71 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

# Rebirth as the Malevolent Senior Sister: Day by Day GL - Chapter 71 (1/2) After experiencing so much at the Si Family today—being trapped by the charming snake in the broken courtyard during the day, and witnessing the brutal murder of the bear demon just now—Fu Ling couldn’t help but feel terrified. Seeing Jiu Ying should have made her happy, yet when she glanced at the figure beside Jiu Ying, she found herself unable to smile. It turned out Fang Qi Shan was also here. Fu Ling stood still, knowing she shouldn't be upset. Without Fang Qi Shan's invitation, she probably would have attended these two parties alone. Rationally, she understood it, but her actions were beyond control. She simply wasn’t pleased. Ever since that time at the Jiang Family, she had an inkling of a secret between her senior sister and Fang Qi Shan—a secret not intended for her. Being kept in the dark by those close to her felt awful, almost like being excluded. Recalling being intimidated by Han Yan and Si Qi at the wedding made her feel even more aggrieved. She cast a distant glance at Jiu Ying, pursed her lips, then turned her head, refusing to look again at the two standing beyond the crowd. A young man in black from the Qin Family continued to exhibit his family's newly crafted jade bow. His presentation captivated the guests, leaving no one to notice what was happening in this small corner. Being young, Fu Ling often knew what the right thing to do was, but couldn’t always act on it, especially in front of the elders she trusted and depended on—this was when her impulsive and willful nature became most apparent. Jiang Bei Qing and Lin Yu Miao didn't understand her sudden cold demeanor since she had tearfully admitted to missing her senior sister earlier that morning. Jiang Bei Qing, being more perceptive, guessed the reason behind Fu Ling's displeasure the moment she noticed Fang Qi Shan. "Your senior sister's likely waiting for you. If you don't go over, and she leaves with Fang Qi Shan, don't come crying to us." She teased lowly, so only Fu Ling could hear. Their close proximity underscore their apparent intimacy from afar. Jiu Ying witnessed this scene and was just about to approach when Fu Ling shot Jiang Bei Qing a glare, more embarrassed than fierce. Before Jiu Ying could make sense of it, the angry young girl appeared before her, silently pulling her away from the rooftop. The Si family estate was vast. Hand in hand, they wandered without aim until they reached an unfrequented pavilion, where the girl finally stopped. It was early evening, and the sky was fully cloaked in darkness. Despite the cold winter evening, their clasped hands were unexpectedly warm. Thinking of Fang Qi Shan only made Fu Ling more perturbed. In the distance, the rooftop remained abuzz with noise and excitement. Though far away, some sounds still reached them. Undoubtedly, another batch of innocent demons would fall prey in that competition arena. How were good and evil, right and wrong, to be distinguished? Observing tonight's brutal "performance" of demon slaughtering, who was truly good, and who was truly evil? Confusion clouded Fu Ling, as her eyes fixed on the noble figures on the rooftop, and her brows furrowed involuntarily. Once so simple and carefree, her current troubled demeanor caught some concern. After a moment of silence, Jiu Ying, unable to rest easy, was the first to speak, breaking the tense atmosphere. “Why do you look like that? Did someone bully you?” Hurt and aggrieved, Fu Ling’s heart was further stirred by Jiu Ying’s gentle tone, compelling her to vent her frustration. Raising her head, she glanced several times at Jiu Ying’s finely chiseled, ethereal face and, with a slight pouting of her lips, muttered discontentedly, “It’s all because of you!” To Jiu Ying, this seemed somewhat baffling; however, she wasn't upset, maintaining a patient demeanor. “What exactly happened?” “Why didn’t you tell me in advance that you were going to see Mr. Fang? Even Brother Lin and Miss Jiang knew about it. I was the only one left in the dark.” The more Fu Ling spoke, the angrier she got, to the point where she let go of Jiu Ying's hand, turning her back in anger and refusing to cast another glance at her. Thinking about it, this was the real reason for her grievance— Everyone else knew about it, yet as her junior, she remained oblivious. How infuriating! Jiu Ying was momentarily stunned by the reproach, unsure how to explain. She understood Fu Ling’s temperament well: a young girl cherished and spoiled since birth, growing up enjoying the affection of others in the sect, with a deeply ingrained pride and willfulness, clinging possessively to the elders she depended on, fearful that her favored attention might be usurped. Fang Qi Shan's presence undoubtedly evoked a sense of threat for Fu Ling, otherwise, she wouldn’t have been this upset. Seeing no other option, Jiu Ying shared the truth with her, revealing the existence of another dragon soul in the world. The visit to Fang Qi Shan wasn’t just for the invitation, but also for the dragon soul. When they took the Dragon Heart Herb, Fang Qi Shan, acting shrewdly, left a Sound Transmission Stone at the site. A few days ago, that stone emitted a signal, suggesting someone was searching for Dragon Heart Herb. Unease led her to consult Jiu Ying for investigation. Fu Ling hadn’t expected this to be the truth, shame spreading across her face. Thinking back on her self-righteous tone earlier, she wished the ground would open and swallow her whole. Seeing Fu Ling’s regret, Jiu Ying decided not to chide her further, gently steering the topic elsewhere. “Today at the Si Family’s event, did you encounter Si Qi?” Clearly, she anticipated Si Qi would attempt to converse with Fu Ling, and leaving Fu Ling alone at the Si Family estate this time was to let her directly face the danger of her situation. Her intention had evidently succeeded; otherwise, Fu Ling wouldn’t have turned so pale at the mention of ‘Si Qi.’ Before the young girl in front of her could respond, Jiu Ying continued, recounting things that mirrored Fu Ling's experience at the event. “Did he attempt to subtly inquire about the location of the Ling Song Snow Fox? And upon hearing of the spirit fox's demise, did he seem almost regretful?” Fu Ling was astonished, her lips quivering slightly before she nodded in acknowledgment. “How does Senior Sister know?” “Because someone like him will not relinquish the thought of controlling you as long as he lives.” Jiu Ying’s words reminded Fu Ling of Si Qi's regretful gaze the other day. Her hands clenched tightly in her sleeves, chilling in the wind. In theory, Si Qi wouldn’t currently know that Fu Ling was a heavenly practitioner. So his motive to control Fu Ling could only be to unseal the Underworld Inferno Altar and release the demon dragon. Jiu Ying didn’t know his reasons, but recalled past events and assumed he sought to manipulate the demon dragon to regain power and prestige, ascending above all once more. Having clarified misunderstandings, the closeness between them returned. Only then did Fu Ling recount every detail of her experiences upon entering the Si residence. Jiu Ying listened quietly, sensing Fu Ling's deep sympathy for the little spirit snake and offering her comfort. "It's not uncommon for noble heirs to rear spirit snakes. This one being so young makes the third young master's actions indeed improper." "As for testing bows and poisons on demons, that’s a norm. Without those bear demons, humans would have been the experimental subjects tonight." Thousands of years ago, when heavenly practitioners expelled demons and devils to the No Return Valley, asserting dominance in the celestial world, these practitioners regarded themselves as the highest creatures on earth. To them, demons and devils deserved death, while ordinary mortals were worthless debris. After the demon dragon was released in her previous life, the seal on No Return Valley was utterly broken, reigniting conflicts between celestial practitioners and demonic tribes, turning the celestial realm into rivers of blood, without a moment's peace. Whether celestial practitioners harmed demons, or demons retaliated against celestial sects, Jiu Ying had witnessed it countless times, losing track of why or what compels Fu Ling's profound compassion. She, like Jiang Bei Qing, spoke with great composure. Fu Ling, unable to comprehend, only grew more perplexed. “Celestials with good intentions and bad, same with demons—if a demon is kind, why kill? If a celestial is malevolent, why spare? Senior Sister, I don’t get it. Is there truly no error in the actions of the Si family's head tonight?” Her questions seemed both simple yet complex. Deep-seated animosity between celestial practitioners and demonic beings had long blurred who’s right or wrong. When the day comes for a full-blown war, no one will care about such matters. Human nature is inherently selfish, eliminating outsiders to hog all benefits. A person’s heart is the essence of cultivation, and Fu Ling’s querying falls under one of the “Eight Ways to Seek the Dao” in the celestial realm. She wishes to understand; Jiu Ying, therefore, wouldn’t dismiss her lightly. After careful thought, Jiu Ying responded with heartfelt wisdom. “In the grand scheme of fate, things aren't just black or white. Whether human or demon, there is both good and evil. Achieving balance between the two is the toughest challenge; the survival of one at the cost of the other is a form of balance, as is their mutual destruction. To pursue divine balance with one's own power, supreme strength is the first requirement. In this world, only strength earns the respect of both practitioners and demons. Without it, whichever side your heart favors will inevitably lead to bias, and ultimately, you'll plunge yourself into an abyss of misery. There's nothing wrong with wanting to save that little spirit snake, but you can't save every snake, because that's not the root of the conflict you're trying to change. Fu Ling, remember, having a kind heart is good, but make sure not to blame yourself for everything that doesn't go right.” Fate? Divine principles? Fu Ling was left puzzled by Jiu Ying's words. Although she didn't fully grasp their meaning, they left a notably deep impression on her young mind, like a huge stone dropping into her heart, causing turbulent waves. Even years later, every single word was etched firmly in her memory. The quiet pavilion was perfect for heart-to-heart conversations. They lingered there for a little longer until the voices and shadows on the rooftop began to disperse, and finally rose to leave. The wedding celebration was to last two days, followed by a three-day feast honoring the third son, meaning