Ranran was worried for nothing. At breakfast in the early morning, Su Yi Shui was already surrounded and hounded by his future prospective in-laws.
Now with Qiao lian helping in the kitchen, it was very convenient for her to prepare hearty and nourishing dishes for her future son-in-law. This early morning, Su Yi Shui was treated to his very own pot of lamb, baizhu and yam porridge. The porridge was served with stir-fried pieces of sea cucumber as a side dish, all extremely beneficial for men's health.
When Gao Cang tried to take some, Qiao lian stopped him and said, "You're young and vigorous, and not yet married. You don't need to eat this. Too much tonics for you might lead to nosebleeds!"
After this remark, everyone looked at Su Yi Shui and then at Xue Ranran.
Xue Ranran ignored everyone's gaze and hurriedly ate the porridge with the bowl blocking her face. She couldn't wait to leave the table.
She would definitely have to talk to her mother about this later. She couldn't afford to be embarrassed like this. What did Su Yi Shui's kidney health have to do with her? Being so anxious, wouldn't it lead to misunderstandings from others?
But someone else wanted to talk to her too, and that was Yutong. Ever since she found out that Ranran was the reincarnation of Mu Qingge, Yutong's gaze towards the young girl had become particularly complex.
She was quite prejudiced against Mu Qingge's life, yet she was very fond of the present Xue Ranran. This conflicting feelings of affection and dislike left Yutong unsure of how to act around Ranran.
In the end, she could only try to avoid conversations to prevent awkwardness.
But now, under pressure from the Xue Couple, Su Yi Shui had already signed the engagement letter. When Yu Tong heard this news while helping in the kitchen, she was also very shocked.
Considering this, Yutong felt she couldn't remain silent anymore. She needed to have a deeper conversation with Xue Ranran to understand the situation better and before she could entrust her master to her.
So she solemnly pulled Ranran aside into the bamboo grove and asked her with a serious expression if she was only toying with the master?"
Ranran rubbed her temples and sighed, "Your master is still shrewd even after being affected by the soul-cleansing talisman. As for my parents, they are straightforward and simple people in their actions. They have misunderstood my relationship with Shifu, which was why they hastily proposed this marriage. Don't worry, I've already talked to them. I won't be marrying Su Yi Shui…"
Yutong quickly interrupted her, "You have misunderstood. I'm not here to blame you. Twenty years ago, I was still young and prone to biases, so I have said some bad things about you unintentionally. Please forgive me."
Yutong wasn't foolish. After all these twists and turns, she had a better understanding of Mu Qingge's character from twenty years ago. If she had been a little older back then, she might have been able to admire Mu Qingge like Zhou Feihua.
Now she finally understood why her master had been so depressed over the past twenty years. If these two could become a happy couple, it would fulfill the master's long-standing wish, and everything will be settled nicely.
Moreover, she had some selfish motivations too, she wanted to tell Ranran about them now "In the past, my brother and I have always watched over our master. Besides the master-servant bond, it was also because our master was lonely and had no one else in this world. But if he has you as a companion, he won't be alone anymore. Then, I can completely let go of my worries and resign from serving our master."
Ever since her son and lover were threatened at the foot of the mountain last time, Yutong's mindset had changed significantly.
Becoming an immortal was indeed desirable, but gradually watching her beloved grow up, even grow old was also an unattainable happiness for immortals.
Yutong felt guilty about her son and lover, so she had long abandoned the idea of cultivating for immortality and wanted to find an opportunity to leave the mountain and hold a long-delayed wedding with her lover.
And now, Ranran marrying the master was an opportune moment. So when Yutong approached Xue Ranran this time, it was somewhat like a mother remarrying, entrusting her responsibilities before she left.
Additionally, Yu Tong had not talked to Su Yi Shui about this yet. She was worried about the reactions of the master and her brother. If they disagreed, even if she felt reluctant to leave the father and son duo alone at the foot of the mountain, she couldn't just leave on her own.
However, Ranran thought this was a good thing. Yutong's son was still young, not yet seven, and was at an age when he needed his mother. She readily agreed to help Yutong talk to Su Yi Shui about this, so that Yutong wouldn't feel embarrassed in front of the master and couldn't bring it up.
When Ranran brought this up with Su Yishui, he responded seriously, "When she's gone, who will take care of me?"
Ranran was grinding ink for him at that moment. She hadn't expected him to say something so *crude, "So, just because you lack someone to take care of you, you're preventing a family reunion?"
*虎狼之词 用来指一些词语一旦说出口,就变得不纯洁了.
Words that can be misconstrued to be vulgar
While Su Yi Shui transcribed his medicine formulae, he continued indifferently, "She was ready to leave because you were going to marry me. If you don't marry me, can she leave with peace of mind?"
