Transmigrating into the world of Jade Dynasty, I was targeted by the female lead in a reverse romanc

Tian Ling'er had her back to him, paused, and said in a low voice that only she could hear, with a thick nasal tone: "Yeah, right, Jiang Xiaochuan."

"I was lying when I said I wouldn't bother you anymore. I will bother you for the rest of my life."

It's okay if you don't like me now, it's okay if you like Lu Xueqi.

I will wait, I will become stronger, I will become better than Lu Xueqi, better and better.

I will wait for you, until you like me, until the day you have me in your eyes.

"If I can't wait... then I'll cling to you for the rest of my life. Wherever you go, I'll go; whoever you like, I'll be good to them; whoever you marry, I'll... I'll be your bridesmaid and watch you marry someone else."

"Anyway, in this lifetime, I, Tian Ling'er, am determined to be with you."

She quickened her pace, and the hem of her fiery red skirt flashed around the corner and disappeared.

……

Jiang Xiaochuan held the sachet, still warm from her body, in his hand. He felt a tightness in his chest, a dull ache in his heart.

Zhang Xiaofan stood not far away, carrying a heavy bucket of water. The water in the bucket rippled slightly because of his stillness, reflecting the fragmented sunlight and his image.

He saw Tian Ling'er come out of Jiang Shixiong's room with red and swollen eyes. He saw her stuff the carefully embroidered sachet into Jiang Shixiong's hand and heard her say, "Don't hide from me," before running away.

He also saw Senior Brother Jiang holding the sachet, standing there stunned, his face showing a complex expression of guilt and helplessness.

Zhang Xiaofan lowered his eyes, looking at the swaying, broken reflection in the bucket. His face was reflected in the water, expressionless, except for his lips being pursed tightly. His fingers unconsciously tightened, and the rough wooden handle of the bucket pressed against his palm, sending a clear pain through him.

He remembered many things: Jiang Shixiong's impatient yet earnest manner when teaching him swordsmanship; Jiang Shixiong's nonchalant smile when giving him the only piece of candy; and Jiang Shixiong's upright figure covered in blood on the battlefield.

I also remembered how Senior Sister Tian Ling'er secretly practiced swordsmanship until late at night, how her eyes sparkled when she looked at Senior Brother Jiang, and how she jumped up with joy when she received that ugly sachet.

There's a place in my heart that feels like it's being slowly and repeatedly crushed by something. It doesn't hurt much, but it feels dull, heavy, and suffocating.

He picked up the bucket, turned and walked towards the kitchen, his steps steady, the water in the bucket swaying rhythmically with his steps, making a soft splashing sound.

When Zhang Xiaofan walked up to Jiang Xiaochuan, he stopped and whispered, "Senior Brother Jiang, the sachet... is very beautiful. Senior Sister Ling'er spent a long time embroidering it."

He didn't look at Jiang Xiaochuan, but stared at the empty corridor ahead, his voice flat.

Zhang Xiaofan: "She was pricked by needles many times in her hand. Once the needle went in so deep that she bled a lot. She didn't cry. She just said, 'If only Xiaochuan could wear it.'"

After saying that, without waiting for Jiang Xiaochuan's reaction, he picked up the bucket and continued walking towards the kitchen. His shadow stretched long in the afternoon sunlight, as silent as a mountain.

……

Days passed by, uneventful yet busy.

Jiang Xiaochuan spent his days cultivating and practicing his spear skills, occasionally taking a stroll in the back mountain to look at the bamboo forest. Tian Ling'er really didn't bother him anymore; she would just quietly put an extra bite of food on his plate during meals, then lower her head to eat her own rice. Zhang Xiaofan remained the same—silent, diligent, cooking, cultivating, practicing both Buddhism and Taoism, with almost no time to rest. He had become thinner and taller, and the angles on his face were more defined.

Occasionally, Tian Buyi would mention that his senior brother Cangsong had been punished by the sect leader and was locked up in the back mountain of Tongtian Peak to reflect on his mistakes. Longshou Peak was temporarily being managed by Qi Hao. When Tian Buyi said this, he frowned, as if he couldn't understand. Jiang Xiaochuan, however, knew in his heart that Wan Jianyi was in the ancestral hall in the back mountain of Tongtian Peak. If Cangsong went there, he might be able to see him. The sect leader must have his reasons for doing this.

