95 Different From the Pas (1/2)

A private dining room at the inn was cleared out for Li Yuechan's sisters and the guests from the Glacier Sect. Only Long Yifei and two other elder women entered, while the other Glacier Sect members remained outside to guard. Mayor Zhang made sure tea was served before leaving to given them privacy.

”Snow Fairy Long, I would like to thank you once again for your help.” Li Yuechan said after they all sat down.

”It was my pleasure, how could I not after seeing my former junior sisters being bullied. Also, just call me Sister Long. We're not strangers after all... Oh! You guys should remember 4th Elder Ying Wanxin and managing elder Jin Lei.” Long Yifei said, introducing the two women beside her.

They nodded. The 4th Elder was well into her senior years and a respected member of the sect while Jin Lei actually was their managing elder up until their expulsion. Ying Wanxin had a curious look while Jin Lei held a weird and unreadable expression.

After some more courtesy and greetings, the topic of conversation drifted to the fight.

”Sister Long, are the Divine Blazing Mountain people all this unreasonable? How are the other sisters faring?” Song Wushuang asked.

”They are indeed a problem but so far we have avoided any serious confrontations. They like to operate in small teams so we have maintained larger groups for our sect members. However, they are ravaging the commoner population and the refugees, not sparing any women they find a fancy for.” Long Yifei said.

”Indeed, they are a vile group of animals.” Jin Lei said with loathing, ”They bully women and pay them a pittance to pretend like they are moral. Like if they offered some benefits in return, men think it's all okay. It is not okay.”

Jin Lei slapped the table in anger.

”Now, now...” Ying Wanxin patted Jin Lei to calm her down. She then looked at the five sisters, ”Your performance during the fight was admirable. And Jin Lei tells me you've all vastly improved your cultivation in a short time. Your master must have taught you some interesting secret arts.”

Her words were kind but it was not a kind question to ask about another sect's secret arts.

”Elder Ying, respectfully, we cannot talk about our sect's secret arts.” Li Yuechan said with a frown.

”Of course, of course. Hehe, please excuse this old woman.” Ying Wanxin said.

”Sisters, there is another matter I must ask you about.” Long Yifei changed the subject deftly. ”As you know, our sect always struggles to recruit new members. When we walked through the crowd of refugees you rescued, I sensed several good seedlings with a good potential for cultivation. I would like to invite those girls to join the Glacier Sect. What do you think?”

This was perhaps the last question they expected. It didn't seem especially bad. The Glacier Sect was their home for most of their lives. It was difficult to find any cultivation sect to join, let alone an immortal sect. Li Yuechan couldn't immediately find anything to say but Song Wushuang whispered a few things in her ear which made up her mind.

”Sister Long, these refugees are all going to my master's province. We will support them so we will have to refuse your request.” Li Yuechan answered.

Long Yifei and the other two elders had a genuinely shocked expression. They wondered if this Chen Wentian was a crazy person. Why would he spend such money to transport so many common refugees?

”Your master is certainly eccentric.” Ying Wanxin chuckled.

”Yuechan, please consider it.” Jin Lei said, ”The Glacier Sect is the best place for women. The Eternal Winder Sutra is the best art for women. These helpless girls will learn how to be strong women and how to protect themselves from the despicable men of the world.”

”Elder Jin, I think it is wrong to view all men like that. There are many repulsive men in the world but there are also those that respect women.” Song Wushuang said.

”Is one of those the man you call master?” Jin Lei scoffed, ”I know what happened. He defiled you all and made you all stay in his sect. He even brainwashed all of you into defending him!”

Bam!

Xu Lanyi slammed the table with her fist as she stood up. ”You! Don't insult master!”

”Lanyi! You!...” Jin Lei shook her finger at her in anger.

Li Yuechan pulled Xu Lanyi down swiftly but glared at Jin Lei as well, ”Elder, that was uncalled for. Please do not insult us like that.”