I Ruined the Long Ao Tian Script-Chapter 59

Snowfall in the Mortal World

On New Year's Eve, snowflakes drifted down from the sky, shimmering under the moonlight and lantern glow, creating a breathtaking scene. A group of people lay atop a tower, not bothering to use spiritual energy to shield themselves, letting the snowflakes melt into droplets on their faces.

Xu Shulou floated amidst the snowfall and asked, "During my five years in seclusion, has anything new happened in the cultivation world?"

Bai Roushuang thought for a moment. "Senior Sister, do you remember the children left behind by the former master of Black Tortoise Tower—I mean, that fake master? The ones who held a grudge against you, like the Third Miss and Fifth Young Master?"

"Of course I remember," Xu Shulou chuckled. "I was in seclusion for five years, not five centuries."

Bai ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍Roushuang sighed. "They’ve all been killed."

"What?" Xu Shulou froze. "Who did it?"

"The elders of Black Tortoise Tower," Jiang Yan interjected. "Rumors say they did it to curry favor with the current master, Gao Ming."

Xu Shulou caught a snowflake in her palm. "It seems Gao Ming has firmly grasped power in Black Tortoise Tower now."

She recalled the young man she had met years ago—confined to a small, narrow courtyard, sitting in a wheelchair, his meridians destroyed. Back then, he had been pushed into the position of master as a temporary measure… No one could have predicted this outcome five years ago.

Xu Shulou sighed softly, wondering just how far this young man could go with his limited lifespan.

The cries of street vendors echoed through the streets. Xu Shulou descended and bought the last of their food, allowing them to return home early to their families on New Year’s Eve.

She distributed the food to her juniors, who had suffered enough from Ji Ci’s dumplings, hoping to introduce them to normal cuisine and cultivate some reasonable taste.

Ji Ci took a sip of steaming lamb offal soup and scooped a spoonful of sweet potato and cheese mash. "Hmm, this is indeed slightly better than my dumplings."

"Slightly?" Bai Roushuang questioned his choice of words.

"…"

"I happen to need to buy a few things, so I’ll take a stroll through the city." Xu Shulou draped a red cloak over her shoulders and picked up a lantern, blending seamlessly into the mortal streets.

Jiang Yan, holding a small bowl of rice wine, waved at her. "We’ll wait for you here."

Xu Shulou smiled at her juniors and walked away, lantern in hand.

At a lantern stall by the roadside, a child was on the verge of tears, unable to solve a riddle. Xu Shulou passed by and whispered the answer in her ear. The child’s face lit up as she received a rabbit-shaped lantern from the vendor and skipped away with her family. Xu Shulou left some silver for the lantern before turning to leave—only for the little girl to suddenly run back and hug her leg.

The child, too short to reach higher, looked up with a sweet, gap-toothed smile. Xu Shulou paused before gently patting her head. "Happy New Year."

The parents, slightly embarrassed, pulled their daughter away. Xu Shulou watched as the father lifted the girl into his arms, his other hand clasped with his wife’s—a happy family.

Around the corner, children were building a snow lion but struggled with the tail. Xu Shulou stepped in, compacting a snowball and swiftly carving a magnificent tail before attaching it to the lion’s rear. Amid the children’s cheers, she got carried away and handed them her lantern as decoration.

Passing by a wealthy merchant’s residence, she lingered to observe a noisy dispute before purchasing a few items and heading back. The New Year streets were filled with families admiring the lanterns—parents holding their children’s hands, little ones beaming with joy…

Xu Shulou walked among them, alone but not lonely, knowing someone was waiting ahead.

Turning a corner, she spotted her juniors huddled against a wall, some squatting, some standing, looking like a row of beggars. Xu Shulou was tempted to place a bowl in front of them.

Oh, never mind—Shan Yu, the usually taciturn fourth junior, had already molded a bowl out of snow.

Xu Shulou stopped and tossed a copper coin into it.

The group looked up and gathered around her. "Senior Sister, what did you buy?"

"A small building."

"You bought what?" Bai Roushuang thought she’d misheard.

"A small building—an exquisite one, three stories high, with carved beams and painted rafters. It’s fully furnished with tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets," Xu Shulou gestured. "I stored it in my Qiankun Bracelet. It’s too big to show you here, but now we can camp in style during our travels."

"…Where did you buy it?"

"In the city. By chance, I overheard a quarrel. A wealthy merchant had built this pavilion in his courtyard but hadn’t yet gotten the chance to ‘hide a beauty in a jade tower’ before his neighbor complained it blocked sunlight. They’d been arguing for days, even on New Year’s Eve. I took a liking to it, asked if he’d sell, and bought it on the spot."

Her juniors couldn’t help but sigh in envy. "Being rich is nice."

Xu Shulou grinned. "Yes, it really is."

Bai Roushuang wondered, "Without a foundation, won’t it collapse?"

"I’ll carve a spirit array to stabilize it. Haven’t you seen those floating structures in Fandu City?"

"Ah, right…"

As they chatted, the group wandered off, leaving only Shan Yu’s snow bowl behind—though someone had remembered to take the copper coin.

