Flirting with the Villain's Mother - Chapter 29

For a sect, disciples with exceptional talent are invaluable treasures.

In a sect as vast as Approaching Immortals Mountain, resources are always allocated to the most capable. Jiang Ruiping, the most gifted disciple of the previous Sect Leader’s generation and the direct disciple of the Sect Leader before that, naturally received the finest treasures, with the Yu Ling Sword being the most prized among them.

The Yu Ling Sword has always been one of Approaching Immortals Mountain’s sacred Divine Tools, traditionally wielded by the sect’s most outstanding members. Jiang Xu, however, was a nobody within the sect, lacking both popular support and even the recognition of a few. His only notable connection was that his mother had been the former Eldest Senior Sister of Approaching Immortals Mountain, and his father was the current Grand Elder. Yet Jiang An, far from protecting him, had pinned the blame on Jiang Xu. Moreover, Wei Nanyi had been considered lost for many years. By both reason and sentiment, the sword should never have fallen into Jiang Xu’s hands.

Even if Jiang Ruiping hadn’t come seeking the sword, Approaching Immortals Mountain would have found a way to retrieve it. After all, it was a sacred heirloom of the sect, and even if it had recognized another master, it rightfully belonged to Approaching Immortals Mountain.

Allowing such a treasure to remain in the hands of outsiders would inevitably diminish the sect’s prestige in the eyes of the other great sects.

When Jiang Xu returned to Approaching Immortals Mountain, even though Jiang Ruiping had no intention of teaching him, he would still receive better resources thanks to being the Yu Ling Sword Master.

It was well-known that Divine Tools rarely acknowledged masters, even when wielded by someone. Without such acknowledgment, a Divine Tool’s power was significantly diminished, making it little different from an ordinary Spirit Tool.

Rumor had it that the Yu Ling Sword never acknowledged Jiang Ruiping as its master, yet she still forged a formidable reputation with it. No one knew why the sword suddenly acknowledged Shen Yinxue as its master, but the blade naturally fell into Shen Yinxue’s hands, becoming her personal sword and accompanying her for thousands of years.

What transpired during that time remained a mystery to Wei Nanyi.

Her master, Shen Yinxue, was a gentle person of few words, rarely speaking of the past. Wei Nanyi’s knowledge of these events came from her martial uncles and aunts within the sect. One martial uncle had even mentioned that Shen Yinxue was not highly regarded by the sect in her youth, nor was she considered a candidate for Sect Leader. Yet, through a twist of fate, it was Shen Yinxue—not one of the sect’s favored disciples—who ultimately ascended to the position of Sect Leader.

Hearing Shen Yinxue’s name, the little rabbit clutching its steamed bun lowered its head.

Although Shen Yinxue had other disciples besides Wei Nanyi, Wei Nanyi was her first and foremost disciple, her senior disciple.

Wei Nanyi had been with Shen Yinxue since childhood, and their bond was exceptionally close.

After Shen Yinxue’s fall, Wei Nanyi continued to deeply miss her.

Shen Su handed Wei Nanyi a steamed bun, her thoughts drifting to Jiang Ruiping.

No wonder Jiang Ruiping could wield the Yu Ling Sword so effortlessly, even while Sword Soul Ruoqing fiercely resisted. She must have used it before.

Shen Su recalled Jiang Ruiping’s parting words, anticipating the generous gift while also remembering her attitude toward Wei Nanyi.

She clearly suspected Jiang Xu’s unusual attachment to a rabbit, but she dismissed the idea of investigating further before even touching the creature. Moreover, though Jiang Ruiping had been kind to her, even promising a lavish gift in the future, she had made no attempt to get closer to Shen Su.

Shen Su asked Wei Nanyi, “Madam, Senior Jiang seems to have a severe prejudice against anything non-human. Do you know why?”

In Shen Su’s mind, Wei Nanyi was practically omniscient. But regarding Jiang Ruiping’s aversion to animals, Wei Nanyi shook her head for once. “I don’t know. But Martial Uncle Jiang doesn’t just dislike animals; she seems to despise most people and things in this world.”

