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Zhong Minyan was the youngest among the male disciples of the Min Generation on Shaoyang Peak, and the Min Generation was the youngest generation of disciples in the entire Shaoyang Sect. Therefore, many of the miscellaneous chores that the senior brothers were too lazy to deal with were handed off to him, making his days busier than the other disciples by several times.
As such, it was common for him to forget things.
That day, after lunch, he arrived early at the Martial Arts Training Field, sword in hand. He hadn't swung it a few times when several senior brothers came over to spar with him. Second Senior Brother Chen Minjue was the most cunning. Just as he seemed about to lose to his junior brother, he suddenly said, "Min Yan, you'll be delivering meals to your junior sister in the future, right?"
Zhong Minyan felt a shock in his heart, immediately revealing a flaw in his swordplay. Chen Minjue took advantage of the opening, flicked his wrist, and knocked his sword away, laughing, "You lost. Now hurry up and deliver the meal, huh? Otherwise, the Sect Leader's Wife will feel sorry for you."
He had actually forgotten! Zhong Minyan scurried out of the Martial Arts Training Field to the kitchen to get the meal. Since Xuanji rarely appeared at the Martial Arts Training Field, he couldn't be bothered to pay attention to this junior sister's affairs. The new Immortal Law he had learned that morning was complicated, and he was only focused on practicing his moves, completely forgetting about her being in solitary confinement.
How annoying, Zhe Xuanji must have a grudge against him. She was in solitary confinement, and her trouble forced him to be part of her bad luck. He had to run to Mingxia Cave three times a day, and his afternoon cultivation time was inevitably shortened.
Although he usually loved to joke around and appeared to be carefree about everything, he was actually a proud person with high standards. With the lowest seniority, he was not taken seriously most of the time and was always being ordered around to do things. Therefore, he was extremely strict when it came to training, to the point of being harsh, vowing to surpass his eldest senior brother and no longer be looked down upon. Now, because he had to deliver meals to Xuanji, his afternoon training time was effectively halved, which was naturally frustrating.
The kitchen auntie had already prepared Xuanji's meal, placed it in a basket, and when she saw him, she handed it over with a smile, "Here, go ahead. Don't let Xuanji go hungry. It would be quite pitiful."
Pitiful my foot! It's more like detestable! She deserves her punishment for shirking her duties, and yet she's dragging others down with her!
Zhong Minyan lifted the lid on his way. Inside were two dishes, a bowl of white rice, and a cup of fruit soup. He stealthily took the biggest piece of sweet and sour ribs and stuffed it into his mouth, savoring it deliciously.
Hmpf, not giving that girl a single bite!
There was no light inside Mingxia Cave, so Zhong Minyan had prepared a torch in advance. After a considerable effort rowing to the stone house, he found it completely dark and silent inside. He coldly said, "Zhe Xuanji, time to eat."
No one answered him.
Zhong Minyan grew annoyed, "Zhe Xuanji!" He raised his voice.
Still, no one answered him.
Finally, Zhong Minyan felt that something was amiss and quickly leapt ashore and rushed into the stone house. Waving the torch, he saw the little girl curled up on the stone bed, apparently asleep, with a pellet drum clutched in her hand. Beside her on the stone platform, there was a puddle of wax tears, three unburnt candles, and a piece of flint.
He sighed, pushed her, and said, "Zhe Xuanji, wake up, it's time to eat."
Xuanji opened her eyes groggily to see a bright fire in front of her, and Zhong Minyan looking at her impatiently. He was holding a large black basket in his hand.
"Eat," said Zhong Minyan as he placed the food on the stone platform. Turning to see her still huddled there, he couldn't help his irritation, "If you don't want to eat, just say so, so I don't waste my time flying back and forth every day."
Xuanji felt cold all over and didn't feel like moving. This man was always harsh to her, as though she owed him a huge debt. She thought about arguing with him, but she didn't have the energy; and if she took him seriously and refused to eat, she feared her mother would be saddened. After hesitating a long while, she had no choice but to climb off the bed, wrap herself in a pile of clothes, and pick up the rice bowl.
Thankfully, the food was still warm and tasted quite good. After eating most of it, she looked up to see Zhong Minyan watching her and said lightly, "Would you like some too?"
Zhong Minyan blushed slightly when she hit the nail on the head. He grunted, "Just eat quickly so I can go back to training."
After taking a sip of soup, Xuanji said, "You can go now. Come back at dinner time to clean up the old bowls and plates, that way you won't waste too much of your time."
He hadn't expected her to say that, and after a pause, he said, "Don't you want someone to stay and keep you company?"
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Xuanji, however, didn't respond and merely finished her meal quickly. She put the bowls and dishes back into the basket and handed it to him, "I'm done eating, you can take it away."
