Before Jiang Xingyan could answer, a Daoist priest clad in a black robe with three long strands of black beard under his chin flicked his horsetail whisk and spoke in a displeased tone:
“Fuhai, with the eldest senior brother still present here, is it your place to speak?
You’re forgetting all sense of hierarchy and etiquette, making us a laughingstock.”
Daoist Fuhai flicked his own sleeve, refusing to back down. “Didn’t Second Senior Brother just speak out of turn as well?
Besides, I spoke up first to help ease the tension for our junior sister here.
After all, I can claim to have some connection with her.
Unlike the rest of you—staring at her so intently without even letting me make introductions first. How rude is that?
Don’t you agree, Junior Sister?”
Jiang Xingyan was still in a daze when she saw Senior Brother Fuhai turn to look at her, signaling for her to chime in.
She hadn’t quite caught his question, but she was certain it wasn’t anything pleasant.
Left with no better option, she forced an awkward smile and stole a quick glance at Yun Chunfeng.
He had most of his face buried under the blanket, but the one exposed ear was so red it looked ready to drip blood.
Not daring to stay silent, she hurriedly laughed it off and said,
“It is already a great kindness that all of you senior brothers have come to check on us; how could we dare show any disrespect?
It’s just that this tent is rather cramped, and our hospitality is lacking. Please forgive us.
Today, Brother Yun—”
“Hmph. We already know all that,”
interrupted a short-haired young Daoist dressed in a red robe, his voice brimming with impatience and urgency.
“I am Liuhuo, Chunfeng’s Eighth Senior Brother. I can heal him.
The five million taels you mentioned just now—if you give it to me, I’ll overlook the matter of you bullying my junior brother!”
Thwack! Thwack!
“Ow! Hey!”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Daoist Liuhuo received two sharp raps on the head.
He clutched his head, his face flushing red as he turned away, not daring to utter another word.
The one who had struck him was a beautiful middle-aged woman in a purple Daoist robe. Her captivating eyes shifted gently toward Jiang Xingyan.
Jiang Xingyan felt as if the woman’s gaze was a wisp of red silk brushing softly against her cheek, making her heart race and her face flush.
The beautiful Daoist spoke, her voice as pleasant as jade chimes striking stone:
“Junior Sister, don’t listen to his nonsense.
It must be that Chunfeng did something wrong to upset you.
That boy, he’s just a lovesick fool with a clumsy tongue!”
In the neighboring tent, Huo Ci, who was lying awake due to a throbbing pain in his hand and had been eavesdropping by the wall, nearly jumped up to confront this speaker.
Yun Chunfeng? Clumsy tongue?
Who exactly are you trying to mock?
If he’s considered tongue-tied, then there isn’t a single person under heaven who knows how to use sarcastic wit anymore, alright?!
“If he’s done anything to displease you, Junior Sister, just tell me, your Fourth Senior Brother.
I dare say I still hold some authority among these younger disciples.
I’ll make sure to straighten him out so he serves you properly.”
Jiang Xingyan stared at the stunningly beautiful and graceful ‘woman’ before her, her expression strained as she managed to squeeze out two words:
“Senior… Brother?”
“Zhuihua, it’s your first time meeting our junior sister. I told you to show your true form earlier, but you refused to listen.
Look, now you’ve frightened her!
As punishment, you’re not allowed to take this job.”
“Third Senior Brother, your reasoning is too harsh! I can just change back, can’t I? Why forbid me from taking the assignment?”
Senior Brother Zhuihua let out a delicate huff, then with a grand sweep of his wide sleeve, instantly transformed into a fair-faced Daoist priest in a purple robe.
He was clean-shaven, yet his skin was even fairer and more translucent than a woman’s—smooth and flawless.
His eyes and brows carried a captivating charm, and in his male form, he exuded a refined, scholarly air.
Truly, one could not tell if he was a man or a woman.
Jiang Xingyan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as she stiffly remarked, “Fourth Senior… Brother’s Daoist arts are truly remarkable.”
“Enough!”
A commanding shout came from behind.
Only then did Jiang Xingyan notice a white-robed Daoist floating cross-legged in the air behind the group, a faint luminescent glow radiating from his body.
He was the kind of figure any mortal would reverently address as an immortal sage.
With long, straight eyebrows, five strands of a lengthy beard, and a cold, jade-like countenance, his eyes were closed. Yet his dignified aura alone was enough to calm the restless spirits of those around him.
This must be Brother Yun’s eldest senior brother.
At that moment, Jiang Xingyan managed to steady her nerves somewhat.
She understood now—these were Brother Yun’s senior brothers, here to offer their help.
She performed a deep, respectful bow and said,
“Senior Brothers, you have come all this way surely because I have wronged Brother Yun. I, Xingyan, apologize to him here and now for causing all of you such worry.”
“No, no, it’s not like that, Miss. The fault is mine.”
Yun Chunfeng suddenly sat up in bed, tears glistening in his eyes.
He had only intended to make a small fuss for a few days so that Miss Jiang would dote on him a little more.
He never imagined his money-grubbing senior brothers would come swarming the moment they heard the words “five million taels.”
Even his usually composed Eldest Senior Brother couldn’t resist the temptation and came personally to oversee matters.
Yun Chunfeng thought: Are you all really that short on money?!
The Senior Brothers’ collective expression replied: Yes!
If we’re not, who is? Don’t you know better than anyone?
Yun Chunfeng’s shoulders slumped in defeat, and he hung his head dejectedly.
Jiang Xingyan gave him a reassuring glance, then straightened up and said apologetically,
“Xingyan boldly asks all Senior Brothers to help restore Brother Yun’s spiritual power.
The road ahead—without Brother Yun’s support—I fear I will struggle to continue.”
Yun Chunfeng’s tears finally fell.
Miss Jiang had, at long last, clearly and unequivocally accepted his feelings.
The Eldest Senior Brother, Daoist Kong He, suddenly opened his eyes. His imposing aura retracted as he nodded slightly:
“Miss Jiang is indeed a lady of loyalty and deep affection, worthy of Chunfeng’s profound devotion.
In that case, please step outside for a moment while we tend to him.”
Jiang Xingyan agreed and turned to walk out, though a lingering worry tugged at her heart.
She glanced back over her shoulder and saw Brother Yun looking at her through tear-filled eyes, his lips silently mouthing the words: Miss, save me!
