Fleeting Dream Across Three Lifetimes - Chapter 14

Su Zining felt her heart tremble. She quickly drew in a breath, forcing herself to steady the sudden chaos in her heartbeat. How could this person speak with such slick, honeyed words? Thinking of the night she sneaked up to Luori Peak, her heart suddenly sank again.

Just how false could a person be? How could true feelings be calculated and disguised like this? Wasn’t it exhausting? Wenren Qiu was like that. The father and younger sister she had finally acknowledged were like that. Was Qin Mohan the same? But Wenren Qiu had acted for more than a hundred years, and once, there had been many moments of care. Yet during those three years, when the Wenren family tormented and interrogated her, he, for the sake of his status and the Stellar Arts, tacitly allowed his family to do all that to her! And Qin Mohan, so good to her now, how long could she pretend? In what way would she eventually destroy this warmth? She glanced sideways at the woman before her, eyes carrying a faint smile, but hiding a deep, heavy sorrow.

No matter how keen and intelligent Qin Mohan was, she could not see through someone who had lived for hundreds of years, and did not notice Su Zining’s guardedness and resentment. She rose to her feet and said softly, “You must be hungry, I’ll go prepare something to eat for you. Also, take this.”

Seeing the box offered to her, Su Zining widened her eyes in surprise. It was the Vermilion Fruit Wu Chenzi had just given her.

“You’re giving this to me? But this is a sixth-rank Vermilion Fruit, it’s extremely beneficial for improving your cultivation. You—”

“The sect leader gave it to me as compensation, but you’re the one who’s injured. I’m fine, so you should take it.” Qin Mohan handed it over, then after a thought added, “I’ll have another chance to obtain one in the future. For now, keep it. After all, nurturing five spiritual roots consumes far more spiritual power than ours.”

Staring at the dazzling red Vermilion Fruit in the box, Su Zining grew muddled again. Back then, Wenren Qiu had schemed against her because he knew the secret of her body. But at Qin Mohan’s age, could she really perceive the might of the Stellar Arts? Or was it only because of the Celestial artifact she carried? A headache rose in Su Zining’s mind as she watched Qin Mohan’s departing back. Finally, she took a deep breath and decided she would deal with her as things came. She wasn’t as foolish as before, and this time she was prepared. Even if things fell apart in the end, it would not hurt as much.

Setting the burden in her heart aside, she found herself in better spirits, especially with Qin Mohan’s excellent cooking. Lately, Qin Mohan had grown increasingly adept at caring for her. While Su Zining ate, Qin Mohan deboned the fish for her. Watching the fish meat placed into her bowl, Su Zining felt a bit embarrassed and mumbled, “You should eat, I’ll… I’ll do it myself.”

Qin Mohan smiled. “You really love eating fish.”

It wasn’t a question, but a statement. Su Zining slowed her pace, watching her from the side. Qin Mohan sat straight-backed as she ate. Growing up in an orphanage, children had always scrambled for food. Too many mouths, too little porridge, and being late meant none left. But Qin Mohan had been an exception. She always ate slowly and methodically; even if she went hungry, she never gobbled. That was probably one reason she hadn’t fit in.

Watching her eat felt oddly enjoyable. Her movements were graceful, her posture upright. Perhaps it was her bearing, but whatever she did was pleasing to the eye. Su Zining felt like a lunatic, doubting her with all her might one moment, then sinking into her gentleness the next.

In the middle of their meal, a ripple of spiritual power surged, and Luo Yuan landed in the courtyard. He called toward Qin Mohan, “Girl, how are you… hmm?” Before finishing, he sniffed the air, eyes widening. “What’s this? Smells so delicious!” He strode over to the table, eyes lighting up at the sight of the dishes. “Does Ziyun Peak have food this good? I don’t think I’ve ever eaten these dishes before.”

Qin Mohan replied respectfully, “Just something I made to pass the time.”

A smile tugged at Luo Yuan’s lips. His face, usually stern and handsome, now looked almost ingratiating. “Good disciple, may your teacher have a taste?”

Qin Mohan and Su Zining exchanged glances. Looking at the half-eaten dishes, Qin Mohan said, “Shizun, these are already half eaten…”

“No matter, no matter, just a taste is fine.” Luo Yuan, eyes fixed on the enticing phoenix-tail fish, waved his hand and sat down directly across from Su Zining.

