"No... actually, you're the one who time-traveled here to mess with me!" (Xue Qing)
"Uncle-Master, I don't understand again. What does 'time travel' mean?" (Firefly)
"Don't ask!" (Xue Qing)
"..." (Fireflies)
Xue Qing felt a deep sense of powerlessness and frustration at being teased by the ancients. Fortunately, Liu Ying was very obedient and stopped talking when told to shut up. However, seeing his expression of wanting to ask but not daring to, Xue Qing felt like he was bullying a small animal.
Just as Xue Qing was suffering internally, the faint sound of wind instruments drifted from afar. She had assumed the disciples of the Lingyu Sect only knew how to wield swords and spears; who would have the refined taste to play music in the lush forest?
"Liu Ying, let's sneak over and take a look, but don't disturb him," Xue Qing whispered to Liu Ying, crouching down like a thief.
Liu Ying nodded, and the two of them furtively followed the sound. The source of the sound was a small lake with clear water in Lingyu Sect. A tall man was casually sitting on a large rock by the lake, playing not a flute or a xiao, but a leaf.
Xue Qing's eyes immediately turned into triangular ones. Xiao Guiying, are you playing the "guess where I am" game with the male lead? That's one thing, but Xiao Guiying's lovestruck expression reminded Xue Qing of something. Right, there's this description in the original novel: Xiao Guiying sits on a large rock, tenderly blowing on a leaf, his face shifting between smiles and tears, gentleness and melancholy, because he's thinking of the female lead. That leaf was a gift from her!
On business trip
"Who!" Xiao Guiying, that sensitive little vixen, shouted coldly.
"It's me, it's me, don't shoot." Xue Qing took the initiative to walk out; it was better to confess and receive leniency.
"Uncle Xue, Young Master Liuying." Upon seeing that it was Xue Qing and Liuying who had arrived, Xiao Guiying's tense nerves finally relaxed.
"It turns out that Master Xiao is not only unfathomably skilled in martial arts, but also has a profound understanding of music," Liu Ying said politely.
"Not at all, it was just a spontaneous thought," Xiao Guiying replied politely.
"The music played by the Pavilion Master Xiao was filled with longing, sometimes slow and sometimes fast, with great emotional fluctuations."
“It seems that Young Master Liuying is also a person skilled in music. I am indeed missing a friend. She was not feeling well when we parted a few days ago. I wonder how she is now.” Xiao Guiying sighed.
She's more than just a friend, she's also my girlfriend. With Yan Ming, who's in heat 24/7 all year round, it's no wonder she's not in good health.
"Don't worry, Pavilion Master Xiao, your friend will surely be blessed by Heaven and turn misfortune into good fortune." Xue Qing was telling the truth. After most of the supporting characters had died, she would live happily with another man. However, Xiao Guiying, by then you would be dead too.
"Thank you for your kind words, Uncle Xue. I hope so," Xiao Guiying said, clasping his hands in thanks.
As the three were talking, a junior disciple from the Lingyu Sect ran over, panting, and said, "Uncle-Master Xue Qing, we've finally found you! The sect leader is looking for you."
"Looking for me? What's up?" Xue Qing asked curiously. She had only been away from Fang Yun's place for less than an hour.
"This disciple doesn't know. Oh, right, the sect leader asked Senior Brother Liuying to go over as well."
Xue Qing and Liu Ying exchanged a glance, then looked at Xiao Guiying together. Xiao Guiying quickly said, "If you two have something to do, please go ahead. I know how to get back."
"Okay, then we'll take our leave." Xue Qing nodded and walked back with Liu Ying.
Fang Yun was waiting in the study, clutching a letter in his hand. When he saw Xue Qing arrive, he stood up and said, "Qing'er, come here. I just received a letter from Dong Chou."
Oh no, who is Dongchou? He must be just a minor character. Xue Qing has no recollection of him. What should she do? She doesn't know who he is. Luckily, Liuying spoke first: "Master? What did Master say in the letter?"
Liu Ying's master is Xue Qing's second senior brother, whom she has never met. He is indeed a minor character, no wonder Xue Qing doesn't recognize him.
"What did Second Senior Brother say? Is he alright?" Xue Qing chimed in.
"What else can he say? He's still the same old guy, coming to us for more money when he runs out of cash," Fang Yun snorted irritably.
Shouldn't Liu Ying's master be very imposing? He doesn't sound like someone who's easy to deal with.
"Is Master still the same...?" Liu Ying was disappointed, having hoped to hear news that her master had recovered.
Xue Qing didn't know how to react, so she could only sigh along with Liu Ying.
Fang Yun ignored them and continued, "Normally, it would have been fine to just have someone deliver some silver, but this time, Qing'er, I want you to make the trip yourself."
"What? Where am I supposed to go?!" Xue Qing asked in surprise when Fang Yun told her that he wanted her to run errands. She had just returned and hadn't even had a chance to settle in, so why was she being sent on a business trip again?
"The Martial Arts Alliance affair has made me want to give up. There isn't a single responsible man among so many people in the martial arts world. But today, when I received Dongchou's letter, it suddenly occurred to me: is there anyone more suitable for the position of leader of the Martial Arts Alliance than him?" Fang Yun said proudly, clutching the letter tightly.
"Sect Leader, you want Master to become the leader of the martial arts world? But he is now..." Liu Ying said urgently, then stopped speaking.
“I know how he is now, which is why I want the two of you to go. He has always doted on Qing’er, and if Qing’er goes, she might be able to persuade him.”
Liu Ying shook her head: "Master won't listen to anyone's advice."
Xue Qing was still completely confused: "Senior Sister, do you mean I should persuade Second Senior Brother to become the leader of the martial arts alliance?"
"He was the greatest contributor to the conquest of the desert fifteen years ago. If it were him, he might have been able to successfully establish the Martial Alliance. Qing'er, the future of the Central Plains martial arts world is in your hands!"
"Don't make it sound so serious..." Xue Qing hesitated for a moment, feeling a little overwhelmed by the sudden urge to save the world. "However, if it's about making my second senior brother the leader of the martial arts alliance, I'm willing to give it a try." If Dong Chou really became the leader of the martial arts alliance, the original plot would be changed, and Xue Qing was willing to take that path and see.
"Liu Ying, you should go too. Xue Qing has no martial arts skills now and needs someone to protect her on the way. Besides, you haven't seen Dong Chou for two or three years."
Liu Ying nodded: "Yes." He was Xue Qing's shadow; wherever Xue Qing went, he would naturally follow.
Xue Qing really wanted to ask Liu Ying what kind of person his master was, but she couldn't ask; it would be strange.
"You just got back and you're leaving again? It must be exhausting?" Xue Qing asked Liu Ying as she packed her bags.
“It’s the same wherever I am with my martial uncle,” Liu Ying replied.
Hey kid, do you know this is called confessing your feelings? It's too frank. Xue Qing couldn't handle it and quickly changed the subject: "How far is Mount Goulou from here? I wonder if my little horse can hold on."
"It's due west of the Lingyu Sect, not too far, just past the Broken Sword Manor."
"Do we have to pass through Broken Sword Manor?" Xue Qing asked, raising an eyebrow.