After Death, I Became My Shijie’s Palm-Sized Birdie – Chapter 9

Events of the Past, Part 8

Shijie would never have guessed that all I wanted was to kiss her.

When the cool scent faded slightly, Wen Qiwu strained every nerve to keep her face from showing how much she didn’t want to let go. Leaning in Shijie’s embrace, from this angle she had a clear view of Shijie’s cherry-red lips.

            

The newly awakened patient averted her gaze. Shijie would never have guessed that the well-behaved girl she usually saw was actually thinking about how to kiss her. She had to carefully hide this thought and not make Shijie angry again…

Right! She still didn’t know if Shijie had calmed down.

Wen Qiwu’s heart tightened. She instinctively grasped Shijie’s hand.

            

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Yun Heng asked hurriedly. Now, any slight change in Wen Qiwu could make her anxious.

Wen Qiwu shook her head, then looked up and asked cautiously, “Shijie, are you still angry?”

Yun Heng was speechless. Her shimei, who had just struggled back from the brink of life and death, was most worried about whether she was angry. The regret in her heart deepened.

            

Yun Heng touched her shimei’s pale face. This illness had made her shimei even thinner, as if a touch might break her. She told her shimei gently that she wasn’t angry—to be precise, she had never been angry at Wen Qiwu. Her anger was mostly directed at Zuo Lan, and a small part at her own inexplicable emotions.

She didn’t explain the latter part to Wen Qiwu, but Wen Qiwu could read her mood from Shijie’s eyes. In the depths of that cold pool, there was only softness, none of the unsettling emotions from before.

Wen Qiwu’s lips curled up uncontrollably, her whole body radiating joy. Paired with her pale, frail appearance, it made the Immortal Venerable¹ even more tender-hearted.

            

As long as Shijie wasn’t angry, that was fine. At worst, she would just stay away from Zuo Lan from now on. After all, in Wen Qiwu’s heart, Shijie naturally came first.

Who would have thought that Yun Heng, who had been so firm before, would be the first to give ground?

“I shouldn’t interfere with your friendships. As long as the other person isn’t treacherous, you may associate with that Holy Maiden².” Yun Heng seemed to have softened, but in truth, her opinion of Zuo Lan hadn’t changed. She had simply already notified the Yuxi Sect Master in advance, and Zuo Lan was currently confined within the sect.

            

She had figured it out: she couldn’t let the matter of that saintess cause her shimei to worry excessively while recovering. So the Immortal Venerable quietly made a move on the other side.

Wen Qiwu blinked her somewhat bewildered eyes. The change in Shijie’s attitude surprised her. Things… couldn’t be that simple, could they?

But Yun Heng brushed the matter aside lightly, as if she really didn’t intend to bring it up again.

            

“Ah Que³, next month is your birthday.” Yun Heng had been counting the days. Shizun⁴ hadn’t known when her shimei was born, so she had taken the day she found her as her shimei’s birthday.

“You need to get better quickly. Elder Lu said we should hold a lively celebration this year to mark the occasion.” Everyone had been on edge for over a month. Elder Lu said they needed a good celebration to calm their nerves, and Yun Heng had agreed to her proposal.

“Next month is already my birthday?” Wen Qiwu had been unconscious for over a month, so she didn’t know how much time had passed outside.

            

She loved birthdays. Every year, Shijie would carefully prepare a gift for her. If Shijie was in seclusion, she would prepare the birthday gift in advance.

So what would this year’s birthday gift be?

Wen Qiwu begged Shijie to give her a hint, but unfortunately, Shijie was determined to surprise her, so she got nothing out of her. Curiosity itched at her heart. Wen Qiwu stared at Shijie’s storage pouch, wanting so badly to look inside!

            

Her thoughts were practically written on her face, so her forehead was lightly tapped by Shijie.

“The gift isn’t ready yet. You’ll know on your birthday.” The spot on Wen Qiwu’s forehead that had been tapped was then rubbed.

“Mm… fine.” Shijie was being so mysterious this time. Wen Qiwu was even more looking forward to next month’s birthday!

            

A faint smile appeared in Yun Heng’s eyes. This gift was indeed very special. If all went well, her shimei wouldn’t have to live in fear in the future…

Yun Heng stayed with Wen Qiwu a while longer, but unfortunately she couldn’t remain for long. Before even a full incense stick’s time⁵ had passed, she was called away by an elder of the sect.

