Chapter 116: Go Bathe First!

The sun began to sink, its fiery hue fading westward, staining the sky with crimson clouds.

The golden orb now hung at the edge of the Cloudtop Heavenly Palace, radiating golden light while the surrounding sky darkened.

Zhuo Wanqiu stood outside the Sword Grove, while Ding Yao chatted with several disciples who had just finished their passage through the Grove.

After idle chatter for a while, Ding Yao swayed over, glancing into the grove.

“Who would’ve thought? So this is the man the Jianzhu is smitten with?”

“What is Ding Shijie trying to say now?”

“I haven’t passed the Sword Grove myself, but those few disciples just now did—they said the [Little Chongshan] is a killing art, but Elder Qi had already drastically reduced its power when setting up the Grove. Yet Ji You passed it only after sixteen attempts. Truly eye-opening.”

Ding Yao crossed her arms, a sneer on her lips: “The disciple who just spoke to me is Yu Lin, a Tianjian Peak disciple newly entered into the Tongxuan realm. His cultivation isn’t even stable yet, but he passed [Little Chongshan] with only eight strikes.”

After hearing this, Zhuo Wanqiu furrowed her brow in silence—but the other didn’t stop.

“Zhuo Shimei, did you see Elder Yan Ye’s expression just now? She’s deeply devoted to swordplay, yet she lost all interest in even watching.”

“He boasted he came to Lingjian Mountain to learn swordplay, pretending he didn’t want her to teach him for the Jianzhu’s sake. I thought he had extraordinary sword talent—now I see he’s probably just afraid of losing face before the Jianzhu, knowing he lacks real strength.”

Ding Yao turned to Zhuo Wanqiu: “Tonight, when he returns, he won’t dare face the Jianzhu again—and the Jianzhu won’t dare come looking for him either. What do you think?”

Earlier, in that courtyard, Zhuo Wanqiu had flung similar sharp words at her until she was left speechless—now it was all paid back.

Zhuo Wanqiu looked up: “Some are suited to learn swordplay; others are not…”

“You know deep down, he’s unworthy of the Jianzhu. The Jianzhu is merely temporarily dazzled by his looks and can’t see the bigger picture—but she’ll realize it soon enough. Ji You can’t even withstand our Lingjian Mountain’s swordplay—how could he ever be her match?”

As she spoke, a rustling arose from within the forest.

Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu turned their heads and saw Ji You emerge from the Sword Grove, sword in hand.

Bamboo leaves, shredded by the blades, clung to his body; his hairpin was slightly disheveled. He inhaled deeply, facing the setting sun.

The swordplay of Lingjian Mountain is truly profound.

He already felt worried for He Lingxiu’s upcoming battle tomorrow—especially after sensing Yan Shujing’s sword intent, his concern deepened.

Zhuo Wanqiu walked up to him: “Young Master, how far did you get?”

“The sixth strike of the second layer.”

“Is [Little Chongshan] too difficult for you?”

Ji You hadn’t expected this question—he thought Zhuo Wanqiu might want to try it herself. After a moment’s pause, he shook his head: “Not difficult at all. Just looks intimidating. A little focus and you pass easily.”

Hearing this, Ding Yao turned away in silence behind him.

She thought: Now you speak so casually, but no one saw how desperate you looked passing [Little Chongshan].

But the disciples of Shanhai Pavilion, Wenda Sect, and Lingjian Mountain all witnessed it. After tonight, everyone on and off the mountain will know that Ji You of the Tianshu Academy, with Tongxuan cultivation, took sixteen attempts to enter the second layer of the Sword Grove. What’s the point of such boasting?

In truth, Ding Yao’s earlier words had unsettled Zhuo Wanqiu.

Though Ding Shijie’s words were harsh, they were true.

The Jianzhu is the rightful heir of Lingjian Mountain, the future Abbess. For Ji You to be worthy of her, he must shine exceptionally.

Yet his performance before [Little Chongshan] today fell far short of “exceptional.”

Ji You didn’t know Zhuo Wanqiu was worried he’d fail to pass the gate. He walked toward Xuanjian Peak, bathed in the fading sunlight.

In the small courtyard below the Heavenly Palace, Yan Shuyi sat sipping tea on a newly laid rug beneath the tea table, occasionally glancing out the window.

Her crystal-clear, fair feet were tucked beneath her firm buttocks, her pink toenails delicate as petals.

Since returning from the palace this morning, she had cultivated nonstop, completing several full cycles of Qi, then meditated in the Void Mountain for three hours—her aura still hadn’t fully dispersed.

The mountains remained unsettled, especially since the Abbess’s uncle had invited Wenda Sect and Shanhai Pavilion to a tea gathering.

Though nominally meant to mock Tianshu Academy and make the world laugh, it might hold other intentions.

Yan Shuyi disliked such hidden scheming. The only solution was to be the fastest sword.

Because if a sword is fast enough, it can sever anything—and clear the view before her.

After finishing her cultivation, she wrote a letter to Yu Danzong, sharply demanding Yuan Caimei what she saw in Ji You, then came here to sit in stillness.

This wasn’t a courtyard specially prepared for Ji You—it was her usual quiet chamber.

Though called a small room, it was different.

The Cloudtop Heavenly Palace still had maidservants; her parents occasionally visited. But this room belonged solely to her—no one else had ever been allowed in, except Ji You.

