“Feng Yi, come to my room tonight. I have something to say to you.” Feng Di coldly dropped this sentence.
Feng Yi raised his eyebrows and showed a bitter smile, “Ah, so annoying, so annoying.”
Hu Sha took out the roasted chicken, salivating as she looked left and right, sniffing it from head to tail. Finally, she endured the drool and stuffed it back, only grabbing the steamed buns to gnaw on.
“The little girl has reformed? Why aren’t you eating the good stuff?” Feng Yi was very curious.
Hu Sha nodded very seriously, “For the sake of cultivation. Eldest Martial Brother said I’m a genius. I can’t let down his high expectations. Starting today, I won’t eat meat anymore—only steamed buns.”
“Gen… ius?” Feng Yi was amused. He glanced at Feng Di, whose face flushed slightly as he coughed artificially.
“Eldest Martial Brother is really a good teacher.” Feng Yi’s praise was very perfunctory. Then he stretched lazily, rubbing his eyes and murmuring, “Tired all day. Not chatting anymore. I’m going to sleep.”
Feng Di frowned, “Wait, you come with me!”
Feng Yi smiled bitterly, “Eldest Martial Brother, spare me. Can we talk about whatever it is tomorrow? I’m too tired today.”
He turned to leave. Feng Di said urgently, “Feng Yi!”
Hu Sha was burying her head eating steamed buns when she suddenly felt an arm around her shoulder. Feng Yi leaned against her very intimately, resting his chin on top of her head, sighing with a laugh, “Fine. Whatever Eldest Martial Brother has to say, just tell little martial sister. Have her relay it to me tomorrow morning, okay, little martial sister?”
Hu Sha was startled and was about to quickly dodge when she suddenly felt something wasn’t right. His body… was it trembling? She turned her head and saw that his ribs had long been soaked through with blood. However, the robe was so gaudy and colorful that it couldn’t be seen at first glance.
She opened her mouth to shout but her shoulder was suddenly pinched hard by him. His five fingers were like iron pincers—the pain nearly made her bite her tongue.
Feng Yi raised his hand to touch her cheek, looking very intimate but actually covering her mouth, “Don’t shout. Be good.”
Hu Sha felt her shoulder was about to be crushed by him. The pain made her wave both hands wildly. She heard him say softly near her ear, “Nod quickly.”
She nodded randomly. Feng Yi laughed heartily and, putting his arm around her shoulder, walked a few steps before saying again, “Then little martial sister can go find Eldest Martial Brother a bit later. Second Martial Brother hasn’t seen you all day and rather misses you. Come quickly and let me have a good look at you.”
Having spoken, he ignored whatever Feng Di called and dragged Hu Sha away.
Hu Sha stumbled all the way, being dragged by him into his room. She heard the door slam shut with a “bang.” Only then did Feng Yi push her away and, as if familiar with the route, found the long chair and half-reclined on it.
He said nothing, only his face was abnormally pale. Hu Sha looked here and there anxiously. Finally, she couldn’t help but say in a low voice, “Second Martial Brother, you’re bleeding…”
He touched his ribs and said lightly, “It’s nothing—just a small cut. No need to make a fuss.”
Hu Sha held her steamed bun, neither standing nor sitting. After a long while, she suddenly understood and quickly rummaged through the drawer for wound medicine.
“I… I have medicine here. Eldest Martial Brother sent it last time.” She presented a large handful of paper packets like offering treasures, looking at him attentively.
Feng Yi was amused by her. He slowly unwrapped a paper packet, but his left hand suddenly lost strength. The medicinal powder all scattered on the ground. He sighed, “This arm is somewhat useless. Little martial sister, I’ll have to trouble you to help me. Go first… and bolt the door.”
Hu Sha quickly bolted the door shut. Turning back, she saw he’d taken off the large robe, wearing a crow-blue middle garment underneath. Though the color was dark, one could still see a large blood-soaked patch at his ribs. She was so frightened her hair nearly stood on end.
“What are you standing there for? Come help me apply medicine.” Feng Yi beckoned to her. Without the slightest hesitation, he pulled off his middle garment in one motion.
Hu Sha gasped and quickly covered her eyes, calling out, “Second Martial Brother, Second Martial Brother… you… you’re not wearing clothes!”
Feng Yi frowned, “Who says I’m not wearing clothes? I didn’t take off my pants! How can I apply medicine without removing the upper garment? What are you afraid of? Not wearing clothes doesn’t mean I’ll eat people.”
What he said made some sense, but… Hu Sha shook her head forcefully, “No, no. My mother said only husband and wife can be… that… unclothed facing each other. You’re not my husband… Besides, I already have a husband!”
Feng Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. After a while, he could only say, “Apart from you and me, no one knows about this matter. Rest assured, Second Martial Brother definitely won’t tell anyone. Let’s just pretend it never happened, okay?”
Hu Sha opened her fingers a crack and saw the blood all over his body—it was rather frightening. She hesitantly walked over, murmuring, “You really won’t tell! Just pretend it never happened!”
Feng Yi impatiently pulled her over, “Alright! Apply the medicine quickly! If Second Martial Brother dies from excessive blood loss, you won’t gain anything either!”
Hu Sha applied medicine with one eye open and one eye closed. Halfway through, she suddenly heard him laugh, saying with some disbelief, “…Interesting. How old are you to already have a husband? Is he really your husband? You’re not lying to me, are you?”
Hu Sha said urgently, “I’m not lying! I’m already fifteen years old—I could have married long ago!”
