Función clerical

Capítulo 19

Shen Zhili only said two words before falling silent. Su Chenche had already understood Shen Zhili's question and continued, "This is Ji Meng, the leader of Qishan Sect. The current leader of the martial arts alliance should be decided between him and the former leader of the martial arts alliance, the leader of Huashan Sect."

Shen Zhili was eating melon seeds and watching when suddenly her eyes dimmed.

If her master hadn't stayed in Huichun Valley in seclusion and died young, he probably wouldn't be any less talented than the person before her.

Her master was proficient in everything from playing the zither and chess to calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs.

There was no skill his master wasn't proficient in, whether it was horsemanship or archery.

One man with one sword is worth a thousand troops; in his world, he is omnipotent.

However, such a brilliant and talented person, with such a short life, did not even have the chance to see his favorite disciple take charge of things on his own before he quietly passed away.

She pursed her lips: Old man, I failed to protect the Valley of Rejuvenation, but... only that person made me feel that it wouldn't matter if I left the Valley of Rejuvenation to him. If you were here, I'm afraid you would understand your disciple.

In that brief moment of confusion, the winner was already decided in the audience.

The Huashan Sect Leader's face paled slightly, and he sighed with regret, "Your master has taken on a good disciple, who has surpassed his master."

The Qishan Sect Leader cupped his hands, a half-smile on his face: "It is only because the Sect Leader has yielded that I was able to win. I hope the Sect Leader will remember to keep the agreement and relinquish the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader."

Before the Huashan Sect Leader could answer, the Qishan Sect Leader had already sheathed his sword, stepped off the arena, and walked straight toward... their direction.

Huh...

In the blink of an eye, the Qishan Sect Leader was almost upon him, his knuckles tapping heavily twice on the table in front of Su Chenche, his expression turning very unpleasant.

"Twelve..." Even his voice seemed to be suppressing something.

Su Chenche raised his innocent face: "That is me. May I ask what business you have with me, senior?"

The Qishan Sect Leader frowned, his expression troubled.

Shen Zhili couldn't help but wonder if Su Chenche had offended the Qishan Sect Leader before? Was this the beginning of a major fight?

There's really no comparison between the leader of the martial arts alliance and a rising star in the martial arts world...

For some reason, beneath a tiny bit of worry, Shen Zhili felt a surge of anticipation... She actually kind of wanted to see Su Chenche get a good beating... Anyway, she wasn't going to let Su Chenche die, so the new alliance leader could beat him up as much as she wanted...

A voice clenched through gritted teeth: "...When are you finally going to obediently go back!"

Su Chenche blinked, his face full of curiosity.

The Qishan Sect Leader rubbed his forehead, looking troubled, and said, "Your aunt told me to relay her exact words: 'You little rascal, you need to get to Mingdu right now, beg and plead for forgiveness, and honestly confess all the good deeds you've done these past few days. Otherwise, within a month you'll see your naked wanted poster plastered all over the entire Northern Zhou... The rest is up to you.'"

Having said that, as if afraid of losing face, he turned and left.

Seeing that the person had walked away, Shen Zhili couldn't help but admire him and nudged Su Chenche with her elbow: "Who is your aunt? Her tone is really endearing."

Tsk tsk, begging and pleading to admit her mistake, even posting a completely naked wanted poster...

Su Chenche looked at Shen Zhili deeply and sighed softly, "Zhili, why do you never believe that I have amnesia?"

Chapter Seventeen

After the martial arts tournament ended, Shen Zhili still hadn't seen any of Twelve Nights' people, so she had to leave disappointed.

She still had a lot of money on her, so she didn't have to worry for the time being. She bought a geography book after bargaining outside the inn, and Shen Zhili flipped through it as she went upstairs.

Just as I stepped onto the last step, I met a pair of amber eyes.

Closing the book, Shen Zhili asked, "Aren't you going to see your aunt?"

Su Chenche shook his head and said, "Unless you come with me."

Shen Zhili laughed: "Why would I go with you to see your aunt?"

Su Chenche said decisively, "Then I won't go either."

Shen Zhili coughed twice: "Don't you care about your... cough cough, your naked wanted posters being plastered all over the place..."

Su Chenche lowered his eyelashes, somewhat hesitant: "Zhi Li, do you mind?"

Shen Zhili asked, puzzled, "What do you mean, 'mind'? Why should I mind?"

Looking up, Su Chenche blinked and honestly said, "As long as you don't care, I don't really care myself."

His gaze was open and honest, without the slightest attempt to conceal anything.

Shen Zhili then realized... she had seriously underestimated Su Chenche's shamelessness. This bastard could even pinch her with his hand while expressing his feelings to her... being completely naked is nothing!

Sure enough, the next day when Shen Zhili came out of the inn, she saw Su Chenche sitting casually on the carriage shaft, a snow-white fox fur coat wrapped around his neck, and his pure white robes hanging down from the carriage. His clear eyes looked at her, making his face look exceptionally handsome.

He asked, "Where to?"

The weather is getting colder and colder. Shen Zhili rubbed his hands together and said, "Let's face south."

Su Chenche smiled and said, "Okay."

As he plopped down in the carriage, Shen Zhili said before pulling back the curtain, "Are you really not planning to go back? After all, they are your family..."

Su Chenche pulled on the reins, his voice drifting over, gentle yet firm: "Zhili, I don't remember anything. To me, you are my only family."

Is she the only one?

"Then... what if you remember?"

Su Chenche paused for a moment: "Zhi Li, I know what you're worried about. Even if you remember, I won't let those things happen."

The curtain was drawn, and Shen Zhili got into the car, her expression momentarily dimmed.

