Chapter 40: Somewhat Delighted
Bai Xuci sat on the edge of the bed, feeling a bit anxious inside.
Why isn’t he here yet?
[Zunshang, where did you go…] Bai Xuci communicated via heart-voice, pouting slightly, unaware that he had drawn out his voice, sounding rather like he was acting spoiled.
Fan Yue paused in his stride, looking a bit awkward, but still responded to the little demon.
[Mn, I have returned.]
Bai Xuci hadn’t held out much hope for a reply, so hearing the sudden response made him excited. His head shot up, and he straightened his back, staring intently toward the cave entrance.
Looking forward with eager anticipation.
Xiao Yunhe frowned slightly at this rapid change in demeanor but still looked back curiously.
What exactly is…
From the shadows, a hem of black robe appeared—familiar dark fabric.
Soon, a handsome man walked fully into view.
Xiao Yunhe recognized him immediately, turned around, cupped his hands, and said very politely, “Long time no see, Young Master.”
Bai Xuci stood up from the bed, intending to wave and say something, but seeing Xiao Yunhe beat him to it, he felt inexplicably awkward.
He silently sat back down.
But Fan Yue didn’t spare a glance for the person kneeling below. He walked straight past him, heading only for the bedside.
“Waited long?” His tone was deep.
Bai Xuci was actually a little intimidated, especially with the man standing over him like this, making him feel as if he had done something wrong.
His fingers gripped the quilt as he leaned back to create some distance, then said slowly:
“Not really. Look, the person is over there.”
Bai Xuci pointed thoughtfully, trying to redirect this great deity’s attention back to the matter at hand instead of staring at him.
He shrank his shoulders and pursed his lips.
Xiao Yunhe, still holding his bow, finally felt a trace of stiffness.
Did this person… not notice me at all?
He slowly lowered his hands.
“You are a disciple under Lian Qianzhi?” A slightly deep, interrogating voice sounded.
Xiao Yunhe snapped back to reality, looked up, and was momentarily confused.
Why bring up the Sect Leader’s name all of a sudden?
But this wasn’t something to hide; almost everyone in the Lower Realm knew it.
“Yes,” Xiao Yunhe answered while observing them carefully.
This black-clad man was indeed the backbone of the pair. The moment he returned, the young master stopped speaking, merely hiding behind the man’s robes.
Sneaking peeks at him.
But mostly, he was…
Xiao Yunhe’s eye twitched as he realized the youth was intently studying the gold thread on the black robes with great focus.
Fan Yue lowered his eyes to scrutinize Xiao Yunhe, thought of something, and asked:
“Lian Qianzhi sent you to find the Crescent Moon Fish?”
Xiao Yunhe’s expression changed, becoming wary. These two are definitely not ordinary people. Why do they know my business so clearly?
“Why does Senior ask this?” His tone was uneasy.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, Xiao Yunhe felt a sudden force against his chest, slamming him straight into the stone wall behind him.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
“I do not seem to have permitted you to ask questions.” Fan Yue looked over impassively, not quite understanding why the other party would disobey him.
It is merely a conversation.
Bai Xuci saw this scene, swallowed, and froze.
V-vomiting blood…
Without thinking, he tugged at Fan Yue’s robe.
“!!”
Bai Xuci panicked and tried to retract his paw to hide it behind his back, but it was too late.
Fan Yue had already turned to look at him.
“…”
He pressed his lips together and looked up nervously.
[I didn’t mean t—]
[Rest assured, your stone wall will not be damaged. This Seat will restore it to its original state.] Fan Yue comforted him via heart-voice, his expression unchanged.
Bai Xuci was dumbfounded. He looked tremblingly down at Xiao Yunhe, who was clutching his chest and gasping for air.
Shouldn’t the focus be on the person?
Why care about the wall?
[Did you wait too long? This Seat will finish dealing with this shortly.]
Hearing this, Bai Xuci curled his fingers around the quilt, feeling even more terrified.
Is this a question of waiting too long?
Also, what do you mean by “dealing with this”?
Bai Xuci wanted to ask, but Fan Yue had already turned back around. It was too late.
He could only look down.
Xiao Yunhe coughed a few times. He really didn’t know how he had offended the person in front of him, but despite his indignation, he understood his current situation clearly.
He couldn’t win.
How did Eldest Brother teach me again?
“Senior, please feel free to ask.” Xiao Yunhe straightened his robes and bowed again, surprisingly properly.
His back was straight, showing no anger over what had just happened.
Fan Yue looked down at him, actually quite satisfied.
This person knows his place.
It seems Xiao Yunyi taught him well.
“Mn. Is Lian Qianzhi in seclusion?”
Xiao Yunhe frowned slightly at the question, thought carefully, and replied:
“The Sect Leader is indeed in seclusion recently, for over three months now.”
Disciples of the Qingyun Sect rarely saw the Sect Leader, as he spent nearly two-thirds of the year in seclusion.
And it was always on a regular schedule.
The disciples admired this greatly, seeing it as the Sect Leader maintaining intense cultivation despite his already high realm.
Truly setting an example for them.
Fan Yue chuckled softly upon hearing this, rubbing his fingertips together.
He felt he still couldn’t quite understand these cultivators. Seclusion…
Does it necessarily mean cultivation?
