Chapter 2: Rumors of a Ruined Reputation â Stop Shipping Us Randomly, Hey!
The Eldest Senior Brother escorted Su Huan back to his residence. Before leaving, as if to confirm one last time, he asked, “Junior Brother Su, did he truly not force you?”
Su Huan froze for a moment, then answered honestly, “No, he didn’t.”
That was supposed to be my script! he thought. Who knew the Black Lotus wouldn’t play by the rules and would actually turn the tables to steal my scene!
Only then did the Eldest Senior Brother leave with peace of mind. “It seems the two of you really do share mutual affection.”
He hesitated for a moment, but before walking away, he still offered a word of advice. “Junior Brother Su, that kind of fetish isn’t good. Perhaps you should try to change it.”
Su Huan: “…”
That dog of a Black Lotus!
Neither of them noticed two ordinary disciples standing at the other end of the path. Upon hearing their conversation, the expressions on the disciples’ faces instantly became incredulous, as if they had just stumbled upon some massive, juicy gossip.
They glanced at Senior Brother Suâusually so gentle, polite, and impeccably dressedânow with disheveled clothes, distinct purple and blue marks on his snow-white neck, and a flush on his beautiful features that suggested he had been thoroughly “nourished”…
Connecting this with the Eldest Senior Brother’s question and Su Huan’s tacit admission, they immediately nudged each other silently, winking and making faces as they retreated.
…
After that, Su Huan avoided the Black Lotus entirely, staying indoors for nearly a month.
The Xuanji Sect, known as the number one immortal sect in the world, was founded upon seven great spiritual mountains: Yuxiao, Zihuan, Jianglian, Danyang, Lingshuang, Lichen, and Jiyou. Disciples from different mountains required a token to visit one another.
For the past month, he had holed himself up on Lichen Mountain. Even if the Black Lotus wanted to kill him, he couldn’t get in.
And so, Su Huan comfortably lived the life of a slacker for a whole month.
He wasn’t entirely idle, however. During this month, he figured out the temperaments of the original host’s martial siblings. Aside from Master Chongjiang, who was in long-term seclusion, there was the Eldest Disciple, Yin Pei, who was steady and reliable; the Second Disciple, Wei Yinzui, who was cheerful and righteous; and the baby-faced Junior Brother, Fang Mingyun, who followed him around all day calling “Fourth Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother,” his mind purely focused on getting a few more pieces of malt candy from him. Among them, the Third Senior Sister, Feng Jiangyue, was the most soft-hearted and kind, taking the most care of the two younger brothers.
They were all extremely easy to get along with.
No need to stay up late memorizing scripts, no need to rush overnight to film sets, and no need to worry about other people’s schemes and intrigues. Su Huan’s life these days was indescribably comfortable and free.
This good life lasted until the Third Senior Sister came to find him. “Junior Brother, Master has gone into seclusion again. Before he left, he instructed you and me to lead a team down the mountain to eliminate demons. It is said that traces of the Demon Race were found in Liufang City a few days ago.”
“Coming.”
Master’s orders could not be defied, so Su Huan agreed.
The reason he dared to agree to go out was that, a month ago, in order to make up for the sins the original host had committed, he had already reported and corrected the record of the protagonist’s aptitude. By now, Xiao Jianming had likely become the personal disciple of the Sword Venerable. Since they weren’t in the same lineage, he wouldn’t run into that dog while training down the mountain.
Right…?
Besides, he had become completely familiar with the original host’s cultivation techniques over the past month. It was time to go out and breathe some fresh air!
Wearing a smile, Su Huan arrived at the foot of the sect and joined the demon-slaying squad. Then, he heard some rumors about himself.
“It’s him, right? The one who was ‘forcefully seized’…”
“I went to the back mountain to look. That small wooden hut left by the Martial Uncle really collapsed!”
“I heard that Junior Brother has already become a disciple of the Sword Venerable…”
The smile on Su Huan’s face instantly stiffened.
What is going on?! What are you people talking about? How was I forcefully seized?!
He suddenly regretted agreeing to go on this training trip with his Third Senior Sister.
His regret peaked when he saw Xiao Jianming standing within the demon-slaying squad.
Terrified, Su Huan grabbed his Third Senior Sister and secretly pointed at Xiao Jianming, whispering in shock, “Why is he in the team?!”
