Haven't Been a Senior Sister for Many Years - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Spirit Dragon

That night, a clear sky hung a bright full moon, occasionally veiled by drifting clouds that quickly passed and vanished into the unknown.

The forest was quiet, with only owls vigilantly watching over their territory, seeking shadows of prey in the dark.

A few drops of bl00d fell from a sharp sword tip and disappeared into the soil.

With a blank expression, Chu Zhiqin flicked the remaining bl00d off her sword, then sheathed the Wuyou Sword and slipped into a cave. At the entrance, she set up several barriers to conceal their presence.

The cave, dimly lit by a fire, was modest in size. A grass mat on the floor kept the bedding from touching the slightly damp earth.

Leng Junzhu lounged lazily on the makeshift bed Chu Zhiqin had prepared. The storybook in her hand failed to hold her attention as she absentmindedly flipped through it.

Anyone unaware might think she was out on a pleasure trip, enjoying the novelty of camping rather than staying at an inn.

In contrast, Chu Zhiqin’s fair cheeks bore several fresh scabs, and her clothes were torn. The hem was stained with dried bl00d—whose, she wasn’t sure—now turned into cracked patches of brown.

Chu Zhiqin didn’t care. She lifted her robe and was about to sit on the ground.

“Wait,” Leng Junzhu frowned and called out, “So filthy. You should at least change clothes.” She tossed a clean robe at her.

Looking down, Chu Zhiqin saw the dried scabs, as if mocking her. Several pieces flaked off.

“Sorry…” Her cheeks flushed. Under Leng Junzhu’s amused gaze, she clumsily changed out of her soiled robe, then sat properly by the fire, staring blankly at the dancing flames.

No one spoke. The only sounds in the cave were the turning of book pages and the crackle of burning wood. Occasionally, a few sparks would leap out, leaving black scorch marks on the ground.

After finishing her book, Leng Junzhu yawned lazily and asked, “How long do we have to keep hiding?”

Chu Zhiqin rubbed her swollen temple. “Not much longer.”

The days of relentless pursuit had worn her patience thin. She didn’t want to fight fellow righteous cultivators—not when she was still a member of Sword Pavilion. She needed to maintain some restraint.

Even though she’d already caused quite a mess.

“Get some rest. We’ll need to move again tomorrow,” Chu Zhiqin murmured, avoiding Leng Junzhu’s gaze.

She could feel Leng Junzhu watching her—curious and perhaps a little suspicious.

“Fine, but I really hope this is the last night I have to sleep in a dump like this,” the pampered little snake complained openly about the cave. Pulling the blanket over her, she curled up, leaving only the back of her head visible.

“I promise,” Chu Zhiqin said softly.

Outside the cave, leaves rustled. Chu Zhiqin turned and saw tiny pebbles being lifted by the wind. The fire drove away the damp night chill, and the figure beneath the blanket soon began to breathe in slow, even rhythms. A few strands of hair slipped from the blanket, resting on the pillow.

Chu Zhiqin leaned against the uneven rock wall, her thoughts drifting. Her forehead ached from the exhaustion of days on the run.

Since leaving Anning Town, someone always seemed to discover their whereabouts. At first, she didn’t want to think too deeply. She made excuses—maybe she wasn’t careful, maybe it was just bad luck.

Maybe…

She was lying to herself.

Chu Zhiqin exhaled a long breath. The truth had always been right in front of her, hadn’t it? But she’d rather believe she’d made a mistake than believe that Leng Junzhu had been exposing them all along.

When did it start? She stared at the flickering shadows on the cave ceiling. Probably back at that temple fair when they got separated.

After taking the spirit herb, the chain she had forcefully placed on Leng Junzhu’s wrist had slowly begun to lose its effect. That separation had given Leng Junzhu plenty of time to contact the demon realm for help.

Chu Zhiqin chose not to confront her, and Leng Junzhu acted as if nothing was wrong.

Now, the two of them waited inside a cave, uncertain of what tomorrow would bring.

Ding.

The protective barrier at the cave entrance rippled—a sign it had been touched.

Chu Zhiqin tightened her grip on the Wuyou Sword and stepped toward the entrance. From behind, the deep breathing of the sleeping girl briefly halted, then resumed.

Outside: empty.

Chu Zhiqin held her breath and extended her divine sense outward.

Suddenly, a grinning face popped up at the entrance, waving casually with her left hand.

“…”

What should’ve been a frightening scene became strangely comical thanks to the goofy expression on the intruder’s face.

She was still gesturing, clearly asking Chu Zhiqin to lower the barrier and let her in.

“Who are you?” Chu Zhiqin asked.

“It’s me—Linglong!” she replied cheerfully.

Chu Zhiqin was certain she’d never met anyone named Linglong.

