The old man's words fell like dust, and even he couldn't help but sigh and shake his head. He had made things perfectly clear. Who would still choose to come to Tianjian Peak and sink into obscurity with him?
He had spoken only to make Yun Jin back down. Yet her expression remained unchanged. She stepped forward and bowed low before him, performing a formal disciple's salute.
"Disciple Yun Jin, greets Master."
The old man froze, stunned by her resolute voice. His mouth opened slightly, as if to speak, but no words came out. He had laid everything bare—taking him as her master brought no benefits, only danger. She might even be dragged down in the future if the sect decided to settle old scores.
Even joining the outer sect would be better than becoming his disciple.
So why would this Yun Jin...
His emotions turned complicated. After a long pause, he finally said, "Very well. Since you insist, then I, Lin Ya, shall accept you as my disciple."
So be it.
If it costs him his life, perhaps he can still carve out a path for one of his disciples.
"Thank you, Master." Yun Jin straightened with composure.
To her, most of the Tianxing Sect's members were detestable, with few exceptions.
Lin Ya was one of those exceptions.
The Yun Clan had long passed down a secret art of winemaking. In her previous life, it was that very skill that led to her brief acquaintance with Lin Ya. Though "acquaintance" might be too generous. At best, whenever she brewed a particularly fine batch, she would occasionally share a jar with him.
It was just mundane wine, nothing of true worth. Yun Jin had never expected nor asked for anything in return. Yet on that day when she was slaughtered by demonkind, everyone else in the Tianxing Sect pretended nothing had happened. The Sect Master even toasted the Demon Sovereign over wine.
Only Lin Ya, sword in hand, charged at the Demon Sovereign without hesitation. But his cultivation had long diminished. He was no match. In the end, his assault became nothing more than a noble suicide. Before his death, Yun Jin's soul had seen him glance toward her old wooden hut.
In that moment, Lin Ya's eyes were filled with pain and despair. He whispered, "In the end... I couldn't protect anyone."
Then he closed his eyes forever.
That scene had stayed with Yun Jin ever since, like a flame burning quietly in the depths of her heart. Though they had never been close, though the wine had been nothing special, Lin Ya must have seen something that day—something that compelled him to raise his sword against a monster he couldn't defeat.
Yes.
Only after death had Yun Jin realized the truth. She was never mistaken for someone else. The Demon Sovereign had deliberately spread false rumors to lure in his enemies and used her as bait.
He claimed she had made Ye Danxia suffer and used that as an excuse to set a trap, killing her with the help of his rivals. A twofold victory—he avenged Danxia and rid himself of competition.
And the life of a mere maid? No one cared.
No one except Lin Ya.
He had cared. Enough to swing his sword, knowing it would cost him his life.
Such a man deserved the title of Master in this life.
In her past life, his few disciples had all been killed. In the end, he had lost even the will to live.
But this life...
Yun Jin would change that.
She moved to stand calmly at Lin Ya's side.
Zhao Wuji's lips curled in a mocking smile.
"Choosing Tianjian Peak? Perfect."
Lin Ya was a man he loathed. Yun Jin was no better in his eyes. When the time came, he would deal with them both.
"Xiao Jin!" Ye Danxia's voice trembled as she stepped forward anxiously. "Didn't you hear? In three months, Sky Sword Peak will have a new Peak Lord. That place has no future! You can't be throwing your life away just to spite me!"
She looked at Yun Jin pleadingly. "We're sisters! How can we be separated? Didn't we agree? You'd be my maid, and I'd bring you into the sect. On the surface, we'd be master and servant, but in truth, we'd still be family!"
Turning to the Sect Master, she almost begged, "Please, don't separate me from Xiao Jin. I can't just watch her ruin her future!"
Tears filled her eyes. Ruan Jun, standing nearby, was immediately moved. He glared at Yun Jin and barked, "How dare you act so ungrateful? Junior Sister Danxia has spoken for you over and over, yet you keep treating her like this! Don't push your luck, Yun Jin!"
"Senior Brother, please don't be angry," Ye Danxia said hurriedly, all innocence. "In the Yun family, I was nothing more than an orphan they took in. Though they said they were helping me, I was always treated like a maid. Now I ask Xiao Jin to be my maid—she must be struggling with that."
Her eyes turned to Yun Jin, soft and earnest. "Xiao Jin, I promise, whatever I have, you'll have too. Please, stop being stubborn. Don't throw everything away out of spite."
Yun Jin remained silent. Before she could respond, Ruan Jun was already moved to tears. "Junior Sister, you're too kind. This Yun Jin doesn't deserve it. You've been treated unfairly, yet you still care for her."
"Even if the Yun family mistreated me," Ye Danxia said righteously, "they still gave me shelter. And I grew up with Xiao Jin. I won't abandon her!"
Zhao Wuji gave a thoughtful nod, clearly swayed. He gave Yun Jin a cold glance. "You may be disrespectful and unruly, but you have a good sister. Since Danxia has spoken for you, I'll give you another chance. Stay by her side, serve her well, and I will ensure you a promising future."
Ye Danxia beamed. "Thank you, Sect Master."
Zhao Wuji nodded in approval. "Yun Jin, aren't you going to thank Danxia?"
Ye Danxia turned to her with a bright smile. "Xiao Jin, we don't have to be separated after all!"
Yun Jin's smile returned, but it was cold.
She clapped her hands slowly. "Marvelous. Truly a splendid performance."
Ye Danxia's expression froze. "Xiao Jin... what are you saying?"
Yun Jin's voice was soft, but sharp. "Danxia, you say the Yun family treated you poorly, that you were only ever a maid. Do you even know what a real maid does?"
Danxia's smile faltered. "Why are you bringing that up now?"
"In those chaotic days of war, you were just a starving orphan. My father, moved by compassion, took you in and raised you as his own daughter. Yet today, you say he treated you like a servant." Yun Jin's gaze turned frigid. "If you truly were a maid, then show your hands. Let everyone here see whether they are calloused like a servant's or smooth like a noble daughter's."
Ye Danxia flinched, instinctively hiding her hands behind her back.
She forced a smile. "Xiao Jin, why does that matter now..."
Yun Jin ignored her. She turned to the crowd and said clearly, "If not for my father, she wouldn't even be alive to slander us. She was raised with every luxury, like a daughter of the house. And even if she truly had served as a maid, would that have been unjust? Is a life-saving grace not worth such a price?"
Her gaze sharpened. "But fine. The Yun family needs no gratitude from her. Let all present bear witness: From today onward, Yun Jin and Ye Danxia are strangers. If we meet again, no greetings are necessary."
With a flick of her wrist, a surge of spiritual energy shattered the bracelet on Ye Danxia's arm.
"This bracelet was one of a pair. We swore to be sisters forever." Yun Jin's voice was steel. "Now, you don't deserve to wear it."
She removed her own bracelet and dropped it to the ground.
It shattered into pieces.
Leaf Danxia's heart suddenly twisted in her chest, an ache she couldn't understand.
[+2 Emotional Value.]