Chapter 69: Almost Used to It

Lu Fusheng was already not very happy.

He watched helplessly as Chen Ye left with a disciple of the Incense-Burning Sect, powerless to stop it.

Although Chen Ye had voluntarily declared his intention to sever ties, Lu Fusheng still felt uneasy in his heart.

After a brief discussion, the three decided that since they could not help, they might as well set the matter aside for now and focus on cultivation to temporarily forget their troubles.

Perhaps because all three were quite unhappy, they exerted themselves extra hard during this "scrubbing" session of the Ghoulish Star Body Tempering; poor Chang Shou was scraped until he screamed hoarsely, like a pig awaiting slaughter.

Who would have thought that someone would come to disturb them just as they were beginning?

Lu Fusheng thought something unexpected had happened and hurried out to check, but the scene he saw nearly made him think he had fallen under an illusion technique.

Chen Ye had returned, and his safe return was a good thing, but why was his hand resting on someone else's shoulder?

Putting an arm around someone's shoulder was one thing, but why was it a disciple of the Incense-Burning Sect, and why was it a female cultivator?

Just before, he had solemnly sworn he had a grudge against the Incense-Burning Sect; how could they be so intimate in the blink of an eye?

The world changes too fast; Lu Fusheng felt he had grown too old to keep up.

Chen Ye and Mo Sui Xin noticed the strange gaze Lu Fusheng cast upon them; both couldn't help but feel a wave of awkwardness, their faces flushing slightly.

But the situation was urgent, and this was no time to sit down and explain slowly, so Chen Ye spoke directly: "The reasons behind this, I will explain in detail to Brother Lu later. My reason for returning is simply to ask if Brother Lu has any wine."

"Wine?"

These two returned with arms around each other's shoulders, saying not a word about the previous matter, and now they were asking for wine; what exactly was going on here?

"That's right, any kind of wine will do; I beg Brother Lu to lend me a jar." Chen Ye added anxiously.

Seeing the extremely awkward expressions on Chen Ye and Mo Sui Xin's faces, Lu Fusheng understood that asking more questions now would be futile.

He could only suppress his full heart of doubts and speak the truth: "I have never been interested in wine and do not drink much myself. If you wish to find wine, I'm afraid you can only go to Qingyun Market."

"Qingyun Market?"

Chen Ye and Mo Sui Xin repeated the name almost simultaneously; neither had ever heard of it.

Lu Fusheng nodded and explained patiently: "That is the nearest market to this place. In the Hundred Seas Valley, besides numerous scattered cultivators, there are also a few ordinary people living here. They have established markets in various places, mainly to provide various services for cultivators. Although it is not a gathering day, the wine shop in Qingyun Market should, by custom, still be open."

Upon hearing she would have to go to a wine shop with Chen Ye, Mo Sui Xin immediately became even more nervous.

If outsiders saw them, would it not lead to many rumors and gossip?

Mo Sui Xin hurriedly said: "Could you please help us buy a jar of wine, Daoist Lu?"

Lu Fusheng replied: "I am sorry, I am guarding a friend and cannot spare the time right now. The cultivation of Ghoulish Star Body Tempering is not easy; I believe the Daoist friends from the Incense-Burning Sect can understand that giving up now would mean all previous efforts would be wasted."

As soon as he finished speaking, the screams from inside the cave grew louder, indicating that the critical moment had arrived.

Chen Ye also felt that going to the wine shop with his arm around Mo Sui Xin was inappropriate, so he asked again: "Then shall we wait here? How long will it take?"

Lu Fusheng answered: "One session of body tempering requires at least four double-hours."

Mo Sui Xin frowned and said: "Even then, it will be too late."

When Chen Ye left, it was already late; it took a lot of time to shake off Mo Sui Xin, and chatting and drinking tea with Fu, Lu, and Shou took several more double-hours.

Now the sky is nearing dusk; four double-hours have long passed the Zi hour, meaning it would be considered the next day.

And according to Mo Sui Xin's third divination, Chen Ye was destined to die a violent death today.

If they do not drink with Mo Sui Xin before the Zi hour, perhaps he will truly lose his life.

Lu Fusheng pointed the way for the two, bowed his hands, and instructed Chen Ye: "Another day, Brother Chen must come here again to drink a cup of tea."

