Chapter Nine: In Truth, I Am Just an Ordinary Person!

“Killing is a vice, but it seems I can’t quit.”
As Wang Ran spoke these words, he knew at once that he was destined to gain yet another admirer.

The innocent, pure-hearted junior sister had first become intrigued by Wang Ran while exchanging tasks with him. Then, by a twist of fate, she stumbled upon him just as his charm was at its peak. Her heart fluttered, and to her astonishment, she witnessed a breathtaking duel between masters.

Now, gazing at the figure standing gracefully atop a stalk of purple bamboo, hands clasped behind his back, head tilted toward the moon, the junior sister could not help but secretly lose her heart. Especially as his blue-and-white robes fluttered in the breeze, the attraction grew almost unbearable.

“Senior brother is so handsome and gallant, righteous and upright, and his cultivation is so high—truly a dragon among men…” Yan Wanrou pressed her flushed cheeks with her hands, shy and hesitant. After a moment, as though recalling something, she quickly raised her head to check the time, slapped her forehead, and exclaimed, “Oh no, it’s already midnight! If I don’t go back soon, I’ll be scolded again!”

With that, she turned to dash back up the mountain. But after only two steps, she doubled back and waved to Wang Ran. “Senior brother, I’m going to rest now! See you tomorrow!”

Wang Ran, lost in thought as he gazed at the moon, snapped out of his reverie and stopped his show of cool composure. He leaped lightly to catch up with Yan Wanrou. “Junior sister Yan, it’s late. Let me escort you back.”

Hearing this, the junior sister’s cheeks flushed deeper, and she readily agreed, “Senior brother, you’re not only good-looking but also so gentle. If that’s the case, I’d be delighted.”

Wang Ran smiled with the air of a gentleman, hands behind his back, and accompanied Yan Wanrou toward the inner mountain.

All along the way, the two conversed about the past and present, recited poetry beneath the moon, and enjoyed themselves immensely.

“Senior brother, you said today that you could paint with your feet. Is that really true?”

“Of course it is. I dabble in poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting. Once, I even had another name—Tang Bohu.”

“Then, senior brother, can you compose a poem?”

“If junior sister wishes to hear one, I’d be honored to oblige. Let’s take the moon as our theme.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Listen carefully, then:
‘Hills shrouded in mist, water winding far,
Autumn ends—south of the river, grass and trees wither.
On twenty-four bridges, under the bright moon,
Where is the jade beauty who plays the flute?’”

“A jade beauty playing the flute? This poem is so evocative.”

“Evocative, isn’t it? Does junior sister want to play the flute for me as well?”

“I do! I’ll definitely play the flute for senior brother!”

“You’re such a good girl.”

...

As a prestigious sect, the Pure Me Sect occupied a vast expanse of land, divided into northern and southern banks.

Wang Ran resided at the rear mountain on the southern bank, and his daily activities rarely took him elsewhere. Yet, before he knew it, he found that he had accompanied his junior sister all the way to the northern bank.

The surroundings felt unfamiliar to Wang Ran; he had never been here before.

They walked on, eventually arriving at a bamboo grove. Unlike the purple bamboo of Wang Ran’s rear mountain, the bamboo here was a striking crimson—quite a marvel.

Wang Ran, never having seen such a sight, looked around curiously. “You live here, junior sister?”

She nodded. “Yes, just ahead.”

The path through the forest was narrow. As Wang Ran looked around, he suddenly halted. Amidst a pile of scattered rocks at a fork in the path, a figure was lurking, furtively engaged in some secret activity.

They crossed paths quickly. The figure started violently upon seeing Wang Ran and Yan Wanrou, his expression panicked. But upon noticing Wang Ran’s blue-and-white robes, he calmed down.

He strode over, sizing Wang Ran up and down with arrogant disdain. “Which outer disciple are you? Why are you wandering around in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?”

Wang Ran frowned at his tone—was this guy insane? What business was it of his if someone took a nighttime stroll?

His expression darkened. The junior sister, even more indignant, retorted, “Senior brother, this path doesn’t belong to you. Why can’t we pass?”

The disciple sneered and tugged at his own purple-and-white robes. “Because I’m an inner disciple and you’re an outer disciple. It’s only right for inner disciples to command the outer ones!”

Within the Pure Me Sect, the distinction between outer and inner disciples was vast, reflected even in their attire. Outer disciples wore plain blue-and-white robes made of ordinary cloth, while inner disciples donned purple-and-white garments of carefully selected fabric.

As for true disciples, their robes were even more elaborate, crafted from golden silkworm thread—light and smooth, yet as resilient as a third-grade defensive artifact, impervious to blade or sword, and colored red and white.

This inner disciple, full of pride, looked at Wang Ran with contempt. “Don’t get in my way. Get lost!”

The junior sister pouted and argued, “You’re being unreasonable! We’re only passing through, not bothering anyone. Why bully us?”

“Enough chatter. I told you to get lost—how dare you talk back? Do you want me to—ow!” The inner disciple’s words were cut off by a sudden cry of pain.

Wang Ran stood there, fist extended, then calmly wiped his nose. “It’s pointless to argue with idiots like this. Remember, junior sister, if a problem can be solved with your fists, don’t waste words.”

The junior sister, only half understanding, gazed at him in awe, her eyes shining.

The inner disciple had never expected Wang Ran to act so decisively. Though he had reached the Foundation Establishment stage, how could he compare to Wang Ran, who had cultivated the Vajra Glazed Body? At Wang Ran’s blow, he felt as though his insides were quaking; now, lying on the ground, he retched uncontrollably.

“I can’t stand show-offs like you. You ruin the mood for composing poetry!” Wang Ran, still unsatisfied, kicked him again.

The inner disciple’s eyes rolled back, and he fell unconscious.

“Senior brother’s words are profound and extraordinary. Wanrou is truly enlightened,” the junior sister said with utmost admiration, feeling that every moment spent with Wang Ran brought new surprises.

But Wang Ran gazed off into the distance, a little melancholy. “In truth, I’m just like the rest of you—an ordinary person.”

These words sent a tremor through the junior sister. She felt as if they contained boundless wisdom, and as she looked at Wang Ran’s profile, affection welled up in her heart.

Wang Ran shook his head with a silent sigh. It seemed this young lady had fallen hopelessly in love—but who could she blame? He was simply too outstanding.

The junior sister, still blushing, glanced at the sky and said reluctantly, “Senior brother, my residence is just ahead. I’m very happy to have met you today. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Very well, let us meet again another day,” Wang Ran replied, clasping his hands.

The junior sister beamed, revealing a pair of adorable little tiger teeth, and waved as she skipped into the bamboo grove. “Senior brother, don’t forget to go home early too!”

Under the cold moonlight, her lively figure was pure and innocent. Wang Ran watched until she disappeared from sight before withdrawing his gaze.

Just as he was about to leave, he felt something underfoot. Looking down, he realized he had stepped on the inner disciple’s hand.

Wang Ran bent down, puzzled. What was this man doing here in the dead of night instead of sleeping? His furtive behavior and panic upon seeing them hinted at some secret.

As Wang Ran’s curiosity grew, he suddenly noticed a slip of yellow talisman paper peeking from the man’s chest…