Chapter 16: Join Us
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In the early morning, as the sun began to rise, there were only the sounds of insects and birds chirping among the pine trees at the foot of the mountain, without the sound of studying.
Meng Xueli faced the empty schoolhouse alone, silently opening the Daoist scriptures to read.
Normally, even though there were no lectures from the elders on the day of rest in the Hall of Legal Principles, morning readings were supposed to continue. However, the disciples had stayed up late into the night playing, and this morning they simply couldn’t get up.
It had never been this crazy before, but with the year-end exams approaching, this was considered the last indulgence. The next month would be dedicated to diligent preparation for the exams.
Every morning, Meng Xueli had to read “Introduction to Dao” once, gradually calming his mind to be able to focus on other books.
He suddenly felt something, looked up, and widened his eyes: “Why is it you again?”
Xiao Tingyun entered with a bundle of scrolls in his arms, “In strict accordance with the teachings of the elders, morning reading must not be neglected.”
He walked towards Meng Xueli.
Meng Xueli hastily said, “Someone’s here, this is your Senior Brother Yu’s seat!”
Ji Xiao smiled and asked, “Where is the empty seat then?” For some reason, the young Dao companion seemed somewhat hostile towards himself.
Meng Xueli looked around and found only an empty desk and chair behind him, reluctantly pointing towards it.
Ji Xiao set down the scrolls, and Meng Xueli heard the sound of a chair being pulled behind him, suddenly feeling a sharp edge at his back.
At that moment, a young attendant walked in and saw Xiao Tingyun, smiling, “There you are. I was just about to come and show you the way, but you found it yourself.”
Turning to Meng Xueli, he said, “Elder Meng, thank you for your care.” The attendant knew this relatively young elder, who often provided guidance to the disciples and held considerable respect among them in the Hall of Legal Principles.
Meng Xueli nodded, “Hmm.” It was clear that the Hall of Executors had a special interest in this person, as geniuses always received some special treatment.
The attendant then gave Xiao Tingyun a few instructions and left contentedly.
The atmosphere in the schoolhouse became silent. Meng Xueli intended to continue reading, but then he heard a faint cough.
The person suppressed their voice, clearly not wanting to disturb others.
Meng Xueli turned around and saw a pale face showing a hint of unhealthy flush, yet the expression remained calm, as if accustomed to enduring pain. Meng Xueli couldn’t help but feel a stir in his heart. “What illness do you have? Have you been like this since childhood?”
Ji Xiao finished coughing and smiled, “It’ll be fine in a while.” Once the soul and body are completely harmonized, the illness will naturally dissipate.
Meng Xueli realized the other person didn’t want to talk much about it, thinking to himself, “It’s understandable.” Han Shan has its own miraculous elixirs to nurture you; it’s not my place to worry.
“Ah—-“
A well-dressed young man yawned as he entered, slumping next to Meng Xueli with a dazed look in his eyes.
Meng Xueli introduced, “This is your Senior Brother, Yu Qishu.”
Ji Xiao replied, “Hello, Senior Brother Yu.”
Yu Qishu, upon noticing the situation, opened his eyes and gave him a critical look, nodding faintly, “Hello.”
Then he leaned forward, pulling Meng Xueli closer, and whispered lowly, “Is he the new Junior Brother Xiao?”
“Yes,” Meng Xueli confirmed.
Yu Qishu widened his eyes, “How dare you talk to him? Have you forgotten our oath, you traitor?”
Meng Xueli wondered about what oath they were referring to, while reasoning, “We are against comparing Junior Brother Xiao with Ji Xiao, not against Junior Brother Xiao himself. Junior Brother Xiao hasn’t done anything wrong.” Even though I suspect something fishy about him now, I have no evidence yet, and I can’t exclude a new fellow student on that basis; that would be too immature.
Yu Qishu pondered seriously for a moment, “You’re right!”
Facing Xiao Tingyun, Meng Xueli had initially kept a bit of distance, maintaining the dignity that he had displayed when leaving last night, stern and inviolable.
However, not long after, laughter erupted outside the door, and a group of junior disciples flooded into the schoolhouse, carrying various oil-paper packets and small cloth bags.
