My Gentle and Pure Sect Leader Husband - Chapter 68

Although their dual cultivation technique was interrupted by an unexpected visitor, their subsequent dual cultivation of internal energy progressed very smoothly.

They already harbored feelings for each other, and during the exchange of their cultivation techniques, their hearts connected. In just a few days, the energy flowing between them became distinctly different from before.

Yan Hongyin was very interested in the murals and texts left behind in Loulan City, so Yu Luocha took her to view them piece by piece. However, Yu Luocha had not grown up in Loulan, and there was truly no one else in this world who could answer their questions. The two of them could only make guesses based on the text and murals they already knew, which provided a unique kind of enjoyment.

Although the entire Loulan tribe had previously supported the royal family, all tribal affairs were centered around sacrificial rites. Each High Priest didn’t necessarily come from the royal family but was instead what they called “chosen by the sacrificial altar.”

The previous High Priest had been Yu Luocha’s mother, yet Yu Luocha had never been truly taught about the abilities and responsibilities of a Loulan High Priest—after all, Loulan had long been in ruins, and few of the Loulan people dared to return to the city now occupied by others.

Now, Yu Luocha, who had rebuilt Loulan, had truly become a symbol of spiritual authority, not involved in Loulan’s internal affairs or the city’s external matters. People would inform him when necessary, but he rarely came to live in Loulan.

When Yan Hongyin learned that the people of Loulan were truly preparing for the Queen’s succession ceremony, she frowned.

“Are you serious?” she sat on the edge of the bed, asking Yu Luocha who was reluctant to get up.

Yu Luocha lay on the bed, mumbling a vague affirmation, then said, “Of course I’m serious. The fact is, Loulan truly needs a ruler.”

Then he added, “Not someone like me.”

Yan Hongyin rested her bare feet on the footstool, pondering briefly, “Loulan City isn’t very large. If the three Grand Priests are too advanced in age, you could assign capable tribe members to succeed them.”

Yu Luocha rubbed his cheek against the pillow, then raised his hand to support his upper body, kneeling behind Yan Hongyin.

Like a boneless creature, he climbed onto Yan Hongyin’s back, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head intimately on her shoulder. “It’s not as simple as just one Loulan City. There’s also the Luocha Sect, and the thirty-six small kingdoms under it in the Western Regions… To be honest, I’m quite skilled at establishing territory, but I really find managing them tedious.”

Speaking, Yu Luocha twisted his mouth. “Those fellows’ faces, no matter how they disguise it, carry a kind of revolting hypocrisy.”

Yan Hongyin said with exasperation, “Then why did you create such a large sect?”

Yu Luocha replied righteously, “That’s how it is beyond the borders. Big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp. If you aren’t powerful and don’t claim territory, others will come to bully you.”

Then his tone shifted, his voice dropping slightly, “Initially it was out of momentary anger. When young and impetuous, who doesn’t have the idea of trampling power underfoot?

Seeing those kings who previously considered themselves high and mighty begging for mercy at my feet was so satisfying… Moreover, Abbo and Appo probably had some connection to the former Loulan. Perhaps they recognized my identity, perhaps not, but in any case, they saved my life. Since rebuilding Loulan was their expressed wish and not difficult for me to accomplish, I promised them.”

Who could have imagined the sect would grow so large?

Yu Luocha was a formidable figure, but he might not be a true ruler.

He hated being tied down, hated being constrained, and was too lazy to constrain others. The most he could manage was probably to use force and fear to intimidate those demons under the Luocha Sect’s control—anything more than that seemed unlikely.

“I had been thinking of passing all this to Ah Xue when he grows up, but now seeing Ah Xue’s temperament… Oh, Ah Xue is one of the two children I mentioned earlier that I’m raising. He looks at swords with more enthusiasm than he looks at me, his uncle, by three parts.” Yu Luocha sighed deeply, “As long as he doesn’t come to me in the future saying he wants to marry his sword, I’ll be content.”

