Her lip was bitten, bright red and vivid. Seeing it made Gu Monian’s heart clench.
His first thought was: What did Kong Yixian do to Xuan Yao?
Seeing Gu Monian, Xuan Yao resembled a homeless rabbit kit. Tears streamed down her face. She stammered:
“Shifu, I… I’m fine.”
Fine?
He sneered inwardly. It seemed there was quite a lot going on.
He frowned and said coldly, “A Yao, go back first.”
“Shifu…”
Xuan Yao bit her lip, but touched the wound she’d just made earlier. She let out a soft “hiss” of pain.
Gu Monian’s eyes grew darker.
“I sought out Senior Kong myself. It’s just that Senior Kong looks down on me. He likes Eldest Senior Sister more…”
Xuan Yao seemed flustered, as if afraid Gu Monian would storm inside. She tugged at the hem of Gu Monian’s robe, preventing him from moving.
She carefully explained the whole situation in detail from beginning to end, then hung her head:
“Shifu, please don’t be angry. It’s A Yao who isn’t good enough.”
She couldn’t cause trouble for her Shifu. She had to be like Eldest Senior Sister, not taking anything to heart.
But her heart felt so very bitter. She sobbed twice more, barely managing to hold back her tears.
Gu Monian’s face was shrouded in frost. He understood.
In the blink of an eye, the man was gone. Only a single sentence lingered: “Go back to Taixu Peak and wait for me. We’ll go back to planting cherry blossom trees.”
Xuan Yao stood rooted to the spot. Tears fell uncontrollably. She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, but more and more tears soaked both her hand and her cheeks.
…
“Mm? Long time no see.”
Inside the empty, silent Scripture Library, Kong Yixian lounged on a small couch. One leg was lazily bent up, an arm resting casually on his knee. The wine flask in his hand was already empty.
His long hair spread out, ink-black strands like silk.
“Kong Yixian, since you’re staying in Taixu Sect, you should understand the principle of keeping your tail between your legs.”
Gu Monian’s expression was grim and cold. His handsome face held little expression, but faint anger simmered beneath.
Kong Yixian suddenly laughed. The motion caused the golden chrysanthemum tucked beside his ear to tremble slightly, shedding a brilliant petal.
He glanced at Gu Monian. “You really think highly of yourself now… Oh, right, you’re the Head Seat. Technically speaking, I’m under your jurisdiction.”
The words were laced with sarcasm. Gu Monian’s face instantly turned very ugly at some unspoken memory.
“If it weren’t for your precious little disciple seeking me out time and again, I doubt you’d even see me. What’s the matter? Saw her crying, and your heart aches?”
He shook his wine flask, tilted his head back, and opened his mouth. A single drop of wine fell, just wetting his lips.
Tossing the flask aside with some regret, he added, “Since when did you go blind? I had no idea.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Kong Yixian narrowed his eyes and shook his head. “Forget it. There aren’t many clear-sighted, perceptive people left in this world anyway.”
Gu Monian’s brows furrowed tightly. “Kong Yixian, don’t go too far. Remember, you are still a member of the Righteous Path.”
“Righteous Path?”
Kong Yixian laughed loudly. “What is Righteous? What is Heretic? It’s been thirty years now. Don’t tell me you still believe you are Righteous?”
“…”
“You want to vent for your little disciple. But I don’t see what grievance she has to suffer.”
With her Shifu’s affection, the entire sect’s love, her Martial Brothers’ care, powerful talent, a bright and limitless future ahead… what injustice did Xuan Yao need to have addressed on her behalf?
Kong Yixian thought of Xie Bing. A sigh escaped his empty eyes.
That one—the one who was always the one suffering grievances—no one cared about her.
He waved his remaining hand in irritation. “Get lost, quickly. I don’t want to fight you.”
Gu Monian didn’t move.
“Hm?”
“In the future, stay away from Xuan Yao.”
An uncanny black flame flickered in Gu Monian’s eyes, vanishing in an instant.
Kong Yixian’s gaze was slightly drunk as he looked up at him. “Rather than coming to me, you’d do better to keep your little disciple in check.”
A long silence.
Finally, Gu Monian parted his lips. “Do you know whose daughter she is?”
Kong Yixian: “I don’t.”
He paused, then added, “No matter whose daughter, with that demeanor, she’s nothing special.”
“Kong… Yi… Xian!” Gu Monian bit out each word through clenched teeth.
He spoke darkly, “That face, though… it does bear thirty percent of her beauty. So what is it you love? The resemblance? The naive charm?”
Kong Yixian mocked, “To me, it seems rather scheming. Gu Monian, even now, do you think you still have the right to love her?”
“I don’t have the right… neither do you!”
Frost coated Gu Monian’s face. He flicked his sleeve and stormed off.
Hiding in a corner, Xie Bing felt a bit panicked.
From the moment Gu Monian had entered, she hadn’t dared to move, desperately trying to minimize her presence.
And Gu Monian, it seemed, hadn’t placed her in his eyes at all, unwilling to even spare her a glance.
