Seeing Qin Wanwan faint, Jian Xingzhi froze for a moment, then quickly stuffed the trophy into Xie Gutang’s arms and hurriedly injected spiritual energy into Qin Wanwan.
Qin Wanwan still hadn’t woken up. Nan Feng crawled over, panting heavily, and said, “Daoist Jian, she… she might be too exhausted.”
“What should we do then?”
Jian Xingzhi hurriedly looked up, and Xie Gutang also appeared a bit exhausted: “Let’s go back and rest.”
As he finished speaking, Jian Xingzhi hurriedly picked Qin Wanwan up and headed back to Ning Manor with her in his arms. Xie Gutang glanced at Yan Wushuang, who was being scolded by Golden Sword Boy nearby, and patted Nan Feng’s shoulder: “Stay with Yan Wushuang and continue gathering information.”
Everyone left in their own directions, and no one noticed Jun Shu in the water.
He floated in the water, drifting with the current, his entire body without a breath. At that moment, someone asked him faintly, “Do you want to live?”
Yes…
He didn’t want to die…
“Good.” The person chuckled lightly, “Then live.”
As soon as the words fell, a green light erupted from Jun Shu’s body. He suddenly opened his eyes, choked on a mouthful of water, and then swam frantically toward the shore.
******
Qin Wanwan was brought back to Ning Manor, and everyone quickly rushed to see her. Cuilu looked at her, frowned, and asked, “What happened?”
Jian Xingzhi briefly explained the situation, looking somewhat frustrated: “If I had known she wanted the trophy so badly, I would have stopped Yan Wushuang’s boat for her, so she wouldn’t have to go through all this effort.”
Cuilu was shocked after hearing Jian Xingzhi’s words. She glanced at Qin Wanwan, then back at Jian Xingzhi, thinking for a long while before finally speaking: “She’s been through a lot.”
Jian Xingzhi sighed: “Yes.”
“Let her have a good rest,” Cuilu then advised Jian Xingzhi: “You… you should read more books. Before coming to Huangcheng, didn’t you buy a lot of love-related novels?”
“Yeah,” Jian Xingzhi said, confused. “What’s wrong?”
“Read more,” Cuilu patted his shoulder. “Understand, see through it, and try to reflect on yourself along the way.”
Jian Xingzhi frowned, and Cuilu waved her hand: “I’m going to have tea with Ning Buyan. You stay here and keep an eye on things.”
Jian Xingzhi nodded and didn’t say more.
He stayed by Qin Wanwan’s side, bringing out those love-related books and sat beside her, diligently studying.
Qin Wanwan slept for a full day and night. By the time the sun set the next day, she groggily opened her eyes and saw Jian Xingzhi sitting by her side, watching over her.
Jian Xingzhi immediately noticed she had woken up and rushed to the bedside: “Beicheng, how are you feeling?”
Qin Wanwan’s gaze landed on the book《36 Strategies of Love》he was holding. Jian Xingzhi, feeling a bit embarrassed, instinctively hid the book behind him: “Would you like to eat something?”
“I want to drink water.”
As soon as the words were spoken, the water was brought to her. Jian Xingzhi skillfully held her mouth open and poured it in. Afterward, Qin Wanwan became much more awake. She felt a bit empty in her stomach and said, “I want some porridge.”
“I’ll go get it right away.”
Jian Xingzhi said this and immediately left the room. Before he fully stepped out, he turned back and looked at Qin Wanwan, his face full of seriousness: “I placed the trophy on the table. I didn’t take it on purpose.”
Qin Wanwan’s fist instantly tightened, and she forced a smile: “Get lost.”
Jian Xingzhi quickly ran off. As soon as he left, Nan Feng, who had been waiting by the door for a long time, immediately stepped in: “Master.”
“Nan Feng?” Qin Wanwan asked, confused, then immediately realized: “How long have I been asleep?”
“One day and one night.”
“Where is Yan Wushuang?”
Qin Wanwan lifted the blanket and began putting on her shoes. Nan Feng was already prepared: “He didn’t win the prize yesterday and was scolded by everyone in the sect. Today, he’s gone to the night market to set up a stall.”
“Set up a stall…”
Qin Wanwan began pondering, and Nan Feng immediately understood what she was thinking. He swiftly took out a map and started explaining: “In Huangcheng, setting up a stall at the night market requires prior approval. This is the location he got approved for, there are a total of 43 spots. From what I know, the entire group from Ju Jian Pavilion is setting up stalls tonight. As the Senior Brother of the sect, he’ll likely be in-charge of everything. As long as he walks down this small path, it will be our chance.”
