Chapter 21: Haven’t We Met Before?

What is she up to now…

He Yimo furrowed his brows, puzzled by Jiang Jinyue’s new topic.

Chen Jianxin’s talent didn’t need Jiang Jinyue’s introduction. He Yimo knew exactly how many arrogant villains Chen Jianxin would face next!

But Jiang Jinyue specifically emphasized that Senior Sister Mo Yuyan was very interested, which made He Yimo involuntarily glance back at the judges’ area.

In fact, He Yimo couldn’t discern any change in Mo Yuyan’s expression.

She always wore a cold face. If you nitpicked, perhaps Chen Jianxin’s outstanding performance had sparked a rare bit of interest in her otherwise bored demeanor.

“Hey~!”

“Are you jealous?”

Jiang Jinyue playfully tapped He Yimo’s shoulder, her cute face lighting up with a mischievous smile.

Meanwhile, Mo Yuyan also noticed the flirting pair below from her seat on the judges’ platform.

She lowered her gaze to look at Jiang Jinyue first, then turned back to meet He Yimo’s eyes, raising her brows in a weird arc.

【Why are you looking at me? Focus and learn.】

From afar, He Yimo heard his senior sister’s stern yet cool voice echo in his mind.

He quickly straightened his posture obediently.

“Chen Jianxin is indeed impressive; I can’t compare.”

He gave Jiang Jinyue an honest answer.

Hearing this, Jiang Jinyue’s smile froze.

She raised an eyebrow, first glancing at the white-clad fairy on the judges’ platform, then reassessing the candid and easygoing seventh son of the Grand Tutor beside her.

She felt as if Mo Yuyan had just instructed He Yimo on something…

Jiang Jinyue now had two questions on her mind.

First, what exactly was the relationship between Mo Yuyan and He Yimo?

Second, why was the supposedly spoiled young master from Luo City so calm and unjealous of Chen Jianxin’s talent?

“But…”

“With Chen Jianxin’s current momentum as the top martial artist and his demonstrated sword talent, once the tournament ends, he’ll surely be taken as a disciple by Sword Master Senior Sister Mo Yuyan.”

“Then you’ll have a fellow disciple rival!”

Jiang Jinyue worried that He Yimo hadn’t understood, so she explained the competitive relationship again.

Logically, He Yimo had become Mo Yuyan’s junior brother through connections. Now with Chen Jianxin rising through sheer strength, he’d likely earn more favor from Senior Sister Mo Yuyan.

And given He Yimo’s noble background and playboy nature, he surely couldn’t stand being sidelined like this.

Yet even after Jiang Jinyue laid it out plainly, He Yimo still watched the martial stage with a detached spectator’s expression.

“I see.”

He replied nonchalantly, unfazed.

But in the next moment, Jiang Jinyue’s enchanting eyes shimmered with strange patterns as she stared into He Yimo’s eyes, attempting to implant feelings of “jealousy” through her illusion.

After a long silence, He Yimo finally spoke from the heart:

“Actually, Chen Jianxin will never have the chance to become Mo Yuyan’s disciple.”

His words left not only Jiang Jinyue wide-eyed but also surprised He Yimo himself.

Jiang Jinyue was confused because she didn’t know where He Yimo got such confidence to make that claim.

And He Yimo was surprised because he had unknowingly spoken his true thoughts—he hadn’t even realized when he’d fallen under Jiang Jinyue’s illusion again!

“Why are you so sure?”

Jiang Jinyue leaned closer, unable to resist asking curiously once more.

Meanwhile, the white-clad fairy on the platform narrowed her eyes slightly, watching He Yimo and Jiang Jinyue’s increasingly intimate behavior with icy scrutiny.

This only added to He Yimo’s mounting pressure.

On his left was the Enchantress; in the distance on his right was the Sword Master Senior Sister. One wrong word from this little cannon fodder could easily spell his doom!

“He Yimo, do you know something inside?”

Jiang Jinyue was too focused on He Yimo to care about Mo Yuyan anymore. She stared intently at his face, speaking meaningfully.

As an evil cult enchantress, she possessed certain prophetic insights.

For instance, Chen Jianxin was destined to be Wuji Sect’s future sword genius.

For instance, He Yimo as cannon fodder wasn’t long for this world.

And for instance, Chen Jianxin would eventually become Mo Yuyan’s disciple…

But ever since that night, Jiang Jinyue’s plans had veered off course from prophecy.

Now here was He Yimo confidently asserting: Chen Jianxin wouldn’t become Mo Yuyan’s disciple!

