Chapter 139: Righteousness Soaring to the Heavens: Little Little Fengxian

"Little Little Fengxian, you've come~~"

Jin Jin Lian held up a silk skirt the color of lotus leaves, twisting and turning in front of a full-length mirror to inspect herself.

She didn't even spare a glance at Xiao Yu, whom Chun'er had brought in.

"Where are Master Master Gongsun and the others?" Xiao Yu asked.

There were still Master Master Gongsun's guards and servants in Yihong Academy, but no banquet or guests in sight.

"They're in the neighboring Cuifang Pavilion; summer's here, and it's cooler there."

Jin Jin Lian replied offhandedly, then picked up a silk blouse from a rack beside the screen and asked, "Little Little Fengxian, come over and help me decide.

Which looks better on me—the new Four Seasons Shop design, 'Lotus Leaf Skirt, Cut in One Color,' or the lotus-petal skirt with lotus-fiber blouse?"

Xiao Yu thought the lotus-fiber blouse with the lotus-petal skirt looked prettier, but she didn't want Jin Jin Lian to keep fussing, so she pointed to the lotus leaf skirt she was wearing and said, "That one—it's stunning. It'll surely dazzle—uh, Jin Jin Lian, who are you dressing up for? Master Wen or Master Master Gongsun?"

"Obviously for Master Master Gongsun—do you even have to ask?" Jin Jin Lian said as if it were self-evident.

Xiao Yu gave her a strange look. "You haven't left the house these past days—you've been glued to Master Master Gongsun.

I thought you'd finally gotten a chance to see Master Wen again, so you were dressing up for him.

After all, you're with Master Master Gongsun every day. Aren't you tired of him? Why bother preparing clothes?"

Finally, Jin Jin Lian turned around and looked at her as if she were an idiot. "I'd gladly spend my whole life with Master Master Gongsun, day and night, never tiring of him. How could I ever get bored?

You're just a naive, unopened girl—you understand nothing."

Xiao Yu said, "At least I understand that Master Master Gongsun's been with you daily—he's an old acquaintance. Master Wen hasn't seen you in days—he's practically a newcomer.

Especially since he came to you himself now, it shows how deep his feelings are."

Jin Jin Lian sneered. "He's no newcomer—he shouldn't have come at all."

Xiao Yu asked curiously, "So you've truly decided to leave with Master Master Gongsun?"

Hadn't Jin Jin Lian sought out Xiao Yu to learn the Nine Flower Sword just to marry into the Wen family and become Master Wen's concubine?

Now saying this could only mean she'd climbed to a higher branch.

"Hehe, I haven't said it outright, but my heart has already been given. Even if I had to eat bran and swallow cabbage, I'd follow Master Master Gongsun for life.

Thank you, Madam Feng, for reading my fate—when the day comes to leave, I must give you a grand gift."

Jin Jin Lian's cheeks flushed red—with shyness and deep longing.

Xiao Yu frowned. "Master Master Gongsun is probably going to marry a lady from some Western noble family."

"Is that so?" Jin Jin Lian paused, then said slowly, "True—he came to the Western Sands Region to settle down. Would he marry anyone but a noble lady?

Hehe, Little Little Fengxian, don't worry—I know my place.

With my background, to serve him as a slave or maid for life is already the fortune of a lifetime of vegetarian piety and prayer. How could I dare ask for more?"

With such awareness, Xiao Yu had nothing left to say.

"Why did Master Master Gongsun want to see me?"

"He wants to ask about how you used the Investiture of the Gods to enshrine spirits," Jin Jin Lian said with a complex expression. "You're truly incredible—like a figure from legend.

Enshrining ghosts as deities!

And dozens at once. I almost regret it.

If I hadn't met Master Master Gongsun, I'd probably have been in the main hall last night, drinking with clients."

Xiao Yu sighed. "Don't mention you—I feel the same. But the real 'divine figure' isn't me—it's the Investiture of the Gods.

Without that heavenly treasure, I'd have been split in half by the immortal assassin."

