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Published at 19th of August 2022 05:12:04 AM


Chapter 16

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Despite having thousands of years of knowledge and experience, Feng Ci has never encountered such a terrifying scene before.

Internally, he silently cursed at Pei QianYue for being inhumane. Wearing black while sitting at the bedside in the middle of the night… if it were a psychologically frail person sitting here instead, they probably would have been scared to death already. 

However, he didn’t show anything on his face and said calmly: “Why would the City Master be here?”

“This Venerable One also wants to know, why are you here?”

The tone was ice-cold, detached and indifferent, the familiar kind of ambiguous sarcasm.

Pei QianYue has woken up completely. 

Feng Ci had spent several days with the adorably soft and cute, little snake who was mentally delirious. For a second, he was actually not used to the other’s icy manners.

But the fact that Pei QianYue would ask this question……

Proved that it’s most likely he had lost his memories from the last few days.

Feng Ci thought briefly and said: “The City Master was unconscious in a coma. Xiao-Shixiong sent this disciple here to take care of the City Master.”

Pei QianYue stopped talking again, as if he was considering the validity of Feng Ci’s words.

The room was very dim. Pei QianYue’s expression was completely hidden within the darkness, hard to be seen clearly. However, Feng Ci could feel an incorporeal gaze watching him this entire time, tracing over his features inch by inch, as if scrutinizing him.

“This Venerable One gave orders previously. Besides Xiao Que, no one else was allowed to step into LinXian Terrace without authorization.” After a long time, Pei QianYue said softly: “Why would he let you inside.”

“Per, perhaps it’s……” Feng Ci gave a dry laugh: “Perhaps it’s because this disciple is particularly good at tidying places up.” 

An ice-cold aura attacked Feng Ci head on. Pei QianYue suddenly leaned forwards and slammed Feng Ci back into the soft bed sheets.

Instantly, that handsome face moved within touching distance.

He was angry, and also very much so.

Feng Ci stared at the other’s tightly pressed lips. Not wanting to create more health issues pissing this person off, especially after he had finally treated this person with great difficulties, Feng Ci decisively yielded: “This disciple was wrong.” 

“Wrong?” Pei QianYue’s voice sounded next to his ear, not carrying the slightest emotions: “What did you do wrong?”

Feng Ci: “This disciple shouldn’t have entered LinXian Terrace without permission, shouldn’t have browsed the City Master’s books and scrolls, shouldn’t have secretly used the City Master’s bathhouse, and most importantly, shouldn’t have slept in the City Master’s bed!”

Pei QianYue: “…….”

The atmosphere within the hall was so thick that even the air stagnated. 

Feng Ci did his best to rake through his brain to find, other than playing with the snake in the last days, what else he did that could have easily angered this person. Before he could think of anything, Pei QianYue spoke up first.

“You seemed to have forgotten this Venerable One’s words during our first encounter.” Pei QianYue’s voice was ice-cold and strained, like he was doing his best to hold something back. This made his voice sound somewhat hoarse.

“Then this Venerable One will say it once again.”

“…… don’t lie to me.” 

He spoke very slowly, pausing after every word. His voice echoed within this empty and spacious big hall.

How strange.

Feng Ci thought to himself. He had entered LinXian Terrace without permission, slept in the other’s bed, and might even know his secret, but Pei QianYue didn’t care about any of this at all.

The reason for Pei QianYue’s anger was actually, whether or not Feng Ci lied to him. 

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Pei QianYue said: “This Venerable One will ask Xiao Que about the details. If I confirm that you’ve spoken even a word of lie, I will definitely deal with you personally.”

After saying this, he stopped paying heed to Feng Ci, got up, and walked out.

Feng Ci: “?”

Letting him off just like this? 

Didn’t even throw him off the bed. Your temper has improved, Xiao Hei~

Feng Ci suddenly discovered that he was actually starting to get used to this person’s temperamental moods.

Sighing, he turned around and got off the bed. Picking up the outer garments that were thrown aside and putting them on, he tied his belt as he started walking outside as well.

Pei QianYue has already sat down in front of the table outside. 

On the table was a half-bound book, the one that Feng Ci was repairing during the day. At that time, he had accidentally stimulated Pei QianYue to wake up and hastily went to pacify him, completely forgetting about the book.

Pei QianYue raised his hand and gently caressed the book. The sight practically gave Feng Ci a heart attack. He was terrified that this person would relapse randomly and throw the entire book away. Hastily Feng Ci stepped forth to snatch the book back: “City Master, do you want to read a book? What do you want to read? This disciple will help you find it.”

