Starting With The Martial Arts Holy Fire Order

Chapter 005 – I’m Younger Than You All

“Wow! This lady is absolutely beautiful—I’ve never seen anyone so stunning. She’s like a fairy! Compared to her, I’m nothing but a country bumpkin.”

Hu Qingyang marveled at Dai Qisi’s appearance, feeling a mix of admiration and jealousy.

Ling Yihan had merely glanced at Dai Qisi earlier, dismissing her quickly. Hearing Hu Qingyang’s comment, he chuckled lightly.

“No matter how beautiful, she’s still only a face that will, one day, become old and wrinkled, leaving nothing of her beauty behind.”

Curious, Hu Qingyang asked, “Brother Ling, all the men are gawking at that lady, Dai Qisi, practically drooling over her. But you don’t even look at her—are you really not interested?”

Ling Yihan shook his head with a smile.

“Why would I be interested? She’s just a foreigner from Persia. Why would I look at her when there’s a beautiful Central Plains girl right in front of me? I’d rather spend my time admiring you.”

Hu Qingyang’s face flushed red, and she replied shyly, “Brother Ling, you’re just teasing me. I could never compare to her beauty!”

“Everyone has their tastes. It’s only these Ming Cult men who don’t know true beauty,” Ling Yihan remarked casually as he picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks.

Hearing this, Hu Qingyang felt her heart flutter.

What does Brother Ling mean by that? Could he possibly…? No, I’m just overthinking it, she thought, her cheeks growing redder with each passing moment.

“Come here, Dai Qisi, let me take a closer look at you!”

Madam Yang couldn’t help but call Dai Qisi over with a slight smile.

“Yes, Madam Yang!”

Dai Qisi replied promptly and walked over gracefully.

As she passed Ling Yihan, she noticed him laughing and talking with the girl beside him, paying her no mind—quite unlike the other Ming Cult men who openly stared at her. She felt both surprised and slightly disappointed.

Although she was the Holy Maiden of the Persian Sect and a potential successor to the sect leader, requiring her to remain celibate, it didn’t mean she didn’t want to be admired. After all, a woman feels a sense of pride and accomplishment when men pursue her.

Seeing this handsome young man, however, dismiss her beauty so easily, she felt a pang of displeasure, especially as he was friendly with a girl far less attractive than her.

But the feeling quickly passed as Dai Qisi approached Madam Yang, engaging her in lighthearted conversation.

The three Persian men stayed only one night at the Bright Peak and returned to Persia the following morning, leaving Dai Qisi behind.

From then on, many young, unmarried men in the Ming Cult vied for her attention, using every possible means, only to be rejected by her each time.

On this day, in the flower garden on Bright Peak, Ling Yihan was learning to identify medicinal herbs from Hu Qingyang. Life on the road often brought injuries, so knowing some herbal medicine was always useful.

“Right Messenger Fan, you’ve been following me—is there something you need?”

A sweet, slightly teasing voice suddenly reached Ling Yihan and Hu Qingyang’s ears.

Turning toward the voice, they saw Dai Qisi and Bright Right Messenger Fan Yao not far off.

Though Fan Yao was talented and skilled in martial arts, he was notoriously shy around women.

He stammered, “Ah… there are often venomous snakes in this area. I was concerned for your safety, so… I didn’t mean to intrude upon your enjoyment of the flowers… Please don’t take offense…”

Understanding his true intention, Dai Qisi gave him a slight smile.

“Thank you for your concern, Right Messenger Fan…”

She glanced around and, seeing Ling Yihan and Hu Qingyang nearby, used the opportunity to walk over to them.

“Qingyang, what are you up to?”

Dai Qisi greeted Hu Qingyang with a bright smile.

As the Hu siblings held high status within the Ming Cult, Dai Qisi quickly became acquainted with them after arriving at Bright Peak.

“Sister Dai Qisi, I’m just teaching Brother Ling how to identify some medicinal herbs. Nothing major…”

Hu Qingyang replied gently.

“Brother Ling? May I ask for your full name?”

Dai Qisi asked, taking the chance to address Ling Yihan.

Ling Yihan gave her a brief glance and replied coolly, “Ling Yihan.”

After stating his name, he returned his attention to the herbs, clearly uninterested in conversing further.

Dai Qisi felt somewhat frustrated. Compared to the other young men in the Ming Cult who sought her favor, Ling Yihan was icy toward her, only showing warmth toward Hu Qingyang.

Could they be… a couple? she wondered.

To test her thoughts, she asked, “Brother Ling isn’t a Ming Cult disciple, right? You and Qingyang are always together—be honest, are you two a couple?”

Unlike the more reserved Central Plains women, Dai Qisi was blunt and spoke her mind.

“Sister, what are you saying? Brother Ling and I are completely innocent; it’s not what you think…”

Hu Qingyang stammered, her cheeks turning bright red.

“Stop denying it; you can’t fool me. I’ve noticed the way you look at Brother Ling—it’s different from how you look at the other young men in the cult. And Brother Ling is only warm and considerate with you, treating the rest of us with indifference…”

Dai Qisi cast an envious look at Ling Yihan.

“There’s no such thing! Sister, stop teasing me…”

Hu Qingyang blushed deeper, desperately trying to cut off Dai Qisi’s line of questioning.

Ling Yihan suddenly interjected, “Qingyang’s the only person I know at Bright Peak; I’m not close with anyone else. Also… I’m actually sixteen. Aren’t I younger than you?”

“What? You’re only sixteen? But you look almost twenty!”

Dai Qisi exclaimed, unable to hold back.

Hu Qingyang’s heart skipped a beat.

So, Brother Ling is a year younger than me, yet I’ve been calling him ‘Brother Ling’ this whole time…

Because of his mastery of the supreme martial arts, the Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Marriage Robe Skill, Ling Yihan appeared more mature and robust than his peers, giving him an air of maturity beyond his years.