Chapter 104: The Cave (Part 4)

“She’s fine; it’s just something that mortal women experience.”
“Normally, after reaching the Foundation stage, this shouldn’t exist. Female cultivators in our sect above the Foundation level have all severed the ‘Red Dragon’ and no longer experience this.

It’s likely that Xu Xiaoyou started cultivating too late. Had she begun from a young age, she probably wouldn’t have this either. For most mortal women, menstruation starts around eleven or twelve years old, and for some, around thirteen or fourteen. Xu Xiaoyou may have experienced this delay due to her cultivation after joining the sect.”

“Shen Xianjun, would you like to change your clothes? ”
“Just pay attention these next few days and avoid getting cold.”
Xu Qianyu heard a familiar voice softly speaking outside her tent. Her eyelashes fluttered, and after a while, she opened her eyes.

She lay back on her bed in the Zhaoyue Palace, warmth circulating around her navel, the pain now gone. However, her waist and back felt stiff and cold, as if she were lying on shards of stone.
She tilted on the bed and pulled the curtain halfway open. The faint shadow outside became clearer: she was tall and broad, with her silver hair neatly pinned into a low bun with a hairpin. Xu Qianyu said, “contemptuous mother-in-law.”
contemptuous mother-in-law immediately began to rub her hand with her rough palms, full of joy: “I haven’t seen you in a long time. I dreamed of you last night, and you were with me playing the whip!” Then, in a softer voice, she continued, “It must be uncomfortable, right? It’s nothing to worry about, just the arrival of the Gui Shui. I’ve placed a warm palace pill on your navel; once it warms up, the pain will go away.”

Xu Qianyu heard about this troublesome issue she had, something she hadn’t experienced in her previous life, and no one else seemed to have it either—yet she did. Her face darkened. However, due to contemptuous mother-in-law’s unusually gentle and caring tone, she couldn’t bring herself to be angry.

Half asleep, half awake, she followed contemptuous mother-in-law’s instructions to make a menstrual belt and roughly learned how to tie it.
“For these next few days, just rest more after the competition. Remember, don’t eat or drink anything cold.” After saying this, contemptuous mother-in-law was about to leave.

Xu Qianyu felt abandoned, grabbing her and saying unhappily, “You’re leaving already? You won’t stay with me?”
contemptuous mother-in-law smiled, though with an expression that showed difficulty: “Tomorrow, tomorrow I’ll have a break and come see you.”

It turned out she was no longer working in the Dream Crossing Hall but had officially joined the Discipline Hall as a laborer, performing whip punishments, which was the job she had once dreamed of.

The discipline hall was very strictly managed by Hua Qingyu. Today, Shen Suwei had specifically requested her, allowing her to sneak out briefly, but she could not stay long.
Xu Qianyu was no longer the unreasonable young lady. Understanding that others had their difficulties, she released her grip. “Then you go ahead.”

Once contemptuous mother-in-law left, Xu Qianyu pulled the curtain open a little more and saw Shen Suwei sitting by her bed.

The right sleeve of his robe, which she had sat on, was smeared with a blotch of dirt, and his left sleeve had a small patch of dried blood. His originally snow-white robe was now stained, a shocking sight. Yet he sat silently, seemingly indifferent, as if still dressed in crane-feather robes.

“Master,” Xu Qianyu exclaimed, startled by the unusual scene. “Your clothes…”

Her own disciple robe had already been cleaned with magic, and contemptuous mother-in-law had helped her change the menstrual belt. It seemed that Master Suwei had deliberately brought in contemptuous mother-in-law, likely after careful thought. But how could he overlook his own condition?
Shen Suwei raised his eyes to look at her. The clear sunlight shone on his face, making his long lashes and pupils sparkle. His eyes showed no smile. Suddenly, he said, “You should not go to the hairpin flower Conference.”
Xu Qianyu had just used magic to clean his clothes when she heard this, and she exploded.

“Why?”
Shen Suwei explained, “It’s called the hairpin flower, but it’s not really a competition. The real purpose is to use this opportunity to eliminate the Demon Domain. Since the Demon Domain’s lord holds the Fuling Silk, which can predict the future, he won’t sit idly by.”

“So it’s dangerous?” Xu Qianyu’s expression lightened a little. “But I’m not going alone; there will be a group of people.”

Shen Suwei continued, “Most of the disciples are at the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stage. You’re only at the foundation establishment stage, and there will be other opportunities later.”
“You said we’re not competing against each other but fighting the Demon Domain’s lord together. If the teammates are stronger, isn’t that better?”

“The sect suspects that the reason the demons in the Demon Domain thrive is because there are fragments of the Heavenly Ladder nearby.”

“Then we can just take the fragments.”
Shen Suwei turned his eyes towards her. “Do you really want to go?”
“You’ve never interfered with other people’s choices before.” Xu Qianyu glared at him angrily. “I said I didn’t want to go, but you and Master insisted I practice. Now I finally made it to the ranking, and you won’t let me go. Are you messing with me?”
When she was upset, she couldn’t help but scold him. Her tone was high and clear, and her words came in a rush.

