After the Death Ceremony, I was Entangled by My Two Wives - Chapter 7

“It’s just normal cohabitation. What do you mean by ‘hiding someone’?”

Ying Buran covered her face, feeling the tips of her ears grow warm. She didn’t know what to say.

Why would Zhao Qingxun’s junior sister think that?

Zhao Qingxun glanced coldly at Cheng Banxia, her voice even icier than usual. “Stop reading those romance novels.”

Realizing she had spoken out of turn, Cheng Banxia rubbed her nose, coughed twice, and grinned sheepishly. “It’s just… I’ve never seen Senior Sister hide someone before.”

Zhao Qingxun’s lips twitched, her voice dropping to near zero. “It’s just normal cohabitation. What do you mean by ‘hiding someone’?”

“Well, it’s just… I’ve never seen you before… You’ve always been so secretive, never letting anyone see you. Isn’t that hiding someone? I’m sorry, Senior Sister! I’ll never do it again!” Cheng Banxia mumbled defensively, her voice shrinking under Zhao Qingxun’s intense gaze until she finally caved completely.

Ying Buran, who hadn’t expected this turn of events, stared blankly for a moment before letting out a soft laugh, breaking the tense silence between the two women.

Hearing her voice, Zhao Qingxun turned around, her expression softening instantly. Addressing Cheng Banxia with a gentler tone, she said, “I apologize. My junior sister reads too many romance novels and speaks without thinking.”

Ying Buran shook her head, smiling. “It’s nothing. Your Junior Sister is quite interesting. Hello, I’m Ying Buran.”

Startled by Zhao Qingxun’s gentle tone, Cheng Banxia finally snapped out of her daze. She scratched her head, a little embarrassed. “H-hello, I’m Cheng Banxia. I’m also a sword cultivator and Senior Sister Zhao’s junior sister.”

Sensing Cheng Banxia’s discomfort in her presence, or perhaps wanting to give the two some space to get acquainted, Zhao Qingxun excused herself to prepare tea and snacks.

Ying Buran didn’t miss the surprise in Cheng Banxia’s eyes when Zhao Qingxun mentioned making tea and snacks.

So, Zhao Qingxun has never done this before.

Sure enough, as soon as Zhao Qingxun disappeared from sight, Cheng Banxia grabbed Ying Buran’s arm and whispered urgently, “Has Senior Sister always been like this?”

Ying Buran pondered for a moment, then shook her head. Just as Cheng Banxia breathed a sigh of relief, Ying Buran added, “Not exactly. We just never knew how to make tea and snacks before. We learned later.”

Cheng Banxia stared blankly.

This is even weirder! A cultivation fanatic who only cares about training suddenly starts learning how to make tea and snacks? Am I dreaming?

She had only been in seclusion for a few years, yet it felt like she had returned to an entirely different world.

Cheng Banxia pinched herself, yelping in pain. Ying Buran watched her antics, her initial suspicion that Cheng Banxia was just being eccentric now solidifying into certainty that something was genuinely wrong.

After Cheng Banxia calmed down, Ying Buran asked, “Was Qingxun always like this? What was she like before?”

“Wow, besides Master, you’re the first person I’ve ever heard use such a… um…” Cheng Banxia paused, noticing Ying Buran’s confused expression, and rephrased, “Such a formal way of addressing her. You know how it is, right? We fellow disciples usually call her Senior Sister Zhao, while those from other sects call her Fellow Daoist.”

Ying Buran nodded, inwardly surprised, and waited for Cheng Banxia to continue.

Cheng Banxia continued, “Normally, Senior Sister Zhao… well, her mind is always occupied with cultivation—cultivation, cultivation, and more cultivation. Every day, she’s either cultivating or on missions, as cold as an ice block. And this is the first time I’ve ever seen her stay on the peak for so long without going out.”

Ying Buran thought for a moment. It was true that Zhao Qingxun had been staying by her side recently, rarely leaving. So this was what Zhao Qingxun was like before? She had never shown this side of herself before.

Even when Ying Buran was recuperating, Zhao Qingxun would appear before her at the slightest sign of trouble, let alone after they had grown closer.

Especially in recent days, after Zhao Qingxun completed her mission, they had spent almost all their time together in the same room, not to mention the days they spent cultivating the Senluo Art.

Ying Buran had never perceived Zhao Qingxun as a particularly cold or aloof person.

After hearing Ying Buran’s doubts, Chen Banxia remained silent for a moment.

“I think what I said earlier might have been right…” Chen Banxia murmured, then abruptly fell silent as Zhao Qingxun approached with tea and snacks.

Zhao Qingxun set down the refreshments and sat beside Ying Buran, asking, “No conflicts arose, did they?”

Ying Buran shook her head, glancing at Cheng Banxia, who looked like she was about to shatter. “No, no, we had a very pleasant conversation. Senior Sister Cheng is a wonderful person too.”

“Too?” Zhao Qingxun raised an eyebrow, seizing on the word.

Ying Buran, puzzled by Zhao Qingxun’s sudden interest in the phrasing, quickly added, “Of course, the first wonderful person is you.”

“Ew.” Cheng Banxia shook her head, feeling like her Senior Sister had been possessed. Then she noticed something else. “What did you just call me?”

