Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The late evening breeze blew across the lands.
The view of the sun setting looked as though it was from painting.
Under the shade, Jiang Ming closed his eyes as he leisurely rocked back and forth on the recliner. He was still in a good mood from the rewards he received in the morning.
When his Junior Sister was cultivating, or as she would put it, raising her cultivation base, she would learn protective spells as well. She had told him that it could be used to protect him in the future.
Jiang Ming, who was enjoying the silence, furrowed his eyebrows when he sensed two visitors swiftly making their way up to the peak from the foot of the mountain.
Following that, he flew forward and greeted the visitors who had finally arrived. “Senior Sister Momo, what a pleasant surprise! I heard an oriental magpie singing from the treetop earlier, I should’ve known it heralded your visit…”
“You’re such a sweet talker, Senior Brother Jiang,” Momo replied with a smile.
Momo seemed to be around 16 years old. Her hair grew down to her waist, her eyebrows curved prettily, and dimples appeared on her cheeks when she smiled.
Momo continued to say, “I went out before this and obtained some spiritual rice. It can be made into congee for Linglong.”
Then, Momo handed a sack of rice that weighed about ten catties.
The first disciples of all the First Seats were addressed as Senior Brothers or Senior Sisters. Hence, Jiang Ming addressed her as Senior Momo despite her age.
“Thank you very much! This is great. I’ll thank you properly again once Linglong emerges from her cultivation in seclusion,” Jiang Ming said as he took the sack of rice. Then, he turned to the white-clad man next to Momo and asked, “Which peak’s disciple is he, Senior Sister Momo?”
“This is Linghu Yin. He’s a disciple of Zhiyang Peak. He’s already entered the Foundation Establishment Realm. We ran into each other earlier so he decided to tag along,” Momo explained.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Senior Brother Jiang!” Linghu Yin cupped his fists and smiled. His smile was clearly insincere. In his opinion, Jiang Ming was beneath him.
This did not escape Jiang Ming’s notice, but he was not bothered at all. He cupped his fists at Linghu Yin and said, “Nice to meet you, Junior Brother Linghu. Master Yue is an amazing teacher. Despite your age, you’ve already entered the Foundation Establishment Realm. I’m impressed! Anyway, please come in.”
Jiang Ming led the visitors to the eastern pavilion and brewed a pot of tea. The trio then chatted over tea.
“Is Master Gu here? I should greet him,” Linghu Yin said perfunctorily.
“My master spends his time roaming the lands. He left the mountain at dawn earlier and didn’t even bother to inform me…” Jiang Ming said helplessly.
“Master Gu sure is carefree…” Linghu Yu smiled with a hint of condescension. “Does he plan to recruit any more disciples? It seems slightly… deserted here.”
Jiang Ming’s expression darkened immediately. “That’s none of your business, Junior Brother.”
Momo frowned.
Linghu Yin scoffed lightly as he toyed with the teacup in his hand. He smiled meaningfully as he continued to say, “The first disciples of First Seats are usually in the Core Formation Realm, right? However, Chuyang Peak’s first disciple is only at the 6th Stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm. I’d be embarrassed if I were the First Seat of Chuyang Peak. What do you think, Senior Brother Jiang?”
Linghu Yin said the words ‘Senior Brother Jiang’ mockingly.
“You’ve gone too far, Junior Brother Linghu,” Momo said.
At this moment, killing intent suddenly surged in the room as a figure barged into the pavilion. It was none other than Zi Linglong.
“You’re unworthy to speak his name,” Zi Linglong said with burning eyes.
“Zi Linglong? It’s rude to attack your seniors, you know,” Linghu Yin said dismissively. He raised his arms to parry her blow, but it was too late.
Zi Linglong caught Linghu Yin’s hand, restricted his cultivation base, and tossed him out of the pavilion.
Boom!
Linghu Yin landed heavily, causing the stone floor to crack and stirring up a cloud of dust. His face was ghastly pale after he spat out a mouthful of blood. He looked at Linglong incredulously.
Zi Linglong was not done with Linghu Yin. She rushed out and looked down on him. She said expressionlessly, “You’re seeking trouble by mocking my senior brother.”
