Chapter 231: I Understand. I Understand Too Well. |
Early in the morning, Chen Yin woke up and sat up in bed, looking around the messy room.
Last night’s revelry had clearly gone on for quite some time. Teenagers were sprawled across the floor, their bodies tangled among discarded wine jars, the air thick with the smell of alcohol.
Most of them had simply passed out wherever they had fallen. The more responsible ones, like Si Qing and Hua Yulian, had retired to their own rooms.
Chen Yin’s gaze settled on Yu Ling, who was lying in the middle of the room, her hair spread out around her, her clothes disheveled, her cheeks flushed, a small trail of drool trickling from the corner of her mouth.
…She looked just like his Master after a night of heavy drinking.
He walked over and gently adjusted her robes. Yu Ling’s lips moved slightly, and she let out a soft, adorable hiccup.
“Seriously, you drank way too much.” Chen Yin sighed.
He had watched as she systematically challenged and defeated every single one of those unsuspecting teenagers, her competitive spirit fueled by alcohol.
And despite her own terrible drinking habits, she had still managed to outdrink them all.
“Oh… it’s you, newbie,” she yawned. “Up so early? Seems like you didn’t drink enough last night—”
She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening slightly.
The room, which had been a chaotic mess last night, was now mostly clean and tidy.
Chen Yin was still tidying up, and he looked up at her casually.
“Awake? Thirsty?”
Yu Ling nodded instinctively.
“There’s some warm water on the table beside you.”
He dusted his hands and sighed softly. “Drink up. I’ll be done cleaning soon.”
Yu Ling turned and saw a cup of water beside her.
This… was unusual.
These brats were spoiled and messy. Usually, Si Qing and Hua Yulian would force someone to clean up after their parties.
Having someone do it voluntarily was a new experience.
“You don’t have to do this. They can clean up themselves when they wake up.”
She took a sip of water, her eyes fixed on Chen Yin.
He just smiled. “It’s fine. I woke up early anyway.”
“But Big Sister, you drank so much last night. Shouldn’t you get some more rest?”
“Can’t sleep.” Yu Ling sighed and rubbed her temples, a frustrated expression on her face. “The Tianxuan Gathering starts soon. I have to deal with those old geezers again.”
Seeing her annoyance, Chen Yin chuckled softly.
Yu Ling frowned at him.
“What are you laughing at?”
“You have such a cute side, Big Sister.”
“Cute—?!” Yu Ling’s eyes widened in mock anger. “Newbie, are you looking for a beating?! Do you know what happens to those who mock Big Sister?! I’ll hang you upside down from a tree with your pants down!”
…So you’ve had that particular fetish since you were young, huh? Chen Yin thought, slightly amused.
He shook his head. “You haven’t beaten me yet. I’ve only been here for a day.”
“You insolent brat! Challenging Big Sister on your first day?! I’ll teach you a lesson!”
Yu Ling rolled up her sleeves and threw a punch at him.
It wasn’t a serious attack, just enough to give him a black eye, perhaps.
But as her fist was about to connect with his face, Chen Yin said calmly,
“Drink your water first.”
Yu Ling’s fist froze in mid-air.
His voice was calm and gentle, almost soothing, like that of an adult coaxing a child.
But for some reason, his words carried an air of authority that made her instinctively obey.
She didn’t even realize how strange it was, just stood there, her fist raised, for a few seconds.
“You’ll be thirsty after drinking so much last night.”
Chen Yin looked at her fist, inches from his face, his gaze steady and unwavering. “Aren’t you going to the Tianxuan Gathering soon? Drink some water, so you won’t be parched later.”
His sincerity made Yu Ling hesitate, and she lowered her hand, unable to bring herself to hit him.
“F-fine… stop nagging me…”
She mumbled, her head lowered, and took another sip of water.
Chen Yin watched her drink, then asked softly, “If you’re tired of dealing with those people, I can help.”
“Help? You? You’re just a kid! You’ll only make things worse!”
