“Huan Zong, why did you come over?” Kong Hou saw Huan Zong and was somewhat surprised.
“I crafted a hair ornament a couple days ago. Seeing you were here, I brought it over on the way.” Huan Zong handed the box containing the hair ornament to Kong Hou. Kong Hou took the box and looked at the beautiful and exquisite hair ornament inside, the smile on her face almost impossible to conceal.
Crafting hair ornaments and hairpins was something almost impossible to associate with the famous Zhenren Zhong Xi. This kind of good and gentle side was known only to her, which made Kong Hou feel that she was a special existence to Huan Zong.
“Do you like it?” Huan Zong saw her holding the box in a daze, and the fingers behind his back clenched tightly together. “I’ve never crafted hairpins for women before. If you don’t like it, I… I’ll craft another one for you next time.”
“It’s very beautiful. I like it very much.” Kong Hou closed the lid, her smiling eyes curved. “To make something so beautiful on the first try, Huan Zong, you’re really amazing.”
“As long as you like it.” The tightly clenched fingers behind his back loosened slightly. Huan Zong turned his head and lowered his eyelids to look at Gui Lin standing under the tree. “The sword exists in the heart. When the heart is sincere, there is the dao. The night is already deep. This little junior martial brother should return early to rest.”
“Yes.” Gui Lin’s hand gripping the sword trembled somewhat. He didn’t even dare to look at Huan Zong’s eyes. Was this the strength of a disciple from a top major sect? Just a gaze could make one’s heart develop the intention to retreat.
“I’ll escort you back.” Huan Zong withdrew his gaze and said to Kong Hou, “There are many people from various sects these past few days. I’m not at ease with you being alone.”
“This is our Yunhua Sect’s territory. What’s there to be uneasy about?” Kong Hou happily placed the jewelry box into her storage ring. “Let me escort you back instead. Our sect has many mountain peaks and many separate courtyards. I’m afraid you might find the wrong place at night.”
The expression on Huan Zong’s face stiffened. After pausing for a brief moment, he nodded and said, “Then I’ll trouble Kong Hou.”
Gui Lin stood in place, watching Kong Hou and Huan Zong leave, feeling somewhat bewildered in his heart. Perhaps he was overthinking? Senior martial sister Kong Hou and Zhenren Huan Zong didn’t seem like they had mutual feelings for each other.
If the two truly had feelings, when Zhenren Huan Zong proposed to escort senior martial sister back, she definitely would have gone along with it. How could she directly refuse and then instead escort the other party back?
Perhaps… there was a reason why none of Yunhua Sect’s third-generation disciples had found dao companions. For instance, not understanding romantic subtleties would definitely rank in the top three among all the reasons.
The next morning, when Gui Lin was attending morning classes with other fellow disciples, he saw guests from various major sects leaving one after another. He was about to avoid these people when a jade pendant dropped in front of him. He raised his head and saw Sect Master Shuang Qing on the jade steps, along with the disciples he had brought.
Gui Lin bent down to pick up the jade pendant and respectfully presented it to Shuang Qing with both hands.
Shuang Qing reached out to receive the jade pendant and said indifferently, “Much obliged.”
“I dare not accept such courtesy.” Gui Lin turned to retreat backward but was grabbed by the sleeve by Zhou Xiao, who was behind Shuang Qing. “You are… junior martial brother Gui Lin?”
Gui Lin looked back at his Yunhua fellow disciples not far behind him, pulled his sleeve from Zhou Xiao’s hand, and cupped his hands saying, “Immortal Zhou, Gui Lin had no fate to be a disciple of Yuanji Sect and cannot accept being called your junior martial brother.”
Zhou Xiao’s face showed embarrassment. He recalled that not long after Gui Lin first entered the sect, he had a conflict with a direct disciple, and later, for some unknown reason, was expelled from the sect. Seeing him again now and hearing Gui Lin mention these matters, he felt vaguely guilty in his heart. After that incident occurred, he had specially investigated and found that the fault did not lie with junior martial brother Gui Lin. However, at that time, junior martial brother Gui Lin had already been expelled from Yuanji Sect. Some time ago, he and his junior martial brothers and sisters traveled far and wide searching for Gui Lin but couldn’t find any trace of him. He hadn’t expected that he would have entered Yunhua Sect.
