Función clerical

Capítulo 16

They almost killed me!

Su Chenche pouted again: "I have amnesia, I don't remember anything..."

Shen Zhili pushed Su Chenche out the door: "No need to say more, turn left when you get out, goodbye."

He opened his mouth, but said nothing. He left, his head bowed, his back looking forlorn, as if he had been abandoned.

"It's all an act! This guy's feigned pitifulness is flawless! Shen Zhili, wake up!"

Less than half an incense stick later, the waiter brought a tub of hot water, a towel, and soap.

After thanking him and accepting the room, Shen Zhili was about to turn around when he heard the waiter say casually behind him, "Sir, you are really lucky. This is the last room in this inn. It seems that Young Master Su will have to sleep in the woodshed tonight. How pitiful."

Shen Zhili turned her head and saw the waiter looking at her with a pitying and sighing expression. He gave her a deep look and then turned and went downstairs.

...It was intentional, wasn't it? It was definitely intentional!

She wasn't the one who started the relationship and then abandoned it!

The moonlight was like silk, casting sparse, oblique shadows.

Soaking in a bucket of water, her long hair disheveled, Shen Zhili gazed at the bright moon outside the window and sighed silently again.

She splashed some water, her mind wandering aimlessly.

Is it possible for someone to fall in love with another person for no reason? Is it possible for someone to be kind to another person without any reason or cost?

If it's true, as the rumors suggest, that he loves Ye Qianqian so much, then why would he fall for someone else just because of amnesia? Is such a rapid-developing relationship really reliable?

Su Chenche's attitude towards Ye Qianqian... is truly chilling.

Master, what would you do if you were in my shoes?

Nobody ever taught me this...

Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. Su Chenche said he likes her, but that doesn't mean she has to like Su Chenche back!

After a hesitant shower, I went downstairs for dinner.

Under the waiter's subtly accusing gaze, Shen Zhili calmly ordered a table full of dishes—after all, it wasn't her money.

After tasting each dish as if for show, Shen Zhili put down her chopsticks.

It feels so good to spend other people's money...

After wiping my mouth, I heard the chatter at the next table.

Passerby A: "Have you heard where the martial arts tournament will be held next month?"

Passerby B: "You still have the mind to care about this! These past few days, we've been in complete chaos because of the Demonic Sect. That Left Protector doesn't know what's wrong with her; she's picking on and messing with all the small gangs around us!"

Passerby A said smugly, "Oh, you're so ignorant! Do you know why the Left Protector has been so tyrannical lately?"

Passerby B: "You know? Tell me quickly, stop keeping me in suspense!"

Passerby A: "Wasn't it because he was dumped by Young Master Twelve Nights! Young Master Twelve Nights risked his life, infiltrating the Demonic Sect and enduring humiliation, feigning to please the Demonic Sect's enchantress in exchange for... uh, information. Now that the Demonic Sect's enchantress has discovered it, naturally... I heard that Young Master Twelve Nights and the Demonic Sect's enchantress fought for seven days and seven nights, the heavens and earth changed color, the sun and moon lost their light. The spectacle of that battle... tsk tsk..."

Passerby B exclaimed, "...Hearing you say that, Young Master Twelve Nights is truly a man of great righteousness and integrity, which commands our respect. He is truly a hero of our time!"

The righteous and chivalrous Twelve Nights, a hero of the time, sat down next to Shen Zhili, then silently stepped back, looking like a wronged little wife.

Shen Zhili: "Hey...you really sleep in the woodshed?"

Su Chenche looked up at her and nodded.

Shen Zhili turned her head: "That top-class room is very big... There's a big couch outside, you can sleep outside and I'll sleep inside."

Su Chenche lowered his head and said in a low voice, "Didn't you think I was dangerous?"

Shen Zhili: "So you're not going to prove you're not that dangerous? I gave you a chance..."

Seeing that Su Chenche didn't react, Shen Zhili couldn't help but lean closer: "Are you really angry?"

A hand reached out from below and touched Shen Zhili's face. A pleasant voice said gently, "Zhili, you are so kind that it touches my heart."

Shen Zhili slapped the hand away expressionlessly: "...Is it too late for me to take back what I just said?"

Su Chenche began to devour his meal in a flash, while the conversation on the other end continued.

Passerby A: "I know something else! Young Master Twelve Nights is currently practicing a unique and incredibly powerful martial arts manual in seclusion, waiting to amaze everyone at the martial arts tournament next month. This manual was found at the bottom of a cliff!"

Passerby B stroked his beard and sighed, "Looks like we'll have to make a trip to Mount Hua this time."

At the same time.

Shen Zhili turned her head and said calmly, "Alright, we have somewhere to go."

Chapter Fifteen

He stepped off the deck.

Hundreds of boats of varying sizes were moored along the shore, and countless boatmen were unloading cargo. The long shoreline stretched as far as the eye could see.

Looking further into the distance, there was a misty fog, and through the hazy fog, one could vaguely see a towering mountain peak, thousands of feet high, piercing straight into the clouds, extremely steep and dangerous.

We've finally arrived!

All the hardships and dangers along the way were worthwhile!

Looking at the majestic Mount Hua, Shen Zhili felt a surge of beautiful emotions.

You should know that at her age, this was the first time she had ever been so far from the valley, and the first time she had ever seen such a magnificent view.

I really have to thank Hana Kuya...

But thinking about it, if he hadn't been expelled from the sect, it would probably be Hua Jiuye who would inherit the sect now, not her. So it turns out that she had been doing all those years of work for Hua Jiuye for nothing!

He turned his head gloomily. Outside the dock, a large crowd had gathered, many of them holding long strips of cloth.

