105 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

When the girl's voice resounded in her ears, Jiu Ying's fingertips were still lingering on the faint red mark. It was such a simple question, yet she paused for a moment, unable to answer. Or rather, she didn't know how to respond. The atmosphere grew heavier, the wind was gone, leaving everything silent and still around them. Though the silence was brief, it conveyed a multitude of emotions. Fu Ling maintained a gentle smile on her face, but there was a trace of bitterness in her gaze. She stepped back, creating distance between them, no longer expecting a reply from Jiu Ying. Because she knew the answer would be the same as always, forever the same line— "You are my junior sister, isn't it natural for me to care about you and worry for you?" Junior sister, junior sister, that was the reason every time. Fu Ling had never hated this identity as much as she did at this moment. She even began to doubt whether Jiu Ying liked her at all. She wanted to ask directly but was afraid of the consequences she might face. Caught in a turmoil of frustration, she couldn't muster the courage and instead feigned indifference, changing the subject to Feilian before Jiu Ying could speak. After recounting the events of the previous night, she softly reminded with a demeanor so gentle it invoked pity. "Senior sister, you needn't worry so much. It's just a minor injury, I've already treated it, nothing serious." Jiu Ying listened intently, her thoughts immersed in Fu Ling's words, not noticing the fleeting disappointment on her face. "So, you're saying that not only did you capture Qing Gu, but you also subdued Feilian?" Amazed that Fu Ling managed to subdue Feilian single-handedly, Jiu Ying's tone was filled with surprise and delight. She smiled warmly, feeling both proud and pleased, as if watching a child she had nurtured grow independent enough to thrive on their own. This sense of achievement from witnessing someone's growth was unparalleled. Unlike Jiu Ying's joy and excitement, Fu Ling appeared very calm, showing no hint of enthusiasm or happiness even as she spoke. "Yes, once we catch Bai Gu, we can leave." Fu Ling usually sought praise from her senior sister for her good deeds, but not this time. Jiu Ying noticed something was amiss, just as she was about to ask, Fu Ling looked up at her. Her eyes were as bright as ever, yet there was something else hidden within them, something Jiu Ying couldn't quite discern or understand. "Senior sister, shall we act tonight?" Fu Ling was eager to uncover what Jiu Ying was hiding from her, believing only by leaving here quickly could Fang Yuan Qing help her find out what she wanted to know. Her tone was somewhat urgent, yet her expression was sincerely earnest. Looking at her face, Jiu Ying felt something was off, but couldn't pinpoint what it was, after pondering for a while, she finally nodded in agreement to the request. "Alright—" Bringing Qin Shu Yu here to Yin Mountain was partly to save her and partly to use her to lure out Bai Gu. Corpse demon Bai Gu was voracious and easily enraged, and Qin Shu Yu happened to be an excellent cook. While Jiu Ying discussed the evening's plan with Lin Yumei and others, Fu Ling snuck away to the Zhao family kitchen. Upon learning of Bai Gu's gluttony, Qin Shu Yu had brought many fresh ingredients with her. Now she was alone, squatting on the ground washing vegetables, with only her slender back visible to the back door. It wasn't until a gentle, soft voice sounded behind her that she realized someone had arrived. Turning around, she saw Fu Ling—the one who had spoken with her earlier—standing with a pure and delicate face. "Are these crabs?" Fu Ling had seen crabs before, but the ones in her memory were large and plump, with claws as long as her palms, unlike these small ones. Catching her confusion, Qin Shu Yu couldn't help but smile softly. "Yes, these are crabs from the human world, very small, but they taste quite delicious, whether steamed or braised, they're a gourmet delight." Crabs are difficult to clean, with fierce claws that could pinch one easily if not careful. Seeing the struggle, Fu Ling squatted down, mimicking Qin Shu Yu's actions and grabbed a crab from the wooden bucket. Then, a