Yunhua Sect had always treated disciples like their own children, and fellow disciples got along happily with each other. Even Xianzi Kong Hou, a five-spiritual-root direct disciple, was a gentle and easy-to-get-along-with person. For Gui Lin to remain here was actually a good thing. At least Yunhua Sect’s direct disciples wouldn’t bully others by taking advantage of their power, and Gui Lin wouldn’t have to suffer unnecessary grievances.
Having thought through this point, Zhou Xiao’s mood improved. “This is good then.”
Gui Lin lowered his head and said nothing.
Shuang Qing’s tone was bland, not knowing whether it was teasing or mocking as he said, “Naturally it’s good. Yunhua Sect is one of the ten major sects, and he has single spiritual root talent. Staying here has better prospects.”
“Master…” Zhou Xiao felt something was off about these words and was about to offer a few words of consolation when he turned his head and saw people from Liuguang Sect coming this way. He said in a low voice, “Master, Peak Master Song He is coming over.”
Hearing Song He’s name, Shuang Qing felt somewhat displeased in his heart. Previously, Song He had praised Yunhua Sect at every turn, making him unable to respond.
“Sect Master Shuang Qing.” Liuguang Sect and Yuanji Sect had superficial relations, but as a member of the cultivation world’s number one major sect, Song He still displayed the approachable attitude he should have. “Won’t the sect master stay in Yong City to tour for a few more days?”
“Yong City is a place of outstanding natural beauty and talented people. Unfortunately, my humble sect has many miscellaneous matters, and I am unable to spare myself. I have no choice but to take my leave.” Shuang Qing said with a regretful expression. “When these disciples below become accomplished, I can retire behind the scenes and properly enjoy life.”
“As an elder teacher, one cannot avoid being concerned.” Song He exchanged pleasantries with Shuang Qing for a few sentences and walked outward together with him. Shuang Qing fell half a step behind him and turned his head to look toward Gui Lin.
Gui Lin sensed Shuang Qing’s gaze but kept his head tightly lowered, unwilling to raise it no matter what.
Huan Zong walked behind Song He in silence. Shuang Qing noticed him and nodded to show goodwill. Huan Zong slowly inclined his head toward him and escorted Song He to outside Yunhua Sect’s main gate. “Martial uncle, senior martial brother Cang Hai, please.”
“While at Yunhua Sect, regard Yunhua Sect’s rules as paramount. Respect your elders and show no negligence whatsoever.” Song He worried that his martial nephew wasn’t skilled at pleasing elders and couldn’t help saying a few more words. “Get along well with friends. You don’t need to worry about Liuguang Sect’s side. We’ll handle everything.”
Liuguang Sect didn’t lack manpower. It was more important for his martial nephew to find a dao companion whose hearts were in harmony.
“Thank you, martial uncle. This junior has taken note.” Huan Zong respectfully bowed to Song He and retreated a step backward.
Only then did Shuang Qing understand that Zhenren Huan Zong actually didn’t plan to return to Liuguang Sect but intended to remain at Yunhua Sect as a guest. What was so good about this Yunhua Sect that a dignified direct disciple of Liuguang Sect would shamelessly stay here and refuse to leave?
After parting with the Liuguang Sect group, Shuang Qing asked his disciple Zhou Xiao, “What do you think of Xianzi Kong Hou?”
“Miss Kong Hou has skin like ice and bones like jade. She is beautiful with a kind heart, a rarely found good woman in the world.” Zhou Xiao’s cheeks turned somewhat red. “Master, why are you asking about this?”
“It’s nothing.” Shuang Qing looked at this honest and simple disciple a few times. “Ah Xiao, Kong Hou is Yunhua Sect’s five-spiritual-root disciple, bearing the expectations of many elders. You should focus on cultivation and must not think of other things.” Although he very much wanted Yuanji Sect to replace Yunhua Sect’s position, some words couldn’t be spoken against one’s conscience. Even if Yunhua Sect was no longer among the ten major sects in the future, this disciple of his still wouldn’t be worthy of Miss Kong Hou. Better to let him think it through early to avoid being tainted by inner demons.
“Master, this disciple does not dare have such delusions.” Zhou Xiao said with a flushed face. “This disciple’s heart lies entirely with the sect and cultivation. I absolutely will not have other thoughts.”
