SWNOVELXO Chapter 141: Is This What You’re Using to Deceive My Sister?
Chapter 141: Is This What You’re Using to Deceive My Sister?
“The White Dragon Carp! It’s the White Dragon Carp!”
Chen Shen leaned over the edge of the boat, watching a flash of white light streak past beneath the fishing vessel. He shouted in excitement.
For this fisherman from the outside world, the thrill of glimpsing the legendary White Dragon Carp was enough to momentarily overshadow his worry about his wife’s precarious condition.
However, Old Yu didn’t share the same enthusiasm he had displayed during his last encounter with the creature. He watched the White Dragon Carp racing toward the outer reaches of the lake with a somber expression.
Even in the tales passed down through generations, there had never been a record of encountering two White Dragon Carps within such a short span of time.
What puzzled him even more was why this one, identical in size to the one he’d caught just the other day, wasn’t attacking the fishing boat.
And what had been the purpose of that earlier assault by the White Dragon Carp that had already been gutted…?
Old Yu’s dull eyes suddenly gleamed with clarity. The mind of this sixty-year-old man remained as sharp as ever, and a powerful intuition struck him like lightning!
That fish—it was after Xu Gongzi!
At that precise moment, the boat subtly shifted its course. Chen Shen, clutching the aquarium containing his wife, failed to notice.
But Old Yu did. As the most seasoned fisherman on Jade Ring Lake, his sensitivity to water currents far surpassed that of any other fisherman.
Right now, he could distinctly feel that their fishing boat had been ensnared in a vortex—an inescapable vortex!
Old Yu’s face darkened as he paddled furiously, attempting to break free from the underwater current:
“Chen Shen! Throw all the heavy objects off the boat! Hurry!”
Chen Shen, bewildered, stared at the seemingly frantic old man with apprehension but quickly rose to obey.
Yet, it felt as though an invisible giant hand gripped the boat tightly, leaving it to drift helplessly with the waves.
Chen Shen, too, began to sense something was wrong. Lightening the load was a preparation for escape, but they had already discarded everything possible…
He glanced at the only remaining heavy object on the boat—a water-filled tank where his wife, now half-transformed into a mermaid, rested.
His expression hardened, his hands gripping the rim of the tank firmly.
“If you throw her overboard, jump in with her. Perhaps then I might still escape.”
The aged and chilling voice drifted faintly. Old Yu had ceased his struggles.
It dawned on him that the legacy of Jade Ring Lake no longer belonged to him. Like those fishermen who had mysteriously vanished on Jade Ring Lake, he would be swallowed by the waters he had lived beside every day.
He took a puff from his pipe, calmly exhaling a smoke ring:
“Born in this lake, I must die in this lake…”
…
“Young Master You, what question do you wish to ask this time?”
Yu Die wiped the sweat from her forehead, breathing heavily, her cheeks flushed red.
“Young Master You has done me a great favor. Whatever you want to know, I will tell you!”
Although You Su had borne the brunt of the effort while transporting the fortunate White Dragon Carp from Little Pond Palace to the dock where he disembarked, Yu Die had insisted on following them for quite a distance. For someone who rarely ventured outdoors, this journey was somewhat exhausting for her.
You Su stared blankly in the direction where the White Dragon Carp had vanished. These carp, upon leaving Jade Ring Lake, faced a far more perilous world.
They might perish shortly after departing their “home,” or they might carve out a niche in foreign waters only to attract greater greed. How many of these White Dragon Carps could fare better than they had in Jade Ring Lake?
“Is venturing into a larger world truly a good thing for it…?”
You Su’s soft murmur caused Yu Die’s joy to falter momentarily. She, too, gazed at the distant horizon where sky met lake.
Soon, she regained her composure, her smile gentle and serene:
“Rather than dying meekly in a small pond, I’d prefer to be a fish swimming freely between Northern Pride and Eastern Cascade. Even if I were to die the next day, I’d harbor no regrets. I released the White Dragon Carp according to my own wishes. Young Master You may call me hypocritical, but if it stayed here, wouldn’t it just end up being eaten? Moreover, Yu Die… has never claimed to be flawless.”
