Chapter 20: The Nine Nether Profound Cold Body

Once the two inner-sect disciples had fled, Qin Xingchen hurried toward Yu Yumeng, his face etched with concern.

Yu Yumeng, equally agitated, rushed to meet him. They ran toward each other and collapsed into an embrace. It felt as though a single day of separation had lasted for three autumns.

Holding him tight, Yu Yumeng wept with joy. "Xingchen, you've finally returned! They... they said you wouldn't make it back. I was so terrified. Thank heaven you're back; otherwise, I wouldn't have known what to do with myself. Boo-hoo..."

Feeling her body trembling, Qin Xingchen’s heart softened. He comforted her gently, "I'm sorry to have caused you such worry. I'm back now. Don't be afraid..."

"Mmh..."

Under his soothing words, Yu Yumeng finally calmed her racing heart.

Qin Xingchen offered a faint smile. "Sister Yumeng, I've found the medicine to cure the scars on your face."

"R-really?" Yu Yumeng let go of him, her face full of astonishment.

Qin Xingchen nodded slightly. "Yes, let's go inside. I'll treat you in a moment."

"Okay."

Holding her hand, Qin Xingchen led her into Cloud-Hidden Peak. Once they were in the room, he had her sit down. He took a jade jar from his storage ring; inside was the very Essence-Renewing Clear-Snow Paste.

"Sister Yumeng," he said, "I bought this medicine called the Essence-Renewing Clear-Snow Paste. If we apply it to your burn scars, it will heal them in just one night."

He did not want to reveal his identity as an alchemist to her just yet. He would wait for the right opportunity later.

"Are you sure?" she asked, her emotions stirred.

"Trust me."

Qin Xingchen nodded and smiled. "Close your eyes. I'll apply it for you, and after a good night's sleep, you'll see the results when you wake up tomorrow."

Yu Yumeng nodded, her heart fluttering with anticipation. Because of the scars on her face, she had endured too many cold remarks and mocking glares. This was a wound she could never erase. Furthermore, she worried that when she and Qin Xingchen married, he would be ridiculed for taking an ugly woman as a wife. She loved him too much to let that happen. If her face could truly be healed, she would be overjoyed.

Qin Xingchen scooped out some of the prepared paste and gently applied it to her face. After a moment, once the entire area was covered, she felt a burning sensation. Soon, however, the heat faded, replaced by a soothing, cool sensation.

Afterward, Qin Xingchen took a long piece of white gauze and wrapped her face. "Don't worry, you can take it off tomorrow morning."

"Okay," she replied, filled with hope.

"Come, let me carry you to bed." He lifted her up, placed her on a soft bed, and tucked her in. "Get some sleep."

As he turned to head to the other bed, she caught his hand.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Yu Yumeng spoke softly and hesitantly, "Xingchen, I... I'm a little scared."

Qin Xingchen smiled faintly. "Would you mind if there was someone else in your bed?"

Yu Yumeng was startled. Seeing her silence, Qin Xingchen didn't hesitate; he climbed under the covers and wrapped his arms around her soft, slender frame. Her body shivered. If not for the gauze covering her face, he would have seen her blushing crimson. Yet, she did not resist.

He kissed her forehead and said, "Are you still scared?"

"No... I'm not."

"Good. Goodnight."

They slept in each other's arms all night, doing nothing more.

...

The next morning, the entire Moon-Watching Sect was bustling with activity. It was a special day: the centenary birthday of the sect’s ancestor, Yu Tianba. Representatives from all the major sects and clans in the region had been invited to attend.

At Cloud-Hidden Peak, Qin Xingchen and Yu Yumeng opened their eyes. As they sat up, Yu Yumeng felt a surge of excitement. Today was the day the gauze would come off. She would soon know if her face had truly been healed.

Qin Xingchen looked at her and smiled. "Sister Yumeng, it's time. Don't be too nervous."

"Mmh."

