Jiang Beiran knew that once the five junior sisters took off their "forgettable outfits," they would once again become the brightest stars in the Heart Returning Sect. So when yet another junior brother crashed into a tree while staring at them in a daze, he led them to a secluded corner.
"Junior Sister Liu, you lost one evaluation point for this mission. Do you have any objections?"
Jiang Beiran asked after lining up the junior sisters in a row.
"None," Liu Ziqin immediately shook her head.
Nodding, Jiang Beiran then turned to Fang Qiuyao.
"Junior Sister Fang, you lost two points. Any objections?"
Fang Qiuyao froze for a moment before shaking her head.
"N-no... none."
The three Yu sisters exchanged curious glances. In their memories, aside from initially being somewhat defiant toward Senior Brother, Fang Qiuyao hadn’t done anything particularly out of line. How had she lost two whole points?
That night... something definitely happened! The Yu sisters clearly remembered how Fang Qiuyao had suddenly become much more docile after staying at the inn for a night. But fearing they might pry into something they shouldn’t, they hadn’t dared to ask during their late-night talks in the tent.
But still...
I’m so curious! All three of them widened their eyes, glancing back and forth between Jiang Beiran and Fang Qiuyao.
"If there are no objections, I’ll report to the Law Enforcement Hall alone. You’re dismissed. The mission evaluation will be sent to your respective masters."
"Yes."
Five voices answered in unison, each with a different tone.
"Good. I hope you’ll abide by the three rules we agreed upon. Farewell."
With that, Jiang Beiran cupped his hands toward the five of them and strode off toward the Law Enforcement Hall without looking back.
"Eh... Senior Brother, are you really just leaving like that?"
Yu Guimiao blinked a few times. She had thought Senior Brother was all bark and no bite, but it turned out he had both a sharp tongue and an iron heart. Liu Ziqin sighed.
"After hearing those three rules, you should all understand now why Senior Brother remains so unknown within the sect, right?"
The four junior sisters nodded in unison.
"......"
"So we’d better follow them properly. Senior Brother is definitely the type who keeps his word."
As she spoke, Liu Ziqin felt a pang of nervousness, thinking of the person who had recommended Senior Brother to her as an iron seal. If Senior Brother finds out, wouldn’t Elder Sister...
"But..."
Fang Qiuyao bit her lip before finally speaking up.
"Whether we follow the rules or not, Senior Brother... won’t have anything to do with us anymore, right?"
Liu Ziqin smirked mischievously and whispered, "Senior Brother just said we shouldn’t interact unless necessary after returning to our respective halls. But what if there is a reason?" Fang Qiuyao’s eyes instantly brightened.
"Ziqin-jie, you’re so clever!"
Truthfully, Fang Qiuyao had wanted to properly thank Senior Brother for saving her life during their journey. But every time the words reached her lips, she swallowed them back.
She had planned to invite him for a meal after returning to the sect and express her gratitude formally, but now that Senior Brother had outright refused any further contact, she was nearly frantic with worry. Next time... next time I’ll definitely say it properly! Fang Qiuyao vowed silently. ......
Meanwhile, Jiang Beiran had just entered the Law Enforcement Hall and quickly found the presiding elder on duty.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Hong. I’ve come to report on the mission."
Hong Wenrui looked up and smiled.
"Ah, Beiran. Give me a moment."
Since they were already familiar, Hong Wenrui only asked a few brief questions before stamping Jiang Beiran’s mission order with a green iron seal.
"There’s one more thing I need to report, Senior Brother," Jiang Beiran said after Hong Wenrui had filed the order.
"Oh? What is it?"
"I’ve discovered that the recent child disappearances in Fortune Gathering Village are connected to the Asura Sect. I suspect they might make a move soon."
[Option Mission Completed. Reward: Hovering +1] Hovering!
Finally, another special attribute point! This is a huge win! As Jiang Beiran celebrated inwardly, Hong Wenrui frowned.
"The Asura Sect? Understood. I’ll report this to the Black Banner."
Jiang Beiran cupped his hands.
"Then I’ll trouble Senior Brother Hong with this matter."
Hong Wenrui returned the gesture.
"Not at all. This is part of my duties."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Jiang Beiran bid farewell. But instead of returning directly to Blue Heart Hall, he left the sect once more. Now that he didn’t have to worry about the junior sisters, Jiang Beiran leaped high into the air, streaking across the sky like an arrow before flying forward at incredible speed.
Special attribute points really are amazing. Just one point has already improved my ability to adjust midair significantly. Pleased, Jiang Beiran accelerated further, heading straight for Fortune Gathering Village.
In just the time it took an incense stick to burn, Jiang Beiran had already landed near the cave where he had captured the bandits earlier and made his way to the back mountain.
Rustle...
Pushing aside a thicket of bushes, Jiang Beiran examined the traces left behind. The humidity in these woods is quite high, but the grass on this path is noticeably darker than elsewhere. He must have walked this way often.
Following the darkened grass and other clues, Jiang Beiran pressed forward.
Roar!
As he rounded a large tree, a white-browed tiger suddenly roared and stalked toward him, its pupils narrowed into slits as it fixed its gaze on this intruder in its territory.
"Shoo, shoo. Don’t bother me," Jiang Beiran waved dismissively at the tiger.
The white-browed tiger froze momentarily before letting out an even more furious roar, its pride wounded.
ROAR!!!
Seeing the tiger crouch into a pouncing stance, Jiang Beiran sighed and turned to glare at it sharply. ...
Meow.
Instantly, all the tiger’s ferocity vanished. It tucked its head in and scrambled backward.
Hmm...
Normally, tigers would try to circle behind me for an ambush. This one’s a bit dumb—could it have been raised by that young leader to scare off intruders? Thinking it highly likely, Jiang Beiran immediately gave chase.
The white-browed tiger, which had been preparing its retreat, instantly bristled all over and bolted the moment it saw Jiang Beiran pursuing it! But before it could even turn fully, Jiang Beiran was already blocking its path.
Yowl!!!
The tiger reared up in terror, its eyes wide with fright.
"Don’t be scared. I just have a few questions for you," Jiang Beiran said, stepping forward to scratch the tiger under its chin.
"Here, sit down first. Let’s talk properly."
The tiger didn’t dare move a muscle as Jiang Beiran stroked its chin, staring at him blankly.
Sigh...
With only one point in Animal Communication, it’s still not very effective. This attribute is even rarer than Hovering. I wonder when I’ll get another point.
Mentally lamenting, Jiang Beiran intensified his spiritual pressure and stared at the tiger again.
"Sit. I won’t say it a third time."
Perhaps driven by sheer survival instinct, though the tiger still couldn’t understand Jiang Beiran’s words, its hind legs suddenly buckled, and it clasped its front paws together in a pleading gesture. --- Thanks to the following patrons for their support! - ShangXinQing for 2000! - ShaNa's Eyes for 2000! - Ping Yin for 1300! - Fallen Prosperity for 1100! - Regen Rainwing for 500! - Silent Tea for 500! - Zhou Jiahao S for 500! - Just Passing By 10086 for 500! - Hey 911? for 400! - Reader 20191028123224911 for 300! - Crazy But Not Mad for 300! - Reader 20180502122727343 for 100! - Silly Little Guest for 100! - Smoked Wukong for 100! - Handsome Xi for 100!
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(End of Chapter)