ATAVID CH26

Not long after, the few maidservants left following the steward.

Jiang Qunyu stood in place, quietly watching the group of people disappear into the depths of the winding corridor, before slowly turning around and walking toward the other side.

Just as he turned the corner, he saw Wei Xun leaning diagonally against the corridor pillar, arms crossed over his chest.

Seeing Jiang Qunyu approach, he unhurriedly raised his eyes, his voice faint: “Done?”

Jiang Qunyu wasn’t in a hurry to answer. He first raised his eyes to sweep a glance around, opened his mouth, and asked: “Where are Wen Xingyao and that attendant?”

“I originally wanted to knock the two of them unconscious, but Wen Xingyao seemed to have perceived my intent. Before I could even make a move, he started making a fuss on his own, saying his stomach hurt. Seeing his urgency, that attendant took him and left first.”

When Wei Xun spoke, he didn’t have much emotion, his face faint, as if what he did wasn’t inappropriate at all.

Jiang Qunyu silently lit a candle for Wen Xingyao in his heart.

But at least right now, Wei Xun was no longer using “idiot” to refer to Wen Xingyao.

Wei Xun was somewhat dissatisfied with Jiang Qunyu’s action of asking about Wen Xingyao the moment he saw him.

After a moment of silence, he said: “Jiang Qunyu, I didn’t leave.”

Jiang Qunyu nodded, raising his eyes to look at him, a bit of confusion in his eyes: “Mm.”

And then?

As Wei Xun’s inner demon, Jiang Qunyu inherently couldn’t stray too far from him.

In the beginning, he could be at most a hundred meters away from Wei Xun. Later, as Wei Xun’s cultivation grew, this distance expanded to two hundred meters.

In these past few years, Jiang Qunyu hadn’t tested how far he could go at most now.

Wei Xun’s brows furrowed slightly, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible awkwardness: “It was you who refused to leave; you wanted to eavesdrop on the City Lord’s conversation with others. You didn’t leave, so I could only wait for you.”

Jiang Qunyu truly understood Wei Xun’s thoughts less and less nowadays: “That was indeed my intention. I thought you knew.”

Wei Xun looked at him gloomily.

His body was very cold. Much of the time, he perfectly matched Jiang Qunyu’s perception of a ghost—sinister, gloomy, and silent. When his gaze fell on you, there would always be a suffocating feeling like being entangled in a spider’s web.

He didn’t speak for a long time.

Jiang Qunyu lost his patience, so irritated he wanted to curse: “So you feel wronged? Feel like I’m wasting your time? But wasn’t it also you who wanted to enter the city in the first place? Whatever you want to find by entering the city, I have not the slightest interest in. But this city is oozing weirdness everywhere, and at the very least…”

Jiang Qunyu paused, “Wen Xingyao cannot die here.”

Not to mention that child could see him.

The temptation of this point was truly too great for Jiang Qunyu, so great that he urgently wanted to figure out the reason behind it.

Wen Xingyao, Wen Xingyao.

It was Wen Xingyao again.

Wei Xun lightly tugged the corners of his lips, unable to resist mocking coldly: “That idiot again, you really care enough about him.”

He abruptly retracted his gaze, turned around, and took large strides forward, saying as he walked: “I don’t want to hear half a word about that idiot again. I only want to know exactly what that City Lord said to Chen Lin. I waited for you only for this matter.”

Jiang Qunyu cast a strange glance at him.

In other words, all of Wei Xun’s current hostility was because, after meeting him, he first asked about Wen Xingyao instead of discussing the main business right away?

Alright, he underestimated the importance of the things inside East Mirror Lake City to Wei Xun.

Jiang Qunyu followed behind Wei Xun, who was so angry his whole body was emitting black mist.

After pondering for a moment, he said as Wei Xun wished: “I did hear some things. That City Lord doesn’t look like a good person; he acts quite ruthlessly.”

“He said he wanted one of Chen Lin’s legs. Those maidservants were also taken away, presumably they won’t survive. The steward who stayed behind spoke vaguely, only saying to those maidservants ‘it’s merely walking through it one more time’ and said nothing else.”

He paused slightly, thought for a moment, and said: “This sentence is quite strange. Do you think this steward means that after they die, they can reincarnate and be human again? Or does it mean that in this city, dying doesn’t count as dying, but rather one’s memories are wiped to start over again?”

After saying this, Jiang Qunyu raised his eyes to look at Wei Xun, only to see the black mist surrounding him become even thicker.

Jiang Qunyu: “…”

He was talking about main business now, why was Wei Xun still angry?

Baffling.

Fortunately, Wei Xun outwardly returned to normal. His tone was flat: “We’ll know tomorrow. If those maidservants didn’t die, we should still be able to see them in the mansion. At that time, ask them if they remember today’s events.”

Jiang Qunyu nodded.

The two passed through an archway and heard a familiar voice.

Wen Xingyao was screaming “Ouch, ouch” miserably. With one hand clutching his stomach and the other tightly gripping the attendant’s wrist: “This young master is going to hurt to death! This young master is mostly likely unaccustomed to the local climate. Take this young master to the latrine one more time!”

