Lin Ya, trying to save face, took Yun Jin to the back mountain as quickly as possible.
As expected, the back mountain was still completely deserted.
Lin Ya took a deep breath, forced a smile, and said, "Don't misunderstand. They are still very diligent. Maybe they're cultivating on their own in their own residences. Come, I'll take you to see your Eldest Senior Brother."
Yun Jin simply nodded obediently.
Eldest Senior Brother Yue Zhao's bamboo house was built by the river. From a distance, it was surrounded by mountain mist and lush greenery, giving off the feeling of an immortal's abode.
"Your Eldest Senior Brother is the most mature and reliable," Lin Ya introduced. "It'll serve you well to seek his guidance often in the future."
Regardless of what this eldest disciple's actual character is, he was always best at keeping up appearances. That made Lin Ya feel confident in recommending him.
"Understood." Yun Jin nodded sweetly.
While speaking, Lin Ya led Yun Jin toward the bamboo house.
But the closer they got, the more his expression began to shift.
"It's your turn to play, Second Junior Sister! Hurry up already!"
"Why are you rushing me?! I finally got a good hand, of course I need to think it through!"
"It's just a pure flush!"
"Yue Zhao, you peeked at my cards!"
"Heh, I already guessed it, what's the point of peeking? Just play a card already!"
Yun Jin glanced at Lin Ya.
Hmm.
That voice…
Was this really the so-called honest, mature, and reliable Eldest Senior Brother?
Lin Ya's face was already darker than the bottom of a pot. He stepped forward and kicked the bamboo door open.
Yu Songnian was staring gloomily at the cards in front of him. When he looked up, he saw Lin Ya's extremely unpleasant expression and was startled. His lips trembled: "Mas… Master…"
"What Master! Third Junior Brother, don't tell me you're trying to weasel out of paying? You think using Master's name is going to scare us off? Master went to the front to watch the new disciples, he doesn't have time to deal with us! Hurry up and play your card already!" Yue Zhao shouted impatiently.
Si Wanning looked up too and immediately changed her expression, "Master!"
"Second Junior Sister, you too? I'm telling you both, today, none of you are leaving until you've lost everything!" Yue Zhao was shouting with all his might.
Yun Jin looked at Lin Ya again.
Yep.
Honest.
Mature.
Reliable.
"YUE ZHAO!!" A thunderous roar shook the heavens.
Lin Ya was completely furious. He drew his sword and slashed directly at Yue Zhao.
Yue Zhao's face changed. He quickly dodged and began wailing, "Master! Why are you here all of a sudden?! Let me explain—"
"Explain it to the King of Hell after you die!" Lin Ya shouted angrily.
Off to the side, Si Wanning pretended to plead, "Master, please stop hitting him. If you keep going, Eldest Brother will die, and then we won't have an Eldest Brother anymore."
She shouldn't have said anything. As soon as she did, Lin Ya gave her a cold glare: "Si Wanning! You seem to be enjoying the game too, didn't you?"
And so began Lin Ya's indiscriminate strikes.
Yu Songnian hadn't been targeted yet. He worked hard to reduce his presence, quietly shuffling over to Yun Jin's side.
He stopped, looking at Yun Jin in confusion.
Huh?
Who is this?
He had never seen her before!
To think there was a stranger appearing on their Heavenly Sword Peak?
Now that was rare.
Should he say something? Maybe ask if she was a lost little thing?
Forget it, it's too troublesome… and a bit awkward.
It was better to pretend he hadn't seen anything.
Yu Songnian promptly lowered his head.
Yun Jin's mouth twitched.
She knew that in her past life, Lin Ya's disciples had not met a good end. But she hadn't interacted with them much.
Now that she'd met them today.
She kind of wished she hadn't.
Lin Ya chased Yue Zhao and Si Wanning around for a while. Then he seemed to suddenly remember that he had a brand new disciple.
He came to an abrupt stop, sheathed his sword quickly, and straightened his robes.
He looked a bit awkward. "Xiao Jin… they're not usually like this. Just a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding."
"I understand!" Yun Jin nodded seriously.
Lin Ya breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help kicking Yue Zhao again. "I asked you to guide your junior siblings, is this how you guide them?"
"I was wrong, Master! Please stop hitting me," Yue Zhao said, face twisted in misery.
"Master, who's this?" Si Wanning asked curiously.
"This is the disciple I took in today," Lin Ya introduced. "She's your Little Junior Sister, her name's Yun Jin. She's just entered the sect and still has a lot to learn. Take care of her in the future."
"Little Junior Sister?" Yue Zhao's eyes went wide. "Master, how could you mislead the youth like this?"
Was their Heavenly Sword Peak a place where normal people would come to?
Lin Ya's face darkened again and he kicked Yue Zhao once more. "Who allowed you to be that honest?"
Yue Zhao felt deeply aggrieved, but didn't dare continue speaking.
"Hmph," Lin Ya snorted and continued, "Your Junior Sister is a peerless genius, she managed to cultivate qi in less than half an incense stick's time. None of you are anywhere near her level."
Less than half an incense stick?
Yun Jin immediately received some Shock Points.
Si Wanning looked at Yun Jin like she was a monster. She couldn't help asking, "Junior Sister, with talent like that, how did that old man trick you into joining here? Don't listen to him, Heavenly Sword Peak is dirt poor and has no future at all. You still have the chance to run now. I suggest you do it."
Lin Ya fumed, mustache trembling. "Si Wanning!"
He had worked so hard to build up their image in front of Yun Jin…
And they had destroyed it all in just a few seconds!
Yun Jin, however, found her senior siblings rather amusing. She gave a small smile. "Senior Sister, I just happened to succeed in cultivating qi. But I only have the Five Element Roots, no one else would accept me."
"Five Element Roots?"
Si Wanning cried out in shock and looked at Yun Jin with pity.
Such great comprehension… paired with such poor natural aptitude… this Little Junior Sister's road ahead would not be easy.
"You three now have a Junior Sister," Lin Ya reminded them. "Act properly like senior brothers and sisters! It's late already. Take her around the peak and get her settled in. Once all the new disciples are sorted, don't forget to help her collect her storage pouch."
Yue Zhao suddenly put on a serious face and gave Yun Jin a warm smile. "Don't worry, Junior Sister. With me around, I'll make sure you're living in absolute comfort."
That was… finally a bit like a proper senior brother.
Lin Ya nodded in satisfaction. "Get to know each other. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be going for now."
Everyone responded in unison.
As soon as Lin Ya left.
Yue Zhao darted over at lightning speed. "Little Junior Sister! Do you know how to play Pai Gow?"
His expression was full of excitement.
Heavens above, they'd always been short one player!
Now the team is finally complete!
Yun Jin curled her lips into a mysterious smile. "I know… a little."
Yue Zhao's excitement shot through the roof. "Let's go play a few rounds! You're a beginner, so if you lose today, it doesn't count. But if you win, you keep the pot!"
"Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother," Yun Jin said with a well-behaved smile.