Hui dusted off his robes and stepped out of the forge, his new bell tinkling at his hip. As he walked, he carefully wound his qi away from the bell, mindful not to accidentally feed the spell. Even my passive qi is enough to activate the spell. If I’m not actively excluding it, the bell will resonate and start bewildering people around me. It’s a bit annoying, but it’s good practice. Besides, a passive weapon is a wonderful thing. If I stuff some qi into it ahead of time, it can even continue to activate while I’m fully playing dead!

The door opposite him slammed open. Ji Taiyu stumbled out, barely catching a tumbling Bao Huli. The two fell against the far wall, Bao Huli pinning Ji Taiyu against the boards. Hair slightly ruffled, a single strand caught on her lips, she stared up at Ji Taiyu with starry eyes and murmured, “Master… I stumbled.”

Ji Taiyu took a deep breath. “Bao Huli, did you really stumble? You can’t be that clumsy.”

Tears welled up in Bao Huli’s eyes. “Master, don’t abandon me. Bao Huli can still learn.”

“I never said, it’s just, Bao Huli, you—” Ji Taiyu pushed at her arm, trying to extricate himself from her grasp. One hand pressed into the wall on either side of him, completely pinning him in.

“Bao Huli is so clumsy, she’s an embarrassment to Master,” Bao Huli continued, burying her face in his robes. Tears slid down her face, but contrary to her weepy appearance, her hands remained completely sturdy against the wall. All of Ji Taiyu’s strength couldn’t budge her grasp.

Giving up on escaping, Ji Taiyu sighed and patted her head. “Bao Huli, if you simply told the truth, I’d…”

“Master…” Bao Huli whispered breathily. Her little paws moved from hemming him in to pulling him closer. Ji Taiyu didn’t fight it, but closed his eyes and nuzzled the top of her head instead.

Hui coughed into his fist awkwardly. Er, unless I want to see the erotic play of the fox demon and the righteous cultivator, I’d better speak up. Somehow, they haven’t noticed me yet! “Greetings to Seniors.”

“Ah! Greetings,” Ji Taiyu returned. He pushed at Bao Huli, trying to pull away. Bao Huli resisted for another few moments, but eventually gave in and retracted her hold. Standing subserviently behind Ji Taiyu, she shot a death glare at Hui.

Sorry for interrupting your kabedon! Is this how it’s been going between the two of you? Bao Huli, how forceful! Hui shouted silently.

Hmm, though from Ji Taiyu’s words, has he not given in…?

No, no, rather than not giving in to that fox demon, I’d say it’s more likely they’re in an ambiguous relationship! After all, Ji Taiyu’s leaps and bounds of improvement didn’t come from nowhere, and he didn’t seem to be refusing her come-on right there, either.

Let me take a guess! A straightforward and righteous man like Ji Taiyu wants to clearly define their relationship, but I’d bet he doesn’t feel right doing so under the guise of being deceived by this fox demon, so he’s waiting for her to confess the truth about her nature and cultivation level before he says it outright. On the other hand, the fox demon over there is getting what she wants, and thinks she’s deceiving Ji Taiyu, so she has no problem with their ambiguous relationship. Ah, how twisted, how twisted! Where’s my popcorn?

Ji Taiyu straightened his robes and coughed awkwardly as well, unable to meet Hui’s eyes. “I… see you’ve made use of the forge?” he said at last.

“Indeed, indeed. It was my first time, but I think I’ve made something wonderful,” Hui said, nodding.

Ji Taiyu choked and turned away. Behind him, a smile spread across Bao Huli’s face, and that invisible fox tail started swishing again.

Fucking hell, you two! Your first time, and there’s already a baby fox in the oven? Fuck! Making a single dog like me jealous… Honestly, could you be a little less obvious? Hui pressed his lips together.

The drama-loving part of him pounded its fists excitedly on a table in his heart. Popcorn, who has the popcorn? It’s a midday drama, an absolute soap opera out here! She’s already pregnant, and their relationship is still so ambiguous? How wonderful! What a twist!

He shook his head at the two of them, but held his retorts back. Instead, he changed the subject, gesturing at the practice room instead. “Shall we check on Martial Sisters Li Xiang and Ying Lin?”

“Yes, yes, let’s!” Ji Taiyu said enthusiastically, still faintly blushing. He pushed open the door.

The sound of a fierce swordfight emanated out as soon as the door opened. The three of them stepped inside and stood quietly to watch. Li Xiang dueled Ying Lin, the two fighting back and forth across the floor. Li Xiang moved gracefully and gently, barely a bit of sweat on her brow, clearly holding back. In contrast, Ying Lin battled fiercely, her teeth gritted and face red, struggling to keep up with Li Xiang.

