Senior Sister, Please Act Human! - Chapter 8

The sudden turn of events caught Xiao Yuanzhi completely off guard.

How had things gone from an argument to drawing swords?

Were everyone in martial sects this impulsive?

One senior brother stepped forward and shielded Xiao Yuanzhi behind him, his voice extraordinarily gentle.

“Don’t be afraid, Little Junior Sister. Your senior brother is here.”

Xiao Yuanzhi forced a smile.

She had not been afraid at first. After all, she had never intended to do anything serious. She had only wanted to win a verbal spat.

Would things have escalated into a fight without these senior and junior brothers fanning the flames?

Just look at the senior and junior sisters opposite them. They might have been outnumbered, but every one of them looked as though they were facing a mortal enemy.

And the swords in their hands were real, genuine swords—not props!

If an actual fight broke out, then judging by how they felt about the body’s original owner, a single “accident” would leave Xiao Yuanzhi injured even if it did not kill her.

Back then, even having her fingertip pricked during a medical examination would leave her hurting for ages.

If one of those swords struck her…

The thought alone was terrifying.

However, as a good, law-abiding citizen, Xiao Yuanzhi understood that she could not give in to fear.

She had to confront and overcome it bravely while establishing a positive image for herself.

She took a deep breath and smiled.

“I don’t believe Senior Sister acted that way intentionally. There must be some misunderstanding. Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers, why don’t we let the matter go? There’s no need to resort to violence. Everyone, please put away your swords.”

Watching the corners of Xiao Yuanzhi’s mouth twitch faintly, the men were moved.

Their hearts ached.

They felt nothing but tenderness toward her.

They understood.

She must be saying this out of love for them. She was worried they might be injured and could not bear to see fellow disciples turn against one another.

Look at Little Junior Sister.

She was so foolishly kind that it made their hearts ache.

Even after suffering such an injustice, she still thought about everyone else.

Senior Brother Lu looked solemnly at Xiao Yuanzhi.

“Little Junior Sister, I know you have a kind heart. But trust Senior Brother Lu. I will obtain justice for you!”

Both his voice and his gaze overflowed with unwavering determination.

Xiao Yuanzhi said nothing more.

She merely looked sincerely at every person present, her gaze filled with heartfelt blessings.

At that moment, she felt the unity and affection between senior and junior disciples—an understanding so profound that no words were needed.

She was deeply moved.

Although she had only recently arrived here, she was now a member of Cangfeng Manor. She ought to contribute something on behalf of the body’s original owner, however little strength she possessed.

Therefore, she decided to leave this opportunity for them to “deepen their bonds.”

Xiao Yuanzhi silently took several steps backward.

Once she had edged her way out of the crowd, she gave everyone an encouraging gesture.

And then…

She turned and ran.

The atmosphere inside the room was as taut as a drawn bowstring, with a battle between the two sides moments away from erupting.

Meanwhile, the other person at the center of the dispute had already vanished without a trace.

Xiao Yuanzhi ran for a long time.

Only when she was too exhausted to continue did she finally stop.

She glanced behind her. Seeing that no one had followed, she dropped onto the ground and planted her hands on her waist, gasping heavily for breath.

After resting for a while and recovering slightly, she raised her head toward the sky and exhaled deeply.

She leaned backward, supported herself with both hands, and spread her legs wide, forming the shape of the character 大.

It would have been wonderful if there were a bed nearby for her to lie on.

Unfortunately, she had not rested for long before a faintly reproachful voice came from behind her.

“Little Junior Sister, why did you run so quickly?!”

Xiao Yuanzhi hurriedly sat upright and looked toward the voice.

It was Yan’er.

“Senior Sister Yan’er.”

What was she doing here?

Had she come to fight Xiao Yuanzhi, or was she here to drag her back?

Yan’er held a sword in her left hand and rested her right hand on her waist. She walked over and sat beside Xiao Yuanzhi.

The first thing she asked was, “Why did you flee in defeat?”

She was not sparing Xiao Yuanzhi’s dignity at all!

“I… I didn’t flee in defeat.”

Yan’er continued speaking bluntly.

“Then what are you doing here? You ran so fast that I almost couldn’t catch you.”

“…”

When Xiao Yuanzhi remained silent, Yan’er continued, “It’s not as though you can’t defeat them. Why did you run?”

Yan’er had witnessed Xiao Yuanzhi’s martial arts once before, so she knew Xiao Yuanzhi was many times stronger than she was.

She still remembered that day several years ago.

The sky had been very blue, and the air exceptionally fresh.

