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Xu Changâan listened to the sound of his footsteps mingling with the rain, spreading along the empty path.
Speaking of which... Senior Wen still walks as silently as a cat, without the slightest sound. If it werenât for the rain hitting the umbrella behind him, he wouldnât be sure if someone was trailing him. Beyond footsteps, her presence is always perfectly hidden, and even with his Spiritual Qi, he canât sense her existence.
"..."
While Xu Changâan was pondering, Wen Li simply followed him forward, her brows slightly furrowed.
She realized that even aside from the Sword Heart, if one uses a daughterâs aesthetic to view this path, it becomes clear it wasnât an illusion. This path to Yun Qianâs residence from Celestial Bright Peak indeed grows more eerie the further one goes.
"Junior Brother, is Celestial Bright Peak always this quiet?" Wen Li asked.
Wen Liâs sudden question made Xu Changâan pause, then he helplessly stopped walking, turned to look at Wen Li and the dark hall behind her, saying, "I reported to Steward Qin earlier, she knew you were coming... so she temporarily vacated this area."
Qinling was dumbfounded upon knowing he invited Wen Li, but she indeed made such arrangements.
"I see." Wen Liâs sleeves lightly swayed, calmly watching his back, "That probably doesnât help much."
She imagines countless eyes are on her, thinking her arrival from Muyu Peak to Celestial Bright Peak canât possibly be concealed.
"It doesnât help," Xu Changâan said, "Senior Sister came from the center of the White Jade Platform, right?"
"Mm, went to check the Mingxin Chart."
"Feeling pressured?"
"No."
Wen Li shook her head, mainly to check Xu Changâanâs ranking, only to find he wasnât on the list, further confirming the chartâs lack of credibility.
"Senior Sister truly is an impressive person." Xu Changâan admired Wen Liâs calm demeanor, also feeling fortunate for himself and Miss Yun.
Having someone like Wen Li as Yun Qianâs guide is promising, both in terms of teaching quality and network connections.
As long as Yun Qian can get along well with Wen Li, being Wen Liâs first student alone is enough for a great start in Chaoyun Sect.
Thanks to Zhu Pingniang, without that Senior, Xu Changâan knows he wouldnât have intersected with Wen Li in his lifetime.
"I wonât bring you trouble." Wen Li slowed her pace, thinking she is unconcerned whether her actions are known, and will resolve any issues brought to Xu Changâan and Yun Qian due to her.
Xu Changâan paused, exhaling a breath of turbid air.
This Senior Sister indeed is a clever, meticulous person.
"Not really troublesome," Xu Changâan thought, though Wen Li endlessly had pursuers within Chaoyun Sect, he, being the only man atop Muyu Peak, had long been accustomed to the attention.
"Is that where she resides?" Wen Li looked at the shadow-covered North Garden, quickening her pace.
"Mm," Xu Changâan looked at the fragrant, warm North Garden ahead, speeding up too, "Almost there."
He consistently followed Wen Liâs pace, keeping in rhythm with her steps, while ensuring to walk slowly.
When he left, he told Yun Qian to eat some preserves to replenish energy, walking slowly gives Yun Qian a little time to rest and recover strength.
In the slow walk, Xu Changâan realized something.
This was his... first time in life actively bringing a girl home to meet Yun Qian.
The thought of Yun Qian waiting at home felt odd to Xu Changâan, thinking of his wifeâs peculiar mindset, he might end up fitting into one of her novels.
Perhaps he should have let Yun Qian accompany him to welcome Wen Li.
But he couldnât bear Yun Qianâs fatigue and cold, hence came alone.
Nonetheless, his attitude is shown.
He and Yun Qian are one; his presence suffices, and when Wen Li meets Yun Qian shortly, sheâll somewhat understand Yun Qianâs temperament.
"Ahem," Xu Changâan felt the need to find a topic and looked at the falling rain, asking, "Senior Sister, has it been always raining on Chaoyun Sect lately? Do you know the source?"
"Rain?" Wen Li calmly looked at Xu Changâan, "You donât know?"
"I should know?" Xu Changâan was taken aback, how could he know why it rains on Chaoyun Sect, but soon remembered something, "I didnât ask about it at Steward Hall."
Wen Li looked at him for a moment, "I asked Master, sheâs not certain about the rainâs source, just has a rough guess."
When Wen Li asked Master, she mentioned Xu Changâanâs name, implying the rainâs connection to Xu Changâanâs Water Attribute talent.
Wen Li had no doubt, for she believed no matter how bizarre things are with Xu Changâan, sheâs ready to accept them.
"Senior Sister, this strange rain... wonât harm the body, right?" Xu Changâan couldnât help but ask.
This was what he truly wanted to know.
With Yun Qian alone at home, lacking protection, thereâs a risk of exposure to rain.
"No harm," Wen Liâs Pear Blossom Umbrella steady, "Just ordinary water, as you perceive."
Wen Li withheld a sentence.
The water is ordinary, but with the entire weather within Chaoyun Sect regulated by the Mountain Protection Array, without the Sect Leaderâs token, any bizarre phenomena are theoretically impossible.
So, this ongoing rain... is the least ordinary matter.
"Got it," Xu Changâan didnât understand the complexities, feeling some relief upon hearing itâs regular rain.
ââ
In front of Yun Qianâs residence.
"Here we are," Xu Changâan turned, nodding to Wen Li, "Senior Sister, please."
Wen Li looked over, her lashes slightly trembled.
The rain densely poured from above, the wind whistled through the courtyard.
Wen Li felt Xu Changâan wouldnât have chosen such a place for his wife to reside.
Could it be...
Miss Yun relishes such a setting?
"Iâll go call her," Xu Changâan thought Wen Li was here to teach, as courtesy, Yun Qian should step out and greet.
"No need," Wen Li shook her head, "Not an official matter."
A guide rather than a formal master.
She preferred less ceremony, the natural way is best.
Xu Changâan agreed, leading Wen Li to the main house, and gently pushed open the carved wooden door.
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"Back?"
Yun Qian lounged at the table, leisurely and content, the curves of her form distinct, her slender figure relaxed against the chair back, her right hand holding a bag of preserves Xu Changâan personally made.
Her long hair hung at her chest, naturally gentle, resembling a bride awaiting her husbandâs return.
Oh, no resemblance needed, she truly is.