Chapter 346: Make Up the Numbers

“Back then, ambiguous relationships between women were forbidden. If they were discovered, they could be burned at the stake. However, there were still some same-sex couples who developed feelings for each other, using daggers as a way to test the waters. By the way, this dagger-gifting custom began with the Golden Age Dynasty.”

“The empress of the Golden Age Dynasty fell in love with a woman but couldn’t express her feelings openly. The woman was a great general, so the empress used the pretext of gifting daggers to send her many daggers, and the two used this as an excuse to meet in private.” As Ye Wenxin listened to this dramatic story, she couldn’t help but notice how animatedly Jin Xiaoqin recounted these gossipy tales. Despite not being very interested, Ye Wenxin reluctantly continued listening.

“The female general later died saving the empress, causing her immense grief. She erected a monument for the general, and revealed their relationship. This caused a sensation throughout the land, and thus the custom of gifting daggers began. From then on, when a woman gives a dagger to another woman, it signifies her willingness to entrust her life to her.” Ye Wenxin shivered, realizing the heavy significance behind the act of gifting a dagger.

Jin Xiaoqin glanced at the daggers on the ground, understanding even more about how libertine Ye Wenxin truly was. She chuckled and said, “However, kids these days rarely understand these customs. Maybe those women just thought you couldn’t use weapons and gave you daggers for self-defense.”

This reassurance made Ye Wenxin feel a bit better, but something still felt off. It seemed like, at some point, everyone had simply assumed Ye Wenxin was only interested in women.

“Who says? There’s also the one Big Brother Ling gave me,” Ye Wenxin retorted, unwilling to admit defeat. Although Ling Jue was actually a woman in disguise, Ye Wenxin still didn’t want to acknowledge that she emitted a yuri aura, which exclusively attracted females.

Jin Xiaoqin saw through Ye Wenxin’s self-deception and just smiled softly. She then took out a dagger from her bag of holding. Although it wasn’t as impressive as the one Gu Xiangsi had taken, it was still very exquisite.

She handed the dagger to Ye Wenxin.

“Here, take this.”

“Old Jin, are you trying to confess something?” asked Ye Wenxin a bit apprehensively.

Jin Xiaoqin laughed heartily. “What are you thinking, you silly child? I’m old enough to be your great-great-grandmother! How could I be interested in a little brat like you? I just mentioned that giving daggers doesn’t have any special meaning nowadays, but since everyone else is giving them, I thought I should give one too.”

With that, she forcefully shoved the dagger into Ye Wenxin’s hands. Ye Wenxin accepted it, feeling uneasy yet unable to pinpoint exactly what was off. She thanked Jin Xiaoqin and was about to clean up the clutter in her bag when she suddenly heard another dagger land in front of her.

Looking closer, she saw that it was the Vermilion Bird Dagger.

“School Master Fengya, what’s the meaning of this?” Jin Xiaoqin’s expression was filled with hostility. She couldn’t understand why Fairy Fengya would be fixated on her little apprentice who only knew how to run away, rather than her own capable disciple.

Fairy Fengya remained as calm as ever and continued, “Just joining in.”

Jin Xiaoqin was so enraged that she nearly spat blood. Ye Wenxin, used to Fairy Fengya’s style, grabbed Jin Xiaoqin with one hand and took the Vermilion Bird Dagger with the other, hoping to prevent Fairy Fengya from regretting it and giving the dagger to Long Qing’er instead.

“It’s been a while since we last sparred, School Master Fengya. Let’s compare whose weapon is better today—my Golden Axe or your Cold Soul Sword.” Despite her anger, Jin Xiaoqin ran off to spar with Fairy Fengya.

Fairy Fengya, seeming equally bored, gave a slight nod and said, “Senior Sister Jin, please give me your guidance.” With that, both sides formally entered a sparring battle, making the onlookers think there was an enemy attack. They awoke from their dreams, only to find Fairy Fengya and Jin Xiaoqin engaged in a spectacular duel.

Jin Xiaoqin fought with great effort, unwilling to lose face in front of Ye Wenxin. Fairy Fengya remained calm and collected, and the outcome of the battle was clear: Fairy Fengya emerged victorious.

Jin Xiaoqin looked a bit sour, so Ye Wenxin quickly approached with some prepared food to comfort her. However, Jin Xiaoqin still seemed dissatisfied. She noticed the eager umbrella sword behind Ye Wenxin and pointed at it, saying, “Come spar with me for a few moves.”

The umbrella sword unsheathed, and the two ghosts fought with perfect coordination, leaving Jin Xiaoqin feeling increasingly frustrated.

“Ahem, you’re up against two opponents after all, Master.”

“I’m still wielding a double axe,” Jin Xiaoqin grumbled, wondering what was up with this crazy world.

Setting aside Fairy Fengya, who was a 25-year-old Tribulation stage cultivator, Jin Xiaoqin was struggling to defeat the umbrella sword, even though she was currently at the Nascent Soul stage.

“Ahem, just a coincidence.” Ye Wenxin, watching the two smug ghosts, could only try to comfort Jin Xiaoqin. Jin Xiaoqin still seemed upset and continued to sigh, “Forget it. After we leave this secret realm, I’ll go into closed-door training.”

She gave Ye Wenxin a meaningful look, as if hinting at something. Ye Wenxin didn’t understand, but she didn’t want Jin Xiaoqin to seclude herself too soon, as it would mean less fun for her. The master and disciple began to bicker again, which only added to Fairy Fengya’s growing sense of irritation.

Zhu Ling: “Mistress, why did you give the Vermilion Bird Dagger to Ye Wenxin? Clearly, it would be more suitable for Long Qing’er.”

Fairy Fengya: “Just suddenly thought of it.”

Zhu Ling: “Then, is there any special significance behind you gifting the dagger?”

Fairy Fengya: “Just to make up the numbers.”

Zhu Ling: …

Great Grandma was growing more perplexed by Fairy Fengya’s thoughts. Previously, Fairy Fengya would show some emotion, but now, even her emotional responses seemed to have disappeared entirely, making Zhu Ling suspect if Fairy Fengya had detected her intentions or if she had truly become emotionally detached.

The brief moment of tranquility in the early morning ended, and the journey through the secret realm continued. Having bid farewell to the illusory villa, they now pressed on toward the mountaintop. Ye Wenxin had little expectation of finding anything significant there; if there were any treasures left, they would likely be mere remnants discarded by Liu Churan after she had plundered the secret realm.

The others had also found very little, and most of it came from the deceased. Overall, the losses in this secret realm had been significant, yet there was little reward to show for it.

Ye Wenxin stayed in the middle of the group, flanked by Long Qing’er and Jin Xiaoqin, while Xuan Luofei walked alongside Xi Mengxuan.

Fairy Fengya led the way, clearly serving as the group’s source of morale. It was likely thanks to her that they had survived for so long.

Ye Wenxin smiled and instinctively touched the Vermilion Bird Dagger, which she kept in her sleeve as a handwarmer.