Chapter 15: Secret Transmission

The graceful maiden, naturally, was Tian Ling’er. Seeing that Zhang Xiaofan was injured, she was filled with concern and quietly slipped over to check on him. She didn’t expect her mother to be there, so she hid outside the door until Su Ru left, then she made her presence known.

At this moment, she watched as Zhang Xiaofan seemed frozen in place, and couldn’t help but scold him, “What are you standing there for?”

Startled, Zhang Xiaofan blushed and tried to think of an excuse. However, he saw Tian Ling’er lowering her head. It turned out that Dahuang, the dog, had run over and affectionately rubbed its head against her leg.

Tian Ling’er bent down and stroked Dahuang’s head. The dog extended its tongue and licked her hand, which was as smooth as jade.

“Chirp chirp chirp chirp,” the sound of the monkey Xiao Hui echoed. The two of them and the dog looked over and saw Xiao Hui running behind Dahuang, pulling on the dog’s tail, as if trying to pull Dahuang away from Tian Ling’er. Feeling Tian Ling’er’s surprised gaze, Xiao Hui raised its head and bared its teeth, making a fierce face at her.

Tian Ling’er didn’t get angry; instead, she made a silly face back at the monkey.

Ever since Xiao Hui returned with Zhang Xiaofan, it had gotten along well with everyone except for her. But when she saw Dahuang, who usually didn’t get along with Xiao Hui, turn around and playfully wrestle with the monkey, she was quite surprised.

“What’s going on here?” Tian Ling’er asked Zhang Xiaofan, pointing to the playful duo.

Zhang Xiaofan explained how Xiao Hui had used a bone to make friends with Dahuang. Tian Ling’er burst into laughter, teasing, “I never thought this mischievous monkey would have such a trick!” Her eyes twinkled as she looked Zhang Xiaofan up and down, asking, “By the way, did you feel any discomfort after my father hit you today?”

Zhang Xiaofan shook his head, “I’m fine, Senior Sister.”

Tian Ling’er, somewhat indignant, said, “Father really, why take his anger out on you!”

Zhang Xiaofan hurriedly replied, “No, no, it was my fault for being clumsy and upsetting Master…”

Tian Ling’er glared at him, and Zhang Xiaofan fell silent, mouth half-open. She huffed, “Actually, it wasn’t your fault. My father was just upset about those two talented disciples.” She paused, glanced at Zhang Xiaofan, and decided not to say anything that might make her junior brother feel stupid. Instead, she changed the subject, “What did my mother come for just now?”

Zhang Xiaofan answered honestly, “Master’s wife came to see me and gave me a ‘Dahuang Pill.’ It’s really miraculous; I took one and felt all better.”

“Dahuang Pill?” Tian Ling’er seemed surprised.

“Yes,” Zhang Xiaofan looked up at her, “What’s wrong?”

Tian Ling’er looked at her little junior brother, “This is my father’s treasure. Mother said it’s made from twenty-three rare herbs and has amazing effects. None of the senior disciples, including me, have had the chance to take it!”

Zhang Xiaofan’s mouth gaped open. Tian Ling’er’s eyes darted around, muttering to herself, “Could it be that Father actually favors you? But that doesn’t seem right!”

Zhang Xiaofan said, “It must be Master’s kindness. He saw I was hurt and gave me this miraculous medicine. He truly has a broad heart!”

Tian Ling’er chuckled, “My father has a broad heart… Heh, forget it, I won’t talk about it anymore. Wait, why do I hear rain?”

Zhang Xiaofan listened carefully and indeed heard the soft pitter-patter of rain outside.

Tian Ling’er walked to the window, pushed it open, and a cold mountain breeze blew in, carrying chilly raindrops, cooling their faces.

Zhang Xiaofan joined her, looking out at the night.

In the silent, dark night, rain fell. The entire world was shrouded in darkness, and only the faint silhouettes of the pine and bamboo in the courtyard were visible.

Raindrops fell from the night sky, appearing gentle in the darkness, and in Zhang Xiaofan’s eyes, the night was beautiful, the rain was soothing, and even the crisp sound of rain on the bamboo leaves was melodious, echoing deep within his soul.

This was because, beside him, stood a beautiful maiden, gazing intently at the rain, with a look of youthful joy and a hint of sorrow in her eyes!

Behind them, Dahuang and Xiao Hui had quieted down. Dahuang lay lazily on the bed, half asleep, while Xiao Hui, unusually calm, sat by Dahuang, playing with the dog’s thick, soft fur.

The candle flickered in the wind, occasionally making a cracking sound.

“It’s raining,” Tian Ling’er murmured.

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, “Yes, it is.”

Tian Ling’er gazed at the night for a while, then slowly turned back to the table, saying softly, “Xiaofan, close the window. It’s getting cold.”

Zhang Xiaofan nodded, closed the window, and saw Tian Ling’er sitting at the table, seemingly distracted. She took out a small box, opened it under the light, and examined it closely.

The candlelight reflected in her luminous, captivating eyes, like two gentle yet fiery flames.

“Do you think this Clear Crystal Pearl is pretty?” Tian Ling’er’s gaze lingered on the pearl, her voice almost ethereal, much like Zhang Xiaofan’s heart, empty and sinking.

He approached, gathering all his courage, and with great effort, appeared calm.

Tian Ling’er looked up at him, noticing that her ordinary junior brother’s eyes were exceptionally bright, even with a touch of fervor and pain.

*Snap* She gently closed the box and asked softly, “Xiaofan, what’s wrong?”

Zhang Xiaofan lowered his head, hesitated, and said, “Nothing, Senior Sister.”

