I Just Won't Play by the Book - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Why Are There Three More?
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Jiang Beiran was confused. He did not know whether it was because their brains worked differently or because his acting skills were not up to par. Clearly, the way he had been acting just now and his gaze were trying to express the fact that he had given up on the path of cultivation and wanted to seek development in other areas. Why couldn’t this Law Protector Yu understand that?
Jiang Beiran was really worried that she would forcibly push him to cultivate. Then, surely it would affect his grand plan to use his perceived weakness as a disguise?
But at the moment, this Law Protector Yu was obviously clinging on to the wrong idea, so Jiang Beiran could only wait and see. It would be alright for him to take no action and find a way to shirk it in the future. After all, he had always been good at slipping away.
“Then wait for me at the entrance of the Order of Law Enforcement the day after tomorrow at seven in the morning,” she said.
Yu Manwen left him with these words and then departed gracefully.
“Ugh…”
After Yu Manwen had walked far enough away, Jiang Beiran let out a long sigh.
‘I wonder who disclosed my information to that Liu Zijin, which led to so much trouble for me,’ he thought to himself.
Since the incident of the junior Sister, Jiang Beiran would carefully select the new disciples every time he served as an Iron Seal supervising them.
No female disciples, no disciples from a significant background, no disciples that looked treacherous, no disciples that were too handsome, etc…
Although it was not guaranteed that he could find such a team of new disciples every time, most of them were not far off from his requirements.
And every time, after completing the trial quest, Jiang Beiran would also instruct them not to recommend him to other junior Brothers and Sisters, as he was worried about this kind of thing happening again.
“It is true that only one’s own self is the most reliable…” Jiang Beiran said.
Sighing, Jiang Beiran pushed open the door of his hut and walked in.
Two days passed quickly, and as promised, Jiang Beiran appeared at the entrance of the Order of Law Enforcement on time.
“Beiran, this way.”
Jiang Beiran was just about to look around when he heard Yu Manwen’s voice coming from nearby.
Looking in the direction of the voice, Jiang Beiran saw Law Protector Yu smiling and nodding at him. Liu Zijin, who had her head down, and Fang Qiuyao, who had her face turned away, stood on Yu Manwen’s left and right respectively.
Today, Liu Zijin was wearing a loose, thin turquoise summer blouse and a pleated skirt with scattered flowers and mist on its design. Her shoulders looked narrow and her waist thin, giving her exquisite heart-shaped face a demure, fairy-like aura.
Looking at the Brothers passing by, who couldn’t help but steal a glance at them, Jiang Beiran strongly resisted the urge to sigh.
In the past five years, he had only brought female disciples down the mountain for their trial a handful of times, and all of them were forcibly added to his team by the Flower Crown. He shied away even more from pretty ones like Liu Zijin. Yet at the moment, he had not just one but two in his team.
‘I am really going against my principles completely…’ he thought.
Lamenting this fact in his heart, Jiang Beiran went forward to bow to Yu Manwen. “Greetings, Law Protector Yu.”
“Mhmm. You are well on time. I believe you have met these two beloved disciples of mine by my side, right?” she asked.
“Yes.” Jiang Beiran nodded, then joined his hands together toward the two in a salute and said, “Sister Liu, Sister Fang.”
When she met Jiang Beiran’s eyes, Liu Zijin was a little flustered. After all, she knew very well that the senior Brother had been forcibly dragged here by the Law Protector because of her. So, he might secretly be incredibly annoyed with her at this moment.
‘It seems that this is how it feels to worry about being disliked by someone… It feels really bad,’ Liu Zijin thought.
But no matter how apprehensive she was in her heart, Liu Zijin still quickly bowed and said, “Greetings, Brother Jiang. Thanks in advance for your trouble this time.”
On the other hand, Fang Qiuyao casually joined her hands in a salute towards Jiang Beiran and shouted, “Greetings, Brother.”
After both sides had greeted each other, Yu Manwen suddenly waved towards the direction of the pool not far away and shouted, “Girls, stop frolicking there and come over to meet your senior Brother.”
‘There’s still more!?’
