Shen Changan and Xie Hansheng each had their own duties within the Sect. On ordinary days, they merely nodded in greeting when they met, but in his impression, the Second Junior Brother was withdrawn by nature—when he wasn’t on missions, he was doing missions, never getting close to anyone.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that after that trip outside, something had changed between the Little Junior Sister and the Second Junior Brother.
Logically speaking, harmony within the Sect was something he’d be glad to see, yet for some reason, an inexplicable unease settled in his heart.
He hesitated, wanting to ask exactly what kind of relationship they had.
Then decided it wasn’t necessary.
What else could it be?
Perhaps to the Little Junior Sister, the Second Senior Brother was simply someone she felt closer to than she did to him.
The man lowered his gaze, faint ripples shifting in the depths of his eyes, and spoke in a gentle voice: “Alright, if Junior Brother Xie agrees.”
Even if the Little Junior Sister was willing to grow closer, that didn’t mean Xie Hansheng would agree.
“I wonder if Junior Brother Xie would be willing?”
He turned to the side, offering a faint smile to the person behind him.
He had sensed Xie Hansheng’s presence the moment the latter had drawn near.
Xie Hansheng’s black robes wrapped around his sturdy frame, his sword never leaving his side, cradled in his arms.
Every move the man made was like that of a machine programmed by a set of protocols. Even upon hearing the conversation just now, his emotions remained faint. His deep, handsome dark eyes fixed steadily on Shu Wanzhao, pausing on her face for a few seconds.
Shu Wanzhao touched her face, tilted her head to look at him, and flashed a row of little white teeth. “Second Senior Brother, why aren’t you saying anything?”
The three of them stood in the courtyard. A bird flapping past was startled by the strange atmosphere, its wings beating wildly as it zipped out of sight in midair, leaving behind a single feather that drifted to the ground, softly breaking the silence in the air.
“Fine.” His dull, heavy voice was like a gourd that had been struck with a stick—hollow and muffled, as if it came from deep within his chest.
Shu Wanzhao was satisfied.
Shen Changan, however, was extremely surprised.
But he said no more. He tightened his grip on the two items hidden in his sleeve, hesitated for a moment longer, and finally offered them to her.
“Junior Sister, your meridians have been corroded by Demonic Qi. Demonic Qi is unlike anything else—once it latches onto you, it’s difficult to eradicate completely. Remember to take the demon-expelling pill during this time, and keep your mind calm and at peace, so as not to be influenced by the Demonic Qi and give rise to an Inner Demon.”
He produced two items—one was a celadon porcelain bottle, the other a white jade box adorned with exquisite golden patterns that shimmered beautifully in the sunlight. “This is the Snow Condensation Pill, a token of apology for wrongly accusing you earlier. Keep it—it can neutralize poisons and also clear the mind and settle the spirit.”
The man adhered strictly to propriety. A mistake was a mistake, and the things he offered were all in the realm of alchemy pills.
The moment the man produced the pill, the System began to operate.
[Ding—Congratulations, Host, on obtaining the key item gifted by the male lead, Shen Changan: the Snow Condensation Pill. The materials are extremely rare—there is only one in the entire Sect. It can dispel a series of negative effects.]
[The Snow Condensation Pill! This is a key item that only appears in the later stages of the plot. It’s precisely because of the Snow Condensation Pill that Xie Hansheng is able to hold on in the Sect for so long. Without this pill, he would definitely Fall into Demonic Possession much earlier than in the original plot.]
[Host, this is useful—under no circumstances must this pill fall into Xie Hansheng’s hands.]
Shu Wanzhao was momentarily stunned. Something this important, and he just gave it to her that easily?
She tucked it away together with the demon-expelling pill.
Afraid that if she delayed, Xie Hansheng over there might snatch it away.
The pill in Shen Changan’s hand practically vanished the moment he let go.
He let out a helpless chuckle. His Little Junior Sister was… acting like a cat snatching food.
