Chapter 65

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Chapter 65: The Fat Pig With Long Wings

Regardless of what the other disciples were discussing in private, The Tenth Peak was buzzing with activity.

There were six new disciples, with each of the three senior brothers taking two under their wing. Apo had initially expressed his desire to follow Wen Yun, but ended up being taken in by the equally stern-faced Bai Yushan after not finding Wen Yun on the mountain.

Three powerful Soul Changing Stage cultivators rolled up their sleeves and worked tirelessly to expand a few courtyards at the foot of the mountain, making them look much more presentable.

However, Bai Yushan had a headache.

In passing by the woodshed, he casually pointed and told Apo, "That’s where your beloved Martial Uncle used to spend the most time." That night, the young girl took her blanket and slept in the woodshed, waking up the next day with her face covered in soot, even darker than before.

And it didn’t end there – the other children also yearned to talk to the legendary figure Wen Yun, endlessly asking when they could see Martial Uncle Wen Yun.

Xu Wanfeng was bothered until late at night when he finally found some peace. He grabbed a jug of wine and headed towards Yue Xingzhou’s yard halfway up the mountain. To his surprise, he saw Bai Yushan looking equally distressed as soon as he arrived.

The three brothers gathered together, looked at each other, and finally let out a long sigh.

"Such a tough situation," Xu Wanfeng said as he poured wine for Elder Martial Brother. With a belly full of complaints, he said, "I had planned to watch the sunrise with Ziyun, but now I have to take care of the children every morning. If this continues, we’ll miss the sun altogether as winter approaches."

It’s not that these children are mischievous or arrogant. Coming from poor backgrounds, they are hardworking and responsible. However, even the most responsible among them are still just children. It’s a first for these hundreds-year-old men to take on disciples, and they have no idea how to properly teach them.

Can such young children get up before dawn to practice swordsmanship like adults? Should they first learn how to harness spiritual power or practice sword techniques? How can they explain to the children why they cannot call the elderly man at The Ninth Peak next door "grandfather" but must address him as a nephew instead?

A teacher must be absolutely clear in their instructions.

Yue Xingzhou remained silent, gulping down the wine in his cup. It was clear that his experience of looking after the children in the past few days had left him feeling utterly hopeless.

Bai Yushan hesitated before speaking, "I think they really like Martial Sister Wen, and she is younger than us, not much older than these children. Should we invite her to teach them?"

When Wen Yun was mentioned, the three of them looked up to the peak where Ye Shubai’s closed-off cave used to be. Outside the cave was an elegant courtyard, and now Wen Yun lived there.

The group of kids were mostly there for her, but she went up and didn’t want to come down. They didn’t dare go up to find her, so they had to accept doing hard work.

"Martial Sister Wen is really loved by our master. I remember our master likes peace and quiet, and we are not allowed to disturb him when he is free. But she can live up there." Bai Yushan sighed, his words full of jealousy without hiding it.

Yue Xingzhou kindly smiled and teased the younger martial brother, "Yushan, you and I are both hundreds of years old, while Martial Sister Wen is just a young child in her teens. Not to mention the master taking care of the younger martial sister more, we also need to take good care of her."

Bai Yushan nodded seriously in agreement, but when it came to Wen Yun’s age, he couldn’t help but sigh, "Martial Sister Wen is really something. I thought our master was amazing for forming Nascent Soul at thirty, but she did it at fifteen or sixteen. No wonder our master values the younger martial sister so much."

"That’s right, that’s why the master always keeps her by his side to teach her personally, right?"

As they talked and drank, Xu Wanfeng ate sunflower seeds and unconsciously fell into contemplation, hesitating as he spoke, "It’s true, but why do I always feel like the master’s attitude towards the younger martial sister is different?"

"After all, she’s a female disciple, probably different from the three of us."

"No, the problem is that the master’s attitude towards Martial Sister Wen is completely different from his attitude towards us disciples!"

Seeing the puzzled expressions of the other two, Xu Wanfeng, eating sunflower seeds quickly, solemnly analyzed with these two old bachelors, "I also have some past experiences that are not suitable to share with others, you two should know, so in matters of love, I do have insight."

