Chapter 20: Outing from the Sect

The night passed without incident……. The next day

Lin Shengyu slowly opened her eyes.

She felt the somewhat blinding light from outside and still felt a little dazed.

Such bright sunlight… What time is it now?

She remained groggy, remembering only that after Senior Brother had collapsed on top of her yesterday, she had been unable to push him away. In the end she had half-heartedly let it happen and fallen asleep like that…

Fallen asleep…

Wait—that meant Senior Brother was still in bed…

A wave of maidenly shame jolted Lin Shengyu fully awake.

She sat up in a rush of embarrassment and urgency.

The light reaching her eyes made her subconsciously forget that she was actually blind, and for a moment she thought she could see.

Only when she felt the brightness but could see nothing did Lin Shengyu freeze completely.

It had been an extremely long time since she had felt light.

Ever since her eyes had gone blind, endless darkness had been her constant companion.

Even though she could sense sunlight on her skin, she could not see it. It was a form of torment.

Lin Shengyu lowered her head in disbelief and slowly raised her slender hand.

Still blind… but I can feel the light.

The unchanged fact of her blindness did not bring disappointment.

Instead, the ability to sense sunlight filled her with tears of joy.

Though she still could not see, at least she no longer had to wander in boundless darkness.

Just this small change was enough to make her feel deeply content.

Lin Shengyu did not know why she had suddenly begun to sense light, but she was certain it had everything to do with Yun Hao.

At the thought of Yun Hao, the overwhelming pleasure from yesterday flooded back into her mind—wave after wave that refused to stop.

Lin Shengyu rubbed her thighs together, then reached out with both hands to feel around.

She sensed the steady breathing of the person beside her, still fast asleep, and let out a soft breath of relief.

Last night she seemed to have released a great deal of something strange, and she had not yet changed her clothes.

If Senior Brother woke up now and saw her like this, she would die of embarrassment.

Lin Shengyu lingered a moment longer, gently touching Yun Hao’s face.

In the end, fearing he might wake and see her in such an undignified state, she quietly opened the window and called for Lin Xian, hoping he could help.

A clear breeze swept past, and Lin Xian appeared inside Lin Shengyu’s boudoir.

Seeing the two of them on the bed, he smiled warmly.

“It looks like Grandfather didn’t disturb your good time when he left yesterday.”

Lin Shengyu’s face, which had only just calmed, flushed bright red again.

She protested in a shy, urgent voice,

“Grandfather, what are you saying? Hurry and help me lift Senior Brother. I can’t do it alone.”

Lin Xian continued smiling, his old face practically blooming with delight.

While helping lift Yun Hao, he went on,

“I know you young people like to play, but children can wait a little longer. You’re both still too young. Talk about it again in five or ten years.”

“Grandfather!”

Lin Xian laughed heartily as he carried Yun Hao out of Lin Shengyu’s boudoir.

A moment later, only Lin Shengyu remained in the room.

She sighed in a slightly bewildered manner and sat back down on the bed.

Feeling the spiritual power still gently warming her lower abdomen, she sensed warmth throughout her entire body.

The dark, damp cold seemed to have vanished forever.

These are the traces Senior Brother left behind…

Lin Shengyu thought in a daze.

After sitting for a while, she slowly guided the spiritual power Yun Hao had left inside her, spreading it toward her four limbs.

As she did so, her small mouth gradually opened in shock, growing wider and wider with disbelief.

Her shattered meridians… seemed to have recovered a little…

…………

“Mm… Junior Sister!”

Yun Hao sat up abruptly.

He looked around and realized he was already in the front courtyard.

A large hand gently pressed down on him, and Lin Xian’s voice sounded.

“Easy now. You’ve already finished dispelling the poison for Yu’er.”

Yun Hao’s tense heart finally relaxed.

The anxiety inside him slowly eased.

He looked at Lin Xian and asked,

“Elder Lin, where is Junior Sister now?”

Lin Xian stroked his beard and turned to look toward the bamboo grove behind him.

There stood Lin Shengyu among the bamboo, wearing a light white skirt.

When she heard that Yun Hao had woken, her small hands nervously clutched her sleeves.

Her face showed a mixture of shyness and unease as she turned in Yun Hao’s direction.

Senior Brother’s first word when he woke up was calling for me…

A strange spark of happiness bloomed in her heart.

Seeing Lin Shengyu already standing in the bamboo grove, Yun Hao strode forward.

He was still unsure whether he had truly finished dispelling the poison yesterday.

Although Elder Lin had said everything was fine, he needed to confirm it himself.

Otherwise he would remain uneasy, always feeling he might have done something wrong.

Soon Yun Hao reached Lin Shengyu’s side.

He looked at the girl who was half a head shorter than him and asked gently,

“Junior Sister, do you still feel any discomfort anywhere in your body?”

Lin Shengyu had been quietly savoring the way he had called her “Junior Sister.”

Yun Hao’s sudden question startled her, but she quickly steadied herself and replied,

“I’m perfectly fine, Senior Brother. My body feels warm all over now—very comfortable.”

“That’s good. I was worried I might have made a mistake somewhere.”

Yun Hao let out a long breath.

Hearing Lin Shengyu say the same thing put his mind completely at ease.