Jin Jin Lian turned back to fuss with her skirt. "Master Master Gongsun heard about how Jin Gui and Bi Tao returned yesterday to say goodbye to the girls.

He's curious, so he asked me to bring you over."

"Say what you can, and if you can't say it, just claim ignorance."

"Like you said—without the Investiture of the Gods, all fantasies are just bubbles."

Xiao Yu thought for a moment, then asked, "What about Master Wen, Brother Xiao, and Monk Miao? Why are they here?"

Jin Jin Lian replied coolly, "Wen Wen Ruyu came for me—out of sight, out of mind. He's missed me so much after just a few days.

Brother Big Nose and Monk Miao didn't arrive today.

They heard Master Master Gongsun was staying at Yihong Academy, so they came like cats smelling fish—repeatedly begged me to intercede, saying they'd gladly serve the nobleman as loyal hounds, begging Jin Jin Lian the Grand Dame to show mercy and so on."

"So Master Master Gongsun is willing to meet them?" Xiao Yu asked in surprise.

"More than meet them—he's had them drink with him several times these past days.

Expecting Brother Big Nose and Monk Miao to accomplish anything great is pure fantasy.

But for small tasks around Tianmen Town—running errands, gathering gossip—they're quite efficient.

Yesterday, when they begged Master Master Gongsun for a future, he smiled and agreed.

Hehe, that's a good thing.

When trouble comes, I'll have at least two familiar faces who can lend a hand," Jin Jin Lian chuckled.

As Jin Jin Lian had said, the moment Master Master Gongsun saw Xiao Yu, he eagerly asked about the Investiture of the Gods.

But he wasn't the only guest—on the surface, Master Wen was the highest-ranking visitor.

Before asking about the Investiture of the Gods, Master Master Gongsun first exchanged polite courtesies with Master Wen.

"I've long yearned to behold your brilliance, yet never had the fortune to meet you. Today, in this red-sleeve pavilion, to see such a wise man—what honor!" Master Master Gongsun said.

Master Wen rose and replied, "Your Lordship is of noble lineage; I am but a lowly commoner. You soar above the clouds; I am mere firewood and worthless timber. Your praise is too great—I cannot bear it!"

Xiao Yu felt awkward—she realized "Zhan Han" and "Yu Li" were famous Chinese allusions, meaning something like praising Wen Wen Ruyu as an outstanding talent and expressing honor at meeting him.

But she didn't understand these allusions at all.

—Hong Qu was right: reading isn't just about Dao scriptures or learning obscure characters.

Many allusions are hidden in books—you won't understand them unless you read.

If you don't know the allusions, you can't even understand what others are saying—you're like an illiterate.

What made her even more ashamed was that even Brother Big Nose and Monk Miao—the "second-rate riffraff of Tianmen Town"—had spoken in flowery, classical phrases full of citations.

After the greetings, Master Master Gongsun continued his courtesies: "I have one sincere thought, born from my heart—please don't treat it as mere formality.

I've lingered in Yihong Academy for many days, enjoying the pleasures of moon-chasing and cloud-licking, of mingling with beauties—it's been too much.

You and Jin Jin Lian have long been close friends, and after so long apart, you ought to be together, sharing intimate nights and the joy of union.

My servants and I will move out of Yihong Academy and find another place to stay.

May I humbly ask, Brother Wen, will you grant me this small favor and fulfill my wish?"

This sentence had no allusions—Xiao Yu understood it perfectly: four words summed it up—I'm giving you my girl!

She immediately saw Jin Jin Lian's face change color.

But Wen Wen Ruyu didn't leap with joy—he looked hesitant, thoughtful.

He was still calculating how to refuse, for this nobleman from the upper realm had been so courteous, so respectful—he, too, was from a noble family and couldn't afford to lose face.

Monk Miao spoke before him, urgently: "Our Yingxiang Prefecture's Master Wen has never been a lecher! His occasional interest in moon-chasing and cloud-pursuing is merely fleeting.

