77 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

**Reborn as the Villainous Senior Sister - Chapter 77 (Part 1/2)** "Brother Qi Shan?" Fu Ling had never used such intimate and suggestive words to address anyone, not even her dearest friend, Jiu Ying. Jiu Ying was bewildered, and Fang Qi Shan herself was equally stunned. Si Yi Guang and Jin Lin had just entered the courtyard and were slowly approaching the three of them. Since the earlier excuse was made up on the spot, Fu Ling was worried about being exposed. Without thinking, she took the initiative to link arms with Fang Qi Shan, dragging her swiftly to stand before the elder Si and Jin. "Brother Qi Shan, I've already explained last night's events to Uncle Si. He said the destruction of the clan's genealogy isn't our fault, so you don't need to worry about being punished." Fang Qi Shan listened in a daze, but outwardly maintained a calm demeanor. Before she could respond, Fu Ling turned her around, presenting her directly to Jin Lin. "As for us, I've already informed Sect Master Jin Lin. He said as long as we truly love each other, he won't stand in our way. I was nearly killed by that villain last night, but you showed up just in time to save me. Not only that, but in the morning, you risked going to the ancestral hall to find my scarf. Such kindness—I have nothing to repay it with but myself. Since Sect Master Jin Lin is here, why not let him decide our marriage?" Her words were ostensibly pressing the Fu Yang Sect into a marriage but were actually a coded message with Jiu Ying and Fang Qi Shan, hinting at how they should respond if Si Yi Guang inquired about last night's events. This seemingly naive and foolish girl turned out to be exceptionally clear-headed at these crucial moments. Within just a few sentences, she made Jiu Ying and Fang Qi Shan comprehend their current predicament. Seeing that Fang Qi Shan refused to respond, Fu Ling shook her arm again, her tone still achingly tender. "Brother Qi Shan, are you unwilling? If you still think my cultivation is lacking, I can work hard for you, just to be with you. Is that still not allowed?" It was a straightforward demand for Fang Qi Shan to marry her. Jiu Ying watched quietly from the side, her slender eyebrows knitting together tightly. If she hadn’t known that Fu Ling was afflicted with the Heartless Gu, which prevented her from feeling romantic love, she might have believed the scene unfolding before her. She moved her lips but said nothing, her gaze landing on the girl in the pink dress not far away, her pupils like bottomless abysses, filled with deep and murky gleams. In her past life, controlled by the Love Gu, the emotions she experienced in love were entirely shaped by possessiveness and jealousy. To a woman in love, the person she cherishes can surpass everything else in the world. Every deliberate action and word from Fu Ling now was a fabrication, but no one could say for certain— If one day the Love Gu on her were truly lifted and she found her destined person, would she disregard everyone else just like now and never see her senior sister again? Before today, Jiu Ying had never considered this possibility. She only ever thought about giving Fu Ling everything she wanted, never considering she might one day be abandoned. No one understands the power of love more than she does. The Fu Ling that relied on her every day would eventually meet someone she truly liked. And so, she would inevitably leave Fu Ling behind. Jiu Ying's thoughts were heavy, unsure why she was suddenly dwelling on such distant matters. Even as she repeatedly assured herself that these thoughts were just speculations, she couldn't ignore the hint of displeasure in her heart. Everyone, no matter how rational, has moments of irrationality. She pressed her lips together, her expression gradually turning ice-cold. Just a half step away, Fu Ling was still insisting that Fang Qi Shan marry her. If we're going to act, we might as well make it realistic. She was banking on Jin Lin not truly agreeing to marry her off to Fang Qi Shan; thus, she continued her unyielding act to secure a marriage promise. As she anticipated, before Fang Qi Shan could respond, Jin Lin stepped forward to smooth things over. "Marriage should be discussed by both parties' families. Qi Shan's mother is still alive, and I cannot decide for her in this matter. If I were to set the marriage today, I fear the Yu Chun Hall and Qingzhu Sect would come after me." Jin Lin stroked his beard, a gentle smile on his face. Si Yi Guang stood by with a stern expression, a faintly violent aura emanating from him. "Since Sect Master Jin Lin says so, then let's discuss with my aunt when I get back to the sect." Fu Ling turned, her lips still slightly quirked up. Seeing Fang Qi Shan's face fully flushed with embarrassment, she playfully winked, her every expression full of youthful mischief. "Brother Qi Shan, you must wait for me." Fang Qi Shan knew she was playing a part, and willingly went along. She nodded, giving a light cough as if to hide her shy emotions, and after a moment spoke, "Alright, I'll come to Qingzhu Sect to find you then." In that moment, they truly looked like a pair of hopeless lovers entangled in each other's lives. Their acting was impeccable; neither Si Yi Guang nor Jin Lin suspected a thing, not harboring any doubts about Fu