The Jianzheng clearly had no idea what the woman before him was thinking. After explaining the puppet’s uses, he had it try out farming.

The puppet used a bucket to draw water from Bailu Pond and went to irrigate the fields.

Its movements were indeed not smooth enough. The Jianzheng was pondering ways to improve it when he kept noticing crumpled paper balls on the ground.

Finally, he casually picked one up and opened it. On this wrinkled paper was written: “Since meeting Miss Arang again, I cannot eat, thinking of you like a madman…”

“…” This was actually a love letter!

The more the Jianzheng read, the more sour he felt. Huang Rang looked up and saw this, quickly saying: “The junior disciples from the outer gate studying abroad are just fooling around.”

“Mm.” The Jianzheng calmly crumpled the paper ball again and tossed it aside.

Then he opened the panel on the puppet’s chest, removed the chest plate, pondered for a moment, and made a small modification.

While the two were at Qilu Terrace, Xie Shaozhong and Xie Hongchen also arrived at the training grounds.

The chest cover of that enormous puppet was still open, with quite a few disciples observing. Xie Hongchen glanced around and didn’t see Di Yiqiu, so he looked toward Xie Shaozhong. Xie Shaozhong quickly asked: “Where is the Jianzheng?”

The disciples hurried to say: “The Jianzheng said he brought a farming puppet and went with Miss Arang to Qilu Terrace to test it.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Xie Shaozhong saw Xie Hongchen’s brow furrow slightly.

He quickly said: “Arang is the Huang family head—it’s not strange for her to be interested in farming puppets. I’ll go to Qilu Terrace to check.”

However, Xie Hongchen said: “No need.”

After speaking, he took the lead and headed toward Qilu Terrace himself.

Xie Shaozhong followed behind him, feeling puzzled. Although Huang Rang was a woman, the separation between men and women in immortal sects wasn’t as strict as in the mortal realm. She was Xie Hongchen’s direct disciple, and she cultivated diligently with decent talent.

Sooner or later she would be a figure who could hold her own in the immortal sect.

For someone like that, whether male or female didn’t really matter.

There was no question of coddling her.

But Xie Hongchen’s protection of her seemed excessive.

He often kept her practicing in Yeyun Hall, with its training grounds used almost exclusively by her. Yet today she’d merely gone to Qilu Terrace with Di Yiqiu, just to test a puppet—why be so anxious?

Though Xie Shaozhong thought this, he naturally wouldn’t say anything.

He followed Xie Hongchen all the way up to Qilu Terrace. Somehow, this winding mountain path felt vaguely familiar to him.

Xie Hongchen went up the path and soon arrived at the edge of the farmland. He saw Huang Rang sitting on a rock by Bailu Pond, holding a paper bag and leisurely eating snacks.

Meanwhile, Di Yiqiu was with the puppet, attempting to farm.

The scene itself was nothing unusual, yet Xie Hongchen found it extremely grating.

He said in a heavy voice: “What is the Jianzheng doing?”

Hearing this, Huang Rang quickly stood up and bowed: “Master.”

Xie Hongchen acknowledged with a sound and instinctively walked in front of Huang Rang. When Di Yiqiu saw him, he also turned the silver key and parked the puppet to the side. His hands were stained with mud, so he calmly went to the edge of Bailu Pond.

He washed his hands first, then turned around and bowed: “Sect Master Xie, long time no see. Have you been well?”

Xie Hongchen snorted coldly. His gaze swept toward what Huang Rang held, seeing candied fruits in her paper bag. He couldn’t help but say: “The Jianzheng comes from afar as a guest. You let the guest labor while you idle on the side—isn’t that discourteous?”

His words carried slight reproach. Huang Rang could only say: “Master’s admonishment is correct. This disciple knows her error.”

The Jianzheng said unhurriedly: “Since the Sect Master has said so, then… Miss Arang, you should join this seat in farming.”

“Ah?” Huang Rang raised her eyebrows—you really can’t detect sarcasm, can you?

The Jianzheng truly couldn’t detect it. He extended his hand in invitation: “Miss Arang, please.”

Huang Rang looked at Xie Hongchen and had no choice but to go over. The Jianzheng adjusted the puppet for her and explained: “Just insert the key into the right ear cavity and turn it once, and it can water and weed on its own…”

He guided Huang Rang’s hand to turn the key, close enough to smell the fragrance in her hair.

Watching the two practically rubbing cheeks together, Xie Hongchen’s expression immediately turned ugly.

Xie Shaozhong noticed and felt puzzled—Xie Hongchen wasn’t one to show his emotions openly.

