Chapter 14: The Reborn Shield—Beloved of the Past (Part Thirteen)

After the three of them found comfortable seats on Feng Qing’s back, Qingyuan, who was sitting at the front, began giving directions.

“We should go straight down from here.”

“Turn left here, then right, and you’ll reach Misty Tin Mountain.”

“Lower, lower—I can’t see the road.”

Countless similar remarks followed, until Feng Qing could no longer hold back. Beak parting, he said, “Do you actually know the way or not? Don’t end up leading Sister Tushan to some strange and chaotic place.”

“Hey,” Qingyuan replied with a laugh, “I’m just following the map Xiyun gave me. Even if we get lost, it’s your flying that’s the problem, not my directions.”

“My flying? What’s wrong with my flying? Clearly, it’s your muddled commands—”

Before they could escalate into a real argument, Tushan Xi interjected, “Enough, you two. If you’re unsure of the way, let Xiyun take a look. This is her home—she’s bound to know the route.”

At those words, Xiyun scooted forward. “Exactly. Let me take a look.”

With the concerted efforts of all three, they finally managed to reach the entrance to Fanged Mountain at dusk.

Standing on the narrow mountain path, Feng Qing looked at the towering mountain before them with obvious distaste. “This Fanged Mountain seems far too desolate—can anyone actually live here?”

“Why not?” Xiyun retorted. “I was born here. True, it can’t compare to the splendor of the Thirty-three Heavens, but it has its own wild charm, and there’s plenty of fun and delicious things around.”

Her eyes glinted mischievously as she looked at Feng Qing. “But the Phoenix clan has always valued purity and has high material standards. I suppose this place is beneath you, Feng Qing. I won’t trouble you by inviting you in.”

Tushan Xi, picking up on Xiyun’s words, immediately recalled the Phoenix clan’s lofty expectations for living conditions. If Feng Qing were truly made to stay here, he would surely find it difficult to adjust.

With this in mind, she spoke up, “Feng Qing, thank you for bringing us here today. You’ve seen the state of this place—if you come in with us, you’ll surely be uncomfortable. It’s best if you wait here. When I return, I promise we’ll have a good talk.”

Feng Qing, of course, was unwilling to accept this and immediately protested, “Sister, I don’t mind! As long as I can be with you, I don’t care where I stay.”

However, Tushan Xi seemed resolute. No matter how he pleaded, she would not relent, and he had no choice but to leave, glancing back with every step.

[Host, why didn’t you let the little phoenix stay? It wouldn’t make a difference if he did.]

“Don’t you remember? I’m planning to use this opportunity to help Xiyun and Qingyuan resolve all their misunderstandings. Feng Qing is, after all, an outsider—it would be inconvenient.”

[Good point. I almost forgot about that.]

After seeing Feng Qing off, Xiyun took Tushan Xi’s hand and bounced along the path, recounting stories from her childhood as they went.

“Sister, look at that big tree! When I was five hundred years old, I was still a little fox, and this was my favorite spot. Whether for napping or playing, this tree was always the best place. Tomorrow, if the sun is out, I’ll take you up there with me.”

“Alright,” Tushan Xi replied, glancing up at the tree, which must have stood fifty or sixty meters tall. “How did such a large tree end up here?”

Xiyun shook her head, admitting she didn’t know. “For as long as I can remember, it’s always been here. Calculating carefully, it must be several thousand years old already. After so long, it’s no wonder it’s grown this large.”

“True enough.”

The three continued onward. “This is the largest lake in Fanged Mountain,” Xiyun explained. “There are plenty of fish inside. If you’re interested, I think there are two fishing rods at home—we can see whose fishing skills are better.”

“Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

As they walked, the barrenness gradually gave way to clusters of trees and flowers, lending the landscape a picturesque air.

“Xiyun, we’ve been walking for quite a while. Aren’t we there yet?” Qingyuan, trailing behind, finally asked.

Xiyun glanced back and forced a laugh. “My sister hasn’t complained, but you, Immortal Qingyuan, can’t take it? If that’s the case, you might as well turn back. Maybe you can catch up with Feng Qing and reminisce together in the Thirty-three Heavens.”

