Chapter 114: Lu Yin’s Lessons! [extra]
Extra. Lu Yin’s Lessons!
Note: This is an additional chapter that covers the moments that I could not fit into the content. In terms of the plotline, this chapter follows the events after Xie Qing helped Lu Yin teach Xu Mei the way of the sword.
Enjoy reading.
===
The private lessons that Lu Yin had promised were indeed implemented. Lu Yin did this on the very next day, closer to the day. She invited the young man to her private quarters.
“What a huge building,” thought Xie Qing, looking up at the tall red pavilion. “Moreover, there is a smell of herbs coming from here. I guess that’s to be expected from her?”
It seemed a bit unusual to him that this girl had invited him to her private quarters, as most of his peers could misunderstand this and harbor strange hopes.
However, considering Xie Qing’s personality, Lu Yin had invited a wolf into her house.
Standing briefly in front of the fence, the young man approached the main entrance, where two cultivators at the Soul Nascent stage were standing guard. Their eyes were closed, and they were dressed in classic outer court disciple clothing.
As soon as he crossed the fence, these two suddenly opened their eyes and stared intently at him, releasing a killing intent as a method of intimidation.
“I have come to meet with Miss Lu Yin at her personal invitation,” declared Xie Qing when he was five steps away from the main entrance.
The guards looked like dwarfs compared to him, which was a bit comical. However, the strength of these two could not be underestimated. Since Xie Qing himself was not sure if… he could defeat them with one blow.
He thought that in three blows, he could kill them… wait, why was he evaluating the strength of cultivators based on how many blows it would take for them to die?
“Hm? And you…” The guard frowned and looked displeased, seeing that Xie Qing was looking down on him (both literally and figuratively): “Miss? I think your parents should have taught you manners, but apparently, not everyone is so lucky.”
“Young man, who do you think you are, addressing Healer Lu so informally?” exclaimed the other guard, releasing his aura to intimidate the young man. “Get lost! Who let such an ill-mannered brat like you in here?”
“Hmm…”
Xie Qing raised an eyebrow, puzzled. For some reason, it seemed to him that men in his presence suddenly lost their IQ to 0. Otherwise, how could this behavior be explained?
“How should I calm them down… without crippling them?” thought Xie Qing, narrowing his eyes.
This action alone made the guards shudder, but they were too proud to show fear.
Soon, two powerful auras were released, and this even pushed Xie Qing back two steps.
“Eeeh… why are you, stubborn beasts, unable to do the math? Can’t you see that I was being polite?” Xie Qing complained and sighed, releasing his aura.
“!!!”
The two guards held their breath and felt as if they were in front of the mouth of an enraged lion.
“Ooh… he’s a… monster!”
For these two, difficult times had come, considering that the pressure on their bodies was so powerful that it was barely possible to breathe.
Fortunately, after teasing them a bit, Xie Qing eased the pressure, as he noticed Lu Yin’s aura descending.
“What’s going on here?”
The girl was dressed in her usual elegant hanfu and was greatly surprised to find two guards kneeling, breathing heavily.
Moreover, Xie Qing was also here, whom she was waiting for. The girl was pouring tea when she suddenly felt an overwhelming aura and went outside to check what had happened.
“Miss Lu…”
The guards began to whine like children complaining to their mother about the neighbor boy who had offended them. To their great surprise and disappointment, Lu Yin only frowned and said nothing.
On the contrary, she looked at the “neighbor boy” and smiled at him.
“I’m sorry for this scene. Please come in. I’ve prepared tea.”
Xie Qing also smiled and dispersed his aura so skillfully that he began to resemble an ordinary mortal without Qi.
When they went inside, Lu Yin asked about what had happened between these three.
“Did you have a conflict with them?” the girl inquired, looking surprised. “Usually, these two are not rude to anyone. Did you provoke them?”
“Me?” Xie Qing pointed to himself in offense and sighed disappointedly – this was so natural that he could confidently be awarded the prize for the best acting: “I’m just an ordinary city guy, but these two have made my young heart bleed with indignation.”
“Hahaha…” Lu Yin laughed, covering her mouth, her slender shoulders shaking, and her eyes narrowing into a crescent moon. “You really do have a unique sense of humor. But I’m genuinely curious.”
“If seriously, then I just called you ‘miss,’ which is why they got angry. The real reason is probably that they were jealous of my handsome looks,” replied Xie Qing, brushing off nonexistent dust from himself. “That’s all.”