“Elder Meng, good morning. Since you didn’t come last night, we packed some goodies for you.”
“Candied chestnuts, sesame peanuts, crab-flavored melon seeds, all delicious. Have a taste.”
The table was piled with snacks, and someone even peeled a chestnut and handed it over to Meng Xueli.
“Thank you.” He ate with a smile, his cheeks bulging, devoid of any elder’s dignity.
“Are you Junior Brother Xiao?” Someone noticed the slender youth behind Meng Xueli.
Ji Xiao nodded.
Curiosity piqued, everyone moved closer, about to strike up a conversation, when suddenly a low voice sounded from outside the door:
“Is Elder Meng here?”
The voice was not loud, but it contained true energy, causing the less experienced disciples to feel dizzy and disoriented.
At the door stood four young cultivators, wearing white robes and jade crowns, with swords at their waists, typical attire of inner disciples.
The schoolhouse fell silent instantly. The status of inner disciples was typically higher than that of Hall of Legal Principles disciples.
Meng Xueli responded, “That’s me.”
The four men looked him over, noticing the variety of snacks on his table, and a hint of disdain flickered across their faces.
One of the cultivators with a long face said, “May we have a word with you, please?”
Meng Xueli was about to rise when a voice sounded behind him, “If there’s something to discuss, let’s do it here.”
Hearing Xiao Tingyun’s voice, Yu Qishu immediately caught on, “Everyone is seeking Elder Meng’s guidance here. He won’t be able to leave for a while.”
Other disciples in the schoolhouse noticed the tense atmosphere and began to stand up.
The cultivator with the long face cast a cold glance at them, sneering, then turned to Meng Xueli and said, “We are acting under the orders of Sect Leader Zhenren to protect Elder Meng in the Hanhai Secret Realm. Since we are tasked with this duty, we will do our best. We ask for your cooperation!”
“The opening of the Hanhai Secret Realm is imminent, and time is of the essence. Please treat it seriously and do not waste time. The four of us brothers have been practicing a sword formation together recently. Starting from tomorrow, please come to the western side of the Sword Training Platform every three days at the hour of the Rabbit (5-7pm), to participate in a practice session.”
Another person added, “You don’t need to wield your sword; just learn to move with the changes in formation. It’s in the event of encountering enemies in the realm that we can ensure your safety.”
Although they spoke of “protecting,” their words carried a hint of contempt, and they didn’t even introduce themselves before speaking.
There’s no such thing as malice without reason. Protecting Meng Xueli for seven days to avoid battles and withdraw unscathed meant giving up the competition for rankings, forfeiting the best opportunity for fame in twenty years.
Yet the four dared not oppose the Sect Leader’s arrangement, nor did they show the slightest reluctance. The resentment they harbored in their hearts naturally shifted onto Meng Xueli.
“——If you can’t defend yourself, then just stay obediently at Changchun Peak. Why should you drag others down with you? Do you think the Hanhai Secret Realm is a spring outing?”
Ji Xiao furrowed his brows slightly.
Meng Xueli remained unchanged in expression, simply nodding, “I understand. Is there anything else?”
The four men exchanged glances. Originally, they had heard that Meng Xueli had a domineering temperament. If they could provoke him into scolding them first, they could preemptively complain to the Sect Leader and publicly denounce his unreasonable behavior, perhaps even getting rid of this mission altogether.
Now that their plan had failed and with all eyes upon them, they couldn’t say much more. They felt even more stifled.
The leading cultivator with the long face clasped his hands, “We won’t disturb Elder’s studying any longer. Farewell.”
In the early morning, as the sun began to rise, there were only the sounds of insects and birds chirping among the pine trees at the foot of the mountain, without the sound of studying.
Meng Xueli faced the empty schoolhouse alone, silently opening the Daoist scriptures to read.
Normally, even though there were no lectures from the elders on the day of rest in the Hall of Legal Principles, morning readings were supposed to continue. However, the disciples had stayed up late into the night playing, and this morning they simply couldn’t get up.
It had never been this crazy before, but with the year-end exams approaching, this was considered the last indulgence. The next month would be dedicated to diligent preparation for the exams.
