Chapter 30 – Let’s Just Tolerate These Two Liars
“Poor thing, probably traumatized from being drugged,” 179 murmured, unable to hold back.
Counting in his head, Xia Yi realized that including these two, four people from the Qishan Sect had already crossed over to find him. “What’s going on with you guys? Why did you suddenly cross over?”
“I don’t know either. I was just guiding Qi Zhou in his cultivation when suddenly, everything spun, and the two of us ended up here.”
“Recently, my fellow brothers and I have been secretly investigating, trying to see if we can find the high-level formation set outside Qishan, but we haven’t found anything,” Meng Wanzi shook his head in shame. “Of course, it’s also because we lack the skills; it’s no one else’s fault.”
“Master, it’s the strange and unclear methods of the person who set the formation. How can you blame yourself?” Qi Zhou couldn’t help but defend Meng Wanzi.
“179, aren’t you the one who should feel ashamed? This is all thanks to your system,” Xia Yi scolded 179. “Now you’ve got these proper cultivators wasting their time looking for a nonexistent formation.”
The system stayed silent.
“Are you guys hungry?” Xia Yi remembered the important point.
“Thank you, Xia Xiaoyou, but I’m not hungry. Due to Tianji’s insistence, all Qishan disciples must eat three meals a day, without missing a single one.”
“And you didn’t get lost on the way here?”
“I had already prepared myself to land in a cornfield. Plus, when we arrived in Taoyuan, we found the map you drew,” Meng Wanzi was well-prepared for any kind of crossing, showing great confidence.
As they were speaking, the courtyard gate creaked open, and Gu Wenzhu strode in, carrying half a wild boar on his shoulder.
“Brother Zhu is back,” Xia Yi happily greeted him. Gu Wenzhu smiled at him, their gazes lingering and sparking in the air.
Just as Xia Yi was about to move closer, Gu Wenzhu stepped back two paces, stopping him. “I’m dirty, don’t come near,” he said, throwing the wild boar heavily to the ground with a thud.
Qi Zhou quickly frowned and stepped back a few paces, pulling out a clean handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his spotless white shoes, which hadn’t gotten dirty at all.
Only then did Gu Wenzhu notice the two extra people in the courtyard. Seeing their familiar attire, he looked at Xia Yi in confusion.
“This is Tian… Tian…” Xia Yi hurriedly introduced Meng Wanzi.
“Meng Wanzi, elder of the Tianxuan Hall under Qishan Sect,” Meng Wanzi had been carefully sizing up Gu Wenzhu ever since he laid eyes on him, his expression full of suspicion.
“Qi Zhou, disciple under Tianxuan Hall of Qishan Sect,” Qi Zhou added without looking up, still focused on his shoes.
More of these wandering Daoist monks! And now two of them? When will this end?
Gu Wenzhu felt a storm brewing inside, his face darkening.
“They just crossed over,” Xia Yi quickly explained, noticing Gu Wenzhu’s stern expression.
At this moment, Qi Zhou put away his handkerchief and finally looked at Gu Wenzhu. Upon seeing him, a slight change came over his face.
“Immortal Lord Cang Yi,” Xia Yi helped him finish the sentence, “Xiao Ming also called him that. At first, I thought it was just his issue, but now it seems that my brother Zhu and your Immortal Lord Cang Yi really do look alike. But he’s a local here, definitely not your Immortal Lord.”
“They do look somewhat alike, but they are not the same person,” Meng Wanzi said, still observing Gu Wenzhu. “Cheng Ming has always had trouble distinguishing people and recognizing paths.”
“I saw the Immortal Lord once from afar when I was young, and the resemblance is indeed striking,” Qi Zhou nodded in agreement.
“Alright, now that brother Zhu is back, let’s eat,” Xia Yi, seeing Gu Wenzhu’s worsening mood, quickly turned toward the kitchen to bring out the dishes.
“Tian… Tian…” Gu Wenzhu watched Xia Yi leave, wanting to address Meng Wanzi and Qi Zhou but not knowing how.
“Just call me Elder Meng,” Meng Wanzi said.
“Xia Yi is young and easily swayed, but as long as I’m here, no one will deceive or harm him,” Gu Wenzhu’s face was cold, his eyes sharp, and a fierce aura radiated from him.
Qi Zhou felt an invisible pressure, heavy as if weighing down his entire body, rendering him immobile and speechless.
Unaware of the suppression he was causing, Gu Wenzhu saw Qi Zhou’s pale face and smiled coldly before heading into the house.
As soon as Gu Wenzhu left, the pressure lifted, and Qi Zhou let out a long breath, his eyes full of uncertainty.
“Master, is he the Immortal Lord?” Qi Zhou asked quietly after a long pause.
“No,” Meng Wanzi shook his head slowly, lost in thought. “He’s not the Immortal Lord, but they may have some connection.”
“I didn’t expect Taoyuan to harbor such a powerful figure. Qi Zhou, I know your temper. From now on, you must be cautious in both actions and words, and don’t offend them,” Meng Wanzi warned.
Qi Zhou, having shed his previous disdain for these ordinary people, quickly nodded. “I understand, Master.”
Meanwhile, Gu Wenzhu was changing his clothes, deep in thought.
Xia Yi wholeheartedly believed these swindlers, but I can’t confront him directly and hurt his feelings. I’ll have to slowly change his mind.
As long as these two don’t cross any lines and harm Xia Yi, I’ll tolerate them for now.
