Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Fine Place

Update Time: 2013-06-07

“Tell me about it…” Yaoyao looked at the other Yaoyao standing before her, breathing heavily, and couldn’t help but ask.

“I… I think… I finally understand,” Yaoyao said, still catching her breath, eager to get the words out, “You’re right, this matter should be told to Senior Brother Chuchen. So… please, will you help me tell him…”

Lian Yue’s eyes widened instantly. “You’re joking, aren’t you?”

Yaoyao shot her a dissatisfied look. “Do I look like I’m joking? How could I possibly tell him myself? Aunt Lan probably only has eyes for Master now and doesn’t care about me at all. If you won’t go, who else will?”

Lian Yue stared at Yaoyao, who spoke with such conviction, and honestly wished she could find a hole to crawl into. She realized that this Yaoyao truly was an odd one.

But although Meng Chuchen was her second brother, they’d only met a few days ago, and at such a tumultuous time, she hadn’t had a chance to get to know him well. Thus, she really couldn’t endorse Yaoyao’s idea. Yet, knowing Yaoyao’s personality, if she dared utter a single “no,” Yaoyao would surely find a way to force her into it. Rather than be hassled, she might as well agree for now.

Making up her mind, Lian Yue nodded firmly at Yaoyao and declared, “Alright, leave it to me!”

Yaoyao, elated, gave Lian Yue a hard kiss. “Sister Lian Yue, you’re wonderful! Yaoyao likes you so much!”

The unexpected kiss left Lian Yue stunned, making her feel rather sheepish about her decision. She hurriedly changed the subject, “Yaoyao, I heard from Second Brother that there are several scenic spots in Hidden Sect. Will you show me around?”

“There are a few places, but which one should we go to?” Yaoyao tilted her head in thought, then her eyes brightened; she waved her hands excitedly, feigning mystery and pride. “I know just the place! Let’s go, I’ll take you somewhere special, hehe…” She grabbed Lian Yue’s hand and started toward the small courtyard from which Lian Yue had just emerged.

“What place is it?” Yaoyao’s curiosity got the better of her, and she couldn’t help but ask.

“It’s a wonderful place—you’ll see when we get there! If we leave now, the timing will be perfect,” Yaoyao urged Lian Yue eagerly.

Lian Yue, intrigued, let Yaoyao lead her toward the unknown destination. Lan Shui glanced at the sky, then followed closely behind the pair.

As the three passed the small courtyard where Yu Wen Lingxi and Qiao Zhi lived, Yaoyao’s ever-busy mouth was chattering away nonstop. Lian Yue managed only a quick glance at the half-open gate.

They hadn’t gone far when Qiao Zhi’s clear voice rang out behind them, “Sister Lian Yue, it’s really you! Where are you all headed?”

Instinctively, Lian Yue turned and saw Qiao Zhi peering from the doorway, and a corner of a robe just visible from inside. Her heart skipped—could it be him? But she felt uncertain; shouldn’t he be resting right now?

Yaoyao was clearly displeased by Qiao Zhi’s sudden appearance. She glanced anxiously at the warm sun above, and without waiting for Qiao Zhi to finish his question, interjected, “I’m taking Sister Yue to a beautiful place. If you have any questions, ask her when we get back.” With that, she tugged at Lian Yue’s hand. “Sister Yue, let’s hurry, or we’ll be late!”

Qiao Zhi paid no mind to Yaoyao’s tone and asked with curiosity, “Oh? What wonderful place? Can I come too?”

Lian Yue looked at Yaoyao in embarrassment—after all, this was Hidden Sect territory, and until today, she wasn’t allowed to wander freely.

“If you want to come, then follow!” Yaoyao waved impatiently at Qiao Zhi, then turned to Lian Yue with a pitiful smile. “Sister Yue, let’s hurry.”

Lian Yue’s gaze caught that corner of a robe again; just as she was about to turn, Yu Wen Lingxi’s tall figure stepped out of the courtyard. His gaze met hers before she could look away.

Lian Yue flushed, quickly averting her eyes, and followed Yaoyao onward. Her ears were pricked, listening to the sounds behind.

Qiao Zhi’s triumphant words drifted to her clearly. “See, Brother Yu Wen, I told you these two girls were in a rush to go somewhere special. I guessed right! You lost the bet, so you owe me some of that Blood Ganoderma Pill.”

“I never agreed to any wager with you, Your Highness. You’re imagining things.”

Yu Wen Lingxi’s low voice was enough to make one spit blood in frustration. Lian Yue couldn’t help but smile, remembering the bottle of Blood Ganoderma Pills with Lan Shui. Before she could finish smiling, she met Lan Shui’s thoughtful gaze.

