Chapter 88: Yuan Cai Wei Without Her Alchemist Robe
(This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation)
The matter of the epidemic among the refugees had been resolved, and the siblings of the Yuan Family were soon to set off and return to their sect.
The meal arranged by Ji You was both a celebration of his safe return with Kuang Cheng and a send-off for the Yuan siblings. Having faced life and death together, a bond had formed among them, even though Yuan Chen was a man of questionable intentions, often plotting ways to preserve his elder sister’s pristine reputation, as if she were a jade treasure.
“You’re treating us to dinner?” Yuan Chen asked, his expression a mix of joy and confusion.
“Brother-in-law, don’t you have Dao enlightenment practice tonight?”
He vividly remembered the past few days when Ji You would drag him hurriedly back every evening to attend the Field of Enlightenment. It was as if the heavens themselves would abandon him if he delayed even a moment. Seeing Ji You’s dedicated practice had even brought tears of relief to his instructor.
Ji You confidently raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Not tonight. I’ll ask for leave from my Heavenly Dao later.”
Kuang Cheng, who had just exchanged silver for the orphanage, was taken aback by this statement. “This Heavenly Dao… Could it be alive? Can cultivators actually converse with it?”
“How could the Heavenly Dao be alive?” Yuan Chen asked skeptically.
Kuang Cheng persisted, “Then why would Brother Ji need to request leave from it before joining us?”
After a brief moment of thought, Ji You explained, “The Heavenly Dao I observe is alive. If I don’t seek its permission, it gets upset.”
Neither Yuan Chen nor Kuang Cheng could grasp his cryptic reply, but Yuan Chen’s thoughts quickly returned to food. “So, what’s for dinner tonight?”
“Whatever you want. After all, I’ve earned quite a bit from you siblings. Decide on a place and let your sister know.”
“Me? Brother-in-law, since you’re hosting, it’s better if you go invite her yourself.”
Though Yuan Chen had recognized the Mirror Master as his elder sister, he still felt a faint dissatisfaction that Ji You wasn’t officially family. With their imminent return to the Pill Sect, Yuan Chen’s matchmaking instincts for his sister were rekindled.
Ji You, needing to return to the Heavenly Script Academy anyway to request leave, agreed and strolled through the evening light back to the Field of Enlightenment. Sitting cross-legged, he sent his spiritual consciousness soaring.
“I’m going out for dinner with the Yuan siblings and Kuang Cheng.”
“No.”
The Celestial Fairy of Mount Void, her face as cold as frost, leapt down from her perch upon hearing his intent to dine out. However, her attempts to kick him were deftly intercepted. Her icy composure cracked ever so slightly—the audacity of this man!
First, he had dared pinch her cheek; now, he touched her feet. He hadn’t even surpassed her cultivation level yet, and he was already so bold. Still, whenever her delicate, snow-white jade feet were seized in his hands, the Celestial Fairy felt a strange weakness creep over her, robbing her of the will to deliver a killing blow.
“Zhuo Wan Qiu has already reported back to me days ago. Why haven’t the Yuan siblings left yet? Are they planning to stay at the Heavenly Script Academy permanently?”
“Didn’t I mention before? Yuan Chen has been assisting me with pill refinement and couldn’t leave until now. This dinner is also a farewell for them.”
Ji You looked at her, wondering why the Celestial Fairy seemed oddly possessive. He had mentioned Yuan Chen’s efforts in treating the refugees daily, and she was aware that the pills had been completed just yesterday. Yet she still asked every day why the Yuan siblings hadn’t left. Clearly, their presence bothered her greatly.
Noticing his gaze, Yan Shu Yi straightened her slender waist and replied calmly, “Don’t overthink. I’m merely curious about what you’re having for dinner tonight.”
“I was thinking braised pork bones, but Kuang Cheng’s sweetheart doesn’t seem too fond of it.”
“All you ever want is braised pork bones.”
Yan Shu Yi still held a grudge over their first meal together, where Ji You had taken her to eat something so unrefined. No wonder other women didn’t like it. What elegant lady would gnaw on bones in public?
However, as she reminisced about that impromptu trip to the capital, a pang of nostalgia surfaced. Compared to the internal strife of Spirit Sword Mountain and the external pressures they now faced, she secretly envied someone like Yuan Cai Wei, who could sit with Ji You and eat pork bones without a care.
[I should have been the one he brought along, not the Yuan siblings,] she thought.
“The next time you visit the capital, I’ll take you to eat something truly delicious, and I’ll introduce Kuang Cheng’s sweetheart to you too,” Ji You offered.
“I never said I wanted to eat with you,” Yan Shu Yi retorted.
“But you seem envious right now.”
Mimicking her mannerisms, Ji You squinted at her for a long time. “How about coming down the mountain to join me now? With your Heaven Resonance Stage speed, we could even have breakfast together tomorrow.”
Yan Shu Yi tilted her snow-white face toward him. “I’m not some little girl who can be lured away so easily.”
“And yet, last time, you came without being lured.”
“I’ve told you already, that was incidental, not intentional. Now go enjoy your pork bones.”
Waving him off, Yan Shu Yi rested her cheek against her hand, sitting alone atop Mount Void. A sudden urge to sneak away crossed her mind.