“Nan Feng!”
Qin Wanwan didn’t expect Nan Feng to have thought everything through so carefully. She was deeply touched and patted Nan Feng’s shoulder: “Having you as my spirit beast, I’m truly moved.”
“I hope my Master ascends to the Immortal Realm soon,” Nan Feng said, flattered by the compliment and immediately offering his blessing: “Following you, even the chicken and dog will ascend to the heavens! But it’s getting late,” Nan Feng glanced at the door outside, “Daoist Monarch Xie is ready. Shall we head out now?”
“Yes.”
Qin Wanwan nodded, took out some paper and a pen, and quickly wrote a note to Jian Xingzhi:
Master, I’m going to the night market. I’ll be back later.
As they spoke, Qin Wanwan, along with Nan Feng, stepped out and hurried toward the night market, dragging Xie Gutang along with them.
As the three were leaving, Jun Shu, supporting his body with a cane, slowly returned to the manor. Seeing the three of them hurriedly leaving, he paused for a moment, then quickly turned around to report the news to a certain someone.
Jian Xingzhi was fully immersed in the joy of cooking porridge, completely oblivious to Qin Wanwan’s departure. He was chopping vegetables, humming a tune, and imagining the moment when his little disciple would be amazed by his culinary skills, feeling thoroughly satisfied.
The vegetables were chopped with a clatter, and suddenly, a ‘ding’ sound rang in his head. 666 trembled as she congratulated him, announcing that 5 more points were credited again.
The knife paused in mid-air, Jian Xingzhi tightened and then released his grip, repeating the motion a few times. He tried to comfort himself, thinking it was nothing. It must be that Qin Wanwan’s relationship has made progress, and that’s why the points were credited, which was a good thing.
But everything collapsed the moment Jun Shu suddenly appeared.
“Daoist Jian,” Jun Shu poked his head through the window, his hair still tangled with seaweed: “I just saw Xie Gutang and Miss Qin holding hands and heading to the Yue Lao Temple!”
[T/N: Yue Lao (月老) is the Chinese god of marriage and love, so the Yue Lao Temple is naturally a place where people go to pray for good relationships, love, and marriage.]
Jian Xingzhi was stunned.
At that moment, all the love strategies he had read the previous night surged to his mind. When a romantic relationship reaches a certain point, couples go to the Yue Lao Temple, under the flowers and moonlight, promising each other a lifetime together.
For immortal cultivators like them, any promise is a matter of cause and effect, extremely important. And the Yue Lao Temple…
Jian Xingzhi, holding the kitchen knife, moved faster than his mind. He instantly rushed out of Ning Manor.
His Divine Sense expanded, searching the entire Huangcheng. It didn’t take long before he located Qin Wanwan and Xie Gutang. Holding the knife, he rushed toward them, all the while thinking of the reasons he would give once he arrived.
They shouldn’t have abandoned him, right?
But the love strategies said that spending time alone together was essential for couples.
Then why did they bring Nan Feng along?
Oh, Nan Feng must be acting as a servant, so it doesn’t affect their romance.
Actually, he shouldn’t go.
But he just couldn’t control himself!
He sprinted all the way to Qin Wanwan’s location, but just as he was about to arrive before Qin Wanwan and Xie Gutang, he suddenly slammed on his brakes.
Qin Wanwan and Xie Gutang leisurely strolled down the lively main street, with Nan Feng walking beside them, carrying their things. The lanterns casted a warm glow in them, and the scene was picturesque; a handsome man and a beautiful woman, truly a match made in heaven.
Countless words flashed through his mind, and suddenly, he hated himself. He shouldn’t have read so many books. Those seven thousand books were useless; they only made him feel more sour.
But the power of a cultivator’s dignity still made him hesitate for a moment. He calmed himself, thought for a second, then turned around.
It was at that moment that Qin Wanwan’s surprised voice called out: “Master?”
Jian Xingzhi froze, his body stiff. With his back to Qin Wanwan, he was trying to think of an explanation. Before he could say anything, Qin Wanwan, along with the others, had already walked up behind him and circled to the front, looking at him curiously: “What are you doing here?”
“Sho… shopping.”
“Why are you holding a knife?”
“Just in case.”
As he spoke, Jian Xingzhi felt he couldn’t let Qin Wanwan keep asking, so he turned the defense into offense: “Why didn’t you say anything before going out to shop?”
“I left a note.”
“Oh.” Jian Xingzhi nodded, “I didn’t see it.”