subtle smile appeared on her face. "I'll help you~" As her words fell, a drop of pure white water emerged from her fingertips, seeping into the crab's body and instantly carrying away all the dirt. Qin Shu Yu blinked in awe, barely reacting before Fu Ling grabbed another crab and cleaned it using the same method. In the cultivation world, spiritual energy is a symbol of strength and a cultivator's most valued resource. No one would waste their spiritual energy on trivial matters like cleaning vegetables. Fu Ling was the sole exception. Qin Shu Yu pressed her lips together, realizing this girl was unlike anyone she had ever known. She lowered her head, noticing the wooden basin was already filled with cleaned crabs. The basin's shallow rim allowed the crabs to climb over each other in a bid to escape when Fu Ling added a trickle of clear water. Though it seemed fluid, the water turned to ice as it fell on the crabs, freezing them in place. Such low temperatures could affect the food's texture. Qin Shu Yu furrowed her brow, about to suggest melting the ice, when the girl touched the ice, her eyes brightening. "It worked, the spiritual energy can really switch between ice and water." Her hand rested on the ice, causing the rigid surface to ripple gently, like waves on a tranquil lake, beautiful yet fragile. It was ice, yet it resembled water. Qin Shu Yu was intrigued, pressing her fingertips on the ice. She tried breaking the thin ice, but the harder she pressed, the more solid it became. Only when she reduced the force did it soften, rippling under her touch. There was no doubt, this spiritual energy constantly shifted states. Under pressure, it became an unyielding ice layer, but with a gentle touch, it turned into unconfined water, keeping its prey trapped. Even with poor talent in cultivation, Qin Shu Yu could see the potential lethality of this ice-water technique in combat. Her innate fear of the powerful made her somewhat afraid, but seeing the warm smile on Fu Ling's face cleared her shock— Not all the powerful are like Si Xiao, who trample the weak like ants. At least, Fu Ling, who sought justice for the villagers of Dongshan Prefecture, was not one of those people. She withdrew her hand from the ice, relaxing her brows, and did not hesitate to offer praise. "Truly impressive." Since her duel with Si Xiao, Fu Ling had received praise from many; nonetheless, Qin Shu Yu's words made her slightly bashful. She lowered her eyes, her face tinged with shyness, making her appear even more charming and lively. "Miss Qin, your cooking skills are remarkable. I think you're impressive too." Her words were filled with sincerity, almost said without thinking. Qin Shu Yu was momentarily taken aback by such a compliment. It was the first time someone thought her cooking skills were admirable. She didn't think Fu Ling was being courteous, but she understood the underlying implication. Fu Ling was here with a request. "You want to learn, don't you?" Fu Ling was surprised that Qin Shu Yu had seen through her thoughts, feeling even more embarrassed. She lowered her head, her hands nervously tracing patterns on the edge of the wooden bucket, clearly a bit anxious. Qin Shu Yu's soft laughter made her lift her head, blushing. "Don't feel embarrassed, if you want to learn, I can teach you some simple dishes." Upon hearing these words, Fu Ling finally relaxed. "Miss Jiang told me that Miss Qin is also very skilled at making desserts." So she wanted to learn how to make sweets. Qin Shu Yu finally understood, nodding, though slightly puzzled. She had met Jiang Bei Qing at a banquet; she was thirteen, Jiang Bei Qing was twelve. Both were young ladies from prominent families, at the peak of their stubborn temperaments, and had quarreled upon their first meeting. The dispute was over Jiang Bei Qing joining other clan members in critiquing her harshly for "wasting time cooking and lacking the ambition of a cultivator." Because of this, she had cried secretly several times, never leaving the Qin family afterward, and withdrew from social circles. Over ten years had passed since then, and those unpleasant memories faded with time. When they met again, they reconciled silently, never revisiting the past. But how did Jiang Bei Qing know