Chapter Thirty-Two: Senior Sister

Miao Shilin cast a cold, scornful glance at Che Wuyou, and only after a long pause did he speak: “So it was all because of you, boy. I should have known—Lan Zhi has always been obedient and sensible. How could she have made such a grave mistake this time? Yet she’s got spirit; I questioned her for ages and she wouldn’t confess a single truth. So, she was trying to cover for you all along.” As he uttered these last words, every syllable was like a dagger. Enraged, he raised his hand and struck Che Wuyou square in the chest with his palm.

Che Wuyou felt the force of the blow surge through him—so powerful that he faintly heard a soft crack from his chest, as though a bone had snapped. He was hurled backward uncontrollably by the strike, slamming hard into the wall. A wave of agony rippled from his back throughout his body, and his consciousness was instantly engulfed in darkness...

Miao Shilin left, and Yang Cheng led the other Miao family disciples away as well.

Before departing, Yang Cheng looked back at Che Wuyou, curiosity stirring in his heart: “What scripture has Che Wuyou been practicing? How can it wield such power? Even someone as gifted as my junior sister was gravely wounded by this book. In all my hundred years within the Miao family, I’ve never seen such a miraculous scripture.”

“What’s even more astonishing is that someone as mediocre as Che Wuyou can cultivate such a wondrous text, while my brilliant junior sister cannot. It defies all logic. And for such a precious scripture—Master would guard it with his life, never passing it on lightly. Why, then, would he choose to impart it to the son of his enemy? What is his intention? Is this all part of Master’s grand design? Cunning old fox—no wonder I’ve always found his sudden kindness suspect.”

Che Wuyou groggily opened his eyes to see a lovely, delicate face before him. At the corner of those eyes still clung a glistening tear.

Seeing him awake, Liu Lanzhi quickly wiped her tears away and smiled, “You’re awake! Don’t move, don’t move—you’re quite badly hurt this time.” She carefully checked the bandages on his chest as she spoke.

Che Wuyou’s heart was warmed to see Liu Lanzhi finally speaking to him again, and for a while he was at a loss for words. He gazed at her, moved by a tenderness he had never seen from her before, and found himself utterly entranced.

Liu Lanzhi, noticing his dazed stare, felt a flicker of puzzlement—something about the moment was odd, though she couldn’t put her finger on it. Unsettled, she scolded, “You fool, you’re truly hopeless! Why would you shoulder all the blame yourself? Aren’t you afraid Master will kill you? I never imagined that someone who acts so dopey could lie through his teeth with a straight face. You’re braver than you look!”

She eyed him suspiciously, “Do you lie to me often? Tell me—have you tricked me before?”

Startled by her suspicion, Che Wuyou quickly replied with all the earnestness he could muster, “Lanzhi, I—I would never lie to you. Never, ever.”

Liu Lanzhi, amused by his anxiousness, couldn’t help but laugh, “You really are a fool. I know you wouldn’t lie to me. But why are you always so good to me?”

Looking into her sparkling eyes, Che Wuyou’s heart surged with emotion, “Lanzhi, you’re good to me. Apart from... apart from... you’re the best to me, so I’ll always be the best to you.”

Liu Lanzhi was baffled by his muddled words, but quickly changed the subject, “Apart from what? Anyway, from now on, you must call me Senior Sister, not Lanzhi. Starting today, I am your Senior Sister—no matter what happens, I always will be. Even if Master disowns you, even if the Miao family casts you out, I’ll always see you as my junior brother. Ha, ha, ha! That’s settled—from now on, if anything happens, don’t be afraid. Your Senior Sister will protect you.”

Che Wuyou, seeing Liu Lanzhi’s exuberant expression, felt an immense joy well up inside him and couldn’t help but grin along with her. The laughter pulled at his injured chest, making him wince in pain.

Seeing his silly expression, Liu Lanzhi laughed again before scolding him, “I told you not to move! I just finished bandaging your wounds, and now you’ll make me redo it all. Master’s palm was ruthless—two ribs broken, yet he didn’t hesitate to strike you so hard... Does it hurt much?” She looked at him with concern, her gratitude and guilt mingling as she thought of how he had taken the punishment for her. If it hadn’t been for him, who knows how Master would have disciplined her? Even Liu Lanzhi, usually so optimistic, felt a chill at the thought.

