flowers.

Yun Chuanzhi gave Bai Xiaochen a cheeky grin. Bai Xiaochen was speechless for a moment before she let her wrist drop helplessly.

“How did you know the barrier had no lethal effect?” Bai Xiaochen asked. She walked with her hands behind her back to a desk cluttered with various items, straightened her robes, and sat down.

“To be honest with the Grand Sect Master, I have seen something similar before,” Yun Chuanzhi said. She could tell at a glance that this barrier was carved from thousand-year-old ice, with different patterns drawn using spiritual energy during the process. In addition to the four seasons, one could even see the starry sky at night.

In Mount Buxi, only the late Sect Leader of Mingcun had such a hobby. She hadn’t expected the former Sect Leader to be such a lover of aesthetics, creating such a magnificent hall roof just to enjoy the scenery of the seasons.

“You are indeed a curious individual. It is no wonder my overbearing and arrogant Junior Sister looks upon you with favor,” Bai Xiaochen said. She held the wooden box, her gaze seeming to look into the void. “You came here for Bai Fenghe, didn’t you? Rest assured, I know her temperament; I will not hold a grudge against her.”

Yun Chuanzhi looked at a stone carving in the corner that had clearly been crushed in half and paused.

Then she spoke: “I did not come only for the Sect Leader. Having been by her side for months, I have some doubts in my heart and wished to seek guidance from the Grand Sect Master.”

“An immortal servant of Bai Fenghe is just like her—boundlessly bold.” Bai Xiaochen’s gaze moved past the old parts on the table, her phoenix eyes sharp. “I shall allow you to ask, but not for nothing.”

“You recognize this roof made of thousand-year ice, and you could create a helmet that allows the mute to speak. You must have considerable skill in artifact refining and mechanics.” Bai Xiaochen used spiritual energy to lift the wooden box and send it toward Yun Chuanzhi.

“Look at this box. See if you can repair it.”

Yun Chuanzhi took the ancient wooden box. It was crudely made, looking like something someone had carved casually in their spare time. On the box were two women in flowing skirts and cloud-like buns, chasing each other with candied haws.

The taller one had cold features, like Bai Xiaochen. The shorter one was livelier and cuter, but she looked unmistakably like Bai Fenghe.

Yun Chuanzhi took out her tools and disassembled it in a few quick motions. One glance was enough to understand the mechanism; she replaced a central axis.

When she closed it again, it sounded as if a zither player were hidden inside, a gurgling melody flowing out.

“It is fixed.” Yun Chuanzhi presented the box with a smile. Bai Xiaochen listened to the music with a dazed expression, and then a rare smile appeared on her face.

“Ask,” she said deeply.

“Does the Grand Sect Master know that Sect Leader Bai did not kill the former Sect Leader?” Yun Chuanzhi asked directly.

“She is my Junior Sister; I naturally know,” Bai Xiaochen replied. “Furthermore, given my Master’s cultivation level, even if there had been ten Bai Fenghes at the time, they could never have harmed her.”

“Then why did the Sect Leader say you blame her?”

Bai Xiaochen was momentarily at a loss for words. she looked down for a long time before she finally seemed to open up. “I did indeed blame her.”

“I know she was powerless, but at that time, our Master died a tragic death. The one by her side was Bai Fenghe, not me. I felt resentment over this.”

“Additionally, ever since Bai Fenghe joined the sect, she took all the limelight and affection. She was lively and beautiful, and her talent was exceptionally brilliant. She only needed to practice casually for a few days to match my year of hard work. To avoid being surpassed by too much, I had to cultivate desperately day and night just to barely maintain my dignity as the Senior Sister.”

“I became Master’s disciple when I was young. Master was a wonderful person, both a teacher and a mother; I revered her immensely. Back then, I was her only disciple, and her gaze and care fell only on me. Until Bai Fenghe appeared, then everything changed.”

“She was the young Sect Leader surrounded by stars, while I was just the nameless Eldest Senior Sister. Master’s attention was largely diverted to her and no longer fell on me alone. Over time…”

“This resentment erupted when Master passed away. Master was my everything. After she died, I was nearly in despair. I had a huge argument with Bai Fenghe and spoke without thinking.”

