You Are Our Guest

In the sect, naturally, the senior sister held authority.

But outside the sect, a junior brother need not always obey his senior sister’s orders—except for the eldest senior sister.

Well… the third senior sister was also an exception.

These two senior sisters had fully inherited their master’s teachings, and even Cui Hao occasionally felt inferior in comparison.

In any case, he no longer paid much heed to the fourth senior sister’s words now.

Cui Hao hadn’t come along to follow her commands.

So when Lin Luoyu made her suggestion, Cui Hao pretended not to hear, ignoring the eager villagers ready to point the way, and simply followed his fourth senior sister.

Having survived the chaos of the Demon Country’s rebellion, Cui Hao knew just how ferocious those creatures could be. It was unwise to charge in arrogantly, asking for a beating.

Moreover, he always remembered his master’s teachings—if you can gang up on someone, never fight alone.

If they were truly going to vanquish demons, he’d stick with Lin Luoyu. And if they lost, they’d take the beating together.

Then endure the mockery from their master or eldest senior sister when they came to the rescue.

Lin Luoyu didn’t press further, silently allowing Cui Hao to follow.

She was familiar with this village, and the village chief didn’t bother with formalities to guide her.

Perhaps the earlier shouts had drawn other villagers from farther away, as many now hurried toward the direction Lin Luoyu was heading.

Seeing her almost completely transformed appearance, some barely recognized her.

Apart from a vaguely familiar face, nothing about her resembled the Lin Luoyu they once knew.

Occasionally, someone gathered the courage to ask—"Is that you, Luoyu?"

Lin Luoyu would nod lightly and return the greeting.

The scene grew lively—some scolded those who dared call her by name, insisting she be addressed as "Immortal."

Others stared in shock. The once-starving beggar girl had truly ascended the path of immortality.

When news of Chu Xingchen’s sect recruiting disciples had reached Lin Family Gully, several young men from the village had set out alongside Lin Luoyu.

But she was the only woman from the village who dared to seek the immortal path.

Back then, many had mocked her behind her back—"A beggar dreaming of becoming a deity."

Unlike the others, who had travel funds provided by the village, Lin Luoyu had set out with just a few copper coins.

The village had drawn lots for the opportunity—Lin Luoyu hadn’t even been eligible.

Not only did she have to make the journey, but she also had to scrape together food money along the way.

Perhaps because hunger had haunted her childhood, Lin Luoyu always planned ahead, saving every coin for the next meal.

Though she arrived much later than the young men, she still reached Yuzhou City before the disciple selection began—and even managed to save a small sum.

But no one except her knew just how grueling that journey had been.

When the news returned to Lin Family Gully that only Lin Luoyu had been accepted into the sect, the villagers reacted with shock, disbelief, envy… and even resentment.

"All pursuits are inferior; only scholarship is exalted." But compared to immortality, what was a mere century of earthly life against ten thousand years as an immortal?

Now, seeing Lin Luoyu clad in luxurious silk, a priceless immortal artifact hanging at her waist, their envy withered into fear.

Had they ever insulted her? Mocked her? Wronged her in the past?

Would she remember?

The truth was, Lin Luoyu didn’t care.

Even before attaining immortality, she had paid no mind to such things—let alone now.

She acknowledged greetings with slight nods but never slowed her steps as she headed straight for a low hill.

Cui Hao asked no further questions, simply keeping pace with his senior sister.

The hill wasn’t tall, its path marked by a well-maintained staircase.

A short climb led to a modest courtyard nestled just above the foothills.

The yard wasn’t lavish—just a simple fence enclosing a plain house.

Lin Luoyu paused, turning to Cui Hao with a serious expression.

"You can listen if you want, but don’t speak. Especially don’t say anything reckless, or I’ll really hit you."

Cui Hao nodded vigorously in understanding.

Satisfied, Lin Luoyu turned back to the familiar cottage, effortlessly pushing open the fence gate.

Cui Hao’s gaze wandered—the yard held little of note. A rocking chair under the eaves, a corner penned with chickens and ducks.

Lin Luoyu hesitated at the door before finally knocking lightly.

"Come in…"

A hoarse woman’s voice answered from inside.

Cui Hao’s brow furrowed—Li Junzi… was a woman?

Before entering, Lin Luoyu shot him another warning look. Only after his repeated nods did she push the door open.

Cui Hao followed closely, eyes darting around the room.

The space was small, barely divided, its layout visible at a glance.

A square table by the window, a wooden bookshelf beside it—the books neatly arranged, well-kept, dust-free.

Clearly, their owner cherished them, handling them often yet preserving their condition.

Unlike Cui Hao’s own books—unless bound in metal, they were barely recognizable as books anymore.

Against the right wall stood another table, set with four bowls and two pairs of chopsticks.

To the left, a simple bamboo bed, its blankets meticulously folded.

Everything spoke of a rigidly disciplined owner—the type Cui Hao stereotyped as stubborn, inflexible, and dull.

Finally, his eyes settled on the room’s sole occupant.

A middle-aged woman, her hair half-black, half-white, tied back in a scholar’s knot. She didn’t look old, but her attire leaned masculine.

No makeup adorned her face, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her faded clothes hung neatly as she sat upright, eyes fixed on the book before her.

Hearing the door, she stood, smoothing her robes as she turned.

Her face was unremarkable—neither beautiful nor ugly.

But her eyes left an impression—deep, steady as still water, radiating an unshakable resolve. Though no spiritual energy pulsed from her, her presence was undeniable.

Recognizing Lin Luoyu, the woman’s lips relaxed slightly from their tight line.

Lin Luoyu clasped her hands in greeting. "How has the venerable teacher been?"

"Same as always—whether that’s good or not, I couldn’t say." Li Junzi returned the gesture, then glanced at Cui Hao. "And this is?"

"Cui Hao, my junior brother."

Li Junzi gave a slight nod and cupped his hands toward Cui Hao. "My surname is Li, styled Junzi. You may call me Li Junzi."

Cui Hao returned the gesture with a polite nod. The exchange, though brief, carried no trace of stiffness.

With a faint smile, Li Junzi gestured toward a nearby table where two chairs stood beside a set of teacups.

"Please, have a seat. I’ll prepare tea for you."

Lin Luoyu took a step forward and spoke up, "Master, allow me to handle it."

Only after Lin Luoyu finished speaking did Li Junzi raise a hand gently to decline.

"You are our guest. It would be improper to let a guest brew tea."