Chapter 94 - The Harem Rescue Project

A brilliant flash of white light carried Lin Qianshuang to the slope outside the Reprimand Cave. The gentle wind swirled through the vibrant peach grove. Xiao Lanle, exhausted, held Lin Qianshuang close. They both collapsed onto the green earth, sinking amidst the scattered petals in shades of vivid pink. These blossoms drooped from the branches, and as their filaments swayed, they lightly brushed the two women's cheeks, releasing a faint fragrance. Xiao Lanle sat up cross-legged, rubbing her arms with some disdain. She said, "Senior Sister, you look so small and skinny, why are you so heavy to carry?" Lin Qianshuang climbed off the ground, shaking her garments in silence and asked, "Junior Sister, did you not use true qi while flying on your sword?" With a mischievous smile, Xiao Lanle walked up to Lin Qianshuang and said, "Senior Sister, you're different from others. The relationship we share is special, so naturally, it's unique in all manners." "What crooked logic. I think you did it on purpose." Lin Qianshuang pouted. Hmph, having true qi and not using it is just asking for trouble, isn't it? She glanced at Xiao Lanle again—her serene face reflecting the flowers by the clear water, and her delicate frame, soft as a willow. How could such a frail young girl possibly carry an adult without having her back broken? "But thank you for saving me in the Reprimand Cave,” she added, though it was an unnecessary gesture. Lin Qianshuang's hair was a tangled mess with green leaves stuck in it. It felt as though something was crawling on her scalp, causing her to shudder. She rubbed her head frantically and found her mouth suddenly filled with a cool leaf—minty and insect-repellent Bailing grass. Xiao Lanle had placed a leaf into Lin Qianshuang's mouth, then popped one into her own before delving into Lin Qianshuang's thick hair with her hands. She pulled out a green caterpillar from among the bowed branches and leaves, shook it teasingly in front of Lin’s eyes as if she had extracted it from her hair. The sight of the wriggling caterpillar made Lin Qianshuang's scalp tingle. The thought of that mischievous little creature crawling up her head disturbed her immensely. She couldn’t resist the urge to scratch the spots it crawled over. "Senior Sister, you must be a favorite among bugs. Even they don’t seem to want to leave you alone." Xiao Lanle tossed the caterpillar aside, then said with a perceptive tone, "Haven't you seen through Liang Jingxuan yet? Aren't you being naive, still holding onto some fantasy about him?" Lin Qianshuang was prepared with an explanation. "He is still my junior, the disciple our master values most. Though he made mistakes, they aren’t deserving of death." Xiao Lanle listened to Lin Qianshuang’s response, her elegant face clouded in displeasure as she pressed, "Senior Sister, do you know if it weren't for Liang Jingxuan abducting you, letting him out of the cave would have worsened your charges, equally damning you. Even knowing this, are you still willing to save him?" "I cherish my life," Lin Qianshuang admitted truthfully. She walked a few steps, placing a hand on Xiao Lanle's shoulder. Feeling somewhat uneasy, she found a convenient excuse to leave, "Junior Sister, I have an engagement with Senior Brother Chen, so I should be on my way." Xiao Lanle grabbed Lin Qianshuang's departing hand, her clear eyes dimming as she blocked her path, "Are you going to see that Chen Shangying? I won’t let you meet him!" "Junior Sister, I am betrothed to the Chen family. What are you doing?" Lin Qianshuang frowned, shaking off Xiao Lanle's hand. She stared at her intently and finally smiled, "Lanle, haven’t the leaders spoken about your marriage to Junior Brother Chen yet? Who knows, we might end up with a double wedding." While Xiao Lanle was taken aback, Lin Qianshuang decisively released her grip. She understood Xiao Lanle's excessive attachment, but emotions should be mutual. With Xiao as the only one invested, she would eventually tire of it. "Lin Qianshuang, I still can't help but ask you," said Xiao Lanle unexpectedly, stopping Lin Qianshuang in her tracks. Xiao seldom used her full name, and it sounded strange to her ears. "You