"Master, um… look at the strange look in Martial Sister Wen’s eyes, the tone of her usual conversation is not quite right, even the way she stands next to her is not quite right."

He thought he was being clear enough, but those two were still confused.

Xu Wanfeng threw away the melon seed shells, clapped his hands softly and said, "I noticed that our master seems to have some unusual thoughts about Martial Sister Wen!"

"Clang–"

Bai Yushan looked shocked, the huge sword in his hand fell straight down and hit his foot. He was still too stunned to react, just sitting there in shock.

Yue Xingzhou finally seized the opportunity to have a few drinks, and now he was feeling the effects of the alcohol. He burped and slammed the table, his face turning red, and suddenly exclaimed, "This… this is unreasonable, I do not agree with this marriage!"

"Oh?" Xu Wanfeng’s eyes lit up, instantly sensing some unusual complications. He quickly asked, "Why do you disagree? Do you have some hidden feelings for Martial Sister Wen?"

"Martial Sister Wen, she–" Yue Xingzhou, drunk and muddled, angrily mumbled, "She’s only sixteen, she’s still a child, how could the master stoop to this!"

As he spoke, he unsteadily performed a Sword Control Art, burping and jumping onto a flying sword, bravely declaring that he would make the master come to his senses, and not mistreat the girl and so on…

Xu Wanfeng’s face changed drastically, muttering "Oh no," realizing he forgot how his elder martial brother behaves when drunk. He quickly called Bai Yushan to help chase him back. However, Yue Xingzhou, being the elder martial brother, and his cultivation soaring every time he gets drunk, made it impossible for them to catch up with him as he recklessly flew towards the mountain peak. They could only faintly hear his reckless voice–

"Master, please spare Martial Sister Wen, do not disrespect the elderly!"

*

Wen Yun originally stayed in the woodshed just to guard the pile of precious wood, but now that the shed was full, she didn’t have to sleep inside anymore.

Coincidentally, Wen Yun had a soul contract with Ye Shubai, so she boldly took over his hut and settled in comfortably. As for Ye Shubai, showing a swordsman’s determination, he obediently moved to the neighboring small house.

The courtyard was beautiful, almost identical to the small hut where she had stayed in his memories. Even the white plum tree had been transplanted here. After five hundred years, the once delicate tree trunk had grown much thicker, with its slightly yellowed leaves still elegantly hanging on the wooden house roof. Similar to the owner of the yard, it was extraordinarily beautiful and dignified.

However, while the tree had grown with the passing years, the bedding inside the house needed to be replaced.

Wen Yun had been absent these days not just because she was discussing swordsmanship or magic with Ye Shubai on the mountaintop but also because she secretly took him out of the mountain gate to Wanbao Pavilion nearby to bring back many good things.

The newly brought bed was carved from deep-sea soft stone, said to be cool in summer and warm in winter, with a soft texture. The bedding was made of heavenly silk, light as a feather. The pillow was even more remarkable, not an ordinary ceramic or wooden pillow, but Wen Yun’s favorite soft pillow filled with soft crane fluff.

Everything in this room is custom-made by Wen Yun. The style and material are chosen by her, worth thousands of precious jade stones. Of course, it was Ye Shubai who paid for it.

Wen Yun carefully arranged these items in the main room, then lay down on the bed and felt so comfortable that she sighed. She asked, "Try this bed. Isn’t it much more comfortable than your old one?"

Ye Shubai stood at the doorway, not entering. His figure partly hidden in the dim light outside the door. He said, "I won’t come in. You should rest early. I’ll call you tomorrow for sword practice."

Wen Yun wanted to share her newly designed bed with someone. She waved at Ye Shubai and said, "Don’t go. Come and lie down for a while. I’ll make space for you."

As she spoke, she stood up and adjusted some things. Ye Shubai stayed silent for a while, then sat on the edge of the bed as instructed. He sat upright with a serious expression, looking very proper and old-fashioned.