Tian Ling’er found it strange but didn’t dwell on it. Standing up, she said, “Well, it’s late. I should go.”

Zhang Xiaofan stood up, dazed. As Tian Ling’er walked a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned, and smiled, a wave of beauty striking Zhang Xiaofan’s heart, “Oh, I almost forgot what I came here for.” She pulled out a sheet of paper, densely written with characters, and handed it to Zhang Xiaofan.

Zhang Xiaofan looked at it, his face changing, and he exclaimed, “Taiji Xuanqing Dao! Senior Sister, this…”

Tian Ling’er glared at him, “Why are you shouting?”

Zhang Xiaofan quickly lowered his voice, “Senior Sister, this is the third level! You…”

“I?” Tian Ling’er huffed, “I, of course, am giving it to you.”

Zhang Xiaofan was shocked, “What?”

Tian Ling’er said, “I know Father always looks down on you. His anger today was unjustified. Humph, he can’t teach well but blames you. I can’t stand it. Take this and practice secretly. When you make some progress, show it to Father, and don’t be ashamed like today.”

Zhang Xiaofan frowned, “But Senior Sister, if Master and Master’s wife find out, they’ll scold you.”

Tian Ling’er impatiently said, “You’re right, they’ll scold me, maybe confine me for a while, but so what? I can’t let you be bullied!”

Zhang Xiaofan’s body jolted, his heart warming, and he looked at Tian Ling’er’s silhouette, speechless.

In that moment, his heart swelled with emotion, ready to die for her without hesitation.

Tian Ling’er continued, “Work hard, try to match Lin Jingyu, but you can’t compare to Qi Hao. Forget about that.” She waved her hand, adding, “Keep it secret.” Then she left, disappearing into the night.

“You can’t compare to Qi Hao!”

Each word hit Zhang Xiaofan’s heart, his face pale, subconsciously gripping the paper tightly.

The rain fell, the world solemn, and in the darkness, a young man stepped into the rain, gazing at the sky.

The next morning, the damp mountain air carried a chill as Zhang Xiaofan lit the fire in the kitchen.

The fire crackled, and the yellow flames danced like wild spirits, illuminating his face. Zhang Xiaofan, using a thin stick to stir the fire, stared blankly.

“You can’t compare to Qi Hao!”

He repeated these words in his heart, each time hurting more. He knew it was foolish, that Senior Sister meant no harm, just stating a fact.

Yet, he couldn’t help but think, the burning flame in his heart, endless and painful.

“Ouch!” Zhang Xiaofan yelped, jumping back. The fire had burned his stick and singed his hand.

He ran to the water, plunging his hand into the coolness, feeling the icy chill. He sighed bitterly; what he needed most was a good poker.

“Uh, uh, uh,” sounds came from the door. Zhang Xiaofan recognized Dahuang’s bark, but it was oddly different, “Woof woof” turning into “uh uh uh.”

He went to the door, smiling. Dahuang and Xiao Hui were tussling, the dog biting a black stick, the other end in Xiao Hui’s grip, both pulling. Dahuang barked, but the stick muffled the sound, turning it into “uh uh uh.”

Zhang Xiaofan grabbed the stick, waving off Dahuang and Xiao Hui. They weren’t pleased, barking and chattering.

Zhang Xiaofan waved, “Go away, or no lunch for you.”

Dahuang and Xiao Hui exchanged a look, one growling, the other making a face. Xiao Hui jumped on Dahuang’s back, and they strutted away, full of disdain. Zhang Xiaofan was frustrated.

Cursing, Zhang Xiaofan turned and re-entered the kitchen, realizing the stick was the mysterious black rod from his journey in the valley months ago. Xiao Hui must have found it and brought it to play with Dahuang.

Sighing, Zhang Xiaofan suddenly had an idea. He went to the fire, using the black rod as a poker. It fit perfectly, and the rod, unburnable and cool, remained cool even in the heat.

Nodding, Zhang Xiaofan thought, perfect.

If the deceased Black Heart Elder of the Demon Sect knew that his prized Blood-devouring Pearl, the supreme treasure of the Demon Sect, had become a poker, he would surely rise from the grave, fuming.

At noon, the disciples of Dazhu Peak gathered in the dining hall. Tian Yisui entered last, taking his seat and looking at his disciples. When he saw Zhang Xiaofan, he paused. Zhang Xiaofan looked down, and Tian Yisui moved on.

“Yesterday, you all saw what happened?” Tian Yisui said calmly.

Silence. Only Song Da Ren dared to smile, “Yes, Master showed his might, punishing those two…”

“Rubbish!” Tian Yisui roared, stunning everyone. “Yesterday, you should have seen the deep cultivation of the disciples from other peaks. Not only Qi Hao, but even a new disciple, three years in, surpassed most of you. They came to Dazhu Peak to cause trouble. Do you understand?”

Silence. Zhang Xiaofan lifted his head.

Tian Yisui, coldly, “The Seven Peaks Martial Tournament is near. From today, you all will meditate, improving your cultivation, or I’ll flay you alive!”

Faces grim, no one spoke. Tian Ling’er, cautiously, “Father, then I…”

“You too!” Tian Yisui snapped.

Tian Ling’er pouted, but her mother subtly held her back. Glancing at Su Ru, she swallowed her words.

Tian Yisui’s voice rang, “Except for the Seventh Disciple, who will handle meals, you all will stay in seclusion for a year and a half, focusing on your cultivation. Understood?”

Thus, time passed, and Dazhu Peak, though peaceful, was shrouded in tension. All disciples focused on their training, except for a lazy yellow dog, a mischievous gray monkey, and a bored chef.