Ranran blinked, understanding his meaning. Goodness, so the main culprit preventing Yutong's family happiness turned out to be herself?
She probably did not teach this ability to shift blame to this rebellious disciple in her past life. Ranran's hand paused as she looked at Su Yi Shui's handsome profile and asked, "Are you… forcing me to marry you?"
Su Yi Shui gave a cold laugh and organized his stack of finished prescriptions, "I'm not some rogue from your village who can't find a wife. I don't care if you want to marry or not."
Although he spoke lightly, the slight frown and pouting expression showed that he was clearly annoyed.
Ranran chuckled, playfully rolled her eyes, and said mischievously, "Then, will you agree to let Yu Tong leave the mountain, and I'll seriously consider our marriage?"
This time, Su Yi Shui snorted coldly and didn't speak further. Ranran picked up her small brush and continued copying the prescriptions.
The enemy Xishan faced this time is the Fantien Sect, which has not been seen in the world for a long time. This kind of demonic sect is full of evil followers, so precautions must be taken. In recent days, the alchemy furnaces in the Western Mountain have been continuously burning to produce a batch of elixirs quickly.
The master and disciple were busy transcribing the prescriptions to distribute to the others.
But after writing for a while, Su Yi Shui suddenly spoke again, "How long are you going to consider?"
Ranran was dizzy from copying, so she exclaimed "Ah?" in confusion, but when she saw Su Yi Shui glaring fiercely at her, she suddenly realized he was continuing their earlier conversation.
How should she answer this? She didn't know how long she needed to consider either. But her delayed response clearly displeased the big demon lord again.
With a cold face, he stood up, and left the study coldly with a graceful wave of his sleeves.
Ranran called after him, but he didn't even turn his head, truly even more stubborn than a child.
Ranran thought he would take out his anger on Yutong. But unexpectedly, Yutong came running happily later, telling her that the master had agreed to let her descend the mountain. Even her dowry for the wedding would be provided by Xishan.
Yuchen, upon hearing that her sister was getting married, couldn't help but cry even as a proud man. He felt that, as an elder brother, he had owed his sister too much. So much so that she was only getting married at this *old age.
*Yutong should be only 22 lol she had the child at 16 and her son was getting on 7
**So for reference Ranran is 18-19 which was why her parents were like.. you are getting old!
This crying turned into an unstoppable flood of tears, causing Su Yi Shui to finally say, "Why don't …you go down the mountain too to live with your sister, and get married and have children?"
Yuchen immediately fell to his knees "Master, I will stay by your side for the rest of my life! Even if you drive me away, I won't leave!"
*hahahah at this point I wonder if Su Yi Shui just wanted to have a 2 person couple life with his Ranran
Get a clue already Yu Chen
After saying that, he burst into tears again, as if a loyal dog was about to be abandoned, crying out of fear and worry.
Yutong's marriage was a joyful event, which allowed the tense nerves of those on Xishan to finally relax a little.
Ranran personally went down the mountain with her fellow disciples to buy Yutong's dowry and other necessary items.
However, when they returned to the Western Mountain, a figure covered in blood suddenly was came out from the side of the mountain road.
Everyone thought another demonic being had come to the Western Mountain and jumped back in fright.
But Ranran saw clearly that this person… wasn't it Elder Wen Chunhui of the Kongshan Sect?
She was the elder who took over major matters in the sect after Wen Hongshan met her demise. Ranran had dealt with this elder before when she retrieved the stolen horses from Gao kan. She felt that this elder was different from people like Kaiyuan Elder and had a fair and upright character.
At this moment, she was covered in wounds, clearly very seriously injured within an inch of her life.
Ranran asked, "Elder Wen, what happened? Why are you in such a miserable state?"
Wen Chunhui had just taken a sip of water given by Qiu Xi'er, wiped the fresh blood from her face, and said in a trembling voice, "The three major sects have been nearly annihilated, not a single elite disciple remains. Retribution… could this be retribution?"
She was present when they besieged Mu Qingge back then. She remembered the woman dressed in fiery red, standing on the mountain top, watching the three major sects that were besieging her. She had said loudly, "I, Mu Qingge, am not ashamed before heaven and earth. I have dedicated myself to saving the common people. It's just that some of you intentionally obscure the truth, unable to discern right from wrong. Although I do not fear death, I fear that you will suffer the consequences of your ignorance in the future. At that time, I'm afraid the orthodox world will be in chaos and no longer exist!"
At that time, Mu Qingge's words were clear and convincing. However, the people eager to eliminate the demoness didn't take her words to heart.
Unexpectedly, her words which resembled a curse were slowly being fulfilled more than twenty years later.
