After this meeting at Qilu Terrace, Huang Rang rarely saw Di Yiqiu.

Xie Hongchen seemed intent on preventing them from meeting. Every time Di Yiqiu came looking for some matter, he would have Huang Rang practice in Yeyun Hall. He never allowed her to go out.

Over time, everyone could see that Sect Master Xie was unwilling to let Huang Rang have excessive contact with Si Tianjian.

But this was understandable too.

Si Tianjian belonged to the court and had never gotten along with Yuhu Xuanzong.

Xie Hongchen didn’t want his painstakingly cultivated disciple to form ties with the court—wouldn’t that be making a wedding dress for Shi Wenyu for nothing? This made perfect sense.

Everyone thought there was no problem.

On this day, at Yeyun Hall.

Huang Rang was still practicing sword techniques in the training ground behind the hall. Xie Hongchen stood beneath the parasol tree, frowning: “Recently you’ve been extremely diligent, yet your cultivation hasn’t advanced an inch. Why?”

Ah, he’d noticed.

Huang Rang stopped her sword and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat.

Her cultivation hadn’t advanced because of the Grade C combat puppet Di Yiqiu had given her.

The chest plates in that puppet were all inscribed with Xie Lingbi’s techniques.

Heaven knew where Di Yiqiu had collected so many of Xie Lingbi’s sword moves.

Huang Rang had been obsessed with cracking these sword techniques. Naturally, her cultivation path progressed slowly.

She said: “Perhaps this disciple’s talent is limited, so progress is slow.”

Hearing the dejection in her voice, Xie Hongchen then said: “Perhaps the scrolls are too tedious. If you’re tired, take a rest.”

Huang Rang acknowledged with a sound, then said: “Master, accompany this disciple in a sword dance?”

“Sword dance?” Xie Hongchen’s brow moved slightly.

Huang Rang said: “Precisely. Master is the First Sword Immortal, yet this disciple has never seen Master dance with the sword. Today, let Master open this disciple’s eyes—may I?”

This wasn’t appropriate.

As a teacher, he should understand proper boundaries between superior and inferior.

Yet he heard himself answer: “Very well.”

With these words, light flashed in his hand—it was his heart sword. Gripping his heart sword, this First Sword Immortal instantly became like a god descending to the mortal world, his elegance dazzling.

He held this sword and performed a sword dance with Huang Rang.

If this had been Huang Rang from outside the dream back then, she might already be utterly entranced at this moment. Unfortunately, at this moment, though her face wore a smile, her heart was ice cold.

When Xie Shaozhong entered the rear hall, he saw this scene.

On the training ground, Huang Rang and Xie Hongchen stood side by side in a sword dance.

Xie Hongchen wore robes white as clouds, Huang Rang wore a light gold dress—a perfect pair dancing with swords, one strong and one soft, naturally a beautiful sight to behold.

Quite a sense of… being made for each other.

Xie Shaozhong was actually quite observant.

Seeing this scene, how dare he approach? He retreated from afar.

He walked out of Yeyun Hall, the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.

These past years, Xie Hongchen’s protection of this female disciple of his had truly been excessive.

His heart heavy with worry, he was about to return to the training grounds when he suddenly heard two disciples speaking in low voices: “I heard another outer gate study disciple proposed to Senior Sister Huang Rang today?”

Xie Shaozhong froze and couldn’t help but listen.

He heard another disciple say: “What’s so strange about that? Over these years quite a few outer gate study disciples have proposed to Senior Sister Huang. Have you seen the Sect Master give any of them a good face?”

Xie Shaozhong’s heart caught as he couldn’t help but recall carefully.

Indeed, over these years Huang Rang had become increasingly outstanding. Not only was her appearance refined and otherworldly, her cultivation had also become among the best of Yuhu Xuanzong’s current generation of disciples.

She also controlled the Huang family and hadn’t neglected her seed cultivation skills.

What sect wouldn’t covet such a woman?

Those coming to propose to her were endless.

