Chapter 13: Distance

Inside Jinghong Hall, Shu Yue finished meditating, feeling the increasingly refined spiritual power within her and the three newly acquired Sword Heart Pills. Her mood lifted slightly.

“Not bad, not bad. My strength’s improved a bit, survival odds up by one. That Xie Liuyun’s a decent guy—pretty generous with the reward.”

“But this commotion was a bit much. It’ll probably be the talk of the sect again… Ugh, why is it so hard to just keep a low profile and survive!”

Her divine sense habitually swept outward, and sure enough, she “saw” Qing Wan still standing dazed on the training ground, staring at where she had vanished, her small face full of admiration and… a fervent focus that made Shu Yue’s heart skip a beat.

Shu Yue jolted, her briefly improved mood plummeting.

‘Oh no! That look’s all wrong! Even worse than before! Did I overdo it with that sword strike?’

‘It backfired! No, no, I need to start the “cold treatment” plan right now. Keep distance, no delay!’

She took a deep breath, her expression chillingly stern, her aura radiating a “stay away” vibe stronger than ever, and slowly walked out of Jinghong Hall.

Qing Wan snapped back to reality at the sound, her eyes lighting up as she saw Shu Yue. Instinctively, she wanted to approach, as usual, to report her progress or ask a question, even if she only got a cold response.

But as she took a step, Shu Yue’s icy gaze swept over, devoid of warmth, tinged with obvious impatience.

“Finished watering the medicine garden?” Her voice was cold and hard.

Qing Wan froze, her enthusiasm doused. She lowered her head and murmured, “N-not yet… This disciple will go now.”

“Then why are you lingering here?”

Shu Yue’s tone was stern.

“Jinghong Peak doesn’t keep idlers. Do your task. Don’t approach the hall without being summoned.”

Each word struck Qing Wan’s heart like a small hammer. Her nose stung, but she swallowed her grievance and respectfully replied, “Yes,” before hurrying toward the medicine garden.

‘The Elder… seems especially harsh today… Is it because I upset her yesterday?’

‘Or because I’m too stupid, watching that sword strike and gaining nothing, disappointing her?’

Shu Yue watched the retreating figure, her heart inexplicably heavy.

‘Was I too harsh?’

‘She looks like she’s about to cry… Stop, Shu Yue! This is necessary. Short-term pain beats long-term suffering. To avoid being crushed, stay strong!’

She hardened her heart, forcing herself not to look back, and turned to return to the hall to plan her next survival strategy.

At that moment, a charming, enthusiastic voice accompanied by a wave of fragrance approached.

“Sister Luyue, that sword strike was absolutely stunning, your grace unmatched! Even from Yaoguang Peak, Qingxu felt that Annihilation Sword Intent. My heart’s still trembling!”

Liu Qingxu approached with a coy smile, dressed in a pale yellow skirt that accentuated her delicate charm, her hair adorned with tassels that jingled as she moved, clashing with Jinghong Peak’s austere atmosphere.

She seemed oblivious to Shu Yue’s earlier coldness toward Qing Wan—or perhaps, seeing it only pleased her more.

Approaching Shu Yue, her eyes sparkled with admiration, her tone warm and perfectly flattering. “Sister, really, with such an incredible sword technique, you never show it off. We all thought you were just advancing quickly in cultivation. Today, you’ve truly opened my eyes—I’m in complete awe!”

Shu Yue’s brows furrowed slightly.

She disliked Liu Qingxu, her demeanor, and that overpowering fragrance.

‘Tch, her again? Like a lingering ghost. And who’s your sister? Stop acting so familiar!’

But then, a thought struck her.

‘Wait… Liu Qingxu… In the original game, she had a thing for Chu Yi, and now she seems oddly fixated on “me”?’

‘If… I play along a bit, show some “closeness,” could I drive Qing Wan away and make her give up? And shift Liu Qingxu’s focus from bullying Qing Wan to me? Two birds, one stone! Perfect!’

Though the idea of dealing with this nuisance made her stomach turn, for the sake of her survival plan, Shu Yue decided to endure it.

So, under Liu Qingxu’s expectant gaze, instead of her usual cold dismissal, Shu Yue softened her tone slightly and replied, “You flatter me.”

This mere lack of immediate rejection left Liu Qingxu thrilled.

‘There’s hope!’

Liu Qingxu’s smile grew sweeter. “Sister, you’re too modest. If this is flattery, who in the world could deserve the title ‘sword genius’?”

“Sister, may Qingxu have the honor of visiting Jinghong Peak often to seek your guidance? No need for you to teach me directly—just let me observe your sword practice and glimpse a fraction of your sword intent. That would be enough!”

Her words were earnest, her eyes eager.

Shu Yue: ‘…’

‘Guidance? Observation? More like looking for a chance to stir trouble. But… I can use this.’

Her expression remained neutral, neither agreeing nor refusing, only saying vaguely, “Jinghong Peak doesn’t forbid visitors.”

With that, she ignored Liu Qingxu and returned to Jinghong Hall.

Though not explicitly permitted, “doesn’t forbid visitors” was a massive breakthrough for Liu Qingxu! It was practically consent for her to come often!

“Thank you, Sister!” Liu Qingxu called joyfully after Shu Yue’s back, a glint of triumph in her eyes.

She shot a provocative glance toward the medicine garden, her mood soaring.

Meanwhile, in the distant medicine garden, Qing Wan, clumsily carrying a bucket and carefully watering the spirit herbs, had witnessed the entire scene.

She saw Liu Qingxu approach the Elder so warmly.

Saw the Elder, though unsmiling, not rebuff her with cold words as she had Qing Wan.

Heard Liu Qingxu’s charming laughter faintly carried by the breeze.

Saw the Elder… seemingly allow Liu Qingxu to visit Jinghong Peak often?

A sharp, sour pain gripped her heart, far worse than the Elder’s earlier cold words.

Why… could Sister Liu speak so warmly with the Elder?

Why was the Elder… less cold to her?

Was it because Sister Liu had a better background, was prettier, more talented?

So the Elder was willing to give her a second glance?

While she… was just an insignificant sword-serving disciple, not even worthy of approaching?

So the Elder wasn’t cold to everyone… just especially cold to her.

A tidal wave of disappointment and grievance surged, her eyes reddening instantly.

She bit her lip hard to keep the tears from falling, the bucket in her hands feeling heavy as a thousand pounds, her heart aching with a sour swell.

She watered the herbs in a daze, unaware of the water soaking her shoes and socks, her mind filled with the Elder’s “lenient” attitude toward Liu Qingxu and her own merciless dismissal.

The contrast was stark.

Inside Jinghong Hall, through a water mirror technique, Shu Yue “saw” the small, desolate figure in the medicine garden, holding back tears. Instead of feeling satisfied with her plan, she grew more agitated.

‘…Was I too harsh? She looks like she’s about to cry… No, snap out of it! This is strategy, for her good and mine! Hold firm, you must!’

She abruptly cut off the water mirror, out of sight, out of mind, and forced herself to meditate.

Yet, her heart, unusually, couldn’t find peace.

Outside the hall, Liu Qingxu, smug with her “success,” began plotting how to further “accompany” Sister Luyue.

In the medicine garden, Qing Wan silently nursed her wounds, her heart aching.

Inside the hall, Shu Yue wrestled with herself, half insisting she’d done right, half inexplicably guilty.

The atmosphere on Jinghong Peak, due to Shu Yue’s deliberate distancing and calculated closeness, grew increasingly subtle and complex.