Feng Yi looked her up and down and shook his head, “Doesn’t look like it, doesn’t look like it. No matter how you look, you’re just a little girl. Come to think of it, I’d forgotten—here people can marry at thirteen or fourteen…”
“Besides, my husband has heavenly qualities—he’s absolutely gorgeous!” She was very proud mentioning this. She hadn’t forgotten that painting—the youth in it was more beautiful than anyone, even though he was just a painting.
The wound at Feng Yi’s ribs stung when touched by the medicinal powder. He immediately trembled from the pain, covered in cold sweat, and continued bantering with her, “Oh? Really that celestially gorgeous? Could he possibly be better looking than Second Martial Brother?”
Hu Sha lifted her head and looked seriously at his face, then recalled the youth in the painting, before saying very seriously, “I actually can’t distinguish between you two. But you and he are different. He’s my husband, you’re my martial brother—completely two types of people.”
“Oh? What type am I to you?” He continued joking heartlessly.
Hu Sha’s answer was very serious, “You’re like my eldest uncle, my uncle.”
Feng Yi nearly tumbled off the long chair. Covering his face, he smiled bitterly, “…Am I that old? Good heavens…”
“You and Eldest Martial Brother have both lived for decades. Master is even more incredible—he’s lived three hundred years, older than my great-grandfather. You’re all so old, of course you’re like my uncles—you’re elders.”
Feng Yi finally stopped laughing. He propped himself up and leaned forward to carefully examine Hu Sha’s face, his long eyelashes nearly poking her nose. Hu Sha felt her whole body crawl under his gaze, “Second Martial Brother, what’s wrong with you?”
He blinked and smiled slightly, “Little Hu Sha, little darling, the injury matter is a secret. You mustn’t tell anyone, understand?”
She was stunned and murmured, “But… wasn’t it just from killing demons? Why can’t I tell…”
He gently pinched her face, “In any case, you mustn’t tell, or there won’t even be steamed buns to eat in the future.” Thinking further, he added, “Not just the injury matter—everything that happened tonight, you mustn’t tell anyone. Only heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. Understand?”
Hu Sha nodded in confusion.
Feng Yi contentedly touched her hair, then suddenly raised his hand to embrace her neck and lowered his head to kiss her tender cheek.
“Ah!” She immediately shrieked and jumped up like a rabbit.
“Second Martial Brother! You… you… you… you what are you doing?” Her face flushed bright red in agitation, very much assuming a posture of “if you don’t explain clearly, I’m not done with you.”
Feng Yi laughed heartily as he wrapped bandages around the wound and put on his middle garment, waving at her, “Don’t panic, don’t panic. I just think you’re very cute, that’s all. In Second Martial Brother’s hometown, kissing cheeks is very normal, especially when seeing such a cute little darling as you.”
“Really?” Hu Sha looked at him very doubtfully, not quite believing any place would consider kissing faces a normal thing.
Feng Yi nodded, smiling without speaking. He changed position to half-recline in the chair and said in a low voice, “Alright, I need to rest for a bit. Don’t bother me. If Eldest Martial Brother comes, just say you’re asleep, understand?”
Hu Sha said urgently, “No way! You’re in my room—how could I possibly sleep!”
Feng Yi sighed, “Silly child, don’t worry about this. He won’t know. Just blow out the candle and rest assured. When has Second Martial Brother ever lied to you?”
Hu Sha hesitated for a long time. Yielding to his coercion, she could only blow out the candle. The room immediately fell into darkness.
The night was cool as water. In the room, there was only Feng Yi’s somewhat heavy breathing.
He was injured and lying on a long chair—naturally he couldn’t sleep comfortably. Hu Sha squatted by the bed, wanting to sleep yet not daring to.
She was no longer pure! Hu Sha thought with tears of injustice. Spending the night in the same room with a man—did this count as damaging her wifely virtue? Heaven protect her—Second Martial Brother must not tell anyone about this. Everyone should pretend nothing happened, otherwise Master and Eldest Martial Brother would surely scold her. Being scolded was one thing, but her old father would definitely slap her across the face. Her mother would certainly wail all night at the ancestral shrine. Most seriously, that gorgeous husband of hers might become like floating clouds!
The consequences were severe.
Hu Sha thought herself into a cold sweat. Suddenly she stood up with a start, having an impulse to secretly throw Second Martial Brother out.
Walking quietly to his side, she looked at his face by moonlight—hazy and indistinct, like a mass of brilliant light covered by white gauze. Hu Sha couldn’t help but take another look. Her just-hardened heart involuntarily softened.
His wound was quite serious—right at the vital point below his ribs, a four-inch-long gash, as if scraped by something sharp. His left elbow had a bloody hole, deep enough to see bone. Those few packets of ordinary wound medicine wouldn’t help much.
Throwing such a wounded person out into the deep night would be truly inhumane. Hu Sha could only mutter and squat back down.
The heavy breathing suddenly broke off. The room became silent as death.
Hu Sha looked up with alarm and suspicion, meeting Feng Yi’s pallid face. In the moonlight, his face seemed carved from jade—ice-cold, pale blue-white, without a trace of vitality.
No breath! He had no breath again!
Hu Sha’s heart suddenly contracted. She slowly placed her hand on his face. The touch was cold and hard—definitely not the sensation of a living person.
Second Martial Brother… was dead again.
Hu Sha froze there, not daring to move. The romantic ethical drama in her restless heart instantly transformed into a horror show. She had a secret with a corpse?
Was he really dead this time, or fake dead? Could it be like last time, where he’d suddenly come back to life?