Feng Jiangyue glanced over and said, unfazed, “Oh, the Sword Venerable heard about your situation and gave special approval.”
After saying that, she threw Su Huan a gossipy look and teased, “Junior Brother, are the rumors true? How does it feel to be forcefully seized by your sweetheart? I never imagined you had such a kink…”
Su Huan was shocked to his core. “I’m not, I don’t, it wasn’t me!”
Those are all rumors!
In that moment, Su Huan wanted to desert the battle. “Senior Sister, I suddenly feel an unbearable headache…”
“I have learned a bit of medicine; I can take a look at Senior Brother.”
On the other side, having spotted his target, Xiao Jianming walked over, smiling faintly as he chimed in.
Feng Jiangyue gave a knowing smile and left the cool, shaded spot under the sect’s plaque to the two of them.
Thus, Su Huan was forced to face Xiao Jianming directly, and forced to accept the gazesâfilled with various expressionsâcoming from all directions.
Boohoo, the outside world is so scary, I want to go back to the mountain!
“Senior Brother seems… not very happy to see me.”
Xiao Jianming walked up to his side. The smile remained on his face, yet it revealed a hint of disappointment.
Nonsense! Can we just not see each other for the rest of this life, okay?!
Su Huan silently scooted to the side.
However, the Black Lotus couldn’t sense his mood. Whether intentionally or coincidentally, he blocked Su Huan’s path, acting out the drama of being disliked by his sweetheart. His tone was rather aggrieved: “But last time we met, Senior Brother said you held affections for me…”
In the distance, the group of eavesdroppers instantly got excited, jostling each other in a restless fervor.
When did I say that? Don’t put words in my mouth, hey!
Su Huan cursed vividly in his heart, but didn’t dare show a trace of it on the surface. He could only give a sheepish smile. “Junior Brother Xiao must be joking.”
Xiao Jianming didn’t let him off the hook. Instead, he took a step closer, staring at him with eyes as dark as lacquer. “Did I say something wrong? Does Senior Brother not like me?”
Su Huan immediately retreated, looking as if he were facing a formidable enemy.
Xiao Jianming pressed forward closely, looking as if he wanted to pin him against the wall right in front of everyone.
The surrounding crowd, unaware that the bright and beautiful youth before them who looked pure and harmless was actually a hypocritical black-hearted white lotus, secretly cast gossipy glances, standing by with folded arms to watch the show.
Su Huan wanted to cry but had no tears.
In the novel, before the Black Lotus grew into his power, he was used to disguising himself as a deceptively weak victim due to his childhood experiences. He was an expert at playing the pig to eat the tiger. Surely he wouldn’t kill him in public now, right?
Right…?
Xiao Jianming, however, was getting closer and closer, even reaching out a hand.
Su Huanâs heart skipped a beat. He immediately wanted to form a hand seal to cast a spell, but his hand was held down by the other party.
Xiao Jianming chuckled lightly. “What is Senior Brother afraid of?”
Su Huan was cowardly but acted tough, glaring at him silently. What exactly do you want to do?
Xiao Jianming sighed slightly, placing his other hand on Su Huan’s forehead. “I just wanted to examine Senior Brother’s illness.”
The eyes of the surrounding crowd looking at Su Huan instantly filled with a bit of condemnation, as if he were a scumbag misunderstanding his Dao Companion’s good intentions.
Su Huan: …What a peerless black-hearted white lotus!
Su Huan gritted his teeth and cursed in a whisper, “…You’re the one who’s sick.”
Xiao Jianming seemed addicted to the act, showing a hurt expression on his face, yet he made no further moves.
After confirming that the Black Lotus wouldn’t kill him for the time being, Su Huan grew bold from his evil tendencies. He shoved the person blocking him aside hard and fled all the way to his own Senior Sister’s side.
What he didn’t see was the other party quietly placing his left hand behind his back, a golden ball of spiritual energy appearing out of thin air in his palm.
It was identical to the spiritual energy within Su Huan’s Dantian.
Xiao Jianming watched the youth darting through the crowd, the confusion in his heart growing stronger.
Why is it different from before?
Su Huan stuck close behind Feng Jiangyue like a piece of sticky candy, impossible to shake off.
There was no other way; the sense of security provided by his Senior Sister’s Divinity Transformation stage cultivation was simply explosive. Dealing with an early-stage protagonist who hadn’t grown up yet would be like chopping melons and vegetables for her.
