chapter 2

chapter 2

The ridiculous tale of the three of us joining forces to spy on Junior Brother bathing began half a month earlier, when I caught Master in the act.

That night, as usual, I had been sitting on a roof, secretly protecting Junior Brother from danger.

I never expected to catch a peeping tom crouched beneath his window in the middle of the night.

Still less did I expect that man to be my not-particularly-respected master.

With neither reason nor confidence on his side, Master said, “Qingxuan, it’s my first time. Let me go just this once.”

I looked him up and down, suspicion written all over my face. “Anyone would claim it was their first time in a situation like this. Besides, if this is your first time, who was the thief spying on Junior Brother before?”

Master’s eyes widened at the outrageous injustice. “This really is my first time. I only wanted to verify his identity.”

It turned out Master had recently received reliable news that an immortal from the upper realm was undergoing a mortal tribulation in our sect.

The only clue was a silver dragon mark at the base of this person’s spine, which would appear when wet.

“Wait, Master. Exactly how many people’s backsides have you inspected?”

I backed away several steps, my expression strange. “Master, you haven’t looked at mine too, have you?”

His face went black. Through gritted teeth, he said, “I have cultivated for a hundred years. Do you think looking at backsides is my only way of judging people?”

My sect had declined steadily over the years. We had plenty of disciples, but very few with exceptional aptitude.

Only Junior Brother stood head and shoulders above the rest, an outstanding talent with an extraordinary presence.

Obviously. Wei Yuqi’s eyes, his bearing, his voice—and that body. Good heavens.

Master continued, “Furthermore, every Dragon Lord in the upper realm is male.”

I covered my mouth with a fist and coughed. “So you ruled me out because I’m a woman?”

Master paused. “Not exactly. Aside from that, your talent is mediocre, your conduct questionable…”

I began polishing my sword. “Go on. I’m listening.”

He changed tack immediately, offering me a sincere smile. “But when I found you, a fortune-teller said you had an immortal destiny.”

Right. A cultivator trusting a fortune-teller. Perfectly sensible.

In the end, I decided to help Master complete this arduous and dangerous mission.

Senior Brother was the last to join our little peeping squad.

After Master and I repeatedly met in secret at night, Senior Brother lamented the ruin of our sect and caught us red-handed.

At the time, he stroked his chin with two fingers and looked between us, brows drawn in deep thought. “Such a perilous mission exists in this world? Count me in.”

And so the three of us and one dog now sat around the pot, reconsidering our strategy.

Senior Brother placed a drumstick in my bowl, then tossed a piece of chicken breast to the vicious dog at his feet.

The dog knew which side its bread was buttered on. It stopped baring its teeth and grinned like a beloved son.

Master’s eyes lit up. “My dear disciples, look. What a splendid dog.”

The dog pricked up its ears, blinked, and suddenly began barking madly.

Sure enough, Wei Yuqi’s voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

“Senior Sister, did you find Ah Huang?”

Oh, hell. He had followed us here! What were we supposed to do?

In a flash, Master sprang to his feet and bolted into the inner courtyard.

I shot upright in alarm. Behind me, the gate creaked open.

“Senior Sister, I returned from patrolling the mountain and discovered that someone stole my Little Black too.”

Senior Brother sat frozen with his chopsticks in hand and swallowed. “I hope Little Black is also a dog.”

Wei Yuqi stood at the entrance, his expression cool as his searching gaze swept over Senior Brother and me.

“Senior Sister seems busy. I suppose I’ll have to search alone.”

Curious, I asked, “Junior Brother, what exactly is Little Black?”

Senior Brother shut his eyes and pressed his palms together, murmuring a prayer. “A dog, a dog, a dog.”

Junior Brother said, “It’s a chicken.”

We were doomed.

Who could have guessed that while Senior Brother was delirious from the poison and fleeing all over the mountain, he would grab a chicken along the way?

Little Black was nowhere near as fortunate as Ah Huang.

Junior Brother, overcome with grief, chased Senior Brother for three days and three nights.

“You killed my Little Black to make Senior Sister dinner?”

After they left, Master crept back out, grabbed Ah Huang, and put a finger to his lips.