———

Half a month after New Year’s, the group gathered for a proper, non-torturous meal of sweet rice dumplings. Just as Xu Shulou was about to set off on another excursion, Bright Moon Peak received a letter from Xiao Ya.

The letter simply stated a time and location: "Meet at the usual place." Xu Shulou pondered where that might be—surely not the little courtyard in Spirit Silence Valley where they’d shared a hot pot meal. That would be tricky, given Wei Xuandao’s likely displeasure.

If not there, then it must be Eternal Peace City near Lingxiao Sect, where she, Xiao Ya, and Xiao Ruzhuo had once chased thieves and shared drinks.

Delighted at the prospect, Xu Shulou prepared for the trip, even remembering to retrieve the weather-beaten nameless painting from Bright Moon Peak’s summit.

As she flew up, she found Elder Changyu delivering a thorough beating to the painting.

Baffled, Xu Shulou called out, "Master?"

Elder Changyu turned, composed himself, and stood with hands clasped behind his back, his voice cool and detached like jade striking pearls. "I had a chat with this painting in my leisure time. It was asking for a thrashing."

"…Should I leave you to it?"

"No need."

"If you’re done, may I take it with me?"

Elder Changyu gave a dignified nod.

Xu Shulou tucked the unfortunate painting into her Qiankun Bracelet, only pulling it out once she’d flown a safe distance. "What did you do to offend my master?"

"Originally, I thought no one had spoken to me in a while, so I reluctantly entertained that bastard for a bit. I even proudly boasted to him about the celestial realm I created," the voice fumed. "But in my excitement, I accidentally mentioned how I once trapped you inside, and he turned on me instantly—even insulted my character!"

Xu Shulou raised an eyebrow. "How did he insult you?"

The voice grumbled, "He called me arrogant, said even mortal children could imagine a more sophisticated paradise than mine, and even mocked... that so-called 'immortals' grow bigger the more they eat, claiming even the survival-of-the-fittest demons wouldn’t have such simplistic logic. What does he know? It’s actually a brilliant idea. If he saw it for himself, he’d be awestruck..."

"Master rarely speaks like this. Seems he’s genuinely upset," Xu Shulou chuckled. "Does it hurt when he hits you?"

"Not much, but it’s dizzying—and humiliating."

"More humiliating than when I drew cow dung on you?"

"...Damn you." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

———

Eternal Peace City, Donglai Shun Restaurant.

Xu Shulou had changed into a fitted martial outfit—narrow sleeves, a cinched waist, and tall boots—looking every bit the wandering warrior. She sat in the only private room on the second floor, sipping wine, and soon Xiao Ya arrived. The imperial princess was punctual, not a moment early or late.

"My apologies for the rushed and vague invitation," Xiao Ya began with a bow. "I couldn’t explain clearly in the letter."

"I understand," Xu Shulou nodded.

Xiao Ya waved a hand, casting a soundproof barrier over the room before taking a seat across from her.

"Did you find something about the matter I asked you to look into?" Xu Shulou asked softly.

"I’m not sure," Xiao Ya lowered her gaze. "Something feels off in Lingji Valley, but I can’t confirm if it’s related to what happened to Senior Uncle Zhang. Honestly, it’s probably unrelated—just strange. But after much deliberation, I thought I should mention it. My third brother said..."

Xiao Ruzhuo? Xu Shulou perked up, ready to listen, but Xiao Ya hesitated, as if wrestling with her words.

Since their first meeting, Xu Shulou had never seen this proud woman so unsettled.

She could tell Xiao Ya’s mind was in turmoil, so she didn’t press. Instead, she grilled venison over the small charcoal stove provided by the restaurant, occasionally flipping the meat or drizzling sauce.

The sizzling sound and rich aroma kept interrupting Xiao Ya’s thoughts. She sighed, eyeing Xu Shulou. "Fine wine, venison, a red-clay stove—you’re quite at ease."

Xu Shulou smiled.

Xiao Ya asked, "Is it good?"

Without a word, Xu Shulou shared a portion with her.

Xiao Ya ate the venison, gathering her thoughts, only to hear a crisp crunching sound from across the table.

"What’s that now?"

"Fried pear."

Xiao Ya frowned. "Fried pear? How could that possibly taste good?"

Xu Shulou glanced at her, then sliced an untouched piece and offered it.

Xiao Ya took a bite. "Huh. It’s actually not bad."

Xu Shulou arched a brow.

After finishing the pear, Xiao Ya sighed. "Forgive me. My mind’s a mess. Let me think how to phrase this. If this turns out to have nothing to do with Senior Uncle Zhang, I’d essentially be betraying my sect’s secrets."

"I understand. Matters involving your sect should be handled with care."

While Xiao Ya pondered, Xu Shulou refilled her own cup with wine, leaving her be.

Xiao Ya steeled herself, snatched the cup, and downed it in one go—as if fortifying her courage.

Xu Shulou gave her a sidelong look. "I feel like a eunuch testing your food for poison."

Xiao Ya, weighed down by worries, choked mid-sip. "Cough... Who says such things about themselves?"