Chapter 8
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The process of a snake transforming into a flood dragon and how many times it sheds its skin was unknown to them, but the layer they had found was extraordinary. The disciples of Wuqi Peak who were skilled in crafting treasures were especially enamored with it.
Pei Yunshu was still wearing his outer robe, the standard Daoist attire of Wuzhi Peak. Whether in his previous life or after his rebirth, Pei Yunshu had never worn sheer fabric or clothing of this color.
And this was the skin shed by that flood dragon…
He hesitated for a moment, but Third Senior Brother thought he was reluctant and chuckled as he approached. With a flick of his fan, he skillfully untied Pei Yunshu’s belt.
Pei Yunshu’s movement to step back was slightly delayed, causing his white belt to unexpectedly slip and fall to the ground. His outer robe was loosened, revealing the neat and clean inner garment underneath.
“Third Senior Brother,” Pei Yunshu’s brows furrowed, his expression clouded with displeasure. “This should not become a precedent.”
Yunman quickly smiled to please him a few times and picked up the belt from the ground, placing it on the stone table. “Junior Brother, don’t be angry. Senior Brother was just trying to joke with you.”
Pei Yunshu pursed his lips, avoiding eye contact, and pulled at his sleeve to remove the outer robe.
Yunwang naturally took the robe from him and neatly folded it on his own lap. After arranging it, a faint fragrance wafted up to his nose.
The fragrance of soapwort and spiritual plants, along with a hint of unique sandalwood scent from Wuzhi Peak.
Pei Yunshu took the robe. Although it was made to look like sheer fabric, it still felt cool to the touch. It was as though the hands that had forcefully grabbed his wrist the previous night and the lips that had gently touched his face were now encapsulated within the robe.
His hand trembled slightly. He turned his head abruptly, scanning his surroundings. The rustling of the wind in the grass, everything seemed normal. The feeling of being watched that had arisen just now was probably just his imagination.
Eldest Senior Brother followed his gaze, looking around but finding nothing unusual. “Junior Brother, is something wrong?”
Pei Yunshu hesitated, shaking his head.
Seeing he was still lost in thought, Yunjing sighed and stepped forward. Taking the robe from Pei Yunshu’s hand, he slid it over one arm and draped it over him.
The black sheer fabric hung on Pei Yunshu’s body. The edges of the robe fluttered, setting off his fair, jade-like skin. Instead of diminishing the feeling of an otherworldly fairy, the fabric seemed to add a touch of solemnity.
Yunwang stared at the hand Eldest Senior Brother used to drape the robe over Pei Yunshu, then suddenly laughed. “Eldest Senior Brother is really good to Fourth Senior Brother.”
Yunman, standing nearby, joined in, “Senior Brother and Junior Brother have always had a good relationship.”
With the robe on, fitted perfectly, Pei Yunshu took it off again. This was the skin of Zhuyou. The sensation of wearing it was bizarre, to say the least.
“It’s rare to see Junior Brother in a different color,” Third Senior Brother complimented. “The shops at the foot of the mountain have all sorts of colors for sale. It seems like any color would look exceptionally suitable on Junior Brother.”
He was quite talkative. Initially, Pei Yunshu had intended to ignore hm due to him untying his belt, but upon hearing the phrase “foot of the mountain,” he couldn’t resist asking, “What’s at the foot of the mountain?”
“There are many things,” Third Senior Brother shook his fan and playfully tapped Yunwang’s shoulder with it. “Little Junior Brother, tell your Senior Brother Yunshu about the good things your Senior Brother bought you from down the mountain.”
Pei Yunshu turned his attention to Yunwang. He was focused, and his intense gaze was fixed on Yunwang. Yunwang smiled, taking a box of rouge from his storage bag.
The rouge box was exceptionally delicate, intricately carved with hollow patterns of flowers, plants, and rivers. Yunwang pushed the box toward Pei Yunshu, “Senior Brother, guess what this is?”
