2 - Dungeon Growth Log

Xia Wu Yin didn’t lose face. She felt her body lighten as soft hands encircled her waist, pulling her into a gentle embrace. Raising her head, she found herself staring at the cool and aloof chin of her senior sister. Gu Pei Jiu landed them lightly on the ground. Determining that she hadn’t lost face or her veil, Xia Wu Yin decided to tempt fate. She wrapped her arms around Gu Pei Jiu's waist and mischievously said, "Thank you for saving me, Sister. I’m deeply grateful. But I can't help but wonder, with a face as beautiful as yours, is your heart just as sweet?" Her right hand, holding a knife wrapped in red silk, was pressed against Gu Pei Jiu’s waist, the sharp tip pointed deadly close to a vital spot. Her left hand caressed Gu Pei Jiu's cheek, her voice dripping with ambiguity, "Soft and sweet, perhaps?" Disguised as a boy, her young, alluring voice, paired with her slightly upturned, enchanting eyes, made her a tempting figure. Gu Pei Jiu held her expressionless, not letting go. Standing at 1.7 meters, she easily carried the twelve-to-thirteen-year-old Xia Wu Yin, whose feet didn’t touch the ground. Xia Wu Yin’s small arms could barely wrap around Gu Pei Jiu’s waist, but her knife was sharp and accurately aimed at the vulnerable spot in her back. "Seeing how beautiful you are, Sister, could you spare my life?" With her feet off the ground and her entire weight pressed against Gu Pei Jiu, they were very close. Xia Wu Yin’s sweet talk and precise threats belied her deep-seated unease. Gu Pei Jiu stared at her briefly before unexpectedly releasing her hold. Unprepared, Xia Wu Yin's feet hit the ground while her knife slipped away from its target. In an instant, Gu Pei Jiu twisted her arm, and the red silk tied her arms behind her back, then spun her around, binding her tightly. Seeing herself bundled up like a red caterpillar and facing Gu Pei Jiu’s impassive expression, Xia Wu Yin knew she was doomed. Actually, losing her knife’s aim had already sealed her fate. Her face suddenly felt cool. Her veil had been removed. Gone was her last shred of dignity. With wide eyes and rapid thoughts, Xia Wu Yin forced a few crocodile tears, adopting a pitiful expression of someone wronged. “I’m sorry, Senior Sister... I...” Dan Feng’s top disciple, Gu Pei Jiu, finally spoke her first words to Xia Wu Yin since their encounter in the rear mountains. “You are a disciple of Dan Feng?” Xia Wu Yin, who had been serving as a handyman at Dan Feng for two years, was not surprised. Gu Pei Jiu had only been there for half a year, but her exceptional talent and rapid advancement had quickly elevated her status. When Gu Pei Jiu became Dan Feng’s top disciple, Xia Wu Yin was gearing up for her inevitably doomed sixth entrance exam attempt. There’s no need to discuss the outcome of the exam. Even though she knew the distinguished Senior Sister, Senior Sister might not recognize her. Xia Wu Yin, now tearfully proclaiming her identity, cried, "Senior Sister! Senior Sister! I’m Xia Wu Yin, Outer Sect Disciple No. 88, of the 556th generation, from Lingxi Mountain, Dan Feng!" Gu Pei Jiu ignored her long-winded introduction and directly reached for Xia Wu Yin’s waist, locating her identity jade token. Bound by the red silk and unable to resist, Xia Wu Yin could only futilely protest, shouting accusations of harassment while wriggling. From afar, she seemed like a ridiculous caterpillar. Completely ignoring her incoherent cries about “harassment,” Gu Pei Jiu verified the token’s authenticity and chillingly said, “You remember your sect clearly, so how did you forget Dan Feng’s mountain rules?” Xia Wu Yin fell silent, ceasing even her movements, lying there like a defeated salty red tropical fish. Gu Pei Jiu, expressionless, continued, “Do you need me to repeat it for you? Dan Feng’s Rule No. 88: No disciples are allowed in the rear mountain. Violators will be expelled...” Xia Wu