Chapter 50

Qu Panyan was utterly shocked, for this《Double Flowers Chronicle》emitted a strong smell of fanfiction smut content—more specifically, it was about her and Su Lingyu!

What in the world was going on?!

Do cultivators also ship cp in their world?!

Qu Panyan hadn’t fully recovered from the shock when she saw the soft-spoken little store owner pulling a charming young lady from the backyard, pointing at Qu Panyan with excitement while exclaiming, “Quick, look! A celestial has descended!!!”

Qu Panyan: “…?”

No no no, you’re giving too much praise; my beloved is the real celestial being.

Qu Panyan tried to calm herself and reminded herself not to forget the main purpose of her visit. She awkwardly placed the book back to its original position, cleared her throat, and began, “Shopkeeper, I came here to—”

The cute little store owner suddenly swooned, clutching her chest and crying out, “Oh! such celestial melodies!”

Qu Panyan: “…”

What interrupted my train of thought?

It was this sudden rainbow fart!

This freaking praise has made me totally forget my words!

The woman next to the little store owner appeared much calmer, although her eyes showed a touch of amazement. She stepped forward and apologized, “I’m truly sorry for my wife’s behavior. Please forgive her enthusiasm.”

“What did the guest want to say just now? How can we assist the guest?”

Oh ho, they’re a couple too.

Having shared similar preferences, Qu Panyan couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity.

She quickly organized her thoughts and asked, “May I know your names?”

“Yan Yan Yan! My surname is Yan! It is Yan Ruyu!” The little store owner spoke first.

The other woman covered her mouth apologetically, “I’m surnamed Lin. How about the guest?”

Qu Panyan smiled, “I follow my wife’s surname, it’s Su.”

Right now, she couldn’t reveal her surname as Qu, or these two would probably pack up and leave instantly. No, this wouldn’t do. She must ask about Zhuang Wenniang’s case and also inquire about the book titled《Double Flowers Chronicle》.

Upon hearing that Qu Panyan’s wife had the surname Su and that they were also a same-sex couple, Ms. Yan’s eyes inexplicably lit up, showing a pleasantly surprised expression. If not for Ms. Lin, her partner, holding her back, she might have leaped for joy.

Ms. Lin asked, “I assume Madam Su is from out of town?”

Madam Su, hmm, that sounded nice. Qu Panyan nodded, a hint of a smile appearing on her lips, and then she replied, “I am here to inquire about Miss Zhuang’s situation. Do you two happen to know anything about it?”

The two store owners’ expressions instantly froze upon hearing her words. Ms. Yan even forcefully pulled Ms. Lin away, expressing her concern, “You’d better not get involved in this matter. Whoever silently abducted the girl and had such cruel methods can’t be a good person… If you get involved, you might be their next victim.”

Qu Panyan smiled lightly; that’s what she was hoping for. If the perpetrator voluntarily revealed themselves, it would save them the trouble of searching. Besides, with Su Lingyu around, what did she have to fear?

Ms. Lin also advised, “Madam Su, my wife’s words make sense. Miss Zhuang has always been friendly and never had any grudges with anyone. Nobody knows what motivated the culprit to act so brutally, or whether they’re a cultivator. I suggest leaving this matter to cultivators. Madam Su, you should focus on protecting yourself.”

Ms. Yan also chimed in, “Yes, yes! If that villain is killing people just because they find them attractive, won’t you be in great danger? You’re not an immortal, Madam Su; you must protect yourself!”

She suddenly ran over and picked up《Double Flowers Chronicle》from the shelf, took a few other books, and finally grabbed a book titled《Reflections on Spring Water》. She neatly wrapped them together and stuffed them into Qu Panyan’s arms, speaking earnestly, “I’m giving you these books. You can read them when you have free time at home, but don’t go out recklessly, okay!”

Her eyes sparkled as she continued, “Fairy, you must take good care of yourself!”

“If you have free time at home,” Ms. Yan patted the stack of books with confidence and said, “you can read and learn from these books! They will surely bring happiness to you and your wife!”

Qu Panyan: “…” 

Was this blatantly selling…?

Qu Panyan cleared her throat awkwardly and changed the subject, “It seems that you two only know this much, right?”

The two store owners nodded earnestly. After thinking for a moment, Ms. Lin added, “We’re sorry if we haven’t been of much help, Madam Su.”

Qu Panyan casually waved her hand, then took the stack of books, holding it easily and patting it. Suddenly, she asked, “Is this book《Double Flowers Chronicle》about Miss Qu and the Sect Master of the Xianmeng Sect?”

Ms. Yan looked at her with an innocent expression and replied, “No, it’s not.”

Although《Double Flowers Chronicle》was popular in Changhe Town, it was mainly because the residents here were particularly open-minded, and the acceptance level was surprisingly high, so they could be candid about it with the townsfolk.

But when it came to outsiders, things were different.

Qu Panyan pressed on, “Really not?”

Ms. Yan nodded with a guilty conscience, “Really not.”

Qu Panyan put the books into her Qianbao pouch, slightly bent her waist, and with her eyes sparkling like stars, she stared straight into Ms. Yan’s eyes, a faint smile forming on her lips. She asked, “Don’t worry, Ms. Yan, I’m not a bad person. Since you gave me the books, I’ll definitely read them. I just feel that the names of the characters in this book… seem a bit too familiar.”

They’re practically using my alias!

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll keep wondering. How can I read the books properly? Wouldn’t that be a waste of the author’s effort?”

