Chapter 35: Visiting Sister, and Feiyan Incidentally
News of Huang Qingfei’s recovery hadn’t reached the outer courtyard. The Huang family hadn’t made it public yet.
They were clearly making preparations and wouldn’t announce it until then.
When Huang Qingfei first fell into a coma, the Huang family tried to keep it a secret. However, her continued absence and the family’s relentless search for a cure eventually led to the news leaking out. The loss of a half-step Human Gateway cultivator was a significant blow, even for a family with a deep foundation like the Huang. If it had been another family or Sacred Land, the consequences could have been severe.
After all, most organizations only had one or two half-step Human Gateway cultivators.
After several days of rest, Mingyan had fully recovered. Although he wasn’t at peak condition, he felt much better.
The time to leave the Huang family was approaching.
The investigation into the stolen veil had been put on hold due to Huang Qingfei’s awakening. An Ran hadn’t visited him since, and their interaction had been minimal.
On the third day after Huang Qingfei’s recovery, Mingyan had a visitor.
Huang Junyi, lounging on his bed, sensed a familiar aura approaching and smiled. “Qingfei is here.”
Mingyan, who was meditating, opened his eyes and looked towards the still-closed door.
Huang Junyi sat up, smiling. “She must be looking at the peach tree. It’s grown a bit in the past ten years. Let’s go out and see her.”
Mingyan nodded and followed her out of the room.
His room was in a secluded corner, and after the attack, the Huang family had subtly restricted access to this area. There was no one else around. They stepped out and saw a woman in green standing beneath the peach tree.
Most Huang family women preferred red, including Huang Junru, Huang Junyi, Huang Feiyan, and the others. Only Huang Qingfei was different.
Strangely, the peach tree, which should have finished blooming and borne fruit, was covered in blossoms again, filling the courtyard with a rich, sweet fragrance, similar to Huang Junyi’s peach blossom wine.
A gentle autumn breeze rustled the blossoms, intensifying their fragrance, creating a beautiful scene against the backdrop of the ripe peaches. The woman in green stood beneath the tree, gazing up at it, seemingly mesmerized.
Her green dress was form-fitting, accentuating her graceful figure. She stood with her back to them, her long hair half-tied up in a casual yet elegant style.
“The tree hasn’t changed much in ten years,” Huang Junyi said, breaking the serene silence. “It was like this before your coma, and it’s almost the same now.”
“The blossoms should have withered. Did it bloom again because it knew I was coming?” The woman asked, still gazing at the tree, without turning around.
“Perhaps. You brought it back, and it’s been with you for many years. Plus, it’s imbued with the immortal energy of the Immortal Peach Tree. Developing some sentience isn’t surprising.” Huang Junyi nodded. “It probably missed you.”
The woman lowered her head and was silent for a long moment, then turned around, facing them.
“Second Sister… this young friend must be my savior, the one Eldest Sister and Feiyan mentioned.” A warm smile bloomed on her face, eclipsing the beauty of the peach blossoms, which now seemed mere background scenery. She bowed slightly. “Thank you for your kindness, young friend. Feiyan told me everything. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know if I would have ever seen the peach blossoms bloom again.”
This was Huang Qingfei. Unlike Huang Junyi, whose beauty was captivating but not immediately striking, Huang Qingfei’s beauty was breathtaking, leaving a lasting impression. Her smile lit up the world, making everything else fade into insignificance. Although she didn’t resemble Huang Feiyan much in appearance, they shared this captivating quality.
Mingyan subtly averted his gaze. Spending time with Huang Junyi had been both agonizing and beneficial, honing his self-control.
“You’re welcome. I didn’t do it for free. The Huang family has also been very kind and generous to me. Further thanks would make me feel unworthy.” Mingyan shook his head. Huang Feiyan, Huang Junyi, and the entire Huang family had treated him well. He was content. He wasn’t greedy and only took what he deserved.
Huang Qingfei nodded, smiling gently. “Words are unnecessary. I’ll remember your kindness. I know you’ll be leaving the Huang family soon. Please keep my awakening a secret for now.”
Mingyan nodded. “I’m discreet. I won’t tell anyone.”
