Chapter 447 - 276: That Husband of Yours... Is Quite Good
Chapter 447: Chapter 276: That Husband of Yours... Is Quite Good
The light of the waning moon was like frost.
Amidst the scattered stars, two figures hung high in the night sky.
One had white hair that fell nearly to his knees and wore a purple Daoist Robe. Though his face was weathered and his beard sparse, he had a somewhat cavalier air.
The other had long, flowing hair and was as handsome as a demon, dressed in black robes with a three-foot green-edged sword at his waist.
His long, narrow eyes looked down at Xiao Jinghong below, a hint of inquiry within them.
They were none other than "Immortal Bai" Gongye Bai and his disciple, Shui Hetong, who had just rushed from Shu State Prefecture City to the Wu Mountain Mutual Market.
Xiao Jinghong looked up, studying the two. A thoughtful look flashed from behind her half-armor mask, and she suddenly spoke:
"You... are you Master Bai?"
"Jinghong, I’m surprised you still recognize me."
Immortal Bai let out a hearty laugh. His white hair swayed, and he landed beside her.
Shui Hetong followed close behind, bowing in salute. "Wind and Rain Tower, Shui Hetong, greets Junior Sister Xiao."
Seeing their friendly smiles, the wary Su Zhenyue, who stood to the side, finally relaxed.
Without waiting for Xiao Jinghong to speak, she quietly withdrew to prepare tea for the three of them.
Xiao Jinghong paid this no mind. Her gaze swept over Immortal Bai and Shui Hetong, and she cupped her fist in salute.
"Jinghong pays her respects to Master Bai and Senior Brother Shui."
Immortal Bai waved his hand. "No need for such formalities."
"My arrival was rather abrupt. I hope you don’t find it rude."
"You jest, Master Bai. Jinghong wouldn’t dare."
As she spoke, Xiao Jinghong gestured with her hand and led the way, saying, "Please."
"Master Bai, Senior Brother Shui, please follow me to the meditation room so we can talk."
Previously, when she had learned from Granny Shan that Immortal Bai had re-emerged in the Jianghu, she hadn’t thought much of it.
But when Pei Qian passed through the Wu Mountain Mutual Market and told her that Immortal Bai would be coming to Shu State, she had a faint premonition that she would meet him.
It was for no other reason than the relationship between her master, Li Wudang, and Immortal Bai.
「A short while later.」
The three of them arrived at a wooden house.
It was called a "meditation room," but it was even more spartan than Xiao Jinghong’s own quarters.
One table, five chairs.
An oil lamp hung from a roof beam, casting a dim yellow glow. A few flickering shadows filled the entire room.
The three of them sat down.
Su Zhenyue brought in tea and placed it before them, then withdrew from the room to stand guard at the door.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Jinghong spoke calmly, "Forgive me, Master Bai. The Mutual Market is not yet complete, so the accommodations are simple."
Immortal Bai smiled and shook his head. "It’s no matter."
"Hetong and I were just passing through. Don’t you worry about it."
"Besides, your master sent a message the other day, asking me to look after you a bit while I was in Shu State."
He paused, studying Xiao Jinghong, then shook his head again. "Li the Scoundrel isn’t very honest, is he?"
"A young woman like you, with your Cultivation and Technique already so advanced, why would you need anyone else’s guidance?"
Xiao Jinghong, of course, paid little mind to such praise.
She was more interested in the name "Li the Scoundrel."
’It seems Immortal Bai’s relationship with my master, Li Wudang, is closer than I thought.’
"You flatter me, Master Bai. In recent years, I have been busy with military affairs and have neglected my Cultivation. I feel I haven’t lived up to my master’s high hopes."
"At your age, you’ve reached the Lower Stage of the Second Grade and achieved Sword Dao Perfection and Spear Dao Perfection. How can you call that ’neglecting your Cultivation’?"
Immortal Bai saw through to Xiao Jinghong’s true strength with a single glance. He chuckled and pointed to Shui Hetong beside him.
"This worthless disciple of mine is about your age, and after ten years of Cultivation, he has only managed to cultivate his Fist Dao to the Perfection Realm."
"Compared to yours, his Sword Dao is a whole Chishui River behind."
Shui Hetong lowered his head slightly, his tone full of admiration. "Junior Sister Xiao’s talent is extraordinary. I am truly impressed."
"If you weren’t burdened by military service and practicing Spear Dao at the same time, I’m afraid your mastery of the Sword Dao would already rival Junior Master Li’s."
Xiao Jinghong’s eyes fell on him. "You overpraise me, Senior Brother Shui."
"My master’s Sword Dao is already approaching the true ’Dao.’ Even if I were to cultivate for another ten years, I would still find it hard to even glimpse his back."
Hearing this, Shui Hetong just smiled, taking it as mere humility.
Immortal Bai, on the other hand, nodded. "What Jinghong says is true."
"Li the Scoundrel may be a scoundrel, but his talent for the Sword Dao is a rarity in this world. Few can ever hope to match him."
"But you don’t need to sell yourself short, Jinghong Girl. Give it ten years, and it wouldn’t be impossible for you to surpass your master."
Xiao Jinghong lowered her head slightly in tacit agreement.
’One knows one’s own business best. She was well aware of just how strong her own talent for the Sword Dao was.’
’Never mind ten years; give her just five, and she was confident she could achieve a breakthrough in her Sword Dao.’
’Unfortunately, in the military, the Spear Dao was better suited for killing. By dividing her focus, her progress in both would naturally be slower.’
After a few more pleasantries, Xiao Jinghong inquired, "Master Bai, for what purpose have you come down from the mountain this time?"
Immortal Bai had expected this question. He smiled and replied, "Lately, I’ve been observing the celestial signs at night. The Ziwei Yuan is stirring over Shu State, so I thought I’d come have a look."
’The Ziwei Yuan is stirring over Shu State?’
’Does this mean the threat of war in the west?’
Xiao Jinghong knew a little about divination, so she naturally understood the Alchemist’s terminology.
’The term `兵燹` referred to the ravages of war, a conflict that spreads like wildfire, consuming everything in its path.’
’Does this mean... war will break out again in Shu State?’
Xiao Jinghong frowned slightly as several major events she had recently learned of came to mind.
’Could it be that the band of horse bandits from the Poshisu Country really intends to push eastward?’
"Master Bai, is a great change truly coming to Shu State?"
Immortal Bai waved his hand dismissively. "I’ve never been very accurate with my readings. You needn’t take it so seriously, girl."
"But..."
Seeing Xiao Jinghong’s hesitation, Shui Hetong, who was beside them, chimed in with a smile:
"On the way here, Master looked at the celestial signs again. He said that the land of Shu State is full of outstanding people and blessed with spiritual energy, so it will surely turn misfortune into good fortune."
...
Xiao Jinghong looked between the two of them, then pursed her lips. "Please don’t be offended, Master Bai. I was being too impulsive."
’Anxiety leads to confusion.’
’I really did overthink things.’
Immortal Bai, however, shot a glance at Shui Hetong and snorted, "Did I, your master, ask you to butt in?"