From Wen An, Xue Ying learned that the Martial Arts Evaluation Conference was a done deal. Her face was filled with joy as she said to Wen An, “Do you have any gold paper? I want to fold a few paper ingots.”
“What for?”
“I want to go cry at the Ancestor’s grave and talk about his unworthy descendants.”
Wen An, “…The Ancestor ascended to immortality, he didn’t die. The once-in-a-decade Four Realms Martial Arts Evaluation Conference is a dream stage for many to challenge masters from all four realms and forge friendships through martial arts. It’s one of life’s great joys.”
Xue Ying stared at him woodenly, “Then why aren’t you going, Senior Brother?”
Wen An replied with righteous dignity, “I’ll stay behind to hold the fort.”
“More like you don’t want to spend your own money because there’s no funding for the trip.”
Used to Xue Ying exposing him, Wen An remained unbothered, coming up with countless excuses, “I have a manuscript to finish.”
Xue Ying stared at him. What manuscript? Didn’t she just help him finish the latest issue?
“The new book is selling well, but there are already pirated copies. The editor suggested I release a novel version to compete for the annual bestseller list.” Wen An paused, a murderous glint in his smile, “Don’t let me catch those pirates.”
Mentioning *Pure-Hearted Female Disciple and Handsome Master*, Wen An shed his usual gentle demeanor, his sword intent surging, as if he wanted to slaughter all those who pirated his work.
Well, cutting off someone’s income was akin to killing their parents. No wonder Wen An hated them so much.
After some discussion, they finalized their plan: Wen An would go into seclusion to write the novel version of *Pure-Hearted Disciple and Handsome Master*, while Xue Ying would take over sect affairs.
According to Wen An, she needed to visit the Taichu Sect to ask Du Yizhou how many people they would send to the Martial Arts Evaluation Conference this time.
Before she left, Wen An suggested she try to rope Du Yizhou into joining the conference as well.
Wen An put it grandly, “As the chief disciple, how can he indulge in trivial pursuits and neglect his duties?”
Xue Ying cut to the chase, “You’re just afraid Senior Brother Du will steal your business, aren’t you?”
Wen An, grinding ink with his fair hands, dressed in green robes with a jade-like face, smiled like a spring breeze as he said, “That idiot Du Yizhou, I’ll kill him sooner or later.”
In a way, Taichu and Taixuan really were like fire and water.
Holding the list Wen An had prepared in advance, Xue Ying couldn’t help but ask, “Senior Brother, can we discuss something?”
“Go ahead.”
“Look, I’ve been your assistant for so long. Can you give me a raise?”
The answer to Xue Ying was the sound of a door slamming shut in her face.
Xue Ying: *I hope Senior Brother Du’s art book sells like hotcakes.*
On the way, she ran into a few Taichu disciples who were thrilled to see her. But when they heard she was there to discuss official business with Du Yizhou, the disciples who had been clamoring for a sparring match suddenly turned into quails.
“Uh, Senior Sister, I just remembered I haven’t reviewed today’s lessons…”
“My 300 hammer strikes aren’t done yet.”
It was clear Du Yizhou’s authority weighed heavily on them.
Du Yizhou’s residence was called Qingxiao Pavilion, known as the night view of Taichu Sect. Late at night, when you opened your eyes, you’d find a lamp that never went out in the darkness.
Taichu disciples all believed their eldest brother worked tirelessly day and night for the sect’s future.
But Xue Ying and Wen An, who had stayed at Qingxiao Pavilion before, knew the truth.
Du Yizhou was afraid of the dark as a child and liked to sleep with the lights on.
Even after growing up, he never turned them off—probably a habit he couldn’t break.
Since the electricity bill wasn’t paid by Taixuan Sect, Xue Ying didn’t care. As the mist cleared, an aerial pavilion appeared before her, with upturned eaves and green tiles dusted with snow. Bamboo surrounded the pavilion, buried under layers of snow, obscuring the stone path.
Inside, layers of curtains hung, and though it was daytime, the lamps served as decorations, adding warmth to the otherwise cold and austere space.
Xue Ying brushed the snow off her robe and couldn’t help but think Du Yizhou seemed more like a swordsman than a mage.
Wading through the snow, Xue Ying deftly drew Bailu and helped Du Yizhou clear the snow.
The blade reflected sunlight as she twirled it, sending sword energy radiating outward. The bamboo swayed, its verdant hue refreshing the pavilion. A lean figure stood under the eaves.
He watched expressionlessly as Xue Ying dug up a few winter bamboo shoots before finally asking, “What are you here for?”
It was always like this—she’d come and dig up bamboo shoots, never tiring of them.
