Chapter 49: The Turmoil at the Wooden Cabin

The male disciple glanced into the vehicle and indeed saw several people inside.

"Alright then, Jiang Yan, sorry to bother you."

He did not insist, but returned sheepishly to report.

"Dao Master, that cabin belongs to Jiang Yan. There are no vacant spots left."

Upon hearing this, Dao Master Xuanqing replied calmly, "Very well, let's rest here, then."

The disciples could not help but feel disappointed; to say otherwise would be a lie. Several of them even grew envious.

"So-called genius, yet such a narrow mind! I think he simply doesn't want us inside that cabin."

"Exactly. We have wounded among us, too. Jiang Yan—when I saw him from afar, he looked as though he was here on holiday."

"Indeed! I saw him as well. He seemed perfectly refreshed!"

"Ah, we've been walking for days and my feet are blistered. Some people are just luckier than others."

Lin Ruyan listened to their conversation, her eyes darting back and forth. She spoke softly to them, "Senior brothers, I know Jiang Yan. Let me ask him again."

Lin Yurou, hearing Lin Ruyan, couldn't help but roll her eyes dramatically. She was curious to see how Lin Ruyan would approach this. Just as Shiyu had said, a white lotus cannot help but meddle!

The disciples were hopeful again after hearing Lin Ruyan's offer.

"That's wonderful, junior sister! Thank you!"

"Ruyan, we're counting on you!"

Different people see the same matter in different lights. Li Ziyun, watching Lin Ruyan bravely speak for them, found his admiration and affection for her growing even stronger.

Lin Ruyan walked resolutely toward the cabin.

The vehicle's door was knocked on once again.

Jiang Yan was about to open it, but the short dragon said, "You can't handle this! They dare to come again—let me deal with it this time."

"Oh? If you think you can, go ahead."

Jiang Yan was annoyed at being deemed incapable by the little dragon. However, he had just glimpsed Lin Ruyan approaching through the window. Since the dragon volunteered, he wouldn't have to face the tearful woman himself. This little dragon was a fine bodyguard—though a bit sharp-tongued, it knew how to ease his burdens at key moments.

The short dragon opened the vehicle door.

Lin Ruyan was startled to find not Jiang Yan, but a small yellow dragon opening the door. Was Jiang Yan already in possession of a spirit beast—and a dragon, no less?

The little dragon, seeing the woman sizing it up in silence, grew impatient and asked, "Woman, what do you want?"

"I'm here to see your master, Jiang Yan," Lin Ruyan replied.

The dragon was immediately displeased. Since when did Jiang Yan become its master? How could it, the dragon itself, not know?

"Woman, who do you think you're looking down on? With Lord Dragon here, say what you need quickly."

"We have wounded on our side. Could they rest in your cabin? Don’t worry, we will pay in spirit stones."

"You mean to pay us spirit stones to vacate our space?"

The dragon was becoming angry—did it look like it needed spirit stones?

Lin Ruyan, oblivious to the dragon’s irritation, nodded and replied, "Don’t worry, we won’t let you suffer any loss."

"Hmph, ugly woman, do I look like I need spirit stones?"

With that, the little dragon slammed the door shut.

Lin Ruyan had not expected the dragon to be so rude—and to call her ugly, no less!

She glanced back at the crowd watching from a short distance. She was embarrassed, but she had to try again.

Once more, those inside the vehicle heard Lin Ruyan’s voice.

"Jiang Yan, Jiang Yan, I'm Lin Ruyan. I'm here to see you. Could you come out and speak with me?"

Xie Lingzhou teased, "Little Six, are you close with that Lin Ruyan?"

"Not at all, we’re merely from the same country," Jiang Yan replied, feeling both helpless and exasperated. Why did the original heroine insist on getting close to him?

Jiang Yan looked at the little dragon and said, "Dragon, you didn’t manage to scare her off."

"Hmph, that woman is not only ugly, but smells strange too. If you think you can do better, go ahead," the little dragon grumbled.

As a divine beast, the short dragon had detected a faint odd odor on Lin Ruyan.

Jiang Yan clicked his tongue at the dragon’s remarks; its mouth was as sharp as ever.

Fine, he’d see what Lin Ruyan wanted.

The door swung open once more.

Lin Ruyan was delighted that Jiang Yan finally agreed to see her, and hurriedly began, "Jiang Yan, we really have wounded among us. Could you let them rest here? We’ll pay in spirit stones—just name your price!"

Jiang Yan sneered, "Isn't it normal to get injured during training? What, are these cultivators so fragile? What if I hadn't discovered this... cabin?"

Lin Ruyan was momentarily stunned; his words were not without reason.

Still, she tried to persist, her eyes reddening as she pleaded, "Could you do it as a favor to me? Many of us have trekked through the sands for days..."

Jiang Yan cut her off, "Just because your face is... hmm... big? I’ve told you, we’re not close. Besides, did they come to the Death Desert without proper preparation? If they can’t handle hardship, why seek it out?"

Jiang Yan’s rapid-fire questions left Lin Ruyan frozen in place; she hadn’t expected him to be so blunt.

Humiliated and angry, she pointed at Jiang Yan, "You—you..." then burst into tears and ran off.

Jiang Yan shook his head lightly, thinking, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. So this is the heroine? Lin Ruyan hardly seems fit for the role."

He would never be shackled by moral coercion. Want him to give up the cabin? Not a chance.

The disciples saw Lin Ruyan return in tears and understood without being told that her efforts had failed.

Li Ziyun asked with concern, "Ruyan, did Jiang Yan bully you?"

He felt a surge of anger—how dare Jiang Yan bully Ruyan!

Lin Ruyan wiped her tears and said, "I’m alright, senior brother. Jiang Yan simply refused my request."

"It’s alright, Ruyan. I doubt that boy will never need us someday," Li Ziyun consoled her.

The other disciples, hearing Lin Ruyan’s words, began discussing among themselves.

"Jiang Yan wouldn’t even give Ruyan face!"

"Ruyan, how did you talk to him?"

Lin Ruyan recounted what she’d said to Jiang Yan, though she omitted his reasons for refusal and the humiliating words.

The jealous disciples grew furious.

"Does he have no compassion? We have wounded, and he refused us so harshly."

"Exactly! He loses nothing, and we were willing to pay him spirit stones!"

…

Dao Master Xuanqing, who had been meditating with eyes closed, found the disciples too noisy. "Silence, all of you! If you don’t wish to rest, then set out immediately."

He had not expected Lin Ruyan to join in their foolishness.

They had come to the Death Desert—did they still think this was a vacation?

Hearing the Dao Master’s words, the disciples immediately fell silent.