Xie Hongchen walked over in a few steps, using his arm to block Huang Rang aside: “Since the Jianzheng is so enthusiastic, this Sect Master will accompany the Jianzheng in testing this puppet.”

The Jianzheng still wore a smiling face, though his tone was somewhat sarcastic: “Very well. This puppet was originally given to Miss Arang to test—the forging cost isn’t high either. This small amount of money is surely just a drop in the bucket for the Sect Master. If the Sect Master feels it improper for Miss Arang to accept my goodwill, why not also pay to buy it for her? What do you say?”

“…” Huang Rang was speechless.

Sure enough, Xie Hongchen snorted coldly and didn’t respond.

—He wasn’t stupid. Having suffered once before, why would he empty his pockets again to subsidize Si Tianjian?

Fortunately, the Jianzheng didn’t insist. He pretended to seriously introduce the puppet to Xie Hongchen. Of course, he only explained its farming uses.

After listening for a while, Xie Hongchen asked: “When we last met, this Sect Master already wanted to consult the Jianzheng. If the sect has new sword formations, can this puppet also practice them?”

Di Yiqiu said: “Sect Master Xie is wise! If your honored sect wishes to practice new sword formations, you can draw diagrams of the techniques and send them to Si Tianjian. This seat will create new chest plates for the Sect Master. Absolutely fair prices.”

Beside them, Xie Shaozhong finally understood what kind of huge trap the sect had entered.

But he still couldn’t help asking: “Then wouldn’t our sect’s sword formations all be leaked to the Jianzheng?”

The Jianzheng had obviously thought of this question long ago. He said: “This seat can also provide blank chest plates. The Sect Master need only send a few disciples to study for half a month, and they’ll naturally be able to inscribe them themselves.”

“Truly thorough consideration.” Though Xie Hongchen didn’t like the person before him, he knew this approach was feasible.

Xie Shaozhong had to ask: “Then what is the cost of these chest plates?”

Di Yiqiu glanced at Huang Rang: “That depends on who the Sect Master sends to learn.” He walked in front of Huang Rang, eyes smiling. “If you send Miss Arang to Si Tianjian, Si Tianjian would be honored by her brilliance. Naturally, this seat wouldn’t feel right charging any tuition.”

At that moment, Xie Hongchen only wanted to turn hostile on the spot.

But years of cultivation allowed him to finally suppress his anger. He merely said expressionlessly: “Though my beloved disciple is intelligent, she is not skilled in forging. Naturally, someone else will come to learn this craft.”

“What a pity.” The Jianzheng looked regretful. “If it’s someone else, ten million spirit stones isn’t expensive, right? As for the chest plates, those are even cheaper—one hundred thousand spirit stones per plate.”

Xie Hongchen snorted coldly: “Then the Jianzheng may continue to the training grounds to repair the puppet.”

For someone as gentle as jade as Xie Hongchen, this tone was already cold and harsh.

Yet the Jianzheng didn’t care. He turned to Huang Rang: “Miss Arang, this seat will take his leave first.”

What could Huang Rang do? She could only bow in return: “Please, Jianzheng.”

At her temple, the green moth transformed from the caterpillar was quite hesitant. It wanted to stay by Huang Rang’s side but feared Xie Hongchen—the intimidating presence of the immortal sect’s First Sword Immortal was not something this tiny insect could accept.

It thought about it and flew back to Di Yiqiu’s shoulder. Di Yiqiu let it be, then descended from Qilu Terrace.

Huang Rang watched him disappear down the long stairs. Behind her, Xie Hongchen said: “Yuhu Xuanzong and Si Tianjian have different positions after all. Henceforth, without my permission, you are not allowed to meet with Di Yiqiu.”

As soon as he said this, even Xie Shaozhong was shocked.

—Though Yuhu Xuanzong and Si Tianjian had their differences, why go this far?

He secretly glanced at Huang Rang and saw she was equally puzzled.

How could Xie Hongchen not know these words were excessive?

But he simply didn’t like Di Yiqiu, and even more so didn’t like Huang Rang meeting with him.

Therefore, he had no intention of taking back what he’d just said. He only added: “After tending to the improved seeds, return to Yeyun Hall immediately to practice.”

So you do have possessiveness after all.

Huang Rang sneered inwardly, but her face remained respectful: “This disciple obeys.”

Only then did Xie Hongchen turn and descend from Qilu Terrace.