they would have to stay at the Si Family for a few more days. Guest accommodations were arranged according to the wedding invitations. Jiu Ying, having used the red invitation from Fang Qi Shan’s mother, was supposed to stay in the adjacent room. Concerned for Fu Ling, however, she chose to remain by her side after escorting her back to her room. Both being girls, and close as senior and junior sisters, sharing a bed wasn’t unusual. Jiu Ying felt purely at ease, having no ulterior motives. Once they both finished washing up, she urged Fu Ling to sleep. While Jiu Ying was forthright, it caught Fu Ling off guard. Still just a young girl, she hadn’t expected to share a bed with someone she hadn’t truly accepted as a partner yet. Moreover, she hadn’t even developed real affections. She hesitated, awkwardly standing by the bedside, clutching her robe, unwilling to move forward. Not understanding her reluctance, Jiu Ying called out again. “Fu Ling?” For some reason, the cold, low voice that was Jiu Ying's during the day transformed in the evening, becoming extraordinarily gentle and melodious, like a wild rose shedding its thorns, irresistibly inviting one to draw nearer. Fu Ling’s cheeks inexplicably flushed. She lowered her head, not daring to look, nor did she respond immediately. Only after a long pause did she slowly make her way to the bedside. Jiu Ying didn’t suspect anything, feeling relieved when Fu Ling finally slipped under the covers, quietly sitting by the bed's edge. “You mentioned someone pushed you when you were receiving the bride two days ago. Do you remember who it was?” The candle on the table still flickered. A gust of wind made the flame waver, casting a gentle pink hue over the girl’s cheeks, making her look especially charming. Fu Ling blinked, surprised that her senior sister recalled such a detail, and it took a moment before she replied. “It should have been He Yu Hen from the Ling Jian Sect.” He Yu Hen? Jiu Ying frowned at the mention, quickly recalling his name. She reached out to adjust Fu Ling’s blanket, nodding gently with patience in her eyes full of warmth. “Alright, I understand.” With these words, she stood, extinguished the candle with a wave, and prepared to leave the room. The room fell into darkness. Fu Ling, seeing Jiu Ying about to leave, sat up in bed in a rush, her tone anxious, “Senior Sister, aren't you staying with me tonight as promised?” Apparently, this silly girl feared her senior sister might leave. Jiu Ying paused at the doorway upon hearing this, stopping in her tracks and shaking her head. “I’m not leaving. I’m just going outside to watch out for you.” Hearing this, Fu Ling trembled, recalling the old locust tree outside, realizing Jiu Ying intended to spend the night up in the tree. Though with spiritual energy she needn’t worry about the cold, sleeping on a tree seemed unnecessarily difficult. Fu Ling couldn’t bear the thought of her senior sister enduring such hardship. Acting on impulse, she threw back the covers, leaping off the bed to rush over and block Jiu Ying’s path. “It’s so cold outside. Senior Sister, why don’t you just sleep inside? Please?” Her intentions to have Jiu Ying stay conveyed a coquettish undertone that few could refuse. Jiu Ying was no exception. Lowering her gaze, she saw Fu Ling clad only in a thin white garment, the buttons at her waist haphazardly fastened, revealing expanses of fair, smooth skin at her neckline. Though the room was dark, it accentuated her fairness all the more. Her dark hair had slipped from its pins, freely cascading behind her shoulders. Jiu Ying stood in a daze for a moment before it dawned on her that the once-rebellious girl from three years ago had grown into a graceful young lady. This lifetime’s Fu Ling had, indeed, not become the imprisoned version of herself from her past life, entrapped by the icy lake. Jiu Ying pressed her lips together, a fleeting smile brushing her lips— In that instant, she seemed to witness an alternative fate for herself. At eighteen in this life, she wasn’t haggard or unsightly but radiant and stunning. She extended her hand, eyes downcast, gently fastening the girl’s loosened buttons, admonishing softly but tenderly. “Such a big girl now, yet can’t even dress properly?” So close together, they could easily catch each other's scent. With a slight hitch in her breath, Fu Ling caught the faint fragrance of green plums, icy and astringent, leaving her strangely captivated. Jiu Ying’s hand was near her waist, and despite no skin contact, Fu Ling couldn’t suppress a slight shiver. Biting her lip, she steadied her wildly beating heart, lifting her eyes to meet the exquisite, flawless profile, cold yet bewitching. From the first moment she saw her, it was ingrained in her memory. The scent of plums in the air became inexplicably intense, transforming from a bland, cool aroma to one searingly warm. And her heart, at that moment, was utterly in disarray. --- Fu Ling would likely remember this scene for a lifetime. Thank you to the lovely angels who voted or donated nutritional fluids between 2020-10-18 23:30:47 ~ 2020-10-19 22:48:50~ Special thanks to the angel who gave a grenade: passerby 1; And the angel who gave a landmine: Yuan Zai Chi Le Wei Xiao Zhuang 1; Thanks to the little angels for the nutritional fluids: ethereal 5 bottles; h Ti Ti 2 bottles; Thank you all for your support, I will continue to work hard!