Chapter Twenty-Five: Let It Be Called Red Dust

Jiang Zhuoran was momentarily stunned, never expecting her to ask a different question. She reasoned that if Jiang Zao didn't want to discuss it, she wouldn't force it; she would have other opportunities to find out later.

On second thought, the little Vermilion Bird really ought to have a name. Calling it "Little Vermilion Bird" all the time felt disrespectful.

"I don't have any ideas," Jiang Zhuoran said. "Do you have any, Zaozao?"

Jiang Zao’s eyes darted around as she pondered seriously. Expecting her to come up with something profound, Jiang Zhuoran was surprised when the girl simply shook her head and said, with full confidence, "Nope."

Jiang Zhuoran paused. "Huh?"

"I said, I don't."

Seeing the doubt in her sister's eyes, she repeated it, her innocent expression making it impossible to scold her.

Jiang Zhuoran sighed. "Alright."

Since she couldn't rely on her sister, she would have to rely on herself. Jiang Zhuoran sat to one side to think, while Jiang Zao played with the little Vermilion Bird, keeping her voice low so as not to disturb her sister.

*I’m terrible at naming things. I’ll leave such an important task to you, Sister.*

*I remember the little Vermilion Bird’s name was quite nice, but I’ve forgotten what it was.*

A name concerns a creature’s self-esteem; it couldn't be taken lightly. She trusted Jiang Zhuoran more than herself.

What would be a good name?

"Sister, I think I have one!"

Jiang Zhuoran’s train of thought was interrupted. She turned her head, bewildered by the sudden exclamation. "What?"

The sudden shout had nearly scared her out of her wits; she was still feeling the lingering shock.

"Hongchen!"

"Hongchen?" Jiang Zhuoran repeated it softly, considering its suitability.

*Red dust, the inn wind like a blade; sudden rain falls, fate knocks.*

Thinking of Jay Chou’s song *Red Dust Inn*, Jiang Zao couldn't help but hum the melody. It was one of her favorites. Even if she was bad at naming, she was well-read; any line of poetry or song she picked would put current standards to shame.

"Yes, let's call it Hongchen," Jiang Zao said with a firm nod, then asked, "What do you think, Sister?"

*Since I’ve made up my mind to change their future, I’ll start with the little Vermilion Bird’s name.*

"Chirp, chirp!"

Hongchen, I like that name.

The little Vermilion Bird chirped joyfully, as if in total agreement. Seeing this, Jiang Zhuoran didn't hesitate and officially named it "Hongchen." She had only wanted a name the creature liked, and since it approved, it saved her from racking her brains further.

"Hongchen?" Jiang Zhuoran called out tentatively, and in the next second, she heard its response.

Hongchen: "Chirp!"

Seeing Hongchen react, Jiang Zhuoran couldn't help calling it a few more times, each with a different tone.

Jiang Zhuoran, engrossed in calling out the name, suddenly looked up with delight. "Zaozao, it really likes the name!"

Jiang Zao, whose attention had been entirely on Hongchen, was startled by the sudden outburst. Her heart gave a violent jolt, as if it were about to leap out of her chest. She glared at Jiang Zhuoran, who offered an embarrassed smile, having been too excited to notice her volume.

"Next time, I’ll definitely be more careful!"

"You’d better be!" Jiang Zao pretended to be angry, pointing a finger at her in warning.

Jiang Zhuoran raised three fingers to the sky, solemn. "I promise!"

Jiang Zao laughed at her serious vow, her mood brightening. She hadn't really been angry to begin with, but she hadn't expected Jiang Zhuoran to swear so earnestly. Once she saw Jiang Zao’s mood improve, Jiang Zhuoran broke her serious facade, grinning; she knew Zaozao would never truly be angry with her, just a little temperamental.

...

Three days later.

The two had spent the time cultivating. Jiang Zao had reached the second level of Qi Refining, though she was still far from formidable. Jiang Zhuoran, however, had successfully broken through the Qi Refining stage to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Knock, knock."

"Junior Sister, Zaozao, Master has asked us to come to him."

Outside the door, Yan Wuqiu called out. He could have used a voice transmission, but he happened to be passing by. As for his fourth junior brother, Lou Si... he would find his way regardless.

"Creak—"

The door opened, and the two stepped out. Jiang Zhuoran looked up at him. "Second Senior Brother, why has Master summoned us?"

"It should be about the Sect Grand Tournament," Yan Wuqiu explained.

Jiang Zhuoran nodded, pulled Jiang Zao over, and looked at Yan Wuqiu. "Let’s go."

*The Sect Grand Tournament... if I recall correctly, the male lead appears after this.*

*If he truly uses my sister without restraint as he did in the book, attempting to make her his subordinate, then I don't mind finding my sister a new partner and myself a new brother-in-law.*

Thinking of the male lead’s disgusting conduct in the book, a flash of ruthlessness crossed Jiang Zao’s eyes. When she read the book, she wondered if the author had lost their mind, crafting such an abhorrent character as the protagonist.

Male lead or not, if he dared to lay a hand on Jiang Zhuoran, she wouldn't hesitate to kill him. Even if the Heavenly Dao forbade it, she would keep searching for opportunities until he was dead.

*And Jiang Zhuoran...*

Seeing her mention herself, Jiang Zhuoran tensed up. She didn't know what role she played in the book Jiang Zao spoke of, but she had a feeling it wasn't a flattering one. She snuck a glance at Jiang Zao and saw her furrowed, displeased expression, which only deepened her unease.

*Seeing that idiot male lead, acting like his brain was turned off, trying to cling to him every day, even abandoning her own senior brothers and sisters...*

*Forget it, I don't want to think about it. It’s too infuriating.*

Jiang Zao shot her a sharp look, angry at her lack of resolve, and even angrier that she would abandon herself for a man!

Jiang Zhuoran listened to her sister’s inner voice, not daring to speak, her breathing becoming shallow for fear of being scolded. Though, the events she described hadn't even happened yet.

At that moment, Jiang Zhuoran had her own thoughts.

Male lead... whoever he was, she would never abandon herself for him. A man was just a man; he wasn't worth her concern. Perhaps she would have thought Jiang Zao’s internal monologue nonsense before, but now... she believed it. If that "male lead" were truly as Jiang Zao described, she would personally sever her own ill-fated connection.

A dao companion? She, Jiang Zhuoran, didn't need one!

Yan Wuqiu looked at her with concern, feeling no fondness for this "male lead" who existed only in Jiang Zao’s memory. His junior sister was talented and strong; she had no need for anyone else to define her worth.

The male lead, yet to appear, had no idea that a few unverified thoughts had already earned him the hatred of his future wife, his sister-in-law, and his brother-in-law.

At He Mebai’s residence, Lou Si was already waiting. Seeing them, he waved to get their attention. "Second Senior Brother, Junior Sister, Zaozao... over here."

The four met up and entered the hall together.

"Master."

"Immortal Venerable Baimo."

"I summoned you today because of the Sect Grand Tournament. These are the rules," He Mebai said, using spiritual energy to lift several jade slips toward them.

"This year, our Yuling Peak will participate."

*Why is there one for me?*

Jiang Zao stared at the cyan jade slip hovering before her, bewildered. She had no strength and no status; was she supposed to use it as a lucky charm?

"Master, Zaozao... must she participate as well?" Jiang Zhuoran asked cautiously, seeing the lost expression on Jiang Zao’s face.

It was less of a question and more of a reminder. As she thought, Jiang Zao had no strength or status; entering the tournament was practically throwing her life away.