“Is your Senior Brother Xiao Yunyi still being punished at the Heavenly Cloud Terrace?” Fan Yue asked, quietly dropping a bombshell.
Bai Xuci’s pupils dilated instantly.
Xiao Yunhe stiffened as well.
“How does Senior—” Xiao Yunhe instinctively wanted to question it but forced himself to stop halfway, then continued, “Eldest Brother is indeed still being punished, but that is pure slander!”
Bai Xuci immediately grew curious, wanting to hear what happened.
But before he could stretch his head forward much, a large hand pressed him back. His view was once again filled with the familiar robes.
Blocked completely.
Bai Xuci was bewildered. What is he doing? Not letting me look.
But why?
He tried to inch forward again, but a palm covered his face and pushed him back.
“!!”
Annoying.
“I have no interest in listening to your defense for now.” Fan Yue pursed his lips, finding the little demon a bit hard to manage, but continued, “Is Lian Qianzhi not looking for the Crescent Moon Fish?”
Bai Xuci perked up again, sneaking a small ear out from behind the robes.
Fan Yue: “…”
Whatever.
Xiao Yunhe’s expression became serious. This person was indeed a “Senior.”
And he seemed to know exactly why Xiao was here.
Hearing “Crescent Moon Fish,” Xiao Yunhe’s brow twitched. He had a premonition.
“I can give it to you, but I trouble you to ensure it is handed directly to your Sect Leader,” Fan Yue said unhurriedly, seemingly at leisure.
Behind him, Bai Xuci blinked, thinking about the Crescent Moon Fish and recalling a faint memory.
It seemed to be three years ago, when he couldn’t transform yet and often sat on the mountaintop.
It seemed…
He was walking on a mountain path, suddenly heard a splash, hopped over to a stream, and saw a goldfish.
He frowned, remembering what the Crescent Moon Fish had said earlier—something like “You don’t remember me.”
Even more confusing.
Didn’t I just squat down, look at it, and leave?
We aren’t exactly acquaintances, right?
While brainstorming, Bai Xuci suddenly felt a weight on his head.
He looked up and, sure enough, found a large hand there.
“…”
Bai Xuci was speechless, puffing out his cheeks like a pufferfish, feeling slightly disgruntled.
He crossed his arms and sulked.
It’s heavy!
Xiao Yunhe was naturally ecstatic, though somewhat bewildered.
Who exactly is this person? Why does he know I have this mission, and why does he insist I give it to the Sect Leader?
His joy diminished slightly, replaced by unease.
“Just follow this, and you will find the Crescent Moon Fish.” Fan Yue’s tone was indifferent, not worried at all that the other might suspect his intentions.
Xiao Yunhe looked up and accidentally caught a glimpse of Bai Xuci behind the black-clad man. The words he was about to say got stuck in his throat.
The youth was looking at the man with a resentful expression…
Xiao Yunhe hurriedly lowered his head and said:
“Then, thank you, Senior!”
As soon as he spoke, he noticed a wisp of black mist floating in front of him, leisurely, like a tadpole in the air.
“Not leaving yet?” Fan Yue reminded him, looking puzzled.
Instructions given. Shouldn’t he be tactful like before?
Is he dense?
Xiao Yunhe understood immediately. He stood up and walked toward the cave exit, but before leaving, he couldn’t resist glancing back one last time.
He saw the black-clad man’s hand slide down from the young master’s head to cup his chin.
Xiao Yunhe’s throat tightened. He felt he had discovered something incredible.
He hurried away quickly.
Bai Xuci never got another look at Xiao Yunhe, and he was still a bit dissatisfied.
He pouted, unable to figure it out.
“Zunshang, why didn’t you let me—”
Fan Yue: “Your ears. What is going on?”
His tone was rather helpless.
Bai Xuci froze, blinked, and felt his head.
Only then did he realize fluffy things were poking out of his head. It seemed… the other person had been holding them down for him the whole time.
“…”
Suddenly feeling awkward, he slowly tried to lower his head.
But because his chin was being held, it was forced back up.
“Wu.” The flesh on both sides of Bai Xuci’s cheeks was squished together, causing him to accidentally make a sound.
His eyes looked at Fan Yue with utmost sincerity, appearing somewhat innocent.
Fan Yue frowned slightly and checked the little demon’s spiritual power. As expected, more than half was gone again.
No wonder he couldn’t control it.
“Sorry.” Bai Xuci’s hanging fingers tugged at his own clothes, feeling apologetic.
So I misunderstood him.
Not good, not good.
Fan Yue looked at him, pinched the soft face, suppressed the curve of his lips, and said calmly:
“Forget it. It does not matter if your ears are exposed in front of This Seat.”
Bai Xuci processed this. The tips of the ears on his head wiggled, seemingly happy.
In that case, I don’t have to deliberately retract them!
“Oh, oh, oh. Thank you, My Lord.”
The fluffy ears stood upright, paired with a bewitching little face… it had a unique flavor.
Fan Yue’s expression didn’t change, but he felt somewhat delighted.
“But you must not do so in front of outsiders.”
He added a sentence.
Bai Xuci took Fan Yue’s words completely as patient “guidance.” After listening, he nodded his head very obediently.
The ears atop his head flopped down, the fur brushing against the back of Fan Yue’s hand.
It tickled.
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