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Trails of white steam fluttered past the eyes of those gathered and the heat of the teacup warmed their hands up comfortably.

Her teacup was a bit hot, but Sue Kirin couldn’t put it down because the table was gone, since Qi Qiqi had destroyed it earlier.

Luo Qing went to make dinner for Sue Kirin, so now Qi Qiqi and Sue Kirin were left alone in the room.

Sue Kirin’s face was puckered into an ugly expression and Qi Qiqi couldn’t even keep up a smile, instead her face held an uncomfortable expression.

When the two sat down, Sue Kirin asked about Ye Zhen and Situ Wood.

Perhaps it was because she felt guilty about what happened to Ye Zhen, but Qi Qiqi held nothing back and told Sue Kirin what she wanted to know.

After listening to Qi Qiqi’s explanation, Sue Kirin did not immediately respond. Instead, she put her elbows on the chair’s arms, rested her hands on the stumps, and stared at the tea in her hand.

“So?” She started, placing a finger on her cheek, “you used Ye Zhen to test me?” She finished with a tone steeped in dissatisfaction.

Suddenly being attacked by a person with an ‘if you can’t do it, then you’ll really become a skewer,’ attitude, well anyone treated that way would be angry.

Sue Kirin considered herself to be a well-educated and fair tempered person, while Qi Qiqi could only be described as someone who didn’t know what they were getting into. If that weren’t the case, Sue Kirin might have broken his lifetime rule of not hitting women by laying her out.

“Well, it was my fault.” Qi Qiqi admitted frankly and without a fuss.

“Everyone makes mistakes, the important thing is to learn from them-” Sue Kirin started, her expression tranquil before suddenly turning sharp with fury, “is that what you thought I was going to say?

“What do you want?”

Perhaps the image of her knocking out Sue Kirin was still strongly imprinted in her mind, Qi Qiqi was not afraid of Sue Kirin. She was, however, angry and a tad shy.

“Oh, oh oh! Everyone come take a look around! The Scorpio Temple’s Matriarch is so shameless!” Sue Kirin waved and shouted from her seat, acting as if there were a crowd listening.

“Hey, please don’t shout nonsense.”

Sue Kirin wrinkled her nose at Qi Qiqi and raised her voice, “IS SOMEONE SHOUTING NONSENSE!? WASN’T THAT NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH! THE NAKED TRUTH!”

“What naked truth, don’t make it sound so bad. I admit that I was wrong, but you shouldn’t lie.” Qi Qiqi said, squishing her hands on the little ancestor’s face to shut her up.

“Oh, you still can reason with me?! How was I lying?”

“Who told you to hide your strength?”

“I have a mysterious power! I don’t know what to tell you? Don’t you know that I was kept in there since I was young? I wasn’t even wearing clothes when I first got out! You think I was always like this? Idiot, if you’d gone through what I did, would you know how powerful you are?”

“Well… when you put it like that.” Qi Qiqi’s eyes fluttered wildly as she gaped at a loss for words. “Ok, I was in the wrong. I apologize.”

“So how are you going to pay me back?”

“Ah! You really are a dirty trickster!” Qi Qiqi shouted angrily, stretching her palms out and slamming them down hard.

“Kya!” She slammed at the empty air and staggered.

Sue Kirin stared at Qi Qiqi, surprised by the sudden show of excessive force.

Qi Qiqi on the other hand had planned to slam the table, but she probably forgot that she’d already destroyed the table earlier.

At first Sue Kirin was silent, but after a moment of tense awkwardness, she suddenly began to heartily laugh.

“Haha! Good shot! Good shot! You’re killing me!”

Sue Kirin fell to the floor laughing, slamming her empty hand on the floor, and just barely avoided rolling around in amusement.

“You’re not allowed to laugh!” Qi Qiqi screamed at Sue Kirin, who simply ignored her and continued to laugh.

“Stop already, you’ve laughed enough!” Qi Qiqi yelled, slamming her fists into a nearby wall.

I almost forgot how violent this woman is. Sue Kirin thought to herself, taking a long moment to suppress her smile.

“Alright, I’m done, I’m done. I’m not laughing anymore.” Sue Kirin said while wiping the tears from her eyes.

“Don’t worry Seven Seven Seven, you’re so funny. I’ll forget about your earlier ignorance. I forgive you.”

I’m so smooth. Sue Kirin thought to herself.

“Hmph!” Qi Qiqi sat down in a fuss. “And don’t call me Seven Seven Seven!”

Is this woman dumb? Sue Kirin thought to herself as she sat back in her chair and glanced over to the side. “Didn’t I already explain it to you earlier?” She asked with a calm voice.

“Doesn’t matter, you still can’t do it!” Qi Qiqi yelled imperiously, she was so embarrassed from the previous incident that she’d become unreasonable.

Although the two of them had only just met, Sue Kirin felt that he had a strong grasp on her personality. After all, it’s simple to understand. Wasn’t she just a prideful girl?

“Then what should I call you?” Sue Kirin ventured, spreading her hands to show she meant no trick.