Pei QianYue halted with his fingers paused in midair before putting his hand down: “You did all of this?”

“Yes.” A faint smile appeared on Feng Ci’s face as he explained patiently: “Xiao-Shixiong told this disciple to come to LinXian Terrace to serve the City Master. These are all what this disciple should do.” 

“Serve……” Pei QianYue repeated softly between his teeth: “Very good.”

Immediately afterwards, he sat himself upright and said coolly: “Then recite.”

Feng Ci: “Ah?”

“Didn’t you come to serve this Venerable One?” Pei QianYue said: “This one is fine. Read.” 

Feng Ci had slept until the middle of the night. The skies outside have already turned pitch black. Even the disciples guarding the outside of LinXian Terrace have switched shifts once.

Yet under such a quiet night, where all creatures were silent, this grand and majestic Leader of the Immortal Alliance, the high and lofty City Master of LangFeng City, who was seated in the highest position of power within the cultivation world —upon being in a deep coma for countless days— was making his attending disciple read to him first thing after waking up.

How illogical.

Feng Ci took a deep breath and repeated silently countless times in his heart. 

This was the little snake hatchling who has been waiting for him for 3000 years. His own family’s baby. Even though the other has grown crooked now, he was part of the blame. Don’t be angry. Must spoil.

Then he flipped open the page and slowly started reading.

Above the grand hall, it was completely tranquil and quiet. Only the sound of a soft and steady voice reverberated within the emptiness, reciting like this for an entire night.

The first glimmer of light appeared across the horizons. Feng Ci’s mouth and tongue were dry from the recitation. Finally, he managed to finish reading the book in his hand and put it down. He didn’t even have time to take a sip of water before another book was thrown in front of him: “Continue.” 

Was there an end to this!

Feng Ci was so mad he almost crushed the cup in his hand.

It’s been an entire night. During this night, he had already recited 4-5 books. Surprisingly, Pei QianYue listened very conscientiously. Occasionally when Feng Ci recited the wrong words or missed sentences because of absentmindedness, Pei QianYue would point it out and make him reread it.

If you’re so familiar with these books, why are you still insisting for them to be read out loud??! 

This asshole might as well go back to sleep!

Feng Ci buried his head inside the book, so mad his hands itched. He didn’t even notice the very light and shallow smile that flashed across the corner of Pei QianYue’s lips.

This smile practically melted his entire body of cold hard ice.

He wanted to say something more, however, a voice suddenly sounded outside the door. 

“City Master, The Discipline Elder is asking to see you in the Council Hall.”

Pei QianYue’s expression froze, his usual icy appearance returning.

Even Feng Ci noticed the change in the temperament of the person beside him. Raising his head, he looked over at Pei QianYue and heard the other man say: “This Venerable One doesn’t want to see anyone during my secluded cultivation. Get lost.”

Feng Ci: “……” 

Already listened to him reading here for an entire night and still calling it secluded cultivation?

But the person outside the door replied: “It’s Xie WuHan-Shixiong. He’s back. He….. he seemed to have been injured heavily.”

This time, even Feng Ci’s expression changed.

The Council Hall was located behind the Main Hall of LangFeng City. However, normally it was very rarely used. 

This was because of the LangFeng City Master’s unsociable personality. He often did things without consulting anyone. He didn’t really communicate with the other elders of LangFeng City either. Therefore, there was no reason to use the Council Hall.

However, today, it was crowded with people.

“The City Master has arrived!” A disciple outside of the hall announced loudly. The crowd gathered within the big hall parted down the middle and bowed in unison: “Greetings, City Master!”

Yet the first person to walk inside was a young man wearing the uniform of an outer sect disciple. 

It’s been awhile since Feng Ci has faced this kind of procession. His footsteps haltered. Pei QianYue walked in behind him.

“All rise.” Pei QianYue said.

The crowd stood up, but their gazes unconsciously landed on Feng Ci.

Feng Ci could understand why they felt baffled. 

The Council Hall has always been a place only privy to the head elders or a small number of inner core disciples. An outer disciple like him shouldn’t have appeared here. Not only were they baffled, Feng Ci also felt it was strange.

All was fine and dandy, why did Pei QianYue bring him over here?

However, the City Master Pei always did things as he pleased. Feng Ci was too lazy to examine this too closely. In any case, he was also very curious about what happened to Xie Wuhan.