Having spent many years on Wuzhi Peak, even in his previous life, Pei Yunshu had rarely visited the mundane markets down the mountain. He picked up the exquisite little box, which could be opened. Uncertain, he looked inside, and upon seeing the finely ground red powder, he realized, “Is it rouge?”
Yunwang nodded and said gently, “Since Senior Brother got it right, I’ll give this rouge to you.”
Pei Yunshu asked, “What can I do with it?”
The rouge was finely ground and brilliantly colored. As he held it in his pale fingertips, a white and red contrast burst into view, making it strikingly vivid.
“Senior Brother,” Yunwang held his fingertips and placed his hand on the stone table. His fair index finger was stained with a bit of rouge, and he drew a red line on the back of Pei Yunshu’s hand. “Does this color look good?”
Pei Yunshu withdrew his hand and took out a handkerchief to wipe it off. “Little Junior Brother, it does look good, but I have no use for it.”
He pushed the rouge back toward Yunwang, who lowered his gaze to the wooden box. He cast a sidelong glance at Pei Yunshu with an affectionate look in his eyes and a broader smile. “Senior Brother, really not interested?”
Pei Yunshu shook his head.
Yunwang put away the rouge and shifted to talking about other things from the foot of the mountain.
Having grown up in the mortal realm, Yunwang had encountered numerous worldly matters and gained a wide range of interests. Even Eldest Senior Brother and Third Senior Brother, who were initially listening casually, became increasingly absorbed in the conversation.
Not to mention Pei Yunshu.
As the sun began to set and the roars of the overflow heavens beast grew impatient outside the door, the group gradually woke from their conversation.
“You’ve worked hard, Little Junior Brother,” Yunjing poured a cup of water and handed it to Yunwang.
Yunwang smiled radiantly at him and blinked playfully. “As long as Senior Brother enjoys listening.”
Being raised in Wuzhi Peak, Ling Qing Daoist Spiritual Master particularly valued Yunwang. Since Yunwang couldn’t cultivate without eating yet, he was served special meals every day. Over the past few days, his complexion had become even more radiant.
Eldest Senior Brother laughed, “You should head back now. I’m sure Master is starting to worry.”
Yunwang nodded. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly lowered his head and asked cautiously, “Senior Brother, about that snake skin, is there really a portion for Yunwang?”
“Of course,” Yunjing nodded.
Yunwang then took out a tassel from his storage bag and joyfully handed it to Eldest Senior Brother.
The roars of the overflow heavens beast from outside the door were growing increasingly impatient.
Yunwang walked toward the courtyard entrance. Before leaving, he turned back to cast a glance at Pei Yunshu.
Pei Yunshu’s gaze remained unruffled by their attention, as if even though Eldest Senior Brother and the others cared so much for the new Junior Brother, it wouldn’t leave a significant impact on his heart. Even if his Senior Brothers were snatched away by this new Junior Brother, he could still avert his gaze as if nothing had happened.
The rouge he had applied to his hand was already wiped away, his Daoist robe remained untainted by dust, and the clothing Yunwang had just held for him, even if he had held it for longer, it wouldn’t have negated the effect of a Cleansing Spell.
Yunwang turned back.
He was deeply rooted in the secular world, while Senior Brother Yunshu seemed as if he was about to transcend into immortality.
He despised people like that the most, as if they had seen through the mundane world, yet had never truly experienced it.
The Senior Brothers cared for Senior Brother Yunshu so much that when Eldest Senior Brother helped Senior Brother Yunshu put on his robe, that hand seemed to be really bothering Yunwang.
Perhaps he detested Pei Yunshu to an extreme degree. That was why he thought about snatching away the affection of those around him. It would be best if no one touched Pei Yunshu, and no one helped him put on his clothes.
The overflow heavens beast exposed its sharp teeth, lazily glancing at Yunwang before fixing its golden vertical pupils on the people present. As soon as Yunwang climbed onto its back, it leaped into the air and flew away.
