This Human Immortal Is Too Serious

That night, Wu Wang sat by the window of the small building. Two cups of wine and a few small dishes were laid out on the round table before him as he drank alone.

Sometimes the wind would sweep through the bamboo tops, and quiet whispers could be heard from the distant alleys.

Ever since returning from the Punishment Hall, Wu Wang had carried a faint melancholy. Now, this melancholy rose to his throat, turning into a few quiet sighs.

Perhaps he felt pity for Daoist Wancai, or perhaps he was missing the carefree days in the Northern Wilderness, mingled with an even deeper homesickness.

"Sigh."

Wu Wang let out a slight sigh. He picked up a piece of the snack Suqing had made and found it a bit too bland.

I'm craving meat, the real deal.

"Isn't the Sect Master getting beaten up... cough, practicing Body Cultivation today?"

The Grand Elder's greeting came from outside the door. Wu Wang, with a smile, invited the Grand Elder in. "Pavilion Master Liu has gone to the Northern Region to handle affairs. Would the Elder like to have a few drinks?"

"Seeing that the Sect Master rarely has the mood for such leisure and yet has no company, this old man took the liberty of coming over."

The Grand Elder entered. Today, he was dressed in a blue robe, not his usual blood-red one.

Actually, this was prepared for Brother Ji...

With his Spiritual Sense, Wu Wang glanced at Ji Mo, who still refused to leave the reception hall, and calmly dismissed the thought.

Let's see. If this guy doesn't leave tomorrow, it means he really has run into an insurmountable hurdle. As his friend, I should help him out.

The Grand Elder said gently, "Sect Master, everything at the Sect is proceeding methodically. You needn't worry too much."

"We'll take it step by step. Let's not rush things," Wu Wang said with a smile. "I was actually thinking of transferring Yang Wudi and Zhang Moshan over to the Punishment Hall as officers. That way, I'll have two trustworthy subordinates."

"Sect Master, you can simply order them over." The Grand Elder chuckled. "I will send a Jade Talisman later and have them report to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion immediately."

"Looking at the situation now, I won't be able to return to the Sect for a while."

Wu Wang raised his cup, clinking it gently with the Grand Elder's.

"There's one more thing about the magic treasure shop: ensure that the Masters of Refining are treated as well as possible," Wu Wang said. "Sending away Daoist Wancai today made me think of this."

"Rest assured, Sect Master. We will certainly provide ample rewards."

The Grand Elder spoke slowly, "I also heard about what happened to Daoist Wancai. Indeed, it gives one much to ponder."

"Indeed."

Wu Wang looked out at the mottled bamboo shadows in the night. "When it comes down to it, I share a few similarities with him."

"Different," the Grand Elder shook his head slightly. "Sect Master, you have taken control of your own fate, while Daoist Wancai was driven by circumstances. There's too much that's different."

"Maybe so."

Wu Wang drained his cup in one gulp. The wine from the Northern Wilderness flowed down his throat, making him exhale softly.

For a long time, neither spoke. Then, the Grand Elder brought up some of Elder Miao's amusing childhood anecdotes, finding topics for idle chat.

It wasn't long before Suqing came to refill the wine and change the dishes. She stood by to serve Wu Wang and the Grand Elder; having seen Wu Wang's low spirits earlier, she hadn't dared to disturb him much.

Gradually, Wu Wang's mood lifted, and he began discussing the way of Body Cultivation with the Grand Elder.

As their conversation grew lively and enjoyable, hasty footsteps were suddenly heard from outside the attic. Two Immortal Soldiers at the door urgently reported,

"Hall Master, your instruction is needed!"

Wu Wang drank the wine in his cup and said calmly, "Speak."

"A woman from the Demonic Sect, along with others, tried to forcefully enter the main pavilion and was apprehended by our brothers at the gate. She is demanding to see you!"

"Force entry?"

Wu Wang asked in confusion, "Don't we have a reception hall? Why force entry? And to see me?"

The Immortal Soldier hurriedly said, "Hall Master, that woman has a fierce temper. We told her to wait for a report, but she accused us of stalling so the person she's looking for could escape."

"Oh?"

Wu Wang raised his eyebrows and asked, "Where is this woman now?"

"She and her companions have been restrained and are being held at the middle gate, awaiting your decision!"

"Let's go, Grand Elder. Let us see this woman." Wu Wang rose to his feet, the smile on his lips growing more intense.

"You go on ahead. Don't let anyone hurt her. Send someone to bring a fruit platter to Ji Mo in the reception hall. Tell him to relax, and that I will be done with my duties tonight."

"Yes!"

The two Immortal Soldiers took their orders and left, each turning into a streak of light and flying back to the front hall of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion.

