4. If the Fairy Loses, Please Dance for Me

 

Standing at the entrance of Mo Yuyan’s courtyard, He Yimo felt a whirlwind of anxiety. Despite gaining Yuan Xinyao’s trust and support, as the seventh young master of the Grand Tutor’s residence, he still had to pay a visit to Mo Yuyan. It was the most basic courtesy for a guest.

“Now that things have come to this, I need a plan.”

“I mustn’t truly offend Mo Yuyan, but I need everyone to think I did.”

 

He Yimo leaned against the door, lost in thought. Yuan Xinyao’s plan was too reckless. As a demon envoy left by his mother, she technically enjoyed diplomatic immunity.

But He Yimo was a local!

 

He was already at the bottom of the hierarchy in the residence, living a life of indulgence and idleness. The elders had finally secured an opportunity for him to join Wuji Sect and do something meaningful. Yet, with a casual “I voluntarily give up,” he ruined it?

The elders would be furious!

They might reward him with twenty lashes and then tie him up to carry him to Wuji Peak the next day.

In the original Fallen Immortal, that’s exactly how He Yimo was taken up the mountain.

It was like when elders claimed it was for your own good and sent you to some strict school…

 

The family rules were harsh; the Grand Tutor’s residence didn’t support idlers.

That’s one downside of being born into a prestigious family.

So He Yimo devised his plan—

 

“How long are you going to stand at the door?”

Suddenly, the courtyard door opened.

 

Caught off guard, He Yimo stumbled forward, but a cold jade hand supported him from behind, preventing him from falling into the fairy’s embrace.

Mo Yuyan raised an eyebrow, her celestial face showing limited patience.

 

A faint fragrance wafted from her breath, but to He Yimo, it felt like a countdown to doom.

He quickly steadied himself and kept a gentlemanly distance from the fairy.

“……”

Mo Yuyan watched him keep his distance, feeling slightly puzzled.

 

But she didn’t care much.

“If your aunt forced you to come, you can leave now.”

 

“Tomorrow, I’ll inform the elders that you don’t wish to join Wuji Sect, and we’ll put off the matter of accepting you as a disciple.”

Under the moonlight, the green-robed fairy held her sword, her gaze cold and her flawless celestial face devoid of emotion.

This was the signature pose of the “Sword Master Senior Sister” from He Yimo’s memory.

 

Mo Yuyan liked to hold her sword close, intending to establish authority. But with that slender jade sword nestled between her ample bosom, it only highlighted her generous figure before others.

This iconic stance contributed significantly to He Yimo’s deep impression of her.

 

Now, standing before him, this “Sword Master Senior Sister” exuded an icy pressure that was far more palpable than any words in a game could convey.

“Is it that I don’t want to, or is it that Wuji Sect looks down on me?”

He Yimo cleared his throat, his tone becoming much calmer.

 

 

Though nervous inside, he couldn’t lose face.

From Mo Yuyan’s earlier tone, she must have overheard Yuan Xinyao’s words.

 

Given that, He Yimo could only seize the moral high ground.

“I never expected Wuji Sect, claiming righteousness, would easily believe rumors and gossip behind people’s backs.”

He waved his hand dismissively while keeping an eye on Mo Yuyan’s reaction through his cold smile.

 

Applying pressure on Mo Yuyan was fine, but he couldn’t push her too far.

Fortunately, Mo Yuyan wasn’t so petty.

 

Even when faced with direct sarcasm, she simply stared at He Yimo without changing her expression.

After a long silence…

 

Mo Yuyan sighed as if resigned and withdrew the arrogance from her eyes:

“My disciples were indeed disrespectful in their assessment of you today. It’s my fault for not guiding them properly.”

“However…”

“If you believe their words were inaccurate, I can provide you with an opportunity to prove yourself.”

 

As she spoke, the white-robed fairy’s lips curved slightly.

Her celestial face held an ambiguous smile that left He Yimo unsure whether it was mocking or approving.

 

Meanwhile, Mo Yuyan reevaluated this young master from the Grand Tutor’s residence before her.

The boy had a clean face with only a faint scent of tea—no traces of smoke or alcohol—and he didn’t look like someone who spent nights indulging in brothels.

At least he seemed confident…

Could it be that the rumors were false?

 

Was He Yimo truly interested in cultivation?

If so, then his aunt’s grievances made sense.

Mo Yuyan raised an eyebrow subtly, feeling a glimmer of hope rise within her heart.

—

“So how do you want me to prove myself?”

“Whatever you choose—be it cultivation or talent… as long as it makes me see you in a new light.”

The white-robed fairy held her sword with a composed smile at the corner of her eyes.

 

Over the years, she’d seen countless geniuses from immortal sects. Yet how many had begged for mercy at her feet?

Genius was merely an entry requirement to meet her.

 

But in front of an absolute prodigy like herself, even geniuses ultimately humbled themselves—let alone a playboy relying on family connections?

As time passed by slowly ticking away…

He Yimo seemed to make up his mind and finally lowered his voice with a cold smile:

 

“If that’s so… why not place a bet with me?”

“A bet…?”

His unexpected proposal left Mo Yuyan bewildered.

 

No matter how prepared she thought she was mentally prepared herself for this encounter… she couldn’t keep up with his train of thought!

But at least she sensed greed and provocation from his upturned lips.