“Enough. Since you blew up your own house today, I won’t punish you—but you’ll have to repair it yourself. You’re not allowed to dip into Sect funds.”
Shu Wanzhao: “!”
She couldn’t believe it. Was the Senior Brother this stingy?
Shen Changan finished giving his instructions, and a junior disciple came looking for him. He didn’t linger, brushing past Xie Hansheng as he left.
He gave a slight nod, a gesture of greeting.
And added one more reminder: “Don’t spoil her.”
She blew it up herself, so she should fix it herself. If she never learned how exhausting house repairs were, this girl would have the Sect’s front gate torn down by tomorrow.
Xie Hansheng acknowledged with a blank expression. After Shen Changan left, seeing that there was nothing else to do, he too prepared to take his leave.
But Shu Wanzhao called out to stop him.
“Second Senior Brother, wait.”
Afraid he might slip away, she quickly blocked his path, and with complete confidence, ordered him around: “Help me fix the door. I don’t know how.”
The words “picking a fight” were written plainly all over her soot-smudged little face.
Xie Hansheng stood where he was, his brow arching slightly. His handsome, deep-set features were sharp and defined, like a sword with its edge sheathed. He looked down at her from his height.
His entire presence radiated an aura that said “don’t mess with me.”
His low voice was equally stern. “The Senior Brother said you should clean up the mess you made yourself.”
“If you don’t tell and I don’t tell, how would the Senior Brother know?” Shu Wanzhao muttered. “What a blockhead. It’s getting late—if you don’t help me now, how am I supposed to sleep tonight?”
The door was letting gusts of wind whistle straight through.
She tilted her head up, trying to project an imposing aura. “What if some sleazy man like you comes around with ulterior motives toward me?”
Xie Hansheng’s body stiffened.
His face finally showed a reaction. Those deep eyes widened slightly, her reflection shimmering in them as he spoke slowly, word by word, “Me? Have improper intentions toward you?!”
In his twenty years of solitude, he had lived a life of abstinence, speaking to female disciples so rarely it could be counted on one hand. Even when assigned to missions together, he always maintained a safe distance.
Because his childhood had been difficult, and after being brought back to the Sect by his master, he also had a relative afflicted with madness. Over the years, he had taken on mission after mission, all to earn more money, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to serving the Sect.
He had barely paused in his efforts, and the disciples of this Sect all described him as withdrawn and hard to get along with, among other things.
But never once had anyone accused him of having improper intentions toward a woman!
This was pure slander!
An outrageous claim.
“Oh? You don’t admit it?”
The man’s aura suddenly became oppressive, but Shu Wanzhao had her evidence ready. “Just tell me—did you kiss me or not?”
In that instant, Xie Hansheng’s just-mustered bravado deflated like a punctured balloon. He lowered his head, as if a dog’s tail hung drooping behind him. His entire body tensed stubbornly, wanting to argue in his defense but suffering from his lack of eloquence.
He stood tall and imposing before her, lips pressed together stubbornly. “Kissed… yes, I did—but I was” trying to absorb the Demonic Qi from your body.
Shu Wanzhao cut him off. “So, even a block of wood like you has done that and more to me. What if I hadn’t properly fixed up my room, and some other lecherous man got in?”
Xie Hansheng: “…”
“Not to mention, my cultivation base is low—I can’t fight off anyone who comes. That’s why the Senior Brother had you teach me sword practice.”
“…”
“Say something. Cat got your tongue again?”
The girl standing before him was arrogant and haughty in demeanor, but her eyes were clear and bright, with a hint of smug satisfaction.
Xie Hansheng stared at her, lips parted as if to speak but hesitating.
His little junior sister snapped fiercely, “What are you looking at?”
“It’s nothing, your face… it’s dirty.” He paused, then added, “Very dirty.”
Shu Wanzhao: “?!”
She suddenly thought of Mu Xiaoting’s exploded hair, and her pretty face darkened.
No way.
Had she been strutting around looking like this just now?