Wen Yun couldn’t bear to see him sit like that, how could he feel the comfort of the new bed? She decided to teach him how to bounce on the bed and asked with a smile, "How is it? Comfortable, right?"

Ye Shubai felt uncomfortable perched on the edge, but he managed to say, "Comfortable."

Just then, a bright flame suddenly lit up outside, accompanied by a powerful surge of energy that rushed into the courtyard.

At the same time, Yue Xingzhou’s loud voice rang out, "Master! How could you behave like a beast!"

The two windows in this room are very large. When opened, you can see the lush mountains, clouds, moonlight, and gentle breeze accompanying each other, providing a wide and delightful view.

Of course, having a wide view also has its downside.

For example, at this moment, Yue Xingzhou could clearly see what was happening inside. He furiously reprimanded his own master, saying, "Martial Sister Wen is only fifteen years old, and yet you have improper thoughts towards her!"

Wen Yun had already smelled the alcohol on him. As she helped him out of the window, she corrected him, saying, "I’m actually sixteen. I will be sixteen after tonight. Why, Senior Brother, are you going to give me a birthday gift?"

However, Yue Xingzhou ignored her and earnestly urged his master not to harm the young girl.

Fortunately, Xu Wanfeng and Bai Yushan arrived at this moment. These two men kept their heads down, unable to meet Ye Shubai’s gaze. They apologized to Elder Martial Brother while escaping down the mountain.

The courtyard returned to quietness. Even the birds on the branches were startled by Yue Xingzhou’s actions, flying away. Only Wen Yun remained, looking somewhat embarrassed, contemplating the words spoken by Elder Martial Brother.

"I think he may have misunderstood our relationship. He doesn’t know the simple bond between us." Wen Yun coughed slightly to cover her discomfort, glancing uncomfortably at Ye Shubai, who had already left the courtyard. However, he stood in a dark spot, making it hard to discern his expression.

He remained silent, standing still in the night breeze.

Wen Yun tried to lighten the tense atmosphere by speaking nonsense, "I will move my bed downstairs when it’s light out. I heard the new children like me, so I want to get close to them…"

Before she could finish, Ye Shubai interrupted, "No need."

He paused and then continued, "Just drunken talk on a boat, don’t worry about it."

In fact, Wen Yun was too lazy to move. She enjoyed experimenting with strange magic in the dead of night when it was quiet. Since Ye Shubai said so, she stopped insisting.

She didn’t playfully drag him this time, just said goodbye politely and headed into the room. But as she took a half step in, Ye Shubai in the courtyard called out to her, "Wen Yun."

She turned around, expecting him to mention what happened earlier, but instead, he gently said, "Tomorrow is your birthday, and I have a gift for you."

Wen Yun was a practical and open-minded person, and her attention was immediately drawn to his words. She ran over and stood beside him, looking up with anticipation, "Are you going to bring back the hundred thousand spiritual jade you turned me into ashes with?"

Ye Shubai was speechless for a moment.

Seeing his reaction, she laughed and tugged at his sleeve, reassuring him, "Just kidding, you don’t need a hundred thousand spiritual jade. I’ll be happy with whatever gift you give me."

This is true. Wen Yun had always been a lonely person. In her past life, she couldn’t remember exactly how old she was, just had a rough idea. She didn’t know her exact birthday, but vaguely recalled it was in winter.

So, every year when the first snow of winter fell, the little fire dragon would come out from the Dragon Bone Magic Wand, sneak into a king’s treasury or a noble’s cabinet, and take out shiny gemstones as birthday gifts for Wen Yun.

Only the little fire dragon would give her gifts.

Just as she was thinking about the little fire dragon, she saw Ye Shubai reaching out his hand to her, and at the same time, a bright golden light appeared from the darkness.

In the palm of his hand lay a small piece of bone that had absorbed magic power. Its previous dull color that seemed ready to turn to ash faded away, turning into a magnificent golden hue. Occasionally, wisps of golden light would escape, clearly a precious treasure.

"Wow? It has recovered so well!" Wen Yun exclaimed in delight as she took the dragon bone from Ye Shubai’s hand. She had thought it would take the little fire dragon decades to recover, but it happened so quickly!