Yin’s eyes lit up, attempting a comeback, “Really? That’s great! I understand the rules, but I’ve always wanted to ask, if I’m expelled from Dan Feng, can I join Jian Feng?” Gu Pei Jiu’s face remained unreadable, “...or copy the mountain rules three thousand times as punishment.” Maybe noticing the disappointment on Xia Wu Yin’s face, Gu Pei Jiu added, “What’s so bad about Dan Feng?” Listlessly, Xia Wu Yin lifted her chin. Following her gaze, Gu Pei Jiu saw Xia Wu Yin’s hard-earned... no, stolen loot—a piece of colorful glazed wood lying on the fallen leaves, radiant under the moonlight. Gu Pei Jiu frowned, “Glazed wood?” “Yes...” Xia Wu Yin weakly replied, “I’m actually very grateful for Dan Feng’s care...” “Dan Feng’s numerous virtues are countless...the camaraderie is strong...I mean, brotherhood and respect are everywhere…” “But Senior Sister...there’s one grievous and unspeakable truth...” Gu Pei Jiu, sensing Xia Wu Yin’s penchant for rambling, cut her off, “Get to the point.” After rushing over to save Xia Wu Yin from falling from a tree, the disturbing demonic aura she sensed in the rear mountain had vanished, allowing her the leisure to listen to Xia Wu Yin. Then she heard Xia Wu Yin earnestly declare, “Senior Sister... Outer Sect disciples of Dan Feng are too poor.” Gu Pei Jiu: “...” Seeing her senior sister’s nuanced expression, Xia Wu Yin quickly began her tearful rant, “Senior Sister! One must have a much deeper story behind hateful acts! It’s my fault for violating the mountain rules, but please expel me from Dan Feng...I mean, look at this glazed wood—it’s worth just ten taels of silver in the mortal world, and among cultivators, only two middle-grade spirit stones. I’m always struggling on the poverty line with three copper coins a day, saving for ten days just to drink a pot of wine...” Gu Pei Jiu noted, “Dan Feng forbids alcohol.” Xia Wu Yin immediately retorted, with a serious face, “I drink outside; it doesn’t count.” Getting caught drinking in Dan Feng would result in a fine of ten middle-grade spirit stones! With the three copper coins she received daily, how could she possibly get by? Gu Pei Jiu frowned, “You’re twelve or thirteen years old, what business do you have drinking?” Xia Wu Yin cheekily grinned, “Isn’t a disciple's graceful demeanor a cure for all sorrow?” Gu Pei Jiu, still expressionless, corrected, “Wrong, you’ve misquoted the verse.” Nonsense it was. Xia Wu Yin cleared her throat, “Whether it’s misquoted isn’t the point... Senior Sister, you see, to advance from an outer disciple to a recorded disciple, one needs to produce a Fasting Pill during the monthly sect evaluation... and the material for that pill is this glazed wood!” “I’ve taken six entrance exams in my three years here...” Gu Pei Jiu corrected her, “It’s two years.” Shameless, Xia Wu Yin continued, “Same difference, my finances are exhausted.” Gu Pei Jiu couldn’t help but point out, “The Fasting Pill is not complex and doesn’t require spiritual energy enhancement; even mortal apothecaries can occasionally produce similar fasting items...” How could someone fail six times? Xia Wu Yin sighed towards the heavens, “It’s a natural talent.” Gu Pei Jiu: “...” In earnest, she suggested, “Senior Sister, you see, maybe I’m more suited for Jian Feng’s chivalrous lifestyle of robbing the rich and helping the poor, being able to travel with a sword...” Gu Pei Jiu glanced at the corner of nocturnal garb showing under Xia Wu Yin’s red silk bindings. Xia Wu Yin noticed her senior sister’s meaningful gaze but maintained her composure, “Sometimes, chivalric thieves are quite respected in the martial world.” Gu Pei Jiu’s grip on the red silk lifted Xia Wu Yin, who swayed precariously, coldly declared, “Pity our Lingxi Mountain has no thief peak.” Dangling from Gu Pei Jiu’s grasp, Xia Wu Yin’s face turned pale, but her bravado continued, “A real shame.” Gu Pei Jiu sneered, “Xia Wu Yin, Outer