9- Yun Family Rule

Days bled into a week. Our journey toward Flowers Valley Sect continued, but the initial lightheartedness had been replaced by a palpable awkwardness. I tried to bridge the gap with casual conversation, inquiring about her sect and the passing scenery, but her responses remained reserved, a stark contrast to her earlier warmth.

The side mission notification still flickered in my mind, a persistent reminder of the embarrassing incident that had triggered it. The promised rewards felt insignificant compared to the growing distance between us.

One evening, as we settled our small camp, the silence felt particularly heavy. I stirred the crackling fire with a twig, gathering the courage to address the unspoken tension, however clumsy my attempt might be.

"Senior," I began hesitantly, my gaze fixed on the dancing flames, "about what happened at the waterfall..."

"Ah, let's just forget about it," Yun Sha interjected quickly, her voice tight.

"But... can you at least tell me what's wrong, Senior?" I persisted gently.

"It's nothing now. Just... let's sleep," she said, her tone suggesting the opposite. She rose abruptly and sat beneath a nearby tree, her posture radiating a quiet sadness.

I watched her from across the fire, a knot of unease tightening in my stomach, but decided to respect her silence for the time being.

The next day, our journey continued, the air still thick with unspoken words. As the sun climbed higher, a bustling city came into view in the distance.

"Junior Zhen, let's go to the city," Yun Sha suggested, her voice a little brighter than it had been. "I need to purchase something."

"Ah, okay," I replied, relieved for a change of pace.

We landed just outside the city gates and entered the lively streets.

"Wow, this city looks nice," I commented, taking in the vibrant sights and sounds.

"Junior Zhen, if you want to buy anything, feel free," Yun Sha said, glancing around at the various shops.

"Hmm," I mused. "I think I'd like to get a black robe."

"Why is that?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"It's just... when I leave you at your sect, I'll need something practical for my continued journey," I explained.

Upon hearing that I planned to leave after reaching her sect, a subtle shadow of sadness flickered across Yun Sha's face. "Oh... so you'll leave me at the sect and then continue your journey?"

"Yes," I confirmed, oblivious to the internal conflict my words seemed to have stirred within her.

Yun Sha reached into her pouch and handed me several shimmering stones. "Here," she said, giving me fifty mid-grade spirit stones. "Go buy what you need and meet me back here."

"Okay, Senior," I said, accepting the generous offering.

I wandered through the bustling city, my eyes scanning the various shops in search of a suitable robe. As I looked, I mentally called out to the system.

"Ding!"

System, tell me why Senior Yun has been acting so strangely since the waterfall incident. I asked.

"Ding!"

Host, if you wish to acquire this information, it will cost xp points.

"What? You're going to charge me for that?" I exclaimed mentally, exasperated.

"Ding!"

Host, as previously stated, nothing in this system is without cost.

"Shh, okay, okay," I relented. "How much will it take?"

"Ding!"

500 xp points.

"What?! Really? Ahhh, fine, take it," I conceded, feeling a sting of annoyance at the expense.

The system deducted 500 xp points.

"Ding!"

Host, Yun Sha is the daughter of the Yun family, a first-grade family in this Mortal Realm. One of the strict rules of her family dictates that if a male witnesses a female member of the Yun family in a state of undress, that male must either marry the woman or be killed by her.