Chapter 23: Small—everything about her is tiny.

There was a cold and gloomy gaze behind her.

Su Li’er leaned against the car window, looking at the dusty tires behind and the increasingly distant Cloud Sea Sword Pavilion.

‘Forget it.’

‘What am I thinking?’

‘Who could I possibly meet here? I don’t know anyone.’

Tidying her hair, Su Li’er sat up straight and primly. The main reason was that the carriage was a bit bumpy. Heavens, I’m getting carsick!

A clear and beautiful voice sounded, “What are you going to Sunset Glow Village for?”

‘Is Smurfette trying to get me to go Dutch?’

‘Alright, it seems like freeloading really doesn’t work out…’

Su Li’er scratched her head. “Young people, you know, we always want to go out and explore. As for the fare… I’ll write an IOU first. I was in a hurry and forgot to bring money. When you have time to come to the Sword Sect later, big sister, I’ll pay you back.”

“Are you Song Ruoxue from the Sword Sect?” the Smurfette girl asked.

“No.” Su Li’er revealed a smile that showed her small canine teeth. “I am a disciple of the Sword Sect.”

“Is that so? The Sword Sect has disciples now. What’s your name?”

Su Li’er thought for a moment. “Just call me Little Li. What’s big sister’s name?”

“Hmm…” The Smurfette girl hummed for a moment.

“Eh? Eh eh—?!” Su Li’er was surprised. Her small hand was pulled over, and her palm tickled.

Stroke by stroke, characters written in a golden spiritual energy appeared on her palm.

—Tang Yingyue.

Soon, the golden spiritual energy shattered with the wind and disappeared into the air.

Su Li’er belatedly nodded and couldn’t help but praise, “That’s a very nice name, Ying… Mmm—mmmph?”

Her mouth was suddenly covered.

Tang Yingyue extended a slender fingertip and placed it on her own lips, her voice extremely soft. “Don’t say this name outside, it’s easy to get into trouble.”

Su Li’er’s little face turned pale, and she nodded like a pecking chicken. Only then was the jade-like hand withdrawn.

‘It’s over.’

‘I’ve gotten on a pirate ship.’

‘This Smurfette can’t be a murderer, can she?’

—Stare~~~~

Su Li’er sized her up intently.

‘She’s so good-looking, she doesn’t look like a murderer… Hmm, not as big as the Sect Master’s mounds.’

‘So thin, her legs are so white, so long…’

‘No.’

‘I can’t be so rude.’

‘Outside, I’m a polite little fox!’

Su Li’er withdrew her gaze and continued to stare blankly at the receding scenery outside the window.

Suddenly, her ears inexplicably tickled.

A little bit of warm air, and an extremely faint inquiry, was whispered into Su Li’er’s ear, “Little Li, you’re not a human, are you?”

Su Li’er’s heartbeat suddenly skipped a beat, and she shrank her neck. “Uh… what does big sister mean?”

“Nothing.” Tang Yingyue sat back in her seat, her eyes narrowed in thought.

Feeling that the scrutinizing gaze behind her had disappeared, Su Li’er let out a sigh of relief and pouted with grievance. Honestly, you scared me to death!

Did this person see something?

My disguise is fine…

Forget it, I’ll get off the carriage as soon as possible and slip away. This person is a bit strange!

Little Li, oh, Little Li, this is your first time traveling so far. You must be careful and not be tricked by bad people!

I’m so hungry, I didn’t even eat breakfast this morning.

I’ll have to find a way to get a free meal later…

Su Li’er’s mind was racing with thoughts.

—Rumble.

The carriage shook violently and came to a wobbly stop.

Su Li’er held on tightly to the edge of the carriage window, managing to steady herself. She looked around in confusion, both at the surroundings and inside the carriage.

At the same time, the carriage curtain was lifted, and the old coachman said with an apologetic smile, “I’m sorry, little girl, the carriage is broken, it can’t run anymore.”

Su Li’er’s brow twitched. She glanced at Tang Yingyue beside her. Alright, Big Sister Smurfette is so aloof. What’s with all the beautiful women in this cultivation world liking to act so aloof!

Then I’ll act aloof too.

So, Su Li’er also sat still, her eyes empty, her mind free of thoughts.