As she finished speaking, she turned to look at You Su, her face breaking into a mischievous smile. She seemed unconcerned with her image; despite her flawless appearance, she openly acknowledged her imperfections.
“No one is perfect, and Young Master You didn’t mean anything by it.” You Su bowed slightly in apology.
“Let’s head back, Young Master You.” Yu Die paid it no mind, offering a tranquil smile as she lifted her skirt and stepped barefoot onto the wooden path.
You Su followed silently behind for a while before finally voicing the question he wished to ask:
“Esteemed Maiden, everyone says dragon carps are extraordinary and capable of refining souls. Do you truly believe letting it go won’t lead to regret later if it becomes a divine beast? That would be a considerable loss.”
“It won’t happen. Perhaps due to the influence of Jade Ring Lake, we haven’t seen a soul-refining White Dragon Carp in a hundred years.”
?
…
As the sun dipped below the western horizon, Ji Xueruo returned to her chambers. The four handsome young men originally assigned to serve her had been replaced by four beautiful maidens.
“Miss Ji, would you prefer to dine first or bathe?”
She concealed her unusual expression well and entered without a word.
When she had requested a change of attendants from Immortal Yu Zhen, he had politely declined, explaining that the servants were bound to the palace and couldn’t be replaced individually.
Yet, a single statement from the eldest son had resolved the matter.
The eldest son, heir to Jade Ring Lake’s grand master, possessed exceptional strength and gentlemanly demeanor. Not only had he shifted her perception of men, but he had even made her consider that not all humans were detestable.
Most importantly, Lord Yu Mingzhen had agreed to her request for the Lotus Root Heart. The price was manageable—just some blood from the snake ancestor in the Serpent Pool to be exchanged. To humans, the snake ancestor’s blood held no particular marvel, making this deal a win-win for the Serpent Clan.
With the Lotus Root Heart, she could complete her mission in Eastern Cascade and become a distinguished guest of the Golden Peng clan. With their backing, it would provide significant momentum for the Serpent Clan’s future return to the Divine Mountain.
Ji Xueruo’s thoughts surged. She could almost envision the day the Serpent Clan would rise again, stepping back onto the land of the Divine Mountain in glory.
The bathwater submerged her delicate collarbone, shimmering as her alluring figure appeared intermittently beneath the surface. Her creamy-white, flawless body grew even more enchanting amidst the steamy mist.
“Miss Ji, allow me to add herbs to your bath.”
The maid in a green dress carried a basket of various medicinal herbs. Her name was Yu Qing, the highest-ranking among the four maids.
Ji Xueruo nodded her consent. Yu Qing carefully added each herb into the water, and the firestone beneath the bath seemed to intensify, turning the warm broth into a comforting and soothing elixir.
Knowing her mistress was hard to please and often treated others coldly, Yu Qing intended to leave respectfully after completing her duties. However, the noble maiden stopped her.
“Tonight’s banquet—did Lord Yu Mingzhen send an invitation?”
Yu Qing was momentarily taken aback, then quickly replied with a smile:
“Miss Ji, worry not. If Lord Eldest sends an invitation, I will inform you immediately.”
“Mm, thank you.”
Ji Xueruo spoke casually, but to Yu Qing, it sounded as though she was masking disappointment at not receiving an invitation.
Yu Qing thought to herself, unsurprised. The charm of her eldest master was truly extraordinary, capable of softening even this icy maiden. She fantasized about the two standing together—a perfect match indeed.
Gathering her courage, she cautiously probed:
“Miss Ji, what kind of person do you think our eldest master is?”
Ji Xueruo didn’t reprimand the maid for overstepping. Concealed behind the rising steam, she pondered for a moment before replying sincerely:
“A peerless gentleman, both in appearance and talent. If Jade Ring Lake hadn’t secluded itself, he would be a renowned prodigy across the Central Realm Continent.”
“That’s high praise indeed.”
