As I returned to our dorms, I had wanted to discuss this matter with Yin Zi, however, because of the business with embroidery and love letters, that crow had ignored and refused to speak with me.
I decided to solve the problem with my own methods, and that was to stealthily trail behind Xiang Qing and observe his every moves.
The next day, I got up early, changed into my cat form, and jumped into Xiang Qing's courtyard. Discovering my presence once again, he was very happy and brought me his specialty fish soup. I ate until my belly was big and round, but when I turned my head to find him, he had already disappeared.
Bad news, this must've been one of his tricks to distract me and covertly disappear. I immediately searched for traces of him eventually finding him alongside Wu Daochang.
Wu Daochang, male, over sixty something years old, and has a head of white hair. Xiang Qing was precisely speaking with him at this moment, his attitude very respectful. It stands to reason that the possibility of this person being Xiang Qing's secret sweetheart was not very high. However the case may be, I mustn't let any suspect off the hook. I carefully sharpened and honed my claws as I eavesdropped on their conversation. I was preparing to pounce onto Wu Daochang and attack him if he let out any signs of being guilty.
Regrettably, the two people's actions were well-disciplined and their conversation didn't seem out of place. Wu Daochang carried an air of authority and firmness. He had lectured Xiang Qing for having a stubborn personality and how he'd be at a loss profit wise every time he went out. After this long lecture, he brought forth a pile of yellow papers filled with words for Xiang Qing to choose from, "Today, there aren't many missions for demon exterminations, just choose the ones you want from the pile. Sigh, how can someone as intelligent as me have such a dumb disciple."
Xiang Qing took a look at the pile of papers for a long time before deciding on a few. He turned around and left in a hurry.
As I watched him leave, I quickly jumped into the room where Wu Daochang resided and just casually swept my tail on three of the most expensive looking vases, shattering them in the process.
Discovering that his precious vases had broken, he let out a miserable cry. I was very satisfied with this, licked my paws, and hastened to follow Xiang Qing.
Deserved it! Who told you to scold my Shifu! Ah, he's a bit far away, I must hurry and catch up.....
After the long lecture with Wu Daochang, the sun had almost risen to its peak in the sky. Xiang Qing had walked into the kitchen and spoke with one of the kitchen cooks.
The kitchen cook's name was Shang Cui Hua, female, about forty years old, had a sturdy physique, her waist three times my size, and her arms were thicker than my thighs. And most importantly, her chest was bigger than mine. I've heard that many men prefer women with larger chests. I didn't know if Xiang Qing was that type of person, but this woman should definitely be one of the primary suspects.
To summarize, when Xiang Qing entered the kitchen, Shang Cui Hua laughed particularly happy and gave him several extra scoops of rice. She told Xiang Qing he was a good child, and praised that he was hard working and diligent unlike his junior brothers. She advised that he should pay more attention to his own body and eat well.
Their relationship was extremely friendly, causing me to become dissatisfied as I watched by. Xiang Qing turned to leave, but suddenly stopped to ask a question with embarassment, "The favor I asked for last time....."
"Don't worry, don't worry." Shang Cui Hua patted her chest, and kindly said, "The next time she comes to eat, I'll give her more too."
"Thanks." Xiang Qing thought for a moment and then continued, "Remember not to tell anyone alright?"
"Understood, if the news of a girl eating so much were to spread, then it wouldn't sound good. Aunty for sure will keep her mouth closed on this matter." Shang Cui Hua shook her head. She quietly whispered to herself, "Eating so much, yet she is able to maintain her slim figure....."
Xiang Qing gave a respectful bow and left for the dining table with the food bowl in his hand.
I cautiously closed in on Shang Cui Hua. The longer I glanced at her, the more suspicious she became. The person that Xiang Qing wanted to propose marriage to had a high possibility of being this woman. I needed to dispose of this rival as soon as possible, but with such a large body, it would require a very large pit.....
It's been a long time since I've killed a person so I had know idea whether what I was doing was right or wrong. It's best if I discussed this Yin Zi first.
In my moment of hesitation, a thin and old man walked in from the back of the kitchen. Facing Shang Cui Hua, he affectionately said, "Wife, today you should finish work and leave a bit early. Mother says she wishes to see and play with her three grandchildren, so go home and do some preparations."
"Alright." Shang Cui Hua immediately agreed, a smile blossomed upon her face, "Remember, don't drink too much, and don't forget to bring back some fabric so I can make our three kids some new clothes."
Listening to this conversation, I realized that Shang Cui Hua already had a husband and was already married. Then she definitely can't be the person Xiang Qing wants to propose marriage to. It was all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding.
Shang Cui Hua turned around and spotted me, she joyfully exclaimed, "Where did such a beautiful cat come from? Come over here and aunty will give you some fish to eat."
She is a good person! I cheerfully carried my tail up high as all the speculations and murderous intent from earlier dissipated. I rubbed my body against her legs to express that I wouldn't dare have these malicious thoughts again.
At the same time I finished my meal, Xiang Qing had also turned to leave. I hurriedly followed from behind, continuing to observe from a distance.
Xiang Qing returned to his room and packed his belongings. He packed a new wooden sword as well as a variety of talismans and protective charms. In my opinion, using this wooden swords was as useless as having none at all. Unfortunately, because of Maoshan Sect's teachings, a wooden sword must be used when exterminating demons. With that and two daggers in his boots, he prepared to leave.
One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Senior Brother ran into Xiang Qing's room with a candied haw stick in his hands, he gleefully said, "Sixth Senior Brother, are you going out?"
"En." Xiang Qing nodded his head.
"Help me buy some osmanthus sugar, candied lilies, spiced melon seeds, and chrysanthemum cake back!" One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Senior listed all these items in a single breath.
Xiang Qing simply dismissed all of his demands, "Little kid, eating too much sugar is bad for your body, I'm not buying."
"Don't be so mean." One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Senior Brother sat onto his bed and whined, "How about this, the next time you want to send a sweetheart a love letter or gifts, it'll be free of charge."
"At such a young and tender age, you're already learning how to profit from others."
"It's precisely because of my young age that I can enter and exit the female's dormitories, and make a business out of it. Recently, two new junior sisters have arrived. They're really beautiful as well, and many of the senior brothers are trying to chase them. Is your heart not even moved one bit?"
Xiang Qing just readily tied his baggage together without speaking.
"Tch, you really have a heart of steel." Seeing that he could not make a benefit here, One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Senior Brother walked towards the door, "Be careful you don't live in solitude for the rest of your life."
Xiang Qing hurriedly knocked the little kid on the head with a swift movement of his hands.
"Ow, don't you know that hitting a developing kid will make them stupid?" One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Senior Brother ran away crying.
I giggled at this scene. Giving another glance to One Hundred and Thirty-Seventh Brother, I found that he was indeed too young. I ruled out the possibility that he may be the secret sweetheart of Xiang Qing.
However.....that person he wanted to propose marriage to, who in the world is she? Could it be.....that she is beneath the mountain? Hateful! I must follow him to the end! Until I get rid of that woman, I won't come back!