The meaning of these words was: You must give me an explanation.

Chen Ye smiled awkwardly and said "certainly" several times in a row.

Although Lu Fusheng was still puzzled, he turned around and returned to the cave; no matter how curious he was, he could not let Chang Shou's Ghoulish Star Body Tempering go wrong, so the important matter came first.

In the flower garden, only Chen Ye and Mo Sui Xin remained, still with arms around each other's shoulders as when they arrived; the two had unconsciously grown accustomed to their current posture.

Mo Sui Xin looked up at Chen Ye and asked softly: "Then are we really going to Qingyun Market?"

Her words were full of hesitation.

Chen Ye gritted his teeth and said: "If we go, we go; nothing matters more than life and death; it is just a cup of wine."

Mo Sui Xin said with difficulty: "But if people see us, will it not lead to rumors and gossip?"

Cultivators are more free-spirited than ordinary people and do not need to care too much about formalities, but Mo Sui Xin is ultimately a disciple of the Incense-Burning Sect and thus has more concerns than scattered cultivators.

Chen Ye thought for a moment, felt that what Mo Sui Xin said was indeed reasonable, and suggested: "How about we both go out masked? Wearing a face veil would at least cover our faces somewhat; it should be feasible, right?"

Mo Sui Xin shook her head gently and said helplessly: "My attire as a disciple of the Incense-Burning Sect is too conspicuous; even if I cover my face, I am afraid it will be difficult to hide my identity."

"Then change clothes; you don't only have this one long skirt, do you?" Chen Ye asked.

"Naturally, I have more than one set, but all my clothes are in the style of the Incense-Burning Sect; changing them would not make much difference."

Chen Ye had a sudden idea and said: "Then wear my clothes!"

With that, he reached into his storage bag and searched out a long robe. He had prepared many daily necessities in his daily life, and such clothing was naturally not in short supply.

Chen Ye was much taller than Mo Sui Xin, so this long robe looked a bit too big on her, but there was no time to worry about such things now.

Chen Ye gently draped this simple-style long robe over Mo Sui Xin, then placed a face veil on her, wrapping her up tightly.

Mo Sui Xin also breathed a sigh of relief; dressed like this, unless someone was familiar with her, they should not be able to recognize her.

Moreover, although the long robe looked old, it emitted a fresh and pleasant scent, as if thoroughly dried in the sun and carefully stored. She did not expect Chen Ye to be so particular; he was actually more particular than some of her fellow disciples in the Incense-Burning Sect.

Just as she was feeling relieved, Mo Sui Xin suddenly thought of something and hurriedly asked: "Why didn't you think of this just now? If I had changed my clothes earlier, I wouldn't have been so embarrassed just now."

Chen Ye said awkwardly: "I was anxious in my heart just now and didn't think of it either; I am truly sorry."

Mo Sui Xin sighed: "Sigh, I cannot blame you; I did not think of it myself either. It is too late to talk about it now; let's go, to Qingyun Market, to settle this matter."

Seeing Mo Sui Xin in this state, Chen Ye felt it was inappropriate to keep his arm around her.

He was about to lead the way when Mo Sui Xin said: "If you should hold me, then hold me; if I die because of failing to do this detail properly, wouldn't I have suffered this loss for nothing?"

Chen Ye thought for a moment and realized that was indeed the case.

Since this Miss was so open-minded, he had nothing to be embarrassed about either; with a large sweep of his hand, he pulled her into his embrace, and the two walked toward the direction of Qingyun Market.

Having had parallel experiences before, the two's steps this time were unexpectedly in sync.

The distance to Qingyun Fang was neither near nor far; the two hurried along and arrived in no time.

In the twilight, Qingyun Fang lay hidden beneath a gray-blue sky.

Low wooden houses were scattered along a winding dirt road, like dice tossed carelessly by an immortal; each hut was roughly the same size.

A two-zhang-wide bluestone path had a few shops sparsely distributed along it; lanterns had just lit up with a dim yellow glow, casting a hazy halo in the night. Occasionally, someone hurried past, their footsteps startling a dozing cat.

What a peaceful and pleasant place.

The tavern was not far away; once they reached that spot, the two could share a pot of wine, and today's difficulty would be considered resolved.

As long as they were not recognized, all this hard work would not have been in vain.