Watching the Mountain

Chapter 35: Chapter 30: Swindler

Little Xiyue had always been eager to learn powerful skills quickly. A question had come to mind earlier, when she saw how the other disciples treated Ye Shan in the dining hall.

’Since that Ye Shan is so powerful, even if he’s injured and disheartened now, shouldn’t his old skills and experience still be intact?’

’So why does everyone treat him that way, instead of trying to learn his old skills from him?’

She had never witnessed Ye Shan’s glorious moments, so she couldn’t comprehend the complex feelings the Profound Pure Sect disciples had for him.

She simply remembered Xu Ran’s teaching: never pass up an opportunity to learn a true skill.

And after seeing Ye Shan’s predicament, she instantly realized this was an opportunity.

She had heard of Ye Shan’s legendary feats and knew his greatest skill was his Swordsmanship. She wanted that Swordsmanship.

She just didn’t know how to approach Ye Shan, which was why she had come to ask Xu Ran.

Faced with Little Xiyue’s question, Xu Ran stared at her in surprise. After a long moment, he asked doubtfully, ”Why do you ask?”

He suddenly jolted. ”You haven’t fallen for some boy, have you?”

It was no wonder he thought so; this was a worry every father has as his daughter grows up.

To Xu Ran, Little Xiyue was his disciple, one he had raised with his own hands. She was practically a daughter to him.

The sudden thought that Little Xiyue would one day grow up and start her own family stirred a subtle feeling in him, and he couldn’t tell if it was contentment or loss.

But then he thought of Xiaoque’Er. ’She would probably want to see this,’ he mused. He shook his head, casting the extraneous thoughts aside.

For him, his responsibility was to fulfill Xiaoque’Er’s request and ensure Little Xiyue grew up healthy and safe. He shouldn’t interfere too much in other matters.

Hearing Xu Ran’s words, Little Xiyue’s eyes widened. She said flatly, ”Don’t worry about it.”

”If you don’t tell me, I won’t teach you.”

”Then I don’t need your help. I’ll figure it out myself.”

After saying her piece, Little Xiyue gave him a slight bow and returned to her room.

The next day at noon, just before mealtime, she called out to Xu Ran, ”I’m eating at the dining hall by myself today.”

With that, she ran out.

Seeing this, Xu Ran ultimately failed to suppress his curiosity and secretly followed her.

After watching from a distance for a while, he saw that she was indeed just eating alone, not interacting with any rowdy boys.

This made him sigh in relief. He couldn’t help but shake his head. ’I was really overthinking it,’ he thought. ’It makes sense, though. With Little Xiyue’s personality, how could she possibly be interested in dating at her age?’

With that thought, he left, reassured.

Not long after he left, Ye Shan appeared in the dining hall right on schedule. His voice preceded him:

”Three buckets of Spirit Rice, one Half-Fire Spirit Chicken, and a pot and a half of Hundred Fruit Wine.”

Hearing this voice, the person in charge of serving food muttered reluctantly, ”Ye Zhenzhuan, has your appetite grown again? If this keeps up, the dining hall won’t be able to afford feeding you. Can’t you eat a little less? This is too much.”

Ye Shan was not pleased to hear this. ”What are you talking about? The Sect doesn’t limit food portions. Besides, I’m a True Disciple. Do you know what a True Disciple is? What’s wrong with me eating a little more?”

As soon as he said this, a wave of laughter erupted in the dining hall. Many people chimed in, echoing Ye Shan, ”That’s right, uncle, just give it to him! Ye Zhenzhuan is a True Disciple. You’re just a Spirit Chef in the dining hall. Offending a True Disciple has very serious consequences, you know.”

”Don’t you all spout nonsense! As everyone knows, even though I, Ye Shan, am a True Disciple, I never abuse my status to bully people or cause trouble. I’m a very easygoing person.”

”That’s right! Ye Zhenzhuan is the most easygoing of all the Sect’s True Disciples. We can all vouch for that, HAHAHA!”

Grumbling aside, the Spirit Chef uncle quickly brought Ye Shan three large buckets of Spirit Rice, one Half-Fire Spirit Chicken, and a pot and a half of Hundred Fruit Wine.

He had a truly incredible appetite.

Little Xiyue watched, dumbfounded, as Ye Shan devoured all three buckets of Spirit Rice, and she couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

After eating and drinking his fill, Ye Shan wiped his mouth and left with a confident swagger.

Seeing this, Little Xiyue hurriedly followed him. She didn’t dare get too close, keeping her distance.

