Chapter 44: An Unexpected Alliance and a Hidden Truth

“Wouldn’t you agree, my young friend from the Hundred Flowers Valley—Hua Yan?”

?!

Upon hearing these words, Hua Yan froze instantly.

‘No, how could the Sect Master of the Carefree Sword Sect know my true identity? I am clearly a woman now! Could it be that the person Grandmother arranged for me was intercepted by Ye Qingyuan?!’

She immediately fixed a wary gaze upon the elder before her, her entire aura poised to erupt.

Lin Qianqian, however, looked utterly bewildered.

“Eh? Hua Yan from Hundred Flowers Valley? Who is that? Sect Master, are you speaking of Daoist Hua?”

“But isn’t Hua Yan the Young Master of Hundred Flowers Valley? Daoist Hua Yan’er is clearly a woman. Sect Master, have you made a mistake?”

Between the smiling, silent Sect Master and the slightly furrowed brow of Yun Xueshang and Hua Yan’s cold expression, the innocent maiden finally sensed the unusual atmosphere and quietly clamped her mouth shut.

“Hahahaha, my young friend, there’s no need to be so tense. Relax a little.”

Ye Qingyuan spoke with a warm chuckle.

“How do you know my identity? And what do you intend to do?”

Hua Yan’s vigilance showed not the slightest abatement.

“Hmm? Young friend Hua, did your grandmother not explain things clearly to you?”

Ye Qingyuan appeared slightly surprised.

“Your identity was naturally disclosed to me by your grandmother. As for what I intend to do—it is merely to properly host you and Rongrong, mother and daughter, who have traveled so far.”

“Grandmother only mentioned arranging an identity for me within the Carefree Sword Sect; she never spoke of anything concerning you.”

Hua Yan’s expression remained taut.

“Oh, I see. Alas, I knew it. Your grandmother is still as impatient as ever. Even after embroidering flowers for a thousand years, she simply cannot change this old habit.”

Ye Qingyuan first looked enlightened, then smiled and shook his head, pointing to himself.

“My young friend, the person your grandmother sought was none other than myself.”

????

Hua Yan was utterly dumbfounded.

‘No way? She said she’d arrange an identity, but the person Grandmother found is actually the Sect Master of the Carefree Sword Sect?!’

“Oh, I understand. Are you perhaps worried that given the current opposition between the righteous and demonic paths, I might scheme to harm you?”

Ye Qingyuan stroked his beard, a smile playing on his lips.

“My young friend, you needn’t worry. The so-called opposition between righteous and demonic paths is merely a matter of the last few centuries. Yet, the friendship between your grandmother and me spans thousands of years.”

He picked up his teacup and took a light sip, his gaze gentle as he lifted his eyes.

“Even if the Carefree Sword Sect and Hundred Flowers Valley are powerless to reverse the grand tides of fate and can only drift with the current, who is to say that those who confront each other openly cannot maintain old friendships in private?”

“Speaking of which, when you were just born, this old man even visited Hundred Flowers Valley and held you.”

Setting down the teacup, the elder spoke with a touch of sentiment.

“I merely never imagined that the little boy from back then would grow into such a graceful young woman, even having a child of her own. Truly, the world’s affairs are unpredictable.”

???

Hua Yan was still in a daze, unable to fully process the information, when Lin Qianqian beside her could no longer hold back her gasp of surprise.

“Eh?! Sect Master, do you mean… Daoist Hua was originally a man?! She’s really Hua Yan? This, this can actually be changed?”

“Indeed, it is so. Daoist Hua mentioned that her grandson changed their appearance after being defeated on the Yin-Yang Platform of the Joyful Union Sect. If you are curious about this path, Qianqian, perhaps you could try the Yin-Yang Platform yourself in four hundred and ninety years?”

“No, no, no, no, no! I’m perfectly fine as I am! I don’t want to turn into a man!”

Lin Qianqian immediately shook her head like a rattle-drum.

