Jiang Zuo had planned to go to work as soon as he got up today, but then Jian Shisan called to say they were going to the Sword Cultivation Lineage.
Having no other choice, Jiang Zuo could only wait at home for Jian Shisan to come pick him up.
The thought of seeing Su Qi soon made him quite happy. He hadn’t seen her in a whole week.
When he went out onto the balcony, Sweet Potato, Shi Qi, and Shiba were all on the verge of death.
’Looks like there’s nothing seriously wrong. It’d be even better if they’re tortured to death by the time I get back.’
’It’ll be easier to explain to Su Qi that way.’
After that, Jiang Zuo put away all the Spirit Fruits and replaced them with regular apples.
"CAW? CAW?" Sweet Potato cried out.
’Those delicious fruits! I haven’t even eaten any yet! Why did he take them away?’
Jiang Zuo ignored it. He didn’t touch anything else.
’As long as I don’t leave anything that might make Su Qi suspicious, it should be fine.’
After checking everything, Jiang Zuo put away Duan Qiao.
’It’s about time. Jian Shisan should be here soon.’
He wasn’t an ordinary Cultivator, after all. He could travel very quickly.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Jian Shisan appeared outside Jiang Zuo’s balcony.
His arrival was a bit sudden, likely because of his speed.
Jiang Zuo: "..."
Jian Shisan looked at Jiang Zuo with a helpless expression. "Young friend, are you locked up?"
Jiang Zuo’s balcony had railings.
"Do you need me to break them open for you?" Jian Shisan asked.
Jiang Zuo said, "...You don’t understand how this era works. You should get online and learn a thing or two."
Jian Shisan: "..."
He had been in seclusion for many years. He had learned a little on Liyuan Island, but there were no houses like this there.
At first, he thought it was for imprisoning people.
’But on second thought, that’s correct in a way. After all, ordinary people need this sort of protection.’
Then Jian Shisan said, "How will you get out, young friend?"
Jiang Zuo told Jian Shisan to wait for him by the stairs.
Jian Shisan had a Concealing Array on him, so there was no worry of him being seen.
After that, Jiang Zuo got on Jian Shisan’s Flying Sword.
Jian Shisan then flew Jiang Zuo toward the Sword Cultivation Lineage.
On the way, Jiang Zuo asked, "Did you cook for Auntie?"
Jian Shisan nodded. "Yes. I sent it to my Junior Sister this morning. She said it was alright."
Jiang Zuo’s eyebrow twitched. ’In other words, Jian Shisan actually has a talent for cooking?’
’He managed to make something edible in just one night? He’s leagues better than I am.’
’Unfortunately, I don’t have a single shred of talent for it. If Su Qi wasn’t willing to cook, life would be truly miserable.’
Thinking of Su Qi, Jiang Zuo felt that aside from having a bit of a temper, and a bit of a habit of hitting people, and being a bit willful, and...
’...it seems like besides being beautiful, she’s completely useless.’
But in Jiang Zuo’s eyes, Su Qi was truly wonderful.
It was the kind of wonderful you could only feel by living with her.
"Are you just going to see your partner, the Saintess, young friend?" Jian Shisan asked.
"Candidacy Saintess," Jiang Zuo corrected. "Su Qi can’t possibly become the Saintess. Not as long as I’m around."
Jian Shisan didn’t say anything. He really admired Jiang Zuo. He himself had tried for so many years, yet he could still only exchange a few extra words with his Junior Sister.
It was only with Jiang Zuo’s recent help that his Junior Sister had even tried the food he made.
’Everything is moving in the right direction,’ he thought. ’One day, I’ll be able to do the same as Jiang Zuo.’
’And marry a Saintess.’
At this moment, Jian Shisan said with a serious expression, "Young friend, I have a question for you."
Jiang Zuo said nothing, waiting for Jian Shisan to ask.
"When I went back, I saw Little Xuanwu practicing an extremely profound Cultivation Technique. Others might not have noticed anything, but as someone at Tier Eight Inquiry, I was able to see a few things.