Zhong Minyan felt a bit embarrassed as he took the basket. He wanted to say something else and, seeing her face turn blue from the cold, his heart softened. He said gently, "Should I bring you a cotton quilt and some warm clothes tonight?"
Xuanji had been hoping for exactly that, and now that he had offered, she obediently nodded her head.
He was rarely treated to such a soft and obedient side of this little witch, a far cry from the obstinate and duplicitous brat he remembered. He found himself somewhat reluctant to leave. Glancing around, he added, "Then... what else do you want? Books? Or toys? It's hard to sit by yourself like this."
She shook her head, "No need, don't trouble yourself."
Zhong Minyan had no choice but to set off in the boat again. After only a few strokes, he ran back, took off his coat, and draped it over her shoulders, saying irritably, "I'm lending you the clothes for now, don't get them dirty. I'll bring you some books and candles tonight. You're so stubborn."
Xuanji hung her head and said nothing. He really wasn't good at dealing with such a moody person and quickly left.
That evening, he indeed kept his promise. He not only brought two cotton quilts and several thick clothes but also carried a stack of books, a roll of paper, ink stick, inkstone, brush, and even a small wooden pen holder. With all these items arranged, the cold stone room finally had a hint of warmth.
"Use these candles for now, and I'll bring you more when these are done. The sect leader's wife told me to tell you, it's damp and cold in the cave, you must remember to practice daily, or you'll fall ill. Here's the manual for the Xuanming Fist. Make sure you practice it," he said.
As he spoke, seeing Xuanji nodding repeatedly, he couldn't help but chuckle sarcastically, "You agree now, but you'll probably just ignore it later, right?"
Yet Xuanji didn't hide her intentions, admitting, "That's right, I don't want to practice. But I also don't want others to get angry with me all the time. Is it wrong to nod?"
Zhong Minyan laughed dryly, "That's some twisted logic. If people knew you were two-faced, saying one thing and doing another, they'd only get angrier, right?"
"There's nothing I can do about it. I don't like people yelling at me, and I don't want to practice either."
"Why don't you like to practice? Don't you want to become immortal?"
"I do, but I'm lazy," she replied.
Zhong Minyan felt that if he continued the conversation, he might find himself wanting to strangle her. He had never met someone so brazen and unashamed about their laziness while still absurdly dreaming of becoming immortal.
"Oh, well, you might only become one kind of immortal then," he said, placing candles by her bed.
"What kind of immortal?" Xuanji, still a child at heart, hadn't picked up on his sarcasm and eagerly asked.
Zhong Minyan's lips curled into a smirk, "A Lazy Immortal. Continue doing nothing, and maybe one day, the Heavenly Court will send someone to take you away and appoint you a Lazy Immortal."
So he was mocking her. Xuanji felt a twinge of disappointment, and after a moment of silence, she said, "I don't want to practice, but I will definitely become immortal."
"Sure, just keep waiting to become a Lazy Immortal then!" Zhong Minyan turned and boarded the boat, too tired to continue the conversation.
The stone room returned to its silent state. Xuanji stared blankly at the candlelight on the table, resuming her daily task: daydreaming.
She would definitely become immortal. She seemed to have said that just now.
Even she was puzzled where this outrageous confidence had sprung from, compelling her to make such audacious claims. She didn't know boxing, lacked immortal power, and couldn't even hold a sword properly. Yet, she somehow felt that she was destined to become immortal.
Maybe Zhong Minyan was right; she could only be a Lazy Immortal.
What other immortals could not accomplish, who but this Lazy Immortal would take on the task?
Meanwhile, Xuanji was occupied with her idle fantasies while everyone else in the Shaoyang Sect, busily preparing for the Flower Pinning Conference, had already pushed the matter of her to the back of their minds.
On the fourteenth of August, the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival, the leaders of the Five Great Sects and their vital members gathered at Shaoyang Peak for the final selection phase of the Flower Pinning Conference. As in previous years, they drew lots to decide which five individuals would venture into the Great Wilderness to hunt demons after the martial contest, as the grand finale of the event.
Speaking of the Flower Pinning Conference, while others were not particularly excited, Linglong was the most thrilled of them all. She could be seen running in and out all day, searching for her parents. Since the conference was held only once every five years, even the youngest male disciple, Zhong Minyan, had witnessed it before, and although he was excited, he managed to keep it under control. However, for Linglong, it was her very first time attending such a grand martial arts event. She had been only six years old during the last event, too young to remember anything of the contest. Apart from her own excitement, she also felt sadness for Xuanji, who was confined alone in the pitch-dark Mingxia Cave, unable to witness the bustling spectacle.
