The early morning had seen Zheng Niangzi spray her with indignity, so Xiao Man sidled up to Liu Han. He nudged Liu Han with his elbow and whispered, "Senior Brother, what's wrong with Zheng Niangzi? She's like she's eaten gunpowder this early in the morning."
Liu Han pursed his lips. "We had a guest last night."
"Did the guest anger Zheng Niangzi?"
Liu Han looked at Xiao Man with a complex expression. "The guest beat up Senior Brother Wang Wu."
"Who is it, so arrogant to dare beat up Senior Brother Wang Wu?" Xiao Man immediately rolled up his sleeves. "Tell me, who is it, I'll go beat him up!"
Wang Wu grabbed Xiao Man's arm. "Junior Brother, don't be foolish. Last night, Elder almost twisted my head off and used it as a ball!"
"Elder..." Xiao Man unnoticeably rolled down his sleeves and smoothed them out. "Senior Brother Wang Wu, Elder punished you, meaning you did something wrong. You should reflect on it."
"It's all because you made me deliver medicine to the Young Sect Master in the middle of the night, causing this trouble!" Wang Wu wished he could jump up and hit Xiao Man. But then he remembered how Elder Ping had tried to deal with Xiao Man last night and ended up falling clumsily in the courtyard, so he suppressed the urge to hit him, his face turning red from the effort.
"Is there a problem with the medicine?" Xiao Man was confused. The medicine was brewed by herself; there shouldn't be any issues.
"The Young Sect Master's medicine must be inspected by a specialized alchemist before it can be given to him."
"My apologies, I didn't know the rules." Xiao Man quickly apologized. "I have implicated Senior Brother. Please forgive me."
"Never mind. Elder told you to brew another bowl and send it over. Last night's was knocked over by him."
"Knocked over?" Xiao Man's voice rose. "Does he know how much effort and how many spirit herbs I put into that bowl of medicine? He knocked it over! Tell him to pay for it!"
Wang Wu looked at the furious Xiao Man and moved his lips, not daring to retort. That was an Elder, a Nascent Soul stage Elder, a being like an old monster. He could crush you with a single finger. How dare you ask him to pay!
"Xiao Qin."
"What is it?" Xiao Man replied curtly.
Elder Ping hit a snag and felt his face lose color. He touched his nose. "How much compensation?"
Hearing the voice, Xiao Man turned around. "Elder Ping."
"You brat, when did you escape?"
"I escaped a few days ago. Worried that A Ran would act recklessly, I came to Sky Sword Sect to check on him." Xiao Man's expression was calm, his gaze steady. Elder Ping could not detect any issues.
"Why didn't you send a visiting card?"
"Elder Ping, you think too highly of me. I am an unknown person. If I sent a visiting card and specifically asked to see Sky Sword Sect's Young Sect Master, who would believe me?"
Elder Ping choked. "Then why were you hiding in the small kitchen?"
"I applied as a handyman. If not in the kitchen, where else, the Divine Martial Hall?" Xiao Man asked playfully. "Elder Ping, when will A Ran be released?"
"Keeping him locked up was precisely out of concern for his recklessness. Since you are here, he likely won't act up. He will be released shortly." Elder Ping coughed. "Your cultivation... why has it dropped?"
"Oh, I was injured in the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest. My cultivation has temporarily dropped to the Foundation Establishment stage. Once the injuries heal, my cultivation will recover as well." Xiao Man explained.
Elder Ping nodded. "Since you are here to see the Young Sect Master, you don't need to stay in the small kitchen. When the Young Sect Master comes out, you can move to his courtyard."
"We'll see about that later." Xiao Man said calmly. Entering Sky Sword Sect was just the first step. She still needed Yue Ran's help to find her mother's whereabouts, but she couldn't appear too eager, or it would arouse suspicion.
"Given the Young Sect Master's temperament, he likely won't allow you to continue staying in the small kitchen. The forces within Sky Sword Sect are very complex. With you by his side, you'll be safer." Elder Ping said insincerely. He was afraid Xiao Man would inadvertently offend a certain faction and cause trouble for Yue Ran. But if he wanted to drive her away, he needed an excuse!
Moreover, the Young Sect Master knew she was here, so it wouldn't be easy to send her away. If the Young Sect Master followed her out, he would be the one suffering. It was better to place her by the Young Sect Master's side. With the Young Sect Master watching over her, others wouldn't dare to easily harm her.
"I quite like it here. I will leave once I've stabilized A Ran's condition." Xiao Man remained unmoved. "Right, pay up!"
Elder Ping looked at Xiao Man's outstretched hand, then at Xiao Man. "How much?"
"One hundred spirit crystals."
"One hundred spirit crystals!" Elder Ping's voice rose, shouting in disbelief. "Are you robbing me!"
"In that bowl of medicine, I used Frost Dragon Orchid, Blood Crystal Ganoderma, and also a stalk of Ice Buddha Leaf. I obtained them through immense hardship. You knocked it over! If you think one hundred spirit crystals is too much, you can compensate me with medicine."
Elder Ping smiled awkwardly and took out a bag from his storage pouch. He weighed it with a pained expression. This was his long-held inventory. If he had known, he wouldn't have knocked over that bowl of medicine last night.
"There are only eighty-two spirit crystals here. I'll add a pill to make up the difference. What do you say?"
Xiao Man glanced at the pill Elder Ping produced and nodded. She took the pill and the spirit crystals together. "I'm going to cook for A Ran. Elder Ping, take care."
Elder Ping watched Xiao Man's figure disappear into the kitchen, his furrowed brows never relaxing. He had never been able to see through this person. Although so young, she seemed to be full of schemes. Their Young Sect Master would likely be sold by her and still help her count the money! However, this was also good. With her by the Young Sect Master's side, others would have to consider her if they wanted to plot against the Young Sect Master!
"Second Brother!" As Xiao Man was preparing breakfast, Yue Ran burst in like a gust of wind.
Xiao Man passed the spoon behind her. "Stay away."
"Second Brother, I've missed you so much."
"I don't want to die yet." Xiao Man shot Yue Ran a sideways glance. "Your father finally decided to let you out."
"Isn't that right? I wanted to come out long ago, but my father wouldn't let me." Yue Ran grinned brightly. "But it's fine now, I'm finally out."
Yue Ran fawningly went to the stove, pulled Liu Han away, and took over the fire. "Second Brother, I'll help you with the fire."
Zheng Niangzi stared at the scene, her eyes almost popping out. She even rubbed her eyes in disbelief, afraid she was seeing things. How could their proud Young Sect Master have such a fawning side, even helping with cooking and fire? She must be dreaming.
"Second Brother, I'll have someone move all your things to my place later." Yue Ran said. "You should live with me."
"Making decisions without consulting me, have you asked for my opinion?" Xiao Man asked coolly.
Yue Ran's expression stiffened. He half-stood up nervously. "Second Brother, will you live with me?"
Xiao Man refused without looking up. "No."