Young and ignorant, Yan’er had risen early and run to Xiao Yuanzhi’s residence. After her tireless “efforts,” she finally got her wish and managed to challenge Xiao Yuanzhi to a match.

Afterward, one sleeve of her new clothes had been torn off, her hair ribbon had been split in two, and several black marks had appeared on her face, giving her a unique sort of charm.

The fragrance of soil had lingered beneath her nose for a very long time.

It had even carried a rather distinctive odor.

The “fertilizer” used to water the flowers that day had probably been fresh.

On her way back, Yan’er had burst into tears. She had needed to eat five bowls of rice before she finally stopped crying.

Naturally, she had charged the cost of all five bowls to Xiao Yuanzhi’s account.

Xiao Yuanzhi had yet to settle the bill.

However, Xiao Yuanzhi’s behavior today had made Yan’er suspicious.

Could it be…?

At the possibility, Yan’er became ecstatic and nearly laughed aloud.

Had the heavens finally favored her for once?

Had Xiao Yuanzhi forgotten her martial arts along with her memories?

“Little Junior Sister, you didn’t forget your martial arts too, did you?”

Look at Yan’er.

She clearly wanted to laugh but was desperately holding it back.

If this continued much longer, Xiao Yuanzhi was afraid she might start convulsing.

Xiao Yuanzhi herself did not know martial arts, but this body did.

After so many years of training, the original owner must already have developed muscle memory. Xiao Yuanzhi simply did not know how to activate it yet.

Even under those circumstances, she had still managed to injure Wei Zisu badly enough to make her cough up blood.

In that case, dealing with Yan’er should not be a problem.

Besides, Yan’er had already admitted that she could not defeat the original Xiao Yuanzhi.

Xiao Yuanzhi might as well bluff her.

She stood up, walked to a pile of dead wood nearby, and picked up a bamboo stalk. After weighing it in her hand, she found it quite comfortable to wield.

“I left in such a hurry that I didn’t bring my sword, so I’ll use this bamboo stalk instead. I only ran because everyone is a disciple of Cangfeng Manor, which makes us one family. I didn’t want to damage our harmony over such a small matter. I never expected Senior Sister Yan’er to misunderstand me.”

She continued, “Since Senior Sister believes I’ve forgotten my martial arts, why don’t we have a match and find out?”

In reality, Xiao Yuanzhi had only run because she could not fight and was terrified of dying.

But could she tell Yan’er the truth?

Of course not!

To make herself appear more intimidating, Xiao Yuanzhi swung the bamboo stalk several times.

It sliced through the air with repeated swish, swish sounds, making her look exactly like an adult chasing a misbehaving child around the house with a willow switch.

That certainly sounded like something Little Junior Sister would say.

Remembering the outcome of their previous match, Yan’er shuddered.

She had already suffered once and had no desire to experience it again.

The clothes she wore today had been sewn for her by her mother, one stitch at a time.

If they were damaged, Yan’er would be heartbroken.

Seeing Yan’er hesitate, Xiao Yuanzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Excellent.

Swish—!

Xiao Yuanzhi swung the bamboo stalk again and pretended to be serious.

“Come, Senior Sister. Let’s see whether I’ve forgotten.”

Yan’er hurriedly waved her hands.

“There is no need for a match. I know Little Junior Sister would never forget Martial Uncle Jiuji’s teachings. You must have forgotten many other things instead. Why don’t we sit down first? I can tell you about them.”

Xiao Yuanzhi pretended to hesitate briefly before relaxing her brows.

“All right, then.”

The moment they sat down, Yan’er said, “Little Junior Sister, you’re an orphan.”

Hey!

What was going on?

Why had Yan’er suddenly started insulting her for no reason?

Xiao Yuanzhi had not even thrown away the bamboo stalk yet!

She planted it against the ground and spoke in a heavier tone.

“What?”

Thinking Xiao Yuanzhi had not heard clearly, Yan’er repeated, “You’re an orphan. You have no father or mother.”

“…”

Xiao Yuanzhi truly had not expected this.

Yan’er was so young and looked so innocent, yet why was her mouth so vicious?

Had she grown up eating arsenic?

Suppressing the urge to jab her with the bamboo stalk, Xiao Yuanzhi asked, “May I ask whether Senior Sister is from Zaun?”

Yan’er looked at Xiao Yuanzhi in confusion.

“Zaun? Where is that? I only know of Lin’an, though I have merely heard of it and never visited.”