“That’s… um, you can call me… Qi-er…” perhaps she was recalling memories of the past, but the vitality in the Matriarch’s fiery red eyes dimmed. “That’s what the old Sect Master used to call me.”

Naturally, Sue Kirin had already known that.

Although people from ancient times began to manage the household at a young age, Qi Qiqi was only a sixteen-year-old girl. The mage could only imagine the burden on her shoulders. Having realized that, she couldn’t help but feel for the young Matriarch.

“Qi-er is too formal, it feels a bit awkward, I don’t like it,” the little ancestor rejected the suggestion with a twitch of her nose. “How about instead of that, I call you Little Qi?”¹

“Little… Little Seven! W-wait just a minute!?” Suddenly, the Sect Mistress realized something and grew incredibly still, “Did… you just mispronounce my name again?”

“D- did I?” Sue Kirin avoided eye contact.

“That’s suspicious! You’ve been doing it on purpose from the start, haven’t you?”

Sue Kirin sipped her tea serenely and answered, “Little Qi, the weather today was wonderful!”

“Ah, you’re such a jerk!” Once more Qi Qiqi raised her arm, seemingly wanting to slam the table, but when she recalled the awkward incident from earlier, she held herself back.

Sue Kirin shot her an innocent look with her big, adorable eyes.

Qi Qiqi coughed awkwardly and pretended as though it was nothing. At the same time, Luo Qing entered the room holding a plate of food.

“Little Ancestor, I brought your food.”

“Here you go Mistress and Little Ancestor,” said two younger disciples who followed behind Luo Qing, carrying a new bed and table into the room. When they saw Qi Qiqi and Sue Kirin, they quickly put the furniture down and stepped back.

The Sect Mistress nodded in appreciation while Sue Kirin copied her actions.

“Seventh Elder, where should the table go?”

Luo Qing pointed at the space between Qi Qiqi and Sue Kirin,

The two disciples nodded in harmony, “Alright.” In the blink of an eye, the two disciples replaced the bed and table before leaving the room.

Qi Qiqi instantly noticed that the table was no longer made of wood, and instead it was replaced with one made of marble.

Sue Kirin smirked, her eyes teasingly asked, ‘how are you gonna smash this one?’ as she made a show of knocking on the table.

Qi Qiqi glared at Sue Kirin but said nothing.

Luo Qing couldn’t help but chuckle at the exchange. “I heard little ancestor laughing a moment ago, did something happen?” She asked while arranging the food to distribute.

“Great question,” Sue Kirin said as she accepted a plate of food from Luo Qing, her face a picture of mischievousness. “Not much happened, it’s just that Seven Seven-”

Sue Kirin naturally wanted to share the funny tale of her time teasing the young sect head, but she couldn’t risk it due to Qi Qiqi’s growing anger. At any other time she might’ve continued, but it was one of her principles not to toy with a woman’s emotions, especially when the woman in question couldn’t take a joke. After all, no matter how much she fought back, in the end Sue Kirin would still be the one at fault. She wasn’t going to subject herself to that.

Luo Qing smirked gently and didn’t ask any more.

Sue Kirin accepted the gesture while taking her first bite of the food before her, starting with some of the cabbage. Instantly her face lit up in surprise, “Wow, this is good! It’s impossibly delicious!”

“Hmph, of course it is. Senior Sister Luo made it after all.” Qi Qiqi added disdainfully.

Sue Kirin looked at Luo Qing with eyes full of wonder, “Your skill in the kitchen is absolutely this sect’s greatest treasure, aside from me, of course. Your cooking is even better than a Michelin star restaurant; no ifs, ands, or buts!”

Even if she didn’t completely understand what Sue Kirin meant, it was hard for Luo Qing not to blush when her skills were complemented in such a heartfelt manner.

“Ah, you’re giving me too much credit, I’m not that skilled. Ah right, is Michelin some kind of famous restaurant?”

“Something like that,” Sue Kirin said under her breath, turning away from Luo Qing.

Qi Qiqi shrugged, “You’re really weird sometimes.”

Is this girl trying to pick a fight with me?! “Your whole family is weird!”

Qi Qiqi snorted and ignored Sue Kirin.

After finishing her meal, Sue Kirin stood and began to head for the door.

“Are you going out for a walk, little ancestor?” Luo Qing asked after seeing her move.

Sue Kirin shot her a curious look. What are you even asking?

Before Luo Qing could answer, Qi Qiqi spoke up. “Did the Vice-chief suggest that?”

After asking her question, she quietly went back to eating.

“Little Seven, where did you get that bowl?” Sue Kirin asked after realizing that Qi Qiqi’s bowl was noticeably bigger than her own.

Qi Qiqi’s face turned tomato-red in an instant and she struggled to find the right words until eventually she squeaked out, “Get your own.”

Get my own bowl? Sue Kirin thought, her face twisting to form a strange expression.

Seeing how embarrassed Qi Qiqi was, Sue Kirin couldn’t help but tease her, “Do you always carry that with you?”

