The Thousand-Layer Schemes of the Sickly Beautiful Master - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

“Sister Yun?” The Sect Leader coughed lightly, “This child, she didn’t mean it.”

“Old Sect Leader, I didn’t say I’d do anything to her. You’d better not meddle in others’ affairs.”

Yun Shuchen kept smiling, her beautiful eyes glancing over and landing on Qing Zhuxue, studying her for a moment.

“Disciple,” she raised an eyebrow, “aren’t you coming?”

The Sect Leader wanted to say more, but Qing Zhuxue already walked forward. Her hand was loosely held by another, and Yun Shuchen lowered her gaze, whispering, “Good girl.”

The two left Spring and Autumn Hall together.

Yun Shuchen looked straight ahead, not at her, her expression calm. The hand holding hers slowly loosened as they stepped out the door.

Qing Zhuxue suddenly tightened her grip, saying softly, “This matter caused huge losses because of me. Whatever punishment Master wishes, your disciple will accept.”

Yun Shuchen frowned, “Would punishing you help?”

She gave a cool glance, “That courtyard is completely unlivable now. The urgent task is finding a place to stay. Or shall we, master and disciple, sleep in the wilderness tonight?”

Qing Zhuxue thought, the wilderness—she’d slept there before. It wasn’t great, but she managed and could get used to it.

But Master, delicate as a golden branch or jade leaf, surely never lived such a humble life. So that wouldn’t do.

“That old cave mansion,” she pondered, “would it work?”

“No.” Yun Shuchen still frowned, “That was only temporary. It’s been abandoned for ten years, unprotected by a barrier. How could anyone live there?”

Qing Zhuxue was stunned. She remembered that cave mansion, lavish and luxurious, with pearls and carpets that seemed priceless, yet it was just temporary?

“Come with me out of Taichu Realm.” Yun Shuchen flicked her sleeve and walked off.

She was, after all, an elder of a grand immortal sect, now displaced, without even spare clothes.

Was this the so-called opportunity foretold?

To experience the pain of losing wealth, to add turmoil to life, and thus forge a stronger heart for the Dao?

Yun Shuchen sighed lightly, thinking of the scorched remains of her silk robes, cosmetics, antiques, and treasures—collected for years, it wasn’t just about money. Her heart ached faintly.

She glanced back at her disciple, neither warm nor cold.

The girl lowered her head.

Qing Zhuxue followed her out of Taichu Realm to Taichu Town, where she once lived.

It was a riverside tavern, facing a shimmering river. Lanterns glowed along the shore, women’s soft laughter drifted over, mixed with gentle music, swaying and enchanting.

Yun Shuchen led Qing Zhuxue into this dazzling, indulgent place of revelry.

“Immortal Yun? What brings you here tonight?”

As soon as Qing Zhuxue stepped in, she heard a woman’s voice, sweet as dripping water. Turning, she saw a woman with a face like a lotus, almond eyes scanning them both.

Her heavy perfume, much stronger than Yun Shuchen’s, made Qing Zhuxue frown and step back.

Backing up, she fell into an even stronger perfumed embrace. Qing Zhuxue, as if burned, her face cooled, and she gripped the sword at her waist.

“Elder Yun, who’s this you brought?”

A group of women emerged from behind gauze curtains, plump and slender, each strikingly beautiful, chattering at Qing Zhuxue with smiles, “What a pretty girl.”

“Cold and pure, like a little immortal.”

“Tonight, I’ll keep you company, no silver needed for such a beauty.” A hand with painted nails touched Qing Zhuxue’s hair, the beauty gazing at her tenderly.

Qing Zhuxue turned her head away, uneasy, and moved closer to Yun Shuchen.

She’d never seen such a scene, especially with these women dressed so immodestly, their clothes barely covering half their chests, waists exposed, swaying like water snakes.

Qing Zhuxue frowned.

Couldn’t they afford proper clothes?

Seeing her disciple’s embarrassment practically overflowing, almost clinging to her, Yun Shuchen pulled her close, shielding her from the eager beauties, and chuckled, “Don’t be like that. She’s my disciple, still young.”

From the group stepped a particularly alluring woman. She hushed the others, then bowed respectfully to Yun Shuchen, “Greetings, Immortal Elder. These new girls are ignorant and may have offended you.”

“Miao Shun?” Yun Shuchen looked her over, recognizing her, “New skin?”

Miao Shun smiled, radiating charm, “Yes. Does it please the Immortal Elder?”

“Very beautiful, naturally.”

“Some things happened recently, so we’ll stay here for a while. Please prepare that room,” Yun Shuchen thought, “third floor, the innermost one.”

Miao Shun agreed promptly, moving quickly. The room overlooked the river, with stunning views, far from the hall and upstairs, undisturbed by other guests.

Yun Shuchen, exhausted from the dusty day, first wanted a bath.

Monks could stay clean with a simple spell, but Yun Shuchen always felt it wasn’t the same. Without water and the scent of soap, she felt unsettled—a habit from before her cultivation, unchanged even now.

