Chapter 119: Tasty and Fragrant

The Tian Shu Academy’s first Wendao match ended in defeat, and the injured He Lingxiu was returned to her courtyard.

This courtyard naturally paled beside Ji You’s, favored by the Junior Inspector, but it was not overly small.

In the courtyard stood a jujube tree, poorly tended, its leaves wilting even in early summer.

The atmosphere within was grim; all Tian Shu Academy disciples either crouched, stood, or leaned against doorframes, silent and frowning deeply.

Wen Zhengxin, Pei Ruyi, Ban Yangshu, and Bai Ru long were present, but stood far from the house, in the courtyard.

Their relationship with He Lingxiu was not good; even Zhengxin Immortal had clashed with her. Yet as fellow Tian Shu Academy disciples, they were now one unit, and would not display inappropriate expressions at this critical moment.

Ji You entered silently from outside and sat with the four of them.

“Younger brother, we lost the first Wendao match…”

“Mm, I saw from afar.”

Ban Yangshu clenched his fist: “Beforehand, everyone analyzed it—He Lingxiu versus Yan Shujing should’ve been our highest-win probability match.”

Pei Ruyi nodded: “True. Everyone in the academy believed He Lingxiu would defeat Yan Shujing. Even if we tied afterward, winning this first match would’ve saved face. Yet we lost—and that Zhuang You seems even stronger.”

Wen Zhengxin murmured: “He’s at the Mid-Integration realm—naturally stronger.”

“I wonder how much chance Yu Buyu has tomorrow—if we lose again…”

The three fell silent, none daring to continue. The air grew heavy.

Bai Ru long glanced at Ji You and lowered his voice: “Brother Ji, I went to find you yesterday—did Ling Jian Mountain send someone to sneak and beat you up?”

Ji You turned to look at him: “When?”

“Someone blocked me—I didn’t dare get close, just stood far off and glanced. Inside, there was a clatter of blows, and your screams rose and fell—it sounded utterly miserable.”

“Ignorant brat—that was pure pleasure.”

“?”

Bai Ru long blinked in confusion: “Pleasure? Why?”

Ji You smiled, gazing skyward: “Tasty and fragrant.”

“So you ate something delicious…”

Ji You turned his gaze back to him, his mind suddenly clear: “Brother Ru long, have you gotten rich these past few days? Why ask anything now?”

Three sentences made a man spend money for me!

Bai Ru long’s tongue stiffened; he immediately fell silent.

Ru Long Immortal usually lived carefree, and today he’d tried joking with Ji You to lighten the mood—but after three sentences nearly got himself cursed, he instantly became obedient.

For a while afterward, a constant clamor echoed at the gate.

Disciples from other sects pretended to pass by, peering into the courtyard with amused expressions, making everyone’s faces darken further.

Most of them were familiar faces from the ruins.

They sat until dusk, then Ji You rose and left; Wen Zhengxin and the others followed.

Seeing this, the disciples guarding the door glanced a few times but said nothing.

Had He Lingxiu won today, they’d have mentioned Ji You’s intrusion into the Sword Forest, and Yu Buyu might’ve sneered about his lack of propriety.

But now, no one cared about his affairs.

Compared to the defeat in the first Wendao match, Ji You’s sixteen swords in the Sword Forest—even if humiliating—were trivial. Even if he died there, it wouldn’t compare to the Tian Shu Academy’s direct disciple losing.

The five stepped outside, where Wang Yue, Fang Linchao, and other disciples followed.

Tomorrow’s Wendao match loomed; they needed to check on Yu Buyu’s condition.

Having lost the first, they must win the second—or become the greatest laughingstock since the early Taiyuan era.

But as Wang Yue and Fang Linchao stepped out, they saw Ji You and the others already halted on the mountain path, facing a group—apparently an unexpected encounter.

Leading them was Min Cheng, followed by several Wendao Sect disciples, with Ding Yao walking beside them as companion.

“Tian Shu Academy lost the first match so badly—I say skip the second. Claim your sect has changed, or a senior relative passed—find any excuse to leave now. Better than losing tomorrow before all of heaven.”

Min Cheng’s tongue was poisoned, striking at the heart.

His hatred for Tian Shu Academy stemmed entirely from Ji You—so these words were meant for him.

That day on the street, he’d refrained from mentioning the Sword Forest to avoid trouble. But now, on Ling Jian Mountain, surrounded by his own disciples, he had no fear.

