Chapter 4

When Helan Xi and Song Xuanji left the inn, Changsun Ce was still there, seemingly intending to follow them.

Helan Xi succinctly told Changsun Ce that the matter ahead would be handled by their Unfeeling Sect members, and that he should go back and rest. To express his gratitude for the information, once he completed his work on the History of the Nine Provinces, he might consider offering Changsun Ce some advice.

Changsun Ce scowled and retorted, “What nonsense are you talking about? What if you make a bigger mess behind my back? Where would my face as the Young Master of Xizhou go? I have a responsibility to keep an eye on you. Besides, it was our Sect Leader’s order to lend you a hand, don’t you know that a disciple must never defy their master’s command?”

Helan Xi almost asked him, When you asked us to help you with your work, did you think about ‘never defying your master’s command’?

Later, the three of them arrived at the Lin family’s grand residence.

The Lin family was wealthy, and their mansion reflected that, with intricately carved beams and beautiful decorations. Although ordinary mortals couldn’t live for centuries like cultivators, if they could live like the Lin family, enjoying luxury and wealth throughout their lives, it was surely because they had accumulated much virtue in their past lives.

With Zhi Ruo Shuang and Lin Dan’s wedding soon approaching, the Lin household was filled with joy. Red ribbons and large red “double happiness” characters could be seen everywhere. Helan Xi and Song Xuanji, dressed in white, stood awkwardly at the entrance, while Changsun Ce acted as their temporary spokesperson, knocking on the door and explaining their purpose.

Once Changsun Ce identified himself, no one in all of Xizhou dared to treat them lightly. Soon, the three were respectfully invited inside.

After walking through the winding corridors, they arrived at a pavilion. However, it was not Zhi Ruo Shuang waiting for them in the pavilion, but a seemingly fragile young master.

This was Lin Dan, the young master of the Lin family, who was about to marry Zhi Ruo Shuang.

Lin Dan seemed to be suffering from an illness. His face was as pale as paper, and his thin shoulders looked incapable of even supporting a coat. When he saw Helan Xi and Song Xuanji, he appeared momentarily stunned. Only after being reminded by an attendant did he stand up and greet them, saying, “Are you two immortal friends of my brother?”

Changsun Ce took the initiative to answer for the Unfeeling Sect, “Yes, yes, they are.”

Helan Xi noticed that Lin Dan didn’t have any ominous aura that would cause someone to fall into madness. He appeared to be an ordinary person at first glance. Song Xuanji’s gaze swept over Lin Dan, and he asked, “Where is Zhi Ruo Shuang?”

Song Xuanji’s tone was flat, but it caused Lin Dan to flinch and almost lose his balance. He seemed frightened of Song Xuanji, and with the help of an attendant, he struggled to remain standing, his face as pale as ever. “My brother… he’ll be here soon.” Lin Dan paused, then summoned the courage to ask, “Immortal friends, are you here to take him away?”

Changsun Ce spoke again, “What else would it be? Lin Young Master, don’t you know who Zhi Yun is?”

Lin Dan silently clenched his fingers, showing a weak, pitiful smile. “My brother won’t go with you. He promised me he would stay for me.”

Before Changsun Ce could speak on behalf of the Unfeeling Sect again, Helan Xi immediately shot him a “please be quiet, you’re not involved” look.

“We’re not here to take him away,” Helan Xi said, “We’re here to drink the wedding wine.”

Changsun Ce let out a soft “Eh?” and said in surprise, “You even added a rhyme to it.”

Helan Xi kept a straight face, almost breaking into a smile.

No, it wasn’t allowed—only speak when necessary, and not laughing unnecessarily was one of the traditional skills of the Unfeeling Sect.

Lin Dan was stunned for a moment, about to speak when a calm voice came from not far away: “Lin Dan.”

The group turned to look, and the newcomer was none other than Helan Xi and Song Xuanji’s shared Daoist friend, Zhu Ruo Shuang.

Changsun Ce looked at the scene of the three white-clad youths together, and his mood became complex.

Just looking at Song Xuanji, with his bright, moonlike presence and his ice-like skin; Helan Xi, with unparalleled beauty, like a golden breeze and jade dew. While Zhu Ruo Shuang, though not as strikingly beautiful as Xun Xi and the others, had an elegant and calm temperament, standing tall like a bamboo in the rain, with a distinct aura.

Did the Unfeeling Sect truly only look at a person’s temperament and talent, not their appearance? These three had made the little perverts from the Hehuan Sect drool. Changsun Ce even once suspected that the head of the Hehuan Sect moved their sect right next door to the Unfeeling Sect just to wait for an opportunity to take in the three beauties of the Unfeeling Sect.

Helan Xi stared into Zhu Ruo Shuang’s eyes. The other’s gaze was clear, his expression cold in the unique, indifferent manner of the Unfeeling Sect, showing no signs of becoming obsessed.

