Chapter Thirty-Five: Back to the Starting Point

From a distance, she could already see two male disciples at the gate of Courtyard No. 4 of the Xinzi compound, both at the Qi Refining stage. Feng Ke’er felt a tingling nervousness in her heart.

This was the small courtyard where Bodhi lived. The day she arrived at Qingyun Sect, she had stood here, watching him excitedly walk in. During their few limited conversations, Bodhi had told her that within were two wooden houses, east and west, with eight rooms in total. Eight new disciples lived here, each with a room of their own. Bodhi himself stayed in West Room No. 4.

But he rarely spoke of his fellow residents.

Damn, things had gotten this far—there was no turning back now. Who was going to tell this impostor which room Qin Heng actually lived in?

“Junior Brother Qin?” The new disciple surnamed Tian at her side, noticing she was slowing down, gently tugged her sleeve and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”

Here came the test. Feng Ke’er lowered her head and softly asked, “Senior Brother Tian, the two brothers at the gate…” Of all the new courtyard gates, only this one had two sword-bearing guards stationed at the entrance. She didn’t know when they’d been posted, so she could only fish for information.

Senior Brother Tian glanced over. “It’s nothing. Once we find Bodhi, they’ll probably leave.” He paused, then covered his mouth and whispered, “Junior Brother Qin, don’t you think Bodhi’s been a bit too bold? He’s only just arrived, and already dares to steal!”

Stealing? So they’d branded Bodhi a thief. Feng Ke’er blinked and just kept her head down, saying nothing.

Since the two of them had been seen together before, Senior Brother Tian realized he’d misspoken. Stopping outside Courtyard No. 3, he scratched his head and changed the subject with an awkward smile, “Junior Brother Qin, tomorrow morning when the food is delivered, I won’t come fetch you. I’ll wait for you at the dining hall, all right?”

Sounded like an assigned task. Feng Ke’er nodded. “All right. See you in the morning, Senior Brother Tian.”

“Then I won’t walk you in. See you tomorrow.” With a cheerful grin, Senior Brother Tian turned and entered Courtyard No. 3.

So, he didn’t live in Courtyard No. 4.

Feng Ke’er had thought he and Qin Heng shared the same courtyard. If that were the case, she could have dropped by his room under the pretense of a visit and gathered some information along the way. Now, her plans thwarted, she could only take things one step at a time.

With a silent sigh, Feng Ke’er braced herself, walked up to the small courtyard, and bowed to the two guards at the gate, greeting them politely.

The two guards stood impassively, each hugging their sword at the entrance, not sparing her a glance.

No reaction was the best reaction. Forcing herself to remain calm, Feng Ke’er pushed open the gate and entered.

“Qin Heng, you're back!” As soon as she shut the door behind her, a hushed, pressed voice called from behind.

She turned. Good heavens—all six of the courtyard’s other residents were there. Just as she’d feared!

Immediately, her back went numb, and her head felt twice as heavy.

She could only continue to feign ignorance.

A figure darted over, grabbing her sleeve and speaking in an urgent undertone, “Qin Heng, quickly, tell us—what’s happening outside? Have they caught Bodhi? What exactly did he steal from the dining hall?”

“Yeah, tell us…”

Feng Ke’er looked closely. This was the tallest of the group, with thick brows and large eyes, his skin a deep bronze. Although he was also at the Postnatal realm, he called her “Qin Heng” by both surname and given name, making it likely he was the leader of the courtyard.

Feng Jiu was still perched on her right shoulder—she couldn’t let anyone get too close. With a flash of inspiration, she subtly dodged his grip and put on a weary expression, speaking with exhaustion, “It was a long walk, and my hands aren’t empty. I’m dead tired. Brothers, could you let me catch my breath first?”

The others, hearing this, chuckled awkwardly.

“Sorry, we’ve been stuck in this courtyard, can’t go anywhere. We’re all deaf and blind in here. We’ve been waiting for you to come back, so we got a bit impatient,” said the leader, waving for the others to disperse. “Let’s all go back to our rooms and let Qin Heng rest.”

“That’s not necessary.” Seeing they were about to leave, Feng Ke’er quickly interjected. “Why don’t we all sit for a while in my room and have a proper chat?”

At this, everyone could hardly believe their ears, exchanging stunned glances.

Damn, was Qin Heng usually a territorial loner who never socialized with his courtyard mates? Feng Ke’er’s heart thumped, and she deliberately asked, “What’s wrong?”

The leader, incredulous, pointed at his own nose. “Qin Heng, did you just invite us to your room?”

“Yes,” Feng Ke’er nodded, glossing over it with a vague laugh. “Heh, I’m a bit… well, you know… before, that is… brothers, please forgive me.” Sorry, I just arrived and don’t know the situation, so whatever “that” is, please fill in the blanks yourselves.

“It’s nothing, no problem.”

“We’re all brothers living in the same courtyard, see each other every day. No need to be so formal.”

“Exactly.”

All just young, inexperienced boys—nothing too complicated. Hearing this, they all laughed, the tension easing.

Feng Jiu, with perfect timing, hopped from her shoulder to her head.

Lazy bird! Can’t you walk a few steps? Feng Ke’er cursed inwardly, but kept a beaming smile as she gestured for everyone to come in. She realized her earlier guess was right—Qin Heng rarely mingled with them. That was a good thing; it spared her a lot of trouble.

Boys weren’t the observant type—no one noticed her hair was a bit out of place. They crowded around her, following her to the fourth room of the eastern wooden house.

