She was stunning.
Delicate features, fair skin that seemed to glow in the morning light. Her robes, though modest, clung to her figure in all the right ways, hinting at the elegance beneath. Her head was slightly lowered, her eyes filled with both shyness and something less innocent.
She bit her lip gently, her fingers clasping the edge of her sleeve.
Wu Ming felt a strange unease.
Uncle Sun smiled warmly. "Master Wu Ming, it has been a long time. You have grown into a fine man."
Wu Ming nodded. "Uncle Sun, it has indeed been some time."
"I apologize for disturbing your rest," Uncle Sun continued, his eyes flicking toward his daughter. "We merely wanted to offer you breakfast, as a token of our respect."
Wu Ming's eyes swept over the young woman again. She was still standing there, her hands fidgeting, head slightly bowed. But there was something in the way her eyes met his, her gaze lingering on him with a softness to it that was almost… too intimate.
Something in his mind clicked.
'So that's the game, huh? She's not here to serve breakfast, she's here to serve herself!'
But he maintained his polite demeanor. "There is no need for such trouble, Uncle Sun."
"It is no trouble at all, Master Wu Ming. Please, allow us the honor," Uncle Sun insisted, his eyes shifting between Wu Ming and his daughter, the latter still standing there, waiting.
Wu Ming gave a small nod, stepping back and allowing them entry.
Once inside, Wu Ming was the first to sit down at the wooden table, his posture calm and collected. Uncle Sun followed his lead, bowing slightly before taking his seat. He gestured toward his daughter, Qing'er, who stood silently by the side.
"Qing'er, serve the food." Uncle Sun instructed lightly.
She nodded, her eyes briefly meeting Wu Ming's before she moved gracefully to the table. As she bent to place a bowl in front of Wu Ming, the soft curve of her neck revealed a hint of skin, and the faint scent of jasmine lingered in the air as she came close. Wu Ming's eyes flickered, but his expression remained indifferent.
"Is everything to your liking, Master Wu Ming?" she asked, her voice low and melodic, eyes lingering on his face as if searching for some kind of approval.
"Everything is fine," Wu Ming said coolly.
Observing the situation Uncle Sun's smile faltered slightly, but quickly shifted the conversation, "Ah, how time passes. I stil remember Master Wu Ming and Qing'er as children, always playing together. She would run after you, trying to keep up with your every move." His tone was nostalgic, warm with the fondness of years gone by.
He continued, "Now, she has grown into a fine woman, and you… well, you have become something far greater."
Wu Ming rolled his eyes internally. Such a boring conversation. But he forced himself to keep a polite smile on his face, nodding every now and then.
Uncle Sun suddenly sighed, shaking his head. "Life in the village is hard, Master Wu Ming. You understand that better than most. Qing'er is of marriageable age now, and I worry for her future."
Wu Ming gave a understanding look, though his attention was mostly on his meal.
Uncle Sun, sensing the conversation was not yielding any fruitful reactions, kicked his daughter from under the table.
Qing'er flinched slightly, then slowly moved closer to Wu Ming. Her voice was soft, almost a whisper. "Wu Ming-ge…"
She bit her lip, looking up at him through long lashes. "I… I always knew you would be different from the rest of us. When you left for the sect, I…"
Her words trailed off as she shifted, the warmth of her proximity undeniable. She whisperd against his ears, "I waited for you. I always thought… when you came back, we could be together."
A different man might have been swayed.
Wu Ming remained impassive, his face cold as ice. He placed his chopsticks down. "I've heard enough. Qing'er, forgive me, but our paths will never meet."
Her body trembled, sadness flashed in her eyes. She bit her lip, trying to hide her hurt. Mustering all the courage, she leaned in even closer, her body pressing against his as if trying to merge into him. "But Wu Ming-ge… I'm not like the others. I don't need much, just a place by your side…"
"Qing'er," he said coldly, "This isn't something you can change. My heart has no room for you, only Immortality resides there."
Her chest tightened with the weight of his words. She swallowed hard, her fingers trembling, but still, she didn't pull away. Instead, she let her emotions spill out, tears glistening in her eyes as she buried her face against his chest. "Please… don't leave me. I've waited so long… please.."
Uncle Sun watching the scene unfold, felt a pang of disappointment in his heart. But his expression quickly shifted as he put his hands together, his tone growing more respectful. "Master Wu Ming, I understand. People like you, who have such grand ambitions, cannot be bound by the small things of this world."
Wu Ming raised an eyebrow but said nothing, his attention now fully on Uncle Sun.
Uncle Sun spoke again, his tone careful. "Master Wu Ming… the sect's entrance exam is approaching."
Wu Ming did not react.
"My son has been preparing for it," Uncle Sun added, "But the path of cultivation is difficult… If there is any way you could help…"
Wu Ming looked at Uncle Sun, unable to suppress a smile at the old man's shamelessness.
Uncle Sun's plan had been meticulous from the start. First, he dangled his daughter before Wu Ming, hoping to weave a bond that would tether him to their family. If Wu Ming took the bait, Uncle Sun would gain a foothold in the sect through him. When the time came, his son's entrance into the sect would be all but assured under Wu Ming's influence. But now that his daughter had failed, Uncle Sun wasted no time discarding subtlety. Without shame, he thickened his skin and took a more direct approach.
Uncle Sun's scheme to use him as a stepping stone didn't offend Wu Ming. Instead, it left him impressed.
The world thrived on self-interest, and he had come to accept that truth long ago. Uncle Sun's ambition was natural, something to be expected rather than resented. If anything, Wu Ming appreciated the man's foresight and decisiveness. To exploit others was the way of the world, and to be exploited was simply a sign of one's weakness.
But just because Wu Ming was impressed didn't mean he would offer his help.
Wu Ming spoke matter-of-factly, "Uncle Sun, the sect has its own rules. There's little an outer disciple like me can do to change it."
Uncle Sun's face fell. His fingers twitched against his knee, but he quickly masked the reaction, forcing a smile. "I understand, but... If you could just watch over him, ensure nothing happens to him during the trial, I would be forever grateful."
Wu Ming said nothing, merely spreading his hands as if to say, What do you expect me to do?
Uncle Sun hesitated for a moment, then, as if making a final gamble, gritted his teeth and said, "I am not asking for this favor for nothing, Master Wu. I have something to offer..."
Wu Ming raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"