The Destiny Villainess Wants Me To Work!

Chapter 253: Old Hag!

While the meeting that would determine White Moon Sect’s future was underway inside the Sect Hall, the atmosphere elsewhere was considerably lighter.

Under Zhi Mo’s guidance, Su Mo and Yang Qingxi soon arrived before a walled courtyard situated in one of the quieter areas of the sect.

Just as they were about to enter—

"Who goes there?!"

An alert voice rang out.

A beautiful young woman stood near the entrance. Her sharp gaze landed directly on the three newcomers. The sword hanging at her waist and her vigilant posture made it obvious she wasn’t merely guarding the place for appearances.

Zhi Mo immediately cupped his fists.

"Greetings, Senior."

The young woman nodded calmly.

"Speak. What are you doing here? This is Elder Song’s personal courtyard. Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to enter."

"I am here under Elder Song’s personal orders." Zhi Mo hurriedly explained while gesturing toward Su Mo and Yang Qingxi. "These two are guests invited by Elder Song herself. I was instructed to escort them here."

The young woman’s gaze shifted toward Su Mo and Yang Qingxi.

She carefully observed them for several moments.

Neither wore White Moon Sect robes.

Nor did they resemble those wandering rogue cultivators who had come seeking shelter.

After a brief pause, she nodded.

"I understand."

Then she turned toward Zhi Mo.

"I’ll take them from here. You may return."

"Understood."

Zhi Mo bowed respectfully before leaving.

Once he disappeared down the path, only three people remained standing before the entrance.

The young woman stepped forward.

"My name is Shen Xing."

There was a trace of pride in her voice when she added, "Personal disciple of Elder Song."

Yang Qingxi responded politely. "My name is Yang Qingxi."

Then she gestured toward Su Mo.

"This is Su Mo. We are traveling cultivators visiting Sister Song’s sect."

Shen Xing was originally indifferent.

However, the moment she heard the words "Sister Song," her brows immediately furrowed.

"Sister Song?"

She looked directly at Yang Qingxi.

"How old are you?"

Yang Qingxi was slightly caught off guard by the sudden question.

Still, she answered honestly.

"Twenty-four."

Shen Xing clicked her tongue.

"About the same age as me."

Then she pointed toward the nameplate outside the courtyard.

"So why are you calling that old hag sister?"

"O-old hag?"

Yang Qingxi rarely lost her composure.

This was one of those rare occasions.

The image of the graceful and heroic Elder Song immediately appeared in her mind. Then she compared it with the phrase "old hag."

The contrast was somewhat difficult to process.

Even Su Mo became interested.

"Excuse me, Miss Shen."

He asked with genuine curiosity.

"How old is Elder Song exactly?"

"Sixty-plus."

The answer was delivered casually.

The effect, however, was explosive.

Su Mo and Yang Qingxi simultaneously sucked in cold air.

Their expressions became identical.

Sixty-plus?

That woman?

The Elder Song they met looked no older than thirty at most.

Seeing their reactions, Shen Xing couldn’t help feeling satisfied.

It seemed she wasn’t the only victim who was fooled by her appearance.

"Then why didn’t she correct us?" Yang Qingxi asked with confusion.

Shen Xing immediately sneered.

"Why would she?"

"That old hag absolutely loves it when people mistake her for a young woman."

Su Mo and Yang Qingxi exchanged glances.

Their understanding of Elder Song deepened considerably.

At the same time, several strange details suddenly made sense.

Especially the pleased expression Elder Song showed whenever they addressed her as Sister Song.

Thinking back on it now...

Perhaps it wasn’t entirely accidental.

Meanwhile, Shen Xing continued speaking.

"One time, a newly recruited disciple adamantly refused to address her as Sister Song, saying that she was the age of his grandmother. She deserves proper respect as an elderly person."

"What happened next?" Su Mo asked.

"He spent three months cleaning snow from mountain stairways."

"..."

"..."

The courtyard entrance fell silent.

Neither Su Mo nor Yang Qingxi knew whether that was punishment or revenge.

Shen Xing merely shrugged.

"He is fine now. Just assigned to cleaning duty once a week."

That somehow wasn’t reassuring.

Fortunately, she didn’t continue exposing her master’s embarrassing history.

Instead, her expression softened slightly.

"Anyway, please come in."

"It would be rude to keep guests standing outside the gate."

Only then did Su Mo and Yang Qingxi properly observe the courtyard.

The entrance was built in the style of an ancient manor, surrounded by elegant stone walls covered with traces of snow. Beyond the gate stretched a peaceful garden filled with carefully maintained flowers and decorative plants.

Stone pathways wound through the courtyard, passing beside a small fish pond where colorful koi swam beneath the clear water. Several red-painted buildings stood further inside.

The architecture was elegant and refined without appearing extravagant. Combined with the surrounding snow-covered scenery, the entire place possessed a tranquil atmosphere.

Su Mo couldn’t help nodding.

"This place is nice."

Shen Xing smiled proudly.

"Of course it is."

"That old hag might have questionable taste in certain areas, but her taste in courtyards is excellent."

Yang Qingxi’s lips twitched.

The way Shen Xing spoke about her master was truly unique.

One moment she sounded respectful. The next moment, she sounded like she was complaining about an annoying relative.

Shen Xing led them further inside while introducing the various areas of the courtyard.

Meanwhile, Su Mo quietly glanced at Yang Qingxi.

Then he leaned slightly closer.

"Miss Yang."

"What?"

"Should we keep calling her Sister Song?"

Yang Qingxi immediately understood what he meant.

For a brief moment, she imagined Elder Song’s reaction if they suddenly changed to Elder Song or Senior Song.

Then she remembered Shen Xing’s warning.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"Let’s continue calling her Sister Song."

Su Mo nodded seriously.

"I agree."

Some risks simply weren’t worth taking.

---

After guiding them into the main hall of the courtyard, Shen Xing had them take a seat before disappearing briefly into the kitchen area.

A few minutes later, she returned carrying a tray.

The fragrance of freshly brewed green tea immediately filled the room.