Xue Ying picked up a bamboo leaf to fiddle with and handed over the list Wen An had prepared. “I’m in charge of this year’s Martial Arts Evaluation Conference.”
Du Yizhou took it without looking and led her inside. Unlike Wen An’s Rainy Valley, Qingxiao Pavilion was understated yet luxurious, every detail exuding Taichu Sect’s heritage.
Xue Ying had heard from Wen An that the Taichu Sect Leader was often away, leaving most affairs to Du Yizhou—the de facto leader. Unlike Wen An, who, despite being the eldest brother, still needed approval from Yuxuzi and the elders for major decisions.
Inside, a three-legged bronze incense burner emitted wisps of smoke. A painting by their Ancestor hung on the wall, with a desk below piled with jade scrolls and a brush holder holding ink-stained wolf-hair brushes.
Du Yizhou walked over, pulled out a sheet of paper, and handed it to Xue Ying.
After discussing the list, Du Yizhou asked, “Are you going to Taisu Valley?”
Xue Ying nodded, “A favor for someone.”
Du Yizhou pondered for a moment, “Elder Lin came yesterday, saying his daughter had a relapse and needed to go to Taisu Valley for treatment.”
Xue Ying refused without hesitation, “That’s a separate matter.”
“Round-trip tickets covered, all meals free.”
Xue Ying thumped her chest, “Taichu and Taixuan share the same roots. Sister Lin’s problem is my problem.”
Du Yizhou scoffed, delivering a classic jab, “Hah, swordsmen.”
She ignored it. Swordsmen were used to being poor—nothing strange about that.
With business settled, they moved to casual talk. Du Yizhou asked, “Why isn’t Wen An going to the conference?”
Xue Ying coughed awkwardly, “It’s the rule. Senior Brother Wen and I can’t leave the sect at the same time. One of us must stay to guard it.”
Du Yizhou didn’t buy it, coldly stating, “Wen An is writing, isn’t he?”
Xue Ying hesitated. She was an honest person and couldn’t lie.
Luckily, Du Yizhou didn’t press her, only offering a faint smile, “Tell Wen An I can ghostwrite for him.”
Xue Ying scratched her cheek, “Senior Brother probably…”
“I’m Qing Yu’an.”
Xue Ying fell silent. She’d heard of Qing Yu’an—a renowned artist and writer who often collaborated with Wen An. Wen An greatly admired Qing Yu’an’s ability to craft stories from illustrations, claiming no one else could capture the essence of *Eye Charm* like Qing Yu’an. He often wished they could collaborate more.
“…Let’s not.”
If Wen An found out Du Yizhou was Qing Yu’an, he’d definitely come swinging his sword.
Surprisingly, Du Yizhou didn’t get angry. Instead, he said, “My new book is coming out soon. Want a copy?”
Xue Ying, “…”
Your way of competing is a bit off.
When she left, Xue Ying carried a new novel. Glancing at the cover, she read: *My Junior Sister Can’t Possibly Be This Cute*.
*Senior Brother Du, you’re quite the closet romantic.*
With no one around, Xue Ying curiously flipped through the first page. The foreword read: *’I am Hongchen Sanqian, honored to write the foreword for Qing Yu’an’s new book. Qing Yu’an has always enchanted us with his fresh and elegant prose, weaving one adorable, sweet love story after another…’*
Xue Ying was stunned. *Senior Brother Du, a grown man writing sugary romances?* Thinking of Du Yizhou’s icy, unapproachable face, then Wen An’s gentlemanly demeanor, and the risqué illustrations she’d colored for him…
Well, it wasn’t *unacceptable*.
—
**Chapter 1** began like this: *’The first time I saw my junior sister, she was curled in a corner clutching a carrot, refusing to let anyone near. My master told me it was the only inheritance her parents left her. She treasured it dearly. Then spring came, and both she and the carrot grew mold.’*
Xue Ying *slammed* the book shut, her expression dark.
*Using me as material again? Are you both insane?*
Few knew about the carrot incident. Back when she first transmigrated, she went from being a keyboard warrior to an orphan—life couldn’t get much worse. In the dead of winter, she dug up a carrot for food, only to get buried under snow by a tree.
She later heard from others how Yuxuzi, out for a stroll, plucked her from the snow, stared at her, then snatched her carrot and tossed it away.
*What a bastard!*
Because of this, she’d always disliked Yuxuzi, though her opinion softened over time.
Now, she just saw him as a lonely old man with too much time on his hands—too old to be flirting shamelessly.
Since she’d be traveling with Lin Jiu Jiu, Xue Ying needed to inform Tang Ke’ai and the others. Hearing Lin Jiu Jiu was coming along, Tang Ke’ai pouted, “I don’t like her.”
