LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 99: Do You Want a Junior Brother?
Chapter 99: Do You Want a Junior Brother?
Granny Liu let out a long sigh, knowing that with Lotus Sword Venerable present, it would be nearly impossible for her to harm the human boy.
She sighed again, her tone almost accusatory:
“Does Lotus Sword Venerable not know of the tragedy that occurred eighteen years ago?”
Although He Shutong had not personally witnessed the conflict that nearly erupted back then, she had heard some rumors. If it hadn’t been the declining Serpent Clan whose demon core was stolen, but a powerful clan like the Golden Crow or Divine Fox that resided on the Starry Mountain, that debate could have easily ignited a full-scale war between humans and demons. The conflict wouldn’t have simply fizzled out due to the disappearance of the perpetrator.
“This venerable one is aware.”
“If you are aware, then why does Lotus Sword Venerable allow your disciple to repeat the same mistakes with the second young mistress of our Serpent Clan?! Do you humans think you can always take advantage of our Demon Clan?!”
By the end of her words, Granny Liu was practically gnashing her teeth.
Even if this boy was Lotus Sword Venerable’s disciple, so what? Even if he had a bright future, so what? One must remember: those who are not of our kind will always have different intentions.
While there have been cases of humans and demons forming positive bonds, they are few and far between. With the escalating tensions between the two races over the past millennium, such positive outcomes have almost disappeared. She didn’t believe this boy would remain true to his initial feelings, nor did she believe he would defy human will for the sake of the second young mistress and bring any great benefits to their Serpent Clan. This relationship, doomed from the start, would only end in loss for their Serpent Clan.
Her two young mistresses were already products of tragedy, and now the second young mistress was following in her mother’s footsteps. This filled Granny Liu with even greater sorrow, feeling as though these humans, more cunning than snakes, weren’t just targeting the Demon Clan but specifically their weak Serpent Clan.
“This venerable one has no such intentions. There’s no need for you to be so aggressive.” A cool breeze brushed past, causing He Shutong’s black hair to flutter. She frowned slightly.
The resentment in the old woman’s words was clearly not just about this incident but seemed to vent years of injustices suffered by the Serpent Clan. In the past, He Shutong would never have engaged in such a conversation with the old woman. But now, for You Su’s sake, she chose to explain further:
“The two of them are deeply in love, not driven by greed for each other’s benefits. This venerable one believes they will not repeat the tragedy. That is all I have to say. You may take your young mistress away, but you must not harm the boy.”
After a moment of hesitation, He Shutong added:
“Additionally, if the Serpent Clan and Ji Lingruo herself are willing, this venerable one is willing to take her as my true disciple.”
Granny Liu’s expression stiffened. She sensed the impatience in Lotus Sword Venerable’s tone and felt ashamed of her earlier outburst on the other’s territory. If the venerable had a fiery temper, there were a thousand reasons why she could make Granny Liu pay for her disrespect in the Central Realm Continent.
But what unsettled Granny Liu even more were the words “true disciple.”
The Serpent Clan, strictly speaking, did not have a single Void Realm venerable. Yet, the second young mistress now had the opportunity to receive the teachings of Lotus Sword Venerable, a figure renowned even among humans for her brilliance. This move would also secure a powerful backer for the Serpent Clan, significantly boosting their influence in the Eastern Cascade Continent.
Such benefits, compared to the trivial compensations the Serpent Clan had received over the years, were truly treasures that could change the clan’s future. Moreover, judging by Lotus Sword Venerable’s tone, she clearly valued the boy more, indicating that this relationship was the key to the second young mistress becoming the second true disciple of Lotus Peak in the Mystic Firmament Sect.
Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Granny Liu asked, “Does Lotus Sword Venerable truly mean this?”
He Shutong did not respond, letting her silence speak for itself. As a venerable, she had no need to deceive the old woman to gain her trust.
