Chapter 33: The Little Mute

“Why are you working for these kinds of people? You don’t seem like an Xie Xiu.”

Jiang Che voiced the question lingering in his mind.

Wu Qing didn’t hesitate much before replying, “For money! At the end of the day, the hardest people to get by in this world are those Scattered Cultivators with no talent and no backing.

They don’t want to be Ordinary People, but cultivating the Immortal Path is as hard as scaling the heavens.

And once you’ve set foot on the path of cultivation, does it really matter if you’re righteous or evil?

Besides, my deadbeat old man used to go around seeking Immortal teachings and Fate, only to end up killed by so-called Righteous Path Cultivators.”

Hearing this, although Jiang Che couldn’t see him, he could sense the helplessness and sorrow hidden beneath Wu Qing’s tone.

“All right, little brother, just wait here. Maybe that Xie Xuan guy will come back soon and let you go.”

After saying this, Wu Qing was about to head upstairs but was stopped by Jiang Che’s voice.

“Hey, what’s the deal with that girl? Who is she?”

Wu Qing suddenly burst out laughing.

“Haha, kid, how old are you? You call her ‘girl’? You should say ‘miss’ or something if you want to win her favor.”

Jiang Che twitched at the corner of his mouth. Who cared about that? Besides, he didn’t need any flowery words.

Wu Qing continued, “She was captured too, but I’m not exactly sure about her story. Seems her parents were taken as well, so she has no choice but to serve Xie Xuan as a slave. They called her over to look after the kid, so he doesn’t cry and make a scene.”

With that, Wu Qing went upstairs.

Jiang Che looked toward where Xiao Yaba was, feeling that she was just as unfortunate as him.

……

Lin Yin emerged from an alley, cradling a baby boy in her arms.

She had been walking the streets aimlessly, lost in thought after realizing she’d messed up buying new clothes for Jiang Che.

Then, that little rabbit who had been following her all along suddenly found her again, tugging at her robe and pulling her into the alley.

To her surprise, there was a baby lying swaddled there.

Lin Yin had been trapped in the turmoil of how to earn Jiang Che’s forgiveness, but deep down, she knew he hated her.

No matter what she did, she wouldn’t get any credit.

After all, the wrongdoer doesn’t even get a chance to answer the questions.

Until the rabbit kept gesturing anxiously—pointing at the alley entrance, then at the child, finally standing upright and making a motion like “separate to both sides and then bring together.”

“Return the child to his parents?”

The rabbit’s urgency tugged at Lin Yin’s heartstrings.

A thought flickered like a faint star in her chaotic mind: If… if I could help this child find his parents, do something good… would Che’er… would he think that his Sect Master isn’t beyond hope?

After all, if a child goes missing, how heartbroken must the parents be?

But what next? Where do I look for the parents? How do I ask? Standing on the street holding an unknown baby?

Lin Yin was at a loss.

She was used to relying on her cultivation and strength, rarely facing difficulties.

But now was different.

She was no longer the proud Head of Lingjian Peak, standing tall with her sword in the world.

At this moment, she felt like a novice, clumsy and helpless.

The baby in her arms stirred uneasily, making a faint cooing sound that tightened her chest with worry—afraid she hadn’t held him properly.

Just then, a gentle yet world-weary voice, deliberately respectful, sounded behind Lin Yin.

“Excuse me… are you Lingjian Peak’s Head, Lin Yin Fairy?”

Lin Yin turned sharply to see an elderly man dressed in simple blue robes.

She frowned, not recognizing him.

“Who are you?”

Seeing Lin Yin respond, the man’s smile deepened with respect. He stepped forward and performed a slightly imperfect but sincere bow of a junior cultivator.

“Reporting to the Head, my name is Qin Zifeng, currently the mayor of Shenxiao Town. I am a Registered Disciple of Shenxiao Sect. It’s normal you don’t know me. My cultivation is quite meager, so I wouldn’t dare show myself before you, but I wanted to pay my respects.

I have some connection to you because it was your Senior Brother Jiang Che who recommended me.”

Lin Yin studied him carefully. His aura was faint, which made her suspicious at first, but hearing it was Jiang Che’s recommendation made her somewhat favorable.

Besides, Jiang Che’s punishment hadn’t been publicly announced; only the Sect disciples knew, and the Zongzhu strictly forbade external disclosure.

It seemed Qin Zifeng was unaware of this.

“I see. Is there something you need?”

Qin Zifeng hurriedly bowed again, his smile humble.

“Nothing much! I just happened to see and recognize you, Head, and dared to come say hello. The favor Jiang Senior Brother did me, I always remember…”

His words suddenly trailed off as his gaze landed on the small bundle in Lin Yin’s arms.

“Uh… Head, is this child…?”

Lin Yin suddenly realized the baby she was holding.

“This is one I found.”

Qin Zifeng stepped closer, examining the child and stroking his beard thoughtfully.

“Found? Doesn’t look like the parents abandoned him. I’m sure they’re worried sick.”

“Is that so? Could you please help me find this child’s parents?”

Qin Zifeng nodded.

“That’s my duty. Please come with me, Head Lin. Once we find the child’s parents, they’ll surely thank you.”

Lin Yin thought it over. Since he had some connection with Jiang Che, and it seemed reasonable, she nodded in agreement.

………

A short while later, in the small wooden cabin outside the bamboo grove.

Jiang Che leaned against the basement wall. There was no chance of escape—he could only wait and see. At least, for now, they wouldn’t harm him.

The little mute had finished tending the baby and now came over to Jiang Che.

She still held the flatbread in her hand.

She brought the bread up to Jiang Che’s mouth and poked his arm with her other hand.

“Well, you don’t really need to poke me. I can feel it—you want to feed me, right?”

Jiang Che understood the girl’s intention but couldn’t help sighing at their odd pairing.

He was blind and lame, and she was mute.

Their communication was bound to be full of difficulties.

Clearly, the mute knew he couldn’t see her nod, so she moved the bread closer to him.

Jiang Che had no choice but to bite into the bread.

He was a bit tempted and thought it would be a waste not to eat.

Gurgle~

Suddenly, his stomach rumbled.

The girl’s face, originally expressionless, lowered.

Jiang Che sensed the change and quickly understood—the girl was hungry.

“Eat it. I’m not really hungry. I ate earlier; I’m just craving it.”

The mute looked at the bitten bread, tempted but still didn’t take a bite.

“Go ahead and eat. I won’t tell them.”

Hearing this, the mute reached out and grabbed Jiang Che’s hand.

She untied the restraints binding his hands.

Jiang Che was stunned. Was she really that bold?

Then, the girl simply took one of his hands and drew her finger across his palm.