Soon, the four of them began strolling through the streets and alleys of Frozen Winter City.
Qian Feixue led the way, graceful and poised, introducing the city’s history and details to their guests from afar.
Linglong followed behind her, nodding slightly as she listened to the stories of Frozen Winter City.
Occasionally, she would be drawn to something on the street and stop to look.
Meanwhile, Qian Feixu and Hua Jian became the atmosphere group, adding a splash of youthful vitality to the four-person squad.
When the cultivators who had witnessed the welcoming ceremony on the city wall earlier spotted this group, they were merely surprised that Qian Feixue was personally guiding the Saintess Linglong through the city.
As for Qian Feixu and Hua Jian, no one paid them any attention—they were probably just family juniors brought along to broaden their horizons.
And those who knew Qian Feixu wouldn’t suspect a thing.
Anyone else following today’s Qian Feixue might raise questions, but not Qian Feixu.
Look at the buffs stacked on her: she’s Qian Feixue’s close younger sister, the eldest direct daughter of the Qian Family, and a die-hard fan of Linglong.
With that combination, it would be strange if she didn’t show up.
As for Hua Jian, she had been with Qian Feixu on the city wall just moments ago, and they were close enough to hold hands while watching Linglong.
It was perfectly normal for her to tag along.
No one suspected Hua Jian’s identity. They could rack their brains and never guess that this group included not only the Saintess of Yaochi but also the Wanhua Saintess, who had been vying with the Yaochi Saintess for the title of strongest saintess in recent years.
“Saintess… you’re different from just now…” Watching Linglong’s composed and graceful demeanor ahead, Qian Feixu’s expression turned bewildered.
At this moment, Linglong seemed almost exactly as she had imagined—as if this was how a saintess ought to be.
But not long ago, she had witnessed Linglong’s behavior around Hua Jian. They were like two completely different people!
One was so cold and aloof, while the other had the shyness of a little girl. The contrast was far too great.
“Only in front of someone you love does a person reveal their truest self.” Hua Jian’s lips curled up.
As the one who received special treatment, her mood was wonderful.
“Just like me right now—she is the Saintess of Yaochi. Every word and action affects the reputation and face of the Yaochi Holy Sect, so naturally she must appear flawless. But when no one is watching, she can shed that responsibility and return to her true self—the real Linglong.”
Qian Feixu felt a bit gloomy after hearing Hua Jian’s words. So the saintess she adored was just a facade Linglong showed to others? That was truly disheartening.
“Such is life. As the eldest daughter of the Qian Family, you never thought of this? Your family must have spoiled you too much.” Hua Jian shook her head, wearing an expression of someone who’d been through it all.
“I feel like you’re lying to me. You say the Saintess Linglong is pretending now—then what about you? What kind of person are you?”
“What kind of person am I?” Hua Jian covered her mouth with a light laugh. Qian Feixu’s question was far too interesting.
“Who knows? As the Wanhua Saintess, my specialty is saying different things to different people. Even I don’t know what kind of person I am.”
If the Yaochi Saintess needed to project a positive, lofty image before everyone, then as her counterpart, the Wanhua Saintess’s image didn’t have to be so singular.
Or rather, Hua Jian’s joking, mischievous nature fit the common perception of the Wanhua Saintess perfectly.
A villainess had to be a little wicked, right? It wouldn’t do for a villainess to obediently follow the rules.
As they walked, Hua Jian noticed that Qian Feixue was subtly guiding them toward Red Flower Building.
Perhaps she was trying to create another private space for Hua Jian and Linglong.
But Hua Jian could only appreciate the kindness; she couldn’t actually let Linglong enter Red Flower Building.
She sent a telepathic reminder to Qian Feixue, suggesting they arrange things elsewhere instead of that crowded, prying place.
“Don’t worry, it’s just on the way. I’ve already arranged dinner in the Inner City. I’ll give you two time alone to catch up.” Qian Feixue turned back and threw Hua Jian a ‘just trust me’ glance.
She wasn’t inexperienced. She knew that if Linglong appeared at Red Flower Building, it would stir up controversy, and the Wanhuagu would think the Qian Family deliberately sent Linglong to cause trouble— a lose-lose situation.
So she never planned to take Linglong to Hua Jian’s current residence; it only looked like they were passing by. Their real destination was the Inner City.
It was a choice no one could fault: the eldest daughter of the Qian Family hosting the Yaochi Saintess in Frozen Winter Inner City, letting her experience the local customs and cuisine—perfectly appropriate.
As for bringing others along… Oh, my little sister adores the saintess too much and insisted on tagging along. What could I do?
