Chapter 16:

Seeing no reaction from the snow leopard in her arms, Xue Ying didn’t mind it. She roughly stroked its head and sincerely expressed her gratitude to Bai Zhu, “Thank you for your help, fellow cultivator.”

She had heard that cats and dogs could be quite troublesome during their mating season, even attacking people. Neutering them would solve the problem once and for all, and they’d even gain weight if their temper improved.

Bai Zhu’s expression was complicated. As a demon herself, raised in the Taigu Valley since childhood, the valley master had never mentioned anything about neutering.

Of course, it was also possible that their noble lineage allowed them to take human form before adulthood, sparing them the suffering of being controlled by their animal instincts.

After observing the snow leopard for a long time, Bai Zhu sighed deeply, “Thankfully, I was born lucky.”

She hadn’t been captured by humans as a pet and thus avoided being neutered.

Afraid of being misunderstood, Xue Ying explained, “Fellow cultivator, you might not know this, but I have an elderly person at home. His health isn’t great, and I’m often away. I thought giving him a leopard to raise would bring him some joy.”

Xue Ying even dragged Cang Wu into it, “This psychological therapy was recommended to me by your valley master.”

With Cang Wu’s endorsement, Bai Zhu stopped asking further questions. The two discussed the mental health of elderly people left alone, and Bai Zhu found the conversation enlightening. Finally, she stroked the snow leopard’s head sentimentally, “I hope it can bring him some laughter.”

Better the leopard than me—after all, it wasn’t her being neutered.

Before leaving, Bai Zhu thoughtfully gifted a small flower basket lined with soft mermaid silk. The delicate pink fabric paired with the snow-white leopard gave it a girlish charm. Xue Ying carried it back to her lodgings, looked at the leopard in the basket, and felt it didn’t match her image.

Mermaid silk was too expensive. A chicken coop would be better.

She set the leopard down and went out to gather grass. Before leaving, she closed the doors and windows to prevent the leopard from doing anything rash upon waking up.

After Xue Ying left, the snow leopard in the basket twitched its ears, opened its dazed little eyes, and wobbled out of the basket. The anesthesia hadn’t fully worn off, so it staggered around unsteadily. It managed to jump off the table, faced the closed door, and after a long silence, turned to climb out the window.

Then…

The window was closed too.

After much effort, it pushed the window open with its head, stood on its hind legs, and tried to get its bearings.

Cang Wu’s residence… seemed to be the highest point in Taigu Valley. It looked down at its paws and then ran toward the depths of the valley.

When Taigu Valley was first established, it was nothing but a single ancient tree—the Immortal Tree. Legend had it that this tree had once been struck by heavenly lightning, leaving half of it dead while the other half clung to life. When the founding ancestor traveled here and saw its struggle, he took pity and nourished it with sweet water, helping it revive.

After taking human form, the tree followed the ancestor until his ascension, then returned to the demon realm and founded Taigu Valley. Over thousands of years, Taigu Valley grew into the largest valley in the demon realm. And that demon became known across the four realms as the valley master of Taigu Valley—the legendary healer, Cang Wu.

In a way, Cang Wu was a living fossil.

Emerging from the grass, the snow leopard looked around. Not far away stood a towering ancient tree, just as the legends described—half dead, half thriving, its massive canopy covering the area in dense foliage.

Under the tree stood a figure in green, gazing up at the branches. Seeing the snow leopard approach, he asked curiously, “Are you here to seek your roots too?”

He placed his hand on the trunk, closed his eyes, and sensed the surroundings. “I feel like I’ve been here before.”

The snow leopard ignored You Tan and ran to the base of the Immortal Tree, scratching at the bark as it had done before, trying to summon Cang Wu.

Soon, vines emerged from the ground and wrapped around the leopard still clawing at the tree. Cang Wu appeared behind the tree and tapped the leopard’s head with his smoking pipe.

“Looking for trouble?”

The snow leopard let out a sound, but Cang Wu didn’t let it speak further. He lifted it onto his shoulder and asked You Tan under the tree, “It’s looking for trouble. Are you here to get beaten up?”

You Tan raised his eyes. “I came for answers.”

Cang Wu didn’t seem interested in engaging with You Tan. He leaned lazily against the tree, as if boneless, exuding an air of indifference.

“The Buddha speaks of ten kindnesses: the kindness of protection during pregnancy, the kindness of suffering during childbirth…” You Tan recited the ten kindnesses. “You showed me the kindness of drying wet clothes. Should I call you mother?”

His only audience wasn’t even human at the moment. Being called “mother” by a grown man didn’t faze Cang Wu in the slightest. He lifted his eyelids and studied You Tan’s ethereal face. “Is this what those bald monks taught you?”

You Tan lowered his gaze, his expression one of pure confusion. “The old monk said my karma is unresolved, so I cannot yet take the tonsure.”

This was why he had left the World of Consciousness. Every time You Tan tried to shave his head, the old monk dissuaded him with various reasons. After months of contemplation, You Tan finally traced the root of the issue.

