101 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 101: Resentment Zhu Yu was entirely unaware of the confrontation between her sister and He He, but even so, she couldn't help feeling displeased when she noticed the atmosphere between them had become harmonious. Though they were twins, Zhu Yu and Zhu Yun had grown up in completely different environments, facing their own distinct sorrows. Zhu Yun never revealed her own grim realities to Zhu Yu, but Zhu Yu had pieced together some understanding through scant clues. She had believed this silent acknowledgment was shared between them, but it seemed it was merely her elder sister, who, bound by the differences of just fifteen minutes in their births, displayed useless pity and protection towards her. Realizing this, Zhu Yu felt a sudden wave of irritation. She had thought that by leaving the Zhu household, she would be able to face everything alongside Zhu Yun. Yet, it seemed Zhu Yun's attitude hadn't changed at all from when they were still at home. To her, the weak and simple-minded younger sister was not needed to understand the complexities behind her sister's back. A shadow passed over the girl's eyes as she hid her frustration within. Having missed a major event, Xiang Shi Yan eventually emerged from her room half an hour before the apprenticeship ceremony. The moment she opened the door, He He, who'd been waiting nearby, was nearly overwhelmed by the sweet and cloying scent of a female beast in heat. Luckily, Xiang Shi Yan was aware of her condition and quickly sealed the room bursting with pheromones. Before coming out, she had already handled her condition with care, repeatedly confirming the inhibitor pills were effective, the suppressant patch neatly covering the gland on the back of her neck, and her clothes were cleansed of any scent. The woman's rare, pale appearance suggested a lack of vitality, and she seemed quite spiritless. As she reached the door, her legs nearly gave way, nearly losing her balance, but He He, who had been waiting, supported her, preventing her from stumbling over the threshold. She shut the door behind her, activating the array on it with her spiritual power, sealing the room saturated with the cedar scent, leaving not a trace of it to escape. The pungent aroma at the door made He He's mind sway, and without much thought, she leaned into Xiang Shi Yan's embrace. No matter how well-maintained, the light scent on Xiang Shi Yan's body was hard to erase, and He He felt as if she were enveloped by the cedar aroma. "What happened all of a sudden?" The warmth she'd suppressed was spreading again, and Xiang Shi Yan still had no idea what was causing it. She couldn't detect any alpha scent, unlike the unusual feeling that suddenly arose the day she left He He's room, which led to two entire days of heat. Xiang Shi Yan was clueless about it. The girl reluctantly looked up, her face adorned with a worried expression that tugged at one's heartstrings: "Master has been in seclusion for two days, I feared something had happened..." Xiang Shi Yan gently wiped a tear from He He's eye, unaware of the deeper meaning behind the deceptive tears. He He's rare vulnerability prompted a twinge of guilt in Xiang Shi Yan for making her disciple worry. She gently patted the top of He He's head: "I'm fine, sorry to worry you." Since arriving at Yu Cang Mountain, He He had grown taller, yet she was still just a child. Xiang Shi Yan, being tall, allowed the girl to nestle comfortably at her waist—it resembled a scene of tender care, though only He He understood her true thoughts. After holding on for a moment of satisfaction, He He convinced herself it was inappropriate and released Xiang Shi Yan. The woman adjusted her dress, briefly hesitating on whether to use makeup to mask her lack of vitality, before sighing and asking He He, "Where are Zhu Yun and Zhu Yu?" "The junior sisters are already waiting in the main hall." Despite Xiang Shi Yan's attempts to conceal her fatigue, she was unsurprised when the twins noticed it as well. Seeing the twins’ looks of concern, Xiang Shi Yan quickly signaled that she was alright, then took her seat at the head of the hall. He He thoughtfully poured her a cup of tea, and the warmth of it helped relax the tension she had been holding onto. She cleared her throat and explained, "There was a mishap during practice a few days ago, so I closed off to adjust. I apologize for any worry. He He, as the senior disciple, have you taken good care of the younger ones in my absence?" Upon uttering this, Xiang Shi Yan felt a bit embarrassed. What exactly went wrong, and how it was adjusted... these details couldn’t be shared. "Of course, she has been very conscientious," spoke