Suddenly feeling that this guy was a bit pitiful, Yan Hongyin said, “…Bring me some account books and internal affairs to look at.”

Yan Hongyin finally relented.

“Hooray!” Yu Luocha’s eyes brightened, and seizing the opportunity, he leaned over and kissed Yan Hongyin.

Actually, when Yan Hongyin first came to Loulan, she felt that this city indeed had value but obviously hadn’t been managed well.

But after living here for a while, Yan Hongyin discovered that although many resources in the city were scarce, the city’s people lived peacefully and happily, interacting with each other harmoniously and simply, much more pure and happy than those in the Central Plains.

Sometimes Yan Hongyin would wonder, if this city truly connected with the outside world and gradually grew stronger and expanded, would it really be good for the people of this city? And would it contradict Yu Luocha’s original intention in building this city?

But now it seemed—

Yan Hongyin turned her head to look at the Loulan High Priest who was clinging to her and refusing to let go, and said flatly, “Get off me, you’re too heavy.”

“I won’t.” Yu Luocha didn’t feel there was anything wrong with his behavior at all, hugging Yan Hongyin and whining quite naturally, “It’s still early, let me stay a bit longer.”

“Cough! High Priest, you have a schedule today, do you remember?” A gentle voice came from outside the window, carrying a warm smile, clearly having overheard Yu Luocha’s whining.

Yu Luocha’s entire body stiffened.

Yan Hongyin felt the beautiful snake clinging to her suddenly turn into a stiff wooden stake, and she couldn’t help but smile.

Yu Luocha gave Yan Hongyin a resentful look and reluctantly released her.

Yan Hongyin finally regained her freedom and immediately put on her shoes and walked to one side, showing not a hint of reluctance, completely contrary to how she liked to cuddle with Yu Luocha when sleeping.

Yu Luocha’s expression grew even more aggrieved, but he could only get out of bed, put on his shoes, grab an outer robe hanging on the nearby clothes rack, and go to open the door.

An elderly woman stood outside the door, her hair braided into a thick plait coiled at the back of her head, wearing clothes in the style typically worn by the Loulan people.

She was also one of Loulan City’s three Grand Priests, though her health had not been good since the beginning of winter last year, so she rarely appeared in public.

Yu Luocha supported her, his actions showing a kind of closeness that Yan Hongyin had never seen him display toward others.

The old woman nodded with a smile to Yan Hongyin, her eyes full of kindness and warmth. She patted Yu Luocha’s hand, whispering something, to which Yu Luocha proudly raised his eyebrows and said, “Of course, Ah Yin is the best~”

Hearing this, the smile on the old woman’s face deepened, and then she slowly said to Yan Hongyin, “Your Highness, that unconscious guest from a few days ago woke up this morning. Would Your Highness like to see him?”

Since Yan Hongyin had noticed Yu Luocha’s unusual attitude toward the old woman, she naturally wouldn’t treat her as an ordinary tribe member. Her expression softened as she walked over and said gently, “There’s no hurry, as long as he doesn’t run around the city.”

The old woman smiled. “He certainly can’t run around! His eyes were damaged by the snow, and he probably won’t be able to see for ten days to half a month.”

“So he’s been wandering outside for more than three days? He certainly has a strong will to live.” Yu Luocha pondered, then asked Yan Hongyin, “Ah Yin, can that man’s eyes be treated? If it requires too much medicine, let’s not bother. After all, the plan doesn’t absolutely require him.”

Medicinal herbs were scarce in Loulan City, especially in winter, and it wasn’t worth using them on an outsider.

Yan Hongyin didn’t answer directly, but said, “Let’s let him wait for a while, then discuss it in a couple of days.”

Such a person was clearly stubborn, and it would be difficult to talk to him without first wearing down his sharp edges. Since he couldn’t see, it also saved the trouble of imprisonment.

“Mm, alright, then I’ll go prepare.”

Yan Hongyin didn’t ask what Yu Luocha was going to prepare, just nodded to indicate she understood.

