Villainous Junior Chapter 5
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 5: Trial
Meng Chen: "..."
Xue Lang: "..."
Realizing what he had done, Xue Lang quickly let go, but it was already too late.
He had no choice but to accuse first. "This... what kind of quality is this? As the prestigious Taixuan Sect, can't you use better materials for making clothes!?"
"...Indeed, it's not the highest quality fabric, but for daily wear, it's already sufficient." Meng Chen was also a bit stunned. Although the uniform wasn't expected to be like a defensive magical artifact, impervious to water and fire, it shouldn't have torn so easily.
Hmm, little junior brother's strength is quite impressive.
"Let me go get you a replacement." Meng Chen reached out to take it, but Xue Lang hugged the clothes tightly and stepped back, saying, "No need, I want this one."
Meng Chen. "It's already torn, how will you wear it?"
"It's none of your business." The little fierce puppy growled, "I want this one!"
Meng Chen looked at him somewhat helplessly. But he knew this little junior brother had a stubborn temperament, and once he decided on something, not even nine oxen could pull him back. So he stopped persuading and only said, "There are new uniforms at the Heavenly Crafts Workshop. If you need one, just take your disciple token there to collect it."
The disciple token was the identity marker for Taixuan Sect disciples, made of sandalwood, an exquisite piece that everyone hung at their waist.
"Also, these two are the 'Taixuan Sword Techniques'." Meng Chen took out two entry-level sword technique books and handed them to Xue Lang. "Master is often away and only occasionally returns to give guidance. The rest of the time, we have to practice on our own. Practice this sword technique first. I've already marked the key points. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me."
After explaining these two things, Meng Chen left. Xue Lang sneakily peeked out the window, and only after seeing the person had completely gone did he return to the room and open the two sword technique books. He saw that many parts had been carefully annotated on the side, the handwriting neat and elegant, the annotations detailed and easy to understand. It must have taken a lot of effort to annotate so much content.
He stared at those newly written annotations for a long time, gently touching the pages of the book, then carefully put the books away and picked up the torn uniform.
The clothes were new and clean. If one sniffed closely, there was a faint, cool fragrance. Perhaps because that person had held it close, it had absorbed the scent.
Xue Lang was lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly realized his actions seemed somewhat perverse, and hurriedly, with a red face and ears, took the clothes away from his nose.
He scratched his head, placed the clothes neatly on the table, turned to find needle and thread from the cabinet, spent the time of brewing a cup of tea threading the needle, then clumsily but earnestly began to sew, stitch by stitch.
****
Fifteen days passed in the blink of an eye. The newly admitted disciples had mostly adapted to life in the sect. Following the usual custom, Taixuan Sect conducted a trial for the new disciples.
Each new disciple could seek a senior brother or sister from the same peak as a partner. The two would enter the trial formation together. The first to clear it would win, and the winner would receive a magical artifact as a reward. Of course, the new disciples were the ones being tested, while the senior disciples were only there to assist.
This trial had two purposes: first, to test the new disciples' progress since joining and motivate them not to slack off in future cultivation; second, to foster bonds between fellow disciples and teach them to trust and cooperate.
As it was a simple, beginner-level trial formation, it didn't require an elder to preside over it. Xiao Guan, the senior brother from Wuzhao Peak, was fully in charge. He counted the number of people and made a soft exclamation, "Junior Brother Xue, where's your partner?"
Xue Lang, who was called out, raised his eyes slightly. "I'll do it alone."
Xiao Guan looked at him. He had a deep impression of this junior brother who had soared straight into Tianji Peak. The other's aura was still as steady and sharp as the day he joined, drawing people's gazes. The difference was that his black clothes had been replaced with a sky-blue uniform. Although it fit well and looked good, for some reason, the uniform seemed to have been torn from the collar to the chest and then mended with blue thread of the same color. Although the tear had been repaired, the needlework was truly not praiseworthy. It was crooked and looked like an ugly and comical blue caterpillar, forcibly halving the cool aura the youth exuded.
Xiao Guan pulled back his wandering thoughts and raised an eyebrow. "This doesn't follow the rules. Besides, junior brother, don't underestimate this beginner's trial formation. It's still quite challenging for newcomers like you. It will be difficult to complete alone."
"It's fine," the youth repeated in a deep voice, "I can manage on my own."
Xiao Guan was at a loss with him, but then he thought, Tianji Peak was different from other peaks. There were only a few people there, and they were all so busy. Who had the time and inclination to accompany a new disciple in this entry-level trial formation? Although Meng Chen had brought him in, it was probably just because he saw his potential. He likely wouldn't pay attention to these trivial matters.
So Xiao Guan made an exception for him. "Alright then. Junior brother, be extra careful on your own."
Xue Lang nodded in response and entered the trial formation with everyone else. Although nineteen people entered together, when Xue Lang opened his eyes, he was alone.
The youth's expression remained calm as he drew the sword at his waist and strode forward. The trial formation had many checkpoints. Some required solving formations, others involved battling spirit beasts. Although the difficulty wasn't high, there was a wide variety of challenges, making it indeed difficult for newly admitted disciples to handle.
But perhaps Xue Lang truly had extraordinary talent. As he moved forward, no checkpoint could stump him. It wasn't until the final checkpoint that he finally encountered an obstacle.
Guarding the middle of the path was a giant three-headed hyena. It was completely black, each of its heads enormous, with eyes yellow as brass bells. It panted with its mouths open, drool constantly dripping from the corners.
Seeing an intruder in its territory, the hyena let out a suppressed, dangerous growl from its throat. Its three heads slowly turned, six vicious eyes simultaneously fixed on the youth before it.