No, Su Chenche, you have no idea what I'm worried about.

The carriage contained a nice hand warmer, a scented pillow and blanket, and freshly brewed hot tea.

A faint fragrance emanated from the gilded dragon-shaped incense burner.

Shen Zhili took a sip of hot tea and continued flipping through the geography book in her hand. Even if she left, she couldn't go too far from Huichun Valley. She had to come back again in three months at the latest, but if she stayed too close, Hua Jiuye would find out. It was really troublesome. The weather was getting colder and colder. Without the natural hot springs in Huichun Valley, she was afraid this winter would be very difficult to endure.

My fingertips missed a spot on the map and landed somewhere.

Outside a certain post station.

"Wu Mo Manor, this manor has been abandoned for a long time, and its location is remote. It requires traversing a long stretch of woodland and mountain road..." The owner of the inn's teahouse frowned as he looked at the spot Shen Zhili was pointing to. "Sir, it's best not to go there. Although the surrounding environment seems nice, the manor has been abandoned ever since a massacre occurred a few years ago. It's said to be haunted at night, and eight or nine out of ten people who go there never return..."

Shen Zhili reluctantly stuffed a tael of silver into his hand: "Thank you, boss. Just tell me the route."

Su Chenche took the route from Shen Zhili and asked, "Zhili, are you really going? How long will you stay?"

Shen Zhili: "Of course! How long... about two or three months."

There is no better choice than this place, which is the closest to the hot spring and can be freely entered and exited. Moreover, Wumo Mountain Villa and Huichun Valley are both located at the bottom of the valley, so the climate in winter is probably much better than outside.

Su Chenche lowered his eyes somewhat embarrassedly: "Zhi Li, why don't we get married first..."

Shen Zhili's lips twitched: "Why are you bringing up marriage again! We haven't been talking about it lately!"

Su Chenche said seriously, his kind face exuding righteousness: "Zhi Li, I would never do something like this, where I would casually have sex with a woman without any formal status and live alone with her for months! Let's get the marriage arranged quickly."

Shen Zhili expressionlessly snatched the ribbon from his hand: "You can leave now. I'll go and recruit a few maids and servants."

Stepping aside to block him, Su Chenche said, "...Summon me."

Shen Zhili: "Didn't Young Master Twelve Nights just say that he is a virtuous gentleman, and wouldn't..."

Su Chenche smiled shyly: "I was just joking."

Shen Zhili ignored her and turned around: "...I'll go put up the notice."

Before he could take a step, his sleeve was tugged. Su Chenche said in a low voice, "Zhi Li, hiring maids and servants costs money. I can do everything, cooking, washing clothes, cleaning, and I can even pay out of my own pocket... How about you consider it?"

Shen Zhili tugged at the sleeve, but the other person held on tightly and couldn't budge it.

After several attempts, Shen Zhili let go of her hand, sighed, and rubbed her forehead: "How much are you planning to pay me back..."

Su Chenche's eyes brightened: "Can I offer myself up?"

Shen Zhili: "...Could you be any more shameless?"

Su Chenche lowered his head silently for a moment, then licked his lips, quickly looked up, and pecked Shen Zhili's lips.

Shen Zhili froze.

******************************************************************************

Shen Zhili decided that from now on, unless she gets her head stuck in a door, she would absolutely never discuss shamelessness with Su Chenche.

This person has absolutely no shame!

Before meeting Su Chenche, Shen Zhili thought she was shameless enough for being greedy for money all the time, but she realized that compared to Su Chenche, she was actually too kind!

After resting at the post station for a day, we set off again.

If she couldn't compete, at least she could hide. Shen Zhili wrapped herself in a warm blanket and huddled in the carriage. The three heaters emitted heat that made her feel cozy and lethargic, so she couldn't muster any energy.

Flipping through a medical book she had casually bought locally, she squinted her eyes contentedly, using her medical skills to find fault with things.

The wheels rolled over the ground, making a creaking sound.

Shen Zhili lifted a corner of the curtain, and the carriage was driving into a maple forest. In late autumn, fallen leaves fluttered down, thickly burying the soil. However, what could be seen more were the large swathes of bright red maple leaves that looked like they had been burned by flames. The colors of the sky and the earth seemed to be one.

What a nice view……

Shen Zhili raised her head, gazing at the beautiful scenery before her with rapt attention.

The carriage slowed down, as if deliberately allowing her to admire the maple forest a little longer. Reluctantly, she turned her gaze away and saw amber eyes, filled with smiles, staring intently at her.

Her long, black hair was tied into a ponytail and hung over her shoulders. The white fur on her fox fur swayed gently in the wind, blending with her arched eyebrows and eyes, making her exceptionally beautiful.

Actually... it's a beautiful sight too.

Judging by appearance alone, Su Chenche looks like a refined and elegant noble young man, untouched by worldly affairs.

It's a pity... Shen Zhili sighed inwardly. If only his inner self were as good as his outward appearance. This guy might actually be even more dangerous than Hua Jiuye...

"Knowing separation..."

Shen Zhili took a step back: "Don't call me."

Su Chenche asked, feeling wronged, "Why?"

Shen Zhili: "...For someone like you who might suddenly kiss me anytime, anywhere, do I need to ask why I'm being wary of you?"

Su Chenche said innocently, "You were the one who asked me to be even more shameless, and I hesitated for a while..."

Recalling the incident briefly, Su Chenche asked her if she could give herself to him, and she replied, "Could you be any more shameless?" Then Su Chenche...

Shen Zhili went berserk: "I wasn't making demands of you! I was being sarcastic! Sarcastic! Didn't you realize that?!"