He didn't think much of it; these things were still far removed from his life.

Lu Xueqi went into seclusion. Jiang Xiaochuan visited her a few times, but he didn't go often. He would only go occasionally and would bring some small items with him.

A crookedly woven sword tassel, a strangely shaped stone picked up from the back mountain, and a few fiery red maple leaves were strung together with a thin rope and hung at the entrance of the bamboo hut. Occasionally, he would go in to clean the bamboo hut for her, wipe the table, and brush the dust off the zither. He didn't know why he did it, he just felt that he should do it.

Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Xiaochuan is twenty years old. He hasn't grown much taller and is still the shortest among his fellow disciples on Dazhu Peak. However, he has grown up a bit and is more handsome now.

His cultivation has improved considerably, reaching the ninth level of Jade Purity, just one step away from Upper Purity. Among the younger generation of Qingyun, he is considered top-tier.

Tian Buyi was quite satisfied with this, and his chubby face was often smiling. However, when he saw him, he would still habitually hum and say "brat" a couple of times.

On this day, Tian Buyi and Su Ru were both in Shoujing Hall.

Jiang Xiaochuan stood below the hall, carrying a small bundle on his back, containing a few changes of clothes and some odds and ends.

He was going to Incense Valley. He had thought about it for a long time and prepared for it for a long time. It was for the nine-tailed celestial fox trapped under the Xuanhuo Altar, and also for... a vague thought in his mind.

Tian Buyi paced back and forth in front of the hall for a couple of steps, then stopped and looked at him: "Have you thought it through?"

Jiang Xiaochuan nodded: "I've thought it through. Everything's packed."

Tian Buyi stared at him for a long time, his chubby face expressionless, his small eyes narrowed. Then he snorted, took out two small jade bottles from his pocket, and stuffed them into Jiang Xiaochuan's hand.

"Take it," he said in a gruff voice.

"Be careful on the road. If you can't win a fight, run away. Don't be a hero."

Jiang Xiaochuan looked down at the two jade bottles in his hands. These were the rhubarb pills that Tian Buyi treasured, a holy medicine for healing. He himself was usually reluctant to use them. These two bottles were probably all the old man had in his stock.

He felt a warmth in his heart, mixed with a touch of sadness. He picked up a bottle and pushed it back to Tian Buyi: "One bottle is enough. I'm tough, I won't die. You keep it, just in case..."

"Just take it!"

Tian Buyi glared at him, shoved the jade bottle back into his hand, and pressed it down hard. "What's with all the nagging!"

Looking at the old man's wide-eyed expression, Jiang Xiaochuan felt an even stronger pang of sadness in his heart. He didn't refuse any longer and carefully put the jade bottle into his bosom, keeping it close to his body.

Su Ru walked over, straightened his clothes, and gently brushed away non-existent dust from his shoulder with her fingers.

She looked at him, her eyes a little red, but she didn't cry. She just whispered, "Take good care of yourself out there. Wear more clothes when you're cold, eat when you're hungry, and don't neglect yourself."

As she spoke, she took out a small bag of silver from her sleeve and stuffed it into his hand: "It's always good to have extra money on the road, even if you're poor."

Jiang Xiaochuan clutched the heavy bag of silver, his throat tightening. He wanted to say, "No need, Master's wife, I have enough." But the words caught in his throat. He simply nodded, nodded vigorously.

Su Ru looked at him, thought for a moment, then turned and went into the inner room. After a while, she came out, holding a sword in her hands.

The sword was not long, about two feet, a foot shorter than ordinary swords. The scabbard was ancient and its surface was crystal clear like autumn water. A straight blue mark could be faintly seen on the spine of the sword. Even before the sword was drawn, one could feel a cool, refreshing chill.

It is Mo Xue, one of the Nine Heavens Divine Soldiers.

Su Ru handed the sword to Jiang Xiaochuan: "Take it."

Jiang Xiaochuan was taken aback and quickly declined, "Master's wife, this is too precious, I can't..."

"Just take it," Su Ru interrupted him, her voice soft but firm.

"When you're out and about, having a good sword always provides more protection. You're used to using a gun, so this sword... is good for self-defense."