Chapter Twenty-Two: Senior Sister Chu Qing (Part One)

Lei Wei patiently instructed Ji Mo for several days before he left Thunder Peak. On the sixth day after his departure, Ji Mo called upon Scarlet Flame, asking it to take her to see her second senior sister, Chu Qing, in order to obtain some Southern Breeze Wine and Phoenix Dew Elixir.

Southern Breeze Wine was a fruit wine. Chu Qing was fond of concocting various nectars and spirits, and she possessed remarkable talent in this regard. Every wine and nectar she brewed was immensely popular within the Moonwatching Sect. Of course, given the renown of Chu Qing’s creations, the price was never modest, and not everyone could afford them.

Scarlet Flame was Lei Wei’s tamed spirit beast. Normally, it would execute Lei Wei’s instructions to the letter, but it had one notable vice—an insatiable love for fine drink! The fame of Chu Qing’s Southern Breeze Wine was well known throughout the sect. Scarlet Flame had tasted it before, and as soon as Ji Mo mentioned it, droplets of anticipation glistened on its beak.

The girl and the eagle conspired in secret, and soon reached an agreement. Scarlet Flame agreed to Ji Mo’s request, carrying her toward Southern Ridge Peak—Chu Qing’s residence. The peak was only a few hundred miles from the main Thunder Peak; with Scarlet Flame’s speed, a few hundred miles required only a dozen wingbeats, and they arrived within the time it took to brew half a cup of tea.

Chu Qing had been Lei Wei’s disciple for two centuries, having advanced to the Core Condensation stage a hundred years prior. As Lei Wei’s direct disciple and a Core Cultivator, she not only possessed a peak of her own, but also commanded two stewards, four attendant disciples, and sixteen labor disciples responsible for her daily affairs.

When Ji Mo first arrived at Thunder Peak, she stayed at Chu Qing’s Southern Ridge Peak for a week. Most of the people there had met her before, and even those who hadn’t recognized Ji Mo would certainly recognize Scarlet Flame. As soon as Scarlet Flame landed before the peak, a steward hurried out to greet them.

“Steward Chu, is my senior sister inside?” Ji Mo leapt nimbly from Scarlet Flame’s back and addressed the steward.

“She is, Miss. My lady is at home. Fifth Miss, let me take you inside.” Steward Chu was a member of the Chu family, who had followed Chu Qing to the Moonwatching Sect in his youth. Lacking in spiritual aptitude, he had become a body cultivator of the sect. When Chu Qing became a Core Cultivator, Steward Chu transferred to Southern Ridge Peak to serve as its steward. He had managed the peak for a hundred years and naturally recognized Ji Mo.

“Steward Chu, please don’t call me Fifth Miss; it sounds awkward. I’m still young—there’s no need for such formal titles. Just call me Ji Mo.” Ji Mo wrinkled her nose and made a face.

“I mustn’t, Fifth Miss. You are my lady’s junior sister and a direct disciple of the Peak Master—how could I neglect proper etiquette, being only a steward myself?” Steward Chu replied solemnly.

“My junior sister, my cousin is terribly stubborn. Once he’s set on something, he never changes. Don’t make things difficult for him.” Ji Mo was about to protest further, but a clear, pleasant voice sounded before she could continue.

Appearing with the voice was a young woman of about twenty, strikingly beautiful in her yellow robe. This was none other than Ji Mo’s second senior sister, the mistress of Southern Ridge Peak, Chu Qing. As soon as Ji Mo saw her, she scampered over and clung to her sleeve, calling out, “Second Senior Sister, it’s been so long! I missed you so much!”

“Oh, little junior sister, you missed me? I think you’re really missing my nectar elixirs! Ah, Scarlet Flame is back as well. Come on, both of you, let’s go inside.” Chu Qing reached Ji Mo’s side, rapped her lightly on the forehead, called out to Scarlet Flame, and led them into her residence.

“Senior sister, you knock on my head every time we meet—one of these days you’ll knock me silly!” Ji Mo protested.

“Silly is good! Otherwise, you’re as sly as a little fox at your age. When you get a bit older, we senior sisters and brothers will all end up at your mercy!” Chu Qing laughed, half scolding and half teasing as she led Ji Mo along.

“As if! I haven’t met First Senior Sister or Fourth Senior Brother yet, but you and Third Senior Brother are both sly and hard to deal with—I’m sure they’re the same. I’m just an honest, well-behaved child…” Ji Mo pouted in protest.

“You? Honest and well-behaved? Oh, junior sister, you’ve finally drawn qi into your body? C