The Villainess Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 40

“Since you’re the instructor, you should hold it…”

Whitey’s iron eyes extended and magnified, scrutinizing the scene for a moment before declaring, “That appears to be the one from West Sloping Pavilion, Xia Qiuqiu. She used to work in the Fourth Peak’s kitchen.”

“Apparently, she once ruined a batch of pastries, causing hundreds of Immortal Cultivators in the sect to suffer from diarrhea all night. That’s why she was transferred to our Kun Dan Sect.”

Bai Fenghuo’s lips curled into a smile. “You certainly remember the details well.”

“The entire Fourth Peak was up all night with stomach troubles. It was quite a scandal on Mount Everlasting. You just rarely pay attention to such matters, so you wouldn’t know,” Whitey said, retracting its eyes.

“True enough. This Seat does tend to keep to herself,” Bai Fenghuo murmured, still gazing at the center of the lake and nodding slightly. “Perhaps I should pay more attention to the sect’s trivial affairs in the future.”

With that, Bai Fenghuo, who should have been returning to Spring Encounter Pavilion along the main road, suddenly veered off onto a stone-paved path winding through the fields. Her skirt rustled against the tall grass as she walked.

She dismissed Whitey and soon stepped onto the wooden bridge, stopping behind Yun Chuanzhi and Xia Qiuqiu, who were deep in conversation.

Yun Chuanzhi was the first to notice Bai Fenghuo. She raised her head and called out, “Sect Leader,” causing Xia Qiuqiu, who had been beaming just moments before, to startle like a frightened rabbit. She slid off the bench and dropped to her knees.

Her voice trembling, she bowed deeply and stammered, “Xiao Pu… Xiao Pu greets Sect Leader.”

Most people in the sect reacted with similar terror when they unexpectedly encountered her. Though Bai Fenghuo looked annoyed, she didn’t lose her temper. She merely grunted in acknowledgment.

“Why aren’t you working at Spring Encounter Pavilion on such a bright day? What are you doing out here?” Bai Fenghuo ignored Xia Qiuqiu, who remained prostrate on the ground, and instead reprimanded Yun Chuanzhi. “Is the floor cleaned? Are the windows repaired? Is the tea ready for This Seat’s midday refreshment?”

“All done,” Yun Chuanzhi replied, glancing up at Bai Fenghuo while her hands continued to move ceaselessly, as if her ten fingers had become a sentient spinning wheel, leaving only blurred afterimages.

Bai Fenghuo forced herself not to look at the girl’s flying fingers, her expression remaining cold. “All done? You usually take an entire day to clean a single patch of floor. How did you finish it in just an hour today?”

Why was Bai Fenghuo picking a fight out of nowhere? Yun Chuanzhi stopped what she was doing, assuming this old master was just venting some frustration on her. She patiently endured it, her good temper holding firm.

Seeing Yun Chuanzhi fall silent, Bai Fenghuo felt like she’d struck cotton. She glanced at Xia Qiuqiu, who was kneeling on the ground, trembling like a leaf, too terrified to lift her head.

“Get out of my sight,” Bai Fenghuo said coldly, her robe brushing Xia Qiuqiu’s cheek as she strode across the bridge toward Spring Encounter Pavilion.

Yun Chuanzhi knew she couldn’t slack off today. She tucked the half-finished wind chime into its box, nodded to Xia Qiuqiu, and leaped up to catch up with Bai Fenghuo.

The woman ignored her, continuing to walk ahead, her waist swaying with each step. The jade beads at her waist clinked together like raindrops falling into a clear spring, producing a crisp, melodious sound.

Yun Chuanzhi kept her distance, trailing a few feet behind, careful not to provoke her.

In the end, it was Bai Fenghuo who broke the silence. “When did you become so familiar with Xia Qiuqiu?”

“Familiar?” Yun Chuanzhi chuckled, scratching her head. “I only met her today and learned her name just now.”

“Not familiar? You two seemed to be getting along quite well,” Bai Fenghuo scoffed, but quickly realized she shouldn’t care so much. She abruptly changed the subject, “As This Seat’s personal Immortal Servant, you shouldn’t be too close to others.”

“If you’re exploited by someone with ulterior motives, you know what the consequences will be,” Bai Fenghuo added sternly, her brow furrowing.

So that’s what this is about, Yun Chuanzhi thought, nodding. She hurried forward to walk beside Bai Fenghuo, smiling brightly. “I understand. I won’t speak to them much in the future.”

