Chapter 16: A Dog Doesn’t Mind a Poor Home
“Don’t argue! If you quarrel again, I’ll have Xiaotong use you as a cleaver!”
In his sleep, Qi Yan heard the clash of blades and Yun Zhao’s deliberately lowered yet fierce voice.
Hmm, who provoked her to be so fierce?
He tried hard to open his eyes to look, but no matter how he tried, they wouldn’t budge.
“Qi Yan, you bastard, you shouldn’t even be alive in this world!”
“It’s all because of your mother. If it weren’t for her, my father wouldn’t have divorced my mother, and she wouldn’t have died of heartbreak. You must atone for her; you must be my substitute forever!”
Surrounding Qi Yan were piercing screams. He was utterly powerless, forced to watch himself locked away in a pitch-black dungeon, chained, summoned time and again to take on misfortune in place of Song Zhiyuan.
Though he suffered grievous injuries each time, it was the only moment he could see the light of day.
Suddenly, he felt something wet his lips—a warm liquid flooding down his throat.
Bitter and spicy, spoonful after spoonful being forced into his mouth; it was truly unbearable!
To avoid further torment, Qi Yan struggled to break free from the nightmare.
“Cough, cough.”
His eyelashes trembled slightly before opening his eyes.
Yun Zhao held the medicine bowl, feeding him. Their eyes met, and she exclaimed joyfully, “Qi Yan, you’re awake!”
“Mm,” Qi Yan’s eyes half-closed, weakly saying, “If I didn’t wake up, you’d have poisoned me to death.”
“Ah?”
Yun Zhao glanced at the bowl of tonic suspiciously. “Is it really that bad?”
She tasted it herself, then said stubbornly, “Good medicine tastes bitter.”
Qi Yan propped himself up, and Yun Zhao hurried to support him.
He reached out to her. “Give it to me.”
Yun Zhao was puzzled. “But didn’t you say it was awful?”
“I never said that,” Qi Yan said in one gulp, “Good medicine tastes bitter.”
His entire face twisted, so Yun Zhao stuffed a candy into his mouth.
The rich milky sweetness spread throughout his palate, and Qi Yan’s eyebrows relaxed. “What is this?”
“Milk candy,” Yun Zhao said, popping one herself. “Xiaotong and I made them. Tasty, right?”
In truth, Yun Zhao only did the talking while Xiaotong did the making. Considering her abstract description, Xiaotong’s cleverness was a blessing.
Meeting her sparkling eyes, Qi Yan lowered his gaze. “Delicious.”
[Affection +2, Current Affection 27]
Yun Zhao decisively handed Qi Yan a bag of milk candies.
She knew it well—feeding always raised affection!
“Senior Sister Zhao, the sect leader and the five peak masters are here.”
Xiaotong’s voice came from outside, followed by the robust shout of the Gold Peak Master: “Zhao, may we come in?”
Yun Zhao rose to greet them. “Sect Leader, esteemed Peak Masters, please come in. Qi Yan just woke up.”
A large group entered, instantly making the room feel cramped. After the usual inquiries about Qi Yan’s health, the Gold Peak Master eagerly asked:
“Qi boy, what cultivation level are you at now?”
His cultivation surpassed Qi Yan’s, obvious at a glance, but he wanted to hear it from Qi Yan himself.
“Fourth layer of Golden Core.”
Hearing this, the Gold Peak Master grew even more excited but held back, mindful of the others’ presence.
“Qi boy, I remember you hadn’t even started cultivating at the council hall a few days ago?”
Just a few days, and he’s already reached Golden Core?
Once Qi Yan was drawn to Gold Peak, they’d have to make him suppress his cultivation to avoid an unstable foundation.
Yun Zhao caught Lu Mingdao’s glance and explained, “Senior Uncle, actually, Junior Brother had begun absorbing spiritual energy long ago, but there was a seal in his body preventing breakthroughs. Only recently was it accidentally lifted.”
“To have a disciple like him, even my late father could rest in peace. Senior Brother Jin and my father were sworn brothers; I’m sure he’s very pleased,” Lu Mingdao added.
The Gold Peak Master’s expression stiffened. Just as he was about to reply, Lu Mingdao continued, “Indeed, although Han Yue and I are Senior Brother and Sister to Yun Yan, that kid is closer to you.”
He then shot the Gold Peak Master a sour glance full of jealousy.
The Gold Peak Master’s hope of having Qi Yan join his sect faded, leaving him tongue-tied.
To ease the awkwardness, the Earth Peak Master, friendly with the Gold Peak Master, chimed in, “Old Lu, I heard Zhao took Qi boy to your Wood Peak. Did you give him special treatment?”
“Don’t think I don’t know, you old fox, that you have plenty of good things up your sleeve.”
With the Earth Peak Master breaking the tension, the Gold Peak Master added, “Old Lu, he’s your own senior nephew. You can’t show favoritism!”
Lu Mingdao laughed heartily. “No special treatment. Han Yue wrote a prescription for Zhao to help Qi boy strengthen his body.”
“That prescription is quite good. If you want, I’ll ask Han Yue and have someone send it over.”
With back-and-forth banter, the earlier awkwardness dissipated. Master Guiyuan told Qi Yan to rest well, and they left.
“That scared me.”
Left alone, Yun Zhao let out a long breath. “I thought the Gold Peak Master was going to take you away.”
Qi Yan was speechless. “If he wanted me, do you think I’d just leave?”
Yun Zhao sighed, “If he said you’d have priority access to Gold Peak’s cultivation resources, wouldn’t you be tempted?”
“Qingyun Peak isn’t bad, but without masters, it’s just me and Xiaotong as disciples. It’s not as good as other peaks.”
Qi Yan said faintly, “Three.”
“Am I not counted?”
Yun Zhao muttered silently: counted as half. So, two and a half.
“So, you won’t go to other peaks?”
Qi Yan closed his eyes. “No.”
Yun Zhao stroked her chin, murmuring, “Makes sense—dogs don’t despise their poor homes.”
Qi Yan scowled.
His cultivation soon spread throughout Qingyun Sect. Disciples whispered and compared him mostly with Song Zhiyuan.
“Who do you think has better talent? Senior Brother Song is a level higher, but Qi Yan’s cultivation speed is so fast, he’ll surpass him soon.”
“Talent’s important, but cultivation resources are equally essential. Qingyun Peak can’t compare to the main peak.”
Such voices occasionally echoed across the peaks, even in the main peak where Song Zhiyuan resided.
Yun Zhao and Qi Yan remained unaware. They seldom went out, Xiaotong wasn’t one for gossip, and Xue Huairui was in seclusion. Qingyun Peak was like an isolated island, cut off from the outside world.
Five days later, the cultivator’s market opened in Qingyun City near the sect, and they finally left the peak.
“Xiaotong, aren’t you coming with us?”
Xiaotong shook her head. “Senior Sister Zhao, you go ahead. I don’t like the outside; it’s too noisy.”
“All right,” Yun Zhao shrugged. “If you want anything, just send me a message. I’ll bring it back.”
Xiaotong smiled. “Okay, thank you, Senior Sister Zhao.”
Yun Zhao patted her little head. “Just call me Senior Sister; it feels closer that way.”
Xiaotong beamed in agreement. “Okay, Senior Sister Zhao.”
Yun Zhao: “...”