Xianxia: My Girls Are All System User

“Oh my~” Yu Ling giggled, covering her mouth lightly. “Well, well, it hasn’t been that long, but this brat here’s already carrying another girl’s scent?”

Xiang’er wrinkled her nose slightly, then pouted.

“Master’s right. I smell a girl’s fragrance on senior brother.”

Chen Yin: “?”

—Are you two bloodhounds or something?

And does my body really have a scent?

Could it be that little fox Luo Luo? She does have a natural fox smell, after all.

“You must be mistaken. How could I have any girl’s scent on me?”

“Is that so?”

His Master’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “But didn’t I just notice someone was missing from their room just a moment ago?”

“Could it be that you snuck out for some forbidden fun while Xiang’er was away?”

Chen Yin shot her a glare.

You nosy, perverted, little granny! Always looking for ways to cause trouble!

Xiang’er’s expression turned dark, her gaze fixed on Chen Yin with a hint of hostility.

A chill ran down Chen Yin’s spine.

—This could get ugly.

Just then, their Master’s voice echoed in his mind:

“Hehe, so what? Did Xiang’er catch you sneaking off to some brothel?”

“Perfect timing. I’m a bit short on funds right now, but three jars of Fragrant Jade Brew, and I just might help you smooth things over.”

Three jars? Why don’t you go rob someone?! Chen Yin nearly burst out.

This troublesome Master of his spent her days in drunken debauchery, splurging on the finest elixirs—each jar costing hundreds of spirit stones.

And she had the audacity to run up tabs, forcing Chen Yin to cover her debts with the meager allowance he got from running errands for the sect.

And Fragrant Jade Brew was even more expensive; three jars would take Chen Yin two months of work to earn.

He didn’t know if she was genuinely broke or just stingy.

But he could barely think of this without seething.

“One jar! Worst case, I’ll be in the doghouse with Xiang’er for a few days.” He gritted his teeth.

“Deal.”

The next moment, his Master’s expression shifted abruptly into a cheerful smile.

“Plot twist! Actually, I sent him out on an errand. Just teasing you, Xiang’er!”

Xiang’er looked at the two with suspicion.

Chen Yin could only offer an awkward, forced smile.

“Hmph. If you don’t want to tell me, then fine.”

Xiang’er cast the two of them a resentful look, turning her head away.

Chen Yin quickly tried to change the subject. “So anyway—”

“Is there a reason you came to see us, Master?”

“Oh, just here to let you know.” His Master replied nonchalantly, “When the time comes in a few days, you’ll set off on your own to attend the Heavenly Beauty Summit.”

“Starting tomorrow, I’ll be off on a wandering journey. Not sure when I’ll be back.”

“Tomorrow?” Chen Yin asked in surprise. “So soon?”

“What,” she said, suddenly getting close to Chen Yin with an impish grin, “already missing me, are you?”

“…You’re overthinking it. I’d be more than happy if you never came back.”

She rolled her eyes and said, “While I’m gone, take care of yourselves.”

“I have a bad temper, and I can’t stand seeing people bully my disciples.”

“If anyone dares cross our family, you smack ’em right back. If they send reinforcements, just use my name.”

“Got that?” She shot a sidelong glance at the two.

Chen Yin paused, then chuckled lightly and nodded.

“Understood.”

—Despite her sharp tongue, Master had a soft heart. Deep down, she cared for them.

“Oh, and if you ever provoke someone I can’t beat, just go die somewhere quiet and don’t drag me into it!”

—Alright, I take back what I said.

With her instructions given, Master was about to leave when Xiang’er suddenly spoke up.

“Master, wait.”

“Earlier, when I went to Liuyun City to pick up some clothes, I heard some passing cultivators saying you’d recently destroyed a demonic faction branch there?”

Chen Yin’s hand froze.

—This could be bad.

“Is that…true?” Xiang’er looked at her Master with wide, innocent eyes.

Her Master’s expression flickered ever so slightly.

Just as Chen Yin was starting to panic, he heard her Master’s calm voice:

“Yes. So what?”

“Those blind fools dared to set up shop under my nose, so I decided to wipe them out.”

Chen Yin glanced at her, a flash of admiration in his eyes, but found no change in her Master’s expression.

Her tone was as casual as if she’d squashed a bug.

After a pause, Xiang’er smiled sheepishly and stuck out her tongue.

“Master is amazing as always.”

“This kind of thing is no big deal.” Master gave the two a quick look. “If that’s all, I’ll be on my way.”

“Take care, Master,” Chen Yin said.

<+>

After her Master left, Chen Yin finally relaxed a bit and tried to act nonchalant.

“Ha. That bratty little granny is finally gone.”

“No more cleaning up after her messes every day.”

Meanwhile, Xiang’er quietly washed the teacups, seeming lost in thought.

“…Senior Brother.”

“Hm?”

“Do you really have another girl outside?”

Chen Yin froze, managing a strained smile. “What’re you thinking? I would never betray you, Xiang’er—”

“I’m serious.”

Xiang’er turned to look at Chen Yin, her gaze steady.

“If Senior Brother does have someone he likes, that’s fine.”

“I’m your little junior sister, so of course I’ll give you my blessing.”