***
After everyone had left, Pei Yunshu held the impenetrable, invulnerable clothing and entered his room. He didn’t know where to put the clothing.
Leaving it in plain sight made him uncomfortable, but hiding it away seemed wasteful.
After a long while, he sighed and placed the sheer fabric on the desk, covering it with a thick layer of white cloth.
Now no one could see it.
Pei Yunshu took his clothing and went to take a bath. When he returned to his room, he noticed that the white cloth covering the sheer fabric on the desk had slipped halfway down, leaving the pure black clothing exposed in the dim light, the darkest spot in the room.
Since it was still early, Pei Yunshu wasn’t sleepy. He picked up a book, grabbed a lamp, and sat at the desk. After covering the clothing with the white cloth again, he set aside what he was holding and began to read.
However, after reading only a few lines, he suddenly heard soft crying outside the window.
Pei Yunshu put on his clothes and went outside to take a look. He found a young child from the courtyard hiding in a corner, secretly wiping away tears. Upon seeing Pei Yunshu, the child quickly stood up and wiped his tears, his face turning pale.
“What happened?” Pei Yunshu asked gently.
The child couldn’t stop his tears from flowing again and replied in a straightforward manner, “Senior Brother, during this time every year, my hometown holds a lantern festival. I couldn’t help but cry because I miss my home.”
Pei Yunshu comforted the child and returned to his seat at the desk. However, he couldn’t concentrate on reading anymore.
He could fly on his sword and reach the village below in the time it took to finish a cup of tea. The child’s hometown was just in the village at the foot of the mountain. Since the child couldn’t leave the mountain, it shouldn’t be a problem for a disciple of the sect to go down the mountain.
After wrestling with his thoughts for a while, Pei Yunshu finally made a decision. He clenched his teeth, changed his clothes, and since all his clothes were Daoist robes, he put on the pure black sheer fabric. Holding the Qingyue Sword, he left his room silently.
Under the moonlight, Pei Yunshu bypassed the residences of his Senior Brothers and Master. He rode his sword downwards toward the village.
The breeze tousled his hair. Pei Yunshu touched his ear and realized that he had forgotten to tie it.
With a wry smile, he took a hairband from his sleeve and held it between his lips. With both hands, he carefully tied up his long hair while hovering in midair.
“Immortal Elder!” a somewhat familiar voice came from above. Pei Yunshu’s heart skipped a beat as he looked up.
He saw a giant eagle flying outside his barrier. Its deep green eyes were filled with joy and a menacing greed.
As soon as Pei Yunshu noticed it, the eagle’s talons broke through the barrier and at the same time, a powerful gust of wind disrupted the Qingyue Sword’s flight.
Pei Yunshu landed on the ground, and the Qingyue Sword returned to its normal size in his hand. The sword emitted a dazzling blue light. Pei Yunshu gazed up at the giant eagle charging toward him in the sky, his eyes filled with a murderous intent.
However, before he could strike, a stream of water pierced through the eagle’s heart from a short distance away.
Blood rained down from the sky, carrying a faintly bloody smell. Before the drops could fall on Pei Yunshu, he was suddenly pushed to the side, landing beneath a massive tree.
The black flood dragon transformed into human form and pressed against Pei Yunshu’s body. His head buried in the crook of Pei Yunshu’s neck, he breathed in Pei Yunshu’s scent.
The scent suited him perfectly. The serpent tail couldn’t help but emerge, tightly coiling around Pei Yunshu’s lower body.
Author’s Note: Yunwang: Whoever is good to Pei Yunshu, I’ll snatch them away.
Zhuyou looks at him expressionlessly.
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Thank you for the mass update!! Zhuyou, please treat PY well, I know you will! (◡ ω ◡)
Thank you for the triple update~
Ayy, mass updates?? Well appreciated~ 🤍