“Leave me alone!” Qi Qiqi shouted, surprising the little ancestor who hadn’t expected such an exaggerated reaction. However, that reaction had told Sue Kirin everything she needed to know.

Honestly, Sue Kirin didn’t know what to say. Afterall, this was the first time she’d ever met someone who carried around a bowl and chopsticks with them. Maybe she’s a foodie.

“Little Ancestor, the Sect Mistress forgot to eat earlier and due to your sudden appearance she hadn’t gotten a chance to eat until now. You shouldn’t be so mean.”

“In that case, since Little Qing was kind enough to cook for us, you might as well dig in.”

Qi Qiqi snorted and ignored the stark change in Sue Kirin’s personality.

“It was a suggestion from the Vice-chief.” Luo Qing started flatly, finally answering Qi Qiqi’s earlier question.

“Then Senior Sister Luo, what of your own opinion?”

“Little Ancestor, didn’t you just exit from closed-door training recently? I guess you haven’t gone outside in a really long time already, so…”

Maybe she didn’t know how to continue, or perhaps she felt that was already enough to convey her meaning, Luo Qing smiled and didn’t say any more.

Sue Kirin was stunned. Honestly, she’d never thought about it, but there were a lot of things she hadn’t really adapted to since she’d arrived in this world. Maybe I should go for a walk.

Before that though Sue Kirin rushed up to Qi Qiqi.

“What do you want?” Qi Qiqi asked with eyes full of suspicion.

“Do you think it’d be inconvenient if I went out for a walk?”

“If you want to go, then go,” the scarlet-eyed matriarch raised her brow, “besides, it’s the perfect time to show those malicious wolves² that our Scorpio Temple has not fallen so low that we are unable to retaliate when bullied..”

Sue Kirin could tell that Qi Qiqi was talking about more than merely letting her go out for a walk, but she didn’t care. Regardless, Qi Guiyuan asked her to help his granddaughter and she felt she could do that while also venturing out and exploring the world around her.

“Location?” Sue Kirin requested bluntly.

Qi Qiqi was stunned, “What?! So you’re not stupid after all!”

“Why? Do you want me to be?” Sue Kirin gave her a flat look, “just tell me what you need me to do. Tell me where to go and I’ll get what you want done in a flash.”

“Jinling’s Heavenly Sword Sect!” Qi Qiqi declared profoundly.

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Sue Kirin turned and walked towards her room as soon as she finished this sentence.

“What? Why are you telling me to carry that big pot¹ instead of Ye Zhen?” Qi Qiqi watched Sue Kirin’s petite back as she walked away. Though she screamed internally, she didn’t dare say anything out loud, not after witnessing the battle that had just taken place before. It had proven that the little ancestor was far more than just an empty title.

While Qi Qiqi was reveling in the injustice, she heard the sound of heavy breathing, the kind of heavy heaving one would make after holding their breath for a long time.

“Master?” Situ Wood raised his voice suddenly with a worried tone.

Qi Qiqi looked suspiciously at Ye Zhen who was panting and had one of his hands pressed over his chest.

Is that an internal injury? Qi Qiqi and Luo Qing questioned as they exchanged looks.

“Are you okay?” Luo Qing asked as she briskly walked to Ye Zhen’s side, extending a hand to him in concern.

Ye Zhen raised his palm and motioned that he was fine.

With that being the case, Qi Qiqi turned her attention away from him and directed it toward Situ Wood.

Qi Qiqi, who knew Ye Zhen well, turned to his disciple and spoke, “Junior Brother, you’ve worked hard.”

Ye Zhen’s disciple looked confused, but Qi Qiqi simply continued.

“Even if you don’t want to, you will answer my next question. What exactly do you think the title of Matriarch means?” That idiot! He was acting as a proxy without even knowing it! Qi Qiqi could only stand helplessly with her gut full of anger.

Although Situ Wood was a combat junkie, he wasn’t really the kind to revel in hunting others as his master had implied. Nor was he the kind of person to casually challenge a master, and he certainly wasn’t skilled enough to do so and live to tell the tale afterward.

The reason he wore a mask and attacked the little ancestor was almost certainly because of something that his master, Ye Zhen, had taught him.

However much she wished for Situ Wood to respond that Ye Zhen was just using him, it was not her place as an outsider to say anything about how Ye Zhen chose to discipline his disciple, she was not Situ Wood’s master after all.

“What do you think of the little ancestor after meeting her?” Qi Qiqi asked, cutting straight to the main point as she felt it was a more important matter.

Situ Wood’s once sluggish eyes sprung to life instantly, raging like a flame and full of instinctual wildness. “Very strong.”

Ye Zhen was Qi Qiqi’s uncle, Situ Wood was his disciple, and yet Qi Qiqi was the daughter of the previous Patriarch. She grew up in the Scorpio Temple, and as such, her position was still higher than him. She was the senior sister in terms of rank, but of course, that’s excluding the rank of matriarch, which she felt didn’t count.

Although Situ Wood had only been a disciple of Ye Zhen’s for a meager five years, his power level had already surpassed Qi Qiqi and was second only to Luo Qing within the Scorpio Temple. Even Li Wanting and Liu Chenzong were weaker than him.

