Before Ah Chen could speak, Xie Jiuqing continued, "We’ve gathered eleven types of spiritual medicine, just one more is needed. I’m confident that with the Supreme Elder’s abilities, the last one won’t take much time, allowing Brother Jin to recover as usual."
"Junior Sister, there are certain things you should understand. If you cling too tightly to your obsession, it won’t be good for you or Brother Jin."
Ah Chen couldn’t help but pause and looked back at Xie Jiuqing.
"Senior Brother, my parents are still around, so you don’t need to meddle in my affairs. How I live my life is none of your business! It’s better to mind your own business, just like before."
She naturally had no interest in Jin Congmo, but since Xie Jiuqing spoke like this, not retorting wasn’t her style.
As for Jin Congmo’s situation, even if they gathered all the spiritual medicine, so what? It’s not like they couldn’t disable him again, the opportunity for that was plenty.
Don’t they like to scheme behind the scenes?
Then she would help the commissioner return it all!
Xie Jiuqing’s expression grew colder, clearly not expecting Ah Chen to dare to retort, and he stared at her icily.
Ah Chen, of course, wasn’t afraid.
Just as the two were in a standoff, a voice broke the deadlock.
"Brother Xie." Jin Congmo stepped out, his gaze gently resting on Ah Chen, full of concern, and then he said to Xie Jiuqing, "Brother Xie, regardless of whether there’s anything between Junior Sister Pei and me, this matter shouldn’t be your concern."
"You’re being too harsh, you might scare Junior Sister Pei. She hasn’t done anything wrong, and you really shouldn’t treat her this way."
Xie Jiuqing frowned. What did Jin Congmo mean by this?
Did he truly have feelings for Junior Sister?
Didn’t he understand that forming a Daoist partnership with someone of Junior Sister’s potential was nothing but disadvantageous?
Facing Xie Jiuqing’s gaze, Jin Congmo showed no intention of looking away. Even unspoken, Xie Jiuqing could perceive the other’s thoughts and did not understand at all.
But remembering how Jin Congmo had always been considerate to Junior Sister Pei, it didn’t seem strange for him to have such thoughts.
It’s just that the two of them were really not a match.
With Jin Congmo’s talent, forming a Daoist partnership with someone who has a True Spirit Root would be better.
If he fell too deeply into emotion, Junior Sister’s lifespan would only be a few hundred years, which might hinder his cultivation.
Historically, such scenarios weren’t unheard of. Many talented cultivators fell in love with mortals or people with poor potential, and many did not have happy endings. Some moved on, some were forever trapped in it, and some became demons for prolonging their Daoist partner’s life.
Years ago, didn’t their Silver Moon Sect have such a person?
He also had some ties to his master, more accurately, this traitor named Yin Kang was once his master’s fiancé and also his master’s senior brother.
His master had a Mutated Thunder Spirit Root, while Yin Kang had a Top Grade Water Spirit Root. The Cultivation World said they were a pair of immortal lovers, the best match.
Who would have thought that during an expedition, Yin Kang wouldn’t return for ten years. When he finally returned, everyone thought the two would be forming a Daoist partnership. Unexpectedly, Yin Kang had fallen into the mortal realm, lost his memory, and had long been entangled with a mortal woman. This time he came back not to form a Daoist partnership with the master, but to fetch treasures for that mortal woman.
Probably to prolong her life.
Xie Jiuqing only heard a bit. He was too young at that time, having just joined the sect, and his master wouldn’t discuss such matters in front of him.
As for Yin Kang, years later, his master found and killed him. That became a taboo for his master that no one in the sect dared to discuss.
Yin Kang was dead, discussing it served no purpose and could offend his master, so no one was that tactless.
Xie Jiuqing fixed his eyes on Jin Congmo and finally said lightly, "I’m heading back to the cave dwelling first."
Personal decisions are for personal resolution; he said enough; Jin Congmo wouldn’t listen any further. Everyone has their own karma. Too much interference would only cause trouble.
Jin Congmo laughed, "Brother Xie, I know you’re well-meaning, but everyone thinks differently. I wasn’t blaming you earlier. We’re sworn brothers; this won’t anger you, right?"
"No," Xie Jiuqing’s expression softened considerably. "It’s just that, with past stories, it’s hard not to remind you a few more times."
The two no longer cared about the previous conflict, and Xie Jiuqing returned to his cave dwelling.
"Junior Sister Pei, you weren’t frightened, were you? Brother Xie is just like that, a bit blunt, but his intentions are good. Don’t be mad at him." As he said this, Jin Congmo changed the subject, "But not everything is as simple as it seems."
"I’m not that easily scared." Ah Chen laughed, instantly breaking the atmosphere Jin Congmo had been trying to create. "Senior Brother has always had that stern face; I’m used to it. He disapproves of me, and I do the same with him."
Xie Jiuqing, who hadn’t walked far, heard her voice clearly, free from any concealment, even as a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator.
A hint of surprise crossed his face, but it quickly subsided.
Plenty of people in the Cultivation World frowned upon him, one more Junior Sister wouldn’t make much impact.
Jin Congmo furrowed his brow briefly but soon returned to normal, "What brings you to see me, Junior Sister Pei?"
"I’m not looking for Senior Brother Jin." Ah Chen smiled, "I’m heading over to the Spiritual Beast Peak."
Jin Congmo fell silent. It seemed that Pei Chen felt the pressure around her was too much, and given that he had never given her hope, she was ready to retract her feelings. Wasn’t she different in the past when confronting Xie Jiuqing, too?
If he wasn’t always so gentle and patient, he wouldn’t have been able to shift her attention to him so quickly.
In the distance, Xie Jiuqing heard this too, realizing he had misunderstood this time, no wonder he got retorted.
But he had no intention of explaining, Junior Sister already had thoughts about Jin Congmo; if not today, she’d seek him out another day.
"No more talking with Senior Brother Jin, I’m heading to Spiritual Beast Peak." Ah Chen said.
Anywhere else, Jin Congmo would have accompanied her, but she was going to Spiritual Beast Peak.
That place harbored a beast even the master’s afraid of, so all Jin Congmo could do was bid her farewell with a smile. As Ah Chen departed on an Immortal Crane, his smile gradually faded.
Pei Chen’s feelings for him had cooled.
No, the plan must not go wrong.
He must make Pei Chen refocus on him. If gentle means didn’t work, then he had to seize the opportunity to express his feelings.
What Ah Chen didn’t know was that after she left for the Spiritual Beast Peak, Jin Congmo and the one familiar with her inquired about her preferences and then went down to the marketplace with Jin Congshuang.
This news quickly spread, and many disciples knew that Jin Congmo seemed to have different intentions towards Pei Chen.
Meanwhile, Ah Chen was eating grilled fish, even praising its taste, hearing Yan Zui’s system broadcast that she had gained 100,000 experience points, leaving both in a good mood.
At that moment, a bird landed on her shoulder.
"Master, many disciples at the sect are discussing that Jin Congmo has intentions towards you."
"I’ve heard he’s gone to the market below the mountain, seemingly to buy things you like."
Yan Zui, still fishing, was surprised by this. What was Jin Congmo intending to do?
He simply didn’t like those two siblings, directly threw them out, and hadn’t paid them much attention since.