At this moment, Wen Chunhui looked at Xue Ranran, the reincarnation of Mu Qingge, with regret and self-blame, almost unable to continue her next breath.
Ranran hurriedly gave her a Soul Soothing pill, stabilizing her heart meridian temporarily.
But Ranran didn't let anyone carry her up the mountain. Because according to Wen Chunhui, she had just experienced a fierce battle with the Fan Tian Sect.
The Fan Tian Sect was so sinister that no one could guarantee whether Wen Chunhui had been affected or if there were any demonic things on her body.
So Ranran thought it was more prudent to temporarily settle her in the thatched hut at the foot of the mountain.
When Su Yi Shui and the others arrived, Wen Chunhui weakly recounted her previous experience.
It turned out that when demonic creatures were rampant everywhere, the three major sects also had the idea of revitalizing themselves. After all, in the previous clashes between the righteous and demonic forces, the three major sects suffered heavy losses, and their reputation was in jeopardy.
So led by Elder Kaiyuan, they decided to take advantage of the extermination of demonic creatures to rebuild their reputation and recruit a new batch of talents to continue the prosperity of their sects.
Initially, this plan was sound. Although these demonic creatures were formidable, they were all creatures of the Netherworld, and had been recorded in ancient texts. If they were careful and vigilant, there was nothing to fear. If they couldn't win, they could escape, which was easier than facing the generals of the demonic sect.
With this plan in mind, the three major sects displayed their banners high, and their entire journey was in high-spirits and well publicized.
However, when they gathered to capture the Nine-Headed Monster Python causing trouble in Python Mountain, something unexpected happened.
Because the Nine-Headed Monster Python had been eating many locals, its body had grown enormous and it couldn't hide in the mountains anymore, making it easy to find.
At that time, Elder Kaiyuan intended to let his Jiuhua Sect take the lead. So after injuring the snake's tail, he felt quite confident and brought local officials from the Prefecture and County to set up a viewing platform at the foot of the mountain, inviting officials to admire their righteous acts of subduing demons and monsters.
They also bought a lot of firecrackers, hired drummers and gong players in preparations for slaughtering the monster. This way, when they carried it down, while beating the drums, setting off firecrackers, they would create an atmosphere of monster subduing heroes.
All these were Elder Kaiyuan's idea. He had also heard about Xishan subduing the water demons. What was originally a good thing to boost their reputation turned into a mess by those few ignorant people from Xishan.
It would have been fine to just subdue the water demons and hand them over to the local authorities for recognition and commendation.
Instead, the stupid fools from Xishan ended up offending the officials just to save a few villagers who had been demonized.
In the end, it seemed that the local people had complained in private, blaming those from Xishan for letting those who had been possessed go free. They didn't know if these people would become possessed again in the future.
Elder Kaiyuan has learnt a lesson from the "foolishness" of Xishan and decided not to do anything that was laborious and thankless, so he made ready to just do enough superficial work.
But just when everything was ready and only awaited the final step, Elder Kaiyuan and the people from the other two major sects didn't expect that an accident would happen. The giant snake that was supposed to be captured suddenly swelled up as if it had absorbed some immortal elixir, like a colossal dragon, it devoured several disciples from the three major sects on the spot. After absorbing their cultivation, the nine-headed monster python even grew thin yet huge wings behind its back, soaring into the sky and covering the sun.
By that time, Elder Kaiyuan knew that his plan had backfired, so he disregarded the officials who had been invited to watch the show at the foot of the mountain and tried to escape using earth escape.
He was in a sorry state, not able to escape yet, when Wei Jiu and the people from Crimson Gate arrived just in time.
Wei Jiu was currently cooperating happily with Su Yu, and like the three major sects, he also planned to take advantage of this opportunity to establish a righteous reputation, elevate Crimson Sect's name, and eventually absorb the three major sects into his sect.
So after Elder Kaiyuan messed up the scene of killing the monster Python, Wei Jiu descended like a divine soldier, using extraordinary force to chop off all nine heads of the snake.
The firecrackers and the loud gongs and drums prepared by Elder Kaiyuan became a celebration for Crimson Gate's Excellency Wei's triumph.
The three major sects were crestfallen, originally intending to show off but ending up with humiliation.
However, Elder Kaiyuan had always been thick-skinned. He claimed that their three major sects laid the foundation for Crimson Gate's final glory, so he plastered a fake smile and bantered with Wei Jiu.
Even the bodies of ordinary snakes could be considered treasures, let alone this nine-headed monster snake, which could provide materials for alchemy and cultivation. Elder Kaiyuan didn't want Wei Jiu to take it all it, so he insisted on demanding a share.
