Chapter 27: A Family of Mutual Affection

Following Mu Yunqing into his courtyard, Su Jiu’s hands were still trembling.

Seeing this, Mu Yunqing had no choice but to make her a cup of hot tea.

“Here, it’s cold in the morning, drink this to warm yourself up.” He thoughtfully refrained from mentioning Qi Chaoye.

Mu Yunqing wasn’t foolish; he could tell that Su Jiu had some fear of Qi Chaoye.

Because of this, he felt somewhat surprised.

After all, the original Su Jiu, while not particularly close to them, at least maintained the decorum of fellow disciples. Occasionally, when they went out on missions or trials, they would bring back small gifts for each other.

Before hearing her inner thoughts, Su Jiu had always respected Qi Chaoye but lacked intimacy with him. However, if being scared or afraid was the case, that was not true.

In Buzhou Mountain, and throughout the entire Qianyuan Sect, few people feared Qi Chaoye.

Mu Yunqing truly didn’t understand.

But he had a vague suspicion that made him somewhat uneasy.

After drinking a cup of hot tea, Su Jiu finally managed to regain some composure.

“Thank you, Senior Brother.” She pushed the teacup back, parted her lips as if to say something but ultimately fell silent.

【Mo Lin is coming back tonight, and now Qi Chaoye has returned. Senior Brother doesn’t even know that one is a demon and the other is a monster, both with ulterior motives.】

【Unlike the book, Master Cang is still in Buzhou Mountain, but he’s been elusive like a dragon. If anything really happens, will he come back in time?】

【But there are still a few good news. First of all, the one who got the “Three Days of Beauty” is me, not Master. This way, Master won’t be taken advantage of by Mo Lin… Moreover, Master can use spiritual power, so even if Mo Lin really breaks the magic sealing array, with Master around, it should be fine.】

【Furthermore, regarding Master helping me with the poison, if I don’t mention it, and Master doesn’t mention it, um… Senior Brother probably doesn’t know… As for Master Cang, he probably won’t say anything either? Well, that makes it known only to heaven, earth, me, and a few others. Oh no, this is a disaster; I’m done for!】

Su Jiu felt like crying without tears. When she thought about it, it seemed that both Mo Lin and Qi Chaoye knew about Master helping her with the poison; it was just a matter of time.

These two people were both petty and possessive. Just a glance at Shen Wangchen would make them want to gouge out someone’s eyes. Su Jiu couldn’t imagine what would happen if they found out she had seen Master naked and had been so candid with him…

Having ten lives would not be enough for Su Jiu to survive that.

【Damn it, what if I withdraw from the Qianyuan Sect now and find another sect to join?】

Su Jiu could only optimistically think of a way out for herself.

Mu Yunqing listened to her continuous inner thoughts and felt overwhelmed.

What demon race!

What monster race!

What magic sealing array!

He felt like his brain wasn’t functioning properly.

Hearing Su Jiu’s last thought, he instinctively spoke out, “No!”

Su Jiu was taken aback, “Huh?”

Only then did Mu Yunqing realize and hurriedly clarified, “What I mean is, you and I are fellow disciples; Junior Sister doesn’t need to be so polite with Senior Brother.”

A thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead, and he poured another cup of hot tea for Su Jiu, gradually calming down.

The little junior brother is from the demon race.

The second junior brother is from the monster race.

Currently, the cultivation world is at odds with the demon and monster races. The demon race has been suppressed by the magic sealing array for a thousand years and can only operate in the demon realm.

Although the monster race is numerous, there are very few powerful figures. The current monster king is a debauched and immoral individual with no ambition, spending all his time in the monster realm and not easily coming out.

Occasionally, some monsters come out to cause trouble, but they are subdued by the disciples of various sects.

Therefore, overall, the three realms can still be considered peaceful.

However, the appearance of the demon and monster races at this time was like adding a drop of water to a hot oil pan; if others found out, it would surely cause a huge uproar.

Mu Yunqing furrowed his brows, and for a moment, both of them sat in silence.

After a while, Su Jiu suddenly stood up.

Since Mo Lin had returned, she certainly couldn’t continue staying on Buzhou Mountain. Coincidentally, Su Jiu was somewhat puzzled about how she got the “Three Days of Beauty” poison, so she might as well take this opportunity to revisit the Half-Moon Secret Realm.

“Senior Brother, I…” Before she could finish, she saw Mu Yunqing stand up as well.

“Are you looking for Master, Junior Sister?” Mu Yunqing heard her thoughts and looked deeply at her, but he could also understand Su Jiu’s feelings of fear and desire to avoid Mo Lin.

“Just so happens, I also have something to discuss with Master. Let’s go together. Oh right,” Mu Yunqing took out a blue jade bottle from his storage bag and handed it to Su Jiu, “This is the elixir you wanted yesterday.”

Su Jiu was somewhat surprised, “So soon?”

Mu Yunqing smiled but didn’t say anything.

Su Jiu had been worried about encountering Qi Chaoye at Shen Wangchen’s place, but fortunately, when they arrived, Qi Chaoye had already left, and only Shen Wangchen and Cang Qianxue were in the room.

The two were sitting across from each other, sipping tea.

Su Jiu and Mu Yunqing stepped forward to pay their respects.

Shen Wangchen merely responded lightly without looking up, his fingers pinching a white chess piece, gazing down at the chessboard, his thin lips pressed together, his expression as cold as ice and snow.

Cang Qianxue, however, looked up, resting his chin on his hand holding a black piece, first smiling at Mu Yunqing, “Little Yunqing, you finally came out

of Siguo Cliff?”

Mu Yunqing lowered his head and smiled with some embarrassment.

Cang Qianxue shook his head, finding Mu Yunqing’s obedient demeanor—where he didn’t refute anything others said—rather uninteresting.

He then focused his gaze on Su Jiu.

The girl had looked on the verge of collapse after finishing her sword practice yesterday, and he noticed she had no reaction when he brought her back to his courtyard. Today, however, she seemed to have perked up again.

But she had her brows lowered and looked as if she were troubled by something, appearing quite unhappy.

“What’s wrong with little Su Jiu?” he asked with a light chuckle. “You look like someone has upset you. Come, tell Uncle, and Uncle will help you get revenge.”

Shen Wangchen frowned slightly, gently placing a piece, before lifting his head and directing his gaze at Su Jiu while speaking to Cang Qianxue, “Make your move.”

Cang Qianxue tugged at the corners of his mouth and lowered his head.

Shen Wangchen knew that Su Jiu was worried about Mo Lin returning tonight, but he couldn’t directly tell her not to worry. He could only ask her, “Has your second senior brother returned? Have you seen him?”

Su Jiu pressed her lips together, her voice soft: “I have seen Second Senior Brother.”

Hearing the tone in her voice, it seemed there was nothing inappropriate with Qi Chaoye, and Shen Wangchen couldn’t help but feel a rare sense of relief.

Over these past few days, he had first heard Su Jiu say that Cang Qianxue had feelings for him, and then Mu Yunqing and Mo Lin also seemed to have an interest in him, making him suspect whether his second junior brother had some small thoughts as well.

But not hearing Su Jiu’s inner thoughts likely meant it wasn’t a major issue.

Moreover…

“Your second senior brother brought you some gifts. He said he was busy today and asked me to pass them on for him.”

Shen Wangchen handed a storage bag that he had beside him to Su Jiu and said, “This is also your second senior brother’s goodwill; please accept it.”

Seeing the disciples under him being affectionate and loving towards each other, Shen Wangchen couldn’t help but feel a bit gratified.