After saying that, he waved his hand dismissively: “Forget it, I’ll go back. You guys have fun by yourselves, you don’t have to take me along.”
He lowered his head, held the knife and hurriedly made his way back.
Qin Wanwan watched Jian Xingzhi’s retreating figure, noticing the vegetable scraps still stuck to the kitchen knife. After a moment of thought, she understood; he must have run out in the middle of cooking.
As for why Jian Xingzhi was cooking, it must have been because of the time she said, “I want some porridge.”
Thinking of this, Qin Wanwan’s heart softened. She watched Jian Xingzhi’s figure in the crowd, recalling how he always seemed to be the same kind of person, even back in the Immortal Realm.
She thought for a while before calling him loudly: “Master.”
Jian Xingzhi froze in his tracks, turning around in surprise. Under the lanterns, he saw Xie Gutang and Nan Feng standing behind Qin Wanwan. The young woman waved at him, looking at him while smiling brightly: “Come, let’s go shopping together.”
Jian Xingzhi’s eyes widened suddenly. He couldn’t quite explain why, but in that moment, an inexplicable sense of joy surged within him.
After a moment, he raised a smile: “Okay!”
All his displeasure disappeared in an instant. He happily ran over, putting the kitchen knife into his Qiankun bag. Qin Wanwan glanced at him up and down as she asked, “Are you hungry?”
“No…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Jian Xingzhi suddenly remembered that Qin Wanwan had mentioned wanting to have porridge earlier. He quickly changed his words, “I’m hungry, I want to eat something.”
“Then let’s go eat.”
Saying that, Qin Wanwan turned to Xie Gutang and Nan Feng: “I’ll take Master to eat something. You two can go explore other places first.”
Xie Gutang and Nan Feng understood Qin Wanwan’s intention. She was taking Jian Xingzhi with her, while they would go gather information about Yan Wushuang’s whereabouts.
The two nodded and left together.
Qin Wanwan and Jian Xingzhi were the only ones left on the street. Jian Xingzhi felt a little embarrassed: “You… you and Xie Gutang are out to have fun, did I disturb you?”
“It’s fine,” Qin Wanwan said, turning and walking down the long street, “I’ll show you around, it’s no big deal.”
Yan Wushuang was going to set up a stall for the whole night, so she was not in a hurry.
Hearing that Qin Wanwan had left Xie Gutang to accompany him, Jian Xingzhi instantly felt a surge of happiness. It had been a long time since he felt this joyful, and he quickly hurried to catch up with Qin Wanwan.
Qin Wanwan took him to a glutinous rice ball stall and ordered a big bowl of glutinous rice balls. Jian Xingzhi stared at the round dumplings in the bowl, examining them without touching them. Qin Wanwan scooped one out, and seeing him still staring at it, she couldn’t help but look up at him in disbelief: “You’ve never had this before?”
Jian Xingzhi felt a bit embarrassed and could only reply, “I’ve seen them.”
“You’ve been in the cultivation world for so many years,” Qin Wanwan felt unbelievable, “and you’ve never had glutinous rice balls?”
“I… I was born with a Golden Core,” Jian Xingzhi explained, “so I’ve been abstaining from food since I can remember.”
“Then how do you know how to cook?” Qin Wanwan asked, curious about Jian Xingzhi’s past. Jian Xingzhi pondered for a moment before answering, “Because spiritual beasts, spiritual rice, and spiritual tea are beneficial for cultivation, so I know how to handle those. But common grains… I…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Qin Wanwan quickly shoved a glutinous rice ball from the spoon into Jian Xingzhi’s mouth.
Jian Xingzhi froze, and Qin Wanwan smiled, “Eat it.”
Jian Xingzhi awkwardly bit into the glutinous rice ball. It wasn’t hot, since Qin Wanwan had already let it cool on the spoon. As he took a bite, the sesame filling oozed out, sweet and fragrant, blending with the rice flavor of the glutinous rice. It was a sweetness and stickiness that belonged to the mortal world, something entirely different from the world of cultivation.
It was intoxicating, eroding the will and corrupting the soul.
Jian Xingzhi chewed the glutinous rice ball in a daze. After swallowing it, Qin Wanwan asked him, “Is it delicious?”
“Delicious.”
Jian Xingzhi, feeling a bit excited, picked up the bowl and started pouring the glutinous rice balls into his mouth.
After finishing the bowl in a few bites, he called out to the stall owner: “Boss, I want more…”
“There are other things,”
Qin Wanwan quickly stopped him. Jian Xingzhi turned to look at her, “Is there something even better?”
