Chapter 52: Ju Fufu: Master, you don't have a crush on Musachi, do you! (Patreon)

"What a coincidence — I really didn't expect to run into you all here."

After a brief moment of surprise, Yixuan smiled. This was the entrance to Sixth Street, after all — running into each other here wasn't so strange.

"Master, who's this?"

Ju Fufu looked at Musachi with some curiosity. She couldn't say why, but she always sensed that Master's attitude toward this young man was different from how she treated others.

As the senior disciple Yixuan had taken in and raised since childhood, and with her own sharp -kin instincts on top of that, Ju Fufu's perception was keen.

"Him? He's the manager of the bookstore next door. We worked together once, on a mission before."

Yixuan explained with a smile, her expression unchanged.

"Oh! I thought he was a Pro— oh, he's the manager!" Ju Fufu clapped her hands, beaming.

No wonder Master's attitude had seemed off — so he was a former partner.

Ju Fufu didn't think much more of it.

"So this is Master Yixuan's other disciple? Such an adorable cat-kin little sister — and a rare orange tabby, too~" Remielle, watching the lively Ju Fufu, found herself walking right up to her as she asked, curious.

At the same time, there was a trace of envy in the glance she shot Yixuan.

An orange tabby-kin — that was super rare.

But why were her ears so round and plump?

But upon hearing Remielle's words, Ju Fufu was struck hard.

"I'm not an orange tabby-kin, I'm a tiger — a tiger-kin! Rawr!"

She protested, raising her claws in front of herself and letting out a fierce little roar.

!!!

In that instant, both Yixuan and Remielle were nearly undone by how adorable she looked.

Soon, Ju Fufu felt Yixuan's hand patting the top of her head.

In an instant, the primal urge toOutput token limit hit. Resume directly — no apology, no recap of what you were doing. Pick up mid-thought if that is where the cut happened. Break remaining work into smaller pieces.melt and purr with pleasure collided head-on with her tiger pride, which insisted such an undignified pose was beneath her.

Her face twisted with the conflict.

"Fufu's right, she's an orange tabby-kin, not a tiger-kin — wait, no…"

Only after saying it did Yixuan realize she'd gotten it backwards.

Beside them, Remielle couldn't hold back a snort of laughter.

"I'm not a kitten!!! I really am not!"

She fumed, half in tears, half throwing a tantrum.

"All right, all right, you're not — my Fufu is a fierce, mighty tiger."

Yixuan wore a helpless smile.

"Come to think of it, Master Yixuan, you haven't gone back up the mountain yet?"

Musachi asked, curious.

Wasn't the Hollow Zero matter already resolved?

But these past two days, it felt like everyone he knew had only gotten busier.

"The matter itself is resolved, but the aftershocks are still spreading. Sometimes cleaning up after the fact is more trouble than solving the original problem."

Yixuan sighed as she spoke.

"Aftershocks? Did something else happen?"

Musachi was puzzled. He'd handled the biggest problem himself — what else could there be?

"There's something you don't know. That Ethereal may be dead, but the battle that day sent Ether activity in the area spiking. Quite a number of Ethereals have gathered there since — some Tier 5, even close to Tier 6. Their presence keeps pushing the Hollow's Ether activity even higher... By now that whole area has turned into a monster's den. It needs to be cleared out. That's the real reason I haven't gone back up the mountain — instead I brought Fufu along. This job needs hands."

"I see."

Listening to Yixuan's explanation, Musachi's mouth twitched. He hadn't expected there to be this much trouble left in the aftermath.

In his mind, he'd already dealt with the biggest headache — how much more could there really be?

But he'd overlooked one thing: what was small to him wasn't necessarily small to others. Fighting only top-tier battles had made him forget the ordinary baseline for measuring strength…

Just because Musachi could kick around a Notorious Ethereal like a stray dog didn't mean everyone else in New Eridu could do the same.

Especially when Notorious Ethereals gathered in packs.

That alone was already a major incident requiring Void Hunters to deploy.

And what Yixuan had described was only part of the aftermath.

In truth, the political side of things was even messier.

The TOPS Alliance and the city government had been locked in disputes lately. The true culprit, Canggang Group, had already been dismantled through various means, but its legacy had vanished without a trace.