Thinking of the celestial-like elegance of her eldest master, Yu Qing felt honored by Ji Xueruo’s compliment.
“These are my honest opinions. Anyone else would say the same upon meeting him.”
Yu Qing smiled sweetly, “Lord Eldest would surely be delighted to hear Miss Ji’s evaluation of him.”
Ji Xueruo instantly blushed, sitting upright anxiously as water cascaded down from her collarbone.
“No, don’t tell your master…”
Shy, isn’t she…
Yu Qing’s smile deepened. It seemed true what the matron had said—no matter how chaste or noble the horse from the Northern Pride grasslands, there would come a day when it would be tamed. If not, it simply hadn’t met the right person yet.
“Miss Ji, rest assured. I know my place.”
Yu Qing certainly wouldn’t gossip about such private matters. Miss Ji was her mistress now; a single word could easily cost her life.
Moreover, she believed that anyone who appreciated her master’s unparalleled grace was a cause for joy, not ridicule.
“Mm… This conversation means nothing. Don’t take it seriously.” Ji Xueruo lowered her head, her expression growing even less discernible.
Yu Qing wore an ‘I understand’ look. She intended to leave but felt a newfound closeness with Miss Ji. Seizing the opportunity, she asked,
“Miss Ji, you must be tired. Shall I give you a massage?”
After some hesitation, Ji Xueruo slowly nodded.
Yu Qing’s heart leaped with joy. Just yesterday, Miss Ji hadn’t even allowed her near during her bath, and now she permitted touch. Surely, this was thanks to Lord Eldest, making this aloof maiden lower her guard toward Jade Ring Lake…
Yu Qing knelt behind Ji Xueruo, her technique highly skilled, incorporating her Meridian Opening cultivation into the shoulder rub, providing immense comfort.
Unseen from her vantage point, Ji Xueruo, who had blushed moments ago, had already regained her composure. Her clear-eyed expression resembled that of a venomous snake hiding among leaves, poised to strike.
This Jade Ring Lake was beautiful—mountains, waters, and people alike. Everything was exquisite, like a dreamy bubble.
And everyone here encouraged her to revel in the beauty of Jade Ring Lake, hoping she would fall into this dream and never awaken.
But the little monster fish hidden in Old Yu’s cellar was like a stubborn thorn she couldn’t ignore, preventing her from fully immersing herself.
Having traveled thousands of miles to reach this place, her younger sister could now manage independently. She would absolutely not retreat easily.
No matter what, she was determined to obtain the Lotus Root Heart.
…
Today marked the third day since arriving at Jade Ring Lake.
The weather here always seemed perfect, the unchanging bright sunlight a gift from the heavens to this blessed land.
A small boat glided across Jade Ring Lake. Ji Xueruo sat at the stern, the five-colored lotuses within reach, yet she refrained from touching them, appearing as detached as a black lotus.
Standing quietly at the bow was a noble young man, handsome and radiant, yet exuding a calm gentleness akin to the pool beneath them. Even the most critical female cultivators could find no fault in him.
He was the sole son of Venerable Chengtai, the grand master of Jade Ring Lake—Yu Mingzhen.
At forty, he had already reached the Lower Water Condensation realm, a prodigy unmatched. Everyone in Jade Ring Lake agreed that if not for their seclusion, his fame alone could elevate Jade Ring Lake’s prestige significantly.
“Miss Ji, do you know why the lotuses in Jade Ring Lake display five heavenly colors?” Yu Mingzhen’s voice was smooth as polished jade, his smile refreshing like a breeze.
In Jade Ring Lake, lotuses bloomed in five colors—white, blue, red, purple, and yellow—each carrying distinct meanings and alternate names.
Ji Xueruo replied, “Probably because the color of the petal sap differs. In the mortal world, flower juice is often used for dyeing clothes.”
“Miss Ji knows about mortal affairs?” Yu Mingzhen feigned surprise. “You’re correct. But this flower juice has an origin. At the bottom of Jade Ring Lake, where these precious lotuses take root, the soil is five-colored. This five-colored earth is the second most important treasure in Jade Ring Lake after the water. The lotuses and lotus roots thrive, anchored in this soil.”