“Yes.” Qin Wanwan nodded, placing the money on the table and grabbing his wrist. “Come on, I’ll take you to eat.”
Jian Xingzhi was pulled up by her and began following her as they swept through the night market.
His entire life had been focused on cultivation, and before meeting Qin Wanwan, he had never once allowed himself a moment of relaxation.
Food, clothing, shelter, and travel—all were connected to cultivation. The mundane affairs of the mortal world were merely fleeting, something to observe and know, but never something to experience.
Qin Wanwan took him to try various snacks, pastries, candies, and roasted chestnuts. She also led him in guessing lantern riddles, throwing darts, wearing masks, and watching acrobatics.
They finally stopped in front of a candied hawthorn stall, and Qin Wanwan bought him a stick of sugar-coated hawthorn. Jian Xingzhi’s hands were full, holding the snacks and biting into the candied hawthorn. Suddenly, he thought of something and asked, “Beicheng, do your parents sell candied hawthorn like this in the Immortal Realm? Does it taste the same as this?”
His question caught Qin Wanwan off guard. It was only then that she remembered the lie she had told. She awkwardly nodded, “They taste a bit similar.”
“Isn’t it supposed to taste better in the Immortal Realm?”
Jian Xingzhi was curious. Qin Wanwan nodded, “It tastes better.”
“Then can you make it?”
Realizing what he was about to ask, Qin Wanwan quickly refused: “No, I can’t.”
Jian Xingzhi looked somewhat regretful. After thinking for a moment, he planned the future: “When we return to the Immortal Realm, I’ll bring your parents to my Daoist Palace. They can make a few sticks for me every now and then.”
Hearing Jian Xingzhi’s words, Qin Wanwan felt a sense of warmth in her heart. She walked beside him with her hands behind her back, and smiled, “Okay. If you still recognize me as your disciple by then.”
“I will definitely recognize you,” Jian Xingzhi was puzzled, “What reason do I have for not recognizing you?”
Qin Wanwan didn’t say anything. The two of them walked to the entrance of the Yue Lao Temple, where she saw Xie Gutang standing at the door, signaling to her. It seemed he had found Yan Wushuang.
She glanced at the sky and then at the long street, before coming to a stop.
Jian Xingzhi, puzzled as to why Qin Wanwan had stopped, turned around, holding the candied hawthorn, and looked at her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Master,” Qin Wanwan carefully considered how to phrase her words, “Did you have fun tonight?”
“Yes,” Jian Xingzhi nodded. He rarely lied, and his emotions were always straightforward.
Qin Wanwan held her hands behind her back and said, “Then… if you’re done having fun, would you like to head back first?”
For a moment, Jian Xingzhi was confused. He instinctively glanced to the side and saw Xie Gutang waiting for Qin Wanwan in front of the Yue Lao Temple.
He suddenly became sharp, his EQ reaching unprecedentedly high. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, “Are you going to find Xie Gutang?”
“Mm.”
Qin Wanwan didn’t hide it either. Jian Xingzhi, holding the candied hawthorn and clutching the snacks and trinkets in his arms, felt an impulse not to leave. He knew it wasn’t quite right, but still struggled to speak, “Is it okay if I come along?”
“Master,” Qin Wanwan looked at him, “You need to give me some space. I have some things to do. Actually, from this boat race, I already had something I wanted, and I worked hard for it. But because you suddenly appeared, my plans got all messed up.”
“Then…” Jian Xingzhi continued to struggle, “If you tell me what you want, wouldn’t it be better if I help you?”
“Master,” Qin Wanwan sighed, “I don’t have to tell you everything, do I?”
Jian Xingzhi couldn’t answer. Qin Wanwan continued, “Even though you’re my master, I also have my own life. This is something I don’t want to tell you. Please, go back.”
These words were some of the harshest Qin Wanwan had ever said. Jian Xingzhi nodded, trying to appear calm: “Mm, I understand. Alright, you go ahead and do what you need to do, I’ll head back.”
With that, Jian Xingzhi turned and left, holding his snacks and trinkets.
The young man walked down the long street, dressed in a blue robe and white shirt, his jade crown tied high. The cold, aloof aura of a sword cultivator surrounded him, as if, in an instant, he had once again withdrawn from the bustling world, reminiscent of the Immortal Lord Sui Heng Qin Wanwan had met back in the day; high above, and detached from the world.
Qin Wanwan stood there, staring blankly at his back, until Xie Gutang came to remind her: “Just now, Yan Wushuang was resting in the back courtyard. I’ve captured him.”
