Jiang Beiran was utterly baffled. Whether it was due to differing thought processes or his own acting skills failing him, his series of actions and expressions earlier had clearly been meant to convey that he had given up on the path of cultivation and sought to develop in other fields. So why couldn't this Guardian Yu understand?
Jiang Beiran was genuinely worried this person might forcibly drag him back into cultivation—wouldn't that ruin his grand plan of playing the pig to eat the tiger? But now, with Guardian Yu clearly dead set on her stance, Jiang Beiran could only take things one step at a time and figure out how to wiggle out of it later.
After all, slipping away was something he had always been good at.
"Then wait for me at the entrance of the Law Enforcement Hall at Chen hour the day after tomorrow."
With those words, Yu Manwen left with a flourish.
"Ah..."
Only after Yu Manwen had gone far did Jiang Beiran let out a long sigh. 'Who was the one who leaked my information to Liu Zijin and caused all this trouble for me?' Ever since the "Junior Sister Incident," Jiang Beiran had been extremely selective whenever he took on new disciples as an Iron Seal.
No female disciples, no second-generation privileged youths, no scheming faces, no overly handsome ones, and so on... Though he couldn't guarantee finding such disciples every time, most fit the bill. Moreover, after completing each Trial Mission, Jiang Beiran would always instruct them not to recommend him to other junior brothers and sisters—precisely to avoid situations like this.
"Truly, only I can rely on myself..."
Sighing, Jiang Beiran pushed open the door to his small hut and stepped inside. Two days passed quickly. As agreed, Jiang Beiran arrived punctually at the entrance of the Law Enforcement Hall.
"Beiran, over here."
Just as Jiang Beiran was about to look around, he heard Yu Manwen's voice from nearby. Turning toward the sound, he saw Guardian Yu smiling and nodding at him, flanked on either side by a lowered-headed Liu Zijin and a face-turned-away Fang Qiuyao.
Today, Liu Zijin wore an emerald-green misty robe with a pleated skirt like scattered blossoms and water mist, her shoulders as if carved and waist cinched, complementing her delicate oval face with an ethereal, fairy-like grace. Watching the senior and junior brothers who couldn't help but sneak glances as they passed, Jiang Beiran suppressed the urge to sigh.
In five years, the number of times he had taken female disciples down the mountain for Trial Missions could be counted on one hand—and all had been forcibly assigned by the assigning elder. Those as stunningly beautiful as Liu Zijin he had always kept at arm's length. Yet now, two had come at once.
'This vow has been broken far too thoroughly...' Mourning inwardly, Jiang Beiran stepped forward and bowed to Yu Manwen.
"Greetings, Guardian Yu."
"Mm, you're punctual. I believe you've met these two beloved disciples of mine?"
"Yes."
Jiang Beiran nodded, then cupped his hands toward the two.
"Junior Sister Liu, Junior Sister Fang."
Meeting Jiang Beiran's gaze, Liu Zijin flustered slightly—after all, she knew full well that Senior Brother had only been dragged into this by the guardian because of her. He must be thoroughly annoyed with her right now. 'So this is what it feels like to worry about being disliked by someone...
It's truly unpleasant.' But no matter how uneasy she felt, Liu Zijin quickly returned the bow.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Jiang. I'll be troubling you this time."
Beside her, Fang Qiuyao casually cupped her hands toward Jiang Beiran and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother." Once the greetings were exchanged, Yu Manwen suddenly waved toward the pond in the distance and called out, "You three, stop playing around over there. Come and greet your senior brother."
'There's more!?'
Jiang Beiran's heart clenched, a sense of foreboding rising within him.
"Coming~" Following the melodious voice, he saw three identical-looking girls running toward them.
'You've got to be kidding me...' Liu Zijin and Fang Qiuyao were already headache-inducing enough for Jiang Beiran, but the three girls approaching were also stunning beauties. Each had an oval face, delicate brows, lively eyes brimming with mischievous wit, bright eyes and white teeth, and flawless complexions—truly three outstanding beauties.
"This is Jiang Beiran, Senior Brother Jiang, whom I told you about. Stick close to him and listen to his instructions when you descend the mountain, understood?"
"Yes, Guardian."
The three replied in unison before turning to Jiang Beiran and bowing gracefully.
"Yu Guishui (Yu Guizui) (Yu Guimiao) of the Water Mirror Hall greets Senior Brother Jiang."
Though Jiang Beiran felt like he was about to split apart inside, he forced a smile and returned the courtesy.
"Greetings, Junior Sisters."
Once the three sisters had lined up behind him, Yu Manwen smiled at Jiang Beiran.
"Beiran, I'll have to trouble you this time. Our Water Mirror Hall has many female disciples and lacks a reliable senior brother. Since you're capable, take on a bit more and guide these junior sisters down the mountain for some experience."
"This disciple obeys."
"Good. Then I leave the rest to you."
With a nod to Jiang Beiran and a few more instructions to Liu Zijin and the others about listening to Senior Brother Jiang, Yu Manwen departed. The moment Yu Manwen left, the three sisters, who had been standing obediently in a row, immediately swarmed around Jiang Beiran and asked simultaneously: "Senior Brother Jiang, what techniques are you skilled in?"
"Senior Brother Jiang, what weapon do you usually prefer?"
"Senior Brother Jiang, when fighting, do you step forward with your left leg or right leg first?"
Facing three faces brimming with "I'm so curious," Jiang Beiran swept his gaze over them and said, "All of you, fall back into line! Without my permission, no random talking—and no moving around!" The scolded trio froze in place, momentarily stunned.
At this point, Fang Qiuyao spoke up from the side.
"Oh? Starting to put on the Iron Seal act already? Weren't you too cowardly to even accept the challenge the other day?"
Glancing sidelong at Fang Qiuyao, Jiang Beiran replied, "Times have changed. Now that I am your Iron Seal, I am responsible for your safety—and you must obey my commands.
Understood?"
"And what if I say I won't?"
Fang Qiuyao took a step forward defiantly.
"Try me."
Jiang Beiran's eyes flashed as an invisible aura instantly enveloped Fang Qiuyao.
"I..."
Fang Qiuyao wanted to retort further, but a wave of fear rose in her heart.
'Strange...
What's going on? Why am I afraid of him? He's just a coward who admitted his fear in front of everyone.
How can he have such presence!?' But no matter how unwilling she felt, Fang Qiuyao ultimately didn't dare to continue defying him and sullenly turned her head away. The Yu sisters also finally realized that this senior brother before them wasn't as gentle as he appeared, so they obediently retreated to their positions.
Satisfied, Jiang Beiran raised a finger.
"In my team, there is one rule you must follow: all actions are to be directed by me. No reckless moves under any circumstances. Understood?"
"Understood."
The five girls nodded in unison, though their voices were somewhat scattered.
"Good. Now, my first command: immediately go back and change into coarse cloth or hemp clothing. If you don’t have any, borrow some from the Law Enforcement Hall nearby. Regather here in half a shichen. Latecomers will lose two merit points."
(End of Chapter)