“Jade Ring Lake truly holds treasures everywhere…”
Ji Xueruo sighed. The lakes she’d seen had black mud at their bottoms, but Jade Ring Lake was pristine, like a fastidious immortal without a speck of dirt.
Just then, a breeze swept across the lake, tilting thousands of lotus flowers. Under the shimmering green waves, it was as if countless colorful concubines were bowing and smiling at you.
Witnessing such beauty, anyone would feel their heart stir.
“Miss Ji, do you have any knowledge of poetry?” Yu Mingzhen asked warmly.
Ji Xueruo knew that if the eldest son posed the question, he must have a poem prepared to recite. Thus, she responded:
“Our Demon Clan doesn’t indulge in such pursuits. Only human cultivators appreciate elegance. However, having read hundreds of books since childhood, I’ve encountered some famous poems. But to compose one on the spot would be too challenging. If Young Master has the inspiration, I’d gladly listen.”
“I’m merely moved by the breathtaking scenery.” When Yu Mingzhen spoke of ‘breathtaking scenery,’ his clear eyes lingered on Ji Xueruo’s profile as she admired the flowers. “Then allow me to embarrass myself.”
“People admire peonies, but I cherish the lotus that emerges unstained from the mud, washed clean by pure ripples. Its stem is hollow yet straight, neither sprawling nor branching, its fragrance growing purer from afar, standing tall and pure. It can be admired from a distance but not touched disrespectfully.”
Ji Xueruo repeated the lines in her mind, surprised. She had expected a meticulously crafted poem, not an essay. After all, when one thinks of poetry, the immediate association is verse.
Though simple, this essay vividly portrayed the lotus’s image and character, highlighting the purity and open-mindedness of those who cherished it. She hadn’t anticipated the eldest son reciting something worthy of eternal fame, and she couldn’t help but admire:
“Emerging unstained from the mud, washed clean by pure ripples. Even the Book Immortal Peak of the Mystic Firmament Sect couldn’t produce such a masterpiece.”
After praising, she noticed the eldest son frozen at the bow, seemingly wanting to speak but hesitating.
Furrowing her delicate brows, Ji Xueruo suddenly realized this voice wasn’t the eldest son’s at all—it sounded like… that blind man?
Sure enough, another small boat emerged from the verdant lotus leaves. You Su, dressed in a black robe, stood at the bow, hands clasped behind his back, bowing gratefully to Ji Xueruo:
“Miss Ji is correct. When I first read this piece, I too marveled at it.”
Only then did Ji Xueruo realize her mistake and replied, “You first read it? So this essay wasn’t written by you?”
“Yes, Miss Ji. Young Master You said this article was penned by a mortal scribe named Zhou. He merely chanced upon it.”
Yu Die appeared behind You Su, her beauty stunning Ji Xueruo.
Yu Die gazed at You Su with admiration. As a lover of books, she naturally knew that such a masterpiece couldn’t remain obscure if it existed. She assumed it was You Su’s modesty.
But to Ji Xueruo, these words carried a different meaning. In her storage pouch, she still kept the books You Su had written to earn a living.
She had initially respected You Su more when her younger sister mentioned helping her senior brother write books for money. Disliking the barbarity of the Demon Clan, she held scholars in high esteem. Yet, she hadn’t expected the books she specifically purchased to be filled with erotica! She admitted the plots were captivating, but why so many descriptions of boudoir scenes?! Especially The Legend of the White Snake—to her, a snake spirit, it felt blatantly provocative!
So, this is how you subtly deceived my sister, huh!
Compared to the roughness of the Demon Clan, the human method of using words to quietly alter one’s perceptions was even more chilling to Ji Xueruo.
Thus, she absolutely refused to believe that You Su, who penned such lascivious tales, could write sentences with such noble sentiments.
If someone could be both supremely licentious and supremely refined, how terrifying a beast in gentleman’s clothing would that be?
