Wanxi Rebirth - Chapter 30

Yuqiong Gate, Glacier Snow Valley.

“7364, are the key observation targets and key focus targets still impossible to track?”

[Yes, Host.]

Even after arriving at someone else’s sect, Lan Chaoyao didn’t give up asking the system daily.

“What about He Shen?”

[Unable to locate He Shen’s current position; unable to view action records.]

Lan Chaoyao took a deep breath. “Show me the recent movements of the powers as well.”

He needed to grasp the dynamics of the mortal world forces in order to deploy his new plans quickly.

Once the system finished loading its report, he saw a clear message: “Everything is normal.” He was relieved that nothing had happened, but at the same time, he felt that all the forces were excessively quiet.

“Everything normal?”

[Yes, everything is normal. No recent events are worthy of attention.]

Still, since the system said so, there was nothing to doubt. After all, he had only left Qingxu Sect a few days ago, so it wasn’t surprising that nothing happened.

Even if Miss Qin of the Qin Family had gained the favor of the World Correction Power, she couldn’t possibly expand the firewall that blocks system scans over such a wide range, nor would she reveal the truth of this small world to too many people.

[Reminder: There will be heavy snow in nearby areas tonight. Host must take precautions against the cold!]

“I know, you’ve been annoying lately.” Lan Chaoyao, having nothing else to do, joked with the system that had followed him for who knows how many years. “Has the AI upgraded? It feels like since the world rebooted, you’ve become more talkative.”

[Host’s items reset, which means the task difficulty has increased. As an auxiliary system, I must do my best to provide more guidance to the host.]

“I think it’s better if you stay quiet like before.” Lan Chaoyao smiled lightly and continued joking, “If you get too smart, the main brain might check for personality awakening after the mission ends.”

7364 remained silent, possibly taking his suggestion into account.

Meanwhile, at the Qin Residence.

After listening to the latest intelligence from Miss Qin, Yue Tingxi went to find Luo Yansha.

Qin Suoliu still seemed tired, her voice weak at the end. She didn’t want to disturb her bathing and soaking in the spirit pool, and some things indeed needed to be told to Yansha as soon as possible.

However, she suddenly remembered something and couldn’t help but ask Miss Qin before leaving:

“If… I hadn’t escaped from Lan Gou, if He Shen hadn’t been exposed, if the Qin family hadn’t intervened, would today’s events still have occurred?”

Every event has causes and effects, intricately linked. Previously, she had tried to infer past events based on the causality of this life, which naturally could only lead to Luo Yansha’s death.

But since her rebirth, the “cause” had changed from the beginning, and consequently, the “effect” would also change.

“You mean if Luo Yansha saved someone? Hard to say.” However, Qin Suoliu said, “People’s patience is limited. Luo Yansha is a righteous girl who has helped many at the Red Dust Pavilion and witnessed their suffering. Some things accumulate quietly—perhaps anger, perhaps resentment. Bailu (White Egret) was just one of the people she wanted to save.”

She didn’t explicitly clarify, but Yue Tingxi already understood the answer:

—Luo Yansha stepping up was inevitable, sooner or later.

Given that, without their interference, her fatal outcome was probably also inevitable.

“Also, remember to tell Luo Yansha that Bailu’s body doesn’t contain the Living Puppet’s corpse toxin. Even if she truly couldn’t resist the commands of the Tongyou Master, the harm to Gūyun (Solitary Cloud) is irreparable.”

With the reminder from Miss Qin, Yue Tingxi left in silence and quickened her pace toward Luo Yansha’s guest hall.

She knocked and entered, only to find the hall filled with goods, and Luo Yansha sitting in the center, moving the abacus beads and writing in the ledger.

“Why are you visiting me so late?” Luo Yansha didn’t even look up. “Wait a moment, almost done, just two more accounts!”

The “Water Moon Pavilion” had to close temporarily. The rental contract for the Linlang Pavilion had to be returned, with a penalty for early termination, and there were unsold garments and fabrics—all needed accounting.

Yue Tingxi found an empty spot to sit. Once Luo Yansha closed the ledger, she began: “I have two pieces of news…”

“You know I like to hear good news first.” Luo Yansha said while standing to make tea.

“The good news is that you can stay at the Qin Residence to do tailoring. The Qin Family will also handle these goods, only taking a 20% handling fee,” Yue Tingxi said. “But you aren’t limited to tailoring.”

She relayed Miss Qin’s words to Luo Yansha.

Luo Yansha initially didn’t react. After about half a minute, she pinched her face.

“Am I dreaming?! I really climbed into the good graces of a noble…?! I can really do what I love?!”

“Yes, Miss Qin said it herself.” Yue Tingxi smiled. “If you still want to run a tailoring business, the Qin Family also has cloth and tailoring shops on East Street in Xuanying City. Both mortals and cultivators can do business there.”

“This… I need some time to think!” Luo Yansha was almost overwhelmed with joy. “I feel so light-headed… Tingxi, how did you get close to Miss Qin?!”

“Enough, don’t get carried away!” Yue Tingxi flicked her forehead. “Think about it for a few days, no rush.”

She then said, “I have bad news too.”

“Go ahead! I can handle anything!” Luo Yansha tried to compose herself, though her smile still tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Yue Tingxi sighed and explained everything about Bailu, including Geyun’s situation.

While speaking, she realized why Miss Qin wanted Luo Yansha to stay at the Qin Residence:

Aside from personal kindness, it was about relevance.

No matter the truth, from the perspective of someone who knew, Luo Yansha had saved a geisha colluding with the Tongyou Master.

Thus, if they concealed the Tongyou Master’s matter or let her continue business outside, she could silently die at the hands of someone behind the scenes.

Staying at the Qin Residence also made it convenient to monitor and manage her movements. Miss Qin’s intentions were not entirely simple.

After hearing this, Luo Yansha’s smile gradually faded, her expression turning serious.

“…If I were Geyun, I probably couldn’t forgive Bailu either,” she murmured. “I would rather defy orders and be executed than betray someone I grew up with. Besides… besides…”

She lowered her head, clasping her trembling hands. “I’ve dealt with her a few times. I know she lost her parents young, is helpless, and acts only for herself. Geyun’s voice… maybe it’s her doing…”

“After letting Geyun vent, Bailu was sent to Mrs. Qin for questioning.” Yue Tingxi said, “There should soon be a resolution for Geyun.”

Luo Yansha remained silent.

Yue Tingxi said nothing further and quietly kept her company.

“I feel… like a naive fool.” After a long while, Luo Yansha spoke. “I’ve known it was the Red Dust Pavilion. Girls trapped there aren’t all good by nature. Yet… I still imagined the best in them. I only went to deliver something, and seeing them in trouble, I couldn’t just stand by!”

“That’s not your fault!” Yue Tingxi immediately retorted. “You’re kind, understanding right from wrong, living like a human, while some others act like demons!”

If one were to analyze the situation, she should find helpers and ensure her safety before intervening. Being alive allows justice; dying leaves one a soul, watching despised scum revel.

This was the first time she gave Luo Yansha such advice on behavior. She had thought Yansha, as a businessperson, had more experience with humans and didn’t need her guidance.

Considering humans and demons live differently, she kept it brief, then asked if Luo Yansha wanted solitude or a drink.

“…A drink.” Luo Yansha sighed, clearing away cooled tea and cups, taking out a bottle of aged wine. “Do you want some?”

Yue Tingxi, having learned Miss Qin’s identity, relaxed and nodded.

“I’ll serve myself!” Luo Yansha insisted, confident in her alcohol tolerance. “You go! Goodnight!”

Still concerned, Yue Tingxi used her magic to move the goods around Luo Yansha, finishing before leaving the hall.

Outside, she saw someone in the pavilion—Qin Suoliu, sitting alone, tea set in front. Upon seeing Yue Tingxi, she was lifting a cup, chin slightly raised.

The night breeze cleared Yue Tingxi’s mind. She noticed Suoliu wasn’t in her purple clothes but in the red dress she had lent her earlier.

She didn’t usually care about clothes, yet a strange feeling arose—something like embarrassment.

She went to sit beside Miss Qin. “I’ve told Yansha the truth. She’s upset, so I accompanied her to drink for a while.”