Seeing the care in her eyes, Che Wuyou felt both flustered and warmed. “It doesn’t hurt,” he said softly. “I’m used to being hit by others.”

At these words, Liu Lanzhi’s heart darkened. She quickly tried to comfort him, “From now on, as long as I’m here, no one will dare bully you.” But as soon as she finished, her cheeks flushed, and she suddenly snapped, “I didn’t realize you were so petty and mean! Hmph, see if I bother with you anymore!” With that, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Che Wuyou stared, dumbfounded, at the door she had just slammed. What had he done to upset her? He hadn’t said anything wrong.

The truth was, when Che Wuyou said, “I’m used to being hit,” it reminded Liu Lanzhi that she herself had struck him in anger the previous night. Embarrassed, she saw him gazing at her and thought he was making a pointed remark. Flustered and annoyed, she stormed off—her true feelings lost on the hapless Che Wuyou, who could only wonder what he had done to offend her this time.

In the inner chambers of the Miao family, Miao Shilin sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at his aged wife. After a long silence, he spoke, “Our time grows short, and already the disciples stir restlessly. If only Brother Lin were here to keep order. With him presiding over the family, I’d have no worries even after we’re gone. But who knows when he’ll return?”

Madam Miao looked at her frowning husband and sighed, “You’re growing old. I hardly ever saw you so troubled in the past.”

“Brother Lin is indeed gifted,” he replied, “and he’ll likely be a master of the Core Formation stage when he appears again. But his heart roams the world. We’ve kept him tied to the Miao family for so long—can we really keep him here forever, bound to this barren southern land? In the end, the Miao family’s affairs must be settled by the Miao family. I heard you planned to discipline Lanzhi this morning. Did you truly intend to enforce the family rules against her?”

Miao Shilin hesitated, then nodded with a sigh, “Yes, Brother Lin deserves his freedom. Lanzhi is extraordinarily talented, but too young. I wanted to pass the position of family head to her now, then guide her from behind the scenes for a few years so she’d be ready to lead. But she’s too unruly and mischievous—already causing such trouble. If she were in charge, who knows what would happen? So I meant to teach her a lesson today and see how the other disciples reacted. But things took a turn I didn’t expect. All those disciples watching, and not one stood up for Lanzhi. They just watched coldly, even Yang Cheng, forgetting all sense of brotherhood. I suspect Yang Cheng would be the first to protest if I made Lanzhi the heir.”

Madam Miao snorted, “Of course he’d object. He’s been with us the longest and is the most senior. If not for Lanzhi, the family would be his by rights. The other disciples don’t want to offend Yang Cheng, especially now, with the question of succession unresolved. I just don’t understand why that Che family boy stood up for Lanzhi this morning. If it weren’t for him, how would you have ended things?”

Miao Shilin rose and walked to the window, his back to her. “This whole affair stemmed from Lanzhi’s mischief and was hardly a serious matter—just needed a good talking-to. But someone is manipulating things behind the scenes, escalating the situation. A disciple injured in training is nothing unusual, yet suddenly the whole household was abuzz overnight, forcing my hand.”

“If I don’t discipline Lanzhi, the others might follow her example—secretly practicing forbidden techniques or doing as they please. Then the Miao family would truly fall into chaos. Still, Lanzhi is usually so clever, yet when it mattered, all she said was, ‘It’s my fault; please punish me, Master,’ never once pleading her case. She cut off her own escape, forcing me to take a stand. Che Wuyou, on the other hand, kept his wits and tried to defend her. Without him, I’d have had no choice but to expel Lanzhi and quietly send her to the Clear Pool Sword Sect. Even with their high standards, they’d be delighted to take in someone as talented as her.”

Madam Miao sniffed dismissively, “That rascal from the Che family certainly has nerve. He thinks he’s fooled everyone, but he doesn’t realize how well we know Lanzhi. If it wasn’t her fault, she’d never admit it. The fact that she kept silent means she really did practice in secret. And with her mischievous nature, spoiled as she is, she’d never think twice about breaking a rule for the family’s secret techniques.”

“I’m sure even Yang Cheng suspects Che Wuyou is lying, but without proof, he can’t expose him. If he pressed the issue, it would only make things worse, making him look petty—persecuting his junior sister for the sake of the succession.”

And so, within the walls of the Miao family, the fates and schemes of master and disciple continued to intertwine, their hearts weighed down by secrets and the uncertain road ahead.