Chapter Forty-Four: Companions

Mo Bai brushed the dust from his clothes and managed a bitter smile. “Little Hua, do I really look like a common thief to you?” he asked.

Wu Luohua immediately shook her head with the vigor of a child playing with a rattle drum, vowing earnestly, “From your appearance, certainly not. But then, Brother Mo, why did you fall? There’s not even a banana peel here!”

A string of laughter, bright and clear as silver bells, finally burst forth, unable to be suppressed any longer. From the sound alone, one could guess the owner was a beautiful young woman, likely in the radiant years of youth.

When the young master of the Wu family turned to look, he was stunned. At a glance, he saw a girl with long hair flowing to her waist and a full, youthful figure. She was not only strikingly lovely, but her pair of violet eyes were also unforgettable. At this moment, however, her eyes curved like crescent moons as she laughed so hard she nearly shed tears.

Wu Luohua pointed at the girl, then turned to Mo Bai with a wry smile. “Brother Mo, is she the ‘long-term meal ticket’ you mentioned?”

Mo Bai gave an awkward smile, but before he could reply, the girl rounded on Wu Luohua sharply, “What did you call my Sister Xin’er? A meal ticket? Are you looking to die, you pretty boy?” This girl was none other than Nalan Xin’er, the granddaughter of Master Yun Jin, the current leader of the Cloud Heaven Sect. She had only just become a disciple under Master Yun Zui and received his true spirit’s legacy—a genuine little enchantress!

Given her status, Nalan Xin’er should not have been roaming freely at a time like this. But she was different from others. By chance, she had received the true spirit’s legacy from Master Yun Zui, filling her body with spiritual energy accumulated over years of cultivation. With time, she was destined to become renowned. Yet, after receiving this power and heeding the teachings of Elder Withered Branch, she had entered Yunqi Peak with a few senior brothers and sisters to restore its former glory. However, she was often met with coldness.

First, her status was already far above ordinary disciples, and her temperament was proud and a bit mischievous. Second, her great fortune in gaining the true spirit’s legacy naturally stirred envy.

Just two or three days on Yunqi Peak had left Nalan Xin’er feeling stifled, her former brightness dimmed. Only when she caught sight of Mo Bai now and then did her youthful heart stir. So, acting on her own initiative, she left a letter in the residence of Vice Sect Leader Yun Ling, slipped away down the mountain, entirely unaware that Yun Ling had seen through her plans.

Initially, Nalan Xin’er had only followed Mo Bai and Wu Luohua in secret, but she finally revealed herself, unable to bear Wu Luohua’s nonsensical chatter any longer. Now, she circled them like a bird freed into the forest or a fish released into the sea. Yet Wu Luohua’s offhand “meal ticket” truly riled her.

Hearing Nalan Xin’er scold him, Wu Luohua immediately shifted blame, pointing at Mo Bai. “That’s not what I said—it’s what Brother Mo meant.”

Nalan Xin’er, glancing at Wu Luohua with a pout, remarked, “As for some pretty boys, I have no interest in keeping you.”

Wu Luohua pulled a long face. “I, the heir of the Wu family and a true cultivator, am no less than you in status!” He glanced mournfully at his treasured pouch—three hard biscuits, two foul-smelling salted fish, and a bit of dried beef. Whichever way he counted, it was nowhere near enough for this journey’s provisions. He cursed the Cloud Heaven Sect’s recent upheavals for neglecting meals and lamented his misfortune, casting a pitiful look at Mo Bai.

Mo Bai laughed heartily. “Xin’er, though the trip to Yihua Gate isn’t far, we should still hire a carriage. That way, we won’t tire ourselves and can enjoy the scenery along the way.”

Nalan Xin’er clapped in delight, but then, as if recalling something, blushed and said, “Brother Mo, I’ve grown up in the Cloud Heaven Sect. I’ve seen horses a few times, but as for driving a carriage, I have no idea how.”

Mo Bai glanced at Wu Luohua, whose face had turned ashen. “It’s alright—your Brother Luohua can handle it. It’s his specialty.”

Nalan Xin’er gazed at Wu Luohua thoughtfully. “Oh, I see.” She reached into her jade pouch, pulled out a piece of silver, and tossed it deftly to Wu Luohua. In the tone of a young lady commanding her servant, she ordered, “Go to Yunxia Village and hire a good carriage. Use what’s left to buy some wine and dishes. I want to drink and eat with Brother Mo as we travel.” With that, she slipped her hand around Mo Bai’s arm, gazing at Wu Luohua with a contented look.

Finding himself at the mercy of circumstance, Wu Luohua realized that Nalan Xin’er, once off the mountain, had truly become a little enchantress. He muttered, “Miss Nalan, if there’s any change left, could I have a tip?” (This line speaks for all of us in July—if you have money, spare some, please—weep~)

Nalan Xin’er snapped, “Useless servant! You want a reward after doing just a little? Forget it—since I’m in a good mood today, you can keep the small change and buy yourself a bun. The food in your pouch is three days old already.”

Wu Luohua wailed, “Exactly! You haven’t cooked anything for three days!”

Nalan Xin’er sighed. “But today is the great day when Aunt Yun Ling inherits the sect leader’s mantle. There’s plenty of good food. Why are you both so eager to leave the mountain? Otherwise, you’d be feasting on fish and meat, and Aunt Yun Ling could properly thank Brother Mo for his great kindness.”

Wu Luohua made a dash for the mountain, shouting as he ran, “Mo Bai, you lied to me! You said today was a grand ceremony and only vegetarian fare would be served out of respect!”

Mo Bai could only smile helplessly. Stretching out his hand, he sent a wave of spiritual energy to pull Wu Luohua back. He said with a wry grin, “Little Hua, some matters, if not settled quickly, will never be settled at all.”

Wu Luohua paused, as if struck by a realization. He turned to the pair and said, “Then we’d best get going. I’ll hire the carriage now.” Without waiting for a reply, he dashed off toward Yunxia Village. The sudden change left Nalan Xin’er momentarily bewildered, while Mo Bai sighed in relief. Yet what he and Wu Luohua had in mind were worlds apart.

Yunxia Village was as lively as ever, untouched by the upheavals shaking the Cloud Heaven Sect above. For the common folk, so long as they had warm clothes, enough to eat, and a few coins for a drink, nothing else mattered.

Nalan Xin’er hopped and skipped through the market like a child, her youthful spirit evident. After all, she was only seventeen. Was there any maiden more lively? “Brother Mo, do you think this jade hairpin is pretty?” She held up a hairpin, carved with a butterfly—though any discerning eye would see it was an ordinary trinket.

Mo Bai, unwilling to dash her excitement, smiled. “It’s lovely.”

“Then, Brother Mo, will you buy it for me?” she asked expectantly. As soon as he nodded, she grinned with delight. “Shopkeeper, how much? I’ll pay you.” With that, she handed over a silver piece that could have bought the entire stall, leaving the vendor astonished.

Mo Bai smiled gently. “Weren’t you asking me to buy it for you?”

Nalan Xin’er tugged at her sleeve shyly. “It’s nothing. Just consider it a loan—I won’t ask you to pay me back. But Brother Mo, will you help Xin’er put it on?”

Mo Bai chuckled softly, took the unremarkable hairpin, and fixed it in Nalan Xin’er’s hair—never noticing that her cheeks had turned as red as rouge.