Wen Zhengxin and the others instantly bristled with killing intent; Wang Yue and Fang Linchao frowned and stamped their feet, watching Ji You, unsure how he’d respond.

Ji You ignored Min Cheng entirely, as if he didn’t exist, and turned to Ding Yao.

“Please fetch me a Jingling Pill.”

“...”

He Lingxiu’s [All Dharmas Attend the Body] had been violently shattered by Yan Shujing’s sword qi. Her injuries weren’t severe, but her spiritual energy churned wildly within.

Earlier in the courtyard, disciples had asked who had a Jingling Pill to give He Lingxiu.

But no one had anticipated this scene—no one had prepared one.

Min Cheng froze, then laughed inwardly: You think Ling Jian Mountain is Tian Shu Academy?

Yet the next moment, after frowning deeply for a long while, Ding Yao turned silently and walked away—leaving him puzzled.

And strangely, he noticed this proud, aloof junior sister had avoided looking at him, almost bowing slightly.

In truth, this subconscious reaction came from Ding Yao spending days beside Ji You and Yan Shuyi, adopting a servant’s mindset.

Especially after yesterday, when she reported to the Inspector that Ji You had taken sixteen swords to pass [Little Heavy Mountain]—only to learn the Inspector didn’t care—she’d given up entirely.

Now she had only one thought: get Ji You out of here as soon as possible.

After all, it was only one day left—could she not endure it?

Fetching a pill wasn’t hard—better than washing his bathwater.

The groups passed each other; Wang Yue and Fang Linchao headed to Yu Buyu’s courtyard.

He was now surrounded by faint dark light, his Dao methods roaring in motion—he’d been cultivating for an hour. Hearing footsteps outside, he opened his eyes and pulled open the door.

“Younger Brother Yu.”

“How is Elder He now?”

Wang Yue followed him out of the courtyard: “Elder He’s [All Dharmas Attend the Body] was shattered by a single sword strike. Her injuries aren’t serious, but her spiritual energy churns wildly—she’s in extreme pain.”

Yu Buyu frowned: “No Jingling Pill?”

“Such pills are rare and hard to find. None of our disciples brought any. But just now, Ji You asked Ding Yao of Ling Jian Mountain for one.”

“Asked Ling Jian Mountain?”

Wang Yue chuckled softly: “Do you know how he asked?”

Yu Buyu raised his eyes: “How?”

“He stood with his hands behind his back, brow furrowed, giving orders—told her to bring a Jingling Pill, as if Ling Jian Mountain were his home and Ding Yao his servant.”

“?”

Fang Linchao couldn’t help speaking: “Younger Brother Yu, you used to dislike Ji You intensely. Now it seems you might’ve misunderstood—he’s probably just… mentally deficient.”

With this veiled mockery, Yu Buyu’s mood improved considerably.

Wang Yue added: “Younger Brother Yu, should we send a disciple to the city to find a Jingling Pill?”

“You said these pills are hard to find in the south. And going down now would draw attention. Let Elder He rest a few days—she’ll heal herself.”

“Isn’t Ji You perfect for it? Saves him from giving people more reason to mock him in the Sword Forest.”

“That… is a good idea.”

Fang Linchao nodded, called over a clan disciple named Fang Qing, and ordered him to find Ji You.

Then the three turned forward, heading toward He Lingxiu’s courtyard.

The evening glow painted the sky; a cool breeze stirred the mountains. Yu Buyu, Wang Yue, and Fang Linchao entered to find Ding Yao of Ling Jian Mountain inside, hurrying with a pill toward the room.

The three exchanged glances and followed inside—where the pill was already in He Lingxiu’s hand.

Swallowing the Jingling Pill, her aura instantly dissipated; her chaotic spiritual energy calmed swiftly.

Seeing this, Wang Yue and Fang Linchao glanced at each other, then stared at Ding Yao—her face expressionless, brow deeply furrowed.

They’d witnessed Ji You demanding the pill—not asking, but commanding.

Yet no one expected Ding Yao to silently fetch it.

Ding Yao’s nature was notoriously arrogant; they’d felt it these past two days—her words when assigning their lodgings had dripped with sarcasm.

Today, Ling Jian Mountain had won. For Ding Yao to refrain from mocking them was already kindness—how could she obey so obediently?

Just then, Fang Qing rushed back: “Brother, I couldn’t find him.”

Fang Linchao waved at He Lingxiu, now calm: “No need—he doesn’t have to come.”