She followed Ye Shan to the Enlightenment School at the foot of the mountain. She knew of this place. It was a school the Sect had established for the children of its members, allowing them to gain some foundational knowledge in preparation for joining the Sect one day.

Back when her mother, Ning Caique, was still alive, she had been bedridden and unable to move. Her mother had considered sending her here, but Xiyue had refused. She didn’t want to leave her mother’s side, so she had shouldered the responsibility of caring for her.

Little Xiyue saw that after entering the Enlightenment School, Ye Shan became quite animated, shouting and gesturing at the children inside. The children, however, didn’t seem to like him very much; their faces were filled with disdain.

She quietly crept closer, wanting to hear what they were talking about.

”The Ten Thousand Laws Sect! Do you know of the Ten Thousand Laws Sect? One of the Ten Major Sects of our Eastern Domain! Back in the day, their Chief Disciple, the one who styled himself ’Ten Thousand Laws Become One’ or whatever, I flattened him with a single sword strike! And then there was...”

”You’ve told that story a million times! We’re sick of hearing it. Can’t you tell us something new? Like, who have you beaten recently?”

”What do you kids know? The Cultivation Realm today is all about unity and stability. It’s not like there are fights every day. I would never do anything to harm the relationship between sects.”

”You’re just scared, aren’t you.”

”Nonsense! I’m Ye Shan! You just wait. When the time is right, I’ll show you all what I can do.”

”Booo~”

Watching the scene unfold, Little Xiyue’s expression became thoughtful.

At dusk, when Ye Shan left and walked toward a deserted area on the back mountain, she rushed out and stood before him, saying:

”I want to hear your stories.”

This was the only method she could think of. ’Since Ye Shan loved to brag about his past exploits but couldn’t find an audience, if I step up and am willing to listen, I can surely get closer to him.’

’Once the time is right, if I ask him to teach me Swordsmanship, perhaps he won’t refuse.’

”Who are you?”

”My name is Ning Xiyue. I’ve heard about your deeds since I was little, and I admire you immensely. I love hearing your stories, but I want to hear you tell them yourself even more. I don’t think once is enough; I want to hear them a thousand times, ten thousand times, countless times.”

She wanted to let Ye Shan know that she would never grow tired of them; he could tell his stories forever.

Ye Shan looked at the little girl standing ramrod straight, her expression firm, and let out a hearty laugh.

”Alright! Since you’re so interested, I’ll tell you all about it. But my Swordsmanship is even more incredible. Do you want to learn? I can teach you! Then you can become just as amazing as me.”

’Wh-wh-what? Was it really that simple?’

Hearing Ye Shan’s words, Little Xiyue was completely stunned. This had been her ultimate goal, yet he had offered it up right at the start. This put her in a dilemma. Should she agree?

’Could it be that he’s seen through my plan and is deliberately testing me?’

After a moment of internal conflict, she nodded slightly and said, ”O-Okay, I guess. But please, tell me your stories first. I’m more interested in hearing the stories.”

”But... I do want to learn Swordsmanship, too. I yearn to have that invincible bearing they all talk about.”

She didn’t know what the right answer was, so she just said what came to mind.

Ye Shan smiled and nodded. ”Alright, then I’ll tell you all about it right now.”

He beckoned to Little Xiyue, gesturing for her to sit.

He took a moment to compose himself, but just as he was about to begin, he suddenly reached out and patted the air beside him. He then held up an empty palm, an awkward expression on his face.

”I’m a little hungry. And thirsty.”

”I can cook. I don’t have any wine right now, but would Spirit Tea be okay? I can learn to brew wine, though.”

”I’ll have to trouble you, then.”

”Wait for me right here. Don’t go anywhere, okay?”

With that, Little Xiyue hurried away. When she returned, she was carrying a food container taller than she was.

She knew Ye Shan had a huge appetite. Luckily, she had already begun her training and had some Cultivation; otherwise, there was no way she could have carried such a large container.

’Watching Ye Shan devour the food, her heart burned with anticipation. Since he ate my food, he’ll definitely teach me Swordsmanship now, right?’

Ye Shan wiped his mouth. ”Alright, I’ll tell you my stories now, and then I’ll teach you Swordsmanship.”

”Okay, I’d love to listen.” Little Xiyue’s eyes crinkled as she nodded happily, inwardly anticipating his Swordsmanship lessons.

「Over a month passed like this.」

She came to find Ye Shan every day, always bringing the food container that was taller than she was.

Ye Shan did indeed teach her his Swordsmanship as promised, but Little Xiyue was very unhappy. She felt like she had been scammed.

’Scammer.’

’That Ye Shan was a complete and utter scammer.’