How to Be the Perfect Junior Sister to a Reborn Villain - Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The courtyard was filled with the fragrance of golden osmanthus. Sunlight poured down through the leaves, scattering dappled shadows across Yan Jiuzhi’s face, flickering light and dark.

His lashes were lowered, his focus and divine sense both withdrawn, not sparing even a fraction of attention for Patriarch Chengyuan. Only after the elder turned to leave did he quietly offer a polite bow.

He glanced at the warding talisman, shimmering faintly with spiritual intent, then at his oblivious junior sister, who was smiling so sweetly and innocently.

With a silent sigh, he reached out and gently brushed the fallen petals from her hair. “Come on,” he said softly. “I’ll take you home.”

The moment the talisman was completed, that faint trace of danger he’d sensed earlier vanished without a trace. As for the connection between the two events, he still hadn’t figured it out.

After all, Chengyuan was a Tribulation-stage ancestor hardly the type to scheme against a mere Qi Refining stage girl.

Thinking of the flute that Second Senior Brother had received.

A strange feeling tugged at his heart. Somehow, he had the sense that he was the real reason the old ancestor had appeared.

Lixi had originally planned to go home the next day, but now that Third Senior Brother was accompanying her, of course she wanted to leave right away.

Xiaocui was going to join the Taixian Sect with her, but before that, she wanted to visit her old martial master. Lixi handed her three Nourishing Pills for the trip.

Since she hadn’t yet built her foundation, she couldn’t fly with a sword. If not for Xiaocui being with them, she would’ve begged her third senior brother to take her flying it would’ve been so dazzling, so cool.

Next time. Next time, she definitely had to make him take her flying.

Using lightfoot techniques, the three of them soon arrived in the city.

The streets bustled with life. Hawkers shouted their wares, shopboys eagerly called out to customers lively, smoky, full of everyday warmth and joy.

As they walked through the crowd, people greeted them with enthusiasm.

Little Immortals! Come have some tea this year’s new leaves, fresh and fragrant!

Here, this old woman embroidered a pouch myself take it, a gift!

Hot candied fritters just out of the pan! Take some, young immortals.

The three of them repeatedly declined, but the townsfolk were too warm hearted.

Barely after passing through the city gate, their hands were stuffed with embroidered pouches, candied fritters, sugar-coated hawthorns, and scallion meat pies.

Helpless, they finally used their lightfoot skill to escape like a gust of wind, lest they be buried under more gifts.

Behind them came the townsfolk’s laughter and grumbling:

Why are the little immortals running off so fast? Stay and eat before you go.

Exactly! Next time, you must come have tea with this old man.

At last, freed from the circle of enthusiastic citizens, Xiaocui went off to see her old master, while Lixi led Yan Jiuzhi toward the Li residence.

She had already finished the scallion meat pie and was now happily nibbling on the candied fritter, her cheeks puffed, her face brimming with contentment.

How nice it was not to have to mind the rules of a noble lady, being able to do whatever she pleased.

Curious, she tilted her head toward her graceful senior brother. “Third Senior Brother, why aren’t you eating? It’s so good, still warm!”

“I’ll eat when we get back.” Yan Jiuzhi looked down at her, suppressing the urge to brush away the sesame seed clinging to the corner of her mouth.

For a little junior sister, eating as she walked was endearing; for a grown man like him, it would just look ridiculous.

When they reached the alley before the Li residence, they were met with an unexpected sight rows of banquet tables set up for a feast.

The place was crowded and lively. Some relatives even called out to her.

“Ximei! Your brother’s been noticed by a great sect!”

“Xixi, your little brother’s been accepted into Changning Sword Sect! You’ve got someone to rely on now!”

Rely on? Lixi’s brows twitched. I’m my own reliance! She thought indignantly.

So this was a banquet celebrating her brother joining the Changning Sword Sect, huh?

Hmph! Whatever trace of homesickness she’d felt evaporated instantly.

Changning Sword Sect is number one among the top ten sects and they accepted her chubby little brother.

Wait a second… did that mean she couldn’t beat him anymore?

Absolutely unacceptable!

Her delicate brows furrowed into a,her cheeks puffed with frustration.

Yan Jiuzhi couldn’t help glancing at her several times, puzzled by the sudden change in her expression.

Just then, Master Li and Madam Li came rushing out after hearing the news.

When they saw Lixi returning with Yan Jiuzhi elegant and ethereal as an immortal descended, their eyes immediately lit up.

Master Li beamed like a Maitreya Buddha, patting his round belly as he hurried to welcome them in, his gaze roaming up and down Yan Jiuzhi with growing satisfaction.

He recognized this immortal his daughter’s senior brother. And now he’d come home with her alone? Could it be they’d already settled things between them?

Madam Yu’s smile grew even softer, her eyes full of approval as she turned to Lixi.

So, when are you two planning to get married? Even though you’re cultivating now, we still have to follow proper customs first an engagement, then a wedding in a couple of years.

Oh, the dowry I’ll prepare thirty-six carriages’ worth! And I’ll include two shops as your bridal property.

Master Li nodded along eagerly beside her, clearly in full agreement.

Lixi froze, face flushing scarlet from her cheeks to her neck. If she could’ve dug a hole in the floor and buried herself, she would’ve.

Yan Jiuzhi also realized, belatedly, that accompanying his junior sister home alone might not be entirely proper…

Awkwardness settled between them.

“Mother! What are you talking about?” Lixi protested, flustered. “He’s my third senior brother, he just came with me to see you and father!”

But after saying it, she thought that sounded wrong too, so she quickly added,

“I’m joining Taixian Sect now it’s one of the top ten sects! I came home today to say goodbye.”

She made sure to emphasize the top ten sects with extra pride.

“What? Goodbye?”

Master Li and Madam Yu stared blankly. To them, her joining Yunxiao Sect hadn’t felt like she was truly leaving after all, it was nearby, and they often sent things over every month.

But hearing she was going far away this time, Madam Yu’s eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up.

Even Master Li felt a lump in his throat.

Seeing their sadness, Lixi hurried to comfort them, taking out four bottles of Nourishing Pills and carefully explaining how to take them.

She gave one bottle each to her parents and elder brother. The last, meant for her younger brother, she left with her parents for safekeeping.

“Father,” she said seriously, don’t you dare sell these! They’re rare pills that strengthen the body and prolong life. You can’t buy them anywhere outside keep them for yourselves.

Also, I’ll hang a protective talisman in the main hall it’ll safeguard our home.

Then she turned to her elder brother, bowed solemnly, and said, Now that both little brother and I are away cultivating, I’m entrusting our parents to you.

Li Dong, born without spiritual roots, had once been bitter about it, but he’d long since come to terms.

Don’t worry, little sister,” he promised earnestly. “I’ll take good care of the family.”

Under the tearful eyes and endless reminders of her loved ones, Lixi bowed deeply to her parents bidding farewell not only to them, but also to her former life as a sheltered mortal girl.

Tears glimmered in her eyes and finally fell, one by one, onto the ground.

When she lifted her head again, her eyes were red, lashes wet but her gaze was steady, resolute.

She memorized their faces one last time, then turned decisively, leaving the Li household with her senior brother.

Xiaocui was already waiting by the gate. The three of them walked together toward the city gates.

Lixi said nothing, her heart tangled with unspoken feelings.

Yan Jiuzhi pressed his lips together, glancing at her several times, but said nothing simply walking quietly beside her.

Then, from behind them, came a sudden commotion followed by the sharp, desperate wail of a woman.