Chapter 153 - A Match Made in Heaven, and You, a Monster, Dare to Object?
"That's true, but Daoist, your sword flight is really amazing!"
After landing safely, Xue Hua stared eagerly at the flying sword behind Renji.
Grandmother often said that the outside world was fun, but there were also many bad people.
She had met bad people before, but they were all bitten by her insects. The fun she had experienced was indeed very enjoyable.
"Also a Daoist, so why is there no young girl around me saying I'm amazing?"
Ma Ma Di wore a mournful expression, suddenly feeling that all these years had been wasted.
Why was it that although he was also a Daoist, his strength was not as good as Renji's and his looks were not as good as Renji's…
But did that mean he wasn't a Daoist just because he lacked strength and looks?
Obviously not!
"Impressive!"
Jiu Shu's expression was strange, truly shocked by Ma Ma Di's shamelessness.
With the conditions clearly in front of them, he still had the nerve to say such a thing.
"Master!"
Awei led a group of people running quickly toward Jiu Shu, shouting as he ran.
Just moments ago, when he saw a group of people flying down from the sky, Awei thought he was mistaken. Looking closely, wasn't that his master?
As he got closer, his eyes widened—not only was his master here, but his beloved cousin had also come!
Ever since his cousin left with Renji, Awei had felt as though his heart was empty.
He swore he would never love another woman again in his life.
Originally, he thought he might never see his cousin again, or at least not for a very long time, yet here she was today.
And with that annoying Qiusheng and Wencai not present, wasn't this his chance to be alone with her? Could he seize the opportunity to win her over?
Thinking this, Awei grinned as he walked toward Ren Tingting, rubbing his hands together. "Cousin, long time no see, your cousin has missed you so much!"
"Awei!"
Jiu Shu's face darkened, grabbing Awei by the ear and yanking him over.
Utterly disgraceful!
Had his disciples never seen a woman before?
Every time they saw one, they acted as though their souls had left their bodies.
"Your cousin is really amusing."
Ren Zhuzhu stifled a laugh. She had never met Awei before—he was from her stepmother's side—so this was her first time seeing him.
"Ahem, cousin, who is this beauty? Let me welcome you all!"
Awei's eyes lit up. What was it like when your childhood sweetheart brought home a stunning beauty?
The pain in his ear instantly disappeared.
But what greeted him was an even more painful knock to the head—Awei was struck directly on the forehead by Jiu Shu's fist, instantly snapping him out of his daze.
A beauty was nice, but one still needed to stay alive. At first, he thought Jiu Shu was just speaking casually, but it was now clear Jiu Shu was serious!
"Awei, I told you to investigate here—how's that going?"
Jiu Shu smiled at him, but from that look, Awei understood immediately—if his answer wasn't satisfactory, he'd be beaten today.
"Master, I've investigated clearly. The bandits will come tonight!"
This town was smaller than Ren Family Town. Because he came here on Jiu Shu's orders to gather information, and since he wasn't skilled in much, he took up his old job in the security team.
Somehow, he had even become the captain of the security team.
Now, he was well-acquainted with everything in town. The bandits had come once or twice before, but in small numbers. He didn't dare fight them because, as Jiu Shu had mentioned, their leader was a sorcerer—he could only defend.
But now that Jiu Shu was here, he could attack without worry.
"Good, since they'll make a move tonight, let's prepare in advance. Have you told the mayor?"
Since there would be a fight, it was naturally impossible to leave everything to them alone.
"Don't worry, Master. I'm the security captain here—I can arrange it!"
What?
A talent indeed!
Jiu Shu's eyes flashed with surprise. He had thought Awei was just killing time here, but even here he could become the security captain?
Born with the Saint Physique of a security captain?
"Master, that's all I know. Can I go catch up with my cousin now?"
Awei asked cautiously. He had told everything he knew—surely he could go talk to Ren Tingting now?
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"You can talk normally, but don't harass her!"
Jiu Shu nodded. He wasn't the sort to be unreasonable.
"Am I that kind of person, Master?!"
Awei's voice rose abruptly. He was deeply hurt by Jiu Shu's doubt!