Wen Qiwu had been lying in bed for too long, until her bones felt like they were falling apart. So after Shijie left, she propped up her somewhat limp body and sat up, preparing to walk around.

            

Her residence was as quiet as ever. Elder Lu wasn’t next door, and she didn’t know where she had gone.

Wen Qiwu had originally just come out for some fresh air, but as she walked, she suddenly heard the sound of a child crying not far away.

She followed the sound and found it, then pulled a little girl with eyes red from crying out of the bushes. The little girl looked no more than six or seven years old, wearing the robes of an inner disciple, with a few leaves stuck in her somewhat disheveled hair.

            

“Ah Yue⁶?” Wen Qiwu recognized the child. This child was called Dong Shiyue. Her parents had also been inner disciples of Wenshen Sect, but unfortunately, they had been killed by demons a few years ago, and the child had become an orphan.

Dong Shiyue’s talent was decent. An inner sect elder, taking pity on her for being orphaned at such a young age, had taken her as a personal disciple. Wen Qiwu had also taught her at the school on Wendao Mountain before.

“Elder Wen…” Dong Shiyue sobbed, her eyes swollen like walnuts.

            

“Has someone bullied you?” Wen Qiwu comforted her. “Don’t be afraid. Tell Elder what happened.”

Wen Qiwu’s comfort seemed to have the opposite effect. The child hugged her and cried even louder. After a long while, Dong Shiyue said between sobs, “Grandmaster is gone… They said Elder Wen is also about to die. Those awful things dared to curse you! When I get back, I’ll stuff thunderclap talismans⁷ into their mouths, wuwu…”

The child cried and made threats at the same time. She had just been keeping vigil for her grandmaster when she heard children from other mountains say that after Elder Jin’s fall, Shangqing Mountain had no successor and would soon decline. They also said Wen Qiwu was about to die, and that Wenshen Sect might hold another funeral soon. She didn’t believe them and had fought with those children.

            

Unfortunately, she lost the fight. Next time, she would remember not to go in empty-handed.

Then she had come to Wanyao Mountain, but Wen Qiwu’s residence was hard to find, and she had accidentally gotten lost.

Grandmaster? Ah Yue’s grandmaster was Elder Jin. He had fallen?! Wen Qiwu’s face showed shock. Yun Heng hadn’t told her about all the troubling events that had happened recently.

            

Wen Qiwu took Dong Shiyue to Shangqing Mountain. The main hall of Shangqing Mountain was draped in white silk. The personal disciples all had red-rimmed eyes. Lu Qiaoyi, whom Wen Qiwu hadn’t seen earlier, was also there.

“Wen-shimei.” Dong Shiyue’s master hurried over and took her little disciple, her eyes unable to hide her exhaustion. “Thank you for bringing this child back.”

Then she turned her gaze to her little disciple, her tone carrying some severity. “Did you get into another fight?”

            

“It’s—it’s because they disrespected Grandmaster and cursed Elder Wen, so I fought!” Dong Shiyue looked as if she refused to admit fault.

Dong Shiyue’s master naturally knew that her little disciple wasn’t the type to start trouble, but Shangqing Mountain currently didn’t even have a single Earth Immortal, so it naturally stood lower than the other mountains. The masters of those little disciples were all Earth Immortals or even Golden Immortals. She had to think twice before seeking justice for her little disciple.

The children who had fought with Dong Shiyue were hiding behind their respective elders. Some secretly made faces at Dong Shiyue. Unfortunately, they didn’t notice someone approaching silently.

            

“Since these disciples disrespect their elders, send them to the Punishment Hall.” Lu Qiaoyi, usually kind and lively, turned her back to Wen Qiwu and the others, revealing an expression so cold it was frightening. No one had ever seen Lu Qiaoyi like this. The children who had been arrogant just moments before were immediately scared into crying, and even their elders were startled.

“Elder Lu… these children meant no harm. We’ll teach them properly when we get back. The Punishment Hall isn’t necessary, is it?” The elder who had been bullying others when they had no backing finally spoke up.

The Punishment Hall was no good place. If the charge of disrespecting elders was applied, these little disciples would probably all receive a few lashes.

            

Wen Qiwu ruffled Dong Shiyue’s little head, not intending to let the matter slide easily.

