Spoiled Eldest Miss x Two-faced Madman

CHAPTER 32: It Seems Like She Is Some Kind Of Plague, And One Must Keep A Distance Of Three Feet.

 

　　“Why go to the Jinshe Villa (Golden Snake Villa)?” Lin Qingyan asked in confusion.

　　He Ziqing remained silent. He had no objections to where they went, but he had a purpose for descending the mountain. According to him, he was looking for someone who could tell fortunes.

　　That person was called the ¹Shen Suan Wuming (神算无名), and he was very accurate. He needed to find the Shen Suan Wuming, and then through him, locate another person to challenge them to a duel.

　　His only task for coming down the mountain was to duel with that person.

　　This was the last wish given to him by his master before passing away.

　　When he first said this, An Jiu couldn't help but ask, “Why not go directly to the person you are looking for instead of finding the Shen Suan Wuming first?”

　　Isn't that just an intermediary making a profit?

　　He Ziqing replied, “Because Shen Suan Wuming is still in the martial world, just difficult to find. The person I want to find might no longer be in this world.”

　　“Even if they're no longer in this world, you still want to find them?”

　　He Ziqing said firmly, “Even if he is dead, I still want to find him.”

　　Time returned to the present; after Lin Qingyan's question, Pei Ji answered, “I heard that the master of the Jinshe Villa discovered a treasure, a manual of martial arts.”

　　An Jiu quickly followed up, “A manual of martial arts? What kind of manual is it?”

　　Pei Ji didn't look at An Jiu; he only spoke to Lin Qingyan, “A hundred years ago, there was a red-clothed old devil in the martial world; you should know about this. That person had unparalleled martial skills, dominating the martial world, and no one could rival him. In his old age, he closed himself off to cultivate, and no one knew where he was in seclusion. Just a few days ago, the master of the Jinshe Villa went to visit a friend and accidentally discovered a cave at the foot of Mount Qingcheng, where the red-clothed old devil had left behind a manual of martial arts he painstakingly researched.”

　　“That manual can restore a person's meridians; even ordinary people can be transformed into martial prodigies, and those who are crippled with broken meridians can also practice. When practiced to perfection, one can achieve unparalleled martial skills.” 

　　As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room was stunned. 

　　Ah Qi was the first to react, his voice filled with both excitement and surprise. “Young Master, this manual is perfect for you! We must get it!” 

　　Lin Qingyan also came to her senses and nodded quickly. “That's right, Pei Ji, if you can get the manual, your legs will be saved!” 

　　But then she frowned again. “The master of the Jinshe Villa discovered the manual. He probably won't just hand it over, right?” 

　　Pei Ji nodded slightly, his voice calm and steady. “That's right. This news should spread quickly. When Jin You discovered the manual, there were quite a few people present. He knows he can't keep it a secret. The manual is too valuable, and with the Jinshe Villa's capabilities, they might not be able to protect it. So, Jin You has widely circulated a notice, stating that as long as people from the martial world are willing to offer valuable items in exchange, he will copy the manual and give them a copy.” 

　　He Ziqing asked with interest, “Does the manual contain sword techniques?” 

　　Pei Ji shook his head. “It's just a set of internal energy cultivation methods.” 

　　Upon hearing this, He Ziqing immediately lost interest. He was a natural prodigy in martial arts, born with a physique suitable for practicing swordsmanship. He had already achieved great swordsmanship skills at a young age and had no need for this manual. 

　　For the vast majority of people in the martial world, the manual was a huge temptation. Only someone like He Ziqing, a pure genius, could remain unmoved. 

　　Unfortunately, very few people could achieve his level of single-mindedness. 

　　Lin Qingyan asked with concern, “What are you planning to use to exchange for it?” She paused for a moment and added, “If your bargaining chip isn't enough, the Zhùjiàn Villa can help you get some. My family has a soft sword that has been treasured for a hundred years. If you take it to exchange, Uncle Jin will surely agree.” 

　　The Jinshe Villa's unique skill was a soft sword technique. The villa's master, Jin You, wielded a soft sword that was as flexible and changeable as a spirit snake (Líng Shé), making it impossible to guard against. He was known as the ‘Líng Shé Sword Master’ by the people of the martial world. 

