Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Cats and Dogs Barge In

Jun Xiu Ran was still saying something, while Rong Shu had no heart to listen to the lecture; she only nodded from time to time to get by, her face the picture of obedient honesty.

[Since even Master cannot see through the truth or falsehood of my current cultivation, then from now on I can be a little bolder and need not be so timid.]

Unaware of what his newly accepted disciple was thinking, Jun Xiu Ran finished his reprimand; seeing Rong Shu admit fault with a good attitude, he let his anger go.

Although he had taken this disciple at first merely to amuse Ruan Ruan: after all, there were hardly any female disciples on Limitless Peak, and Ruan Ruan, being a bit older and a young lady besides, naturally needed a girl companion to play with.

But if Rong Shu truly neglected her cultivation, would that not damage his reputation?

Moreover, Ruan Ruan liked Rong Shu so much that the very next morning she went to look for her early; upon learning that she had run down the mountain to play, she fulfilled her duty as a Senior Sister by hurrying to report to him so he could admonish Rong Shu, which showed how much she cared for Rong Shu.

If Rong Shu failed to study properly, Ruan Ruan, as Senior Sister, would surely blame herself.

Seeing that Jun Xiu Ran had finished scolding her, Rong Shu spoke calmly: “Master, this disciple has a request.”

Jun Xiu Ran frowned slightly: “What is it?”

Rong Shu said: “This disciple would like two sets of Outer Sect disciple robes.”

She had been thinking of this ever since she made a circuit of Spirit Gathering Peak and came back. However, given her current identity as a personal disciple, she could not casually switch to Outer Sect attire; she needed Jun Xiu Ran’s permission.

Jun Xiu Ran asked: “Why?”

Rong Shu explained: “When I went down the mountain today, the Personal Disciple Robes I wore were too conspicuous and drew too many eyes. This disciple wishes to cultivate quietly and not be burdened by empty fame.”

At that, a faint trace of surprise crossed Jun Xiu Ran’s face.

Too conspicuous?

The personal disciple status bestowed by this honored one, could it actually be a burden?

His feelings were a little complicated, and, more than anything, puzzled. What personal disciple ever thought of wearing Outer Sect robes? If one could refrain from flaunting and showing off one’s personal disciple status, that already spoke to excellent temperament. Still, it was no great matter, so he agreed: “When you have time, go to the Outer Sect and collect two sets.”

Rong Shu’s face lit up: “Many thanks, Master.”

She added, thinking of that strand of hair she had set at the crack of her courtyard door, then said: “Master, there is one more matter.”

Jun Xiu Ran said: “What else?”

Looking abashed, Rong Shu said: “Ashamed of my going down the mountain today, this disciple requests to place herself under confinement in her own courtyard for two months. During that time I will not go out nor receive guests, and will devote myself to cultivation, striving to reach Qi Induction as soon as possible.”

Hearing this, Jun Xiu Ran’s brows eased a little: “It is good that you can recognize your mistake.”

Yu Ruan Ruan, who had been watching the show from the side, received a prompt from the System at this moment: [What are you spacing out for? If Rong Shu is going to be confined for two months, then for two whole months you will have no excuse to approach her.]

Only then did Yu Ruan Ruan remember her purpose, and she hurried to persuade: “Junior Sister, you are still young and have only just entered the sect; a momentary love of play is normal. Knowing your mistake and correcting it is enough, confinement is too heavy a punishment…”

Rong Shu cut her off in a righteous tone: “Senior Sister Yu, thank you for thinking of me in all things. I understand your well-meant intentions, but my mind is set; you need not try to persuade me further.”

Yu Ruan Ruan’s expression stiffened slightly. [Why does that sound a touch sarcastic… is it just my imagination?]

Rong Shu turned back to Jun Xiu Ran and said: “Please grant permission, Master.”

She added: “Also, if I am to be confined, my courtyard does not even have a lock. If some cats and dogs were to barge in, it would easily disturb my cultivation. I wonder if Master could arrange a formation or something of that sort.”

Jun Xiu Ran almost said that there were no cats or dogs on Limitless Peak, but on second thought he found her point not without reason.

“It is that this honored one forgot this detail. Every courtyard on Limitless Peak has a formation set in place; only the one at your courtyard has not yet been activated.”

After that, Rong Shu learned from Jun Xiu Ran how to operate the formation, then took the initiative to bid farewell and leave.

Leaving the Hall of Heartlessness, Rong Shu felt cheerful and was not at all dispirited by Jun Xiu Ran’s stern words.

She was not truly a twelve-year-old child. In some respects her temperament was quite “lazy”: with people she could get along with, she repaid as much sincerity as she received; with people she could not, she was too lazy to cater to them and only cared to maintain a surface harmony.

Now all of Rong Shu’s thoughts were on cultivation. [While there is still time, I should make another trip to the Outer Sect to collect the Outer Sect disciple robes, then I can officially enter seclusion…]

She walked while laying out her plan in her heart. She intended to return to her courtyard first to activate the formation there, then go down the mountain.

A crisp voice came from behind: “Junior Sister, wait!”

Rong Shu turned her head and saw Yu Ruan Ruan hurrying toward her. She cupped her hands in salute and said: “Senior Sister, does Master still have important instructions to convey?”

Yu Ruan Ruan’s fine brows drew together and she looked disapproving as she said: “Junior Sister, why did you go and tell Master you wanted confinement? Master is not someone without feelings. If you softened your tone and admitted your mistake a little, wouldn’t everything be fine?”

She added: “You have only just come to the sect and are unfamiliar with people and place. This is a key period for building connections. I, as your Senior Sister, was going to take you out to meet a few fellow disciple friends so that in the future we can help one another.”

After listening, Rong Shu replied unhurriedly: “Senior Sister, I am shy around strangers; cultivating in seclusion suits me better.”

Before Yu Ruan Ruan could say more, Rong Shu continued: “Moreover, Master has already nodded his agreement. I know your kind intentions, Senior Sister, but since I have said before Master that I will enter seclusion for two months, I cannot break faith with him, can I? Surely Senior Sister would not want me to become that sort of faithless person, right?”

These words left Yu Ruan Ruan speechless.

Rong Shu concluded with a smile that made her look honest and sweet: “In short, thank you for your concern, Senior Sister. If there is nothing else, I will be going first.”

“…All right,” Yu Ruan Ruan said, unwillingly.

Rong Shu turned and left, the smile on her face gradually dissipating as if blown away by the wind, leaving only calm, expressionless composure.

Yu Ruan Ruan, meanwhile, fretted where she stood. After a round of discussion with the System, she could only wait for Rong Shu to emerge from seclusion in two months before making further plans.

“Two months… Third Senior Brother should be back by then, right?” As if something had occurred to her, the vexation on Yu Ruan Ruan’s face vanished; the corners of her lips lifted slightly, as though she could already see something good on the horizon.