He gently guided her to the bamboo house in Lin Xian’s front courtyard.

The three of them sat together and chatted for a while longer.

Yun Hao looked up and saw that the hour was already well into the Si period.

He stood and took his leave from Lin Xian.

He had been away from Sect Master Peak for a full day and night.

If he returned any later, he truly did not know how to explain it to Senior Sister.

Lin Xian watched Yun Hao, who was clearly anxious to return, and the joy in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a flickering, unreadable look.

He had never forgotten that Yun Hao was enamored with Luo Shuiling.

He spoke as if the thought had just occurred to him,

“Yun’er, there’s no need to rush. Yesterday I already told Luo my junior niece about you helping Yu’er suppress the demonic poison. She said you could return a little later.”

Lin Xian had switched to calling him “Yun’er” to draw their relationship closer.

Yun Hao was momentarily stunned.

He recalled that he had indeed asked Elder Lin to inform Senior Sister on his behalf yesterday; he had simply forgotten.

Still, now that the poison had been dispelled, it would be better to return early.

Besides, he missed Senior Sister very much.

He said to Lin Xian,

“Thank you, Elder Lin, but this disciple still wishes to return soon and let Senior Sister know I am safe.”

Seeing how persistent Yun Hao was, Lin Xian finally told a small lie.

“Luo my junior niece also told me yesterday that you have been cultivating diligently lately, Yun’er. Since you’ve come down from the peak this time, you may take some time to enjoy yourself and return later.”

“You have spent sixteen years without ever going out to explore. You have never admired the great rivers and mountains, nor seen the wondrous performers and street arts. It would be a shame to waste this chance.”

“Moreover, Yu’er has not left the sect in a very long time. I would like you to take her out once to clear her mind. What do you think?”

Lin Xian’s combination of words left Yun Hao completely persuaded.

Yun Hao also realized that in his sixteen years he had never gone out to explore either.

This rare opportunity to see the strange performers and street arts he had always longed for made his heart itch with excitement.

He listened to Lin Xian’s earnest tone and saw Lin Shengyu’s slightly shy expression.

If Senior Sister truly feels this way, then I shouldn’t waste her kindness. Besides, if I go out and encounter anything interesting, I can bring it back for Senior Sister to see and add some joy to her days.

Having found a reason for himself, Yun Hao asked Lin Xian,

“Elder Lin, did Senior Sister really say that?”

Seeing that he had convinced Yun Hao, Lin Xian nodded repeatedly, assuring him there was no problem.

Unable to suppress his excitement any longer, Yun Hao turned to Lin Shengyu with eager eyes and asked,

“Then, Junior Sister, would you be willing to go out and explore with Senior Brother this once?”

Yun Hao still wanted a companion.

Moreover, Elder Lin had said Lin Shengyu had not left the sect in a long time.

This was a chance to fulfill two wishes at once—an opportunity too good to miss.

“This…”

Lin Shengyu hesitated.

Although she wanted to spend more time close to Yun Hao, she feared her blindness would trouble him and ruin his enjoyment.

Seeing his granddaughter’s hesitation, Lin Xian secretly transmitted his voice, afraid the chance would slip away.

“Just go with Yun Hao. You haven’t been out in so long—consider it a chance to clear your mind.”

Hearing her grandfather’s transmission, Lin Shengyu no longer hesitated.

She had wanted to grow closer to Yun Hao anyway.

“Then let’s go right now!”

Seeing Lin Shengyu agree, Yun Hao could no longer contain his excitement.

After all, he was only sixteen years old; his heart was still that of a child.

He usually tried to act mature, but when something truly delighted him, his true nature shone through.

Lin Xian watched Yun Hao finally persuaded and nodded in relief.

He handed Yun Hao some silver and a token that would allow free entry and exit from the sect.

After giving a few words of caution, he sent the two of them off to enjoy themselves.

Yun Hao accepted the silver and the token with thanks, then excitedly led Lin Shengyu out the door.

………….

After leaving Proud Sword Sect smoothly with the help of the token, Yun Hao looked at Lin Shengyu gently holding his sleeve and then at the rugged forest path ahead.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Junior Sister, the forest path ahead is rough and your eyes are not well. Let Senior Brother carry you across this stretch.”

Lin Shengyu felt a wave of shyness at the suggestion of being carried, but after a moment she gave a soft “Mm.”

Yun Hao had felt uneasy after saying it, afraid she might think him a scoundrel.

But since Lin Shengyu had agreed so quickly, he relaxed.

He slowly crouched down in front of her and said,

“Junior Sister, walk forward carefully. I’m right here in front of you.”

Lin Shengyu felt her way forward.

When her jade-like hands touched Yun Hao, she gently leaned down and rested her head slowly on his shoulder.

Senior Brother’s back is so broad.

The thought eased her heart completely.

Once Yun Hao felt Lin Shengyu settled on his back, he said, “Senior Brother is being improper,” and lightly secured her legs with both hands.

With a leap and a bound, he headed westward.

Elder Lin had told him there was a town a little over ten li away.

On Yun Hao’s back, Lin Shengyu felt the breeze brushing her black hair while Senior Brother’s handsome, flowing locks lightly caressed the tip of her nose.

She slowly pressed her pretty face against his back and smiled gently.