Chapter 22: My Duty
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Ji Xiao certainly didn’t dare to “stay.”
If Meng Xueli jumped up to hit him now, he wouldn’t be able to fight back morally or logically. Since he didn’t want to get hit, it was better to leave quickly.
As Meng Xueli’s words fell, he watched Ji Xiao’s figure disappear into the dense peach blossom forest in an instant, leaving no trace.
Strange, it was clearly his first time on Changchun Peak, but why did it feel so familiar?
Meng Xueli slumped comfortably against the soft cushions under the flower tree, warmed by the gentle breeze and the hot tea. He was too relaxed to bother chasing after Ji Xiao for further reprimands. He muttered to himself angrily,
“You little brat, go ahead and run. Tomorrow, you’ll still have to attend class with me anyway.”
He was not only angry at the insolence of the sickly young man and his lack of respect for Ji Xiao, but also at himself for inexplicably letting his guard down in front of him and treating him like ‘one of his’.
Just like that night in the library.
…
Ji Xiao walked through the small path amidst the peach blossom forest, with falling petals brushing against him in the light breeze. He was covered in a fine layer of them.
He had built Changchun Peak, but he usually spent his time in seclusion. Thinking about it, all the traces of life here were left behind by Meng Xueli.
He knew what flowers the little Dao companion liked to plant, and he knew under which tree there was a nest of small grey hamsters the size of teacups.
Meng Xueli said that with peach blossoms and little hamsters, along with three large koi in the pond, it made for the best feng shui layout, envied even by immortals.
Ji Xiao knew he was just talking nonsense.
Just like the recent ‘words left behind by the Dao companion’ and ‘can’t sleep at night’, today it was ‘husband and wife affection’. Meng Xueli’s lies flowed effortlessly, without any forethought.
But in front of others, Elder Meng showed restraint, left room for maneuver in his actions, patiently reasoned with the juniors, and sincerely explained things. After dealing with provocations, he would even use the situation to teach the disciples of the Hall of Legal Principles.
But he always made up stories about Ji Xiao, accurately speaking, telling lies related to ‘Ji Xiao’. Perhaps in Meng Xueli’s imagination, he and Ji Xiao were a deeply affectionate couple, loving each other day and night?
Ji Xiao didn’t understand.
The years of cultivation were long, and he had encountered beings, mortal or demonic, who confessed their love to him. However, he was deeply devoted to the path of the sword, desiring only ascension and having no time for such distractions.
Flesh and bones, whether fair or withered, would eventually decay. Temperament and emotions were fleeting compared to the eternal Dao, with its endless mysteries.
Love and affection were unfamiliar to him. If there was a chance in the future, he would need to seek advice from his senior brother.
Alas, they all came from the same master, so why did only his senior brother seem to understand so much more?
Little did he know, the world of cultivation was just as perplexing and incomprehensible. Hu Si and Ji Xiao were opposites: one was a master of indulgence in the flowers and moon, reveling in the nightlife of Tianhu Great Realm; the other, a cold-hearted sword cultivator, untouched by any worldly desires. How could they have come from the same master?
Ji Xiao emerged from the peach blossom forest, passing by the pond where Meng Xueli often fed the fish.
The pond water was clear as crystal, resembling a polished glass mirror. He caught sight of his reflection in the water and realized he was smiling.
It seemed that whenever he thought of Meng Xueli, he couldn’t help but smile.
Ji Xiao looked at his reflection in the water and suppressed his smile.
Suddenly, the reflection shattered as ripples splashed across the pond. Three golden-red koi fish panicked and swam uneasily, as if sensing some signal of danger—perhaps the return of that dreadful divine weapon from the depths of the pond, sharing the same origin.
“Oh, it’s you, Elder Meng?” came the weak voice of the young disciple.
Ji Xiao turned around and replied, “I’ve escorted Elder Meng to the peach blossom grove for rest and tea.”
The three koi fish sensed the danger had passed and calmed down once more.
The young disciple thanked him sincerely, “Thank you for taking care of Elder.”
He had been too emotional just now, and in his confusion, he had gone straight to the Disciplinary Hall. Only later did he realize that he had kept his eyes closed throughout and couldn’t provide any details. It was Yu Qishu who quickly stepped forward to complete the testimony.
Ji Xiao smiled and said, “You’re welcome, it’s my duty. The peach blossom grove is beautiful.”
Seeing his friendly attitude and praise for Changchun Peak, the young disciple smiled back, “Of course, Elder Meng personally planted the Golden Silk Peach Blossom trees!”
Ji Xiao casually asked, “Changchun Peak usually doesn’t entertain guests. Today, I was sent by the Sect Leader to bring Elder Meng back. Am I the first visitor to see the peach blossom grove? Lucky me.”
The young disciple nodded and then quickly shook his head, “You’re the second. On the day of Zhenren’s Funeral Ceremony, a friend of Elder Meng’s came to visit him… I think Elder really likes you. Maybe you’ll have more chances to come in the future!”
Senior Brother Yu Qishu said that Elder Meng seemed to have established some faction, and apart from them, the only other member was the person before him. He also hoped Elder Meng would make more friends.
