Chapter 97: The Secret Mark

The Immortal Nine Skies sipped a cup of “divine nectar,” immediately feeling refreshed and clear-minded, her senses brightened. The sweet, soothing liquid permeated her lungs and heart.

“Ah, delightful!” she exclaimed, savoring the taste. “After drinking a cup of this ‘divine nectar,’ it feels as if I’ve been reborn... Mei’er, how do you feel?”

She Mei’er’s face lit up brilliantly.

“Wonderful! Master, after just one cup of the ‘divine nectar,’ my whole body feels relaxed, and my heart is filled with a sweet, joyous glow... Master, let’s have another cup!”

“Very well! Another cup it is.”

So, the Immortal Nine Skies and She Mei’er sat facing each other in the “Drunken Immortal Pavilion,” continuously indulging in the “divine nectar.” The master and disciple clinked their cups happily and, after drinking five cups, the Immortal began to feel pleasantly intoxicated.

“Mei’er, I can no longer withstand the power of this ‘divine nectar.’ Let us stop here. You may continue on your own if you wish...”

“Master, I am quite satisfied already!” She Mei’er said coquettishly. “Master, the pure jade vial in my storage ring is now empty. I want to fill it again with the ‘divine nectar.’”

“Good!” the Immortal nodded. “Mei’er, no need to ask permission, you may do as you please.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Master!” She Mei’er joyfully said, immediately reciting an incantation to summon the pure jade vial from her storage ring and carefully began filling it with the “divine nectar.”

The Immortal Nine Skies watched Mei’er’s every move with delight but suddenly noticed some dirt on the back of Mei’er’s right hand. She frowned and said,

“Mei’er, how long has it been since you last washed your hands? Look at the back of your hand—it was so clean before, but now it’s quite dirty. This isn’t like you! You’ve always been so meticulous about cleanliness, washing your hands hundreds of times a day... Why haven’t you washed them now?”

Mei’er blushed deeply at the question.

“Master, I just don’t want to wash them right now!”

“Why?” the Immortal asked, puzzled.

Mei’er’s face grew even redder.

“Ah, Master, I’m too embarrassed to say. Please don’t ask!”

“Oh?” The Immortal’s suspicion grew, her face darkened as she stood before Mei’er and pressed, “What is so embarrassing that you can’t say? Mei’er, today I insist you give me an explanation!”

Seeing the stern gaze, Mei’er knew she had to confess. She stopped pouring and shyly whispered,

“Master, the mark on the back of my hand... yesterday in Death Valley, Yan Chixia kissed it... I’m afraid if I wash, the trace of his kiss will be washed away, so I can’t bring myself to wash it off.”

The Immortal Nine Skies nearly shed tears upon hearing this.

“She Mei’er, can you not have some dignity?” she said, half laughing, half crying. “Fortunately, Yan Chixia kissed your hand and not your cheek. If he had kissed your face, would you also be unwilling to wash? If that happened, you’d look like a spotted cat! Dirty all day, would you still have any sense of shame?”

The Immortal thought her words would wake Mei’er up, but instead, Mei’er stood and threw herself into her embrace, crying bitterly.

“Master! For Yan Chixia, I don’t care about shame...”

Good heavens, the Immortal Nine Skies was truly at a loss for tears, speechless with sorrow!

She silently held the trembling, delicate figure in her arms, listening to her plaintive sobs, feeling both anger and heartache. Suddenly, she remembered something, and her expression changed. She quickly grabbed Mei’er’s right hand and looked closely at her wrist. The “Guardian Mark” she had personally inscribed when accepting Mei’er as her disciple was still vividly bright. She breathed a huge sigh of relief.

“Thank heavens, the honor of the Immortal Nine Skies is not yet lost because of you!”

“Master, what are you saying?” Mei’er sniffled. “Am I really that disgraceful?”

“Hmph!” the Immortal snorted. “You foolish girl, don’t pretend to be strong. Yesterday, on your journey to Death Valley with Yan Chixia, you should be grateful he is a ‘gentleman’ and not a ‘cad’—otherwise, your Guardian Mark would have long since been washed away!”

Her tone softened as she continued, “Mei’er, a woman’s chastity is of utmost importance. Even if you lose your life, never lose your purity... Otherwise, men will look down on you! Remember my words.”

“I remember!” Mei’er stopped crying and nodded. “Master, from now on, whether speaking or acting in front of Yan Chixia, I will always keep proper boundaries and never bring shame to you!”

........................................

At Zhongnan Mountain, Qingxu Temple.

Neither the Immortal Nine Skies nor She Mei’er had slept all night. Qingxu Zhenren, Yan Chixia, Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Song Ta’er were also wide awake, excited beyond measure. Now, the five disciples and master sat together at the breakfast table.

Today’s breakfast was sumptuous, personally prepared by Qingxu Zhenren.

Yan Chixia had wanted to use the Paper Talisman Art to conjure a feast, but Qingxu Zhenren refused. He said today was a joyous occasion, as Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Song Ta’er were to formally become his disciples. As their master, he wished to show his respect by cooking many of his signature dishes.

The five sat together, eating and chatting.

“Master, you said the Immortal Nine Skies will come to Qingxu Temple today... Is she really coming?” Song Ta’er asked.

Before Qingxu Zhenren could answer, Tu Xiaomeng eagerly said,

“Is that even a question? If Master says she’s coming, then she’ll definitely come. Song Ta’er, if She Mei’er comes with the Immortal Nine Skies and I ask to see the ‘Heavenly Net Shadow Veil’ and the ‘Ruyi Divine Boat,’ would she agree?”

“Heh heh...” Song Ta’er laughed awkwardly. “How would I know? I’m no Zhuge Liang...”

“Oh! Look at you, Song Ta’er, getting smarter!” Tu Xiaomeng praised.

“Hehe,” Bai Xiaoyue smiled. “Xiaomeng, since you’re always with Song Ta’er, it’s no surprise you’ve learned so much. I’m sure that if Mei’er comes today and you ask to see the ‘Heavenly Net Shadow Veil’ and ‘Ruyi Divine Boat,’ she won’t just agree—she’ll be delighted to show you the ‘Heavenly Net Shadow Veil’ and even invite us to take a flight around Qingxu Temple on her ‘Ruyi Divine Boat.’”

“Really?” Tu Xiaomeng was thrilled. “Sister Bai, how do you know that?”

Before Bai Xiaoyue could answer, Yan Chixia interrupted,

“Because you’re so smooth-talking, you can flatter a ‘little demon’ until she’s completely lost.”