Chapter 113: Bathe First!
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
The sunset began to sink, and the fiery red sky retreated westward, painting the heavens with a sea of crimson clouds. The golden sun now hung at the edge of the Cloud Summit Palace, its rays illuminating the surroundings, while the skies around it darkened.
At the edge of the Sword Forest, Zhuo Wan Qiu stood still. Ding Yao, meanwhile, was chatting with several disciples who had recently completed their trial in the forest. After some idle conversation, Ding Yao swayed her hips and approached, casting a glance toward the woods.
“Who would have thought? So this is the man the Mirror Master is enamored with?”
“Ding Senior Sister, what are you insinuating now?”
“I haven’t entered the Sword Forest myself, but those disciples I just spoke with have. They mentioned that while the Little Overlapping Mountain technique is a method of combat, Elder Qi had significantly reduced its power when designing the trial. And yet, Ji You required sixteen attempts to pass through it. Truly an eye-opener.”
Ding Yao crossed her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. “That disciple who spoke to me—Qian Lin, a novice who has only just entered the Mystic Enlightenment Stage—passed the trial with just eight strikes. And Ji You? Sixteen tries!”
Zhuo Wan Qiu frowned at her words but stayed silent. Ding Yao, however, wasn’t finished.
“Zhuo Junior Sister, did you see Elder Yan Ye’s expression earlier? She has an unparalleled love for swordsmanship, yet she didn’t even bother to take a second look at him.”
“Claiming he came to Spirit Sword Mountain to learn the way of the sword and even refusing the Mirror Master’s guidance under the guise of doing it for her benefit—I thought he had extraordinary talent. Now it seems he’s just afraid of embarrassing himself before her.”
Turning to face Zhuo Wan Qiu, Ding Yao added, “When we return tonight, he’ll likely lack the face to see the Mirror Master again. And I doubt she’ll want to come looking for him either. Don’t you think?”
Not long ago, in the courtyard, Zhuo Wan Qiu had been left speechless by Ding Yao’s sharp tongue. But now, Ding Yao seemed intent on giving it all back.
Zhuo Wan Qiu looked up and said, “Some people are suited for learning swordsmanship, and others simply aren’t…”
“You know in your heart, Zhuo Wan Qiu, that he’s not worthy of the Mirror Master. She’s simply blinded by his good looks for the moment. Eventually, she’ll realize it. Someone who can’t even withstand the swords of Spirit Sword Mountain could never be her match.”
Before Zhuo Wan Qiu could respond, the sound of rustling emerged from the forest. Both women turned their heads to see Ji You walking out, sword in hand.
Bits of shredded bamboo leaves clung to his clothes, his hairpin slightly askew. He took a deep breath under the setting sun.
[The swordsmanship of Spirit Sword Mountain truly is unparalleled.] Ji You couldn’t help but feel concerned for He Ling Xiu in tomorrow’s duel, especially after experiencing Yan Shu Jing’s sword intent earlier.
Zhuo Wan Qiu stepped forward and asked, “Where did you reach, Young Master?”
“The sixth strike of the second layer.”
“Was the Little Overlapping Mountain particularly challenging for you?”
Ji You hadn’t anticipated this question. Assuming Zhuo Wan Qiu was contemplating her own attempt, he hesitated before replying with a shake of his head. “Not at all. It only looks intimidating, but with a little effort, it’s quite manageable.”
Hearing this, Ding Yao rolled her eyes behind him. [You certainly didn’t look calm and composed earlier, struggling through the trial like that.]
After all, the disciples of Mountain and Sea Pavilion, Dao Seeking Sect, and Spirit Sword Mountain had all seen his performance. By tomorrow, tales of Ji You’s struggles as a Profound Comprehension cultivator—taking sixteen tries just to clear the second layer—would spread across the mountain. Speaking so lightly of it now seemed meaningless.
In truth, Ding Yao’s earlier remarks had indeed unsettled Zhuo Wan Qiu. As unpleasant as they were, her words weren’t without truth.
The Mirror Master is the rightful successor of Spirit Sword Mountain and the future Sect Master. To truly match her, Young Master Ji must shine exceptionally bright. Yet, his actions earlier today, when facing the Little Overlapping Mountain, fell far short of brilliance.
Ji You remained unaware of Zhuo Wan Qiu’s concerns about him potentially being unworthy to enter the household. Instead, bathed in the final rays of the setting sun, he strode towards Mystic Sword Peak.
Meanwhile, in the small courtyard beneath the Cloud Summit Palace, Yan Shu Yi was sipping tea at a table set with a newly laid carpet. Her crystalline white feet rested neatly beneath her, the delicate pink nails resembling flower petals. Since returning from the palace this morning, she had immersed herself in cultivation, completing multiple cycles of spiritual energy circulation. She then spent three hours in enlightenment within Mount Void, and the residual aura from her efforts still lingered around her.
The mountains were unusually restless today, especially with the Sect Master’s uncle hosting a tea conference between the Dao Seeking Sect and the Mountain and Sea Pavilion. Officially, this gathering was meant to overshadow the Heavenly Script Academy and turn it into a laughingstock. However, hidden agendas were undoubtedly at play.
Yan Shu Yi despised such scheming from the shadows. Her only solution was to become the sharpest sword. A sword fast enough could sever all entanglements, bringing clarity to the path ahead. After completing her cultivation, she penned a letter to the Pill Sect, harshly questioning Yuan Cai Wei about what she saw in Ji You. Then, she returned to her small house to meditate in silence.
Though not explicitly prepared for Ji You, this house was her retreat for peace. Unlike the often-visited Cloud Summit Palace, this place was entirely hers, where no one else—save Ji You—had ever been allowed entry. Even Zhuo Wan Qiu and Ding Yao stood outside earlier this morning, not daring to step in without permission.
