Chapter 67: Mu Lingxi and Liu Hua's Bridge Stroll, Demands for Answers. Next Stop, Frost Lotus Temple, the Place of Humble and Beautiful Women.
A little while back, Mu Lingxi stepped out of the temple, side by side with Liu Hua, the second eldest daughter of Liu Xin, as well as the immediate younger sister of Liu Yan, the sect's big sister.
The Liu and Mu clans were well affiliated with each other.
Most especially, the younger generations. To break it down:
Liu Yan and Mu Zhong,
Mu Lingxi and Liu Hua,
Mu Yuki and Liu Wei,
And rounding it up, Mu Lin and Liu Jing.
Wearing their cloaks, the two women were ready to exit through the extensive bridge.
"I'm still not happy that Senior Sister has to be a direct Martial Sister to that Yang Wei.." she said.
Mu Lingxi relatively calm, tried to pacify her, "Well, it's not entirely bad."
But Liu Hua wasn't having it. "He incapacitated a good number of our most capable disciples the moment he entered our Sect. Of course it's bad!"
Doing a little damage control, Mu Lingxi admitted, "Actually… I somewhat started it. Since I, well… attacked him first, you know?"
Panic mode for Liu Hua. She waved her hands frantically, while nervously saying, "N... no, Senior Sister! I'm in no way blaming you for our current predicament. It's just a misunderstanding, I didn't mean it that way!"
However, Mu Lingxi remained her usual composed self and reassured her, "It's fine, I know you didn't mean it that way."
"Well, you know, you'll soon be officially promoted to Grandmaster, and that comes with almost as much authority as the Peak Chiefs. So, I better be mindful of how I act around Senior Sister." Proudly smiling, she continued, "Honestly, you could've been a Grand Elder even earlier if you hadn't gone into seclusion for twenty years.
Still, it was a good call, considering you made a breakthrough to the Spirit Ascension Realm."
"You're always praising me." Mu Lingxi chuckled softly.
Liu Hua smiled and said, "That's because I look up to Senior Sister." Then, she shyly adjusted her front bangs and added, "I hope to become a 2nd Path Cultivator like you someday."
Mu Lingxi then placed a hand on Liu Hua's shoulders and assured her, "You surely will."
Liu Hua let out a sigh, muttering, "Still, that won't be anytime soon. My bottleneck's as stubborn as ever."
Mu Lingxi raised an eyebrow. "Hm? Didn't the same happen to Sister Liu Yan?"
"Indeed, she's been stuck. No luck so far, though she mentioned something recently about it loosening a bit for some reason. I asked how she did it, but all she did was to nod in a satisfied way then leave silently."
"Either way, you shouldn't worry much. If my sister, with her mischiveous smarts, managed to crack hers, you too should be forming a Nascent Soul in no time. I don't doubt it one bit."
Liu Hua, grinning now, concluded, "If Mu Lin can do it, then I suppose I can, too."
It was during this chat they stumbled upon Yang Wei and Wu Fengtian, setting the stage for the current predicament.
...
Now, Mu Lingxi had halted the duo.
Wu Fengtian was teetering on the brink of collapse. The only reason he was still standing was because of his fear of Yang Wei using his kneecaps as decorations and most importantly, this was all his idea.
Mu Lingxi dropped the bomb – "Turn around," she said.
"What's the problem, Senior Sister?" Liu Hua asked, eager to know what was going on.
However, Mu Lingxi's hand held up in her face silently told her to be quiet.
Yang Wei turned as ordered, then threw a casual "Yes?" her way.
The glint in his crystal blue eyes and his typical cold indifference clearly indicated Yang Wei. That was something too hard for Mu Lingxi to miss. Even during seclusion, she would occasionally recall Yang Wei's face—his suaveness in battle and the cold gleam in his eyes that screamed danger. Surprisingly, it was the kind of danger she felt oddly attracted to.
Without hesitation, Mu Lingxi grabbed him by the wrist and yanked him to a more secluded spot on the bridge. Yang Wei, trying to keep up with her pace, had to practically run to avoid face-planting.
Left stranded, Wu Fengtian awkwardly stood beside Liu Hua.
Senior Brother Yang, you bastard! You left me here simply to talk to another beauty?! How many do you have under your belt?!
He gritted his teeth as he watched Yang Wei leave.
Liu Hua, however, folded her arms and tilted her head, sizing up Wu Fengtian's back, and casually asked, "So, who are you?"
Wu Fengtian, caught off guard, let out a squeak.
...
Mu Lingxi shot a stare at Yang Wei.
Her eyes were like daggers.
And her hands were firmly on her round waist—she looked as angry as a tomato about to explode.
Unfazed, Yang Wei, asked "What?" wondering why she'd look at him like he killed her pet.
But Mu Lingxi, playing the silent treatment, kept her furious gaze locked on him.
Yang Wei rolled his eyes and sighed, "I came to meet someone here, alright?" he briefly explained to her.
Mu Lingxi's facial features softened a bit. Still, she scrutinized Yang Wei's cross-dressed ensemble, and he casually added, "Eh, Fengtian suggested we go incognito to sneak into the temple."
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Mu Lingxi let out a heavy sigh. Disappointed but not ready to face him, she questioned, "Couldn't you at least use your magic to transform into a woman? You know, make it more convincing?"
Yang Wei nonchalantly yawned, "I'm not going to waste my magic on something so degrading."
Mu Lingxi, managing a small laugh, teased, "Physically dressing like a woman is way better, no?"
Yang Wei, reluctantly agreeing, sighed, "Well, comparatively, yes." Mu Lingxi chuckled a bit more, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter.
Observing the scene from afar, Liu Hua couldn't help but wonder, "Hm? Is Senior Sister... laughing?" Her expression clearly conveyed that it was out of the ordinary for Mu Lingxi to act that way.
Who is this woman that's making her act this way? she enviously thought.
Getting curious, Yang Wei asked Mu Lingxi, "Still though, how'd you even know it was me? It's not hard, but it shouldn't be that easy."
Mu Lingxi's eyes bulged out a bit and her laughter ceased.
She muttered in a low voice, "Your scent."
Clueless, Yang Wei, asked, "Huh? Come again?"
"I... I said... your scent..."
"Lingxi, I can't hear you."
Mu Lingxi, now irritated and embarrassed, shouted at him, "It doesn't matter! Just don't get caught and if you do, you never saw me, alright?!" With fury in her eyes, she stormed off, grabbing Liu Hua by the wrist and marching away.
Yang Wei, shaking his head, muttered, "Honestly, that woman."
So, she can even identify me by my scent... Tsk tsk, that's scarily obsessive. Still though, it helped me get rid of her... for now.
He folded his arms and sighed exasperatedly.
Then, he looked to the Frost Lotus Temple and said, "So, next is the temple full of humble and beautiful women, and Mu Lin."