 

Mo Yuyan had been cultivating in Wuji Sect since childhood; after becoming Sword Master Senior Sister under her master’s tutelage all these years—no mortal dared negotiate terms so brazenly with her!

He Yimo was the first.

 

“What do you want to bet on?”

Her cold tone carried both disdain and curiosity about what scheme lay behind his offer…

 

“If I win… would Fairy please dance for me? To enhance my enjoyment tonight.”

“?”

Upon hearing this request… any anticipation Mo Yuyan felt plummeted into disappointment once more…

 

Her expression showed utter disillusionment…

“Utter nonsense.”

“Turns out you’re just another playboy.”

She sighed deeply before closing her eyes—as if blaming herself for foolishly harboring any expectations towards He Yimo earlier…

 

[Incurable.]

Inwardly concluding this boy’s image firmly within her mind…

 

“So even Fairy fears losing?”

He Yimo wasn’t hurried; instead, he posed another meaningful question…

 

Mo Yuyan could no longer tolerate it; opening those cold eyes again while speaking disdainfully:

“Such audacity! And if you lose?”

“If I lose… I’ll tell my father tomorrow that I offended Fairy late at night due to my own disgraceful actions… thus voluntarily giving up my chance at joining Wuji Sect.”

At this point… He Yimo finally revealed his true intentions…

 

This bet? He never intended on winning from the start…

Winning meant getting Fairy’s dance—a mere provocation tossed casually into conversation…

 

Regardless—He knew he couldn’t possibly defeat Mo Yuyan—but having this betting process would rationalize his voluntary withdrawal tomorrow much more convincingly…

“In truth—I know deep down no matter how well I perform tonight—Fairy still sees me as worthless…”

“Taking me up mountains wasn’t Fairy’s intention—it was Wuji Sect Master’s command—Fairy merely came here perfunctorily fulfilling duties…”

“But if Fairy agrees to bet against me—should Fairy win—I’ll provide an excuse for refusing me—saving Fairy from breaking promises made by sect master thus sparing Wuji Sect any loss of face…”

 

He spoke eloquently while maintaining his role as gambler…

Mo Yuyan stared intently at him; within those previously judgmental phoenix eyes flashed surprise mingled with doubt once again…

 

Because He Yimo accurately guessed her mindset…

The matter regarding accepting disciples was indeed an agreement between her master and Grand Tutor’s elders…

Mo Yuyan originally intended only going through motions—not taking things seriously…

However—the problem lay in how well aware Master already knew about He being mere playboy young master—his acceptance merely symbolic gesture repaying favor owed towards Grand Tutor’s residence—and ultimately leaving responsibility teaching onto Mo herself once brought up mountains…

This naturally led Mo towards resistance…

 

She herself remained young disciple—where would she find time raising wasteful young master beside herself?

She trained swords—not managing problematic students’ correction facility teacher…

 

Yet since sect master promised Grand Tutor already—now as disciple—it wouldn’t be appropriate refusing outrightly either—which explained why Mo still lingered within Grand Tutor’s residence without departing immediately…

If only…

He offered assistance by willingly assuming responsibility—then rejecting acceptance became far easier!

Realizing possibilities eased Mo’s previously blocked emotions considerably…

 

“So—you knew entire backstory behind accepting disciples beforehand—and sought wager merely using your opportunity gambling against this fairy’s unlikely dance performance?”

“Correct.”

“You truly wish witnessing my dance?”

“I do.”

“Is it worth it?”

“There likely isn’t another man worthy enough seeing Fairy Mo perform—but should I win—wouldn’t I become sole person witnessing Fairy’s enchanting dance? Witnessing such celestial grace once makes life worth living without regrets…”

He affirmed thrice over—with no attempt hiding admiration nor desire towards Fairy’s beauty whatsoever…

Mo Yuyan’s celestial face mirrored growing disdain threefold…

Tonight felt like riding rollercoaster emotionally…

 

Each time she concluded firmly regarding He’s character—his subsequent actions overturned preconceived notions entirely…

Mo couldn’t define He using past experiences anymore…

He wasn’t normal by any means…

 

Far more abstract than ordinary lecherous individuals encountered previously…

 

Countless people fought tooth-and-nail seeking entrance into immortal sects—let alone being personally escorted by herself carrying celestial fate bestowed upon them?

Yet knowing full well where Mo’s weaknesses lay—He didn’t cherish this precious celestial fate—instead risking everything gambling one-in-a-thousand chance witnessing Mo’s alluring dance performance instead…

If truly admired Mo so deeply—considering dying without regrets after witnessing dance—then perhaps touched upon yandere tendencies slightly—best let him abandon hopes sooner rather than later…

“Fine—I accept your terms.”

Ultimately resigning herself while closing eyes helplessly once more…

Her helplessness stemmed from acknowledging He’s incurable nature entirely…

 

After all—Mo couldn’t possibly lose against mere mortal—no matter what stakes involved—He couldn’t possibly witness celestial dance performance either way!

“So how do you propose we gamble?”

Mo reopened beautiful eyes calmly gazing upon scheming youth before herself once more…

 

Considering how often played outside conventional rules previously—she coldly added another condition:

“As long as it adheres reasonably—not mere jest.”

“Swordsmanship—you surely know that.”

The youth exuded utmost confidence while casually smiling…