CHAPTER 6: MASK

Hearing that Xuanji was also drawn, Zhong Minyan's face was even whiter. He secretly looked at Master, and even though his face remained calm, there was a storm brewing in his eyes.

Seeing that this year's flower picking task had only three talented adults and two children, everyone couldn't help but talk. Furthermore, four out of the five people were from Shaoyang Sect, so it could be said that this flower picking task was covered by Shaoyang Sect.

Accurately speaking, everyone else seemed fine, but the person with the most violent response was He Danping. First, she was shocked. Second, she was curious. Third, she was angry. She was shocked because she had managed to draw out the names of two underage disciples; she was curious on how Xuanji's name had appeared in the bamboo basket; she was angry because if Song Taoist had not said anything, this wouldn't have happened.

Thinking that the weak and clueless Xuanji was going to participate in the flower picking, her mother's heart broke. Xuanji couldn't even do the easiest horse step squat! She would die if she went. Who had put her name inside?

Seeing that she did not look well, Chu Yinghong rushed forward to steady her, while saying gently, "Ping Sister, it will be okay. Chu Sect Leader and I will use our lives to protect Xuanji and them, and won't let the two of them get hurt at all."

But Linglong at the side started yelling again, saying frantically, "How could it be Younger Sister! Younger Sister knows nothing, so how could she go? Why isn't it me? Father, mother! I can go for her! Let me go!"

Chu Lei's face wasn't a good sign. He shook his head slowly and said in a low voice, "You cannot go, just stay in Shaoyang Peak to practice. Minyan-" He turned his head to the teenager with a pale face. "Go to Mingxia Cave, and bring Xuanji here."

Zhong Minyan could only obey, and walked out of the Flower Hairpin Hall.

He couldn't understand why.

He couldn't understand why Master had told him to replace Linglong's name with Xuanji's. They were both his daughters, and he seemed to show too much favoritism. Even though he was good friends with Linglong and did not like the strange Xuanji, he couldn't help but feel awful for the trembling little girl huddled up on the stone bed in darkness. Could it be......could it be that the sect leader thinks that it's more acceptable to send XUanji to her death......?!

Zhong Minyan immediately felt upset for Xuanji, and felt even more regretful when he remembered that he was the one who had written her name on the bamboo strip. He secretly swore in his heart that even if it meant costing his life, he would protect Xuanji. This was not her fault, as she was innocently involved, and part of this was his responsibility.

But of course, in his heart, the "pitiful and trembling in darkness" girl with a hard life had eaten all of her dry food because she couldn't wait longer for her lunch, and had then laid down on the bed leisurely for a nap, holding her round belly.

Zhong Minyan's strong strokes in the water and yelling pulled Xuanji out of her sweet dreams. She rubbed her eyes as she sat up, very confused, and could only hear him yelling into her eyes, "Chu Xuanji! Chu Xuanji! Come out with me now!"

His soul-calling yelling had caused panic in Xuanji, and she quickly lit up the candle to see what was happening. But she only saw Zhong Minyan jumping off the boat, running over and then dragging her by the elbow, while saying hurriedly, "Stop sleeping! You can talk about your grievances tonight, and you are free to scold me as I will not argue back. Come on! Come with me now."

Xuanji thought that something serious had happened, and was dragged by him for a few steps, asking in a careful manner, "Did something happen out there? Did the other four sects attack our Shaoyang Peak?"

"Ah! You......you can't spit out ivory......" Zhong Minyan was about to scold her, and somehow retracted, saying, "You are part of this time's flower picking task. You will understand when you go to Shaoyang Peak with me."

Xuanji was confused, but he seemed to mean to take herself out of here. This was good, as she was sick of being in this cold and dark cave. Fearing that Zhong Minyan would get angry and regret and would not take her out, Xuanji closed her mouth tightly, not even asking one word.

However, the Flower Hairpin Hall at the peak of the mountain was still in chaos, He Danping was so worried that she had fainted and Chu Yinghong had rushed over to take care of her. Linglong was still pestering her father to let her go for her younger sister, but he just wouldn't agree.

When Chu Lei had Zhong Minyan change Linglong's name for Xuanji's, he already had something in mind.

How could he not understand his own daughter. Linglong is always so cheerful, likes to show off and doesn't know the limit of things. If it was her name that was written, it would be fine if she wasn't drawn, but if she was and she had followed them, how could it be possible that she wouldn't start attacking the demon when she saw it? With this child's personality, she would definitely not obediently hide behind them and she was still young with not much skill, so attacking the demon would just result in her death. How could he watch her die!

