None Are Mere Passersby

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In fact, literature is very prosperous in the world, and there are countless "miscellaneous books" among them. Among them, there may be unconventional themes and ideas. Ju Yunxiu already read works with themes similar to "The Return of the Condor Heroes".

But just because she saw it doesn't mean other cultivators have seen it.

Because everyone's interests are different, it can be said that over 99% of cultivators have no interest in these kinds of leisure books. Even if they do read, they read classic texts that offer enlightenment, not novels. In the Eating, Drinking, Whoring, Gambling Town of the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace, which is more "vulgar," there are still people who appreciate storytelling and variety shows, but these are just minor pastimes and not very common.

In other words, this kind of thing is actually quite new to most cultivators.

Normally I have no interest in getting involved, but this time is different. A large number of copies have been leaked from the Artisan Sect. Yin Yizhong is fueling the fire, implying that it was written by Inspector Qin. Since his fellow disciple wrote the story and is a recent prominent figure in the Immortal Palace, people will naturally be interested in seeing what Qin Yi has written.

As a result, many people became obsessed with it after watching it.

First, the story was fresh and interesting to this group of "roughnecks," and second, it was emotionally moving.

The fools of the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace are, strictly speaking, all lovers, their devotion stemming from profound affection. It's just that their affection isn't directed towards romantic love, but that doesn't prevent them from understanding the unwavering, selfless devotion of true love. The story's enduring, profound, and unyielding love, forged through hardship, has truly moved many.

From another perspective, aside from those who deliberately sour behind people's backs, the people of the Celestial Palace aren't actually that rigid. The truly rigid group is the ones who are skilled in Zither, Chess, Calligraphy, Painting. As for the others, how rigid can you expect drunkards, whores, gamblers, scientists, alchemists, and schemers to be? There are far more unconventional and rebellious individuals.

In other words, they were all from Huang Yaoshi's faction. Huang Yaoshi admired Yang Guo, and naturally, the people in the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace also admired him.

The vast majority of readers identify with Yang Guo, the protagonist of the book, who is somewhat "Evil Qi" but is essentially a righteous person, while they scoff at the serious Quanzhen Sect and Guo Jing. In addition, the natural advantage of being able to identify with the protagonist means that people's thoughts follow Yang Guo, feeling indignant for his grievances, cheering for his rise, and feeling saddened by the sixteen-year wait.

Of course, most people could understand Qin Yi's purpose in creating this book, but few people mocked it; instead, many secretly gave it a thumbs up.

"Qin Yi is quite clever, using this book to clear his name about his relationship with Ju Yunxiu... Is this a form of self-defense?"

"I have to say, his self-defense was quite successful. Just like I felt something was off before, after reading this book I felt there was nothing wrong with it... Besides, they are Senior Sister, so there's even less to it. Anyone who insists on a master-disciple relationship is a blockhead."

"They may not be blockheads; some people are just malicious."

"No wonder, Ju Yunxiu is so beautiful, sour grapes can be found everywhere."

Similar discussions are everywhere, which has inadvertently created a trend: anyone who grumbles about this kind of master-disciple relationship is either a blockhead or a sour grape with malicious intent.

Even those who genuinely felt this was inappropriate were momentarily silenced; in this climate of upheaval, anyone who goes against the tide will be criticized.

Not to mention that most of them are mediocre people. Ordinary disciples have no idea what this means. They just treat it as a storybook written by their own disciples. They discuss the plot and its connection to Qin Yi much more than they discuss ethics.

"Speaking of which, the concept of 'a heavy sword has no edge, and great skill appears effortless' is indeed Qin Yi's creation. Just look at that Wolf Tooth Club of his..."

"Haha, I wonder if those skilled cultivators will come to Qin Yi to verify their abilities."

"That's hard to say, but the main villain is a monk..."

"Is this a reference to Great Joy Temple?"

Many of the commentators expressed disdain. "The demonic sects of Great Joy Temple are like vermin from the gutter. They dare to plot against my Immortal Palace's core disciples. They have no sense of their own mortality."

"That's right. I heard later that the feud started because Martial Uncle Qin burned down one of their Outer Sect Lewd Temple... It's just an Outer Sect, what's the big deal? It's not like he killed any of their trusted men. It's unwise of them to come and provoke our Immortal Palace over this."

This is the advantage of having a powerful backer and an organized structure. Qin Yi had initially worried that making enemies of the Immortal Palace might cause resentment, but it turned out no one thought that way. The Immortal Palace still possessed a certain sense of superiority and cohesion befitting a major sect. Even the Scheming Sect didn't consider it a mistake on Qin Yi. What's the use of an Immortal Palace if it can't even protect you from the demonic forces?

