: Both Are Fine Young Men of This World

2024-10-25 Author: Gu Zhenren

Late at night.

Dense clouds temporarily obscured the moonlight.

Xiao Ju hurried along the mountain path. She treaded carefully, her heart uneasy, frequently glancing around. The lantern she carried was a magical tool, capable of scouting the surroundings and issuing warnings.

The trees on either side of the path rustled in the gentle breeze. Apart from the wind, the only sounds in Xiao Ju’s ears were her own footsteps and the beating of her heart.

The sound of the waterfall grew louder, drowning out all other noises.

Soon, a deep pool appeared before her. Xiao Ju quickened her pace, trying not to linger by the water’s edge.

She passed behind the waterfall and continued up the mountain path. The roar of the waterfall filled her ears, especially deafening in the quiet of the night.

Mist hung in the air, and the moss and vines on the cliff walls were damp.

The lantern’s light cast swaying shadows on the stone walls.

Xiao Ju pressed on until she saw the entrance to the Ten Thousand Demons Cave, her heart lifting slightly with relief.

But then, she remembered the mission Lin Shanshan had entrusted to her, and a heavy pressure settled over her once more.

She had reached the cave entrance but hesitated, pacing back and forth, unable to bring herself to enter.

Just then, Linghu Jiu’s voice echoed from within the cave:

“Drunk on a stone bed, warmed by the gentle breeze,

“Deep in the cave, dreams are hard to guess.

“Awake, the moon’s shadow falls on pines and cypresses,

“Footsteps approach—who comes to visit?”

Xiao Ju realized she had been noticed. Steeling herself, she announced her identity.

Linghu Jiu, of course, knew that Xiao Ju was Lin Shanshan’s personal maid and immediately called her inside.

With a nervous heart, Xiao Ju entered the cave.

The interior was dimly lit by lanterns, and the walls were covered in mottled moss, as if telling tales of time and hardship.

Xiao Ju soon spotted the stone bed.

On it lay a slender cultivator, reclining sideways with an air of casual elegance. The scent of wine clung to him, his eyes drowsy, exuding an aura of detachment from the world—as if all earthly worries were beneath his notice.

It was Linghu Jiu.

He smiled gently and asked Xiao Ju, “Coming to see me so late at night—has Little Shishai come to ask for my help?”

Xiao Ju took a deep breath, bowed, and mustering her courage, relayed Lin Shanshan’s request to Linghu Jiu.

Linghu Jiu: “…”

Xiao Ju watched him anxiously.

Linghu Jiu frowned, let out a deep sigh, and rose from the stone bed. With his hands behind his back, he paced around the cave.

For a moment, Xiao Ju felt that Linghu Jiu’s transcendent, otherworldly demeanor had been dragged down by worldly matters, tainted by mortal dust. His immortal aura faded, replaced by a more human quality.

Watching him ponder with a furrowed brow, Xiao Ju felt a wave of sympathy for him.

She resolved that if Linghu Jiu showed even the slightest reluctance to help Lin Shanshan, she would turn and leave immediately.

Though she was just a girl, she felt that this matter was too distressing and cruel for Linghu Jiu.

Linghu Jiu paused in his steps and sighed softly. “I’ve been secluded in this cave for too long, unaware of the changes outside.”

“This time, even if Little Shishai hadn’t asked for my help, I should have stepped in.”

“Xiao Ju, take my waist token and go to the Library Pavilion to retrieve the Enlightenment Charts for the Metal and Fire elements. Borrow all that are permitted for external cultivators and give them to Ning Zhuo.”

“When you hand them over, tell him that this senior brother acted somewhat hastily in protecting his junior sister, and I hope Young Master Ning Zhuo will not take offense.”

“Consider these Enlightenment Charts as an apology from the Ten Thousand Medicines Sect.”

Xiao Ju looked puzzled, unsure why Linghu Jiu would say such a thing.

Linghu Jiu smiled at her and waved his hand. “When you return, inform Little Shishai that she doesn’t need to bear any cost this time—I, as the senior brother, will take care of it.”

“Go first thing tomorrow morning, and make sure this matter is settled. Report back to me after it’s done.”

“Yes, Xiao Ju understands.” Still harboring doubts, Xiao Ju took the waist token and returned to Origin Mountain.

She met with Lin Shanshan and recounted everything Linghu Jiu had said.

After a moment of confusion, Lin Shanshan’s furrowed brow smoothed as she grasped the key point. “So that’s how it is.”

“Miss, what do you mean?” Xiao Ju couldn’t understand the riddle.

Lin Shanshan explained, “It must be that Senior Brother Lao De and others are fanning the flames behind the scenes, stirring up public opinion against Young Master Ning Zhuo and provoking many cultivators to challenge him.”

“Senior Brother knows about this and instructed you to do this as an apology to Young Master Ning Zhuo.”

“What? Why would our prestigious Ten Thousand Medicines Sect apologize to an outsider?” Xiao Ju found it unbelievable and felt indignant on Linghu Jiu’s behalf.

Lin Shanshan shook her head.

Having been groomed since childhood, her perspective and understanding were naturally different from her maid’s.

“Senior Brother is right to do this.”

“External cultivators are a unique feature of our sect and one of our main operational strategies.”

“If this matter were exposed, the harm to the entire Ten Thousand Medicines Sect would be immense, even if unseen.”

“Since Senior Brother is willing to bear the cost, let him. As the senior brother of the Ten Thousand Medicines Sect, it is indeed his responsibility to do so.”

Xiao Ju finally understood a little.