“Linglong, show restraint!” Jiang Ming tried to stop her. He had been gratified and delighted when Linglong stood up for him, but he knew he had to stop her when he saw the murderous intent flashing in her eyes.
When Jiang Ming called out, Linglong’s leg was already raised in midair. She paused for just a fleeting moment before she followed through with the kick.
Bam!
Linghu Yin was instantly sent flying off the mountain, drawing an arc in the air. A miserable cry rang in the air as he fell. Fortunately, he was able to use his mana to reduce the impact of his fall.
Crash!
After a loud sound reverberated in the air, a furious cry reached their ears. “Jiang Ming! Zi Linglong! I won’t forget this!”
“He’s dead!” Zi Linglong raised an eyebrow before she made a move to rush down the mountain. Linghu Yin is our fellow disciple. You’ll be punished if you kill him!”
“B-but… But he made fun of you! How can I let him go?” Linglong’s voice grew softer and softer as she lowered her head. “Don’t worry, Senior Brother, I promise I won’t severely hurt anyone on our sect’s ground…”
Linglong knew she had let her emotions get the better of her. Linghu Yin’s earlier actions had reminded her about her unhappy past; she could barely reign in her anger. How could an insignificant character like Linghu Yin mock her senior brother? If this happened in the past, she would have destroyed his body and soul.
“That’s more like it,” Jiang Ming said as he patted her head. He chuckled before he continued to say, “What you did back there was amazing! Thanks for standing up for me.”
“I told you I’ll protect you!” Zi Linglong said as she raised her head, “Senior Brother, let me deal with those who come looking for trouble. I’ll give them such a thorough beating that even their parents won’t be able to recognize them after I’m done with them!”
Jiang Ming laughed. “Alright.”
At this time, Momo walked over. She asked with a shocked expression on her face, “Since when did you grow so strong, Junior Sister Linglong? I remember you were only at the 1st Stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm a few years ago, but now… Wait, she’s only ten, right?”
Zi Linglong only smiled politely.
Jiang Ming tried to gloss over the subject and hurriedly said, “She’s just lucky. Although she grew stronger, she doesn’t know how to show restraint.”
“Lucky? I wish I’m as lucky,” Momo said. Then, her expression turned sheepish as she said, “I really didn’t know Junior Brother Linghu is like that. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought him here.”
“As the saying goes, ‘You can find all sorts of birds in a big forest’. Forget about him. Let’s head back inside, Senior Sister Momo,” Jiang Ming said.
“It’s fine. I should take my leave now,” Momo said as she shook her head. Then, she waved at Zi Linglong and said, “Linglong, visit Jiaoyang Peak when you’re free. We have delicious food there!”
“Alright, Senior Sister!” Zi Linglong smiled sweetly.
When Momo turned around, her smile vanished immediately and was replaced by a frown.
When Momo disappeared down the mountain, Zi Linglong said in a low voice, “Senior Brother, she’s not sincere…”
“How do you know that?” Jiang Ming asked curiously.
“It’s just a gut feeling.” Zi Linglong shrugged.
“What amazing instincts you have. Anyway, you must remember this, Linglong. It doesn’t matter if she’s sincere or insincere as long as she doesn’t look for trouble with us. Moreover, you must keep a low profile, understand?”
“You sound more and more like Master, Senior Brother.”
“You’re still young so you don’t know how treacherous humans are. Anyway, earlier, you should’ve just gritted your teeth and endured it. It would be over in just an instant. If you really need to vent your anger, you can beat him up when no one’s around. You can even…” Jiang Ming trailed off. Then, he cleared his throat awkwardly before he continued to say, “In any case, you’re only ten years old. If you really kill Linghu Yin who’s a Foundation Establishment cultivator, once word of it spreads, it’ll cause a huge commotion. At that time, it’ll be difficult for you to keep a low profile…”
“I’ll keep your words in mind, Senior Brother!”
“Alright. Go back and cultivate.”
“Yes, Senior Brother!”
Jiang Ming nodded in satisfaction as he watched Zi Linglong fly toward the bamboo house. Then, he returned to his recliner. He rocked it slightly, enjoying the peace.
With just a thought, he called up the Human Paths Records.
When Jiang Ming saw Momo’s information, he could not help but frown.