Xue Ying patted Tang Ke’ai’s head amusedly, explaining on Lin Jiu Jiu’s behalf. Noticing a small lotus hairpin today, she complimented, “You look lovely today.”
Tang Ke’ai immediately brightened, touching the flower proudly, “Pretty, right? My brother made it.”
Before Xue Ying could praise Youtan’s craftsmanship, he asked, “Do you like it?”
Without thinking, she replied, “Everyone likes pretty things.”
Youtan blinked, conjuring a white lotus in his palm and offering it to her, “For you.”
Unlike ordinary lotuses, this one had layers upon layers of petals, glowing faintly—clearly priceless.
Not wanting to take without giving, Xue Ying handed him the bamboo shoots she’d dug up at Qingxiao Pavilion. “These are Jade Bamboo shoots. Stir-fried with cured meat, they’re amazing.”
After Xue Ying left, Tang Ke’ai asked slyly, “Brother, do you like Sister Xue Ying?”
Youtan retracted his gaze, peeling the shoots to feed Tang Ke’ai, his calm voice carrying certainty, “A son must be filial to his father. This is respect.”
It was the first lesson he’d learned upon entering the mortal world: *The father is the son’s guide.*
Xue Ying admired the lotus happily, heading back to her cave when a disciple called out, “Senior Sister, Master Yuxuzi needs you urgently.”
Without suspicion, she hurried to Ningshen Peak with the lotus. Finding no sign of Yuxuzi inside, she called, “Master?”
After a long pause, Yuxuzi’s voice came faintly from the back, breathless and suggestive.
As footsteps neared, Shen Jin smirked, recalling Mingong’s advice:
*”First, feign illness to lure your opponent in. Once she’s close, use words to trap her. When the elders arrive, accuse her of shamelessly taking advantage of her master’s weakness.”*
Mingong had been holding *Pure-Hearted Female Disciple and Handsome Master*, praising the hot spring seduction scene. Shen Jin had fantasized about Xue Ying’s terrified pleas, begging him not to force her.
“Master.”
The voice drew closer. Shen Jin adjusted his expression, baring his chest slightly as he leaned weakly against the pool’s edge, pale-faced.
The footsteps stopped behind the screen. Shen Jin coughed, “Disciple.”
Xue Ying wondered where Yuxuzi had gotten such a fine screen. Hearing Shen Jin, she replied, “Master, what’s wrong?”
From behind the screen, Shen Jin’s tone was odd, “I had a mishap while cultivating. I need your help.”
Xue Ying turned to leave, “Hold on, I’ll fetch Senior Brother Du.”
Du Yizhou, a dual cultivator of sword and magic, often made mistakes in his training. As the saying went, *long illness makes a good doctor*—no one knew more about cultivation mishaps than Du Yizhou.
Shen Jin nearly lost his composure. *Why call him?!* He tried again, “No need. I can regulate my qi myself.”
Xue Ying kept walking, “Then I’ll take my leave.”
Shen Jin, “…Come here.”
When Xue Ying returned, Shen Jin took a deep breath, maintaining his aloof persona, “My injury must not be known. Just help me to the next room.”
After much coaxing, Xue Ying finally approached. Before Shen Jin could relax, he spotted the Pure Land Twin Lotus beside her, its Buddhist aura faint. Xue Ying asked, “Master—”
“Stay back!”
The Pure Land Twin Lotus, a spiritual plant from Luyewan, had one purpose: tormenting demons. Even at his peak, Shen Jin wouldn’t dare touch it, let alone now, when Yuxuzi’s body rejected him.
Confused, Xue Ying thought Yuxuzi’s mind was as troubled as his body. “If Master is fine, then I—”
Yuxuzi’s voice called from outside, “Junior Brother.”
Xue Ying turned instinctively, her skirt brushing the lotus. The delicate flower toppled into the water, rippling toward Shen Jin.
Shen Jin: *!!!*
Xue Ying, “Sect Leader.”
As she turned back, Shen Jin was suddenly beside her, his soaked underrobe clinging transparently to his chest. He reached out to force himself on her.
Xue Ying reacted faster, kicking him into the water. She pinned his head down with one hand and drew Bailu with the other. The blade touched the water, freezing the entire pool—along with the lotus.
Afterward, Xue Ying bowed to Yuxuzi and the elders, “I accidentally injured Master. Punish me as you see fit.”
The elders examined Shen Jin, returning with smiles, “To best Yuxuzi even once is impressive. The younger generation truly excels.”
Yuxuzi eyed the frozen pool and asked cheerfully, “And next time?”
“I’ll do it again!”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage