Chapter 60: I’m Really Busy
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Yesterday, Yu Zhao publicly humiliated Xiu Luo in front of many people and seized her residence. Logically, Xiu Luo should harbor resentment toward Yu Zhao.
However, the reality was that Yu Zhao had gained recognition from Xiu Luo and other Inner Courtyard disciples through her strength. Xiu Luo, acknowledging her inferiority, conceded defeat.
Now, seeing Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu approach with ill intent, Xiu Luo decided to pass the news along.
She bent down, picked up a piece of gravel from the ground, and casually tossed it.
The stone flew toward a small courtyard on the right, accurately triggering its defensive barrier.
The next moment, Feng Qi Yun emerged, grumbling loudly.
Xiu Luo chuckled, “Feng Qi Yun, do me a favor and deliver a message.”
…
Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu were intent on finding Yu Zhao in the Inner Courtyard, but upon arriving and seeing the various small courtyards scattered around, they were stumped.
They didn’t know where Yu Zhao lived.
“Let’s ask someone,” Lan Zi Yu suggested.
Fang Cheng Lang nodded, scanning the area. His gaze met a pair of bright, sharp eyes.
“Greetings, Senior Brother Fang, Senior Brother Lan.”
Standing at the gate of a small courtyard, Xiu Luo greeted the two warmly, though she was inwardly a bit nervous.
Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu returned the courtesy immediately.
“Junior Sister, do you know where Yu Zhao lives? Could you guide us there?” Fang Cheng Lang asked. Compared to Lan Zi Yu, he was more adept at dealing with fellow disciples, his tone warm and friendly.
Xiu Luo secretly admired his demeanor, the famed Gentleman’s Sword truly lived up to his name. Outwardly, she kept a serious expression and asked, “I know where Senior Sister Yu lives, but may I first ask why you’re looking for her?”
“Why should we tell you?” Lan Zi Yu snapped, his tone sharp.
Imitating Yu Zhao’s often exasperated manner, Xiu Luo shrugged. “Then I’m sorry, but I can’t help.”
“You…” Lan Zi Yu was furious. Since when did an Inner Courtyard disciple dare to defy him?
“Enough!” Fang Cheng Lang stopped Lan Zi Yu and gave Xiu Luo a meaningful look.
Xiu Luo met his gaze calmly, without flinching.
Fang Cheng Lang said, “We mean no harm; we just wish to clarify some misunderstandings with Junior Sister Yu.”
Calculating that Feng Qi Yun should have delivered her message by now, Xiu Luo decided to stop stalling. She turned and started walking up the mountain. “Follow me.”
Her sudden change in attitude startled Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu. They quickly followed.
At the mountaintop.
Yu Zhao thanked Feng Qi Yun and sent him off through a path behind the courtyard. Turning back, her eyes grew cold.
Her peaceful life hadn’t lasted a single day before being disrupted again by people from Lone Moon Peak.
As expected, Lone Moon Peak was her greatest obstacle on the path of cultivation.
Anticipating Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu’s arrival, Yu Zhao didn’t return to her small courtyard. Instead, she stood by the fence outside, waiting for the unwelcome visitors.
Before half an incense stick had burned, Xiu Luo, Fang Cheng Lang, and Lan Zi Yu reached the mountaintop.
On their way up, Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu had prepared a lot to say to Yu Zhao.
But upon seeing her, it was as if their throats were stuffed with cotton. They couldn’t utter a word, only staring blankly at her.
Yu Zhao didn’t spare them a glance. She turned to Xiu Luo with a smile and said, “Thank you, Junior Sister Xiu Luo.”
“It was nothing.” Xiu Luo grinned cheerfully.
The two exchanged a quick glance, and Xiu Luo promptly found an excuse to leave, heading down the mountain.
Now, only the former fellow disciples remained on the mountaintop.
“Little Six…” Fang Cheng Lang began, but Yu Zhao impatiently raised her hand to cut him off. “Stop right there! Senior Brother Fang, I am no longer a member of Lone Moon Peak. From now on, call me Junior Sister Yu or simply Yu Zhao.”
“Senior Brother Fang? You’re calling me Senior Brother Fang?”
Fang Cheng Lang was deeply shaken, staggering slightly from the blow.
Lan Zi Yu was equally incredulous. “Yu Zhao! Just because the Master told you to leave the mountain, you’re now disowning even us?”
Yu Zhao sneered coldly. “Aren’t you all on his side?”
“Of course not! We’re here to bring you home!” Lan Zi Yu protested loudly.
“Home?” Yu Zhao let out a faint, mocking laugh. “Lone Moon Peak is not my home. I, Yu Zhao, am a cursed loner—born without parents or family. I have no home.”
Her tone and expression were calm as she said this.
In the past, Yu Zhao might have felt self-conscious or sad about her lack of family, but now she saw it as an advantage for cultivating the Path of Emotional Detachment. She had no emotional ties to hold her back, no hesitation to impede her progress.
“No, that’s not true, Little Six. We are your family. Lone Moon Peak is your home!” Fang Cheng Lang urgently declared.
He had raised Yu Zhao himself and knew the heart demons that haunted her. For Yu Zhao to discard the familial ties she once cherished so easily—was she truly indifferent now?
“Yu Zhao, stop saying things out of anger. Look, what’s this?” Lan Zi Yu interrupted, pulling out what he believed was his trump card. “This is your most treasured Purple Cloud Bamboo Flute. I’m returning it to you now. If you come back with us, we’ll put everything in the past behind us.”
Lan Zi Yu handed the Purple Cloud Bamboo Flute to Yu Zhao, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.
If Yu Zhao were sensible, she would take this opportunity to step down gracefully, agree to return to Lone Moon Peak, apologize to the Master, and reclaim her position as a personal disciple.
But Yu Zhao remained silent.
She felt she had made herself abundantly clear. Why couldn’t Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu understand?
The Purple Cloud Bamboo wasn’t particularly rare. What gave the flute its extraordinary value was Yu Zhao’s past feelings for Lan Zi Yu. But now that she had moved past him, why would she care about a mere flute?
“Senior Brother Lan Zi Yu,” Yu Zhao said flatly, “I’ll say it again. I will not return to Lone Moon Peak, nor do I wish to be your Junior Sister any longer. As for this flute, you can give it to whomever you please—it has nothing to do with me. If there’s nothing else, please leave. I need to get back to cultivating.”
“Yu Zhao! Have you had enough of this nonsense?” Lan Zi Yu exploded, his anger getting the better of him. “Senior Brother Fang and I have personally come to apologize, and this is how you respond? Fine! I’m sorry! Everything was my fault, alright? Is that enough for you?”
Lan Zi Yu’s temper flared at Yu Zhao’s indifference. He and Fang Cheng Lang had swallowed their pride to invite her back, and yet she remained unyielding. What more did she want? Was she intent on making a scene so everyone would know? Could she not be more understanding?
Yu Zhao, however, was accustomed to Lan Zi Yu’s unpredictable outbursts. Leaning casually against the fence, she remained composed. “Are you finished? If so, please go back. I’m really busy.”
Once again, Yu Zhao felt the urgency to improve her cultivation.
If her cultivation level were on par with Fang Cheng Lang and Lan Zi Yu’s, she wouldn’t need to waste her time standing at the door talking. Instead, she could send them packing with a grand illusion and a ceremonial drumbeat, ensuring they returned to Lone Moon Peak with no intention of bothering her again.