she was good at making desserts? The atmosphere grew silent. Qin Shu Yu lowered her rolled-up sleeves and walked to the stove, picking up a clean white cloth to wipe the pot. When the white cloth turned gray, she looked at Fu Ling, her expression and voice both gentle, "You help me wash the vegetables, and I'll teach you how to make crispy sugar cookies." "Now, I'll show you how to make sugar syrup." One was willing to learn, and the other was happy to teach. When Jiang Bei Qing arrived, she saw Fu Ling squatting by the stove, tending to the fire, while Qin Shu Yu was kneading dough at the table, her back facing Jiang Bei Qing. The syrup in the pot was being slowly simmered over a gentle flame, and its rich, sweet aroma filled the entire kitchen. With each breath, it was as if one could taste that sweetness already. Jiang Bei Qing remained silent, seemingly hesitant to enter. From afar, she watched Qin Shu Yu's delicate pale arms move rhythmically over the dough, each motion hitting her with a pang of regret and guilt for the words she had said ten years ago. In her youth, brimming with pride and arrogance, she acted without consideration. First impressions were strained when, during a social event, Qin Shu Yu's dish overshadowed her, prompting Jiang Bei Qing and other heedless children to direct unfounded bias and criticism towards Qin Shu Yu. Over the years, she seldom thought of this incident, unaware of the extent of hurt her actions caused Qin Shu Yu. It wasn't until the marriage alliance between the Si and Qin families that she saw Qin Shu Yu once more—the little girl she remembered, who spent her days engrossed in culinary pursuits, indifferent to cultivation. Old memories hidden deeply in her heart resurfaced upon seeing Qin Shu Yu again. She remembered the harsh words she had once spoken to her. For reasons unknown, she had secretly arranged to have some desserts made by Qin Shu Yu brought to her from the Si family. They were delicious, sweet, and filled with joy and satisfaction—the kind of flavors she could never replicate. The bitter memories carried guilt, especially after learning of the suffering Qin Shu Yu endured at the Si family, turning her guilt into sympathy. Leaning against the door, Jiang Bei Qing watched silently, not daring to speak. The room was filled with the warm, heady scent of sweetness. After a while, Qin Shu Yu finally finished kneading the dough. She moved away from the table, stepped to the stove, and lifted the lid, using chopsticks to pull a thread of syrup, seemingly to taste it. However, before the syrup on the chopsticks could cool, she heard Fu Ling's gentle call, "Miss Jiang, you've been standing at the door for quite a while, why not come in?" It was only then that Qin Shu Yu turned around, noticing Jiang Bei Qing standing there dumbfounded. The steam infused with syrupy sweetness brushed against her face, softening her elegant features even more. Some flour from kneading still dusted her forehead and cheeks, giving her a charming and playful appearance. Jiang Bei Qing gazed at the familiar face, recalling their first meeting— "This is the cloud pastry I made. Would you like to try some? Uncle Jiang and the others said it tastes quite good." "Who wants to eat your pastries! As a descendant of a prestigious family, you waste your days in the kitchen with no ambition to cultivate. Aren't you ashamed?" Ashamed? The one who should be ashamed is none other than Jiang Bei Qing herself. The air suddenly fell silent, even Fu Ling sensed the subtle tension between the two. She dared not speak further, glancing between Qin Shu Yu and Jiang Bei Qing, before focusing on her task at the stove. Feeling increasingly awkward, Jiang Bei Qing glanced up, just as Qin Shu Yu smiled softly at her, warmth spreading across her flour-dusted cheeks in a faint blush. Remarkably beautiful. Jiang Bei Qing, feeling her heart more burdened by guilt, was about to turn away when she heard a gentle voice. In the next moment, Qin Shu Yu offered the chopsticks wrapped in syrup towards her. That same soft and gentle voice, much like what Jiang Bei Qing remembered from that unpleasant banquet from ten years ago— Full of warmth and an invitation to reconnect. "Freshly made syrup, would you like to taste it?"