By the city's estimate, Canggang must have obtained something from that Ethereal, but exactly what they intended to do with it remained unclear.

As for TOPS, this kind of sleight-of-hand switcheroo was hardly something new for them.

So the city government kept up the pressure.

But none of that concerned Yixuan, nor did she understand it well.

The group didn't dwell on the subject; Yixuan had no intention of discussing such matters with a mere Proxy.

"This char siu bun is so good, Master, Master!"

Beside them, Ju Fufu took a big bite and praised it without thinking.

As she spoke, she held out another bun to Yixuan.

"Mm, it really is good."

Yixuan took it, bit into it, and nodded.

"Come to think of it, Master always says she loves char siu buns, but every time she only eats one just to taste it. Is that really enough to satisfy you?"

Watching Yixuan take only a token bite, Ju Fufu couldn't help but feel curious.

Ye Shunguang glanced over, curious as well.

"One is enough. It's not like back when I was little, when we had to split a single bun in half."

As Yixuan spoke, she rested her chin on her hand, a trace of nostalgia rising in her eyes.

"Sounds like you have quite a history with char siu buns, Master Yixuan?"

Musachi and Remielle exchanged a glance, both sensing there was a story here.

"I suppose so. When you're on the verge of starving, anything tastes like happiness — let alone a soft, fragrant char siu bun."

As she spoke, a touch of remembrance entered her eyes:

"When I was little, my sister and I lived on the streets together. I was timid back then — if it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't have survived. I remember one winter, the two of us hadn't eaten in two days. We were freezing and starving. My sister told me to wait where I was, then went and stole buns from a nearby stall. We ate while we ran, so that even if we got caught afterward, we'd already have something in our stomachs. But how could two children outrun grown adults? Sure enough, we got caught in the end. Lucky for us, though, we ran into your Grandmaster that day. After that, we were brought back to Yunkui Mountain."

"I never imagined Master had such a hard childhood…"

Listening to Yixuan's story, Ju Fufu couldn't help feeling moved.

"Mm. If I'd eaten better as a child, my body would probably be in better shape now. Your uncle and I both suffered for it — malnourished from a young age."

As she said this, a trace of regret crossed Yixuan's face.

Then, without meaning to, Musachi, Remielle, Ju Fufu, and Ye Shunguang all found their eyes drawn to Yixuan — specifically, to the fullness of her chest.

That was what she called malnourished?

Musachi's eyes went wide.

It was the exact image of that scene from the old film — the bandit boss glaring at his advisor in disbelief: "The hell do you mean eight years old?!"

"Ahem. Things did get much better once I came to Yunkui Mountain. But back then, during my growing years, I really didn't get enough to eat."

Yixuan, noticing Musachi's eyes fixed on her, cleared her throat lightly and said.

"Hiss…"

The next moment, Remielle pinched Musachi, making him suck in a sharp breath.

Why'd you pinch me?

Musachi shot her a glare.

Your stare just now was way too rude!

Remielle's look shot back.

Like you weren't looking too!

Musachi couldn't help laughing despite himself, half annoyed.

Just as everyone was finishing up their meal, an office worker walked over.

The man wore a full business suit, his face carrying a spaced-out, almost otherworldly look.

As he looked at Yixuan, a touch of curiosity entered his eyes:

"If I'm not mistaken, you're a master from Yunkui Mountain, aren't you? If so, could you read my fortune for me? Lately I've been feeling drained, my steps all light and floaty. Master, am I — am I possessed by something evil?"

"Hm?"

Yixuan glanced at him, then nodded. "I've got nothing better to do, so sure, I'll read one for you."

She looked him over, counted on her fingers, and said without even thinking, "Mm — yes, there's definitely something wrong, but if you just do as I say, it won't be a big problem. Your most urgent priority right now is to rest properly and restore your vital energy. You've been overworked, your five aggregates are depleted, and evil influences naturally creep in when you're like this. Once you nurse your body back to health, your restored vitality will drive off any such petty evil on its own."

"But my boss won't let me take time off."

The man's face twisted with conflict.

"Your boss has been possessed too. I'd suggest quitting and staying far away."

Musachi chimed in from the side.

Yixuan looked at Musachi in surprise, not expecting his mind to work that fast.

