Chapter Seventy-Six: Who Can Understand the Feelings at the Railing Without Words

部 Qingyan was, at this moment, more bewildered and at a loss than anyone else present. His eyes darted rapidly between the two women, his expression still wooden, only to be overtaken by a new kind of astonishment.

“Steward,” Zhu Wanzhi continued to lower her gaze, staring fixedly at the pale lavender hem of her brocade dress. She extended her hand again. “The ceremonial robe?”

“Oh, certainly! Certainly!” Qingyan instinctively put on a smile and reached to take the pouch, but a sudden chill ran down his back, as if some razor-sharp weapon were pressing against his spine, making his hair stand on end.

He froze for a long while before slowly turning his body, forcing a bitter smile as he looked back.

Wei Lingjiang stood where she was, her expression unchanged, still bearing that aloof, immortal demeanor.

Seeing Qingyan’s bitter smile and helpless look, she merely lifted her gaze slightly, as if nothing had happened, and spoke in a measured tone: “Weren’t you about to explain the ceremonial robes? Please continue, Steward.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll continue, I’ll continue,” Qingyan stammered, sweat pouring down his face in just a few breaths. Wiping his cheek in embarrassment, he spoke cautiously, “Fellow cultivators, as the Huaiwu Cave is about to open, the dangers within are great. According to the rules, one must have a ceremonial robe to enter, so…”

He swallowed hard, forced a smile, and continued, “Now, our Treasure Gathering Pavilion has only two types of protective ceremonial robes left. One is the ‘White Water Cloud Garment,’ crafted by Master Xue Xuan of Divine Fire Cliff. This is a mid-grade talisman treasure, with eighteen divine prohibitions, extremely resilient! Even amid poisonous miasma and thunderfire, it will not harm the wearer’s form! Especially, this robe is made from refined medusa stone, and when activated, billows of cloud and mist flow around you, making for a splendid sight!”

He pointed to a jade table, upon which lay a snowy white, graceful long robe, clouds and smoky mist swirling around it, forming serpentine dragons.

“As for the other, it is crafted by Realman Xue Rong, Master Xue Xuan’s uncle at Divine Fire Cliff, known as the ‘Jade Disc Treasure Robe.’ This—”

“I want the ‘Jade Disc Treasure Robe,’ Steward, please!” Zhu Wanzhi suddenly lifted her head before Qingyan could finish.

She finally gathered the courage to glance at Chen Heng, her cheeks flushed, the blush extending to her ears and neck, her lashes trembling like a timid deer in the forest.

“Since it was made by a realman, the ‘Jade Disc Treasure Robe’ must be superior to the ‘White Water Cloud Garment.’ The beasts in the Huaiwu Cave are fierce, so I wish…”

Zhu Wanzhi stared at Chen Heng, then fell silent.

“But the ‘Jade Disc Treasure Robe’ is imbued with twenty divine prohibitions, the highest among mid-grade talisman treasures. After one more refinement, it will be a top-grade talisman treasure, and even on the third floor of our Treasure Gathering Pavilion, it is a prized item!”

Qingyan, shocked, forgot to wipe his sweat, exclaiming, “Junior Sister Zhu, is this…?”

He clearly knew the party from White Crane Cave well, and forced a smile as he bowed to Zhou Xingling, the leader, “Junior Brother Zhou, the ‘Jade Disc Treasure Robe’ is quite expensive, isn’t it?”

“Why look at me? Am I to decide for her?” Zhou Xingling, his hair white as snow, dressed in a hemp crown and rain cloak, glared. “Don’t drag me into this, Old Hao! That’s rather unkind, trying to involve me!”

“This…” Qingyan could only smile wryly.

Under the gaze of both women, his confusion grew. Zhu Wanzhi’s pouch was within reach, yet he dared not take it, his sleeves hanging limply.

“Fellow cultivator! Say something!” Qingyan finally lost composure, casting a pleading look at Chen Heng and bowing deeply, “Fellow cultivator, please say something!”

Chen Heng frowned, and at that moment, Wei Lingjiang lowered her gaze further and asked, “How many ceremonial robes are left in your pavilion?”

“…Sixteen White Water Cloud Garments and seven Jade Disc Treasure Robes,” Qingyan wiped the sweat from his brow, first bewildered, then explained, “Such robes are exceedingly precious. Even some foundation-building cultivators who have refined true energy cannot afford them if their resources are lacking, so—”

But Wei Lingjiang had lost interest in listening. She tossed a sleeve pouch lightly to Qingyan.

Upon opening it, Qingyan was stunned, retreating several steps until he collided with a jade table, staggering.

“So many?!”

After a long moment, he cried out, his hands trembling.

