Wearing A Green Hat?

In this cultivation world, the weak sometimes submit to the strong. To live longer or for other reasons.

By doing so, maybe after ten years, a hundred years, a thousand years of enduring, one can break free from being weak.

Luo Xiulan was a sole direct descendant of the Luo Family situated in the Eastern Sea. However, her family no longer existed because they could not submit to the circumstances.

Perish under the wrath of a powerful sect.

The wrath's reason was ridiculous: the Luo Family did not want to give fifty percent of their woman to the sect.

Luo Xiulan was an innocent child back then, ignorant about things like this. And as the sole direct descendant, she was a spoiled child. But she knew a thing or two about handling affairs.

For example, detaching land to soothe a dispute or arranging a marriage to gain the underpin benefits.

'Young Master is a mysterious figure. His sudden appearance is just too much. But I will not let the same tragedy happens. Not when I'm around! As long as I can prevent him from ordering those ancient sects to massacre us, I am willing to do anything!'

Luo Xiulan seductively put her weights on Mao Nianzu's arm while her tremblings hand caressed Mao Nianzu's chest.

"Enough," said Mao Nianzu. He stood up and then walked away.

The sudden word terrified Luo Xiulan. She quickly organized her clothes and tried to chase him.

Need not much time. She already blocked his way, standing at the stairs.

"Young Master! I... Am I not enough?" Embracing herself with determination, she stared Mao Nianzu in the eye.

At this moment, she caught a glimpse of disappointment in his eyes.

"Do you think that's what I want?" Mao Nianzu uttered coldly. "Forget it."

"W-wait!" Luo Xiulan spread her arms. Her palpitating eyes stared blankly in a daze.

'Young Master doesn't want me? There's nothing more precious than my body. What's in me that worthy in his eyes? Xiulan.. you hastily judge before Young Master speaks his desire!'

She was terrified. Terrified if Young Master, in the worst scenario, leaves the sect.

Various forces would butt in to know the reason. When they found out, she'd get a heavy sentence. Perhaps her master as well because of being an irresponsible host. Not to mention her fiancée.

She believed once Young Master stepped out of this peak, something she couldn't afford would happen.

With this flash of thought, Luo Xiulan's pride shattered into nothingness. Because usually, people sought after her appearance, she was confident that her body was priceless.

Any man would succumb to it.

To her surprise, it wasn't what Young Master wanted. It also seemed like something he belittled.

Was she not worth much? Unattractive?

Regardless, Luo Xiulan knew well who was wrong - her hasty judgment. And now, it determined her life and death!

"Speak," said Mao Nianzu indifferently.

"Please tell me what you want, Young Master! I was too mindless," Luo Xiulan spoke, like asking for mercy—a little loud.

Without saying anything, Mao Nianzu returned to the manor, then leaned his back on the chair and rested his right arm on the window. Until this time, he showed no fluctuating emotions.

"I'll give you one more chance. Since I'm bored, tell me the story about Rocky Mountain," said Mao Nianzu.

Luo Xiulan's face was unsettled in embarrassment. With a glimmering light of gratitude, her eyes shone with a faint smile as she bowed.

Without further question, she quickly organized her thoughts on Rocky Mountain.

She'd be obedient—no more assumptions and questions. Just do what Young Master told.

Isn't it what the sect master said the other day? Just now, she had been testing him with various assumptions. Trying to satisfy her curiosity.

Well done, Luo Xiulan! She'd gone too far and almost backfired. Thankfully, Young Master gave her the last chance to make it up for free.

A very simple matter; storytelling.

She put her veil up and sorted her clothes into the former appearance. Then, as though she was a servant, she carefully poured wine inside a cup.

In this gentle manner, the wind subtly gushed, outspreading her fragrant odor around the room mixed with lavender scent.

Mao Nianzu sniffed the fresh air and formed a smile of appreciation.

She offered the cup and spoke about the tale.

"Rocky Mountain is said to be the sacred land, spreading out in a vast land. Its history can be traced in all the old sects' records. Even beyond."

Taking a deep breath, Luo Xiulan glanced at the Young Master who watched the landscape over his shoulder. Lifting her chin, she looked at the mountain that always had visitors every year, the summit of Rocky Mountain.

Clouds covered the summit with various array formations and pillars erected surrounding it.

"Once upon a time, there was a farmer who managed crops to make a living. He lived in a village along with many farmers. The day went in peace, joyous family and colorful."

Luo Xiulan moved her hand through her hair, revealing a beautiful ear with glimmering earrings.

"But a great disaster happened. The land was suddenly not fertile. Crops failed. Not even one grass could grow in the area."

After speaking to this extent, she was surprised that her unsettling mood had gone. It was weird because she rarely found comfort in talking too much.

Gradually, Luo Xiulan felt warm energy rush through her cheek. So, with a lively and enthusiastic tone, she continued.

"A kid fell into a strange disease. Then it spread among the villagers. The man was panicked. Barely capable of feeding his family, that problem worsening the situation."

She sighed, expressing and putting herself in the story.

"The physicians exerted all their resources researching the cure. Some villagers were willing to starve, giving their food to the physicians so they could devote themselves."

She walked back and forth in haste. Her sleeve was tightly gripped as though the world was about to end. And in the mortal point of view, the family was considered their world.