That’s why this morning, Zhuo Wanqiu and Ding Yao had waited outside, not daring to enter without permission.

At that moment, the door opened, letting in the last rays of the setting sun.

Yan Shuyi looked toward the doorway, her expression cold and serene, her exquisite face devoid of emotion—under the sunlight, she truly resembled a heartless goddess, leaving the three returning figures momentarily stunned.

But soon, the young Jianzhu’s gaze suddenly came alive, as if lit by inner brilliance. She narrowed her eyes at Ji You, her expression tinged with distaste.

“Why does your hair look like you crawled out of a chicken coop?”

Ji You had shaken off several times on the way, but still looked dusty. He replied: “How can the little Jianzhu call the Sword Grove a chicken coop? That’s disrespect to Lingjian Mountain.”

Yan Shuyi paused, then pouted: “Lingjian Mountain is mine.”

“Not necessarily yours…”

“?”

Yan Shuyi caught a hint of his Daoheart clarity and wanted to draw her sword and poke him.

Ji You was naturally unbothered—he’d even planned to turn Tianshu Academy into a bandit den.

Ding Yao stood at the door, watching them stare at each other, thinking: Just moments ago, that goddess-like woman was the true Jianzhu—why has she suddenly changed her nature?

Then Zhuo Wanqiu’s morning words echoed in her mind, circling endlessly.

Because the other doesn’t care whether he’s the Jianzhu, the Jianzhu unconsciously doesn’t act like the awe-inspiring Jianzhu before him…

Then Ji You moved to sit down, but was halted by a shrill voice.

Yan Shuyi instinctively crossed her arms over her slender waist, her gaze icy as she ordered Zhuo Wanqiu and Ding Yao: “Prepare a tub. He must bathe first.”

Though reluctant, Ding Yao fetched water from outside and filled the tub, yet her tongue remained sharp.

“The Jianzhu has a slight aversion to dirt, but she tolerates it in those close to her. Yet just now, she feared you’d soil her newly laid rug—clearly, Young Master Ji isn’t close to her at all.”

“Ding Yao Shijie!”

Zhuo Wanqiu whispered, cutting her off: “Young Master, don’t take it to heart. This courtyard is the Jianzhu’s private chamber, and the rug was just replaced.”

Ji You nodded, saying nothing.

Rug… aversion to dirt…

He smiled softly, thinking: Your little Jianzhu isn’t afraid of dirtying the rug—she’s afraid I’ll come hug her after my Daoheart clarity, all grimy. That’s why she made me wash up.

In truth, Yan Shuyi didn’t mind being hugged by him. Though she never said so, she secretly looked forward to the next time.

Then Ji You stripped off his clothes and told Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu to leave.

Last time Yuan Caimei saw him—this time, no one else would.

He began bathing; the sound of splashing water echoed from within.

Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu retreated to the main hall, waiting quietly.

But not long after, Zhuo Wanqiu heard Ding Yao, unable to stay silent, speak up.

“Jianzhu, Young Master Ji didn’t fare well in the Sword Grove today. Elder Qi’s [Little Chongshan] is indeed formidable—even a Tongxuan beginner from Tianjian Peak needed eight strikes to barely pass.”

“Young Master Ji probably didn’t rest well after yesterday’s journey—he took sixteen strikes just to pass the first layer.”

“I heard some disciples say unpleasant things—that Young Master Ji is all empty reputation, strong on the outside but weak within.”

Zhuo Wanqiu glanced at her, opened her mouth, thought for a moment, then stayed silent.

The Jianzhu would surely ask about the Sword Grove. Ding Yao’s Daoheart may be muddled, but she wouldn’t lie—she’d only embellish, like now.

She thought it better for Ding Yao to speak now than for the Jianzhu to ask later, leaving Ji You embarrassed to answer.

But after Ding Yao finished, Yan Shuyi showed no reaction—she kept sipping her tea, just as before, leaving Ding Yao stunned.

“Jianzhu?”

“?”

Yan Shuyi snapped back to attention, lowering her teacup from her lips, cheeks faintly flushed.

Ding Yao stared, incredulous: I shouted so loudly just now and you didn’t hear a word—then what were you listening to?

Yan Shuyi finally looked up, dazed for a moment before realizing someone had spoken. She turned to Ding Yao: “What were you just saying?”

“Report, Jianzhu: I said Young Master Ji took sixteen strikes to pass [Little Chongshan], seeming to struggle. The disciples are saying he’s all empty reputation.”

“He’s got patience, then.”

“?”

Soon after, Ji You finished bathing, stepped out with damp hair, and Yan Shuyi’s gaze drifted again.

Once his hair was dry, the two went to the back room to tend the stove—as if preparing to roast sweet potatoes.

Zhuo Wanqiu and Ding Yao exchanged glances, thinking: The Jianzhu seems utterly unconcerned about his sixteen strikes—but that doesn’t make sense.

Ji You may be stronger than ordinary men in the Jianzhu’s eyes, but sixteen strikes is still abysmal—she couldn’t possibly have no reaction.

(Near Spring Festival, too busy these days—always something coming up. Maybe it’s age—friends are all getting married. I’ll definitely try to add extra chapters soon. Also, requesting monthly votes… or2)

(End of Chapter)