once said you treated me as a cherished younger sister. Did you never feel even a flutter of affection?" A hint of complex emotion passed through Lin Qianshuang's gaze, her lips forming a detached line. "Junior Sister, deep down you know the answer. I've only ever harbored sisterly affection towards you. I'm not sure what caused your misunderstanding. In the Nine Cauldron Realm, I learned you had become Dao companions with the Tianxu City Lord, and I am bound by betrothal. Why continue this charade, asking questions you already know the answers to?" Xiao Lanle fell silent. Senior Sister didn’t dislike her. On that night by the Gold Water Lake, she had coaxed out her true feelings. All these rejections were just to let her see reality. Even if they professed their feelings now, they could never truly be together. She had overlooked too much. Mountains lay between them, insurmountable by mere declarations of affection. A canary kept in a cage, delicate feathers unable to withstand storms, limited in sight, unable to soar. If it wished to truly be free, it must find new refuge for survival. This timid fledgling, incapable of sustaining freedom, couldn’t yet protect a love, nor bear the consequences of it. What meaning was there in striving for something destined for separation? Lin Qianshuang felt a bit uneasy. Xiao Lanle’s silence pricked her conscience. In their shared time, she had indeed overlooked much, and her actions weren’t without fault in the misunderstandings and shifted affections between them. Reflecting on her previous words, she found no fault in them. The shadows blended in a swirl of nostalgic regret. Lin Qianshuang turned her head, offering an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Junior Sister. My words were harsh." Xiao Lanle let go of Lin Qianshuang’s hand, fixing her with a deep gaze, "I understand." Hearing Xiao Lanle’s acknowledgment, Lin Qianshuang felt a weight lift off her shoulders, a sense of relief washing over her. It seemed Xiao Lanle had realized the truth—they were not meant to be, and knowing when to withdraw was for the best. Lin Qianshuang, after all, belonged to demonic cultivation. She did not wish to become a vulnerability for Xiao Lanle nor transform into the love-stricken character portrayed in the original story. With the male protagonist's absence, life at the Penglai Immortal Sect settled into calm. The forbidden grounds reopened, and disciples brought captured vengeful spirits for Buddhist rites; those that couldn't be exorcised were suppressed with spells, sealed within the sepulcher grounds. The damaged sect array was gradually restored with the elders’ cooperation. The rankings within the sect shifted frequently, with Xiao Lanle gradually climbing upwards. Meanwhile, Lin Qianshuang habitually skipped the monthly trials under various excuses and spent her days mingling with disciples tasked with menial chores, sometimes teaching them basic cultivation techniques. Growing familiar with the outer disciples, she discreetly inquired about areas within the mountains rich in spiritual energy. Outwardly, she taught disciples sword techniques, but in truth, she was channeling the mountain's spiritual energy to nurture Xiaowan’s soul within the Han Chan Qin. In Lin Qianshuang’s plan, the unresolved mission to save the demon emperor, where Xuan Luowan's name was pivotal, made waking Xiaowan critical. The system might update with new tasks upon her revival. Moreover, Xiaowan’s plight was due to saving her, giving Lin Qianshuang a personal stake in the matter to ensure it was addressed. Recently, Lin Qianshuang hadn’t heard from Xu Zheng. The Lin family head seemed intent on arranging her marriage, but she wasn’t in a rush. Out of the three targets listed by the Tianxu City Lord, only the head of the Chen family was challenging. Based on past experience, fulfilling this task would increase Mu Weiyin's favor and trust. Being friends with the City Lord held endless benefits for Xiao Lanle's task line. Lin Qianshuang worried about Xiao Lanle’s wellbeing. Yet soon, her mind was at ease. Post her argument with Lin Qianshuang after the male protagonist’s departure, Xiao Lanle appeared busier than ever, often venturing out for training. Upon