"My story?"
Youqin Xuanya pondered for a moment, then slowly began, "It happened like this..."
As Youqin Xuanya spoke, Li Yang learned a great deal that the Original Novel had never mentioned.
The information didn't do much for his cultivation, but it certainly satisfied his love of gossip.
This kind of convoluted, melodramatic tale of restoring a kingdom, childhood sweethearts, and schemes never went out of style. Reality, it seemed, was far more dramatic than fiction. It was simply a classic.
Watching Youqin Xuanya's downcast expression and hearing her low voice, Li Yang heartily bit into a skewer, drained a bowl of wine, let out a long breath, and cried, "Refreshing!"
Youqin Xuanya, who had been feeling sad, couldn't help but stare. Why wasn't Junior Brother Li Yang acting like the heroes in the Storybook Novels people told in the marketplace?
"What is it? Do you think I shouldn't be reacting this way, Senior Sister?"
Seeing Youqin Xuanya's stunned expression, Li Yang knew what she was thinking, so he teased her.
"Yes. I don't think Junior Brother is at all like those heroes in Storybook Novels who get all righteously indignant when they hear about someone else's suffering."
Li Yang heard her out, then filled his bowl with wine and raised it to his lips. Seeming to reconsider, he put it back down.
"Senior Sister, you were born a princess of a kingdom where people can cultivate. Even a little talent would have let you enjoy centuries of wealth and privilege. That's already a life beyond the reach of countless people in this world.
"What's more, you joined the Immortal Crossing Sect. With your talent, you may one day attain immortality and enjoy eternal life and freedom.
"Compared to ordinary mortals, who have to scrimp and save for every bit of food and firewood, and whose families can end up fighting over a millstone, becoming bitter enemies who never speak again, this so-called sorrow of yours seems very small to me."
Li Yang shared his perspective. He sounded cold and heartless, yet Youqin Xuanya truly was a prodigy of the sect. Though the Original Novel had made her somewhat toxic and prone to overthinking, this time she really hadn't misread him.
The sadness vanished from her face, replaced by a solemn expression. She rose and bowed deeply to Li Yang.
"Thank you for your guidance, Junior Brother. Everyone in the world has their own hardships. My troubles may seem serious to me, but to others, they're nothing much—just one tiny ripple among the countless people of this world, not even large enough to rise to the surface.
"By getting caught up in these worries, I've only belittled myself and made things harder for myself..."
Li Yang raised a hand to stop Youqin Xuanya's endless reflections and simply said, "It's not as deep as you think, Senior Sister. I was just musing aloud. You don't have to take it to heart.
"Mostly, I just hope you can let go of your worries and take down your enemies, then enjoy yourself... No, I mean, absolutely don't let your enemies get away with their crimes.
"There's no point in turning all that stress inward. It's far more satisfying to make your enemies suffer.
"As for me, an outsider, please spare me. I just wanted to hear a good story, a little scenery along my path of cultivation."
Li Yang always had his own way of interpreting things. Youqin Xuanya wasn't a fool, so she bowed to him again.
"Junior Brother, I'll remember your words."
"Enough of that. Want some?"
Suddenly, a skewer of grilled scorpions was held out in front of Youqin Xuanya. She accepted it without thinking, and then a bowl of wine was pushed into her hand.
"Cheers!"
Their bowls clinked lightly. The fearsome scorpion was already in her mouth, and the bubbles from the sweet wine burst across her tongue before sliding down her throat.
In an instant, Youqin Xuanya felt warmth spread throughout her body, driving out the last of the chill inside her. Even the poison hidden deep within her body, which the Detoxification Pill couldn't cure, surfaced completely—and then vanished.
Just then, a voice murmured softly in her ear.
"Senior Sister, how is it?"
She replied without thinking, "Refreshing!"
"Heh heh heh!"
At the sound of a few quiet chuckles, Youqin Xuanya came to her senses. She looked at Li Yang's smiling face and, remembering how she had just acted, blushed with embarrassment.
"Senior Sister, good food and happiness are the only things in this world we must never let down."
Li Yang smiled and beckoned Youqin Xuanya to sit and try the delicacies made from the insects.
Youqin Xuanya sat down and accepted a large skewer of grilled bugs. This time, though, her gaze fell on the Gourd, which was carved with a monkey and labeled "Monkey Wine."
"Junior Brother, why is this Monkey Wine different from the kind I've had before? Not only is it dark red, it doesn't have even a hint of spice. But it does have a peculiar fragrance."
"You mean this?"
Li Yang picked up the Gourd and gave it a shake. "The name's a lie. It's not wine inside. It's a spiritual drink I made using a large quantity of Spiritual Medicine.
"I can't promise anything else, but this drink can cure most injuries and illnesses in the world.
"Best of all, it tastes great.
"My Senior Brother tried it and said it was some kind of 'Happy Water for Otaku'—said it suited me perfectly!"
Youqin Xuanya wasn't sure what to make of that. In the end, all she could say was, "Senior Brother Changshou sounds like an interesting person!"
"Right? I think so too!"
After saying that, Li Yang screwed the cap on tight, shook the Gourd vigorously a few times, and handed it to Youqin Xuanya.
"Senior Sister, open it and see!"
Youqin Xuanya looked at Li Yang's smiling face and the sly glint in his eyes. Puzzled, she took the Gourd and opened it without thinking.
"Pop!"
"Pffft!"
"Ah!"
A startled cry rang out, followed by hearty laughter that echoed through the cave.
"Hahahahahaha..."
Five days later, two figures made their way through a jungle thick with poisonous miasma.
The red-clad figure said, "Junior Brother, why won't you let me send a message to my father, expose Yuan Qing for what he is, and warn him to watch out for these treacherous villains?"
The other figure, clad in blue, replied, "Senior Sister, this is Northern Juru Continent. You're only at the Void Refinement Realm, and I'm only at the Spirit Transformation Realm. According to you, Martial Aunt Jiujiu has been captured by them. With our meager cultivation, how could we get a message back quickly?
"So rather than go back to send a warning, we should stay here and buy time. Once the sect realizes they can't contact Martial Aunt, experts will come to rescue her.
"They must have made preparations at the exit from Northern Juru Continent and along the route leading there. Going deeper in is the safest option."
The two figures were Youqin Xuanya in red and Li Yang in blue.
It had been five days since they'd left the cave. Li Yang hadn't abandoned Youqin Xuanya the way his Senior Brother had in the Original Novel. Instead, he had chosen to flee with her.
He knew full well that since Youqin Xuanya had ended up right in front of him, there was no way he could leave her behind.
Hearing Li Yang's reasoning, Youqin Xuanya instinctively looked at him. Two figures came to mind.
One was her so-called childhood sweetheart, who had joined the Immortal Crossing Sect alongside her and would have rushed to her side as soon as he learned she had appeared: Yuan Qing.
Who could have guessed that he was such a hypocrite? Once he dropped that usual false mask, he turned out to be so vicious and despicable!
The other was Junior Brother Li Yang. She barely knew him and hadn't exchanged more than a few words with him during their journey.
Yet this was the person who had saved her without hesitation at the most dangerous moment, and comforted her when she was feeling low.
Even his escape plan was more thoughtful and flawless than hers.
Gradually, Li Yang's figure became clearer and clearer in her heart.
"Get out of the way!"
Suddenly, Li Yang roared and sent her flying with a blast of his palm.
"Boom!"
Then a spear slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and shattered stone.
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