CH 9

Chapter 9

“It’s a very simple thing,” Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi entered the room together. The instant they entered the hall, Qin Wanwan discovered that Jian Xingzhi stood side-by-side with her. She side-eyed Jian Xingzhi. Jian Xingzhi directly recognized his wrong and stepped back. 

This was only the beginning and Qin Wanwan discerned that their facade was crumbling. She coughed lightly and smiled at Jun Shu. She stretched out her hand, “Your promise to me, fulfill it first.”

“I fulfill it, how can I be sure you won’t deceive me?”

Jun Shu questioned her with doubt in his eyes. Qin Wanwan motioned her hand to their audience, “With so many people here, where could I, someone merely in Foundation Establishment, run off to?”

“Shimei’s words are justified,” Song Xinian was anxious and urged Jun Shu, “Now, the most important thing is to wake Su-shimei. What Shaozhu promises Shimei, please fulfill it quickly.”

Jun Shu took a deep breath and stood from his seat, “Follow me.”

Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi followed him into the back hall of Exquisite Pavilion one after another. Jun Shu spun around and glared at Jian Xingzhi, “You. Don’t follow us.”

“You told me not to follow and I must not follow?” Jian Xingzhi sneered, “Who gives you the right?”

“Wan’er,” Jun Shu faced Qin Wanwan, “Your servant, he is unruly.”

“He understands my heart ah.” Qin Wanwan waved her hand. “Stop your gibberish. Hurry up.”

Jun Shu stared at Qin Wanwan. This woman in front of him, she was familiar. But, at the same time, she was not.

He abruptly realized, for so long, he hadn’t take a careful look at her. 

In the past, she always revolved around him and he was used to her care. Even when she bought Jian Zhiyan, he knew that she merely wished to make him jealous. 

After all, he was the Shaozhu of Lecheng. She plainly couldn’t part with the glory and wealth that came with his status. 

She had been revolving around him for so long; He was used to being the only person in her eyes. Yet, out of nowhere, her eyes were clean and magnanimous. There was no longer him in her eyes. He was a bit agitated. 

He pushed down his discomfort and brought out a jade pendant from his sleeve.

With his ability, erasing Shen Zhiming’s spell was not an easy feat. It was his luck that there were many materials and treasures of Heaven belonging to the Jun Family. This jade pendant was specialized in countering a tracking spell.

Jun Shu lifted his hand and grasped Qin Wanwan’s wrist. He placed the jade pendant on her wrist, He quickly drew a few runes on his swords and made a hand seal. He set his sword on the jade pendant and snarled, “Your tracking spell will soon be gone. What tricks are you going to play now?”

“None of your business.”

Qin Wanwan watched nervously as the runes crawled up from her arm, always alert to any slight movements of Jun Shu. 

Such vigilance stung his eyes. Jun Shu glanced at her a few times and snorted, “Like this, you plan to leave Wen Xin Sect?”

“Why not?” Qin Wanwan raised her gaze to meet Jun Shu’s eyes, “Is there any reason for me not to leave?”

The discomfort in Jun Shu’s heart was even worse. He reminded her, “Your engagement with me…”

“Annul it.” Qin Wanwan was nauseated from his words and spoke decisively. “It was my parents’ decision, not mine. My parents were no more. Just pretend that our engagement doesn’t exist. Tell your Father that I don’t want to marry you.”

The ire in Jun Shu’s heart surged. He withdrew his hand and put away the jade pendant. “Good.”

He successfully dispelled Shen Zhiming’s spell in her body and the runes dissipated from Qin Wanwan’s body.

The three of them returned to the main hall together. Everyone’s gaze focused on them as soon as they arrived. Song Xinian was restless, “Shimei…”

“Shixiong,” Qin Wanwan interrupted Song Xinian. She approached him and whispered, “Have you set up the barrier I asked you to before?”

“It’s done.” Song Xinian nodded, “Two days ago, when you told me to do it, I set the barrier around Su-shimei to close her perception of others’ shenshi.”

Qin Wanwan was satisfied. In this way, Su Yuelie shouldn’t know what was happening outside and would have no defense erected. 

“Perfect.” Qin Wanwan’s eyes turned crescent from her smile. Her eyes darted at the crowd. “Today, I gathered all the Peak Lords, Shishu, Shibo[1]. Shixiong, Shijie, Shimei, and Shidi here, mainly for the sake of Qin Wan’s innocence.”