That day, she pestered her mother all morning to go to the peak with her to watch the lot drawing. Eventually, He Danping managed to placate her with a piece of osmanthus cake. No sooner had she left than Linglong began coaxing Zhong Minyan to accompany her to the top of the peak.
"No way, I have to deliver food to Xuanji soon. Besides, the mistress has said that children shouldn't go where there's a commotion. Only accomplished Elders and high beings are there, and it wouldn't be good to accidentally offend anyone," Zhong Minyan immediately rejected her request.
Linglong urged in desperation, "Then let's go after you've delivered the food! We'll just take a quick look and come right back, okay? I promise to behave very well and won't cause any trouble."
As Zhong Minyan filled the basket with vegetables, he replied, "After I've delivered the food, I must go practice. Don't be in such a hurry, you'll get to see all the excitement you want in half a month, with no one stopping you."
Linglong couldn't hold back anymore and clutching his sleeve, she kept begging and coaxing, twisting his arm nearly into a pretzel.
"Just accompany me for a bit! Let's take a look at the lot drawing! Big brother Minyan! Please, I beg you, take me with you!"
Zhong Minyan, always at a loss against such relentless nagging, could only sigh, "My little ancestor, let go first. If our senior brothers see this, I won't be able to save my skin from being flayed by master. I'll deliver the food to Sister Xuanji first, and then we can go, alright?"
Seeing him agree, Linglong couldn't help but beam with joy, and added, "Let's just go up there first to have a quick look, and then you can deliver the food to Xuanji! Just a glance, that way you won't be afraid of being found out!"
Zhong Minyan had no choice but to drop the basket and let her drag him to the top of the peak.
The top of Shaoyang Peak is where Shouyang Hall, presided over by Sect Leader Zhe Lei, is located, and it also serves as the hall for receiving visitors. There were only two ways to ascend: use the long jade placed at the edge of the cliff for Object Control Flight, or obediently climb the stairs, winding up in circles, which would take at least half an hour.
This was the pride of the Shaoyang Sect, not casually welcoming the inept. You either return obediently or climb up obediently. Shaoyang Peak rose high into the clouds, its odd-shaped rocks daunting, enough to make ordinary people shudder from the mere sight.
"Climb up there?" Zhong Minyan's face soured like a bitter melon. Looking at the stone steps mostly hidden in the mists, his legs began to tremble.
"Of course we should fly up there!" insisted Linglong, pouting, "I'm not going to climb stairs! It takes too long!"
"Who's going to fly? You know how to control objects?"
Linglong chuckled and pointed at his nose, "Stop pretending! Of course, it's you! You think I didn't see? Who was practicing Sword Flight secretly in the shaded area of the back mountain that day? I haven't asked you about that yet! If you keep pretending, I'll tell dad!"
Zhong Minyan's face reddened, "You actually saw that... Don't tell master, please! Be a good sister, don't tell anyone, alright?"
Linglong curiously asked, "Why don't you want dad to know? You're already capable of Object Control Flight, which is much more impressive than Fourth Senior Brother and the others. Dad would be overjoyed to find out!"
Zhong Minyan earnestly explained, "Standing out like that doesn't bring many benefits, but plenty of drawbacks. Even if master is happy, the senior brothers who haven't learned Object Control Flight would still get scolded. Once they're reprimanded, where will their anger be directed?"
Understanding dawned on Linglong as she nodded, "You're right... But these things are so complicated... Do adults always think about so much?"
Zhong Minyan couldn't help laughing, "I think much more than that! Come on, stop talking nonsense, aren't we going to watch the excitement? We'll be late to deliver food to Xuanji if we don't leave now."
He walked to the edge of the cliff, and as expected, there was a row of white long jades placed there. He picked one that was slightly worn, his left foot pressed down lightly, and the long jade hesitated before lifting him up, apparently, he still couldn't fully control it at will. After trying to fly a couple of circles, he came back and reached out to Linglong with a smile, "Come on up, little ancestor! After going up there, you could never chatter like this again."
Linglong was thrilled. Why wouldn't she like playing with Zhong Minyan? Xiao Liuzi was the best, indulging her in everything and his words were pleasant to listen to.
While he was riding the wind upward, Linglong suddenly thought of something and childishly grabbed his sleeve, saying, "Xiao Liuzi, you can't be like our Third Senior Brother and Fifth Senior Brother, who couldn't bear the hardship and sneaked down the mountain to go back home."
Zhong Minyan almost fell headfirst off the long jade, and with difficulty, he stabilized himself. He replied with a wry smile, "Which eye of yours saw me crying in hardship wanting to go home? Besides, my home... I have no home to go back to, my parents died in the epidemic. Shaoyang Peak is my home now."