****

“Your Highness?”

Yan Hongyin looked toward the sound and saw a tall, handsome man standing behind her. He had tanned skin, wore white clothes with gold ornaments, and had curly hair hanging down his back—the attire of a Grand Priest.

This must be the last of Loulan’s three Grand Priests, surprisingly young.

As if used to being looked at this way, the man smiled and said, “The previous Grand Priest was my father. I’ve only been a Grand Priest for half a year.”

Yan Hongyin nodded lightly, then continued to examine the plants by the lake, occasionally touching the soil as if observing something.

The man didn’t feel slighted and followed closely behind Yan Hongyin, saying, “Your Highness may not be very clear, although Loulan has three Grand Priests, their responsibilities are not the same. The First and Second Grand Priests manage the city’s affairs, while my father’s lineage knows something about herbs and pathology, specializing in treating sick or injured tribe members.”

Hearing this, Yan Hongyin finally looked at the man again, her expression shifting slightly. “Then is Your Excellency also responsible for the planting and trading of medicinal herbs in the city?”

“Your Highness need not address me as ‘Your Excellency,’ that’s an honor reserved for the High Priests. If you don’t mind, you can just call me by my name, Agha!”

The man hurriedly waved his hand, then his cheeks reddened slightly, appearing somewhat embarrassed.

“What Your Highness just mentioned is indeed my responsibility, but I don’t do it very well. Some herbs from the Central Plains are very difficult to bring here, and naturally merchants sell them at high prices…

Moreover, there are many herbs that aren’t commonly used. We worry about not having them when needed if we don’t buy them, but if we buy them, we fear they might go moldy if not stored properly… In short, I’m doing much worse than my father.”

Yan Hongyin thought for a moment, then said, “May I see where you store the medicinal herbs?”

Agha was delighted. “Of course you can!”

…

Yu Luocha had been locked in a small dark room by the Second Grand Priest, polishing things and being tormented all day. When he came out, his body ached all over. He had wanted to seek comfort from Yan Hongyin, but after searching several places, he couldn’t find her.

Standing puzzled in place, Yu Luocha wondered where Yan Hongyin might have gone when he heard footsteps coming from not far away.

Yu Luocha looked toward the young man slowly walking over while supporting himself against the wall, and raised an eyebrow, “Hall Master Fang seems in good spirits.”

Fang Bo’s step faltered slightly when his identity was revealed, but then he turned his face and walked unerringly toward Yu Luocha.

The admiration in Yu Luocha’s eyes grew even stronger.

He had initially noticed this Hall Master of the Sun Moon Holy Sect because Fang Bo truly had no backing—no father, no mother, no home, no relatives—and had climbed step by step from a young menial servant who joined the sect to his current position as Hall Master solely by his own abilities.

Such intelligence and temperament would probably have unlimited prospects in the imperial court, but in the jianghu world, especially in the so-called demonic Sun Moon Holy Sect, what mattered was always martial supremacy.

No matter how unparalleled Fang Bo’s intelligence and how resilient his temperament, without matching martial prowess, he was merely a subordinate to be twisted and shaped at will by that brainless brute Ren Woxing in the Sun Moon Holy Sect.

He was also destined to be unable to win over the sect members, branch leaders, hall masters, let alone the elders above, and would never be able to touch true power or a position where no one could bully him.

Such a person was most suitable to be someone else’s blade, but also most likely to turn that blade against the wielder after its edge was revealed.

Fang Bo walked step by step to Yu Luocha’s side, stopping one step behind him, and said, “I heard that Sect Leader Yu once sheltered a city. When I arrived at this place, I did not expect that the city sheltered by Sect Leader Yu would be an existence of such scale.”

Not bad, blind as he was, his mind was still sharp, having guessed his identity after just one day of being awake.

Yu Luocha stood with his arms folded and said flatly, “You are very bold, and your mind is very clever.”

Fang Bo paused for quite a while, then spoke, “If Sect Leader Yu has noticed this humble one, is it because you have some opinion about the Sun Moon Holy Sect?”