Qing Zhuxue, spending much time with her, also thought bathing was only natural.

Yun Shuchen soon emerged, hair wet. Skilled at water control, droplets slid from her hair, floating behind her like sparkling pearls.

Her disciple was quiet. Usually reserved, today she seemed even less confident.

Yun Shuchen knew why.

“Qing Zhuxue.”

Her lips curved, her cold expression warming with a smile.

“You broke through to Golden Core. How does it feel?”

Qing Zhuxue, holding clothes to bathe—only a few left in her storage ring—answered, “Aside from a fuller dantian, I don’t feel much difference.”

“…Master.”

“If you’re upset, scold or hit me. The things broken on the peak—I’ll work hard, search for a century, and maybe restore some.”

Yun Shuchen waved her sleeve, saying nothing, and sent her to bathe.

Qing Zhuxue wondered why Yun Shuchen picked only one elegant room with just one bed. How would they sleep tonight? Rubbing her wet hair with a cloth, she met her master’s gaze and approached the bed.

Yun Shuchen lay on her side, dark hair spilling behind like a black carp’s tail.

There was space beside her. Qing Zhuxue relaxed slightly—Master didn’t plan to make her sleep floating again. This closeness seemed to show her attitude toward today’s mountain-splitting incident—it wasn’t entirely unforgivable.

She lay down, seeing Yun Shuchen from this angle for the first time. Half her face was buried in the bedding, eyes closed.

“You don’t need to replace those things. The rare ones can’t be found again. They weren’t essential treasures anyway.” Her tone was a bit cold.

Qing Zhuxue’s hand unconsciously gripped the bedding, “I…”

Yun Shuchen, holding the bedding, turned slightly, her back to her.

Seeing her ignored, Qing Zhuxue stared at her back for a long time, then closed her eyes. At this distance, she could just smell the fragrance from her hair.

With someone beside her, Yun Shuchen couldn’t sleep easily.

This wasn’t a clean place, but this room, the innermost on the third floor, she’d told Miao Shun years ago to reserve, not for guests, so it was barely livable.

Thus, she had to share with her disciple.

Long used to solitude, she wasn’t accustomed to sharing a bed. But perhaps because Qing Zhuxue grew up by her side, using the same clothes and scents, if she relaxed, it didn’t feel like someone else was there.

Yun Shuchen slept lightly—monks didn’t need long sleep.

But sleeping was pleasant.

She enjoyed comfort, still like a mortal in this way.

Waking, she sat up slowly. Qing Zhuxue was gone, the bed’s wrinkles smoothed out.

Yun Shuchen leaned against the headboard, clearing her mind.

Soon, her disciple opened the door with a creak, carrying a tray with two bowls of porridge and some side dishes. She set them on the table gently, “Master, time for breakfast.”

Yun Shuchen looked at the plain porridge, unappetized. She got up, dressed, and said leisurely, “Eat it yourself.”

“We’re really short on money now,” Yun Shuchen sighed deliberately, “Eat more. We might not have the next meal.”

Qing Zhuxue’s hand, holding the bowl, paused slightly.

She felt guilty. Ten years ago, she came to the mountain to cultivate and avoid disaster, guided by an immortal.

But her lightning-prone nature didn’t fully escape calamity, and now her true immortal master was reduced to a state of uncertain meals.

Yet Master still spoke gently, softly, and though she ignored her for half a day, she hadn’t punished her.

“No need to worry about money, Master.”

Her voice was clear, like jade striking, as if she’d made a decision.

Yun Shuchen grew curious.

This girl, poor but pampered in childhood, followed her to cultivate on the mountain, hardly suffering. Now a direct disciple, she shone brightly.

Eight years aloof, ten years secluded, she was like a little immortal untouched by the world.

Yun Shuchen doubted she’d ever used money—perhaps even buying cabbage, she’d be overcharged.

Seeing her so determined, what livelihood had she thought of?

Curious, Yun Shuchen wasn’t eager to return to the sect. This brothel was hers, and she had other assets elsewhere. She secretly sent a message, allocating funds for Crane Feather Peak’s rebuilding.

Then she kept pretending she couldn’t afford porridge in front of her disciple.

That night, with the moon high, Yun Shuchen heard her disciple quietly rise, dress, take her sword, and leave the room.

Her movements were light, as if not wanting to wake her.

What work required sneaking out at night?

Qing Zhuxue walked to the city gate, entering Taichu Realm. She looked up at the notice wall, where several bounty posters hung.

Taichu Realm, home of immortals, had issues mortals couldn’t solve. Low-tier monks and commoners would pool money to post bounties here.

By moonlight, Qing Zhuxue didn’t read the details but started with the rewards.

She quickly spotted the highest one, but looking up, the target was a Nascent Soul beast.

No matter how she weighed it, it was a death mission.

Her gaze lingered, then reluctantly moved away. She picked a lesser one, a late Golden Core beast, same as her level. The reward was lower but still substantial.

Enough.

Without hesitation, Qing Zhuxue took the bounty poster.