Chapter 20: The Trouble-Maker Ji Fan
As for the details of how the ghost was exorcised, it’s not convenient to say. What mattered was that, eventually, the ghost disappeared completely.
When Song Zhen and the others returned, everyone wore triumphant, proud smiles—except the three senior brothers.
Their clothes were soaked with cold sweat. Watching those little rascals grinning from ear to ear, the three of them really felt like punching someone.
“Today’s events absolutely cannot be mentioned to anyone. In the future, if you ever encounter something like this again, think carefully. Use your methods more cleverly… at least wipe your own butt afterward.”
Song Zhen gave a perfunctory nod. “Done talking? Great, I’m going home.” She was exhausted—she hadn’t slept all night.
Even though she had now begun the path of cultivation and theoretically needed less sleep, she was still a modern person. Modern people needed daily rest—and some even required a nap.
Ji Fan didn’t know Song Zhen had returned. He assumed their mission would last ten days or half a month. After all, the first time they went out on a mission, it did take ten days or more. Back then, it had been dangerous for them, even if now it wasn’t such a big deal.
Sighing theatrically, Ji Fan murmured, “Ah… it’s so quiet all of a sudden. I’m not used to it. I’ve been spoiled, and now I can’t get used to the good days.”
But his smile was just a little too bright, overly cheerful.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Song Zhen’s loud, energetic voice rang from afar:
“Fifth Senior Brother! I’m back! Did you miss me?”
Hearing that devilish voice, Ji Fan’s smile froze instantly.
He must have misheard. Yesterday they left—how could she be back today? Was that demon really that weak?
“It must be that I didn’t rest well yesterday and hallucinated. I should find a place to sleep again—after some rest, the hallucinations should stop.” Ji Fan quickly packed his things and hurried off.
His pace got faster and faster, eventually launching into flight on his sword.
Song Zhen, happily looking for her senior brother, was utterly confused: ???
Why was he running so fast? Didn’t he hear her greeting?
Meanwhile, Ji Fan, fleeing in panic, shouted:
“Ahhhh! Why are they back so soon? Why can’t I have a little more rest? When will the first, second, and third senior brothers return? Can’t the burden be shared?! This is so unfair! And when will Master return? After being gone for so long, at least send some news back!”
At this moment, the sect leader, busy haggling with someone else, sneezed violently.
The forging master on the other side was suddenly sprayed with saliva: …
“Hey! You little rascal! You dare spray me with saliva when you can’t even beat me? You want me to forge your sword? In your dreams!”
The sect leader was utterly dumbfounded. Why has he been sneezing so much lately? His health wasn’t that bad… was it?
“Brother! Brother, I really didn’t mean it. Please, just help me with this one thing. If you do, all debts between us are wiped clean. I’ve gathered all the materials—you won’t need to lift a finger. I’m begging you!”
“If you don’t help me, I’ll have no choice but to send my little apprentice to pester you. By then, she’ll cling to you relentlessly.”
The sect leader genuinely planned to do that — after all, Song Zhen was thick-skinned and sly, so he might as well try to bargain with her.
Little did Song Zhen know how much effort the sect leader had put into forging her sword. Right now, she was busily searching for her senior brother across the mountains and valleys.
“Senior Brother, have you seen my Fifth Senior Brother?”
“Senior Sister, have you seen my Fifth Senior Brother?”
“Fifth Senior Brother flew in this direction, right?”
In the cultivation world, if there’s a little tadpole looking for its mother, there’s Song Zhen looking for her senior brother.
Ji Fan had already found a hiding spot. As the saying goes, the most dangerous place is often the safest. He hid in the room next door to Song Zhen’s room — a storage room she rarely visited.
To ensure peace and quiet, Ji Fan really went all out. He hoped that after failing to find him, Song Zhen would go looking for the Fourth Senior Sister instead. Please, anyone but him.
But hiding couldn’t last forever. After searching fruitlessly, Song Zhen returned to rest.
Ji Fan, who had been meditating, suddenly heard an earth-shaking snore. It was as loud as a bear’s roar, as violent as an earthquake.
Ji Fan nearly had his blood reversed in his veins and coughed up blood. He was on the verge of madness. How could a girl snore like this? Was she even a proper girl?
The night promised to be far from peaceful. Early the next morning, Song Zhen woke up full of energy to practice swordsmanship, while Ji Fan staggered out, utterly exhausted.
“Senior Brother, what’s wrong? Didn’t you sleep well last night?”
“Look at those dark circles! Don’t ruin your body just because you’re young. Even young people need proper care—otherwise, you’ll regret it when you get older.”
Ji Fan grimaced, saying nothing. Who had brought him to this state? Once, he had been a spirited youth, full of vitality and zeal for life. Now, every time he faced Song Zhen, his life seemed hopeless and his future bleak.
He had been the youngest in the sect and the one who had always been cared for. By all logic, he shouldn’t be responsible for the little junior sister—this duty should have fallen on the First Senior Brother.
If not him, then the Second or Third Senior Brother. The Fourth Senior Sister was still here, after all.
Why had Master assigned him to guide the little junior sister? He couldn’t even manage himself, let alone others.
Seeing Ji Fan lost in thought, Song Zhen quietly stepped aside. She had always respected those who immersed themselves in their inner world without harming others.
Days passed. Song Zhen’s cultivation improved steadily. She had now become the top among the new disciples—a position no one could challenge. No one dared to challenge her anyway.
Finally, the sect leader returned, bringing good news:
“Song Zhen, your sword has been taken care of. It’s still being forged, but once it’s finished, you’ll officially have a sword of your own.”
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