Chapter 30
Chapter 30: Dare Not
Jiang Li Sheng was an open book. Just thinking about the Qi Shan Secret Realm put dread all over her face.
Wei Qing Lan glanced at her, and for a heartbeat the corner of his mouth lifted. The instant she noticed, he wiped it away, his expression cooling back into calm.
“The Medical Hall purchased over a thousand bottles of Spirit-Replenishing Pills,” he said. “They’re all for you. Martial Uncle Ying estimated it won’t delay your trip to the Qi Shan Secret Realm seven days from now.”
Jiang Li Sheng clicked her tongue. A thousand bottles. Even her master wouldn’t hand her that many at once.
Then it hit her—this was because of him. His spiritual mansion was injured. Her spiritual power hadn’t been enough to treat him quickly, and she’d slept for seven full days. With only seven days left before departure, Hall Master Zhou and Hall Master Ying were determined to send her into the Qi Shan Secret Realm. They were giving her enough pills to heal Wei Qing Lan and still make the trip—killing two birds with one stone.
She let out a long sigh. “Do I really have to go to the Qi Shan Secret Realm? I’m terrified I’ll get torn apart in there. People say the demon beasts are vicious, and even disciples from different sects will kill each other over spirit herbs, spirit medicines, and opportunities. Someone like me… won’t I just die?”
“You dodged two moves from Martial Grand-Uncle Qi,” Wei Qing Lan reminded her. “Ordinary people won’t be able to kill you.”
“You said ordinary.” Jiang Li Sheng looked genuinely pained. “What about the ones who aren’t?”
She tried again, cautiously bargaining. “Senior Brother Wei, can you talk to Hall Master Zhou and let me stay? My master never lets me go.”
Wei Qing Lan refused without hesitation. “Three days ago, the Kun Lun Sect received a message from Qing Xu Sect—Sect Master Yu personally. He said you must participate in this Qi Shan Secret Realm. Since you are currently in the Kun Lun Sect, you are considered a Kun Lun Sect disciple and must follow the Kun Lun Sect’s arrangements.”
Jiang Li Sheng’s eyes widened. “My master doesn’t care about me anymore?”
“It’s not that,” Wei Qing Lan said, as if choosing his words carefully. “Sect Master Yu simply believes you should gain experience. You can’t stay on the mountain forever.”
“I could,” Jiang Li Sheng muttered. “I don’t see the problem.” She valued her life. If she didn’t have to risk it, she didn’t want to.
Wei Qing Lan looked amused again. “Enough. Come with me. We’re going to the Medical Hall.”
Jiang Li Sheng nodded.
Wei Qing Lan mounted his sword and motioned for her to step on. She still had no strength to ride her own sword, so—just like the last time he’d carried her back—she climbed on, keeping a careful distance between them, letting him take her.
In the neighboring courtyard, Zhu Wen Yin happened to come out and saw them leaving. Wei Qing Lan in red was unmistakable. And Jiang Li Sheng standing on his sword, being carried—there was no mistaking that either.
Zhu Wen Yin stared until they disappeared, then finally withdrew her gaze and flew toward Spirit Beast Peak.
After Zhao Ke Xin’s punishment, the Steward Hall had sent her back to Spirit Beast Peak and handed her over to Jin Wang Chou.
Zhu Wen Yin entered the main peak, went to Zhao Ke Xin’s residence, and pushed the door open. Zhao Ke Xin was awake, her face pale as ash. Zhu Wen Yin hurried to the bedside. “Junior Sister, how do you feel today? Any better?”
“Senior Sister…” Zhao Ke Xin’s voice was thin and weak. “A little. But it still hurts.”
Zhu Wen Yin’s eyes tightened with sympathy. “One hundred lashes isn’t something anyone can endure easily. Of course it hurts. Master went to find medicine again. Don’t worry—she won’t let it delay your trip to the Qi Shan Secret Realm.”
Zhao Ke Xin nodded.
