Chapter 25: The Tsundere’s Demand

“I say, you, the esteemed Chief Disciple of the Carefree Sword Sect, can’t actually produce a single flying boat?”

The next morning, on the small path outside the east gate of Furlong City, Hua Yan gazed at Yun Xueshang’s cold face, which showed no hint of jest, and felt a strange mix of emotions.

“Every time the sect distributed monthly stipends, Senior Sister would always use them to buy all sorts of strange sword techniques, learn peculiar skills, or simply get swindled out of them. She couldn’t save any spirit stones at all.”

Lin Qianqian, standing nearby, offered this explanation.

“Then how did you two arrive?”

Hua Yan still found it hard to believe.

“I traveled by sword. This way, I not only save spirit stones but also train my long-distance sword-riding abilities.”

Yun Xueshang spoke, her tone as placid as if commenting on the pleasant weather.

“As for me, I didn’t buy a flying boat either. I took the Heavenly Secret Pavilion’s special anti-evil flying boat.”

Lin Qianqian continued.

“Since it was an anti-evil operation, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion’s flying boats offered discounts to disciples participating in the mission. Only someone like Senior Sister would go so far as to save even the fare for a flying boat.”

“Ah, in a way, earning spirit stones from Fellow Daoist Yun is both easy and difficult.”

Qu Linglong couldn’t help but shake her head and chuckle softly.

“So… this time, when we go to Yunjing?”

Hua Yan twitched her lips.

“I’ll simply travel by sword again.”

As she spoke, Yun Xueshang unfastened the longsword from her back. The sword hummed, vibrating twice as if in silent protest, yet ultimately it obediently hovered in mid-air, awaiting its master to step upon it.

“Mother, Mama looks so pitiful riding her sword all alone… Let’s help her and let her ride our boat, okayyy?”

Hua Xiangrong tugged on Hua Yan’s sleeve, her large, pink eyes glistening, her voice soft and pleading.

‘How unexpected. Yun Xueshang is truly this impoverished. Then how did she manage to send the child to Hundred Flowers Valley in the first place? Did she grit her teeth and rent an ordinary flying boat, or did she carry the child on her back and fly all the way by sword?’

‘Somehow, she always felt that the latter image carried an indescribable strangeness.’

The red-haired girl shook her head abruptly, dispelling the distracting thoughts.

‘However, this is also an opportunity. Since she has no spirit stones and needs to ride my boat, won’t she be beholden to me? Then, for all these days on the journey, won’t she have to obey my every command?’

Imagining herself ordering Yun Xueshang to serve tea, fetch water, wash clothes, and cook on the boat, Hua Yan’s lips involuntarily curled into a slight smile.

“Cough, cough, very well, after all, I can’t bear to see Yun Xueshang riding her sword alone in the cold wind.”

She cleared her throat, extended a hand towards Yun Xueshang, and flashed a dazzlingly bright smile:

“Yun Xueshang, how about you and Rongrong ride my boat?”

Yun Xueshang paused, slightly startled.

“But my sword-riding cultivation…”

“Where can’t you cultivate? Can’t you meditate and practice your swordplay on the boat, and then slowly practice your sword-riding skills later?”

Hearing her words, Hua Yan’s smile nearly faltered.

‘Yun Xueshang, I’m kindly inviting you; don’t be so unappreciative!’

“This…”

Yun Xueshang stared at the smiling girl before her, who was earnestly extending an invitation and seemed to be considering her in every way, feeling somewhat dazed.

She then looked at Hua Xiangrong beside her—the pink-haired girl was full of anticipation.

‘Could it be… they don’t actually resent my absence all these years, and are willing to give me a chance to get closer?’

Thinking of the past two nights spent sleeping together, her daughter’s unrestrained closeness, and the little moments shared with the red-haired girl, a warmth blossomed in Yun Xueshang’s heart.

“Very well, then I shall travel with you on the same boat.”

The white-haired girl’s lips curved slightly, and a faint smile bloomed on her usually serene face.

“I shall be imposing upon you greatly these coming days, Fellow Daoist Hua.”

***

“Cough, cough, Yun Xueshang, listen carefully! Since you’ve boarded my boat and haven’t paid any spirit stones, you must obey my commands and do things for me these next few days!”

