Based on Song Yao's experience, Chen Qingqiu would probably cry all night after drinking. She likely wouldn't get any sleep tonight.
She might as well take advantage of the remaining time to get other things done.
Stowing away her jade token, she gave Chen Qingqiu a thoughtful word before pushing open the door. “Take your time crying. No need to be polite—just make yourself at home. I'll be right back.”
She then wrapped her cloak tightly around herself and headed toward another courtyard in the Beiyao Sect.
Chen Qingqiu looked up through her tears, but the room was already empty.
It was completely silent.
Only the hot tea in her hand still sent up faint wisps of steam.
She clutched the cup and stared blankly for a long time before suddenly curling her lips in a self-deprecating smile.
She really was losing her mind.
Just because she felt this young girl was somewhat similar to Song Yao, she had recklessly run to her room to cry and pour out her bizarre grievances.
And this young girl really was just like Song Yao.
She never lingered for anyone's tears, turning around to skip right out the door.
She even told her to take her time crying...
When her master used Song Yao as an example to lecture them in the past, she had said that Song Yao's rapid cultivation wasn't just due to her talent, but because her mind was as pure and unblemished as raw jade.
Like a deity descending to the mortal realm for a brief visit, she was not easily bound by worldly love; she pursued the Great Dao.
Chen Qingqiu just wanted to know why such a divine being would ever fall for Ye Chang'an...
Well, she had indulged herself this once anyway, and no one else had seen her.
Pushing the teacup aside, she pulled out another jar of sweet osmanthus wine.
...
When the courtyard door was knocked on, Ji Duchuan, startled awake from his dream, began to question his life choices.
As he dragged his feet to open the door and saw Song Yao's polite, well-behaved face, he questioned his life choices even more.
Song Yao reminded him, “Hello, Senior Ji. We've met before. You took my Qi-Replenishing Pills earlier, and I said I'd come find you later. You haven't forgotten me, have you?”
Ji Duchuan: “...”
Forgetting her was indeed quite difficult.
But...
Did her “later” actually mean coming to find him in the middle of the night?
It was only the Hour of the Tiger, wasn't it?
Even if others didn't send a formal request three to five days in advance, they wouldn't show up at this hour, would they?
The train of thought of these kids from the Nine Saints Hall was truly hard to fathom.
He remained silent for a moment before stepping aside to let her in.
Before slipping inside, Song Yao, remembering that she wasn't the original villainess anymore, asked with wide, innocent eyes, “I'm not imposing on you, am I?”
Ji Duchuan: “...”
Well.
She was still slightly better-behaved than her legendary Third Senior Sister; at least she possessed some self-awareness.
Though it was of absolutely no practical use.
Resigned to his fate, he replied, “You aren't.”
“That's good.”
Reassured, Song Yao stepped into the courtyard.
On the stone table in the corner, an unfinished chess game sat on the board, the black and white pieces glistening with night dew.
Ji Duchuan sat down on a stone stool, rubbing his temples with a trace of exhaustion. “Have you decided how you want me to pay you back?”
“I have.”
Standing across the stone table, Song Yao retrieved a carved wooden box from her spatial pouch. With a soft click, she opened the lid, pulled out the Golden Scale Snake Grass from inside, and handed it over.
Instantly, Ji Duchuan got a bad feeling.
In the next second, he heard Song Yao speak with absolute sincerity. “I've heard that Senior Ji's medicine-refining skills are second to none. I'll have to trouble Senior to help me refine this Golden Scale Snake Grass into Golden Scale Snake Pills.”
Ji Duchuan: “...”
Talk about demanding the moon.
Did this kid have any idea how troublesome it was to refine a herb of this grade into pills?
Just as he was about to say something, Song Yao rummaged through her spatial pouch again, pulling out a pile of Qi-Replenishing Pills and placing them in front of him alongside the Golden Scale Snake Grass.
The mini mountain of Qi-Replenishing Pills was a spectacular sight.
