WBICDPH Chapter 121

Chapter 121: A Traveler Against the Current

Home?

Jiang Xianrou hadn’t thought about home in a long time.

But her master was right about one thing—her heart was indeed filled with distractions.

She couldn’t be as calm and detached as her master. She resented the unfairness of the world, the ugly faces of her senior uncles, and the malicious gossip that constantly surrounded her.

Sometimes, she thought that the path of cultivation really was as difficult as her brother had once said.

The outside world was freer—but it was also more dangerous. She didn’t just have to face demons and monsters; she also had to face the human heart.

Thinking about it, she had always felt a sense of guilt toward her family over the years.

When she was young, she feared nothing and longed desperately for freedom. But her parents wanted her to be a “proper” girl in the eyes of society, placing many restrictions on her. It made her feel constrained everywhere, pushing her toward rebellion and escape.

But as she grew older and looked back, she realized that although her parents had been strict, it didn’t mean they didn’t love her.

They were simply teaching her based on their own experiences. They hadn’t really done anything wrong. After all, she was still their daughter. Having been away from home for so many years, it was time to go back and visit.

With that thought, Jiang Xianrou followed her master’s advice and returned to her hometown.

She had been eight when she left. Now, she was eighteen.

When she left back then, she watched her small hometown shrink in the distance. Now, riding her flying artifact again, she watched it grow larger beneath her—but the street corner where her brother once stood waiting was empty.

Alone, she navigated the streets and alleys based on faint memories until she found the wall she had once climbed.

She looked up at the crooked old tree inside the wall. She had grown so much taller, yet her old “friend” looked exactly the same.

In a way, she owed that tree her thanks.

After all, if it hadn’t been there, she never could have climbed that wall—which had once seemed as tall as the sky—and she wouldn’t have met her master, nor taken the path that changed her fate.

Jiang Xianrou stared at the weathered lines on the wall, lost in thought, until a string of bell-like laughter broke her reverie. Suddenly, a small child ran into her, bumping into her leg.

“Oh dear, A Yin, you bumped into your sister. What should you say?”

The familiar voice made Jiang Xianrou freeze. She turned and saw her brother walking alongside a gentle-looking woman.

Ten years had passed, and her brother no longer carried the youthful air he once had. He seemed much more mature and steady now, his eyes full of warmth as he looked at the little girl.

Hearing her father’s prompting, A Yin immediately stood up straight and said politely, “I’m sorry for bumping into you, miss!”

“It’s alright.”

Jiang Xianrou lowered her gaze to the child, then looked back at her brother.

He didn’t recognize her. He simply gave her a polite smile and apologized again before taking A Yin’s hand.

The family of three didn’t think much of the small incident. They looked so happy.

Jiang Xianrou watched them. Only when they had passed her did she call out softly, “Brother.”

“…?”

At that word, he stopped.

Slowly, he turned around, as if unsure the word had been meant for him.

After a long moment of confusion, he finally spoke, “…Xianrou?”

“It’s me.”

He looked her over from head to toe, stunned. It took him a long time to come back to himself.

“You… you’ve grown up.”

When she left, she hadn’t even reached his waist. Now she stood before him as a young woman—so changed that he hadn’t recognized her at first glance.

“Come, come—why are you standing at the door instead of going in? Go see Father and Mother. They’ll be so happy.”

He took her hand and led her forward, then remembered to introduce her.

“Right, Xianrou—this is your sister-in-law, and this is our daughter, A Yin. Dear, this is the younger sister I’ve told you about. A Yin, this is your aunt.”

Mrs. Li looked Jiang Xianrou over, her gaze lingering briefly on the sword at her waist before she smiled. “So you’re the younger sister who left home at eight to cultivate? You really are… impressive. Not like an ordinary person at all.”

Jiang Xianrou smiled faintly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Her brother led her back home. When she entered the courtyard, her father was directing servants to sweep snow.

A Yin happily ran over and hugged his leg, calling, “Grandpa!” He smiled and patted her head, only then noticing the extra person.

He looked Jiang Xianrou up and down several times. She seemed familiar, yet he didn’t dare to be sure. Finally, he asked hesitantly, “We have a guest?”

“What guest?” Her brother laughed and patted her shoulder. “Your daughter! Xianrou—you don’t recognize her? Honestly, I didn’t either at first. Ten years—it’s a big change.”

“Xianrou? You mean Jiang Xianrou?”

Her father rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

Soon, her mother was called out as well.

Jiang Xianrou was ushered into the main hall like a guest. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but the way her parents looked at her felt… strange.

Her mother examined her for a while before asking flatly, “You must have suffered out there, haven’t you?”

Before Jiang Xianrou could respond, she continued, “I suppose so. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have thought to come back. You left so decisively back then—now that you’ve run into trouble, you’ve finally returned. You’re already eighteen; it’ll be hard to find a husband now, you know.”

“Mother!”

Her brother frowned and quietly tried to stop her.

