Chapter 224: What a Close Call
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The Cottage, as a part of the College, was on the Book Mountain too. Up above the winding road was the most remote hill. This was where the Cottage was.
On the way there, Ye Futian asked curiously, “Who are our eldest and second senior brother?” Gu Dongliu could scare off the people of Qin Dynasty and Donghua Clan with a look. Then, what about the two senior brothers?
“I have never seen the eldest brother. He left years before I was born,” Yi Xiaoshi answered, “but you should have heard of his. He might be enjoying his life on the Sword Saint Mountain.”
“Sword Saint Mountain?” Ye Futian’s eyes flickered. He remembered that Liu Chenyu had told him that the College taught all kinds of students, even students from other clans. Many talents of the Eastern Barren Territory were the graduates of the College. However, he didn’t expect that someone of the top power Sword Saint Mountain would have cultivated in the Cottage.
“Well, he is probably the most famous disciple of the College throughout the centuries,” Yi Xiaoshi nodded.
“Who?” Ye Futian blinked.
“Sword Saint.” Yi Xiaoshi smiled and looked at Ye Futian with crinkled eyes.
Ye Futian was shocked. Though he had presumed that the eldest brother would be very strong, he didn’t expect that it would be to this extent.
Sword Saint Mountain, as one of the top powers, was located in the west of Eastern Barren Territory. The leader of the top power was the eldest brother, a disciple of the Cottage? Why didn’t Liu Feiyang and Liu Chenyu tell him about this? No wonder when the Cottage invited him, Liu Feiyang just responded with one word—yes.
If possible, Ye Futian wanted to go to the Sword Saint Mountain to visit the boss. From this aspect, were the many strong cultivators of the Sword Saint Mountain his juniors? He was a man with status now.
Yi Xiaoshi was a little bit proud when seeing Ye Futian’s amazement.
“The eldest brother is a man with a story,” Ye Futian exclaimed.
“Of course. Senior Sister once told me that ten years ago, the Cottage was not as famous as it is now. The leader of the Fuyun Sword Clan once said something disgraceful about our teacher. Then the eldest brother went downhill and defeated all the top sword cultivators of Fuyun Sword Clan. He challenged the leader of Fuyun Sword Clan too and ended with a draw. That battle made him famous and known as the Sword Saint. With this reputation gained from this battle, the eldest brother went to the west of the Eastern Barren Territory to establish his own clan. Many strong cultivators gathered there, wanting to join this clan which is the present Sword Saint Mountain.”
Hearing Yi Xiaoshi’s introduction, Ye Futian could imagine the legend. The eldest brother was a true legend. No wonder Liu Chenyu said that the people of the Sword Saint Mountain and Fuyun Sword Clan didn’t get along well with each other.
“Why does the College have conflicts with the Cottage?” Ye Futian kept asking.
“Don’t let those guys bother you. They’re not capable enough to join the Cottage so they’re jealous of you,” Yi Xiaoshi said. “I’m not very clear about the relation between the College and the Cottage either. It’s said that the eldest brother once asked the teacher’s advice about whether he should stay in the College or not. Our teacher recommended him to build up a new clan down the mountain. The College seemed unhappy with that.”
If a man who had the ability to set up a new clan, whose fight with the leader of Fuyun Sword Clan was a draw, was willing to stay in the College, it would definitely add to the College’s reputation. However, the teacher told him to go establish his own clan.
Ye Futian’s eyes flashed. He asked, “How strong is our teacher?”
“I have no idea.” Yi Xiaoshi shrugged and said, “He says he’s not good at cultivating.”
“Do you believe that?” Ye Futian looked at Yi Xiaoshi.
“No.” Yi Xiaoshi shook his head, “But indeed, no one has ever seen him fight.”
“What about the second brother? Does he have a story too?” Ye Futian asked.
Yi Xiaoshi was startled and said, “There is no second senior brother but a second senior sister. As for her story, you will know it one day.”
Ye Futain’s eyes brightened. He nodded, and said, “How are you, sister?”
Yu Sheng followed behind deferentially. Hearing Ye Futian’s voice, he rolled his eyes. They’d only just separated but he had already grown independent?
At the end of the winding stairs was the top of the Book Mountain. Mist shrouded it faintly and the air was fresh. Under the cool air were rows of huts which were not like the other grand buildings along the way at all. They looked humble and simple. Were they the origin of the name of the Cottage?
There was a river in front and on the stairs along the river was a woman washing clothes. Hearing the sounds, the woman turned around and showed her beautiful face. She was a maiden, younger than Yi Xiaoshi. Her charming eyes fell upon Ye Futian and Yu Sheng. Smiling, she asked, “Are you the junior brothers?”
“How can our senior sister be so young?” Ye Futian was stunned. Was she the second senior sister? But she looked even younger than him.
“This is the sixth senior sister,” Yi Xiaoshi introduced.
“Hello, senior sister.” Ye Futian smiled brightly and said, “You’re really beautiful.”
