novelraw Chapter 464: Handsome and Dashing, Like a Jade Tree in the Wind
Chapter 464: Handsome and Dashing, Like a Jade Tree in the Wind
Yu Zhao and Du Wu Xiang snapped their heads up, both unable to believe that the sticky, syrupy voice had just come out of Ancestor Sui Bian’s mouth.
Ancestor Fei Hong, on the other hand, looked entirely unsurprised as he chuckled and strode up the long steps.
Yu Zhao had pictured the scene of Elder Qun Fang meeting Ancestor Sui Bian many times: old friends reunited, surely with endless things to say. Yet the moment she set foot on the final step, a loud slap cracked by her ear, followed by a furious shout: “Get out!” A force hurled her off the mountain before she could even see what was happening. Wind roared past as she tumbled; looking up, she saw a round, dark silhouette overhead. [Huh?]
The crowd at the foot of the mountain had not dispersed. They watched Yu Zhao and Ancestor Sui Bian reappear before them in the most unexpected way, glancing at one another with nothing to say.
Ancestor Sui Bian gave an awkward laugh, saying with forced cheer: “Ha, hahaha, this is just a little joke between me and your Elder Qun Fang; we used to play around like this all the time.” The crowd mumbled their assent: “Of course, of course,” while pretending not to see the bright red handprint on his cheek.
Clearing his throat, Ancestor Sui Bian added with forced dignity: “Ahem, Elder Qun Fang is in a foul mood today. Find yourselves somewhere to settle for now; I will go up and visit her another day.” The people of Lingyin Sect agreed with alacrity, and Yu Zhao and Ancestor Sui Bian were promptly assigned to the peak farthest from where Elder Qun Fang lived.
After exchanging polite farewells, Yu Zhao looked to the ancestor with a questioning gaze. He rubbed his head, still a little aggrieved, and muttered: “Don’t look at me. I’ve no idea what happened. Sure, Qun Fang always had a fiery temper, but I didn’t provoke her this time.”
Yu Zhao thought for a moment, then probed gently: “After that dangerous incident, did you ever send Elder Qun Fang a message to say you were safe?” Ancestor Sui Bian’s face froze as he blurted: “Ah no, I forgot.” He rummaged in his sleeve until he fished out a peony-engraved Voice Transmission talisman. With a tap of his fingertip, he poured a thread of spiritual power into it, and the talisman began to flash madly as Elder Qun Fang’s voice poured out in a rapid stream: “Sui Bian, what trick are you playing now?” “What do you mean by that thing you just said?” “Sui Bian, where are you? Do not frighten me!” “Sui Bian, try dying once and see what happens!” “Sui Bian, you bastard…” The tirade cut off halfway through as Ancestor Sui Bian severed the connection.
With the look of a man awaiting doom, he paced in tight circles around the room, wailing: “It’s over, it’s over, I’m dead this time! I’ve really offended that lady! Now never mind asking for help; she might not even agree to see me!”
Yu Zhao fell silent. Though she was his junior, even she felt the ancestor had gone too far. He left behind a cryptic remark and then disappeared, making the one who cared for him wait in gnawing dread day after day. She said as evenly as she could: “Find a way to apologize to Elder Qun Fang and ask her forgiveness. She may yet let it go.” Ancestor Sui Bian scrubbed a hand over his face; remembering the bouquet in his storage space gave him some confidence, but the thought of Ancestor Fei Hong still being up there wiped most of it away. He grumbled: “Fei Hong looks the gentleman, but he’s the slyest of the lot. Now that he’s caught something on me, who knows how he’ll bad-mouth me in front of Qun Fang. I should’ve dragged him down with me when I got kicked off the mountain. A misstep, a misstep.”Yu Zhao had already sensed something off between Ancestor Sui Bian and Ancestor Fei Hong; now it was confirmed. She asked: “You have a grudge with Ancestor Fei Hong?” Ancestor Sui Bian snorted: “He harbors improper designs on Qun Fang.” Then he smiled smugly: “Shame for him he met me. He never had a chance.”
Yu Zhao recalled the tall, elegant, imposing Ancestor Fei Hong she had just seen, then looked at the plump, cherubic Ancestor Sui Bian before her; the corner of her eye twitched. “Yu Zhao! What is that look? You actually don’t believe your ancestor? I’ll prove it right now!” She hurried to stop him: “No need…” but could not do so in time.
He whipped out another Voice Transmission talisman, fed it spiritual power, and barked: “Old Black Daoist! Old Black Daoist!” The reply came at once, half a roar, half a laugh: “Sui Bian, you old codger, back from the dead!” Ancestor Sui Bian snapped: “Save the nonsense. Tell me, how do I look?” The other side sounded puzzled: “Why ask that? Have you run into some old flame again?” Ancestor Sui Bian pressed him: “None of your business. Answer first!” The Old Black Daoist, still at a loss, gave the verdict: “Handsome and dashing, like a jade tree in the wind.” Then he added sourly: “Are you showing off to me? So what if you’re good-looking?” Ancestor Sui Bian cut the connection with satisfaction and turned to Yu Zhao: “Well? Do you believe it now?” [So my sense of beauty really is the problem?]
He lifted his chin and declared: “To tell you the truth, your ancestor used to be a famed jade-faced gentleman. Legions of women fell at my feet, and I was unmoved.” Seeing the row of Voice Transmission talismans tucked up his sleeve, Yu Zhao was left reeling. She forced herself back to the matter at hand: after a long moment of silence, she decided not to quibble about aesthetics. Since they were already at Lingyin Sect, they had to focus on removing the Jade Ruyi and breaking the barrier on her storage bracelet.
Buoyed by his earlier antics, Ancestor Sui Bian thumped his chest: “Don’t worry. I’ll win Qun Fang’s forgiveness. Just wait for my good news.” He marched out brimming with confidence.
The time it takes an incense stick to burn later, he slunk back with two fresh palm prints on his cheeks: “She refuses to see me.” Yu Zhao encouraged him softly: “The angrier Elder Qun Fang is, the more it means she cares. You mustn’t give up or betray her good will.” He straightened: “You’re right. It’s only two… ahem, only a little venting. I would never hold it against her.” Off he went again.
Another incense stick later, he limped back in, voice faltering: “She… she still won’t forgive me.” Yu Zhao reminded him mildly: “Ancestor Fei Hong is still up there.” Ancestor Sui Bian’s eyes bulged as he put on the face of a man going to his death: “If she won’t forgive me, I’m not coming back!” Yu Zhao said warmly: “Elder Qun Fang will surely see your sincerity. Go without worry.” [I’ll pray for you, ancestor.]
Watching his figure recede, Yu Zhao tasted a hint of tragic heroism. She sighed inwardly: [Please, Elder Qun Fang, for the sake of the past, be gentle with him.]