Her desire to take Ji Lingruo as a disciple was not a spur-of-the-moment decision but a calculated move. Ji Lingruo’s talent in swordsmanship was exceptional, though her lack of a demon core had previously hindered her progress. Now, observing her transformed aura and the abundant divine energy within her demon core, she was undoubtedly a seed of great potential in the sword path. Paired with You Su, they could carry forward the legacy of the Yang Sword.
If she wanted to make up for the regrets of her Ice Heart period, it was only natural to nurture a successor for the Yang Sword. No matter how talented You Su was, he was still a man who could never truly grasp the essence of the Yang Sword. She was the only true inheritor of the Yang Sword in this world.
Granny Liu, realizing her question was unnecessary, bowed slightly and said:
“My earlier rudeness was inexcusable. I beg the venerable’s forgiveness. Lotus Sword Venerable’s willingness to break the stalemate between humans and demons is truly admirable. However, my young mistress has come of age, and her return to the Demon Clan for the baptism ceremony is urgent. I hope the venerable can graciously wait.”
The shift in attitude was stark. He Shutong inwardly shook her head. Interests and grudges were always complex, and she was not adept at navigating such matters. Her desire to take Ji Lingruo as a disciple was not meant to be a transaction of benefits.
“I understand.”
“Thank you, venerable. I will take my young mistress and leave now.”
He Shutong looked down, her gaze piercing through the thin clouds. In the center of her vision was the small house where the boy, whom she had instructed to rest, had now found his way to Ji Lingruo’s door. She sighed softly:
“Wait until tomorrow at Chen hour to take your young mistress away.”
…
“Junior Sister?”
You Su didn’t dare call out too loudly, only gently knocking on the door. Although Master’s Wife had told him not to wander, surely coming to find Junior Sister didn’t count as wandering?
Unexpectedly, the first to respond wasn’t Junior Sister but Master’s Wife, who appeared out of thin air.
“She’s not here.”
You Su stiffened, feeling a sense of guilt as if he’d been caught doing something wrong. He quickly changed the subject:
“Master’s Wife, did something happen?”
He Shutong’s tone was calm. “Her clansmen have come to take her away. Tomorrow at Chen hour, she will leave.”
Hearing this, You Su’s expression darkened. He knew the time of separation would come, but he hadn’t expected it to be so sudden and so soon.
“If she’s leaving tomorrow at Chen hour, why isn’t Junior Sister here?”
“She went into the city early. If you want to see her, you can go look for her in the city.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, You Su was already gone. He Shutong looked at the empty doorway, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss.
She couldn’t pinpoint the source of this feeling. Placing her right hand over her chest, she felt her collapsing Spirit Platform and her gradually melting heart. She couldn’t help but ask herself:
“Is it worth it?”
She lowered her hand, already knowing the answer.
“Wangshu.”
“Master.” A girl wearing a jade rabbit mask appeared out of nowhere, bowing to He Shutong’s back.
“I’ve been away from the mountain for eight years. Have you felt lonely being alone?” He Shutong’s voice was gentle.
“Disciple has often felt lonely.” Heavenly Maiden Wangshu’s pure eyes, almost blue, were as distant and desolate as the unreachable sky.
“Do you… know what loneliness is?”
“Disciple knows. When Elder Three was supervising me, she got drunk and said that if you were going to leave, you should have at least found me a junior apprentice. Leaving me alone on the mountain is too lonely. I asked her what loneliness is, and she said it’s wanting someone to accompany you. Master, was Elder Three right?”
He Shutong felt a pang of guilt and heartache. Wangshu, born without impurities, had a pure heart that could keenly sense the goodwill and malice of others. Yet, she trusted He Shutong, who was not naturally suited to be a teacher, unconditionally.
Heavenly Maiden Wangshu was her disciple in name, but in reality, she was more like a daughter she had raised from childhood. He Shutong slowly walked over to Wangshu, who was now as tall as her eyebrows. Without hesitation, He Shutong gently embraced her. The sudden gesture made Wangshu stiffen.
“Elder Three was not wrong. So, Wangshu, do you want a junior brother?”
The blue in Wangshu’s eyes finally rippled, like a still lake disturbed by a breeze.
“Yes.”