She patted Feng Yi’s stiff, cold cheek and called softly, “Second Martial Brother… Second Martial Brother? Are you… are you still alive?”
No one answered her.
Poor Hu Sha wanted to run out and call for people but was mindful of her compromised wifely virtue. She hesitated, covered in cold sweat. In extreme conflict, she curled up on the ground and slowly fell asleep.
Someone was tickling her face with hair. Hu Sha sneezed loudly and woke up in confusion. As soon as she opened her eyes, she met Feng Yi’s eyes curved in a smile.
“…Second Martial Brother…” She instinctively called out.
“It’s almost the hour of Yin. I have to leave.” Feng Yi touched her head and rose gracefully from the long chair, not looking at all like someone who was injured.
Hu Sha whooshed up from the ground. Only now did she recall what terrifying things had happened last night.
“Second Martial Brother! You… you’re still alive?” She chased after him and grabbed his hand, squeezing hard. It was warm! Soft!
Feng Yi laughed, “What nightmare did this child have? Second Martial Brother is naturally alive.”
Hu Sha said urgently, “But last night you clearly…”
“Did something happen last night?” Feng Yi looked very surprised. “Second Martial Brother doesn’t remember at all. I didn’t sleep a night in little martial sister’s room, and we weren’t unclothed facing each other… Little martial sister, am I right?”
Hu Sha’s face immediately turned green. After a long while, she ground her teeth and nodded with extreme difficulty, “That’s… right.”
Feng Yi smiled gently and slowly raised his hand. This time it wasn’t to pinch her face or ruffle her hair. His slightly cool fingertips lightly brushed across her cheek, like a spring breeze passing by, carrying a tingling sensation.
“Hu Sha, you’re such a good girl.”
The large expanse of faint dawn light outside the window dissolved into his eyes.
Eldest Martial Brother came as usual at the hour of Yin. He said nothing, only after Hu Sha finished running and squatting in horse stance did he say lightly, “Though Feng Yi has many frivolous behaviors and isn’t very steady, he is by no means an evil person.”
Hu Sha wiped sweat while silently nodding. She naturally knew Second Martial Brother wasn’t a bad person.
Eldest Martial Brother glanced at her, his expression gradually becoming gentle, “Work hard, Hu Sha. You will surely surpass Feng Yi and me to become Master’s most accomplished disciple.”
Hu Sha fell flat on the ice surface.
Today both martial brothers were a bit off. Second Martial Brother had a pile of secrets. Eldest Martial Brother continued looking at her with eyes viewing a rare treasure, making her hair stand on end.
Better to find Master—that was more reliable.
Fang Zhun’s small cottage was in front of the apricot grove—those two small thatched cottages. When Hu Sha found him, Fang Zhun was leaning against a green bamboo drinking tea, his clothes somewhat loose, his hair also down—clearly just having gotten up.
She rarely saw Fang Zhun obediently staying at Zhiyan Retreat. In her impression, because his health wasn’t good, the Patriarch and others tried not to bother him with matters, but he was still very busy, running out every few days. Being an elder figure was indeed very hard work.
She walked over quietly, “Master.” Even her voice was soft. She always instinctively wanted to care for frail people, even knowing the other party was an immortal.
Fang Zhun turned around with a smile and casually handed the teacup to Hu Sha, “Just in time you’re here. Help me refill some hot water, thanks.”
By the time Hu Sha returned carrying the scalding teacup, Fang Zhun was already half-lying on the ground playing with the Snow Suanni.
It seemed the Snow Suanni liked Master best. The shameless behavior it never showed in front of Eldest and Second Martial Brothers was now fully displayed. Its two front paws hugged Fang Zhun’s arm in its embrace, licking and kissing incessantly. That expression—people who hadn’t seen it would think it was going to eat Fang Zhun.
Hu Sha walked over carefully. Just as she got a bit closer, the Snow Suanni immediately reacted, turning back to glare at her very unfriendly, as if she were an obstructive piece of wood.
“Ah, Hu Sha, come, come.” Fang Zhun beckoned to her. “Get familiar with Little Darling. In a few days we’re going to Taoyuan Mountain on Fenglin Continent to play. Little Darling will also go—let it carry you on the road.”
What? Hu Sha and the Snow Suanni were simultaneously shocked.
“Master… can I… can I not go?” Feeling the Snow Suanni’s murderous gaze, Hu Sha’s head immediately dripped a string of cold sweat.
Fang Zhun blinked, “Not going is also fine. It’s just that Feng Yi will definitely go. When he leaves, there’ll be no one to help you buy food. You’re a newly entered disciple—without Master or martial brothers accompanying you, you’re not allowed to go down the mountain privately for one year. There’s nothing on the mountain you can eat. By the way, this trip will take more than half a month.”
Hu Sha smiled bitterly for a long time, “Then… this disciple will definitely go.”
Fang Zhun smiled at her gently and said softly, “Little Darling is just a bit proud in temperament and somewhat shy with strangers. Once familiar, it’ll be fine. Come, say hello to it.”
He held Hu Sha’s wrist and guided her to touch the Snow Suanni’s back fur. Once, twice—Hu Sha felt with trepidation as the fur on its back stood up. She couldn’t help but say tremulously, “Master… I… I’d better…”
“Don’t be afraid.” He patted the Snow Suanni’s head and turned back to smile at Hu Sha. “What are you standing there for? Hurry and get acquainted with it.”
