The next day, inside Xiaoyao Hall.
“Ha… why does your Xiaoyao Sword Sect have so many official documents?”
After working for several hours, Hua Yan lay sprawled across the carved rosewood table in front of her, her face looking haggard and pale.
As for why the usually simple Xiaoyao Hall now featured such a precious rosewood table, it was naturally Hua Yan’s doing. She had also added two white jade cushioned chairs — according to her, if she had to sit on a prayer mat and hunch over a small desk to work, she wouldn’t be able to handle the job at all.
“Yan’er, there is only one last document left — this is the request from Wanjian Peak for Spirit Stones.”
Yun Xuechang sat upright in the other white jade cushioned chair and gently handed over the paper in her hand.
“Hmph, let me see…”
Hearing that only one was left, Hua Yan’s eyes immediately lit up. She quickly took the paper and read softly:
“To Acting Sect Master Yun Xuechang:
Your humble servant at Wanjian Peak hereby requests 30,000 top-grade Spirit Stones and 5,000 peak-grade Spirit Stones. The intended uses are as follows. We request your approval:
To improve the sword cultivation of the peak’s disciples, solidify the sect’s foundation in the Way of the Sword, and showcase the Peerless Sword Under Heaven style of our Xiaoyao Sword Sect, Wanjian Peak plans to hold a New Year Sect Competition next month. This minor competition aims to promote practice through competition, allowing disciples to identify and fix their weaknesses during sparring, and to pass down the essence of Wanjian Peak’s swordsmanship. At the same time, it will prepare talent for future participation in the Orthodox and Evil Sword Debate and Secret Realm Exploration. This is a vital matter concerning the long-term development of the sect and falls within my peak’s responsibilities…”
“Hiss… it sounds legitimate, but they’re asking for quite a lot of Spirit Stones. What do you think?”
As Hua Yan read, she turned her head to look at Yun Xuechang.
“Yan’er, why don’t you… keep reading further down?”
Thinking about the subsequent content on the paper, Yun Xuechang reminded her with a hint of uncertainty.
Hua Yan didn’t understand why, but she continued to read:
“Itemized breakdown of specific expenses:
Minor Competition Winner’s Rewards (approx. 10%): We plan to set prizes for the champion, runner-up, third place, and excellence awards. Spirit Stones will be awarded as an incentive.
Sword Stage Repair and Decoration (approx. 30%): To showcase our sect’s unrestrained yet sophisticated character, we need to lay down 3,000 jin of Black Iron, 200 jin of Volcanic Flame Crystal, and 50 jin of Five-Colored Soil…
Sword Consumables (approx. 50%): Flying swords must be purchased to cover the wear and tear of the competition.
We estimate ten Golden Core Stage flying swords, 500 Nascent Soul Stage flying swords, 100 Huashen Stage flying swords, and ten Void Amalgamation Stage flying swords.
Logistics and Supplies (approx. 10%): To prepare hot tea and snacks for the chief judge, Yue Jue. This includes purchasing ingredients and a heater to ensure the competition proceeds smoothly.”
“How is this a minor competition? This is clearly just a creative way to ask for Spirit Stones!” Hua Yan threw the document aside in annoyance.
“Aren’t Black Iron and Five-Colored Soil materials for refining arrays? And those flying swords — is your competition a contest to see who can break swords the fastest? Rejected!”
“Um, alright.”
Seeing this, Yun Xuechang nodded gently. She took a brush and wrote the word “Rejected” on the application.
“Waaa… I thought that since the Sect Master wasn’t here, I could finally get some Spirit Stones from little Xuechang. You used to listen to your Auntie Yue so much when you were little, and you even said you’d marry me when you grew up… Now that you have another woman, you don’t care about me anymore…”
As soon as those words were spoken, a seductive figure burst into the room.
The woman wore a black qipao with gold embroidery, topped with a fluffy black fox fur coat.
Her dark brownish-black hair was loosely tied in a bun, and the red gold Kingfisher earrings swayed gently with her movements.
She held a long, thin tobacco pipe in her hand, looking both dignified and charming. As soon as she entered, she leaned toward Yun Xuechang.
Hua Yan’s eyes instantly widened.
“Martial Uncle Yue, please behave yourself.”
Yun Xuechang straightened her up with both hands and said seriously, “Your application is indeed not in line with regulations. As far as I know, this isn’t for a sect competition, but for your sword array cultivation. I cannot approve it.”
“Furthermore, Auntie, I don’t remember ever saying I would marry you when I was a child.”
“Oh, you must have remembered wrong then.”
Yue Jue waved her hand immediately, not showing the slightest bit of embarrassment for being called out.
“And what do you mean by ‘for my cultivation’? Didn’t I also apply for many low-level flying swords and materials? Those are all prepared for the lovely disciples on my peak — like Qianqian and the others. Which of their living expenses doesn’t cost Spirit Stones? Little Xuechang, you can’t treat your Martial Uncle like this — “
Yue Jue pressed a slender finger against her red lips, biting it slightly, her eyes looking pitiful and vulnerable.