The attendant said in annoyance: “This Young Master, didn’t you just go a moment ago? Why don’t you hold it in a bit longer, the other Young Master is still waiting.”

“What are you worried about, that Young Master won’t do anything. Look at me, I’m truly about to hurt to death!”

Wen Xingyao was also very handy at acting, performing the essence of a dandy to the fullest, “Or is it that you want to watch helplessly as this young master hurts to death? Believe it or not, when I turn around I’ll tell the City Lord and have you dismissed.”

The attendant didn’t dare to offend the guests, falling into a dilemma.

Right at this moment, Wei Xun appeared.

Walking over, his appearance was outstandingly peerless, his posture solitary and straight like a cold pine. Even his gaze was chilling and indifferent. Without speaking a word, he naturally formed a cold and chilly world of his own.

Seeing him arrive, Wen Xingyao was overjoyed in his heart, suddenly no longer feeling pain, and let go of the attendant’s wrist.

The attendant stumbled: “…”

His impression of this young master before him fell to rock bottom.

Wen Xingyao couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to him, feigning guilt: “Sorry Brother Wei, it’s all because this body of mine doesn’t live up to expectations, it’s truly too poor, otherwise I wouldn’t have delayed the main business.”

Wei Xun gave a response, saying faintly: “No matter.”

Seeing Wei Xun come over personally and not wander around the mansion indiscriminately, the attendant let out a slight sigh of relief.

When he looked at Wen Xingyao again, his tone wasn’t as polite, straightforwardly mocking: “The Young Master’s stomach doesn’t hurt now.”

Since Wei Xun had returned, it meant the matter was settled. Wen Xingyao didn’t care exactly what it was that was settled, but it didn’t prevent him from being happy.

He pretended not to hear the malice in the attendant’s words, saying beamingly: “Sigh, this stomach is just like this, good one moment and bad the next, making a fool of myself.”

The attendant: “…”

He gritted his teeth, suppressed his anger, turned around, and continued leading the way for the two.

The paths inside the mansion zigzagged and twisted, and he led the people walking for quite a while.

The gravel path under their feet gradually turned into bluestone slabs, and the surroundings also quieted down.

Finally, they stopped before a small courtyard on the west side.

“We’ve arrived.” He turned sideways, stepping out of the way toward the inside.

The courtyard gate was half-open, and one could see a few stalks of thin bamboo planted inside. When the wind blew past, they rustled softly.

The attendant said: “My lord knows the two of you have traveled from afar, so he had people tidy up the West Courtyard. If there is anything else you need, you can send someone to the main courtyard to find the steward.”

“Additionally, there are several other esteemed guests living here. If not necessary, it’s best not to share your hearts with them. After all, everyone who comes here is for the great Dao of cultivating immortality. Not everyone can cultivate, and the quota is limited. Whether they are friends or foes, it’s better to be cautious.”

Wei Xun asked: “Has anyone in the city before us, who was just like us, truly succeeded in cultivating immortality in the end?”

Hearing this, the attendant smiled unhurriedly: “Naturally there are.”

He paused, as if remembering something, and his tone gained a bit more sincerity.

“To be honest with the two of you, this lowly one entered the city six years ago. At that time, I was even more reckless than the two of you, yet aren’t I standing here talking perfectly fine now? Rest assured, as long as you can obtain the City Lord’s approval, East Mirror Lake City also welcomes strangers.”

After saying that, he bowed and performed a salute, took two steps back, turned around, and disappeared into the moon gate from which he came.

The sound of footsteps gradually faded away until it could no longer be heard.

Only then did Wen Xingyao retract his gaze, lowering his voice to ask: “Brother Wei, how credible do you think his words are?”

Wei Xun turned his head, expressionless: “Eighty percent.”

Wen Xingyao was happy now. Eighty percent credibility meant that on this trip, he indeed could step onto the grand avenue of cultivating immortality.

He couldn’t help but press: “Really?”

Wei Xun smiled maliciously: “Then how credible do you think my words are?”

Wen Xingyao: “…”

Jiang Qunyu on the side: “…”

Speechless, Jiang Qunyu couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

“I see he’s almost learned how to draw Qi into the body. Why don’t you teach him? Once he learns, you throw a sound transmission jade pendant to him, and I’ll just talk to him,” Jiang Qunyu said.

“Heh, Jiang Qunyu, keep dreaming.” Wei Xun gave a light sneer, lifting his foot to walk straight ahead.

Jiang Qunyu choked.

As his voice fell, he ignored the two behind him, lifted his foot, and stepped through the courtyard gate.

Entering their sight was a square and spacious traditional courtyard house. The courtyard was paved with bluestone, clean and tidy.

At the front, left side, and right side stood two-story wooden buildings. All were covered with black tiles, featuring original wooden beams and pillars, and slightly upturned eaves—a common residential style seen along the way in the city.

In the corner of the courtyard, there was an ancient well built of bluestone. The edge of the well was worn smooth, but the rope looked old, as if no one had used it for many years.

