Chapter Five: What the—? Is This a Setup?

With a resounding “thud,” the noise of a massive boulder striking the earth echoed through the whole mountain forest. Several gigantic wolves, black and white and strikingly reminiscent of huskies, collapsed instantly, sending up clouds of dust.

Watching the formidable—yet slender—figure ahead, Jiang Lin smacked his lips. As expected of someone who had attained the sixth level of pure martial mastery; that punch was the very definition of overwhelming force. Honestly, it was fortunate Chen Jia was a man—if not, such a little fist pounding on your chest would surely make you cough up several pints of blood.

“Little sister, are you all right?”

Crouching down, Chen Jia looked at the girl beside him, who seemed dazed, on the verge of tears, yet too frightened even to cry. Just moments ago, upon hearing her desperate cries for help, Jiang Lin and Chen Jia had rushed to her rescue without a second thought.

Yet, seeing the gentle expression on Chen Jia’s face, Jiang Lin couldn’t help but be taken aback. Something was off… Wasn’t he supposed to be a member of the Demonic Sect? Why did he seem more pure-hearted than any orthodox disciple?

“What’s your name?”

With a gentle hand, Chen Jia smoothed the little girl’s silky hair, his deep baritone paired with his stunningly handsome features, speaking with utmost tenderness.

“Nan… Nan Xiaoman…”

The girl gradually calmed, though her large, luminous eyes still looked ready to burst into tears at any moment.

By the light of the moon, Jiang Lin scrutinized the little girl closely. Though her tattered clothes were caked with dirt and her hair was a tangled mess, she was undeniably adorable. Her big, sparkling eyes, her delicate little face—though a bit thin—were exquisitely formed. Put her in a gothic dress and parade her down the street, and she’d instantly become the type of girl that would have the local creeps brandishing their candy.

He was certain he’d never seen this girl before, yet puzzlingly, she seemed strangely familiar.

“Little sister, where is your home?”

Jiang Lin crouched down, forcing a fatherly smile.

“Xiaoman… Xiaoman has no home…” the girl replied softly, her head bowed, fingers nervously fidgeting.

“And your parents?”

“Xiaoman’s parents are… are already…”

Her voice faltered, and she seemed on the verge of sobbing.

“Hey! Jiang Lin! What are you doing?”

Seeing the girl about to cry, Chen Jia grew agitated, raising his fist as though to strike Jiang Lin.

“Hold on, Brother Chen.” Jiang Lin gently caught Chen Jia’s little fist and set it down, pulling him aside to speak in a low voice. “Brother Chen, what do you plan to do about this child?”

“What do you mean, what to do? Of course we take her with us! She’s all alone—are we supposed to leave her to fend for herself?”

Jiang Lin’s brow twitched. “Brother Chen, we’re villains… members of the Demonic Sect… I think we should…”

He raised an eyebrow, giving Chen Jia a meaningful look.

“Jiang Lin!” Chen Jia suddenly took a step back and raised his fists in a fighting stance. “If you dare lay a hand on her, I’ll flatten your chest!”

“Wait, Brother Chen, you misunderstood. What I mean is, you’re wholly devoted to martial cultivation, but when it comes to understanding people, you might be lacking. Think about it—why would we encounter a little girl in such a desolate place? And how could such a frail child survive until we arrived? Moreover, she just so happens to be an orphan with nowhere to go.”

“What are you getting at?”

Chen Jia also sensed something amiss, but couldn’t put his finger on it.

“I worry this girl might be an agent of the Demonic Sect, sent to cause mischief.”

Chen Jia retorted, “Brother Jiang, have you forgotten? We are Demonic Sect members ourselves…”

Jiang Lin almost wanted to curse. How could a demonic sect member be so soft-hearted?

“What I mean is, if this girl has any hidden motives, given your single-minded devotion to martial arts, you might not be able to deal with her. Let me look after her. When we get to the town at the foot of Xuanwu Mountain, we can find her a good family.”

Chen Jia stroked his chin, then nodded. “That’s fine, but I have one question.”

“Ask away, Brother Chen.”

“Brother Jiang, you’re not one of those rumored lolicons, are you?”

…

The next morning, Jiang Lin and Chen Jia took Nan Xiaoman by the hand and entered Xuanwu City at the foot of Xuanwu Mountain.

As the satellite town for the sect tournament being held at Xuanwu Mountain, Xuanwu City was bustling with people. Disciples from countless sects marched through the streets in their various uniforms.

It had to be said: those who cultivated immortality were rarely unattractive. Handsome men and beautiful women abounded.

At Jiang Lin’s suggestion, the three of them first checked into an inn—otherwise, there’d soon be no rooms left.

After some instructions from Jiang Lin, Chen Jia stayed in the inn with Xiaoman while Jiang Lin went out to gather supplies.

When Jiang Lin returned, and pulled three sets of women’s clothing, along with cosmetics and accessories, from his storage ring, Chen Jia and Xiaoman both stared at him as if he were some kind of pervert.

“Ahem, ahem… When you’re out and about, disguises are crucial. Come on, let’s change quickly.”

At first, the idea of donning women’s clothes was deeply repugnant to Chen Jia; he felt it insulted his manly dignity.

But after a bit of cajoling from Jiang Lin—who even put on the outfit himself first—Chen Jia reluctantly followed suit, layering on the makeup as well. He was internally conflicted, but realized perhaps he shouldn’t be so hung up on trivialities.

Besides… the outfit was actually quite pretty…

What irritated Jiang Lin, though, was this: Xiaoman was one thing, but why did Chen Jia have to return to his own room to change? What was so embarrassing? Wouldn’t it be nice if I could take a peek…?

Wait a minute—could it be that Chen Jia was actually a woman?

With barely contained excitement and anticipation, Jiang Lin waited outside the room for Chen Jia and Xiaoman to emerge.

As soon as they stepped out, Jiang Lin’s eyes lit up. Just by changing clothes, Xiaoman suddenly resembled a scholarly young lady—adorable and pure. Chen Jia, too, was breathtaking: simple hair ornaments, a flowing gauze gown with tassels, dainty embroidered shoes. Her legs seemed to go on forever, and she looked simply stunning!

But…

Looking at Chen Jia’s completely flat chest, Jiang Lin felt conflicted. He was pretty sure his own pectorals were larger.

To make things more convincing, Jiang Lin handed Chen Jia two freshly bought steamed buns.

“I’m not hungry,” Chen Jia said.

Jiang Lin rolled his eyes. “I’m not hungry either.” Then, he stuffed the buns into his own chest. At the sight of this, Chen Jia froze, and then his fair face flushed bright red.

With a loud crash, Jiang Lin, caught off guard, was sent flying out of the inn by Chen Jia’s punch.

After lunch, still uneasy about Xiaoman’s identity, Jiang Lin decided to take her out to gather information. Chen Jia, suspicious that Jiang Lin had questionable motives, tagged along.

As they strolled down the street, just as Jiang Lin was about to employ his secret technique—“You’re So Charming”—to seduce some information out of passersby, a man on the other side of the road brushed shoulders with someone. In an instant, the man was sent flying three meters through the air, landing on the ground and coughing up blood.

“What the hell—faking an injury for compensation?”

…

…

[Thanks to Xiao Xing for the recommendation~~~ I’ll treat him to bubble tea tonight (just kidding). I’m a new author with a new book, so I hope for everyone’s support and understanding. Starting tomorrow or the day after, I’ll be updating twice daily…]