Xie WuHan was also inside the Council Hall at this moment. 

He sat in a chair to the side. The exposed arm and side of his neck were completely wrapped up in bandages. It really did look like he was very badly injured. When Pei QianYue entered, he originally wanted to get up and bow, but he couldn’t even get up. With a pale white face, he fell back down.

Pei QianYue asked in a solemn voice: “What’s going on?”

Xie WuHan coughed twice softly, voice quiet like a string: “It’s the Endless Valley.”

Under orders, Xie WuHan was investigating the disaster of the cultivation sects. Yesterday night, he received a messenger bird from the Endless Valley, asking for assistance, and saying they were ambushed and suffered heavy casualties. Xie WuHan immediately rushed over with fellow disciples to rescue the survivors. He had actually encountered the mystery murderer inside the Endless Valley. 

Pei QianYue: “So, it was the murderer who injured you so?”

“Yes.” Xie WuHan said: “The Endless Valley’s terrain is filled with  steep slopes and enveloped in a dense fog. It’s easy to defend but hard to attack. When they were ambushed, they activated the Great Mountain Seal; therefore, that murderer didn’t actually prevail. However, at the same time……  cough cough, they are also trapped within the great seal, in critical condition.”

Feng Ci narrowed his eyes, looking pensive.

“How rampant and unrestrained!” The speaker was an old man with white beard and white hair. Snow-white hair bound in a silver crown, he looked dignified and imposing: “That murderer has repeatedly slaughtered cultivators and fellow Daoists outside. Now they even dare to injure my LangFeng City disciple. City Master, if we don’t get revenge, how will LangFeng City maintain a prestigious foothold within the cultivation world in the future.” 

Pei QianYue ignored him.

He only stood in the same spot quietly with his head slightly lowered, as if he was currently mulling over something.

“In the last 5 months, you’re the only person to exchange blows with the murderer and escape.” After a long time, Pei QianYue finally opened his mouth slowly: “Did you see what he looks like?”

Xie WuHan shook his head: “It was too dark last night. The other person was also covering his face with a mask and wearing a hood. This disciple didn’t see clearly. I was only able to tell…… the other person seemed to be a man.” 

Stating this feature was no different than saying nothing at all.

Feng Ci still wanted to ask more about the details but he saw Pei QianYue nod his head and say: “okay.”

“Select a group of disciples immediately to accompany this venerable one to the Endless Valley. This time we must capture that murderer.” Pei QianYue turned his head and faced the elder just now: “Discipline elder, will LangFeng City’s prestige be redeemed with this?”

The Discipline Elder bowed and saluted respectfully: “The City Master is wise!” 

The other people within the hall also bowed as well: “The City Master is wise!”

Within the entire grand hall, only Feng Ci didn’t kneel and bow. He turned his head and looked towards Pei QianYue’s profile face with a slight frown.

Pei QianYue just woke up. His sea of awareness still hasn’t stabilized completely. Right now, it was really not suitable for him to leave the mountain, much less go chasing after that mystery murderer.

Furthermore…… 

For some unknown reason, Feng Ci felt an ominous sense of foreboding.

Pei QianYue suddenly said: “You’re coming also.”

Feng Ci was stunned for a moment before slowly realizing in the aftermath that Pei QianYue was talking to him: “Me?”

“City Master, this is not appropriate.” The Discipline Elder was in charge of implementing all the rules within the sect. He immediately objected: “Outer sect disciples normally cannot leave the mountain to gain experience or complete missions. If you make an exception for this disciple, I’m afraid the other disciples might feel discontent. This—” 

“Not appropriate?” Pei QianYue interrupted quietly.

His tone was light. It was hard to discern any emotions. Nevertheless, it made the Discipline Elder tremble all over. He hastily lowered his head: “This rule was created by the deceased former City Master. Those who come after, like me, dare not disobey.”

The inside of the hall was dead silent. The focus of the conversation, Feng Ci, didn’t particularly care though.

The condition of Pei QianYue’s health was currently unknown. Feng Ci didn’t feel at ease about this. Naturally, he needed to accompany the other to the Endless Valley. It would be best if they allowed him to follow along. If they didn’t……. he had other ways. 

A moment later, Pei QianYue said: “You’re right. This is indeed inappropriate.”

Then he turned around, faced Feng Ci, and said calmly: “From today onward, you’re this Venerable One’s direct disciple. Good apprentice, accompany this master to the Endless Valley.”

Feng Ci: “…….???”




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