Hu Sha smiled looking worse than crying, barely squeezing out a few words from her teeth, “Little Darling… you’re so good… haha… I… I’m Hu Sha… you… you’re so beautiful…”
The fur on its back stood up even more. Hu Sha hurriedly tried to withdraw her hand, but Fang Zhun pressed it down firmly, saying encouragingly, “Little Darling likes hearing compliments. If you praise it for being beautiful and well-behaved, it will naturally be happy.”
Hu Sha woodenly watched the Snow Suanni turn its head back to bare its teeth and snarl at her, murmuring, “Mm… it looks like it’s very happy…”
Fang Zhun set the teacup aside and lovingly touched the Snow Suanni’s ears, saying, “In a few more months, Little Darling will be able to speak.”
Hu Sha was startled, “It can talk?”
“Of course, Little Darling is a spiritual beast.” Fang Zhun continued pinching its ears, making it so comfortable it exposed its belly and whimpered. “Born already able to understand human speech, after passing through thirty years of childhood it can speak. It’s also an extremely rare Snow Suanni, so it must be extremely clever.”
Because it was being praised by Fang Zhun, the Snow Suanni was even more delighted beyond measure. It swished its tail, rolling wildly on the ground. Its movements were lightning-fast. Hu Sha could only see a white shadow—one moment on the roof, the next on the ground.
“Ah, right.” Fang Zhun suddenly tapped his forehead and smiled, “I haven’t fed Little Darling anything yet. How about you feed it today, Hu Sha? Build up the relationship.”
Hu Sha’s face fell again. However, she couldn’t resist Master’s refreshing smile—as if she’d be a villain if she didn’t comply.
The Snow Suanni was a spiritual beast that didn’t eat meat, only a type of immortal grass called “Ghost Face Orchid.” Many grew around Zhiyan Retreat.
Hu Sha pulled up a handful and walked over trembling. The Snow Suanni immediately jumped before her, looking down on her from on high. Even knowing she held its favorite Ghost Face Orchid in her hand, it refused to lower its posture to let her feed it.
“Li… Little Darling, come eat…” Hu Sha forced a smile, secretly praying it wouldn’t bite off her arm in one bite too.
The Snow Suanni’s nose twitched. It rolled its eyes at her, then looked grievously toward Fang Zhun, but he was squatting there with his hands propping up his chin, watching with a smile.
Its master held an attitude of riding two boats. It had no choice but to obediently lower its head and take a small bite.
Hu Sha softly exclaimed “Ah,” beaming with joy. She quickly presented the large handful of Ghost Face Orchid, repeatedly saying, “Eat more!”
The Snow Suanni ate three big bites, couldn’t help turning back to look—who knew Fang Zhun wasn’t at his original position anymore, having run off somewhere. This person’s movements had always been mysterious. Once he disappeared, he wouldn’t return for two or three days.
The Snow Suanni’s pink maiden heart immediately shattered. Its whole belly full of anger all poured onto Hu Sha’s head. Turning back, it bit down—with a “rip” it tore her sleeve to shreds.
Though the Snow Suanni was extremely unwilling, when setting out, it was still forced to carry the burden Hu Sha, flying up into the clouds with everyone.
This trip to Taoyuan Mountain could be considered a private visit, not an exchange between two immortal mountains. Therefore, those going were mostly young disciples. From Master Fang Zhun’s side, he brought three disciples and one Snow Suanni. From Master Uncle Fang Ye’s side, he chirpingly brought several disciples and grand-disciples—clearly those Master Uncle favored most on ordinary days.
Among them, Hu Sha only recognized Bairu and Manqing. Unfortunately, Manqing was busy looking for Feng Di everywhere, pestering him in conversation. Bairu blushed as soon as she saw Fang Zhun and couldn’t bear to leave. These two people clearly had no time to come greet her.
Hu Sha could only sit alone on the Snow Suanni’s back, looking down to play with the clouds and mist.
“Little martial sister, why so listless? Are you hungry?”
Feng Yi’s voice rang out overhead. Hu Sha looked up filled with delighted surprise and indeed saw him smiling refreshed and spirited, riding clouds flying behind her.
“I’m not hungry, and I’m not listless.” She quickly protested. Actually, after these days of arduous hunger training, she seemed already able to persist for two days without eating, only drinking water. “Rather, Second Martial Brother, uh, doesn’t anyone want to play with you?” She’d just seen Second Martial Brother surrounded by two or three young female disciples laughing and chatting. The master and disciples of their Zhiyan Retreat were just that popular. From Master to martial brothers, everyone had especially good social relations, always happily surrounded by female disciples. Only she had no one paying attention to her.
“Play with me for what?” Feng Yi laughed once, somewhat frivolous yet somewhat disdainful. “I don’t have Master and Martial Brother’s good reputation. Those who come find me are just acting on curiosity.”
Hu Sha suddenly remembered that day at Shenglong Terrace when two young disciples spoke nonsense. She said urgently, “Second Martial Brother, don’t pay attention to what they say! We all know you’re a good person! If they won’t play with you, I’ll play with you!”
Feng Yi showed two rows of white teeth, smiling rather ill-intentionedly, “Good. What does little martial sister want to play with me?”
Uh, play what? She didn’t know either. Hu Sha racked her brains for a long time and finally managed to squeeze out a sentence, “Second Martial Brother, where is your hometown?”
Feng Yi indeed tilted his head and thought seriously for quite a while. Finally, touching his chin, he said, “Come to think of it, Second Martial Brother himself can barely remember anymore—been away too long. Probably a place completely different from here. There, clearly everything exists, yet it seems like nothing exists. Here… clearly nothing exists, yet it seems like everything exists…”
What did that mean? Hu Sha completely didn’t understand.