After leaving the Field of Enlightenment, Ji You made his way to the small courtyard arranged for the Pill Sect disciples. Outside the courtyard, a group of people had just left. They were from the Inner Court, led by He Ling Xiu, a direct disciple of the Hall of Tranquility, and You Bu Yu, a direct disciple of the Hall of Auspiciousness.
For the past few days, under the joint suggestion of the Pill Sect and the Heavenly Script Academy, Yuan Cai Wei had been frequently meeting with You Bu Yu. Today was no different. Together, they had admired the endless forest’s budding growth and the spring breeze swirling through the sea of clouds.
You Bu Yu carried himself with the grace of a Confucian scholar and spoke with an easy wit, often earning a smile from Yuan Cai Wei. This small victory satisfied him greatly. Originally, they had planned to dine together at a tavern that evening, but Yuan Cai Wei had expressed her desire to rest before her departure the next day. Respecting her wishes, You Bu Yu and the group escorted her back to her residence.
As they turned to leave, Ji You appeared, descending from the mountain and striding directly into Yuan Cai Wei’s courtyard. The sight made them pause in curiosity.
In recent days, the academy had been abuzz with talk of a Disciple of the Outer Court, Ji You, and the astounding actions of a Pill Sect Direct Disciple who had accompanied him to treat refugees outside the city. Even among their number, Ji You’s behavior was a mystery. To many, wasting such a connection on something so mundane as charity was unthinkable.
“He must be mad,” the skeptics declared. After all, meeting a Pill Sect Disciple, let alone earning their favor, was a rarity. Such an opportunity should be used to obtain an Immortal Pill for cultivation, not squandered on the sick and impoverished.
Yet, rumors spread like wildfire, sparking new discussions. It was said that the Pill Sect Disciple had referred to Ji You as “brother-in-law” while aiding him. Given that Yuan Chen called Yuan Cai Wei “sister,” this title of “brother-in-law” carried implications that ignited the imaginations of many. Could their shared life-or-death experiences amidst the ruins have sealed a deeper bond?
Few believed it. Alliances between the Pill Sect and the Heavenly Script Academy were plausible, especially in turbulent times when everyone sought stability. Yuan Cai Wei, as the Daughter of the Pill Sect Master, could be betrothed to strengthen ties. Her exceptional talent in Pill Alchemy was secondary to the political advantages such a union might secure.
You Bu Yu, however, was confident that Yuan Cai Wei thought well of him. Her laughter in their conversations seemed genuine. Surely, the rumors about Ji You were baseless. Still, Ji You’s solitary visit to her courtyard tonight, without Yuan Chen accompanying him, drew attention.
“What is Ji You doing here?” someone murmured.
He Ling Xiu tilted her head thoughtfully. “Perhaps he’s here to see Cai Wei. She’s been with us these days, leaving him no chance to meet her. With her leaving tomorrow, he must have come in a hurry.”
You Bu Yu frowned. “Why would he need to see her when his relationship with the Pill Sect Disciple is so strong?”
“No matter how good a male ally may be,” He Ling Xiu retorted, “he’s still just a man.”
Her words carried a sly undertone that You Bu Yu couldn’t ignore. “What are you suggesting, Ling Xiu?”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “Connections through marriage are more secure than mere friendships. Ji You comes from a humble background, without any noble lineage. His ambitions are bound to be more intricate. You, Senior Brother, might have a rival.”
You Bu Yu chuckled dismissively. “A mere Outer Court Disciple at the Profound Comprehension Stage, challenging me—a Direct Disciple of a Hall Master at the Dao Fusion Stage? That’s laughable.”
“But don’t forget,” He Ling Xiu pointed out, “Ji You saved Cai Wei’s life.”
“Yuan Cai Wei is proud and reserved. Even with me, she only offers polite smiles. If Ji You approaches her with ulterior motives, she will surely see through him.”
Their conversation halted as Ji You emerged from Yuan Cai Wei’s courtyard. The group exchanged knowing glances, expecting his visit to have been brief and fruitless—barely a quarter-hour had passed.
However, their laughter froze when Yuan Cai Wei followed Ji You out. Her appearance stunned them. Gone was the familiar Pill Robe she always wore. Instead, she donned a flowing Snowy White Gown, her hair adorned with jade pins and delicate ornaments, her face lightly dusted with rouge, her steps graceful.
You Bu Yu’s heart sank. He had often marveled at Yuan Cai Wei’s natural elegance, assuming it was an intrinsic part of her Pill Sect heritage. But now, seeing her fully adorned, he realized she was far more breathtaking than he’d ever imagined.
And yet… she had not dressed like this for him.
“Cai Wei looks… radiant. Why would she dress like this for Ji You?” someone whispered.
“Is she going down the mountain with him?” another speculated.
“Didn’t she say she wanted to rest early tonight?”
Even He Ling Xiu, usually sharp-tongued, was momentarily speechless. She had assumed Yuan Cai Wei’s recent outings with their group were due to Ji You’s absence. But now, another possibility surfaced: perhaps Ji You had simply never invited her.
And why not? She couldn’t fathom it. First Yuan Chen, now Yuan Cai Wei—what made this Outer Court Disciple so special?