Chapter 36 - Is It Funny That the Reincarnated Senior Sister Is Also Being Pursued?

"It wasn't that I was that familiar; I just thought it would be more convenient that way," Bai Lian explained. Tai Xu Villa was extremely insular and hadn't recruited new guests in quite a while. Even if the Tang family wanted to insert a spy, they had no way to proceed. The main goal of this mission was to help the Tang family root out the traitor hidden within. Without evidence, even if the Tang family wanted to mobilize forces to eliminate Tai Xu Villa, they risked alerting the enemy prematurely. And Tang Chuhuan was, after all, just a mortal, without any stealthy means to send messages. After much contemplation, Bai Lian thought it would be best to directly give her communication sword to Tang Chuhuan. She hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from Mu Jianli. It suddenly occurred to Bai Lian— To the disciples of the Taihua Sword Sect, giving someone a communication sword, which symbolized meeting the sword in person, held a very special meaning. It was like... in her previous life when men and women exchanged contact information. Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait... Junior Sister Jianli, you aren't thinking that I've started liking Young Master Tang, are you?" "H-He’s a man... and I don’t, uh, anyway, it’s impossible for me to fall for Young Master Tang, so don't get any strange ideas!" Bai Lian explained hurriedly, although she didn’t really understand why she was so quick to clarify. Mu Jianli, however, was momentarily taken aback and blinked in surprise upon hearing Bai Lian’s words. In truth, she was just a bit jealous that Bai Lian had privately given the communication sword to Tang Chuhuan, not thinking there was anything inherently suspicious about it. After all, in her eyes, Tang Chuhuan was clearly a proper woman. Although she used some secret technique to appear like a man, her demeanor and mannerisms bore the marks of a refined lady. Moreover, Tang Chuhuan's disguise was not particularly adept. Leaving aside Mu Jianli's clear sword insight, even a regular qin-hearted cultivator could detect irregularities with a keen gaze. Was it possible that Bai Lian never noticed? Mu Jianli's expression suddenly turned peculiar. She suddenly felt a bit sorry for Tang Chuhuan. The girl's gaze upon Bai Lian was practically a soft yearning, yet Bai Lian hadn’t detected her true gender at all. It involuntarily reminded her of their past life, where Tang Chuhuan had used various pretexts to approach Bai Lian, only to end up as drinking companions and brothers. In some sense, Bai Lian's emotional intelligence seemed quite low. In her recollection, Bai Lian had never shown explicit affection toward anyone, often maintaining the facade of a virtuous gentleman, only to be overwhelmed by the passionate feelings of her companions. Thinking about it, does this mean that everything that happened was actually their doing? Mu Jianli was suddenly left speechless by her own thoughts. How could one defend a scoundrel after being wronged? Yet her heart was immediately filled with joy. Because Bai Lian earnestly explaining herself due to her jealousy indicated that... Whether or not this life’s Bai Lian was the senior brother she recalled, it meant Bai Lian truly cared about her, not merely because they were sisters in the sect. She suddenly curled her lips into a smile and asked, "Why does Senior Sister feel the need to explain? Jianli didn’t say anything at all." Bai Lian realized—why indeed was she in such a rush? In this life, their relationship was merely that of regular sect sisters, and there was no need to explain such things! Her lips parted slightly, a blush arising on her face, and she awkwardly turned her head, stubbornly saying, "I-I was just speaking casually. Don’t misunderstand, Junior Sister." "Is that so? I almost thought my wife was in fear of stepping out on her husband and was desperate to explain," Mu Jianli’s almond eyes narrowed as she suddenly closed in. Bai Lian obviously didn’t expect her to act this way. As Mu Jianli drew closer, her body instinctively leaned back until she was lying on the bed. Mu Jianli didn’t hesitate, planting her hands beside Bai Lian, looking down from above. "Senior Sister, who was it that just said I wasn’t capable?" ? It was merely an act, yet did she have to remember so clearly?! But Mu Jianli's eyes didn’t reflect any jesting intent. Bai Lian was immediately flustered, unable to meet Mu Jianli’s aggressive gaze directly. Even though her cultivation level was far above Mu Jianli's, she found herself without any desire to resist. Whether it was guilt from the past towards Mu Jianli or for some other reason, she couldn't tell. So, she could only posture meekly, "Mu-Mu Jianli, what do you intend to do? This is Tai Xu Villa, not a place for your revenge!" "I didn’t plan to do anything to Senior Sister," Mu Jianli said, lifting Bai Lian’s loose strands, tilting her head as she asked, "Just now, Senior Sister said... you wouldn’t like Young Master Tang because he’s a man." "Does that mean... Senior Sister actually likes women?" "Eh?" Bai Lian was dumbfounded. Had she just dug a hole and buried herself in it? Not liking him because he's a man suggests that she likes women?! Though acceptance of same-gender relationships is low among mortals, mortal rules hardly affect cultivators. For cultivators, finding companionship in the pursuit of immortality transcends gender. And she once was a man, so liking girls wasn't a problem. But... saying this in front of Mu Jianli felt way too embarrassing. She flushed, turned her head aside, muttering, "So what if I do?" "Is Junior Sister Jianli, like those mortals, unable to bear such unconventional matters?" "Senior Sister misunderstood; Jianli is actually quite pleased to know." Pleased? Bai Lian was surprised as she glanced at Mu Jianli. Why would she be happy to learn Bai Lian liked girls? If Mu Jianli once liked her as a man, it implies her sexual orientation should be heterosexual, right? And now that Bai Lian had become a girl, there was no way Mu Jianli would like her again. So if Jianli approached her, it must be purely for revenge. Bai Lian always forced herself not to dwell on these thoughts. Is she really avoiding them only out of fear of their revenge? Indeed, she dreaded facing a knife-wielding partner, but more than that, she feared those girls who once shared her life would be disillusioned by her current appearance. Upon discovering their former beloved had turned female, would they leave, eventually becoming strangers? If such an end was inevitable, better not to meet from the start. That way, one wouldn’t taste the pain of unfulfilled hopes. Bai Lian felt a sudden sting in her heart, unwilling to meet Mu Jianli's eyes, turned away. Yet the next moment, Mu Jianli’s voice whispered nearby. "Senior Sister, has anyone ever told you that in front of those you care about... you never truly hide your emotions?" Bai Lian's pupils contracted as she turned back sharply, only to find herself lost in Mu Jianli’s profound gaze. Her face as unreadable as ever, revealing none of her thoughts. "Junior Sister Jianli, what do you mean?" Bai Lian feigned ignorance, but found her voice slightly hoarse.