Now, everyone’s gaze was on her. Qin Wanwan was a bit nervous. She cleared her throat, “A few days ago, Su-shimei and I together encountered danger in the secret realm. The two of us crossed paths with a nine-grade porcupine by chance. This porcupine was badly injured and wished to devour one of us to heal itself. It attacked Su-shimei from behind. It was fast and in a hurry, I pushed her off the cliff, hoping that she could escape from her impending death and save her own life. I was afraid that the porcupine would chase after us if I backed away, so I fought a bloody battle with this porcupine on the cliff for ten days. I was lucky that it was badly injured and I could win. I swallowed its yaodan[2] and barely survived. But, it seems like my luck was exhausted from it, and Su-shimei happened to only record the scene where I pushed her. Everyone assumed that I was the one who harmed her. Today, in order to prove my innocence, I am determined to wake Su-shimei and let her testify for me as to give me the justice I deserve.”

With that said, Qin Wanwan signaled to Jian Xingzhi with a wink. Jian Xingzhi revealed the things inside the box to the crowd.

Qin Wanwan walked near Jian Xingzhi and explained, “I came to Exquisite Pavillion two days ago. During that time, I noticed that Shimei’s shihai was unusually active. I guessed that the reason Shimei was still in a coma was that she got trapped in her shihai. To forcibly break through her shihai would be harmful to her. As her Shijie, how could I bear to damage her shihai and ruin her future? Henceforth, I specially made this ‘projector’ to help Su-shimei wake up from the illusion in her shihai. It’s just, I need help from a cultivator above Nascent Soul to enter Shimei’s shihai. I wonder who is willing to lend a hand?”

“I will do it.”

“Let me.”

Jun Shu and Song Xinian offered at the same time. Qin Wanwan gave an approving nod in her heart. She turned to Jun Shu, “Jun-shaozhu’s sincerity towards Su-shimei is deeply touching. For that, Jun-shaozhu, I will entrust you with this matter. Please sit here.”

Jun Shu sat down on the chair across Qin Wanwan. Qin Wanwan pulled out several pieces of talisman paper less than a palm-size. The talisman paper was connected with a string, at the end of the string was another talisman paper of similar size. Qin Wanwan handed the talisman paper to Jun Shu, “Jun-shaozhu, this is something that can help you enter Su-shimei’s shihai. Would you like to inspect it first?”

Jun Shu tugged a corner of his lips, looking up at Qin Wanwan with a warning in his eyes, “I don’t believe that you have the ability to hurt me.”

“Have you played enough?” Jian Xingzhi glared contemptuously at him. Jun Shu glared back at him and sat up straight. “Let’s start.”

Qin Wanwan grabbed the talisman paper and pasted it on Jun Shu’s temples and Baihui acupoints[3].

Then, she did the same to Su Yueli.

Jian Xingzhi extracted a mirror from the wooden box and put it aside. Qin Wanwan latched the string on the mirror and pasted another talisman paper on Jun Shu’s back, connecting it and the mirror with the string. 

“Jun Shu, I’m curious,” Qin Wanwan softened her voice, “What do you like about Su Yueli?”

“She is simpler than you,” Jun Shu replied coldly, glimpsing at her with some disdain. “She loves me more than you.”

“Oh.”

Qin Wanwan shrugged, “All done. Then, let’s not waste time.”

Qin Wanwan pitched her voice at a volume that everyone could hear, “Jun-shaozhu, in a moment, I will play the flute. After the flute sounds, you must not open your eyes. You will see a gate, try to open it. When you enter the gate, turn into a rabbit, or a cat. Approach Su-shimei and lure her out when Su-shimei relaxes her vigilance. Remember. Don’t be rash. In case Su-shimei’s shihai gets disturbed, both of you will be in danger.”

“I understand. Start it.” Jun Shu replied.

Jian Xingzhi fished a shrunk curtain from the box and shook it opposite the mirror. The curtain expanded and Jian Xingzhi set up support for it. Just like that, a simple cinema was formed. 

“Wait a while, no matter what happens, don’t make a noise so as not to distract Jun-shaozhu.”

Qin Wanwan assumed a feigned manner. Everyone was tense and nodded their assent.

Seeing everything was set, Qin Wanwan played the flute. Jun Shu’s brows furrowed. At the same time, the curtain lit up. Everyone could see a gate on the white curtain. Jun Shu turned his back to them and paced quickly towards the gate.

