“Master.” Bai Qiuran passed an inappropriate book to Su Xiangxue, who opened it without changing her expression. She quickly skimmed through the contents, evaluating the value of this publication with a discerning eye. Su Xiangxue smiled at her and then shifted her gaze aside. Bai Qiuran put her hands behind her back and stared at Fu Yunzi for a while, making his skin crawl. After a moment, he finally asked, “Did you come here again to team up with Li Pengfei and sell those publications you created?”
Bai Qiuran had handed over the inappropriate book for Su Xiangxue's inspection. Fu Yunzi looked left and right before leaning closer to Su Xiangxue and whispering, “Later, the Ancestral Martial Uncle came to check on the situation, found them annoying, and gave them both a beating... He even said if they fought again, he'd keep hitting them until they didn’t want to fight anymore... Miss Su, I’m telling you quietly; you must not tell the Ancestral Martial Uncle.”
“Oh?”
“Elder Mu has worked hard.” Bai Qiuran took the book, and she exchanged smiles with Su Xiangxue. The former's eyes conveyed a meaning of “let’s collaborate again next time,” while the latter reflected the same sentiment. Witnessing this scene, anyone would surely curse them as shameless lovers.
As soon as they entered the ancient immortal city in the imperial capital of Shangling Kingdom, Elder Mu Huan from the Ecstasy Sect, who had been dispatched here for guard duty, greeted Su Xiangxue with a bow.
“Really?” You Meiqiao raised her brows in surprise. As Su Xiangxue’s most favored disciple, she was well aware of her master’s many secrets. Following Bai Qiuran discovering the dealings between Fu Yunzi and Li Pengfei, such exchanges had occurred many times. For other publications, Su Xiangxue indeed helped him out within the Bounds of Joy, and the ensuing income was split between the Ecstasy Sect and Bai Qiuran. However, for this kind of work featuring male protagonists modeled after Bai Qiuran, Su Xiangxue personally footed the bill.
“This thing I found by myself; it has nothing to do with them. As for you... You have twenty minutes to arrange everything for the disciples of the sect. Do you understand?”
Fu Yunzi’s eyes widened as he looked at the other sect elders. Upon meeting his gaze, the other elders swiftly averted their eyes, pretending not to be concerned.
“Oh?” Bai Qiuran scoffed as she took out a book prominently titled “Young Abai.” Ever since Bai Qiuran had scolded him last time, this fellow dared not flaunt the works created with Li Pengfei in front of her again.
You Meiqiao raised her eyebrows again, knowing many secrets about her master from being Su Xiangxue’s favored disciple. After Bai Qiuran discovered the dealings between Fu Yunzi and Li Pengfei, this kind of trade had been conducted many times. For other works, Su Xiangxue indeed assisted him within the Bounds of Joy, and the income was shared between the Ecstasy Sect and Bai Qiuran. However, for those works where the male protagonist was based on Bai Qiuran, Su Xiangxue paid out of her own pocket.
“Elder Mu worked hard.” Fu Yunzi looked left and right, then whispered to Su Xiangxue, “Later, the Ancestral Martial Uncle came over to check things out, found them troublesome, and gave them a beating... He even said that if they fought again, he would continue to beat them until they didn’t want to fight anymore... Miss Su, I’m telling you quietly, you must not tell the Ancestral Martial Uncle.”
Bai Qiuran gave her a thumbs up and laughed, “Before I beat them, I also took care of the Thunder Demon Sect.” After all, Su Xiangxue had secretly told Bai Qiuran that many works created between Fu Yunzi and Li Pengfei were hidden away in the Bounds of Joy, detailing adventures of a bold protagonist modeled after Bai Qiuran, with a subtitle something like “A Thousand-Year Iron Tree’s Romantic Encounters.”
Then there was the painter, Li Pengfei, who would showcase his extraordinary artistry by collaborating with Fu Yunzi to create illustrations for these works that were lifelike and animated.
“No way, he can’t beat me... Moreover, when I beat Ji Lingyun, that old man thought it was guidance for Ji Lingyun and was there clapping and cheering.” You Meiqiao raised her eyebrows again, aware of many secrets from her master as the favored disciple of Su Xiangxue. After Bai Qiuran discovered Fu Yunzi and Li Pengfei’s dealings, this trade ensued many times.
“You’re saying that now they’re so obedient?”
Fu Yunzi frowned slightly, knowing this was because they no longer dared to engage in their previous activities. After receiving Bai Qiuran's scolding, he didn’t dare to flaunt the inappropriate works in front of her.
Three minutes later, she closed the book with a serious expression, saying, “Hmm, Painter Saint’s skills and Elder Fu Yunzi’s writing have indeed improved... Meiqiao, give Elder Jian a gift of two thousand high-grade spirit stones.”
The Elder Fu Yunzi chuckled, “Ancestral Martial Uncle, you all continue to chat, I’ll go organize the Azure Nether Sword Sect’s team.” Bai Qiuran was caught off guard by Fu Yunzi's departure, feeling pity for him as he left dejectedly.
They whispered among themselves about how these two old rascals often used this method to earn money, and their collaborated works were highly sought after by the noble families in the mortal realm, becoming rare treasures in the cultivation world.
“Elder Mu has worked hard.” Bai Qiuran called out as they ended their private trade. Then she set up an inviting stance as she addressed Su Xiangxue with a hand gesture, “Now please enter, young ladies of the Ecstasy Sect.”
Su Xiangxue smiled warmly at her and turned to the side.
Whether or not they realized it, their exchanges never went unnoticed, and every action carried weight—especially between great sects in the cultivation world where reputation mattered.
Thus, the various dealings and secrets intertwined like the threads of fate, because in the martial world, there was always more beneath the surface.