Li Mo: "I'm Afraid I'm a Fake Transmission," and Life with Ice Block

The initiation ceremony ended.

For two geniuses to reach the summit of the Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps was undoubtedly something unprecedented since the founding of the Clear Abyss Sect.

The news seemed to have grown wings, and swiftly became known throughout the sect from top to bottom.

Clear Abyss Mountain's main peak, the Internal Affairs Hall.

"This year, we have four more true disciples."

"I heard there hasn't been any news of that venerable elder taking disciples for fifty years. Could it be that after so long in stillness, he's finally stirred and begun thinking of raising an heir?"

"You weren't there. That girl was as beautiful as a celestial immortal... Ahem, that's not the point. The main thing is, she reached the summit of the Heaven-Ascending Stone Steps in a few dozen breaths! She could be called a monster."

"Wasn't there one other person who reached the summit?"

"Uh, that person apprenticed under Elder Shang Wu."

"Hiss!"

Several inner disciples in the Internal Affairs Hall were sipping tea and chatting with great enthusiasm.

When they heard that someone had entered the Ninth Peak, they all leaned back tactically, their expressions strange, their gazes faintly revealing pity.

That kid was finished.

"Sigh, if he hadn't been in the same cohort as that young girl, perhaps he would have been nurtured as a candidate for sect leader too."

"He has good talent, but a bad fate."

Someone sighed.

The other inner disciples nodded, deeply agreeing.

Just as they were speaking, they suddenly all put down their teacups and straightened, calling out obediently:

"Greetings, Elder Qian."

The short, plump old man nodded.

"I've brought a few newly initiated true disciples to collect their things."

"Also, issue the first month's stipend in advance, according to the standards each peak has already set."

The short, plump old man was named Qian Bufan, the Clear Abyss Sect's elder of internal affairs.

Within the sect, he counted as one of the elders with the highest status.

Because internal affairs also included finances.

This counts as doing someone a favor. Mainly because of Ying Bing, I suppose... Li Mo understood, but still saluted Qian Bufan.

"Many thanks, Elder."

"Ah, you needn't thank me."

Qian Bufan turned his body to the side and did not accept the salute.

Li Mo was puzzled.

But he soon learned the reason.

The initiation items were quickly issued: two sets of Cloud-Patterned Robes made of fine material, and a waist token cast from red copper. These were uniformly distributed by the sect.

The monthly stipend, however, was particular.

"Murong Xiao, residing at Divine Weapon Peak. Monthly silver, five hundred taels. One Hundred-Refined Forging Hammer. Two bottles of Jade Bone Pills."

"Lin Ye, residing at Ruyi Peak. Monthly silver, three hundred taels. Two bottles of Calm Heart Pills."

A disciple of the Internal Affairs Hall brought over two trays.

Then he looked toward Ying Bing, and his expression became much more respectful.

"Ying Bing, entering Clear Abyss Main Peak. Monthly silver, one thousand taels. One Superior Cold Iron Sword. Two bottles of Pure Yang Pills. Ten stalks of Pulse-Cleansing Grass..."

The internal affairs disciple rattled off a long string of items like a string of firecrackers.

When the other disciples passing to and fro heard it, envy appeared on their faces.

The treatment of a true disciple of the Sect Master made one drool just hearing it.

And that was not all.

That disciple continued:

"The Sect Master has ordered that you may choose another separate courtyard as your residence, for Junior Sister's exclusive use. You may select it yourself."

A private courtyard!

That was treatment only deacons received.

And not ordinary deacons, either. They had to be ones who had made contributions to the sect.

Besides possessing an excellent martial training environment, it was also a symbol of status.

"Autumn Water Pavilion."

Ying Bing answered without the slightest hesitation.

"Uh, all right. I'll record it for Junior Sister right away." The Internal Affairs disciple froze for a moment, then nodded.

"What about me?"