“That easy?”
Qin Wanwan was a bit shocked, but immediately turned around: “Let’s go, let’s interrogate him!”
Xie Gutang led Qin Wanwan to where Yan Wushuang was being held. Meanwhile, Jian Xingzhi wandered aimlessly on the street by himself.
The lively long street, which had been bustling just moments ago, suddenly seemed to lose its charm for no apparent reason.
In truth, he had been alone for over a century and should have grown accustomed to it. Yet, for some reason, after being surrounded by the hustle and bustle, returning to solitude felt strangely cold and lonely.
He wandered on the street in a daze, trying to cheer himself up.
In fact, even without Qin Wanwan saying it, he knew; she must have gone to the Yue Lao Temple with Xie Gutang, making vows to each other.
Promising each other a lifetime, perhaps even eternity. With Xie Gutang’s talent, ascending to the Immortal Realm was only a matter of time. In the future, when they ascended the Immortal Realm, they would be a pair of immortal lovers.
Jian Xingzhi, holding the small trinkets Qin Wanwan had bought for him, walked in a daze.
A young man spotted him from a distance and called out loudly: “Young master, how about a fortune telling? Let me help you find clarity in life!”
In the past, upon hearing such a thing, Jian Xingzhi would usually ignore it. How could these roadside mortals possibly have the ability to divine fate?
But at this moment, hearing those words, he instinctively stopped and raised his head. A scholar holding a fan, sitting in his seat with a smile and looking at him entered his vision.
The scholar was dressed in white, and had a pair of peach blossom eyes that were quite captivating.
After hesitating for a moment, Jian Xingzhi walked up to the stall.
The scholar waved his fan and said, “Divination and fortune-telling, what would the young master like to inquire about?”
“I… have a question.”
Jian Xingzhi furrowed his brow, and the scholar raised his hand, signaling him to speak: “Please, go ahead.”
“Well, you see, I have a friend,” Jian Xingzhi hesitated as he said, emphasizing, “A friend.”
The scholar nodded: “I understand, a friend.”
“He has a female disciple, and this disciple has taken a liking to a male sword cultivator. He also wants to bring them together, but every time the disciple and the sword cultivator are together, he feels extremely uncomfortable.”
“Why does he feel uncomfortable?”
The scholar was curious, and Jian Xingzhi thought for a moment, using all the words he could think of to describe it: “Well, he just feels a bit sour inside, a little wronged, not happy, a bit angry, very complicated.”
The scholar nodded: “I understand, it’s jealousy.”
“Jealousy?” Jian Xingzhi felt that this word was very fitting. He nodded, “Indeed, he must be very jealous. I just don’t understand how his disciple ended up belonging to someone else? And what’s more, others told my friend that when his disciple gets married, he should keep his distance. But he is her Master. Can that person be better than her master? Can he be stronger than her master? Can he care for her more than her master does?”
“What if he can?” the scholar asked in return. Jian Xingzhi was momentarily stunned.
Seeing that Jian Xingzhi was at a loss, the scholar pondered for a moment, then continued, “Let me ask you, how do you feel about your female disciple…?”
“It’s my friend!”
Jian Xingzhi emphasized, and the scholar nodded: “Alright, your friend’s disciple, female disciple. Does your friend want to spend his life with her?”
Jian Xingzhi answered without hesitation: “Yes.”
“Then, if there were a man, a perfect man, who wanted to stay by your female disciple’s side forever, would your friend be willing?”
Jian Xingzhi remained silent, expressing his resistance. He didn’t even think about it. How could there be a perfect man?
Men are all dogs, except him.
The scholar understood and asked: “Then let me ask you, if one day, your friend’s female disciple takes the initiative to kiss him, would he be willing?”
Hearing this, Jian Xingzhi’s eyes widened.
At that moment, the sensation of kissing Qin Wanwan’s neck at the edge of the cliff flashed through Jian Xingzhi’s mind. His entire face turned red, and he stared intensely at the scholar.
“You… you…”
“Would he be willing or not?”
The scholar interrupted him: “It’s not about you, so why are you so nervous?”
“Y-yes…” Jian Xingzhi stammered, “Willing.”
The scholar nodded: “I understand.”
“What do you understand?”
The scholar pulled out a piece of paper and took a magnifying glass, placing it in front of Jian Xingzhi: “Read what’s written on it.”
Jian Xingzhi, confused, took the paper with a single line of tiny, almost invisible text. He held the magnifying glass and read the small characters one by one:
This, is, cal, led, love.
