Chapter 68: Swaying Xiao Zhang

As for Xiao Zhang, she could not possibly be in a passive position either. Seeing Ye Wenxin greeting her with a confused look, she pretended to be puzzled and said, “Have you mistaken me for someone else, junior sister?”

Ye Wenxin’s lips curled slightly. “There were three people next to you just now. How did you know I was calling you?”

Xiao Zhang paused for a moment, carefully recalling the situation. Indeed, there were three people next to her earlier, and she was the one who came forward to admit her identity.

“Because you were looking at me, so I thought you were calling me,” Xiao Zhang replied, unwilling to give up easily, striving to clarify that she had simply misunderstood Ye Wenxin’s intention.

“Really? But just now, you made a subconscious pause?” Ye Wenxin calmly expressed her new perspective.

Even though she had an ever-changing method of disguise, eye contact remained a significant problem. Eyes were windows to the soul, and Xiao Zhang’s gaze was completely different from other people’s.

She looked sorrowful, as if struggling on the brink of death.

“No, I did not. If this junior sister has nothing else to say then I shall take my leave…” Before she could finish her sentence, Ye Wenxin had already embraced her.

Xiao Zhang froze in fright. If Ye Wenxin had not been a girl, she probably would have slapped her outright.

“But there’s still the lingering scent of Thousand Mile Fragrance on you,” Ye Wenxin found a new clue in the embrace. The lingering trace of Thousand Mile Fragrance on Xiao Zhang was the most crucial factor.

Thousand Mile Fragrance was a rare type of sandalwood known for enhancing cultivation and increasing focus. Such precious sandalwood was something that most people rarely come into contact with.

However, if one spent a long time in its vicinity, the scent would permeate their clothes.

“You… Miss Ye, please don’t make things difficult for me. I’m just following orders.” Seeing Ye Wenxin point out the most crucial point, Xiao Zhang was speechless, and she did not bother to keep up the pretense anymore.

“I’m just very grateful for you covering my class this morning. I’m so appreciative, how could I possibly make things difficult for you?” Ye Wenxin laughed even harder as she spoke. She grabbed Xiao Zhang’s hand, instinctively infusing Qi to probe Xiao Zhang’s physical condition.

“Pretending not to know me is the best way to show gratitude.” Xiao Zhang felt somewhat disgusted by Ye Wenxin’s familiarity, instinctively wanting to pull her hand away but finding herself unable to break free.

This turn of events made Xiao Zhang realize that she might have underestimated Ye Wenxin, and she could not help but show a cautious expression.

“Don’t show such a scary face. I just think you’re a nice person, and I want to be friends with you.” Ye Wenxin continued shamelessly. Since coming to the Azure Wings Sect, this was the first time she had been so proactive with someone.

“I’m just a servant, befriending Miss Ye would be overstepping my bounds.” Xiao Zhang’s expression became even more unpleasant, displaying the arrogance and self-esteem of someone in a higher position.

In Xiao Zhang’s eyes, Ye Wenxin was nothing more than a plaything kept by her master. As soon as her master grew tired of her, Long Qing’er would abandon Ye Wenxin at any moment.

Therefore, Xiao Zhang would not show any respect, reserving it solely for Long Qing’er.

“I’m just a nobody, so there’s no need to think I’m trying to climb up. But Xiao Zhang, why don’t you consider seeing a physician? If my guess is right, you probably only have about three months left to live.” Ye Wenxin also released her hand, but then slowly uttered a sentence that made Xiao Zhang’s expression increasingly grim.

“Why… how do you know?”

“I study medicine, so naturally, I have some means. I guess you often get injured but don’t seek timely treatment, causing excessive blood stagnation in your body that can’t be cleared, resulting in weakness and even an inability to channel Qi, right?” Ye Wenxin recalled the description of internal injuries targeted by the Soul Suppressing Eighteen Needles, where accumulated injuries turned into illness.

Dealing with someone like Xiao Zhang, who was loyal and righteous, Ye Wenxin could only use gentle persuasion.

Moreover, Ye Wenxin felt that the likelihood of Xiao Zhang submitting was low, but she still wanted to give it a try.

“Yes, that’s why Milady arranged for me to be by her side, to accompany her for the last three months.” Xiao Zhang’s attitude softened slightly, but the sadness in her eyes could not be erased.

It was precisely for this reason that Ye Wenxin met Xiao Zhang for the first time.

“Wenxin, let’s spar together next time.” A passing outer disciple greeted Ye Wenxin, interrupting their conversation. Xiao Zhang looked even more embarrassed and hurriedly explained, “I’m really sorry. Because I wanted to experience the life of an ordinary person, I borrowed your identity for a while.”

With this explanation, the morning’s suspicions were completely resolved.

Xiao Zhang took it upon herself to replace Ye Wenxin in class, but she did not expect Ye Wenxin to be a genuine troublemaker, which led to the younger disciples wearing expressions akin to seeing a ghost.

“It’s alright, I’m not interested in studying anyway. Let’s go out and chat. I want to talk to you.” Xiao Zhang’s current physical condition had become Ye Wenxin’s bargaining chip.