“Tsk…”

He Yimo clicked his tongue inwardly but maintained a calm facade.

The reason he made such a claim was because in the original story, Chen Jianxin never initially became Mo Yuyan’s disciple.

Senior Brother Gu Wanglan was his savior; even if Mo Yuyan showed interest in Chen Jianxin, he’d choose Gu Wanglan out of gratitude.

As for Jiang Jinyue’s prophecy—that happened later in the original story after the villainous senior brother was killed and Chen Jianxin switched to Mo Yuyan’s tutelage.

But with He Yimo here now, how could he let Chen Jianxin live that long?

He was more eager than Gu Wanglan to eliminate Chen Jianxin!

This was where He Yimo’s confidence came from.

“Because I’m already enough trouble for Senior Sister; she probably doesn’t want another junior brother disturbing her peace.”

After some thought, He Yimo calmly offered his fabricated reasoning.

And honestly, it made sense upon reflection—just in the past two days on Dye Ink Peak alone, he felt like he’d nearly driven Mo Yuyan crazy with his chatter.

Fortunately, Senior Sister was kind-hearted and still took good care of him.

“Are you serious?”

Jiang Jinyue looked at him skeptically.

He nodded earnestly in response.

For a moment, Jiang Jinyue held her forehead with one hand and shook her head slightly.

She sighed inwardly—talking with He Yimo had made her just as silly. How could she have thought a spoiled young master would say anything serious?

How could He Yimo’s nonsense possibly be more accurate than Jiang Jinyue’s “prophecy”?

“First place in the exam: Chen Jianxin!”

“Junior Brother Chen, please come up and choose your desired sect from the five main branches based on your talent!”

Amidst their conversation, the entrance exam concluded as the host announced first place results solemnly.

All eyes focused on the young black-clad boy standing on stage.

In the audience, Jiang Jinyue watched curiously as Chen Jianxin ascended to the platform. But instead of stopping at Sword Master Senior Sister Mo Yuyan’s side, he walked straight past her to kneel before a handsome long-haired Taoist senior brother.

“Senior Brother Gu!”

Chen Jianxin bowed respectfully in reverence.

Meanwhile, Gu Wanglan stood up amid everyone’s astonished gazes. With a crooked smile plastered across his face like a sneer, he scanned those around him before casting a provocative glance at the white-clad fairy not far away.

That look seemed to taunt Mo Yuyan—saying that despite being Wuji Sect’s top sword talent candidate this year didn’t even spare you glance; instead chose allegiance with me!

Mo Yuyan: “…”

Silence hung over them briefly.

Mo Yuyan couldn’t be bothered dealing with him anymore; she turned away closing eyes resting quietly instead…

Over years she’d grown accustomed competing against Gu Wanglan constantly…

What could she do? She was always Sword Master Senior Sister while Gu Wanglan remained forever second best…

The eternal runner-up’s resentment wasn’t something taken lightly…

In truth though… Mo had no intention accepting Chen Jianxin anyway…

After all…

If another person joined Dye Ink Peak then how would she ever play Go openly with He again?

Besides just having He around already caused enough headaches… Though respectful towards her authority yet still managed talking ear off daily like reciting sutras repeatedly…

Mo usually disliked talking much but spending two days together felt like exhausting two months worth conversations already…

Adding another junior brother seemed unimaginable chaos waiting unfold…

“See? I told you he wouldn’t choose Senior Sister.”

He spread hands innocently enjoying watching surprise etched across Jiang’s face… unable suppressing slight smirk curling lips upwards…

Turning back towards him speechless disbelief written all over features…

With entrance exam nearing end… seeing opportunity arise stood preparing leave seat early…

Recalling instructions given earlier waited back gate after conclusion so made preparations departing soon after…

“Senior Sister we’ll meet again someday.”

Humming smugly leaving casual remark behind turning away departing promptly…

But next moment hem caught tightly grasped suddenly—

“But Junior Brother don’t even know my name yet~”

She rose gracefully smiling sweetly fingers merging precisely pressing acupuncture point upon back halting movements entirely…

Instantaneously time seemed freeze sensation stiffness overtaking unable move helplessly watching fox demoness approach leisurely…

Glancing sideways caught glimpse just moments ago still dressed white disciple attire now transformed fiery red gown Enchantress standing before him…

Jiang stood facing cupping cheeks firmly blood-red curse-marked peach blossom eyes boring directly into gaze until gradually dulled losing focus entirely…

Cradling face tenderly leaned whispering softly:

“My name is Jiang Jinyue.”

“Junior Brother take moment recall haven’t we crossed paths somewhere before?”