Xie Shaozhong followed behind him, several times wanting to speak but never voicing his thoughts. After much consideration, he chose a diplomatic comment and said with a laugh: “Though Arang is young, sooner or later she’ll grow up. In the future, sect affairs may well depend on her. Why must the Sect Master control her so strictly?”

This single sentence was already a probe.

But Xie Hongchen didn’t respond. He only said: “Henceforth when Di Yiqiu visits, you shall receive him personally. Within the sect, he is not to be allowed to walk about freely.”

—He was quite displeased. Xie Shaozhong quickly said: “Yes.”

Diancui Peak, training grounds.

Di Yiqiu reassembled the Super-Grade A puppet and replaced it with Yuhu Xuanzong’s World-Piercing Eyes. Xie Lingbi, Xie Hongchen, Xie Shaozhong and the others could now observe disciples’ practice at any time—truly much more convenient.

Di Yiqiu looked left and right but indeed didn’t see Huang Rang again.

His heart felt dejected, but there was nothing to be done. He could only leave.

However, Xie Shaozhong gradually began paying attention.

He usually didn’t enter Yeyun Hall, but as Xie Hongchen’s junior martial brother with a good relationship, the hall-guarding disciples wouldn’t stop him from coming and going.

On this day, he deliberately entered without announcement, quietly slipping inside.

He saw Huang Rang practicing sword techniques in the hall’s small training ground, while Xie Hongchen still sat at the stone desk at the field’s edge. Even when reading, he would occasionally glance toward the field.

Xie Shaozhong couldn’t tell if there was anything unusual in this. Xie Hongchen was someone whose emotions were quite restrained.

For instance, with Xie Lingbi’s son Xie Yuanshu—even though he thoroughly detested him, he still called him elder brother with every word.

If Xie Yuanshu made no mistakes, he treated him no differently than a blood brother.

Thinking it over again and again, Xie Shaozhong felt perhaps he was being overly suspicious.

After all, what sort of peerless beauties hadn’t Xie Hongchen seen?

Though Huang Rang was incomparably beautiful, she was ultimately his direct disciple.

The principle that a teacher for a day is a father for life—surely he understood this.

If he truly had other intentions, why not simply take her into his chamber from the start instead of accepting her as a disciple?

Yuhu Xuanzong had no prohibition against the Sect Master taking a wife.

With this reasoning, Xie Shaozhong set his mind at ease.

—Heaven preserve them, the immortal sect absolutely could not have such transgressive affairs between master and disciple. Especially with Xie Hongchen…

Before long, Xie Hongchen indeed sent disciples to Si Tianjian to learn the inscription of puppet chest plates.

He assigned his own disciple Xie Li and Xie Shaozhong’s first disciple Xie Jianlan.

Si Tianjian.

The Jianzheng ordered Shaojian Zhu Xiang of Zhuque Si to arrange their studies, though his heart was blocked with frustration.

The one who came wasn’t Huang Rang.

Jianfu Li Lu saw through his Jianzheng’s thoughts at a glance and couldn’t help but advise: “Is the Jianzheng competing with Sect Master Xie again?”

“Hmph.” Mentioning this person still filled Di Yiqiu with disgust.

Li Lu could only counsel: “If the Jianzheng truly likes Miss Arang, you should understand her situation. Now that her parents are gone, Elder Xi is her maternal grandfather—you’ve already thoroughly offended him. Fortunately, Miss Arang isn’t close to him and has no affection for him, so that’s acceptable.”

He carefully analyzed for his Jianzheng: “But Sect Master Xie is Miss Arang’s direct master. Miss Arang studies under him, and their relationship is deep. You oppose him at every turn—no wonder Sect Master Xie won’t let you have contact with Miss Arang.”

Though the Jianzheng was indignant, thinking it over, this made sense.

He said: “In your opinion, what should be done?”

This Jianfu Li had experience with such matters. He said: “Back when subordinates under this official were getting married, their fathers-in-law also disapproved. But a good man fears persistence, and a hero fears grinding. The Jianzheng must have patience and curry more favor with Sect Master Xie. Otherwise, even if Miss Arang achieves mastery in her arts, will she simply stop acknowledging her master after completing her studies? At that time, if the Jianzheng and Sect Master Xie are at odds, she’ll be caught in the middle.”

“Indeed.” The Jianzheng deeply agreed: “This seat was negligent.”

Seeing his serious words, Li Jianfu was quite gratified: “Fortunately, now that Yuhu Xuanzong has sent disciples here to study, at least there’s contact. This is a good thing.”

Thanks to his consolation, Si Tianjian treated Xie Li and Xie Jianlan well.

The two studied at Zhuque Si. Though they only learned chest plate inscription, their eyes were greatly opened.

