SQLJBFDTW Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Secret Realm (1) – “Cricket People” are Unacceptable

Chao Jianxue was surprised that Yu Wei would also be interested in such a place.

He himself, entering this place, felt like a mouse in a rice jar, finding everything pleasing to the eye, unable to resist picking up this and pinching that.

He took a fancy to a delicate,Hollow (lòukōng – hollowed-out) golden lotus incense burner, with each petal adorned with tourmaline. He reached out to take it, but another hand simultaneously supported the base of the incense burner.

Chao Jianxue immediately recoiled: “Senior Brother Yu Wei…”

Yu Wei nodded politely to him, naturally picked up the incense burner, examined it carefully for a while, and directly handed it to a nearby attendant, instructing him to wrap it up.

Chao Jianxue, having his love snatched away, had no choice but to give up. He then saw Yu Wei buy two other items, thinking that he actually liked such flashy and impractical things.

Why wasn’t he saying “meaningless” now?

But at least he seemed more human.

“I haven’t asked yet, how should I address you, Junior Brother?” On the way back, the Miaoxuan Mountain senior brother took the initiative to ask him.

Chao Jianxue had already prepared a response, naturally saying: “I’m called Lu Renyi.”

In the future, he could also take names like Lu Ren Er, Lu Ren San, a developable and sustainable plan.

The senior brother stroked his chin and said: “A good name, a heart of benevolence and righteousness!”

Chao Jianxue nodded in agreement: “Indeed, indeed!”

“Lu Renyi” smoothly moved into the room next to Yu Wei’s. The Miaoxuan Mountain senior brother even thoughtfully gave up his bed, demonstrating the excellent tradition of diligence and hard work of the Wuwu Sect, carrying a futon with him, sitting on it to meditate and nourish his spirit.

Chao Jianxue took advantage of his bath time to reinforce his disguise technique, confirming that there were no flaws in a 360-degree radius around him, before putting on his clothes and coming out, only to hear someone looking for him.

It was Hua Ze, the Huan Yao Sect disciple from earlier in the day.

Hua Ze had come to give him the room fee: “Although I don’t know the specific reason, our sect has a precept that we don’t take advantage of others.”

Chao Jianxue smiled at him: “Thank you!”

“Creak,” the door of the next room was opened, and under their gazes, Yu Wei slowly walked out.

Hua Ze said amicably: “We meet again.”

Whether it was Chao Jianxue’s imagination, Yu Wei’s gaze seemed to linger on him for a moment, before he nodded to Hua Ze: “I’m going downstairs for some water, you can continue chatting.”

Actually, their topic had already ended. Hua Ze sized up Yu Wei with interest, a slight smile curving his lips: “I happen to want a pot of water too. If it’s convenient for Fellow Daoist Yu Wei, shall I join you?”

It wasn’t that Chao Jianxue had a dirty mind, but he had heard that Huan Yao Sect disciples viewed dual cultivation as casually as drinking water and eating meals. Hua Ze’s intentions were obvious, and Yu Wei was undoubtedly a good target.

This so-called wanting a pot of water was definitely going to be followed by “Do you want to go have some tea together?” After drinking tea, he would then ask, “It’s already late, why not stay the night?” And if he stayed the night, he might even delve into a more in-depth discussion.

His gaze wandered blatantly between Yu Wei and Hua Ze, thinking that he should quickly leave, but he couldn’t resist his gossip-loving nature.

Even “Lu Renyi” could understand the atmosphere, but Yu Wei unexpectedly nodded without any guard: “Then let’s go together.”

Chao Jianxue slammed the door shut.

On one hand, he felt that Yu Wei couldn’t possibly be oblivious, or perhaps he had found a flaw in him. On the other hand, the preconceived notions were too deeply ingrained, and he couldn’t help but imagine the pitiful situation of a little white rabbit falling into the clutches of a wolf, and couldn’t help but deeply regret it.

His squatting by the door was too furtive, and the Miaoxuan Mountain senior brother spoke up: “Don’t overthink it, Yu Wei isn’t that kind of person.”

Chao Jianxue feigned ignorance: “Huh?”