"I get it now — I'll quit right away. So that damn dog of a boss was possessed all along, ha! I'm going to chew him out good before I leave! And it just so happens the company next door already sent me an offer — I'll rest up properly first, then go straight over there!"

The man's eyes lit up, his expression turning almost energized.

"Thank you, Master, thank you! How much do I owe you?"

The man hurriedly looked to Yixuan.

"Meeting you was fate enough. No charge."

Yixuan waved a hand.

"I see."

The man didn't say anything more. Instead, he quietly walked to the counter, paid for the whole group's breakfast, and left.

"Was that guy really possessed?"

Watching this, Remielle couldn't help asking, curious.

"Of course not. What era do you think this is? How could there be such a thing as evil spirits? Trust in science."

Yixuan said, perfectly serious.

"Every time someone wants to come up Yunkui Mountain to study under her, Master always says this — that Yunkui Mountain isn't anything special, just an ordinary Daoist temple full of ordinary people."

Ju Fufu said with a beaming smile.

"And then one time, Master had some urgent business and just flew off right in front of the people who'd come to ask for discipleship."

Ye Shunguang added.

"Uh…"

Musachi's mouth twitched.

That was what she called trusting science?

"Ah, over these past years, more and more people have come to Yunkui Mountain seeking to become disciples... The incense offerings grow more plentiful by the day, but the troubles that come with it keep piling up too. Too many people is its own kind of headache…"

Yixuan said, a trace of exasperation slipping into her voice.

Her elder sister, Sect Master Yixuan, had complained to her about this long ago — that Yunkui Mountain's incense offerings kept growing, and worse, more and more people kept coming to seek discipleship. It was a real headache.

There was nothing for it: Yixuan and her sister could only keep telling people to trust in science. But instead of helping, it only made Yunkui Mountain even more famous…

Especially that video of Yixuan saying "trust in science" one moment and flying off the very next — it had gone wildly viral online…

"But if there's no such thing as evil spirits, what was going on with that man just now, Master? The way he looked, if he'd been in a Hollow, he could've turned into an Ethereal any second…"

Ju Fufu couldn't help feeling curious.

"That's someone worked half to death by overtime. Dying from Ether corrosion in a Hollow is still just dying, isn't it?"

Musachi rolled his eyes. "Let him rest and recover his energy and he'll be fine on his own. And what Master Yixuan just told him was only meant to firm up his resolve. That guy's probably wanted to quit for ages — he just needed a push. For ordinary people, making a decision is hard. But sometimes all it takes is a gentle shove, and suddenly it's easy."

Musachi explained to Ju Fufu.

"I see."

Ju Fufu nodded seriously — then suddenly caught herself.

"Huh? Manager, you sure understand Master well. Seems like you two really do have a connection!"

Ju Fufu looked at Musachi and Yixuan in astonishment. He'd seen through what Master had been thinking at a single glance... no wonder he'd followed up so naturally.

"Just eat your food. You talk too much."

Yixuan rapped Ju Fufu on the forehead, making her flinch and duck.

The speaker meant nothing by it, but the listener took it to heart.

Musachi thought nothing of the remark, but Yixuan found her own composure shaken after hearing it.

"So what's everyone's plan for today?"

Musachi asked, looking over the group with curiosity.

"Mm, nothing much. Just using this bit of free time before the mission starts to take my disciples around New Eridu. They spend all their days cultivating on the mountain, so now that they're down here, I figured I'd properly show them a good time."

Yixuan glanced at her two beloved disciples beside her as she spoke.

"I see. In that case, how about stopping by my bookstore to rest your feet for a bit?"

Musachi seized the moment to extend the invitation, his eyes fixed on Yixuan with eagerness.

These were masters from Yunkui Mountain — if he could just get them to sign up for membership cards…

But the eagerness in Musachi's eyes read as something else entirely to Yixuan.

"Well…"

Yixuan hesitated for a moment.

"A bookstore? Yes, yes! I want to go see! Master, let's go, let's go!"

Before Yixuan could answer, Ju Fufu was already chiming in eagerly.

With no other choice, Yixuan nodded.

Soon, Musachi led the group into his bookstore.

"Wow, is this the manager's bookstore? So many books!"