The unpainted wooden door was shut, seemingly without any kind of lock.

Taking advantage of their distraction, Feng Ke’er pushed the door open.

A creak—the door swung wide.

Wow, there really was no lock or security at all! Her fondness for these naïve boys soared.

She quickly scanned the room.

It wasn’t large, maybe a dozen square meters. The roof was pitched, with wooden walls and floors—a pure wooden cabin. By the wall opposite the door was a low wooden couch with three raised sides, about the size of a modern single bed. Above it hung a blue linen mosquito net; the mattress was covered with a messy blue cotton quilt, with a rectangular wooden pillow at one end. Against the right wall stood a tall wardrobe; beside the door, a tightly shut wooden window, beneath which was a small square table—bare, with only a four-legged stool in front. All the furniture was unpainted, simple and rustic.

All in all, a humble room—everything in plain sight at a glance.

Yet Feng Ke’er noticed that the others stood awkwardly at the doorway, gazing longingly at the furnishings, their eyes bright, seemingly envious.

Feng Jiu, without any courtesy, fluttered his wings and flew straight to the bed.

So he really could fly now!

“Why are you all standing at the door? Come in!” Feng Ke’er pursed her lips, walked in first, and, taking on the airs of a host, busied herself tidying the quilt while beckoning them in. “It’s a humble abode; find a spot and sit wherever you like.”

While lifting a corner of the blue sheet, she discovered a layer of golden straw underneath. Qin Heng’s family must be poor, unable to afford a proper mattress.

Other than the couch and the stool, there was nothing else to sit on. Turning her back to the group, she shot Feng Jiu a sidelong glance, signaling the fat bird to make room.

But Feng Jiu ignored her, not even lifting his rear, acting like a lord as he closed his eyes to rest.

The six others filed in behind her. Feng Ke’er, a bit anxious, tried to move the bird by force, but found that each of her guests had already sat cross-legged on the floor in the empty space by the bed.

Was this some kind of etiquette? She didn’t understand, but since the guests insisted, she let it be.

“No wonder you’re from a noble family—your living conditions are really something else,” someone remarked, looking around.

“Exactly. Look at this couch—so extravagant!”

A simple salon had begun.

The room was bare, nothing suitable for entertaining guests. Feng Ke’er was stunned by the “noble family” and “so extravagant” comments, cleared her throat, and prepared to sit at the edge of the couch.

But Feng Jiu suddenly opened his eyes and glared at her.

“Who said you could sit here?” his childish voice echoed in her mind.

Not allowed! This is my bed! Feng Ke’er wanted to glare right back, but after a quick glance at the six men on the floor, she had to force a smile and move to the table, sitting on the stool instead.

Listening to their lively chatter, she soon learned all six names. The leader was indeed surnamed Qian, and everyone called him Senior Brother Qian.

Senior Brother Qian raised his hand for silence, then looked up at Feng Ke’er. “Qin Heng, can you tell us what’s happening outside now?”

“Sure.” Feng Ke’er cleared her throat and scratched her head. “But there are senior brothers and sisters on patrol everywhere. Senior Brother Tian and I didn’t even dare lift our heads—just kept walking. So what I saw and heard is pretty limited.”

“No matter, just tell us whatever you saw and heard,” Senior Brother Qian said, his eyes full of anticipation.

So Feng Ke’er recounted what she had seen and heard along the way: the outer sect was under strict lockdown, sentries everywhere, no one allowed to move freely as before. Most of the senior brothers and sisters in the Qi Refining stage had gone to Wild Chicken Slope for training. The elders and uncles attached great importance to this exercise—almost all of them had gone as well.

After she finished, everyone looked grave. This meant, for sure, that lectures would be suspended. And by tradition, the beginning of the month was when the elders gathered to resolve doubts and answer questions—a precious time when disciples could ask them directly. Now they’d have to wait another month.

But Senior Brother Qian was unconcerned. “No matter. We can use this time to settle down and cultivate properly.”

The tall, thin Chen Xiong beside him frowned. “Easy for you to say, Senior Brother Qian. You’re about to break through—of course you want peace and quiet.” He stressed the word “quiet.”

The others seemed to want to chime in.

Feng Ke’er hurried to smooth things over, beaming as she congratulated Senior Brother Qian. “Really? Then congratulations!”

Guys, we’re off topic. I’ve come a long way, spent the whole day on edge, and I’m exhausted—I’m not here to listen to your complaints.

Senior Brother Qian blushed. “Not at all, it’s just a faint feeling.”

As if he were sitting on hot coals, he couldn’t sit still. He rose to leave, saying that since Junior Brother Qin had worked hard delivering food, he wouldn’t intrude any longer.

The others also took their leave in turn.

The salon was officially over.

After seeing them out, Feng Ke’er closed the door and turned, ready to settle accounts with Feng Jiu.

But Feng Jiu had already taken his true form, curled up on the bed, eyes half closed. “The bed is mine. The rest is yours.”

So she was to sleep on the floor! You’re a fallen phoenix—what right do you have to act so haughty in front of me? Feng Ke’er bristled. “Why should that be?”

My reputation of over twenty years has been ruined by you, and you still act all high and mighty!

Damn you! Murderous demon king plus a self-important, conceited bird.

If it weren’t that only those above the Foundation Establishment stage could break the contract, she swore, she’d have ended it long ago and kicked him straight to Mars!

Tongtian Codex 35—Chapter Thirty-Five: Back to Square One—End of Update!