Chapter 061: Who Enters Beihua

Qiangui returned to the snowy bamboo grove with Lanshui and Jilin, warning them as they walked, “The situation within Tianshan is unstable lately. You must be vigilant at all times. As for the matter of the traitor, let’s set it aside for now. Just keep a close eye on the two spirit maidens in your daily routines.”

Lanshui nodded. “Now that the matter is in the hands of the Celestial Sovereign Jiucang, I trust he’ll handle it well.”

Qiangui seemed to want to say more, but ultimately just frowned and sighed.

Jilin, however, was clearly displeased, puffing up with indignation. “I don’t understand why the Celestial Sovereign Jiucang listens to the advice of the spirit maidens. Aren’t they afraid those two will only stir up trouble? The White Feather Spirit Maiden feigns illness, and the Cut Silk Spirit Maiden covers for her, shirking responsibilities—a pair of schemers if you ask me!”

Qiangui smiled serenely. “Their presence may be justified. Perhaps the truth is not as simple as it appears.”

As the three passed by the flower garden, they saw Xueze and Lianzi practicing their spells in the courtyard, and couldn’t help but feel a surge of affection and smile. From afar, the two young ladies moved with a grace as elusive as snow and as lively as swallows, their movements refined and practiced, the very picture of diligence.

“My beloved disciples, just now there was a quarrel in Zhengjun Pavilion, leaving your master in quite a bind! Yet here you are, so composed, still remembering my advice and training diligently!”

Xueze brought Lianzi over, smiling. “Master, we’ve long known we should be serious. Even if we can’t ease your worries, at least we won’t add to them.”

“That’s right, Master! Senior brothers and sisters say every disciple must stay focused on their practice and never slack off. We must answer the call—how could we laze about all day?”

“Such obedient children!” Qiangui fondly patted Lianzi’s head. “You’ve improved a lot lately. Have you been training all these days? I’ve seen you even less than Xueze, so I imagine you’ve been working hard, delving deeply into your studies!”

Lianzi lowered her head with a shy smile, her ears turning red, and thought, If not for Senior Sister urging me to practice, Master might have noticed something by now! Luckily, Senior Brother and Senior Sister have covered for me. I really must focus from now on! The mortal world is not where I belong after all.

“Master, what happened at Zhengjun Pavilion?” Xueze quickly steered the conversation away from Lianzi, drawing Qiangui’s attention, fearing he might discover Lianzi’s secret visit down the mountain to see Fengxing and Fengnuan.

Qiangui smiled, taking both disciples by the hand, and said gently, “Though I care deeply for you, there are always disputes when a Celestial Master enters seclusion. Just now in Zhengjun Pavilion, the Celestial Sovereign Jiucang could not decide which disciple to send down the mountain. Then someone made a suggestion—”

“Who did they suggest? Don’t tell me it was Senior Sister?” Lianzi suddenly looked up, anxious. “Though Senior Sister is talented and has inherited the dance of Celestial Master Qinglian, her spiritual power isn’t strong enough. Who would suggest sending her into danger?”

Qiangui only sighed in response, not answering. Lianzi frowned, glancing at Lanshui and Jilin, desperate to know the truth.

Jilin cleared his throat, and seeing no one stopping him, replied frankly, “It was the suggestion of the Cut Silk Spirit Maiden.”

Xueze froze where she stood, ignoring the worries of her master and senior brother, oblivious even to Lianzi’s anger. Was Tianshan truly so changed from before? Why would her senior sister, with whom she had no quarrel, do such a thing?

Lianzi was so furious she could barely catch her breath. “I knew it was that villain! She’s no real senior sister, always scheming to bully our Xueze! What a conniving woman!”

“Lianzi, mind yourself,” Jilin tugged at her sleeve.

Lianzi shook him off, hands on her hips. “Mind what? Am I supposed to fear eavesdroppers through the walls?”

“Have you forgotten how Tianshan conveys messages?”

Lianzi hesitated. “I—”

“Lianzi, watch your bearing,” Lanshui chided, waiting until Lianzi had let her hands drop and stood straight. “You’re a disciple of Tianshan, not a wild lotus sprite. Your words and actions must be measured.”

“Senior Brother, I’m sorry!” Lianzi stuck out her tongue and muttered, “I always thought that White Feather Spirit Maiden was no good either! Now we’re at odds with the two of them—how are we supposed to survive?”

The five fell silent for a while, the air heavy and awkward. At last, Xueze spoke up.

“Well, since they want me to go, then I’ll go. My spiritual power may be shallow, but I know enough spells to keep myself safe and avoid disgrace. Besides, this is a task, and I want the experience to better myself.”

“No, Senior Sister, aren’t you worried someone will sabotage you from the shadows?” Jilin echoed Lianzi’s concern.

Qiangui nodded. “Lianzi is right.”

“Master!” Xueze turned to Qiangui, eager to make her case, but Lanshui stopped her.

Qiangui sighed. “Xueze, you must trust Lianzi—she understands more than you. The mortal world is complex, and you can hardly manage affairs within Tianshan itself. How can I, as your master, let you venture out alone?”

“But people need experience to grow. If I never go, I’ll never understand the world or learn its lessons. Do you mean to shelter Xueze forever?”

“If I could, I certainly would!”