Sect Disciple of Dan Feng, violates Rules 88, 44, and 32. Copy the mountain rules three thousand times and forfeit a month’s allowance with a month of wall-gazing!” The identity jade revealed Xia Wu Yin’s name and number, so it wasn’t surprising Gu Pei Jiu knew her name. Xia Wu Yin forced a smile, “My disciple number is 88...a lucky number, but why haven’t I gotten rich...no, Senior Sister! I mean, what about Rules 44 and 32? Losing a month’s allowance?! That’s 90 copper coins a month!!” Though her voice was weakening, her pale face persisted in its defiant resolve, seeking justice. Seeing her poor complexion, Gu Pei Jiu, considering Xia Wu Yin’s mistake but also her youthful age, tied the red silk around her waist, securing Xia Wu Yin to her back but kept her voice cold, “Rule 44, disrespect to superiors, forfeit allowance.” Xia Wu Yin insisted, “How was I disrespectful?! I called you Senior Sister as soon as we met!” Just the thought hurt. Gu Pei Jiu remained unmoved, “Rule 32, threatening a superior, additional penalty.” Xia Wu Yin outright denied, “No, I didn’t!” Gu Pei Jiu concluded, “Rule 31, denying wrongdoing, forfeit another month’s allowance.” Xia Wu Yin was despondent. Feeling the silence from behind, Gu Pei Jiu’s lips curled slightly. The noisy brat was finally quiet. She turned to leave the rear mountain but heard a cautious voice from her back, “Um... my hard-earned loot... I mean, the glazed wood...” Xia Wu Yin’s heart bled, “Could you, perhaps... bring it along?” Before Gu Pei Jiu had a chance to respond, Xia Wu Yin began her tearful plea, "You can't leave it behind! My seventh retake depends on it! Senior Sister! Dan Feng’s bright future needs me!" Her plea was so heart-wrenching it could move anyone to tears, as if she had endured unimaginable grievances. Gu Pei Jiu responded leisurely, "Didn’t you say you wanted to go to Jian Feng?" Xia Wu Yin was left speechless. Gu Pei Jiu raised an eyebrow, "Hmm?" Xia Wu Yin solemnly declared, "After careful consideration, I realized that Jian Feng's people are too violent. It doesn’t suit someone like me who seeks quiet cultivation." Gu Pei Jiu replied indifferently, "I don't think Dan Feng suits you either." Failing the fasting pill exam six times was truly unheard of. Seizing the opportunity, Xia Wu Yin cautiously continued with a thick skin, "Since you think so, Senior Sister... how about sparing me from copying the mountain rules and just expelling me from Dan Feng instead? I heard Shou Feng is also short on hands lately..." Gu Pei Jiu's tone lifted slightly, "Oh? Then it seems you don't need the glazed wood for Dan Feng's exam." With that, she turned to leave. Xia Wu Yin immediately howled in desperation, "No—! Senior Sister! I realize now that I love Dan Feng the most! Absolutely the most!! Dan Feng’s senior sister is just so damn beautiful! The most beautiful! I want to stay in Dan Feng forever to admire Senior Sister!!" The area erupted with startled, squawking birds. Half of Gu Pei Jiu’s face darkened. “Shut up!” Xia Wu Yin instantly fell silent. She feared that any more outbursts might lead to another charge of disrespecting a senior, resulting in another month's salary deducted. The girl with embroidered red maple leaves on her sleeves picked up the glazed wood from the ground without expression, tucking it into her sleeve. “Come to me after you’ve copied the mountain rules three thousand times to get it back.” “...Oh.” “And, keep your word.” “Oh... uh?” “Mountain Rule No. 46…” “Oh, oh, right, keep my word! I’ll stay in Dan Feng forever to admire Senior Sister!” Gu Pei Jiu’s face turned entirely dark. She held back her irritation, “That’s not what I meant.” Xia Wu Yin blinked, “Then... Senior Sister is the most beautiful?” Gu Pei Jiu sighed, “...No.” Xia Wu Yin, feeling hopeless, pleaded, “Then what do you mean?” Veins bulged on Gu Pei Jiu’s forehead. “Shut your mouth!” Who the hell knows what it means!