A small one just left, and a big one arrived

After the pain, Jiang Beiran analyzed the mission again and found that the most likely time for him to complete it was when Wang Yuyan first approached him. If he hadn't been so naive then and thought he could handle him by teaching him a couple of pick-up lines, he should have catered to his preferences like he did with Lin Jiuge and offered the most suitable conditions.

Additionally, Jiang Beiran realized he had overestimated the baseline of cultivators in this world. They could actually attack fellow disciples just to pursue a girl. Their values and respect for the law were vastly different from his as a modern person.

Of course, besides these reasons analyzed in hindsight, the deepest realization Jiang Beiran had was...

Cherish life and stay away from pretty junior sisters!

He never wanted to encounter such a simple, Yellow Rank Middle Grade option again. Wasn't it more satisfying to slowly accumulate attribute points!

Putting away his memories, Jiang Beiran took a step forward and entered Blue Heart Xuan.

Night, Water Mirror Hall, by Fuxian Lake.

A melodious pipa sound drifted from the water's surface. The sound was sometimes heavy and deep, sometimes melodious, smooth, clear, and loud, and at other times it conveyed immense sadness and melancholy. Yet, these different sounds blended together harmoniously.

"Who dares to make my Jin'er suffer?"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Liu Zijin quickly put down her pipa and rose to bow. "Protector Yu."

From the darkness, Yu Manwen nodded. "Jin'er, your pipa playing is getting better and better. But precisely because you play so well, it's easier for people to hear your hidden thoughts from the music. Tell me, who dared to bully the cutest disciple of our Water Mirror Hall?"

Liu Zijin quickly shook her head after hearing this and replied softly, "N-no one bullied Jin'er."

Yu Manwen listened and said with a sad tone, "Alas~ Little Jin'er has finally grown up and doesn't tell me, her protector, what's on her mind anymore."

"I didn't! Protector, truly no one bullied me, it's just..."

"It's just what?" Yu Manwen pressed.

"It's just that I met someone who the disciple cares about."

"Oh? Who?" Yu Manwen became interested.

"Oh dear! I... I remember I haven't done today's homework yet. Goodbye, Protector!" Liu Zijin said, then picked up her pipa and fled as if escaping.

Watching Liu Zijin quickly disappear into the darkness, Yu Manwen's lips curved slightly, filled with curiosity about the person she mentioned.

Hmm... Although as the protector of the hall, I shouldn't interfere too much with the little secrets in my disciples' hearts, I'm just afraid that our hall's cute small disciple might be deceived. I should investigate.

The next day, Yu Manwen quickly found out that Liu Zijin had gone to Blue Heart Hall yesterday and learned the name Jiang Beiran through Fang Qiuyue.

"Jiang Beiran..." Yu Manwen softly repeated the name, a hint of confusion on her face. I have no impression of him at all.

She had expected that whoever made Jin'er care so much must be one of the elite disciples in the sect who had achieved great success at a young age. But she had absolutely no impression of this Jiang Beiran.

Out of curiosity, Yu Manwen went to the Law Enforcement Hall, which was specifically responsible for managing disciple records.

"Protector Yu? What wind blows you here today?" In the Law Enforcement Hall, a short man greeted Yu Manwen.

"Is it Old Lu on duty today? That makes things easier. I'm here to retrieve a disciple's file."

"No problem. Just tell me which disciple it is that Protector Yu personally came to investigate, and I'll find it for you right away."

"That disciple is named Jiang Beiran."

"Jiang Beiran?" Lu Kangping's expression visibly faltered.

"You know him, Old Lu?" Seeing Lu Kangping's surprise, Yu Manwen pressed.

"I don't know him personally, but Protector Xu also came here to retrieve this disciple's file before."

"Xu Wenjing of the Ink Speech Hall?"

"That's right." Lu Kangping nodded. "I remember it was around last year. He also specifically came to check Jiang Beiran's file."

This is interesting... Yu Manwen's curiosity intensified. She urged, "Then, Old Lu, quickly get this disciple's file for me to see."

"Alright, please wait a moment." Lu Kangping turned and entered the archives.

About ten minutes later, Lu Kangping emerged with Jiang Beiran's file and handed it to Yu Manwen.

"Thanks," Yu Manwen said, opening Jiang Beiran's file and beginning to read it carefully.

This is too...

After reading all the information in the file, Yu Manwen discovered that Jiang Beiran wasn't even an ordinary disciple. He had been a registered disciple for a full five years. How unmotivated must he be?

However, there was one particularly shining point in the file: in the five years he served as an Iron Seal for new disciples, his trial missions had never failed.

While it was true that many Iron Seals in the sect could achieve this, as the trial missions for new disciples weren't too difficult, only occasionally requiring the Iron Seal's ability when significant unexpected events occurred.

Therefore, it wasn't difficult for a powerful Iron Seal to achieve never failing. But for a "bottom-of-the-barrel" registered disciple like Jiang Beiran to also achieve this...

This is truly strange... Logically, Hall Master Zhang wouldn't be so muddled. To keep such an interesting youngster as a mere registered disciple?

Seeing Yu Manwen's expression shift constantly, Lu Kangping chuckled, "Protector Xu looked just as puzzled when he saw his file, which is why I remember Jiang Beiran so clearly."

Did Xu Wenjing get there first?

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 hand, Lu Kangping smiled and shook his head, sighing that Protector Yu's reaction was exactly the same as Protector Xu's.

Sigh, today's harvest isn't great. I only triggered five options. Looks like I need to find time to go down the mountain for a trial. The Returning Heart Sect's wool is getting harder to shear.

As evening fell, Jiang Beiran returned to the Blue Heart Hall after completing his "Daily Patrol." But just as he reached the front of his Hut, he saw a graceful lady standing at the entrance.

How come one small one just left, and now a big one arrives... It's been too lively these past two days.

He quietly took two steps back, thinking he'd just pretend he hadn't returned. Then he heard a long, melodious voice call out, "Jiang Beiran, where are you going?"

Jiang Beiran's footsteps halted. He turned around and bowed, "Disciple suddenly understood an Endgame Solution, so I wanted to return to the Chess Pavilion."

"Is that so? Why do I feel like you're trying to run away after seeing me?" Yu Manwen said as she walked towards Jiang Beiran.

"How could that be? You've misunderstood," Jiang Beiran replied with a smile, bowing again.

"You don't even blush when you lie. Your psychological fortitude is quite good," Yu Manwen said, then asked with a smile, "Do you know who I am?"