Shen Suwei silently clenched his fist, forcing himself to calm down. His method was too extreme, and it frightened Xu Qianyu.

Xu Qianyu thought he was too harsh, so her voice softened, tinged with some apology. “Master, will you go?”
Shen Suwei took a moment before responding, “I’ll go.”
Xu Qianyu then relaxed. “Then what’s there to be afraid of? We’re going together.”

But she still felt strange, silent pressure in the air, and an unclear emotion lingered. Hesitantly, she asked, “You… you’re not worried about me, are you?”
Shen Suwei picked up a bowl of hot syrup and seemed to ignore her question. He calmly said, “Drink this.”

Xu Qianyu leaned in and took a sip. “Ugh.”
Shen Suwei:?
Xu Qianyu frowned and pushed the bowl away. “It’s awful. You try it.”

Shen Suwei immediately held the bowl, looking a little speechless. “This was specially made by contemptuous mother-in-law for you. How could I drink it?”
Xu Qianyu smirked, teasingly pushing the bowl toward him. “You’ll know if you take a sip.”
Shen Suwei couldn’t refuse, so he reluctantly took a small sip from the other side of the bowl.

Since it was pure syrup and very hot, it was too sweet and difficult to swallow. If it were cooler, it might be better.
He quickly understood Xu Qianyu’s intention, and sure enough, she was staring at him with expectation.

Shen Suwei said softly, “It’s no good when it’s cold.”
Xu Qianyu pulled the blanket over her, proudly saying, “Hot, sweet water—who drinks this? I never do.”

Shen Suwei wanted to remind her that she used to love drinking hot glutinous rice balls, but he didn’t say it. He set the bowl down. “If you don’t want to drink it, then don’t.”
“No!” Xu Qianyu said again. “contemptuous mother-in-law made it for me, and I’m going to drink it. Don’t take it away.”

Shen Suwei picked up the bowl again, lowered his lashes, and thought for a moment. Then, using his sword energy, he lightly brushed the surface of the syrup to cool it down to a warm temperature before handing it back to her.

Xu Qianyu tentatively took a spoonful and, as soon as it touched her tongue, her eyes lit up in delight, and she couldn’t help but smile at him.
Shen Suwei glanced at her but didn’t say anything, instead scooping up another spoonful.
Xu Qianyu remained silent, leaning over to drink it.

Shen Suwei was focused and patient, slowly feeding her the entire bowl, spoon by spoon.
Xu Qianyu felt significantly warmer and more comfortable, licking her lips, still unsatisfied. She leaned against the bedpost, watching her senior brother collect the bowl.

Shen Suwei then bent down to help her arrange the quilt, which had been bunched up, and covered her to just above the abdomen. “You can sleep for these few days; there’s no need to wake up early. I won’t come to call you in the mornings.”

He also reminded her of some precautions regarding her cultivation, advising her to balance the fire Qi of the fire realm while avoiding cold air entering her body. Some sword techniques were now off limits.
Their faces were close together, and Xu Qianyu once again smelled the faint fragrance coming from his collar. She became distracted, not listening to what her senior brother said but instead focusing on his lips and face, thinking back to what had happened in the sword tomb. It felt so distant, almost like a dream she had once had.

Shen Suwei finished speaking quietly, then tilted his head and gently pressed his lips to hers.
It felt like a feather brushing past her, and Xu Qianyu’s heart seemed to stop.
The window was tightly closed, and indeed, there was no one around. But in the light, such intimacy felt like the first time, and it made her heart race.

Shen Suwei pulled away immediately, and the white mosquito net fell, obscuring his figure from view.
Xu Qianyu stretched her hand outside the curtain and grabbed his sleeve. “Are you leaving now?”
She opened her hand and noticed a firestone, about the size of an apricot, now resting in her palm. Its exterior was bright red with fire patterns, giving off a warm, comforting heat. It was something Shen Suwei had placed in her hand just moments ago.

She wasn’t sure if it was the influence of the Gui Shui (decay water) that made her feel so lonely. Holding the firestone, she longed for someone’s company, wishing someone would stay and talk with her.

“Wait for me to handle something first.” Shen Suwei looked at her through the curtain, his voice gentle. “I’ll be back soon.”
Xu Qianyu relaxed and lay down.

---

Xu Qianyu returned from the underground cave severely shocked, with a high fever that left her unconscious. Her leg wound had also become infected, and a white cloth was wrapped tightly around it. Several maids were bustling about, fetching water to cool her down.

Xu Jiansu and Xu Baopu stood guard outside the room. To avoid disturbing Qianqian’s rest, they communicated through secret transmission.
Xu Jiansu said, “What do you think of Wuzhen? The whole sect seems blind to it, but he’s still taking the younger apprentice as his disciple. Could it be he’s deliberately making things difficult for the master?”

Xu Baopu replied, “Don’t you think his actions are actually siding with us? Elder Yi and the others are all aligned with the Elder Taishang. Wuzhen openly humiliated him, and in doing so, he’s showing favor to us. Besides, if he truly disliked the master, why would he choose to teach a disciple of the master? For years, Hu Qingyu and Wuzhen have been keeping to themselves. Although we don’t know why they made this sudden decision, with their support, things will change in the future.”

