Having learned from his mistakes, Jiang Beiran analyzed the mission once more. He realized that the moment he had been most likely to complete it was when Wang Yuyan first came looking for him. If he had not been so naive back then, thinking he could settle Wang Yuyan by teaching him a few tricks for picking up girls, he should have catered to his tastes as he had with Lin Jiuge and offered the most suitable terms.
Jiang Beiran also realized that he had still overestimated the lower limit of Cultivators in this world. Merely to pursue a girl, they could actually ruthlessly murder fellow disciples. Their values and reverence for the law were worlds apart from his as a modern man.
Of course, aside from those reasons he could analyze after the fact, Jiang Beiran's deepest realization was still...
Cherish life; stay away from beautiful Junior Sisters!
He never wanted to encounter an option that was both this simple and Yellow Rank Middle Grade again. Wouldn't slowly saving up Attribute Points be far more satisfying?
Putting away his memories, Jiang Beiran stepped forward and entered Blue Heart Xuan.
At night, Water Mirror Hall, beside Fuxian Lake.
A melodious pipa tune drifted across the water. At times, it was weighty and profound; at times, graceful, fluid, crisp, and ringing; at times, it brimmed with boundless sorrow and resentment. Yet woven together, those several tones were so harmonious.
"Who dared make my Jin'er suffer such grievances?"
Upon seeing the newcomer, Liu Zijin hurriedly set down her pipa, rose, and bowed. "Protector Yu."
In the darkness, Yu Manwen nodded. "Jin'er, your pipa playing has grown better and better. But precisely because you play it so well, it becomes easier for others to hear your little thoughts in its notes. Tell me, who dared bully the cutest disciple of our Water Mirror Hall?"
Liu Zijin hurriedly shook her head and replied softly, "N-No one bullied Jin'er."
Yu Manwen spoke in a deeply saddened tone, "Sigh~ Little Jin'er really has grown up. When something is weighing on your heart, you no longer tell your Protector."
"I haven't! Protector, really, no one bullied me. It's just..."
"Just what?" Yu Manwen pressed while the iron was hot.
"It's just that I met someone this disciple cares about."
"Oh? Who is it?" Yu Manwen was immediately interested.
"Ah! I-I just remembered that I haven't done today's assignments yet. Goodbye, Protector!" After saying that, Liu Zijin grabbed her pipa and fled as though escaping for her life.
Watching Liu Zijin swiftly vanish into the darkness, Yu Manwen's lips curled faintly upward. She was exceedingly curious about the person Liu Zijin cared about.
Hmm... As the hall's Protector, I shouldn't interfere too much with the little secrets in my disciples' hearts. But isn't it because I'm worried that the adorable Small Disciples of our hall might be deceived? I'd better investigate.
The next day, Yu Manwen quickly learned that Liu Zijin had gone to Blue Heart Hall the day before, and through Fang Qiuyue, she learned the name Jiang Beiran.
"Jiang Beiran..." Yu Manwen softly repeated the name, a trace of confusion appearing on her face. I have absolutely no impression of him.
She had assumed that anyone who could make Zijin care so much must be one of the sect's young elite disciples who had already achieved fame and success. Yet she truly had no impression whatsoever of this Jiang Beiran.
Driven by curiosity, Yu Manwen went to the Law Enforcement Hall, which was specifically responsible for managing disciple records.
"Protector Yu? What wind has blown you here today?" In the Law Enforcement Hall, a rather short man greeted Yu Manwen.
"Old Lu, you're on duty today? That makes things easy. I came to retrieve a disciple's file."
"No problem. Please tell me, which disciple has drawn Protector Yu here personally to investigate? I'll fetch it for you right away."
"The disciple is called Jiang Beiran."
"Jiang Beiran?" Lu Kangping's expression clearly froze for a moment.
"Old Lu, you know him?" Seeing how surprised Lu Kangping seemed, Yu Manwen asked.
"I don't know him, but Protector Xu once came here to retrieve this disciple's file as well."
"Xu Wenjing of Ink Speech Hall?"
"That's right." Lu Kangping nodded. "I believe it was around last year. He had also come specifically to look through Jiang Beiran's records."
Interesting... Yu Manwen's curiosity deepened further, and she urged him repeatedly, "Then hurry and bring me this disciple's file, Old Lu. Let me take a look."
"Certainly. Please wait a moment." Lu Kangping turned and entered the archives.
About ten minutes later, Lu Kangping emerged carrying Jiang Beiran's file and handed it to Yu Manwen.
After thanking him, Yu Manwen opened Jiang Beiran's file and began reading it carefully.
This is too...
After reading all the information in the file, Yu Manwen discovered that Jiang Beiran was not even an ordinary disciple. He had remained a Registered Disciple for a full five years. How lacking in ambition did he have to be?
Yet there was one particularly striking point in this file: in the five years Jiang Beiran had served as an Iron Seal for new disciples, he had never once failed a Trial Mission.
There were quite a few Iron Seals in the sect who could accomplish this. After all, the Mountain Descent Trials given to new disciples were never too difficult. Only when relatively major unforeseen changes occasionally arose did an Iron Seal's abilities need to be tested.
Thus, it was not difficult for powerful Iron Seals to maintain a record of no failures. But for a Registered Disciple like Jiang Beiran, a "bottom-of-the-barrel" sort, to achieve it as well...
How strange... Logically speaking, Hall Master Zhang isn't that muddle-headed. How could he let such an interesting little fellow remain merely a Registered Disciple?
Watching Yu Manwen's expression shift constantly, Lu Kangping smiled. "Protector Xu had also been full of confusion when he looked through this file back then. That is why I remember this Jiang Beiran so clearly."
Did Xu Wenjing get there before me?
Immediately returning the file to Lu Kangping, Yu Manwen waved her hand. "Thanks, Old Lu. I'll treat you to a meal next time."
With that, she left the Law Enforcement Hall.
Looking at Jiang Beiran's file in his hands, Lu Kangping smiled and shook his head, sighing that Protector Yu's reaction had been exactly the same as Protector Xu's.
Sigh, today's haul wasn't too good. I only triggered five options. Looks like I need to find time to make a trip down the mountain for a trial. There isn't much fleece left to shear from the Returning Heart Sect.
At dusk, Jiang Beiran returned to Blue Heart Hall after completing his daily patrol. But as soon as he reached his little hut, he saw a graceful lady standing at the door.
How had a small one just left, only for a big one to come along... These past two days have been far too lively.
Jiang Beiran quietly took two steps back, intending to pretend he had never returned, when he heard a long, melodious voice call out, "Jiang Beiran, where are you going?"
Jiang Beiran's footsteps abruptly halted. He turned around and bowed. "This disciple suddenly thought of an endgame solution, so I wished to return to the Chess Pavilion."
"Is that so? Why do I feel that you wanted to run away after seeing me?" Yu Manwen spoke as she walked toward Jiang Beiran.
"How could that be? You misunderstand." Jiang Beiran smiled and bowed again.
"You can lie without even blushing. Your mental fortitude is quite impressive." Yu Manwen smiled as she asked, "Do you know who I am?"
Before you continue