Unfortunately, her straightforward Martial Niece was completely unmoved and only shook her head.
“Then I’ll change the name of the request. It should be fine if I apply for cultivation funding, right?”
Yue Jue’s eyes darted around as she blinked and spoke again.
“It is still too much. Besides, Martial Uncle Yue, Wanjian Peak has a fixed annual cultivation budget. I cannot allocate extra funds to you.”
Yun Xuechang still shook her head.
“Curse it! I knew the Sect Master deliberately left without telling us just to guard against us, so he could dump the position of Acting Sect Master onto you or that cold woman Ji Ling during the evening party!”
Yue Jue pulled an embroidered handkerchief from somewhere, bit it between her teeth, and stomped her foot.
“Ji Ling is one thing, but even little Xuechang has become so heartless. It really breaks my heart!”
“I say, Elder, what exactly are you here for? If you’re just here to make trouble and demand Spirit Stones, our Xuechang has already made it very clear. Your request is unreasonable, so stop pestering her!”
Hua Yan, who had been unable to hold back, stood with her hands on her hips, looking at Yue Jue with a face full of displeasure.
‘This woman… where did she come from? She comes in here and starts acting spoiled and throwing a tantrum with Xuechang. She doesn’t act like an elder at all!’
Hua Yan stared at the charming, mature woman in front of her, her heart growing increasingly annoyed.
‘Xuechang already rejected her…’
‘And… and even I haven’t acted like that with Xuechang before…’
“Oh? ‘Our Xuechang’?”
Yue Jue immediately turned her head, her gaze landing on Hua Yan. A flash of mischievous playfulness crossed her eyes.
“Oh my, I didn’t expect little Xuechang’s Dao Companion to be so jealous. No wonder she protected you so much during the morning meeting a few days ago, not letting us elders ask too much about you.”
Saying that, she blew a kiss toward Hua Yan, her tone suggestive. “Yan’er, keep it up. I have high hopes for you — “
With that, she turned and walked away gracefully, her hips swaying with every step.
“Honestly… are all the elders of your Xiaoyao Sword Sect like this?”
Seeing her walk away, Hua Yan asked Yun Xuechang crossly with her hands on her hips.
“…After all, our sect is named after ‘unrestrained freedom.’ The personalities of the elders and disciples are generally quite casual and free-spirited.”
Yun Xuechang paused before explaining, “That was Friend Lin’s Master, the Peak Master of Wanjian Peak, Elder Yue Jue.”
“Hmph…”
Hua Yan gave a short response and turned her face away, crossing her arms.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
“You… you have nothing else to say?”
Hua Yan’s awkward voice rang out again.
“Hmm?”
Yun Xuechang looked at her delicate profile as she slightly turned away, thinking for a moment. “It is getting late. We should go back and cook for Rongrong.”
“Hey! That’s not what I’m asking!”
Hua Yan stomped her foot and looked at the confused girl in front of her, her cheeks turning red. “I mean… well…”
Her voice grew quieter under Yun Xuechang’s inquisitive gaze, but her face grew hotter. “Do you and her… do you have any other kind of relationship…?”
Her words were tinged with a bitterness she hadn’t even noticed herself.
“We are just an ordinary Martial Uncle and Martial Niece. There is nothing else.”
Although Yun Xuechang was somewhat puzzled, she still shook her head honestly. “Martial Uncle Yue treats everyone that way. Yan’er, don’t take her jokes seriously.”
Pausing, she added softly, “We are just elder and junior. There isn’t even a trace of romantic affection.”
“Cough, cough… who… who asked if you liked her? I don’t care about that old woman at all!”
Hua Yan hurriedly cleared her throat and lifted her head. Her words were still stubborn, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but twitch upward.
‘Hmph, I knew Xuechang wouldn’t be moved by a shameless woman who looks like a vixen…’
“Cough, cough…”
She cleared her throat again and reached out toward Yun Xuechang with a blushing face.
“Let… let’s go! Since you said it’s late and we need to go back and cook for Rongrong… don’t make her wait too long.”
“Okay.”
Seeing her mood improve, Yun Xuechang’s lips curved slightly as she nodded with a smile.
……
That night.
A thousand miles south of the Xiaoyao Sword Sect, inside a deserted little temple.
The shadows from the lamps were dim as two figures sat opposite each other at a broken stone table.
“Ye Qingyuan has already left the sect… is it time for you to cooperate with us and make some arrangements?”
A dark figure shrouded in a black robe spoke first. The voice was clear and beautiful, yet it carried a hint of coldness.
“That Acting Sect Master of yours — she ruined our plans in Great Chu a few days ago, and now she’s taken the position of Acting Sect Master, suppressing you. You must… find her quite an eyesore, don’t you?”
On the other side of the stone table sat another woman in a black robe. The flickering lamplight illuminated her expressionless face —
If Hua Yan and Yun Xuechang were here, they would certainly recognize this face.
“What… do you need me to do?”
Ji Ling looked up and spoke slowly, her tone flat and emotionless.