“Alright, young friend Hua, you can rest assured and stay within the sect during these coming days.”

After teasing Lin Qianqian, the old Sect Master chuckled and looked at Hua Yan again.

“I will arrange your identity properly for you. You will still be called ‘Hua Yan’er,’ and your origin will be that of a rogue cultivator from outside, and Snowshroud’s—hmm, confidante.”

As he spoke, the elder’s eyes twinkled with a smile, and he gave a wink.

“No one else will know of this matter. Qianqian certainly won’t speak of it.”

“Mm! I’ll definitely keep it a secret!”

Lin Qianqian, who had just been shaking her head, was now nodding profusely.

“As for your residence, you and Rongrong will live with Snowshroud on Sleeping Cloud Peak. I certainly wouldn’t separate your family of three.”

“Well then, this old man won’t keep you any longer. Next, let Snowshroud and Qianqian take you mother and daughter on a tour of the sect.”

Ye Qingyuan rose to see them off, adding a remark as they reached the hall door.

“Oh, and the sect has an academy specifically for disciples in the Qi Condensation stage, like Rongrong, for their enlightenment. If you’re interested, young friend, you can send her there to learn things and spend more time with children her age. It’s always beneficial.”

And so, Hua Yan, still reeling, followed the others out of the grand hall.

“Wow! I never expected Daoist Hua to have such a background! But don’t worry, I’ll definitely keep your secret!”

As soon as they exited the hall, Lin Qianqian excitedly patted her ample chest, promising.

“Let’s go! My senior sister and I will give you a good tour of the Carefree Sword Sect!”

Hua Yan nodded in agreement, but another question surfaced in her heart.

‘Wait, my grandmother didn’t believe a word of the origin I gave for Rongrong, so what about Ye Qingyuan? Since he knows Rongrong isn’t Snowshroud’s child, he must have also learned from Grandmother that she isn’t mine. Does he truly not doubt it in the slightest?’

***

After the group departed, Ye Qingyuan slowly sat back on his meditation cushion and spoke softly.

“My old friend, the matter you entrusted to me has been handled.”

“Understood. You won’t be short on spirit stones.”

Unbeknownst to him, a fabric sound-transmitting talisman had appeared on the table before him, and Hua Yuheng’s faint voice drifted from within.

“Still being stubborn with juniors, saying the Carefree Sword Sect isn’t short on spirit stones? Heh, I think you old ghost are just too concerned with saving face.”

“Ai, isn’t there always a way to earn them? Once earned, then one isn’t short, is that not right, my old friend?”

Ye Qingyuan continued to chuckle, showing no hint of embarrassment at being exposed.

“Forget it. What’s the point of arguing with a thick-skinned old fellow like you?”

Hua Yuheng let out a soft snort, no longer engaging.

“…”

After a moment of silence, Ye Qingyuan asked softly,

“So, old friend, do you truly not intend to tell Hua Yan what’s truly on your mind?”

“Tell her what? Tell her that I actually believe her story about ‘Rongrong being from another world’—after all, I know perfectly well that even if she’s usually unconventional and unreliable, she would never joke about something this important?”

Hua Yuheng snorted again.

“Hmph, if she knew, how would she ever quietly remain in your Carefree Sword Sect? She would surely be clamoring to return to the valley. If that happened, how could I make her marry that child Snowshroud as soon as she returned? They need to cultivate their feelings outside first!”

Pausing, her tone gradually deepened.

“Moreover, the demonic path is not as peaceful as your righteous path these days. It’s ultimately safer for her and Rongrong to stay outside.”

“…”

Ye Qingyuan fell silent again, only speaking after a long while.

“Old friend, regarding Emperor Zhao Mingyuan of Great Chu…”

“Yes, that matter. It indicates that those fellows might truly be unable to sit still any longer.”

Hua Yuheng’s voice turned cold.

“I wonder how much longer my demonic path can enjoy peace.”