Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 117: Doubt

Inside the brocade pouch was a piece of monster skin.

The monster skin was beautifully processed. It was soaked in medicinal juice, its four corners were neatly uncurled, and intricate patterns were carved on it. Within the patterns, silver dust was embedded, which shimmered with a hazy glow in the moonlight.

For a moment, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t recognize the function of this monster skin. All he knew was that it was not simply a “tranquility charm”. He tiptoed back to the woodshed, carefully dried his hands, and took out Chen Qianfan’s record book.

Perhaps sensing his presence, Yin Ci slept soundly without any signs of waking.

After browsing for about the time it took to burn an incense stick, Shi Jingzhi understood a little more. The small object in his hand was the “Disaster Warding Talisman” made by Chen Qianfan. Elder Chen had made one for Shi Zhongyu in the past. This one was probably sought by Yin Ci behind his back.

Had he encountered such a life-saving item in the past, he might have been overjoyed. But now, poking the small piece of skin, Shi Jingzhi felt a pang of sorrow and even a hint of anger.

Yin Ci wouldn’t die; him stepping forward to take on the disaster was indeed the most “practical” approach. If Yin Ci were his subordinate or partner, he would gladly accept it.

…But not when it came to “his A’Ci”.

It seemed like this man was used to putting himself in a “sacrificial” position. Shi Jingzhi wasn’t sure where he picked up this bad habit. Yet, rejecting Yin Ci’s gesture outright might hurt his feelings. If reasoned with, the argument would turn to the worthiness of exchanging pain for a life.

Staring at the monster skin, then shifting his gaze to the sleeping Yin Ci, Shi Jingzhi felt his anger dissipate somewhat.

He bit his fingertip, and using a small silver knife as a brush, he began to modify the patterns on the monster skin. With a steady hand, the lines he carved were indistinguishable from Chen Qianfan’s. He then ignited a strand of yang fire, melted some silver into powder, and thoroughly changed the spell.

On this talisman, he set a small prohibition. Unless Shi Jingzhi himself agreed, even if Yin Ci wanted to ward off disaster for him, the talisman’s function wouldn’t activate.

After modifying the monster skin, he carefully placed it back into the brocade pouch, kissed it with frustration, and then returned it to his chest.

But when Sect Master Shi laid on the straw bed, he had already lost his sleepiness. He felt as if there was a lump in his throat, choking him while he tossed and turned restlessly. Yin Ci secretly gifted him the talisman, and he sneakily modified it. Despite their close bond, their interactions now resembled the cautious maneuvering of their early days.

After staring blankly for half an hour, Shi Jingzhi decided to playfully “punish” his disciple. Turning to Yin Ci, he cleared his throat and began to hold his breath. This method was quite effective—as the moon shifted, sweat formed on his forehead, and his eyes glistened. He looked genuinely distressed.

Yin Ci was awakened by Shi Jingzhi’s restraint.

He was sleeping soundly with his face buried in his hair. Yin Ci had difficulty breathing, and the arms around him were holding him tightly, causing him to open his eyes in displeasure.

Upon opening his eyes, he saw Shi Jingzhi with an unusual look. Yin Ci became alert instantly. If not for Shi Jingzhi holding him so tightly, he might have reached for his sword to counter a non-existent “enemy attack”.

Shi Jingzhi used his inner force, confining Yin Ci in his embrace, thoroughly waking him up.

“…Let go of me. Let me check your pulse for you,” Yin Ci anxiously said. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, just a nightmare.” Shi Jingzhi’s eyes were moist, and he sighed deeply. The scene, illuminated by moonlight in the wooden shed, suddenly had an eerie, mysterious atmosphere.

Yin Ci knew what kind of person Shi Jingzhi was. Even if Shi Jingzhi had a nightmare about being torn apart by evil spirits, he wouldn’t show such vulnerability. Yin Ci always felt a sense of conspiracy around him.

Yin Ci: “We’ll leave the village tomorrow. Let’s sleep for now.”

Sure enough, Shi Jingzhi hugged him even tighter. “I dreamt that you died because of me. It was a very tragic death, and I was very upset.”

The two were very close, and the tranquility talisman on Shi Jingzhi’s chest was particularly noticeable. The talisman was poking into Yin Ci, making him feel uneasy. He quickly responded, “Even if I die, I can come back to life, so don’t be sad.”

Yet, Shi Jingzhi pressed him against the talisman. “But my heart is still panicking… If I were torn into pieces and could also come back to life, would you want to see me suffer?”

“Of course not.”

“Me neither.” Shi Jingzhi buried his nose in Yin Ci’s neck, taking a deep breath.

‘It’s not the same,’ Yin Ci thought. As long as there were cracks on the porcelain, it wouldn’t matter if there were a few more—with more experience, one would become more resilient and could handle more hardships. Shi Jingzhi wasn’t yet thirty and hadn’t experienced the hardships of the world. It would be best if he stayed as far away from death as possible.

But Yin Ci wasn’t sure if Shi Jingzhi had found the disaster warding talisman, and he hesitated to speak, not knowing what to say.

“We are fundamentally different after all.”

Hearing this, Shi Jingzhi sighed into Yin Ci’s neck. “Is that so? I thought we were somewhat alike. I used to believe that as long as I could save my life, any price was worth it. As for you, you seem willing to sacrifice yourself over and over again to achieve your goals.”

“……”

“Now that I have you, the matters I must consider have multiplied out of nowhere. Not only do I have to survive, but I also need to protect myself, learn to get along with more people, and strive to please you.”

