Chapter 76: A Lively New Year’s Eve

The snow gradually ceased, and a faint, colorful glow began to appear on the horizon. Unlike the fiery intensity of summer sunsets, this winter’s light was soft and gentle, lingering delicately.

It swirled like tendrils of silk floss, a dusting of fine powder, weaving among the clouds and harmonizing perfectly with the pristine, cold snow-capped mountains.

“It’s getting late, and while ice fishing is certainly enjoyable, you’re not planning for us to ring in the New Year out here on the ice, are you?”

Hua Yan tossed another fish into the bucket, then turned to Yun Xueshang, who stood beside her.

“Of course not.”

Yun Xueshang shook her head, her voice soft and measured.

“To usher in the New Year, one must find a suitable place. Setting off fireworks, observing the New Year’s Eve vigil, welcoming the new year, and praying for blessings—these customs I understand well.”

She turned her face to Hua Yan, a gentle question in her eyes.

“Yan’er, shall we take Rongrong to the Outer Sect later?”

“It’s lively there with many people, and this year’s festive decorations are quite elaborate. Taking her for a stroll there should make her happy.”

“The Outer Sect?”

Hua Yan paused, slightly taken aback.

From her words, it seemed Yun Xueshang also intended to celebrate the festival within the sect tonight. Wouldn’t the arrangements she had secretly made come in handy?

Her eyes curved into crescents, and she nodded repeatedly.

“Wonderful! Then we’ll go to the Outer Sect to take a look later!”

***

Night fell upon the Outer Sect of the Carefree Sword Sect.

Lanterns hung along the mountain path, their warm red glow casting a gentle hue upon the accumulated snow.

Vendors had set up their stalls on either side, and steaming tangyuan pots bubbled, emitting white wisps of vapor.

The sweet aroma of sugar-roasted chestnuts mingled with the smoky scent of baked sweet potatoes, intertwining in the cold air to create a warm, inviting atmosphere of human festivity.

In the square, children, clutching lanterns, weaved through the crowds, their crisp laughter startling the powdery snow from the branches.

“How are these New Year’s decorations, which I personally spearheaded?”

Hua Yan held Hua Xiangrong’s left hand, surveying the bustling scene before them, and proudly raised an eyebrow as she addressed the mother and daughter beside her.

“Indeed, Yan’er’s plan is truly excellent.”

Yun Xueshang nodded gently.

“That’s right. If this were in my Hundred… I mean, in my hometown, it would be even livelier than this.”

Hua Yan had almost said ‘Hundred Flowers Valley,’ but realizing the numerous ears around, she quickly corrected herself. She then shook her head.

“I heard you say a while ago that the Carefree Sword Sect’s New Year celebration was merely visiting friends, giving out red envelopes, and paying respects to the Ancestral Master. That’s far too dull.”

“Mother, Mommy, look! Someone’s setting off fireworks over there!”

Hua Xiangrong, walking between the two women, suddenly cried out excitedly.

“Yes, I see them.”

Hua Yan’s lips held a faint, serene smile, though the corners of her mouth curled up subtly. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at the white-haired immortal beside her.

Yun Xueshang was looking down at her daughter, her features soft and gentle. The red glow of the lanterns illuminated her profile, bathing her usual cool demeanor in a warm light.

Suddenly, a cry of alarm erupted not far away.

Everyone turned to look. In the corner of the square Hua Xiangrong had pointed to, several young disciples were excitedly setting off a pile of firework tubes.

One of them, either caught up in the moment or having lost all sense of proportion, caused a cluster of bright yellow flames to leap from their fingertips—they openly channeled a fire-elemental spell, launching it fiercely into the sky.

*Whoosh—*

A projectile of condensed fire shot into the heavens, exploding with a roar in the night sky, its brilliance several times more magnificent than ordinary fireworks.

But at the same time, tiny sparks rained down, threatening to fall onto several stalls selling silk flowers and colorful ribbons. The crowd immediately gasped and scattered!

“Fire! Put out the fire quickly!”

The perpetrator’s face turned ashen. They frantically made hand seals, but the more flustered they became, the less they could conjure a proper water-elemental spell.

The flames were about to climb along the dry vines, untouched by snow, towards the eaves—

Suddenly, a figure in black swept down from mid-air. As their wide sleeves fluttered, a sharp, icy chill sliced forth like a frosty blade!

“Disperse.”

Ji Ling formed a hand seal with one hand, and before her cold command finished echoing, an icy spiritual energy enveloped the rampant flames. The fire instantly dissipated, leaving only a few wisps of smoke.