Lin Dan called out, “Brother.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang didn’t respond. He looked at Helan Xi and asked, “What brings you here?”

Was there really a need to ask? Zhu Bro, are you really that dense?

Helan Xi answered, “You already know.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang replied, “If it’s as I think, please leave.”

Song Xuanji asked, “Why?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang replied, “It has nothing to do with you two.”

Helan Xi responded, “We are fellow Daoists.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang said, “That may not be the case in the future.”

Helan Xi asked, “Do you have a reason?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang replied, “No.”

Song Xuanji asked, “Have you gone astray?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang replied, “No.”

Helan Xi asked, “What happened to your Dao heart?!”

Zhu Ruo Shuang replied, “…Please leave.”

Changsun Ce’s head darted between the three of them. He was dizzy from trying to keep up with the conversation, finally losing his patience and shouting, “To hell with it, speak properly, all of you!”

Before anyone could react, Changsun Ce suddenly pulled something from his sleeve and threw it at the three of them without warning.

Song Xuanji, quick to react, immediately raised his hand to protect Helan Xi, both of them retreating a half-step in perfect synchronization. Helan Xi’s cheek brushed against Song Xuanji’s shoulder, and in that moment, he was momentarily distracted by the slightly swaying, ornate golden hairpin, his mind going blank for a moment.

This seemed to be the closest Song Xuanji had ever been to him in the year they had known each other.

The object Changsun Ce threw rolled on the ground with a crisp sound. It was a white porcelain bottle, from which a pungent, bright red liquid slowly poured out.

Helan Xi snapped out of it, almost blurting out “Are you crazy, what is this thing?” but then quickly changed his tone and asked, “An explanation?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang looked down at the strange, red liquid and asked, “What is this?”

“Excessive talk chili water,” Changsun Ce realized he might have acted impulsively. He thought he might be beaten up by the three of them, but he couldn’t lose his momentum. “It’s said that anyone who smells this will start talking twice as much as usual. I spent a lot of money buying it for you guys. Alright, keep talking.”

Song Xuanji: “…”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “…”

Helan Xi: “!!!”

What the hell? Changsun Ce could handle spraying this on Song Xuanji and Zhu Ruo Shuang, but why did he have to spray it on him? If Changsun Ce liked hearing him talk, he could chat with him for three days and nights without stopping!

He was really… so wronged.

Helan Xi discreetly observed the expressions of his two Daoist companions. Zhu Ruo Shuang seemed slightly surprised by Changsun Ce’s foolish actions, his expression briefly freezing; whereas Song Xuanji remained as cold as ever, his brows and eyes sharp as frost, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

If this chili water really worked, then wouldn’t he be able to have a normal conversation with his Daoist companions?

Helan Xi became a bit troubled. What should he do? He did want to say more, but since the two of them were still being so tight-lipped, should he just keep quiet as well? After all, with Changsun Ce’s brain, the chances of buying real medicine seemed slim.

After a while, Zhu Ruo Shuang spoke first. He told Lin Dan, “You should go back to your room and rest.”

Lin Dan widened his eyes in panic and asked, “Why? I want to stay. Brother, is there something I can’t hear?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang replied, “…No.”

Lin Dan took Zhu Ruo Shuang’s hand and pleaded, “If there’s nothing, why can’t I stay?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang sighed and said, “…Do as you wish.”

Changsun Ce crouched down, dipped his finger into the chili water, sniffed it suspiciously, and said, “Does this really work? I don’t feel anything at all.”

Helan Xi was starting to get anxious. If Zhu Ruo Shuang really got married, he probably wouldn’t return to Taihua Sect. Then, in the Unfeeling Sect, it would just be him and Song Xuanji, two people from the same cohort. Any task that required a team would have to be completed by him and Song Xuanji together, and he’d have to live surrounded by Song Xuanji’s “Mhm” and “Oh” every day…

At least Zhu Ruo Shuang would say “See you next year” to him, but Song Xuanji would only tell him that he mistook “solid ice” for “pancake.”

— Zhu Ruo Shuang couldn’t drop out! He couldn’t drop out!

Realizing this, Helan Xi finally snapped and asked Zhu Ruo Shuang directly, “So, you haven’t gone astray, and you weren’t coerced. You willingly decided to marry Lin Dan?”

Changsun Ce suddenly looked up at Helan Xi, his eyes filled with excitement: “It’s coming, it’s coming!”

Zhu Ruo Shuang hesitated for a moment and nodded: “Yes. If you don’t believe me, feel free to check.”

Helan Xi stepped closer to Zhu Ruo Shuang and released a strand of spiritual consciousness that entered Zhu Ruo Shuang’s brow. His spiritual consciousness moved freely within Zhu Ruo Shuang’s body, carefully examining his Golden Core and spiritual veins.