However, I couldn’t tell what it was, exactly. I only have some suspicions. I was wondering... does this have anything to do with you, young friend?" Jian Shisan asked.
Jiang Zuo was surprised. "Why would you think that?"
Jian Shisan didn’t hide anything. "A guess. Because on the surface, no one in the Holy Land is qualified to do so.
And the ones in the shadows wouldn’t bother with those on the surface."
Jiang Zuo nodded. "Yes, I taught it. Just in passing."
Jian Shisan looked at Jiang Zuo and said, "Is it the Mijie Sacred Image?"
Jiang Zuo grunted in affirmation. "I modified it. You could call it the true Mijie Sacred Image. What I’m teaching it is a Supreme Treasure Manual capable of subverting the entire Holy Beast clan."
Jian Shisan didn’t press the matter. Instead, he looked ahead and said, "Is that so? I’m rather looking forward to it. But Little Xuanwu isn’t very bright."
Jiang Zuo said, "It’s just plain stupid. A normal Holy Beast learning what I taught it would have soared to the heavens long ago.
But this one? There hasn’t been the slightest sign of progress so far."
Jian Shisan just smiled. He had grown up alongside Yue Xi, watching over her as she did.
So he saw Xuanwu often, but the creature never showed any signs of growing up.
It remained perpetually in its youth.
He was happy that this little one was now able to learn a Treasure Manual that could subvert the entire Holy Beast clan.
Because he knew Yue Xi would definitely be happy.
Just then, Jian Shisan suddenly asked, "If I marry my Junior Sister, does that mean you’ll have to call me ’Uncle,’ young friend?"
Jiang Zuo’s eyebrow twitched, and he shot Jian Shisan a cold glare. "Why don’t you try saying that to Auntie?"
Jian Shisan: "..."
It went without saying that Jian Shisan would never dare.
————
「On the Soft Cloud」
Xueyu, Yiruo, and Xiaoxiao looked all around them in amazement. Xiaoxiao exclaimed, "Wow, so this is the outside world? This is the first time I’ve ever been out here in my whole life!"
Xiaoxiao was still very young and had spent her entire life in the Holy Land, so she had never seen the outside world before.
It was much the same for Xueyu and Yiruo.
That’s why they were all so amazed.
Qing Lian smiled. "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future. Once you’re grown up, you’ll be able to come and go as you please."
Xiaoxiao said happily, "Really? Then I want to grow up fast!"
Jingyue said, "The older you get, the lonelier you become."
Xiaoxiao looked at Jingyue, puzzled. "Holy Sister, what do you mean by that?"
Su Qi said, "Our Saintess is a peerless beauty. Few in the entire Cultivation Realm can compare to her. That’s why she’s so lonely. We don’t have that kind of problem."
Xiaoxiao said naively, "Then I definitely don’t want to be lonely like that."
Su Qi smiled and patted Xiaoxiao’s head, then asked Jingyue, "Senior Sister, where are you off to?"
Jingyue said casually, "Going to pick up your husband."
Dark lines appeared on Su Qi’s face. "Senior Sister, my husband hasn’t done anything to you. Why do you have to bring him into everything?"
Jingyue looked at Su Qi, thought for a moment, and said, "To make you happy? Or maybe to give you something to hope for?"
Su Qi felt helpless. ’Alright, I admit it,’ she thought. ’If my husband really came, I would be very happy.’
’But that’s impossible. Besides, I don’t want my husband to feel uncomfortable here.’
’So I’d rather not entertain such a fantasy.’
Then, Su Qi sighed in resignation.
Jingyue said, "My dear little pouter, are you getting all resentful again?"
"And whose fault is that but yours, Senior Sister? You keep bringing up my husband for no reason, making me think about him constantly," Su Qi said in a huff.
Jingyue spread her hands. "I was just saying it casually. I was trying to cheer you up, you know? You only ever perk up when it has something to do with your husband. Who knew you’d turn back into a pouting wife so quickly?"