Villainous Undercover (5)
On this unprecedented day, Fu Xiyu did not leave behind those disciples with improper actions to practice; she only instructed them to continue correcting their actions at the practice field after eating, then followed a group of disciples to the dining hall.
The disciples, having finished their early lesson, cheered and ran to the dining hall. No one expected Fu Xiyu to appear in the dining hall. Watching Fu Xiyu lining up for food, even though she said nothing, everyone couldn’t help but straighten their spines and line up seriously. The usually noisy dining hall was unexpectedly quiet that day, as if a pin drop could be heard.
Even Qian He, who usually talks incessantly, seemed to restrain himself, quietly shoveling food into his bowl.
However, Song Xuyi did not notice the emotions of those around her.
On one hand, she was already accustomed to Fu Xiyu’s presence, and on the other hand—with the increased intensity of martial arts practice, Song Xuyi felt increasingly hungry!
Song Xuyi sighed inwardly and, as usual, cherished every bit as she finished a bowl of porridge, put away her bowl and chopsticks, and picked up her bun, planning to walk out of the dining hall. Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her as Fu Xiyu followed along.
The moment Fu Xiyu exited, a collective sigh of relief was heard inside the dining hall.
Song Xuyi’s gaze turned to where Fu Xiyu had been sitting, and she saw two buns left in Fu Xiyu’s bowl. Song Xuyi swallowed a little and inwardly thought it was a pity.
However, the little villain wasted her own food. Song Xuyi glanced once but didn’t look again, gnawing on her own bun as she walked back to the practice field to resume practicing basic martial arts moves.
She came out early, and those disciples required by Fu Xiyu to return had not yet finished eating, leaving only Song Xuyi and Fu Xiyu in the practice field for the moment.
Winter had already arrived, and the fierce winter wind made people’s cheeks hurt. Song Xuyi’s clothing was thin, and standing in the wind made her feel as if she was frozen solid. She could only grit her teeth tightly and practice diligently, barely suppressing the feeling of hunger and cold.
She could feel Fu Xiyu observing her, but during this period, Song Xuyi had become accustomed to Fu Xiyu’s occasional observation. She had skillfully mastered the method of ignoring Fu Xiyu’s gaze and did not pay attention to her, instead burying herself in her practice.
In a daze, she realized Fu Xiyu had already walked in front of her.
Fu Xiyu still had that icy cold demeanor, and Song Xuyi wasn’t sure if it was her illusion, but she felt that Fu Xiyu seemed very unhappy.
Fu Xiyu reached out and pretended to spar a few moves with Song Xuyi. She did not use her inner strength, and Song Xuyi knew she couldn’t beat her, but she still cherished every training opportunity and did her utmost to spar with Fu Xiyu.
However, to Song Xuyi’s surprise, when she pushed out her palm, Fu Xiyu did not evade it, and with a crisp “pa,” Song Xuyi’s palm landed directly on Fu Xiyu’s face—
“She… she isn’t trying to use self-harm to frame you, is she?” the system in her mind screamed loudly!
Song Xuyi stared at Fu Xiyu, whose deep eyes showed no emotion. Feeling somewhat flustered, Song Xuyi withdrew her hand, just about to apologize, but Fu Xiyu laughed—
“Junior Sister, let’s reconcile. Consider this slap as Senior Sister’s way of apologizing to you!” Facing Song Xuyi’s wary gaze, Fu Xiyu half-squatted in front of her: “Earlier, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have teased you.”
It was obvious that this was Fu Xiyu’s first time saying such words, and after speaking, her expression was clearly somewhat awkward as she lowered her eyes.
Song Xuyi was also somewhat at a loss.
She stared at Fu Xiyu’s eyelashes and discovered that they were very long, both black and shiny, like a row of dense little brushes. At this moment, these little brushes were slightly trembling.
In Song Xuyi’s impression, Fu Xiyu was insidious and cunning, a future big villain who would commit all sorts of evil deeds. So, no matter what evil deeds Fu Xiyu would do, Song Xuyi felt she was already mentally prepared.
But Song Xuyi never thought that Fu Xiyu would take the initiative to apologize to her, even at the cost of receiving a slap from her…
All of this completely exceeded Song Xuyi’s understanding of a villain.