　　Her concern was genuine, and Pei Ji saw it. He smiled slightly and declined, “I've refined a medicine that can cure deep-seated illnesses and repair the body. I think it should be enough.” 

　　Ten years ago, Jin You had been injured internally during a battle with someone, and his fighting strength had greatly diminished since then. This medicine was also a necessity for him. 

　　“If that's the case, then let's set off quickly! We should get there as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen complications.” Lin Qingyan made the final decision. 

　　The group didn't delay and left Pinglan City the next day. 

　　Once they were on the road, An Jiu noticed that they began to encounter more people. 

　　From Jiufang City to Pinglan City, they had rarely encountered anyone. But from Pinglan City to the Jinshe Villa, they often saw people from the martial world wearing swords and daggers. Upon inquiry, they were going to the Jinshe Villa as well. 

　　The news of the martial arts manual seemed to have spread too quickly, as if it had wings and flew throughout the world. 

　　An Jiu sat in the carriage, stealing a glance at the man beside her. 

　　She wondered what he was up to again. 

　　Although there was no evidence, An Jiu instinctively felt that Pei Ji must have played a role in spreading the news so quickly. 

　　Logically, he no longer needed that manual. 

　　Why are they still going to the Jinshe Villa? 

　　Will the Jinshe Villa part of the story follow the original plot?

　　After completing two story arcs, the developments and endings were different from the book. 

　　Now she doesn't even bother remembering the original story. 

　　Anyway, with Pei Ji around, the plot will be completely different. 

　　In the original story, the Jinshe Villa arc begins with the group hearing news of the martial arts manual and heading to the Jinshe Villa to exchange for it, which is no different from the current situation. 

　　After arriving at the villa, the villa's master, Jin You, finds that there are too many people. To protect the manual, he hides it in a locked box.　　 

　　However, when it's time to take out the manual, Jin You is shocked to discover that it's missing! 

　　The box lock is intact, and no one has entered the heavily guarded room. The manual was simply stolen in broad daylight! 

　　Everyone suspects that Jin You deliberately didn't take out the manual and staged a scene of embezzlement. Everyone gathers to attack Jin You. However, just as Jin You becomes the target of everyone's anger, the main male and female characters discover clues about the thief, find them, and retrieve the manual. 

　　Just as everyone is relieved, the Qiānshā Pavilion suddenly appears, taking advantage of everyone's lack of guard to quickly strike and steal the manual and everyone's treasures. 

　　This isn't the end. Just as the manual reaches the leader of the Qiānshā Pavilion, Xian Wuming, the Demonic Sect suddenly intervenes, forcibly taking the manual from Xian Wuming and massacring the entire Jinshe Villa. 

　　The martial world is in an uproar. 

　　After the Demonic Sect takes the manual, the story then follows the entire martial world working together to attack the Demonic Sect, exterminate them, and reclaim the manual. 

　　Throughout this, Pei Ji still hasn't revealed his true identity. As for the manual, he secretly obtained it long ago. 

　　This is actually the climax of the entire book, with two major story arcs: the first is the struggle for the manual and the massacre of the Jinshe Villa, and the second is the gathering of heroes to besiege the Demonic Sect. The plot is full of twists and turns, with multiple reversals, making it thrilling and exciting. 

　　An Jiu isn't sure if the plot will continue to follow the book. She's more concerned about a small plot point that's about to happen. 

　　Pei Ji's poison attack. 

　　In the book, shortly after arriving at the Jinshe Villa, Pei Ji experiences a poison attack. 

　　Everyone knows about his poisoning. After the attack, he uses his illness as an excuse to stay indoors and avoid the crisis. In reality, he's using this as an opportunity to escape and transform into Xian Wuming. 

　　An Jiu wonders if she should take this opportunity to provoke him. 

　　Over the past few days, through nightly ‘online chats,’ An Jiu has managed to earn a few points. Pei Ji's favorability rating towards her is now 20. 

　　That's about the same as having a little bit of liking, but not much. 

　　The remaining 5 points were added bit by bit over several days, stingily and not generously. 

　　An Jiu ponders for a while and decides to go for it! 

　　As the saying goes, “The bolder the person, the greater the harvest.” If she doesn't take a chance, how can she get the villain? 