Does Wei Nanyi mean that Jiang Ruiping is somewhat nihilistic?

Shen Su pondered this carefully and realized that Jiang Ruiping did indeed seem like such a person. Yet Wei Nanyi had entrusted Jiang Xu to her care without hesitation.

Thinking of Jiang Xu, Shen Su recalled the scene that had haunted her for days: the abdomen stained crimson with bl00d, the sword’s blade etched into her memory. Jiang Xu’s strike had been merciless. How long will it take her to recover? Shen Su couldn’t help but ask, “Madam, aren’t you worried about Miss Jiang’s injuries?”

Of course she was worried. But since Jiang Ruiping hadn’t wanted Jiang Xu to die, the girl would undoubtedly survive.

“Martial Uncle Jiang’s Coagulating Restoration Pill is her own improved version. It can regenerate severed limbs within four hours and accelerates the circulation of spiritual Qi. She used the same method when teaching Junior Brother Shen—the harsher the beating, the more medicine she administered. Though brutal, Junior Brother Shen’s cultivation advanced faster than anyone else of our generation. It’s not that I don’t care about Xu’er, but I currently have no cultivation myself. Even if I wanted to teach her something, I’m powerless. Besides… though Martial Uncle Jiang’s methods are harsh, she would never truly harm Xu’er.”

Indeed, Jiang Ruiping could suppress Jiang Xu.

Against absolute power, Jiang Xu’s extremism was rendered useless.

Shen Su tore the steamed bun into small pieces and offered them to Wei Nanyi. But with each tear, Wei Nanyi ended up eating mostly the bun’s outer layer, barely getting any of the filling.

I’m not the kind of caretaker who would mistreat a rabbit, Shen Su thought.

She swallowed her own bun in large bites, then used her empty hand to cushion a handkerchief. She cradled the torn bun pieces and brought them to Wei Nanyi’s lips.

The rabbit gently pawed at Shen Su’s hand, lowering its head to nibble at the bun. Its soft paws felt warm and ticklish against her skin. The little rabbit’s pink tongue worked diligently to scoop the filling into its mouth, inevitably brushing against Shen Su’s palm.

Though the embroidered handkerchief provided a barrier, the rabbit quickly licked it damp.

The damp handkerchief clung to Shen Su’s skin, still retaining a lingering warmth. Gradually, her palm grew hotter than the rabbit’s tongue.

Wei Nanyi noticed this too. Her rabbit ears flushed completely pink, and her words came out slightly tongue-tied: “Miss Shen, I’m full.”

Shen Su cleared her throat and hastily shook off the remaining buns, wiping her palms with an embroidered handkerchief. “Then… let’s head back.”

She quickened her pace, but with the injured rabbit, she dared not rush too much. Shen Manor was quite a distance from the Shen Clan Ancestral Residence, and despite walking for a long time, they still hadn’t reached home. However, the number of people they encountered had dwindled, allowing Shen Su to circulate some spiritual power to replenish her energy. Unlike disciples from the major sects, she couldn’t openly use spiritual power.

Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling… The sound of a bell suddenly rang in her ears. Shen Su frowned. Why would there be a bell here?

Listening closely, she noticed a faint insect-like buzzing accompanying the bell’s ringing—a subtle sound that didn’t escape her keen ears.

Shen Su quickened her pace even more.

Wei Nanyi, still injured, stumbled slightly as they hurried, the fur between her rabbit ears damp with sweat. Shen Su hastily enveloped Wei Nanyi in a layer of spiritual power, but her control was poor. The moment she managed to wrap the rabbit, the energy dissipated.

Sensing something was amiss, Wei Nanyi asked, “Miss Shen, what’s wrong?”

Hearing Wei Nanyi’s voice, Shen Su felt like she was being overly cautious. Even if the bell’s tone was off, it might not be directed at them. She didn’t know anyone in Fallen Moon City.

Seeing the rabbit’s discomfort, Shen Su slowed her pace. “Madam, I hear a bell, and its tone is strange.”

Shen Su’s exceptional hearing was no secret to Wei Nanyi. Trusting her judgment, Wei Nanyi asked, “Miss Shen, what’s wrong with the tone?”

