Chapter 113: The Arrogant and Overbearing Landor

“Why?” I asked, puzzled. “The one who has fallen to the demonic path is Maple Bridge Night Snow, not Wind-Drifting Firefly. Why is everyone treating her that way?”

Recalling how she appeared just now—in tattered, ancient palace robes and wielding a dull, lifeless sword—I felt a pang of sorrow.

“Junior Brother, your thoughts are truly naive and simple,” Lan Duo’er said again.

Once more, I was described as ‘simple’ by Lan Duo’er. I silently repeated the word ‘simple’ in my mind, studying her inscrutable expression, half-smiling yet ambiguous. I couldn’t tell whether her words were meant kindly or otherwise.

Lan Duo’er let out a cold laugh. “Wind-Drifting Firefly ended up in such a state because she is the disciple of Maple Bridge Night Snow. When the master errs, the disciple naturally cannot escape punishment. Lingyun Mountain is a sacred place for cultivating immortality and refining the Dao. After Maple Bridge Night Snow was expelled from Lingyun Mountain, Wind-Drifting Firefly not only chose to stay but, after being cast out by the Third Senior Uncle, she begged him bitterly to let her remain. She knelt outside the Hall of Everlasting Regret for three days and nights, enduring the agonizing pain of the pipa piercing her bones, until she fainted.”

At this, Lan Duo’er’s disdain grew more apparent. “She claimed it was to atone for her master’s sins. In truth, she only wanted to cling to Lingyun Mountain, foolishly hoping to ascend to immortality one day.”

Ascend to immortality? I thought to myself, perhaps that meant everything to a mortal like Wind-Drifting Firefly. Yet, after enduring bone-piercing pain, kneeling for days by the hall’s gate, and suffering exclusion and bullying from fellow disciples, what she had borne surpassed the mere desire to become an immortal. This was no ordinary pursuit of selfish desire.

If the one who erred were Zilian, I imagine I would choose as Wind-Drifting Firefly did—I would stay, no matter what, to pay for the sins committed in the past.

But I could only do that for Zilian because I loved him and held him dear in my heart. What about Wind-Drifting Firefly? Was her loyalty to Maple Bridge Night Snow purely that of a disciple’s respect for her master? Nothing more?

“Maybe she truly wants to atone for her master’s sins,” I murmured, uttering a lie I barely believed myself. Fortunately, Lan Duo’er paid no heed.

“Junior Brother, you’ve finally arrived,” a effeminate voice came from somewhere. I looked around and saw the effeminate one standing at the corner of the palace gate, smiling. Seeing me, he raised his hand in a wave.

“Master.”

Pinkie, upon seeing him, seemed to find a lifeline. She released my hand and dashed toward him, collapsing into his arms.

“Oh, Pinkie, haven’t held you for days—you’ve gained quite a bit of weight!” he said, lifting her up.

Watching from the side, I felt a twitch at the corner of my mouth. The separation between the ‘small rainbow’ and ‘big rainbow’ factions was still recent, yet their first meeting was marked by an overly passionate embrace, so fervent it was almost embarrassing for us bystanders.

“Brother Sanshi,” I forced a smile and quietly called to him, “could you take Little Fish to see Master?”

“Mm.”

He nodded slightly but cast a smiling glance toward Lan Duo’er.

His response seemed to agree with my request. I was glad to leave behind the arrogant and overbearing fairy and took a step forward, but Lan Duo’er grabbed my sleeve tightly, refusing to let go.

“Brother Sanshi,” I looked at the effeminate one helplessly, hoping he would show mercy and rescue me as well.

Lan Duo’er sneered at my gaze, pulling me toward Brother Sanshi arrogantly. “Brother Sanshi, you’d better keep your unruly little disciple in check. If he angers me again next time, I won’t let him off.”

“My disciple angered Sister Duo’er?” The effeminate one showed no anger at all; instead, his smile deepened.

Watching silently, I despised this smiling tiger. His overly pleasant demeanor was not what one would expect from a big rainbow reacting to the mistreatment of a small rainbow.

“Hmph!” Lan Duo’er snorted coldly and glared viciously at Pinkie, who was hiding behind Brother Sanshi.

“If it’s my disciple’s fault, then as his master, I’ll apologize to Sister Duo’er here.” The effeminate one smiled sweetly and bowed slightly to Lan Duo’er. “Pinkie is still young. By human reckoning, he’s only six years old. At six, children are still playing in the mud. Besides, he hasn’t been in the sect long and isn’t familiar with its rules. If he offended Sister Duo’er today and caused displeasure, that is truly his fault. As his master, I apologize on his behalf and beg Sister Duo’er’s magnanimity not to hold it against such a young child.”

“Me, hold a grudge?” Lan Duo’er snapped angrily. “If I were truly holding a grudge, he wouldn’t be standing here before you. Brother Sanshi, do you take me for someone incapable of dealing even with a mere mortal like him?”

With that, she waved her long silk ribbon, striking a pose as if ready for battle.