NEBM Chapter 13: Hurry

Shen Zhixian was very pleased, hardly able to believe that this policy of appeasement would actually work. He’d even squandered so much money and didn’t even come close to this result. Anyway, years ago, the former sect leader had given him jurisdiction over a set of lands that was very large and very wealthy. More so than Song Ming.

Song Ming must be furious.

Because, in today’s morning meeting, Song Ming even took the initiative to secretly signal for the stewards to hint that Shen Zhixian give up supervision of these lands and hand the entirety of the commission to the sect.

All the elders knew how much revenue had already been intercepted halfway for the sect.

Shen Zhixian calmly listened, and then his brows furrowed and he clasped one hand over his weak heart, his eyelashes trembling. Quickly after, he sighed and began to talk about missing his master, the former sect leader.

Since transmigrating, in addition to working hard on Yan Jin, he also spent a lot of time on establishing good relationships with several elders. After all, it’s difficult to walk alone. Better to hold a few thighs to live!

Except for him, who became the fifth elder, the other four elders were the former sect leader’s fellow disciples. They were all Shen Zhixian’s senior martial uncles. While the first two elders adhered more strictly to their duties, Shen Zhixian’s relationships with the rest were quite good.

So, every time, Zhen Zhixian clutched at his chest, the third and fourth elders would immediately come together to harmonize and set up a stage to perform.

With “Aiya, you can’t have an accident”, with “If you have an accident, how can we face Old Wen later?”, or “Maintaining your body’s health is very important for cultivation. Is your peak’s spirit stones not enough? Uncle Shi will give you some…”

After one round of harmonizing, Fourth Elder seriously said to the steward, “Your Elder Shen has a special physical condition and needs a lot of spirit stones to support it. I noticed that the sect has a large number of spirit stones in storage and so you must find ways to help him. You can never be harsh with Old Wen’s only personal disciple.”

The Fourth Elder’s “harsh” words were said in such a righteous manner that people dare not be brave enough to contradict. Besides, they didn’t want to hound the former sect leader’s only disciple to death!

So, they could only seal their mouths and set the matter aside. Shen Zhixian won a great victory. He was incredibly happy to be weak. Anyway, his mental quality was still quite good. Who cared if others made up superficial gossips about him? He still preferred to watch Song Ming suffer a setback.

The two elders, along with the “weak and sickly” Elder Shen, promptly asked to withdraw, and they all slipped away together.

They left behind Song Ming, who was brimming with raging anger that he’d had to conceal. His face turned white and blue for a long time before he could expel his anger enough to continue the discussions.

Having left early, the trio lazily parted ways at the intersection.

The two elders went to play chess, while Shen Zhixian calmly returned to make up for his lost sleep. Waking up so early in the morning, combined with the chill of winter, was enough to make him drowsy and sleepy.

However, he was destined not to sleep well that day.

“Chirp, chirp, chirp! Chirp, chirp!

“Ai!”

Half asleep and half awake, Shen Zhixian groaned as Xiao Caoya swatted painfully at his face. He patted his surroundings, found the comforter, and pulled it up to cover his face, mumbling, “Caoya, how many times have I told you! Don’t be noisy when I’m sleeping!”

“Chirp!”

Xiao Caoya slyly avoided his hand, jumped up to his ear, and began to yell even as it tugged fiercely at Shen Zhixian’s hair.

Shen Zhixian was indifferent.

When Xiao Caiya couldn’t get the response it wanted, it clutched at the edge of the comforter, violently yanked it down, and easily tore the seventh bed cover of the month into shreds.

No one would have guessed that such a small grass bud who looked fragile enough to be carried away by the wind would be so fierce.

The young disciples in the General Affairs Division could only make subtle guesses as to why Elder Shen went through seven comforters in a month.

After shredding the comforter, Xiao Caoya hurriedly flew go the window and used its small blade-like hand to gently tap the window.

With a click, the window opened, allowing the cold wind free entry into the room. Fine snow began drifting inside. It wasn’t good to live up so high; the wind was too strong and the snow too cold.

Cultivators were naturally not afraid of extreme heat or cold. As a result, an interior heater was not provided. With his comforter ripped into shreds, Shen Zhixian was exposed to the cold wind. He instantly sobered. “Caoya!”

“Chirp!”

Before Shen Zhixian could get angry, Xiao Caiya waved around his grassy arm like it was a sword and then made a waiting posture.

Shen Zhixian froze. “A’Jin’s waiting outside?”

“Chirp!” Xiao Caoya nodded.

“How long has he been waiting?”

“Chirp!” A long time!

Shen Zhixian quickly got up and draped a robe over his shoulder. After smoothing down his hair, he rushed out the door.

Yan Jin silently stood outside, his figure completely motionless. Even though he was sheltered by the eaves, the wind continued to shower him with scattered snow. His shoulders were piled with a layer of snow, indicating that he’d been waiting outside for a long time.

In just three short years, he’d outgrown the lean and malnourished boy of that year. Shen Zhixian had always made sure to supply him with delicious food and drinks, as well as elixirs that could help him improve his cultivation. As a result, he grew quickly, stretching his bones and adding meat. His body filled out, becoming long and well-proportioned.

He’d become a handsome young man.

Shen Zhixian took a good look, and then sighed. His young disciple finally grew up. If it weren’t for Yan Jin’s ineffable indifference, he would probably be even more popular than Yan Shen.

But, that was not the point. The point was, how did Yan Jin grow up to be as tall as him?!

Last month, Yan Jin went into retreat and so Shen Zhixian hadn’t seen him in a while. At a glance, he found that the youth who was so thin had become so tall!

Shen Zhixian was very distressed as he thought, Aiya, this is the moment the disciple becomes stronger than the master!

Yan Jin could still grow older too!

And he…Shen Zhixian’s expression immediately sank when he recalled that, in the book, the original Shen Zhixian had been one round bigger than Yan Jin.

The handsome and steady young man knew nothing about the complex emotions warring inside his master as he respectfully saluted, greeting, “Master.”