Chapter 7: Treasure Hunt (3) Part 1

◎Originally, she didn’t come to this world for the sake of cultivation and the Great Dao, but for you◎

Jiang Yanyu clearly hadn’t grasped the meaning behind the name, but seeing her Senior Sister’s soft smile, she smiled along with her.

She set down her chopsticks and simply said, “Forget it. In the interest of fairness, Senior Sister can call me whatever she likes as well.”

As her words fell, the shopkeeper brought over two bowls of wontons. He dumped them on the table with a fling, then whirled away like a gust of wind himself.

Due to the violent motion, the soup nearly splashed over the rims. Yun Jinxue instinctively drew back slightly, lifting her gaze to look.

The shopkeeper had already folded his arms back into his sleeves and fallen asleep leaning against the stove.

Such a hurried manner.

She hadn’t even managed to see the owner’s face straight-on.

Thankfully, the food had arrived; everything else could be instantly cast to the back of her mind.

The wontons in the bowl before her were plump and perfectly round. Through their thin skins, she could almost see the glistening pink of the meat within, the fresh green of chopped scallions dotting the side, greatly whetting her appetite.

Having just endured a meal of bitter food, Yun Jinxue now felt that what lay before her eyes wasn’t ordinary wontons, but a supreme delicacy.

Yet, before her Junior Sister, she still had to maintain face.

Suppressing the urge to grab the bowl and wolf it down, she feigned refinement, picked up her chopsticks, reached into the bowl, and steadily clamped onto one.

Her other hand’s palm spread open beneath the chopsticks to catch any dripping broth, lest it stain her robes.

Just as she was about to bring the wonton to her lips, she noticed the crazy kid across from her wasn’t moving.

Yun Jinxue asked, “Why aren’t you eating?”

Jiang Yanyu stared at the contents of her bowl for a moment, then slowly raised her head, a slight smile on her face. “Senior Sister, you taste it first.”

Yun Jinxue didn’t understand why, but since a wonton was already at her lips, she parted her red lips, her pearly teeth sinking into it.

The instant the flavor exploded on her tongue, her brow twitched.

She placed the half-eaten wonton back in the bowl unchanged, covered her mouth, her slender fingers resting lightly against her cheek, and forced herself to swallow.

She closed her eyes, then slowly opened them again, her voice slightly hoarse. “I understand why you aren’t eating. But how did you know the food at this shop was also bitter?”

Jiang Yanyu replied, “Just now, that person from the Ye family said that the bitter taste in the food was a local specialty. Since that’s the case, outside shops would obviously use the same ingredients, so naturally, the taste wouldn’t differ.”

As she spoke, she tilted her head up slightly, the corners of her lips curving into an insufferably smug, gleeful expression.

Yun Jinxue looked at her and resisted the urge to knock her on the head.

This little one had such a wicked heart. She probably figured it out the moment we left the Ye Family Residence.

She held back from saying anything, letting me get my hopes up for nothing, and even made me eat an extra mouthful of bitter meat.

Setting her chopsticks gently on the rim of the bowl, Yun Jinxue felt troubled. Her stomach wasn’t full; what was she to do?

The entire journey here, clan heads had hosted grand banquets with all kinds of delicacies, or there were city restaurants with jade-like feasts. When had she ever worried about food?

She had plenty of silver in her pouch, but at this last stop, she couldn’t spend a single coin.

This place was shrouded in thick fog, desolate and dilapidated; she couldn’t even find wild beasts to hunt herself.

She sighed. She had originally planned to rest for two days before entering the Ghost City, but now, it seemed they would set out early tomorrow morning.

Regardless of the outcome, the sooner it ended, the sooner she could return to the sect.

Yun Jinxue said, “When we return shortly, I will ask Clan Head Ye about the Nether Prefecture Ghost City. We’ll depart at dawn tomorrow. During the time I’m away, just stay here and wait at the Ye family residence.”

After speaking, she added with a light laugh, “Though the food is bitter, it can fill your stomach. This time I go to Ghost City, I don’t know when I’ll return. So don’t be picky with food; you should eat what you need to eat.”

The smile on Jiang Yanyu’s face faded bit by bit. She furrowed her brow and asked, “You’re not taking me in with you?”

Yun Jinxue still rapped her on the forehead once. “Ever since we left the Divine Zenith Sect, you’ve been sullen. Aren’t you afraid of the Ghost City? Traveling with me this far is enough.”

Jiang Yanyu was speechless for a moment, then shook her head. “It’s not fear. I just don’t understand.”

