Chapter 15 - Caught in the Act, Tongue-Tied

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Purple Cloud Hall

Situ Qingqing shivered as she felt the cold edge of her senior sister's sword against her neck. She nervously tried to push it away, but no matter how hard she tried, the blade wouldn't budge.

"Elder Sister~" Situ Qingqing whimpered, looking at Yuan Kouxuan with teary eyes.

Yuan Kouxuan shot her a stern look and sheathed the sword. "What are you doing here?"

"I came… to practice with Master," Situ Qingqing answered honestly, still shaken.

After all, dual cultivation could technically count as "training," couldn't it?

"So you've finally gotten diligent. It seems Master's teachings during the day really made an impact on you," Yuan Kouxuan said approvingly.

"Then, Elder Sister, what are you doing here so late?" Situ Qingqing asked, her gaze full of suspicion.

?

Yuan Kouxuan's composure faltered slightly. She had intended to put on a dignified, authoritative front and brush away the question, but overdoing it might make her look suspicious. Situ Qingqing was no fool; she was sharp as a tack when it mattered.

Clearing her throat, Yuan Kouxuan tightened her robes and put on a serene expression. "I'm simply here to keep an eye on things. Master's cultivation has dropped, and I feared some villain might try to take advantage. By the way, did you happen to see any suspicious people on your way here?"

'Suspicious? Not really…'

Well, unless she counted catching her elder sister crouched and peeking through the door.

"Not at all. Everything seemed fine. Elder Sister may be overthinking it—who would dare invade Purple Cloud Peak, one of the six main peaks of Qingming Sect? Even if someone knew about Master's recent setback, they wouldn't be foolish enough to come here," Situ Qingqing replied with a hint of pride.

Seeing that her excuse had worked, Yuan Kouxuan felt a wave of relief wash over her. Glancing at Situ Qingqing, she said, "Master has already retired for the night. You'd best come back tomorrow if you want to practice."

Situ Qingqing understood that, with her elder sister present, there was no way she could sneak into the inner hall to train. She nodded obediently. "Alright, Elder Sister."

She turned and began to walk away without a second thought. After taking a few steps, however, something nagged at her, prompting her to turn around and ask, "Elder Sister, aren't you leaving?"

Yuan Kouxuan felt a flash of irritation. Just go already! Why question me?

"I'm leaving too."

Feigning nonchalance, Yuan Kouxuan quickly caught up with Situ Qingqing. The two walked side by side until they reached the main path leading away from the hall.

"Elder Sister, that's the Purple Sky Sword, right?" Situ Qingqing asked, tilting her head.

"Mhm~" Yuan Kouxuan replied, initially reluctant to show off. But since Situ Qingqing herself had brought it up—and had interrupted her mission—she couldn't resist the chance to boast. "I tried to return it to Master, but he insisted I keep it. He said I was the most suited to the path of the sword among his disciples, so he entrusted Purple Sky to me."

Her tone was calm, but the pride was unmistakable.

Yuan Kouxuan had expected Situ Qingqing to show envy. However, Situ Qingqing responded earnestly, "Master was right. You have a heart for the sword, Elder Sister. Purple Sky won't be wasted with you."

'Purple Sky? That was nothing compared to the heirloom jade pendant Master had gifted her.'

This was Situ Qingqing's true thought, though she kept it to herself. Given Yuan Kouxuan's domineering nature, revealing the pendant would only lead to trouble, and she'd rather avoid losing her treasure.

???

This wasn't the reaction Yuan Kouxuan had anticipated. Normally, Situ Qingqing would be jumping with jealousy at the sight of a precious item given to someone else. So why the sudden change?

"Baffling…" Yuan Kouxuan muttered to herself.

At a fork in the road, Situ Qingqing gave a small bow. "I'll take my leave now, Elder Sister."

"Go on, and rest well," Yuan Kouxuan advised.

"Same to you, Elder Sister."

With that, the two parted ways.

Dark clouds veiled the moon, deepening the night.

At the fork in the path—

A shadow emerged stealthily from behind a shrub. Yuan Kouxuan, who had pretended to leave, had merely hidden nearby, waiting until Situ Qingqing's footsteps faded. Only then did she cautiously make her way back to Purple Cloud Hall.

This must be returned tonight, she resolved.

As soon as Yuan Kouxuan vanished down the path, Situ Qingqing emerged from her own hiding place, wincing slightly as she rubbed her sore backside. Squatting in the bushes to avoid detection by her elder sister had been uncomfortable. Watching Yuan Kouxuan's retreating figure, Situ Qingqing whispered, "What exactly are you up to, Elder Sister?"

She decided to follow quietly.

In the Inner Hall…

Xu Yang opened his eyes. "Still no sign?"

He had been pretending to sleep for half the night but hadn't detected a thing.

Could he have been mistaken?

Just as he was about to dismiss the idea and sit up to cultivate, the sound of hurried yet light footsteps reached his ears.

"Finally," Xu Yang murmured, a smile tugging at his lips as he closed his eyes once more.

Creak

The door to the inner chamber opened as Yuan Kouxuan slipped inside, moving with utmost care. Good, she thought, no traps in Master's room.

She tiptoed to the bedside, pulling the "evidence" from her robe. Her plan was to discreetly toss it under the bed. However, seeing the half-draped blanket on the floor, she seized the chance to get closer, carefully pulling the blanket over him while taking in Master's serene, handsome face. Her hand began to reach toward his face almost instinctively.

"Elder Sister!"

The call from the doorway made Yuan Kouxuan freeze, her heart leaping into her throat. Situ Qingqing stepped into the room, her gaze sharp and accusing.

Caught red-handed, Yuan Kouxuan stammered, "I-I saw Master's blanket on the floor… I was just… covering him up."

"Oh, really?" Situ Qingqing raised an eyebrow, her gaze skeptical as she snatched the "evidence" from Yuan Kouxuan's hand. "Then what's this? Don't tell me you just found it on the floor—I saw you take it from your robe."

"I… I…" Yuan Kouxuan struggled to find words.

"Wow, Elder Sister, I didn't expect you to harbor such improper thoughts about Master!" Situ Qingqing's eyes flashed with amusement and a hint of reproach.

"I do not!" Yuan Kouxuan's face flushed crimson as she fumbled for words. But seeing no way out, she gritted her teeth and lunged to reclaim the "evidence" from Situ Qingqing's grasp.

"Give it back!"

"No way! This is my proof!" Situ Qingqing held it out of reach.

"Hand it over!" Yuan Kouxuan's expression turned icy.

"If you want it so badly, come and get it!" Situ Qingqing retorted defiantly.

Though each was determined not to let go, neither wanted to wake Master, so they refrained from using any powers. Instead, the two grappled, their movements light yet fervent.

The struggle grew more intense, each woman refusing to let the other prevail. Yuan Kouxuan pinned Situ Qingqing in an attempt to reach the "evidence." But as she searched, her hand landed on something unexpected—a book hidden in Situ Qingqing's robe.

Situ Qingqing's face paled as she realized where Yuan Kouxuan's hand had landed.

To read 219 chapters of the book I wrote, patreon.com/Guts02