It must be noted that Situ Wood often bothered Ye Zhen to have a few bouts with him. Sometimes Ye Zhen would cave-in to his demand and exchange a few moves with him, to which the eager disciple could only evaluate his Master as being far stronger than himself.

Ye Zhen, who was stronger than Situ Wood by an entire realm, was curious to hear that his disciple evaluating the little ancestor as “very strong.”

“How is she compared to your master?”

“With Master’s specialty in melee fighting, Master might be able to win, but in any other scenario, she would beat him.”

“You’re sure about that?” Qi Qiqi was surprised by his answer, at first she’d assumed that, at best, the little girl would be her uncle’s equal. The little ancestor defeating him in long-distant combat was well within expectation, the image of that mighty fire dragon was still vividly imprinted in her mind after all. However, according to Situ Wood, even in melee combat Ye Zhen might not necessarily be able to defeat the little ancestor.

Qi Qiqi simply couldn’t understand that logic. In her opinion, the ancestor’s Martial Arts were pretty much half-ⓐⓢⓢⓔⓓ Gongfu. And what’s with that LOLI KICK! It’s full of mistakes, could that even be considered a kicking technique?!

“Matriarch, he is correct. Truly, I wouldn’t know how to begin fighting an opponent like that.”

Ye Zhen seemed to calm down, but Qi Qiqi could see that his hands were still shaking. It seemed that Ye Zhen had been more shocked by the dragon then anyone could expect.

The words, “Don’t dish it out if you can’t take it!” rang true in the Temple Matriarch’s heart, but she knew better than to say it aloud. After all, even though Ye Zhen hadn’t fought the dragon personally; his favorite disciple, Situ Wood, had nearly been barbequed by it as the Little Ancestor had said earlier.

What the heck was a barbeque anyway?

Although there were a lot of things that she wanted to say, Qi Qiqi had already mastered the art of wearing her heart on her cheek², so instead she spoke quietly, “Vice-Chief Ye, could you elaborate?”

Ye Zhen clenched his fists but nodded before speaking in a refined manner, “The little ancestor’s martial arts is not up to standard, but her fighting style is indeed very strange. Matriarch, you should’ve seen it during the fight earlier. When my disciple engaged in melee with the little ancestor, a sudden explosion would occur in unexpected places. As a result, your rhythm would be disturbed and easily lose sight of the target.

“It’s true, those attacks did seem to appear out of thin air with next to no warning.” Luo Qing, who had been silent the whole time, nodded in agreement.

Qi Qiqi, following her example, did the same.

Each and every so-called secret technique was very unique. To say it bluntly, a secret technique was not only powerful but it also completely defied common sense. However, the reason they were called secret was that they were completely dependant on the element of mystery. If their opponent used the same secret technique frequently, it was naturally possible to find a way to break the technique.

“After you understand the truth behind an event, the veil of mystery is lost and its true face will be revealed.”

“The words of the Matriarch ring true. If I understood more about how the Little Ancestor’s technique worked, then my chances of beating her would increase.” Ye Zhen and Qi Qiqi nodded in tandem, having come to a mutual understanding.

“Especially in close-range combat, Little Ancestor movements are no different than an amateur.” Situ Wood added with a snort. Luo Qing nodded in agreement.

Qi Qiqi raised a hand to clasp her chin and considered the information.

“So Little Ancestor would be considered a Master in the Middle ranks of the Heaven Realm?”

“Oh no, Little Ancestor is far more powerful than me.”

“What do you mean?” Qi Qiqi frowned.

Ye Zhen sighed and spread his right hand forward so that all could see.

Gasp

Qi Qiqi was so focused on Ye Zhen’s palm that she didn’t know whether she’d made the sound or if it had come from somebody else.

The outstretched palm was covered in countless scars that looked as if they were cut by an unknowable number of knives.

“The little ancestor’s cultivation is very close.” He spoke simply and matter-of-factly, holding the silence for a long time. Luo Qing’s expression seemed to light up vaguely.

“Close? What do you m-” Asked Qi Qiqi before she was cut off.

“The Realm.”

That Realm!? The Matriarch was stunned for a while, but the moment she processed the information, she exclaimed, “is it-”

Qi Qiqi hadn’t said three words, but Ye Zhen and Luo Qing nodded, obviously taking her meaning.

“No way.”

“The dragon’s destructive power is very close to Liberation. I would have to muster everything I have to reach that level, yet little ancestor can do it so easily. That gap in strength, surely someone like you, Matriarch, can understand.”

Outside of a few exceptional individuals, having a power on par with Liberation and having a person who had cultivated to a similar level was basically the same thing. In a fair world, two warriors in the same realm of strength would always come to a draw when they exchanged blows, however, when it comes down to it, most times the difference between warriors of the same realm mostly depended on combat experience and martial skills as opposed to one’s Cultivation Base.