The girl's voice was warm and soft as she coaxed him, starting to paint a rosy picture. “The Golden Scale Snake Pills are to treat my Second Senior Sister's illness. Although I'm very poor and have no money, my senior brothers and sisters are all extremely wealthy and powerful. If you're willing to help, they will definitely be endlessly grateful to you in the future. They might even go through fire and water for you without hesitation.”
Having finished her pitch, she looked at him expectantly. “Isn't that a great deal?”
Ji Duchuan: “...”
No, wait.
Was this little girl trying to get him killed?
Did she think he didn't know what those personal disciples of the Nine Saints Hall were like?
The eldest was mad and currently missing; the third was universally loathed and had died in the Earth Realm; the fourth had suffered qi deviation, and who knew if he had recovered; the fifth was slightly more normal, but she was likely struggling to save herself right now...
These people going through fire and water for him?
Was she sure they wouldn't just drag him down with them?
He coughed lightly. Instead of picking up the Golden Scale Snake Grass, he picked up two black chess pieces to examine the unfinished game on the board, speaking unhurriedly. “Little Friend Lin, this is the Beiyao Sect. Having me, a guest of the Beiyao Sect, help you treat your senior sister... wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate?”
Song Yao sat down across from him, grabbing a handful of white pieces. “What's inappropriate about it? You're just a guest, not joining the Beiyao Sect.”
Ji Duchuan paused for a long while before finally discerning the subtleties of the board. Placing a black piece down, he smiled. “Since I am temporarily their guest, it naturally wouldn't do to cause trouble for them.”
Song Yao followed up by placing a white piece. “It's just refining a pill; how is that causing trouble? Doesn't Senior Ji want to hold the scales evenly?”
Ji Duchuan was genuinely taken aback.
Just now, he had pondered for ages before finally resolving the predicament of the black pieces.
Yet this girl had blocked it right back with a single, casual move?
Stunned for a moment, he slowly raised his eyes to look directly at Song Yao.
She looked back at him, her gaze perfectly innocent. “Does Senior Ji really not want to be the great benefactor of my senior brothers and sisters? They are the most grateful people. In the future, they might even work like horses for you. And if the opportunity arises, you could even become an honored guest of the Nine Saints Hall.”
Looking at the white piece on the board and then at her, Ji Duchuan finally let out a helpless, low laugh.
To think his weakness would be seized by a mere child.
It was true.
Medicine King Valley had always advocated staying out of the world's conflicts.
He had broken the valley's rules by making an exception due to personal matters and descending the mountain to refine pills for the Beiyao Sect.
If he truly wanted to keep himself clean in the eyes of the Nine Saints Hall, he really ought to balance the scales.
Otherwise, if both sides ended up devastated, the Nine Saints Hall might very well view him as a thorn in their side as well.
Furthermore...
This child gave him a rather extraordinary feeling.
Being able to cultivate to the Golden Core stage at her age and taking first place in the Myriad Bones Forest trial meant her future was limitless.
Doing her a favor wouldn't be a bad idea.
Though she herself didn't seem to intend to take the credit, directly shifting the favor onto her far-off senior brothers and sisters instead.
Such a familiar way of doing things.
Just like her universally despised Third Senior Sister.
Did the Nine Saints Hall even pass down traits like this?
Shaking his head, he stopped overthinking and put away the Golden Scale Snake Grass. “Come pick it up in two days.”
Just as expected.
Song Yao stood up and gave him a somewhat clumsy bow. “Thank you, Senior Ji. I won't disturb you any longer then.”
“Wait.”
Seeing her turn to leave, Ji Duchuan couldn't help but call out to stop her.
Song Yao turned back in confusion. “Is there anything else?”
Ji Duchuan tapped the chessboard. “Who taught you how to play chess?”
The one who had guided her to this level must surely be a master.
He wondered which senior it was.
He was truly interested in making their acquaintance.
Yet Song Yao fell silent for a moment, looking at him with utter bewilderment. “Does this even need to be taught?”
Ji Duchuan: “?”
Song Yao: “Isn't this just Gomoku?”
Ji Duchuan: “??”
Rate on N.U.
