PID Chapter 16.2

This was Su Baimo’s last match, and quite a crowd had gathered around. When people saw Chu Jinglan, their first instinct was to move away, but the good spots by the arena were limited. If they made the way, there would be nowhere else to stand. So, these people had no choice but to grit their teeth and stand in the same area as Chu Jinglan.

 

Chu Jinglan stood out conspicuously among the crowd. Su Baimo spotted him immediately, his eyes brightening. He smiled at Chu Jinglan from the arena, his gaze sincere and affectionate.

 

Xiao Mo could hear the sound of teeth grinding from those around them, directed at Chu Jinglan.

 

Unfortunately, their cultivation levels were insufficient, so they could only bare their teeth without daring to take action.

 

The match in the arena quickly began.

 

Su Baimo was also a sword cultivator, using a flexible sword. He had worked hard to build up his cultivation level using resources provided by the Su and Chu families. The competition was scored based on the number of victories, and even if he lost this match, he would have enough points to qualify for the secret realm.

 

Whether it was because Chu Jinglan was watching from close by or not, Su Baimo fought very seriously.

 

However, even with his utmost effort, he was finding it increasingly difficult to keep up, barely able to fend off his opponent’s techniques.

 

Su Baimo’s opponent was a seemingly honest and straightforward person who fought fairly without holding back. In the end, he disarmed Su Baimo by sending his sword flying and said to him, “Thank you for the match.”

 

Su Baimo was drenched in sweat, his breathing unsteady. His form swayed a bit as he smiled weakly, “Thank you for the guidance.”

 

He descended from the arena, his steps appearing unsteady. But it wasn’t until he reached Chu Jinglan that he finally stumbled.

 

Su Baimo instinctively raised his hand, intending to grab Chu Jinglan’s arm, but unexpectedly, a hand from the side steadied him.

 

Upon closer look, it was the young master of the Bian family.

 

Su Baimo was also surprised. He steadied himself while holding onto Young Master Bian’s hand, “Th-thank you, Brother Bian.”

 

Young Master Bian looked at him with a complex expression, then turned to glare at Chu Jinglan resentfully.

 

Chu Jinglan acted as if he hadn’t noticed and lowered his gaze to speak to Su Baimo, “You had a chance to win earlier.”

 

Su Baimo, who had just regained his balance, was taken aback, “…Huh?”

 

“On the thirteenth move, you misstepped. You should have nimbly leaped instead. On the twentieth move, you struck too hastily, allowing your opponent to exploit an opening. Also…”

 

Su Baimo: “…”

 

Young Master Bian also looked at Chu Jinglan as if he had seen a ghost.

 

Wait, couldn’t he see that Baimo was exhausted and weak, needing heartfelt comfort and rest? Moreover, he had just lost the match. As his fiancé, shouldn’t Chu Jinglan offer even a word of consolation?

 

Ignoring the expressions on Su Baimo and Young Master Bian’s faces, Chu Jinglan finished speaking in a calm tone, concluding with, “You asked me to watch your match, and I did.”

 

Chu Jinglan added, “You need to intensify your training when we return.”

 

Su Baimo responded in a daze, “…Ah, um, alright.”

 

As he agreed, he came to his senses and looked at Chu Jinglan pitifully, hoping he might say something nice. However, Chu Jinglan merely nodded, “Mm, just remember what I said.”

 

Su Baimo’s eyes were on the verge of turning red with disappointment.

 

Xiao Mo could no longer contain himself and was laughing so hard on Chu Jinglan’s shoulder that he nearly fell off.

 

“Haha, they set up such a perfect opportunity for you, and that’s all you have to say? Look at how the young master Bian is glaring at you. He probably thinks you’re hopelessly dense too.”

 

What did “dense” mean? Chu Jinglan made a mental note of this strange term. He nodded at Su Baimo, then turned and left, not caring that his fiancé was being supported by another man. He had fulfilled the grand elder’s request.

 

He didn’t leave the venue but walked over to where several Chu family members who had just finished their matches were standing.

 

He might as well fulfill the grand elder’s request to guide the Chu family members too.

 

The Chu family disciples were initially huddled in discussion, but Chu Jinglan’s arrival startled them. They awkwardly and haltingly paid their respects, addressing him as “brother” or “young master.”

 

“The Grand Elder asked me to guide you,” Chu Jinglan said without emotion or expression. “I’ll only say this once.”

 

Chu Yusheng impatiently began, “Who needs your—”

 

Chu Jinglan interrupted, “In your last match, you were kicked out of the arena in an unsightly manner. It didn’t have to be that embarrassing.”

 

Chu Yusheng: “…”

 

He abruptly fell silent, staring at Chu Jinglan in disbelief. He had lost so miserably in the last match that the disciples didn’t dare mention it in front of him, yet Chu Jinglan brought it up right away!

 

Chu Yusheng, embarrassed and angry, was about to lash out when Chu Jinglan coldly asked, “Do you want to roll out like that in your next match too?”

 

“You son of—”

 

The disciples nearby hurriedly restrained Chu Yusheng, “Brother Yusheng, calm down! Young Master, please guide us first!”

 

Chu Jinglan emotionlessly listed their mistakes and how to improve, speaking in a monotone. Once finished, he left without a backward glance, leaving behind a cursing Chu Yusheng and those trying to calm him down.

 

Xiao Mo heard Chu Xiaoshi[mfn]its the 10th brother Chu[/mfn] weakly say from within the crowd, “But his advice was quite accurate. I think I—”

 

“Xiaoshi, stop talking!”

 

That voice was quickly drowned out.