Jiang Xianrou’s expression didn’t change. She raised an eyebrow slightly. “Of course I know. I didn’t run into trouble, and I didn’t come back to find a husband. I just wanted to come back and take a look. I have my own life to live. I won’t become some unwanted old woman and burden the family. Does that satisfy you?”

Before coming back, she had reminded herself countless times that although her parents had always restrained and criticized her, they still loved her. She had even practiced how to speak to them gently—but her mother’s very first words were sharp, and Jiang Xianrou, never one for patience, couldn’t hold back.

Her mother’s expression darkened.

Her father quickly changed the subject. “So… have you been doing well these years?”

“I have.”

“Your cultivation sect must be lively?”

“Yes. It’s on Mount Penglai—there are many people. It’s lively.”

“Are they all women?”

“No, there are also male disciples and elders.”

At that, her parents’ expressions grew subtle.

Her father coughed. “…You all train together, men and women? That doesn’t seem appropriate.”

“What’s inappropriate about it?” Jiang Xianrou didn’t understand.

“It’s not good for a woman’s reputation, being around so many men all the time…”

Jiang Xianrou’s eyes went cold.

She said nothing, only let out a quiet sigh.

Sensing the tension, her brother quickly changed the subject. Later, he had a large feast prepared, filled with dishes and pastries she had loved as a child.

In truth, Jiang Xianrou no longer needed to eat, but seeing how happy her brother was, she said nothing and ate quietly.

Still, aside from her brother, A Yin, and herself, no one else seemed very engaged. Her parents spoke only out of politeness, her sister-in-law remained quiet, while her brother kept asking about her life. A Yin, on the other hand, was fascinated, leaning against her and asking question after question.

“Auntie, what does cultivation mean?”

“It means seeking what your heart desires and protecting peace in the world.”

“Is it fun?”

“Not really.”

“Is where you live pretty?”

“Very. The mountains are covered in peach blossoms that never fade.”

“Wow! Are the people there nice?”

“Most of them are.”

“Oh… Mom and Dad said you were married far away. Why didn’t you bring your husband back?”

Jiang Xianrou raised an eyebrow. “I don’t have a husband. I traveled far, not married away.”

“Then why don’t you get married?” A Yin tilted her head.

“There’s no reason. Cultivators don’t have to follow the usual path of marriage and family. Only if they meet someone they truly love would they form a lifelong bond.”

“Really? That sounds great! If cultivation is that interesting, then I want to—”

“A Yin, don’t talk nonsense!” her brother interrupted suddenly. “It’s late—you must be tired. Dear, take her back to rest.”

Jiang Xianrou noticed the panic in his eyes. After avoiding her gaze, he quickly shifted the topic.

She pressed her lips together. Looking at the fish her brother placed in her bowl, she suddenly lost her appetite.

She didn’t want to stay any longer. Using fatigue as an excuse, she excused herself.

Her brother wanted her to stay the night, but her old room had been turned into a study. Unwilling to stay in a guest room, she decided to leave that very night.

After all, the only place left in the world that truly belonged to her was her sect.

Before leaving, she wandered through the town.

Snow began to fall again. She walked alone through the snowy night, listening—to laughter, to barking dogs, to the sounds of life…

And to voices she shouldn’t have heard.

“So she came back after ten years… I thought she couldn’t survive out there.”

“You were too harsh. What if she only said she came to visit to save face?”

“Good! I wanted her to leave. She’s been out there mixing with men for years—who knows what’s become of her? If she stayed, what would people say about our family?”

…

“She’s pretty, but so cold. No manners at all.”

“She’s always been like that.”

“She’s not like a proper woman. Girls should be gentle. And she even wants to take A Yin to ‘cultivate’? Absolutely not.”

“Don’t worry—I won’t let our daughter become like her.”

…

Hearing all this, Jiang Xianrou felt dazed.

Ten years of guilt—and in their eyes, she was just a joke.

Even her brother had called her “an outsider.”

If she had known, she never would have come back.

All these years, she had worked tirelessly to prove herself—yet her family only cared about her reputation.

That night, the snow felt colder than ever.

Her master was right. The world was harsher on women—even family couldn’t understand her.

The only ones who could were those who walked the same path—like her master.

She returned to her sect that very night.

Seeing her back so soon, Fang Yunzi was surprised. “You’re back already?”

Jiang Xianrou gave a faint, cold smile. “Because I realized… my family only values ‘Xianrou,’ not who I truly am.”

Fang Yunzi nodded. “Yes. Most women are bound by those expectations—but you are not.”

Jiang Xianrou bowed. “Master, ‘Xianrou’ was the name my parents gave me. But I no longer wish to be bound by it—or by the life they planned for me. I want to choose my own name.”

“What name?”

“Zhenfeng,” she said firmly. “Jiang Zhenfeng.”

Like the wind rising high, she would leave the courtyard behind and soar freely.

From this moment on, she would live only for herself.

And thus, her path was set.