“I don’t know you.”

The girl pouted in dissatisfaction, clearly not pleased with Chu Zhiqin’s attitude. This only made things more confusing.

At that moment, Leng Junzhu emerged from the blanket and walked over. Chu Zhiqin felt a cold body press behind her, and an even colder voice spoke by her ear:

“Where’d this idiot come from?”

The “idiot” raised an eyebrow and stepped through the barrier. It instantly collapsed.

Brushing imaginary dust from her clothes, she huffed, “Really now? You just had to make me break in? And you, stupid snake—who are you calling an idiot?”

“Whoever responds, that’s who,” Leng Junzhu replied, already back by the fire and ignoring her.

Chu Zhiqin, still wary, didn’t lower her sword.

Linglong puffed her cheeks. Suddenly, a pair of delicate dragon horns sprouted from her head. “Now do you know who I am?” she said expectantly.

Chu Zhiqin’s eyes widened. Her pupils trembled.

“You’re… Brother Jiao?”

“Mhmm!”

“But Brother Jiao is—” male? She didn’t finish, because Linglong looked annoyed.

“Stop calling me ‘Brother Jiao’ already! Don’t you see I’m a girl?”

She proudly stuck out her chest. “All real, no illusions.”

Chu Zhiqin: “…”

Leng Junzhu: “…”

Chu Zhiqin managed, “But Xuanji said—”

Linglong rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, Xuanji never knows who’s male or female. But you saw me with your own eyes! Still don’t believe?”

Leng Junzhu snorted. “Some people’s eyeballs are just for decoration.”

Chu Zhiqin: “…” Fine, my bad.

“How did you find us?” Chu Zhiqin changed the subject, patching the barrier as she spoke.

“Word’s gotten around. I took a chance and followed the rumors—and lucky me, here you are.” Linglong plopped by the fire, warming her pale hands until they flushed pink. “By the way, did you finish the spirit herbs I gave you?”

She could tell that Leng Junzhu’s soul hadn’t fully stabilized yet.

“There’s one left. We haven’t found time to use it,” Chu Zhiqin replied, feeding more wood into the dying fire.

“How about this,” Linglong said, “Tomorrow I’ll distract them for you so you two can take it. But I have a condition.”

“What condition?”

“I need a master weapon forger.”

Leng Junzhu asked, “What do you need a weapon for?”

What would a proper dragon need with a weapon?

Linglong twisted awkwardly, looking like she might turn into a pretzel.

Leng Junzhu growled, “You molting or something?”

Linglong glared and dramatically covered her face. “Aiya, don’t ask so many questions! Just say if you agree or not!”

“…,” Chu Zhiqin struggled to process the sudden chaos. Leng Junzhu gave her a pinch to snap her out of it.

“I can recommend someone, but I can’t guarantee they’ll help.”

“That’s fine. Just point me in the right direction.”

Chu Zhiqin thought of Hua Ling first.

The Qingluan clan were renowned for crafting spiritual weapons, though they rarely sold them or put them up for auction. They believed in waiting for fate to guide their weapons to worthy wielders.

She handed Linglong a token and instructions.

“When you reach Fuxian Town, exit through the east gate and head northeast. After several hundred li, you’ll reach a forest. Use this token there and state your purpose.”

“If a water mirror appears, Hua Ling is willing to meet. You can use it to enter Hidden Mist Valley. If the token breaks—”

She poked at a burning log.

“—that means she refused. Leave immediately. Do not linger.”

Leng Junzhu yawned and curled up against Chu Zhiqin, quickly dozing off. She showed no interest in contacting Hua Ling.

“Got it. I won’t push it if she says no,” Linglong said seriously.

“When dawn breaks, I’ll disguise myself as you and lure them west. That’ll buy you two or three days to take the herb.”

“Thank you.”

“Pfft, no need for thanks. Just mutual benefit. Ugh, chasing you two for days really wore me out. Let me lie down on that bed.”

“No!”

“No.”

Chu Zhiqin and Leng Junzhu answered in unison.

Leng Junzhu raised an eyebrow. “She made that for me. Go make your own.”

Chu Zhiqin smiled apologetically. “Sorry, but I can give you some extra bedding.”

Linglong pouted. “Fine, guess I’m just a lonely single dragon. I’ll do it myself.”

She quickly laid out a bed for one, and without changing clothes, flopped onto it and fell into a deep sleep.

The ever-clean little snake wrinkled her nose and ordered Chu Zhiqin to carry her over—but was refused.

“I’ll keep watch. You sleep.”

Maybe because of how serious she looked, Leng Junzhu didn’t argue and quietly fell asleep.

The fire burned all through the night.

At dawn, Chu Zhiqin extinguished the flames and erased all traces that they had stayed there.