Jiang Beiran felt his heart constrict as he heard her words, and a sense of foreboding crept up.
“Coming!”
Looking towards the pleasant voice, he saw three identical-looking young girls running towards them.
‘No way…’ he thought.
Liu Zijin and Fang Qiuyao were already enough of a headache for Jiang Beiran, and the three girls running towards them at the moment were also stunningly beautiful.
All three had an oval-shaped face, long, thin eyebrows, and animated eyes. All of those characteristics gave them elfish and playful vibes. Furthermore, they had bright eyes and white teeth, as well as an exquisite complexion. They were indeed three outstanding beauties.
“This is Jiang Beiran, Brother Jiang, whom I told you all about. Follow him closely this time round after descending the mountain and listen to his words. Do you understand?” Yu Manwen said.
“Yes, Law Protector,” the three of them answered. They then looked at Jiang Beiran at the same time and bowed gracefully, all speaking at once. “Greetings, Brother Jiang. I am Yu Guishui (Yu Guizhui) (Yu Guimiao) of the Order of Water Mirror.”
Although Jiang Beiran was on the verge of having a breakdown, he forced out a smile and returned the greeting. “Greetings, three Sisters.”
After the three Sisters were standing behind her, Yu Manwen smiled and said to Jiang Beiran, “Beiran, I’ll trouble you this time. We have many female disciples in the Order of Water Mirror, and we are lacking a reliable senior Brother. Seeing that you are capable, you can take on more work and bring a few more Sisters down the mountain for adventure.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied.
“Mhmm. Then the rest is in your hands.” She nodded towards Jiang Beiran. Yu Manwen turned around and left after instructing Liu Zijin and the girls to listen to Brother Jiang.
Just as Yu Manwen left, the three Sisters, who had just now been standing obediently side by side, immediately surrounded Jiang Beiran and asked at the same time, “Brother Jiang, what kind of cultivation techniques are you good at? (Brother Jiang, what kind of weapons do you like to use?) (Brother Jiang, when you fight, do you like to move your left leg or your right leg first?)”
Looking at three faces full of curiosity, Jiang Beiran gave them a look and said, “Go back to where you were and stand properly! No talking without my permission, let alone moving around.”
The three Sisters who had been reprimanded froze in place and were somewhat stunned for a while.
At that moment, Fang Qiuyao, who was beside them, spoke up. “Eh? Now you’re acting all high and mighty as an Iron Seal? Weren’t you too cowardly to even agree to the request two days ago?” she asked.
Giving Fang Qiuyao a sidelong glance, Jiang Beiran said, “Circumstances have changed. Since I am now your Iron Seal, I must be responsible for your safety. At the same time, you must also obey my orders. Do you understand?”
“What if I say no?” Fang Qiuyao stepped forward and challenged him.
“You can try.” As Jiang Beiran finished his sentence, he glared at her, and an invisible force instantly enveloped Fang Qiuyao.
“I…” Fang Qiuyao, who was engulfed by the forceful aura of Jiang Beiran, wanted to open her mouth to make a retort, but a sense of fear arose in her heart.
‘Strange… What’s going on, why should I be afraid of him? He’s obviously just a coward who will admit that he’s afraid in front of everyone. How would he have this kind of powerful aura!?’ she wondered.
But no matter how unconvinced she was in her heart, Fang Qiuyao did not dare to continue to speak up and challenge him in the end, and resentfully turned her head away.
The three Sisters of the Yu family had also finally realized that the senior Brother in front of them did not seem to be as gentle as he initially appeared, so they retreated to their original positions and stood properly.
Nodding in satisfaction, Jiang Beiran raised a finger and said, “In my team, there is one rule you must abide by, and that is to listen to my command in all operations. Do not act rashly when you encounter anything. Understand?”
“Understood.” The five girls nodded their heads at the same time, although their voices sounded a little sparse.
“Good. So, now I will give you the first order. Immediately go back and change all your clothes into those made of coarse cloth or hemp garment. if you don’t have any, go to the Order of Law Enforcement to borrow some. An hour later, assemble here again, and whoever is late will have two points deducted from her marks,” he instructed.