Feng Yi smiled, “No matter what, it’s still home. So many years without returning—I really do miss it.”
Hu Sha nodded, “So Second Martial Brother also misses home. I do too, very much. Although my hometown is quite barren and wars break out constantly, nothing compares to here, but I still feel home is best.”
Feng Yi touched her head. Several young disciples who’d been secretly watching them talk immediately began whispering again, their eyes all changing. He said in a low voice, “Hu Sha, when you came, you said you were from Jiaxing. Is that true?”
Hu Sha said curiously, “Of course it’s true. Why would I lie to you? Ah, Second Martial Brother, you’ve heard of Jiaxing?”
Feng Yi’s expression was complex for an instant. After a while, he asked softly, “…Who brought you from Jiaxing to this place?”
Speaking of this, Hu Sha had a belly full of grievances. With a mournful face, she explained how she’d stolen offerings and consequently offended an immortal. Finally, she sighed, “I thought I was dead, but when I woke up, I was here. Supposedly, I must find Qingling Zhenjun to return home. Why I need to find him, I don’t know either… Do I need to apologize to him in person?”
Feng Yi spaced out for a moment. Hearing her ask this, he curved his lips and showed a frivolous yet contemptuous smile.
“Apologize… perhaps. Maybe if you sincerely apologize, he really can send you back. It depends whether your sincerity is sufficient.”
“Sincerity?” Hu Sha was confused. “What counts as sincerity? Isn’t it enough if I earnestly kneel down and kowtow to him?”
Feng Yi absent-mindedly shook his head without speaking. Just then, Manqing, who’d been pestering Feng Di all along, flew over with a giggle, sweetly calling, “Manqing greets Master Uncle Feng Yi, Master Uncle Hu Sha.”
Having spoken, she took Hu Sha’s arm intimately with a hint of coquetry, pleading, “Good Master Uncle, tonight when we arrive at Taoyuan Mountain, can we two share a room? My martial sisters are all so noisy—I can’t stand it.”
Because of what those two young disciples at Shenglong Terrace had said that spread such terrible things about her and Second Martial Brother, Hu Sha was somewhat wary of this young lady. She smiled with difficulty, “Then… why share a room with me… Actually, I’m quite noisy too.”
Manqing pouted, “I was somewhat discourteous to Master Uncle last time, so this time I came to sincerely apologize. If Master Uncle doesn’t agree, I’ll be uneasy for life.”
How could one say Hu Sha wasn’t naive? She immediately believed her words. Just as she was about to say “okay” with feeling, she suddenly heard Feng Yi say with a smile, “Male and female disciples lodge separately. Martial Brother and I won’t be close to little martial sister. Rather than begging my little martial sister, you might as well beg me. How about it? I’ll give you half of Martial Brother’s bed—want it or not?”
So she came to butter her up just to get close to Feng Di. Hu Sha understood at once.
Manqing’s face immediately flushed brilliantly red. Stamping her foot, both resentful and embarrassed, she chided, “I didn’t mean that at all! Master Uncle Feng Yi… you… you really…”
He smiled lazily, “I’m really what? You’re chasing him—ultimately isn’t your goal just for such a simple matter? I fulfilled your wish. Could I be wrong?”
Manqing ran off gnashing her teeth. Several young disciples behind her chattered away, “They say Master Uncle Feng Yi isn’t serious at all, not a reliable person. Turns out it’s really true…”
Hu Sha turned back and glared viciously, only to discover the speakers were precisely those two young disciples she’d met at Shenglong Terrace last time. Seeing Hu Sha, they were so frightened they immediately shut up and hid behind the crowd.
“Second Martial Brother, don’t be angry! I’ll scold them for you!” Hu Sha rolled up her sleeves to go at them, completely forgetting she was currently in midair sitting on the Snow Suanni’s back. This step forward nearly sent her headfirst plummeting to death.
Feng Yi quickly caught her, smiling bitterly with lingering fear, “If you’d fallen just now, wouldn’t our little martial sister have turned into a meat pancake?”
Hu Sha was tossed back onto the Snow Suanni’s back dizzy and disoriented, murmuring, “No no, Second Martial Brother, I’m not hungry… don’t want to eat meat pancakes.”
Feng Yi couldn’t suppress his hearty laughter. Hu Sha looked up at him utterly confused. Seeing his eyes and brows all relaxed, his usual slightly frivolous and cool expression completely washed away—this was the first time she’d seen him laugh so openly and happily. She couldn’t help but smile slightly along with him.
“Second Martial Brother, we all know you’re a good person, so don’t listen to their nonsense. I don’t believe it.” Hu Sha spoke seriously.
Feng Yi very accommodatingly nodded, raised his hand to ruffle her head, and sighed with a laugh, “Good child.”
Cloud-riding was unlike Earth-Shrinking. Moreover, Fenglin Continent and Shengzhou were separated by vast seas. Everyone rode clouds and flew for fully half a day before distantly seeing some outlines of Taoyuan Mountain.
Master Uncle Fang Ye, sporting three wisps of beard and wearing a blue robe, focused carefully for quite a while before suddenly saying strangely, “Something’s not right. Fang Zhun, your eyesight is better than mine. Come look—isn’t that blue light over Taoyuan Mountain a barrier?”
Fang Zhun looked out. After a moment he said, “Correct. It looks like a demon-subduing curse seal barrier.”