But Xie Hongchen had politely refused them all, leaving no room whatsoever.

Xie Shaozhong worried inwardly, but unexpectedly the two disciples in the distance suddenly said another sentence: “Senior Sister Huang Rang is also practicing in Yeyun Hall today, right?”

The other person made an affirmative sound, saying: “If Senior Sister Huang Rang isn’t at Yeyun Hall, where else would she be? Why do you care so much? Could it be you also want to propose to her?”

“How would I dare? If the Sect Master found out, he’d probably break my legs…”

The speaker had no particular intent, but the listener took it to heart.

Even an ordinary inner gate disciple already knew about Xie Hongchen and Huang Rang’s intimacy.

This teasing had already reached its limit. One step further and it would become scandalous.

Xie Shaozhong simply turned around and returned to Yeyun Hall.

In the rear hall’s training ground, the parasol tree’s branches swayed and leaves trembled.

Xie Hongchen and Huang Rang’s dual swords crossed, their gazes meeting—incredibly, there was actually a sense of tender affection.

“Ahem! Sect Master.” Xie Shaozhong directly spoke up to interrupt.

Huang Rang quickly stopped the sword dance, stepped aside, and bowed: “Uncle Xie.”

Xie Hongchen slowly put away his heart sword and instructed as if nothing had happened: “Continue practicing the sword.”

Huang Rang acknowledged, and only then did Xie Hongchen lead Xie Shaozhong into the hall.

The two came all the way to the study. Xie Hongchen asked: “What matter?”

Xie Shaozhong wore a smile and said tactfully: “These past few years, Arang has always practiced sword in Yeyun Hall. The other disciples are jealous, always saying the Sect Master only looks after her alone.”

These words already carried that meaning.

How could Xie Hongchen not hear it?

Yet he chose to evade. He asked: “How were everyone’s lessons today?”

Unwilling to discuss it? Xie Shaozhong was slightly alarmed. In all their acquaintance, Xie Hongchen rarely evaded like this.

Xie Shaozhong couldn’t really say more. After all, Xie Hongchen hadn’t left any real evidence. Just valuing a diligent female disciple—how could others counsel him?

He could only say: “Since Arang entered the sect, these lazy bugs have all become much more motivated. If we’re talking about diligence in Yuhu Xuanzong, Arang is still second to none.”

Xie Hongchen acknowledged with a sound, saying: “She… is naturally different.”

These simple few words actually carried an ineffable tenderness.

Xie Shaozhong’s worry grew even greater.

His gaze shifted sideways and saw the orchid at the corner of the desk. The orchid bloomed magnificently, its fragrance assailing the senses.

Such gorgeous brilliance didn’t really match this cool study.

Xie Shaozhong said: “This orchid is quite distinctive. With such a strong fragrance, it’s probably also a variant cultivated by Arang?”

Xie Hongchen reached out to lightly touch the orchid’s leaves, saying softly: “The Xi Rang clan are born loving these things.”

“Precisely.” The more Xie Shaozhong looked, the more alarmed he became. He said: “I heard she also cultivated a famous tea called One Petal Heart. I imagine the Sect Master has some here too?”

“One Petal Heart?” Xie Hongchen said softly: “Yes. Does junior martial brother want to take some?”

Xie Shaozhong simply spoke plainly: “Senior martial brother, Shaozhong has something to say—I don’t know if it’s appropriate.”

His expression was serious. Xie Hongchen said: “Speak.”

Xie Shaozhong sighed and said: “As the saying goes well, when a son grows up he avoids his mother, when a daughter grows up she avoids her father. This child Arang is excellent, and your appreciation of her is beyond reproach. But ultimately, she is your junior generation. Keeping her constantly practicing in Yeyun Hall like this, over time, I fear some unsavory people will spread gossip.”

Having said this much, Xie Hongchen ultimately couldn’t dodge anymore.

But… when a bit of filthy thought is exposed, what could he say?

