Chapter 70: The Carefree Assembly and an Unexpected Appointment

On Carefree Peak, within Carefree Hall, the mid-January morning assembly was underway.

At the beginning of each month, the peak masters from various peaks would gather here to discuss all matters, internal and external, concerning the Carefree Sword Sect.

Though ostensibly for deliberation, the naturally ‘carefree’ dispositions of the peak masters often led the discussions to stray wildly, like unbridled horses, with no end in sight.

From major conflicts between righteous and demonic factions, or the emergence of secret realms, to minor gossip about the disciples’ budding romances—virtually no topic was off-limits.

This was Yun Xueshang’s second time attending the morning assembly.

During her first attendance, she had been almost overwhelmed by the playful teasing of the various peak masters and elders, each pressing her with questions about her cultivation partner and daughter.

Only Elder Ji Ling, with her perpetually gloomy expression, had remained aloof, observing silently. Utterly flustered at the time, Yun Xueshang had been rescued by Sect Master Ye Qingyuan.

And this time…

Yun Xueshang had arrived early, sitting ramrod straight in her seat as the Peak Master of Sleeping Cloud Peak. Her expression was solemn and focused, as if facing a formidable enemy.

‘I cannot be teased by the peak masters and elders again. I am fully prepared,’ she thought.

‘Last month, Peak Master Yue of Ten Thousand Swords Peak was the first, and the most relentless, with her jests. This time, I must make things clear with her.’

However…

“Good morning, Senior Sister Yun.”

Lin Qianqian, her azure hair styled into a side braid, settled directly into the Ten Thousand Swords Peak Master’s seat beside her. She greeted Yun Xueshang while stifling a yawn.

“?”

“Junior Sister Lin, why are you here? Where is Elder Yue?”

Yun Xueshang turned to her, a hint of confusion surfacing on her usually serene face.

“My master said she wanted to rush to the mess hall this morning for plum blossom pastries. She was afraid they’d be gone if she arrived late, so she sent me to take her place.”

Lin Qianqian poured herself a cup of hot tea with practiced ease, then filled another for Yun Xueshang. “Here, Senior Sister. You’ve come so early today. It’s so cold; quickly drink some hot tea to warm yourself up.”

Yun Xueshang thanked her and accepted the tea, taking a small sip. She then composed herself, sitting upright once more, not daring to relax even slightly.

‘I must not relax. There’s also Elder Zhou of Grand Spire Peak; last time he also…’

Before long, a short-haired male disciple took a seat in the Grand Spire Peak’s position. He rubbed his head and chuckled heartily.

“Good morning, Senior Brother Wang. Is Elder Zhou teasing his spirit beast again today?”

Lin Qianqian offered another cup of tea, seemingly accustomed to the situation.

“Haha, isn’t that just like him!”

“Good morning.”

Yun Xueshang also nodded slightly, maintaining her composed posture, waiting in silence.

‘I can’t be careless. The peak masters of Azure Ripple Peak and Seeking Dao Peak haven’t arrived yet…’

Soon, a female disciple and a male disciple entered the main hall, smiling as they spoke.

“Good morning, Senior Brothers and Junior Sisters.”

Yun Xueshang returned their greetings one by one, blinking in surprise.

‘Why is it that, apart from myself, all the other peak masters seem to have only sent their disciples?’

Oh, that wasn’t entirely true—there was also Ji Ling. Dressed in black robes, she sat opposite Yun Xueshang. Catching Yun Xueshang’s gaze, she rolled her eyes irritably.

“Junior Sister Lin, what’s going on?”

Yun Xueshang turned to Lin Qianqian, who was huddled slightly in her seat, cradling her hot tea, and asked softly.

“Huh? Senior Sister, are you asking why no peak masters came to the assembly in person?”

Lin Qianqian was momentarily stunned, then enlightened. “Ohh… Senior Sister Yun, your Sleeping Cloud Peak didn’t have a peak master before, so it’s no wonder you don’t know.”

She explained, “Actually, there’s usually nothing truly important at these morning assemblies; it’s mostly trivial matters. So, the elders from each peak come if they wish, and if they don’t, they send a disciple to attend in their stead.”

“After all, it’s once a month, which is quite bothersome for us cultivators. If there’s truly an urgent matter, the Sect Master usually sends a message in advance or directly transmits a voice message.”

“But last month, when I came, why were all the elders present?”

Yun Xueshang remained puzzled.