 

Xiao Mo, perched on Chu Jinglan’s shoulder, left the noisy crowd behind with him. The competition grounds were bustling with activity and voices, but none of it concerned Chu Jinglan.

 

Nor did it concern Xiao Mo.

 

Sometimes, the most profound loneliness exists in the midst of the noisiest world.

 

Others may not understand one’s heart, but the clear wind comprehends their thoughts.

 

Xiao Mo stirred on his shoulder, “When are we going back?”

 

The crowd was now far behind them. Chu Jinglan paused, “Didn’t you want to watch?”

 

“I’ve seen enough. It’s not interesting.”

 

Chu Jinglan turned his head slightly, his peripheral vision lightly sweeping over the misty ball that was the inner demon, “We can only leave in the evening.”

 

“Ah, that’s so long.” It was only midday now, and Xiao Mo was clearly disappointed. He thought for a moment, then enthusiastically suggested to his host, “Let’s not watch their matches this afternoon. Why don’t we find a quiet place to hide?”

 

Xiao Mo didn’t expect Chu Jinglan to agree, since Chu Jinglan usually just did the opposite of what he suggested.

 

Chu Jinglan: “Alright.”

 

“Or— Wait, what did you say?”

 

Xiao Mo’s chatter came to an abrupt halt. The entire misty ball bounced up in shock from Chu Jinglan’s shoulder, floating in front of Chu Jinglan’s face, their eyes meeting—well, the misty ball didn’t have eyes.

 

Chu Jinglan’s expression remained calm while Xiao Mo’s misty form puffed up in surprise.

 

“You said alright? You actually said alright?” If his body wasn’t limited, Xiao Mo would have pinched himself. “Am I hearing things?”

 

Chu Jinglan looked at the misty ball for a moment, then inexplicably averted his gaze, “I’m not just going along with you.”

 

Chu Jinglan said, “It just happens that I want to do the same thing.”

 

“Oh, I see. That makes more sense,” Xiao Mo exhaled. “Otherwise, I’d worry that some poison had invaded your brain.”

 

Chu Jinglan’s expression froze for a moment. He turned his gaze back, giving the inner demon a meaningful look.

 

Xiao Mo was completely oblivious, “Let’s go, let’s find a place with a nice view!”

 

Near the competition grounds, there were good spots for outings and enjoying nature. Chu Jinglan chose a spot under a tree shade. He took a fasting pill and began studying a newly acquired sword manual, while Xiao Mo produced a flute and started playing softly.

 

Amidst the sound of the flute, Chu Jinglan turned one page, then another. As he reached the third page, he closed the book and said, “We should go back.”

 

Xiao Mo, who was engrossed in playing, paused briefly to ask, “Why?”

 

This place had such pleasant scenery, fresh and natural. It was so nice.

 

Chu Jinglan replied expressionlessly, “Their matches may be terrible, but at least they don’t torture my ears.”

 

Xiao Mo: “…”

 

The inner demon Xiao complained resentfully, “Don’t you think I’ve improved?”

 

“I don’t,” Chu Jinglan raised an eyelid. “But my patience has certainly improved.”

 

He had managed to seriously read two pages of the sword manual while enduring the wailing of that flute.

 

Xiao Mo felt he was being targeted, and with good reason.

 

Surely Chu Jinglan hadn’t become addicted to arguing, feeling uncomfortable if he didn’t bicker at least once a day?

 

Xiao Mo huffed, about to say something else when suddenly he heard footsteps approaching.

 

The newcomers were treading on fallen leaves, making rustling sounds. There was more than one person, and they stopped at a distance from Chu Jinglan and Xiao Mo. Surrounded by many tall trees, Chu Jinglan couldn’t see the newcomers, nor could they see him.

 

But the voices were familiar to them.

 

From a distance of several trees away, the clear voice of the Bian family’s young master rang out, filled with resentment and grievance: “We’re the ones who grew up together, childhood sweethearts. You even said before that you wanted to become cultivation partners with me in the future. How is it that after such a short time, you only have eyes for Chu Jinglan now?”

 

Xiao Mo perked up. Considering the earlier scene where the young master Bian had supported someone, the person with him now must be—

 

“Brother Bian, but I… but I’m already his fiancé…”

 

Indeed, who else could this voice belong to if not Su Baimo?

 

Xiao Mo felt this was an opportunity for Chu Jinglan to deepen his understanding of his fiancé.

 

But Chu Jinglan stood up, clearly intending to leave.

 

If Su Baimo truly liked the Bian family’s young master, they could be together after breaking off the engagement. It had nothing to do with him, and Chu Jinglan didn’t want to eavesdrop on others’ romantic affairs. But before he could take a step, a third person joined the conversation.

 

“Hah, what’s so special about childhood sweethearts? When he was neglected by Chu Jinglan in the Chu family, it was I who took care of him. He even cried to me, saying how he wished I was his fiancé instead. Isn’t that right, Baimo?”

 

Chu Yusheng?

 

Chu Jinglan frowned and stopped in his tracks.

 

If Su Baimo only had feelings for one person, that would be one thing, but this situation… seemed a bit off?

 

Seeing that Chu Jinglan had stopped, Xiao Mo flew out to take a peek. Well, he was an entire mist ball that boldly swirled out, since others couldn’t see him anyway.

 

Whether influenced by his inner demon nature or feeling more carefree after transmigrating into the novel, Xiao Mo, who once disliked drama, now found himself eagerly anticipating chaos.

 

The drama in books and real-life drama were indeed different.

 

The mischievous inner demon Xiao thought: Exciting, I want to see a river of drama flow.

 

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