Gu Monian had spoken unguardedly with Kong Yixian about certain things, without any scruples regarding Xie Bing.
Xie Bing understood as clearly as a mirror:
Gu Monian probably already considered her a dead person.
…
In the following days, Xie Bing never saw Kong Yixian in the Scripture Library again.
It was as if that lazy, lounging librarian had never existed there.
Perhaps reclusive masters were just naturally elusive like that. But Xie Bing felt somewhat stifled.
The original plot had deviated. Kong Yixian was originally supposed to have taught Xuan Yao sword techniques. Yet this time, after interacting with the Female Lead, he had refused her, and then simply left without a word. Could he have gone off wandering like an immortal?
Xie Bing: Something must have gone wrong somewhere.
Xie Bing couldn’t figure it out despite racking her brains.
Though worried about Kong Yixian, Xie Bing’s life still had to continue. The Foundation Establishment Class at Star Plucking Academy was slowly drawing to a close.
…
“Form a team?”
Xie Bing frowned. “No need.”
Su Zhao stood before Xie Bing. The fluffy tail behind him swayed uneasily. Patches of bare skin were visible on it—wounds where new fur hadn’t yet grown back.
“I can protect you.”
The thin, weak youth spoke the most forceful words he could.
Xie Bing felt a brief moment of dazed confusion.
In her trance, she saw a boy, even smaller and shorter, vowing with full confidence: “When I grow up, I want to protect Eldest Senior Sister.”
Her eyes gradually cleared. She said coldly, “I don’t need protection.”
Didn’t need protection, and even less, needed your protection.
She could protect herself.
The Foundation Establishment Class at Star Plucking Academy would end in five days. Just as every semester ended with final exams, the same held true for the cultivation world’s Foundation Establishment Class.
Yu Yan was a TOP-tier combat powerhouse of Taixu Sect. His Cultivation Academy’s final trials were known for decades as “nightmare” difficulty. Whenever someone learned they’d been assigned to Yu Yan’s hands, they’d shed a sympathetic tear.
Yu Yan’s final trial, nightmare difficulty, with difficult tasks to complete and even a death quota. Therefore, the smart students prepared early.
Forming teams and alliances beforehand was one such preparation.
It was said that Xuan Yao’s group had already allied and finished their preparations.
In the entire Foundation Establishment Class, only two people hadn’t joined a team. One was Xie Bing, the other was Su Zhao.
And Su Zhao had directly blocked Xie Bing’s path today, stating he wanted to ally with her. He’d even said he would protect her.
Xie Bing refused Su Zhao. Su Zhao left, despondent.
…
Moonlight spilled down, illuminating the mountain path. Dark leaves rustled softly.
Xie Bing walked along the mountain road and yawned.
Still couldn’t sleep.
As she walked, she subtly glanced backwards. Though she saw no one, she could sense someone following her.
Xie Bing furrowed her brows.
These past few days, Su Zhao had been tailing her. He’d been caught and beaten several times by the Black Pig Steward, yet he still stubbornly followed her. When Xie Bing asked him why, he wouldn’t speak.
Could it be he still wanted her to protect him during the trial?
Xie Bing thought coldly: She wouldn’t protect him, but he wouldn’t die either.
Such a powerful late-game character—not yet having been used by Xuan Yao, how could he die?
Just as she was thinking this, a fierce, cold sword light suddenly slashed downwards ahead!
The cold glint flashed, causing Xie Bing’s eyes to narrow.
The sword light struck directly behind Xie Bing!
“Clang—!”
The sound of Spirit Sword meeting Spirit Sword rang out. It was a familiar white robe with cloud patterns.
In the blink of an eye, several moves were exchanged.
Su Caiyi’s every move was lethal, attacking Su Zhao fiercely.
Clenching his sword, Su Zhao struggled to parry. The sword light “Boomed!” against his chest. A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed from his lips.
Xie Bing blurted out instinctively, “A-Yi, stop!”
Su Caiyi was hopping mad, furious. “You reckless scoundrel! Why are you following Eldest Senior Sister? Are you plotting something against her?”
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. He directly pressed his Spirit Sword against Su Zhao’s throat. “I heard you even wanted to team up with Senior Sister for the Foundation Establishment trial. What are you trying to do, exactly?”
Xie Bing frowned. Su Caiyi had never cared about her affairs before. How did he know Su Zhao wanted to team up with her?
Su Zhao had been knocked to the ground, yet he still stubbornly pursed his lips.
Hearing this, he raised his head and looked at him mockingly. “And now you position yourself as a protector?”
“Wh-What did you say?” Su Caiyi’s voice wavered at the end, clearly somewhat guilty.
“You shout ‘Eldest Senior Sister’ with your mouth, but do you not know she hasn’t been having an easy time lately?”
Xie Bing froze. Suddenly, her heart felt a warmth.
She understood why Su Zhao had been following her. Last time, when Jin Huo and his group bullied Su Zhao, Xie Bing had stepped in for him. Perhaps Su Zhao knew Jin Huo’s group’s temperament too well, and worried they would retaliate against Xie Bing. That’s why he had silently, wordlessly been protecting Xie Bing.
