Chapter 24

Half a month slipped by, and the day arrived.

This selection was different from usual. The Sect Leader had kept the details under wraps until the very last day—there would be no arena matches or secret realms this time, but a descent down the mountain for practical training.

Practical training?

The disciples who had spent months drilling for the arena were on the verge of tears; all that last-minute cramming had been for nothing.

Early that morning, Qing Zhouxue and her group lined up outside the Sect Leader's hall, waiting to draw lots.

Before long, they spotted a few senior disciples walking out with bamboo slips in hand, faces clouded with worry. "Instead of vanquishing demons or vying for supremacy, they're making core disciples teach farmers how to cultivate?"

Ruan Mingzhu's eyes widened slightly. "What kind of training is this?"

"Maybe the tasks vary—randomly assigned," Lin Xunzhen said, turning to Qing Zhouxue. "Junior sister, why don't you draw for us?"

When their turn came, Qing Zhouxue casually picked a slip. As she lifted it, three heads crowded behind her.

"Zhushan Village, the third household by Sun Creek. Ordinary commoners; a man and a woman in the household."

Her eyes moved down.

"Guide them in cultivation. Duration: one month. At least one person must successfully guide qi into their body."

"So it is," Qing Zhouxue murmured, tucking the slip away.

Lin Xunzhen surveyed the neighboring queues. Everyone had similar tasks, just with different locations and different targets. She wondered what the Sect Leader truly intended.

Ruan Mingzhu raised an eyebrow. "Why wait? Let's go find these people now."

Zhushan Village was a quiet hamlet at the edge of the Taichu Sect, nestled among bamboo-covered, rugged hills that gave it its name.

The third household by Sun Creek.

But despite what the slip said, Qing Zhouxue looked around and couldn't locate the first two households. The two dilapidated thatched huts were so ruined and misshapen they hardly counted as houses.

Standing before the only intact bamboo dwelling, Qing Zhouxue knocked as gently as possible, almost apologetically, afraid she might knock the rickety door off its hinges.

"Who are you?" A thin, frail-looking youth opened the door, startled at first, then surprised.

"Hello. We're disciples from the Taichu Sect," Lin Xunzhen said politely. "We're on a small sect assignment—visiting homes to teach the basics of guiding qi into the body."

"A-are you immortals?" His dark eyes blinked, and his demeanor turned respectful. "Please, come in, immortals!"

From the kitchen came the sound of chopping large bones, along with a woman's gruff voice. "Wang Wu, what's all that racket?"

The youth shouted back, "Mother, stop chopping! We have guests!"

A woman in a coarse cloth apron set down her cleaver, wiped her greasy hands carelessly on her clothes, and muttered, "We're in the middle of nowhere. What guests could we have?"

"Whoa!" She jumped at the sight.

Four extraordinary-looking young women, utterly out of place, stood in her ramshackle bamboo hut.

A flicker of panic crossed her face as she looked at her son. "What's going on?"

Lin Xunzhen explained again, patiently, and the woman finally understood after a long pause. When she heard that she and her son were being asked to practice the supreme techniques of the Taichu Sect, she immediately waved her hands in refusal.

"Immortal miss, there's too much work at home. The autumn harvest is almost here, and we can barely manage with two hands as it is," the woman said, shaking her head. "We can't spare anyone now. No time, no time."

"Mother!" The youth blinked. "Immortals don't come every year!"

"We're simple folk who scratch a living from the earth, not immortals," she insisted, shaking her head. "We don't know if we have that kind of fate. But we still need to eat next year."

"Guiding qi into the body doesn't require any special aptitude," Bai Su said softly. "With diligent training, ordinary people can usually see results. Even if you don't seek immortality, it's good for strengthening the body and prolonging life."

"If we don't harvest the rice this year, we'll starve next year. How can we think about such distant things?"

The group was politely escorted out, and the bamboo door creaked shut behind them, muffling the sound of an argument breaking out inside.

Ruan Mingzhu crossed her arms and said casually, "Forget it. Just drag the boy out and train him."

Bai Su looked pained. "That wouldn't be right."

Lin Xunzhen sneered. "Guiding qi into the body isn't difficult. Do you really think the Sect Leader is only judging the results?"

"This is a selection," Lin Xunzhen said slowly, glancing at Ruan Mingzhu. "There are probably many eyes watching our performance right now. Since the selection is no longer about fighting, there must be other criteria. For instance, teaching others about the Dao reveals your own understanding, and how you handle immediate problems demonstrates your abilities."

"Then what do you suggest?" Ruan Mingzhu rolled her eyes. "You expect them to give up their laborer just to accommodate our mission?"

Qing Zhouxue also sensed the growing tension. She swept her gaze over the two of them and sighed softly, pointing out a cruel truth.

"I looked closely just now," she said calmly. "If I'm not mistaken, the lady of the house has far more aptitude for cultivation than her son."

"And don't forget—she's part of the training plan too," Qing Zhouxue added.

"..."

Silence fell over the group.

At this point, the bamboo door wouldn't open no matter how they knocked. And Lin Xunzhen's words did carry weight: for the sake of the Taichu Sect's dignity, they couldn't resort to force or coercion.

Moreover, this was part of the selection. To achieve perfection, completing the guidance of just one person would only be a passing grade. To make a truly respectable showing, they needed to get both of them started on cultivation.

The group drew straws, splitting into two pairs—one to handle the son, the other to take charge of his mother.

As if fate were playing a joke, Ruan Mingzhu and Lin Xunzhen ended up paired together.

Lin Xunzhen initially didn't want to partner with her.

But when she caught the flicker of stiffness and sudden irritation on Ruan Mingzhu's face, Lin Xunzhen smiled and changed her mind.

