Chapter 10: 10: The Prince’s Generosity and the Student Transit Pass
Chapter 10: 10: The Prince’s Generosity and the Student Transit Pass
Xie Xuan was the Second Legitimate Son of the Shengyan Dynasty, ranking fourth among his siblings.
His maternal clan was a powerhouse of influence, and his birth mother was the junior sister of Chu Yunmian’s own father, the Sect Master.
After marrying into the imperial family and bearing several children, she had sent Xie Xuan to the Qingfeng Sword Sect to cultivate.
While officially a disciple, Chu Yunmian recalled the original text hinting that his presence here was actually a form of exile for his own safety.
Imperial politics were a viper’s nest of checks and balances, and the current monarch was a master of the craft.
Xie Xuan’s maternal family had long been suppressed in the shadow of the throne.
The Shengyan Dynasty and the Qingfeng Sword Sect had maintained a symbiotic relationship for generations.
To put it simply: one had the gold, and the other had the blades.
The dynasty was essentially the sword sect’s primary angel investor.
Of the cities surrounding the sect’s perimeter, two had been built entirely by Shengyan funds.
Once trade routes were established, the chronic poverty and unemployment issues facing the sword cultivators had been significantly mitigated.
Chu Yunmian’s thoughts drifted: [I’m tempted to call this the Shengyan Credit Line.
Junior Brother, it turns out you’re the sect’s ultimate benefactor!] Xie Xuan blinked, looking utterly bewildered. “...?” Credit line?
Third Senior Sister had mentioned that Senior Sister Mianmian’s thoughts were often wildly unrestrained, and she hadn't been exaggerating.
Why couldn’t he understand a single word she was thinking?
Glancing at the sun, which had already crested the mountain peak, Xie Xuan hurriedly pulled her along. “Senior Sister, we must make haste.” Chu Yunmian let out a long yawn, remaining in a hazy daze as she was dragged toward the exit.
The future grand antagonist, a man destined to command the winds and rains of the cultivation world, was currently just a wealthy, somewhat naive teenage boy whose cultivation had barely reached the Qi Refining stage.
Chu Yunmian was practically sleep-walking, and by the time they reached the Heavenly Chasm Bridge, she was relying entirely on the massive pearl atop Xie Xuan’s head to keep her eyes tracked on something solid amidst the receding mist. [...Doesn’t that thing strain his neck?
No wonder my father once tried to dress me up like a jewelry display—he sees this walking luxury model every single day.] Upon reaching the bridge, Xie Xuan came to a halt.
He reached up to his jade crown and plucked the Eastern Pearl right from its setting. “Senior Sister, I’m giving this to you.” Chu Yunmian froze. [Oh, heavens.
It’s embarrassing enough that I didn't prepare a greeting gift for you.
How could I possibly take yours?] Feeling a flush of awkwardness, she hurriedly fished out the Sumeru Mustard Pouch her father had given her the previous night.
She opened the mouth of the bag and tentatively held it out toward Xie Xuan.
He paused, looking dazed for a moment before instinctively tossing the Eastern Pearl into the pouch. “Senior Sister, I’ll bring another pouch for you next time,” he promised earnestly. “I’ll fill this Sumeru Mustard Pouch to the brim for you.” Chu Yunmian’s expression went flat.
It was... it was starting to trigger her relative poverty complex. [I only meant for you to pick one item from my bag as a return gift!] Xie Xuan’s figure stiffened, and a faint flush crept across his cheeks.
Left with no other choice, Chu Yunmian lowered her head to inspect her own inventory, eventually selecting three bottles of high-grade spiritual medicine and forcing them into his hands.
Turning to gaze down at the sea of clouds beneath the Heavenly Chasm Bridge, she sighed inwardly. [Such a good kid.
Why did he have to turn into a villain in the later chapters?
Then again, with the Shengyan Dynasty falling and its people scattered, and even the Qingfeng Sword Sect splitting at the seams, anyone who doesn't lose their mind is either a fool or a corpse.
How tragic.] The boy beside her jerked his head up, a thousand questions trapped in his throat.
His entire body felt as though it had been struck by a binding spell; he could neither move nor speak.