Everyone was rather shocked at these words. Like Qingyuan, Taoyuan was also an immortal mountain protected by heaven and earth’s spiritual energy. Ordinary demons not only couldn’t cause trouble but even approaching was extremely difficult. If the entire Taoyuan had raised a barrier, it might indicate an extremely terrifying demon.
Bairu furrowed her brow, looking at Fang Zhun with concern, then turning to Fang Ye and saying in a low voice, “Master, going to Taoyuan Mountain at this time may be dangerous. Moreover, the Daoist friends are busy dealing with demons. Going as guests now would only add to their troubles. Better to return to Qingyuan first and report this matter to the Patriarch for his decision.”
Fang Ye stroked his beard, hesitating as he shook his head, “…Improper. If it’s a fierce beast, how can we watch with our eyes wide open? Better to first confirm the situation.”
Bairu said urgently, “But Master Uncle’s health has never been good. How can he withstand being jostled about…”
Fang Ye pondered for a long while and nodded, “True. Fang Zhun, why don’t you take several young disciples back to Qingyuan first to report this matter to Master? I’ll take the senior disciples to investigate Taoyuan Mountain.”
After saying this twice, Fang Zhun only turned back in confusion, “Ah? Was Martial Brother speaking to me?”
Everyone fell silent.
He clapped his hands and smiled gently, “It’s no big deal. Everyone don’t be nervous. Let’s go look first. If there’s danger, we’ll just run away.”
Everyone collapsed.
Feng Di covered his forehead deeply ashamed, accelerated forward, afraid someone would come talk to him.
Hu Sha looked at Master admiringly and said in a low voice, “Worthy of being Master… what you said makes such sense!”
Feng Yi smiled without reaching his eyes, gazing ahead, I remain unmoved like a mountain.
Surrounded by a strange atmosphere, everyone rushed to Taoyuan Mountain without speaking.
At Taoyuan Mountain’s main gate, over ten disciples stood guard densely, expressions solemn, vigilance extremely tight.
Seeing Fang Ye and the others, the disciples all recognized them and quickly bowed, “So it’s Zhenren Fang Ye and Zhenren Fang Zhun visiting! We disciples failed to welcome you from afar—please forgive us!”
Fang Zhun said with a smile, “Where is Master Shanghe? Could he be out?”
The disciples quickly clarified, “No, no! Master Uncle is waiting for everyone at Lingxiao Pavilion! Disciples will lead the way.”
This was Hu Sha’s first time coming to an immortal mountain outside Qingyuan. After entering, she couldn’t help looking around everywhere.
Here was different from Qingyuan—everywhere were thousand-ren cliffs, full of grotesque, jagged rocks sharp as knives. The name was “Taoyuan Mountain,” yet who’d think inside it looked like this? Houses had to be built on cliff faces, seeming about to topple with any breeze—extremely dangerous.
People coming and going inside also didn’t ride clouds or mist but each rode immortal cranes or luan birds. When small breezes passed by, garments fluttering—indeed there was some flavor to it.
Finally going to Lingxiao Pavilion, everyone rode on an incomparably huge roc’s back to fly up.
Hu Sha had never seen such a large bird. When it flapped its wings, it flew over countless cliffs in the blink of an eye—fast and steady. She was so delighted she kept stroking the Snow Suanni’s back fur, calling out, “Little Darling, Little Darling! It flies steadier and better than you!” Truly asking for a beating.
Little Darling had no time to deal with her. It glared viciously at the position directly ahead where Manqing was pestering Feng Di in conversation, her hands nearly clasping his arm.
Very clearly, in the Snow Suanni’s eyes, the three men of Zhiyan Retreat all belonged to it. If any “opposite sex” without eyes dared approach, it immediately bristled with murderous intent.
Hu Sha looked at this one, looked at that one, and suddenly said curiously, “Little Darling, how can you be fickle, liking both Master and Eldest Martial Brother?”
The Snow Suanni, having its weakness exposed, immediately became angry. Turning around, it bit down hard on her arm. Hu Sha’s eyes immediately brimmed with tears from pain.
“Little Darling, how can you bully Hu Sha?” Fang Zhun, finally unable to watch anymore, came over. Hu Sha immediately held up her injured arm before him, holding two bags of tears and choking out, “Master, my hand is broken!”
Fang Zhun pinched the bone twice and said gently, “Rest assured, not broken. Little Darling knows its limits when biting.”
The heartbroken Snow Suanni cried whimpering and pounced into his embrace, twisting left and right, its eyes still longingly looking toward Feng Di—utterly heartbroken.
Fang Zhun lifted up its head, eyes gentle and affectionate, “Little Darling, don’t you like Master anymore? You want Eldest Martial Brother?”
The shallow-cultivated Little Darling immediately became intoxicated. Shamefully lowering its head, it extended its tongue to flatteringly lick his hand—the meaning probably being a vow to love only you.
Leaving Hu Sha alone holding her arm, feeling utterly wronged.
“Come, let me see if you’re injured.”
Having comforted the heartbroken Snow Suanni, Fang Zhun pulled over Hu Sha’s arm and lifted her sleeve to examine the wound. Her arm was snow-white and tender, fine hairs almost invisible. After all, she wasn’t very old—her flesh was plump and soft. Near the elbow were two rows of red marks—the print of the Snow Suanni’s bite, but no blood flow.
Fang Zhun pinched, rubbed, then massaged. Hu Sha said tremulously, “Mas… Master… is it really broken? You… why are you looking so long?”
He laughed heartily and couldn’t help pinching twice more, “Sorry, it’s so white and tender—really like a pig’s trotter.”