“Children… indeed, how would children come up with such words? I think they must have learned it from what they’ve seen and heard.” Wen Qiwu coughed lightly twice, appearing as delicate as a willow in the wind, looking utterly harmless, but her words sent chills down spines. “It seems Elder Zhu is hoping I’ll die.”

“This is a misunderstanding!” Elder Zhu quickly denied it. Even though he had said it, he absolutely couldn’t admit it. If this reached the Sect Master’s ears, he would be finished!

            

Upon hearing Wen Qiwu’s words, Lu Qiaoyi suddenly laughed. The chilling aura faded, and she became the lively, laughing elder she had been before.

“Qiwu is right. They weren’t taught properly, so the responsibility falls on you. Then you’ll all go to the Punishment Hall together.” As soon as Lu Qiaoyi finished speaking, the Punishment Hall Master, dressed in black, walked in.

That Elder Zhu’s face turned ashen. “Why are you here?”

            

The Punishment Hall Master rarely showed himself unless…

The Punishment Hall Master said expressionlessly, “The Sect Master has ordered. Please come to the Punishment Hall for a visit.”

Lu Qiaoyi held a transmission jade talisman in her hand, its surface flickering with a faint light.

            

“Take them directly back.” Yun Heng’s cold, emotionless voice came from the jade talisman.

“Sect Master?!” Elder Zhu probably wanted to call Lu Qiaoyi despicable.

“It was just a child’s careless words… fine, fine, I’ll go.” Elder Zhu now wanted to give his loudly crying grandson a beating. Who told him to spout nonsense outside! He had finally outlived that Jin fellow, but before he could even divide his belongings, he had landed himself in the Punishment Hall. Oh well, it wouldn’t be too serious. At most, he would bear the charge of negligent teaching.

            

The Punishment Hall Master saw through Elder Zhu’s little scheme. The Hall Master curled his lip. He had come personally to make the arrest. Did Elder Zhu really think he had only committed a minor offense? Just as the Sect Master had expected, as soon as Elder Jin died, all sorts of monsters and demons⁸ in the sect had immediately jumped out. He would be busy for a while.

But this Zhu fellow had quite the nerve, privately cursing the Sect Master’s precious shimei to an early death. The Sect Master was most sensitive about this. The Hall Master could tell from the anger in the Sect Master’s tone just now that among those arrested, this one would probably suffer the most.

The Hall Master offered a stick of incense to Elder Jin, then left with the Punishment Hall disciples, taking Elder Zhu and those children away.

            

“Sun-shijie, although Elder Jin is gone, Shangqing Mountain belongs to Wenshen Sect. If something happens, you can speak to the Sect Master. The Sect Master won’t let you suffer injustice.” Wen Qiwu said softly.

Sun-shijie was startled for a moment, then she smiled gratefully and said, “Wen-shimei is right.”

The Sect Master is fair. This is Shangqing Mountain’s good fortune.

            

“Elder Lu, please take care of Qiwu. Don’t let her stay outside too long. Make sure she goes back to rest early. I’ll be back before she takes her medicine in the evening.” Yun Heng didn’t cut off the connection immediately. Instead, she softened the coldness in her tone and gave these instructions with concern.

“Don’t worry, I have Xiao Que’er⁹ here.” Lu Qiaoyi acknowledged twice and then cut the communication. She waved at Wen Qiwu. “Xiao Que’er, come here.”

Wen Qiwu said goodbye to Sun-shijie and walked over to Lu Qiaoyi.

            

“Elder Lu, how did Elder Jin suddenly…” Afraid of touching on painful matters, Wen Qiwu hadn’t dared to ask the people of Shangqing Mountain.

“He met with an accident in the secret realm. Even your Shijie isn’t clear on the specifics. He might have encountered the True Immortal tomb owner. Life and death are fated; you can’t force it.” Lu Qiaoyi sighed, but as a fellow sect member, the emotion in her eyes was faint to the point of being cold.

“He was also unlucky. He didn’t encounter the Sect Master, unlike the Qingluan Clan’s princess and the Qianyue Sword Sect Master’s only daughter. They were saved by your Shijie. Especially the Qianyue Sword Sect Master’s daughter…” Lu Qiaoyi revealed a playful smile as Wen Qiwu’s expression gradually grew serious. “That one keeps shouting every day about repaying your Shijie’s life-saving grace.”

            

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