He wasn’t one for making many friends anyway. Rather than risk Bai Fenghuo’s suspicion and make her life difficult, it was easier to go along with her wishes and avoid unnecessary conflict.

Seeing Yun Chuanzhi admit her mistake so readily, Bai Fenghuo’s mood finally softened. She glanced sideways at Yun Chuanzhi, unable to suppress her curiosity. “What were you holding earlier?”

“This?” Yun Chuanzhi pulled the wind collar from its wooden box and waved it in front of him. “It’s a wind collar I wove from cotton thread. With winter approaching, I thought it would help keep me warm.”

“As if This Seat would let you freeze. Why bother weaving it?” Bai Fenghuo chuckled, plucking the Wind Collar from Yun Chuanzhi’s hands to examine it. “Your hands are quite skilled. Where did you learn this?”

“A former acquaintance taught me,” Yun Chuanzhi replied, hopping to keep pace with Bai Fenghuo, her hair swaying with each step. “Sect Leader, don’t underestimate this weaving technique. When combined with Artifact Refinement, it can create unique, form-fitting battle armor.”

“Battle armor?” Bai Fenghuo’s expression shifted subtly, her defenses rising instantly. Her gaze sharpened, though her smile remained unchanged, betraying none of her inner turmoil. “Just ordinary cotton thread? How could that possibly be used for battle armor?”

“By infusing spiritual energy into these fine threads and weaving them together, ordinary clothing can become extraordinary,” Yun Chuanzhi explained, gesturing to the two wooden sticks in her hands. “These weaving rods are made of Volcanic Ebony, which Ling Shui found for me. This wood remains warm year-round, and clothing woven with its spiritual energy retains heat and wards off the cold.”

“I see,” Bai Fenghuo murmured, slowing her pace. Her fingers curled unconsciously within her sleeves.

Her voice softened further. “Then how would one create battle armor?”

“Though called battle armor, it’s essentially no different from ordinary clothing. With the addition of certain cultivation techniques, which are then transformed into incantations and inscribed onto the fabric, a simple outer garment can possess the indestructible strength of Mystic Iron.”

Yun Chuanzhi noticed the shift in Bai Fenghuo’s demeanor, recognizing that the woman had grown wary again. She couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

Lowering her head, she retrieved a handwritten booklet from the wooden box. She gently tugged at Bai Fenghuo’s sleeve and placed the booklet into her palm through the fabric.

Under Bai Fenghuo’s momentarily stunned gaze, she smiled. “These cultivation techniques have been stored in my memory for so long that they’ve become somewhat hazy. I’ve transcribed them here. If Sect Leader is interested, you’re welcome to take a look.”

Bai Fenghuo glanced at her, then at the ink-stained, crumpled booklet in her hand. She scoffed, “Why would This Seat need to learn this?”

“Just in case it proves useful,” Yun Chuanzhi replied, lowering her head to organize the wooden box. “The Artifact Refinement Technique may not sound as impressive as Immortal Arts, but when applied strategically, it can yield twice the results with half the effort.”

“When we return to Spring Encounter Pavilion, Sect Leader, if you’re willing, I’ll teach you how to weave it,” she added.

After spending so much time together, Yun Chuanzhi had discovered that while Bai Fenghuo was paranoid and saw danger everywhere, a sincere approach could quickly dispel her suspicions.

As expected, her words immediately relaxed Bai Fenghuo’s tense posture. Even the strings of jewels around her waist seemed to lighten.

Bai Fenghuo hummed in acknowledgment, then glanced at Yun Chuanzhi, a rare flicker of guilt surfacing in her heart due to her earlier mistrust.

The rarely remorseful Sect Leader Bai lowered her lush lashes and asked Yun Chuanzhi, “How many Wind Collars have you woven for Feng He?”

“I’ve finished one. This one was just to pass the time,” Yun Chuanzhi replied.

“Then give this one to This Seat,” Bai Fenghuo said, tucking the booklet Yun Chuanzhi had given her into her sleeve. “It’s not particularly useful, but it’s pleasing to the eye.”

Yun Chuanzhi hesitated, clasping her hands behind her back. She slowly began, “I promised this Wind Collar to Cheng Jinshu.”

Bai Fenghuo pursed her crimson lips, ignoring the shadow of displeasure that flickered in her heart. She exhaled, “Then the next one is for This Seat.”