Yun Jinxue asked, “Don’t understand what?”

“I don’t understand why you gave up on the Luo River Fruit.”

Because there was no point in fighting for it.

Originally, she didn’t come to this world for the sake of cultivation and the Great Dao, but for you.

But she couldn’t say those words directly. Yun Jinxue simply replied, “I saved you, so I will take responsibility for you. Helping you cultivate is also so you can protect yourself later. As for the Luo River Fruit…”

Yun Jinxue lowered her gaze and gently shook her head. “It’s not that important.”

A sudden gust of wind rose, stirring her hair and the hem of her robes, framing the gentle smile on her face. It was as if a painting had suddenly sprung to life.

Jiang Yanyu stared at her fixedly, her expression complex.

The long-silent System chimed in: 【Little Xue, you absolutely must not forget what you are supposed to do.】

Yun Jinxue thought: I haven’t forgotten.

Mi Ba: 【Why create unnecessary trouble?】

Yun Jinxue thought: I just don’t want to end up with regrets.

Mi Ba: 【The kindness you show her, she might not necessarily remember. This is a useless exchange of hearts.】

Yun Jinxue thought: You told me before that one of the mission requirements is to become her closest confidante.

Mi Ba: 【That is true, but to make her admire you, you fundamentally don’t need to do so much. She originally had nothing; you casually give her a little benefit, and that’s enough.】

In the original story, the Senior Sister didn’t even say many words of concern, nor could it be said she treated her particularly well.

It was just that the Little Villain had never met such a person before—someone who saved her life, gave her food and shelter, and offered occasional guidance—that made her fall so easily.

Watching the wontons bob in the bowl, Yun Jinxue heard these words and felt as if the bitterness of the food had also seeped into her heart.

After a long moment, she thought: Mi Ba, in the twenty-plus years of modern education I received, it’s impossible to ignore her for such a long stretch of time. We’re still very far from the next plot point. I’m only doing some small things in the trivial details of daily life; it won’t affect the overall direction. Even this isn’t okay?

Mi Ba’s tone grew more serious: 【You still haven’t realized the key point. You can dwell on these small details, but the important plot nodes absolutely cannot be altered. Softening your heart towards her brings you no benefit whatsoever.】

Seeing Yun Jinxue remain silent, Mi Ba added: 【You must constantly remember: it is for her to open her heart and adore you, not the other way around.】

【No matter how many things you do for her, when the time comes for her to strike at you, she still won’t show any mercy.】

This speech was utterly deafening, causing Yun Jinxue’s body to momentarily go numb, a cold sweat snaking down her back.

A voice dimly reached her ears. She lifted her gaze to see the crazy kid seemed to be saying something.

Yun Jinxue pulled herself together and asked, “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that just now. What did you say?”

“I said,” Jiang Yanyu planted her elbow on the table, leaning forward slightly, staring at her. “No matter what, I have to go with you, Immortal Lord.”

The dazed feeling gradually receded. Yun Jinxue smiled. “Weren’t you calling me Senior Sister?”

Jiang Yanyu said, “Senior Sister.”

Yun Jinxue pondered for a moment. “Aren’t you afraid?”

Jiang Yanyu asked, “Why does Senior Sister seek the Awakening Orifice?”

Yun Jinxue just looked at her with smiling eyes. Why she was looking for this fruit—there was no need to explain further; both already knew.

So Jiang Yanyu continued, “It’s for me. So how could I let Senior Sister enter that ghost realm alone?”

Yun Jinxue stared at her, stunned. Mi Ba’s words still echoed in her mind.

Things she couldn’t figure out, she’d set aside for now. What mattered was right before her eyes.

Yun Jinxue said, “Fine, then we’ll go together.”

The wontons were inedible. The two returned to the Ye Family Residence, preparing to inquire about the Nether Prefecture Ghost City.

They had learned a thing or two along the way, but those who had truly experienced it were few, after all.

Spring Crossing Town was so close to the Ghost City, though; surely some stories about that place would have reached their ears.

They went to the Immortal Reception Garden. A few attendants were waiting there, but Clan Head Ye was not present.

Upon asking, they learned that Clan Head Ye was currently at the martial hall, watching Young Master Ye practice swordsmanship.

Led by an attendant to find him, they arrived at the Bamboo Garden Martial Hall.

The young master of the Ye family gripped an iron sword, shifting and maneuvering. Whatever sword art he had learned from somewhere, it seemed somewhat chaotic and disorganized.