returning to the sect, her demeanor had grown colder. Though they lived under the same roof in the small lodge at the Xiaoyao Mansion, the usual warmth had dissipated. Xiao Lanle placed a lattice wood-carved bookshelf between their beds, likely intending to create a barrier. Despite this, she'd developed a peculiar habit—lighting a candle every night and, lying on her side facing the bookshelf, studied her books for a while before extinguishing the candle to sleep. As Lin Qianshuang’s fingers brushed over the silver strings of her Qin, the Han Chan Qin on the moonlit table twanged softly. The clear, rippling notes lingered under her touch, gradually fading into silence. Xiao Lanle, who had been lounging gracefully on her bed, suddenly slammed her book shut with a heavy thud. Startled, Lin Qianshuang thought she had disturbed Xiao Lanle. It was never her intention to disrupt the peace at night; she withdrew her hands and retreated to her bed. Xiao Lanle lifted her eyes, brushing her long black hair back over her shoulders. Through the lattice shelving, Lin Qianshuang could clearly see her movements. Picking her discarded book back up, Xiao Lanle said, "Senior Sister, why have you stopped playing? Back in the library, listening to your 'Phoenix Seeking Mate' enthralled me when I was detained and made to copy texts." Lin Qianshuang felt a mix of surprise and flattery; her modest playing might fool most, but to receive such praise from Xiao Lanle—a prodigy raised in the arts—was truly an honor. Through the bookshelf, Lin Qianshuang inquired, "Would you like to listen?" "Yes." Xiao Lanle, propped up on one hand, looked at her, eyes glimmering with starry brilliance, captivating beneath the flickering candlelight. As Lin Qianshuang’s fingers gently plucked the strings, she found herself thinking how adorable Xiao Lanle looked watching her intently, like a little child in that moment. The music played with a sort of lullaby effect, and gradually, Lin Qianshuang felt drowsy. Suddenly, a private voice transmission talisman disintegrated beside her, and the serious voice of Du Shuang, vice leader of the Yixiang Tower, resonated clearly: "Jieyu, the City Lord commands you to head to Tianxu City immediately. Remember to carry your token." Why was Du Shuang contacting her? Lin Qianshuang snapped awake, her first thought being to check if Xiao Lanle was awake and had heard the message. But Xiao Lanle seemed to have fallen asleep, her book scattered on the ground around her. She lay amidst the messy bedding, with remnants of hair ornaments still in place. Seeing Xiao Lanle asleep, Lin Qianshuang quickly composed a reply. Quietly, she moved to Xiao Lanle’s bed, removed the remaining hairpieces, and tidied her blanket, ensuring she wouldn’t catch a chill. From what she had witnessed in the heart-demons’ illusion, Xiao Lanle was truly the most pitiful character—a fractured spirit used as a purifying tool, burdened with the heavy weight of vengeance. Lin Qianshuang didn’t know if Xiao Lanle, in her past infatuated state, was aware of the truth about the massacre. But aligning with Mu Weiyin’s thought, some truths were better left concealed; for her junior sister, a kind lie held more value than painful reality. She retrieved the scattered volumes from the floor and placed them neatly back on the bookshelf. As she picked up one of the manuals, Lin Qianshuang inadvertently flipped to a page that made her blush for a long while. It was a dual cultivation manual, illustrating intertwined and intimate scenes of yin and yang... Could this be the mistaken supplement book the City Lord had mentioned Xiao Lanle had taken? Curiously, Lin Qianshuang leafed through it and found that this book was tucked within the manual on heart techniques, which was precisely what Xiao Lanle read every night. Suddenly, she recalled how Xiao Lanle would sometimes cast meaningful glances her way during her late-night studies. Could she have been... thinking about that? No, that couldn't be right. She shouldn't think so poorly of her junior sister. Lin Qianshuang gave herself a light smack on the head. After all, her looks are unremarkable; she can't compare to the City Lord's beauty, even if the City Lord hasn’t grown up yet.