Li Mo pointed at himself, thinking he had been forgotten.

"Junior Brother is from Jade Cluster Peak. Mm, what your peak prepared for its true disciple..."

The Internal Affairs disciple took out a thick booklet and handed it over.

Could it be some kind of divine martial secret manual? This is way too thick...

Puzzled, Li Mo flipped it open, and then saw what was written on it:

"February, Jingtai Year 162: Jade Cluster Peak advanced 3,000 taels of silver."

"March, Jingtai Year 162: Jade Cluster Peak advanced 10 jars of apricot blossom wine."

"September, Jingtai Year 164: destroyed the beast cages on Rare Beast Peak, causing exotic beasts to escape; total losses amounted to 52 exotic beasts of various kinds."

Packed densely across the pages, they were all bills and IOUs.

Li Mo: "?"

A pile of question marks popped up over Little Li's head.

"You didn't give me the wrong thing, did you?"

"No."

Elder Qian Bufan sighed and said, "The resources for the true disciples of each peak are provided by the peaks themselves, not distributed uniformly by the sect."

"Jade Cluster Peak has not provided any resources to its true disciples."

"Not only that, Martial Niece Shang Wu has also advanced many things from the Internal Affairs Hall. When you have time, take this bill over and ask her to fill in the famine she left behind sooner."

"This whole thick book is all bills?"

The corner of Little Li's mouth twitched faintly.

So everyone else gets benefits, but when it comes to me, I have to shoulder debt instead?

Qian Bufan nodded and kindly reminded him, "Oh, right. There probably isn't a place for you to live on Jade Cluster Peak. You'd better make plans early and build yourself a thatched hut or something. As for materials... you can ask the Internal Affairs Hall for them."

"A thatched hut?"

Li Mo sank into deep thought.

No matter what, he had never imagined that after joining Clear Abyss Sect and becoming a true disciple, he would end up homeless.

I'm afraid I'm a fake disciple!

"Stay at my place."

Suddenly, Ying Bing's vermilion lips parted slightly.

Li Mo's tiger body shook. He turned back in a daze, but he couldn't read the slightest difference from that cold, aloof face.

Is this still the Ice Block I know?

"The environment at Autumn Water Pavilion is excellent. It would be fine for you two to go there and be a pair of immortal lovers." Qian Bufan stroked his belly, a hint of auntie-like smile appearing on his face.

So our Elder Qian was actually a shipping scholar.

"Uh, Elder Qian, you're overthinking it."

Li Mo shook his head.

"Ah? You two little fellows aren't a couple?"

Old Qian froze for a moment.

He had heard that the two of them were childhood sweethearts, had entered Clear Abyss Sect together, and were both true disciples. Today, Ying Bing had even specifically said she wanted Li Mo to stay at her place. They were already living together.

These days, how could anyone with an ordinary relationship share a room?

"Uh..."

Before Li Mo could speak, Ying Bing's voice had already sounded beside him:

"No."

Her tone was very casual, yet it made people feel a chill when they heard it.

"You misunderstood."

Li Mo waved his hands repeatedly.

Then neither of them spoke.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall turned somewhat strange.

"I'm old and fond of gossiping. Forgive me, forgive me." Qian Bufan laughed it off, smacked his lips, and actually looked a little disappointed.

Li Mo gave a bitter laugh and withdrew his gaze from Ying Bing.

Was Ice Block beautiful?

Calling her a beauty who could topple cities and overthrow kingdoms would not be an exaggeration.

But... she was too cold.

Cold in both temperament and body.

Thinking of this, Li Mo could not help sighing.

Toward this cool, aloof childhood friend of his, "pity" was more fitting than "admiration."

In his memories, she had not been like this at first. She had become this way only after calamity struck her family.

If their positions were reversed, Li Mo admitted he could not be optimistic and gentle either.

Opposite him.

Ying Bing shook her head almost imperceptibly.