Xueze fell silent. She had never wanted to be coddled, but her parents, her master, and her senior brother all treated her this way. To grow, one must weather storms. If not now, then someday—Xueze was left perplexed.

Lanshui, seeing Xueze’s distress, spoke softly. “Don’t worry, junior sister. I have a plan.”

“What is it, senior brother?” Xueze asked.

Lanshui looked at Qiangui and said kindly, “Though Master has always taught us not to lie or break our word, you might still learn from the White Feather Spirit Maiden. In the main hall, she claimed to be ill and unable to dance—that’s a strategy, too.”

“Yes, junior sister, you could try that!” Jilin agreed.

Xueze blushed, embarrassed. “I—I can’t lie!”

“That’s right, senior sister always blushes when she tries to lie!” Lianzi bit her finger, lost in thought.

Jilin smiled gently, glancing at Lanshui. “No matter. Senior brother has another idea.”

Qiangui laughed. “You children, plotting right in front of your master—is that wise?”

“Master, we—”

“All right, I understand. I agree.”

Lanshui and Jilin exchanged a relieved, contented smile. Far from being negligent, Qiangui’s open-mindedness brought surprise and happiness to those around him.

While Tianshan was busy selecting talents to send north to Beihua, the mortal world was equally abuzz, with many clans participating—and lively Linger, of course, wouldn’t miss the fun.

Aboard the Yu family’s ship, Yu Qixian and Linger stared each other down in silence for a long while.

Yu Qixian still looked the part of the charming rogue, though he’d curbed some of his behavior, while Linger’s transformation was beyond description.

“Miss, what’s with this getup?”

“None of your business—I like it!”

Yu Qixian pulled Linger aside to a secluded spot, unable to help taking in her appearance. Her hair was braided into countless fine plaits, adorned with colorful ornaments; strands of colored silk woven through her locks, lively and spirited, a stark contrast to the coiffed buns of Central Plains women. She wore a short top, a bare midriff, layered gauzy skirts, and a sheer, flowing jacket; her outfit blended hues of red, orange, and violet, her collarbones, slender limbs, and fair skin setting off the colors in a dazzling way.

Though Linger’s attire was always a bit unusual, she’d never before dressed so overtly in foreign styles. It was this striking look that made Yu Qixian spot her instantly in the crowd.

“So, what’s the meaning of this? Are you not using spirit butterflies to gather information anymore? Is this outfit meant to lure someone?”

Linger yanked his ear, snapping, “What nonsense! You, of all people, roaming the martial world as you do, can’t even recognize the dress of my homeland, Pingliang?”

“Then why are you wearing the clothes of Pingliang?” Yu Qixian finally broke free, rubbing his ear and glaring at her with wounded eyes.

Linger snorted. “Don’t tell me you haven’t heard the announcement from Beihua?”

“What, are you going to participate?” Yu Qixian’s eyes nearly popped out as he looked her up and down. “You? Qu Linger? Going to join the Beihua demon-hunting expedition?”

Linger smiled teasingly, pinching him. “Demon-hunting expedition? It’s an intelligence mission in the palace, all right?”

“Heh, so you’re going to spy, are you? Isn’t that the same thing?” Yu Qixian nursed his purpled hand, grumbling, “You really are a vicious woman.”

Linger laughed smugly. “I’m going to perform a dance for them—show Beihua what dancing is all about! In Pingliang, everyone can sing and dance. If Beihua wants a grand dance competition, how could I not join?”

Yu Qixian smirked. “If it were anyone else from your lot, I might just believe it. But you? Dance? I’d sooner believe Heyu could get into the palace than you!”

“Hmph, talking to you is pointless!”

“Oh? Aren’t you curious why Heyu is getting into the palace?”

Linger glanced at him, unable to suppress a smile. “You think I’m as clueless as you? Of course it’s for Liu Li! I knew that before you did!”

“Fine, but aren’t you curious why my mother sent Heyu and not Qiudi?”

Linger was taken aback. “What? Qiudi’s not going?”

“Ah, finally caught you! So there are things you don’t know after all!”

Linger turned away in defiance. “That just means I don’t know yet. The spirit butterflies know—I can just check the records later. It’s not as if I do nothing all day; I can’t remember everything!”

“Oh!” Yu Qixian replied blandly, strolling out.

Linger bit her lip and hurried after him. “Wait, why isn’t Qiudi going?”

Yu Qixian grinned smugly, enjoying the moment. “That’s a secret of heaven itself—how could mere mortals like you hope to know?”

“Hmph! So you’re just going to keep me hanging?”

“All right, since you’re so curious, I’ll tell you. But first, you have to tell me who else is going.”

Linger took a deep breath. “I only know roughly!”

“You mean you don’t even know all your rivals?”

“You—!” Linger glared at him, sneering, “You just want to know if anyone from Tianshan is going, don’t you? Well, I honestly don’t know! But—there probably is, right?”

Yu Qixian smiled, a flicker of joy in his eyes. “Then why go just to embarrass yourself?”

Linger muttered, “It’s not certain that Xueze will go. I’ll take her on—if she can beat me!”

“Well, at least you have some self-awareness. Still proud, but you know you’re not her match.”

Linger shot him a glance and asked softly, “Fine, now will you tell me why Qiudi isn’t going?”

“Because she doesn’t want to.”