It would be a different kind of sweet revenge to provoke her. Calmly, she said, "Junior sister Ruan, would you like to draw again?"

Ruan Mingzhu gave a cold laugh. "No need."

Her light-colored eyes stared arrogantly at Lin Xunzhen, like a proud eagle high above the grassland locking onto another intruder, narrowing slightly.

"Did you think I'd be afraid of you?"

Qing Zhouxue and Bai Su got along much better. They drew lots again and decided their side would take responsibility for guiding Wang Wu's mother.

There were still thirty days left, so there was no rush. It wouldn't be appropriate to visit twice a day. After dividing the tasks, they returned to the Taichu Sect for some rest.

Ruan Mingzhu rarely got to leave the mountain, so she wasn't eager to go back. She dragged Qing Zhouxue to the market streets near the Taichu Sect for a stroll.

Qing Zhouxue thought about how her master's medicine still needed brewing, but then figured A Jin probably wouldn't forget. So she quietly let herself be dragged along.

Once Ruan Mingzhu arrived at such a lively, bustling area, the irritation that had built up inside her seemed to vanish, replaced by a bright, clean cheerfulness.

Her temper had always flared up quickly but subsided just as fast.

She linked her arm affectionately with Qing Zhouxue's. "Senior sister, I'm taking you somewhere today that'll open your eyes."

What good place?

Qing Zhouxue recognized the familiar river, the familiar vermilion pavilion, and heard the familiar strains of silk-and-bamboo music, a familiar aura of frivolity washing over her—leaving her speechless.

This was the place Yun Shuchen had bought years ago. The women here weren't mortal women at all, but a bunch of female demons who indulged in mortal pleasures. The establishment was protected by an array that both suppressed their demonic aura, ensuring they didn't harm mortals, and provided them refuge from cultivators who went around slaying demons.

Ruan Mingzhu said smugly, "You've never been here, have you?"

Not only had she been here—she'd lived here. Remembering her master's instruction not to reveal the true nature of this place, Qing Zhouxue kept her mouth shut.

Ruan Mingzhu walked in, smiling, and slipped a few banknotes into the bosom of the alluring proprietress. Miao Shun Niangzi stroked the back of Ruan's hand with one hand while fanning herself with the other, smiling warmly. Then her eyes darted to Qing Zhouxue, and she exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, it's you?"

Ruan Mingzhu was taken aback.

She scurried over to Qing Zhouxue, looked her up and down, and said with genuine admiration, "Senior sister, you're really someone who hides their talents well."

Qing Zhouxue said flatly, "I don't like places like this. I'm leaving."

Ruan Mingzhu grabbed her with a look of disdain and pushed her down onto a seat. "Oh, come on, you're an old customer—even the proprietress recognizes you. Stop pretending. Beautiful lady, bring us a few jugs of clear wine and some of your signature dishes!"

As Ruan Mingzhu chatted and laughed with the beauties, Qing Zhouxue noticed she had indeed ordered a fine spread. Adhering to the principle of never wasting food, she sat down and picked up her chopsticks.

The lettuce was crisp and green, drizzled with chicken broth, layered with distinct flavor. A sweet, chilled osmanthus-almond pudding topped with goji berries—apparently made by a chef from elsewhere—was something Qing Zhouxue had never tasted before.

The food was excellent. She couldn't help but take a few more bites, remembering she hadn't gotten enough last time.

Just as Qing Zhouxue was fully absorbed in eating, Ruan Mingzhu let out a startled cry. Her cup toppled over, spilling wine onto the skirt of the beauty beside her, as she stared straight at the door.

"Yun... Yun Shishu?"

Yun Shuchen also froze for a moment when she saw the two familiar figures. Qing Zhouxue's hand stopped mid-air, then she silently set down her bowl.

The atmosphere suddenly became so awkward that even breathing felt uncomfortable.

But Yun Shuchen, who had five hundred more years of experience, reacted swiftly. She furrowed her brows slightly and said coolly, "I heard that some core disciples have been indulging in establishments of wine and women lately. The Sect Leader has ordered several elders to descend the mountain to inspect and make arrests. What is the meaning of this? Are you two trying to break the rules right under our noses?"

Yun Shuchen frowned again, and said coldly to Miao Shun Niangzi, "What kind of business is this? Setting up shop right at the foot of Taichu Sect—do you have any sense of shame?"

Miao Shun had no way to explain but played along, lowering her eyes obediently. "The immortal speaks true."

Qing Zhouxue was astonished to hear her master reprimand them so mercilessly, including her.

Ruan Mingzhu recovered her wits. "Senior sister was brought here by me; it's not her fault. But... this is my first time straying off the path too!" She forced a smile. "Um, Shishu, how about we let it slide this time?"

Yun Shuchen seemed to think for a moment, then lowered her eyes and smoothed her sleeve. "Since it's a first offense, I'll let it go."

Ruan Mingzhu breathed a sigh of relief, deciding it was time to leave. She praised, "Shishu is wise," then shot Qing Zhouxue a look that said "let's go" and slipped out first.

Qing Zhouxue remained seated, her lettuce having fallen into her bowl. She put down her chopsticks and let out a light cough. Looking at Yun Shuchen, she thought of what had just happened and smiled, her eyes curving slightly.

"What are you smiling at?" Yun Shuchen sat down, also letting out a slightly relieved breath. She looked at Qing Zhouxue and tapped the table lazily. "I haven't asked you yet. A young girl like you—what are you doing here?"

Qing Zhouxue held her bowl and answered honestly, "Eating."

A frown creased Yun Shuchen's brow as if something had occurred to her. "By the way, what was Master doing here?"

"Don't ask. Just eat your meal."