"Aren't you?"
Jiu Shu snorted. If Awei wasn't, then no one in the world was.
And was this brat itching for a beating again? Starting to question his master?
Seeing Jiu Shu's face darken, Awei realized that if he kept arguing, he'd be beaten. He quickly forced a smile and said, "Hehe, Master, you've got a good eye!"
With that, he hurried to Ren Tingting's side, ready to tell her about his recent experiences, though he kept a certain distance—he didn't want to be hit again.
Besides, Renji was here too, smiling at him.
Thinking of the lightning that had nearly struck him back then, Awei still felt fear toward Renji.
"Daoist, he seems really afraid of you."
Xue Hua glanced curiously at Awei, then at Renji. It seemed something had happened between them, but she suddenly remembered her insects and muttered, "My insects are also very afraid of you."
"You're not afraid of me?"
"Why should I be? Daoist, are you a bad person?"
Xue Hua shook her head. She didn't sense any malice from Renji. Her insects feared him mainly because his strength was overwhelming, not because he bore them great malice that they could sense.
"You've just come from Miaojiang, haven't you? So naive?"
"How am I naive? I'm the most talented witch of Miaojiang's younger generation, hmph!"
"Strength is strength, and naivety is naivety. No one writes 'good' or 'bad' on their face. Don't end up being sold and still help count the money."
Renji finally understood why girls from the mountains could be so easily deceived.
With that unworldly demeanor, it felt like a few sweet words could easily trick this witch away.
"That's exactly what my grandmother says." Xue Hua muttered under her breath. Meeting Renji's puzzled gaze, she turned her head away, raised her chin toward the sky, and said, "Look down on me and you'll suffer a big loss sooner or later!"
So cute.
Ren Zhuzhu, standing nearby, had been watching Xue Hua closely. Not only was this little girl sweet and lovely, but her temperament was also wonderful—she seemed like someone you'd want to hold and cuddle.
"Miss Xue Hua, how old are you?"
Ren Qingqing asked curiously.
Earlier on the road, since they were flying in the sky, there hadn't been much chance to chat.
It seemed they really didn't know much about each other.
"Eighteen."
Younger than herself?
Qingqing was a little surprised, but thinking about it, it made sense—an eighteen-year-old girl was indeed still in her innocent and romantic years.
"Then why did Miaojiang send you to kill Granny Wang?"
To be tasked with eliminating a traitor at just eighteen felt rather hasty.
"My grandmother said it was a test for me. If I can complete it, then when I return, I can become the Saintess of Miaojiang!"
Back when this test was placed before her, Xue Hua hadn't thought much and immediately accepted.
There wasn't a single woman in Miaojiang who didn't want to become the Saintess.
Whether due to insufficient strength, talent, or status, the conditions to become Saintess were extremely strict.
Miaojiang hadn't had a Saintess in a long time, but with her rare talent in a century, she had been groomed from a young age. This time was her trial—once completed, she would return to succeed as Saintess.
"The Saintess of Miaojiang? You?"
Renji was a little surprised, yet found it reasonable.
Her talent was indeed good—it was just that his own abilities restrained hers. Without him, if Jiu Shu and Ma Ma Di had encountered Xue Hua, they'd likely have been in serious trouble.
"Hey! You're discriminating against me!"
Xue Hua shouted, her fists clenched tightly, lips pressed together, and eyes glaring at Renji with indignation. At this moment, her emotions were difficult to calm.
"I'm not. I just didn't expect that Miaojiang's Saintess would be chosen at such a young age."
Renji offered an explanation. This little girl truly acted on impulse.
"You're really not doubting my ability?"
"No."
"Then it's not because you think I'm not smart?"
"Also no."
"That's good!"
Her expression instantly changed from cloudy to sunny.
Flipping open his mental "textbook," Renji saw only two words—easy to trick.
"Tingting, is she your master's wife?"
Awei asked with implication in his tone, secretly rejoicing, for he had always considered Renji his greatest rival.
Handsome, strong, and knowledgeable—such traits naturally attracted girls. Since Ren Tingting had followed him up the mountain, spending every day together, feelings could have developed over time.