Heaven and earth were heartless; the martial path was long and endless.

In her previous life, who knew how many dragons and phoenixes among men had pursued her?

But if she had not severed the seven emotions and six desires, focusing all her mind on fighting upstream through the long river of martial arts, she could never have ascended to the summit.

In this life, she likewise maintained a steadfast heart toward the Dao.

Autumn Water Pavilion was located not far from Jade Cluster Peak.

It nestled against the mountains and beside the water, its scenery beautiful.

The pavilion was three stories tall and even came with a separate courtyard. A clear spring flowed through the middle, simple and elegant without losing its natural beauty, standing like a crane among chickens amid the other pavilions.

At this moment, the main gate of Autumn Water Pavilion was pushed open.

The two walked in one after the other, the young man still carrying bundles large and small.

"This residence is built pretty well."

Li Mo was very satisfied with his new living environment, and also felt somewhat emotional.

In the past, Ying Bing had lodged at the Li Mansion, living under another's roof.

Now it was the other way around.

He turned back, only to see Ying Bing staring at the courtyard in a slight daze.

"It looks like no one's lived here for a long time. Let's clean up first."

Li Mo looked around as he spoke.

He walked all over the place, but failed to find any cleaning tools.

Ying Bing suddenly said, "The broom is under the stone stool in the flowerbed."

Li Mo bent down and really did pull out a broom.

"Go boil some hot water."

Ying Bing tied up her dark hair with a ribbon and spoke naturally.

It was as if she had lived here for a very long time, seamlessly becoming the mistress of Autumn Water Pavilion.

She did not do it on purpose.

Yet in the way she lifted her hand and swept the floor, there was somehow a trace of the calm composure of one long accustomed to high position.

Great, so I've become the hardworking little nanny.

Li Mo curled his lip and gave a salute. "Obeying the superior's instructions."

Although he knew Ice Block had always been like this, why did he still feel a little unwilling inside?

Mm, as a male with an extremely strong sense of self-respect, this was very normal.

The steaming hot water was ready and was poured by Li Mo into the large redwood tub.

Congratulations, Host. You have successfully invested one tub of bathwater, helping the investment target cleanse her body.

Investment return obtained: one gold bar.

The gold bars rewarded by the system were always very hefty.

Li Mo was silent for a long while, then shouted toward the courtyard:

"One tub of bathwater isn't enough, right? I'll boil you some more!"

Night fell.

The next day.

Li Mo woke as usual. He glanced at the room next door, frozen solid, then went into the kitchen to make breakfast.

The broad net of investments he had cast some time ago had brought him quite a few strange and peculiar returns, among them plenty of food that only needed heating before it could be eaten.

By the time the sun had fully risen, Li Mo came out carrying soy milk and steamed buns. Ice Block was already sitting there.

Her lips were still bloodless, her face pale as snow.

To describe her as beautiful enough to freeze a man was more fitting than anything.

Not long after breakfast, a full, resonant call came from outside:

"Is Martial Niece Ying Bing here?"

He opened the door.

An old man sat on a simple yet imposing carriage. The four eaves of the carriage body were all carved with the Four Symbols, refined yet grand in an uncarved way.

"I am the Sect Master's carriage driver."

The old carriage driver smiled broadly and said, "By the Sect Master's order, I have come to escort Martial Niece up the mountain. From now on, I will be the one to pick you up as well. There are many buildings on Clear Abyss Peak, and we feared you might not be able to find the right place."

Whoa, the Sect Master's carriage.

Li Mo thought, No wonder it looks so impressive.

Just look. Now this was the treatment of a true disciple.

He was afraid he would have to walk up the mountain himself.

"Many thanks."

Ying Bing nodded. After getting into the carriage, she lifted the curtain again and said:

"Li Mo, before you go to Jade Cluster Peak, you can prepare a few jugs of good wine."

Leaving those words behind, the carriage sped away in a cloud of dust.