Chapter Sixteen: Could It Be...
Jiang Zhuoran's eyes were filled with admiration for Qing Ming’s sword spirit—this was the first time she had ever seen such a unique sword.
Jiang Zao scoffed dismissively.
“The sword may be good, but the spirit isn’t. I’ve never met one with such a sharp tongue.”
Qing Ming’s first impression left much to be desired. Not only was his temper violent and eccentric, but his sword spirit was also insolent. It seemed that if one weren’t careful, he might even assassinate his master without a trace.
If it weren’t for her sword spirit keeping his temperament in check, she didn’t know when she might silently perish at his hands.
Startled, Jiang Zhuoran looked up, only to be urged down again.
A spirit?
A sword spirit?
Cautiously, Jiang Zhuoran asked, “Zao Zao, does this sword really have a sword spirit?”
“How does she know about the sword spirit?” Jiang Zao wondered.
“Could it be...?”
Jiang Zao’s probing gaze made her sword spirit uneasy and nervous, fearing her ability to hear their thoughts might be exposed.
“I-I just sensed this sword was extraordinary, so I wanted to ask you,” Jiang Zhuoran said, awkwardly smiling and scrambling for a flimsy excuse to cover herself.
Jiang Zao suddenly understood. “This sword does indeed have a sword spirit.” She then used her divine sense to communicate with the sword spirit, causing it to manifest.
“Jiang Xiao Zao, why can she go out, but I can’t?” Qing Ming’s sword spirit yelled defiantly inside her spiritual sea.
“You’re biased!” it complained.
“Shut up!”
“...”
The sword spirit, sensing their argument inside the spiritual sea, covered its mouth to laugh quietly. Finally, someone could keep Qing Ming in check; this would make her life much easier in the future.
Jiang Zao introduced, “Big Sister, this is the spirit within the sword, named She Sha.”
She Sha smiled gently and bowed to her. “I greet you, milady.”
Every expression and smile carried the air of a noble lady. Were she born in this era, suitors would likely trample the family gate trying to win her hand.
Jiang Zhuoran stared blankly at She Sha, who teased, “Milady, you’re staring at me so blatantly...”
Her hesitant expression made the one caught red-handed blush and lower her gaze.
“N-no, I’m not,” came the weak denial, sounding more like a guilty confession.
Jiang Zao laughed and stopped the teasing. “She Sha, don’t toy with her anymore.”
If not for the fact that sword spirits were born from swords, she might have suspected She Sha had been a succubus in a past life who, tired of that, had switched to being a sword spirit.
She Sha knew when to be discreet and returned to the sword’s body, leaving the private space to the two of them.
...
“Master.” After receiving his sound transmission butterfly, Jiang Zhuoran hurried to his side. “I wonder what business calls me here, Master?”
---
He Mo Bai sat cross-legged in the pavilion as a jade-green token flew into her hand.
“Junior Fourth has discovered a secret realm during his journey. Now, only you and Wu Qiu remain in the sect. You two will go check it out.”
“Yes, Master,” Jiang Zhuoran replied.
She returned to her quarters and began gathering supplies.
Jiang Zao leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed, watching Jiang Zhuoran busily preparing inside, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Big Sister, are you going out?”
[If you dare go out behind my back today, tomorrow I’ll throw you out for good.]
Jiang Zhuoran’s hands froze mid-pack. She had carefully avoided Jiang Zao, yet still got caught red-handed. She turned back awkwardly.
“Zao Zao...”
Jiang Zao said nothing but wore an expression that said, “Say it, I’m listening.”
Jiang Zhuoran pursed her lips, glancing around nervously, her mind racing for a plausible excuse.
The secret realm where Fourth Senior Brother was located was wild and dangerous. For Jiang Zao’s safety, she didn’t want her to come along.
“Don’t try to come up with some excuse to fool me,” Jiang Zao cut her off coldly.