On the Flower Ferry, as Hua Yan led Yun Xueshang into the cabin, she cleared her throat and immediately revealed her true intentions.

“Understood.”

“Even if you are Rongrong’s mother, this is my territory, and your objections are—” Halfway through her sentence, Hua Yan suddenly froze, slightly startled. “Wait, what did you just say?”

“I said, understood. I agree, Fellow Daoist Hua.”

Yun Xueshang turned to face her and repeated it earnestly.

“Since I am taking Fellow Daoist Hua’s boat, it is only proper for me to help with any chores within my ability.”

“Ah?… Ah, as long as you know!”

‘How could she agree so quickly?! As the esteemed Chief Disciple of the Carefree Sword Sect, does she have no pride at all? How could she so easily agree to my demands?’

Hua Yan stared at the cool, calm face with disbelief, then continued:

“You are responsible for watering the herbs in the cabin.”

“Understood.”

Yun Xueshang nodded in agreement.

“You are responsible for overseeing Rongrong’s cultivation.”

“Understood.”

Yun Xueshang readily complied.

“You also have to do the laundry and cook. The food must not be unpalatable, and you must call me to supervise you when you cook!”

“Understood.”

Yun Xueshang still agreed, then hesitated before speaking:

“It’s just… Fellow Daoist Hua…”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Hua Yan stood with her arms crossed, eyeing her with a half-smile.

‘Ha! Finally, she can’t take it anymore and wants to negotiate terms with me? Let me tell you, no chance!’

“Fellow Daoist Hua, could you perhaps list all the tasks required at once and record them in this jade slip? That way, I can arrange my time and balance chores with cultivation.”

As Yun Xueshang spoke, she retrieved a blank jade slip from her storage pouch, offering it to Hua Yan with both hands, her tone still sincere.

“…”

“There’s nothing else! Go write it down yourself!”

Hua Yan flicked her sleeve and stormed off, turning her back.

‘Damn it… why isn’t she angry at all? How am I supposed to manipulate her now!’

‘Could it be… this Yun Xueshang, does she like me that much? So much that she’s willing to do whatever I ask, no matter how casually I ask it?!’

The red-haired girl, who had entered the small building alone, bit her lip, a flush rising to her cheeks, deepening with each passing moment.

‘This… did I do something wrong?’

Yun Xueshang stared blankly at the red figure disappearing at the stairwell, feeling a little lost.

‘I clearly agreed to her request, and these tasks aren’t excessive. As Rongrong’s mother, I intended to do them anyway… why does she seem displeased instead?’

The white-haired girl silently withdrew the hand that had offered the jade slip, lowering her gaze, utterly perplexed.

“Oh, Mama, don’t take it to heart. Mother is just tsundere, she’s actually really happy inside!”

Hua Xiangrong tugged at her sleeve, standing on tiptoe to whisper comfortingly.

“Tsundere? What does that mean?”

The unfamiliar word confused Yun Xueshang, and she looked down at her daughter.

“It means Mother just looks unhappy on the surface, but she’s really delighted inside, and she likes you a lot, a lot! She just won’t say it out loud, but in her heart, she’s already… mm, already super happy about it!”

Hua Xiangrong spun an earnest fabrication.

“She… is happy? And likes me?”

This explanation left Yun Xueshang even more bewildered.

“Rongrong, are your words true?”

The naive Sword Immortal found it truly difficult to understand—if one was happy inside, why put on a displeased expression? Wouldn’t it be better to just speak plainly?

“Of course it’s true! I would never lie to Mama!”

Hua Xiangrong nodded her small head, swearing with certainty.

Looking at the girl’s clear and sincere eyes, Yun Xueshang fell into deep thought once more.

‘Hmm… Rongrong grew up with her, so she naturally understands her mother better than I do. Since Rongrong says she’s “tsundere,” then it must be true.’

“Hmm, Rongrong, if I want to get along well with your mother in the future, do you have any good ideas?”

The white-haired girl, who harbored no doubt about her daughter’s words, crouched down to meet Hua Xiangrong’s gaze, asking softly.

“Of course I do!”

Hua Xiangrong’s face broke into a wide smile.

“Mama just needs to spend more time with Mother, and then… just be yourself!”