Chapter 25

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The Hidden Abyss Valley was different from the Immortal Ascension Mansion in that the latter was built on an immortal’s mountain, while the Hidden Abyss Valley was built on the lakeside of East Lake. It was more like a manor than a valley, and the name Hidden Abyss Valley because it was taken from the meaning of ‘a person’s heart is as deep as a valley’.

The difference between the Hidden Abyss Valley and other immortal cultivation sects was that it was built near the river and was not too far from human habitation. According to the founder of the Hidden Abyss Valley, all mountains have a similar scenery. The East Lake, on the other hand, was far more beautiful—in spring, there was misty rain; in summer, there were lotus flowers; in autumn, there were bleak waves; and in winter, there was white snow.

As a result, the Hidden Abyss Valley was founded by the East Lake.

Wen Ran stared at Shen Wu shaking the rattle-drum in front of the Hidden Abyss Valley’s gate. Annoyed by the noise, she said, “Can you please stop shaking it?”

She ended up buying that rattle drum from the stall because she did not want to embarrass herself any more than she already was. Shen Wu then played with that thing throughout their journey, eliciting quite a few stares from the public.

“No,” Shen Wu said. “I haven’t experienced it fully yet.”

“Experience what?”

“The fun of it.”

Wen Ran was blank. “So you don’t think it’s fun? How were you able to play for so long, then?”

He kept quiet for a moment, probably because he was angry at himself for not getting any joy from that little thing.

They handed the letter Wen Xun gave them to the disciple who was guarding the door. The disciple went in briefly, and another refined-looking young man came out.

“Young Master Shen and Miss Wen. We are honored that you have graced our humble Hidden Abyss Valley with your presence.”

Wen Ran glanced at the man. Although he was dressed rather plainly compared to the other members of the Hidden Abyss Valley, his yellow clothes had touches of gold silk.

She glanced at the Hidden Abyss Valley’s Gate, which was inlaid with gold and gemstones, and thought to herself, ‘If this is what you call humble, wouldn’t that make our Immortal Ascension Mansion a beggar’s home?’

This person looked at Shen Wu, who was wearing a straw hat and holding a rattle-drum in his hand. A strange expression then appeared on the person’s face. “What’s with the hat, Young Master Shen?”

Wen Ran explained, “My Eldest Senior Brother caught a cold, so it’s better not to let him be exposed to the wind.”

“I see. What about that thing in his hands?”

On that occasion, Shen Wu answered before Wen Ran could. “Ranran’s still has a childish temperament. I bought it for her because she wanted to play with it.”

He stuffed the rattle-drum into Wen Ran’s arms and said in a cold and clear voice, “Tale good care of it, Ranran.”

Everyone looked at her, as if to say, ‘Ah, she’s still young, innocent, and childish’. Wen Ran endured it and restrained the urge to punch her.

The man smiled. “My sworn brother went to the Buddha Sound Temple to meet his old friend not long ago, but fret not as everything has been explained in the letter. We will do our best to help you repair your swords.”

The Hidden Abyss Valley was a family-based business, and those who managed the business were all from the Qiu family. The only exception was the person before them, as he did not have the surname Qiu.

He was Ye Sui, the valley master’s sworn brother, and he was in charge of various matters in the Hidden Abyss Valley. Everyone respectfully called him Mr. Ye.

Wen Xun had made a point to explain the who’s who in the Hidden Abyss Valley to Shen Wu and Wen Ran before sending them off on their journey. After all, his greatest fear was that they—in particular, Wen Ran—would offend the people there.

Shen Wu dropped his crazy antics and cupped his hands in greeting. He said in a refined and polite manner, “Thank you for the trouble, Mr. Ye.”

“Don’t mention it. The Hidden Abyss Valley and the Immortal Ascension Mansion have a long friendship with each other and share the same goal in working for righteousness. It’s only right for us to help each other.”

Ye Sui was a friendly person who did not put on any airs. He led Shen Wu and Wen Ran through the door, and he responded to every single greeting by the disciples while walking in.

All of a sudden, a disciple ran over and broke the harmonious atmosphere. “Mr. Ye! Young Miss and Young Master are fighting again!”

Ye Sui massaged his brows helplessly, as if another terrible headache was coming. He apologized to Shen Wu and Wen Ran before leaving hastily with the disciple who had reported to him.

Wen Ran looked at Shen Wu, who was about to follow him, and grabbed his hand. “That’s their private business. I don’t think it’s right for us to meddle.”

“What do you mean meddle? We just happened to walk there and saw their fight.”

“You’re being unreasonable,” Wen Ran said disapprovingly.

Shen Wu smiled. “Aren’t you curious? The Hidden Abyss Valley is rich, and gold might even fall from their bodies when they fight.”

Wen Ran’s shameless heart wavered, and Shen Wu immediately dragged her to the direction that Ye Sui had gone.

The people of the Hidden Abyss Valley had a great preference for gold color. Lanterns were hung on the eaves, and even the trees in the manor were maple trees that had yellow leaves all year round.

At first glance, it was really yellow!

Wen Ran hid behind a thick-trunked maple tree and peeked out quietly, with Shen Wu situated just above him. The two of them shared a very tacit understanding, and they focused their attention on the lively scene over there.

The girl in yellow was petite and extremely beautiful. Her heavy sword was even taller than her, and probably even several times heavier than her. However, she had a lot of strength as she caused a pit to form on the ground when she struck her heavy sword down.

The other young man, who was also dressed in yellow, looked somewhat similar to the girl. He looked somewhat androgynous for a man and seemed somewhat feminine too. He dodged the heavy sword and immediately used his light sword to offset the force of the heavy sword. He shouted, “Are you for real, Qiu Shui!”

“You think I’m playing house with you?” Although her name embodied all that was gentle and soft, her personality was anything but. Her beautiful eyes glared and she swung her heavy sword again, but someone had appeared beside her and grabbed her hand.

The young man immediately took a few steps back and kept a safe distance from the young girl.

Qiu Shui frowned and said angrily, “Ye Sui!” Let me go!”

Ye Sui sighed. “Qiu Shan is your cousin. You’re siblings, so you should—”

“So we should fight to see who is better! That will convince the others!”

Ye Sui could not find the appropriate response after being interrupted.

On the other end, Qiu Shan appeared unwilling to be outdone. “It’s clear that there’s a problem with the sword you forged. You lost to me, yet you refused to admit defeat and insisted on fighting me!”

“Well, of course it had flaws! I told you I’d be forging in the furnace for seventy-two hours, but you took it out after only seventy!”

“Seventy-two hours? You’re just using that as an excuse not to admit defeat!”

Ye Sui had a general idea of what happened. “You guys made a bet again, didn’t you?”