It's impressive that she’s even able to trade blows, Hui thought, pinching his chin. Li Xiang is holding back, true, but Ying Lin… yes, it’s still impressive!

Li Xiang pressed the offensive suddenly. Mid-strike, Ying Lin twisted her body to jump back, but unused to the flow of battle, her ankles struck one another, and she toppled backward with a little shout. Li Xiang desperately retracted her blow, but it was too late. Her sword swung toward Ying Lin.

“Ying Lin!” Hui shouted. He jumped over.

Rather than strike Ying Lin, Li Xiang threw her sword away and fell forward. She landed on all fours over Ying Lin, their faces inches apart, robes all askew, hair ruffled.

Hui slowed. His lips pursed. Hey, how come everyone gets lucky scenes except for me? Is the universe laughing at single dogs today?

Li Xiang pushed away from Ying Lin and stood, her expression the same poker face as ever. “Your sword technique is fine, but your footwork needs effort. You’re using a style that’s unsuited for swordplay.”

“It’s Master’s footwork technique!” Ying Lin insisted.

Hui offered her a hand up. “Er, Ying Lin, Master… isn’t much of a swordsman.”

“Ah, Master. When did you arrive?” Ying Lin asked, tilting her head at him.

“Not long ago, not long. Ying Lin, Li Xiang is a rare talent when it comes to sword techniques. If she says your footwork is unsuitable, it’s unsuitable. Learn from her instead,” Hui admonished her. After all, who knows better what’s suited for swordfighting and not than a sword spirit?

Ying Lin drooped slightly, then nodded. “If Master says so, then Disciple will obey.”

Bao Huli glanced at Ji Taiyu, who turned slightly away, still blushing.

“It’s not that your foot technique isn’t useful. It’s simply ill-suited to swordfighting,” Li Xiang added, her tone kind despite her blunt words.

Ying Lin frowned. “But I can—”

“Ying Lin, Li Xiang can only speak the truth, and can determine truth from falsehoods. If she says so, it’s true,” Hui replied.

“If I say so, I think it’s true,” Li Xiang clarified. Her eyes flicked to Hui. “I can still be deceived.”

Eh, why did you look at me? This small cultivator has never… okay, maybe once or twice… er, anyways! I always tell the truth around you! It might not be all the truth, or the full truth, or a misleading statement that seems more likely to mean something else than the truth... Eh... don’t look at me, Elder Sister! Hui cried internally.

He cleared his throat. “Could Elder Sister perhaps impart a worthy footwork technique to my disciple? I only have the one technique, myself… Naturally, I’m not asking for an inheritance technique or anything valuable, but if you have an extra one…”

“Why not ask for a valuable technique?” Ying Lin grumbled.

Hui gave her a look. Do you want to put your Master in debt? I’m asking for a free technique here, a technique for free! I can’t ask her for her best techniques.

Ying Lin narrowed her eyes back at him. My Master is so cheap! Maybe I should go find a rich Master who can buy good techniques, hmm?

Li Xiang hesitated. After a moment, she nodded. “I can.”

Hui smiled. “Wonderful, wonderful.”

“Before that, night approaches. Lu Xubo should return soon. We need to visit Ya Ai and prepare her for his arrival,” Li Xiang said, heading for the door.

“Lu Xubo?” Ji Taiyu asked.

“Ah, Master, that’s an Elder Brother who—” Hui coughed. “I mean, Ji Taiyu… er…”

Ji Taiyu brightened up. “I knew it. It is Second Disciple! And Third Disciple?”

Ying Lin waved. “It’s me!”

“To think we’d see each other again so soon,” Ji Taiyu said, beaming.

Behind him, Bao Huli bristled and bared her teeth at Hui.

No, I’m still not after your Master… Hui thought, rolling his eyes at her.

“Second Disciple? Third Disciple?” Li Xiang muttered under her breath.

“It’s a long story,” Hui said, waving his hand. “Come on, let’s go check on Ya Ai.”

The group set off, heading into the hallway. Ya Ai’s door hung slightly ajar. Hui pushed it open and led the way inside. “Ya Ai, we—”

The sect elder-looking man held Ya Ai in his lap, her head cradled against his chest. The two of them looked up as they entered, then hurriedly separated. Ya Ai adjusted her hair, but it remained flattened on one side. “Yes?”

“Er, never mind, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” Hui said, backing out. It really is rough out here for single dogs! Even grannies and elders are getting it while I sit here all alone!

Wait, is that why she was so okay with us attacking Chen Xigui? She already has someone she loves? But she forced the marriage. Then… well, it is her one chance to marry a powerful figure. Maybe that overpowered everything.

Li Xiang blinked at Ya Ai and the elder. “Are you two in love?” she asked bluntly.

Ya Ai jolted. She and the elder exchanged a glance.

Li Xiang, there’s some things you can’t ask outright! Hui cried silently.