Xie Hongchen’s fingertip paused briefly, then continued lightly grooming the orchid by the desk. Only after a long while did he say: “This is merely passing on the Dao and teaching skills. Why does junior martial brother say this?”

He didn’t fly into rage, only calmness.

Why calmness?

Because he was concealing his true emotions.

Xie Shaozhong smiled: “I’m just speaking casually. To tell the truth, I’m also Arang’s martial uncle. This child is diligent and progressive—I’m also very pleased watching her. Why not let her study under me for these coming days? Junior martial brother is also curious how much of your skills this girl has learned.”

He was using all his strength thinking of him. How could Xie Hongchen not know?

Xie Shaozhong and he had both been picked up and raised by Xie Lingbi.

Though called martial brothers, their relationship was no less than blood relatives.

Over these years, Xie Shaozhong had always assisted him wholeheartedly without complaint.

But to hand Arang over to him…

Xie Hongchen didn’t answer for a long time. Xie Shaozhong was like someone waking him in the morning, tactfully trying to startle away his dream.

But he didn’t want to wake.

He already dwelt permanently in Yeyun Hall. If Huang Rang studied under Xie Shaozhong, then he would very rarely be able to see her.

Xie Hongchen wanted to keep her by his side. Perhaps for his entire life nothing would happen. As long as she came every day to dust the study, water the orchids, brew him a pot of clear tea.

She was Yeyun Hall’s clear song, his turning seasons.

Just thinking of releasing her to the inner gate training grounds—those disciples would approach her, would laugh and talk with her, would seek to please her. Ah, and would propose to her.

Over these years, there had truly been too many people proposing to her.

Xie Hongchen said slowly: “No need. She’s practiced in Yeyun Hall for so many years and is long accustomed to it. If she suddenly went to the inner gate, it would probably cause junior martial brother trouble instead.”

He still refused, like someone mired in mud refusing the hand extended to him.

Xie Shaozhong couldn’t possibly say more.

He could only laugh: “True. Such a disciple—only the Sect Master has the fortune to take her as a disciple. If half the youngsters under this junior martial brother were like her, I’d probably wake up laughing even in sleep.”

“Junior martial brother jests.” Xie Hongchen’s gaze fell upon that pot of orchids. The flowers bloomed too brilliantly—even his eyes were stained with floating color: “Speaking of natural talent, she’s far inferior to Jianlan.”

He was being modest. Why modest?

Because he regarded Huang Rang as his own possession. So he was slightly humble.

Xie Shaozhong had only been worried before, but now he was afraid.

Yes, afraid.

Like watching a brother fall into demonic obstruction while being powerless to help.

He stood up and said: “Today the disciples are practicing a new sword formation. Why doesn’t the Sect Master come observe with me?”

Only then did Xie Hongchen say: “Good.”

Xie Shaozhong let him go first, following close behind. Upon leaving Yeyun Hall, he looked inside once more. With layers of wall shadows, he naturally couldn’t see Huang Rang.

But within this Yeyun Hall, her shadow seemed to be everywhere.

Evening. Huang Rang left Yeyun Hall.

As usual, she headed to Qilu Terrace to tend the improved seeds.

He Xijin and the others hadn’t come to visit her, but sent silver every month. Qu Manying even sent her clothes, jewelry, and all sorts of delicious things.

Huang Rang was someone whose heart was cold as ice and not easily moved.

But receiving these large and small packages of miscellaneous things, Huang Rang felt yearning for this aunt she didn’t know well.

Only… better not to maintain contact.

Otherwise, on the day she took revenge, she would inevitably draw swords against Yuhu Xuanzong—what would she do about these people close to her?

Therefore, Huang Rang never replied.

She only used this silver to cultivate improved seeds to the maximum extent.

After all, it was just a dream.

Even doing these things was already being too serious.

She arrived at Qilu Terrace all the way. That puppet had already tended the improved seeds quite properly.

Weeds pulled, water given, fertilizer spread.

