Hua Che felt a surge of warmth in his heart, his eyes inadvertently reddening with emotion.

If these words were said in his past life, they might have moved his younger self to tears.

"You're already drunk before even touching your drink," Hua Che stood up, almost fleeing the scene.

Former desires had turned into present fears.

He had just managed to let go and didn't want to fall into the same trap because of a few sweet words.

Chu Binghuan watched Hua Che's retreating figure but didn't intend to follow. He knew this matter couldn't be rushed.

The current Hua Che was only sixteen years old, unlike the enchanting demon lord of his past life, still innocent inside and out. Despite his usual facade of a seasoned flirt, his skin was thinner than paper.

Anyway, he wouldn't miss out on this lifetime.

Hua Che bid farewell to Nanny Jiang that night and returned alone to Lingxiao Palace in a hurry.

Mu Rongsa and Lin Yan had returned half a day earlier, bringing back a plethora of local specialties, now handed over to Zhuang Xiaowu for cooking.

Mu Rongsa mysteriously pulled Hua Che aside and asked, "So, did you get close to Chu Tianyu?"

Hua Che sighed at the blue sky and white clouds. "It seems to have gotten worse."

"Oh?"

"Never mind, it's hard to explain, gives me a headache," Hua Che rubbed his temples, naturally changing the subject, "What about you? How was your trip with Lin Yan to the countryside?"

"Hahaha, it was so much fun!" Mu Rongsa became excited at the mention of it, "It's a pity you didn't come along, Brother Hua. Xiao Yan has three brothers, two sisters, and a younger brother, plus parents and grandmother. The whole family is lively, and we had to fight for food at meals!"

Hua Che could imagine that scene.

Cultivators have long lives. Once they reach the Foundation Establishment stage, their lifespan surpasses that of ordinary people. When they reach the Golden Core stage, their innate lifespan is two hundred years.

He thought Lin Yan's return home would be a tearful and emotional farewell scene, with Mu Rongsa ready to cry, but instead...

People from all around came to congratulate them. Lin's father even slaughtered a pig as an offering to their ancestors, boasting about how their family had produced an immortal, how prestigious it was.

Everyone was laughing and joking, no trace of sadness.

It was so lively all day long. Mu Rongsa couldn't help but wonder if he had misunderstood something. He felt that Lin Yan wasn't really happy.

That night, he found Lin Yan on the roof, enjoying the breeze.

Lin Yan smiled bitterly and said, "It's the first time they've paid so much attention to me!"

"I'm the middle child in the family. My older brothers get new clothes, my second brother wears old ones, and my third brother wears patched ones. I... wear worn-out clothes. Pork belly is for my younger brother, sweet water is for my younger sister, only farm work is mine."

As an only child, Mu Rongsa couldn't empathize, but hearing this made him feel sorry for Lin Yan.

"Do you resent them?" Mu Rongsa asked.

Lin Yan thought for a moment, then shook his head gently. "They're my brothers and sisters. I don't resent them. I'm just... a little lost. Today, they paid so much attention to me, and I felt overwhelmed."

"Don't be sad," Mu Rongsa hugged Lin Yan's shoulders, "From now on, I will cover your back! I have plenty of money. Whatever you want to eat, even if it's palace cuisine, I'll bring it to you!"

Lin Yan laughed through his tears.

*

All the disciples who had been out returned, and Zhuang Tian opened the library, which hadn't been opened in thousands of years, allowing the disciples to enter and read the books, asking for help if they didn't understand.

Chu Binghuan knew the medical books of this world like the back of his hand. No one could surpass his understanding of them. Therefore, Chu Binghuan was the best disciple to teach at Lingxiao Palace.

Hua Che was less familiar with the Joy of Cultivation, but he had a deep understanding of music theory, often leaving Zhuang Tian amazed, so he didn't need much guidance.

The only concern for Zhuang Tian was Lin Yan.

He was a pure novice, with no foundation, just like Hua Che in cultivation. Zhuang Tian shed tears of emotion, finally feeling the value of being a master!

" As a spiritual beast master, the first step is exactly to tame the beast. The specific method varies. Some people forcefully subdue the other, like breaking a wild horse. While others are gentler, using their own kindness to influence the other, making them accept you."

Lin Yan undoubtedly chose the latter.

Moreover, there was Mu Rongsa, who was either studying sword techniques with a furrowed brow. If he wasn’t eating, then he had to go to the toilet. Otherwise, his subordinates would be massaging his waist, pressing his legs, or serving him tea and water. Zhuang Tian couldn't stand it anymore and expelled them all, citing that practitioners should not disturb others with noise.

Fine then.

For the sake of the position of Lingxiao Palace's Sect Leader, Mu Rongsa endured the humiliation and diligently practiced swordsmanship.

Elegant and graceful sword moves from Mu Rongsa’s point of view, were mere gestures to Hua Che's eyes.

"Sa Sa, could you please put in a little effort?" Hua Che couldn't bear to watch it.

Mu Rongsa retorted, "I am putting in effort! Look, this is the Geese Descending to level sand' (NT: name of a painting, part of the 8 views of Xiaxiang, and poetic metaphor for Qu Yan’s exil), and this one is 'Troops Displayed on the Battlefield’!"

Hua Che facepalmed, casually leaping over a beautiful railing, walking a few steps closer, and picking up a dry twig from the ground. "Come on, junior brother, let's spar."