Huang Qingfei’s smile widened. “If you ever need my help, just ask Feiyan to tell me. As a half-step Human Gateway cultivator, I should be able to assist you.”
Should be able to… Mingyan was silent for a moment. This was a heavy promise. He knew she wasn’t agreeing to fulfill any request, but if he was in danger, she would surely help him.
He bowed respectfully. “Thank you… Celestial.”
He had considered calling her “Aunt,” but it seemed too familiar, unlike Huang Junyi’s casual demeanor. “Sister” was inappropriate, so he settled on “Celestial.”
Huang Qingfei smiled gently, looked back at the peach tree, and vanished in a flash of light.
“Alright, everything is settled now. After Feiyan says goodbye, it’s time for you to return.” Huang Junyi leaned closer, whispering in his ear, her seductive voice sending shivers down his spine. This temptress had so many tricks, constantly changing her approach. The first time had seemed slightly awkward, as if she wasn’t used to acting this way, but the second time, she had been much more practiced. A natural-born seductress.
Mingyan nodded, subtly distancing himself.
It was time to end his stay at the Huang family and focus on his future.
This trip had been fruitful. The Sun and Moon Scripture from Huang Feiyan, the kindness of Huang Junyi, Huang Qingfei, and Huang Junru – all of these could be of great help to him in the future. Refusing their goodwill would be ungrateful and hypocritical. Accepting it gracefully was the best approach.
“When are you planning to leave?” Huang Junyi, seeing him move away, smiled. Teasing this little brother was quite entertaining. It was a pity he would be leaving soon. There wouldn’t be anyone else this fun to tease. Huang Feiyan wasn’t the type to engage in such playful banter. She only teased Mingyan because she held him in high regard and found his innocence and certain viewpoints admirable. If he had been more experienced, she wouldn’t have acted this way, even if she admired him.
His innocence, combined with his ability to save her sister, Huang Qingfei… had endeared him to Huang Junyi. Knowing he would only endure her teasing silently made her even more unrestrained, almost addicted to it.
Spending time with Mingyan, teasing him and making him laugh, had eased her loneliness. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a member of the Huang family and would eventually leave. She wondered if he would retain his innocence when they met again.
“I’ll be leaving after saying goodbye to Feiyan today,” Mingyan replied. Since everything was settled, there was no need to stay any longer.
“In such a hurry? Is there nothing here worth staying for?” Huang Junyi smiled seductively, teasing him.
“Life is long, and given my relationship with Feiyan, I’m sure we’ll see each other again, Sister.” Mingyan understood her implication. Although he was innocent in such matters, he wasn’t oblivious to her meaning.
Huang Junyi chuckled, her suggestive tone softening slightly, a hint of melancholy in her voice. “So, if it weren’t for Feiyan, you wouldn’t come see Sister?”
“Sister is so powerful. If I join the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land, I might not be able to leave freely. I’ll have to trouble Sister to come visit me.” Mingyan scratched his head. Although Huang Junyi was a temptress, she had been kind to him, and he felt a pang of reluctance at the thought of leaving. But all good things must come to an end, and a cultivator’s life was long. They would meet again.
“You… making Sister come to you.” Huang Junyi pinched his cheek playfully. “Sister is a woman. It’s not proper for me to visit you.”
“Is that so?” Mingyan looked puzzled. “Can’t women initiate conversations with men?”
“You’re barely a man. More like a boy.” Huang Junyi chuckled, releasing his cheek. “But perhaps you’ll be a man the next time we meet.”
“Does one have to be an adult to be considered a man?”
“Yes.”
“Then perhaps I’ll be a man the next time we meet, Sister.” Mingyan nodded. “If Sister can’t visit me, I’ll definitely come visit you when I have time.”
“Will you come see Sister for Sister’s sake, or will you come see Feiyan and visit Sister incidentally?” Huang Junyi asked, smiling playfully.
Mingyan was innocent, but not stupid. “I’ll come see Sister and visit Feiyan incidentally.”
“…Hahahaha…” Huang Junyi burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. “Keep that between us. Don’t ever say that to Feiyan.”
I’m not that stupid… Mingyan rolled his eyes discreetly.
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