Su Huan, who was weaker than a chicken, consciously hugged his Senior Sister’s thigh.
The group, having had their fill of gossip, waited for everyone to arrive before setting off for Liufang City.
Su Huan was a spell cultivator and could only ride the wind after reaching the Nascent Soul stage. Since his flying magical tool had been sacrificed as a hidden weapon against Xiao Jianming, he had to thicken his skin and hitch a ride on Junior Sister Qiu’s Jade Flower Hairpin Boat along with his Third Senior Sister.
As soon as his feet touched the ground, Su Huan extended his hand with some gratitude, smiling. “Junior Sister Qiu, let me help you down.”
Seeing this, the Third Senior Sister huffed lightly. “A dog offering gallantry.”
He replied self-righteously, “Junior Sister Qiu was kind enough to give me a lift; naturally, I should show some appreciation to please Junior Sister.”
Feng Jiangyue rolled her eyes. Acting all pretentious. Why don’t I see you trying to please me normally?
Junior Sister Qiu covered her mouth and laughed, saying, “The person Senior Brother Su should be pleasing isn’t me.” She then extended a hand and pointed gracefully to her side. “It should be him.”
Su Huan looked in the direction she pointed. It was the Black Lotus.
Meeting his gaze, Xiao Jianming raised a sword-like eyebrow, smiling yet not smiling.
Su Huan: “…Junior Sister Qiu, I feel I need to clarify again. The rumors are all fake.”
He really couldn’t handle the Black Lotus.
As one of the personal disciples of Lichen Mountain and one of the team leaders, Su Huan followed beside Feng Jiangyue after landing. He mimicked his sister, leading the way toward Liufang City with distinct style, deliberately leaving the Black Lotus far behind in the crowd.
Ahead, the misty waves were vast. The humid river breeze brushed past the weeping willows, and fine ripples lapped against the riverbank. A few flower boats dotted the wide expanse of the river. But this was the cultivation world, after all; in just a few breaths, they were right in front of it.
Su Huan marveled repeatedly in his heart at the sight.
After walking only a few steps, they saw the City Lord of Liufang City coming down from a boat with a group of guards and servants in a flurry of fear and trepidation. He was dressed in wealthy, luxurious robes, his massive belly shaking violently. With his oily face and slicked hair, he looked exactly like a corrupt official who had embezzled plenty of the people’s wealth.
Beside him, Feng Jiangyue seemed to see through Su Huan’s thoughts and spoke bluntly. “City Lord Liu is a truly devoted official to his people. Since taking office, he has never taken a single needle or thread from the commoners. Three hundred years ago, when the Demon Race invaded Liufang City in force, it was he who exhausted his entire cultivation to protect the people in the city.”
Su Huan rubbed his head sheepishly, feeling a moment of shame.
Before City Lord Liu even ran up to them, he was already apologizing profusely. “Oh my, Immortals, you have traveled from afar. forgive me for not welcoming you sooner, forgive me!”
Just as he reached them, he tripped over a clod of earth on the road and stumbled.
Thanks to Feng Jiangyue extending a hand in time to support him, he didn’t take a nasty spill.
Feng Jiangyue nodded. “City Lord Liu, there is no need for formalities. Liufang City is under the jurisdiction of my Xuanji Sect; naturally, we should ensure its stability.”
City Lord Liu thanked them repeatedly. “Many thanks, Immortals! Many thanks!”
Looking closer, Su Huan noticed that half of the left eyebrow on City Lord Liu’s face had been burned off by something. The remaining half was scorched and curled, hanging on his brow bone, looking quite comical.
Meeting Su Huan’s inquiring gaze, City Lord Liu was so embarrassed that he hurriedly reached out to cover it, apologizing. “Immortals, please don’t take offense. I accidentally got singed by demon fire spat out by a demon beast this morning. I haven’t had time to use the hair-growth spiritual liquid yet.”
He then laughed awkwardly, turned around, and bowed to lead them onto the boat.
Su Huan immediately felt awkward.
But then, he heard a familiar, light chuckle from behind him.
Su Huan realized with a start that the Black Lotus had approached him at some point. Meanwhile, his good Senior Sister was standing at the back of the line winking at him, her meaning clear: You lovebirds are sticking so close, I won’t get in the way~
Su Huan instantly exploded internally.
Senior Sister, what are you doing?!
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