“I wouldn’t call it an opinion, but I have plenty of ill will.” Yu Luocha sneered.

Fang Bo couldn’t see the expression of the person in front of him and could only rely on his ears to hear emotions and sounds, but even so, he was still choked by Yu Luocha’s undisguised frankness.

But upon reflection, most people in the jianghu world were like this. The so-called temperament and intelligence seemed worthless under the suppression of powerful martial arts.

Thinking of this, a gloomy expression appeared on Fang Bo’s face.

“Your bone structure is very good, and your temperament is resilient. If you were at the optimal age for martial arts training, this lord might even be moved to take you as a disciple.” Yu Luocha’s words were direct to the point of cruelty. “But now your bones have closed, wasting your talent, and I fear that for the rest of your life, you will find it difficult to achieve anything in the martial path.”

Fang Bo’s face paled.

It would be impossible to say he had no thoughts after guessing that the master of this place was Yu Luocha, but having the hope that had been in his heart ruthlessly pierced and destroyed, no matter how resilient his temperament was, he was still just a young man in his early twenties.

He struggled to twist the corner of his mouth. “Even the Merciless Constable could make a name for himself in the jianghu with legs that were not good for walking…”

“That’s because he had a master who was the Divine Marquis Zhuge, not only backed by the imperial court but also mastering a set of mechanical arts.” Yu Luocha lowered his eyes and smiled coldly. “What about you? What do you have?”

Mechanical arts had always been rare, and finding a master willing to take disciples was already a slim hope, not to mention that such skills were mostly cultivated from childhood. Fang Bo was already past twenty; to put it bluntly, taking him as a disciple might nurture an ungrateful wolf, and who would be willing to take such a risk?

The young man’s hand at his side gradually tightened, his breathing becoming heavy and rapid.

“What, or do you also want to join the imperial court? That’s not impossible, this lord indeed has some connections, and she does have some admiration for you.” Yu Luocha turned to face the young man, speaking quite rudely.

Not only because the young man had no bargaining chips, but also because this person had almost interrupted his dual cultivation with Ah Yin.

But considering that this person had unwittingly brought him and Ah Yin closer…

Yu Luocha clicked his tongue and changed the subject. “How much do you know about the connection between the Sun Moon Holy Sect and the Great Ming imperial court?”

“The Second Prince and Sect Leader Ren have history, and the current Sect Leader’s wife was once the Second Prince’s personal maid.” Fang Bo paused after saying this, then continued, “But Elder Xiang Wentian, whom Sect Leader Ren values most, should actually be loyal to… the Grand Prince.”

Yu Luocha couldn’t help but look at Fang Bo with surprise.

This kid… had he investigated the entire Sun Moon Holy Sect inside out?

Seeing that Yu Luocha didn’t speak, Fang Bo pressed his lips together and continued, “Under Elder Xiang’s instigation, Sect Leader Ren has already grown dissatisfied with the Second Prince and firmly believes that I have secretly pledged allegiance to the Second Prince, intending to use the Second Prince’s influence to seize the position of Sun Moon Holy Sect Leader.”

Yu Luocha rarely displayed an expression of speechlessness.

Such instigation would only be believed by a brute like Ren Woxing whose brain was filled with murky yellow sand water.

For those in power, someone like Ren Woxing was far easier to control than Fang Bo, after all, those without brains were easy to appease, while those with brains were not easy to deceive.

Yu Luocha looked at the sky; it was already close to dinner time, so he said directly, “If this lord helps you ascend to the position of Sun Moon Holy Sect Leader, what can you offer in return?”

Fang Bo was not surprised by Yu Luocha’s words, but frankly said, “If that were to happen, it would not be what this humble one could offer Sect Leader Yu, but rather whatever Sect Leader Yu wants, this humble one would provide.”

Yu Luocha laughed heartily and said, “Truly a clever person!”

But Fang Bo did not relax his expression; instead, he became even more tense.