And when Xie Bing asked him, he’d pressed his lips tightly shut, refusing to speak.
Su Caiyi’s face instantly flushed red. “I-I’ve been busy lately, vanquishing demons and eliminating evil. Where would I have so much spare time… I only got back to Taixu Sect the day before yesterday!”
Su Zhao swept a sarcastic glance over him. “‘Busy’ is not an excuse.”
“Eldest Senior Sister wouldn’t let me get close either…” Su Caiyi looked towards Xie Bing, his expression somewhat wronged.
“Then maybe you should think about what you did to be so utterly disliked,” Su Zhao said mercilessly.
Su Caiyi: “…”
He looked hurriedly for Xie Bing, only to find the space before him empty.
Xie Bing had already left.
Su Zhao flicked his large white tail, bald in several patches, and also left.
Su Caiyi stood where he was, looking utterly disheveled and defeated.
Xie Bing frowned, looking at the person leaning dejectedly against her courtyard gate.
Su Caiyi was very handsome. Tall and lean, red lips, white teeth, and a smiling face. Although he often acted a bit shamelessly, he was quite well-liked by the maternally-inclined female cultivators within the sect.
Although he was arrogant and domineering, his nature wasn’t bad. Plus, as the most doted-on disciple under Head Seat Perfected Gu Monian, whether considering his future promise or Gu Monian’s face, the troubles he stirred up were often shared by others.
Xie Bing was silent for a moment.
She had once been one of those others.
She wasn’t surprised Su Caiyi had come to find her. What surprised Xie Bing was that Su Caiyi hadn’t directly barged into her courtyard but had honestly waited outside.
Xie Bing had placed restrictions at the entrance of her courtyard.
When Su Caiyi was young, he’d been a real rascal. He’d cracked the dwelling restrictions of who knew how many martial siblings’ residences, often taking pleasure in bullying others.
Xie Bing had scolded him many times. Su Caiyi would just smile mischievously and tug at the hem of Xie Bing’s robe. “Eldest Senior Sister, I was just playing around with them.”
After saying so, he’d look slightly regretful. “It’s a pity Eldest Senior Sister can’t cultivate. If Eldest Senior Sister could cultivate, we could spar with each other.”
At the time, Xie Bing had felt both amused and sad. How she also wished she could spar with Su Caiyi!
Now, Xie Bing had thought that if Su Caiyi came, he would surely swagger right into her inner chamber.
But he hadn’t.
Su Caiyi leaned against the stone wall by the gate, his head hanging somewhat listlessly.
Sensing Xie Bing’s return, his head snapped up instantly. A pleasing, grinning face was full of smiles: “Eldest Senior Sister!”
Xie Bing stopped and looked at him coldly.
Only then did Su Caiyi seem to remember something. The smile on his face turned slightly awkward. He hesitated a moment. “Eldest Senior Sister, I couldn’t find you anywhere, so I had no choice but to block your doorway. Eldest Senior Sister, why exactly are you ignoring me?”
Xie Bing’s voice was steady and detached: “If you have already left, then never come back.”
In truth, ever since Su Caiyi turned thirteen, he hadn’t returned to Stone Forest Peak for three years.
In her past life, there weren’t many places Xie Bing frequented. The peaks those cultivators could fly up to in an instant, the places where cultivators sparred and competed—she couldn’t go to any of them. Most of the time, she waited quietly on Taixu Peak, waiting for that mischievous child she’d raised to come home.
At first, Su Caiyi came back every few days. She would prepare his favorite meals and wait for him to return and devour them heartily.
A boy, in the midst of a growth spurt, found everything delicious. He asked for bowl after bowl of rice.
She watched him tenderly, softly telling him to eat slower, that if it wasn’t enough, she’d make more.
Later, Su Caiyi reached the Fasting stage and no longer needed to eat. His talent for cultivation was astonishing. He became obsessed with training, only coming back to see Xie Bing once every one or two months.
The lonely mountain years grew long.
So long that Xie Bing carved rough dates onto the rocks of Stone Forest Peak day after day, hoping Su Caiyi would return just once.
In spring, the peach blossoms bloomed. She picked a few branches to scent his room.
In summer, the grapes ripened. She saved the sweetest bunches for him.
In autumn, the apples were ready. She packed the crispiest, most tender fruits for him.
In winter, the snow lay pure and white. She saved the cleanest snow to brew his tea…
But he never came back.
Until the year he was thirteen. He went on a dangerous mission and returned. Afterwards, he was highly sought after, turning into one of the brightest new stars of Taixu Sect.
He had countless friends now, an endless path of cultivation to walk, a future too bright to see its end.
She stayed on Stone Forest Peak, watching the peach branches wither, the grapes rot, the apples soften, the snow water grow clearer day after day, month after month…
She was like a lonely old person.
She had once believed Su Caiyi was the hope she had raised with her own hands.
On this long, long path of cultivation… the hope she could never reach.