Ju Fufu exclaimed the moment she stepped inside.

"It's a bookstore, of course there are a lot of books."

Musachi smiled.

Then Musachi turned to Yixuan. "No wonder you're Master Yixuan — your popularity really is something. If we hadn't come in when we did, we'd probably have gotten swarmed by star-struck citizens any minute. The last time I saw a scene like that was with Void Hunter Hoshimi Miyabi."

At Musachi's words, Yixuan suddenly recalled the man who'd asked her for a reading earlier, and the other onlookers whose eyes had been growing brighter and brighter with recognition.

Just as Musachi said, if they hadn't ducked inside, she probably would have been swarmed.

"You really do think of everything."

Yixuan was somewhat surprised that Musachi's thinking could be so considerate.

"If you all want to go sightseeing, you should probably change clothes first. Yunkui Mountain robes stand out way too much around here."

Musachi suggested.

"We'll consider it."

Yixuan nodded, then glanced at Ju Fufu beside her.

Ju Fufu was already craning her neck, peering curiously at this and that along the bookshelves.

"Fufu, if there's any book you want, just get it. Think of it as a gift from your master."

She said, patting Ju Fufu's head.

"Wow, really? Master, you're the best!"

Ju Fufu cheered and immediately started browsing.

"Xiao Guang, you should pick something too."

"I don't need to, Master. I haven't even finished the one I have yet."

Ye Shunguang smiled sweetly.

Just then, Musachi walked up in front of the three of them:

"You know, you could all sign up for a membership card here — it'd make things easier when you come read books. Even after you go back to Yunkui Mountain it wouldn't matter — if there's something you want, just reach out and I'll mail it up to you!"

Musachi was really going all out to sell those membership cards.

Even if running a shipping service wasn't very profitable, he was willing to do it!

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?"

Yixuan looked hesitant.

"No trouble at all, no trouble. Want a card? Mountain cultivation must get dull — you should have some books around to pass the time."

Musachi looked at Yixuan eagerly.

"All right, then, why not."

Yixuan said, and pulled out a card right away.

Compared to the average customer, Yixuan was almost outrageously generous — she signed up for a full year's membership on the spot.

"Thank you for your patronage!"

Ju Fufu came over next, holding a book.

It turned out to be a comic.

"Earth Tiger, huh."

Musachi looked at Ju Fufu, a little surprised.

Here was this adorable little girl — why would she be into this kind of hard-boiled, macho-art comic?

After all, Earth Tiger was famous for its rugged, muscular art style and its manic, over-the-top plot.

"Yep, this one. Master always says you become what you consume. If I read enough of these tough-guy comics, eventually I'll grow up into a tall, mighty mountain king myself!"

Ju Fufu said, her eyes sparkling with stars.

As if she could already picture her future, towering and formidable self.

"What's so great about turning into something like that? Isn't the way you are now just fine?"

Remielle only had to imagine it for a second before it struck her as bizarre.

The current, adorable Ju Fufu was so much better.

"I'm a mighty, majestic tiger! And as the senior disciple of my generation on Yunkui Mountain, I absolutely need to have some dignity! And yet — junior disciples dare to tell me I'm cute right to my face! That's just humiliating!"

Ju Fufu said this while practically chewing on a handkerchief in distress.

Being the senior disciple with no dignity to show for it... no, that just wouldn't do!

Watching Ju Fufu's outburst, Yixuan, Musachi, and Remielle exchanged glances, all wearing identically innocent expressions.

But at Ju Fufu's current age, short of some freak growth spurt, she probably wasn't going to turn into the towering figure she imagined.

After all, though she looked like a petite little girl, Ju Fufu was, in fact, already an adult.

It was just that all her skill points seemed to have gone into combat — compared to fighting, everything else about her fell a bit short.

"By the way, Master Yixuan, do you have a good place to buy clothes? You'll need a new outfit too, right? If not, I could recommend somewhere."

Now that they'd all signed up for cards, Musachi's attitude had naturally turned as warm as could be.

The customer is god! As the owner, it was his duty to solve their problems!

"Not really, no."

Yixuan shook her head.

She'd figured she'd just find some random shop and pick up a set of casual clothes.