Every morning, Meng Xueli had to read “Introduction to Dao” once, gradually calming his mind to be able to focus on other books.
He suddenly felt something, looked up, and widened his eyes: “Why is it you again?”
Xiao Tingyun entered with a bundle of scrolls in his arms, “In strict accordance with the teachings of the elders, morning reading must not be neglected.”
He walked towards Meng Xueli.
Meng Xueli hastily said, “Someone’s here, this is your Senior Brother Yu’s seat!”
Ji Xiao smiled and asked, “Where is the empty seat then?” For some reason, the young Dao companion seemed somewhat hostile towards himself.
Meng Xueli looked around and found only an empty desk and chair behind him, reluctantly pointing towards it.
Ji Xiao set down the scrolls, and Meng Xueli heard the sound of a chair being pulled behind him, suddenly feeling a sharp edge at his back.
At that moment, a young attendant walked in and saw Xiao Tingyun, smiling, “There you are. I was just about to come and show you the way, but you found it yourself.”
Turning to Meng Xueli, he said, “Elder Meng, thank you for your care.” The attendant knew this relatively young elder, who often provided guidance to the disciples and held considerable respect among them in the Hall of Legal Principles.
Meng Xueli nodded, “Hmm.” It was clear that the Hall of Executors had a special interest in this person, as geniuses always received some special treatment.
The attendant then gave Xiao Tingyun a few instructions and left contentedly.
The atmosphere in the schoolhouse became silent. Meng Xueli intended to continue reading, but then he heard a faint cough.
The person suppressed their voice, clearly not wanting to disturb others.
Meng Xueli turned around and saw a pale face showing a hint of unhealthy flush, yet the expression remained calm, as if accustomed to enduring pain. Meng Xueli couldn’t help but feel a stir in his heart. “What illness do you have? Have you been like this since childhood?”
Ji Xiao finished coughing and smiled, “It’ll be fine in a while.” Once the soul and body are completely harmonized, the illness will naturally dissipate.
Meng Xueli realized the other person didn’t want to talk much about it, thinking to himself, “It’s understandable.” Han Shan has its own miraculous elixirs to nurture you; it’s not my place to worry.
“Ah—-“
A well-dressed young man yawned as he entered, slumping next to Meng Xueli with a dazed look in his eyes.
Meng Xueli introduced, “This is your Senior Brother, Yu Qishu.”
Ji Xiao replied, “Hello, Senior Brother Yu.”
Yu Qishu, upon noticing the situation, opened his eyes and gave him a critical look, nodding faintly, “Hello.”
Then he leaned forward, pulling Meng Xueli closer, and whispered lowly, “Is he the new Junior Brother Xiao?”
“Yes,” Meng Xueli confirmed.
Yu Qishu widened his eyes, “How dare you talk to him? Have you forgotten our oath, you traitor?”
Meng Xueli wondered about what oath they were referring to, while reasoning, “We are against comparing Junior Brother Xiao with Ji Xiao, not against Junior Brother Xiao himself. Junior Brother Xiao hasn’t done anything wrong.” Even though I suspect something fishy about him now, I have no evidence yet, and I can’t exclude a new fellow student on that basis; that would be too immature.
Yu Qishu pondered seriously for a moment, “You’re right!”
Facing Xiao Tingyun, Meng Xueli had initially kept a bit of distance, maintaining the dignity that he had displayed when leaving last night, stern and inviolable.
However, not long after, laughter erupted outside the door, and a group of junior disciples flooded into the schoolhouse, carrying various oil-paper packets and small cloth bags.
“Elder Meng, good morning. Since you didn’t come last night, we packed some goodies for you.”
“Candied chestnuts, sesame peanuts, crab-flavored melon seeds, all delicious. Have a taste.”
The table was piled with snacks, and someone even peeled a chestnut and handed it over to Meng Xueli.
“Thank you.” He ate with a smile, his cheeks bulging, devoid of any elder’s dignity.
“Are you Junior Brother Xiao?” Someone noticed the slender youth behind Meng Xueli.
Ji Xiao nodded.
