Chapter 43: Whispers and Revelations in Carefree Hall

Once Hua Xiangrong had recovered her senses, Yun Xueshang continued to hold her as the group slowly made their way across the marble-paved square, heading towards the grand hall ahead.

What was called a grand hall actually resembled a wooden pavilion. Its decorations were not opulent, yet it exuded a natural, inherent charm. Carved upon a wooden plaque above were three elegant characters: “Carefree Hall.”

As they walked, several disciples who were watering and sweeping the square couldn’t help but turn their heads, whispering amongst themselves:

“Look, it’s Senior Sister Yun and Senior Sister Lin!”

“They must be back from slaying evil, right? How impressive!”

“Who’s the child Senior Sister Yun is holding? They look so adorable.”

“And who is that beautiful red-haired immortal? Do we have someone like her in our sect?”

“Hmm… don’t you think that child, Senior Sister Yun, and that red-haired immortal… look remarkably alike?”

“…”

As soon as these words were uttered, the grey-robed female disciple who had spoken was immediately fixed with stares from those around her. The murmurs of discussion swiftly grew more fervent:

“Holy crap! It’s true!”

“Then, could this red-haired immortal be Senior Sister Yun’s beloved? Senior Sister Yun is actually in love? And has a child? Wuwuwu, I feel like I’ve been dumped…”

It was the same female disciple who had just made the startling observation who now spoke these words.

“Idiot! It’s a great thing if Senior Sister Yun has a Dao companion! If she were busy with romance, how would she have so much time to drill us?”

“Exactly! Exactly! Senior Sister Yun is so harsh when she trains people. If she were distracted by love, she’d definitely be much gentler. This is a blessing for us!”

Unlike the grey-robed disciple, the other young disciples nearby were all beaming with joy.

“…”

Hua Yan, with her profound cultivation, heard every word of their discussion, and the corner of her mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

[I say, do your Carefree Sword Sect disciples not know that our cultivation is profound enough to hear their little chats?]

She transmitted her thoughts to Yun Xueshang beside her.

[They are newly initiated outer disciples. They likely got carried away for a moment and became careless. Such short memories mean they will easily be preyed upon when they go down the mountain for training in the future. It seems they need more rigorous drilling after all.]

Yun Xueshang responded with a calm tone.

“…”

‘Fine, you’re the boss.’

Hua Yan continued walking forward, yet she couldn’t help but light a metaphorical incense stick in her heart for those chattering young disciples.

Speaking of which, she still didn’t know what identity her grandmother had arranged for her within the Carefree Sword Sect.

When had the Hundred Flowers Valley ever been able to interfere with the affairs of the Carefree Sword Sect?

Had her grandmother secretly bribed an elder, or had she simply infiltrated the Carefree Sword Sect with Hundred Flowers Valley personnel?

Hua Yan’s mind wandered, filled with wild conjectures as she walked.

During her journey from Yunjing to the Carefree Sword Sect, she had tried to inquire about these matters from her grandmother, even attempting to find an opportunity to tell her about Hua Xiangrong’s origins.

However, for one, the sound transmission talisman imbued with her grandmother’s法则 was on Hua Xiangrong. If she were to use it to contact her grandmother, the little one would inevitably overhear.

On the other hand, when Hua Yan finally managed to contact Hua Yuheng after Hua Xiangrong had fallen asleep, their conversation went like this:

“Hua Yan! You’ve stolen your daughter’s protective talisman again. What are you trying to do?!”

“Grandmother, please listen to my explanation, it’s like this…”

“Don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes! What ‘daughter from another world’? If you dare to disown Rongrong, then you don’t need to acknowledge me as your grandmother either!”

“Grandmother, I…”

Thanks to a certain someone’s ‘excellent’ credibility in daily life, Hua Yuheng didn’t believe a single word she said. Instead, she scolded her fiercely and was absolutely determined to send them to the Carefree Sword Sect, leaving Hua Yan with no way to voice her grievances.