Hearing the sarcasm, Qingyuan smiled faintly and didn’t take offense. “What do you mean, Fairy Xiyun? All this way, you’ve been excitedly sharing childhood stories with your senior sister, but did you notice we haven’t stopped to rest? We’ve walked so long, and I worried my senior sister might be tired, but I didn’t want to interrupt your joy, so I held it in until now. Who would have thought you’d misunderstand my intentions…”

Xiyun realized this was bad—Qingyuan’s words, though seemingly explanations, were in fact subtly suggesting to Tushan Xi that their delay was due to her poor planning.

She was about to defend herself when Tushan Xi spoke. “Qingyuan, I know you’re concerned for me, but don’t worry, I can manage.”

She then turned to Xiyun and comforted her as well. “Xiyun, don’t blame Qingyuan. He’s just worried about my health. But since we’ve been walking so long, I am curious—how much farther is it?”

Seeing her senior sister’s evenhanded response, Xiyun had no objections. “Sister Tushan, it’s about six or seven miles more—not far at all.”

“If Senior Sister is feeling alright, perhaps Fairy Xiyun can think if there’s a shortcut. The sun is nearly set—if we don’t reach your house soon, you and my sister might have to stay in my portable cave dwelling for the night.”

“Don’t worry, Immortal Qingyuan,” Xiyun nearly ground her teeth as she replied, “I’ll have you at the house within two incense sticks' time. That oppressive aura from your cave dwelling is best kept away, or you’ll scare the local beasts of Fanged Mountain.”

Hearing this, Tushan Xi nodded in relief. “Since it’s only seven or eight miles more, let’s keep walking—it’ll do us good.”

“With me here, Sister Tushan, you have nothing to fear—I won’t let you sleep in the wild.”

After another stretch of walking, they finally arrived at the bamboo grove Xiyun had mentioned.

A gentle breeze rustled the bamboo leaves, as if welcoming them.

Xiyun pointed excitedly at a green bamboo house. “Sister Tushan, look! This is the home where I grew up.”

Tushan Xi stepped forward and studied the place carefully. Though the bamboo house appeared simple, it was clear that care had gone into its construction. Still, living here was undeniably modest.

Turning, Tushan Xi asked, “Xiyun, is this really where you used to live?”

Xiyun nodded, missing the hint of concern in her question, and continued enthusiastically. “Sister, let me tell you—though Fanged Mountain is desolate, it has one great advantage: it’s always hot here, except in this bamboo grove, which stays cool. That’s why I settled here.”

Seeing Tushan Xi still puzzled, she added with a smile, “You’ll understand the beauty of the main house after a couple of days, Sister.”

“I see. But this bamboo house doesn’t seem very large—can the three of us fit?”

Xiyun’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Sister, it was only ever meant for me, so I didn’t build it too big. But now, with you and me, we can squeeze in just fine. Immortal Qingyuan, though, may have to put up with rougher accommodations for a bit.”

“But don’t worry, Immortal—I’ll have a proper bed ready for you in two days so you can move in.”

Qingyuan let out a cold laugh. No wonder she hadn’t argued with him earlier—she’d been waiting for this moment.

With that in mind, he stepped back and said, “Fairy Xiyun is right. Since Senior Sister is a lady, it wouldn’t be proper for us to share a roof. I’ll keep watch outside so you and Fairy Xiyun can sleep in peace.”

Tushan Xi found his reasoning sound and didn’t press further, merely reminding him to be careful at night, and to alert them at once should anything happen.

With the sleeping arrangements settled, Tushan Xi and Xiyun entered the bamboo house to tidy up.

The place, left empty for so long, was dusty, but with a simple cleansing spell, Tushan Xi restored it to its former state.

Xiyun sighed, “A house only feels alive when people live in it. The moment I walked in, it was cold and empty, nothing like it was before.”

Sensing her melancholy, Tushan Xi took her hand and said, “If you’d like, I can stay here with you always.”

“Really, Sister Tushan?”

“Of course, as long as you don’t find me dull or boring.”

Xiyun was shocked. “How could I? With you by my side, I’d be so happy I could burst. How could I ever think you dull or boring?”

Behind them, Qingyuan, returning from a hunt, thought: Sister, sister, sister—if you want a sister, can’t you find your own? Why must you take mine?