“Who dares to use fire-elemental spells here?”

Her voice was not loud, yet it was clear enough for everyone to hear.

The disciple immediately froze.

The disciple, trembling and covered in sweat, bowed repeatedly.

“Elder Ji… this disciple knows their mistake! I was just caught up in the moment, wanting to try a newly learned fire spell to liven up the festival, but I… I didn’t expect it to catch fire.”

“According to the rules, what is the punishment for damaging sect property?”

“According… according to the rules…” The disciple’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz. “According to the rules, one must compensate for the damages at market price and be confined for ten days…”

“You knew the rules, yet you deliberately broke them.”

Ji Ling looked down at him, her tone utterly devoid of emotion.

“Considering it is New Year’s Eve today, your confinement will be postponed. First, pay the fine, then report to the Hall of Discipline after the New Year to receive your punishment. If you offend again, the penalty will be doubled.”

The man’s ashen face suddenly brightened, and he repeatedly affirmed, as if granted a great pardon.

“I say, has Elder Ji become much gentler?”

Hua Yan whispered softly.

“Perhaps it’s because the matter with Qing Luo has been resolved,” Yun Xueshang quietly replied.

“I can hear you both. If you think I used to be difficult, just say so directly.”

Ji Ling finished handling the matter, then walked over, letting out a cold snort.

“I haven’t even gotten to you two yet. As acting sect masters, you’ve orchestrated this ‘challenge’ of a New Year celebration. Not only is it noisy, but there have been far more people setting fires these past few days than usual—you’re only causing me trouble.”

“Ahahaha, ahaha, but I saw Sect Master Ye, that old senior, returned, and didn’t he say anything either?”

Hua Yan chuckled awkwardly.

‘That old rascal, as long as it doesn’t cost him spirit stones, what could he possibly say!’ Ji Ling rolled her eyes, muttering inwardly.

Suddenly, two female disciples flew over hand in hand, landing before the group.

“Master, please allow me to be on duty today. How about you take Sixteen and wander around?”

The short-haired female disciple cautiously began.

“What, you don’t need to spend the festival with your beloved?”

Ji Ling turned to look at her, then glanced at the long-haired female disciple, whose fingers were intertwined with hers.

“Oh, no, no need, thank you for your concern, Elder Ji. I will, of course, be on duty with Little Lotus—wouldn’t us being together count as ringing in the New Year?”

The long-haired female disciple smiled and waved her hand.

“It’s just that Little Lotus and I were able to make things work, largely thanks to Rongrong and Little Sixteen. Today is such a wonderful festival, and I truly can’t bear to see Little Sixteen spending New Year’s alone. That’s why I thought of taking over your shift; you should take Sixteen out for a walk.”

“What do you think… is that alright?”

Ji Ling paused slightly, then nodded.

“Very well. Then I’ll leave it to you two.”

The two female cultivators exchanged smiles, then placed a handful of candies into Hua Xiangrong’s hand before turning to leave.

“Elder Ji, are you going to play with Little Pomegranate later?”

Hua Xiangrong tilted her small head back, gazing expectantly at Ji Ling.

“I want to play with Little Pomegranate too, if that’s alright with you?”

Ji Ling raised an eyebrow slightly.

“But don’t you need to spend New Year’s with your mothers?”

Even though she knew Hua Xiangrong and Ning Sixteen were good friends, she hadn’t expected the girl to choose to ring in the New Year with a friend rather than her family.

“Oh, it’s fine, it’s fine! We’ll just pick Rongrong up later. It’s a festival after all; it’s good for children to have fun when their feelings are strong!”

Hua Yan, however, was overjoyed. She quickly stepped forward, secretly transmitting a message:

[Please, Elder Ji! If you take Rongrong away, I can have a world for two with Xueshang tonight!]

***

Ji Ling looked at Hua Xiangrong’s expectant little face, then at the earnest plea in Hua Yan’s eyes.

She nodded silently.

Then, taking Hua Xiangrong’s hand, she stepped into the air and departed.

Yun Xueshang and Hua Yan stood side by side, waving together at the two figures, one large and one small.

As Hua Yan lowered her hand, the warm lantern light reflected on her smiling profile.

She couldn’t help but feel that this scene… seemed somewhat familiar?

The white-haired maiden blinked her clear, cold red eyes.

It seemed… on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Yunjing, Rongrong had also disappeared so suddenly, leaving only herself and Yan’er to celebrate the festival?