A jolt went through Lian Yue—she instantly guessed what Lan Shui was thinking. She quickly looked away, her mind full of worries. Why was Sister Lan looking at her like that? Could it be she thinks… Oh, this is so bothersome. She’d have to find time to explain to Sister Lan that she really didn’t have those kinds of feelings for Yu Wen Lingxi…

Lost in thought, she glanced back again, saw a figure following behind, and quickly turned her head forward.

Lan Shui and Yu Wen Lingxi’s different expressions kept alternating in Lian Yue’s mind, leaving her inexplicably restless. Her steps quickened, and soon she was half a body ahead of Yaoyao without realizing it.

Noticing that Lian Yue was about to take another path, Yaoyao quickly shook her arm to stop her. “Sister Yue, you’re going the wrong way! It’s the one on the left!”

Lian Yue finally saw the road beneath her feet, turned left, and indeed found another path. Her face reddened as she sheepishly followed Yaoyao back.

“What were you thinking, Sister Yue? You looked absent-minded, like a lost soul,” Qiao Zhi’s teasing voice rang out as expected. Lian Yue kept her head down, ignoring him, while Yaoyao made a face in protest.

This time, Lian Yue learned her lesson—she stopped daydreaming and followed Yaoyao obediently. But with such a curious Yaoyao around, peace was impossible.

“Sister Yue, what were you thinking just now? You looked so absorbed! Tell Yaoyao, please?” Unperturbed by silence, Yaoyao pressed on, “And what’s your relationship with those two behind us? Why does the one called ‘Your Highness’ always act so cheeky? And that Yu Wen fellow—”

“It’s Yu Wen Lingxi.”

“Yes, Yu Wen Lingxi—why is he always so distant and cold? And, and…”

Lian Yue regretted ever correcting Yaoyao. When her curiosity was aroused, she was terrifying. If she could, Lian Yue would block her ears. Instead, she used her ultimate weapon: “Yaoyao, if you ask again, I won’t help you tell Second Brother.”

Unexpectedly, it worked. Yaoyao swallowed her words, fell silent for three seconds, probably weighing the pros and cons, then pouted, “Then I won’t ask—just promise you’ll help me! No cheating!”

Lian Yue’s head nodded like a drum, then she glanced around. They had walked far from their lodgings; buildings were thinning out, while the hot spring pools grew larger and the mist thickened. Ahead, about thirty yards away, the clouds and fog were so dense that only the path beneath their feet could be barely discerned.

“Yaoyao, where exactly are you taking us?”

Yaoyao answered mysteriously, “Don’t worry, Sister. It’s a wonderful place. Just follow me.”

Lian Yue’s curiosity grew. She could feel the mist gathering, swirling thickly around them, blurring the scenery, giving the sense of walking through a dream. It was a strange and novel feeling.

Compared to her wonder, the others showed little surprise. After all, compared to the Soul-Breaking Array, this place was like a minor trick. They vaguely guessed the source of the mist in the Soul-Breaking Array.

The most impatient was still Qiao Zhi. He sidled up to Yaoyao, joking, “Yaoyao, is this mist related to the fog in the array outside?”

Though simple-minded, Yaoyao’s eyes flashed with caution when Qiao Zhi tried to inquire about the sect’s protective formation. “Why are you asking? Guess for yourself if you want.”

Qiao Zhi coughed, “I meant, why does the array outside cause hallucinations, while here it doesn’t?”

Yaoyao had never experienced the Soul-Breaking Array but had heard bits and pieces. She looked to Lian Yue for guidance. Lan Shui, though curious herself, had a good impression of Yaoyao, seeing some of Lian Yue’s shadow in her, and gently reminded, “Miss, I suspect the formation is a sect secret; asking Yaoyao would put her in a difficult spot.”

Yaoyao nodded quickly and, fearing Lian Yue would misunderstand, explained pitifully, “Sister Yue, it’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but I really can’t.” She glanced at Qiao Zhi, Yu Wen Lingxi, and Mu Shan. “If I told outsiders, I’d be punished.”

With the matter laid bare, Lian Yue, who hadn’t experienced the array herself and wasn’t particularly interested, let the topic drop. Qiao Zhi, mindful of his status, didn’t press further.

Yaoyao breathed a sigh of relief and led them onward through the mist.

Gradually, Lian Yue sensed the fog thinning, the surroundings becoming clearer.

Suddenly, Yaoyao let go of her hand and dashed ahead. “Sister Yue, we’re here! Come quickly!”

Lian Yue ran after her, mimicking her steps. As she broke through the mist, the sight before her stunned her. She couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, it’s beautiful!”