Cultivation isn't about becoming a turtle. If you get into trouble you shouldn't, that's one thing, but what's wrong with burning down a demonic Outer Sect? If this isn't acceptable, how will the disciples of the Immortal Palace be able to walk around outside in the future? The smart ones will try to turn hostility into friendship and resolve things peacefully. If they continue to send people to retaliate, do they really think the Immortal Palace is easy to bully?

Of course, the Scheming Sect may have some other schemes involving the Great Joy Temple, but the general consensus in the entire Immortal Palace is not to take it seriously, and instead, they hold the "villainous" Great Joy Temple in high esteem.

"Actually, Martial Uncle Qin is quite shameless, huh..."

"How so?"

"He portrayed himself as very handsome, with girls admiring him wherever he went, but in the end, he didn't want anyone but Ju... uh, only Little Dragon Girl."

"Pfft... This was done on purpose; how else could the depth of her devotion be highlighted?"

"Although I know it was intentional, I personally don't like this protagonist."

"Why is that?"

"Why flirt if you're not going to marry him? This smooth-talking little wife, touching him all over... she made Cheng Maiden Lu Maiden remain unmarried for life, and Guo Xiang searched for him her whole life, while he went off to live a life of pleasure in the Ancient Tomb..."

"Yes, yes, yes, what a jerk."

"And another thing, he kissed a girl's eyelid, and then sat by and watched her marry a good-for-nothing. Isn't it a waste to give her away to someone else? It's really upsetting."

"I'm saying, have you ever considered that this might be a hint to Ju Yunxiu, to make her more accepting of the girls who appear around him in the future...?"

"Hiss... Senior Brother's words make a lot of sense. It seems that Qin Yi's scheming is unfathomable!"

"Of course, how could Qin Yi's petty schemes escape the eyes of my Scheming Sect?"

"I admire you."

Amidst the nationwide craze for discussing The Return of the Condor Heroes, Ju Yunxiu stood on the edge of the cliff, her face flushed as she listened to the sounds from all directions, her hand clutching a copy of the Return of the Condor Heroes, which she nearly crushed to pieces.

"Master," came Qing Cha voice behind us, "They're so hateful!"

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"When I went to the Internal Affairs Hall to collect something, they smiled at me and said, 'Hello Granny Sun.'" Qing Cha said angrily, "Am I a granny?"

Even Ju Yunxiu, who was full of grievances, was amused by these words: "A bunch of people who haven't read many books, just stumbled upon a story and made wild connections. Qin Yi didn't think that much about it. I bet when he listened to their analysis Qin Yi, he didn't even know what book they were talking about."

Qing Cha's mood improved a bit. "That's why I'm not a mother-in-law, and my uncle isn't that bad."

Ju Yunxiu chuckled silently.

Qing Cha then said, "Since Martial Uncle doesn't have many corresponding thoughts, why is Master in a bad mood?"

Ju Yunxiu shook her head. While other things might not correspond, the core theme would inevitably.

Regardless of how others view this book, Ju Yunxiu has only one meaning: Qin Yi has finally laid down the veil and sounded the horn of attack on her.

He wanted to be a pair of chivalrous lovers with himself, Dual Cultivation and Dwelling Together; the implication couldn't be clearer.

Before, they kept things to themselves and maintained a subtle, ambiguous relationship. Now that everything is out in the open, there has to be an answer eventually.

Ju Yunxiu was in a state of utter confusion and didn't want any answers at all. The feeling of being the center of attention only made her feel ashamed and annoyed.

But Ju Yunxiu also knew why Qin Yi spread this news; it was simply to subtly make people accept their relationship. In this respect, Qin Yi had done a very successful job.

She sighed softly and turned to Qing Cha, asking, "Is your martial uncle still in seclusion?"

"The boy at his door said that his uncle went out early this morning, leaving only one sentence: he was afraid of being beaten and would apologize to his Senior Sister when he returned."

"Heh..." Ju Yunxiu didn't say anything, her gaze falling back towards the direction of Transient Peak.

We are all just passing through this world; who isn't?

Nobody.

They come like Spring Dream and go like morning clouds, yet some imprints remain, and erasing them is no easy task. Just like the word "passerby" on Transient Peak, it already proclaims that this place is no longer what it used to be.

This trip to the Great Qian Dynasty was clearly my own assignment, and I hoped that I could have some peace and quiet after he left. But the moment I knew he was leaving, a void instantly filled my heart, and my mind was already racing with thoughts of how we should meet again when he returns.

Should we beat him up?

Or should you calmly say, "Yes, it's good that you're back"?

But regardless, the premise is that he must be safe and not fall into the hands of any rivals. If they want to beat him up, that's a matter between the Senior Sister; what business is it of outsiders?

Ju Yunxiu took out a scroll, summoned the Spirit of the Book, and whispered, "Go to the Great Joy Temple and tell them that I will handle my own affairs. If anyone dares to bully my junior brother, I will kill any lewd monks from the Great Joy Temple I see. They should think twice."

[End of Volume Two]