“This scribe named Zhou is known to me as well. Many anonymous masterpieces are rumored to be his works. This single line alone is enough to immortalize him.”
Ji Xueruo remarked smoothly, unwilling to let this blind man gain favor with other women through borrowed verses.
Not long after parting from her sister, here he was rendezvousing with beauties on the lake. Ji Xueruo harbored resentment. Though she shared a boat with Yu Mingzhen, she was single and merely pretending, giving her grounds to criticize You Su inwardly.
But You Su remained candid, sighing:
“Yes, there are countless paths in this world. Only in literature can mortals surpass immortals.”
Whether immortal or mortal, the characters recognized are the same. What kind of poetry one writes has nothing to do with being immortal or mortal.
“Well said. Immortals may soar through the cosmos, but how many can achieve the ‘emerging unstained from the mud, washed clean by pure ripples’ cherished by ordinary mortals?”
Ji Xueruo echoed his sentiment. Though outwardly proud, she had often reflected inwardly since childhood and respected all things. She wholeheartedly agreed with You Su’s irreverent claim that mortals could surpass immortals.
Yu Die blinked her beautiful eyes. The pair conversing happily were both clad in black, causing her some anxiety as she interrupted:
“Young Master You, the boat is veering off course. We should head to Pavilion West.”
You Su, reminded, realized both boats were about to collide. He hastily used his sword as a paddle to steer the boat away.
The eldest son merely waved his hand lightly, halting his small boat effortlessly. A composed expression graced his face as he let You Su and Yu Die pass by.
Quite harmoniously, until they disappeared into the sea of flowers, neither man introduced themselves.
“Young Master You is truly an interesting person. Are you acquainted with him, Miss Ji?” Yu Mingzhen smiled faintly.
“Not really, we just happened to enter the lake together,” Ji Xueruo coldly distanced herself.
“What a pity. I was hoping you could tell me more amusing stories about Young Master You.” Clearly, Yu Mingzhen wasn’t interested in You Su himself.
“Young Master, you haven’t recited your poem yet.”
Ji Xueruo’s reminder was actually meant to silence him. Having already heard such a masterpiece, what more could the eldest son possibly offer?
“There’s no sense in throwing pearls before swine. Mingzhen won’t embarrass himself.”
Ji Xueruo regretted inadvertently showing impatience, which was detrimental to her disguise, so she added:
“Poetry is merely a pastime for us. Cultivators should focus on their realms. Only those who neglect cultivation have the leisure to study poetry.”
However, Ji Xueruo’s consolation seemed somewhat absent-minded. Her gaze was deep and troubled as she looked in the direction where You Su had vanished.
It seemed You Su was also falling prey to Jade Ring Lake’s sugar-coated schemes. She didn’t understand their purpose, but she worried whether You Su, like her, retained a shred of vigilance?
If he truly succumbed to the spell of that maiden’s pink dress, would he be worthy of Lingruo?
…
For the next three days, Yu Mingzhen invited Ji Xueruo daily to experience different beauties of Jade Ring Lake.
Ji Xueruo continued her act perfectly, appearing gradually charmed by Jade Ring Lake like an outsider. Yet, she maintained a delicate balance, keeping a state of being neither too close nor too distant.
You Su, however, was different. He often left early and returned late. Last night, the Holy Maiden personally visited his Qing Lan Palace, staying until late.
Watching You Su seemingly bewitched by the Holy Maiden, Ji Xueruo wanted to warn him but felt frustrated by his lack of resolve. If he lacked such steadfastness, how could he be worthy of becoming her brother-in-law?
More crucially, she feared she was merely alarming herself. Perhaps Jade Ring Lake really was this wonderful?
To verify, she decided to seek out the Little Yu that had gone silent after entering the lake. Through subtle hints to Yu Qing, she learned where it had been placed.
Tonight, the stars and moon were dim, casting Jade Ring Lake in an indistinct layer of ink.
Clad in a black dress, Ji Xueruo blended seamlessly into the night…