He suddenly recalled his master’s warning: Your senior sister possesses extraordinary traits that you will recognize at a glance; if you have doubts, ponder them in silence and never voice them aloud.
Know only that Mianmian is not suffering from madness—she has simply received a touch of fortuitous enlightenment.
A dazed expression crossed Xie Xuan’s eyes.
Not madness?
Then did that mean her predictions...
His thoughts tumbled into disarray, but his royal upbringing allowed him to regain his composure after a few heartbeats.
Unaware of the internal tempest she had stirred, Chu Yunmian kept her gaze fixed on the clouds, watching a massive fin flash past below.
Xie Xuan spoke cautiously: “Senior Sister, we cannot use sword flight yet.
We must take the Mayfly across.” Chu Yunmian’s eyes lit up with anticipation.
Seeing this, Xie Xuan struck the small bell hanging from the bridge’s railing. *Clang—!* The heavy chime echoed through the mountain ravine, answered immediately by a distant, haunting cry.
The massive head of a Mayfly emerged from the sea of clouds.
Their bodies were streamlined and elegant, resembling celestial, oversized narwhals with gorgeous patterns across their bellies.
Shock bloomed in Chu Yunmian’s heart as she stepped forward.
Xie Xuan caught her by the sleeve. “Senior Sister, we are taking this one.” He pointed toward a Mayfly marked with specific striped patterns. “This one goes to Tianshui Hall, that one goes to the mountain gate, and the one at the very rear is for the Hall of Discipline...” Chu Yunmian stared. [A... a public bus station?] Once Xie Xuan finished his explanation, he looked at the Mayfly, which was watching them with large, watery eyes.
The beast let out a cheerful cry.
Chu Yunmian instinctively patted her sleeve, her expression shifting as she pulled out a Superior Spirit Stone. [...This is still the medical fee I took from that scum...
I wonder if this whale takes IOUs...] Xie Xuan shook his head, drawing the Direct Disciple's Jade Pendant from his waist and tossing it into the air.
The jade zipped forward, tapped the crystal-clear horn on the creature’s forehead, and bounced back into his palm. “Senior Sister, ordinary disciples pay spirit stones on the spot, but direct disciples use their pendants.
The sect allocates funds to the Mayflies at the end of the month based on the usage records.” As he spoke, a line of glowing characters materialized in the air: *Xie Xuan: One hundred and forty-six.* Chu Yunmian felt her funny bone get decisively poked. [Hahaha!
It’s a student bus pass!] Xie Xuan looked at her, confused by the sudden spike in her internal mirth.
Despite the howling laughter in her mind, Chu Yunmian maintained a stoic face.
Mimicking her junior brother, she tossed her own pendant toward the hopeful Mayfly.
Her name appeared instantly: *Chu Yunmian: One.* Having logged the payment, the Mayfly swished its tail joyfully and surged forward, pressing its broad tail against the edge of the bridge.
Xie Xuan led her onto the beast’s back.
It was wider than several rooms combined, flat and smooth, and outfitted with dozens of woven meditation cushions. “Everyone else has already gone to class, so it’s just the two of us,” Xie Xuan noted as he guided her to a seat.
Chu Yunmian’s face twitched. [You brat, stop reminding me that I’m late!] Once they were seated, the Mayfly let out a long cry and surged into the cloud canopy.
Azure skies met the morning sun, and a sharp breeze brushed their faces.
From this height, the world was a tapestry of mountains and mist.
The Mayfly charged through a thick blanket of clouds, parting the vapor to reveal a landscape where the water and sky blended into a single, seamless hue.
Nine pavilions were scattered across the central expanse, reflected in the still waters below like an inverted mirror.
Pointing toward the structures, Xie Xuan’s golden robes fluttered violently in the wind.
His features were highlighted by the morning sun, his youthful spirit radiant as he smiled. “Senior Sister, that is Tianshui Hall!” He received no response.
Turning his head, he saw a pale-faced Chu Yunmian sitting rigidly, staring blankly into the distance. [Ugh... dammit... why...] [I thought it was a public bus, but it’s a celestial roller coaster!] [I’m so dizzy...
I’m going to puke...] Xie Xuan: “...”