Although Qi Qiqi knew that Sue Kirin had cultivated to a high level, she hadn’t realized that the girl had progressed so far that she was already at the peak of the Heaven Realm. The Sect Mistress was surprised and at a loss for words. Ye Zhen also seemed to be unable to decide how to feel. Luo Qing was not the kind to express her opinions frequently, this could be seen easily enough from the faction she aligned with in the Temple.

“Are you all done talking yet?” Sue Kirin shouted from a distance, breaking the silence.

Qi Qiqi nearly cursed, quickly exchanging looks with Ye Zhen and Luo Qing.

“Did she hear what we were saying?” The Sect Mistress asked in a hushed tone.

“I don’t know.” Ye Zhen answered quickly, followed by Luo Qing who merely shook her head.

“Hey, are you listening to me?” Sue Kirin asked, her voice so close that it was practically right behind them.

Qi Qiqi turned and found that Sue Kirin, whose face was scrunched up as if she smelled something nasty, was walking toward her in a strangely fast way.

Ye Zhen approached Qi Qiqi and spoke, “Matriarch, little ancestor still seems to be unhappy. My disciple and I shall retire first, lest—”

“This pot is for you!” Qi Qiqi almost replied unconsciously, but chose instead to choke back the words, nodding lightly without looking back at him.

“Little Ancestor, your juniors do not wish to bother you, so we shall retire first.”

Ye Zhen bowed to Sue Kirin, took his disciple, and turned away.

But was forced to stop after taking a few steps by the little ancestor’s call.

“Is something the matter, little ancestor?”

Qi Qiqi did her best not to laugh out loud. Although Ye Zhen’s face was turned away, she still saw the moment he was stopped and shook his shoulders in defeat.

“Well then, come on over,” the Little Ancestor waved one hand at the elder and shooed his disciple with the other hand, “you’re uh… Wood something, right? You can go on ahead, I will call you back if I need you. I have something I want to say to your master.”

Situ Wood turned with an, “oh,” and left.

Ye Zhen wasn’t really sure what to do, so he walked up to Sue Kirin’s side. The little ancestor in question didn’t say anything and simply watched Situ Wood walk away until his figure disappeared from sight.

“Ye Zhen, I’m going to call you Lil Zhen.”

Lil Zhen. Qi Qiqi couldn’t help but burst into a fit of giggles as her the little ancestor gave her a look for the sudden outburst.

Qi Qiqi grimaced under the little ancestor’s expression and sent a glance toward Luo Qing for support, only to find her Senior Sister’s face covered by a strange expression as she reciprocated the glance.

“Lil Zhen, how come you want to leave so soon?”

“The little ancestor is peerless and powerful, this undeserving grandson suffered internal injuries from the little ancestor’s move. I am planning to return home and recuperate.”

Ⓑⓤⓛⓛⓢⓗⓘⓣ! Even if you lost every hair on your head, that’s still not enough to be called an injury. Qi Qiqi mentally spit at him.

“Is that so-”

The little ancestor stepped forth, took one of Ye Zhen’s hands in her own, and looked up at the Vice-Chief with a smile.

“What if I say you can’t leave?”

For a moment everything had grown so silent that the air seemed to thicken.

She wouldn’t….? Qi Qiqi shed a bead of cold sweat. Sue Kirin couldn’t really killed Ye Zhen, it would be too much of a waste. But then, would Ye Zhen sit still and let her kill him without a fight? Obviously not, but if they came to blows then the result was something that Qi Qiqi couldn’t imagine turning out well. In the worst case scenario, the Temple would suddenly lose two masters. They’d be finished.

Qi Qiqi shot a helpless glance at Luo Qing and for once her friend rose to action, stepping forward in a dignified manner.

Just as Luo Qing was preparing to speak, Sue Kirin cut her off.

“Turn around.”

“This…” Ye Zhen hesitated.

“I SAID TURN AROUND!” Sue Kirin said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Ye Zhen could do nothing but follow her order, even while his body was coiled and obviously ready to strike back at a moment’s notice.

Sue Kirin smiled and then lifted a slender, jade-like foot up high and kicked Ye Zhen a solid five meters away with more strength than Qi Qiqi could’ve ever imagined coming out of the little girl’s body.

She didn’t leave things there, no. As soon as the Elder had gotten up from the ground, she jumped after him, aiming another kick at Ye Zhen’s ⓐⓢⓢ.

“This is for breaking my desk! Let’s see if you dare to act like a know-it-all again! C’mon! Why aren’t you acting anymore!”

As Sue Kirin’s second foot landed squarely on Ye Zhen’s ⓐⓢⓢ, the sensations finally caught up to him and his smile twisted into a grimace as he yowled in pain at the top of his lungs.

It was unbearable. Ye Zhen clenched his fists and attempted to break free but-

“Yoyoyo, you want to fight back? Try it, see what others will say when they hear you were deceiving your master and bullying this Ancestor.” Sue Kirin dared and Ye Zhen immediately lost his voice.

Has no one ever told this guy a family scandal must not be divulged to an outsider? Qi Qiqi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Ye Zhen was definitely deceiving the master, but saying he was bullying the ancestor was a little… She knew that Sue Kirin was being kind in her own way by sending away Situ Wood so that Ye Zhen didn’t lose face in front of his disciple.