Besides, this is Qingshuiwan's Hongxiu Academy—getting close to beauties is easiest here.

Moreover, Master Wen comes from the Wen family, under the watchful eye of the Grand Dowager, and he's too busy to stay long—he must return to Yingxiang Prefecture this afternoon!"

Jin Jin Lian smiled seductively and gave Monk Miao a grateful glance from the corner of her eye.

But Wen Wen Ruyu was seething inside!

He had no intention of accepting Master Master Gongsun's offer to give him Jin Jin Lian.

The nobleman offering his woman was etiquette.

His polite refusal was etiquette.

But what was this Monk Miao, to speak for Master Wen?!

Wen Wen Ruyu's fury had another reason: before Master Master Gongsun arrived, Monk Miao and Brother Big Nose had both used Jin Jin Lian to curry favor with him, and for months had been groveling at his feet.

Just recently, they'd sworn to be his loyal hounds—and now they were helping another man take his woman? How could this be?!

He wanted to draw his sword and cut Monk Miao to pieces, yet on the surface, he smiled politely. "My thoughts have all been voiced by Brother Miao.

Master Master Gongsun, don't focus all your attention on me—after all, today's honored guest is Miss Little Fengxian."

"Exactly, exactly! We're all curious how Miss Little Fengxian used the Investiture of the Gods to enshrine spirits—tell us!" Brother Big Nose nodded eagerly.

Xiao Yu exchanged a few polite words, then spoke honestly: she said it was sheer chance that activated the Investiture of the Gods, that she'd unwittingly absorbed the immortal assassin's soul, and that moved by Jin Gui and Bi Tao's fate, she'd unwittingly enshrined them.

"Miss Little Fengxian, your righteousness is noble!"

Brother Big Nose's face glowed with admiration. He raised his cup to toast Xiao Yu, praising her nonstop: "Holding the Investiture of the Gods, you sought no personal gain—you thought only of the girls in the house.

You even traded your own merit for their great futures.

Miss Little Fengxian, you're truly the most righteous, most loyal person I've ever met in my life."

Brother Big Nose was a thin, monkey-faced scholar, but his drinking had given him a wine-sore nose the size of a black plum.

After one cup, his nose glowed red and began to ooze oil.

"As the saying goes, heroes abound among the courtesans—this is exactly Miss Little Fengxian!" Monk Miao not only toasted her but stood and bowed deeply.

Xiao Yu politely refused, then drank two cups of clear water.

Jin Jin Lian, citing her youth, had insisted on replacing her wine with water.

If they'd encountered such a situation outside, Jin Jin Lian would have taken the wine for her.

Throughout Xiao Yu's recounting of the enshrinement, Wen Wen Ruyu kept his eyes glued to Jin Jin Lian.

Seeing her constantly flirt, pouring all her attention into Master Master Gongsun and ignoring him entirely, he felt both heartache and rage.

Just days ago, behind the Yingxiang Prefecture Guan Chenghuang Temple, she'd given him a sachet containing his hair, pleading her devotion, kneeling before him, clinging to his legs, begging him not to betray her heartfelt love.

And now, after just a few days, this whore had changed her heart!

Seeing the young master Master Gongsun's noble bearing and distinguished air, he felt another wave of bitterness and loneliness rise within him.

"Thud!" He lifted his cup and drained it in one gulp, then slammed it down hard, drawing the attention of everyone around.

Wen Wen Ruyu laughed heartily: "Miss Little Fengxian's righteousness isn't just about using the Investiture of the Gods to enshrine her former sisters!"

Do you know why Master Daoist Qingsong came to Hongxiu Courtyard, and why he sought out Little Little Fengxian alone?"

Jin Jin Lian pressed her cheek against the young master Master Gongsun, yet her hands moved swiftly, peeling a handful of roasted sunflower seeds.

She tossed the shells on the floor and piled the kernels into a small dish beside her.

