Chapter 36: An Awkward Encounter

Ji Yao felt as though this group of powerful figures was scheming against her!

Mu Boyun, on the other hand, thought to himself, what an expressive little girl this is!

Thus, with the utmost respect, Ji Yao invited Mu Boyun into her small courtyard and seated him in the main hall. Instantly, the humble room seemed to glow with newfound brilliance.

Of course, that was impossible—she was overthinking it. Erase that notion.

Rummaging through her storage pouch for quite some time, Ji Yao finally managed to find a white porcelain teapot and a celadon teacup. She put on a little show of conjuring water using a water sphere spell and boiling it with fire spiritual power right before his eyes, then poured Mu Boyun a cup—plain boiled water.

Yes, it was just that meager, just that simple.

These teaware pieces were ones Taoist Yanhe had once prepared for her. There used to be a complete set, but over time, Ji Yao had used them to practice her spells.

When she first began cultivating, Ji Yao had no guidance or companionship, relying solely on her own exploration. She couldn’t control the power of basic spells very well. When hunting with fireball or sharp gold spells, she either burned the prey to a crisp, blasted it to pieces, or barely grazed it, watching helplessly as it escaped.

Later, upon meeting Ling Ru, she found herself the butt of jokes for a while. Eventually, Ji Yao came up with a compromise: fill a cup or teapot with water and use spiritual energy to boil or melt it. That way, even while on the road, she could continue to practice without delay.

At first, she couldn’t control her spiritual power accurately. Since the cups and teapots were ordinary materials, not magical items, they couldn’t endure much spiritual force and often broke in her hands. Over time, she got into the habit of holding a teacup whenever she had a free moment, practicing until it became second nature.

“Master Mu, since I haven’t visited the marketplace since joining the sect, I have nothing to offer you. If you’re thirsty, you’ll have to make do,” Ji Yao said, not the least bit embarrassed, as she set the mismatched teapot and teacup on the table beside Mu Boyun.

Strangely enough, Mu Boyun truly didn’t mind at all. He picked up the cup and sipped slowly, as if savoring the finest tea in the world.

Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was tasting a rare and exquisite brew.

Watching this scene unfold, Ji Yao felt as if she herself had been transported into a fantasy.

Master Mu, expressionless and reserved, sat there with a composed and graceful air, quietly drinking water with elegant movements.

Ji Yao wondered if she had been misled somehow. In this moment, she found herself thinking that the chief disciple of Lingyun Sect was actually approachable and gentle by nature. There had to be something she didn’t know!

Still, she hadn’t forgotten her business. She refused to believe this esteemed figure was here just to bring good luck.

“Master Mu, did Uncle Gu mention his arrangements?” Ji Yao asked.

Mu Boyun set down his teacup and replied, “He did not. If you have matters to attend to, go ahead. Don’t mind me.”

Ji Yao was helpless—she couldn’t very well ask Mu Boyun to leave. She took out her Clear Moon Flute, deciding to study the sound attack technique.

When Mu Boyun saw her produce a flute, he was momentarily surprised. After all, there were currently no music cultivators in Lingyun Sect, and for an outer disciple to study music without a master’s guidance would make progress difficult. After yesterday’s events at the Hall of Enforcement, Mu Boyun had learned a bit more: this young girl appeared carefree, but in truth, she was calculating. He didn’t believe she had no plans for her future—perhaps she had some fateful opportunity awaiting her.

Uncle Mo had told him to come for the reason he’d just explained to Ji Yao, but there was another: they all sensed that Ji Yao might know more than they’d anticipated. The breakthrough in this incident would have to come from her. Until it was resolved, wherever she went and whatever she did, they would grant her certain freedoms.

They believed the murderer’s attention was still fixed on Ji Yao and had never shifted, especially since Gu Qiu had brought something back last night. If the killer was desperate for that item, they would certainly act.

Gu Qiu rarely appeared in the sect, and his identity as an enforcement disciple wasn’t necessarily effective against those in the outer sect who were good at shirking responsibility. That’s why his uncle had sent Mu Boyun directly.

Ji Yao had barely brought the flute to her lips to try recalling the feeling from her past life when, outside the courtyard, a communication talisman began to glow at the formation’s edge.

With a wave of her hand, she drew the talisman to her. She instantly knew who had sent the message.

Dongfang Shun, that rascal! He hadn’t shown any concern during the incident, but now that Mu Boyun was here, he was quick to reach out! Obviously, it was nothing good—the same as those busybodies outside, purely annoying.

With Mu Boyun present and recalling how Dongfang Shun tended to speak without restraint, Ji Yao instinctively didn’t want Mu Boyun to hear. She quickly tucked the talisman into her sleeve.

Mu Boyun, noticing her action, reminded her again, “If you truly have business to attend to, go ahead. I won’t interfere in your personal matters.”

“There’s no need,” Ji Yao replied with a dismissive wave. “It’s merely people fishing for gossip—I have no patience for them!”

No sooner had she spoken than the high-grade communication talisman in her storage pouch began to vibrate again. At present, only one person could send messages to her through that: Ling Ru.

Ji Yao recalled that yesterday’s events at the Hall of Enforcement had somewhat involved Chiyan Peak, and she hadn’t been able to send Ling Ru word of her safety upon returning. Ling Ru was probably worried and reaching out.

She drew out the talisman, infused it with spiritual power, and Ling Ru’s familiar voice rang out.

“Ji Yao, I heard about what happened yesterday. The Hall of Enforcement sent someone to question me too. You’re alright over there, aren’t you?”

A warmth bloomed in Ji Yao’s heart, and a small smile just touched her lips—only to freeze when she heard Ling Ru’s next words.

“I believe you’re clever enough to have nothing to fear. I also heard that Senior Brother Mu Boyun just visited you. So? So? Is he as handsome as they say? He was away on missions before, so I never had a chance to—”

Before she could finish, Ji Yao hastily extinguished the spiritual light of the talisman and stuffed it back into her storage pouch.

Oh, my little ancestor Ling Ru! Couldn’t you have checked before messaging? You said Senior Brother Mu came and never left—he’s still sitting right here in the hall!

She hadn’t learned much else, but gossip certainly came to Ling Ru with remarkable speed. Ji Yao felt she had greatly underestimated her.

Forcing out a smile more awkward than tears, Ji Yao mumbled to the subject of this gossip, Mu Boyun, “Master Mu, um, please don’t mind us! Just a bit of private chatter between sisters—pretend you didn’t hear anything. Truly, just forget it.”

Mu Boyun’s face remained as impassive as ever, though the tips of his ears seemed suspiciously red. He nodded, seemingly unconcerned, with a soft, “Mm.”

In truth, Mu Boyun was deeply embarrassed. He knew about his own appearance—his elders had commented on it enough for him to become used to it and pay it no mind. Among his peers and fellow disciples, because he’d grown up under the care of the Grand Elder and later under his personal uncle, Master Suwen, no one would dare speak of it in front of him. At most, a few whispers behind his back.

As for the juniors, one look from his cold face was enough to send them scurrying away—he’d never even bothered to overhear their private chatter.

Now to be mentioned so directly by a girl of barely ten years—this was an entirely new experience and, naturally, quite awkward.

For the first time, Mu Boyun was grateful for his naturally expressionless face; otherwise, he might not have been able to control his reaction.

The two of them sat in silence, the atmosphere in the hall turning peculiarly calm.

Not long after, Mu Boyun’s waist token flashed. A sweep of his divine sense, and he immediately stood, his tone serious as he addressed Ji Yao.

“Chen Shaohua has run into trouble after all. I’m afraid I must trouble you to accompany me at once!”