“Yes.”

“Wait—go again. Tell him not to go near the Sword Forest. Elder He lost today; Ling Jian Mountain is already smug. Don’t let him stir more trouble.”

Fang Qing bowed, face troubled: “Brother, I can’t reach him.”

Fang Linchao grunted: “What? Can’t reach him?”

“I’d barely climbed halfway when I was stopped. They said beyond that is the Inspector’s private quarters—no entry without invitation.”

“How did you end up at the Inspector’s private quarters?”

“I only reached halfway—still far off. And Ji You’s assigned courtyard is even higher.”

“?”

Ding Yao glanced at Fang Linchao and let out a cold laugh.

She thought: Aside from the Inspector’s parents and personal maids, you really think Xuan Jian Peak is open to anyone?

She tucked away the pill box and stepped out, ascending Xuan Jian Peak.

At the gate, she saw Zhuo Wanqiu holding a roasted sweet potato, sharing it with the “accidentally strolling” Junior Inspector.

At this moment, Ji You brought over a cup of tea; the young lord hesitated, his eyes darting back and forth, but finally took it and drank a large gulp.

Then he stepped back and gently raked the coals with the fire hook.

Ding Yao walked closer, her brow slightly furrowed: “Why is there a bright red fingerprint on the young lord’s face?”

“Ji You said the disciples of Xuanjian Peak bullied students from the Tian Shu Academy, so he bullied them back—and squeezed their faces like this.”

Yan Shuyi was eating a sweet potato, eyes half-lidded, expression cold and haughty.

She heard their whispered conversation and felt a pang of embarrassment.

Just as Ding Yao’s brow furrowed, she noticed Ji You looking up at her, then plucking a small piece of roasted sweet potato from the coals and tossing it to her.

Ding Yao caught it, paused, then leaned against the left doorframe like Zhuo Wanqiu, peeled the skin, and took a small bite.

In truth, her origins were as humble as Ji You’s.

But fortunately, she was the same age as the young lord, and back then was chosen as his personal maid—since then, she had worked tirelessly to rise.

After years of fine clothes and rich food, she hadn’t tasted anything like this in a long time.

The sun sank to the mountain’s edge, a thousand rays of colored clouds bursting through the clouds, the last glow blazing from the peak before slowly fading.

“Tasty?”

“?”

Ding Yao blinked, looking at the young lord, then nodded slightly.

Yan Shuyi curled her lips into a faintly proud smile, forgetting the earlier incident of her face being pinched.

Ji You had just peeled his sweet potato and couldn’t help asking: “Yan Shujing—is she your sister?”

“She’s my second uncle’s daughter.”

After peeling his sweet potato, Ji You nodded: “Wanqiu, I think I heard someone at the gate—go check for me.”

Zhuo Wanqiu stood and pulled Ding Yao out through the courtyard gate.

Ding Yao nearly dropped her sweet potato, thinking: Why did you drag me along when he told you to go?

Meanwhile, Yan Shuyi silently gnawed her sweet potato, wondering what he’d do next—then saw Ji You move closer, snatch the half-eaten sweet potato from her hand, and take it.

The young lord watched as he took it, eyes narrowing slightly, then saw him hand her a freshly peeled, warm sweet potato.

“You eat too slowly. That one’s gone cold—I’m giving you a fresh, hot one.”

Yan Shuyi held the warm sweet potato without moving, her gaze sharpening: “Don’t eat anything I’ve bitten.”

Ji You stared at her, startled: “Why would you think that of me?”

“You tricked me into drinking from your teacup earlier.”

“Tch. You really know how to read people…”

Ji You peeled the cold sweet potato in his hand: “Can’t waste food. Do you know how rare this red-fleshed sweet potato was back then in Yuyang County—even during New Year’s?”

Yan Shuyi watched him take a bite from the sweet potato she’d bitten, her cold face flushing slightly; she kicked him lightly with her foot, then shoved the kicked sweet potato into his lap.

At this afternoon’s Yuan Caiwei replied, saying she saw nothing—but her handwriting was messy, which struck her as odd.

Because Ji You said it was something wonderful, something any woman would love, and it was meant especially for her to see.

Ji You didn’t know what she was imagining, and as he ate the sweet potato she’d bitten, he asked: “Tomorrow, between Zhuang You and You Buyu—who will win?”

“Zhuang You defeated the former direct disciple of Tianjian Peak.”

(End of Chapter)