This internal injury was not complex, but this world’s medical skills were too mediocre to completely cure it. However, the Soul Suppressing Eighteen Needles were different. As long as there was a breath of life, they could even pull someone back from the underworld. This seemingly tricky condition was a piece of cake for Ye Wenxin.

Xiao Zhang hesitated, but her hand was still held by Ye Wenxin and she could not shake her off. She sighed and agreed.

The two of them walked out, heading towards a relatively secluded forest.

During the walk, they encountered many Dao couples being intimate, making Ye Wenxin and Xiao Zhang’s pairing seem awkward.

Just as Ye Wenxin was considering whether to change locations, Xiao Zhang stopped in her tracks, “Wait a moment.”

With those words, Xiao Zhang pulled her hand away and walked into the tree line behind them. When she emerged again, she had transformed into a delicate young man.

Ye Wenxin was quite surprised, while Xiao Zhang wore a proud expression, as if she was intentionally showing off her exceptional disguise skills.

“So, Xiao Zhang, are you a man or a woman?”

“I…” Xiao Zhang was choked up by Ye Wenxin’s question, but considering that Ye Wenxin was just a child, she probably could only think of such things. Suppressing her dissatisfaction, Xiao Zhang continued, “I’m a woman. But if you prefer men, I can also transform into a man.”

For a moment, Ye Wenxin thought of Ling Jue’s Yin-Yang Transformation Technique.

Although it appeared perfect on the surface, if a woman’s habits were not concealed, it would appear awkward, making Ye Wenxin feel extremely uncomfortable.

“It’s better to stay as a woman. My reputation among the outer disciples isn’t good. If they see us together a few more times, they might come up with a story about us.” Ye Wenxin recalled her infamous reputation among the outer disciples, ultimately persuading Xiao Zhang to stay in the guise of an ordinary woman.

As they walked further into the deepest area, where it was quiet and undisturbed, Ye Wenxin continued, “I want to make a deal with you. I can cure your internal injuries.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me, even the imperial physicians can’t do anything about it.”

Xiao Zhang’s expression remained unchanged, showing no belief in Ye Wenxin’s words.

“I can really cure your internal injuries, and not only that, I can also help you break through,” Ye Wenxin spoke confidently. Her greatest trump card was no longer her cultivation, but her medical skills.

Rather than using force to get Xiao Zhang to submit, gaining her goodwill by offering her benefits seemed like an easier way to win her over.

“Well… if what you’re saying is true, there must be conditions attached.” Xiao Zhang observed the benefits Ye Wenxin offered, each one stirring her interest.

“Naturally, there are. I need you to continue playing the role of Ye Wenxin while I take some time to prepare,” Ye Wenxin laid out her terms. If possible, she hoped Xiao Zhang could continue to substitute for her in class, giving her more time to research the Soul Suppressing Eighteen Needles and cultivate the new pill formulas she had acquired.

Compared to butting heads with that old fart outer sect elder, these matters held significant meaning for Ye Wenxin.

“Is it really that simple?” Xiao Zhang felt like she just heard a tall tale and found it hard to believe that Ye Wenxin’s deal was just to do these things.

“Yes, I have no interest in cultivation, but I’m very interested in medical skills and alchemy. Besides these relevant courses, you’ll have to take over all my other classes,” Ye Wenxin continued to negotiate with Xiao Zhang. Xiao Zhang became even more shaken, seeming unable to resist the allure of a normal life.

As Long Qing’er’s death servants, she and her comrades were destined never to lead ordinary and leisurely lives.

But now, Ye Wenxin had given her this opportunity.

Even if Ye Wenxin could not save her in the end, Xiao Zhang could still attain the life she desired.

“Very well, I agree.”

“Good cooperation. By the way, how do you plan to explain things to Senior Sister Long?” Ye Wenxin reached out as if to shake hands with Xiao Zhang, but then remembered that handshakes were not part of this world’s etiquette and quickly withdrew her hand.

Xiao Zhang looked at Ye Wenxin’s eccentric behavior with confusion but still explained, “Her Highness has already allowed me to act freely. It’s just that I’m worried, so I stayed by Her Highness’s side.”

This, in turn, allowed Ye Wenxin to utilize Xiao Zhang with peace of mind.

“Then starting from today, you’re Ye Wenxin. In one week, there will be an assessment held at the Alchemy Workshop, and I’ll take part myself then. You’re free to act at other times.” Ye Wenxin intended to leave after saying this but was stopped by Xiao Zhang.

“Wait, you’re not Ye Wenxin anymore. You can’t just go out like this.” Xiao Zhang, noticing Ye Wenxin’s impatience, quickly pulled her back again.

“Why can’t I?” Ye Wenxin was somewhat puzzled. She planned to stay in the backwoods for a week, so no one would discover that there were two Ye Wenxins in the Azure Wings Sect.

However, the backwoods was a restricted area unreachable to ordinary people, so Ye Wenxin did not explain it so clearly. Seeing Xiao Zhang’s anxious expression, Ye Wenxin immediately realized that Xiao Zhang had misunderstood her intentions.

“If one day someone sees you appearing in two different places at once, it’ll be exposed. Here, I have a Transformation Pill. Take it.” With that, Xiao Zhang took out a pill from her bag of holding.