　　The carriage rattles along for two days and finally reaches the Jinshe Villa's territory. 

　　The Jinshe Villa occupies its own territory and has always been quite famous in the martial world thanks to the Líng Shé Sword Manual passed down from their ancestors. 

　　Jin You, the villa's master, is 38 years old. He has a thin face, pale skin, wears a blue long robe, and has two neatly trimmed mustaches. He doesn't look like a swordsman but more like a scholar or a successful candidate in the imperial examinations. He has a refined and scholarly aura, even a hint of effeminacy. 

　　Pei Ji and Lin Qingyan are representatives of major forces in the martial world. As soon as they arrived at the villa's entrance, Jin You personally came out to greet them, giving them great respect. 

　　“Welcome, esteemed guests. Jin has been remiss in my hospitality. Young Doctor Pei, and Miss Lin, please convey my regards to your father.” 

　　Lin Qingyan smiled and chatted with Jin You, “Uncle Jin, my father mentioned just the other day that your Líng Shé Sword hasn't been sent for maintenance in quite a while!” 

　　Jin You laughed, “Haha, this old uncle is getting old. I haven't used my sword in a long time. When I need to use it again, I'll definitely send it to your father.” 

　　If you were to ask which faction in the martial world has the best connections, the Zhùjiàn Villa would be the top choice. 

　　Lin Qingyan had met this Uncle Jin when she was a child, as he had visited her grandfather to commission a sword. Their tone was very familiar. 

　　Lin Qingyan and Pei Ji, one capable of forging weapons and the other skilled in healing, were both people you wouldn't want to offend. 

　　The group of five was assigned to a secluded courtyard. Jin You personally escorted them there and chatted with them along the way. 

　　They learned that due to the widely spread news, many people were heading towards the Jinshe Villa. The original trade date, set for five days later, had been pushed back to ten days later. They would have to stay at the villa for ten days. 

　　Jin You still needed to screen those who wished to trade. If the items they brought were not valuable enough, they wouldn't even be allowed to enter the villa. 

　　Even so, the villa was almost full. 

　　The Jinshe Villa was vast, occupying the foot of a mountain. The villa was filled with ginkgo trees. It was said that in autumn, when the ginkgo leaves turned yellow, the entire villa would become a sea of gold. 

　　An Jiu and her group were staying in a courtyard within the ginkgo forest. It was a decent distance from other courtyards, ensuring peace and quiet. 

　　The courtyard was square, with a central skylight garden. There were two main rooms on one side, and a door and servants' quarters on the other, making a total of six main rooms. It was perfect for five people, with one room to spare. 

　　He Ziqing and Lin Qingyan stayed in the rooms on either side of the main room. An Jiu stayed alone in the right room, while Pei Ji and Ah Qi shared the left room. 

　　When they were assigning rooms, An Jiu actually wanted to stay next to Pei Ji. After all, proximity breeds familiarity. Unfortunately, Ah Qi took the spot.

　　She was also embarrassed to compete with him for the room. Otherwise, it would definitely arouse Pei Ji's suspicion. 

　　This guy was incredibly suspicious. After she managed to raise his favorability rating to 20, the number hadn't moved since. 

　　Moreover, Pei Ji seemed to have noticed the change in her attitude. For two days on the road, no matter how subtly An Jiu tried to flirt with him, he remained unmoved. 

　　He was subtly distancing himself from her. 

　　While his attitude towards An Jiu seemed gentle, unchanged from usual, with his consistent warm smile, there was actually a sense of detachment beneath the surface. 

　　Once, An Jiu accidentally touched his hand, and he immediately pulled his hand away, moving far away from her as if she were a plague virus that needed to be avoided at all costs. 

　　Thinking about how he avoided her touch, An Jiu felt a lump in her throat.

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Glossary:

¹“Shen Suan Wuming” (神算无名) literally translates to ‘divine calculator without a name.’ 

This phrase is likely used to describe a person who is exceptionally skilled in divination or fortune-telling, with ‘shen suan’ (神算) meaning ‘divine calculation’ and ‘wuming’ (无名) meaning ‘without a name.’

The ‘without a name’ part could imply that this person is either anonymous or prefers to remain unknown, adding to their mystique and reputation.

 

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