She moved with practiced familiarity—kneeling on a cushion, sitting properly, lowering her head, and assuming a pitiful expression.
Li Changshou sat in his chair, activating the formation around the hut. Looking at his junior sister, who had now sealed her youthful appearance and figure, he sighed softly.
“I was only gone for three years, and you—”
Before he could finish, Ling’e squeezed her eyes shut, grabbed her earlobes, and quickly confessed.
“Senior Brother, I know I was wrong!”
The Duel Between Senior Brother Liu Sizhe and Senior Brother Wang Qi Happened Because of Me!
“I never expected things to turn out this way. That day, I just casually suggested an idea—I just wanted to get rid of them. But I didn’t think it through, and it ended up making the situation worse!”
“Hmm?” Li Changshou paused for a moment. “I was asking you about… why a third of the spirit fish in the lake have disappeared.”
Lan Ling’e froze, and then her body went limp as she collapsed onto the ground.
It was over. She had already confessed to everything.
A year ago, the day after Liu Yan’er left with her two junior brothers, trouble broke out.
Liu Yan’er informed Wang Qi, reported everything to their master and the peak lord in advance, and then devised a plan. She told Liu Sizhe that she was already pregnant, hoping he would give up on pursuing her. But instead, Liu Sizhe went straight to find Wang Qi and fought him.
Neither of them suffered serious injuries, and their match ended in a draw. However, since it was an unauthorized private duel, both were punished under sect rules.
Liu Sizhe was sentenced to twenty years of seclusion, forbidden from stepping out of Dulin Peak.
Wang Qi was stripped of his monthly allowances for three years. Afterward, he and Liu Yan’er became Dao companions and cultivated together on Little Spirit Peak.
“Senior Brother… I was wrong…”
“Wrong about what?”
“I shouldn’t have… given Sister Yan’er such a terrible idea without thinking through how they would react.” Lan Ling’e lowered her head. “In the end, all three of them got punished because of it.”
Li Changshou curled his lips and scolded, “I’ve taught you for so many years, and in just a few short ones, you’ve managed to forget everything I’ve taught you.”
“Forget it!
Your nature has always been like this. It was my mistake for expecting too much from you. Sigh… just let it be.”
“No, no, don’t let it be!”
Lan Ling’e panicked. “Senior Brother, you can set as many rules for me as you want!
I swear I’ll never cause trouble again!
Please don’t give up on me, Senior Brother!
From now on, I’ll stay by your side and cultivate quietly. I won’t even speak to strangers!”
“Then tell me again, what exactly was your mistake?”
Lan Ling’e’s eyes reddened, and she became flustered. “I… I…”
“You should never have meddled in other people’s business!”
Li Changshou tapped his finger on the table and sighed. “Do you even know who Liu Yan’er was truly meant to be with—Liu Sizhe or Wang Qi?
One admired her from afar for a hundred years, the other had only known her for a few. Why do you think Liu Yan’er hesitated? Why couldn’t she bring herself to completely reject Liu Sizhe? Because deep down, she was uncertain.
Liu Yan’er is already over 150 years old. Do you think she couldn’t have come up with another way?
It wasn’t that she couldn’t—she simply didn’t want to.
By giving her that suggestion, you essentially forced her into a predetermined fate before she had fully made her decision.
If your actions aligned with destiny, then fine. But if you changed someone’s fate, you burdened yourself with the karmic consequences of three people with just one sentence.
Do you realize how much fortune you’ve lost because of this?
Stop thinking that you’re the smartest, that you always have the best ideas. No one is truly that much more foolish than others—it’s just that some people like to act clever.
This incident is the clearest reflection of your unstable mindset.”
Lan Ling’e pouted and trembled. “Senior Brother, how do I make up for it?”
“The more you do, the more mistakes you make. Go apologize to Sister Liu Yan’er and ask for her forgiveness.”
Li Changshou leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. “Seems like you still don’t fully understand.
Let me give you the simplest example.
If one day, Liu Yan’er and Wang Qi have a falling-out, who do you think she will blame first?”
Lan Ling’e furrowed her delicate brows and muttered, “Me—the outsider who once gave her the idea to reject the other man…”
Li Changshou chuckled bitterly. “Exactly.
So tell me, why interfere in other people’s personal affairs?
Love is one of the most unpredictable things in the world.
It has nothing to do with the pursuit of immortality. If you keep focusing on these matters, it will only waste your potential and comprehension.
After apologizing to Yan’er, stay on the peak and reflect. You will only be allowed to leave when Liu Sizhe’s punishment is lifted.”
Li Changshou stood up and added, “I won’t punish you too much this time. Take a slate and copy the Scripture of Stability three hundred times.
Only when you truly understand your mistake should you go apologize to Liu Yan’er.”
With that, Li Changshou left with a dark expression, hands behind his back.
But before he could walk away, Lan Ling’e called out again. “Senior Brother, there’s one more thing.”
Li Changshou sighed and walked back. He placed his hand on her head and roughly ruffled her hair, undoing the delicate hairstyle she had worked so hard on.
“How many more messes have you made? Can you just tell me all at once?
Your poor Senior Brother is going to develop a heart demon from all this!”
“It’s not trouble this time! More like an unexpected discovery. I only caused that one problem, I swear…”
Lan Ling’e whispered, “It’s about how Master got injured all those years ago. Because of Sister Yan’er’s situation, I overheard a rumor…
Senior Brother, come closer.”
She whispered in his ear.
Li Changshou frowned slightly but quickly returned to his usual expression.
“Don’t meddle in this matter. Just go copy the scripture first, then come see me in the alchemy room after you apologize.”
“Oh.”
Lan Ling’e sighed as she watched her Senior Brother float toward the alchemy room.
It was over. She had lost at least ten years of his favor…
She let out a soft sigh, carried her meditation cushion, and walked to the willow tree.
Taking out a stone slate and a carving knife, she wiped the corners of her eyes, then lay down with her hair draped over her shoulders, beginning to copy the scripture her Senior Brother had written over a decade ago.
After finishing one round, she wiped away her tears, erased the engraving, and started again.
The willow branches swayed gently, brushing against her drifting hair, as if they were watching over her as she did her punishment.
The Scripture of Stability
Ancient Era – Anonymous
In life, do not meddle.
Even the immortals struggle to be first.
When faced with injustice, rely on yourself.
When facing hardship, reflect within.
Many friends, many troubles.
Few friends, fewer calamities.
Do not make enemies; if you do, danger follows.
Strike first, and you will turn to dust.
Do not be arrogant; do not be afraid.
With stability, peace will follow.
Retreat to advance, and seize opportunities with caution.
In ancient times, the kind-hearted were deceived,
The scheming outwitted, the reckless defeated.
Even the mighty, when blinded by ambition, fell into ruin.
But those who remained cautious,
Avoiding both disaster and karma,
Found their path to enlightenment.
Stay steady, reject unnecessary burdens,
And joy will come naturally.
Adapt to the changing heavens,
Avoid unnecessary conflicts,
And walk the path of peace.
Seek the Dao in the morning,
And let the Scripture of Stability
Be your guide.
wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1