Chapter 6: Obedient Mushroom – Once the Tantrum Ends, the Anger Fades Naturally…

Regardless of whether he appeared masculine or feminine, Hua Mei had always taken meticulous care of his appearance. But now, his once flawless, soft skin had turned a pitch-black scorched brown, with only his wide, white eyes standing out starkly.

Hua Mei glared at his reflection in the mirror, growing angrier with each glance. “It’s all because of some sect mission. I got drenched in Thousand Double Tree juice, and it won’t wash off. I couldn’t use any other methods to fix it, so I have to let it heal naturally. It’ll take at least a month to get back to my former self.”

The fruits of the Thousand Double Tree were sweet and fresh, but their sap had a skin-staining effect. Gatherers often got sprayed by the branches, though most cultivators in the immortal sects had ways to deal with it. Few ended up like Hua Mei.

Gu Changhuai tried to console him. “Look on the bright side. There are plenty of handsome young men in the Xinnan Immortal Sect. Your current look might leave a deeper impression on more people.”

“…That’s enough.” Hua Mei said gloomily, “I’d feel better if you just stayed quiet.”

Fine.

Gu Changhuai shrugged helplessly and fell silent.

The room returned to quiet, and in the stillness, they could clearly hear the faint sounds from outside.

The Xinnan Immortal Sect’s immortal boat was enormous, naturally offering vast spaces divided into three levels. The noises outside sounded like footsteps on the deck, along with voices that drifted closer and farther.

Gu Changhuai and Hua Mei exchanged a glance, then moved together to the window and pushed it open. “I haven’t asked yet—if you offended someone on your way here, why else would they send you to pick Thousand Double Tree fruits?”

From their vantage point, they could see four or five people on the nearby deck. One wore the inner sect disciple’s uniform, his back to them as he instructed the others. They couldn’t make out the exact words.

A breeze carried wisps of clouds. Gu Changhuai narrowed his eyes and watched for a moment, then heard Hua Mei’s voice beside him turn gritted with resentment. “It’s all because of Jin Shuang. Wuding Pavilion has some issues.”

Gu Changhuai whispered, “What does it have to do with Jin Shuang?”

As they spoke, the people on the deck seemed to finish their instructions and began dispersing one by one. The young man in the inner sect disciple’s uniform turned around and walked gracefully toward their side.

The youth carried a scholarly air, his eyes clear but straight ahead, his gait exuding the upright elegance of a gentleman. He appeared to be just passing by their window.

“Putting on airs,” Hua Mei gnashed his teeth hatefully. “That’s Jin Shuang—Wuding Pavilion’s spy planted in the Xinnan Immortal Sect.”

Hua Mei’s voice was low, but everyone present had sharp ears and eyes, so it reached them clearly.

Gu Changhuai glanced over and saw Jin Shuang, who had walked some distance, pause at the sound. He quickly backtracked a few steps to the window.

He looked down at the two peeking from behind the window frame, then awkwardly scanned the surroundings and made a hushing gesture. “Keep it down.”

Gu Changhuai said with interest, “So it really is you.”

Hua Mei rolled his eyes at Jin Shuang.

Jin Shuang coughed lightly twice, his gaze lingering on Gu Changhuai for a moment before he nodded. “It is. Please pretend you don’t know.”

Gu Changhuai sized up Jin Shuang’s inner sect disciple attire. Unlike outer sect disciples, inner sect ones usually served under the various elders and had to prove themselves openly.

To reach inner sect status, one either showed exceptional talent upon entry or grinded through the outer sect to a certain level before selection—essentially building seniority.

Judging from how effortlessly Jin Shuang had conversed with the others earlier, he had been in the Xinnan Immortal Sect for at least a few years. And not long ago, they had seen him in the Demon Realm, so he must have rushed back after leaving to lead the outer sect disciples’ training group.

Gu Changhuai’s gaze gradually turned sympathetic. “It seems Wuding Pavilion is short on manpower.” Otherwise, how could one person be doing the work of two?

Jin Shuang smiled. “Indeed.”

Thinking that Jin Shuang had been in the Xinnan Immortal Sect for a while and likely knew some insider gossip unknown to others, Gu Changhuai felt particularly uneasy about the male protagonist’s unclear whereabouts, which already made him anxious about the transmigration.

“Wait.” He stopped Jin Shuang, who was about to leave, and looked up. “By the way, I need to ask about someone.”

Jin Shuang looked puzzled. “What is it? Who?”

Gu Changhuai said, “Have you heard of… Zhao Qianlin?”

As soon as he spoke, he subtly observed Jin Shuang’s expression.

“…” Though Jin Shuang was on edge, he showed no flaw on his face and shook his head casually. “No, I haven’t.”

Gu Changhuai felt a bit disappointed. “Okay.”

“Who’s Zhao Qianlin?” Hua Mei asked curiously. “I’ve never heard you mention that name.”

Gu Changhuai paused, then said righteously, “He’s a good person, a beacon of justice. I’ve been in dark places too long, so I want to meet someone bright and wholesome.”

Mainly, as a transmigrator, ignoring the male protagonist’s movements would make his crossing into the book seem pointless.

Hua Mei: “…Spare me. Isn’t Qing Lian Immortal Lord bright enough for you? Why seek some nobody?” He shot Jin Shuang a side-eye. “Our business isn’t over. You’re responsible for me until I recover my original appearance.”

“…”

Jin Shuang smiled awkwardly but politely.

Seeing a quarrel brewing, Gu Changhuai tugged Hua Mei’s collar and waved at Jin Shuang. “Ignore him. Go do your thing.”

Jin Shuang nodded with a smile. After Gu Changhuai closed the window, he quickly left, wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, and turned into the next room.