"Then let's make a pinky promise," Linglong offered her little finger, blinking her dark eyes, and said, "Xiao Liuzi has to be with us forever, and we will never part."
Zhong Minyan just laughed it off, softly speaking, "That's child's play for little girls. We men of honor keep our word; even without a pinky promise, we will make it happen."
Linglong couldn't stand being doubted or contradicted, and immediately frowned, insisting, "No matter! We must make a pinky promise!"
Zhong Minyan reached out his arm, "There, let's hook arms instead. Making a pinky promise is for little girls, I won't do that."
Linglong laughed and hooked her arm around his, both acting childishly, saying, "If you break this oath in the future and sneak down the mountain, may all of Xiao Liuzi's teeth fall out, leaving him a toothless old man!"
After making their oath, both of them laughed out loud, finding it very amusing. One was fourteen, and the other was just eleven, both still innocent and naive, unaware of the ways of the world. The so-called 'forever' was to them a fleeting concept. In their hearts, 'forever' was like the imminent Flower Pinning Conference, right before their eyes, soon to pass. It was free from setbacks and sorrow.
Speaking of which, the two climbed up to the fog-enshrouded peak. At the summit was a huge terrace paved with translucent green jade, clear and lustrous, extremely beautiful. They crouched and crept through the trees beside them, to see that there was a dense circle of Shaoyang Sect elders around the terrace, clearly the guards in charge. Linglong hadn't expected the drawing of lots to be so formal and was taken aback for a moment before whispering, "We're in trouble now, with such strict guards, how are we going to sneak a peek?"
Seeing the situation, Zhong Minyan knew that sneaking a peek would be impossible. He pondered for a moment, then suddenly had an idea, squeezed Linglong's hand as a signal for her to follow his lead. Afterward, he cleared his throat, stood up from the bushes, dusted the dirt off his clothes, and walked boldly towards the terrace. Linglong's heart thumped violently as if she held a little rabbit in her arms, not knowing what Zhong Minyan was up to, but finding it thrilling and fun. So she obediently followed behind him.
As expected, just as they were about to climb the stairs, two senior disciples stepped forward to stop them, saying, "The Sect Leader said that he is discussing the drawing of lots with leaders from other sects, and no one should disturb them."
Zhong Minyan was unhurried, and with a smile, he said, "Are you two seniors of the Min generation? We were sent by Yinghong, the Yuyang Hall Master, to deliver a message to the Sect Leader's Wife."
The two of them had a pained expression upon hearing that they were dealing with Master Yinghong.
It turned out that the Shaoyang Sect had seven separate halls, each with different responsibilities, and Chu Yinghong, who was in charge of the Yuyang Hall, dealt with the establishment of the sect's rules. The disciples of the Yuyang Hall, wearing white clothes and green belts, patrolled the Shouyang Inner Mountain to check if other disciples violated the rules. Chu Yinghong was like a smiling tiger; although being the youngest among her fellow seniors at just thirty-seven, even the Sect Leader gave her some slack.
Firstly, her husband was Elder He Yang, who managed punishment from Zhenxia Hall; secondly, although she appeared gentle and kind, she was extremely tricky to handle. Anyone who violated the rules would be punished impartially and immediately. If you tried to seek her mercy with a smile, she would agree smilingly and then increase your punishment tenfold afterward.
When Shaoyang Peak and the Nanshan Xuanyuan Sect had an altercation, she was the one who mediated and settled everything. A woman left the many seniors of the Nanshan Xuanyuan Sect speechless, and the Sect Leader of Xuanyuan Sect, Zhu Shi, personally came to Shaoyang Peak to apologize to the former Sect Leader, ensuring both sects promised eternal friendship and unity.
Such a remarkable woman received endless praises from the former Sect Leader, and there was a strong push for her to become the next Sect Leader. After much consideration, the Sect Leader chose the calm and reticent Zhe Lei instead. Thankfully, she had no ambition and was content to live a quiet life as the Yuyang Hall Master. But even to this day, the older disciples would say that if she raised her arm and called for support, at least one-third of Shaoyang Peak would choose to follow her. One had to admit her capabilities were extraordinary.
Since it was the formidable Master Yinghong who had sent them, and the Sect Leader's Wife was on good terms with her, the two senior disciples didn't dare to stop them and immediately stepped aside.
Linglong didn't expect they would slip through so easily and was even more impressed with Zhong Minyan. He could tell lies without batting an eye, making them sound as genuine as the truth. She looked up covertly at Zhong Minyan, who was still playing it straight, but his eyes twinkled mischievously.
Linglong pinched his arm hard through his sleeve, about to praise him for a job well done, but then she heard those two disciples coming after them, calling out, "Wait a minute!"
The two of them were startled, thinking their lie had been exposed, and they braced themselves, turning around with composed faces.