The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 6

As the beast and the person approached, the two gatekeepers awkwardly greeted them, “Senior Sister Yan, good day.”

“Mm.”

Yan Qingshuang quickly strode past them.

Why is she walking so fast?

Jian Li jogged to catch up, her bells jingling incessantly.

The two gatekeepers watched Yan Qingshuang’s retreating figure and snickered.

“What’s with the attitude? Even the Palace Master of Yuheng Palace came to demand answers.”

“Aren’t you afraid she’ll hear you? Shut up and watch the gate.”

“Afraid? Her cultivation is gone. She’s just a blind cripple now.”

“Then why isn’t she using a cane?”

“No idea. Maybe she’s relying on that spiritual beast to guide her. Hey, have you ever seen that beast before?”

Jian Li didn’t run for long before Yan Qingshuang slowed down.

The Little Leopard, exhausted but unable to sweat, panted with its tongue lolling out to cool down.

“Sister, were you doing that on purpose? Walking so fast?” Jian Li asked.

“No, not on purpose,” Yan Qingshuang replied.

Jian Li ignored her, thinking how weak this beast form truly was.

She extended a claw, its sharp tip snagging Yan Qingshuang’s thin veil and accidentally piercing her skin.

Yan Qingshuang winced as Jian Li’s claw dragged across the wound, her brow furrowing slightly.

“I wasn’t bullying you, Xiao Li.”

“Hmph, you’re just looking down on me for having short legs.”

“No, you’re very cute. I wouldn’t lie about that.”

Jian Li’s face flushed at the compliment. She called me cute.

She released Yan Qingshuang’s hem and touched her face.

Thank goodness I’m a leopard. No one can see me blushing.

Yan Qingshuang endured the pain and swallowed a Low-Grade Pain Relief Pill.

She led Jian Li into the Sect Transportation Hub.

The Sect’s public transportation system offered two options:

Array teleportation circles arranged in the open space, costing 1 Spirit Stone.

A row of proud Celestial Crane projections, each marked with a Spiritual Imprint number plate, starting at 10 Spirit Stones.

The former transported passengers halfway to their destination.

The latter offered direct door-to-door service.

Jian Li was considering which Celestial Crane to take when Yan Qingshuang called out, “Come here.”

Jian Li pressed closer and watched as Yan Qingshuang carefully fished out a single Spirit Stone and placed it into the array’s activation point.

“Ah? You didn’t have to be so frugal,” Jian Li protested.

“Aunt doesn’t owe me anything. I have no right to spend her Spirit Stones.”

“Such filial piety…”

After the white light faded, they teleported to the mountainside.

Jian Li asked the System, “Give me a map of Jianxing Peak.”

The map was free.

Jian Li studied the map. “Yan Qingshuang’s residence isn’t marked.”

The System was equally puzzled. “Perhaps it’s hidden because she’s the mission target.”

Jian Li sighed in resignation and trudged onward, step by step.

About two hours later, Jian Li’s mouth was parched and her throat burned. “Are we almost there?”

Yan Qingshuang replied, “Soon.”

When Jian Li realized they had been walking for another half-hour without reaching their destination, she understood that Yan Qingshuang’s definition of “soon” differed significantly from her own.

Jian Li couldn’t help but ask again, “Are we almost there?”

“Soon.”

She believed her and followed for another hour.

“Are we almost there?”

“Soon.”

Jian Li finally collapsed, her legs giving way beneath her.

Yan Qingshuang stopped. “If you don’t mind, I can carry you on my back.”

“Really?” Jian Li asked.

But then she hesitated. Yan Qingshuang was slender and frail, leaning on a cane. Would her weight crush Yan Qingshuang’s spine?

Sensing her hesitation, Yan Qingshuang crouched down.

“Get on.”

Her voice was as cold as ice water, neither arrogant nor impatient.

Jian Li reluctantly climbed onto her back.

To support Jian Li’s weight, Yan Qingshuang asked, “May I touch you?”

“Okay,” Jian Li replied.

Suddenly, a strong hand supported her furry bottom.

Startled, Jian Li’s ears twitched rapidly.

For some reason, she felt an overwhelming urge to pee.

She tensed her body, afraid to make the slightest sound.

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere?” Yan Qingshuang asked.

