Wear A Book And Hug Your Apprentice’S Thigh Tightly Chapter 10
byChapter 10
Believe you. Me too.
Wan Wuyu looked at the two of them, utterly confused. “You two? When exactly did you meet, and why are you so familiar with each other?”
Wan Wuyu narrowed her eyes at Li Yuan. “It’s really strange. I heard Mother say you disappeared shortly after you were born. Why did you suddenly stand up for her recently? When are you going to explain all this clearly to the Sect Leader?”
Li Yuan replied, “I don’t know how to explain it right now.”
Wan Wuyu scoffed, rolled her eyes, and said, “Whatever, I don’t care. As long as you two go suffer, that’s fine.”
After saying this, Wan Wuyu turned and left. Wan Qixiu apologized on behalf of his sister, exchanged a few polite words, and then also departed.
Li Yuan let out a small laugh.
Chun Yu asked, “What are you laughing at?”
Li Yuan said, “I’m laughing at Wan Wuyu, thinking she can take this opportunity to stay far away from us. Little does she know, she might end up being our neighbor.”
Chun Yu immediately understood her meaning. “Exactly. Knowing Chang Le’s personality, she will definitely choose a more difficult prefecture or town to guard.”
Working in pairs, Chun Yu quickly selected suitable prefectures and towns for each disciple based on their abilities. The remaining locations were chosen by the disciples drawing lots. As for the gifts they received, the disciples all took them back individually.
Early the next morning, Chun Yu and Li Yuan set off together for Twilight City.
Twilight City is the city on the entire continent closest to the Demon Realm. For thousands of years, it has been constantly attacked by demonic monsters, and many of Twilight City’s original inhabitants have gradually migrated to other capitals.
However, many common people still reside in Twilight City, defending this border city that is already riddled with scars.
The Prefect of Twilight City only received the imperial decree from the Imperial Capital on the third day after Chun Yu and Li Yuan arrived. He immediately dispatched his subordinates to quickly prepare to leave the city and welcome them.
At that time, Chun Yu and Li Yuan were eating roasted flatbread at a small street stall in the city. The crispy flatbread was wrapped around sizzling, savory meat, which Chun Yu found incredibly delicious and satisfying.
Although she was a cultivator in this world and could survive without eating, she could still feel the sensation of an empty stomach, and she always felt satisfied only after filling it with something.
Chun Yu and Li Yuan hadn’t been idle these three days. They chose to stay at the largest restaurant in Twilight City to learn more about the local customs, traditions, and human geography, which would better facilitate their defense duties there.
Twilight City was neither too big nor too small, but it was much more prosperous than Chun Yu had imagined before arriving. She had thought that since this place was constantly harassed by demonic monsters, there wouldn’t be many young people living here anymore.
But quite the opposite was true. Not only were there many young people in Twilight City, but there were also a surprising number of foreign tourists.
The reason was simple: myths arise in desolate places. The more mysterious a city is, like Twilight City, situated at the junction of the human and demon worlds, the more legends it spawns about treasures and divine artifacts. This naturally piques curiosity and draws people seeking fortune.
Chun Yu actually believed that all talk of treasures was just hearsay and exaggeration, which was why it attracted a large number of tourists—perhaps even spread by the people of Twilight City themselves.
However, one thing truly puzzled Chun Yu: Twilight City was so close to the Demon Realm, and the monsters there were ferocious and bloodthirsty. Why hadn’t Twilight City been destroyed? Not only had it not been destroyed, but it had survived well for thousands of years. This was truly an oddity.
Regarding this, Jin Meiniang, the proprietress of the Golden Light Restaurant where Chun Yu and Li Yuan were staying, offered an explanation.
Legend has it that a thousand years ago, a genius artifact refiner emerged in Twilight City. To resist the demon attacks, this genius spent his entire life forging ten thousand weapons, forming a Grand Array of Ten Thousand Artifacts outside Twilight City. Whenever demonic monsters attacked, he would activate the array to fend them off. However, the lifespan of mortals is limited. So, this genius refiner forged the most spiritual weapon, the Intertwined Branch Sword. As long as the Intertwined Branch Sword sensed demonic energy, it would automatically activate the Grand Array of Ten Thousand Artifacts, leaving the demons nowhere to hide.
Jin Meiniang didn’t know if the incredibly powerful Intertwined Branch Sword from a thousand years ago still existed, but she knew that the Grand Array of Ten Thousand Artifacts certainly did. It was managed by a highly skilled artifact refiner in Twilight City, Granny Ye.
Therefore, although Twilight City was situated at the intersection of the human and demon realms, and was somewhat desolate and frequently attacked by monsters, it was not in danger of being wiped out.
However, Jin Meiniang was also very worried. Granny Ye was now advanced in age, and if she unfortunately passed away one day, no one would be able to activate the Grand Array of Ten Thousand Artifacts. Furthermore, Granny Ye was an extremely eccentric person; she insisted on waiting for a fated individual before she would hand over the method to activate the array.
Chun Yu wondered if the fated person Granny Ye was waiting for might be her and Li Yuan. If so, they should pay Granny Ye a visit. Moreover, perhaps Granny Ye knew the whereabouts of the Intertwined Branch Sword. If such a powerful magical artifact truly existed, she definitely wanted to obtain it. The formidable demonic blade Li Luan used last time had made her very envious. If she could also possess such a powerful weapon, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.
After finishing their flatbread and soup, Chun Yu and Li Yuan headed together to the city gate to find the Prefect of Twilight City who was responsible for receiving them.
