Lin Yue returned carrying money in a good mood, and in her hand was neatly wrapped grilled 'octopus' meat.
The door to the room was slightly ajar. With a small push, it opened fully, revealing a bed, a table, and a bookshelf that were all still tidy. But the chair beside the desk had been pulled aside. Yu Han was there. The young man was reading a book.
Lin Yue was slightly startled to see Yu Han in her room.
"Why are you in my room?"
"My room?" Yu Han lowered the book he was reading and glanced around. His hazel irises shimmered as the afternoon sunlight reflected through the window.
His response made Lin Yue reflexively look around. There were not many differences. The positions of the furniture were the same.
But the window was different from hers.
She had entered the wrong room.
This was Yu Han's room.
"Sorry, I mistook the room," Lin Yue said, but she did not leave.
She placed the grilled 'octopus' on the table, walked to the edge of the bed, and sat down. She was clearly exhausted to the point of misidentifying the room.
Yu Han glanced at the grilled kraken on the table, then at Lin Yue. He did not seem to mind. After all, this was not the first time the girl had barged into his place.
"It seems your training was heavier this time."
Lin Yue could only sigh, then lie down on the bed. Without realizing it, she began telling him about how she had encountered an octopus that turned out to be a kraken, how she exchanged it for Spirit Shards, and about the golden koi fish that kept following her.
As if aware it was being mentioned, the fish appeared and swam unsteadily as usual. This time, however, its movements were fewer and restrained, as if hesitant.
Yu Han stopped reading entirely, closed his book, and placed it on the table. The golden scales of the fish reflected the sunlight, making the room extremely bright, almost uncomfortable.
"Oh, so it's still around."
"You know what kind of fish this is?" Lin Yue raised an eyebrow slightly, hoping the fish had some use. "It said its race is called a guide."
"They are not much different from ordinary koi, but they are more sensitive to energy and aura." Yu Han did not explain much, but it was enough for Lin Yue to understand why it was called a 'guide.'
"Do they normally talk?" That was what confused her.
"Usually, yes."
That answer completely crushed Lin Yue's expectations. She had thought it might at least be a high-level beast capable of speech.
She now felt a little regret.
Should she throw this fish away?
"Not here, if you plan to throw it away." Yu Han's room was not a dumping ground.
Once again, the fish swam around Lin Yue restlessly, uncomfortable and panicked. It clearly did not want to be discarded.
"Don't! I'll repay your kindness!"
And yes, that made Lin Yue reconsider her decision. She began thinking that even if the golden koi was useless, it could still be turned into a delicious meal.
"Good. Prove your worth, or I'll cook you."
The afternoon passed quickly, and due to her exhaustion, Lin Yue fell asleep early.
….
The next morning, knocking echoed through the room, loud enough to wake Lin Yue, who had no idea how long she had been asleep.
Still half-conscious, she opened the door, only to see a disciple staring at her from head to toe. His gaze paused briefly at her messy hair before quickly shifting away.
"Do you need something?" Lin Yue frowned at his expression, clearly uncomfortable.
The disciple quickly changed his expression, suddenly remembering his purpose for coming.
"Elder Second requests your presence. He wishes to discuss something important."
Lin Yue then remembered that she was also waiting for the elder's decision regarding her acceptance into the sect. Time had passed quickly, and two days had gone by.
"Yes, I'll head there soon."
The disciple nodded. "Elder Second is waiting. And… perhaps you should tidy yourself up first." His words were light, but carried a certain implication.
Lin Yue gave a crooked smile. If the disciple intended to ruin her morning mood, that attempt had failed.
"You care too much."
Before he could respond, she had already closed the door, with no intention of continuing the small talk.
"Nonsense," Lin Yue muttered.
It had only been a few days, and someone was already judging her subtly.
"The reason is obvious."
The voice startled Lin Yue. She suddenly remembered she was still in Yu Han's room. Reflexively, she turned toward him.
He was leaning against the window, his expression as neutral as ever. He had heard everything, yet hardly cared.
Right…
Perhaps the disciple had misunderstood.
"This is troublesome." Why were people so concerned with other people's business?
Lin Yue chose instead to focus on today's agenda. She wanted to know what trick that rotten old man would pull this time.
….
It did not take long for Lin Yue to arrive at Elder Second's quarters. The place was, as usual, uncomfortable for her.
What stood in contrast was her relaxed attitude. She shamelessly poured herself tea and sat cross-legged, acting as if she were the superior one.
"Have you made your decision?" Lin Yue started the conversation.
Elder Second looked calmer today than usual, though he did not hide the increasing white strands in his hair.
"Yes. We have considered it… and you may remain in the sect until your affairs are settled."
"Oh?" That easily? What trick were they playing now?
"Previously, there was a report of a dangerous creature appearing along the coast within Xu Shen Dian's territory. Since you managed to deal with it, we consider it a merit sufficient for your acceptance into the sect," the elder continued.
"…" Lin Yue fell silent. There was no way the sect was this generous, accepting her over such a small matter.
"But remember, you are only here as a guest disciple, nothing more." This meant she was not considered a true official disciple. There were sect resources she would not be allowed to use.
She nodded in satisfaction. She did not mind at all. From the beginning, she had never intended to stay in the sect for long.
"A reasonable decision."
Just as the elder was about to reply, hurried knocking came from outside, forcing him to halt the conversation and call for the visitor to enter.
A beautiful young woman, around nineteen years old, entered. Signs of elegance were still clearly visible despite the panic covering her face.
"Master! Second Brother Hu's condition is worsening! He needs you!" Her voice was gentle, like flowing water.
"How could this be?" The old man frowned, briefly glancing at Lin Yue. The young woman also reflexively looked at her, her eyes flashing with something strange and uncomfortable.
"We'll end today's discussion here. You can see that I have an urgent matter to attend to." The elder casually tossed Lin Yue a token, made of gold.
Unfortunately, in this world, gold was not nearly as valuable as Spirit Shards.
It signified that her position in the sect was not particularly special, but enough to distinguish her from ordinary disciples.
The elder and the young woman hurried away. Lin Yue also intended to leave. There was nothing else to do…
Or so she thought, before her attention was drawn to a desk stacked with papers.
Among the pile, her name was written.
Honestly, it was reasonable for the sect to investigate someone who claimed ties to a powerful figure. Unfortunately for them, that person was Lin Yue.
It was no surprise they accepted her. Their goal was clearly to investigate her more deeply.
But her focus shifted to another record, concerning a slave house that had burned down in the black market.
Lin Yue was certain it was the slave house she had once stayed in. However, the fire itself felt rather… coincidental?