“I want all ceremonial robes in your pavilion,” Wei Lingjiang said coolly, casting a glance at Zhu Wanzhi before withdrawing her gaze, “All of them.”

“…All of them?!”

Not only did Qingyan feel struck by lightning, but even the disciples of White Crane Cave were dumbfounded, a subtle unrest rising.

“You—!” Zhu Wanzhi turned anxiously toward her.

“What are you planning, Senior Sister?” Chen Heng asked.

“My own money, I can spend as I please—even if I throw it into the water, at least it makes a sound,” Wei Lingjiang replied icily. “What, do you have some lofty opinion, or are you about to champion someone’s cause again?”

Chen Heng stared at her deeply, expressionless as he turned away, his voice restrained and flat, yet betraying a faint undertone, “Senior Sister, don’t be irrational.”

He took Wei Lingjiang’s sleeve pouch from the still-shocked Qingyan, then bowed apologetically, “Forgive our intrusion, Steward.”

“Of course… of course!” Though the sale fell through, Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief, as if a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

“If my pavilion receives new lower-grade treasure robes in a few days, I, Old Hao, will notify you first and reserve one,” he said.

“Thank you,” Chen Heng replied with a smile and another bow.

Wei Lingjiang looked at the pouch Chen Heng handed her but did not reach for it. Instead, her eyes grew colder, icy and distant.

Qingzhi stood with hands on hips, eyes bright and fixed on the scene.

“We agreed earlier that an additional payment would suffice—a flying sword, wasn’t it?” After a few breaths, seeing Wei Lingjiang unmoving, Chen Heng gently pressed his hand to his brow, sighing inwardly as he bowed, “Why compete with her over wealth—are you angry with someone?”

“I’m not angry with anyone…” With him leaning closer, the distance between them shrank, and Wei Lingjiang’s gaze flickered. “I—”

“I have my own idea about the ceremonial robe, Senior Sister. Let’s discuss it back home.”

“You don’t want her robe?”

“Do you see me as so inadequate, Senior Sister?”

He offered the pouch again.

Wei Lingjiang was silent for a moment, unable to resist meeting his gaze. After a brief pause, she dropped her eyes and finally reached out to take it.

Her tightly pressed lips eased, curling ever so slightly, without a word.

Meanwhile, Qingzhi could hold back no longer.

“Um…” She raised her chubby hands enthusiastically. “If neither of you care much for money, I suppose I could, with some reluctance, help keep it safe! Give it to me! Put it in my hands! I swear I’ll guard it well!”

But no one paid her any mind.

Wei Lingjiang ignored Qingzhi’s struggles and scooped her up, turning away.

Once Chen Heng had bid Qingyan farewell, Zhou Xingling, who had been watching the scene for some time, approached with a cheerful smile, grasped his shoulder, and tried to drag him toward a tavern.

The white-haired Daoist had heard rumors that Chen Heng might be the late disciple of his own master, and combined with his favorable impression of Chen Heng, his desire to befriend him grew even stronger.

“Sister Wen, we haven’t seen everyone in ages. Why not let me host a gathering tonight—just a small drink?”

Wei Lingjiang, already heading toward the staircase, was called back by Zhou Xingling. She hesitated, but didn’t answer immediately.

“Senior Brother Zhou, I have other matters and must leave first,” Zhu Wanzhi lifted her gaze, looked deeply at Chen Heng, and left without turning back.

“Hey—hey?” Zhou Xingling was visibly shocked, calling out several times to no avail.

“Senior Brother, ha! You’re doomed!” A disciple from White Crane Cave gloated, “If Junior Sister Zhu reports this to Uncle Master Jiang Gu, you’ll surely be punished again!”

“How is this my fault? Isn’t it Chen Heng’s?” Zhou Xingling protested, helpless.

“Why blame me?” Chen Heng shook his head.

With Zhu Wanzhi gone, Wei Lingjiang had no reason to linger. She watched as Chen Heng nodded slightly to her, then was swept away by Zhou Xingling and his group.

She smiled softly and walked out of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

The street bustled with people, lively as ever.

Qingzhi, in her arms, yawned in boredom, staring with wide eyes like a dead fish, half awake. But before they had walked far, Qingzhi suddenly cried out, stretched her neck, and perked up.

Wei Lingjiang stopped as well.

At the corner, a delicate girl in pale purple, her jet-black hair adorned with a jade hairpin, stood quietly waiting.

Wei Lingjiang paused her gaze briefly, then continued past her without stopping.

“Senior Sister Wen, don’t you have anything you want to say to me?” Seeing Wei Lingjiang ignore her, Zhu Wanzhi lifted her chin stubbornly. “You’ve only known Senior Brother for a few days—how well can you really understand his temperament? Why must you compete with me?”