"Might as well help all the way. Since you don't have a place in mind, Master Yixuan, let me recommend somewhere good!"

Musachi said without a second thought.

It would mean cashing in a favor with Gabrielle, sure, but he was practically handing her a Yunkui Mountain master as a customer!

If anything, she'd be the one coming out ahead on the deal!

"Ooh, there's such a good deal? Then thanks a bunch, Manager!"

Yixuan had just been about to decline, but Ju Fufu beat her to it once again.

It was all unintentional, but Yixuan couldn't shake the feeling that her sweet disciple kept getting her into trouble.

"Tch. Feels like I should get a car. Getting around to other places really is inconvenient…"

Musachi muttered after they got out of the taxi.

"This is the place."

He said, looking at the clothing shop ahead, and pushed the door open, leading the way in.

"Sis Gabrielle, I brought some friends to buy an outfit. Appreciate it."

Musachi said sweetly to Gabrielle after stepping inside.

"Oh, it's Musachi. No problem, I'll give you a discount, promise."

After she spoke, Gabrielle's eyes lit up as she noticed the three Yunkui Mountain master-and-disciples standing behind Musachi.

"Masters from Yunkui Mountain, no less! You must be Master Yixuan — I've seen you on TV! My daughter adores you. Could you sign something for me later?"

Gabrielle walked straight up to Yixuan as she spoke.

"Uh… it's nothing, no trouble at all."

"Ha, thank you so much! Please, come this way. Any particular requirements for the clothes?"

Gabrielle asked with a smile, looking between Yixuan and the two disciples behind her.

"Just something casual will do. Wearing Yunkui Mountain robes around New Eridu is a bit inconvenient, after all."

"Okay, okay, don't worry, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

"Much appreciated."

With that, Gabrielle led the group toward the fitting rooms.

Gabrielle's shop really did carry a wide variety of clothes.

Soon, Ju Fufu and Ye Shunguang emerged.

Ye Shunguang had changed into a white-and-pink dress with lace trim at the hem, looking impossibly cute.

In an instant, she'd gone from a young Yunkui Mountain adept to the girl next door.

She practically radiated youthful energy.

When Ju Fufu came out, Musachi's mouth couldn't help twitching.

On top, she wore a white tank top — which would've been fine on its own, except the tank top had a cartoon tiger head printed right in the middle, and over it she'd layered an orange-yellow knit cardigan.

On the bottom, black shorts.

The whole outfit looked fine at a glance — except it looked a bit like children's clothing.

But watching Ju Fufu stand in front of the mirror looking thoroughly pleased with herself, she probably hadn't noticed.

He could only hope that the startled murmurs of onlookers during their walk later wouldn't reach Ju Fufu's ears.

Then, as Yixuan stepped out of the fitting room, Musachi found himself staring, momentarily stunned.

Even his breath caught for a moment.

Yixuan had shed her Yunkui Mountain robes; in their place was an outfit that suited her flawlessly.

Her hair was piled up high at the back of her head, held in place with a single hairpin, while one loose strand fell across her forehead and was tucked behind her ear.

Since Yixuan had become something of a public figure and her face was instantly recognizable, Gabrielle had thoughtfully paired her outfit with a pair of gold-wire-framed glasses.

Compared to her usual free-spirited air, this Yixuan carried an extra layer of gentleness and refinement — the kind of look that made people want to call her "Mom" despite themselves.

On top, she'd chosen a pure white off-shoulder fitted sweater. Perhaps feeling that her snow-white neck looked too plain on its own, Gabrielle had added a small silvery-white pendant.

The pendant now hung at the front of Yixuan's throat, catching the light and glinting faintly.

And perhaps feeling the plain sweater alone was too simple, they'd layered a modest, light-brown knit cardigan over it.

It was, admittedly, a plain and rather old-fashioned cardigan, but on Yixuan it looked just right — even lending her an extra note of mature, intellectual charm.

As for the bottom, Yixuan wore a black skirt with a belt accented by gold metal hardware.

Her shoes had been swapped for a pair of black high-ankle leather boots.

It was just a change into a simple set of casual clothes, and yet she looked like an entirely different person from the usual Yixuan.

If the everyday Yixuan was a free and easy cultivator, this Yixuan looked like a mature, refined mother who would treat her children with endless gentleness.