Having spent time together, she knew her so-called ‘big sister’ all too well. That expression was a dead giveaway that she was making up reasons on the spot.
Jiang Zhuoran took a deep breath, realizing she couldn’t dodge this. After a moment’s struggle, she confessed with genuine concern on her face, “Second Senior Brother and I are going to a secret realm.”
“That realm is wild and unpredictable. No one knows what’s inside. I’m afraid you’ll get hurt, so I didn’t want you to know.”
“Still, you can’t just leave me behind. How do you know Yu Ling Peak is safe?” Jiang Zao muttered softly, turning her head away.
“That’s no reason for you to abandon me!” Jiang Zhuoran’s voice rose unintentionally in frustration.
It was the first time Jiang Zhuoran had seen her angry, and she was taken aback. Then she quickly apologized, “Sorry, Zao Zao, it won’t happen again.”
“I’ll forgive you this time, but next time—you’ll be in tears,” Jiang Zao said fiercely, making a threatening gesture before turning and walking away.
Jiang Zhuoran watched her retreating figure fondly. “So adorable.”
“How long will we be gone? I’ll help you pack,” came a voice from a distance.
“About half a month.”
“Okay, got it.”
---
The next morning.
The two met with Yan Wu Qiu. She hadn’t expected Little Junior Sister to agree to Zao Zao accompanying them to the secret realm.
At first, she had been adamant about not bringing Jiang Zao along and even told him to keep it a secret... perhaps she had suddenly changed her mind.
He didn’t pry into the affairs of two young girls.
“Second Senior Brother.”
“Senior Brother Yan.”
“Let’s go.”
“Alright.” The two nodded.
Yan Wu Qiu produced a medium-sized spirit boat. The three boarded it and departed from Yu Ling Peak.
The secret realm was located in Chu State, about half a day’s journey from the Inquiry Immortal Sect. The scenery along the way was breathtaking, so the trip was far from boring.
“Ugh~”
“Zao Zao, are you alright?”
Jiang Zao leaned over the edge of the spirit boat, violently retching, dizziness and nausea overwhelming her.
Jiang Zhuoran anxiously patted her back, trying to help ease her discomfort.
“I-I’m fine... ugh...” Jiang Zao’s face was pale as she waved her hand weakly, but before she finished, she was retching again.
[This is a disaster!]
[Isn’t a spirit boat still a boat? I don’t get seasick; why am I sick on this?]
[This feeling is unbearable...]
After vomiting, Jiang Zao’s stomach felt better, but she was utterly limp against the boat’s side, her eyes vacant, her heart furious and helpless.
“Junior Sister Zao Zao, drink some spirit tea. Maybe it’ll help ease your symptoms,” Yan Wu Qiu said softly, holding a cup and the tea pot, crouching beside her to pour a cup.
“Thank you, Senior Brother Yan.”
Jiang Zao shakily took the tea and sipped it. The spiritual energy in the tea swept through her body, easing her discomfort.
Yan Wu Qiu took back the cup and gently asked, “Feeling better?”
Jiang Zao adjusted her breathing and looked more spirited. “Much better.”
Yan Wu Qiu said, “We’ll arrive soon. Hang in there a little longer.”
“Mm-hmm,” Jiang Zao nodded obediently. All she wanted now was to set foot on solid ground; every moment here was torture.
Soon, the spirit boat docked, and Jiang Zao eagerly drew a deep breath, then knelt down, embracing Mother Earth with passion.
“Mother, I love you!”
“Zao Zao, are you really alright?” Jiang Zhuoran looked at her, doubting her mental state. Even the usually composed Yan Wu Qiu seemed to struggle to maintain his expression.
“I’m fine. I’ve never felt this good before!”
Jiang Zao stroked the earth like a madwoman, as if she wanted to take root here. Passing cultivators hurried away nervously, unwilling to linger a second longer.
“Hurry up and leave. Just look at her—something’s definitely wrong with her. What if she suddenly loses it?”
“Right, right, let’s not get involved with her.”