"A day withered. A month blinked. A year flashed. The disaster turned severe and uncontrollable. Lake and water started to diminish."

Unnoticed to herself, a corner of her eyes formed a dew of sorrow while her gaze turned into a daze.

The surrounding turned gloomy, filled with a scent of earthly soil. Also, faint noxious herb scents started to round up around Mao Nianzu's nose, so he pinched it.

He watched an invisible calm wind swiped through the lavender garden, and in an instant, the lavender withered.

The gardeners showed a grimace of pain while gradually raising both hands, aiming at one particular sky. Their body then turned stiff while cold blue color spread, as though their body temperature was frigid.

Eventually, they turned into a sculpture that was seemingly made of black lumbers. Their skin cracked, and their eyes were wide open.

The story continued. Slow but exhilarated.

Luo Xiulan expressed various emotions during the storytelling as if she was in the story. Sob when the villagers were on the brink of death, joyful when the physician found a cure.

Mao Nianzu listened to it attentively. Despite his indifferent attitude, he internally engraved the story.

In addition, he immersed himself in the story. Knowing no idea of what had happened to the garden, he closed his eyes, yet still capable of imagining how the story goes.

It's all thanks to Luo Xiulan's storytelling method. She was a genius, not only in cultivation but also in literature.

Mao Nianzu grew fond of the way Luo Xiulan spoke. Indeed, he hadn't used to the way cultivators live, but there was something attractive in her.

However, something made Mao Nianzu sink the rating in disappointment.

People like a clever person but dislike a betrayal.

Luo Xiulan was the embodiment of both. She quickly adapted to the circumstance, even after a few problematic scenes. She was still tenacious in solving those matters.

But Mao Nianzu was greatly disappointed seeing her undressing. This was a form of betrayal toward Tang Chen.

Nevertheless, he assumed it was her first time doing so. Proven by the fact that she's trembling and shy when she acts that way.

In short, Mao Nianzu was speechless over her actions.

When Luo Xiulan stopped him at the stairs, Mao Nianzu wracked his brain on how to escape from this place.

He couldn't fly. How could he, a newbie in Qi Gathering cultivating several days ago, run away from the number one genius?

Fortunately, Luo Xiulan didn't whine over many things and was not aggressive. More like negotiating and drawing a clear line, lowering herself in advance.

Otherwise, Mao Nianzu's real identity would be exposed. Tian Shen was not here. Suppose Luo Xiulan confronted him with violence... dead. He must be dead.

-------

"Where is she?"

A few moments ago, Tang Chen met his master. The news had spread so fast that his master knew a lot and expressed a heavy emotion about the welcoming banquet.

However, his master didn't scold him. Instead, his master told him to go to Luo Xiulan, spending their time as a form of gratitude. His master also explained a bit regarding the said Young Master.

Right now, Tang Chen looked nothing like an emperor. Just an average cultivator with standard clothing.

Soon, he arrived at a sizeable lavender garden. He couldn't help smiling, thinking about his surprise visit to Luo Xiulan.

The gardeners heard footsteps pass through them. When they peeked between the lavenders, they immediately dropped anything on their hands. Then they greeted Tang Chen with a bow.

A few breaths later, he arrived in front of the manor.

"Who?!" Tang Chen murmured.

In this range, he heard a gentle voice. It flowed seamlessly like a natural noise—full of emotions.

Sometimes this voice slightly giggled. Sometimes this voice released an intense emotion as if the world was in despair.

Only this voice. The familiar voice that's usually cold.

Tang Chen floated. He slowly backed away, trying to get a good view inside the manor.

Squinting his eyes, he caught two figures sitting in the rear, next to the window. One was a man in a white robe, and the other was a woman in a purple dress.

"You..!" Tang Chen released a sudden wave of energy. He lost control.

Inside the manor, Luo Xiulan sensed the energy fluctuation. She was startled, but she didn't want to ruin Young Master's mood. No, no more.

It was all for the sake of the sect and her fiancée!

Thus, she swung her tail obediently. Waiting for Young Master to handle it if he wanted to.

"Luo Xiulan!" Tang Chen snarled.

"Tang Chen?!" Luo Xiulan narrowed her eyes. He had come at the wrong time!

She immediately sent a voice transmission, saying, "Tang Chen! Don't misunderstand. I am paying for the mistake we made the other day!"

Receiving the message, Tang Chen spitted. His face turned ugly; he took a spear out of nowhere.

Pointing at the manor in the air, he brandished the spear, saying in the transmission, "Come out! Otherwise, I'll teach that man a lesson!"

Luo Xiulan was terrified. Not because of Tang Chen's threat but because of Mao Nianzu.

She knew the gap between her and Tang Chen. But with Mao Nianzu? What she knew well was that even sects with great heritage were willing to bow down before his presence!

This implied the substantial forces behind him.

What if the word Young Master uttered was to eradicate the sect and Tang Chen's empire? Surely sects would march forward. Even if not all of them, one or two is enough.

"Tang Chen, listen to me! I've lowered myself enough. Are you going to throw my efforts away?" said Luo Xiulan with concern.

'I want the best for you and me. So, please, Tang Chen. Please understand your dear...' She sincerely wished.

But because she paused abruptly in the middle of the story, Mao Nianzu furrowed his brows. "What's going on?"