“That sounds quite troublesome.” Yin Ci chuckled briefly.

Shi Jingzhi, discontentedly, bit his neck.

“But when I look back, living ‘by any means necessary’ seems like taking the easy way out. Treating everyone around me as mere objects, using everything that can be used. Without much thought in this way, I’d end up alone. Had it not been for A’Ci pulling me into the mortal realm on Huilian Mountain and supporting me in helping Shi Zhongyu in the Northlands, I would’ve missed all these recent opportunities.”

Yin Ci felt a sharp, tingling pain on his neck. The kid got angry and bit him again for some reason.

“Just like Ah Ci, constantly relying on ‘immortality’ as an excuse for laziness, never thinking of moving forward.”

Yin Ci was taken aback.

Ever since that day on Zongwu Mountain, when he unintentionally unleashed a new sword technique, something awakened deep within Yin Ci. But after that, it felt stuck in limbo.

For a martial artist, stagnation of the mind was common. With Shi Jingzhi to worry about all the time, Yin Ci never delved deeper. That realization now stirred within him, accompanied by a piercing pain.

He stayed silent, hoping that Sect Master Shi would finish his insights from his “nightmare”. Yet, Shi Jingzhi seemed to know when to stop, giving Yin Ci a mischievous look.

Then, with a yawn, the fox rested his head in Yin Ci’s arms. “Let’s sleep. We’ll leave the village tomorrow. I’ve rambled on and on in the middle of the night; if I keep going, A’Ci might get annoyed with me.”

It seemed like he was stirring the pot and then running away, leaving Yin Ci both amused and exasperated.

However, Shi Jingzhi’s plot had its effect. Yin Ci was the one who couldn’t sleep. Once Shi Jingzhi was asleep, Yin Ci gently touched the brocade pouch on his chest, thinking deeply.

“Not moving forward anymore?” He had never considered this. He wasn’t against change, but even if he could “move forward”, in which direction should he go?

He realized he was still “alive”, but he had lived alone for so long, not knowing how to live with someone else.

Centuries of experience seemed to be washed away, and he didn’t want to expose his clumsiness. On one hand, he had faint realizations; on the other, his habits were cultivated over centuries. The two conflicted, leaving Yin Ci restless throughout the night.

The next morning, as usual, he made Shi Jingzhi’s favorite pancakes but forgot to add salt. Shi Jingzhi ate them all without a word, looking quite satisfied.

“Wu Huai is very cautious. The ascension ceremony is imminent, and he won’t venture out for no reason.” Hua Jingchun fitted herself with a wooden prosthesis and used a long stick as a crutch, tapping the ground step by step. “Once he is officially recorded by the Yueshui Pavilion, even if the Chigou Sect dislikes him, they won’t assist us… This is our only chance. Be careful everyone.”

In the following days, Hua Jingchun’s complexion greatly improved. With her authority restored, her petite figure seemed to stand as tall as nine chi.

She swept her stick and pointed to a disciple of the Chigou Sect not far away. “Come, repeat the plan. If there’s a slightest oversight, you’ll eat three of my stick techniques.”

The man sweated profusely. “We… We will disguise ourselves as Shafu tea merchants to infiltrate the Chigou Sect. The ascension ceremony is at the hour of chen*. We’ll mix something into the tea two hours earlier. Once everyone present is incapacitated, we can capture that scoundrel Wu Huai…”

*About 7 or 8 AM (depending on the dynasty).

“Hmm, good. Taiheng and the Yueshui Pavilion are honored guests, most likely staying at the Fallen God Tower. Foreign merchants stay at the Immortal Seeker’s Residence. As long as you follow the rules, no one will discover us. Before the ascension ceremony, take no rash actions, lest we alert them. Understand?”

“Yes!”

There were those who listened, but naturally, some pretended not to hear. Sect Master Shi gave a meaningful “Mm” and winked mischievously at Yin Ci, a clear sign of his intent to defy.

The Immortal Seeker’s Residence, used for hosting a mix of outsiders, was quite a distance from the Chigou Sect main branch and wasn’t heavily guarded. Hua Jingchun had insiders within Chigou, so this should have been an easy task. Unfortunately, the Prince of Rong made a visit, and the sect was on high alert, scrutinizing everyone.

Fortunately, Protector Hua, with her expertise, disguised herself as a limping old man, gave wrinkles to everyone’s faces, and even added the unique odor of the elderly. She had already influenced some Chigou guards, so they paid no interest to this group of elderly tea merchants, allowing them to slip in.

Hua Jingchun was very composed. She didn’t go anywhere but simply guided her team in the courtyard to dry and grind the medicine. She didn’t even bother befriending the guards.

“Pick the good honeysuckles from over there, grind them finely, and mark the mixed medicine. Wu Huai is very particular; his honeysuckle tea must be brewed with the finest powder!”

She instructed in a low voice, her sharp eyes darting around.

“Mint leaves shouldn’t be too big. The size of a cat’s eye is just right. Any bigger or smaller, pick them out… Young warriors, if you’re not helping, don’t make trouble here. Just leave that blind man to me.”

“I am curious about one thing.” Shi Jingzhi stroked his chin, feeling the fake beard he was wearing. “I remember when Wu Huai first joined the sect, he pushed you off the Three Province Cliff.”

“That’s right. What about it?”

“To prevent any foul play during the Chigou ascension ceremony, six bowls of wine and tea are presented, and the new Patriarch picks one.”

“…Correct.”

“Protector Hua, pardon my bluntness. Don’t you think you know a little too much about Wu Huai?”

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