Zhu Yun, squeezing Zhu Yu's hand before she had a chance to say anything. Zhu Yu glanced at her sister in confusion but saw Zhu Yun wink at her, indicating she'd explain later. This kept the question buried in her chest, though her dissatisfaction festered, making her even more concerned about what Zhu Yun might be hiding. Her emotions churned chaotically, clenching her fist in secret. Xiang Shi Yan noted their subtle interactions but didn't think much of them, only slightly worried whether the three of them got along well. At this point, she finally noticed someone missing, prompting her to ask, "Where's Qin Miao?" "Since returning to the mountain, he has locked himself in his room and hasn't even eaten," He He answered, her voice laden with apparent concern. "Master, perhaps you should check on him." Xiang Shi Yan set down the teacup, her worry for Qin Miao nearly nonexistent. She stated flatly, "It's nothing. He faced setbacks in the secret realm and is going through a tough time. Only he can conquer his inner demons; no amount of persuasion from others will help." Considering Qin Miao as a determined protagonist, he wouldn't be defeated by such minor setbacks. Instead, Xiang Shi Yan was more concerned about him getting too close to Zhu Yun and Zhu Yu after regaining his spirit and causing any negative influence on them. "The Sect Master and Elder Yu Ming should be arriving soon. If Qin Miao isn't here, he isn't. It's no big deal." Just as the words left her mouth, the sound of sword landings echoed in the courtyard, and shortly after, a young man and Yu Ming entered together. Although Li Hui's innate talent wasn't on par with his junior sisters, he had formed a core already in his early twenties and had a rather refined appearance. As the Sect Master of Yu Cang Mountain, he even needed his body to mature a few more years, so he wouldn't seem too youthful and lose authority. Now, with a well-groomed beard, he finally appeared slightly less young. Upon entering, he smiled at Xiang Shi Yan and said, "You were once reluctant to take disciples, letting good prospects slip by to me for nothing. What sparked your desire to take on disciples now?" Following obediently behind him, Huai Ye couldn't help but roll her eyes upon hearing her master's words. Having grown accustomed to her senior brother's teasing, Xiang Shi Yan responded indifferently with a few lines before being drawn to the weary expression of Yu Ming. Though her senior sister was usually not the friendliest, she was always full of energy. Today, not only was her demeanor unfocused, but she also had the heavy look of someone with hidden worries. Though outwardly similar in youth, Yu Ming appeared more youthful due to her small stature. Her current distracted state evoked an impression akin to a young girl experiencing first love... this thought startled Xiang Shi Yan, prompting her to quickly speak to mask her embarrassment: "Why didn’t Senior Sister bring Long Rui Qing along?" The relationship among Lian Long Sect Master's four disciples was quite close. Usually, Huai Ye and Long Rui Qing got along well, and after He He came up the mountain, she mingled with them easily. Now that Gong Ning's daughters had joined Xiang Shi Yan's sect, it was like a reunion of the junior members of the four siblings, making Long Rui Qing's absence a pity. Unexpectedly, her question caused Yu Ming's face to turn suddenly pale, as though recalling something, before flushing red again. Trembling, her lips formed words but hesitated before uttering in a soft, light voice: "I... left her to look after her junior sisters on Fu Liu Peak." Qian Da Ni's injuries fortunately weren't life-threatening. She regained consciousness after returning to the mountain but had yet to fully recover. Yu Ming, worried, had Long Rui Qing watch over her, which wasn't strange... but something seemed off. Noticing Yu Ming's unease, Xiang Shi Yan didn't press for details in front of everyone. She kept her curiosity in mind, intending to inquire privately after the ceremony. Yu Ming was difficult, and perhaps there was some conflict with her niece, Long Rui Qing. While the Sect Master and Yu Ming observed, Xiang Shi Yan preferred simplicity. Zhu Yun and Zhu Yu only needed to offer respects to the honored ancestors of Yu Cang Mountain, spared from the three kneelings and nine kowtows directed at her, before offering tea. Zhu Yu wasn't keen on the idea. In the Zhu household, during her unfamiliar period with Xiang Shi Yan, she had once pouted about calling her Shishu without an apprenticeship ceremony, and thinking back now, it felt slightly embarrassing, as if Xiang Shi Yan jeered at her. However, seeing her master unwell, she decided