Xia Yi bustled in and out, carrying the dishes. Qi Zhou, after receiving a subtle signal from his master, followed him into the kitchen, carefully tucking in the hem of his robe before gingerly helping with the chopsticks.
As he turned around, his white hair ribbon embroidered with golden threads accidentally brushed against the firewood stacked by the wall. “Oh!” He gasped, quickly patting and blowing on the ribbon that hadn’t actually gotten dirty.
“You should go out; I can handle this myself,” Xia Yi said, promptly ushering him out.
Meng Wanzi was already seated at the wooden table, while Qi Zhou walked over to sit below him. Although the wooden bench in front of the table appeared spotless, Qi Zhou still took out a handkerchief from his chest and wiped it thoroughly. Only after carefully lifting the hem of his robe and barely sitting down did he settle onto the seat.
By the time Gu Wenzhu finished cleaning up, the dishes were already laid out on the table.
Xia Yi served a bowl of rice and placed it in front of Gu Wenzhu, then picked up another bowl, preparing to serve Meng Wanzi. “Wait,” Qi Zhou raised his hand to stop him.
He then pulled out a cloth-wrapped bundle from his chest. Unfolding it layer by layer, he revealed two pristine, translucent porcelain bowls.
“Use these,” Qi Zhou said, taking the two bowls out while his eyes scanned the edges of the table like a radar. “Xia Shidi, there’s dust on the table legs; you should clean it before the meal.”
He stared at Xia Yi, unwavering, his face full of stubbornness, as if saying: “If you don’t clean it, I’ll keep staring at you until the end of time.”
“Ah, 179, looks like we’ve got a neat freak here,” Xia Yi sighed internally.
“I don’t like this ge’er,” 179 replied.
“Huh? He’s a ‘ge’er’?” (Note: ‘ge’er’ is a term in some Chinese fiction for men who can bear children.)
“Yep, didn’t you notice the obvious red mole?”
“Oh, so that’s it.”
“Does he know?”
“Nope, hehe.”
Just as Xia Yi was about to grab a cloth to clean the dust, Gu Wenzhu slammed his bowl down on the table, his voice cold and deliberate: “If Young Master Qi is full, you are free to leave the table.”
Startled by the overwhelming pressure, Qi Zhou had no choice but to take out his handkerchief again and, with great reluctance, wipe the table legs once more.
Meng Wanzi quickly put down his chopsticks and apologized: “I’m terribly sorry. My disciple has always been like this since he was young. He doesn’t mean to be difficult, even back at the sect, he was the same.”
“I understand, I understand,” Xia Yi quickly said, trying to ease the situation as Gu Wenzhu’s face was still clouded with anger.
Xia Yi had heard about extreme cases of cleanliness before. It was a compulsion, something beyond their control.
Qi Zhou carefully picked out a bowl of vegetables for himself and then didn’t touch the shared dishes again, quietly eating from his own bowl with small bites.
Xia Yi cautiously picked up a piece of fish and placed it in Gu Wenzhu’s bowl.
Qi Zhou frowned as he watched those chopsticks.
The fish had been bought from a local fisherman earlier that afternoon. It was plump and fresh. Xia Yi had bought two—one he stewed with tofu in a large pot, and the other he kept alive in a water tank.
Gu Wenzhu picked up the fish in his bowl, took a bite, and couldn’t help but nod. “Delicious.”
“This soup is good,” Gu Wenzhu said as he used his own spoon to feed Xia Yi a spoonful of fish soup.
Xia Yi eagerly swallowed it.
Qi Zhou’s eyebrows twitched as he watched the spoon exchange.
Xia Yi picked up another piece of fish, ate the tender belly portion, and then dropped the tougher back portion into Gu Wenzhu’s bowl. “This part isn’t as tender; you eat it.” Without hesitation, Gu Wenzhu popped it into his mouth.
Oh my god… Qi Zhou felt like he could hardly finish his meal.
“By the way, did your group manage to rescue your sect leader during that operation?” Xia Yi suddenly recalled the grand scene before he had returned, with all the Qishan disciples flying through the sky.
The sight had left a deep impression on Xia Yi: a dark mass of swords and gourds flying in the sky, a scene more epic than any high-budget movie effect.
Gu Wenzhu paused his chopsticks, sighed, and shook his head helplessly.
“Sigh,” Meng Wanzi said, putting down his chopsticks as well. “Yes, our sect leader was indeed captured by the people of the Demon Realm. But not only did we fail to rescue him that day, we also lost over a hundred more disciples.”
“What? You lost another hundred disciples?” Xia Yi exclaimed in shock.
Meng Wanzi nodded and slammed the table hard, causing all the bowls to jump.
“That’s why I need to find a way to return as soon as possible. I fear the Demon Realm might attack Qishan Sect again. After they captured our leader and so many disciples, their arrogance is sky-high right now. With our morale low and our sect vulnerable, they will surely strike again.”
He glanced at Xia Yi. “You’re half a Qishan disciple yourself, so perhaps you can help find a way to send me back as soon as possible.”
“I’ll send you, right away. Where do you live? I’ll take you home tomorrow,” Gu Wenzhu interjected coldly, his voice emotionless. Meng Wanzi felt a chill in his heart and swallowed the rest of his words.
—
Translator Note:
Hi guys! Thank you for your support till now, I really appreciate it XD
Just a quick announcement, so starting from Chapter 31, the posting schedule will change from everyday posts to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday every week
For those who prefer not to wait, you can head over to my Ko-fi store and purchase the rest of the translated novel for early access.
Thank you so much for your support and understanding, and I hope you enjoy the journey ahead!