Not long after, Helan Xi turned his head and shook it at Song Xuanji. What Zhu Rushi had said was true; he hadn’t gone astray, and there was no sign of his spiritual veins being damaged.

Song Xuanji pondered for a moment and said, “You’ve known him for only a few days, how could it have come to this?”

Changsun Ce, surprised, remarked, “…Wow.” Even Song Xuanji had fallen for it. This was definitely money well spent!

Helan Xi ignored the irrelevant person’s astonishment and said, “Zhu Rushi, you’ve been in the Unfeeling Dao for a year. You’ve endured so much hardship, suffered so many trials. After finally making it through the first year, are you sure you want to give up your studies and your Dao heart for someone you’ve known for only a short time?”

“Dao heart… heh.” Zhu Rushi lowered his eyelids slightly and spoke softly, “My Dao heart is already destroyed. Even if I wanted to return, the dean wouldn’t keep me.”

Helan Xi’s heart sank, and he almost exchanged a look with Song Xuanji, a look of concern, but then thought better of it. They weren’t that close, and it seemed too intimate to exchange such a glance.

For those who cultivate the Unfeeling Dao, the Dao heart is the most important thing. Once the Dao heart is destroyed, no matter how good one’s aptitude is or how deep their foundation, the path of the Unfeeling Dao can no longer be walked.

Song Xuanji asked, “Is it worth it?”

Zhu Rushi was silent for a moment before answering, “Now that things have come to this, what’s the point of talking about whether it’s worth it?” He turned around, his back to the three of them, and continued, “I won’t return to the Taohua Sect with you, but we’ve been fellow students for a year. If you don’t mind, you may stay and observe the ceremony.”

With that, Zhu Rushi left two invitations on the table, saying, “No need to see us off.”

Lin Dan’s lips, colorless and pale, curved into a smile, her eyes sparkling with innocence. “Brother, let’s go back.”

The three of them were respectfully escorted out of the Lin family residence. Changsun Ce, with his hands behind his head, snickered maliciously. “Looks like Zhu Yun is really beyond saving. This time, the so-called curse of the Unfeeling Dao’s great masters has finally been disproved. What a relief. I’m going to rush and share this good news with Master Wujiao and the Daoists. So, what’s your plan now? Are you going to drag Zhu Yun back to the Taohua Sect?”

Helan Xi replied, “Could you return to the Taohua Sect first?”

Changsun Ce said, “No way. I haven’t had enough of this grand spectacle.”

Helan Xi wanted to smack him, but the urgency of the matter made him focus on how to save his friend who had fallen in love.

Even though Zhu Rushi had explicitly said that everything was his own choice, the situation was still too strange. He and Zhu Rushi had been fellow students for a year. Even though they hadn’t spoken much, the three of them had shared the same residence in the Unfeeling Dao, and attended lessons together. Helan Xi could swear that Zhu Rushi was the hardest-working disciple among them, staying up later than even the dogs of the Unfeeling Dao.

Even if Zhu Rushi was willing to sever his cultivation path for Lin Dan, what about Zhu Rushi’s older brother? Zhu Rushi’s older brother had a terminal illness, and the medicinal herbs required to extend his life couldn’t be solved with money alone.

Helan Xi had always thought that if any of the three of them couldn’t bear it and left the Unfeeling Dao, it would definitely be him. But now, even he had held on, so what reason did Zhu Rushi have to give up?

Helan Xi suddenly had an idea. He stopped in his tracks, about to speak, but was interrupted by Song Xuanji.

Song Xuanji said, “The invitation.”

Changsun Ce asked, “The invitation? What about the invitation?”

Helan Xi took out the invitation Zhu Rushi had left for them and examined it closely. Song Xuanji, standing beside him, also lowered his head slightly to look at the invitation.

At first glance, the invitation seemed ordinary. Song Xuanji used a revealing spell on it, but there were no visible changes to the invitation.

Helan Xi thought for a moment and also used the revealing spell. The black text on the invitation turned into ink and water, then rearranged itself into winding curves.

Changsun Ce stared, dumbfounded. “Why did your spell work, but Song Xuanji’s didn’t?”

Helan Xi nearly couldn’t hold back a smile. “Because my spiritual sense had entered Zhu Rushi’s body earlier. He had already locked the method so only he could undo it.”

Changsun Ce scratched his short hair. “Impressive.”

The curves on the invitation returned to their original positions and finally came to a halt.

“It’s a map!” Changsun Ce exclaimed, “Is Zhu Yun asking us to go to the place marked on the map?”

Helan Xi looked up from the invitation, meeting Song Xuanji’s eyes at that exact moment.

He knew it. He knew that Zhu Rushi wasn’t that foolish.