“Why else? After hundreds of years, they were just a step away from completing the Heavenly Ladder. If they don’t make a move now, they’ll have no choice later.”
Xu Baopu turned to look at him. “What about you?”

Xu Jiansu smiled. “Look, a marriage alliance with Tianshan has already shackled you. You’ve become so focused on the master and the sect leader, but now you want to drag me into it.”
“Stop talking nonsense,” Xu Baopu muttered. “You saw it yourself. When the Elder Taishang had all the power, the energy from the disciples’ spring and autumn seasons went mostly to him and the other elders, leaving the remaining disciples with just a few crumbs. The outer disciples had barely enough to live on, and each year, there were countless deaths and injuries.”

“Now, with the master’s increasing cultivation, the Elder Taishang’s share has been reduced to 40%. The remaining 60% is given back to the disciples in the form of pills, magic treasures, and training with combat puppets. If not for this, how could the sect have grown? How do you think we got our Nascent Soul and Golden Core?”

Xu Jiansu paused for a long time before saying, “Grandfather treats us very well.”
“I know,” Xu Baopu said, “Mother had a short life and couldn’t serve him well, and I still feel guilty about it. But if I were to oppose the Elder Taishang again…” Xu Baopu paused, then added, “Things will change. Grandfather isn’t a weak old man; he’s a powerful figure who can shake the heavens. You’re no longer young. You should start thinking more carefully.”

Xu Jiansu stretched lazily. “If I were a high-ranking cultivator, I might not care so much about the lives of the people below. But I’m just a Nascent Soul cultivator. I am one of the ‘below,’ so what else can I do? Naturally, I’ll stand with the senior brother. I just worry about Qianqian.”

At that moment, a maid entered with news. “Miss is still unconscious, seemingly trapped in a nightmare.”
“A nightmare?” Xu Jiansu’s voice rose, startling the maid. “I don’t know how to treat illness. Go get a doctor.”

Xu Baopu sighed and lit some calming incense.
Neither of them felt like talking anymore. They waited for Xu Qianqian to fall into a peaceful sleep before returning to Xu Jiansu’s pavilion, one after the other.

Shen Suwei was inside, reading a book. “How is Qianqian?”
Xu Jiansu raised an eyebrow, surprised, but didn’t say anything. Xu Baopu quickly responded, “She’s fine, just external injuries. Nothing broken. But the younger apprentice… she saved people and jumped into the water. How is she? Frost has prepared pills for her.”
“She’s fine,” Shen Suwei said, setting the book down.
“Little apprentice really deserves praise.” Xu Jiansu popped a dried apricot into his mouth. “I also had some beautiful clothes and hairpins bought for her. I’ll send them over later.”

Although he had no interest in Shen Suwei or anyone connected to him, he had to admit that Shen Suwei had trained his younger apprentice well. Just the way she had carried Qianqian was a hundred times more likable than Lu You.
“I was just about to ask you,” Shen Suwei walked up to him, looking straight at him. “When you were in the underground cave, did you give Xu Qianyu a Snow Soul Pill?”
“Yes.” Xu Jiansu spat out the pit. “At the time, the younger apprentice kept saying she was burning up from the boundary-breaking fire, so I…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Shen Suwei unexpectedly threw a punch. If it hadn’t been for Xu Jiansu’s golden protective shield springing out to block it, he would have been knocked into the wall.

He stared with wide eyes, frozen in place.
“Are you crazy?” Xu Jiansu cursed, her face changing dramatically. The Lingbo Sword appeared in her hand, but Xu Baopu grabbed the blade and tilted it to the side. “What are you two doing?”
“Ask him,” Xu Jiansu replied. “You saw it. He came up and attacked me without saying a word.”

“Xu Qianyu, like you, has a Thunder Spirit Root,” Shen Suwei said softly. “The Xueluo Spirit Pearl can only be used by those with Water Spirit Roots.”

Xu Baopu thought for a moment. It was indeed excessive to feed his junior sister a Elixir (spirit pill) like that. Taking the Xueluo Pearl directly wouldn’t cause serious consequences, but it would introduce cold energy into her body, which wasn’t good for a woman’s health.
Xu Jiansu glared at him, feeling wrong. “How could I remember that she has a Lei Linggen (Thunder Spirit Root)? The situation was so urgent at the time, and my junior sister didn’t say she couldn’t take it.”

Suddenly, Shen Suwei struck again.
Xu Jiansu turned his head just in time, and the strike hit his protective shield. The shield shattered with a loud crash! Things in the room were thrown around by the shockwave, and Xu Jiansu’s face turned dark.

At this point, Xu Baopu stood between them. “Enough, enough, both of you stop!”
Shen Suwei extended his five fingers, watching as blood dripped from them. He slowly clenched his fist and opened it again, blood dripping steadily, as if he hoped to regain calm through the painful sensation.

He lifted his head and stared expressionlessly at Xu Jiansu. “You should have remembered her attribute by now. If you still can’t recall it, I can help you remember a little more clearly.”