Now, as the sun’s final light seeped through the doorway, the door opened. Yan Shu Yi’s serene, emotionless beauty seemed divine under the sunlight, momentarily stunning the returning trio. Her stillness, resembling an unfeeling goddess, froze Ji You and his companions in place. Then, her gaze abruptly came alive, glimmering with sudden spirit. Squinting at Ji You, she scowled faintly with a hint of disdain.
“What happened to your hair? It looks like a chicken coop.”
Ji You, having shaken off dust on his way, still appeared a little disheveled. He couldn’t help but reply, “How can Little Mirror Master call the Sword Forest a chicken coop? That’s disrespectful to our Spirit Sword Mountain.”
Yan Shu Yi froze for a moment, then puffed her cheeks indignantly. “Spirit Sword Mountain is mine.”
“And perhaps mine as well…”
“?”
Yan Shu Yi detected a spark of Dao Heart Clarity in his words and instinctively wanted to draw her sword to jab him. Ji You, however, stood confident. After all, he had plans to endure even the Heavenly Script Academy and turn it into a den of rogues.
Ding Yao stood by the doorway, watching their exchange. She mused silently, [That goddess-like figure earlier was undoubtedly the Mirror Master. Why has she suddenly changed her demeanor?]
Zhuo Wan Qiu’s morning words replayed in her mind, resonating again and again.
[Because she doesn’t care whether he becomes the Mirror Master, the Mirror Master subconsciously doesn’t act like the formidable figure who intimidates the mountains in his presence…]
Ji You was about to sit and take a rest when a sharp voice abruptly halted him.
Yan Shu Yi instinctively crossed her arms, shielding her slender waist, her cold gaze issuing an order to Zhuo Wan Qiu and Ding Yao to prepare a bath for Ji You. “Let him bathe first,” she commanded.
Though reluctant, Ding Yao fetched water from outside and poured it into the bathing tub. Her mouth, however, didn’t hold back. “The Mirror Master has a mild case of cleanliness obsession, but she can tolerate those she’s close to. Yet just now, she was afraid you’d soil her freshly changed blanket. It seems, Young Master Ji, you’re not as close to her as you might think.”
“Senior Sister Ding!” Zhuo Wan Qiu sharply interjected, cutting her off. “Young Master Ji, please don’t take it to heart. This small courtyard is the Mirror Master’s personal space, and the blanket was just replaced.”
Ji You nodded, choosing not to respond.
[A blanket… A cleanliness obsession…]
He let out a soft chuckle, thinking to himself, [Your so-called Mirror Master isn’t worried about her blanket getting dirty. She’s just worried I’ll hug her later with all the grime still on me. That’s why she insists I clean up first.]
On further thought, he realized Yan Shu Yi wasn’t entirely opposed to his embrace. Though she wouldn’t admit it, she might even be quietly looking forward to the next time.
Ji You disrobed and told Ding Yao and Zhuo Wan Qiu to leave the room. [Last time Yuan Cai Wei saw me; this time, I can’t let anyone else have that chance.]
As the sound of water splashing echoed from within the room, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wan Qiu retreated to the main hall to wait silently. But the quiet didn’t last long. Ding Yao, unable to contain her curiosity, broke the silence.
“The Mirror Master, did you notice? Young Master Ji seemed to have had a rough time at the Sword Forest today. Elder Qi’s Little Overlapping Mountain technique is truly formidable. Even a disciple from the Heavenly Sword Peak at the Mystic Enlightenment Stage barely managed to pass after eight strikes.”
“And yet, Young Master Ji needed sixteen attempts to get through just the first layer. Perhaps he was too weary from yesterday’s travels to perform well. Still, the disciples on the mountain were ruthless in their comments, calling him all sorts of names, like someone full of empty reputation and strengthless show.”
Zhuo Wan Qiu glanced at her but said nothing. After a brief thought, she decided not to interrupt. She knew the Mirror Master would ask about the Sword Forest eventually. Ding Yao’s account, though dramatized, wouldn’t stray far from the truth. It was better for Ding Yao to speak first than for the Mirror Master to embarrass Ji You later.
However, after Ding Yao’s chatter, Yan Shu Yi gave no reaction. She continued sipping tea, her expression unchanging, leaving Ding Yao baffled. “Mirror Master?”
“Hmm?”
Yan Shu Yi snapped out of her trance, setting the steaming tea cup down with a faint blush creeping onto her usually stoic face. Ding Yao stared, incredulous. [I was practically dripping sarcasm just now, and she didn’t even notice? What in the world has she been thinking about?]
Yan Shu Yi, after a moment of recollection, finally looked at Ding Yao. “What were you saying just now?”
“Reporting to the Mirror Master: I mentioned that Young Master Ji needed sixteen strikes to pass through Little Overlapping Mountain in the Sword Forest. He seems to have struggled, and the mountain disciples are gossiping about him.”
“He’s rather patient,” Yan Shu Yi remarked nonchalantly.
“…Huh?”
Before anyone could question her further, Ji You emerged, towel in hand as he dried his damp hair. Yan Shu Yi once again found herself momentarily distracted by his presence.
Once his hair was dry, Ji You joined her, and the two busied themselves in the rear chamber, tending to a furnace. They seemed intent on roasting sweet potatoes.
Zhuo Wan Qiu and Ding Yao exchanged glances. [The Mirror Master doesn’t seem to care about his sixteen strikes at all… How unusual.] To them, Ji You held a higher place in her heart than most men, but even so, such a poor performance shouldn’t have gone unnoticed.