The Grand Elder was somewhat puzzled. But seeing that the Sect Master was in high spirits, he followed along as a guard. The Grand Elder suspected Ji Mo had gotten himself entangled in some amorous troubles, and the Sect Master was going to help his good brother out of a difficult situation.

Wu Wang was already using his Spiritual Sense to look into the distance, where he saw a woman as beautiful as a flower. He faintly felt he had seen her somewhere before, yet the memory was vague.

On the way to the middle gate, Wu Wang carefully recalled, constantly comparing the woman's appearance with the women in his memories. As he drew closer, an image finally sprang to mind on his Spirit Platform.

Is it her?

During the Human Emperor's banquet at the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion, a young girl had stood on the shoulders of two robust men, dressed in a peacock feather skirt. In the subsequent 'Supreme Above All' Duel, her performance had been quite ferocious, capable of competing with Lin Qi at that time.

The daughter of a Demonic Sect's Sect Master—Le Yao.

They say a girl changes immensely as she grows, and Le Yao had indeed transformed significantly.

At the time of the Human Emperor's banquet, she was only fifteen or sixteen. Yet her cultivation was astonishing, her Divine Skills and Spells highly refined. Her face was delicate and pleasing, with a touch of natural coquettish allure.

Today, she had grown taller. Her divine aura was restrained, her presence distinguished, and her cultivation was soaring towards the realm of Immortals. She emanated an indescribable aura that subdued the several Heavenly Immortal experts around her.

She stood proudly before the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion's main entrance, her feet bound by Immortal Light, yet she still refused to bow her head, her gaze constantly searching the crowd.

Seeing this, Wu Wang immediately pulled the Grand Elder aside and muttered, "This girl might not be easy to fool."

The Grand Elder chuckled, "What kind of woman could trouble the Sect Master?"

"Stop joking with me, Elder," Wu Wang pursed his lips. My own troubles are known only to myself.

He said, "Grand Elder, first exert some pressure secretly—don't harm her—just to add a sense of oppression here."

"Alright."

The Grand Elder swept his sleeve. Instantly, the night within several li turned gloomy and cold, as if countless eyes were watching the central gate area from the surrounding darkness.

The demoness Le Yao remained composed, while many Immortal Soldiers of lesser cultivation around her started shivering instead.

The Grand Elder said, "This person must often have Transcendent experts by her side, hence her indifference to such pressure."

"Grand Elder, retract your Divine Skills," Wu Wang said, hands behind his back, then gave a self-deprecating smile. "I haven't even sorted out my own lifelong matters, and here I am dealing with others'."

Well, consider it gathering good karma for my story with Jingwei.

Wu Wang jumped down from the clouds and landed behind the Immortal Soldiers, strolling out with his hands behind his back.

An alert Immortal Soldier immediately shouted at the top of his lungs,

"Wuwang Hall Master has arrived!"

The Cultivators of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion all turned to greet him. The experts hidden at the central gate also appeared to pay their respects to Wu Wang.

Wu Wang nodded with a smile and walked straight toward Le Yao through the path cleared by the Immortal Soldiers.

The demoness from the Demonic Sect also watched Wu Wang. The coldness on her pretty face softened, respect showing in her eyes. Evidently, she had heard of Wu Wang's 'glorious achievements.'

This was the man who had outwitted Qiong Qi.

Wu Wang maintained a clear gaze as he looked at Le Yao's face, speaking warmly, "Fellow Daoist, you wished to see me?"

Le Yao spoke, her voice as clear and melodious as a fawn's first cry or a babbling spring.

She said, "My lord, is the Ji Family's young master with you?"

"He is with me," Wu Wang replied with a smile. "However, due to pressing official duties, I haven't had the chance to meet with Brother Ji. May I ask who you are?"

"I am his betrothed."

Le Yao stood up straight, her swan-like neck slightly raised. There was a hint of distress in her eyes, yet her voice remained strong.

"If he is here, please allow me to see him. I want to know why he wants to break our engagement. As long as he gives me a reason—even if it's something as absurd as my appearance not being to his liking—I would accept it! But to leave without a word, what does that mean? If he feels this relationship won't work, he should state it plainly! Why hide from me like this?"

The surrounding Cultivators, hearing her words, looked at Le Yao with admiration.

Such a woman, who dared to love and hate, was truly difficult to dislike.

Wu Wang: ...

I knew this would be tricky.

What could he do? He couldn't just make a decision for Ji Mo.

