The day Hu Xiaojing left the capital, Xing Yuan went to see her off.
Hu Xiaojing showed no signs of heartbreak, her eyes filled with a carefree spirit. She met Xing Yuan's slightly worried gaze and even smiled softly.
The bright young woman was not without her flaws. She gave Xing Yuan a perfunctory hug and whispered in her ear, "You're actually quite different from her, but I like this version of you even more."
Xing Yuan looked at her in astonishment, her eyes filled with panic. But Hu Xiaojing had no intention of elaborating. She simply let go of her and smiled at the two of them.
She playfully teased the Taoist priest she had previously feared, "Is the National Preceptor so afraid I'll abduct Xiao Yuan? Then the National Preceptor will have to be careful from now on, because one day I might just do that."
Dao Yu Yue's fist tightened subtly beneath her sleeve. She touched a raw nerve, "Have you let go?"
"Yes!" Hu Xiaojing chuckled freely. "I didn't have much affection for him anyway. He was just a handsome face. There are countless handsome people in the world. Since I've had my taste, why should you only focus on him?"
Hu Xiaojing had witnessed Yuwen's reaction when he woke up and was surprised by his calmness.
That was understandable. A person who had fallen into the world of pleasure, even if they started out pure, would not remain so. Since he didn't want to be with her, Hu Xiaojing wouldn't force it.
She was a fox, a demon. Humans and demons were inherently different species. Fortunately, her infatuation hadn't run too deep, and she had withdrawn in time. She could find a few handsome men to dote on, and this heartache would heal in a few years.
And a few years, for a demon, was not particularly significant.
"Take care!" Xing Yuan said with a complex expression.
The part of her that belonged to this world was pulling at her, urging her to comfort her friend. But Xing Yuan knew that she didn't need comfort and was never as innocent as she appeared.
Xing Yuan thought that people's perception of foxes as cunning and deceitful creatures was not without reason.
Hu Xiaojing's departure did not bring any significant changes to Xing Yuan's life, except for one troublesome matter she encountered.
Before, she had always gone to great lengths to cling to her sister. But now, her sister couldn't leave her side, insisting on taking her everywhere. If it was inconvenient in human form, she would transform into a small fox and be carried away.
Xing Yuan was extremely annoyed!
However, it was a happy annoyance. If her sister could be a little more tender and considerate, Xing Yuan would be even happier.
On this day, people from the Zhaoyun Temple arrived.
A group of ten people entered the palace in grand procession.
Dao Yu Yue sat in the pavilion with a solemn posture, projecting an image of immortal grace (if one ignored the fox perched on her shoulder).
Dao Yu Yue had cultivated Taoist arts since she was young. Due to her exceptional talent, she was highly valued by her master. She had an elder martial brother, and a multitude of younger martial brothers and sisters.
However, during her time at the temple, she was engrossed in her Taoist studies and did not interact much with others. In her teens, she was chosen as the successor to the National Preceptor and moved to the National Preceptor's mansion. Therefore, apart from her master and elder martial brother, she barely knew anyone else.
This time, her eldest martial brother, Lin Mo, led several junior martial brothers and sisters out for training. He also brought along Yu Zhen, a disciple selected from their temple with the highest talent.
Yu Zhen, at only ten years old, could block three of Lin Mo's moves with his Taoist arts. While his talent was not quite on par with Dao Yu Yue's, it was still considered exceptional.
After paying his respects to the Emperor, Lin Mo arranged for his junior martial siblings to settle in and then took Yu Zhen alone to see his junior martial sister.
His junior martial sister was aloof and disliked interacting with people. The younger disciples were also young and arrogant. Naturally, he did not want to bring those troublesome individuals to upset his junior martial sister.
"Junior Martial Sister!" Lin Mo cupped his hands and greeted her politely.
"Senior Martial Brother, there's no need for such formality." Dao Yu Yue's voice was clear and cool as she returned the gesture.
"This is the most talented disciple from our temple. Please take a look, Junior Martial Sister." Lin Mo pushed Yu Zhen forward.
Yu Zhen was respectful and courteous. Despite his young age, his etiquette was exceptionally thorough. "Greetings, National Preceptor."
Lin Mo's vision swam. He knew that his junior martial sister was now the National Preceptor and, according to etiquette, he should not directly call her Junior Martial Sister.
But precisely because he knew this, he hoped that by using such a warm address, he could soften his junior martial sister's heart and foster a sense of filial affection for their sect. After all, while Yu Zhen was exceptionally talented, other Taoist sects might have equally gifted young men and women.
"No need for formalities. I am from Zhaoyun Temple. You may call me Senior Martial Sister." Dao Yu Yue smiled gently, showing a hint of admiration for the young boy.
People here generally matured early. He would surely know the implications of the difference in address. Yet, he still called her National Preceptor. This indicated that he was either open-minded or confident, and at least not trying to exploit their relationship for personal gain.
Dao Yu Yue then casually asked Yu Zhen a few questions related to Taoist arts, to which he answered fluently, leaving Dao Yu Yue quite satisfied.
As long as this person had good character, the rest could be cultivated through effort. She had confidence in herself. And as long as she could train him into a qualified National Preceptor, she would no longer have to stay in the capital all the time.
"Not bad!" Dao Yu Yue nodded.
"Senior Martial Brother, it has been a long time since we last met. I forgot earlier. Please, both Senior Martial Brother and Junior Martial Brother, have a seat!" Dao Yu Yue said courteously, then poured a cup of tea and placed it before him.
Lin Mo took a sip of tea and praised, "Junior Martial Sister's tea ceremony is quite good! It leaves a lingering fragrance."
"Not at all, it's just that the tea is excellent." A fleeting hint of pride flashed in Dao Yu Yue's eyes, followed by a humble remark.
Her tea ceremony was indeed excellent, as it had been her greatest pastime in the past.
The entire courtyard was filled with a harmonious atmosphere. Yu Zhen hesitated for a long time before pointing at the fox on Dao Yu Yue's shoulder and asking, "Senior Martial Sister, if I'm not mistaken, is that a fox demon?"
"Yes." Dao Yu Yue smiled tenderly, gently stroked the fox on her shoulder, and then held her in her arms.
"Junior Martial Sister, you... are keeping a demon?" Lin Mo exclaimed in shock.
Although he had sensed a faint demonic aura upon entering, he had absolute trust in his junior martial sister and had not even considered that the fox might be a demon. To be discovered by a child was truly embarrassing.
"Senior Martial Brother!" Dao Yu Yue's brows furrowed slightly, and she said with displeasure, "I don't keep demons."
"Then what is this?" Lin Mo was confused. The demon was being held in her arms! He wasn't so old and blind, was he?
Dao Yu Yue gently stroked the fox in her arms, her voice firm, "I don't keep demons. I'm keeping my wife, the one who will marry me and be with me forever."
Lin Mo fell silent. He even suspected his ears were playing tricks on him, otherwise, how could he have heard the pride of Zhaoyun Temple utter such rebellious words.