Ji Xiao smiled faintly and replied, “There will be opportunities.”
Xiaohuai walked away happily, but halfway there, he paused, puzzled by Ji Xiao’s remark about it being ‘my duty’… Perhaps it meant that all disciples of Han Shan should respect the elders.
Ji Xiao crossed the floating suspension bridge, leaving behind the gentle warm breeze and lush spring scenery, entering into the midst of the swirling white snow.
The stone monument engraved with the words “Changchun” gradually faded into the distance.
When he escorted Meng Xueli back, Ji Xiao noticed lingering unfamiliar energies at Changchun Peak.
On the mountain paths, beneath the peach trees, and by the pond, faint traces of demonic energies were present. It was likely from the beautiful yet hot-tempered Peacock Demon, a friend of Meng Xueli’s during his days as the Snow Mountain King. The Peacock Demon was skilled in transformation and disguise, easily blending into human society.
Perhaps they had sat under the peach blossom trees, drinking tea, and then gone to the pond to chat under the moon. After three years apart, they would certainly have much to talk about.
Maybe Meng Xueli, having been away from home for so long, found it hard to adjust to human ways and began to miss the snowy mountains and stars of the demon realm.
Regardless, the visitor on the day of his own Funeral Ceremony clearly intended to take Meng Xueli away, but Meng Xueli chose not to leave.
Ji Xiao thought to himself with satisfaction. It seemed the mountain protection array of Han Shan was not enough to deter lurking demons, and it needed reinforcement.
…
“Yesterday, they barely interrogated them, and they all confessed! They admitted to harboring bias and resentment against you, not obeying the Sect Leader’s orders, and trying to deceive you with the sword formation. Then they desperately apologized and admitted their mistakes. The elders of the Disciplinary Hall ignored them and gave them fifty lashes each, leaving them unconscious and taken to the medical pavilion to recover with Zhou Wu. Isn’t that satisfying or what! I performed exceptionally well when giving my testimony, but unfortunately, you didn’t see it,” Yu Qishu nudged his neighbor’s arm, “Hey, are you even listening to me?”
Meng Xueli seemed oblivious, “You even skipped morning study.”
Yu Qishu frowned, “What do you mean?”
Meng Xueli gestured for him to look towards the back rows, “Looks like skipping morning study is contagious.”
Diligent student Xiao Tingyun hadn’t shown up this morning.
Yu Qishu exclaimed, “What’s going on with him? He hasn’t even turned in his thousand-word essay yet.”
Meng Xueli wondered if Xiao Tingyun, fearing retaliation for insulting Ji Xiao yesterday, had applied to transfer to another schoolhouse through the Hall of Executors. Was he really such a petty person?
As disciples gradually entered the room, none had the mind to study, gathering around Meng Xueli’s desk to talk. Winning the match felt like a collective victory for them.
Before the early class began, not only were there disciples from the Hall of Legal Principles, but also inner disciples who had watched the match yesterday visiting him. In the past, Meng Xueli only discussed insights into cultivation, which was considered theoretical knowledge. Now, he had to answer questions about practical combat.
The broken ice and fallen trees by the cold pond at Sword Training Platform had been cleaned up by the Hall of Executors, but the disciples who had witnessed the battle couldn’t forget it. Meng Xueli’s performance last night had spread throughout Han Shan.
Many people had stayed up all night, with various speculations arising. Some said he possessed a powerful treasure that others couldn’t detect. Others speculated he hadn’t reached the perfect stage of Qi refinement and had been disguising his true realm all along. There were even outlandish guesses, like ‘Willow by the Pool’ being a secret treasure of Bailu City, carried by the future city lord, which naturally surpassed the ‘Blazing Sun Sword’ in power.
People couldn’t fathom why someone who had been obscure for three years suddenly displayed such formidable prowess. In the end, they could only attribute it to “after all, he is Ji Xiao’s dao companion.”
It truly was a catch-all reason.
It could explain Meng Xueli’s previous low cultivation and aversion to cold, because with Ji Xiao’s protection, he could afford to be carefree.
It could also explain his current display of skill. Since Ji Xiao had seen something special in him back then, Meng Xueli must have had some extraordinary qualities.
Visitors kept coming, and Meng Xueli began to regret it a bit. If he had known it would cause so much trouble, he would have fought harder.
The morning reading session had never felt so long, and even the usually late senior elders had never been so kind. Even Xiao Tingyun, who arrived just before the early class, seemed more pleasant and agreeable.
Before the morning classes had even ended, news quietly spread, finally rescuing Meng Xueli from the center of attention.
— Zhou Wu relied on consuming a large amount of Qi Gathering Pills to barely break through the barrier and reach the Barrier Breaking Realm, but his true strength was far from that level. With the Hanhai Secret Realm approaching, and under pressure from family expectations and the flattery of junior disciples, his actions were somewhat understandable and reasonable.
With this revelation, Meng Xueli, though strong, was not seen as incomprehensibly powerful or beyond ordinary understanding.
Author’s note:
Xueli: You even eat sparrow’s vinegar?? Vinegar King of Han Han??
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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