“The next one I promised to Xia Qiuqiu,” Yun Chuanzhi said, her voice growing increasingly uncertain. “I may not associate with her, but I can’t break a promise…”

Bai Fenghuo’s face darkened completely, her anger twisting into a twisted smile. As the dignified Sect Leader, she had never had to beg anyone for anything. Yet here she was, stooping to plead with a mere Little Immortal Servant, only to be repeatedly refused.

Bai Fenghuo had never endured such humiliation. She raised her hand, intending to hurl Yun Chuanzhi into the lake. But with spiritual energy gathered in her palm, she hesitated, unable to bring herself to unleash it.

Though the girl looked slightly plumper than usual, she still appeared frail. She didn’t even know if she could swim. What if she drowned or fell ill from the cold water…?

“But Sect Leader, please don’t be angry,” Yun Chuanzhi quickly interjected, sensing Bai Fenghuo’s darkening mood. She rushed forward, eager to appease him, her clear black-and-white eyes wide and earnest. “The Wind Collars I made for them are quite ordinary, nothing special at all.”

“If I were to weave one for you, Sect Leader, it would be a precious Wind Collar with intricate patterns and an enduring fragrance.” She grabbed a charcoal pencil and began sketching a rough design. “Would you prefer this peony pattern or this phoenix blossom?”

Yun Chuanzhi’s silver tongue smoothed Bai Fenghuo’s ruffled feathers all the way until the Spring Encounter Pavilion’s eaves peeked above the treetops. Only then did Bai Fenghuo’s expression finally brighten.

“Fine, I’ll take the phoenix blossom,” Bai Fenghuo declared. “Make it exquisite, or This Seat will chop off your hands.”

Seeing her revert to her usual threatening demeanor, Yun Chuanzhi knew her mood had finally thawed. She wiped a bead of sweat from her brow.

“It’s exhausting to constantly appease this demanding master,” Yun Chuanzhi thought with a sigh. “If I ever get the chance, I’ll definitely leave Mount Everlasting and go down to the mortal realm to truly enjoy life.”

The two entered Spring Encounter Pavilion, Yun Chuanzhi leading the way. The two Immortal Servants guarding the entrance bowed their heads low. Bai Fenghuo bypassed the veranda, opened the bedroom door, and stopped abruptly.

“What’s this?” she asked.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, partially filtered by the translucent paper, casting a warm, gauzy glow across the floor. Two miniature, carriage-like devices were squeaking and rolling back and forth across the floor.

These “carriages” had only two wheels, with two rags hanging down from the center of each wheel. As the wheels turned, the rags scrubbed the floor spotless.

“These are my Sweepers,” Yun Chuanzhi explained, watching the mirror-like floor with satisfaction. “They clean as they move, so I don’t have to kneel and scrub anymore.”

“Even your laziness is so elaborate,” Bai Fenghuo scoffed lightly, stepping into the room and settling into a shady spot by the window. “Weren’t you going to teach This Seat how to weave that Wind Collar? Since we have nothing else to do today, let’s get started.”

Yun Chuanzhi loved making things. Seeing Bai Fenghuo genuinely interested in learning, she readily agreed. She knelt by the table, took out the cotton threads and other materials from a wooden box one by one, and laid them out neatly on the table.

“The weaving technique is written in this booklet. Channel spiritual energy into the thread as you weave, and silently recite the incantation. I’ll teach you the basic method first.” Yun Chuanzhi placed two wooden sticks into Bai Fenghuo’s palm and wrapped cotton thread around them.

“Wrap the thread around this stick, then back around the other…” she explained softly.

As Bai Fenghuo followed her instructions, her gaze drifted unconsciously to Yun Chuanzhi’s face. When she explained something she was passionate about, her usually cheerful eyes focused intently, her lush lashes framing a look of complete concentration.

She was so absorbed in her task that she seemed to transcend the world around her.

Bai Fenghuo stared at her for a long moment before deliberately tangling the thread with a slight tremor of her fingers. She tossed the sticks aside, feigning frustration. “It’s no use. It keeps unraveling.”

Just as the Wind Collar was beginning to take shape, abandoning it now would mean all their effort had been for nothing. Yun Chuanzhi rose to take Bai Fenghuo’s hand, intending to guide her step-by-step. But as her fingertips hovered just above her delicate hand, she hesitated, her hand freezing in mid-air.

Bai Fenghuo dislikes being touched, she thought. She usually wipes her hands for ages after even the briefest contact. Better not.

As she was about to withdraw her hand, the woman coughed lightly and said indifferently, “It’s fine.”

“Since you’re teaching me, you can hold my hand.”