Everyone’s gaze darted at the mirror connected to Jun Shu, then at the curtain. The people present hold their gasps. This was most likely Su Yueli’s shihai. They could only wonder, why did Qin Wanwan go to a great length just to show Su Yueli’s shihai to everyone?

They were puzzled but they didn’t dare to make a noise.

Seeing the heavy gate, Jun Shu put his hand and pushed it. It remained unmoved.

Jun Shu frowned. He infused his Spiritual Power into his hands and with his efforts, the gate opened wide. A cold breeze blew on his face and Jun Shu recalled Qin Wanwan’s words. He transformed into a white rabbit and jumped into the vast snow.

He ran around for a while and Jun Shu noticed that this place was similar to Huangcheng in the North. In that place, ice and snow were all you could see. Even the houses were built from snow bricks. Su Yueli had never stepped on Huangcheng before. So, why was her shihai like this?

Jun Shu couldn’t figure it out. After a moment of confusion, he heard Su Yueli’s voice, “Ya[4]! Buxiu, look! A rabbit!”

It’s Yueli!

Jun Shu turned his head with joy. The moment he saw her, he was dumbfounded.

Su Yuelie was holding hands with a man in white. Two of them watched him with a smile, like a pair of Immortal couples.

“I will catch it for you.”

The man next to her gave her a sweet smile and walked up to Jun Shu. He seized Jun Shu’s ears and showed it to Su Yueli with a grin, “Yueli. This rabbit is stupid. How about we just roast it?”

“Don’t ah,” Su Yueli caught up to the man and stretched out her hands to hold Jun Shu. The man lifted Jun Shu away and stopped Su Yueli, “If you want this rabbit, you have to give me, your Fujun[5], a little reward first.”

Fujun?!

Everyone present was shocked.

Who was this man? Was he an illusion trapping Su Yueli? Why did he call himself Yueli’s Fujun?

The crowd glanced at each other. Jun Shu twisted his rabbit body desperately on the curtain. He probably couldn’t wait to recover his human body and annihilate this man. 

The people outside didn’t know it, but he was crystal clear about it.

This man was not an illusion, he was a real person!

And, this man, he knew him. The Shaozhu of Huangcheng, Ning Buxiu. The Ning Family’s secret technique was to share their cultivation base with their partner after blending their shihai together. 

With the blend of their shihai, it was natural Su Yueli could construct the appearance of Huangcheng in her shihai. But, this also meant that Su Yueli and Ning Buxiu were married. 

She clearly told him that she only loves him…… How could she……

Jun Shu clenched his rabbit fist. He still cared about Su Yueli so he held back his anger. He could only let the man hold his ears, watching Su Yuelie blushing while asking, “What kind of reward do you want?”

“Come here, give me a kiss.”

The man smiled. Su Yuelie shyly lowered her head, “No. You give me the rabbit first.”

The man did not comply. Bowing his head to kiss Su Yueli. Su Yuelie dodged around, giggling as she shouted, don’t, don’t. The man elevated Jun Shu in the air as he chased after Su Yueli’s lips.

Jun Shu was so mad that he punched and kicked in the air. He watched Su Yueli pound the man’s chest with her small fists, “You are so bad!”

She harrumphed and trotted away.

This… Su Yuelie usually acted like this to him!

And that man, just like him, flung Jun Shu the Rabbit out of the way and trailed behind Su Yuelie while laughing. Jun Shu rolled on the ground and shook his head angrily. He rushed frantically on the snow, following the two of them. 

He would kill this man! This man must have deceived Su Yueli! It must be!

He chased them to their courtyard. Soon, the door was locked. A burst of laughter and giggles sounded from the room. 

Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi immediately glanced at each other. She… didn’t anticipate this scene. She paused and hesitated. Song Xinian’s shout came, “Let it continue!”

Song Xiniang blocked her. Red eyes as he stared at the curtain, “Let me see the truth!”

Qin Wanwan angled her head and peeked at the curtain. Fortunately, the scene on the curtain was projected from Jun Shu’s view. The two had entered the house and they couldn’t see anything, only vague noises. It… really reduced a lot of awkwardness and embarrassment. 

Inside, the two fought fiercely. And outside, Jun Shu shivered with red eyes. 

About a quarter later, the battle inside eased down. Only the rustling sound of the wind and snow could be heard. Qin Wanwan saw that Jun Shu the Rabbit was nearly frozen into Ice Sculptures in the snow. Contemplating it, Qin Wanwan was about to wake him up. However, as if she finally hit a jackpot, the people in the room seemed to be leisure and chatted slowly.