As he peeled away the layers of white gauze, her breathing grew rapid from nerves. When the last of the bandages fell away, a face of breathtaking, peerless beauty was revealed. Qin Xingchen was so stunned that he was momentarily speechless.

"Xingchen? Why aren't you saying anything? A-am I still ugly?" Seeing his silence, she grew anxious, fearing that she remained disfigured.

Recovering himself, Qin Xingchen laughed. "No! Yu Yumeng, you are beautiful—truly, incredibly beautiful!"

Yu Yumeng’s face was as delicate as a flower and as elegant as the moon; she was radiant and glowing, so beautiful that it was hard to look directly at her. In his past life, Qin Xingchen had seen countless beauties, but compared to her, they paled in comparison. Even Yu Shanshan, the reputed number-one beauty of the Moon-Watching Sect, would have felt inferior had she been standing there.

"Beautiful? Why do I feel like you're lying to me?" Seeing his exaggerated expression, she couldn't believe it. She had been ugly since childhood; how could the ugly duckling turn into a swan?

However, when he handed her a mirror, she looked at the unfamiliar, gorgeous face reflected back. She touched her cheeks in disbelief. "Is... is this me?"

Qin Xingchen replied, "Yes, this is you now. I told you, you are truly beautiful. Do you believe me now?"

Yu Yumeng was overcome with joy. An uncontrollable surge of emotion flooded her heart. She lunged into his arms, weeping with relief. "Xingchen, thank you! You weren't lying—you really healed my face!"

Qin Xingchen chuckled. "Isn't becoming beautiful a good thing? Why are you crying? If you keep going, you'll turn into a little crybaby."

She continued to sob, as if shedding all the repressed emotions of her life along with her tears.

"Alright, don't cry anymore," he comforted her. "We still have to attend the ancestor's birthday celebration. I'm sure you'll outshine everyone there today!"

...

The largest reception hall in the Moon-Watching Sect was known as the Carefree Hall. The area outside was teeming with people and buzzing with excitement. Seated at the head of the hall was the sect's ancestor, Yu Tianba. Below him, the guests sat in a lively, clamorous crowd.

Outside the hall, the voice of a disciple responsible for announcing arrivals rang out incessantly:

"Sect Leader Li Tianshan of the Falling Mountain Sect, arriving!"
"City Lord Gu Yue of Sky-Ancient City, arriving!"
"Valley Master Chen Yueming of Wind-Moon Valley, arriving!"

As the announcements continued, prominent figures from nearby powers entered the hall to take their seats. Then, the disciple's voice rose again:

"From one of the three great clans of the Sky River Dynasty, the eldest and second young misses, Su Jingya and Su Xiaonuan, arriving!"
"From one of the three great clans of the Sky River Dynasty, the eldest young master, Lu Zitian, arriving!"
"From one of the three great clans of the Sky River Dynasty, the eldest young miss, Chen Lixue, arriving!"

The hall erupted into a frenzy at these names.

"What? People from the three great clans are all here?"
"So these are the people from the three great clans! They truly have an extraordinary presence. Yu Tianba must have immense influence to command such respect!"
"Indeed, with all three clans present, could this mean the Moon-Watching Sect is on the rise?"

Yu Tianba, seated above, quickly stepped down from his throne to greet them. He cupped his hands, his face beaming with warmth. "What rare guests! Misses Su, Young Master Lu, and Miss Chen—I am Yu Tianba. Your presence at my humble Moon-Watching Sect truly brings great honor to us all!"

He had never sent invitations to the three great clans for his birthday. He knew he lacked the standing to do so. These clans possessed immense power, second only to the two greatest sects of the Imperial Capital and the Dynasty. Ordinarily, a second-tier sect like the Moon-Watching Sect would never even catch their eye.

He was baffled by their arrival, and his confusion was shared by everyone in the hall.

Su Jingya looked at Yu Tianba and smiled. "Junior Su Jingya of the Su Clan, wishing the Old Ancestor long life and eternal prosperity!"