The next day, she set out early.

First, she used Linghu Jiu’s waist token to withdraw a large amount of sect contribution points and retrieved the Enlightenment Charts for the Fire and Metal elements.

Then, carrying the charts, she entered a teleportation array and arrived directly at Little Contest Peak.

She slightly altered her appearance, disguising herself to look unfamiliar, and went straight to Ning Zhuo’s current cave dwelling. She sent a messenger talisman stating her identity and purpose for visiting.

Ning Zhuo was inside the cave cultivating his three techniques. Upon receiving the message, he immediately invited Xiao Ju in.

Xiao Ju had just sat down in the reception hall when she heard footsteps. A young man soon appeared from behind the screen.

Xiao Ju’s eyes lit up. Ning Zhuo wore wide-sleeved robes as white as clouds.

His features were handsome, his eyes clear and bright like lake water, radiating sincerity.

He smiled warmly, like a spring breeze, making it impossible not to feel goodwill toward him.

“No wonder Miss holds him in such high regard, going to great lengths and making so many efforts for him!” Xiao Ju thought to herself.

Before meeting Ning Zhuo in person, she hadn’t fully understood Lin Shanshan’s actions and had felt indignant on Linghu Jiu’s behalf.

But now, having seen Ning Zhuo herself, she understood Lin Shanshan much better.

“I thought that, as a young master from a cultivation family, his status would be similar to Miss’s, yet he dresses so simply and plainly.”

“So this is the type Miss likes!”

“Actually, in my opinion, Ning Zhuo and Linghu Jiu are on par with each other.”

Xiao Ju silently compared the two in her heart.

She felt that Linghu Jiu was like a refreshing breeze—free-spirited, unrestrained, and gentle. Ning Zhuo, on the other hand, was like the morning light—pure, clean, sincere, and warm.

The young man in white is graceful and elegant,

His brows and eyes clear like the full moon.

The refreshing breeze and bright moon complement each other,

Both are fine young men of this world.

Xiao Ju stood up and bowed to Ning Zhuo, her voice becoming much softer and more obedient.

Ning Zhuo smiled, took his seat in the host’s position, and gestured for Xiao Ju to sit as well.

But Xiao Ju remained standing. “I am merely Miss’s maid. How could I dare to sit as an equal with Young Master Ning Zhuo?”

“This humble maid has come today to deliver treasures to you, Young Master!”

Xiao Ju took out all the Metal and Fire Enlightenment Charts and handed them to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo, curious, asked, “Miss Lin has been confined. How could she borrow so many Enlightenment Charts for me?”

After all, when he had previously borrowed Wood-element Enlightenment Charts, it was only three, and he had offered his own Frost and Snow charts in exchange.

This current gesture was far grander than before.

It didn’t make sense for Lin Shanshan’s influence and means to increase after being confined.

Xiao Ju smiled. “I was just about to explain this to you, Young Master.”

She then detailed the whole story behind the Enlightenment Charts and relayed Linghu Jiu’s apology to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo looked surprised. “There’s such a thing?”

“So the reason I’ve been challenged by so many people today is because disciples of the Ten Thousand Medicines Sect are fanning the flames behind the scenes.”

“I see, haha.”

Ning Zhuo pretended to have just learned of this and laughed heartily.

He stood up and pushed the Enlightenment Charts back into Xiao Ju’s hands. “If that’s the case, then I cannot accept these Enlightenment Charts.”

Xiao Ju was greatly surprised. “This humble maid dares to ask, Young Master, why is that?”

Ning Zhuo replied seriously, “Previously, I was fortunate to receive Miss Lin’s great favor. She helped me, an outsider, quickly integrate into the Ten Thousand Medicines Sect and Little Contest Peak.”

“I have always remembered this kindness deeply, engraved in my heart, not daring to forget. I’ve been thinking that if I ever have the chance in the future, I must repay it.”

“How could I not know the immense effort Miss Lin has expended to help me?”

“Hearing that she has been confined worries me greatly. Every time I go to Origin Mountain, I am stopped. I’m afraid none of the messenger talismans I sent have reached Miss Lin.”

Xiao Ju nodded. She knew about Ning Zhuo visiting Origin Mountain almost daily and that all his letters had been intercepted by Lao De and others.

Ning Zhuo continued, “I’ve asked myself: if I had known beforehand that helping me would lead to Miss Lin being confined, would I still have accepted her assistance?”

“I would.”

Xiao Ju couldn’t help but gasp softly. She had expected him to say no, but he affirmed it directly.

Ning Zhuo looked straight into Xiao Ju’s eyes. “Because I understand that Miss Lin’s help comes entirely from the bottom of her heart!”

“Such sincerity is like the Misty Elegant Orchid I gave her—a treasure between heaven and earth, something to be cherished.”

“Tell me, where in this world can you find such friendship, where people feel like old friends upon first meeting and go to great lengths to help each other after only a short time?”

“If I were to refuse Miss Lin’s help, I would be letting such a treasure slip away.”

“That would be a waste of nature’s gift.”

“She helps me now, and I will help her in the future. That is the mark of true friendship, the best way to preserve this worldly treasure!”

Xiao Ju was stunned.

She hadn’t expected Ning Zhuo to say such things.

Looking at the young man in white, bright as the dawn, and into his clear eyes, Xiao Ju could feel his genuine sincerity.

“So that’s how it is.” She was convinced.

She also vaguely understood why Ning Zhuo was refusing the Enlightenment Charts now.

“But… just friendship?”

(End of )