“Buxiu,” Su Yueli voiced her worry, “I’m so worried about Shijie.”

“What are you worried about?”

“Although she pushed me off the cliff, she did it to save me. Yet, now, she is suffering from torture outside. I… I’m so worried that she can’t understand my difficulties and refuses to forgive me.”

“You, ah. Really too kind.” Ning Buxiu smiled, “The road of cultivation is arduous, fighting for your life with Heaven. Cultivators must pave their own way. How can you ruin your future just for your Shijie? Stay here and wait until your Nascent Soul is complete before going out. By that time, your Shijie will have gone through so much and beg for your forgiveness instead, there is no way she won’t accept your apology.”

“But… But… if Shijie didn’t get through…”

“Then, that is her Fate.” Ning Buxiu sighed, “I will accompany you to console and take care of family members. In that way, you can be considered treating her justly. Don’t be too sad. Take it easy, okay?”

Hearing this conversation, everyone’s head snapped to stare at Qin Wanwan, who was playing the flute.

Su Yueli actually knew that Qin Wan was held accountable by her Shifu because of her matter!

Qin Wan saved her life, but she would rather let Qin Wan die than wake up in advance to clear Qin Wan’s name. All just to improve her cultivation base! And she even had the time to act lovey-dovey with a man in her shihai!

Qin Wanwan sensed the sympathetic and guilty eyes of everyone and was uncomfortable. She averted her gaze and resumed playing her flute. 

The Jun Shu in her shihai was even more affected.

The Goddess in his heart, who was gentle, kind, and loved only him, seemed to have suddenly downgraded into a mere human. 

“But…” Su Yueli was still worried. “What if Jun Shu knew that I was only pretending to be in a coma and he got angry?”

“He is angry, what does it matter to you?” Ning Buxiu’s tone was a little unhappy, “Could it be that you like him?”

“How is it possible?” Su Yuelie remedied, “In my heart, he is just a Xiongchang. Don’t talk nonsense.”

“What about your Shixiong, Song Xinian?”

“Just a Shixiong.”

“Your Shifu?”

“Just a Shifu,” Su Yueli pledged in all sincerity, “Buxiu, you already know this, I only have you in my heart.”

Su Yueli’s voice was full of affection. Jun Shu, who had nearly become an ice sculpture, felt a basin of cold water was dumped on his head. He was completely chilled.

In his mind flashed scenes after scenes of the times he had known Su Yueli. He realized that between himself and this foolish man in front of him, there seemed to be no difference. 

Once, he was the receiver of these words.

He believed them as much as Ning Buxiu.

“What do you like about Su Yueli?”

“She is simpler than you. She loves me more than you.”

What he said before he entered this shihai reverberated in his ears. Jun Shu now comprehended how ridiculous he sounded before. 

With his rabbit body, he stood up. 

A tearful snow rabbit raised its head to the sky with a wide smile. 

He stopped restraining himself and recovered his real body in the snow. Regardless of whether Su Yueli’s shihai would be damaged, he crashed his Spiritual Power toward the courtyard and roared, “Su Yueli! Come out!”

The author has something to say:

[This Chapter in a Nutshell]

Su Yueli: “I was the overlord of fish farming[6], but someone stealthily blew up my fish pond.”

Jian Xingzhi: “In my opinion, this rabbit has innate talent. Clowning around, even in sorrow, to draw laughter, how amusing.”

[Qin Wanwan clicked Like[7].]

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Footnotes

师伯 – shībó. Senior Martial Uncle. Similar to 师叔 – shīshū. Junior Martial Uncle.↵

妖丹 – yāodān. Demon (Evil Spirit) Pill/Core. Different from 魔 – mó; Demonic. Evil beings. Yao, in particular, are simply spirits who can conjure a human form through cultivation.↵

百会 – bǎi huì. Baihui Acupoint. One of the most important acupoints where all the Yang Meridians met. Located around the frontal lobe area.↵

呀 – ya. equivalent to 啊 (ā; ah), expressing surprise or doubt. ↵

夫君 – fū jūn; Husband. Hence, 为夫 – wéifū, is I, this Husband.↵

From 海王 – Hǎiwáng; Sea King. A slang for Harem King, there are plenty of fish in the sea, after all. So she was talking about collecting harem, but then someone blew up her harem.↵

点赞 – diǎnzàn. to like (an online post on Weibo, Facebook etc). In this case, liking Jian Xingzhi’s remarks.↵