But soon, she noticed a very familiar power on the dragon bone, the Power of Rules…

This is the rule of life and death?

Wen Yun’s body had long been shattered by the chaotic time and space, and even the dragon bone wand that entered the magic array with her could not escape this fate. Only this small piece of bone remained.

Unfortunately, the little dragon found itself in a bit of a pickle, as it got swept back 500 years in time and ended up in the Demon Realm without any magic power. If Wen Yun had arrived any later, the last bit of the little dragon’s spirit would have vanished.

It would have taken the little dragon about 500 years to recover just by absorbing magic on its own, and even using up the giant Magic Stone might not have been enough. The only way for it to recover so quickly is by understanding the delicate balance between life and death.

"When you mentioned saving it earlier, were you referring to using the Power of Rules concerning life and death?" Wen Yun looked up anxiously at Ye Shubai, her emotions swirling inside her.

As she also wielded the Power of Rules, she knew that this divine power was not something ordinary folks could easily handle. Using it briefly, like how she had constrained Elder Ouyang before, was one thing, but using it extensively came with great risks.

Wen Yun vividly remembered the blinding light that shone like a divine punishment after she cast the time and space spell to unleash the forbidden curse. This light not only disrupted the flawless Time Space Spell but also completely erased her existence in the Magic World.

She also recalled the saying passed among many wizards – the Power of Rules can only be touched by the divine.

The rich aura of life and death rules on the dragon bones clearly indicated the tremendous effort it took to retrieve them. Every time she thought about how Ye Shubai had been risking his life in adventures to save his wand spirit during these days, she felt a heavy weight on her heart.

Looking up at Ye Shubai, Wen Yun was at a loss for words, as countless emotions surged within her. She was torn between joy and worry.

Ye Shubai gazed down at the worry on Wen Yun’s face, his eyes filled with determination as he calmly said, "I’m fine. Tomorrow is your birthday, a rare chance for all of you to be together. Let him accompany you for a good time."

He glanced at the dragon bones and said gently, "If you can show yourself, come out. Don’t make her worry about you."

As soon as he finished speaking, a very bright fire suddenly burst out from the dragon bones, and a very proud young voice came from inside, "Only supreme beings like me can be reborn in that flame…"

It mumbled a lot, then snorted. Wen Yun could even imagine the fat dragon lifting its fat head high.

"Now you can kneel and welcome my return, silly magician!"

Although these words were spoken, the flame twisted but never showed a human form.

Wen Yun looked and looked again, still not seeing the familiar fat dragon. She wondered, "Why don’t you come out and let him see what you look like?"

The little fire dragon chuckled, "I am of godly bloodline, how can I let mortals see me!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Wen Yun immediately flicked the dragon bones with her fingers, "Come out, and apologize to your savior!"

The little fire dragon mumbled something in dragon language, Wen Yun retorted in dragon language, sounding very fierce yet very affectionate.

Wen Yun didn’t seem cold and proud like she usually does in front of others. Her facial expression and tone of voice showed a sincere side that only Ye Shubai had seen before.

It turns out she wasn’t only like this in front of herself.

Ye Shubai stood still, quietly watching this scene. He felt like a block of solid ice was slowly falling in his chest, freezing his blood and causing a sharp pain in his heart.

The night wind had cooled down, and he took a step back, turned around, and disappeared into the shadows away from the moonlight, step by step, walking away from her.

Just then, Wen Yun loudly exclaimed, "The grace of saving a life is like having new parents, from today he is your father!"

A blaze suddenly rose behind Ye Shubai, and another slightly young voice with a hint of reluctance cried out, "Please don’t beat me! I understand, I understand, I’ll go and repay the favor right away!"

Ye Shubai’s steps paused.

He sensed a surprisingly strong gust of wind blowing from behind, causing the dry leaves and gravel on the ground to fly towards him in a mess.

With a focused gaze, the moonlight above his head became bright, and by the light of the moon, he saw a terrifyingly large shadow looming over him.

Truly big and scary.

He had never seen a shadow that looked like a chubby pig with wings.