A Night in Anse City and a Morning at the Camp

That night, within a small courtyard nestled on the eastern side of Anse City.

As a Yanqing Sect ‘tangkou‘ (TL Note: A branch or outpost of a sect, serving as an administrative office)was situated within Anse City, lodging was not a concern. This ‘tangkou,’ essentially an administrative office for the sect, handled intelligence gathering and guest reception. Given that Qin Yan and Yu Qingxuan were the current prodigies of the Yanqing Sect, the ‘tangkou’ master naturally extended them the utmost courtesy.

The ‘tangkou’ master was an elderly woman, seemingly in the Foundation Establishment realm. Her cultivation appeared to have stalled, and it seemed she had been assigned by the sect to oversee this branch as its master. Such ‘tangkou’ branches were, in fact, common in many significant cities.

Yu Qingxuan inquired if the master possessed any intelligence regarding the tiger demon. The master, however, appeared visibly embarrassed, shaking her head. She confessed she had no idea where the tiger demon originated and, owing to her own cultivation level, was powerless to confront it, having no choice but to appeal to the sect for aid. Although this explanation sounded somewhat like dereliction of duty, Yu Qingxuan recognized the futility of blaming the master. Hence, she merely requested that a place to stay be arranged, and the matter was dropped.

The small courtyard, nestled on the eastern side of the city, was quite picturesque, indeed an excellent property belonging to the Yanqing Sect. The master, showing her thoughtfulness, had even arranged for a few servants. Yet, as Qin Yan observed these flamboyantly dressed men, a shiver of revulsion coursed through him. Noticing Qin Yan’s expression, Yu Qingxuan promptly dismissed the servants with a subtle wave of her hand.

“Knowing there was no longer any room for advancement in her cultivation, the master simply let go of her obsessions and came to this mortal world to enjoy its riches,” Yu Qingxuan remarked with a hint of melancholy. Standing in the courtyard with Qin Yan, she gazed at the moonlit flowers and plants, and the clear spring before them, before turning her gaze to him.

Indeed, this was considered a rather fortunate outcome for a cultivator—to live out their days in peace, even having the sect provide for their old age and funeral rites. Within this particular region, she could certainly be considered an influential figure, one whose words carried weight.

“Cultivation truly is arduous,” Qin Yan mused, nodding with an undeniable sigh. ‘If not for Shizun bringing him back to the Yanqing Sect, where would he be now? He might very well have drowned in a river long ago.’

“Junior brother, you needn’t be so anxious,” Yu Qingxuan said, discerning Qin Yan’s melancholy and offering words of comfort. “Your spiritual roots are excellent, and you work diligently. Forming a Core, transforming an Infant—these are merely matters of time.”

“Then I thank senior sister for your auspicious words,” Qin Yan replied with a faint smile.

Just then, Yu Qingxuan cast a sidelong glance. “Why are you hiding?” she called out. “Are you peeking at my junior brother?”

Following Yu Qingxuan’s gaze, Qin Yan indeed saw Xiao Miao standing not far away. Xiao Miao, appearing visibly embarrassed, had no choice but to step forward and approach the two.

“Fairy Qin hasn’t slept yet either?” she greeted.

“Can’t Xiao Miao sleep either?” Qin Yan asked, nodding and smiling at the young woman before him. She had changed into a dress, also black, but it appeared rather form-fitting, her slender figure revealed without reservation.

“I was just thinking about some things…” Xiao Miao confessed, her gaze complex as she looked at Qin Yan.

Their relationship was simply too strange; after all, Qin Yan was her former fiancé. A normal woman, facing a broken engagement, would undoubtedly be furious, yet she found it utterly impossible to dislike him.

Honestly, Qin Yan’s mere appearance was enough for her to tolerate many of his actions. Yet, for her, Xiao Miao, she truly didn’t understand why she had received so many favors from him.

Qin Yan observed Xiao Miao, who appeared hesitant to speak, her thoughts seemingly too complex to unravel. He simply couldn’t comprehend the young woman’s mind. Setting aside the ‘Phoenix Overlord’ filter, Xiao Miao’s behavior was entirely that of a young girl—her emotions, be they joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness, were practically overflowing, written plainly across her face. This stubborn young woman, who also knew how to repay kindness, was, to be honest, not someone he disliked.

“Are you thinking about what happened between us?” Qin Yan probed, observing a subtle shift in Xiao Miao’s expression. “Actually, it’s not that complicated. We can just be friends.”

“Friends…?” Upon hearing Qin Yan’s words, Xiao Miao immediately felt a profound sense of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted, and some of the turmoil in her heart dissipated significantly.

Yu Qingxuan had remained silent beside them until she heard Qin Yan declare Xiao Miao merely a friend. Only then did a hint of joy blossom in her heart, for she had always felt an inexplicable, tangled connection between her junior brother and the young woman before them, causing her a degree of concern. This feeling of worry was, of course, entirely unfounded, given that she and Qin Yan were, for now, merely senior and junior siblings.

****

The next day, within a military camp situated just outside Anse City.

Qin Yan and the other two were seated within the main tent. Before long, a hearty laugh echoed from outside, and a tall woman, clad in gleaming golden armor, strode confidently into the tent.

“Sister Qingxuan, I never expected to see you in this frontier region!” the tall woman exclaimed, spotting Yu Qingxuan standing within the tent. She rushed over, intent on enveloping her in a hearty bear hug.

Yu Qingxuan, however, seemed to recoil slightly, subtly shifting her feet to the side. She looked at the tall woman before her and said, “Sister Ning, there’s no need for such formality between us, is there?”

“Heh heh, Sister Qingxuan is as aloof as ever!” the tall woman, named Sister Ning, chuckled, rubbing her hands together, not feeling awkward in the slightest. “I remember when we were in the manor, you were our leader. Now you’ve even become the Yanqing Sect’s Senior Disciple Sister; we sisters are truly worlds apart now.” Years of military life had long since made her thick-skinned.

Then her gaze fell upon Qin Yan.

“Heh heh, this must be your junior brother, Sister Qingxuan?” the woman chuckled, her words carrying an inexplicable teasing tone, punctuated by a wink and a suggestive leer. “He’s truly extraordinarily handsome! You’re quite bold yourself, Sister Qingxuan, daring to bring such a dashing man into a military camp; aren’t you afraid of…”

Hearing this, Yu Qingxuan’s eyebrow twitched. She reached out to grab the woman’s arm, seemingly intent on teaching her a lesson for her impertinence, but the woman nimbly dodged her grasp.

“Sister Qingxuan, you know my personality; my mouth has no filter,” the woman pleaded, seeing Yu Qingxuan’s serious demeanor. “Please, as the elder, don’t stoop to punishing a junior; spare me this time, alright?”

“Enough with the chatter,” Yu Qingxuan said, looking at the woman before her. “I came here to ask you about something.” She then stated the reason for her visit.

“Indeed, one only visits the ‘Three Treasures Hall’ when there’s a reason. No wonder Sister Qingxuan came to this frontier region. Ask away.”

The woman nodded. She was the general of Anse City, and also a member of the Yu family. This connection was entirely part of Yu Qingxuan’s network; the two had known each other since childhood in the Yu family manor in Qin State. It was merely that one went to the Yanqing Sect, while the other joined the Qin State’s military camp. Yu Qingxuan then recounted the matter to the woman before her. Hearing this, the woman’s expression turned serious, for the issue concerned demon beasts. Moreover, as a general of this frontier city, she was naturally well-informed about the surrounding affairs.