Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Asking Bai Mu Mu to Return the Access Jade Token

Wen Xuan gave a soft reply and said: “Mm. It also counts as going to check on Junior Sister.”

Back in front of the Library Pavilion, Luo Chu had said that Shen Sang Ruo still held a grudge because he gave the access jade token to Bai Mu Mu, and he even said he would hand over his own token to her. That talk reminded Wen Xuan of the truth.

The access jade token was Shen Sang Ruo’s in the first place. He had been muddled when he took it back, then he gave it to Bai Mu Mu.

So he did not need to look for materials or change the Restriction Formation at all.

He only needed to take the access jade token that belonged to Shen Sang Ruo back from Bai Mu Mu.

As for Bai Mu Mu, she spent the most time with him. Whenever she went to his cave dwelling, they traveled together, so she almost never needed that token.

Even Luo Chu, who could not stand Shen Sang Ruo, was willing to give her his own access jade token. Bai Mu Mu was kind by nature, so for the sake of harmony in the sect, she would surely bring the token out too.

Both in feeling and in reason, asking Bai Mu Mu to return the token was the best choice.

Wen Xuan lowered his voice and murmured: “Junior Sister is so sensible. If I explain it, she should understand.”

Luo Chu frowned and asked: “Second Senior Brother, what are you muttering about?”

Wen Xuan steadied his gaze and said: “Nothing. Let’s go.”

He had made up his mind, and his steps no longer felt so heavy. [Junior Sister will definitely agree.]

Bai Mu Mu, her face pale and her eyes brimming with tears, said: “It’s okay, Second Senior Brother. You can take back the access jade token.”

She added with a trembling voice: “This access jade token was Fifth Senior Sister’s from the start. I took what belonged to her. I should return it.”

She looked at Wen Xuan and said: “Like you said before, Mumu only came back two years ago. Of course I can’t compare to the deep bonds between the senior brothers and Fifth Senior Sister. It’s right that you care more about Fifth Senior Sister.”

Wen Xuan tried to explain and said: “That’s not what I meant…”

But Bai Mu Mu’s soft sobs kept him from getting a word in.

She lowered her lashes and said: “It’s fine if I’m the only one in our sect without an access jade token. Mumu has long since gotten used to it.”

The words made people picture the unfair treatment she must have faced before she returned to the sect, to the point she would say she was “used to it.”

She whispered, cherishing each word: “Every gift from the senior brothers is precious to me. I already treated that access jade token like a treasure.”

She bowed her head and said: “Now I have to give it back to Fifth Senior Sister. My heart hurts so much that I lost my composure. Please forgive me, Second Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother.”

Bai Mu Mu dabbed at the corners of her eyes, trying to calm herself, but tears slipped free like beads from a broken string.

She truly looked heartbroken.

Wen Xuan had never expected Bai Mu Mu to react like this. Seeing her so weak, with tears tracing down her cheeks, he felt at a loss.

Her eyes red, she stayed silent and began feeling through her storage pouch for the access jade token.

Large teardrops splashed onto the pouch, soaking a patch.

It was the look of someone who had found warmth again only to be abandoned once more, the hurt and brokenness shown clear as day.

Luo Chu could not watch anymore. He glared at Wen Xuan and said: “I thought you came out of kindness to see Junior Sister, but you’re really here for Shen Sang Ruo, to take back Junior Sister’s access jade token.”

He pressed on angrily and said: “Junior Sister is still badly injured. How could you be so hard-hearted and say this to her now?”

Bai Mu Mu tugged weakly at his sleeve and said: “Fourth Senior Brother, don’t blame Second Senior Brother. It’s me. I’m just not worthy.”

Her hopeless tone made Luo Chu’s heart ache even more. Look at what they had done to Junior Sister—she was saying she was not worthy.

He turned to her and said with firm warmth: “You are worthy! You are Sect Master Shen’s own daughter, Master Ling Xiao’s Personal Disciple, and our true Junior Sister. You deserve the best of everything in the world!”

Bai Mu Mu looked at him through tears, as if asking whether it was really true.

Luo Chu faced Wen Xuan and said: “Second Senior Brother, this is between you and Shen Sang Ruo. What does it have to do with Junior Sister? Why come at her?”

He spoke faster and said: “You gave the access jade token when you felt like it, and now you’re taking it back when you feel like it. What is that supposed to be? Junior Sister did nothing, yet you drag her in for no reason.”

His eyes burned as he asked: “What do you take Junior Sister for? A tool to store your access jade token, to summon and dismiss as you please?”

Bai Mu Mu tugged at him again and whispered: “Enough, Fourth Senior Brother, please don’t say more.”

Of course it had no effect.

Her pull was like a thin leash thrown over a fierce dog. Instead of quieting, Luo Chu barked even louder.

He jabbed a finger at Wen Xuan and said: “You were the one who told me that people must take responsibility for what they do.”

That was what Wen Xuan had told him when he had made a mess before. Wen Xuan had told Bai Mu Mu to keep the things he had given her, and made Luo Chu repay the Spirit Stones himself.

Luo Chu grimaced and said: “I still owe a mountain of debt because of that.”

He took a breath and said: “Now this is your mess. You should figure out a way to solve it. Why push everything onto Junior Sister and make her help you?”

He ended sharply and said: “In short, you cannot set your sights on Junior Sister’s access jade token.”

Wen Xuan’s heart was a tangled knot.

He had no way to refute Luo Chu’s words, and looking at Bai Mu Mu’s state, he truly could not bear it.

But the access jade token belonged to Shen Sang Ruo.

If it stayed in Bai Mu Mu’s hands, then what about Shen Sang Ruo?

Should someone take what was rightfully hers?

He had also promised Shen Sang Ruo that he would put her access jade token back into her hands.

Seeing Wen Xuan silent for a long time, with his brows drawn tight, Luo Chu said again: “I really don’t know what you’re struggling over.”

He huffed and said: “I already told you to give my access jade token to Shen Sang Ruo. You refused, and you just had to come snatch Junior Sister’s, didn’t you?”

He glanced at Bai Mu Mu and said: “Pitiful Junior Sister can’t even sit up yet, and she still has to go through this.”

He clicked his tongue and said: “Everyone says sick people must not have big mood swings. Second Senior Brother, you’re a healer, yet you have no sense.”

He shook his head and said: “I truly don’t understand. Junior Sister has so little. Shen Sang Ruo has everything. Why do you have to hold on to Junior Sister and not let go?”

Wen Xuan corrected him and said: “This access jade token was Little Ruo’s from the start. It’s not snatching, and it’s not that Little Ruo wants to snatch.”

He was not even sure whether Shen Sang Ruo would accept the access jade token.

But he still clung to it as a stubborn belief, as if by holding on to this belief he could keep Shen Sang Ruo. [If I can put that token in her hand again, maybe I can keep her by my side.]

Luo Chu threw up his hands and said: “Fine, fine, it’s not snatching. Then do what I said and give my access jade token to Shen Sang Ruo.”

Wen Xuan showed a bitter smile and said: “It’s not the same. It’s not the same…”

It would not be the token he first gave Shen Sang Ruo, and it could not heal the rift between them.