"Wow! Master, you're so pretty! You should wear casual clothes more often, okay? You look amazing!"

Ju Fufu rushed over immediately, wrapping her arms around Yixuan's waist and pressing her face right against her chest.

Well, paired with Ju Fufu's kindergarten-style outfit—

the two of them looked even more like mother and daughter now…

"No wonder you're Master Yixuan — you look good in anything!"

Beside them, Gabrielle looked over Yixuan's new outfit and nodded with satisfaction, giving a thumbs-up.

Hearing Gabrielle's words, Musachi nodded vigorously too.

Compared to her Yunkui Mountain robes, Yixuan looked almost unfairly beautiful in these casual clothes.

Musachi found he couldn't quite tear his eyes away.

How could Yixuan not notice the heat in Musachi's gaze? She simply did her best to tell herself not to mind it, and to ignore it.

Over and over she reminded herself that she was many years older than Musachi — that anything between them was impossible…

"Sis Gabrielle, how much do I owe you?"

After admiring the sight a moment longer, Musachi turned to Gabrielle.

"How much? Not a cent! You brought Master Yixuan to my shop, you little rascal — how could I possibly charge you?"

"Wouldn't that be a bit improper?"

Yixuan frowned slightly.

"What's improper about it? If you feel bad about it, Master Yixuan, just give me a talisman to bring in fortune and keep me worry-free from now on, and we'll call it even. Besides, didn't you just order a formal gown too? I'll charge you normal price for that one — my custom high-end pieces don't come cheap. Compared to that, all this can just be a gift."

Gabrielle said with a smile, waving her hand.

Seeing this, Yixuan finally nodded.

On a sudden impulse earlier, thinking it wouldn't hurt to have another outfit, she'd ordered a black formal gown made here.

The actual design sketches would still take time for Gabrielle to work out.

That was the real labor-intensive work at Gabrielle's shop; by comparison, the price of these few outfits was nothing much at all.

"Let's go, let's go! Master, we should hit the mall now! I want to go to Lumina Square, and I want hot pot too!"

Ju Fufu tugged at Yixuan's hand, whining sweetly.

"All right, all right, Fufu, slow down."

Yixuan could only call after her, helpless.

A moment later, though, all eyes turned to Musachi.

For a moment, the mood among the group turned a bit awkward.

By rights, today's outing was supposed to be just the three of them, master and disciples. But fate had a way of throwing curveballs — Musachi had come along to help them buy clothes, and it would hardly be right to just send him home now, would it?

That would be far too rude.

"Then I'll just—"

"Then it looks like we'll have to trouble you to come along with us, Manager. After all, the three of us aren't very familiar with Lumina Square."

Before Musachi could tactfully excuse himself, Yixuan spoke up with a light laugh — kicking him to the curb the moment he'd served his purpose would be far too rude, after all.

"Happy to be of service!"

Musachi nodded quickly.

The place wasn't far from Lumina Square. Compared to the quiet of the mountain, Lumina Square was a great deal livelier.

Watching Ju Fufu and Ye Shunguang walk hand in hand up ahead, chatting and laughing, Musachi and Yixuan strolled along together not far behind.

"Sorry you had to see that. Fufu's a lively kid — she just can't sit still."

Yixuan said with a soft laugh, watching her two disciples ahead.

"Not at all, Master Yixuan, don't say that. This is exactly the age to be lively. The more sensible and mature a kid is, the more it breaks your heart, honestly. Carefree like this is a good thing, comparatively."

Musachi said with a smile, a note of genuine feeling in his voice.

"Heh, you really do see things clearly."

Yixuan glanced at Musachi, a little surprised.

Musachi didn't look particularly old — just barely into his twenties — and yet in the way he handled himself, in every respect, he came across as remarkably mature.

"You're only a few years older than Fufu and the others, and yet you're so much more mature than they are."

Yixuan laughed lightly. "I have a disciple around your age, actually — Xiao Guang's older brother. The two of you might get along well."

Ye Shiyuan had come along this time too, though he hadn't joined the three of them for their outing — instead, he'd gone to handle business on their behalf, coordinating with the government.

Compared to Ju Fufu, Ye Shiyuan was more like the true senior disciple of their generation.