*

Upon the jade table, a wisp of pale blue-white smoke rose like fine threads from the incense burner carved with twin dragons, silently dissipating into the air with a faint, crisp fragrance—much like the sword-wiper before it.

Rong Ye gently turned the thin, translucent Qiankun Sword in his palm. The mirror-like blade instantly reflected his handsome, cold features. He spoke, “Transfer the person to Supreme Peak.” His tone was neither light nor heavy in the quiet room, then added, “No need to be overly cautious.”

Jin Shuang hesitated across from him. “He asked about Zhao Qianlin… but I have no impression of him. I’ve never met him before.”

Cultivators’ divine senses could span the seas, let alone with Rong Ye’s cultivation—he could perceive even the slightest movements if he wished. He had naturally heard everything said outside.

Rong Ye paused in wiping the blade. “The Zhao Family is gone. In this world, aside from me, only you know who Zhao Qianlin is. He can’t stir up trouble, so no need to worry.”

With that, he flicked his sleeve over the table. Instantly, the surrounding temperature dropped sharply, and several medicinal herbs appeared on the table, along with an ice core in a jade box emitting chill. “The herbs for this trip are fully prepared. Once back at the sect, go into seclusion to unblock your spiritual meridians.”

Jin Shuang nodded. “Understood.”

As he prepared to take his leave, a faint noise came from a corner of the room. Jin Shuang looked up and saw a jade plaque affixed there.

The formation on the jade plaque rotated faintly, blocking sounds from within the room while clearly transmitting noises from the adjacent one.

“…” The intent was unclear. Jin Shuang sneaked a glance at the Immortal Lord, but Rong Ye remained unaffected, listening impassively to the sounds from the plaque.

“What’s our next step? Really join the Xinnan Immortal Sect as outer sect disciples? My delicate body can’t handle hardship.” Hua Mei grumbled.

Gu Changhuai scribbled on paper with a cold laugh. “Of course not. I want Qing Lian Immortal Lord to witness the Shadow Clan’s methods.”

“Oh?” Hua Mei’s eyes lit up. “Do you have a one-shot kill method now?”

Gu Changhuai: “If I did, I’d have usurped the Demon Venerable by now instead of being controlled and forced to assassinate.”

Hua Mei deflated. “Then what method?”

Gu Changhuai pondered. “From these days of observation, Qing Lian Immortal Lord’s vigilance isn’t as high as rumored. For example, my sleeve arrow sneak attack went unnoticed… So, I think I can keep testing his limits.”

Hua Mei’s expression grew strange, hesitant. “You used a sleeve arrow and it went unnoticed? Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” Gu Changhuai nodded confidently. “He definitely didn’t notice. Haven’t you heard of Qing Lian Immortal Lord’s reputation for hating evil? If he had, I wouldn’t be standing here.”

“That’s true.” Hua Mei relaxed. “So, what’s your plan?”

Gu Changhuai smiled. “Elite assassins often use simple methods.” He gestured to the paper filled with strategies.

Hua Mei glanced over—poisoning or traps. Then he frowned. “Wait, no.” He pointed to the top poison. “Isn’t this Obedient Mushroom? It’s not lethal. Why write this?”

The reason for using Obedient Mushroom…

Gu Changhuai fell silent, suddenly recalling the sickeningly sweet threads drifting from the spider cocoon… He quickly closed his eyes and took a deep breath of the fresh air now.

“…”

The room went quiet for a moment.

Once recovered, Gu Changhuai bitterly complained to Hua Mei with deep resentment. “Do you know how overboard Rong Ye was? He used me as bait. That spider kept me trapped in its cocoon for a quarter-hour. The silk was toxic and smelled disgusting…”

Not to mention, that scent resembled the poison mist released when the Shadow Clan gathered Shadow Demons.

It was a dim sky.

The air filled with the same cloyingly sweet, hallucinogenic, deadly aroma blanketing the training grounds.

Hundreds of Shadow Demons gathered in the empty field rioted under the mind-losing scent, blades clashing, blood flowing like rivers, limbs flying, flesh sliced away piece by piece. The masked Shadow Head watched coldly from the highest point.

When the scent faded, the last standing victor was the strongest poison. Only then could it take a surname, qualifying as the newest assassin.

The mere mention of the cocoon drained the color from his face. Finally, he declared firmly, “I’m angry, so he must apologize for his rudeness!”

The accused party, in the next room, polished the Qiankun Sword until it gleamed coldly. The resounding accusation transmitted word-for-word through the jade plaque.

Stunned, Jin Shuang paused, trying to gauge Qing Lian Immortal Lord’s reaction.

Rong Ye sheathed the sword, a hint of amusement in his eyes—or so Jin Shuang thought in a blink, as the Immortal Lord’s expression remained as impassive as ever.

Hearing that Pei Tianyi from Enforcement Hall and inner sect disciple Kong Huai had also been caught in the Five Spirits Moon Illusion Spider incident, Jin Shuang noted that for Kong Huai to escape his cocoon was impressive enough, let alone saving another. Gu Changhuai must have intervened.

Jin Shuang said, “Though he’s from the Demon Clan, he saved two junior brothers. His nature shouldn’t be bad.”

Unfazed by Gu Changhuai’s attitude, Rong Ye’s eyes remained unchanged. He murmured lowly, “Let him be. Once he’s had enough of a tantrum, his anger will naturally subside.”

The last part was so faint that Jin Shuang almost thought he’d misheard and blurted, “Ah?” But he didn’t dare ask, only nodding hesitantly. “Okay…”

Still, the Immortal Lord seemed a bit more tolerant toward this Shadow Demon.