He owed his parents the kindness of birth and upbringing.

What nonsense karma. Cang Wu smirked. Everyone had preferences for beauty. Was You Tan’s face not pleasing? Didn’t the female devotees adore him?

A monk who didn’t shave his head was no proper monk. And a handsome, improper monk? Everyone would covet him.

He knew those monks from Luyewan all too well. With the Tianyin Pavilion around, Luyewan’s incense offerings had never flourished. Now that they finally had a Buddha’s Child, they’d milk him for all he was worth.

As for You Tan himself, Cang Wu had raised many young demons. Most left without a backward glance once they grew up. But You Tan? Even as a child, his mind had been addled. Becoming a Buddhist cultivator only made him worse.

He needed a wake-up call.

Cang Wu blew a smoke ring, his smile widening. “Come here. Let me give you a new look.”

After shaving the foolish deer’s head bald, Cang Wu sent him away and asked the snow leopard on his shoulder, “Why are you back?”

The snow leopard pawed at Cang Wu’s hair and let out a small sound.

Cang Wu, it hurts.

Cang Wu rubbed the leopard’s head gently. “It’s normal to feel pain when your soul and body are repeatedly separated. A swordsman complaining about pain? Should I lift your skull and blow on your soul for you?”

No, it’s my lower half that hurts.

Cang Wu’s smile faded. Yu Hengzi carried the scent of medicine—he recognized it as Taigu Valley’s special anesthetic. He lifted the snow leopard by the scruff of its neck, examined it, and his expression grew even gentler, like a spring breeze warming the heart.

Cang Wu never smiled when treating patients. If he smiled, it meant the condition was serious.

“Ever thought of using this body to continue your lineage?”

No.

“If you had no such plans, then losing the means to do so isn’t a big deal.” Cang Wu set the leopard down and stood there smoking. “Don’t you agree?”

“If the outcome doesn’t matter, why dwell on the process? Go back early. Didn’t you always want to return to Taixuan Sect?”

The snow leopard crouched on the ground, pondering for a while, then slowly crawled away. Once the small figure disappeared into the grass, Cang Wu shook with silent laughter against the tree. Still chuckling, he pulled out a communication device.

“Guess what? Yu Hengzi got neutered by his disciple.”

Cang Wu was in the middle of his gleeful chat when he noticed a leopard head peeking out from the grass. The two locked eyes for a moment before Cang Wu put on a solemn face, put away the device, and spoke earnestly to the leopard. “Your disciple has exceptional talent and insight. Given time, she’ll achieve greatness. Today’s… unfortunate incident pains me deeply. Don’t worry, Yu Heng, I won’t laugh at you. After you leave, I’ll only laugh under my covers.”

Really?

“Of course not. Serves you right… Hahahaha!”

…

When Xue Ying returned with the grass, the snow leopard lay peacefully in the basket, as if it had never woken up. Xue Ying didn’t pay it much mind, simply moved it to a chicken coop and confiscated the mermaid silk gifted by the female cultivator. Seeing the leopard awake and staring at her, she lectured it solemnly, “As a boy, enduring hardship is normal.”

She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but the leopard seemed almost human. Its little eyes seemed to say, “Child, your father is very disappointed in you.”

Xue Ying didn’t dwell on it. She patted the leopard’s head and went out to practice her sword.

With the Martial Arts Tournament approaching, Xue Ying only stayed two nights before deciding to return. When she asked Lin Jiu Jiu about traveling together, Lin Jiu Jiu declined.

“I came to Taigu Valley for treatment. Leaving before I’m healed would be a waste.”

Xue Ying didn’t press further, only asking if Lin Jiu Jiu wanted her to deliver any messages. As they chatted, Lin Jiu Jiu noticed the basket in Xue Ying’s hand and asked curiously, “What did you bring, Senior Sister?”

Xue Ying pulled out the snow leopard to show her. “A pet to keep Master company.”

Lin Jiu Jiu didn’t think much of it. Seeing it was just a small animal—one she hadn’t encountered in her past life—she didn’t dwell on it and casually asked, “Does it have a name?”

Xue Ying realized she hadn’t named it yet. Lin Jiu Jiu kindly suggested, “It looks like snow. How about…”

“Grandson.”

Lin Jiu Jiu fell silent for a moment, likely recalling the father-son topic. Her expression turned pained, but curiosity won out. “Why ‘grandson’ and not ‘son’?”

Xue Ying answered matter-of-factly, “Master is my father, I’m its father. By seniority, it’s the grandchild. Besides, humble names are easier to raise.”

Lin Jiu Jiu: “…Senior Sister makes a fair point.”

On the way here, they had Lin Jiu Jiu’s flying boat. Now that she was leaving, Xue Ying turned to Lin Jiu Jiu with hope, mustering all the gentleness she could. “Lin Jiu Jiu, does Taichu Sect reimburse travel expenses?”