“And by the way, I happen to know those two people you wrote about. If you don’t tell me, should I show them the book? Let them come and ask you in person?”

Having the protagonist read their own fanfiction was nothing short of a public execution.

Ms. Yan was taken aback and rushed back to Ms. Lin’s side in dismay. After careful consideration, Ms. Lin said, “Since it’s like this, we won’t hide it from Madam Su. Indeed, as you said, the characters in the book are those two.”

Qu Panyan raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you afraid of them finding out? Both Xianmeng Sect and the Qu Family are not to be trifled with, right?”

Either one of them could wipe out this little bookstore and even the entire Changhe Town.

Ms. Lin replied, “The mountain is high, and the emperor is far away. Besides, it’s just our little town’s way of amusing ourselves. We won’t publicize it to the outside world. Please, Madam Su, spare us.”

Ms. Yan, feeling reluctant and muttered behind her back, “But they are such a perfect match…”

Oh, really?

So, Do I have such cp fans in the cultivation world too?

Qu Panyan suddenly became interested, “Tell me more about how perfect they are. If you can convince me, I’ll let you off the hook.”

Ms. Yan was startled, and in a hurry, she said, “They… they are just so perfectly matched! Think about it, from rivals to lovers, it’s fantastic!”

“I even heard that Sect Master Su killed the unfaithful man for Miss Qu!”

“They are such a great couple. The heavens themselves would approve of them being together!”

Qu Panyan had a big question mark over her head. Where did this massive misunderstanding come from?

Su Lingyu didn’t kill An Cheng because of her! It was clear that An Cheng couldn’t control his own feelings, openly challenged Su Lingyu’s authority, and then joined An Lin’er in defaming her—it was his own doing!

She liked shipping couples and indulging in some sweet moments is fine, but it shouldn’t be twisted to such an extreme…If this gets out, she’ll be labeled as a seductress!

Qu Panyan rubbed her forehead and explained, “He brought it upon himself. It has nothing to do with Miss Qu. At that time, Sect Master Su and Miss Qu were not very acquainted.”

Ms. Yan had always regarded this as Su Lingyu’s outburst of anger for her beloved, the beginning of their romance, a sweet and toothache-inducing love story, and the motivation for her to relentlessly push Ms. Lin into writing every day. 

Now she was informed that it was all fake, like eating a piece of candy only to realize it was just a prop. Ms. Yan looked devastated, as if her world had collapsed. Her expression froze, her pupils shook, and her rosy lips trembled, “It’s actually…fake…”

She was desperate and heartbroken, her eyes suddenly filled with shimmering tears, and she was about to shed tears of shattered dreams.

Qu Panyan seemed to have seen the end of her cp fan, so she quickly raised her hopes by saying, “It’s okay if you continue to like it! Miss Qu really likes Sect Master Su, she likes her a lot!”

Ms. Yan’s tears stopped instantly, “Really?” 

Qu Panyan quickly nodded.

Ms. Yan tilted her head, “What about Sect Master Su?”

“Sect Master Su also likes Miss Qu very much,” another voice suddenly came from the door, one that Qu Panyan was very familiar with, “She is infatuated with her.”

Qu Panyan happily turned around and saw Su Lingyu standing in the backlight, as if a celestial being descended, ethereal and untainted by dust, captivating and enticing everyone’s heart.

Su Lingyu appeared so openly, walking briskly into the room and even reaching out to hold her hand. “What are you doing here? Why aren’t Congshuang and the others here?”

So, she decided to boldly reveal herself like this? and flirt with me?

Qu Panyan’s heart was blossoming with joy, and she smiled sweetly, “We split up to gather information.”

Su Lingyu asked, “Any leads?”

Qu Panyan shook her head, “None.”

Ms. Yan was once again excited and grabbed Ms. Lin’s hand, “Two celestial beings!”

Another couple!

Su Lingyu glanced at Qu Panyan and unexpectedly replied, “Yes, my wife is indeed a celestial being.”

Qu Panyan blushed. What’s up with this sister today? Why does she keep flirting with her?

Qu Panyan was about to reciprocate with some flirty words, but suddenly, a sound transmission flew in from outside, interrupting her train of thought. Her expression froze, and she immediately told both storeowners Yan and Lin, “I won’t disturb you any further. Farewell.”

Then she pulled Su Lingyu along and left, saying as they walked, “Miss Kang’s conditions have worsened.”

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When Qu Panyan arrived at the inn, Kang Congshuang had already been settled. Three disciples stood outside the room, looking unsure—when Senior Sister Kang had an episode, her skin would turn terrifyingly red, like it was on fire…

They had never dealt with her during an episode before, so they felt even more at a loss and anxious, just waiting for the Sect Master’s wife to return and make a decision.

Having experienced it up close once, Qu Panyan appeared much calmer. She pushed the door open and indeed saw Kang Congshuang curled up on the bed, her skin red as flames, with an extremely unpleasant expression.

Qu Panyan, who was quite experienced, quickly found a clean cloth and folded it to a certain thickness before offering it to Kang Congshuang’s lips. However, Kang Congshuang grabbed her wrist, as if she had something to say.

Qu Panyan remained patient and waited. Gradually, she heard Kang Congshuang muttering with clenched teeth, struggling to utter a few words, “Go find…Wu…Wu Paiyun…”

Then Kang Congshuang released Qu Panyan’s wrist, biting down on the cloth she had given, her rationality consumed by the flames of her illness, and she once again fell into the abyss of pain.

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: iToon

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