Zanxing

Chapter 63 - Keeping the Balance (1)

A few days later, the auspicious day chosen by Zhao Maoyi arrived. The sect held the disciple acceptance ceremony, and in front of all the sect members, Yanxing and the others officially became Xuan Lingzi's personal disciples.

On the day of the ceremony, Yanxing wore the Tianji Robe, and not long after the event, rumors about her spread throughout the entire sect. The gossip boiled down to this: the female disciple who ranked first in the inner sect examination secretly had a crush on Mu Chengxiao, who came second. In an ill-advised deal, she traded the precious Immortal Jade Lingzhi for Mu Chengxiao's far less valuable Tianji Robe.

Had the protagonist been any ordinary girl, this would've just been another trivial romantic tale within the sect, something people would gossip about for a short while. But Yanxing's situation was different—her face was scarred, and back in Pingyang Town, her fiancé had publicly broken off their engagement in front of a crowd. These misfortunes added a bitter note to the otherwise lighthearted rumor.

Now, as Yanxing walked through the sect, she could feel people's pitying gazes following her.

That night, Ziluo rushed to see Yanxing, clearly distressed. "Junior Sister, how could you exchange the Immortal Jade Lingzhi with Brother Mu? Didn't I tell you that the Tianji Robe is far inferior to the Lingzhi?"

Yanxing poured her a cup of tea. "Sister, I just thought the robe was pretty, so I made the trade."

Ziluo didn't take the tea from Yanxing's hand. Her gaze was filled with understanding as she sighed. "I get it. Since you're fond of him, naturally you'd want to give him the best. You're so clever when it comes to cultivation, but when it comes to matters of the heart, you're so clueless. Foolish, really."

"I don't—"

"Besides, you should consider if he's even worth such a sacrifice," Ziluo said, her tone tinged with frustration. She took a sip of tea, calming herself before continuing, "Did you know that Brother Mu had a childhood sweetheart?"

Yanxing replied, "Yes, I know."

"Do you know that she's coming to our Taiyan Sect soon?"

Yanxing was truly unaware of this, and she asked in surprise, "Senior sister, who told you that?"

"A few days ago, Seventh Martial Uncle suggested to the Sect Master that since Sixth Martial Uncle had chosen his personal disciples, it was time to resolve any concerns they might have. That Miss Liu, who is now living alone in Pingyang Town and in poor health, should be brought to Taiyan Sect to stay in Hanwu Courtyard, so Brother Mu can take care of her," Ziluo said, shaking her head. "The Sect Master agreed, thinking the suggestion made sense. If the timing is right, Miss Liu should arrive early tomorrow."

Ziluo looked at Yanxing. "Junior Sister, the Immortal Jade Lingzhi—Brother Mu will most likely give it to Miss Liu to use. Your heartfelt gift has ended up benefiting someone else. Even I, as an outsider, feel indignant on your behalf."

"Seventh Martial Uncle suggested this?" Yanxing was more surprised by the person behind the proposal. Gu Baiying didn't seem like someone who would interfere in such matters. What kind of plot development is this?

"Yes. I don't know what Seventh Martial Uncle was thinking. Did you offend him?" Ziluo asked.

Yanxing mentally reviewed all her actions and couldn't find any moment where she might have offended Gu Baiying. However, letting Liu Yunxin join the sect actually aligned with the original storyline, which meant that, unintentionally, Gu Baiying had helped restore part of the plot. For Yanxing, this was a good thing.

Still... there might be an opportunity here.

Yanxing set down the teapot and abruptly stood up. Ziluo asked, "Sister, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to see Master. I have something to discuss with him." With that, Yanxing turned and left without looking back.

Ziluo froze for a moment, then exclaimed, "Oh no! Is she going to demand an explanation?" Feeling anxious, she quickly used a voice-transmission talisman to warn Xuan Ling in advance.

...

At Miaokong Hall, Xuan Ling lay on a couch, staring helplessly at the white-clad youth seated in a chair. "Junior brother, why on earth did you suggest to the Sect Master to bring Miss Liu into the sect? You're stabbing Yanxing in the heart with this!"

Gu Baiying was in a good mood, leisurely peeling a spiritual fruit. "Isn't that perfect? She's young, full of energy, and thinking about dual cultivation."

Xuan Ling was startled. "Wh-what dual cultivation?"

Gu Baiying caught himself and casually deflected, "Nothing. These new disciples should focus on cultivation, not get distracted by romantic entanglements."

"Oh, come on," Xuan Ling slapped his thigh. "She's still just a young girl. It's natural for young people to have feelings. Miss Liu is Mu Chengxiao's childhood sweetheart, and Yanxing is my personal disciple. If those two start fighting out of jealousy, how am I supposed to keep the peace? Junior brother, you're just creating more trouble for me!"

"Why bother keeping the peace?" Gu Baiying carelessly tossed the fruit peel into the wastebasket by the door, then took a bite of the spiritual fruit. "Just look after Mu Chengxiao's side. As for Yanxing... forget about it. Let that cup of water spill."

Xuan Ling stared at him. "Junior brother, what has Yanxing done to offend you? Why are you treating her this way?"

Gu Baiying sneered. "It's not that I don't like her; I'm annoyed by her. She irritates me."

Accustomed to his junior brother's arrogance, Xuan Ling could only sigh. Just as he was about to say more, he heard a voice transmission. It was Ziluo's anxious tone: "Sixth Martial Uncle, Sister Yanxing just found out about Miss Liu coming to the sect. She's feeling indignant and is heading to the outer hall in a fury. She's probably coming to demand an explanation. You'd better prepare yourself and don't make things worse!"

Xuan Ling nearly fell off the couch in a panic. He quickly scrambled to his feet, looking for a place to hide. Gu Baiying watched him, puzzled. "What are you doing?"

"Yanxing is coming!" Xuan Ling tried to squeeze behind the chair. "I need to hide. Don't—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a familiar voice called from outside, "Master."

Xuan Ling froze mid-movement, then awkwardly stood up from behind the chair, forcing a smile. "Yanxing, you're here."

Gu Baiying raised an eyebrow slightly.

Yanxing stepped into the hall, noticing the youth eating a spiritual fruit. She paused in surprise and greeted him, "Seventh Martial Uncle is here too?"

Gu Baiying remained silent, but Xuan Ling hurried forward, trying to appear calm. "Yanxing, why have you come so late? Have you settled into Miaokong Hall? Is there anything you need added to your room? How do you like the tea set? By the way, Fangfang mentioned that Mimi has been shedding fur lately. I got a few anti-shedding pills from your Fourth Martial Uncle. You should give them to her so she doesn't go bald—"

Yanxing interrupted his rambling. "Master, I've come tonight regarding Miss Liu."