Then, with chopsticks, she picked up a large meatball and placed it on another small dish; one by one, she stuck the sunflower kernels into the meatball, set the ball into the cup, poured in fine wine, and finally offered the cup to the young master Master Gongsun's lips.

She never once glanced at Wen Wen Ruyu.

The young master Master Gongsun, meanwhile, chewed contentedly on the meatball studded with kernels and mumbled: "So Master Daoist Qingsong didn't just come to catch up with Little Little Fengxian?"

Wen Wen Ruyu forced a smile: "Of course there was catching up—but mainly, he came to help Miss Little Fengxian register her divine title as the Metropolitan Guan Chenghuang of Jin Yang."

"Hss—Metropolitan Guan Chenghuang of Jin Yang?"

Not just Xiao Da Bi and Miao Tu Zi—even Jin Jin Lian was startled.

Xiao Yu's gaze flickered; she glanced at Wen Wen Ruyu but said nothing.

Everyone knew she had met Master Daoist Qingsong and seen the Investiture of the Gods. But she had never told anyone except Li Dan about the Jin Yang Metropolitan Guan Chenghuang—only that Master Daoist Qingsong was an old acquaintance.

She hadn't spoken of it before, fearing it might stir up trouble and ruin Duan Duan Laoshu's chance at the city god post.

Duan Duan Laoshu had only been officially enshrined last night; she had had neither time nor opportunity to tell anyone.

More importantly, she had never intended to publicize it at all.

On the matter of the Jin Yang Metropolitan Guan Chenghuang, the only thing she had ever wanted to say—she had already said to Duan Duan Laoshu last night: Be a good god!

"Marquis Lord Lieyang once publicly offered a reward for the heads of the Eight Immortals of the West—the prize being a Metropolitan Guan Chenghuang title. Miss Little Fengxian killed Kong Zan and should have become the Metropolitan Guan Chenghuang of Jin Yang, yet she gave the title to two ghosts from Sancha Ridge."

Wen Wen Ruyu recounted the story Xiao Yu had never told anyone.

Xiao Da Bi and Miao Tu Zi's gazes at Xiao Yu no longer held admiration—only bewildered disbelief at a fool's foolish act.

Jin Jin Lian cried out: "Little Little Fengxian, are you mad? When you enshrined Jin Gui and Bi Tao, you didn't know the outcome or consequences—you were right not to risk your life. That's understandable."

But the Metropolitan Guan Chenghuang title was right before your eyes! Are you brain-dead? You gave the title to two dead ghosts—not because they buried your bones, but because you collected their remains and built their graves!"

You did them a great favor!"

Xiao Yu waved her hand: "Wen Young Master didn't tell the whole story. I survived Kong Zan's Flag Gate Escape Array thanks to Duan Duan Laoshu guiding me. Killing Kong Zan—I owe—"

Xiao Yu had intended to say that most of the credit belonged to Duan Duan Yuhuan, but catching sight of Wen Wen Ruyu across from her and sensing General Guan Huchen Qiong's gaze from the ceiling, she changed her words: "A small portion of the credit goes to Duan Duan Laoshu; the majority belongs to Yi—no, to General General Guan Huchen General Guan Huchen Huichen."

She had begun to say "Yi'fu," then corrected herself—deliberately.

She also paused deliberately, a faint look of melancholy crossing her face.

"General General Guan Huchen?" Wen Wen Ruyu blinked in surprise.

Xiao Yu nodded, her tone complex: "Duan Duan Laoshu guided me through the Flag Gate Escape Array. General General Guan Huchen General Guan Huchen Huichen gifted me a precious Nine-Turn Bone-Transformation Elixir, enabling my Sword-Bone Divine Art to reach completion and granting me the power to slay Kong Zan."

But General General Guan Huchen General Guan Huchen Huichen has left the West."

I understand his great ambition—he possesses the eyes of an immortal, and his goal is the Immortal Dao."

After much deliberation, I gave the Guan Chenghuang title to Duan Duan Laoshu."

As for myself… sigh, one must know contentment; one must not be greedy."