Watching a peak master so greedy, Su Zining found it amusing. Her impression of Luo Yuan was good. Among the Wuji Sect, he was one of the rare sensible ones. Still, when Qin Mohan handed him chopsticks and he took a bite, his whiskers twitched upward in joy. Soon his chopsticks blurred from speed, and Su Zining felt her heart bleed. Phoenix-tail fish from Ziyun Peak was rare; this had been a special treat from Qin Mohan for her. Once it was gone, she would have to wait until Qin Mohan caught another in her spare time.

Qin Mohan, sitting nearby, had been ready to fetch more dishes, but when she saw Su Zining staring at Luo Yuan’s chopsticks with desperate eyes—too constrained by his status to move her own—she looked exactly like a kitten tempted by its master with food. Amusement and tenderness filled Qin Mohan’s eyes. She gently stroked her head and said softly, “I’ll make some more, don’t worry.”

Though she spoke quietly, Luo Yuan, already in the Divided Spirit stage, heard every word. He immediately lifted his gaze to look at them. Seeing one girl’s heartbroken expression while his disciple soothed her, he broke into laughter. “What a stingy little girl. This old man was just greedy, that’s all. Come, eat together, don’t be shy.” The girl had saved his disciple today, and from how anxious his disciple looked, their bond was clearly strong, so he treated Su Zining warmly as well.

Hearing him call himself “old man,” Su Zining couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head. “Zhi Mo wouldn’t dare. Only… this was Zhi Mo’s lunch, so Peak Master must leave me a little.”

“Haha, of course, I’ll leave some.” Yet with great reluctance, he picked up the entire fish bone with his chopsticks, leaving only the head behind, then said with blissful delight, “Qingchen girl’s cooking is this good, and I never knew. This little one is luckier than her own shizun. Delicious… truly delicious.”

Over this period, Qin Mohan had come to understand Luo Yuan’s temperament well, and she respected him sincerely. Smiling lightly, she said, “If Shizun likes it, I’ll cook for you whenever I have time.”

“Good, good. But tell me, girl, when did you get such an adorable little friend?” Luo Yuan, brimming with interest, turned his gaze on Su Zining and asked with a laugh.

Qin Mohan paused, but before she could answer, Su Zining spoke first. “A-Chen and I have known each other since childhood. My talent was poor, so I never thought I could enter Wuji Sect, but A-Chen recommended me, and after my spiritual roots were tested, I became a gray-robed disciple. Naturally, we’re close.”

Hearing this, Qin Mohan nodded, though she gave her a subtle, unreadable glance.

Su Zining felt a little puzzled, but suppressed it for now, smiling sweetly at Luo Yuan.

Luo Yuan suddenly understood. “No wonder. But since you’re on Luori Peak, why not come directly to my Ziyun Peak, and keep the girl company?” Luo Yuan had noticed that his disciple was not fond of talking. Though always proper and courteous, she never took the initiative to befriend others, preferring to act alone. Barely in her teens, yet already as solemn as someone hundreds of years old. Now that she had a good friend, it would be best to let her stay and accompany her.

Su Zining was taken aback, not expecting Luo Yuan to care about such a thing. She pursed her lips and smiled. “As it happens, I’m going to take part in the competition this time. If by luck I become a white-robed disciple, then I’ll come to Ziyun Peak. That way I won’t embarrass A-Chen.”

“Good ambition!” Luo Yuan was clearly delighted. After eating a few more bites with satisfaction, he said, “Your teacher will head back now. Little girl, take your time eating.”

Watching Luo Yuan leave, Su Zining said softly, “Peak Master Luo treats you well.”

“Mm.” Qin Mohan nodded, then lowered her head and muttered, “You just called me A-Chen?”

Su Zining’s eyes widened slightly, a little confused. “Hm? Right now you’re Lin Qingchen. In front of Peak Master Luo, calling you A-Chen makes it sound closer. Is there a problem?”

“Mm, no problem.” Qin Mohan lifted her gaze, looking at her with a trace of a smile. “Then, since I’m Qin Mohan now, to sound close, what should you call me?”