Beside it grew a vigorous, ancient tree. Its branches and trunk were gnarled, but its foliage was extremely lush, densely blocking out nearly half the sunlight.

Under the tree sat several stone stools. At this moment, several disciples were sitting around them. Looking at their clothing and attire, they were generally people from the Profound Sword Sect.

Hearing the footsteps, those people simultaneously raised their heads, their gazes sweeping toward the doorway in unison.

“Who are you people?”

The disciple sitting in the middle stood up and asked softly.

Wei Xun didn’t pause his footsteps, merely casting a faint glance over. That look was like looking at something inconsequential: “And what kind of thing are you?”

“You actually dare to speak to Junior Brother Su like this—” A disciple beside him stood up abruptly, his voice rising a few pitches, looking as if he was ready to make a move at any time.

Junior Brother Su?

Jiang Qunyu’s foot, which had just stepped into the courtyard gate, halted. He raised his eyes and looked in the direction of the disciple who had spoken.

He saw a thinly built youth sitting among the group of people.

He had a pair of round, almond-shaped eyes. At this moment, those eyes were rippling with a faint hint of tears, as if he had been stung by Wei Xun’s less-than-friendly words.

His skin color was the lustrous white of someone who hadn’t seen the sun all year round. The bridge of his nose was small and delicate. He couldn’t be considered extremely beautiful, but he was very soft, very weak; the kind of appearance that made people unable to resist lowering their voices and carefully protecting him at first glance.

Jiang Qunyu’s heart skipped a beat.

He thought to himself: This person couldn’t be Su Fuyao, right?

Before Jiang Qunyu could sort it out clearly.

He heard Wei Xun by his side mock coldly again: “Junior Brother Su? What kind of thing is that? Why can’t I speak like this?”

The tone was so impolite it was practically slapping someone’s face.

After hearing this, Jiang Qunyu only felt the corner of his mouth twitch.

Wei Xun’s venomous mouth was truly a stable performance.

Su Fuyao raised his eyes to look over and was stunned.

This was still the first time he had seen such a handsome man.

Dressed in white clothes surpassing snow, his brows and eyes were slightly upturned, carrying a bit of innate sharpness. The bridge of his nose was tall and neat, its lines straight and sharp, making his entire face look three-dimensional and distinct.

His thin lips were a pale color. When he wasn’t speaking, he naturally carried three parts of alienated coldness.

Even a figure like Lan Yuanzhou standing here would probably be outshone by a few fractions.

But it was also the first time Su Fuyao had been treated with such ugly words by someone.

Usually, when others saw him, who wouldn’t speak with a gentle and soft voice? Even if someone was somewhat displeased, after taking a few looks at him, their hearts would soften.

His cheeks burned, and that bit of tearfulness in his eyes became even more obvious.

Fortunately, his appearance was outstanding. Few people could continue speaking with a cold face after seeing him like this.

He gently stopped the senior brother beside him who was about to speak again, bit his lip, and shook his head, his voice also soft: “Senior Brother Cen, do not speak like this.”

Seeing that his junior brother was about to cry, the anger in Cen He’s heart surged a few more degrees.

He had just taken a look; the two people who walked in had no spiritual power fluctuations around their bodies at all. They were nothing more than a mere two mortals.

The one who walked in later had decent root bones for cultivation.

But the one in front—Cen He narrowed his eyes, scrutinized him carefully, and had a plan in his heart.

This person’s meridians had been destroyed. Even if they had been repaired, he could no longer cultivate.

Nothing more than ants who heard the rumors of East Mirror Lake City and wanted to take a shortcut to step onto the immortal path. And they dared to act presumptuously in front of Profound Sword Sect disciples?

“Junior Brother, you are simply too kind.”

Cen He suppressed his anger, but his words were meant for Wei Xun to hear: “This person actually dares to slander you like this. Even if he were to be slain, the Immortal Venerable wouldn’t say much.”

Su Fuyao smiled softly and shook his head reassuringly again.

Only then did he turn his eyes and speak softly to Wei Xun: “I’m sorry, it was my senior brother who was lacking in manners. My name is Su Fuyao. If the young master doesn’t disdain it, you can also call me Junior Brother Su, or Fuyao.”

Jiang Qunyu looked on in a daze.

It really was Su Fuyao!

So much “tea”¹!

He suddenly understood why Lan Yuanzhou and Shen Peiqiu argued for most of the plot in the original book. Who could withstand this?

Wei Xun originally had no interest in Su Fuyao whatsoever. He swept a cold glance over and was about to lift his foot to leave.

From the corner of his eye, however, he saw Jiang Qunyu standing in place, his gaze falling on that person, completely motionless.

Wei Xun’s footsteps paused.

That subtle feeling in his heart arose again.

Sure enough, Jiang Qunyu easily lost his mind over this kind of person who looked pitiful and harmless.

Therefore, he silently took two steps, completely blocking Jiang Qunyu’s line of sight.

Jiang Qunyu: “?”

1. green tea bitch – someone who acts innocent but is manipulative ↩︎