“What if I can be of assistance?”
“Don’t even think about it!”
Yu Ling finished her water and glared at him. “What’s your name again… Chen Yin, was it? I’m the Big Sister here! Stop talking to me like I’m a child! You’re the child here! You have to listen to me, understand?!”
Chen Yin nodded seriously. “Okay. I’ll listen to you.”
Yu Ling snorted, satisfied, and straightened her clothes, preparing to leave.
“Oh, right,” she stopped at the doorway.
Chen Yin looked at her expectantly.
“…The water… and… cleaning the room…”
“…Th-thank you.”
Her voice was soft and hesitant. She quickly left and closed the door behind her.
Chen Yin watched her go, a smile playing on his lips.
So even the young Master Yu Ling was a tsundere.
He liked this carefree and unrestrained version of her.
Arrogant, willful, and self-assured, yet also loyal and straightforward, her emotions always on display.
Although her words were often harsh, it was hard to dislike her.
In contrast, the Master he knew on Mount Yu seemed… burdened.
She was always smiling, always cheerful, as if she had no worries.
But it was as if she had forgotten how to express any other emotion.
Her smiles, though beautiful, seemed to hide a deep, unfathomable sadness.
Chen Yin didn’t know what secrets lay hidden beneath that carefree facade.
The Tianxuan Gathering was even grander than he had imagined.
He followed the long staircase to the floating mountaintop, a breathtaking sight with its magnificent palaces and pavilions, cultivators flying on their swords, the air thick with spiritual energy.
After Master left, Chen Yin finished cleaning the room and made his way to the staircase.
Standing there, looking up at the bustling mountaintop, he felt like a small child lost in a giant shopping mall.
But fortunately, in his current childlike form, he was treated with kindness wherever he went.
Cultivators would often stop and ask him if he was lost.
After much asking around, he finally found the location of the meeting between the powerful cultivators.
The top floor of the grandest and most imposing pavilion on the mountaintop.
He knew his disguise wouldn’t work there, so he put on a mask from the System Shop, concealing his aura, and stealthily made his way to the top floor.
Standing outside the closed doors, he could hear the sounds of an argument.
“…Fellow Daoist Yu Ling!”
A man’s voice, filled with frustration, boomed from within. “I’m showing you the utmost respect by calling you ‘Fellow Daoist.’ The Immortal Venerable’s ruins have become incredibly dangerous. Even Grand Clarity Realm cultivators like us have to be careful. One wrong move could be fatal! You, Immortal Yu Ling, with your unique abilities and self-created technique, might be safe, but my child has been wasting his time with you, neglecting his cultivation! What if he’s in danger?!”
Other voices chimed in agreement.
“Yes! My child is afraid of pain! What if he gets hurt?!”
“Yu Ling! You’re lowering yourself by associating with these children! Have you no shame?!”
“Fellow Daoist Yu Ling, please release my daughter! She’s just a child! We’re willing to offer you any treasure…”
Chen Yin’s lips twitched.
So this was the Tianxuan Gathering. More like a PTA meeting.
These parents were truly overprotective.
Finally, a calm, elderly voice said,
“Fellow Daoist Yu Ling, please reconsider…”
“Hmph! No way!” Master’s voice was firm and defiant.
“Everyone has a right to seek opportunities in the Immortal Venerable’s ruins. Why should they be excluded just because they’re young? You pamper them too much! It doesn’t matter what you say! This is their choice. As long as they call me Big Sister, I’ll protect them! If you don’t like it, fight me!”
Chen Yin was enjoying the show when the door suddenly burst open.
Yu Ling stormed out, leaving behind a group of disgruntled parents.
“How dare she?! Such arrogance!”
“Elder Wangzhe, you have to do something!”
“Sigh…” the elderly voice seemed weary.
Well, who wouldn’t be tired of dealing with such an unreasonable brat?
Chen Yin, recalling his own experiences on Mount Yu, couldn’t help but shake his head.
…I understand. I understand too well.