Lin Jiu Jiu: “Huh?”

“When we set out, Elder Lin said round-trip tickets and meals were covered.”

Lin Jiu Jiu stared at Xue Ying’s cold, beautiful face, then at what she was hearing, feeling a sense of absurdity.

Senior Sister Xue Ying was truly different from her past life—a genuine swordsman through and through.

With all the traits of a swordsman: broke.

After receiving some spirit stones from Lin Jiu Jiu, Xue Ying bid farewell to You Tan and the others and happily set off. She chose an international flight—a flying boat named “Airbus,” departing from Taigu Valley, passing through the East Sea of the Dao Realm, Kunlun Mountain, and other stops, with its final destination at Luyewan.

Though not as luxurious as Lin Jiu Jiu’s private flying boat, it was affordable. Xue Ying calculated that with meals included, she’d save a small sum—a profit.

As Xue Ying counted her spirit stones, the snow leopard, which had been sleeping, suddenly appeared, its little eyes fixed on the stones in her hand.

“I know,” Xue Ying patted its head. “Next stop, I’ll buy you meat.”

Life on the boat was inconvenient, so Xue Ying set aside her sword practice for the time being. When they reached the East Sea, she disembarked to buy meat. On her way back, she encountered a group of people.

The boat was bustling with passengers, and Xue Ying had kept a low profile. But this group stood out—dressed in luxurious robes, all handsome men and beautiful women, drawing the attention of every passing cultivator.

At the forefront was a young man in blue, exuding nobility, his beauty befitting the word “magnificent.” Surrounded by his entourage, he headed for the first-class cabins. As he passed Xue Ying, the sword at his waist caught her eye.

Exquisitely crafted, its jade-like sheen matched its owner—a pretty treasure among silks. It might have been dismissed as “all show, no substance,” but Xue Ying sensed sword intent from it, the thrill of meeting a worthy opponent.

Perhaps it was the instinct of swordsmen, but the blue-clad man turned to glance at Xue Ying before entering the cabin.

A single glance, and then they went their separate ways.

Bai Lu hummed in its scabbard. Xue Ying soothed it. “Behave.”

Starting a fight on the Airbus would land her on the blacklist. With the Martial Arts Tournament approaching, if luck was on her side, they might meet again.

After buying food for the snow leopard, Xue Ying didn’t disembark again. But confined spaces had their inconveniences. Pointing at the sand she’d specially gathered from the beach, she scolded repeatedly, “Sand Leopard, you’re supposed to go in one spot. Don’t just do it anywhere.”

It never used the litter box—it must have been relieving itself elsewhere. If the captain found out, how much would she have to pay?

The snow leopard in her hands merely sighed and didn’t react further.

When they reached Kunlun Mountain, Xue Ying breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly disembarked with the leopard and flew back to Taixuan Sect. Upon her return, disciples crowded around her. Many female disciples gasped at the sight of the snow leopard in her hands, rushing over to pet it.

Head, paws, belly—they touched everything they could and then some.

After chatting with her juniors, Xue Ying took the leopard back to Ningshen Peak. Seeing it curled up in the basket with nothing but grass, she decided to spruce it up before gifting it.

“Grandson, behave. Daddy’s putting a flower on you.”

After tying a red flower around the leopard’s waist, Xue Ying wasn’t satisfied. She plucked a lotus leaf from the water vat by the door and placed it on its head.

Red and green—perfect!

With the gift packaged, Xue Ying carried it to visit Yu Hengzi. She expected to be turned away, but Yu Hengzi let her in immediately, as if the previous incident had never happened.

If he didn’t bring it up, she wouldn’t either. She set the basket on the table and said politely, “Master must be bored while recovering. This leopard will keep you company.”

Shen Jin, imitating Yu Hengzi’s demeanor, remained cold and unreadable. He glanced at the snow leopard in the basket—nothing special.

But since Xue Ying was offering gifts, he must not have given himself away. Steadying himself, he followed the script given by his strategist, Ming Gong, and spoke coldly. “I recently acquired an incomplete sword manual.”

According to Ming Gong’s analysis, Yu Hengzi’s disciple was competitive. To win her favor, he had to target her interests.

Like discussing sword techniques.

He produced the prepared manual. As expected, Xue Ying took the bait, flipping through the yellowed, incomplete pages with curiosity. Though fragmented, the content was genuine.

Her interest piqued, she sat down to study it carefully. Shen Jin subtly moved beside her, and the two began discussing the sword techniques in the manual. Excited, Xue Ying drew Bai Lu to demonstrate, trying to deduce the missing moves.

“What does Master think?”

After numerous failures, he’d finally turned the tables. Shen Jin gloated inwardly. He stepped closer, standing behind Xue Ying, and guided her hands as if teaching a beginner—how to wield the sword, attack, and sheathe it.

The snow leopard sat in the basket, watching the two in their intimate exchange.

Instinctively, it pawed at the lotus leaf on its head.