“No, not at all! It’s actually quite comfortable. Your back is so soft, and your hair smells so nice.” Jian Li rambled, “I never realized how strong you are, Little Shuang!”

“Haha, I feel like I could walk a million more steps!”

Yan Qingshuang chuckled softly. “You flatter me.”

“Am I too heavy?”

“You’re very light. You should eat more.”

“That’s good. After that terrible injury you suffered the other day, you’re bouncing back so quickly! Zhao Yu’s medical skills are truly remarkable!”

“Indeed.”

They chatted idly.

Gradually, Jian Li’s words faded into incoherent murmurs.

Yan Qingshuang felt Jian Li’s even breathing against her back.

She slowed her pace and swallowed a Pain Relief Pill.

The night was as still as water, the moonlight like silk.

Yan Qingshuang passed the rooms of her other junior sisters, finally arriving at a secluded wooden cabin.

Under the eaves stood Du Xiaqing, clad in indigo Daoist robes, her hands clasped around her sword, her hair bound in a jade crown.

She had been waiting for a long time.

Spotting Yan Qingshuang’s silhouette in the distance, Du Xiaqing strode forward, her eyes gleaming with schadenfreude.

“Senior Sister, I heard you tried to harm your betrothed.”

“Where is she?” Yan Qingshuang asked.

“You still have the nerve to mention her? Perhaps Senior Sister intends to offer a formal apology?”

“None of your concern,” Yan Qingshuang replied coldly.

Du Xiaqing sneered, likely unaware of the truth. Meng Ruoyi, in her grief, had achieved enlightenment and was on the verge of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. Moreover, Yan Qingshuang’s outburst had infuriated Yuheng Palace.

This meant Yan Qingshuang’s standing within the sect would inevitably plummet. Times had changed.

According to the rumors Meng Ruoyi had spread, Yan Qingshuang had lost her Golden Core, leaving her with nothing but her innate talent and physical constitution.

For Du Xiaqing, the eternal second-place finisher, her moment to shine had finally arrived!

Du Xiaqing suddenly glared, her expression righteous and stern.

“Senior Sister, I take offense to your words! Who was it that framed Young Mistress Meng? Now that the truth has come to light, the long-standing friendship between our sects hangs by a thread!”

“As righteous cultivators, we should strive for a clear conscience, uphold justice, and hold each other accountable. How dare you accuse me of meddling?”

So noisy.

Jian Li woke up with a yawn, her ears assaulted by a barrage of harsh words.

Who’s yelling?

She mumbled sleepily, her voice soft and drowsy, “Little Shuang, who’s making all that racket? It’s so loud.”

Yan Qingshuang, who hadn’t spoken for a while, patted her gently.

“It’s nothing. Go back to sleep. We’re almost there.”

She strode past Du Xiaqing without another word.

Jian Li couldn’t possibly fall back asleep now. She wanted to confirm if they had truly arrived this time.

“Alright, I’m not shameless enough to keep making you carry me.”

“It’s no trouble.”

“You’re just being stubborn. Look, you’re sweating.”

As they spoke, Jian Li thoughtfully used Fur to wipe the thin layer of sweat from Yan Qingshuang’s forehead.

Du Xiaqing seethed with fury. What are these two?!

Completely ignoring me!

How did I never realize Yan Qingshuang kept a pet?

Wait, Yan Qingshuang has completely lost her cultivation now.

This beast must be some fiend she brought from who knows where.

Gritting her teeth, Du Xiaqing shouted, “Stop right there!”

Oh, there’s someone else here, Jian Li murmured into Yan Qingshuang’s ear. “She’s telling us to stop. Who is she?”

“My Junior Sister, Du Xiaqing.”

“Oh, then she’s probably not a bad person.”

Yan Qingshuang pressed her lips together, her eyes flickering briefly in the darkness.

Jian Li vaguely remembered Du Xiaqing. In the game, she was an NPC used to guide the player through the story.

She jumped to the ground and barked a friendly greeting at Du Xiaqing.

Unexpectedly, Du Xiaqing drew her longsword with a shing.

A chilling light flashed, radiating murderous intent.

The sharp tip of the blade pointed directly at Yan Qingshuang. “So you really did bring a Monster Beast here, Yan Qingshuang! For the sake of our sisterly bond, apologize to me, and I’ll spare this dog’s life today!”