But Xuanji was different. This child disliked to be bothered, and always liked to hide behind. Besides, she was also lazy, and would not ask questions. When he had Zhong Minyan switch to Xuanji's name, he had obviously wished that she wouldn't be drawn, but since she was drawn, she was a much better candidate than Linglong. She would at least hide and not rush up to die. It was a win-win situation- she would be safe and he could also fight without any distractions.

And, she was very lazy and never had any motivation, so it was also a good idea to bring her out to see the real world and stimulate her.

In an instant, he dismissed all of the thoughts and secretly motioned for Zhong Minyan to write Xuanji instead of Linglong. At this moment, the wood had already been carved into a boat, so there was no room for regret.

Seeing that Linglong was pestering him obnoxiously, he couldn't help but frown and say, "I haven't even done anything about you guys secretly coming up here to peek at the lot drawing yet! And you dare argue with me! From tonight on, you will not be allowed to leave the backyard, you must practice in your room and do not even take a half step out of the door!"

Linglong started crying and Chu Yinghong hurried towards her with a wide smile, saying persuasively, "It's such a happy day, why are you crying? Leave some energy to watch the Flower Hairpin Conference! Auntie Hong will definitely capture the biggest and best looking demon for you!"

But Linglong just wasn't convinced, and cried like a piece of Mahua. (7) Chu Yinghong pushed her forward while saying gently, "Quick, go check on your mother! She looks like she's going to die of worry! Don't you want your mother?"

Linglong then ran to He Danping's side, and cried miserably into her neck, not daring to cause any more trouble.

At this time, an elderly taoist with a bright face walked over to salute and said, "Chu Sect Leader, this flower picking task is extraordinary and it will not be easy to bring two juniors along with you. Why don't we draw again? The demon is very fierce and it will be their lives at risk if you do not take enough precautions."

Seeing that it was Heng Song Taoist of Dianjing Valley, Chu Lei could only say respectfully, "I appreciate Taoist's kindness. The drawing should be determined by fate, so there is no meaning in doing it again. I believe that with the power of us three, we will be able to capture the demon and not exert too much energy."

Heng Song knew that he was being arrogant. Song Taoist had just complained, so his idea of re-drawing was naturally unacceptable. He sighed, then said, "Shaoyang Sect and Fuyu Island are two of the most powerful sects in the world, and I definitely do not look down on them. But this is very important, and I can't help but say some words. Does Chu Sect Leader know what demon you guys will be facing?"

Chu Lei replied, "Isn't it the Sky Dog? It suddenly appeared on Lutai Mountain and ate quite a lot of people. By capturing it, we will also be helping the Heavens."

Heng Song replied solemnly, "The Sky Dog is one of them. As far as I know, a Gu Eagle is also there. Its wingspan is five feet and its cries are like that of a child crying at night. It normally hides under the water and attacks people and then brings them back to its lair to eat. Many hunters and cultivators were invited to Lutai Mountain, and the Sky Dog was successfully captured once, but it escaped during the night. From that day on, it worked together with the Gu Eagle. Now, they have eaten a hundred people at the least and no one has been able to capture them. Now, there are only three people who will actually participate in the flower picking task, three people who will have to capture two demons. Chu Sect Leader, please think twice!"

Hearing his words, Chu Lei couldn't help but start pondering. Unexpectedly, a sneer came from the other side of the room and a voice that sounded like both a man and a woman said, "So cautious! I thought it was some kind of powerful demon, but it turns out that it's just a small Sky Dog and Gu Eagle. And you said that there should be a redraw! Ridiculous, ridiculous!"

The two of them turned their heads to see the deputy palace master of Lize Palace. Lize Palace formed not long ago, but processed at a rapid speed and replaced the Green Bamboo Mountain to become one of the five most powerful sects in just a few decades. They had their own way of cultivating that they kept in the dark, and their clothes alone made up to ten percent of their strangeness. Regardless of age, they would always wear a green robe, their face covered with an Asura mask so it was impossible to distinguish man from woman and superior from inferior.

Everyone knew that all the people of Lize Palace had this kind of temper with no evil intentions, so they just laughed it off silently. But seeing these people wearing ghost-like masks with different heights, Linglong was very frightened, and couldn't help but hide behind her mother and secretly look at them.