“Perhaps it was from that moment that Bai Fenghe began to hate me. Later, when the people of Qionghuang City accused her of being the murderer and she was imprisoned and tortured in the Celestial Jail, I did not appear. When I saw her again, her personality had changed drastically; she had become as crazed and fierce as a vengeful ghost.”

Bai Xiaochen’s voice was very soft, her eyes fixed on the distance. As she finished, a glimmer of moisture flickered in her eyes.

It quickly faded, replaced by the calm belonging to the Sect Leader of a sect.

Yun Chuanzhi listened silently, her expression as calm as if she were hearing an ordinary story. After Bai Xiaochen finished, she asked one more question: “May I ask why the Grand Sect Master did not appear back then?”

The ends of Bai Xiaochen’s arched brows curved slightly. “If I had appeared then, who would have gone to retrieve the secret decree left by Master to ensure her survival?”

Yun Chuanzhi nodded.

Listening to this, it seemed there was no true hatred between these two, only the jealousy and misunderstandings of their youth. One simply wouldn’t speak, and the other had a stubborn temper; that was how they had reached this point.

“Thank you, Grand Sect Master, for listening to the words of a lowly immortal servant.” Yun Chuanzhi bowed.

Bai Xiaochen raised her hand slightly to stop the bow. “I have never spoken of these things to anyone. Now that I have let them out, my heart feels much better.”

Even cultivators have the seven emotions and six desires—love, hate, greed, and obsession. In the end, they are humans, not gods.

Having learned what she wanted to know, Yun Chuanzhi quickly took her leave. Bai Xiaochen swept her sleeve to touch the barrier. Above her head, it was suddenly as if autumn leaves were falling, merging with the sunlight outside the dome to create a golden floor.

Mo Liuzheng, who had been hiding behind the door, walked to the table with tea and said softly, “Master…”

“I have long wished to stop arguing with her like this, but that mouth of hers is like it’s dipped in poison every time—it cuts deep.” Bai Xiaochen’s smile was very faint.

Mo Liuzheng also smiled. “This little immortal servant is quite interesting and bold to come up here alone to speak with you.”

“She is not bold; she has simply grasped my temperament and knows that even if I am displeased, I will not do anything to her.” Bai Xiaochen held the teacup to her lips. “This person is transparent and fearless, unlike ordinary people.”

“I only hope that having her by her side can change Bai Fenghe even a little,” Bai Xiaochen said.

…

Yun Chuanzhi traveled over hills and through waters, exhausting her strength just to reach the hundred-fathom cataract. As she left the hall, she remembered she should have asked Bai Xiaochen for a ride, but Mingcun Hall was too high, and she vowed she would never climb it a second time.

Fortunately, she encountered Cheng Jinshu wandering near the cataract again, which allowed her to return to the Gundan Sect before dark. Covered in dust, she knocked on the door of Fengchun Pavilion. Bai Fenghe was indeed inside.

Hearing Yun Chuanzhi’s arrival, she only gave a faint glance and chuckled. “I forgot you again.”

Despite her words, the curve of her red lips suggested she had done it intentionally. Yun Chuanzhi was so angered by her pettiness that she clenched her fists, but remembering she was dependent on her, she relaxed her hands.

She forced a gentle smile. “No matter, I found my way back.”

“If you want to be angry, then be angry. Why hold it in?” Bai Fenghe lounged on the chaise lounge, letting out a lazy sneer. “In any case, there are plenty of people who hate me; one more won’t make a difference.”

“Why would I hate you?” Yun Chuanzhi picked up the broken pieces of a cup from the floor and handed them to a hard-working puppet. Stepping away from a puddle on the floor, she walked toward the window. Just as she was about to speak, the lights in the room suddenly went out.

The light from outside could not reach into the room for a moment. Yun Chuanzhi could not adjust to the sudden darkness, and her vision was plunged into blackness.

“Sit down,” Bai Fenghe commanded. Yun Chuanzhi was suddenly a bit nervous. Clutching her skirt with both hands, she slowly sat on a corner of the chaise lounge.

The room fell into silence for a moment. Suddenly, Yun Chuanzhi felt a weight on her shoulder. Someone had leaned their head against her right shoulder. A faint warmth and fragrance spread around her at the same time.

“I am tired,” Bai Fenghe spoke in a low voice, almost like a sigh.

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