Su Zining: “…” 

She refused to say it. Truly, she was twenty-two, yet still childish. Though she complained in her heart, she didn’t notice her own face turning slightly red, a faint heat rising in her cheeks. After all, calling her A-Chen meant knowing she wasn’t truly Qin Mohan. But if she were to call her A-Han… it just felt far too awkward.

“I’m full. I’ll go back first, tomorrow is the competition.” Su Zining stood up to leave, but was pulled back by Qin Mohan.

“Alright, I was only teasing you. Stay here tonight. Until the results of the competition are out, stay here.” Since Mu Qitong had already made a move against her today, she had seen that person’s narrow heart and ill nature. If Mu Qitong dared act against her, it was not impossible she would vent her anger on Su Zining as well. She couldn’t rest easy.

Su Zining raised a brow, glanced at her courtyard, then turned her head. “This room is so small, where am I supposed to sleep?””

Qin Mohan tidied up the dishes, then followed her in to look at the room. Her face perfectly calm, she said, “The room is small, true. But fortunately the bed is big enough. More than enough for the two of us to roll around.”

Su Zining gaped, then huffed softly, “Who wants to roll around on the bed with you.”

What had been a casual remark, when answered like that, made Qin Mohan’s thoughts wander. Her face flushed slightly, but she quickly covered it with a smile. “No rolling, just sleeping. Still more than enough.”

***

By afternoon, Su Zining was sitting in the study, browsing through Qin Mohan’s books. Outside, the gentle sunlight gradually dimmed. Only above the sea of clouds over Luori Peak did half the setting sun remain, dyeing the vast sky in golden hues. All of Ziyun Peak was wrapped in this softened afterglow, dim yet cloaked in a gentle brilliance, strikingly beautiful.

Drawn by the slanting light falling across the pages, Su Zining lifted her head and realized how much time had passed. Where had Qin Mohan gone? Just as she wondered, she saw Qin Mohan approaching, draped in white robes, bathed in the glow of the sunset. Lin Qingchen was not particularly tall, but her proportions were excellent, and coupled with Qin Mohan’s bearing, walking against the light with long hair tied back and the ends trailing behind her, she truly looked like an immortal.

Cultivators were often handsome and extraordinary, but Qin Mohan’s presence was unique. She appeared cold and aloof, disliking conversation, yet once one truly interacted with her, that detachment was not indifference but calmness, making her very comfortable to be around. The servant disciples of Ziyun Peak, as well as Le Fan and Luo Yuan, all liked her greatly. Along the way, Su Zining had felt this herself.

Soon she was standing before her. Su Zining went up to meet her, finally seeing her face clearly in the twilight glow. Her eyes and brows curved unconsciously into a smile she hadn’t realized was there. “Where did you go?”

Qin Mohan lifted her hand, holding up a cloth bundle. “I went to fetch your personal clothes and some necessities. For the rest, use mine.”

Su Zining hurriedly took it from her. A quick glance showed underwear, trousers, and… a flash of red—it was… intimate wear. Su Zining instantly wanted to die of embarrassment. Though she was already of considerable age, she was still a maiden. How could she let her go and fetch such things, it was utterly…

But Qin Mohan seemed unaware of her awkwardness. Pointing to the clothes, she frowned. “The fabric is too poor, wearing this against your skin must be uncomfortable. So I only took one set. I have new ones that I haven’t worn yet…” Her gaze shifted to Su Zining’s chest. “Mm, it may not fit quite right. I’ll have someone adjust it to your size. Do you want to bathe first? I’ve prepared hot water for you.”

Following her gaze, Su Zining looked down at her own less-than-impressive chest, then back at Qin Mohan—no, Lin Qingchen—with her well-developed fullness. Her face flamed red. Inwardly she fumed. She simply hadn’t grown yet, that was all! In the future she wouldn’t be this flat. And besides, that wasn’t even really Qin Mohan’s body. What was there to be proud of?

When it came to matters touching a woman’s pride, even after eight hundred years, she was still childish and flustered.

Qin Mohan watched her snatch up the clothes and storm furiously into the room, while she herself covered her mouth with a quiet laugh. Back then, when she had just started to grow, she had been teased and tormented by her for a long, long time.