I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

A Different Experience

“I’m truly sorry for causing you trouble.” After the elders had left, Ye Yong bowed respectfully to Mu Qingyin.

“It’s not trouble at all. It’s just that those old geezers came in with such a fierce attitude, as if I had delayed your future. They launched into a lecture right away, and when they left, it was as if nothing had happened, which left me feeling quite displeased.” Mu Qingyin waved her hand, indicating that Ye Yong need not worry.

“The hall master shouldn’t be too familiar with them, right?” Ye Yong recalled that Mu Qingyin was a true homebody; if it weren’t for her cultivation being stuck for too long, forcing her to venture out for insights, she wouldn’t have stepped outside at all, let alone befriended the elders from other halls.

“Not just unfamiliar; there are a few I’m meeting for the first time. They put on airs as if they were elders, but isn’t it just that their cultivation is a bit higher than mine? Those old-timers love to flaunt their age.” Mu Qingyin didn’t appear as gentle and refined as she looked; the pride of a scholar was no less than that of a martial artist, and perhaps even more pronounced.

“I truly apologize; I didn’t expect things to turn out this way.” Though he said this, Ye Yong actually thought the development was quite good, as it allowed him to see Mu Qingyin. Normally, it would be difficult to find a suitable reason to meet her without being too forward.

Although he had interacted with her while painting beautiful women, face-to-face communication was always different. Not to mention, just gazing at Mu Qingyin’s exquisite and stunning face was enough to lift his spirits.

“I’m not blaming you. Most of those old geezers just love to show off.” Mu Qingyin scrutinized Ye Yong for a moment. “But you, as a practitioner of sound and painting, managed to defeat sword and knife cultivators using martial combat. That’s quite rare.”

“I only know a bit of basic skills. If my opponents had more time to cultivate and refine their techniques, I would definitely be at a disadvantage.”

“Don’t be modest; I’m well aware of your talent. But remember, I won’t stop you from practicing sword or fist techniques, but since you’ve chosen sound and painting, you must prioritize them.”

“I will remember that.”

“However, that said, your understanding of music and painting has already reached the Nascent Soul stage. Currently, aside from me, there’s no one in the hall who can guide you…”

The Sound and Painting Hall wasn’t devoid of Nascent Soul disciples; it was just that they had all gone out to wander with the former hall master. It was precisely because the former hall master had stepped down to travel that Mu Qingyin had to accept the position of hall master.

As for where they had gone, Mu Qingyin had no idea. The last contact was several years ago. By now, it had been decades since they returned.

It was common for high-level cultivators in the sect to wander. With seven Nascent Souls, two in the early stages of Transformation, and one in the late stage of Transformation, Mu Qingyin wasn’t worried about any accidents befalling them. In terms of team strength, cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage in sound and painting were, in some ways, even more formidable than groups of sword or knife cultivators.

Mu Qingyin informed Ye Yong of this, and he was quite surprised; this was a detail he had not been aware of.

In the novel, Mu Qingyin’s appearance was more towards the middle, and even the descriptions of Hua Ming and Hua Xin were scant, let alone the Sound and Painting Hall.

“Aren’t Sister Hua Ming and Sister Hua Xin always guiding the disciples? With them around, it should be enough.” Ye Yong understood that it must have been those elders eager to teach him that made Mu Qingyin start to care, fearing he might feel unappreciated in the Sound and Painting Hall.

“They are painting spirits, and there’s an inherent difference from cultivators. Haven’t you noticed that it’s become increasingly difficult for them to guide you lately?”

—

The painting sisters behind her nodded, saying, “Your progress is rapid; sometimes the questions you ask leave us at a loss.”

“Really? I’ve always thought you two sisters were guiding me quite well,” Ye Yong said deliberately, wanting to tease them a bit.

Sure enough, Mu Qingyin and Hua Meiren fell silent at the same time, for when faced with difficult problems, it was entirely thanks to Mu Qingyin splitting part of her consciousness to assist them that they were able to find answers. They had no idea Ye Yong had read the script and assumed everything was unknown to outsiders; after all, if this were to be known, most would think Mu Qingyin had some malicious interest. Although Mu Qingyin indeed found joy in it, engaging with her disciples under the guise of Hua Ming and Hua Xin was a unique experience.

“Actually, the master could teach personally,” Hua Ming changed the subject. “Taking a younger brother as a disciple is better; there’s no need to worry about those elders having ulterior motives.”

“Exactly,” Hua Xin chimed in.

“Not appropriate!” As expected, despite the ease of getting closer after becoming master and disciple, going all the way was very difficult; otherwise, Ye Yong would have taken this path long ago. “The hall master is busy every day comprehending the essence of the Dao; spending time on disciples is truly a waste.”

“That’s not the case…” Mu Qingyin felt quite awkward. The so-called busy with comprehending the Dao was actually just her lying in bed every day, using her spiritual sense to scan the entire Echo Peak, checking if any disciples were slacking off. When the mood struck, she would play a tune or paint a picture, living a life of ease and comfort. “But I really am not suited to take on disciples. If you encounter any doubts that Hua Ming and Hua Xin cannot resolve, feel free to come to me; don’t worry about disturbing me.”

“Thank you, Hall Master.” Ye Yong felt much more at ease.

Back in the cave dwelling, Mu Qingyin took out several bottles of high-grade third-tier soul elixirs as a reward for the new champion. Soul elixirs were much more expensive than ordinary ones, as the sound and painting cultivators placed great importance on the soul, making them indispensable.

Ye Yong then bought some fine tea to return the favor to Mu Qingyin, and the ultimate homebody gained 2 favorability points for this, which was a bit low, but the reversal points were generous, more than offsetting the cost of the tea and adding over 2000 more.

Looking at Mu Qingyin’s total favorability of 53, with his impression label reading “Unexpected, Satisfying Disciple,” Ye Yong fell into thought.

From this description of the state, it was clear that Mu Qingyin did not see him as a man, but purely as a junior. If he wanted her to regard him as a man, he would have to put in some effort; if a crisis arose and he saved her life, it might speed things up.

Unfortunately, the ultimate homebody never went out, and with no crisis occurring, he could only gradually raise his favorability through daily interactions, planning to reverse her impression during a future crisis.

After all, there had been no reason to meet Mu Qingyin before; now he had one, and it wasn’t difficult to see her. Ye Yong was not in a hurry.

“By the way, the senior sisters are preparing for the banquet. Would you like to make an appearance?” In truth, Ye Yong wanted more than just her presence; it was important for her to meet Qin Shimeng and Liang Xiaorou.

Most of the conflicts in the harem arose from bringing back unfamiliar women. Having the three main women meet in advance would do no harm.

If it were a usual banquet, Mu Qingyin would definitely refuse, as attending under the identity of Hua Ming and Hua Xin would allow the disciples to relax and enjoy themselves more. But this was to celebrate Ye Yong’s victory; as the hall master, not showing up would seem too cold and unapproachable. Moreover, the Sound and Painting Hall had always been unrelated to the rankings of new disciples; Ye Yong brought glory to the hall, and privately rewarding him was one thing, but publicly rewarding him was even more necessary.

Nodding slightly, Mu Qingyin agreed to attend.