Yuhu Xuanzong, Yeyun Hall.

When Huang Rang entered, Xie Hongchen sat at his desk drawing a sword formation diagram. Huang Rang didn’t bow to him but simply fetched some water to water the orchid on his desk.

Xie Hongchen didn’t refuse. In fact, he very much enjoyed Huang Rang’s wordless intimacy.

After watering the flowers, Huang Rang brewed him a pot of tea.

Xie Hongchen appeared to be drawing the sword formation diagram, yet she attracted all his attention. When the fragrant tea was placed at his side, he couldn’t help but pick it up and take a light sip.

Just as Huang Rang was about to use a dust-removal artifact to clean his study, he suddenly said: “Your tea craft has improved.”

“Really?” Huang Rang was surprised.

Outside the dream, as husband and wife for a hundred years, she didn’t know how many pots of tea she’d brewed for Xie Hongchen.

Xie Hongchen had never praised her once.

“This disciple’s tea technique hasn’t changed.” Huang Rang smiled faintly. “It’s Master’s state of mind that has changed.”

“Is that so?” Xie Hongchen didn’t look at her, but he enjoyed talking with her like this, chatting about things beyond cultivation methods. He said: “Arang, besides seed cultivation, practicing martial arts, tea craft, and cooking, what else can you do?”

Ah, you want to know me better?

Huang Rang curtsied gracefully to him: “Actually, this disciple can occasionally dance as well. I only fear my dancing skills are crude and would make Master laugh.”

“Dance?” Xie Hongchen was astonished, then asked: “Sword dance?”

Huang Rang had practiced the sword for many years—if it was sword dancing, that wouldn’t be surprising.

Who would have expected Huang Rang to say: “Peach Blossom.”

“Peach Blossom?” Xie Hongchen froze. Sword immortals were most romantic and elegant. Though burdened by sect affairs, he was quite versed in music. Peach Blossom was the most popular melody in the capital. Whenever dancing girls performed it, with water sleeves and bent waists, they were supple as water.

Huang Rang smiled and asked: “Does Master want to watch?”

Xie Hongchen knew he shouldn’t. She was his disciple. A man and woman alone in one room—how could he have his female disciple dance for him?

Yet he heard his own voice, light and faint, answer: “Yes.”

This single word was like piercing through a festering wound in his heart.

Yet Huang Rang seemed not to notice. She said: “But this disciple doesn’t have suitable dancing attire.” She approached Xie Hongchen, smiling softly. “Master’s cultivation is world-shaking—surely you can find one for this disciple?”

Of course Xie Hongchen could. His illusory arts had long since reached mastery.

Hearing this, he lowered his head, took paper to draw, then cut the paper into clothing and handed it to Huang Rang.

When Huang Rang received it, the paper garment had already transformed into a set of bright, splendid robes. She bowed gracefully to Xie Hongchen: “This disciple will go to the inner chamber to change.”

With these words, she walked into a hidden room.

But just as she entered, she realized something was wrong.

She hadn’t known about this hidden room before.

It was during the first dream, when Xie Yuanshu severely injured Xie Hongchen and was about to summon Xie Lingbi, that he’d had her hide inside.

Sure enough, Xie Hongchen’s brow also furrowed slightly.

His inner chamber—Huang Rang had never entered it before. How would she know about this hidden room?

Soon, Huang Rang emerged having changed into the dancing attire, pushing aside the curtain.

She suddenly said: “How strange. This disciple has never entered Yeyun Hall’s inner chambers before. Yet truly entering them feels so familiar, just like… when this disciple first met Master.”

Xie Hongchen was first captivated by her appearance, then hearing these words, he froze abruptly.

“You… also felt familiar when you saw your master?” His words carried hesitation. When he first saw Huang Rang, wasn’t it the same? As if their previous karma was incomplete, entangling them across lifetimes.

Huang Rang wore dancing robes brilliant as sunset clouds, her arms wrapped in silk ribbons, her garments fluttering: “Feeling like old friends at first sight, as if drifting duckweed had found somewhere to rely on, someone to depend on.”

The words were false, yet somehow she recalled their first meeting outside the dream.

That year in Immortal Tea Town, when Huang Rang first met Xie Hongchen, wasn’t it just like this?

But she wouldn’t dwell on it anymore.

She smiled radiantly: “This disciple will dance for Master. Only there’s dance without music, which inevitably loses flavor. I must trouble Master.”

A melody like Peach Blossom naturally couldn’t stump Xie Hongchen.