How many died at Feixian Ferry?"

To survive the Flag Gate Escape Array is already my greatest blessing—I cannot claim more fortune than I deserve."

At this moment, Wen Wen Ruyu's heart was like a spilled paint palette—each color a different emotion, all jumbled together, impossible to untangle.

He had learned of the Jin Yang Metropolitan Guan Chenghuang matter because both the General Guan Huchen and Wen families were discussing it.

The General Guan Huchen and Wen families discussed it because they were furious and resentful.

They resented that the former "General Guan Huchen Yu" had once had the chance to become a Metropolitan Guan Chenghuang.

When she slew Kong Zan at Feixian Ferry, she was still General Guan Huchen Yu—the adopted daughter of the General Guan Huchen family!"

Their fury stemmed from the fact that the Metropolitan Guan Chenghuang title, which they had so desperately desired and could not bear to lose, had been casually given away.

And given to an insignificant ghost from a remote mountain.

Now they learned that "General Guan Huchen Yu" acknowledged the General Guan Huchen family's greater contribution—clearly willing to bestow the title upon General Guan Huchen General Guan Huchen Huichen—yet because General Guan Huchen General Guan Huchen Huichen had already left the Western Sands Region to seek greater prospects in the East, the opportunity slipped away. If only General Guan Huchen General Guan Huchen Huichen had delayed his departure a few days… if only he had passed the title to the Wen family…

Even knowing it was fantasy, Wen Wen Ruyu felt he might choke on his own rage.

But he understood—he was not the most furious man.

If the son-in-law (General Guan Huchen General Guan Huchen Wenlong) learned he had narrowly missed the Jin Yang Metropolitan Guan Chenghuang title (before the Green Head Incident erupted, had General Guan Huchen Huichen refused the title, General Guan Huchen Wenlong would have been the first heir), he would likely rage until he spat blood—or even die of sheer fury.

Wen Wen Ruyu sat frozen, silent. The young master Master Gongsun pushed Jin Jin Lian aside, straightened his posture, and bowed deeply: "Miss Little Fengxian, your virtue is pure, your righteousness surpasses the clouds—I, Master Gongsun Gongsun Wujiu, deeply admire you!"

Xiao Yu rose quickly and returned the bow: "I cannot accept such praise. I merely have self-awareness—I know the Guan Chenghuang title is not merely a reward, but a heavy responsibility."

I am a barbarian—I clearly cannot shoulder the burden of governing the netherworld of an entire nation."

Upon hearing this, the young master Master Gongsun's respect deepened further: "Miss Little Fengxian, please never speak of 'barbarian' again. Your righteousness and virtue are rare even in the Central Plains."

The ancient sages recorded in the classics were no greater than you."

If you count as a 'barbarian,' then ninety-nine percent of the world are beasts—and even beasts are better than them."

Xiao Yu felt moved—such refined manners, such noble bearing—no wonder he was a noble of the superior realm!

Er—before the young master Master Gongsun called her "an ancient sage," she had been silently calling him an idiot in her mind, hoping he'd suffer the Great Annihilation Papa Curse and die soon (ps).

ps: As previously explained, adopting someone as Yi'fu drains fortune. Fortune only matters during crises—it does not cause unnatural misfortune merely because fortune is drained.

But we have the God's-eye view—we know.

Xiao Yu did not know, nor was she certain about the fortune-draining effect of the Great Annihilation Papa—she could only analyze it through big data: many of those she adopted as Yi'fu met misfortune.

Yet she also had doubts: many scoundrels seemed to have very low fortune, yet lived perfectly well—like Master Gongsun Gongsun Wujiu, like Xiao Da Bi and Miao Tu Zi, like the "Yé Niáng" she met with Jin Jin Lian.

Though she did not understand the mechanism of fortune-draining, Xiao Yu deliberately avoided calling certain people "Father" or "Mother," and deliberately called those she deemed scoundrels "Yé Niáng," even when they clearly lacked strong cultivation.