The four sat down together. Sun Ge looked at Xiang'er's clothing; though stained with some dust and slightly disheveled, the fabric and tailoring were extraordinary. He spoke up, "Looking at your attire, Miss, you don't seem to come from an ordinary family. Coincidentally, my father asked my cousin to secure me a job as an Outer Affairs Menial at the Yuhe Gate, a hundred miles from Qingyang Town. Although it's just an Outer Affairs Menial position, those in the Yuhe Gate are all Immortals!" As he said this, a fervent light sparkled in his eyes. "My father often says that if one is lucky enough to be noticed by an Immortal and taken as a disciple, it would be a blessing for generations!"
[Illustration ↓]
https://i.postimg.cc/SRXrxgtH/Q0002AA.jpg
Liu Hai, with a chopstick in his mouth, asked indistinctly, "An Immortal Sect? I heard the threshold for such places is very high. Is it really that easy to get in? Besides, seeking the Dao involves enduring the elements; isn't it extremely hard work?"
Lin Dalu also nodded in agreement, "I've also heard my father and Uncle Chen mention it during their chats. Entering an Immortal Sect seems to involve an Entry Trial, especially that Spirit Root Assessment, which they say is incredibly difficult to pass—one in ten thousand. Sun Ge, have you thought this through?"
An expression of determination appeared on Sun Ge's honest face, "My cousin is a Steward at the Outer Affairs Menial office, so I expect some care during the entry. However," he clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, "no matter how hard it is, I must give it my all! This is a chance for a Carp Leaping the Dragon Gate! Once I Ascend to Immortality, I will surely bring you all along!" He turned to Xiang'er and said sincerely, "Miss Xiang'er, in a few days I happen to be going to Qingyang Town for my duties. I can also help you ask around the town then."
A flash of gratitude appeared in Xiang'er's eyes as she rose and gave a graceful bow, "Thank you for your noble kindness, Young Master Sun. Xiang'er is deeply grateful."
The four chatted for a while about village gossip and legends of Immortal Sects until the sun dipped below the horizon and twilight began to rise. Liu Hai and Sun Ge then headed to their respective homes. Before leaving, Liu Hai didn't forget to give Xiang'er a warm invitation, "Miss Xiang'er, when you have time, have Brother Dalu take you for a stroll in the village. If he is busy, you can find me instead!"
After seeing them off, the small courtyard returned to tranquility. The night, like ink, slowly stained the sky. The evening breeze carried the cool air of the mountains through the drying cloth with light rustling sounds, making the surroundings feel even more desolate and empty.
Inside, a dim oil lamp was lit, its flickering light casting their shadows on the wall, stretching and shrinking them. Lin Dalu and Xiang'er sat across from each other at the table, momentarily unsure of what to say. With more people during the day, it wasn't as noticeable, but now, being alone in a room as a man and woman, the atmosphere felt subtly awkward. Lin Dalu felt his palms sweating. He racked his brain but couldn't find a suitable topic. After a long silence, he stammered, "Xiang... Miss Xiang'er, you sleep in the inner room. I... I will just set up a plank bed in the outer room."
Xiang'er looked up at him, her face appearing even more beautiful under the lamplight. She said softly, "Thank you for your thoughtful arrangements, Young Master Lin." With that, she rose, went into the inner room, and gently closed the door.
Lin Dalu hurriedly laid out his bedding in the outer room and lay down without undressing. He listened to the rustling of the wind through the old tree outside and watched the moonlight through the window. His gaze involuntarily drifted toward the closed door of the inner room. Beneath the door gap, a faint, weak glow could be seen. The various extraordinary encounters of the day—the sudden appearance of Miss Xiang'er, Sun Ge's ambition for the Immortal Sect—revolved in his mind like a revolving lantern. It all felt too abrupt, like a magnificent yet ethereal dream. As he pondered, his consciousness blurred, and he fell into a deep sleep.
In the dead of night, the moonlight outside was like fine silver threads reflecting in the dyehouse courtyard. Faint glimmers floated on the window in a hazy phenomenon. For just a fleeting moment, a weak voice, sounding like Xiang'er murmuring in a dream, spoke, "Kunwu... Tranquil Spirit... Technique Formula... are they still there?..."
The next morning, before the day broke, birds chirped outside, full of life. Lin Dalu was awakened by a familiar, enticing aroma of food. He rubbed his bleary eyes and sat up, following the scent to see smoke curling from the stove.
Xiang'er had her back to him, busy at the stove. Today, she had changed into some old clothes left by Lin Dalu's mother. Though they were coarse linen, her figure was outlined by the morning light—her lines were soft, and every gesture carried a quiet, gentle grace that was uniquely pure and ethereal. Perhaps for convenience, she had loosely pinned up her long hair, revealing her fair and slender neck. A few stray locks of dark hair brushed her cheeks, swaying gently as she leaned over to add firewood. The dancing flames in the hearth reflected the dreamlike softness of her profile. Fine beads of sweat on her brow were like morning dew on petals.