Meticulous in thought, thorough in deed.

"I'd genuinely like to meet him sometime, if the chance comes up. But, Master Yixuan, your relationship with Ju Fufu and Ye Shunguang — it's less like master and disciples and more like mother and daughters."

Musachi said.

"I watched both of them grow up from when they were small. They call me Master, but calling it mother and daughters wouldn't be wrong either."

Yixuan laughed softly.

"Too bad there's no father in the picture."

Musachi glanced at Yixuan, then at Ju Fufu up ahead, and — thinking of who knew what — let the remark slip out.

Hearing this, Yixuan shot Musachi a look. Seeing he didn't seem serious, that he seemed to just be joking, she found herself turning her head away anyway.

Yixuan's heart, once again, was thrown into disarray.

After spending the whole morning shopping with Yixuan and the others, Musachi had planned to head back. But Yixuan insisted on thanking him for his help that morning, so at noon she brought him to a hot pot restaurant next to Lumina Square and treated him to a meal.

Over the meal, Musachi and Yixuan talked easily and pleasantly. Yixuan found herself a little surprised to discover that Musachi had his own well-formed views on many things, and that the two of them shared similar perspectives on quite a few matters.

"Thanks for your trouble this morning. This afternoon, Fufu and the others and I have other business to attend to, so we won't trouble you to come along, Musachi."

After the meal, Yixuan and Musachi stood outside the hot pot restaurant, and she said this with a light laugh.

"Mm, if you ever need anything in New Eridu, Master Yixuan, feel free to reach out anytime. Though I doubt an ordinary bookstore manager like me could be much help to a big shot like you, ha."

Musachi said, laughing at himself as he spoke.

"The thought alone makes me happy."

Yixuan smiled, then watched Musachi off as he walked toward the subway entrance.

Only once his figure had vanished from sight did Yixuan turn away.

Then she found Ju Fufu and Ye Shunguang both watching her.

"What is it? Is there something on my face?"

Yixuan touched her cheek, puzzled.

"Heh heh, nothing. It's just, you and the manager looked like you were having so much fun talking. I've never seen you talk that much with a man before!"

Ju Fufu said with a goofy grin.

"Was I?"

Listening to Ju Fufu, Yixuan couldn't help second-guessing herself.

Didn't I just make a bit of casual small talk with Musachi? It wasn't that dramatic.

"Aww, of course you wouldn't notice it yourself, Master. But from an outsider's view, it's totally obvious. You were smiling the entire time you talked with Manager Musachi, and you two covered so many topics. You never talk this much with anyone else. Master, do you maybe like Manager Musachi?"

Ju Fufu's eyes lit up as she said it.

"What nonsense are you spouting! I'm so much older than him."

Yixuan rapped Ju Fufu lightly on the head, flustered and a little annoyed.

"Huh? Master, why'd you hit me? Don't you want to take Manager Musachi on as a disciple? You two talked for so long, I figured you'd taken a liking to him."

Ju Fufu rubbed her head, a little confused.

"Oh — you meant liking him as in wanting him for a disciple."

Yixuan laughed awkwardly.

"What else would I mean?"

Ju Fufu looked at Yixuan, puzzled.

What was wrong with Master today? Why did she seem so strange, so flustered and fidgety...

"All right, all right, aren't you the clever one. Come on, let's go — we've got other things to handle this afternoon. I didn't bring you along just to play, you know."

Yixuan, left nearly speechless by her senior disciple's "filial devotion," could only shoot her a glare before speaking, then turned and walked on ahead.

As she went, she didn't forget to toss back a reminder to keep up.

"Weird. Junior sister, don't you think Master's acting strange today? She keeps hitting me on the head…"

Ju Fufu said, looking at Ye Shunguang beside her, sounding a bit wronged.

"Come on, Senior Sister, let's catch up."

Ye Shunguang smiled gently, offering no opinion of her own, and simply took Ju Fufu's hand to follow after Yixuan.

Meanwhile, when Musachi got back to the bookstore, he found that Cecilia was there too, alongside Remielle.

"It's okay, Cecilia. Maybe their phones just died?"

Remielle said, trying to comfort her.

"What happened?"

Musachi frowned. Something's wrong?