After choosing option three, Jiang Beiran shook his head and said, "No need to apologize to me. Do you know why I appeared so timely? In truth, I’ve been following you ever since you left the inn.
The reason I didn’t stop you was to let you suffer a bit." Fang Qiuyao froze upon hearing this. She had thought that, given her current injuries, even if Senior Brother was lying, he would at least comfort her first.
But instead, his words were unexpectedly stern.
"I…"
Fang Qiuyao was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to respond.
"Take the medicine quickly. We’ll set off in two hours."
After speaking, Jiang Beiran pushed the door open and left the room. Hearing the door close, Fang Qiuyao’s expression instantly fell. She turned to Liu Zijin and asked, "Sister Zijin… am I really that annoying?"
Liu Zijin, who hadn’t expected Senior Brother to scold Qiuyao while she was still so weak, was also stunned for a moment before replying, "How could that be? I couldn’t possibly love you more. Here, take the medicine first."
"But Senior Brother, he…"
"No buts. Senior Brother Jiang is just angry right now. Think about how much he’s patiently advised us along the way, yet you didn’t listen at all and even contradicted him at every turn. He could—" Halfway through her sentence, Liu Zijin suddenly noticed tears welling up in Fang Qiuyao’s eyes.
"Oh, don’t cry, don’t cry. I was too harsh. As long as you realize your mistake and work on it, Senior Brother Jiang definitely won’t be so stern with you again."
Fang Qiuyao wiped her tears and nodded.
"Mm… I truly regret it now. Senior Brother was right—the world outside the mountain is really dangerous. I only wanted to help them, but they cursed at me and even tried to harm me. I…"
Seeing Fang Qiuyao on the verge of tears again, Liu Zijin quickly poured a cup of tea and sat by the bed, saying, "Alright, don’t think about that now. Take the medicine first, or we’ll delay our departure, and Senior Brother will scold you again."
At the mention of being scolded, Fang Qiuyao hurriedly swallowed the Clear Heart Pill in her hand.
"Here, drink some water."
Liu Zijin handed the teacup to Fang Qiuyao. Fang Qiuyao paused for a moment before saying, "The pill Senior Brother gave me has a faint, pleasant fragrance."
"Fragrance?"
"Mm! Here, smell it, Sister Zijin."
Fang Qiuyao exhaled toward Liu Zijin. Liu Zijin inhaled and exclaimed, "It really does! It smells like frostleaf flowers."
"And… my stomach feels much better too."
Fang Qiuyao rubbed her belly in pleasant surprise. Before taking the Clear Heart Pill, she had felt nauseous but lacked the strength to vomit. Now, however, she felt completely fine.
"So, you don’t want the tea anymore?"
Fang Qiuyao nodded.
"Mm, the fragrance is so nice. I want to keep it in my mouth a little longer."
Liu Zijin chuckled and set the teacup aside, then tucked Fang Qiuyao in.
"Then rest a while longer."
Just as Liu Zijin was about to stand up and leave, Fang Qiuyao suddenly reached out and grabbed the hem of her robe.
"Hm? What’s wrong?"
Liu Zijin turned back to ask.
"Sister Zijin… could you stay here with me for a bit? I… I’m a little scared."
Seeing Fang Qiuyao’s nervous expression, Liu Zijin sat back down, took her hand, and comforted her.
"Don’t be afraid. Now that you’re back, everything’s fine."
Noticing Fang Qiuyao’s cold hands, Liu Zijin rubbed them gently while changing the subject.
"But Senior Brother Jiang is truly amazing. It’s like there’s nothing he can’t do."
"Yeah, yeah."
Fang Qiuyao nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick, then whispered, "Sister Zijin, have you noticed that ever since we started wearing the straw hats and scorched cloth Senior Brother gave us, no one has paid us any attention?"
"Of course I’ve noticed. But Senior Brother Jiang doesn’t seem to like others prying into his secrets, so it’s best not to ask too much, alright?"
"Mm, I understand."
Fang Qiuyao nodded, then hesitated as if she wanted to say more but swallowed her words. Just how strong is Senior Brother…? Fang Qiuyao was acutely aware of the vast difference in strength between herself and the blade-wielding man she had fought desperately the day before.
That man’s power had likely surpassed Qi Refining and reached the level of a Mysterious Practitioner. Yet Senior Brother had effortlessly rescued her right before his eyes—that couldn’t have been just because of the black smoke. But since Senior Brother clearly disliked discussing this, Fang Qiuyao decided not to bring it up.
Noticing Fang Qiuyao’s sudden silence, Liu Zijin smiled and gently squeezed her hand.
"Rest for a while. We still have to travel later."
"Mm… Thank you, Sister Zijin."
Fang Qiuyao slowly closed her eyes. Two hours passed quickly, and Jiang Beiran knocked on the door of Liu Zijin and Fang Qiuyao’s room right on time. With a creak, Liu Zijin opened the door and bowed to Jiang Beiran.
"Senior Brother, we’re ready."
Jiang Beiran glanced inside and saw that Fang Qiuyao had changed her clothes and was wearing her straw hat.
"Any lingering discomfort?" he asked expressionlessly.
Fang Qiuyao shook her head.
"No, the medicine Senior Brother gave me worked very well."
"Good. Then let’s prepare to leave."
At that moment, the three Yu sisters emerged from the neighboring room. Spotting Jiang Beiran, they bowed in unison.
"Greetings, Senior Brother."
Jiang Beiran nodded calmly, though inwardly, he was quite puzzled. The day before, after seeing the size of the Human-Class room, the Yu sisters hadn’t requested an additional room and had simply slept together in the same one. Did they pull out a bed from their Universe Rings?
Suppressing his curiosity, Jiang Beiran swept his gaze over the five junior sisters.
"Since everyone’s ready, let’s set off."
"Yes!"
Five voices answered simultaneously.
Hm?
The three Yu sisters all turned to look at Fang Qiuyao, who had just stepped out of the room, surprised that she wasn’t throwing a tantrum today. Yesterday, she had completely ignored Senior Brother. After exchanging puzzled glances, the three sisters turned back to Jiang Beiran and Fang Qiuyao with identical expressions.
We’re curious! … After settling the bill downstairs, Jiang Beiran led his five junior sisters out of Falling Sunset Town and continued toward Fortune Gathering Village. At noon, the Rosy Cloud Inn bustled as usual, welcoming guests from all directions.
Several waiters scurried about, delivering plates of delicious dishes to the tables. Behind the counter, the inn’s head waiter was drawing wine when he suddenly spotted a familiar figure entering the door. Startled, he quickly set down the wine dipper and rushed forward, bowing deeply.
"Master Chen! Your presence brings boundless honor to our humble establishment!"
PS: There will be another chapter later.
(End of Chapter)