Poor Qian Feixu—she’d been reduced to a tool again.
But she wasn’t entirely wasted as a tool. Without Hua Jian, would she have gotten to spend half a day following Linglong around?
This was a rare opportunity to get close to her idol, and without Hua Jian as an excuse, Qian Feixue would never have brought along a troublemaker like her.
Days in the Northern Territory were much shorter than in the Central Continent.
By the time the four of them had strolled from the Outer City to the Inner City, the sky had already darkened, and colorful lights illuminated the various buildings along the streets.
Standing amidst it all, Hua Jian momentarily felt as if she was still living in the city of her previous life, plunging her into a brief reverie.
“So beautiful…”
“It’s rare to hear you say that. What’s gotten into you today?”
Perhaps because night had fallen and the lights were coming on, Linglong quietly retreated back to Hua Jian’s side, just in time to catch her soft exclamation.
“It reminds me of something from long ago. A bit nostalgic.” Gazing at the Saintess, who seemed to glow under the lights, Hua Jian couldn’t help reaching out.
But just as she was about to touch Linglong, she forcibly twisted her wrist and reached for the lamp beside Linglong instead.
Too many people were watching; as a nobody, she couldn’t make too bold a move.
“Miss Linglong under the dim lantern light is even more beautiful than during the day,” she said with a smile.
“Nostalgic? Have we walked together like this before?”
“We’ve strolled through night markets before. But back then, the way you looked at me was quite hurtful.”
It wasn’t that Hua Jian had never gone shopping with Linglong. But back then, their relationship was purely that of an employer and a mercenary.
So when Hua Jian haggled fiercely with vendors, Linglong looked at her strangely—as if to say, Are you really haggling over such a small amount?
“You’ve never had to work for a living, so you don’t know how precious spirit stones are. But to me, even a single spirit stone must be saved diligently.” Hua Jian withdrew her hand and wagged a finger before her lips.
This statement seemed to trigger Qian Feixu. Finally, she found an opening to interject.
The old-friend-like conversation between Hua Jian and Linglong had left her no point of entry, but now she had one!
“So that’s why you swindled me out of my spirit stones?”
“Oh? How did she bully you? Tell your big sister.” Linglong also became curious, wanting to know what mischief Hua Jian had been up to during her absence.
She was well aware of Hua Jian’s habit of only sharing good news and hiding bad news, always speaking only of things that benefited her and glossing over the rest.
If Hua Jian had been keeping other “little sisters” outside, Linglong didn’t believe she’d confess honestly.
“She sold my information for ten spirit stones, secretly snitched to let Sister Feixue catch me, and made me spend a hundred spirit stones to see you, Saintess…” Qian Feixu counted on her fingers.
In just two days, Hua Jian had screwed her over three times! That frequency was way too high!
“Tsk, that’s definitely Hua Jian’s style.” Linglong couldn’t help glancing at Hua Jian, only to see her looking smug, no fear at all—as if this wasn’t a bad thing but a good deed.
“Notifying a lost young girl’s family to pick her up, giving her a chance to see her idol’s peerless beauty—I’ve been doing good deeds.” Hua Jian shrugged helplessly, indicating she’d done nothing wrong, so why be scared?
This silly girl was dead set on running to a brothel; was it wrong to call her family?
The silly girl adored Linglong so much; was it wrong to lend her own view so she could see more clearly?
As for the spirit stones, they were just incidental worldly possessions, meant to teach her that everything has a price and that she couldn’t expect freebies.
“In conclusion, everything I did was reasonable and good. She just doesn’t appreciate my heartfelt intentions and wronged me!”
While stroking the cat’s head poking out of her collar, Hua Jian spoke with great grievance.
“Don’t you think so?”
This was directed at the Spiritual Civet.
The Spiritual Civet didn’t understand, but it was a good cat and knew how to support its owner.
“Meow!”
“See? Even it says I did the right thing!”
Qian Feixu’s eyes reddened instantly. She lunged at Hua Jian, flailing wildly. “I’ll fight you!”
Hua Jian wasn’t annoyed. She joyfully played a game of hide-and-seek with Qian Feixu.
To everyone else, they looked like two little kids goofing off in front of their elders.
The impression that Hua Jian was Qian Feixu’s good friend was thus etched into the minds of those watching.
Soon, this news would spread across Frozen Winter City— and even the entire Northern Territory— alongside the rumor of Linglong touring the city with Qian Feixue.
And that was precisely the first step Hua Jian had taken to create a reasonable identity close to Linglong.
Poor Qian Feixu— used as a tool once again, and again, and again.
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