After Sheng Jun Chapter 40 (Part 2)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 40 Caught in a Dilemma (part 2)
The two immediately ended their stroll and returned to Kunlun, heading straight for Wu Jie's small courtyard.
It was now approaching dusk, and Wu Jie had just returned from telling fortunes outside. He opened the door to see Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming standing together at his doorway, his eyelid twitching, "The Sect Master and Protector really don't leave this poor monk even a moment to catch his breath."
Zhong Ming was relatively tolerant of Wu Jie. He stood at the door watching him and said, "You can catch your breath now, Master."
Wu Jie, "......"
"Ha." He took a short breath, feeling it was worse than not breathing at all, the stuffiness in his chest becoming even worse, "Forget it, please speak directly if you two have business."
Jiang Xingzhi got straight to the point, "Does Master have connections with Wanyao Valley?"
"Wanyao Valley?" Wu Jie said, "Coincidentally, this poor monk just told a fortune for Wanyao Valley's Left Protector a few days ago, helping to arrange a marriage. It could be said there's a debt of gratitude. If the Sect Master needs it, this poor monk can help make contact."
"Need it, need it. Thank you, Master." Jiang Xingzhi was delighted.
Wu Jie was very efficient. It was clear he indeed had done a favor for someone. In just a few words, the Protector on the other side helped pass a message to the Valley Master, arranging for them to visit the next day.
After the greeting, the communication ended.
Jiang Xingzhi's attention gradually shifted, "Master, you help others arrange marriages with such quick results, so why doesn't it work when it comes to me?"
Wu Jie glanced at Zhong Ming beside him through his eyelids, "This is not this poor monk's fault."
It was destined to have this kind of development with twists and turns. Of course, it was all contrived.
He kept his eyes closed, so Jiang Xingzhi couldn't see where his eyeballs were looking, but Zhong Ming keenly sensed the meaningful gaze falling on him——full of implication, as if there were a "heh heh" attached to the end.
Zhong Ming suddenly felt like he had been seen through.
He cleared his throat and urged Jiang Xingzhi to leave, "We won't disturb Master any longer."
****
Leaving Wu Jie's courtyard, they happened to encounter Zhu Xu coming up from the mountain steps.
"Sect Master, Protector Bai!" Zhu Xu greeted them enthusiastically, suddenly noticing the tasseled pendant hanging from Zhong Ming's waist, obviously a souvenir from Prayer Festival Day.
Remembering his previous doubts about Protector Bai, Zhu Xu immediately made amends, "Protector Daren truly did receive a gift!"
After saying this, he felt it wasn't enough and couldn't help but praise lavishly, "The Sect Master really dotes on Protector Daren. Look at this tasseled pendant, how perfectly it matches you!"
Zhong Ming frowned slightly. The speaker was unintentional, but the listener took it to heart.
If these words had been said half a day ago, he might have been secretly pleased. Now, however, he felt a trace of alarm: Why was Jiang Xingzhi willing to share the gift meant for Xu Jian with him, Bai Mu?
Could it be... that his feelings had already begun to fade from that time?
Zhong Ming's heart became unsettled.
After finishing his praise, Zhu Xu looked up, only to see the other's face had become even more somber.
He, "......" Protector Bai's thoughts were truly hard to understand.
Jiang Xingzhi didn't know what nerve Zhu Xu had touched in Bai Mu again. Anyway, Bai Mu had been living like an unsolved mystery during this period.
With the principle of being beautiful-hearted and kind, he spoke up to rescue the bewildered Zhu Xu, "How are the recruitment arrangements going?"
"Yes, Sect Master!" With the topic changed, Zhu Xu hurriedly opened his small notebook to report in detail.
After the full report, Jiang Xingzhi felt there were no problems and asked about the examination time, confirming he could participate——he had been busy running around trying to refine the red lily flower these past few days, but still wanted to participate in the sect's recruitment examination.
After listening, he waved his hand to dismiss him, "The arrangements are good."
Zhu Xu glanced at Protector Bai, who was still brooding deeply, bowed, and quickly made his escape.
Jiang Xingzhi led the contemplative Zhong Ming back to the mountain peak as the sun was already setting behind the mountain.
A whole day had passed just like that.
He didn't disturb the man lost in thought and turned back to his own room. Leisure time always passed quickly. Before long, the moon was on the treetops, and it was time to sleep again.
Jiang Xingzhi took out the incense burner he had bought today and placed it on the desk case, taking a small pinch of calming incense to place it over “indirect heat”.
It wasn't that he really didn't want to dream of Xu Jian again; he was just curious about the actual effect.
Even if he didn't dream, he wouldn't really forget Xu Jian.
Hiss! A flame appeared out of nowhere under the burner, and a faint fragrance wafted out through the openwork copper lid, filling the room with its scent.
Wispy smoke curled in the air. Right above the desk case was a carved window with a gap, and the subtle fragrance slipped through the window crack, merging with the cool night air of the mountain peak, enough for someone not far away to detect.
After lighting the incense, Jiang Xingzhi turned over and went to sleep, his heart inexplicably calming down.
He truly had a dreamless night.
......
The next day, Jiang Xingzhi got up and left his room.
The moment he pushed the door open, the man in the neighboring courtyard immediately turned to look at him.
Jiang Xingzhi saw that Zhong Ming wasn't practicing sword work today, nor was he meditating. He seemed to just be sitting there, apparently lost in thought about something.
Seeing him get up, Zhong Ming walked over in a few steps and stopped in front of him.
Jiang Xingzhi still carried the scent of the calming incense, the faint fragrance lingering around his nose. It was this very scent that had permeated half the mountain peak last night.
Zhong Ming suppressed his inner panic and turmoil, "You used it so quickly?"
Jiang Xingzhi said, "I was just testing the effect."
"How was the effect?"
"A dreamless night, I slept wonderfully."
Zhong Ming felt a breath catch in his throat. Jiang Xingzhi studied his expression, "I slept well, but you don't seem happy?"
"......How could that be." Zhong Ming forced his lips into a smile, "I'm just so happy I don't know what to say."
After saying this, he paused, unable to resist asking again, "If you don't dream of him, that's called sleeping well?"
Jiang Xingzhi thought that at least he felt good after waking up, without having to recite all those heart-clearing mantras, "Yes, after all, dreaming every day is quite exhausting."
Thinking about how he had probably recited several hundred years' worth of heart-clearing mantras, Jiang Xingzhi's tone suddenly became ethereal, "If I find out what kind of undeserved calamity I suffered..."
What "undeserved calamity" meant, those who understood would naturally understand; if he was overthinking, then not understanding wouldn't matter.
Zhong Ming's heart jumped, his tailbone tensing as if his tail had been grabbed. He tried to make his tone sound casual and flat, "......What would you do?"
Jiang Xingzhi faced the morning sun rising on the horizon, smiling gently, "I'd definitely skin him alive."
Zhong Ming, "........."
It was over. He really couldn't take off this disguise anymore.