But now that Renji apparently had a wife, Awei could breathe a sigh of relief.
"No, don't talk nonsense!"
Ren Tingting shook her head repeatedly. They had only just met; how could she be his master's wife?
Ren Qingqing and Ren Zhuzhu, however, thought it would be a lot of fun if they could bring Xue Hua up the mountain.
This girl was simply adorable.
"Oh, then she's a reserve master's wife!"
In Awei's mind, even if she wasn't, he would call her that—anything to remove Renji's threat.
"Hmph, absolutely not!"
Grandmother always said that men were generally bad and not to be trusted. Before entrusting herself completely, she must place the Miaojiang Saint Gu into the other party's body.
In their Miao tribe, there were only dead partners, never unfaithful ones.
"Awei, are you itching for a beating?"
Jiu Shu's face darkened. Without even knowing what Dao the other cultivated, he was already matchmaking blindly.
And how could Jiu Shu not understand Awei's petty thoughts?
"Master, I just think Daoist Renji and this young lady look like a match made in heaven, so I couldn't help but say so. Daoist Renji, please don't misunderstand!"
Awei quickly admitted fault. He prided himself on being able to bend and stretch, and his goal was already achieved.
If he could help form a match, wouldn't Renji have to thank him?
Then Renji could help him pursue Tingting, perhaps even gift him several cultivation manuals—wouldn't that make Awei's life soar?
Thinking of holding Ren Tingting while looking smugly at a bruised Qiusheng and Wencai, and seeing Jiu Shu's proud expression at his "outstanding disciple," Awei felt his life might just be reaching its peak.
"Still thinking!"
Jiu Shu's hammer strike shattered Awei's fantasy, bringing him back to reality.
Although he didn't know what Awei was imagining, that lecherous look clearly wasn't anything good.
"Master, can't I even think?"
Awei pouted, feeling wronged. Was thinking now a crime?
"Be serious. Since the bandits are coming tonight, we'll wipe them out and question that bandit called Granny Wang about those evil sects!"
Jiu Shu frowned. He wasn't particularly afraid of Granny Wang—she was just a crooked-path practitioner. She would be easy to handle, and on the way here, Jiu Shu had already figured out how to break her tricks.
The real threat was the evil sect behind her.
"I'm afraid it won't be so easy to get information from her."
"I have a way."
Renji spoke calmly. Getting information didn't require the other party's sincerity.
Whether by the Soul Summoning Banner or the Sharingan, he could force all her secrets out.
"Alright, then tonight when the bandits come, we'll eliminate them all!"
Since Renji had a method, Jiu Shu and Ma Ma Di said nothing more. Renji never spoke empty words—if he said it could be done, it would be done.
Jiu Shu told Awei to gather all the able-bodied young men to help fight the bandits.
Meanwhile, Xue Hua shared some taboos for dealing with sorcerers.
Boy's urine.
Jiu Shu and the others couldn't help but glance at Renji.
He was young enough to have it, right?
"Jiu Shu, if I'm not mistaken, you should have some, right?"
"…"
Which bastard said that out loud!!!
Jiu Shu stared at Renji in disbelief.
Whether Renji was a virgin wasn't the point anymore!
The real issue was—at his age, he was still a virgin!
Qiusheng or Wencai—when they got back, he'd kill them!
Rage flickered in Jiu Shu's heart. Awei stifled a laugh, but then, glancing at Ren Tingting, his face turned serious.
"Actually, Jiu Shu, if you're unwilling, there are many young and strong lads in the village who could do it."
Renji spoke, and Jiu Shu felt embarrassed. At this point, did it matter if he was willing or not?
Should he call this thoughtfulness—or cruelty?
Although his pride took a hit, to avoid more trouble, Jiu Shu decided to keep quiet. Since this matter was already exposed, if his other secrets came out too, he would have no place to hide.
With Xue Hua's help, the preparations to deal with the bandits were thorough.
By nightfall, the sound of hooves echoed from afar. Perhaps used to being arrogant, the bandits, who had never met a worthy opponent, didn't bother to hide their approach. They charged straight toward the town, ready for a big haul tonight.
(End of this chapter)
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