"Heroes from Mount Song, this way please!"

"Yuelai Inn, Yuelai Inn, it's only 3 taels a night during the Martial Arts Tournament! We guarantee soundproofing and reinforced rooms, and there are only ten rooms left!"

"The complete list of names for the martial arts tournament, plus a bonus collection of pictures and texts about the ten young heroes of the martial arts world! Only one tael of silver per book!"

After disembarking with his bundle, Su Chenche, dressed in coarse gray clothes with his long hair covering his face, straightened Shen Zhili's autumn clothes and asked with a slightly puzzled tone, "Zhili, why did you decide to come to Mount Hua?"

Shen Zhili, equally disheveled, told the truth: "...to watch the show."

...For a martial arts enthusiast who has stayed in one place for more than ten years, the martial arts tournament is a place he has long admired and he has to go there at least once!

Moreover, maybe we can find someone from Twelve Nights and take this guy back with us...

Su Chenche paused, then blinked and said, "The martial arts tournament seems to require invitations. What are you planning to do...?"

Shen Zhili turned to the vendor selling invitations to the martial arts tournament and skillfully bargained.

"This stuff is worth an ounce?"

Vendor: "How could it not be worth it? This was carefully compiled and illustrated by the all-knowing scholar of the martial arts world. Look, it even has accompanying pictures!"

Shen Zhili glanced at it: "The paper is of poor quality, the binding is sloppy, and the illustrations? You call this an illustration? That's ridiculous... You dare to sell this booklet, which only costs a few copper coins and is probably incomplete, for one tael of silver?"

The vendor glared: "No way... this is clearly..."

Shen Zhili said coldly, "Five coins, will you sell it or not?"

The vendor twitched his finger: "You...you...you're robbing me!"

Shen Zhili grinned and said, "Well, seeing that you're standing here working hard, I'll give you a raise, six coins will do."

Vendor: "Are you here to cause trouble?!"

Shen Zhili: "No, I'm sincerely here to discuss business with you." As she spoke, she waved to Su Chenche.

Su Chenche took out six copper coins from his pocket and placed them on a wooden stake. The coins were deeply embedded in the stake. The vendor's eyes widened, and he tearfully took out a book and stuffed it into Shen Zhili's hand. He didn't even take the copper coins and ran away with his toes pointed inward.

After taking out the copper coins and putting them away, Shen Zhili opened the book, flipped through it, and pointed to a page, saying, "The issue of the invitations... Young Master Twelve Nights, it's up to you."

The page turned to reveal a magnificent and flamboyant portrait: a tall, handsome swordsman in flowing white robes, his gentle and humble smile inspiring longing in the viewer.

The bottom line of small print:

The foremost of the Ten Young Heroes of the Martial World, Young Master Twelve Nights

Su Chenche said with some distress, "But I don't remember anyone."

Shen Zhili handed the book to Su Chenche and smiled, "Memorize it! It has pictures and names, so don't get them wrong. Uh, also, you can change out of that drab outfit, and you should change your hairstyle too. By the way, just do it according to the instructions in that book."

One hour later.

"Young Master Twelve Nights has arrived!"

The murmurs in the room almost instantly subsided, and everyone turned to look at the door.

The Twelve Nights Prince was depressed for several months, but during this time, rumors kept emerging, with a new version every day, and the love, hate and grudges were extremely melodramatic.

His former confidante, Bai Qian, was almost infamous in the martial arts world for her arrogance and domineering nature. The Twelve Nights Young Master had followed her around, bowing and offering gifts countless times. Now, news has spread that Bai Qian is actually Ye Qianqian, the reclusive Left Protector of the Demonic Sect. It's absolutely explosive news, and yet the Twelve Nights Young Master has disappeared at this crucial moment. It's impossible not to ponder the true nature of the Twelve Nights Young Master now...

A corner of a garment, as pure white as a cloud, came into view first.

His long hair was tied up high with a jade crown, with only a few strands falling over his shoulders. His half-fallen bangs were gently brushed aside, revealing a pair of clear, amber eyes that seemed to see through all the dust and grime in the world. He smiled gently, and in that instant, it was as if thousands of flowers were blooming in competition, and even the fierce aura brought by the sword at his waist dissipated.

There was a beautiful woman, with a graceful and charming appearance.

However... this doesn't look like someone who has just been betrayed and dumped by their sweetheart at all!

Once he regained consciousness, the Huashan Sect Leader, who was presiding over the martial arts tournament, stepped forward and said with a smile, "It's been a long time since I've seen you, young master! How have you been?"

Su Chenche returned the greeting and said gently, "Sect Leader, I hope you are well. I have been preoccupied with trivial matters these days. Fortunately, I did not miss this conference, otherwise I would have been truly guilty."

Both their manners and tone were impeccable.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, another person arrived. Su Chenche bowed slightly apologetically to the head of the Huashan Sect before responding to the next person.

From head to toe, he embodies the eight characters: "A gentleman of refined elegance, gentle and refined like jade."

...You remember it so clearly, you acted so well.

Shen Zhili silently followed behind Su Chenche, raising her head to look at him with an extremely unfamiliar gaze.

She should have realized this long ago; how could Su Chenche possibly have such a good reputation given his usual attitude?

But...does it have to be such a pretentious act?

Shen Zhili thought to herself, "If you're so capable, why don't you show us how you usually act pitiful, shameless, and take advantage of others!"

Seemingly sensing her resentment, Su Chenche turned his head slightly amidst his busy schedule, bit his lip, and blinked innocently at her twice, as if to say, "Zhi Li, they are so annoying."