She smiled slightly. “After all, I’m not Senior Brother’s partner. There’s no need for Senior Brother to go out of his way for me.”

Chen Yin’s hand stopped in midair.

A moment later, he turned his head slightly. “Do you mean that?”

Xiang’er suddenly seemed flustered.

Chen Yin’s face held an expression she had never seen before, his gaze steady as he asked:

“Does Xiang’er truly believe Senior Brother is just being foolishly affectionate?”

“That even if there were someone else in Senior Brother’s life, Xiang’er wouldn’t care?”

“Senior Brother, I didn’t—”

Xiang’er’s gaze grew anxious, and she stammered, trying to explain.

She could feel it.

Her Senior Brother…seemed truly upset.

Despite Chen Yin’s effort to hide his emotions, Xiang’er sensed a pang of unease, as though something precious was slipping away from her.

Chen Yin’s eyes held a sadness she’d never seen before, making Xiang’er feel a wave of fear rise within her.

“Senior Brother, I didn’t mean to upset you—”

“I’m not upset.” Chen Yin shook his head. “I just think Xiang’er might be right.”

“Maybe it’s just me being foolish.”

“But I’m different. I can’t be like Xiang’er.”

He looked deeply into her eyes and said seriously, “If the day ever comes when Xiang’er loves someone else…”

“…then I would be heartbroken.”

Xiang’er’s throat felt as though it was constricted.

Chen Yin quietly finished washing the teacups with her, then casually said he was going out for a walk and left the room.

The moment he walked out, Xiang’er nearly reached out to stop him.

It felt as though if she didn’t grab hold of him, she might lose him forever.

But in that instant, a voice echoed in her mind:

[Stay clear-headed.]

[There’s no future between you and him.]

[You are fated to face Shen Shuanglian in a life-or-death battle.]

[If you don’t fulfill the system’s task as per the storyline, even if you’re with him, it will only bring him harm.]

Xiang’er’s hand hovered in midair, frozen.

After a moment, she withdrew her hand, her long lashes trembling slightly.

Large tears fell softly from her eyes.

“But…” she murmured, covering her mouth and trying to stifle her sobs, “I can’t bear to lose him…”

The system sighed quietly in response.

[Sigh. Being chosen by the system is not always a blessing]

<+>

On the cliffs of Yushan Mountain.

Chen Yin stared silently at the sea of clouds below.

A moment later, his Master’s voice sounded from behind him:

“Not going to comfort her? Xiang’er was in tears because of you, you know.”

Chen Yin shook his head slowly.

“Some knots, Xiang’er has to untangle herself.”

—Having been given this second chance, he was determined to prevent tragedy.

But if Xiang’er wasn’t willing to accept his help, all his efforts would be in vain.

“Playing it cool, aren’t you?” His Master teased, clicking her tongue. “What if Xiang’er actually falls for someone else one day?”

Chen Yin considered it for a moment and then replied earnestly:

“Then I’ll probably beat the guy up and take Xiang’er back.”

“Pffft, that’s quite unreasonable of you! So, you’re more of a macho type than I thought,” she laughed. “Girls don’t usually go for that, you know.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Chen Yin’s gaze softened as he looked down.

“I’ve already felt the pain of losing Xiang’er once.”

“…I don’t want to go through that a second time.”

His Master fell silent, joining him in gazing down at the sea of clouds.

For a moment, the only sound was the wind around them.

“Aren’t you curious why I mentioned it was a ‘second time’?” Chen Yin asked suddenly.

“And aren’t you curious why I claimed to have destroyed that demonic faction’s branch myself?” she replied with a question of her own.

Chen Yin paused, then chuckled quietly.

“…In that case, I suppose I owe you thanks for your understanding, Master.”

She didn’t show any expression, only waved a hand casually. “No problem. Just remember to give me a few jars of wine in return.”

The clouds churned and swirled around them.

Suddenly, his Master spoke with an unusually serious tone:

“Listen closely.”

“Don’t let anyone else take Xiang’er from you.”

“Us Yushan Mountain folks don’t let our treasures slip away to outsiders.”

Chen Yin nodded, smiling. “Then I’ll gladly follow your command.”

“Rest assured, I’ll make sure Xiang’er stays with me.”

“From the sound of it,” she cast him a sideways glance, “it seems Xiang’er isn’t the only one in this ‘harem’ you have in mind, is she?”

“Ahem…well, a young man ought to be free-spirited, right?”

Chen Yin cleared his throat, wearing a sheepish smile. “Though I have no intention of plucking flowers left and right, I can’t help my charming and elegant aura. If a fairy were to fall for me, my willpower might not hold up, you know.”

Recalling some less-than-pleasant past experiences, Chen Yin shivered.

“If, by some chance, I do end up with a few more beauties from the mountains, you wouldn’t get jealous, would you, Master?”

“As if I’d be jealous of you,” she scoffed, casting a disdainful glance. “Besides, I don’t even think your bean sprout body would be enough to keep me satisfied.”

“Bring them if you want, but cover your own living expenses. And don’t forget to pay rent for them; Yushan Mountain doesn’t do freeloaders.”

“…Master, the way you’re saying this, it sounds like you actually are jealous.”

“One more flirtatious comment, and I’ll make sure you never have to worry about your ‘harem issues’ again.”

“…I was wrong.”