Qin Suoliu put down her cup. “I ordered a female attendant. Yansha should be cared for while intoxicated.”

Yue Tingxi brightened at “should be cared for.”

“Yes. Once part of my family, she deserves a place to stay,” Suoliu said. “If her own residence needs tidying or she doesn’t mind assistance, I’ll send someone.”

“Good! Thank you for taking care of her!” Yue Tingxi said on behalf of her friend.

Qin Suoliu nodded, took another sip, then asked, “Do you want some?”

Yue Tingxi accepted. Suoliu poured, and she realized the tea had medicinal herbs to relieve drunkenness.

“You drank it directly?” Suoliu asked.

“What’s there to fear? Don’t you deserve trust?”

“Yes, you do.” Suoliu seemed to chuckle. “Drink more. It will prevent hangovers.”

Yue Tingxi drank deeply. Even without the tea, she could force the alcohol out with her water spirit.

“Comfortable? Want another cup?” Suoliu asked.

Before Yue Tingxi could respond, sleepiness overcame her, and she fell onto the table.

She woke to sunlight the next morning. Her beloved white fox fur mat was beneath her, the snake tails scattered messily. Clearly, Miss Qin had returned her to the bedroom while she slept.

She cleaned up, washed, and went to the fish-viewing pavilion.

Qin Suoliu was having breakfast—simple: one bowl of wonton soup with seaweed, shrimp, and scallions, and two salty pastries.

Yue Tingxi greeted her. Suoliu instructed the attendants: “Give Tingxi exactly the same. Replace the salty pastry with sweet ones.”

The hot wontons and pastries were served. Suoliu dismissed attendants and set up a soundproof barrier—ready to discuss serious matters.

Yue Tingxi ate calmly, ready for any tale.

After finishing, Suoliu spoke: “Yesterday, I gave Gūyun authority over Bailu. She didn’t do anything except the first slap. She wanted a conscious Bailu, not a puppet controlled by ‘One Day Cold.’ Yin Guang took Bailu to our mother.”

Yue Tingxi nodded. She guessed that Bailu would be cured of the cold toxin and sent to the secret prison for questioning, likely with He Shen.

Suoliu continued: “Mother and medical cultivators removed the toxin. Bailu woke but cried immediately, insisting she was forced and couldn’t speak due to a silence spell. She didn’t know who cast it until I threatened her with soul-searching, and she claimed it was all He Shen.” Suoliu smiled. “The Tongyou Masters seem to have abandoned this pawn.”

“Then?”

“I brought Gūyun. She was awake while I demonstrated torture instruments, showing her she could apply them to Bailu if she wished. Though she struggled at first, she judged her former friend as she intended.”

Yue Tingxi understood why Suoliu waited until after breakfast to tell her.

Though the narrative was calm, the secret prison’s punishments would be brutal; Yue Tingxi could imagine after witnessing Suoliu covered in blood.

“Then?”

“Bailu is a mortal, with limited temperance. She apologized at first but, after being whipped, insulted Geyun relentlessly: ‘All you have is a good voice,’ ‘Years at the Red Dust Pavilion but can’t please men,’ ‘Why do you sit in luxury while I must expose myself?’”

Yue Tingxi fell silent.

“So, it was she who damaged Geyun’s voice?”

“Yes.” Suoliu nodded. “Geyun was favored because of it. Take it away, and she either returns to being a servant, is expelled, or learns to please—never achieving her current glory.”

“Ridiculous!” Yue Tingxi slammed her fist. “Weren’t they childhood friends? Why—”

“Some can only share hardship, unable to accept someone once in the same plight thriving. Resentment hidden in the heart is fine, but act on it, and punishment follows,” Suoliu said.

Yue Tingxi looked at the fish, calming herself.

“Don’t dwell on her. Send someone to question her again; if she refuses, soul-search. Even mortal collaborators with Tongyou Masters need not be gentle. Mother will arrange all,” Suoliu continued.

She then unfolded a scroll near the pond. “Last night, Gray Moth unexpectedly ‘received’ a detailed map of the Xuan Water Secret Realm that Summer Moon will soon open.”

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