Hu Sha said urgently, “This is an arm! Master, it’s not a pig’s trotter at all!”
“Master naturally isn’t a pig’s trotter.” Fang Zhun applied a thin layer of medicinal salve before releasing her sleeve. “Rest assured, nothing serious. There might be some bruising later, but it’ll fade quickly.”
Because Master said her arm looked like a pig’s trotter, Hu Sha felt her self-esteem was damaged. She pouted on the side without speaking. Fang Zhun patted her head twice and said gently, “Alright, don’t be upset. Later Master will apologize to you and sing you a song.”
Master would sing? Hu Sha’s eyes immediately brightened. She said urgently, “Then… then Master, you can’t renege! You must sing!”
Fang Zhun smiled, “Naturally I won’t renege—we’ve made a promise. I’ll tell you a secret—your master’s singing voice is absolutely beautiful and pleasant…”
Before he finished speaking, Feng Di’s patient voice interrupted, “Master! We’ve arrived at Lingxiao Pavilion! Please go first!”
The two turned back simultaneously to discover the roc had long since stopped at a cliff face. A magnificent palace was built there. Before the hall stood two people—one was Master Uncle Fang Ye. Beside him was a middle-aged man in black robes with a thin face—this should be the Shanghe Zhenren fellow.
Everyone used a kind of speechless gaze to look at Fang Zhun. He adjusted his sleeves, composed and at ease, walked down, and said with a smile, “Master Shanghe, we visit presumptuously—please excuse us.”
The middle-aged Daoist quickly returned the courtesy. The three elders exchanged pleasantries for a few sentences. Fang Zhun turned and beckoned to Hu Sha, “You come over.”
Hu Sha ran over not understanding. She heard him say, “I recently accepted a new disciple. Come, Hu Sha, bow to Zhenren Shanghe. He knows your two martial brothers but hasn’t met you.”
She quickly knelt down and kowtowed respectfully, “Hu Sha greets Zhenren Shanghe!”
Shanghe Zhenren immediately helped her up. Because of propriety between men and women, he only examined her briefly and said polite words, “Truly a dragon and phoenix among people. Fang Zhun’s disciples are all talented and fine jade.”
However, Hu Sha couldn’t detect polite words—she took this old fellow’s words as genuine praise and immediately had great affection for him.
Everyone was welcomed into Lingxiao Pavilion, seated and served tea. Hu Sha couldn’t understand their small talk. Originally she turned her head to look around everywhere but was pinched by Eldest Martial Brother. She could only roll her eyes to peek stealthily. Suddenly she heard Shanghe Zhenren sigh, “Speaking of this matter, it’s a long story. Last month at Qingyuan I invited you two to come—firstly to reminisce, secondly, I originally intended to invite scattered immortals from various places with some acquaintance to hold a private Immortal Arts Convention. Who’d think after sending out the invitations, Taoyuan would encounter such a strange matter? Truly fortunes and misfortunes by day and night—unpredictable.”
What happened? Hu Sha stretched her ears to listen.
“Just several days ago, the divine relic suppressed at Taoyuan Mountain’s Bianchu Tower was stolen—whereabouts still unknown. The two spiritual cranes guarding before the tower were rendered one dead, one injured. All of us were both shocked and suspicious. At first we only thought there was an internal thief and investigated disciples thoroughly without finding any leads. Unexpectedly, yesterday at the rear mountain we discovered a man-eating demon entering and exiting. In merely one night it ate over fifty newly initiated disciples. Patriarch Qiwu used the water mirror to spy and only then discovered that at some point a fierce beast Taowu had burrowed into the rear mountain—not something we earth immortals can resist. Patriarch speculated that Taowu probably secretly ate the divine relic. This is an ancient spiritual artifact retaining divine power from the nine heavens’ gods. For these extremely wicked demon beasts, it’s no different from a top-grade item increasing demonic power. Taowu was originally one of the four ancient fiends. Now having swallowed the divine relic, with all Taoyuan Mountain’s power we probably cannot subdue it. We can only first set up a demon-subduing curse seal barrier to slowly exhaust its demonic power.”
Hearing this, Fang Zhun pondered silently. Rather, Fang Ye was shocked, “Divine relic—you’re speaking of the Golden Pipa? Confirmed to be eaten by the fierce beast Taowu?”
Shanghe Zhenren’s expression was grave, “Currently not yet confirmed whether swallowed by Taowu, but eight or nine times out of ten it’s this creature. Everyone knows the ten continents within the seas are immortal spirit lands. Divine relics left by the nine heavens’ gods number in the hundreds if not thousands! This Golden Pipa isn’t a famous artifact, yet it’s one of the rare complete divine artifact sets. Metal, wood, water, fire, earth—the Golden Pipa gathered the power of metal among the five elements. If eaten by Taowu, truly tremendous chaos will result.”
Hu Sha listened half-understanding, vaguely knowing Taoyuan had a demon that stole and ate divine artifacts, and they couldn’t eliminate it—could only first exhaust it. No wonder when they came, so many people guarded the entrance, each deadly serious—such a major incident had occurred.
Fang Zhun pondered for a long while, then suddenly laughed with a “chi” sound. Everyone looked at him in confusion. Shanghe Zhenren said, “Could Fang Zhun have thought of some countermeasure?”
He shook his head and smiled, “No, I just thought if Taowu swallowed the Golden Pipa, it’s probably going to have diarrhea.”
With these words, everyone again fell into that strange silent atmosphere from which they couldn’t extricate themselves. Fang Ye looked at him reproachfully, “Junior Martial Brother, try to say fewer jokes. If you have any ideas, might as well speak them for everyone’s consideration. Being fellow Daoists, how can we stand by when they’re in difficulty?”