Yan’er continued, “I am from the capital. Because I was born frail, Father brought me to Cangfeng Manor, where I became Master Mu Jiu’s disciple. Little Junior Sister was brought back by Martial Uncle Jiuji during my second year in the sect.”

Yan’er looked completely serious and did not seem to be insulting her.

Could Xiao Yuanzhi have misunderstood?

She tentatively asked, “I don’t have parents?”

Yan’er nodded.

“I heard from Master that Little Junior Sister was still an infant in swaddling clothes when Martial Uncle Jiuji brought you back. During all your years at the manor, no one has ever seen your parents visit you.”

Xiao Yuanzhi asked again, “I have neither a father nor a mother?”

Yan’er nodded once more.

“Mm.”

“I’m an orphan?”

The moment Xiao Yuanzhi said it, she felt as though she were insulting herself.

Yan’er interpreted her repeated questions as an inability to accept the truth.

It was Yan’er’s fault. She had spoken honestly without thinking and forgotten to put it more tactfully.

“Little Junior Sister, I didn’t mean to upset you. Please… don’t be sad.”

Perhaps she felt those words were too weak, because she continued comforting her.

“Look, just as you said, all disciples of Cangfeng Manor are one family. That means we are your family.”

Family?

Had anyone ever seen family members draw swords against one another at the slightest disagreement?

Xiao Yuanzhi would be an idiot to believe that.

She waved her hand.

“I’m fine. Keep going.”

Yan’er gave her an searching look. Seeing that Xiao Yuanzhi did not appear upset, she no longer dared mention her parents.

“Little Junior Sister is Martial Uncle Jiuji’s personal disciple—and also his only disciple.”

So she was the sole heir?

Xiao Yuanzhi asked, “Why am I his only disciple?”

Yan’er replied, “I heard Martial Uncle Jiuji is unwilling to accept disciples. As for why, I don’t know.”

Xiao Yuanzhi remembered that the black-hearted Wei Zisu had once said Jiuji had entrusted her to Wei Zisu’s master.

“Then where did Jiu—where did my master go?”

“I don’t know. Martial Uncle Jiuji has never involved himself in the manor’s affairs and rarely interacts with anyone. Even when he returns to Cangfeng Manor, he usually stays in the bamboo forest. Therefore, no one knows where he goes.”

Yan’er continued, “Even when he returns, Master and Martial Uncle Taiheng might not know. They usually have to learn about it through Little Junior Sister.”

Xiao Yuanzhi nodded.

She could set those matters aside for now.

After all, her master was not here, and no one knew when he might return.

The urgent issue was Wei Zisu.

Xiao Yuanzhi had made Wei Zisu cough up blood. The next time they met, would Wei Zisu not kill her?

Therefore, what Xiao Yuanzhi really needed was information about Wei Zisu.

“What about Senior Sister Wei?”

“Eldest Senior Sister?”

Yan’er immediately became enthusiastic.

After all, Eldest Senior Sister was the person she admired and liked most.

“Eldest Senior Sister’s skills rank among the very best of all the disciples. Her attainments in martial arts are extremely profound, and she possesses vast learning. Every junior sister admires her greatly. I still remember during that assessment, Eldest Senior Sister…”

What followed was a list of dozens of incidents, each demonstrating how extraordinary Wei Zisu was in skill, intelligence, knowledge, and every other imaginable quality.

Yan’er showered her with so much extravagant praise that she practically described Wei Zisu as a peerless figure found only in heaven and never on earth—someone who appeared only once in ten thousand years.

Xiao Yuanzhi propped her chin on one hand.

Lowering her gaze, she used the bamboo stalk to draw random lines across the ground.

Yan’er’s mouth never stopped moving. In fact, she became increasingly excited the longer she spoke.

Listening to her made Xiao Yuanzhi sleepy again.

She yawned and interrupted.

“How old is she?”

Yan’er stopped, momentarily confused.

“What?”

Still drawing circles on the ground, Xiao Yuanzhi explained, “I mean, how many years has she graced this world?”

“Eldest Senior Sister is seventeen.”

So young, yet she had such a terrible temper.

Although Xiao Yuanzhi’s true age was already twenty-one, she shamelessly declared, “Oh, then isn’t she already an old maid?”

If Xiao Yuanzhi could not defeat her, was she not at least allowed to gain a little advantage verbally?

Besides, in ancient times, women generally married at fifteen or sixteen. At seventeen, Wei Zisu might ordinarily already have children.

“Oh?”

A thread of anger ran through the cool voice behind her.

“An old maid, am I?”