Heng Song Taoist asked, "As Deputy Palace Master just said that, you probably have the perfect solution. Please enlighten me."

The deputy palace master smiled strangely, "What do I have to enlighten you! Taoist is thinking too highly of me! It was just that I had heard of some ways to defeat demons when I was young and expected that Taoist and Chu Sect Leader must have heard about it because how knowledgeable they are, so I did not dare embarrass myself. But if you two have not heard of it before, I dare not be stingy."

He talked quickly and eloquently as well as tactfully, so it was clear that he was a woman. But looking at his appearance, with the broad shoulders and thin waist and chin that trembling slightly, it was obvious that he was a man. Linglong had never seen such a strange person, and couldn't help but stare.

Hearing him say this, Chu Lei and Heng Song Taoist stared at each other for a moment, and both said, "Please enlighten us, Deputy Palace Master."

The deputy palace master felt happy and said, "The Sky Dog is afraid of vinegar, so it will faint if you throw a pot of vinegar over its head. The Gu Eagle normally hides underwater, so all you have to do is fill a couple of sacks shaped like people with salt and throw them into the water. It will then peck at them. Saltwater damages its eyes, so it won't be able to see anything, so you can then capture it."

Even if Heng Song Taoist was wise and had experience and knowledge in many things, this was his first time hearing this kind of solution. Although he couldn't help but be suspicious, what he said was reasonable, and trying wouldn't hurt.

The deputy palace master then said, "The Gu Eagle is very sly, so it will be harder to capture it. If you worry that you will be unable to capture it when it flies out of the water, go capture it in its nest at night. Its eyes will require three days to recover and it will be recovering in its nest. Its eyes can't see light, so you guys just need to throw a torch and seal the cave entrance so it doesn't escape, and then it will be captured."

Chu Lei thought deeply about the deputy palace master, and said, "Many thanks to Palace Master! I can't express my thanks enough!"

The deputy palace master laughed strangely, but didn't say anything.

At just the right time, Zhong Minyan came back with Xuanji. The little girl was being lazy and her hair wasn't combed properly, scattered behind her back. Her face just showed her tiredness, like she was sleeping and had been woken up. She didn't look at anyone when she came in and only rubbed her eyes, but was shocked when she saw Chu Lei in front of her and immediately made her face solemn and knelt down with Zhong Minyan, saying, "Greetings to Sect Leader."

Although Chu Lei disliked her lazy appearance, he hadn't seen her in quite a few days, and her face was pale and she had become much skinnier, probably from the hardships in Mingxia Cave. He couldn't help but be heartbroken and his anger unconsciously dissipated. He said warmly, "Get up. Xuanji, from now on, you don't need to stay in Mingxia Cave anymore. You will follow us down the mountain for the flower picking task tomorrow, so quickly pack up tonight, do you understand?"

He only knew that children like going outside, so they would without doubt be very happy. But who knew that Xuanji had fallen into a daze for a moment and said quietly, "Huh? I also need to go? Why is it me......um......can I not go?"

Chu Lei was surprised, "You don't want to go down the mountain to see the world?"

She nodded her head happily and quickly, "I don't want to."

Chu Lei had just remembered his daughter's personality. Her older sister and other senior brothers had left the mountain and went to many places, but if she was to go, there was always one sentence: She was lazy, and didn't want to move. He couldn't help but become angry and frowned and said, "You can't not go. You were drawn, and do you think of it as a children's game? If you are still lazy like this, then just go live in Mingxia your whole life!"

Hearing that she would have to live in Mingxia Cave her whole life, Xuanji quickly nodded her head to agree, terrified. Chu Lei's love for her filled the room like smoke, he impatiently flicked his hand to motion for her to be excused and went to discuss the important events of the Flower Hairpin Conference with the others.

Xuanji slowly walked to the corner and saw Linglong hugging their mother's waist, who, after seeing her, sprinted over to her hastily and held her hand, saying, "Good Younger Sister! You are out! Were these past days tiring?"

Xuanji nodded her head, then shook her head and replied, "It was tiring at first, but I got used to it later. It was just sleeping and eating everyday, nothing else."

Seeing Xuanji out, He Danping cried like a fresh water spring. She couldn't bear to tell Xuanji clearly that it would be a very dangerous journey and could only rub her head, sigh silently and silently complain about Chu Lei's iron heart.

Linglong first had a cheerful conversation with Xuanji, then suddenly remembered something and took her hand, saying quietly, "Xuanji, if you don't want to go down the mountain, just tell daddy and we can switch. I'll take your place."