Zhu Wen Yin sat beside her and used spiritual power to soothe her bones and tendons, easing the ache as much as she could. Then, as if casually, she said, “When I went out today, I saw Junior Brother Wei carrying Jiang Li Sheng on his sword.”
Zhao Ke Xin’s hatred flared immediately. “Junior Brother Wei carried her? He went to her residence? Why?”
“I don’t know,” Zhu Wen Yin said quietly. “She slept for seven days. Last night she still hadn’t woken. She probably just woke today, and he took her away.”
Zhao Ke Xin’s eyes went red. “She dares seduce Junior Brother Wei. That shameless fox.”
“Watch your words,” Zhu Wen Yin warned, her tone firm. “Don’t forget why you were punished. Master told me Junior Brother Wei injured his spiritual mansion while killing two demon snakes that escaped from the Demon-Suppressing Tower. Jiang Li Sheng’s spiritual power is special, so Hall Master Ying let her assist in treating him. That may be why, the moment she woke, Junior Brother Wei took her away.”
Zhao Ke Xin’s tears surged again. “Senior Sister… why is her fate so good? Why did Senior Brother An block a sword for her? And he still said he doesn’t like me.”
Zhu Wen Yin paused, then took out a handkerchief and wiped her tears. “Junior Sister, if Senior Brother An doesn’t like you, then like someone else. He’s not that special.”
“I won’t.” Zhao Ke Xin clutched the handkerchief as if it were the only thing keeping her steady. “I only like him.”
Zhu Wen Yin was silent for a moment, then said, “Then find a way to get him.”
Zhao Ke Xin’s breath hitched. “How? I’m afraid I won’t even be able to get close to him again. The way he looked at me that day—his harsh words, that disgust—I can’t forget it.”
“If you truly like him, then cultivate hard,” Zhu Wen Yin said, voice steady. “There will be chances. And even if you hate Jiang Li Sheng, don’t charge in blindly again. Senior Brother An is kind. If he sees cruelty in you, of course he won’t like you.”
She lowered her voice further, as if speaking of something forbidden. “On Qing Qiu Mountain, there is a spirit beast shaped like a fox with nine tails. Its cry sounds like a baby. It is best at bewitching and seduction. If you take its blood and make someone drink it, their mind will be ensnared—so completely that even immortals cannot undo it. If you truly can’t let go of Senior Brother An, catch one and try. Once he drinks it… he will do as you wish.”
Zhao Ke Xin’s sobbing stopped so abruptly it was eerie. She reached up, trying to yank away the handkerchief Zhu Wen Yin had pressed near her face, as if she needed to see her expression.
Zhu Wen Yin held it down firmly, not letting her. Her voice turned gentle again, almost soothing. “Junior Sister, Qing Qiu Mountain is hard to climb. A nine-tailed fox is hard to catch. I was only speaking loosely. Don’t take it to heart.” Then, as if drifting to another thought, she added, “Besides, there are countless men in this world. There will always be someone better than Senior Brother An… for example, Junior Brother Wei…”
“Senior Sister!” Zhao Ke Xin’s hands trembled. Fear flashed through her. “I don’t dare think about Junior Brother Wei. I only like Senior Brother An.”
Zhu Wen Yin’s lips curved, soft and fleeting. “Cultivation is defying heaven. If you don’t dare to defy heaven, how can you reach the great Dao? Think what you don’t dare to think. Do what you don’t dare to do…”
Zhao Ke Xin stared at her. “Senior Sister… do you like Junior Brother Wei?”
“Who would dare?” Zhu Wen Yin’s expression returned to calm. She removed the handkerchief at last. “Junior Sister, the Sect Master said Junior Brother Wei was born for the Dao. Whoever damages his Dao fate, the entire Kun Lun Sect will not forgive. I wouldn’t dare.”
A faint smile flickered again—then vanished. Her voice cooled. “But if Jiang Li Sheng dares… then she’s finished. Even with Qing Xu Sect behind her, it won’t save her.”