Chapter 21

A few minutes later, after reading all the details, Tushan Xi’s urge to beat someone up reached its peak.

“Wait, is Qingyuan really okay? If he doesn’t want a wife, that’s his business, but I don’t want to lose such a good little sister.”

The system was anxiously circling around. [Host, do you think there’s any other way?]

“Another way?” Tushan Xi considered seriously, “What if I just beat him up?”

The system dimmed, doing its best to persuade her. [Host, please don’t seek your own demise. This is a novice world. If you die here, you’ll really be dead, and there’s nothing I can do to help you.]

“Alright, alright, I’ll think of something else.”

Just as she was pondering, Qingyuan came upstairs carrying the freshly cooked dishes. He immediately asked, “Senior Sister, what’s the matter?”

Hearing his voice, Tushan Xi snapped back to herself. “It’s nothing. Is everything ready?”

Qingyuan wasn’t satisfied with her answer—it was obvious something was wrong, but Senior Sister didn’t want to tell him.

Why? Did I do something wrong, so she’s unwilling to talk to me? Or is it something about Xiyun?

After setting down the dishes, he quickly said, “Senior Sister, the snake stew is almost ready. Please wait a little longer. I’ll check if Fairy Xiyun needs any help in the kitchen.”

“Go on, then. If you need my help, just send me a message.”

“Don’t worry, Senior Sister, I will.”

After reassuring Tushan Xi, Qingyuan returned to the kitchen. Seeing Xiyun still busy, his expression turned cold. He went to her, grabbed her hand, and demanded, “What did you just say to Senior Sister?”

Xiyun, who was sorting herbs, was utterly baffled by his sudden outburst. Her wrist began to ache, so she frowned, twisting her hand as she replied, “What on earth has gotten into you, Immortal Lord?”

“You really didn’t say anything to Senior Sister?”

“Immortal Lord, has your brain been eaten by the python too? Ever since you came back, I haven’t spoken to my sister privately. You’ve seen that with your own eyes. What, did serving a dish make you forget everything?”

“You…” Qingyuan was at a loss for words, but on reflection, what Xiyun said wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

Only then did he let go of her hand and said stiffly, “Well, I was wrong to blame you this time. Please accept my apology, and don’t take it to heart.”

Xiyun merely rolled her eyes and replied sarcastically, “Oh, so the Immortal Lord can apologize after all? I thought all you knew was making deals.”

Hearing her biting remarks, Qingyuan’s expression hardened. The earlier regret was gone. “I’ve apologized. If you insist on holding onto it, don’t blame me for not sparing your dignity.”

“Oh? Is that a threat?”

“Whether it’s a threat or not, you know in your heart,” Qingyuan said, picking up some chopsticks and resuming his search for firewood. “If you don’t want Senior Sister to eat, feel free to keep arguing with me here.”

“You…”

Xiyun was fuming, but he was right. They’d already delayed long enough; if they lingered any longer, her sister would surely ask what was going on.

Outside, having witnessed the entire scene through the live feed, Tushan Xi felt a wave of despair and looked helplessly at the system. “System, if the male and female leads fail to get together because of me, will I be counted as failing my mission?”

The system was just as troubled, its little orb barely able to float. [Probably not? We’re not in charge of their romance. All we have to do is clear the White Moonlight’s name.]

Still, Tushan Xi was uneasy. “As the saying goes, better to break ten temples than ruin a single marriage. Wouldn’t that count as interfering with their fate?”

[Um…] The system hesitated, [Don’t worry, Host. I’ll go report this up the chain. For now, just stick to the plan, and I’ll let you know the moment I hear anything.]

“Fine, but hurry. If I finish the mission before you get an answer, and there’s a mistake with the reward, we’ll have no way to appeal.”

The system nodded earnestly. [You’re right, Host, always thinking ahead.]

After their discussion, Qingyuan emerged with the steaming stew, Xiyun following close behind. “Senior Sister, all the dishes are ready. Come and have a taste.”

Tushan Xi quickly got up to help him set the table. “You must be exhausted. Sit down and rest.”

Qingyuan smiled nonchalantly. “No need to be so polite, Senior Sister. As long as you enjoy the food, I’ll do anything.”

She forced a laugh, choosing instead to divide the bowls and chopsticks. Enough, you.

“Xiyun, this is yours.” As Tushan Xi spoke, she noticed Xiyun wasn’t reaching for it. Looking up, she realized the girl seemed lost in thought.

“Xiyun, Xiyun,” she called several times before Xiyun finally returned to herself. “What were you thinking about? I’ve been calling you for a while.”

Xiyun opened her mouth as if to say something, but catching sight of Qingyuan’s cold gaze, she changed her words, “Don’t worry, Sister. I was just thinking about how the spiritual energy at Fanged Mountain will soon be restored, so I should prepare to start cultivating again.”

Though she sensed the lie, Tushan Xi didn’t call her out, but followed her lead. “Since you’ve decided, you have my full support. Have you thought about which path you’ll start with?”

What seemed like a random excuse turned out to be genuine—Xiyun answered with conviction, “I’ve already decided. Since I have a fire spiritual root, I’ll start with the path of fire.”

“Fire,” Tushan Xi mused, “that’s a good choice. Fire is one of the five elements and quite powerful. What about a weapon? Do you have a preference?”

“I haven’t thought about that,” Xiyun admitted, shaking her head. “I’ve always used my tail as a weapon. I haven’t tried anything else.”

“Never tried, huh?” After a moment’s thought, Tushan Xi turned to Qingyuan, who was ladling soup. “Qingyuan, I remember when you first joined the sect, I gave you a sword. But with your current cultivation, I’m sure you no longer need it. Why not lend it to Xiyun for now, so she can get a feel for swordsmanship?”

Qingyuan’s smile froze, but he quickly recovered and set down the bowls. “Senior Sister, that sword is quite old now. I can’t produce it right away. How about I carve her a bamboo or wooden sword for practice? Once she’s comfortable, I’ll commission a proper weapon for Fairy Xiyun. How does that sound?”

Tushan Xi wanted to agree immediately, but remembering the tensions between Xiyun and Qingyuan, she turned to ask Xiyun for her opinion.

“I don’t know much about this. What do you think, Sister?”

“I think it’s a great idea. Try it out first, and having a custom weapon made will be a big help on your cultivation path.”

“If you think it’s good, Sister, I’ll give it a try.”