“What if this lord says he wants the lives of those two dragon sons in the capital?”

Fang Bo’s hand instantly clenched into a fist.

The lives of princes were worth thousands of gold. If he were to become the murderer of princes, even if he became the leader of the Sun Moon Holy Sect, the imperial court would certainly pursue it to the death. At that time…

Seeing Fang Bo’s expression instantly turn ashen, Yu Luocha immediately burst into laughter. “Just a joke! This lord has no grudge against those two princes, how could I have such thoughts?”

Fang Bo managed to force a smile.

No grudge?

Since this person said so… then it was not necessarily true.

“Alright, this lord is not interested in continuing to talk about these things with you.” Yu Luocha waved his hand. “This lord will assign a group of Luocha Sect secret guards for you to command, but only that much. If you cannot ascend to the position of Sun Moon Holy Sect Leader within half a month, you will be of no use to this lord, understand?”

“If I take power, will Sect Leader Yu’s batch of secret guards permanently remain in the Sun Moon Holy Sect?” Fang Bo’s question cut straight to the core.

Yu Luocha said playfully, “Then do you hope they stay, or not?”

Fang Bo would rely on the secret guards’ martial power to clear obstacles and gather support, but if the secret guards left, he would be in a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den with his life in danger. Yet if the secret guards didn’t leave, the Sun Moon Holy Sect would eventually cease to be the Sun Moon Holy Sect and would become a branch of the Luocha Sect in the Central Plains…

If only he could learn supreme martial arts…

Fang Bo gritted his teeth unwillingly, refusing to speak.

“However, the Sun Moon Holy Sect has deep foundations, and Ren Woxing’s martial technique, the Star-Absorbing Great Technique, was also changed to after he ascended to the position of Sect Leader at thirty. But worldly shortcuts often have drawbacks—either shortened lifespan, or destined to go berserk, or physical defects. Looking at Ren Woxing’s appearance, the Star-Absorbing Great Technique probably absorbed the few brains he had. If you want to practice it, you can.”

Yu Luocha appeared indifferent. “Anyway, you can’t leave this place recently, there’s still plenty of time. Think it over, then come find this lord.”

Saying this, he was about to turn and go down to the city.

But Fang Bo spoke up, “Is Sect Leader Yu looking for a woman?”

Yu Luocha’s footsteps stopped.

Fang Bo continued, “A woman very different from the others in Loulan City.”

Yu Luocha turned around. “Have you met her?”

Fang Bo slowly said: “This humble one has not encountered Her Highness the Princess, but I did hear that the Princess left with someone named ‘Agha’.”

After saying this, he thought for a moment and added, “The two seemed to converse happily as they walked, as if they had hit it off immediately.”

Yu Luocha’s face turned green.

What the hell? Agha actually approached Ah Yin?!

And they… hit it off immediately?!

….

When Yu Luocha found Agha’s residence like his tail was on fire, he saw the two people, both dressed in white, standing side by side at the door, looking annoyingly harmonious.

Agha turned his head to look at Yu Luocha in the distance, his eyes provocatively turning up at the corners, but when he turned to speak to Yan Hongyin, he became refreshing, sunny, and gentle-spoken again.

Yu Luocha heard him say—

“Princess Ah Yin, I still have much knowledge about medicinal herbs that I would like to discuss with you. It’s getting late; why don’t we have a simple meal together?”

Yu Luocha almost laughed out of anger.

Both were thousand-year-old foxes, who are you trying to fool with Liaozhai stories here!

He stepped toward Yan Hongyin, about to say something, when he heard Yan Hongyin actually agree. “Good, are there any shops in Loulan City with good food?”

Yu Luocha’s footsteps immediately stopped, and the smug expression on his face froze.

TN:

聊齋 – Liaozhai refers to Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (聊齋志異), a collection of supernatural stories involving ghosts, fox spirits, etc.

擱這跟誰玩聊齋 – “playing Liaozhai here” means telling fake, spooky, or manipulative stories, trying to trick someone.