Chapter 199: Yiyi, the body of a thousand gold
After leaving the city, Ye Anping, accompanied by Yun Yiyi, gracefully returned to Yishui Peak, wielding his sword.
Ye Anping gazed thoughtfully at the towering stone sword sculpture, standing a thousand feet high on the central peak of the Sword Sect.
The appearance of Xue Xinghai and the beheading of the Qi Refining Stage disciple, Yun Shulong, were all part of his plan. He had anticipated Yun Xi encountering Xue Xinghai ahead of schedule. However, the presence of Zhuang Yan was outside his calculations.
In the game’s plot, the city battle was a scripted event. Xue Xinghai would escape after injuring the player and later appear as a mini-boss in the Thousand Sword Pond during the Sword Sect incident.
Ye Anping had planned to deal with him in the city, but Zhuang Yan unexpectedly arrived, rescuing Xue Xinghai. Moreover, Zhuang Yan insisted that the murder case was already closed.
Sensing something amiss, Yun Xi was likely to continue the investigation despite Zhuang Yan’s closure. However, Yun Jiujiu and Yun Yiyi posed some challenges.
Yun Jiujiu seemed unaware of what had happened and needed assistance from Feng Yudie. As for Yun Yiyi…
Ye Anping glanced at Yun Yiyi, who discreetly observed him, promptly averting her gaze when noticed. Excessive favorability could be problematic.
Yun Yiyi, known for her rationality, seemed to have lost her composure, now solely focused on him, indifferent to the Sword Sect murder case.
It was clear that Yun Yiyi’s attention was fixed on him, showing no concern for the intricacies of the Sword Sect murder case.
He needed to redirect Yun Yiyi’s focus back to the case and address Xue Xinghai.
Caught in his gaze, Yun Yiyi, feeling uneasy, initiated a conversation, “Young Master Ye, are you being pressured?”
“What pressure?” Ye Anping inquired.
“Your junior sister…” Yun Yiyi hesitated, then asked, “Yun Xi mentioned that you grew up together and were childhood sweethearts. Now that you’re engaged to me, she must be unhappy…”
Ye Anping interrupted, “My engagement with you is a consideration for the two sects. Matters of love must come after the sect’s heritage.”
“But if you and your junior sister have feelings for each other, won’t I be seen as the villain? Won’t you get tired of me?” Yun Yiyi expressed concern.
“Of course not, Miss Yun. Please rest assured,” Ye Anping assured her.
Yiyi, smiling with a hint of playfulness, closed her right eye and said, “Although I’ve only recently met Young Master Ye, I believe it’s love at first sight. If you have any requirements for your fiance, please tell me, such as… special preferences?”
Ye Anping was shocked momentarily and politely replied, “Miss Yun is joking, I have no special preferences.”
“Young Master Ye, there’s no need to be shy,” Yun Yiyi said, tilting her head. “Just be straightforward, I’d like to get to know you better. Don’t mind my appearance… I’ve come across some peculiar scenes in books.”
“…”
“For example… a crimson candle restraint collar or something?” Yun Yiyi blushed and twirled her ear hair, “Hmm…”
Ye Anping raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling a bit puzzled. Could it be that she wasn’t Yun Yiyi, and someone took over her due to changes in the timeline?
Seeing Ye Anping staying in place, Yun Yiyi suddenly realized what she had just said. She opened and closed her lips, quickly providing an excuse,
“Ah… Young Master Ye, please don’t misunderstand. My metaphor was a bit exaggerated, but I meant that when interacting with you, Young Master Ye, feel free to be more daring. Just express what’s on your mind directly.”
“Oh…” Ye Anping nodded and asked, “So… Miss Yun likes crimson candle restraint collars?”
“No, I…”
“A pity…”
Ye Anping squinted slightly, “Hmm! ”
“…nothing.”
Yun Yiyi turned her head expressionlessly, looking forward, but internally, she shouted once again,
—Yun Yiyi!! Be calm! You can’t lose your composure just because he’s too handsome! What happened to your usual calmness? These things can be explored after the wedding. Why mention them now? What if Young Master Ye finds it repulsive and doesn’t want to marry you? The cooked duck might fly away!
“…”
Ye Anping felt a bit speechless, observing Yun Yiyi’s serene yet cold expression. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—perhaps this was just skin deep?
In the game, players mostly perceived Yun Yiyi as a wealthy young lady, cultured and refined, and a talented girl. Yet, her fan fiction often depicted themes like a bankrupt young lady, selling herself to pay off debts. As a result, beneath this golden exterior was an unexpected individual.
“Huh—” Ye Anping sighed, returning to the main topic, “Miss Yun, regarding the case at the Sword Pavilion today, do you feel that something is off?”
Yun Yiyi paused, turned around, and inquired,
“Young Master Ye, do you sense any issues? Elder Zhuang credited us with solving the case, and if there were problems, Elder Zhuang could use soul-searching magic to find out. We wouldn’t need to worry.”
“That’s true, but…” Ye Anping hesitated momentarily and said, “Miss Yun, this may sound offensive, so please don’t take offence.”
“As you say.”
“I don’t trust Elder Zhuang.”
Yun Yiyi furrowed her brows slightly, seeing the seriousness in Ye Anping’s eyes. She hesitated before asking,
“Hmm! What makes you say that…?”
“I feel that Elder Zhuang’s arrival was too timely.”
“Timely!”
“Yes, from what I know, Elder Zhuang Yan has been in seclusion for the past century, rarely intervening in sect affairs. He often even skips elders’ meetings. However, today, he suddenly appeared. I wouldn’t think much of it if it were any other elder, but Elder Zhuang’s move is just too conspicuous.”
Hearing this, Yun Yiyi furrowed her brows briefly, holding her chin as she pondered. Ye Anping didn’t say anything, and she wasn’t aware of the issue.
Indeed, Zhuang Yan was the most reclusive among the elders of the Sword Sect. Most of the elders in the Sword Sect had taken sides, either supporting her, Yun Jiujiu, or Yun Xi. But Zhuang Yan seemed indifferent to everything, focusing solely on cultivation.
And yet, this solitary figure suddenly rushed over after today’s incident.
Yun Yiyi hesitated momentarily, then raised her eyebrows and asked, “Young Master Ye, your accusation is not trivial!”
“Yes, I’ve been hesitating about expressing this idea to Miss Yun. These remarks are indeed meant to offend the Sword Sect, but…”
Ye Anping turned his head, stared into Yun Yiyi’s eyes, smiled, and said, “As the saying goes, good advice is hard to hear. I will assist you, the young sect leader, in managing the Sword Sect, so I decided to share this advice with you.”
“Do you want to be my loyal follower?” Yun Yiyi wondered, hesitating for a moment.
“Well, what are you going to do, Miss Yun?” Ye Anping asked.
“…The current clues all point to Xue Xinghai.” Yun Yiyi murmured and then slowly stopped the flying sword beneath her feet. She continued, “Young Master Ye, can you accompany me to see Xue Xinghai again?”
“Yes, I will accompany you, but it would be better to have a Nascent Soul stage elder join us,” Ye Anping suggested.
“Um.”
With that, the two redirected their flying swords towards the direction of the central peak and flew away.
…