Zanxing (Retranslated)

Xuan Lingzi choked on his own saliva.

“I heard that Senior Brother Mu’s childhood sweetheart, Miss Liu, is about to enter the Taiyan Sect and live with Senior Brother Mu. Is that true?”

Xuan Lingzi stumbled over his words, casting a pleading look towards the young man on the chair.

Gu Baiying glanced at Zanxing lazily and replied, “It’s true.”

“But I remember when I first entered the sect, Senior Sister Ziluo said that unrelated individuals couldn’t enter the Taiyan Sect. Why are we breaking this rule now?” Zanxing spoke up.

“It’s not… uh, Zanxing…” Xuan Lingzi carefully chose his words, racking his brains to come up with a reasonable explanation that would both reassure Zanxing and prevent her from becoming discontent with him.

Gu Baiying straightened up in his seat, aimed the fruit core in his hand at the waste basket near the door, and casually tossed it. The fruit core left a mark in the air as it flew, landing perfectly in the center of the basket. He looked at her with a lazy demeanor, as if inviting trouble. “Now that he’s a direct disciple, there are naturally differences between direct disciples and ordinary sect members. Rules are rules, but occasionally, exceptions can be made.”

Zanxing said, “I don’t accept it.”

She had said these words once before, calmly facing Duan Xiangrao’s Serpent Bone Whip during the first inner sect assessment

¹.

Xuan Lingzi, afraid that Zanxing might do something foolish out of sadness, hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over. “Zanxing, actually… having Miss Liu here isn’t a big deal. She’s not in good health, and Cengxiao is just taking care of her. He’s busy with cultivation most of the time, so they won’t spend much time together. Besides, there are many talented young people in the sect. Maybe you won’t be infatuated with him anymore after a few days.”

Zanxing simply repeated, “I don’t accept it.”

Gu Baiying stood up from the chair and walked up to Zanxing, lowering his head to stare into her eyes. He said with a detached tone, “The sect has no business meddling in the private affairs between you and Mu Cengxiao. I advise you, it’s best to focus your thoughts on cultivating the dao and less on frivolous… romantic entanglements. If you have the time, it’s better to read a few more cultivation techniques and strive for breakthroughs sooner rather than later.”

Currently, Zanxing’s cultivation level had not yet reached the Core Formation stage. Compared to any cultivator with some talent, she was weaker. If she were to engage in dual cultivation, the Qinchong seeds would immediately be transferred. However, if she were to focus on her cultivation and break through to the Core Formation, Nascent Soul, or even Astral Projection stages in a short period of time, then even if she were to engage in dual cultivation, the Qinchong seed would remain safe.

Zanxing furrowed her brows, staring at the person before her. There was impatience evident in the youth’s demeanor, but within those deep brown eyes, there was also a hint of warning.

Zanxing remained silent for a moment before saying, “Firstly, there is nothing improper between me and Senior Brother Mu. I have no inappropriate thoughts towards him.”

“Zanxing, it’s okay,” Xuan Lingzi continued to reassure her, “Master thinks you are much better than that Miss Liu.”

Zanxing took a deep breath. “Secondly, I don’t accept it because if he can bring his acquaintances into the Taiyan Sect, I want to bring mine too.”

Xuan Lingzi exclaimed, “Ah?”

“My personal maid, Hongsu, has been with me since childhood. She currently lives in Pingyang Town. She’s still young, and I want to bring her here and take care of her. Since we are both direct disciples, we should be treated equally. Is that unreasonable, Master?” Zanxing said in one breath.

When she passed the selection competition and entered the Taiyan Sect, Hongsu and Old Niu stayed in Pingyang Town. Zanxing could only visit them once a month. Old Niu was getting old and had returned to his family in Yuecheng. Originally, Hongsu should have gone back too, but the little maid was unwilling to leave Zanxing.

Yuecheng was just a small town, and the Yang family wasn’t particularly wealthy. Even though Zanxing had become a disciple of the sect, the allowance the Yang family could provide for a maid wouldn’t be much. Pingyang Town was a tourist city with relatively high prices. Most of the spirit stones Zanxing received each month went towards supporting Hongsu. Now, hearing that Yunxin could enter the sect, Zanxing thought it might be better to bring Hongsu in as well and save on living expenses. Besides, having a young girl live alone outside made her worried.

“Master, both Senior Brother Mu and I are your direct disciples. You can’t treat us differently. You must treat us equally,” she insisted.

Even though Xuan Lingzi and Gu Baiying had imagined hundreds of scenarios where Zanxing would go crazy and throw a tantrum, they hadn’t expected her to take such an unconventional approach.

Wasn’t the focus of her concern a bit off?

Nevertheless, compared to what they had anticipated, accommodating a little maid into the sect was quite an easy condition to fulfill.

Xuan Lingzi quickly smiled and said, “Of course, of course, it should be that way. I’ll have someone go to Pingyang Town right away, and tomorrow morning, we’ll bring your maid into the sect and have her stay in Mingxiu Courtyard with you. Zanxing,” he cautiously asked, “do you have any other requests?”

“No, that’s all.” Zanxing bowed to Xuan Lingzi. “Thank you, Master, for considering me. I’ll take my leave now.” With that, she left just as energetically as she had arrived.

As Zanxing’s figure disappeared from the hall, Xuan Lingzi’s legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the chair, patting his chest. “She scared me to death. I thought she was going to cause a scene. If she really did, wouldn’t it be embarrassing for the others in the sect? What do you think, Junior Brother… Junior Brother?” Xuan Lingzi turned around, only to find the hall empty. Gu Baiying had left at some point.

None of his disciples were easy to deal with. He sighed deeply, picked up the roasted chestnuts from the table, and munched on them as he said, “Being a master is really difficult. It’s a pity for parents everywhere.”

*

On the other side, Gu Baiying returned to the Miaokong Hall and recounted the events that had just occurred to Men Dong.

Finally, he looked at Men Dong with suspicion. “You say Yang Zanxing is deeply in love with Mu Cengxiao, but she didn’t seem upset at all in the hall just now.” The way she negotiated with Xuan Lingzi made him suspect that in Yang Zanxing’s heart, Mu Cengxiao might not even be as important as her little maid.”

“Senior Brother, you don’t understand,” Men Dong tinkered with a nine-link chain in his hand. “Women often say one thing but mean another. Don’t be fooled by her apparent indifference. She’s probably just trying to save face and avoid being laughed at by others. Wait until that Miss Liu enters the sect tomorrow. Mark my words, she’ll definitely cry secretly behind closed doors.”

“Really?” Gu Baiying was skeptical, finding it even harder to imagine Yang Zanxing secretly crying.

“Of course,” Men Dong said, focused on twisting the nine-link chain without lifting his head. “But Senior Brother, you can’t afford to be soft-hearted. Although we are doing despicable things, breaking up couples and all, it’s all for the sake of the Qinchong seeds. Although our actions are not glorious, they are understandable, right… Ouch!” He rubbed his forehead. “Why did you hit me?”

Footnotes

1. 
   
   

   Refer Chapter 28.