Song Xuyi stood stunned in place, not knowing how to react for a moment.
Perhaps because she saw that Song Xuyi had not responded for a long time, Fu Xiyu raised her eyes once again.
She looked at Song Xuyi’s appearance and probably noticed Song Xuyi’s confusion, and for a moment, Fu Xiyu’s expression looked much more natural.
“I have thought it over carefully,” Fu Xiyu continued, “You are my junior sister, and even though you are young, I should not tease you. Moreover, we are the only two female disciples of the master, so I should take good care of you. Earlier, I was indeed in the wrong…”
Song Xuyi felt even more awkward in her heart for a moment.
If Fu Xiyu had a vicious demeanor, Song Xuyi felt she would have a way to ignore her, but Fu Xiyu’s tone sounded full of apology, and her attitude appeared extremely sincere…
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This demeanor made Song Xuyi, in a daze, feel as if Fu Xiyu was earnestly coaxing her—
But… why did her attitude change so quickly?
“Unusual behavior must have a demon!” The system obviously thought the same as Song Xuyi and spoke cautiously in her mind: “Xuyi, the villain just figured you would feel guilty for slapping her and is taking the opportunity to morally blackmail you—”
Is it like this?
Sure enough, just as the system’s words fell, Fu Xiyu spoke again: “Junior Sister, actually, I have something I need your help with.”
Accompanied by the system’s disdainful “sure enough!” Fu Xiyu continued: “Every day, I am busy scolding those disciples and always miss breakfast. Sometimes, I get hungry in the middle of the night and want to eat something, but there is no food in our courtyard, and I’m often too hungry to sleep.” Fu Xiyu seemed not to notice the vigilance in Song Xuyi’s eyes and once again took out the sachet containing her monthly silver: “Junior Sister Xuyi, since we both live in the same courtyard, could you help me bring breakfast to the practice field?”
“Today, I tried the food in the dining hall, and the taste was acceptable. I’ve been craving the wild jujubes from the tree outside for a long time and always wanted to eat wild jujube cake. If you have time, could you help me pick some wild jujubes and ask the kitchen aunties to make a cake for me?” Fu Xiyu continued, handing the sachet to Song Xuyi: “My monthly silver isn’t much, but I just want you to help arrange some food for me daily in the courtyard. I don’t want to spend the effort to think about it myself, and as a reward, you can keep the remaining silver—”
“Are you willing to take on this task?”
Obviously, Fu Xiyu hadn’t spoken so many words in a long time, and after speaking, she habitually pursed her lips.
“Agree to it!!!” Before Song Xuyi could respond, the system urged: “Xuyi, this is the villain’s money, you might as well earn it!”
The system also felt extremely sorry for Song Xuyi’s frugal lifestyle during this period, and seeing an opportunity for Song Xuyi to improve her life, it naturally wanted her to accept.
It was fine when Fu Xiyu hadn’t mentioned it, but as soon as she did, Song Xuyi’s stomach began to “gurgle” again.
“Senior Sister, offer a wage!” As the system suggested, Song Xuyi thought for a while and decided not to be overly courteous with the villain, but she didn’t want to take advantage too obviously. She finally came up with a compromise.
Fu Xiyu was clearly not expecting Song Xuyi to respond this way, and a smile appeared in her eyes again. Probably influenced by Song Xuyi’s serious attitude, Fu Xiyu thought seriously for a moment and looked at Song Xuyi: “Then… how about three taels of silver a month?”
This price was higher than Song Xuyi expected, and Fu Xiyu naturally had her reasons: “You know, if I called on others, they might help me, but they definitely wouldn’t do it willingly, and I don’t want to use power to pressure others.”
This was indeed true.
Most of the other disciples came from wealth, and they simply looked down on such a small amount of money.
Fu Xiyu’s words successfully persuaded Song Xuyi: Song Xuyi couldn’t refuse such a request. With this running fee, her life would improve significantly.
“Okay, I will definitely strive to meet Senior Sister’s requirements.”
Song Xuyi hesitated for a moment but still cautiously accepted the money pouch.
Even though she knew she was indeed helping the villain, Song Xuyi felt that since she had taken more than expected wages, she naturally had to do the job well.