“Little girl? The carriage is broken, it can’t run anymore.” The old coachman repeated.

“…”

“Eh? Is my mic not working?” The old coachman cleared his throat and shouted at the top of his lungs, “Little girl, the carriage is broken, it can’t run anymore!”

“…”

Silence.

Deathly silence.

And… an untimely, stifled chuckle. Su Li’er couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Alright, you win. I still can’t act aloof.

“Damn, why is everyone so into acting cool these days?” The old coachman pulled out a large axe from behind him, his eyes suddenly turning fierce. “I’m too lazy to waste my breath on you. This is a robbery. Otherwise, I’ll send you to the west.”

“What the hell! You’re robbing me?” Su Li’er was extremely surprised. She spread her small hands. “I have no money, not even a single coin.”

“No money? Hahaha, you little girl are quite interesting. Then this old man will reluctantly rob you of your virtue!”

“What the hell! You’re going to rob me of my virtue too?” Su Li’er crossed her arms and shook her head with regret. “I’m ugly, so ugly I can’t even sleep at night.”

“Pfft.” Tang Yingyue let out a soft laugh.

“You old hag! This little brat will soon know how powerful your grandpa is!” The old coachman reached out a hand to grab her.

“Hey—don’t do it!” Su Li’er dodged in a panic.

“Scared now? Hahaha, too late!” The old coachman revealed a lecherous and infatuated expression, then his face suddenly became grave. “My hand… why has it turned into a block of ice?”

That waxy black and thick arm was covered in frost.

The frost spread like a living thing, continuously creeping up to his chest, and it continued to spread and expand.

“Ah! Ahhhh… what the hell is this!?”

Su Li’er shook her head in disappointment. “I told you not to do it. Now look, your hand is gone, and so are you.”

“You want to kill me? Do you know who’s above me? The Martial Slaughter Sect won’t let you go…”

In the end, he became a perfect human ice sculpture.

Su Li’er admired her own work with great satisfaction.

The Ice Spirit Root is so useful!

“Ho, so you’ve also learned Song Ruoxue’s Ice Spirit Root?”

Tang Yingyue narrowed her eyes and sized up Su Li’er beside her with great interest. Her gaze roamed from south to north, with an aggressive and ambiguous appreciation, finally landing on Su Li’er’s pure and slightly baby-fat pretty face.

“Yi!” Su Li’er was so scared she fled out of the carriage, hugging her body and retreating repeatedly. “You-you-you’re going to rob me of my virtue too? I advise you not to come over!”

“I’m not interested in children.” Tang Yingyue shook her head helplessly.

“Who are you calling a child!?” Su Li’er glared. “I’m just a little short, that’s all. I’m not small!”

Tang Yingyue was puzzled, then she seemed to have figured it out and replied calmly, “Small, small everywhere.”

“Damn it!” Su Li’er gritted her teeth. This person…

—Gurgle, gurgle.

The little greedy worm started to call out.

The air was suddenly filled with embarrassment.

Tang Yingyue was slightly surprised, then she chuckled.

A blush spread across Su Li’er’s face. She turned her head away and muttered in a low voice, “I was in a hurry this morning and didn’t eat.”

“You child are quite interesting.” Tang Yingyue chuckled lightly. “Let’s go, let’s go eat.”

“I told you I’m not a child!” Su Li’er puffed out her cheeks and glared. Alright, she just blew on her bangs. “You go by yourself, I have no money.”

“It’s alright, my treat. You can eat whatever you want.” Tang Yingyue said nonchalantly. “You did me a favor, so I’ll treat you to a meal. It’s a good chance to get to know Song Ruoxue’s little disciple.”

“A favor?” Su Li’er murmured.

“These guys have put out a wanted poster for me.” Tang Yingyue glanced at the ice sculpture lying on the ground and continued with a meaningful tone, “They have a very evil plan. Flower City is now full of their spies…”

“Is that so…” Su Li’er looked down and patted her shriveled stomach with pity. “Where are we going to eat?”

“…You.” Tang Yingyue was speechless.

“What’s wrong?” Su Li’er blinked her eyes innocently.

“Forget it, let’s go. It’s just down the road.” Tang Yingyue sighed, wondering if this silly kid was really Song Ruoxue’s little apprentice.