to let it be, hoping the sooner it ended, the sooner Xiang Shi Yan could rest. To her surprise, Xiang Shi Yan didn’t retire after the ceremony but intercepted Li Hui and Yu Ming. The three ushered the younger ones out of the main hall secretly, setting a barrier for a private conversation. Though unable to hear them, the girls standing outside noticed the gestures and expressions of the three inside. Xiang Shi Yan sat with a tea cup in hand, though she never drank during the conversation, her hand trembling slightly. After fearing she might spill, she set the cup down on the table. Speaking softly, her expression remained neutral, yet He He, standing outside, sensed dull pains in her heart as she watched the three with expressions dark as oncoming rain. Zhu Yun and Zhu Yu understood that Xiang Shi Yan was speaking about incidents at the Zhu residence and... Gong Ning's experiences. The two sisters sat shoulder to shoulder at the steps, their hands tightly clasped. Standing beside them was He He, her expression cold. Zhu Yun inadvertently looked up and met He He's dark eyes, and it dawned on her that perhaps He He could hear the conversation happening in the main hall. When she heard a certain word, He He suddenly froze, her expression momentarily blank. She glanced disbelievingly at Xiang Shi Yan, who continued speaking, oblivious to her odd reaction. Then He He turned back to Zhu Yun, gnashing her teeth and barely moving her lips as she spoke. She communicated to Zhu Yun through transmission, "Later, you must tell me everything about the Heart-Eating Gu... no, all the filthy deeds the aristocratic families of Huaihai City have perpetrated." Zhu Yun's eyes flickered uncontrollably as she swallowed hard. She looked up at He He again, realizing that beneath her usual facade of sweet temperament, a cold and predatory gaze flickered in the girl's eyes, as sharp and narrow as those of a hunting animal. Zhu Yun suddenly saw this as an opportunity. Quickly, her mind flashed through memories of people she'd encountered under Zhu Cheng's lead—the sharp pain of spiritual energy piercing her body and men's lecherous gazes... Slowly, the girl smiled at He He and nodded slightly. As the barrier around the room lifted, Yu Ming stumbled out, her face ashen. It seemed tears were glistening in her eyes. Stepping into the sunlight, she was momentarily startled, and a tear inexplicably slipped from the corner of her eye. Frightened, Yu Ming cast a glance over the two girls with faces similar to those in her blurred memories, and she couldn't bear to look directly at them. Covering her mouth, she began to cry silently, clutching the fabric over her chest, her waist bending forward. Just as Zhu Yu moved to support her, Yu Ming took a step back, her expression one of bitter sorrow. She clasped the wrist that Zhu Yu had touched as if burned, pushed past the curious Huai Ye, and staggered down the mountain path in a rush, forsaking her sword entirely. Zhu Yu withdrew her gaze, trembling, teeth clenched, and turned to her sister. Zhu Yun, having anticipated this reaction, merely pursed her lips and gently patted her on the shoulder. Before they could respond, they were swept into an embrace. Startled, Zhu Yun and Zhu Yu looked to see a man with red-rimmed eyes shaking his head silently. Huai Ye stood apart, withdrawing quietly. Li Hui and Gong Ning had been childhood friends, practically blood siblings, after joining under the tutelage of the previous sect leader. Despite being estranged by Gong Ning's unilateral decision to cut ties, a part of him always cared. Hearing Xiang Shi Yan's bewildered recounting of events sent a chill through him. He wished he had remained ignorant, thinking only that Gong Ning had moved on forgetfully and heartlessly after marriage. Despite the tears he couldn't shed, Li Hui swiftly released his hold. The girls had likely endured suffering under Zhu Cheng's hands, and as a grown man, he feared he might further distress Zhu Yun by reminding her of those vile encounters in Huaihai City. Composing himself briefly, he managed a barely perceptible smile, "Yu Ming doesn’t despise you; she just needs time to—" His sentence trailed off, as he himself didn't know what Yu Ming was truly feeling, and he watched bitterly as his junior sister disappeared into the distance. As Li Hui brushed past Zhu Yun and Zhu Yu, the gentle and loving demeanor of the sect leader transformed into a fearsome visage. Spying Huai Ye, his fury intensified, remembering how he had sent his personal disciple to Huaihai City just half a year ago to familiarize her with matters there. It was partially to help Huai Ye learn the trade, but also to show that the Zhu family's decline was