"Don't joke," Mu Rongsa exclaimed, "This is a real sword, and you're holding a broken twig?"

Hua Che nonchalantly remarked, "If you can block my three... one of my strikes, I'll take care of your dirty laundry this year."

Mu Rongsa was worried about not having anyone to wash his clothes after the others were expelled. Stirred by Hua Che's challenge, he wielded his sword and charged, "Brother Hua, be careful!"

Under the arcade, Lin Yan, passing by, finally witnessed what it meant to be thrown to the ground with helmets flying.

"Brother Hua, no, no!" Mu Rongsa, brandishing his sword, or rather being brandished by it, was attacked by Hua Che wielding a dry twig. He ended up dishevelled, defeated, with a face full of dust, his situation utterly miserable.

The twig was so fast it created afterimages, its force capable of shattering stones. Firm in Hua Che's hand, it would have turned Mu Rongsa into dust if his sword hadn't been a top-grade spiritual weapon.

"Here, pay attention, use an upward thrust," Hua Che swiftly rotated his wrist, the twig rising with a dazzling light, emanating true energy akin to ice blades from the Arctic. Mu Rongsa sneezed, feeling a chill down his spine.

"Raise your sword higher, steady your hand."

"Help me, Hua Qingkong is attacking his fellow disciple!"

"Watch your footing."

"Master, help meeee!"

Lin Yan shivered, "..."

Eighth senior brother was so, so ruthless!

Hua Che showed mercy and spared Mu Rongsa's life. Mu Rongsa, grateful but exhausted, lay on the ground panting heavily, "Brother Hua, I... I'm convinced by you!"

Hua Che tossed away the unscathed twig and glanced at the almost lifeless Mu Rongsa, "Hey, don't rest yet, go bathe, change, and get ready for dinner."

"I can't even get up anymore, even if it's dragon meat for dinner, I won't be able to get up," Mu Rongsa collapsed, struggling to stay awake, and asked, "Brother Hua, what's your background? How are you so powerful? You play the flute so well, and your swordsmanship is so superb. I thought Chu Tianyu was already amazing, but this... doesn't add up!"

Struggling to stand up, Mu Rongsa continued, "Brother Hua, with such talent in swordsmanship, why don't you practice the sword path?"

Hua Che smiled, "I practice the path of music, yet I can still defeat those sword cultivators from Shangqing Immortal Sect until they’re looking for their teeth on the ground. Do believe it?"

This time, Mu Rongsa didn't hesitate, "I believe it!!!"

*

Dragon meat was unavailable, but there was snake soup.

They say snake meat is delicious, but Hua Che didn't have a taste for it, and Chu Binghuan only ate vegetarian, so Mu Rongsa, who wasn't picky, enjoyed it the most.

After being tortured by Hua Che's devilish teaching in the evening, Mu Rongsa couldn't care less about his image and devoured his food hastily, not even leaving a single piece.

Although there weren’t many disciples, the territory of Lingxiao Palace was large, and apart from the Lingxiao Pavilion, all other rooms were named after celestial palaces from legends, which was quite arrogant.

Perhaps even Lingxiao's ancestor felt it was too much. Naming each courtyard and house "palace" was too ostentatious, so it was changed to "pavilion."

Therefore, according to their rankings, Zhuang Tian arranged Chu Binghuan in the "Guanghan Pavilion," Hua Che chose the "Huale Pavilion" very far away from Chu Binghuan, Mu Rongsa was quite fond of the "Doushuai Pavilion" as it was the residence of the Taishang Laojun (NT: The Heavenly Lord of Dao) in legends, and Lin Yan, with no particular preference, randomly chose the "Yunlou Pavilion" next to Hua Che.

 

The positions of the Guanghan Pavilion and the Huale Pavilion were excellent, standing north and south of the Lingxiao Palace, separated by mountains and rivers, both beautiful places with mountains and seas embracing them.

The Guanghan Pavilion was serene and quiet, with exotic flowers and plants, perfect for Chu Binghuan's medical practice. The Huale Pavilion was fragrant with birdsong and flowers, poetic and picturesque, suitable for Hua Che's musical cultivation.

However, Chu Binghuan was not satisfied.

While the Guanghan Pavilion was good, it was too far from the Huale Pavilion.

Although they were fellow disciples, apart from morning classes and two meals a day, he couldn't see Hua Che all day long, and he deeply suspected that Hua Che was deliberately avoiding him.

Not pleased.

Chu Binghuan put down his medical book and decided to pay a visit.

As soon as he entered the courtyard of the Huale Pavilion, he saw Mu Rongsa running out in a panic, with Hua Che chasing after him like a hellish ghost.

Chu Binghuan: "..."

Today, it seemed like Hua Che was enjoying tormenting Mu Rongsa.

Just then, Wen Yuan rushed over, sweating profusely, and gasped, "Something big has happened! Someone from Shangqing Immortal Sect is here, they want our master to hand over Eighth Junior Brother!"

Chu Binghuan's expression darkened, and both Hua Che and Mu Rongsa froze.

"Looking for me?" Hua Che threw away the twig, looking innocent, "Why are they looking for me?"

"It seems like..." Wen Yuan's face turned pale, "Zuo Qi is dead."

 

Translator : DarNan