Lin Dalu was momentarily entranced. What he had always hoped for was to marry such a gentle and virtuous woman and live a life like his parents—plain but full of love. The scene before him was almost exactly what he had dreamed of.
However, as his gaze instinctively followed her movements—leaning over to add wood, her waist slightly curved, revealing her feminine grace—Liu Hai's teasing words from yesterday suddenly echoed in his mind, "Tsk, you know she's like an Immortal from the clouds with an extraordinary aura. If you didn't look after her properly while she was out... then..."
Instantly, a surge of heat rushed to his head, and Lin Dalu's cheeks burned like fire. He hurriedly looked away, his heart racing. But that fleeting glimpse was like a brand, deeply etched in his mind, impossible to banish. He was ashamed of his momentary lapse and didn't dare look again.
"Miss Xiang'er is so pure and extraordinary, like an Immortal. How can a country person like me dare to dream of her?" he thought to himself. "Not to mention I had no such thoughts when she was unconscious yesterday; even if there were such a chance, I would never do such a lowly thing! To me, Xiang'er is like a sacred lotus. I only wish to protect her carefully and watch from afar, unwilling to let her suffer any grievance or be stained by a speck of dust... For now, being able to have her stay here temporarily, seeing her figure every day and hearing her voice, I should be satisfied... As for... as for Liu Hai's words... I will definitely not let her suffer the slightest slight." Having reached this thought, his mind settled, and his face became much calmer.
At that moment, Xiang'er turned around carrying a dish of pickles and two bowls of steaming Plain Congee. She happened to see Lin Dalu looking at her and was momentarily startled, then smiled, "Young Master Lin, you... what are you doing? Breakfast is ready; please eat while it's hot."
Her voice was as gentle as water, bringing more warmth to Lin Dalu's heart. Although what was on the table was only the most ordinary Plain Congee and pickles, it was prepared with delicacy. A layer of fine rice oil rested on the surface of the Plain Congee, and the pickles were sliced evenly with a few drops of sesame oil, emitting a tempting aroma. All these details spoke of Xiang'er's care and skill.
After the meal, Lin Dalu remembered his promise to Uncle Lu Han to rush a batch of dyed fabric samples to the cloth shop in Guangde Town. He rose to get busy. He had just set up several bolts of plain white fabric on the racks in the yard and was preparing to mix the dyes when the courtyard gate creaked open, and Liu Hai's head poked in again.
"Good morning, Miss Xiang'er! Good morning, Brother Dalu!" Liu Hai had a bright smile on his face. His gaze first circled Xiang'er before landing on Lin Dalu. "Brother Dalu, dyeing fabric? Want me to lend a hand?"
Lin Dalu gave him a flat look, "You? Forget it... normally when I ask for help, you run faster than a mountain rabbit. Today, I don't think you're here to help; you're here to disturb Miss Xiang'er's peace!"
"Helping! I'm really helping!" Liu Hai cried out, patting his chest. "I am absolutely here in good faith to help! Your brother is completely sincere!" Saying this, he truly rolled up his sleeves, moved to the dye vat, and helped Lin Dalu stir the deep blue dye solution.
The two coordinated well—one responsible for soaking the cloth, the other for wringing it out. However, Liu Hai's eyes were constantly drifting toward Xiang'er under the eaves. As he absentmindedly lifted a heavy wet cloth soaked in dye, preparing to hang it on a high bamboo pole, his foot tripped on something. With a cry of surprise, he lost his balance and fell straight toward the waist-high vat filled with dye!
"Watch out!" Lin Dalu cried out in horror, reaching out to pull him, but it was too late. It looked as if Liu Hai was about to plunge headfirst into the dye vat!
In a flash of lightning!
An invisible, intangible yet pure and resilient force—like an underwater surge or spring wind lifting catkins—appeared out of nowhere beneath Liu Hai. His falling figure suddenly stalled; he was held steady by this force and then slowly, lightly lowered back to the ground. Not even a corner of his clothes was dampened!
[Illustration ↓]
https://i.postimg.cc/904pQLNv/Q0002B1.jpg
This sudden turn of events shocked both Lin Dalu and the newly steadied Liu Hai. Both instinctively turned their heads toward the direction of that strange force—
They saw Xiang'er standing before the house, her face as pale as fine xuan paper, without a hint of color. Her hands were formed into a strange Hand Seal, and at her fingertips was a faint, wispy White Qi Thread swirling like a spirit serpent, slowly retracting into her body. That Qi was pure and translucent, carrying a refined aura that did not belong to this mortal world.
Xiang'er's breathing was slightly labored, and fine sweat appeared on her smooth forehead; clearly, that action had taken a great toll on her. She lifted her gaze to the two stunned people in the courtyard, a weak, wry smile appearing on her lips.
Silence—a deathly silence—enveloped the small courtyard.
After a long time, as if someone were clutching his throat, Liu Hai forced out a few broken sounds with unbelievable horror and trembling, "Miss... Miss Xiang'er... you... you are actually... an... an Immortal?!"
——(End of Chapter)