Xie Hongchen took a long flute from the bookshelf. His mind was still in a daze, yet he couldn’t help but play that tune, Peach Blossom.

Huang Rang’s water sleeves floated lightly as she began dancing in this study.

The study’s floor tiles were black as lacquer, like jade, like ink, gleaming enough to reflect one’s image.

She danced barefoot upon them, her slender waist barely enough to grasp.

Huang Rang had indeed practiced this dance bitterly. Once, to please Xie Hongchen, she’d consulted many famous performers. Earth demons weren’t actually skilled at dancing, but with her perseverance, through countless failures, she could succeed.

She’d practiced for a full year. Once among the orchids she’d twisted her ankle, sitting on the ground gasping for quite a while before standing up.

Also once, her facial expression wasn’t good enough—while dancing, she lost her smile.

She corrected herself countless times. She’d originally wanted to dance for him in summer, but when she truly danced, it was already deep autumn.

At that time, her attire was even more revealing and magnificent than this, yet Xie Hongchen had said nothing.

He’d sat among the orchids, watching the dance while drinking wine.

Huang Rang didn’t know if he liked it or not, but in this dream, she still chose to dance this “Peach Blossom.”

Hongchen, I’ve practiced martial arts for so many years—my form is no longer supple enough, is it?

But it doesn’t matter. After all, this is the last time I’ll dance this piece.

Her face wore a smile, like a lotus emerging from water.

Yet in her heart, she returned to that soul-dream again.

Her gaze burned as she watched Xie Hongchen, and Xie Hongchen watched her too. This study’s tones were gray and black—only her graceful form was brilliant as the morning sun. Xie Hongchen averted his gaze, focusing on playing the flute, yet even his thoughts were dyed with vivid color.

When the dance ended, Huang Rang seemed to show a bit of bashfulness: “This disciple will go inside to change.”

Finished speaking, she gathered up her cloud-like dance sleeves and ran into the inner chamber.

Xie Hongchen slowly set down the long flute. He could control his facial expression but couldn’t suppress the stirring in his heart. Just in that instant moment, he’d wanted to meet her, wanted to embrace her.

Yet this thought quickly gave birth to other desires.

Those demonic thoughts were like silk, inch by inch entangling him. He thought of fine sweat seeping out on snowy skin, thought of swaying bed curtains. Thought of all those things that made him feel filthy.

Yet he couldn’t resist.

Huang Rang changed back into her light gold disciple robes. This garment was naturally clean and neat, convenient for practice. Naturally, it was also utterly conservative.

As if the boundless beauty just now was only a dream.

At the desk, Xie Hongchen didn’t dare raise his eyes to look at her. His right hand gripped the teacup but didn’t lift it. Only after a long while did he say: “Today, return to practice. Don’t come to Yeyun Hall anymore.”

Ha, still resisting?

But Huang Rang truly understood his voice too well, especially when moved—that slight hoarseness in his words.

She walked forward slowly, her voice carrying pure concern as she asked: “Is Master unwell? Should I call disciples from Baicao Peak to examine you?” As she spoke, she reached out to cover his forehead, as if wanting to check his temperature.

Xie Hongchen recoiled as if burned, instantly shaking her off.

Huang Rang quickly said: “Master, forgive this disciple. I forgot—Master is the First Sword Immortal, how could you have a fever? This disciple is truly muddled.”

“No matter.” Xie Hongchen used his arm to keep distance between them. “Your master is well. You may go.”

“But Master looks… worrying.” Huang Rang slowly approached him. “Truly don’t need this disciple to stay and care for you?”

Her voice was extremely soft, seemingly worried and caring, yet Xie Hongchen had once been accustomed to this tone.

Previously at Qilu Terrace, whenever she intentionally teased, it was exactly this soft murmuring. Only then she’d been in his arms, while now she stood before his desk.

“Withdraw.” Speaking these two words seemed to exhaust all his strength.

Huang Rang then said: “This disciple takes her leave. Master… please take care of yourself.”

Finished, she slowly retreated, turned, and left the study.

Only after her footsteps faded into the distance did Xie Hongchen clasp his head with both hands, leaning over the desk.

He wanted to keep her, to have her stay in Yeyun Hall, or anywhere only he could reach. Henceforth her sorrows and joys would follow him, her love and hate would follow him.

This naturally wasn’t any master-disciple relationship. He knew how absurd it was. Naturally he also knew master and disciple were like father and daughter—propriety must not be violated. Yet he couldn’t control it.

That person seemed to have belonged only to him from the beginning.

Should have belonged only to him from the beginning.