For instance, when it came to bringing breakfast for Fu Xiyu, at this time it was winter, and by the time Song Xuyi brought breakfast to the practice field, the food was often already cold. Fu Xiyu, however, did not mind, but Song Xuyi carefully noticed this and found some lime to make a simple thermal bucket. She then put the breakfast in the thermal bucket to bring to Fu Xiyu, so that when it arrived at the practice field, the food was still hot.
After she had successfully completed the task of delivering meals, Song Xuyi also remembered the task of making snacks.
Now that Song Xuyi had extra money, she no longer had to go hungry or chew on wild jujubes in the middle of the night, so she took the stored wild jujubes to the dining hall and asked the aunties to help make wild jujube cake.
After all, Fu Xiyu was favored by the sect leader, and when she told the dining hall aunties that Fu Xiyu wanted wild jujube cake, the aunties did not refuse. However, after making a batch of wild jujube cake, Song Xuyi learned that asking the aunties to help make snacks required payment: two taels of silver each time.
This was still a friendship price given by the auntie because she saw Fu Xiyu favored by the sect leader; if it were others, they would need more money.
Song Xuyi could only endure the heartache of giving the money to the auntie, thinking more and more that this wouldn’t work: if all the money was used on snacks, except for her own wage, Fu Xiyu’s monthly silver wouldn’t be enough to buy four servings of snacks a month, and the snacks at the foot of the mountain are much cheaper than here!
And Fu Xiyu, this spendthrift little villain, not managing the household, does not know the cost of firewood and rice. After eating two pieces of wild jujube cake, she gave all the wild jujube cake to Song Xuyi, saying it was too sweet and she didn’t want to eat more.
Song Xuyi took two bites, felt the taste was moderate and not very sweet, thinking this villain is really very picky. While eating the snacks, she thought more and more that the money was not enough for the little villain to squander and couldn’t help but look at Fu Xiyu: “My brother comes to see me every month, and he will come tomorrow. How about I give him three taels of silver every month and let him buy some snacks at the foot of the mountain to bring up for you?”
Seeing Fu Xiyu look over with slightly astonished eyes, Song Xuyi sighed and decided to clearly account with Fu Xiyu, counting on her fingers and telling her the expenses one by one.
After speaking, Song Xuyi originally thought that this little villain, who doesn’t know the hardships of the world, would know a bit about general affairs. However, when she looked over, she found the little villain was smiling at her.
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This time, the smile completely surged from Fu Xiyu’s eyes, making Fu Xiyu’s eyes as bright as starlight…
Her eyes are really very beautiful!
Song Xuyi was stunned for a moment, then immediately put on a serious face: after talking for so long, it seems the little villain still did not understand her hint and was still laughing at her!
And the little villain seemed to know what Song Xuyi was thinking and immediately put away the smile on her face.
“Junior Sister, I am just happy, I did not expect you to be so dedicated, not holding past grudges, making me feel that three taels of silver are underpaying you.” At this point, the little villain seemed to still want to laugh, but she twitched her lips, quickly restraining the smile at the corner of her lips, and turned her eyes to look at Song Xuyi: “If you want to do something, go ahead and do it. Rest assured, if the money is not enough, let Senior Sister think of a way. I will always find a way…”
But when Fu Xiyu said this, Song Xuyi felt even more uneasy!
After all, Song Xuyi knows Fu Xiyu is from the Demon Sect, and the Demon Sect is notorious for committing all sorts of evils like burning, killing, and looting. The method Fu Xiyu mentioned probably isn’t a proper one…
Song Xuyi does not want her words to cause innocent people to suffer, but she also cannot interfere with Fu Xiyu’s actions. She can only say against her will: “Senior Sister, actually we are not very poor. The wage you give me is a bit high, how about I only take two taels of silver a month? If we save a bit, it should be enough for us…”
Fu Xiyu did not express anything, but once again looked at Song Xuyi with a strange smile, laughing so that Song Xuyi felt increasingly annoyed in her heart.
“Let me pinch your cheek,” Fu Xiyu seemed to see through Song Xuyi’s intention, once again squatting in front of Song Xuyi, her eyes slightly rippling with a smile: “Let me pinch, and I’ll tell you what method I use to earn money.”