Ling's words moments prior. Fang Qi Shan was aware of why Si Yi Guang had come over, and not waiting for him to ask, she continued building on Fu Ling's earlier cues. Implying heavily that the black-clad person had a dragon's aura and was exceptionally powerful, fangirling that it was only to avoid attracting more people and making matters worse that it hadn't finished off both her and Fu Ling. "It has seen both me and Ling Ling's faces, and I wonder if it will seek revenge in the future." Fang Qi Shan sighed softly, her expression tinged with fear. Jin Lin, seeing her in such a state, couldn't help but offer some comfort, "Don't worry, Uncle Si will take care of this matter." Given it's a demon dragon and even destroyed the Si family's genealogy, Si Yi Guang wouldn't let it go. With his nature, he'd dig three feet into the ground if necessary, joining other sects and families to track down the audacious demon dragon. Before leaving, the four of them went over the events of the previous night in detail. Though Si Yi Guang was a cunning and sly old fox, he was oblivious to the fact that he had become a pawn in the hands of the two young people in front of him, involved in their game with the shadow. Thus, the matter was brushed over. Once Si Yi Guang and Jin Lin left, the smiling facade of Fu Ling immediately faded, and she quickly withdrew the arm clutching Fang Qi Shan’s. Within mere breaths, they each took a few steps back, creating some distance between themselves. Jiu Ying also approached at this moment. Before she got close, Fu Ling's eyes twinkled with mirth as she smiled and approached her. "Senior Sister~" The sweet, captivating voice of the girl echoed again, but this time, her coquettishness was directed not towards Fang Qi Shan, but towards Jiu Ying. The feeling of being trusted and relied upon was genuinely wonderful. Jiu Ying slightly turned her head, her face still expressionless, but seeing the warmth in Fu Ling's smiling eyes, the coldness in her heart eased slightly. She had reincarnated in this life to change her miserable fate from before and save those who had died for her. As long as Fu Ling is happy, why worry about whether she would abandon her in the future? Overthinking these matters would only lead to illusory suffering. The long silence made the atmosphere slightly serious. Fu Ling thought Jiu Ying was upset, feeling somewhat guilty. Just as she was about to explain, she remembered something and retrieved a soft, plain white handkerchief from her sleeve, tossing it to Fang Qi Shan. "Your handkerchief, I'm returning it!" Although it was just the return of a handkerchief, her tone was decisive as if establishing a boundary, her movements quick and precise, as if she were holding a hot potato instead of a piece of cloth. Fang Qi Shan took the handkerchief, her face filled with gratitude. Though it had a night of ashes, turning black and dirty, she treasured it carefully. "Thank you, Miss Fu Ling." Fu Ling was uninterested in her thanks, turning her attention to Jiu Ying, who hadn’t spoken yet. Even though her voice was light and small, with their close proximity, Fang Qi Shan could hear what she was saying. "Senior Sister, Young Master Fang already has someone in mind. I was just acting." It seemed she mistook the embroidered ‘Fang’ on the white handkerchief as a token of affection from another woman to Fang Qi Shan. Who could blame her for misunderstanding? The handkerchief was exquisite, clearly meant for a woman’s personal use. Why would Fang Qi Shan, a man, use such an item? She wanted to explain, but Jiu Ying frowned slightly, her tone turning a bit stern, "It's not appropriate to speculate on others' private matters." Fang Qi Shan's expression turned awkward as well. Fu Ling exchanged a glance with her, pouted, and remained silent. Living disguised as a man for over a decade, Fang Qi Shan occasionally envied other girls, who could present their true selves without a mask to everyone, unlike her, constantly interacting behind a facade. A true friend in life is rare to come by. Undoubtedly, in her heart, Jiu Ying and Fu Ling had become trusted companions. At least they treated people with more sincerity than the superficially warm-hearted yet innately selfish fellow sect members. She pressed her lips, looking a bit embarrassed, hesitantly offering a quiet explanation, **"The Handkerchief Is Not Someone Else's Belonging; It's Mine."** Jiu Ying had long known that the gentle young man before her was, in fact, a woman, but even so, she couldn't help feeling a flicker of surprise at Fang Qi Shan's revelation. She had a guess about what Fang might say next, but chose not to interrupt. Fu Ling, in her earnest innocence, assumed Fang Qi Shan was concocting a cover story to protect a romantic interest. She chuckled softly and, unable to resist, teased, "This handkerchief is clearly meant for a woman, so are you hinting that Young Master Fang is actually a woman?" She delivered this remark as if it were a jest, but as her words lingered, the expressions on the faces of the other two present—both serious and devoid of any trace of humor—did not waver. The air instantly turned silent, and the atmosphere grew a bit tense. Fu Ling glanced at Jiu Ying, serious as a sentinel, then turned her eyes to Fang Qi Shan, who pressed her lips tightly together. The smile on her lips faded slowly