“There are plenty of Huan Yao Sect disciples who try to flirt with Yu Wei, but he has never done anything out of line. Besides, this time it’s a male disciple.”

Chao Jianxue didn’t agree. Food and sex are human nature. Even if they were both men, if he was so beautiful and charming, wouldn’t it be delightful to lie together and chat about life and the world?

At least he was willing; he had always been a sucker for looks.

“The way I see it, you’re the suspicious one.”

Chao Jianxue pointed at himself: “What’s suspicious?”

That senior brother had a worldly-wise look: “Didn’t he give you money? Huan Yao Sect disciples always give money when they engage in cultivation with someone, haha, look at your expression, don’t take it to heart, I’ve seen everything, it’s perfectly normal! No need to be embarrassed!”

Chao Jianxue covered his head in distress: “It’s not like that!”

He finally understood what Yu Wei’s gaze meant just now; he must have heard that conversation and misunderstood them.

One who treats people like “crickets” will be treated like “crickets” in return.

Chao Jianxue had no way to argue, and silently stuffed the money Hua Ze gave him into his spiritual pouch.

He didn’t know where he got the perseverance, but he listened by the door for a long time before hearing the footsteps of Yu Wei and Hua Ze. The former’s footsteps were easy to recognize, light and steady, unhurried, showing that he had profound inner strength.

Hua Ze’s voice faintly transmitted through the door panel, blurred but distinguishable: “Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Yu Wei, farewell.”

Yu Wei: “Farewell.”

The door next door was closed.

Chao Jianxue turned around, and the senior brother said: “See? I told you.”

He continued: “You’re also an admirer of Yu Wei, aren’t you? So concerned about his affairs, looking both disappointed and happy.”

Chao Jianxue simply admitted to this identity and went forward to ask him: “What does Senior Brother Yu Wei usually do when he leaves the sect?”

“It couldn’t be simpler. He does whatever the sect’s missions require.”

“Does he have any favorite things to do, eat, or play?”

“He doesn’t have any favorites. Senior brother advises you to inquire less and focus on cultivation; that is the right path.” He glanced at Chao Jianxue, “Seeing that you are already at the Foundation Establishment stage, why didn’t you participate in the sect’s inner sect selection?”

Chao Jianxue scratched his head and raised a simple and innocent smile: “I can’t handle hardship; being an outer sect disciple is pretty good.”

The senior brother shook his head and said: “You can come to this Rich Fragrance Building alone, so your family is probably wealthy. Going home would be good too.”

“Does senior brother know Yu Wei’s family?”

“I’ve never heard him mention it proactively, but if you’re talking about the surname Yu, the most famous is the Dongyuan Yu clan. But the Yu clan has its own set of techniques, and I haven’t heard of any descendants coming to the Wuwu Sect to cultivate. Perhaps Yu Wei is a collateral branch.”

Dongyuan Yu Clan…

He had just reviewed it a few days ago, and Chao Jianxue still had an impression of it, carefully recalling it.

He remembered that the “Records of the Xuanzhen World” mentioned that the Dongyuan Yu Clan resided in the Jade Cluster One-Leaf Boat. The “boat” isn’t a literal boat, but a waterside fairyland that takes a boat as its entrance.

Since a celestial being emerged from the Yu clan thousands of years ago, they have formed their own lineage. The clansmen do not interact much with outsiders, and are considered a relatively mysterious clan.

Chao Jianxue was still thinking about the records of this Yu clan in the records when he lay down fully clothed. Unfortunately, it was only a few strokes, and there was nothing else.

Just as he was about to close his eyes and enter dreamland, he suddenly heard a rumbling sound from the north, as if the ground had collapsed, and the ground was shaking. He sat up, opened a window, and saw (huànguāng – illusory light) of different colors emanating from Water Moon Valley, the water surface rolled into waves, and the sound of the tide resounded through the clouds.

Yu Wei’s voice came from the doorway: “The secret realm has opened!”

It opened just like that; this was too sudden. Chao Jianxue hurriedly put on his shoes and lit the lamp. The Miaoxuan Mountain senior brother was also fully dressed and nodded to him: “Let’s go!”