It must be said, this was a request Song Xuyi couldn’t refuse.
Song Xuyi only hesitated for two seconds, then, with a look of facing death bravely, lifted her head and closed her eyes: “Go ahead, pinch!”
She had prepared herself for Fu Xiyu to pinch her face hard, but unexpectedly, Fu Xiyu only gently pinched once before releasing her hand with a smile.
“Alright.” Fu Xiyu’s voice carried an obvious hint of laughter: “Tonight, I’ll take you to see how I earn money.”
Song Xuyi spent the next half day somewhat absent-minded: what kind of thing must be done during a dark and windy night?
Thinking of Fu Xiyu’s villainous identity, Song Xuyi naturally thought of the saying — “On a dark and windy night, perfect for murder and arson.”
Could it be that Fu Xiyu is thinking of bringing her onto the pirate ship, cultivating her from a young age, making her a spy?
There is a possibility of this. But in this way, there is an opportunity to infiltrate the villain’s inner circle, and once she has the evidence, she can naturally expose the villain’s true face…
In Song Xuyi’s mood of both anticipation and fear, night finally descended.
After nightfall, the Taiji Sect was incredibly peaceful, and Song Xuyi waited in her room without any trace of sleepiness.
As soon as there was a sound at the entrance, Song Xuyi immediately pushed open the door.
Seeing Song Xuyi seemingly waiting by the door for some time, Fu Xiyu’s eyes once again rippled with a smile.
Fu Xiyu was wearing martial attire, which accentuated her slender waist and long legs. She was not carrying her usual sword but had a heavy black bow on her back, and her hair was styled in a high ponytail.
Perhaps it was the deep, thick night that softened the scars on Fu Xiyu’s face in the dim light. For a moment, Song Xuyi, looking at Fu Xiyu’s appearance, felt she saw a valiant and beautiful peerless beauty.
But Song Xuyi quickly regained her composure.
Fu Xiyu took out a large cloak from her bosom and draped it over Song Xuyi, wrapping her into a ball with only her face exposed. She then carried Song Xuyi on her back, swiftly and like lightning, across numerous pavilions and towers, entering the back mountain of the Taiji Sect.
Even though she knew this was the legendary Qinggong, hearing the wind whistling by, Song Xuyi still involuntarily held onto Fu Xiyu’s neck, fearing she might accidentally fall…
A bright moon hung high in the sky, casting cold silver light on the trees, while the forest was cold and dark, as if countless ghosts were moving within.
Fu Xiyu carried Song Xuyi into the center of the forest.
Hearing the sound of leaves breaking underfoot, the further they walked, the more nervous Song Xuyi became: Could Fu Xiyu be meeting other spies in the back mountain?
No one knew how long had passed when Fu Xiyu suddenly stopped and turned to make a gesture of silence towards Song Xuyi.
Song Xuyi was startled and subconsciously held her breath, following Fu Xiyu’s gaze —
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In the moonlight filtering through the branches, there were two foxes with sleek fur, not far ahead, leisurely eating a pheasant.
This…?!
While Song Xuyi was surprised, Fu Xiyu, behind her, had already skillfully taken out two arrows from her waist, aimed, and in one smooth motion, shot them towards the foxes —
With a soft “bang,” the two foxes fell, and Fu Xiyu immediately stepped forward, skillfully taking out a rope to hang the two foxes’ bodies in a hidden spot on the tree.
“We’ll take them on our way back later.” Fu Xiyu turned back to explain to Song Xuyi, with a trace of a smile in her eyes: “Today we’re lucky. Usually, prey don’t venture out in the winter. I remember one year with heavy snow, we couldn’t hunt for food and almost starved to death in the cabin…”
Immediately, Fu Xiyu led Song Xuyi further along and discovered several more prey.
Fu Xiyu acted extremely seasoned, like an experienced old hunter, explaining various hunting knowledge to Song Xuyi…
Song Xuyi listened absent-mindedly, with more and more puzzles in her heart at the moment—
How could Fu Xiyu be so knowledgeable about hunting?
She said she almost starved to death when she was young, but isn’t she an undercover agent from the Demon Sect?
Could it be this was her experience before joining the Demon Sect?
LP: Re-translated on October 04, 2024