Chapter 4: An Inexplicable Closeness
The Dao Lord Zhu Zhan placed a jade slip onto the tray held high by the attendant boy and said, “These are one thousand three hundred dueling techniques compiled by my disciples. Take them and practice well.” Dao Lord Miao Zhen shot him a sidelong glance and scolded, “Listen to yourself—Han Su is only three years old and hasn’t even begun channeling spiritual energy, yet you’re already talking about dueling. I have some magical tools here that are perfect for little girls. Let her take them to play with.” With that, she also placed a storage pouch onto the tray. “Han Su, come here. This is your elder sister Yun Mo. In the future, come visit us at Lingyin Peak often.”
When her mother called her name, Su Yun Mo had just finished planning out her future, resolving to rebuild her influence among the second-generation cultivators. It so happened that Han Su fell right into her hands—her first chosen protégé since her rebirth. Even though Han Su hadn’t started channeling spiritual energy and seemed unremarkable in her past life, Yun Mo was determined to establish a connection.
To everyone’s surprise, Yun Mo actually crouched down, embraced little Han Su, and smiled, “Come, let me take you to collect gifts.” She really did take Han Su around to every guest, asking for presents—even pestering the stingy sect leader and her former love interest, both of whom had already given gifts. At first, Han Su felt a bit reserved, but recalling the hardships and the faces of those who abandoned her after her downfall in her previous life, Yun Mo grew bolder. She brazenly extorted gifts from everyone, so much so that Han Su’s mouth nearly split into a grin.
Han Su felt both flattered and astonished. This was the heroine herself, interacting so intimately with someone as inconspicuous as her, and even helping her collect so many gifts! Although being held by the heroine made her a little nervous—she couldn’t help recalling the heroine’s noble, cold, and ruthless demeanor after her rebirth in the novel—she reassured herself: I’m just a nobody; surely she won’t treat me like that.
Relaxed, Han Su soon realized she might be in trouble. Ever since the birthday banquet, Big Sister Yun Mo would come by every few days to “bond” with her. Yet, unable to accept Han Su’s naturally blank demeanor, Yun Mo’s attempts at bonding became more like her own personal stage. On Lingwu Peak, it became a common sight: a beautiful maiden in her teens animatedly telling stories of her high-class, impressive team, the elite places they’d visited, and the extraordinary things they’d seen—all while a little girl sat beside her, eating and playing. At the end, Yun Mo would toss her a handful of small gifts.
Of course, this was only a small interlude in Han Su’s life. Soon, she would begin learning to channel spiritual energy.