“Again…” Yu Sheng was speechless.
Hearing Ye Futian’s compliment, the girl smiled sweetly and responded, “You’re also good-looking.”
“Is the second senior sister here?” Yi Xiaoshi asked.
“Yes.” The girl smiled.
“I’m bringing them to see her,” Yi Xiaoshi said.
“Okay, you go first. I will come after washing her clothes,” the girl said gently.
Ye Futian was confused. Was she washing clothes for the second senior sister?
Yi Xiaoshi walked away without minding the girl’s words. It seemed that he was used to it.
Ye Futian followed him and asked curiously, “How can the sixth senior sister be so young?”
“She’s an orphan brought back by the teacher during his trip. She started cultivation earlier than me. Though she’s young, she is still our senior sister. She is learning from the second senior sister now,” Yi Xiaoshi said and Ye Futian nodded lightly.
The trio walked along the way and came to a few clean huts. There were three people here—one woman and two young men. The woman was tall, wearing a white skirt. She looked gentle and weak but her eyes brimmed with radiating vigor. With a pair of beautiful eyes and a slender figure, she was a rare beauty. At this time she stood under an old tree like a fairy. The other two young men were busier. One was transcribing books while the other was making a fire.
Seeing Ye Futian’s arrival, the three all looked up, eyes falling on Ye Futian.
The woman looked over Ye Futian and smiled. “Our junior brother is here?” the woman asked. Her voice was quiet and gentle.
“Hello, senior sister.” Ye Futian smiled brightly and said, “I thought I met a fairy.”
Beside him, Yi Xiaoshi rolled his eyes. Not only was the junior brother talented, he also had a silver tongue.
“Good boy.” The second sister smiled more radiantly and said, “I have heard that the little brother is very gifted but haven’t expected that your taste is also good.”
“Sister, you are as good-looking as a fairy. I am not blind. Everyone can see that,” Ye Futian responded very sincerely. The second sister smiled even more radiantly.
“Brother, come and sit.” In the front, the brother who was transcribing books smiled at Ye Futian.
“Do your thing.”
Hearing the light laughter from the second sister’s mouth, that brother became disappointed and deferentially walked back to transcribe his books. The cooking brother wanted to say something but after glancing at the second sister, he went back to his work.
Ye Futian blinked. What was going on?
“That is fourth brother and that is fifth brother,” Yi Xiaoshi introduced the transcriber and chef to Ye Futian respectively. However, this was a little different from what Ye Futian had presumed. Shouldn’t the two brothers be the same as the third brother? Were they too weak or was the second sister too strong?
“That girl has not finished washing clothes? My shoulder is a little bit stiff. Little brother, come massage my shoulders, please.” The second sister turned to Ye Futian.
“Huh?” Ye Futian blinked. Was this appropriate? But helping his senior sister was within his duties. Moreover, this was his first day. He should listen to her. Thinking of this, Ye Futian walked to the sister. Yi Xiaoshi was sacred and wanted to escape.
“Where are you going?” The second sister looked at Yi Xiaoshi.
“To cultivate.” Yi Xiaoshi smiled sheepishly.
“Cultivate here,” the second sister ordered.
“Yes, Sister.” Yi Xiaoshi nodded. Ye Futian walked to the sister while the fourth and fifth brother looked at him. Though they were laboring, they didn’t envy Ye Futian but only mourned for him in the mind.
The second sister sat in front of the tree. Ye Futian walked over, stood behind her, and reached out his hands. Yi Xiaoshi looked at him with sympathy. He regretted that he didn’t remind Ye Futian before coming here.
“Our junior brother is here?” someone said at this moment. Ye Futian turned and saw a figure coming speedily from afar. It was Gu Dongliu. He had seen him before.
So far, he’d met all the senior sisters and brothers but not the teacher.
“Third senior brother,” Ye Futian called.
“Yes.” Gu Dongliu nodded and looked at Ye Futian. “You don’t have to do that. Go walk around the Cottage.”
Hearing this, Ye Futian looked at the second sister. She just smiled. “Ignore him. Help massage my shoulders.”
Something is wrong…
Ye Futian looked around. The fourth, fifth and seventh brothers were all looking at him now. The third brother was looking at the second sister. Something was wrong.
Ye Futian blinked and said, “Brother Yi, I haven’t visited the teacher yet. Can you bring me to see him?”
Then he was ready to run away. It was dangerous here.
“Your third brother lost the teacher. Where are you going to see him?” the second sister smiled and said.
Ye Futian was totally confused. How could the third brother lose the teacher?
“Xiaoshi, go and show our junior around,” said Gu Dongliu.
Yi Xiaoshi nodded, “Okay, senior. Junior, come with me.”
Ye Futian followed Yi Xiaoshi while Gu Dongliu was still looking at the second sister. The second sister sat there without concern, quiet and beautiful.
If Ye Futian still couldn’t figure out what was going on, he must be an idiot.
What a close call!