Chapter 2
Chapter 2
After reflecting bitterly on the pain, Master decided to transform the entire sect and have us cultivate the Carefree Way.
He solemnly assigned missions to his direct disciples.
“Meng Yu, everything about you is excellent except for the fact that you’re far too aloof. So I’ll leave this year’s new disciples in your care. You must make them feel the free and easy spirit of Sword One Sect.”
I immediately looked at Master with profound respect.
As recently as yesterday, our guiding principle had been Supreme Detachment from All Emotion.
Second Senior Brother said, “Understood.”
“Oh? You sound confident. Tell me your plan.” Master took a sip of tea.
“Sword practice at dawn.”
Master nodded. “A little early, perhaps, but nothing unusual for sword cultivators. What else?”
“Nothing.”
Master hesitated. “…Isn’t that a little too free and easy?”
“Then we will practice until dusk.”
Master: “?”
I kindly explained, “Master, Second Senior Brother means he originally planned to have them practice from dawn until late afternoon. Since you think that’s too easy, he’ll add another four hours and make it dusk.”
Master: “?
“No—what are you thinking?”
Clutching his chest, Master demanded, “Are you trying to work your junior brothers and sisters to death?”
Second Senior Brother frowned slightly and said in a low voice, “Master.”
Master skipped right over him and looked at me. “Meng Reader, translate.”
I scratched my cheek.
“Master, Senior Brother means you’re too lazy and it’s bad for the sect.”
Master stared at me. “…How did you get that? Tell me, how did you get all of that from one word?”
He drew a deep breath and turned to Third Senior Sister.
“Ruofeng, my dear, sweet disciple.”
Third Senior Sister’s brow furrowed. She retreated several quick steps, stroking the spirit sword in her arms.
“Master! Xuexue is right here. Don’t call me something so intimate—she’ll get jealous!”
Master choked on his breath. “If your sword and I fell into the water at the same time, which of us would you save first?”
Third Senior Sister gave him a bashful smile.
“Master, I would ask your venerable self to hurry and fish out my beloved sword.”
“…”
Master forced out a smile through gritted teeth.
“Of course. Why would I compete with a sword for your affection? I am a mature sect master.
“Ruofeng, I also have a mission for you. You have always kept company with your sword, but communicating with people is indispensable on the path of cultivation.”
Master stroked an imaginary beard and cackled.
“Tomorrow, go to the neighboring mountain and invite the Joyous Union Sect to the Dao Symposium three months from now. We must rise where we fell! From now on, the mere mention of Sword One Sect will make the Joyous Union Sect blanch!”
With practiced ease, I reached out and caught Fifth Junior Brother as he inhaled, staggered backward, and fainted.
“Master, forget making the Joyous Union Sect blanch. Just thinking about their female disciples has already made Little Five blanch.”
I had intended to carry Fifth Junior Brother back to his room, but Master mysteriously asked me to stay.
“Ruge, my most cherished disciple.”
I said expressionlessly, “Master, yesterday you said Fifth Junior Brother was your most cherished disciple.”
Master coughed.
“Ruge, my most cherished disciple as of today, the future hope of Sword One Sect, the rising star of the cultivation world—I have the most important mission of all for you!”
“…You might as well get to the point, Master.”
He let out a melancholy sigh.
“Three thousand years ago, our founding patriarch sealed Demon-Suppressing Mountain and established our Sword One Sect there—”
I turned to leave.
Master hurriedly hooked the hem of my skirt with his sword.
“Dear disciple! Dear disciple! I’ll get to the point!”
I folded my arms and stood there without expression.
After Master finished his elaborate song and dance, I distilled it to the essentials.
“So you want me to seduce the young master of the Joyous Union Sect?”
Master nodded repeatedly, rubbing his hands together.
“They stole your eldest senior brother, so we’ll have Yan Wuxia marry into our sect!”
I thought about it.
At the mention of Yan Wuxia, the image of a youth as lovely as peach blossoms appeared in my mind. He leaned affectedly against a veranda and gave me a seductive smile. “Fellow Daoist, are you Ying Ruge, fourth disciple of Sword One Sect?”
I looked at Master’s expectant face and declared gravely, “Yan Wuxia will be child’s play.”
Master blinked. “What?”
I offered no further explanation.
Instead, I left him with the retreating silhouette of an inscrutable expert.