Curiosity piqued, everyone moved closer, about to strike up a conversation, when suddenly a low voice sounded from outside the door:
“Is Elder Meng here?”
The voice was not loud, but it contained true energy, causing the less experienced disciples to feel dizzy and disoriented.
At the door stood four young cultivators, wearing white robes and jade crowns, with swords at their waists, typical attire of inner disciples.
The schoolhouse fell silent instantly. The status of inner disciples was typically higher than that of Hall of Legal Principles disciples.
Meng Xueli responded, “That’s me.”
The four men looked him over, noticing the variety of snacks on his table, and a hint of disdain flickered across their faces.
One of the cultivators with a long face said, “May we have a word with you, please?”
Meng Xueli was about to rise when a voice sounded behind him, “If there’s something to discuss, let’s do it here.”
Hearing Xiao Tingyun’s voice, Yu Qishu immediately caught on, “Everyone is seeking Elder Meng’s guidance here. He won’t be able to leave for a while.”
Other disciples in the schoolhouse noticed the tense atmosphere and began to stand up.
The cultivator with the long face cast a cold glance at them, sneering, then turned to Meng Xueli and said, “We are acting under the orders of Sect Leader Zhenren to protect Elder Meng in the Hanhai Secret Realm. Since we are tasked with this duty, we will do our best. We ask for your cooperation!”
“The opening of the Hanhai Secret Realm is imminent, and time is of the essence. Please treat it seriously and do not waste time. The four of us brothers have been practicing a sword formation together recently. Starting from tomorrow, please come to the western side of the Sword Training Platform every three days at the hour of the Rabbit (5-7pm), to participate in a practice session.”
Another person added, “You don’t need to wield your sword; just learn to move with the changes in formation. It’s in the event of encountering enemies in the realm that we can ensure your safety.”
Although they spoke of “protecting,” their words carried a hint of contempt, and they didn’t even introduce themselves before speaking.
There’s no such thing as malice without reason. Protecting Meng Xueli for seven days to avoid battles and withdraw unscathed meant giving up the competition for rankings, forfeiting the best opportunity for fame in twenty years.
Yet the four dared not oppose the Sect Leader’s arrangement, nor did they show the slightest reluctance. The resentment they harbored in their hearts naturally shifted onto Meng Xueli.
“——If you can’t defend yourself, then just stay obediently at Changchun Peak. Why should you drag others down with you? Do you think the Hanhai Secret Realm is a spring outing?”
Ji Xiao furrowed his brows slightly.
Meng Xueli remained unchanged in expression, simply nodding, “I understand. Is there anything else?”
The four men exchanged glances. Originally, they had heard that Meng Xueli had a domineering temperament. If they could provoke him into scolding them first, they could preemptively complain to the Sect Leader and publicly denounce his unreasonable behavior, perhaps even getting rid of this task altogether.
Now that their plan had failed and with all eyes upon them, they couldn’t say much more. They felt even more stifled.
The leading cultivator with the long face clasped his hands, “We won’t disturb Elder’s reading any longer. Farewell.”
The four formidable inner disciples walked away, leaving behind discussions in the schoolhouse.
“Elder Meng, are you really going to the Hanhai Secret Realm? They don’t seem reliable at all.”
“When I learn swordsmanship in the future, I’ll come to protect you, Elder.”
“Pah, you’re only at the first stage of Qi Refinement now. By the time you learn swordsmanship, the meal will have gone cold!”
Yu Qishu turned around and tapped Xiao Tingyun’s desk:
“You did well just now! You’re so righteous. Are you interested in joining our ‘ Pro-Ji Party ?” He pointed at Meng Xueli and himself. “In the future, the leader and deputy leader of the faction will cover for you. You’ll walk sideways in the Hall of Legal Principles’s Sixth residences.”
Ji Xiao looked puzzled. “What faction?”
Yu Qishu’s smile was sincere, revealing a row of snow-white teeth. “As long as you support Ji Xiao Zhenren, we’ll be friends.”
Meng Xueli internally groaned, wishing he could find a snowdrift to hide in.
Author’s note:
Meng Xueli: Let me die!
Yu Qishu: Don’t be silly, we’re recruiting party members.
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
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