Chapter Sixty-Two: Will You Let Anyone Sleep...

“So, I shall have my daughter act in his stead. May I know what Young Master Jiang thinks of this arrangement?”

Looking at Madam Chen’s gentle, graceful smile, Jiang Lin felt a wave of confusion rising in his heart, even tinged with a bit of panic...

What did Madam Chen mean by this? Was she putting him to a test?

He was, after all, notorious as a philanderer—yet she was sending her daughter right to his door. Was she not afraid her daughter would be devoured by the wolf?

Or perhaps Madam Chen had absolute confidence in her daughter's abilities, certain that he would not be able to best Chen Jia?

Ha! What a joke!

He was a man through and through—how could he possibly lose to Chen Jia!

Yet, truth be told...

He really could not defeat her...

There was nothing to be done. She was the protagonist, after all, and more than that, a pure martial artist at the Gold Body level. Such true martial artists could not be compared with other cultivators; by nature, they stood two realms above others.

Even as a sword cultivator, he could not withstand the fists of Chen Jia, who stood at the sixth level of martial prowess.

And even if he could defeat her, he wouldn't dare do anything to Chen Jia. She was the only daughter of the Chen family—was he looking to be hammered to death by Madam Chen? Had he not heard her just say that Chen Huo had “fallen” and broken several bones?

“What does Young Master Jiang think of this?”

Noticing his silence, Madam Chen asked once again.

“Miss Chen’s reputation as a martial prodigy precedes her. Naturally, I have no objections. However, I fear that Miss Chen may harbor some misunderstandings about me and might not be willing to see me.”

Jiang Lin rose to his feet, bowed deeply.

“If Madam Chen truly wishes to fulfill Senior Chen’s agreement, perhaps it would suffice to recommend one or two martial artists. I won’t be in the Sun and Moon Sect for long, and will soon depart, so a temporary instructor would be enough.”

Madam Chen shook her head.

“Our Chen family does not break promises. Since my husband cannot come, it is not proper for a mere woman like me to frequent Shuangzhu Peak. So, Jia is the perfect choice. Few know that Jia is a woman, and if she comes disguised as a man, it would be ideal. Besides…”

“Besides?”

“Besides, Jia, though at the Gold Body level, must consolidate her foundation if she wishes to ascend further. Relearning the basics as she instructs you will help her as well—it is to her benefit, too.”

...

For some reason, Jiang Lin felt that Madam Chen’s intentions were not so simple.

Truth be told, he wanted to refuse. If Chen Jia were to face him every day—even if she was quite easy on the eyes—her habit of leading with her fists was truly more than he could handle.

Moreover, Chen Jia already had a poor impression of him. What if she sought petty revenge during training?

“Madam Chen, I think it would be better if—”

“Young Master Jiang…”

Madam Chen interrupted.

“Our Chen family neither owes nor likes to owe others anything. If we must, it becomes a debt of gratitude, and such debts are the most troublesome for women like me...

Or is it that Young Master Jiang insists on obliging us to owe him? Or that you think my daughter is unworthy of teaching you?”

...

Jiang Lin found himself at a loss for words...

It seemed that no matter what he said, he would be in the wrong...

Especially when he saw Madam Chen’s faint, beautiful, yet chilling smile, he was at a complete loss for words...

This Madam Chen was clearly here with a plan, but why insist on having her daughter instruct him?

“Madam Chen… I…”

“Young Master Jiang… what do you say?”

Suddenly, a surge of martial energy radiated from her. Jiang Lin felt that if she continued to release that power, never mind himself—even Shuangzhu Peak would sink a dozen meters!

“I—how could I refuse? Hahaha, then I must trouble Miss Chen.”

“How could it be called troubling?” Madam Chen stood up, walked over to Jiang Lin, and patted his shoulder, whispering in his ear, “It’s settled then. But, Young Master Jiang, my daughter is rather innocent, and you, well, your reputation precedes you...”

“Please rest assured, Madam Chen!” Jiang Lin quickly stood up. “All those rumors about me are unfounded!”

“Oh? Then the story about you selling ladies’ undergarments—is that false, too?”

“Well… one must make a living…”

“All right, I shan’t tease you further. On the contrary, I trust you, Young Master Jiang.” Madam Chen patted his shoulder again. “Since we’re agreed, I’ll take my leave. My poor husband, who ‘accidentally’ broke his leg, is waiting for my care.”

“Take care, Madam Chen…” Jiang Lin hurriedly bowed.

Madam Chen nodded and rode the wind away—for martial artists who reached the Wandering Realm, wind-walking was commonplace.

...

The next morning, Jiang Lin and little Nian Nian were still sound asleep.

As usual, at dawn, little Nian Nian would stretch out her little tongue to lick Jiang Lin’s chin, nestled comfortably on his chest. Jiang Lin would wrinkle his nose at the tickle, half-awake, stroke her head, and drift back to sleep. But today…

Tap… tap tap… tap tap tap…

A knocking came at the door. Jiang Lin and little Nian Nian rubbed their heads against each other in protest.

“Can’t a man get some sleep in the morning…”

Jiang Lin smacked his lips in his sleep, clinging to little Nian Nian like a pillow, rolling over.

But just as he turned, a thunderous crash echoed through the room.

It was as if, having finally fallen asleep, a high-explosive had detonated by his bedside—without the slightest warning.

“What the—! Who is it? Don’t you know how hard it is to repair these doors?” Jiang Lin sat up, clutching little Nian Nian. The sunlight streaming through the open door blazed in his face like a personal attack from the sun.

Sleepy little Nian Nian wriggled her nose, nestled in Jiang Lin’s arms, her tiny tail flicking, as if still dreaming. Muffled and soft, she mumbled, “Mama…”

Jiang Lin slowly opened his eyes, and in the sunlight, a graceful silhouette appeared in the doorway—hair coiled up, wrapped with a cloth strip, dressed in scholar’s robes that exuded a Confucian air.

Apart from her fair skin, long legs, and delicate, elegant features, everything else seemed like a strapping young man—there was simply nothing else to say, for her chest was as flat as a board…

The girl puffed out her cheeks, martial intent flowing freely, her expression one that threatened to break his legs if he dared to sleep in another minute.

“Mama… Mama… Nian Nian missed you so much.”

With her big, bright eyes, little Nian Nian gazed at Chen Jia, slipped out from Jiang Lin’s arms, her little sock-clad feet landing on the floor as she joyfully ran to Chen Jia.

“An’an, Mama missed you too.”

At the sight of her, Chen Jia’s eyes lit up, and she scooped little Nian Nian into her arms, the two of them nuzzling their cheeks together.

Witnessing this heartwarming scene, Jiang Lin suddenly felt the urge to immortalize it in a painting.

But…

An’an?

What on earth was that about?