Jian Li froze. She recognized that voice from Zhao Yu’s Clinic.

It was her—the one who smashed the medicine bottle and refused to pay, displaying utterly appalling behavior.

You couldn’t tell from the game, but Du Xiaqing was truly this kind of person.

Her anger boiling over, Jian Li let out a sharp cry.

“You’re finished! How dare you call me a beast!”

Du Xiaqing snarled, “A beast is a beast! And you dare to bark back? Take this!”

“Wait!”

Yan Qingshuang’s clear, resonant voice cut through the air.

Jian Li and Du Xiaqing both froze.

Du Xiaqing’s eyes swept contemptuously over Jian Li. She hadn’t expected Yan Qingshuang to care about anything like this. Now she was even more determined to kill it quickly.

“Yan Qingshuang, you’ve already committed a grave offense by bringing a Monster Beast here without the sect’s permission.”

“It’s just a newly weaned, ordinary Beast Clan cub.”

“Lies! No Beast Clan has markings like that! It’s clearly a Monster Beast, or at the very least, a descendant of one!”

“It’s not your place to judge. I’ll take it to Spirit Taming Peak for identification another day.”

This won’t do, Du Xiaqing thought to herself. She didn’t care about any of this; what she wanted was for Yan Qingshuang to bow her head to her!

Du Xiaqing pressed her sword closer to Jian Li. “Senior Sister, you’re being foolish. If this is a Great Demon disguised as an ordinary Beast Clan cub, you’ll be complicit in its plot to destroy the entire sect!”

“I’ll act as an elder of Spirit Taming Peak and eliminate this evil to protect the righteous path!”

Yan Qingshuang had no choice but to close her eyes. “Junior Sister, I’m willing to admit my mistake if you spare its life.”

Du Xiaqing didn’t lower her sword, carefully controlling the curve of her lips.

“Senior Sister, what are you talking about?” she said insincerely. “I’m merely enforcing the sect rules. With our relationship, why would we need to talk about admitting mistakes?”

Yan Qingshuang cut straight to the point. “Just tell me what you want me to do.”

“Oh my, Senior Sister, you’re putting me in such a difficult position,” Du Xiaqing replied.

She flicked her sword, the blade glinting as it swayed toward Yan Qingshuang.

Beside them, Jian Li’s fingers dug fiercely into the ground. She bit down hard on her molars and made a split-second decision to summon the System.

“I want to take out a loan to buy this.”

“Understood, Host. However, our interest rates are slightly higher than usual.”

“I don’t care how high they are! I need it now!”

“Very well, Host.”

In an instant, the item was hers. Jian Li clutched the Night Bat Heart Piercing Talisman, capable of crippling a person.

Yan Qingshuang straightened her back, silent.

Du Xiaqing, unable to tolerate her haughty demeanor, feigned reluctance. “Senior Sister, how about… you kneel down, kowtow three times, and I’ll turn a blind eye?”

“Alright.”

That’s it?!

Du Xiaqing suppressed the urge to burst into maniacal laughter.

Yan Qingshuang began walking toward Du Xiaqing.

Jian Li suddenly sprinted forward, tossed a talisman behind her, and crashed into Yan Qingshuang’s arms.

“Xiao Li…”

Yan Qingshuang’s smoky eyes glazed over as she wrapped her arms around the bundle of Jian Li.

In that instant, Du Xiaqing’s howls pierced the sky.

Yan Qingshuang: “What’s wrong with Junior Sister?”

Jian Li: “Oh, she just had bad luck and stepped in dog poop.”

“Is it really that terrible?”

“Yeah, getting your shoes dirty is so gross when you have to wash them.”

“Hmm, I agree.”

“Is Little Shuang’s place up ahead?”

“Yes, let’s go back.”

They entered the wooden cabin together and lit the candles.

Neither of them mentioned Du Xiaqing again.

By modern standards, the cabin had one bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom.

Jian Li glanced at the fully equipped kitchen. “Can you cook?”

Yan Qingshuang pulled bedding from the cabinet and began making the bed. “Occasionally.”

“Do immortals get hungry too?”

“Not necessarily. Spirit Food can replenish Spiritual Power.”

Jian Li didn’t care about replenishing Spiritual Power.

Yan Qingshuang smoothed the four corners of the bedding. “Are you hungry?”