Fang Zhun’s expression was very innocent, “Martial Brother, I truly have no solution. An ancient fiend that swallowed a divine artifact can only be dealt with by celestial gods. Better to hold a ritual and transmit this matter to the nine heavens above—perhaps it can resolve one crisis.”
Saying this was like saying nothing. Shanghe Zhenren shook his head and sighed, “We held rituals praying this morning. How can the nine heavens above respond so quickly? By the time celestial gods descend to earth, Taoyuan Mountain will probably have been eaten hollow.”
Everyone talked for a long time without any proper solution. Fang Ye could only take several young disciples back to Qingyuan Mountain to report this matter to Jinting Patriarch. Fang Zhun, Hu Sha, and the others were taken to guest rooms and settled.
Hu Sha and several female disciples were arranged to stay in a large courtyard. Because Bairu had gone back with Fang Ye, among the women she had the highest seniority, youngest age, and was most useless. Therefore, no one paid attention to her. She squatted alone by the window looking at the peach blossoms outside. Finding it boring, she simply exited the courtyard gate to get some fresh air.
The male disciples lodged on another cliff. Even wanting to sneak over to talk with her martial brothers wouldn’t work.
Hu Sha could only continue squatting before the courtyard gate counting peach blossoms. One blossom, two blossoms… when counting to the third blossom, she suddenly heard someone call her from overhead, “Hu Sha.”
She looked up in confusion and saw Fang Zhun smiling as he slowly descended from the clouds, standing before her.
“Just now I heard you talking about meat pancakes on the road—you want to eat something, right?” Fang Zhun smiled knowingly. “Master happens to need to go to Bibo Town below Taoyuan Mountain to buy some things. Come with me.”
Hu Sha’s forehead immediately filled with black lines, “No… Master, I don’t want to eat meat pancakes…”
“Hm? Then could you want to eat meat buns? No problem, Master will treat you.”
“…I don’t want to eat meat buns either…”
“Can’t tell you’re such a picky child. Then I’ll treat you to meat shaomai.”
Hu Sha was pulled away speechless.
Fragrant meat buns, roast meat dripping with golden grease, roasted chicken with crispy skin and tender meat—Hu Sha looked with mouth watering, occasionally turning to look at Master walking ahead. Didn’t he say he’d treat her to food? How come he still hasn’t treated her?
Ahead was a stall selling small snacks—freshly steamed shaomai, fragrance wafting ten thousand miles. Hu Sha wiped the corner of her mouth and glanced grievously at Master. He walked past the stall composed and at ease, not even moving an eyelid.
“Master…” Unable to endure after all, she softly called out.
Fang Zhun turned back, expression very innocent, “What is it?”
“…Nothing.” She couldn’t bring herself to say it and could only follow him dejectedly, continuing to weave through the bustling streets.
Finally arriving at a bookshop, the shopkeeper was a young man with an honest face who seemed to be an old acquaintance of Fang Zhun. Seeing him, he nodded slightly and said in a low voice, “Second floor, Gengmao shelf, third level, sixteenth book counting from the left.”
Fang Zhun said “Much appreciated,” then turned to Hu Sha and said, “Wait here for me. I’m buying a book and will come down immediately. Don’t wander off. Don’t talk to strangers, understand?”
Having spoken, he unhurriedly went upstairs.
What treating her to food—Master was a liar!
Hu Sha squatted dejectedly at the bookshop entrance, facing the old tabby cat sprawled on the window sunbathing. The fragrance of food from the neighboring street occasionally drifted over—faint and hazy from far away, smoking her into a burning hunger.
It was all Master’s fault. If he hadn’t insisted “treating, treating” and dragged her out, she wouldn’t be craving food to this degree. She’d finally had some effect from abstaining from grains training—all ruined in his hands.
The honest-faced young shopkeeper expressionlessly flipped through an old book. Reading halfway, he suddenly said without raising his head, “You’re the new disciple Fang Zhun accepted? You’re not from the ten continents within the seas, right?”
Hu Sha looked left and right, finally confirming he was speaking to her.
“Yes… yes…”
The person finally lifted his eyes from the book, stared at her for a while, then said, “Looking at your face bearing misfortune, you probably offended some important person.”
Right on target! Hu Sha smiled bitterly. She’d offended no ordinary person—with her dog-shit luck, one offense and it was a living immortal.
“You’re not from the ten continents within the seas. Being able to come here is fate. Becoming Fang Zhun’s disciple is even more fate. Today being able to see me is truly fate. Since fate is destined, then I must read your fortune. Young lady, come closer.”
He beckoned to her.
Hu Sha looked at him very doubtfully, “Master instructed me not to talk to strangers.”
The person chuckled, “Correct—he didn’t let you talk to strange ‘people.’ Talking with me, however, is no problem.”
His eyeballs were black and slick. In the shadows they emitted a bizarre pale green glow. His back-draped garment suddenly fluttered. Three furry long tails emerged from within.
It was a fox! A living fox spirit sat before her!
In an instant, the person withdrew his true form, holding the book sitting there very seriously. No matter how you looked, he seemed like an ordinary person. Hu Sha remembered from reading those supernatural legends in the past—fox spirits were mostly alluring and beautiful, bewitching hearts. How could this one look so ordinary?
“Having Fox Immortal read your fortune is a blessing you couldn’t beg for. What are you hesitating about? Come over.”
He beckoned again.