“That’s because, Senior Sister Yun, it was your first time attending as a peak master, and you brought such a huge piece of gossip with you! Of course, all the elders wanted to come and watch the excitement.”

The female disciple from Seeking Dao Peak, sitting beside Ji Ling, covered her mouth and chuckled upon hearing this.

The disciple from Seeking Dao Peak, sitting on the other side, overheard the conversation and leaned over to interject, “Last month, I heard my master was going to talk about Senior Sister’s cultivation partner and daughter. I was so silly, I wanted to come in his place, but he absolutely refused, insisting on joining in the fun himself. Truly…”

Yun Xueshang fell silent.

‘So, the elders not coming is the norm? Their full attendance last month was just to tease me?’

‘Then all the preparations I made yesterday…’

“But when my master was alive, why did she never let a disciple attend the assembly in her stead?”

She recalled this fact.

“Tch, that lazy woman Jiang Changge?”

Opposite her, Ji Ling scoffed. “While others might occasionally show up, she hasn’t attended a single morning assembly since becoming a peak master.”

Just then, Ye Qingyuan arrived, taking his seat behind the main desk. The sight of mostly disciples filling in for their masters seemed unremarkable to him; he appeared quite used to it.

However, to everyone’s surprise, Ye Qingyuan began by announcing a matter of great importance today.

“Cough, cough, everyone. Early this morning, news arrived from the Sea Listening Pavilion in the Southern Sea, stating that a new secret realm has emerged on a small island there.”

He cleared his throat, speaking slowly. “They have invited major righteous factions to discuss matters related to the secret realm’s exploration.”

“My Carefree Sword Sect is also among those invited. Therefore, this old man will be leaving the sect for about a month to personally investigate the Southern Sea.”

“During this period, someone must be chosen to temporarily assume the role of Sect Master, preside over the sect, and handle its affairs.”

As he spoke, his gaze slowly swept across the hall—or, more accurately, across the only two peak masters present today.

He first looked at the experienced Ji Ling. Ji Ling immediately let out an irritated snort, flatly refusing. “The matters of the Enforcement Elder are already enough to keep me busy, and I still have to refine pills. Don’t come looking for me for troublesome tasks like acting Sect Master!”

His gaze then fell upon the white-haired immortal who was the only one sitting upright and listening intently.

“Then, let Xueshang temporarily assume the role of Sect Master and preside over the sect’s affairs.”

The old Sect Master stroked his beard, smiling as he looked at this new peak master, who had been a model disciple since childhood and was considered a moral paragon of the sect.

“Xueshang, I will trouble you during this period.”

“Yes, Sect Master. This disciple will certainly do her utmost to manage the Carefree Sword Sect well and await your return.”

Yun Xueshang nodded earnestly, accepting the responsibility with solemnity.

***

“So… you didn’t even know what an acting Sect Master should do, and you just agreed to your Sect Master’s request?”

It was midday in the small courtyard of Sleeping Cloud Peak. Hua Yan, biting into a roasted lamb leg, couldn’t help but twitch her lips after hearing Yun Xueshang’s account.

“Mm.” Yun Xueshang nodded, gently wiping the greasy little face of Hua Xiangrong beside her with a silk handkerchief. “That’s why I’m troubled; I don’t know how to proceed.”

“Then why didn’t you ask your Sect Master for a clear explanation before he left!” Hua Yan couldn’t help but ask.

“I forgot,” Yun Xueshang replied honestly.

“?”

Hua Yan looked at Yun Xueshang’s ethereal, otherworldly demeanor, so detached from worldly affairs, and truly wanted to crack open her beautiful head to see if it was indeed filled with wood.

“Fine, I’ll help you this once!” she said, exasperated. “Fortunately, I am, after all, an heir to a demonic sect. Back at Hundred Flowers Valley, my grandmother forced me to learn the ropes of managing affairs, so I know a bit.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll accompany you to Carefree Hall for your duties.”

“Thank you, Yan’er.” The white-haired immortal before her curved her brows slightly, a faint smile blossoming on her face. “It’s fortunate to have you.”

‘If you truly want to thank me, you might as well fall for me quickly, saving me a lot of trouble.’

Watching her smile, Hua Yan’s cheeks inexplicably flushed. She turned her head away.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

How Could a Reincarnated Skeleton Be the Young Lady’s Familiar?

FarmingFemale ProtagonistGender Transformation

Read Now →
Not interested