Chapter Twenty: The Shameless One

Liu Xiyue carefully examined the Taoist before her. The more she looked, the more she felt that his bearing was ethereal and his demeanor extraordinary, even surpassing her own father, Liu Zichu. Her father's elegance was that of a scholar, while this man radiated a sense of transcendence, as though, though present in the world, he remained untouched by its dust and clamor.

It was said that those who reached the pinnacle of martial cultivation could rejuvenate themselves, their faces retaining youth and their lives lengthened beyond the ordinary. Perhaps this Taoist was just such an “ancient monster.”

Her mind raced with these thoughts, but she quickly stepped forward, bowed, and apologized. "My senior brother spoke recklessly and offended you, Elder. I apologize on his behalf. Please forgive us!"

As she spoke, several guards had already pressed down the terrified Zhang Niankang. The captain of the guards, however, drew his sword, eyeing the Taoist with vigilance, and shouted, "Demon! Do you know who this young master is? How dare you act so presumptuously?"

He let loose his own aura, the force of his cultivation causing the grasses and trees around to shudder. He expected that under the weight of his power, this young Taoist would be unable to withstand it.

Yet, to his surprise, the strength in which he took such pride was, in the Taoist’s eyes, no more threatening than a gentle breeze. The Taoist seemed completely unaware, his bamboo basket slung over his back and his clothes utterly unruffled.

He regarded the crowd as if they were nothing at all, and, together with the white fox, prepared to turn and leave. Before departing, he shook his head and said, "This white fox is my companion, not some commodity for you to trade at will. Mount Chisong does not welcome you. You should leave now."

The captain was incensed and was about to attack with his blade, but Liu Xiyue quickly intervened, stopping him.

Seeing that it was Liu Xiyue who restrained him, the captain dared not act rashly. He knew well that this young lady was not only the sole daughter of the head of Moonwhite Academy but also the object of his own young master's affections. If he offended her, even the lord would not show him mercy. Reluctantly, he withdrew.

Liu Xiyue stepped forward again, apologizing and asking, "May I ask your name, Taoist? Zhang, our guard, was simply overzealous in his concern and meant no harm. Please forgive us!"

They were indeed at fault, so Liu Xiyue kept her tone humble.

"I am Yu Chen. You should all leave. Chisong Taoist Temple does not receive you," Lin You replied, turning to go.

He had originally come to the mountains to gather herbs and had sensed a group entering, so he came to see what was happening. To his surprise, Zhang Niankang immediately set his sights on Bai Yi. Having already heard from Qingsong about Zhang’s scheming, he allowed Bai Yi to teach him a lesson. Now, he was in a hurry to return and refine medicine and had no interest in further entanglement with these people.

Liu Xiyue, however, hurried after him and asked, "Taoist Yu Chen, are you a disciple of Chisong Temple? We came today to express our gratitude. Why do you say we are unwelcome?"

Seeing the Taoist’s cold demeanor, she was puzzled and pressed him for an answer.

Lin You gave a faint smile and said, "You must be the daughter of the head of Moonwhite Academy. Why not ask Young Master Zhang what he did to Qingsong two days ago?"

"You know me? What do you mean? What happened to Taoist Qingsong?" Liu Xiyue grew even more confused, instinctively glancing at Zhang Niankang.

By now, Zhang had regained his composure, but at these words, his face turned pale then green. He realized that Jiang must have already revealed the truth to Qingsong, and now everyone at Chisong Temple knew what he had done.

Seeing his junior sister's gaze, Zhang was filled with conflicting emotions and could not find words to answer. After a moment, he decided he must never admit to it! Jiang Huai had been silenced by his second uncle just yesterday—there was no living witness, and nothing could be proven.

He spoke up, "There must be some misunderstanding! I have always gotten along well with Taoist Qingsong. I don't know why you would say such a thing."

Lin You stopped in his tracks, casting a strange look at Zhang Niankang.

Zhang felt uneasy under that gaze and asked, "What are you looking at, Taoist?"

Lin You laughed coldly. "I am looking at a shameless man!"

His words were merciless, leaving Zhang not a shred of dignity. Although Zhang Niankang was the nephew of Zhang Zongcheng and of esteemed background, such worldly riches were no more than withered grass to Lin You. Not even the heir to the Zhang family, not even Zhang Zongcheng himself, would find favor with him.

But these words incensed the crowd.

"How dare you!"

"Impudent demon!"

Before Zhang could respond, his guards had already drawn their swords, ready to cut Lin You to pieces. Even Liu Xiyue’s delicate brows knitted, and she spoke coldly, "Taoist Yu Chen, why do you insult my senior brother? I demand an explanation!"

"Want an explanation from the master? You are not worthy!"

A cold female voice rang out, laced with scorn.

Everyone turned towards the sound, their faces ashen as if they'd seen a ghost.

"A... a monster!" someone cried out in terror.

The guards stared fixedly at Bai Yi, and even the seasoned captain gripped his blade more tightly.

Bai Yi swayed her tail lightly and leapt onto a nearby branch, gazing down at the group from above.

Then, in a tone of disdain, she addressed Zhang Niankang, "Had you been an honest villain, I might have thought better of you. But what I despise most are hypocrites like you, all righteous appearance and rotten heart! You plotted to steal another's spiritual medicine and then expected gratitude—shameless beyond compare!"

Because of what had happened to Mei Niang, Bai Yi hated such self-righteous scholars all the more, and so, before everyone, she revealed everything Zhang had done to Qingsong.

"Silence!" Zhang Niankang, furious and humiliated, snatched up his sword and lunged at Bai Yi.

But with a clash of metal, his blade was blocked by Liu Xiyue.

"Senior brother, why are you doing this?"

Her beautiful eyes shone with disappointment, for she had seen the truth in his reaction.

Zhang, unable to defend himself, could only sigh deeply. He said to Liu Xiyue, "The Moon Lotus is the treasured relic of Chisong Temple. While it cannot raise the dead, it is greatly beneficial for your illness. They treasure it dearly, and if I had not resorted to such measures, I could never have obtained it for your cure."

Even the head of Moonwhite Academy, Liu Zichu, had only received a few thirty-year-old Moon Lotuses when he came in person to ask for medicine. Older, fifty-year-old herbs were the foundation of the sect, never given away lightly except in dire need.

After hearing this, Liu Xiyue lowered her sword, her eyes full of complex emotion.

So, all her senior brother's actions had been for her sake? But Chisong Temple had already shown her great kindness. How could she repay that kindness with betrayal, or preserve her life at the cost of becoming an ungrateful wretch?

She sheathed her sword and turned to bow deeply to Lin You.

"All that my senior brother did was because of me. We have no defense. But may I be allowed up the mountain to apologize to Taoist Qingsong in person?"

Seeing her sincerity, Lin You knew she truly had not known the truth. He nodded. "Very well. You may follow me up the mountain. The others may leave."

The captain of the guards, seeing his young master's face dark, wanted to show his loyalty and sneered, "Such matters at Chisong Temple are for Master Yujing to decide. You are just a junior priest—what right have you to bar us from the mountain?"

He thought that, despite the Taoist’s unusual presence, he was still young and could not hold much authority within the temple, so he tried to press him with words.

But before Lin You could reply, Bai Yi could no longer hold back.

She would never allow anyone to slander her master! She immediately retorted, "My master is one of the Eight Great Grandmasters of the world, the personal disciple of Songhe Daoist! Within Chisong Temple, he is of equal standing with the abbot! Now, do you think he has the authority to send you away?"

Her words were like a stone dropped into a lake, sending ripples of shock through the crowd.