When they arrived at the city gate, they saw soldiers guarding both sides. In the middle of the gate, a middle-aged man wearing a scarlet official robe was anxiously looking into the distance, waiting. This must be Prefect Chen.
Prefect Chen shared the same concerns as Jin Meiniang. Now that Granny Ye was old, everyone feared that after her death, no one would be able to activate the Grand Array of Ten Thousand Artifacts, and the people of Twilight City would suffer. He was at a loss for what to do when the Empress’s decree arrived, stating that the Immortal Sect had dispatched disciples to guard the city. This finally put his mind somewhat at ease. But only somewhat, because he didn’t know the cultivation level of the Immortal Sect disciples. If their cultivation was low, they would merely be sacrificing their lives in vain.
Chun Yu and Li Yuan walked over. Two soldiers immediately stopped them, saying, “The Prefect is receiving the Immortal Masters. You can only leave the city later.”
Chun Yu took out a white jade token, exclusive to Vast Brilliance Immortal Sect disciples, and handed it to the soldier. “No need for a welcome. I am the Vast Brilliance Immortal Sect Leader’s foremost disciple, I am Chun… ahem, Chang Yu, and this is my disciple, Li Yuan.”
To be honest, in this world, Li Yuan wasn’t technically her disciple; they were fellow sect members. But Chun Yu was used to calling her disciple, and Li Yuan surprisingly never objected.
The soldier took the jade token and quickly ran to the Prefect to show him.
Chen Qian carefully examined the token. A faint cold light shimmered on the jade—it was indeed an item from the Immortal Sect.
Chen Qian turned around to look at the two women. The relief he had just felt instantly vanished.
Women… the Immortal Masters who came were actually two women. Twilight City might be in danger.
Chun Yu and Li Yuan were unaware that Prefect Chen had already reached such a conclusion about them in his mind. Chun Yu happily stepped forward to introduce herself to Prefect Chen.
She extended her hand, intending to shake hands with Prefect Chen, but saw him freeze for a moment before realizing that ancient people didn’t shake hands. She quickly changed to cupping her hands in a salute.
Prefect Chen also cupped his hands toward them and smiled slightly. “Chen Qian, Prefect of Twilight City, welcomes the two Immortal Masters on behalf of the people of Twilight City. Immortal Masters are truly extraordinary. I was waiting here, but I didn’t expect the two Immortal Masters to already be inside the city.”
Chun Yu smiled and said, “In fact, we arrived three days ago.”
Prefect Chen said, “Oh, I see. Where are the two Immortal Masters currently staying?”
Chun Yu replied, “We are currently residing at the Golden Light Restaurant in the city.”
Chen Qian said, “I sincerely apologize, Immortal Masters. The Empress’s decree arrived too suddenly. I only had time to prepare a welcome banquet for you two. Your residence has not yet been arranged. I must trouble the two Immortal Masters to temporarily stay at the Prefect’s residence until the new place is ready for you to move into.”
Chun Yu said, “No matter. We came to Twilight City to guard and cultivate, not for feasting and enjoyment. We can stay anywhere.”
Chun Yu then said to Prefect Chen, “There’s no need for a welcome banquet either. We want to get down to business. We have been in the city for three days and heard many things. We heard that there is a Granny Ye in Twilight City, and only Prefect Chen knows where she lives. Please take us to meet Granny Ye.”
Prefect Chen thought to himself, these two are indeed not simple, since they already know about Granny Ye, they must also know about the Grand Array of Ten Thousand Artifacts. But the Grand Array of Ten Thousand Artifacts is the most precious treasure guarding Twilight City. How can outsiders be easily informed about it? Even if these two are Immortal Masters, who can guarantee that Immortal Masters are necessarily good people?
Prefect Chen’s expression turned slightly sorrowful. He lowered his voice and said to the two women, “Alas, the two Immortal Masters do not know, but Granny Ye actually passed away two months ago. I have kept it a secret to prevent unrest among the city’s people and the demon monsters if they found out.”
Chun Yu was stunned. “What?”
Prefect Chen nodded and said, “Alas, it is true.”
Chun Yu glanced at Li Yuan, who looked thoughtful.
Li Yuan said, “We heard about Granny Ye’s deeds and greatly admire this extraordinary woman. Please, Prefect Chen, take us to pay our respects at her grave.”
“This…” Prefect Chen looked around and said, “Alright, but it is still daytime now, and our movement would be too conspicuous. I will take the two Immortal Masters tonight.”
Li Yuan looked at him calmly, silent for a long moment. Chen Qian almost thought he had been seen through, and cold sweat began to break out on his back.
Only then did Li Yuan say, “Very well. Then let’s go to the Prefect’s residence first.”
The stone in Chen Qian’s heart immediately dropped. He quickly said, “Please follow me, Immortal Masters.”
Chun Yu and Li Yuan walked behind him. Chun Yu quietly asked Li Yuan, “Do you suspect Prefect Chen is lying?”
Li Yuan nodded.
Chun Yu didn’t understand. “But we are here to help him defend Twilight City. Why would he lie?”
Li Yuan explained, “It’s easy to understand. First, he has a guilty conscience. Second, he doesn’t trust us two. I lean toward the second reason. Jin Meiniang said he has been the Prefect here for many years and is considered a good official, so he probably just doesn’t trust us.”
Chun Yu was somewhat surprised but could also understand. After all, people’s hearts are hidden, and no one knows what others are thinking. Trust is truly difficult to establish.
She sighed, “But Classmate Li, Teacher Chun has trusted you from the very beginning.”
Li Yuan smiled slightly. “Me too.”