Why Are There Three More?

Jiang Beiran was dumbfounded. He did not know whether Protector Yu's train of thought was simply different from his, or whether there had been a problem with his acting. Everything he had done and every look he had given just now had clearly been meant to convey that he had given up the path of cultivation and wanted to seek development in other fields. How could Protector Yu fail to understand?

Jiang Beiran was truly worried that Protector Yu would forcibly drag him off to cultivate. Would that not delay his grand plan of playing the pig to eat the tiger?

But Protector Yu was clearly set on this now, so Jiang Beiran could only take things one step at a time and think of a way to decline later. In any case, he had always been quite capable when it came to slipping away.

"Then wait for me at the entrance to the Law Enforcement Hall at Chen Hour the day after tomorrow."

After leaving those words behind, Yu Manwen departed with a flourish.

"Ah..."

Once Yu Manwen had gone far away, Jiang Beiran let out a long sigh.

I wonder which bastard leaked my information to Liu Zijin and brought all this trouble down on me.

Ever since the Junior Sister Incident, Jiang Beiran had been extremely selective whenever Iron Seal assigned him new disciples.

No female disciples, no second generation disciples, no one with a treacherous-looking face, no one too handsome, and so on...

Though he could not guarantee that he would find such new disciples every time, most of them were more or less on target.

And every time he completed a Trial Mission, Jiang Beiran would tell them not to recommend him to other Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters. What he feared was exactly something like this happening.

"As expected, only I am truly reliable..."

With another sigh, Jiang Beiran pushed open the door to his little house and walked inside.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. As agreed, Jiang Beiran appeared outside the Law Enforcement Hall right on time.

"Beiran, over here."

Just as Jiang Beiran was about to look around, he heard Yu Manwen's voice from nearby.

Looking toward the sound, Jiang Beiran saw Protector Yu smiling and nodding at him. Beside her stood Liu Zijin with her head lowered on one side, and Fang Qiuyue with her face turned away on the other.

Today, Liu Zijin wore a jade-green Cuiyan Shirt and a Scattered Flower Water Mist Pleated Skirt. Her shoulders were as if carved, her waist as slender as silk. The outfit set off her exquisite oval face, giving her an ethereal air like that of a fairy.

Watching the senior brothers who passed by steal glances in their direction despite themselves, Jiang Beiran forcibly suppressed the urge to sigh.

Over five years, the times he had taken female disciples down the mountain for a Mountain Descent Trial could be counted on one hand, and every single one had been forcibly shoved onto him by Flower Crown. As for beauties with faces like flowers and features like the moon such as Liu Zijin, he had always kept respectfully far away. Yet this time, two had arrived at once.

This taboo has been broken far too thoroughly...

With a mournful sigh in his heart, Jiang Beiran stepped forward and saluted Yu Manwen. "Greetings, Protector Yu."

"Mm, you are very punctual. I believe you have met these two beloved disciples of mine before?"

"Yes." Jiang Beiran nodded, then cupped his hands toward the two of them. "Junior Sister Liu, Junior Sister Fang."

When Liu Zijin met Jiang Beiran's gaze, she grew somewhat flustered. After all, she knew perfectly well that he had been forcibly dragged here by the Protector because of her. Who knew how irritated he was with her right now?

So this is what it feels like to worry that someone might dislike me... It really feels awful.

But no matter how uneasy she felt, Liu Zijin still quickly bowed. "Greetings, Jiang Shixiong. I will be troubling you this time."

At the side, Fang Qiuyue casually cupped her hands toward Jiang Beiran and called out, "Greetings, Senior Brother."

After both sides had exchanged greetings, Yu Manwen suddenly waved toward the pool in the distance and called, "You few, stop fooling around over there. Hurry over and greet your Senior Brother."

There are more!?

Jiang Beiran's heart tightened, and a sense of foreboding rose within him.

"Coming~"

Following that pleasant voice, Jiang Beiran saw three identical-looking young girls running toward them.

You have got to be kidding...

Liu Zijin and Fang Qiuyue were already enough to give Jiang Beiran a headache. These three girls running toward them were also peerless beauties.

All three had oval faces, long delicate brows, lively eyes, and a spirited, mischievous air about them. With their bright eyes, white teeth, and smooth complexions, they were truly three outstanding beauties.

"This is the Jiang Beiran, Jiang Shixiong, whom I told you about. When you go down the mountain this time, stay close to him and listen to his words. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Protector." After answering together, the three girls simultaneously looked toward Jiang Beiran and gave graceful bows. "Water Mirror Hall's Yu Guishui, Yu Guizhui, and Yu Guimiao greet Jiang Shixiong."

Though Jiang Beiran felt as though he were about to split apart, he still forced out a smile and returned the salute. "Greetings, three Junior Sisters."

Once the Three Sisters had taken their places behind him, Yu Manwen smiled at Jiang Beiran. "Beiran, I will be troubling you this time. We have many female disciples in Water Mirror Hall and are sorely lacking a reliable Senior Brother. Since the capable must work harder, take a few more Junior Sisters down the mountain to gain some experience."

"This disciple accepts the order."

"Mm, then I leave the rest to you." After speaking, Yu Manwen nodded to Jiang Beiran, then turned and reminded Liu Zijin and the others several times to listen more to Jiang Shixiong before departing.

The moment Yu Manwen left, the Three Sisters, who had just been standing obediently side by side, immediately surrounded Jiang Beiran. Staring at him, they asked in unison, "Jiang Shixiong, what cultivation techniques are you skilled at? (What weapon does Jiang Shixiong usually like to use?)(When Jiang Shixiong fights, does he prefer stepping out with his left foot first or his right foot first?)"

Looking at the three faces filled with "I'm so curious," Jiang Beiran swept his gaze across them and said, "Go back and stand properly! Without my permission, you are not allowed to speak casually, much less move around."

The scolded Three Sisters froze in place, momentarily dumbfounded.

At that moment, Fang Qiuyue spoke from the side. "Oh? You're already putting on Iron Seal airs? Weren't you so cowardly two days ago that you did not even dare accept the assignment?"

Casting Fang Qiuyue a sidelong glance, Jiang Beiran said, "That was then, this is now. Since I have become your Iron Seal, I must be responsible for your safety. At the same time, you must obey my orders. Do you understand?"

"What if I say I refuse?" Fang Qiuyue stepped forward and challenged him.

"You can try." Jiang Beiran widened his eyes, and an invisible pressure instantly enveloped Fang Qiuyue.

"I..." Fang Qiuyue, shrouded by Jiang Beiran's presence, wanted to continue arguing, but a feeling of fear arose in her heart.

Strange... What is going on? Why am I afraid of him? He is clearly just a coward who admitted he was scared in full view of everyone. How could he possess such imposing presence!?

Yet no matter how unwilling she was in her heart, Fang Qiuyue ultimately did not dare continue challenging him. She resentfully turned her head away.

The Yu Family Three Sisters finally realized that this Senior Brother before them did not seem as gentle as he appeared on the surface, so they all retreated to their original spots and stood properly.

Nodding in satisfaction, Jiang Beiran raised one finger. "In my team, there is one rule that you must obey: all actions follow my command. No matter what happens, you are not allowed to act rashly. Do you understand?"

"Understood." The Five Girls nodded together, though their voices were somewhat scattered.

"Good. Now I will give you your first order. Go back immediately and change all your clothes into coarse cloth or hemp garments. If you do not have any, borrow some from the Law Enforcement Hall next door. Gather here again in half an hour. Anyone late will have two points deducted."