Shen Su listened intently for a moment longer, then blurted out, “There’s… there’s a sound like insects chirping.”

“That must be a Soul-Searching Bell,” Wei Nanyi explained. “It’s a technique of the Sheng Lian Sect. They’re likely searching for the Heaven’s Chosen.”

The Sheng Lian Sect, along with Approaching Immortals Mountain, Cold Maple Forest, and Ancient Cloud Sect, were collectively known as the Four Great Sects in the original novel.

It was no surprise to find members of the Sheng Lian Sect in Fallen Moon City. In fact, it would be more surprising if all four sects weren’t present. After all, these sects were the Male Lead’s “face cards.” The original story even featured a dramatic competition among the Four Great Sects to recruit him.

But why was the bell ringing here? Could it be that the cultivators searching for Yu Muhan had wandered this way by mistake?

This was truly terrible. She couldn’t imagine encountering the Male Lead could possibly be a good thing.

Shen Su slowed her pace, but the sound of the bell grew steadily closer.

Ding! The bell rang louder, as if right behind her.

Before Shen Su could even turn around, the bell’s sound abruptly vanished, replaced by a crisp, bright female voice: “Jin Chuangyao, Jin Chuangyao, wait for me!”

Jin Chuangyao?

Shen Su instinctively glanced down at the row of Jin Chuangyao healing salves hanging from her waist. She had kept them there because they contained no spiritual Qi, and she worried that if she stored them in her thumb ring, her clumsy control over spiritual power would make them difficult to retrieve.

Could she really be calling for me?

Shen Su turned around. The speaker had already transformed into a blur of motion, darting right up to her. The girl waved excitedly, her face beaming with joy. “Jin Chuangyao, I found you!”

It really was her.

Meeting those eyes that shone like stars, Shen Su finally recognized her. This girl who kept calling her “Jin Chuangyao” was the red-robed maiden she had bumped into earlier that morning while escorting Wei Nanyi out of the medical clinic.

After finding her, the sound of the bell had disappeared.

As expected, the red-robed girl was a disciple of the Sheng Lian Sect, and she had been using the Soul-Searching Bell earlier.

“Do you need something from me, Miss?” Shen Su asked.

The girl rubbed her hands together, her gaze fixed on the small rabbit in Shen Su’s palm. She giggled, “Jin Chuangyao, my Master went off to fight someone, and I’m so bored. Can I buy the rabbit from you? It looks like it’d be fun to play with.”

Shen Su frowned and took a step back. “It’s not for sale.”

She turned to leave, but the red-robed girl quickly caught up, muttering, “Aiya, Jin Chuangyao, just sell it to me! I used to keep rabbits at home, but my Master never let me bring them out. She promised we’d have fun here, so I didn’t bring them. But now that we’re here, my Senior Brothers and Sisters are obsessed with finding that Heaven’s Chosen, and even my Master is! The cultivators from other sects ignore me too. I’m so bored, and I miss my rabbits terribly. I tried buying one in Fallen Moon City, but none of the rabbits there are pretty. After looking for ages, it seems like only you have a beautiful rabbit, Jin Chuangyao.”

As expected, apart from Jiang Ruiping, who harbored prejudices against animals, most people could recognize that Wei Nanyi’s rabbit form was also a beautiful creature. However, this wasn’t the reason the red-robed girl wanted to buy the rabbit.

Shen Su ignored her, but the girl didn’t stop chattering. “I wanted to buy your rabbit the moment I saw you, but my Master was urging me to come. She said they’d found the Heaven’s Chosen. I thought it would be some legendary figure, but when I rushed over, all I saw was a bunch of sows and a man with a broken leg. It stank! I can’t understand why they’d fight over someone like that. My Master even got into a brawl with the Ancient Cloud Sect’s Elder over him, and she wanted me to fight the other Sect disciples too! No way! So I snuck away and came to buy your rabbit instead! Aren’t I clever?”

The Heaven’s Chosen the red-robed girl mentioned must be the Male Lead, Yu Muhan. But why was his leg broken, and why was he in a pigsty?