Xuanji shook her head like a small red rattle, "No, no, father just said that if I don't go then I will spend the rest of my life in Mingxia Cave! Good Older Sister, I don't want to spend my whole life in that kind of place. It's cold and wet and dark and my entire body hurts from staying in there."

Hearing her words, Linglong anxiously stomped her feet, threw down her hand and ran away.

Xuanji didn't know how she had offended her older sister but it wouldn't be proper to run after her, so she could only sit in the corner and be bored.

She just wanted to take a nap since there was nothing serious and she dozed off on her mother, her head swaying slightly and her eyes looking as if she was about to sleep. From her blurred vision, there seemed to be something under her feet that was moving, but she was too lazy to take a look and closed her eyes to sleep. But that thing climbed up along her pants, cold and soft along the thin silk trousers of summer.

She could only open her eyes to take a look, and saw a small silver snake curled on her knees, its bright red tongue trembling and the inverted triangle head tilted over here, and tilting over there, creating a lovely and cute feeling. Xuanji was taken aback and was about to hurriedly call her mother, but there was nobody behind her. So it turns out that everyone is busy discussing the events of the Flower Hairpin Conference.

She didn't have any other choice and was about to throw it off her head when she heard a cold voice above her head say, "Don't touch it, it bites. It's highly toxic."

Xuanji had already held out her hand and pinched the snake at a length of seven inches, and only lifted her head when she heard him say that. She was facing a person who was about the same height as her, and was wearing a green robe, had a thin frame and was wearing an Asura mask on his face.

She also didn't know where he was from, and could only dumbly stare at his mask. Seeing that she had pinched the small silver snake seven inches from its tip and didn't even seem to care, it looked like it was about to lose its life and he shouted frantically, "Let it go!"

"It's yours?" Xuanji looked at the little snake in her hand. It looked like it was almost dying and quickly threw it to that person, "Here you go."

The person hurriedly took a close look at his precious snake. Thankfully, it wasn't dead and still had a breath left. He put the little snake in the skin sac on his waist and said angrily, "Why did you, pinch it?!"

Xuanji heard that he was not fluent in his speaking, and was talking in groups of three words at a time. He probably wasn't from the Middle Plains, so she imitated him, saying, "Be cause it, had crawled up, by . I had thought, that it would, bite me then."

That person replied coldly, "It's my fault, that Little Yinhua, had es caped. But you also, cannot kill it. Evil wo man!"

Xuanji thought that it was inexplicably weird that she had just been called an evil woman. But she was lazy, and didn't want to waste energy on this matter, and just shrugged even if she was scolded, not taking any of it into heart. But if it was Linglong, she probably would have already started a fight.

Seeing that not only was she not saying anything, but also starting to doze off, the person couldn't help but feel awkward and said coldly, "How could they, have you go, pick flowers."

Xuanji suddenly opened her eyes, surprised, "Huh? You weren't talking in threes! You can also talk in twos!"

That person only thought that it was impossible to communicate with her, and thought that she was purposely being dumb and naive and pointed at his mask and said angrily, "Who do you, think I am?! How could you, laugh at me!"

Xuanji said absentmindedly, "Oh, who are you ?"

The person said angrily, "Look at my mask!"

Xuanji was confused by his yelling, so she just looked at his mask obediently.

The person smiled coldly and said, "Now, do you understand? Now say, what you think, about it."

The Asura mask of Lize Palace was wide-known around the world and people thought of it as frightening. He didn't believe that anyone wouldn't be able to recognize it.

Xuanji thought earnestly for a moment and then said carefully and quietly, "So ugly."

He felt stabbed- He heard his own veins bursting, "you......you will remember!" His fingers were trembling as he pointed at her nose,and was so angry that his voice had changed. "What......is your?! Name!"

Xuanji shook her head and was about to tell him that her mother had told her to not tell strangers her name, but heard a voice in a weird dialect say something. The person immediately turned around and started to walk away. But he was not satisfied and ran back and said to her in a strong voice, "Remember! I, am called, Yu Sifeng! Chu Xuanji, I have remembered, your, name! Wait for me, I'll come back!"

Xuanji's head was filled with confusion as she watched him follow the people wearing green robes and masks out of the Flower Hairpin Hall, and still didn't understand why he was so angry.

Strange, it was clearly him who had asked her what she thought about the mask. She did tell the truth......

Outsiders and their problems, they are really so troublesome.