Huang Rang was very pleased. Thus she had more time to spar with this puppet.

This puppet’s combat power naturally couldn’t compare with the Super-Grade A one at the training grounds. But it was smaller, its techniques cleaner and more efficient.

Moreover, it was equipped with weapons.

Its weapon was a sword, even the style very similar to Xie Lingbi’s heart sword.

Huang Rang treated it as Xie Lingbi, sparring with killing intent. One bout lasted a full hour.

She couldn’t continue fighting—it was getting dark.

After ten years as a prisoner, she could no longer endure darkness.

Huang Rang calculated moving a few moon-illuminating artifacts up here while passing by Bailu Pond. She glanced at the pond’s edge, where usually many love letters would be piled.

Those outer gate study disciples all knew this Qilu Terrace was her place. So they would always deliver letters here.

Somehow they’d formed this custom—these letters were uniformly placed by Bailu Pond, held down with pebbles.

Each time Huang Rang came she could see a thick stack.

But today there wasn’t a single one.

How… suddenly peaceful.

Huang Rang frowned and walked past quickly.

After she left, Qilu Terrace returned to tranquility.

At this time, someone snuck up, hurrying to Bailu Pond’s edge. Taking advantage of the night’s cover, he stuffed a letter by Bailu Pond. Held it down with a pebble.

Having done this, he snuck away again.

After he left, the puppet in the corner suddenly made a soft clicking sound.

Then it slowly walked to Bailu Pond’s edge, actually lifted the pebble, and picked up that letter. Then it opened its mouth—inside, teeth sharp as knives. It stuffed the letter into its mouth. After a few soft crunching sounds, the letter was crushed into powder.

…

Si Tianjian.

The Jianzheng watched through the Nine-Bend Spirit Eyes as the puppet completely pulverized the letter, then finally snorted coldly.

Outside, Shaojian Zhu Xiang entered: “Jianzheng. Yuhu Xuanzong sent a letter requesting a batch of chest plates. This subordinate has prepared them.” She produced a document: “After the Jianzheng reviews it and finds no errors, this subordinate will have someone deliver them.”

Di Yiqiu took the document. Sure enough, it was an account for two hundred chest plates.

He casually signed it: “No need to trouble yourself. This seat will personally deliver them.”

“Personally…” Shaojian Zhu was quite troubled: “This… damages your dignity, doesn’t it?”

Did Di Yiqiu care about this?

He waved his hand: “This seat, as Si Tianjian’s Jianzheng, should naturally attend to every detail.”

This isn’t attending to every detail—you’re practically becoming an errand boy. Zhu Xiang silently complained.

However, the Jianzheng meant what he said.

He took these two hundred chest plates and personally went to Yuhu Xuanzong—without using a transmission talisman.

When Yuhu Xuanzong’s disciples saw him, their expressions were quite numb.

No other reason—truly… this Jianzheng ran here too frequently.

As soon as Xie Shaozhong heard the visitor was him, he got a terrible headache.

Xie Hongchen was unwilling to appear, so he had to personally go receive him. However, where did Di Yiqiu need his reception?

Now this Si Tianjian Jianzheng already knew the way like the back of his hand.

Sure enough, upon seeing Xie Shaozhong, he immediately said: “Immortal Friend Shaozhong, who would have thought we’d meet again so soon.”

Xie Shaozhong was too weary to complain: “This one also didn’t expect that Si Tianjian would have even small matters like delivering a few chest plates handled personally by the Jianzheng.”

—Is Si Tianjian short on people?!

But the Jianzheng wore a smile and said: “To be honest, this seat came this time wanting to see Sect Master Xie.”

Fine, at least you have some proper business.

Xie Shaozhong asked: “The Sect Master is currently in seclusion. I wonder what important matter the Jianzheng has? This one can also report it.”

“Nothing else.” The Jianzheng said slowly: “Just with nothing to do, I suddenly missed Sect Master Xie and came especially to visit.”