not without the backing of Yu Cang Mountain. The Zhu family and Yu Cang Mountain had never been aligned naturally. Zhu Cheng was incompetent, and their family was already like a wooden boat stranded in the river's mud. If not for the sentiment towards Gong Ning and her daughters still being part of the Zhu family, Yu Cang Mountain would never have allowed themselves to be leeched for years. "This is truly..." He was so enraged that he couldn't even voice his curses, so Li Hui beckoned his disciple, saying, "There are matters to settle. Come with me." Huai Ye, who had never seen her master so terrifying, especially after witnessing Yu Ming’s disturbed state earlier, couldn't help but wonder what Xiang Shi Yan had shared with them. Her initial intent for this visit had been to inform Xiang Shi Yan of the anomaly in He He during the secret realm experience. Back in Beiwu Town, overshadowed by her own mishap, she'd forgotten. With Xiang Shi Yan having been unavailable for days, she planned to raise it now, only for yet another incident to derail her intentions. Hesitating, Huai Ye glanced at Xiang Shi Yan through the hall's open door. The woman sat with her head in her hands, her body slumped in apparent exhaustion. A few days’ delay, she thought... hopefully, it wouldn’t cause further issues. With that, she turned and hurried to catch up with her master. The night was heavy with dew as He He slowly exited Zhu Yun and Zhu Yu’s room, her face a mask of inscrutability. She shut the door quietly and stood alone in the moon-lit courtyard for a long time before finally departing. Back in the room, Xiang Shi Yan was oblivious, her senses unaware of any presence. She was set to endure a night riddled with nightmares, yet the courtyard of the Mo Bamboo Peak remained calm and uneventful. By the next morning, He He would dutifully offer the morning tea, and life would continue as usual. The main peak was bustling with activity. Though nothing substantial had been gained from the alliance with the Zhu family over the years, it wasn't a matter easily severed overnight. The extraction of spirit stone veins, provision of pills, artifacts, and talismans entailed entangled dealings. Huaihai City's instability was exacerbated by the collusion of the Xu and Bai families hinting at betraying their three-family alliance, potentially leaning towards Tai Xu Sect. Having been gradually encroached upon, the Zhu Estate had lost much power and influence. Several elders had long considered cutting ties, though the sect leader hesitated due to long-standing sentiments toward Qi Wei Jun. But inexplicably, that day, he was enraged, demanding an end to all dealings with the Zhu family, leaving everyone blindsided. Huai Ye reluctantly approached a stack of documents but discreetly slipped back to her room late at night, only to find Long Rui Qing sitting absentmindedly by her door. “Why so late?” Long Rui Qing didn't bother to get up as Huai Ye returned, her expression blank, gaze fixed on the empty, moonlit courtyard. "Some matters came up." Long Rui Qing didn't press further. She had seemed detached from the main peak matters since returning a few days ago, even when teaching the younger disciples. Thinking of Yu Ming's demeanor today, Huai Ye was about to ask but wisely held back the question. "What are you doing here?” Long Rui Qing rose, dusting off her gown. “I’m hoping to stay here for a while.” She only wished for her master to expel her from Yu Cang Mountain. But with Yu Ming's refusal to see her, shutting down Fu Liu Peak entirely, she hadn’t even been able to return to her room. Spending nights outside the mountain, she realized perhaps her master intended to let the matter slide. If she were given another chance, Long Rui Qing wished to test her master's limits. However, after this incident, she hoped her departure would no longer weigh on her master's heart. For her own sake, she needed to devise another plan. Huai Ye paused but didn't refuse her. "If you’re not out in two days, I’ll march you right back to Elder Yu Ming.” Implying whatever quarrel she had with Yu Ming, it should be resolved quickly. Long Rui Qing smiled bitterly, knowing things weren’t as simple as Huai Ye imagined. She suspected she might end up living in a makeshift hut at the base of Fu Liu Peak. Tonight, the moon shone with unusual clarity. Those who passed the night in safety had no inkling of the astonishing news they would awaken to, nor the tremors their realm would feel as a result. Author's Note: Thank you to the dear readers who supported me by casting their votes or providing nutritional fluids from 2022-05-01 22:54:05 to 2022-05-02 35:52:25. 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