In the end, it was that he didn’t dare, not that he didn’t have them. Shuang Qing sighed inwardly. “It’s best if you understand.”
When they returned to Yuanji Sect, it was the middle of the night. After bathing, Shuang Qing was meditating to calm his mind when suddenly a voice sounded in his ear in the darkness.
“Yunhua Sect is nothing more than a sect indulging in enjoyment, coveting food and drink, and lacking ambition. Can you swallow your anger at having such a sect pressing down on your sect?”
Shuang Qing opened his eyes and looked at the blurred shadow in the darkness without speaking.
“Everyone in the world values the reputation of the ten major sects. Even the disciple you sent out, after staying at Yunhua Sect for barely less than a year, harbors perfunctory intentions toward you. He would rather be an outer disciple of Yunhua Sect than return to Yuanji Sect to be the sect master’s direct first disciple. Are you willing to swallow this anger in your heart?”
Shuang Qing’s eyelids trembled slightly. He stood up and straightened the lapels on his body, moving a few steps closer toward the direction of the shadow. “Who are you? What do you want to say?”
“I am someone who has come to help you.” The shadow emitted a low laugh, as if the entire cultivation world was in his grasp. “When the time comes, never mind Yunhua Sect—even people from Liuguang Sect will be obedient and proper before you, not daring to show the slightest negligence.”
“Why should I believe you?” Shuang Qing moved a bit closer to the shadow, yet the greed and temptation in his eyes couldn’t be concealed.
“Why don’t you believe me?” The shadow asked in return. “You wholeheartedly want Yuanji Sect to enter the ten major sects, yet those disciples of yours don’t understand your intentions. You alone cannot clap with one hand. Why not find more helpers?”
“Can you really help me?” Shuang Qing stopped walking and looked at the man in the darkness, his breathing growing heavier. “Can you really make people from Liuguang Sect not dare to be presumptuous before me?”
“Of course…”
Before the shadow’s words fell, Shuang Qing suddenly attacked. The magical tool in his hand flashed with flowing light and directly pierced through the shadow’s heart. The shadow let out a muffled grunt and fell to the ground, transforming into a wooden puppet.
“Sect Master, what happened?” An attendant pushed open the door and came in. Seeing the wooden puppet on the ground, his expression changed drastically. “This is…”
“A puppet sent out by an evil cultivator. It has a soul-confusing talisman on it that can bewitch people’s hearts and minds.” Shuang Qing kicked the puppet wooden doll with his foot. “Put it away and deliver it to Liuguang Sect.”
“What kind of thing is this? Any random cat or dog also thinks they’re worthy of cooperating with me.” Shuang Qing snorted coldly. He conducted himself honorably and uprightly, cleanly and purely as a cultivator. He had to compete for the position of the ten major sects, and when evil cultivators came, he would still cut them down without exception.
“Our righteous sect’s affairs—what business is it of those evil cultivators? Meddling in other people’s business.” Shuang Qing put away his magical treasure, his tone full of disdain for evil cultivators. “Wishful thinking. Face as big as a basin.”
“Sect Master, if we deliver this to Liuguang Sect, won’t it make Liuguang Sect suspect you…”
“What do you understand? Laying things out in the open, they actually won’t suspect.” Shuang Qing coughed dryly. “Besides, I’ve already offended the evil cultivators. If I don’t tell Liuguang Sect about this matter and they secretly come to retaliate, wouldn’t we have to suffer in silence?” Fighting with evil cultivators—this kind of thing was still better left to the number one major sect to handle.
“It’s still that the sect master thinks things through thoroughly.” The attendant said, “This way Liuguang Sect can also prepare early.”
“Hmph.” Shuang Qing raised his chin and snorted coldly. “Go, deliver it to Liuguang Sect right now. Don’t delay on the road.”
He absolutely couldn’t let evil cultivators have the opportunity to retaliate against Yuanji Sect.
He, Shuang Qing, had both courage and strategy. He would definitely rely on his own strength to pull Yunhua Sect down and let Yuanji Sect rise to power!
—
Author’s Note: Shuang Qing: I am a scheming dog with principles. What kind of thing are evil cultivators? Are they worthy of my cleverness?