“Matriarch, it’s time you tell Little Ancestor to stop,” Luo Qing said flatly.

Qi Qiqi responded quickly, the two of them moved toward Sue Kirin and pulled her away, even though she complained, she didn’t fight back.

“Let me go! Let me kick him a few more times to ease my anger! You women, if you don’t let me go I’ll call for people.”

Call who? Is she going to shout? Qi Qiqi had black lines on her forehead.³

“Deputy Ye, why are you still here?” Luo Qing shouted at the Vice-Chief.

“Thank you Matriarch and Elder Luo!” Ye Zhen shouted back as he left, unmindful of how he looked.

Sue Kirin saw the old man leave and spit. “You’re running away too quickly.”

“Little Ancestor, you shouldn’t be angry.”

“How can I not be angry? He made me look like a clown.” Sue Kirin glanced at Qi Qiqi, apparently thinking she was an accomplice.

“I apologize,” said the Temple Matriarch, embarrassed.

Sue Kirin snorted, but didn’t seem to mind much afterwards.

“I’m hungry, Little Qing, is there any rice?”

“Sorry little ancestor, I forgot.”

“What? Forgot?” Sue Kirin asked, eyes wide open.

“Yes,” Luo Qing nodded.

Sue Kirin turned and pointed at Qi Qiqi, “This is all your fault.”

“Uh… this had nothing to do with me. How could it be my fault?” Qi Qiqi wondered, dumbfounded.

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“—Sister Luo.” Qi Qiqi stopped Luo Qing in front of the door to the kitchen.

“Chief, what brings you here?” Luo Qing’s eyes widened in surprise. Qi Qiqi looked into the kitchen and asked, “Sister Luo, are you going to prepare dinner for the little ancestor?”

“Yes, Little ancestor has yet to eat anything today.”

“In that case, it’s not a bad idea if you personally cook dinner for the little ancestor,” Qi Qiqi suggested as she looked toward Snow Watch Tower.

“Chief, what are you…?”

“Your cooking is the best in the temple, take it as consolation for our little ancestor, after all, I have…uh… felt guilty for what I did to her, this is my compensation.”

“Sure it can be done, but why wouldn’t you tell me the real reason behind it, chief? The REAL reason.” A steady smile still adorned Luo Qing’s face, her bright eyes stared at Qi Qiqi, that pure sight penetrated her heart as easily as reading a book.

‘I knew she would notice!’ Qi Qiqi sighed.

“Even if you prepare the dishes, she might not get the chance to eat them.”

“That is not what I wanted to hear,” said Luo Qing as she shook her head quietly. Though her tone was peaceful her words felt indisputable.

“Situ Wood is already on his way to Snow Watch Tower.”

Qi Qiqi didn’t give any context to her words, but Luo Qing was smart enough to figure out her meaning.

Luo Qing was silent for a moment, then asked, “Chief, you won’t stop it from happening?”

“Ye Zhen was there as well.”

“It’s not right.” Luo Qing frowned seeming displeased.

“I know. However, you don’t understand, sister Luo. ” Qi Qiqi looked down saying, “I don’t have a choice most of the time,” in a voice almost faint enough to be a whisper.

Luo Qing didn’t know what to say but sigh after a moment of silence.

Bright stars could be seen above if she turned to face them.
Dark blue and ink-ish black were mixed together as they painted the night sky, stars were dressed among it, building up a long milky way. Sue Kirin didn’t know much about stars, so she wasn’t sure if this was the same sky that she used to see in her original world. Since when did the original world has such a clear sky? No, it might be the same.

Just—–
Sue Kirin looked around. Half of the Scorpio Temple fell to darkness, only a few lights were still shaking within her sights. Aside from them, nothing was at all the same. The cold that only midnight could bring spread out.

Sue Kirin shrunk her body while sitting on the stairs.

But that didn’t help because it was her heart that went cold. She was lonely in this world. At least for now. However, she wouldn’t attempt to complain about it, instead, she wanted to try and make a place for herself in this world. Yes, it will start from—-

“Old man Qi, I have seen your granddaughter. Whatever promise I made with you, I’ll see it through.” Protect your granddaughter for my entire life— Sue Kirin still didn’t understand the weight of the promise he’d made at that moment.

“Anyway, what is taking Little Qing so long? I’m starving! It’s been like fifteen minutes!” Sue Kirin laid down. Although the edge of the stairs was hard against her back, she didn’t worry about it, and instead, she raised her hands and stretched.

Little crystal-like fingernails were reflecting lights, her sleeve fell off slowly, showing her skinny arms. Suddenly, there was a noise that sounded like an arrow being fired from a crossbow…

A sharp sound broke through the wind and struck next to Sue Kirin’s ear. Her body reacted before she even knew what was happening. Sue Kirin used her hand to push off the ground and flip back. After steadying herself she looked back at the place she was sitting just a moment before.

There was a sword.