“Hm? Maybe so. I am very respected in the sect and treated like an idol,” replied Lu Yin with a bitter smile, which, together with her face, looked very charming. “I just happened to be born talented.”
“Talented, yes…”
Xie Qing raised an eyebrow, recalling their first meeting. Although he had never mentioned it, and it seemed that the girl herself did not remember, at that time, he had indeed admired her and even swore to make her his woman.
Now… well, he would just go with the flow.
“Mm? The tea smells simply wonderful, although we haven’t even reached the room yet,” Xie Qing marveled, looking at Lu Yin. “Is this… Buxiu spiritual tea? It’s quite expensive.”
“That’s right. I often drink it because it helps concentrate on alchemy and gives invigoration!” Lu Yin exclaimed happily when Xie Qing spoke on topics of interest to her. She narrowed her eyes with a smile and said, “I’ll give you five boxes. They’re very tasty; you have to try them!”
“Since you offer…” Xie Qing nodded, and after thinking for a moment, a box with unknown contents appeared in his hand. “Accept this as a reciprocal gift.”
“You shouldn’t have… but… what’s in the box?” Lu Yin asked in surprise, sniffing, her eyes widening. “This is…”
She abandoned the rules of decency and snatched the box, then carefully opened it. Her eyes sparkled, reminiscent of a starry sky reflected on the water’s surface. Xie Qing merely smiled casually, allowing her to enjoy the moment.
What Xie Qing gave was a plant from the system that cost about 1,000 spiritual stones. It was very difficult to find in the mortal world, as they grew for two hundred thousand years.
This plant was called the “Red Dragon Flower,” which was the main ingredient for brewing the “Red Dragon Awakening Pill,” allowing one to greatly increase the power of the soul.
Although the price was laughably low, Xie Qing understood that in the system’s assessment, the incredible techniques and plants of this world could seem like a useless trinket, no better than toilet paper.
And so, when Lu Yin, after the tenth check, discovered that this was indeed a Red Dragon Flower, moreover, fully matured, her eyes shone so brightly that Xie Qing was blinded.
“This…”
Lu Yin wanted to say something but, remembering that she had not closed the box, she carefully closed it and only then completed her thought.
“…is too expensive a gift. I’m afraid I’ll feel uncomfortable if I accept it just like that,” she replied and reluctantly extended the box back, although it was clear that she wanted to keep it for herself. “I don’t want to take advantage of your kindness. My tea can’t be a subject for equal exchange…”
The young man raised an eyebrow in puzzlement, but he still could not help but praise Lu Yin’s self-control in his thoughts. Even when she was given an expensive gift without any declarations, she soberly assessed everything and did not agree immediately.
However, Xie Qing was indeed sincere. The price was too small to excite him, so the young man could only insist.
“If Miss Lu Yin does not want to accept this gift in exchange for tea, then why don’t you kiss me on the cheek as payment for it?” Xie Qing shamelessly declared.
“Eeh?”
Lu Yin blushed deeply when she heard these words, and she could not find the words to answer such a shameless request.
Seeing such a cute reaction, Xie Qing faintly smiled and shook his head. He enjoyed teasing such girls!
“Just kidding. Consider it payment for your beautiful smile and kindness,” said the young man, seeing that Lu Yin pursed her lips and made a strange sound, her face turning red even more. He smiled and added, “And don’t refuse the kindness of a gentleman. It hurts my heart.”
“Hurts your heart?” Lu Yin thought and twisted her lips. “I don’t even know how to react. He looks like this flower is a blemish on his eyes.”
Fortunately, after these words, Lu Yin only nodded and accepted the gift, although she still felt uncomfortable.
Xie Qing was satisfied with her reaction. Besides, why not establish good relations with a genius alchemist? He was sure that in the future, he would still have to turn to Lu Yin for help.
***
“Excellent tea,” commented Xie Qing, pleasantly surprised. “I must say, I’m very impressed… it invigorates better than the Master’s cooking.”
“Ah, I can understand you…”
Lu Yin smiled bitterly when the conversation turned to Xu Mei’s cooking. Xie Qing had once tried what she had prepared, and it had almost made him vomit.
Then Xu Mei was very upset, so the young man had to make a great effort. And it seemed that the woman had not lost her fervor.
“Maybe it’s because I once said that I like women who can cook well?” Xie Qing pondered, raising an eyebrow. An involuntary satisfied smile appeared on his face. “What a cutie. Maybe I should spend a little more time with her after all these things.