“And how well do you know him? I know him better than you… He’s colder than you imagine.”

“Colder? Do you know, Senior Sister, that Senior Brother was once abducted by Yan Zhen of the Xuan Zhen Sect?”

Zhu Wanzhi sneered.

At that, Wei Lingjiang abruptly stopped.

“Senior Brother suffered great hardship in his youth. If you only wish to toy with him, I advise you to reconsider.”

Seeing Wei Lingjiang finally moved, Zhu Wanzhi fixed her gaze, saying, “Though we’ve only met a few times, I know you treat others with the coldness of snow and frost, as if nothing matters to you. Have you ever shown warmth or tenderness? Do you really believe you can forge any lasting bond with someone of his disposition?”

Wei Lingjiang’s expression stiffened, her arms around Qingzhi unconsciously tightening.

“……”

Qingzhi’s eyes bulged, then rolled upward, her tongue sticking out.

“We’re mere acquaintances—how well do you know me? Besides…”

After a few breaths, Wei Lingjiang stared coldly at Zhu Wanzhi. “Let’s not pretend—I have nothing improper with my junior brother, but even if there were, it’s none of your concern!”

Having said her piece, Wei Lingjiang had no desire to linger; she turned and walked away without looking at Zhu Wanzhi.

Zhu Wanzhi was briefly stunned.

Her brows furrowed slightly, silent for a time.

…

…

Late at night.

Red Leaf Island, Immortal Guest Residence.

A streak of white light flashed across the sky, landing steadily outside the inn.

After ascending to the fifth floor, Chen Heng was about to enter his room when, from the neighboring door, Wei Lingjiang suddenly popped out like a rabbit.

“Senior Sister…” Chen Heng was startled, bowing, “It’s late—have you not retired yet?”

“Cer—ceremonial robe…” Wei Lingjiang stammered, “You—”

“The ceremonial robe is purchased—‘Iron Armor Garment,’ a lower-grade talisman, three heavenly prohibitions,” Chen Heng shook his head. “It’s rather absurd—when I cleared out those bandits at Miao Nan Peak, I obtained one of these. I didn’t know then that the Huaiwu Cave master would reopen the cave; now, buying again, the price has more than doubled—a loss, really.”

“You’ve already bought it?” Wei Lingjiang was momentarily stunned.

Her heart leaped, and the hand she had extended quietly withdrew.

They stood facing each other, uncertain what to say, silence settling over them.

Chen Heng noticed Wei Lingjiang staring at the floor, as if expecting a flower to grow there. He hesitated, then bid her farewell, but as he was about to close the door, Wei Lingjiang abruptly spoke.

“Junior Brother… do you find my temperament difficult to approach?”

After asking, she waited a long time for a reply.

Wei Lingjiang raised her head uncertainly.

An arm’s length away, Chen Heng simply regarded her, his dark eyes concealing unknown thoughts, like a deep, unfathomable pool.

“Senior Sister, your heart is in turmoil,” Chen Heng’s throat moved slightly, his voice still calm, betraying nothing. “That is a grave taboo in cultivation…”

Before Wei Lingjiang could respond, he closed the door.

Wei Lingjiang lingered outside for a long while before returning to her room.

“Didn’t manage to give it away?” On the bed, Qingzhi was tumbling about, eyeing the sleeve pouch in Wei Lingjiang’s hand and exclaiming, “We went back especially to buy the ‘Jade Disc Treasure Robe,’ and that brat wouldn’t even accept it?!”

“It’s not that I didn’t manage to give it—it’s…” Wei Lingjiang was momentarily at a loss.

A few breaths later, her gaze softened, and she smiled, “It’s late. Weren’t you always fussing about wanting to sleep? Go on, then.”

…

Just a wall away.

Chen Heng took two jars of wine from his pouch and set them on the tea table. The old ancestor Fu Can, who had been sprawled out like a corpse, cheered, broke the seal, and plunged half his body into the jar to drink.

“Inner demon? Or heart demon?” Watching the little old man guzzle, Chen Heng, seated on his meditation cushion, asked after a long while.

“Both inner and heart demons—strange and insidious, always seeking to obstruct the path and ruin one’s cultivation!” Fu Can raised his head, burping, “Have you thought it through?”

Chen Heng lowered his gaze and did not answer.

The room was lit by a glass lamp shaped like a beast’s head; suddenly, the flame flared, shadows on the wall growing distorted and vague.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, “I understand.”

Fu Can was puzzled, but when he looked over, Chen Heng was already meditating.

Fu Can shrugged and bent over the jar again.

…

…

A few days later.

Within the True Dharma Realm.

The seals in Chen Heng’s hands suddenly paused.

A myriad of flames erupted from within him, instantly reducing his heart image to blue smoke.