It wasn’t an ordinary sword. Judging from the appearance, it was a long sword, yet it was longer than the average long sword, it stood taller than Sue Kirin. Not to mention the sword was very wide making it reminiscent of a greatsword from the Middle Ages.

Sue Kirin felt terrified, if it wasn’t because of the year of training with Qi Guiyuan and the basic gongfu he’d taught her, Kirin might have become a shish kebab. Yet that didn’t mean she could afford to be relieved. After all, the sword was now being held by someone, a bear-like body covered in black clothes, half of his face was hidden behind a black scarf.

‘An assassin?’ Sue Kirin assumed such after looking at his clothes.

Then, the assassin looked up and met her eyes. The assassin’s eyes seemed emotionless, to the point of being lifeless. Though Sue Kirin, as one who’d experienced both life and death, could tell that in the depths of their eyes some emotion still surged.
Fanatical devotion akin to a raging flame.

A seeker.

Their expression was one that only a seeker could conjure.
“Who are you?” Sue Kirin asked seriously. She didn’t know why he suddenly attacked her and she couldn’t make an assumption since she’d only recently arrived, she had no understanding of the motives that anyone could have for attacking her.

“I am merely seeking a no holds barred duel.” the opponent responded with a strange voice.

“That doesn’t answer my question.” Sue Kirin sneered. Her opponent responded by stabbing his sword at her.

Sue Kirin was still new to martial art, but she could still tell that although the strike appeared simple, it contained his intent to kill.

Simplicity. It was due to that simplicity that there were so many ways that the assassin could do a follow-up attack. She didn’t know what his power level was, but she could tell that he puts effort behind this move. The strike was meant to test Sue Kirin.

“Tsk!”

Qi rapidly flowed inside her body. Sue Kirin curled the fingers on her right hand, letting Qi converge within it. Following up, she struck out with her right arm, two blades of aura shot toward the assassin’s leg and shoulder. However, he didn’t fall back, instead, he swung the longsword in his hand and shattered the two aura blades.

Sue Kirin used that opening to condense Qi in her legs and jumped into the air, before aiming her leg down at the assassin’s head.

“EAT MY LOLI KICK!”

“Nice attack!” The Assassin shouted out while bending his back, at the same time raising his longsword to counterattack Sue Kirin’s kick.

“Burst!” Sue Kirin yelled. Immediately, an explosion separated the two. It was magic. Since Qi and Mana were essentially the same, Sue Kirin was able to use her skills in magic.

The explosion pushed Sue Kirin into the sky. Just as she finished adjusting her position in the air she looked back to see the edge of the longsword closing in on her eyes.

The assassin jumped out from the cloud of dust before she’d had a chance to notice, and jumped toward Sue Kirin like an arrow.

“Celestial Triad! ”
Electricity coiled around the long sword’s blade. By the time Sue Kirin raised her left arm, the longsword bounced off as if shot by another arrow.

“Eh!” Not understanding why his weapon was not following his lead, the assassin unconsciously turned to look at the longsword that bounced out of his hand, naturally, at that moment, his focus was shifted away from Sue Kirin.

That was her chance! The assassin was wide open. Sue Kirin sent a single palm to strike the assassin’s chest.

“Burst!” A few sparks flashed between her palm and his chest which lit up into an explosion. Due to the power impact from the magic, the assassin fell to the ground like a bomb that had missed its target. The assassin’s body crashed into the ground and created countless clouds of dust. The longsword that had flown off earlier struck into the ground, and Sue Kirin landed atop its hilt like a feather.

“……”

Sue Kirin’s technique was best described as being “as light as air.”

“Little ancestor, you cultivate Air Bending skills? ” The assassin questioned Sue Kirin as he left the dust cloud, his appearance reminiscent of a drowned mouse. Blood leaked out of his mouth, his clothes also had a big hole in them over his bloody chest. The sleeve on his right arm was torn apart by some outside force, leaving an irregular cross-section. It might have been because he used his hand to block the first explosion.

“What did you just call me?” Sue Kirin asked, squinting her eyes.

Although he immediately shut his mouth, Sue Kirin was certain that she’d heard him call her “Little ancestor.” In other words, there was a high chance that this assassin was from the Scorpio Temple.

‘But why would the folks in Scorpio Temple want to kill me?’ If Sue Kirin had time to think about it, she may have had a few guesses, but at the moment she was too busy staying vigilant of her surroundings, so she couldn’t spend any time trying to calm down and think it through.

The assassin clenched his fist and took a stance. It seemed to be the starting technique of some sort of fist-skill.

“You still want to fight me,” Sue Kirin stepped on the longsword, “even though you’ve lost your weapon?”

“A true fighter can use every part of the body as a weapon, not to mention that you haven’t shown me your true strength.”

“How’d ya know that?”

“You don’t seem to be that good in close quarters combat, which is why you fell into a passive position when I ambushed you. However, with the distance we have right now you should be able to kill me in an instant.”