So, Wu Wang said warmly,

"Fellow Daoist... young lady, don't be angry just yet. There might be some misunderstanding! Brother Ji isn't the type to shirk responsibility. He has come to the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion because... because, ah, I had to investigate a secret case and requested his assistance. You might not know, Brother Ji is known as the 'Jade-faced Judge,' renowned for his sound judgments."

Le Yao was slightly taken aback, blinking gently. "Really?"

"Would this Hall Master deceive anyone?"

"Hmph," Le Yao's lips curled into a slight smile, and she said, "Although I know you're deceiving me, it still makes me feel a bit happier. Thank you for your kindness."

"Young lady, please wait at my residence. If those with you are concerned, you may have two of them accompany you."

Wu Wang spoke warmly, "Let me deal with a couple of matters first. Once I'm done with the urgent tasks at hand, I will give you a proper explanation."

Le Yao slightly pursed her lips, gazing at Wu Wang.

"I believe you, my lord."

After she spoke, the Immortal Light binding her feet gradually dissipated. An old crone and an old man stepped half a pace forward. Both were high-ranking Cultivators in the Heavenly Immortal Realm, presumably Le Yao's personal escorts.

For such extraordinarily gifted young people to have one or two high-ranking Cultivators as their Dao Protectors was indeed common in the Human Domain.

Watching Le Yao and her party of three being escorted by the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion experts to his own small building, Wu Wang couldn't help but raise his hand and rub his temples.

This Brother Ji... if he doesn't like her, why not just say it clearly? Why run away?

"Bring a few burly men with fierce looks. We're heading to the reception hall."

Immediately, several burly Body Cultivators leaped out from a corner, each baring their teeth and grinning, their appearances indescribably honest and simple.

「Moments later, inside the reception hall.」

Wu Wang flew into the hall through the Formation, hands clasped behind his back. Ji Mo immediately leaped up from a corner, rushing over to him.

"Brother Wuwang! You're finally done! It's a dire emergency! Quickly, give me some advice!"

A few burly men hurried from behind, forming a human wall to block Ji Mo, glaring and snorting at him.

Desperate, Ji Mo hopped on the spot, shouting, "Brother Wuwang! Please don't be angry with me! It's extremely urgent! I really didn't mean to run away! I just had no choice!"

"Is that so?"

Wu Wang calmly took a seat on a wooden chair. A brawny man brought him tea, and he sipped it leisurely.

"Let Young Master Ji come over. Get him a stool."

"Yes!"

The burly men scattered to the sides, and another strong man brought over a half-foot-tall stool, placing it in front of Wu Wang.

Ji Mo wasn't picky. He lifted the hem of his long robe and perched on it, looking pitifully at Wu Wang.

"Speak. What's the matter?"

Wu Wang set his teacup aside, and a brawny man was there to catch it.

To be fair, these Immortal Soldiers of the Benevolent Emperor Pavilion were generally much smarter than Cultivators of the same realm from the Annihilation Sect.

Just as Ji Mo was about to speak, Wu Wang added,

"When you arrived, your grandmother had already sent a letter explaining the cause and effect of this matter. That's why I avoided seeing you. The person you were matched with is Le Yao, a talented young woman from the Demonic Sect. You two hit it off and spent over ten days together before you suddenly had second thoughts. Anything to add?"

"That's pretty much it," Ji Mo sighed softly. "I know I was wrong for not giving her a clear answer and suddenly running away. But Brother Wuwang... I—I..."

"What's wrong with you?" Wu Wang asked, puzzled. "Suddenly can't... perform?"

"Not at all!"

Ji Mo puffed out his chest and declared loudly, "Riding swiftly on horseback for thirty thousand li, men like us have loins of steel!"

Wu Wang's eyes widened. "Then why did you run away?"

"Alas!"

Ji Mo immediately deflated and sighed, "This is a bit embarrassing to talk about, and it's not good for Yao Yao's reputation, but Brother Wuwang, I truly am... a little scared."

"Scared of marriage?"

Wu Wang's face showed sudden understanding as he laughed, "Are you imagining married life and feeling especially glum, like you'll be trapped?"

"Not at all."

Ji Mo spread his hands and retorted,

"After marriage, can't we legitimately spend all day intimately together in our room? We're both Cultivators and can engage in dual cultivation, so I wouldn't worry about getting tired of it."

Wu Wang: ...

Should I try the Northern Wilderness method of knocking someone out?

"So, what are you afraid of?"

"Afraid... afraid of her," Ji Mo muttered, his voice hushed. He couldn't help but cover his eyes with his hand, sighing deeply as he sat.

"Now *this* has my attention. I'm wide awake."

Wu Wang leaned forward and whispered, "What happened? Tell me in detail. Bro to bro, I'll help you analyze it."