“Mis—sed?” Xie Shaozhong listened with a vigilant expression. What are you trying to do?

He said: “The Sect Master’s intensive cultivation is at a critical juncture. This one can convey the Jianzheng’s kind regards. As for meeting… that’s probably unnecessary.”

However, he underestimated Di Yiqiu.

Sure enough, Di Yiqiu then said: “Actually, it’s about equipping the combat puppet with magical implements.”

“E-quip-ping-mag-i-cal-im-ple-ments?!” Xie Shaozhong was stunned.

The Jianzheng was very sincere: “Precisely. Currently the puppet is only used for sword techniques, but if it’s equipped with a saber, naturally it can be used to practice saber techniques. Ah, staff, spear, cudgel, fists—with a bit of effort, there’s nothing that can’t be done.”

Damn you! Even someone as good-tempered as Xie Shaozhong nearly cursed aloud.

How many spirit stones are you planning to scam from us with this one puppet?!

But what could he do?

If this puppet could be equipped with these magical implements, for the disciples’ technique practice, it could be said to have great benefits.

He had to go report to Xie Hongchen.

Xie Hongchen had lost his temper and directly ordered Xie Shaozhong to invite Di Yiqiu into Yeyun Hall.

Di Yiqiu entered the hall but didn’t get to see Huang Rang.

—Huang Rang was practicing sword in the rear hall’s training ground. Naturally he couldn’t enter.

Xie Hongchen had people invite him into the study. Di Yiqiu immediately saw the orchid on his desk.

Such a fragrant flower—whose handiwork was it? Need it be said?

The Jianzheng immediately felt sour again, but recalling Li Lu’s words, he quickly suppressed this vinegar.

Li Lu was right. Xie Hongchen was Huang Rang’s master. He still shouldn’t offend him too much, lest he make things difficult for her.

Therefore, rarely, he performed a junior’s bow to Xie Hongchen: “Di Yiqiu greets Sect Master Xie.”

Having made this bow, Xie Hongchen felt suspicious—when had Di Yiqiu ever been this polite?

He returned the courtesy: “The Jianzheng need not be so polite. I heard from Shaozhong you’ve brought up the puppet’s magical implements?”

On this point, Xie Hongchen’s view was the same as Xie Shaozhong’s—are you ever going to be done?

Yet the Jianzheng was actually quite courteous: “Precisely. The puppet equipped with different magical implements can practice different cultivation methods. However, Sect Master Xie need not worry. The puppet’s magical implements aren’t expensive either.”

Reaching this point, he suddenly changed the subject. He took out a package of tea leaves from his storage artifact: “I heard the Sect Master loves tea. This seat brought some along this time. Please, Sect Master, don’t disdain it.”

He extended a package of tea leaves. Xie Hongchen didn’t dare accept it for a long time.

But fortunately, he finally came to his senses. Upon receiving it and smelling it lightly, he discovered it was another famous tea. Luoyang Snow, equally renowned as One Petal Heart, from Elder Xi’s hand. Also a rare fine tea.

“The Jianzheng is truly thoughtful.” Xie Hongchen was full of doubts and spoke very cautiously: “But one shouldn’t accept rewards without merit. How can this Sect Master accept such a great gift from the Jianzheng?”

The Jianzheng said sincerely: “In past years, I was young and didn’t understand propriety. Where I gave offense, I hope Sect Master Xie will be magnanimous.”

“This…” Xie Hongchen’s brow furrowed: “Why does the Jianzheng say this?”

Di Yiqiu straightened his sleeves and bowed deeply to Xie Hongchen: “Sect Master Xie is Miss Arang’s master. Speaking of it, you could be considered this one’s elder. As an elder, naturally you must be respected.”

…

The Jianzheng was about to present other gifts when he was thrown out by Xie Hongchen.

Not only did he not see his beauty, he was treated like this.

The Jianzheng immediately reverted to his true nature, revealing a sharp, caustic expression.

—This old thing doesn’t know what’s good for him!