‘Sigh, never mind, I won’t think about it anymore.’

‘Anyway, since Grandmother has made these arrangements, it must be foolproof. She wouldn’t just stand by and watch her own grandchild get captured as a spy by the righteous sects, would she?’

Hua Yan quickly pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind, comforting herself internally.

***

The group entered the hall. The interior furnishings, much like the hall itself, were simple and unadorned—a long table, a prayer mat, a cup of clear tea, and a sect master.

“Sect Master, we have returned.”

Yun Xueshang led the way, stepping forward to pay her respects.

“Oh, Xueshang and Qianqian have returned.”

The kind-faced, white-haired elder behind the table slowly lifted his gaze, holding a teacup. He appeared utterly unlike the renowned Sect Master of the righteous Carefree Sword Sect, resembling instead an ordinary old man idly sipping tea in a mortal village.

“Come, come, sit down, quickly, sit down.”

The old Sect Master Ye Qingyuan smiled amiably and waved his hand. Several low tables and prayer mats flew out from his sleeve, landing gently to the side.

“Sect Master, this trip to Great Chu…”

Yun Xueshang first set down the pink-haired girl she was holding, about to elaborate, but the old Sect Master raised a hand to interrupt her.

“Ah, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion has already informed me of your experiences in Great Chu. You all did very well.”

He chuckled, then flicked his sleeve, adding a few fresh cups of tea.

“Come, try the tea I’ve just brewed. This is excellent Cloud Mist Green, which I personally picked from the mountains.”

“Ah, yes, there’s also a little friend here.”

His gaze shifted to Hua Xiangrong, and a plate of preserved fruits flew out from his sleeve, gently landing before the girl.

“Come, have a taste.”

“Wow! Thank you, Grandpa Sect Master!”

“Oh, no thanks needed, no thanks needed.”

Hua Xiangrong’s eyes lit up, and she thanked him crisply, which delighted the old man. He stroked his beard, laughing even more heartily.

“Oh, Senior Sister, you know the Sect Master’s temperament,”

Lin Qianqian had already happily sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, picking up a teacup and taking a sip.

“After all these years, you still rush to discuss official business as soon as you return. The Sect Master doesn’t like hearing all that!”

She smacked her lips, her eyes curving into a smile:

“Wow! Sect Master, your tea-brewing skills have improved again!”

“Hehehehe, Qianqian always knows what to say.”

“…”

Yun Xueshang watched their interaction, nodding gently. She also took a seat, holding her teacup and taking a small sip, her back still perfectly straight.

“Then, Sect Master, regarding the aftermath of this evil-slaying mission…”

“The subsequent effects and why Zhao Mingyuan fell into the demonic path—I have already dispatched people from various sects to investigate these matters. As for the remuneration for this mission—”

Ye Qingyuan raised his hand, tossing out two storage bags.

“They are all here.”

He paused, then looked at Yun Xueshang with a helpless expression:

“However, Xueshang, I must remind you: in the future, when you’re outside, please stop always issuing IOUs.

From time to time, various Daoist friends come knocking on our door to collect debts, making our Carefree Sword Sect seem rather poor. I’ve deducted the spirit stones you owe from your reward, according to the old rules.

However, this evil-slaying mission was perilous, and the commission was not small. After the deduction, there’s still quite a bit left, so you must be frugal with your spending this time.”

Seeing Yun Xueshang accept the storage bags and nod seriously, Ye Qingyuan then turned his gaze to the side—to the red-haired young woman who had been looking around curiously since entering, had just pilfered a few pieces of preserved fruit from Hua Xiangrong, and was now leaning her head against the little girl’s, discussing which preserved fruit was the most delicious.

“Now then, it’s time we properly introduce ourselves, little friend?”

He still spoke with a cheerful chuckle, the smile in his eyes gentle, yet his voice was clear:

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

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