“Senior Sister Cheng?” Ying Buran thought of how Cheng Banxia had also been accepted as Luo Wangqing’s disciple a few days ago during her own Dao Foundation reshaping. Although Zhao Qingxun was the one teaching her, their relationship remained unchanged.

Calling her that should be fine, right?

Cheng Banxia immediately grinned. “Hey! I’m finally not the youngest anymore! I’m being called ‘Senior Sister’ now!”

Zhao Qingxun’s lips twitched, but she ignored Cheng Banxia, placing a peach blossom pastry in front of Ying Buran before turning to Cheng Banxia. “What brings you here?”

“I wanted to spar with Senior Sister, but today doesn’t seem like a good time.” Cheng Banxia eyed the beautifully crafted peach blossom pastry, wanting to try it. She reached out, but Zhao Qingxun’s sharp gaze stopped her. Instead, she picked up another type of pastry. “By the way, why haven’t I heard about Junior Sister Ying before?”

Ying Buran had been focused on eating and hadn’t noticed the exchange. Hearing this, she looked up at Zhao Qingxun, equally curious.

Zhao Qingxun explained, “Considering her original aptitude fell short of the Flowing Cloud Sect’s admission standards, we kept it quiet to prevent malicious individuals from targeting her.”

“Huh? Then why…?”

Ying Buran finished her pastry and volunteered, “I was being chased by the Ghost Clan. Qingxun rescued me, and that’s how I ended up here.”

Cheng Banxia nodded in understanding. “Ah, that makes sense. It’s best not to make a fuss. After all, there are plenty of snobs in the Sect who look down on others. Who knows if someone might use Junior Sister Ying as a target to earn merit? It’s safer for her to stay here for now. Once you reach the Golden Core stage, you can leave.”

She patted her chest confidently. “I may not be as strong as Senior Sister, but I’m no pushover in the Sect. If Senior Sister isn’t around, Junior Sister, you can always come to me for help.”

Ying Buran nodded gratefully. As expected, anyone who’s close to Zhao Qingxun must have good character. But based on Cheng Banxia’s description, the Sect’s atmosphere didn’t sound very pleasant.

She voiced her concerns, and this time Zhao Qingxun explained, “The Sect’s obsession with innate talent is quite severe. Many people judge others based on their initial aptitude, dividing disciples into rigid hierarchies. But the truth is, talent only provides a starting point. Where you ultimately end up depends entirely on your own efforts.”

“Even someone with poor talent can reach great heights. It just requires far more effort than others.”

“Exactly!” Cheng Banxia nodded in agreement. “This whole ‘talent-only’ nonsense is just a weak excuse for laziness. It’s just a way for people to justify not working hard!” She then excitedly began sharing her own past experiences with Ying Buran.

Cheng Banxia had an insatiable desire to share, Ying Buran’s second impression of her. Yet she didn’t find it annoying; on the contrary, it felt strangely familiar, as if Cheng Banxia considered her one of her own.

Ying Buran hadn’t expected Cheng Banxia, who looked so young, to have such a wealth of experiences, having traveled far and wide across the land.

According to Zhao Qingxun, Cheng Banxia was among the most diligent disciples in the region, constantly cultivating, seeking out sparring partners, and honing her skills through practical combat.

By evening, Cheng Banxia still hadn’t finished her stories, her eyes sparkling with unspent enthusiasm, as if she had countless more tales to tell.

Seeing no end in sight, Zhao Qingxun simply chased her away, telling her to come back another time.

After that, Cheng Banxia began visiting even more frequently than before, often dropping by to share her experiences with Ying Buran, vent about various matters, and continue sparring with Zhao Qingxun.

One day after sparring, Cheng Banxia complained to Ying Buran about a disciple from the Myriad Phenomena Sect she had encountered during her travels. According to her, this person was “quite peculiar.”

“I’ve never seen a Talisman Cultivator wield a greatsword before! A greatsword! That’s a greatsword, you know! What kind of Talisman Cultivator uses a greatsword?!” Cheng Banxia exclaimed, gulping down a mouthful of water in disbelief.

Having studied various cultivation systems during her time here, Ying Buran was naturally familiar with the practices and combat methods of Talisman Cultivators.

However, she had never heard of a Talisman Cultivator wielding a greatsword. Ying Buran took a sip of tea to calm her nerves.

Afterward, Cheng Banxia alternated between talking about the Talisman Cultivator and recounting her own mission experiences. It took Ying Buran several attempts to piece together the full story.

Apparently, they had encountered danger midway through their mission and been rescued by a Talisman Cultivator. Together, the two—one wielding a sword, the other a greatsword—had carved a path to safety.

As they spoke, a carrier pigeon landed before them, transforming into a letter that flew into Zhao Qingxun’s hand.

Zhao Qingxun glanced at the letter, frowned slightly, and said to the others, “Master has summoned me. I must leave immediately. Ah Ran, please stay here for now. Senior Sister Cheng, I entrust her protection to you.”

Both nodded in agreement, watching Zhao Qingxun depart on her sword. As soon as Zhao Qingxun was gone, Cheng Banxia leaned in conspiratorially toward Ying Buran, her eyes gleaming with gossip. “Junior Sister,” she whispered excitedly, “do you think Senior Sister has feelings for you?”

“You’ve noticed the preferential treatment too, haven’t you?” Cheng Banxia raised an eyebrow, her face radiating intrigue.