Although the spirit beasts in the beginner's trial formation were only illusions and couldn't really harm those who entered, the pain they caused was very real. Yet Xue Lang charged forward without hesitation. He leaped high, sending a sword energy slash towards the rightmost head of the hyena. As all three heads were attracted by that sharp sword energy, Xue Lang had already swiftly rushed towards the gap on the far left!
He didn't intend to fight this beast head-on, he just wanted to find a chance to get past it!
But although the trick of misdirection was good, the hyena was no pushover. The leftmost head twisted halfway, discovered this human daring to sneak past, and immediately let out an angry roar, opening its blood-filled maw to bite!
Xue Lang cursed under his breath, hurriedly dodging to the side, forced to land back on the ground. The hyena, now enraged, howled and pounced towards him!
Xue Lang dodged and attacked simultaneously. Although his sword techniques were exquisite, his cultivation level was what it was, still not enough to cause fatal damage to the hyena.
This final checkpoint had the highest difficulty and was meant to be passed only with the help of senior brothers or sisters.
Xue Lang knew this well, but his face showed no sign of discouragement. He avoided the hyena's heavily stomping paw and soared up again, quickly pulling two explosion talismans from his chest and throwing them at the hyena's rightmost head. The talismans exploded in the air, with loud crackling sounds that lingered. That head became irritated by the explosion and smoke, shaking frantically and closing its eyes. Almost simultaneously, Xue Lang struck with his sword, chopping down on the middle head, making it howl in pain. Immediately after, Xue Lang made a second strike, using all his strength, viciously stabbing the left head's eye!
With all three heads preoccupied, Xue Lang seized the opportunity, stepping on the left head to flip over. Unexpectedly, the hyena was thoroughly enraged. Even with its eye blinded, it still relied on its keen sense of smell to locate Xue Lang, roaring and exposing its sharp, terrifying fangs, frantically stretching its head to bite him!
If he dodged again, he would likely have to start over. Xue Lang's face was cold and stern. In mid-air, he didn't dodge at all, seemingly risking being torn apart by the hyena's bite just to get past its head!
Just as the hyena's sharp fangs were about to touch his body, it suddenly let out a miserable cry. All its ferocity and strength seemed to be suddenly drained, and it collapsed to the ground, howling.
Xue Lang was stunned. He quickly turned his head in mid-air but saw nothing.
After clearing the checkpoint, the illusion of the hyena disappeared. He landed steadily on the ground, turned back to stare for a long time, but still saw no one behind him.
The youth twisted his lips in a somewhat self-mocking manner, turned his head, and strode towards the exit.
What was he thinking?
How could that person possibly have time to come to a place like this…
The remaining path was flat and open. He walked out of the trial formation unobstructed, seeing the bright and clear skylight, and at the exit... Meng Chen standing quietly.
Xue Lang's steps suddenly stopped, and his eyes slowly widened.
"Congratulations," Meng Chen said to him with a smile, "You're the first."
Xue Lang had a vague guess in his heart, but still couldn't believe it. "How did you..."
"Tsk tsk tsk, the brotherly bond between you two is truly moving heaven and earth!" Xiao Guan's voice suddenly came from a nearby large tree. Xue Lang looked up and saw him sitting casually on a tree branch, smiling as he said, "Junior Brother Xue, you should really thank your Senior Brother Meng. He knew your strong personality wouldn't allow you to actively seek help from other seniors, so after you entered the trial formation, he quietly followed behind you, only stepping in to help when it was dangerous at the end. I've rarely seen anyone receive such attentive care from him!"
Perhaps it was because it was now noon and the sun outside was truly scorching, but Xue Lang suddenly felt dizzy. He wanted to snarl "Mind your own business" as he used to, but when he looked up and saw Meng Chen's gentle, smiling eyes like water, he suddenly felt his throat tighten and couldn't utter a word.
Other disciples gradually came out of the trial formation. When everyone was present, Xiao Guan praised the disciples and then distributed rewards. Although initially only the winner was supposed to receive a reward, in the end, everyone got a magical artifact. The new disciples were overjoyed, each one incredibly happy.
"Your success in clearing the trial relied not only on your own courage and abilities but also on the indispensable help of your senior brothers and sisters," Xiao Guan said. "Now, please give your seniors a warm hug and sincerely express your gratitude to them!"
Xue Lang: "..."
The youth's expression slowly cracked, his eyes full of incredulous shock. "Wait... why do we need to hug!?"
"What's wrong with a hug?" Xiao Guan said righteously. "We Taixuan disciples act openly and are never shy. A warm embrace can better express true feelings and bring us closer!"
These new disciples had chosen partners who were already on good terms with them. After working together and fighting side by side in the trial formation, their relationships had grown even closer. Hearing this, they didn't hesitate at all. Whether shy or outgoing, they happily hugged their respective partners.
Only Xue Lang stood motionless, unconsciously glancing at Meng Chen out of the corner of his eye. He saw that the other was standing there gently, seemingly... not opposed to this suggestion.
"Junior Brother Xue, what are you standing there for?" Xiao Guan urged. "Your Senior Brother Meng has been so good to you, doesn't he deserve a hug!?"
Xue Lang still stood rigid, head lowered, hands clenched into fists at his sides, looking very, very unwilling.
"You silly kid, do you know how precious a hug from your Senior Brother Meng Chen is!? Many people can only dream of such an opportunity!" Xiao Guan exclaimed in distress, suddenly changing his tone, "We can't let this go to waste. If you won't hug him, I'll do it for you!"
Xue Lang's heart suddenly jolted in alarm. He abruptly raised his head to see Xiao Guan actually lifting his foot towards Meng Chen. His mind instantly went blank. Without time to think, he dashed over, bumped Xiao Guan aside, and threw himself heavily into Meng Chen's embrace with outstretched arms.