until she finally realized that her previous remark was no joke— The renowned Yu Shan Young Master of the Fu Yang Sect, Fang Qi Shan, had always been a woman. Her mouth opened and closed as myriad expressions flitted across her face—first a faint smile, then puzzlement, and ultimately, shock. Fang Qi Shan felt somewhat embarrassed. Aside from her mother, no one else knew her true gender. Having been addressed as ‘Young Master’ for so long, she'd even begun to believe the guise herself. Revealing this secret now brought not apprehension but rather a sense of relief. Lifting her gaze to Fu Ling, her eyes held warmth and friendliness. Although dressed in male attire, traces of feminine grace and delicacy could still be seen. The courtyard was quiet, the wind had hushed to listen. Seeing the attention from both Fu Ling and Jiu Ying, Fang Qi Shan sighed softly. After a moment, she began to recount her story in a gentle voice. "My name is Fang Qi Shan, my given name is Yuan Qing. My father is Fang Ke Yuan, the current sect leader of the Xuan Ming Sect. My mother is Feng Su Qiu, the chief alchemist of Yu Chun Hall. Eighteen years ago, Sect Leader Fang encountered my mother on a journey and was smitten at first sight. He had a family at the time, though my mother didn't know. He departed, and only after realizing she was pregnant did my mother seek him out, discovering he already had a wife and children." "What resulted from a fleeting affair was a child that shouldn't have been. After learning of my existence, Sect Leader Fang proposed to bring me to the Fang family after my birth. Naturally, Lady Fang wouldn't agree. The Fang family already had two sons—bringing me back would only mean vying for attention with her children." "As long as Lady Fang remains in the Fang family, I, as an illegitimate child, can never hope to enter their doors. But if I were a girl, she wouldn't care as much. My mother was worried I might be taken away, so she declared to everyone that I was a boy. And so I have lived as a boy for eighteen years." To the outside world, Fang Qi Shan of the Fu Yang Sect was known solely as the illegitimate son of the Xuan Ming Sect leader. No one knew the complexities of her real story. Jiu Ying, too, was hearing all this for the first time. In her past life, Si Qi had slaughtered Fang Ke Yuan's sons in his bid to take over the Xuan Ming Sect, not sparing even Fang Qi Shan, the illegitimate child. It was then she learned from Si Qi’s lips— The so-called illegitimate son was actually a daughter. A tragic figure senselessly killed by fate. During their time together, Fang Qi Shan had come to regard Jiu Ying as a dear friend, and the feeling was mutual. Thinking of her tragic end in the former life, Jiu Ying’s expression softened with empathy. "The errors of the previous generation shouldn’t be your burden to bear. While living as a boy for your mother's sake is indeed filial, it’s not a sustainable solution. If there's a chance, it would be wise to revert to your true self." The root of Fang Qi Shan's demise in the past life lay in her male identity. Though fate cannot be easily altered, even if everything in this life veered from its previous course, an undercurrent of unease still tugged at Jiu Ying's heart. Hearing her earnest advice, Fang Qi Shan could only respond with a helpless smile, "Everyone knows me as a man. If the truth were revealed, Sect Leader Fang, Lady Fang, and even my mother would become fodder for gossip. Not to mention, I joined the Fu Yang Sect as a man. Sect Master Jin Lin has regarded me as his successor for years. If he finds out I deceived him and the entire sect, what would he make of me?" The concerns were genuine, so much so that even Fu Ling detected the underlying worry in her words. Not to mention that deceiving one’s sect is considered an act of disloyalty. Soft-hearted by nature, Fu Ling began to sympathize with Fang Qi Shan's plight upon learning her story. Seeing Fang Qi Shan's brows knit in distress and her face weary with worry, Fu Ling said nothing, instead turning to hurry into the house. A few moments later, she returned with a small, exquisitely crafted red box in hand. Before Fang Qi Shan could respond, Fu Ling pressed the box into her palm. Opening it carefully, Fang Qi Shan discovered it contained a brand-new set of rouge. A cosmetic cherished by young girls everywhere, yet something Fang Qi Shan had never had the chance to use. Her heart stirred slightly, and when she looked up, the enchanting girl dressed in pink was smiling brightly at her. That luminous, radiant smile, like sunlight— "Sister Yuan Qing, this is for you." --- "Fu Ling is truly an angel." The friendship of girls is just that simple; although Fang is currently closer to her senior sister, later on, she'll become Fu Ling's closest friend in the world. PS: Fang has her own romantic interest, a younger sister not yet introduced in the story. Special thanks to the little angels who voted for me or provided nourishment between 2020-10-25 13:17:56 and 2020-10-26 13:47:44~ Thank you to the little angel who sent a rocket launcher: Feng Zi, 1! Thank you to the little angel who sent a grenade: Passing By, 1! Thank you to the little angels who provided nourishment: Shallow Ink Qing Ran, 10 bottles; Jin San Niang, 9 bottles; I am very grateful for everyone’s support and will continue to work hard!