Apart from that, Sue Kirin also wasn’t experienced in fighting against strong close-combat opponents. Even though there were some mages that were good at close-combat, none of them were as good as this man standing in front of her. It wasn’t due to a lack of skills, but his reaction speed which could only come about from years of training. He was too fast, so much so that he even dodged the surprise attacks Sue Kirin had thrown at him. However, Sue Kirin had started to get used to this kind of close combat style.

Although Sue Kirin wasn’t top tier among mages —she couldn’t use high tier magic and had only been trained in Gongfu for a year— she had lots of practical experience. She was certain that from their current distance, she could take the man down before he could touch her hair.

“Even so, you still want to fight?”

“……” Assassin fell silent.

“Even rabbit bite people, not to mention lolis!” Sue Kirin’s looked pissed, “You think I won’t kill you?”

“I don’t know about that,” the assassin said in a deep tone while shaking his head, “All I know is that you haven’t shown your full potential. We just want to know how far is the distance between you and us really is.”

Sue Kirin was stunned. This dude was an idiot and a paranoid idiot at that! He was the kind of person who never gave up until he reached his goal. He’d definitely come back if he had the chance, which made him little more than a troublemaker.

Since that was the case—-

Qi rapidly flowed inside her body again, her veins were under great pressure, and she felt pressure from rapidly expanding them. Sue Kirin frowned. Somehow, controlling the Qi wasn’t as simple as last time, but she didn’t have the time to think about it.

“Triad of Nature, Celestial Six—”
Words of power sprung forth from her mouth, the tone of which was so flat that it was impossible to sense any emotion from it.

As if an infinite number of firework had been sparked, countless fragments of flame appeared around her.

“…Fire as its element, Dragon as its form…” The fragments of fire were merged by an invisible force and formed a vortex in front of the girl. Streams of flame wound into one another and eventually became one–

A dragon was born. The fire dragon’s skinny body turned to Sue Kirin, the heat from its body masked her figure. That dragon head was pointed at the assassin, who was shocked beyond compare and sprayed out a breath of fire. Sue Kirin’s cold gaze fell on him.

“Are you ready to become a BBQ?”

Unsure if it was due to the fire dragon hiking up the temperature, or because he was afraid of Sue Kirin’s aggressiveness, beads of cold sweat fell from the assassin’s face.

“You look ready to me.” Once she finished talking, Sue Kirin made a finger gun gesture with her right hand and pointed at the man.

“BANG~”

As if it received a command, the fire dragon immediately rushed out and attacked the assassin. The dragon passed by the ground and no matter where it went, it burned out a path of dust. The assassin was caught off guard.

“Hold on!”

A burst of lightning flashed.

Then…

A bright aura-blade shot out from above, which beheaded the fire dragon. At the same time, a shadow jumped between the fire dragon and the assassin. Sue Kirin squinted her eyes, she saw who that person was. Streams of flame burst out with an incredible “BOOM!”

The shockwave dispersed in every direction, the wind ruffled Sue Kirin’s sleeves and lifted up numerous dust clouds. This was the third explosion of this conflict. However, It was different from the first two, just the blast from this explosion uprooted some trees and caused some sand and stones to be deeply indented into nearby buildings.

In the time it took for the dust clouds to disperse, two shadows had appeared. One of them stepped forward. He was wearing a blue robe, Sue Kirin recognized his hatchet face, he was the Vice Chief of the Scorpio Temple, Ye Zhen. He folded his hands in a salute.

“May little ancestor show mercy to my dishonorable apprentice.”

Sue Kirin also recognized the face of the assassin, it was Situ Wood.

“What’s all this about?”

“My dishonorable apprentice is too dumb and obsessed with martial arts, whenever he sees an expert, he goes out to challenge them. That is why he bothered you, little ancestor.”

“Yoyoyo, why would he cover his face if all he wanted to do was challenge me? Do I look stupid to you?”

“This is martial grandson’s fault, because my dishonorable apprentice refuses to abandon this habit of his, I feared that he might provoke someone he shouldn’t fight against, so I told him that whenever he challenges someone, he must cover his face and get rid of anything that might prove him as member of this sect.”

“Is that so… If you do it that way, then no matter what happens, it won’t become a problem for the Scorpio Temple, right?” Sue Kirin asked rhetorically with a half smiling face.

Ye Zhen looked relieved. “Exactly, little ancestor. ”

“Ⓑⓤⓛⓛⓢⓗⓘⓣ.”

Sue Kirin’s intuition told her that he was speaking out of his ⓐⓢⓢ, but she couldn’t do much about it since she had no proof.

Then—

“We just performed such a big stage show, you girls have seen enough right? It’s about time you come out and pay for your ⓕⓤⓒⓚⓘⓝⓖ tickets, no?”

Sue Kirin suddenly yelled at the entrance gate of the courtyard. She sensed that there were some other folks peeking around for quite some time, which was why she had paid so much attention to her surroundings in the fight earlier.

Two girls showed up at the gate with awkward faces, they were Qi Qiqi and Luo Qing.

“Yoyoyo, what a GREAT show.”

Sue Kirin squinted her eyes, glaring daggers at Qi Qiqi.

“Twenty-one, you better have a good explanation.”

References