Wen Chunhui had her pride. She had already lost so miserably fighting the monster python, how could she stay to share the spoils?
So she didn't wait for Wei Jiu's mockery and led her disciples to prepare to leave. It was because she led her disciples a few steps away in time that they narrowly escaped a bizarre calamity later on.
Just as the people from the other major sects argued with Crimson Gate, preparing to divide the large python, the severed heads suddenly exploded, splattering blue blood plasma everywhere, instantly enveloping several people close to the snake in blood bubbles.
Inside the bubbles, people struggled desperately. The blood bubbles would cave in and swell up alternately. After a while, they burst open, with two identical people crawling out of each bubble. Strangely, each pair of people looked exactly the same.
When Wen Chunhui, who was standing far away, saw this scene, she felt her hair stand on end.
The "twins" who walked out of the blood bubbles were also surprised. They looked at each other and exclaimed "demon!" before attacking their other selves.
Wen Chunhui was shocked by the sudden turn of events. Each pair of people that emerged from the blood bubbles not only looked identical but also had the same voice, fighting skills, and even weapons, making it impossible to distinguish between them.
Multiple groups of people started fighting at the same time, chaos ensued, and it turned into a messy brawl. Wen Chunhui was in a state of confusion. Although she knew something was very wrong, she had no idea whom to help.
After a while, the victors from several groups gradually emerged. Those severely injured turned into a blue blood mist, which dissipated lightly with the wind.
As for Crimson Gate's Wei Jiu, he was defeated by "himself" and fell into a deep ravine.
The surviving Elder Kaiyuan showed a sinister smile on his face, looked around, and then clasped his hands, addressing Wei Jiu and the others from the sects, "I didn't expect the monster python to be so cunning, actually transforming again. Fortunately, the monsters it created were weak, and we managed to defeat them easily!"
The victorious people from the other sects also echoed, as if parrots repeating, "I didn't expect the monster python to be so cunning, actually transforming again. Fortunately, the monsters it created were weak, and we managed to defeat them easily!"
After saying this, they all looked strangely towards Wen Chunhui who was not far away.
Elder Kaiyuan smiled at her and said, "Elder Wen, you are the only one left…"
Wen Chunhui cautiously retreated a few steps with her disciples, intending to leave. However, those people suddenly picked up the only remaining snake head and threw it at her.
ignited a fire of frustration in his heart.
However, he was still astute. So he urged Wen Chunhui not to return to Kongshan Sect but to go to Xishan, to tell Su Yi Shui and Xue Ranran about the situation of the Three Great Sects.
Now, the only ones who could protect her were the people from Xishan. Wei Jiu turned and headed for the imperial palace to explain the situation to Su Yu and find a solution.
Before parting ways, the two of them also saw the situation below the mountain from afar.
At that time, Wei Jiu, in order to show off his prowess, had told Tu Jiuyuan and most of the sect members to wait at the foot of the mountain.
And now, Tu Jiuyuan was kneeling before the fake Wei Jiu, listening to his commands. The fake Wei Jiu even lightly caressed Tu Jiuyuan's chin with his finger.
Wei Jiu felt like he was about to explode with anger. But he knew that the imposter had completely replicated his abilities and cultivation, and with his own serious injuries, going out now would be *pointless.
*肉包子打狗 hitting dogs with meat buns, useless and just feeding them
So, they both acted separately, looking for reinforcements.
Listening to Wen Chunhui's bizarre story, the disciples from Xishan looked at each other in confusion.
Qiu Xier was particularly anxious and said, "This… is quite difficult. Even the real and fake Monkey King was not discernible before the Mirror of Truth. If what you said is true, and the real and fake are so alike as if they were twins, how can we distinguish between them? Moreover, you speculate that most of the members of the sects have been killed. Even if you say it, I'm afraid no one will believe it."
Su Yi Shui and Xue Ranran also exchanged glances. Especially Xue Ranran, who couldn't help but lament a little. When she was first taken in as a disciple by Su Yi Shui, the Three Great Sects were still thriving, at their peak.
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. With recent setbacks to the Three Great Sects, and now with major figures being replaced, it seemed like the sects would be wiped out soon. It was no wonder Wen Chunhui was so distressed and confused.
Although Su Yi Shui didn't speak, he understood that the three great sects had to be saved. Once these strange creatures, transformed from the snakes have completely taken control of the Three Great Sects, they wouldn't spare Xishan.
The current plan was to strike while they were still unaware of the exposure of their plan, catch them off guard, and eliminate them first.
However… Su Yi Shui was never one to trust easily: was the Wen Chunhui before him real or fake?
Xue Ranran seemed to sense his doubts, and she had actually also thought about this. The way to verify it wasn't that difficult, but she didn't know if her idea was feasible.