"Well, a few days ago, we'd arranged to visit a peach blossom garden hundreds of li away."

Ji Mo sighed softly and began to recount the events.

"You know I have many friends, Brother Wuwang, and just as many rivals I've had verbal spats with. Many look down on a profligate son of a Military Family like me, or I've competed with them for the top courtesan in a brothel. There are always a few, like the former Lin Qi or Xue Kailong, who'd provoke me for no reason. I'm not afraid of them, and usually, it's no big deal."

"That day, we went to the peach blossom forest without any guards or attendants. The flowers were beautiful, the scenery enchanting. Hand in hand, we strolled through the peach blossoms. She'd call me 'Brother Ji Mo,' and I'd call her 'Yao'er my dear.' We were deeply affectionate..."

"You can skip those parts," Wu Wang said. "Stick to what's suitable for listeners under eighteen."

"Sigh." Ji Mo spread his hands. "A few troublemakers showed up. I was with Yao'er and didn't want to fight, so I tried to leave with her. But those louts insisted on causing trouble, spoke rudely, and even threw a stone at me."

"Not *that* brief... And then?"

"And then!"

Ji Mo couldn't help covering his eyes, his whole body trembling as he murmured,

"In the blink of an eye, those guys were almost beaten to death!

"It was terrifying! Is Yao'er really the Yao'er I know?

"She kicked one guy in the mouth, telling him to speak, and when he couldn't, she just kept kicking... Then she ripped out someone's Nascent Soul and was, like, rinsing it in another guy's mouth... Her laughter was more demonic than any demon's!

"After she finished, she turned to look at me, giving me that gentle smile.

"Then, with her hands behind her back, she skipped over all cutesy, bloodstains on her pretty face, and smiled at me, saying, 'Brother Ji Mo, let's go back.'

"She's really the type... you can't help but find her charming.

"But then, when I thought about it again, a chill ran down my spine!"

Ji Mo's Adam's apple bobbed, and he looked at Wu Wang hopefully.

"I really don't want to think of it like that, but if she were to do that to *me* in the future... I mean, who ever heard of marriage coming with a risk to your life?"

Wu Wang frowned and nodded. "Then why don't you just tell her this?"

"Won't I be beaten to death?"

"Of course not!"

"This..."

Ji Mo rubbed his forehead and sighed.

"I actually quite like her, and she only acted that way to protect me.

"But, look, if she were just normally assertive, that'd be great for keeping my wandering eye in check later on. But isn't this... a bit overboard?

"Now, whenever I close my eyes, all I see is her grabbing someone's Nascent Soul and stuffing it into another person's mouth... It's just..."

"Hearing you say that..."

Wu Wang thoughtfully nodded. "Our Punishment Hall could really use someone like that."

Ji Mo sighed, "Brother Wuwang! First, help me analyze this. If we argue in the future, do you think she'd... do that to me? Who could possibly handle that!"

"Hearing your story reminds me of something from the past too."

Wu Wang stood up, arms crossed, and paced back and forth in front of Ji Mo.

His main interaction with this Le Yao girl was at the Human Emperor's banquet. What came to mind now was a scene of her fighting, which he'd witnessed while posing as an old Artifact Spirit.

What stuck in his memory was her, hands on her hips, roaring with laughter while repeatedly kicking some Cultivator in the face, before being eliminated by a sneak attack from the side...

"Brother Ji, if you're truly this scared, why not just call off the engagement?"

"But!"

"Have you gone through the formal ceremony?"

"Of course not!" Ji Mo said seriously. "This isn't some brothel fling! It's an arrangement made by matchmakers, with our parents' blessing. We've only held hands so far."

Wu Wang: ...

Damn it, this topic feels like ongoing harm to me.

"I do like her a lot," Ji Mo said, his eyes filled with warmth.

"Since that's the case, I have an idea."

Wu Wang stopped pacing and grinned. "Actually, to simplify the problem, you just want to be sure whether she's that violent towards everyone, or only towards her enemies."

"Yes, yes! That's exactly it!"

"Hall Master!"

Just then, an Immortal Soldier came to report hastily from outside the reception hall, "The Saintess of the Tianyan Xuan Nu Sect has arrived at the front gate."

"Invite her in," Wu Wang said with a smile. "Just in time to help assess Brother Ji's situation."

Ji Mo wondered, "Brother Wuwang, you're not thinking of making me provoke Sister Le Yao, are you?"

"We can't do anything that would harm your relationship."

Wu Wang spoke soothingly, "The Benevolent Emperor Pavilion has plenty of Formation experts. A simple illusion Formation can sort this out. No need to overcomplicate things."

Ji Mo visibly relaxed, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

He really does seem terrified.