Chapter 041
Chapter 41: Jiu Jiu, You Go in My Place
Xing Lan took a few steps before a calm, indifferent voice rang out, “Caused trouble, did you?”
Seeing Shi Zi Chu glaring fiercely at him, Xing Lan raised the corner of his mouth, his expression one of knowing amusement. “It seems you’ve caused quite a mess.”
“Master!”
Xing Lan raised a hand, lightly brushing through Shi Zi Chu’s long hair that hung loosely behind her. “Gifts for the housewarming are one thing, cleaning up a mess is another.” He paused, his voice colder as he added, “Besides, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to clean up after Jiu Jiu.”
“Chu Zhi Sheng.” Shi Zi Chu fumed, reporting, “He insulted me.”
Xing Lan blinked, momentarily forgetting who Chu Zhi Sheng was.
“Clan Chief Chu.” Shi Zi Chu clarified, then continued walking toward the bustling street. “Master’s advancement to tribulation-crossing isn’t easy. Shouldn’t you hold a grand feast to celebrate?”
Xing Lan followed behind her, his steps leisurely. “Did Sect Master speak on your behalf?”
“Did Senior Uncle Meng want a grand celebration as well?” Shi Zi Chu countered.
Xing Lan didn’t answer, and they walked in silence for a while. Eventually, a cold, low voice came from behind, “I’ll speak with Sect Master. The Chu Clan need not send an invitation card.”
“Will Master invite the Nan Rong Clan?”
“No.”
Shi Zi Chu continued asking, “Then can I invite some friends?”
Xing Lan didn’t answer her directly. Instead, his slightly cold palm tightened around her arm, pulling her to a stop.
Shi Zi Chu turned, meeting his gaze. Seeing the questioning look in his eyes, she immediately smiled, her eyes curving into a playful expression.
“The eldest miss of the Wan Yan Clan, Yao Ruo Ruo of Limitless Sect, and that kind-hearted tavern owner.”
Xing Lan nodded.
“Master, do you know which restaurant serves the best food?”
As he grasped her arm, his hand shifted lower before firmly taking hold of her wrist, leading her toward a restaurant.
Shi Zi Chu glanced down at their hands, then smoothly twisted her wrist.
Why grab her wrist when holding hands would be more natural?
Xing Lan’s fingers tightened around her wrist with a subtle force, his voice low and slow as he asked, “What’s wrong?”
Shi Zi Chu pretended to come up with an awkward excuse, “My hands are cold, Master, please warm them.”
Was he really going to let her ice-cold spiritual root warm her hands?
Xing Lan glanced down at her hand, his gaze meeting the bright smile in her eyes.
Her fingers were long and graceful, soft yet not too slender. Her palms and the backs of her hands held just the right amount of softness.
With fingers long and elegant, the prominent veins running across her hand, Xing Lan’s large hand slid down, wrapping around her delicate wrist.
Shi Zi Chu’s fingers moved, effortlessly slipping between his, their hands intertwining.
Xing Lan said nothing, simply leading her into the restaurant.
In a private room.
Shi Zi Chu had eaten half her meal when Xing Lan suddenly seemed to recall something.
His tone became more serious as he spoke, “The City Lord’s residence has found a spirit stone mine and is about to auction it off. These days, Supreme Virtue City is full of troublemakers. Be cautious.”
Shi Zi Chu raised her gaze, watching him. Her expression slowly shifted to one of guilt.
Ye He Qi’s request must have been related to this, and she couldn’t help but feel that, unintentionally, she had been drawn into it.
Seeing the flash of guilt and innocence in her eyes, Xing Lan remained silent.
There was always a reason for keeping Jiu Jiu at Rising Succession Peak.
“Master~”
Xing Lan picked up his teacup, lowered his gaze, and took a sip.
Finally, he succumbed to the pitiful look in her eyes and spoke, his voice cool and quiet, “If you want to bid for the spirit stone mine, you’ll need something rarer.”
“Cultivation techniques?” Shi Zi Chu asked.
Xing Lan nodded. “Also spirit pills, spiritual herbs, and magic artifacts.”
Shi Zi Chu pondered this for a moment.
“Knock, knock, knock.”
There was a respectful knock at the door, followed by the voice of the waiter, “Honored guests, someone seeks an audience.”
Unsurprised, Shi Zi Chu lowered her gaze and continued eating.
Xing Lan had not concealed his appearance when they arrived at the restaurant, so it was only natural that those well-informed families would come looking.
“Come in.”
Upon hearing his command, the waiter opened the door.
A few people entered, including Ye He Qi and Jun Yue Hua, as well as two unfamiliar individuals—a man and a woman.
The man resembled Wan Yan Qian quite closely, likely his father and the Clan Chief of the Wan Yan Clan. The woman looked vaguely familiar, though Shi Zi Chu couldn’t immediately place her. She guessed that this woman was the City Lord of Supreme Virtue City.
As Shi Zi Chu sized them up, the four of them were also evaluating the situation in the room, each with their own thoughts.
“Venerable Xing Lan.”
The four of them bowed in unison.
Shi Zi Chu casually picked up her chopsticks and scooped up a piece of fish, the small sound catching their attention.
Xing Lan put down his teacup, his cold voice cutting through the moment. “Sit.”
One by one, the guests took their seats.
“Jiu Jiu,” Xing Lan said.
Shi Zi Chu looked up, then heard him introduce the guests. “This is City Lord Yan of Supreme Virtue City, Clan Chief Wan Yan, Clan Chief Jun, and Clan Chief Ye.”
The formal introductions carried many unspoken meanings.
Xing Lan was clearly paving the way for Shi Zi Chu.
The four individuals, seasoned and shrewd, had many thoughts running through their minds.
Shi Zi Chu put down her chopsticks and stood, bowing respectfully. “Shi Zi Chu greets the venerable ones.”
“Sit.” Xing Lan gestured for her to return to her seat.
Once Shi Zi Chu sat down, Xing Lan gave her a subtle look, signaling her to continue eating.
Shi Zi Chu smiled politely at the four of them, then resumed picking fish bones.
City Lord Yan placed a red invitation card, embossed with gold, on the table. “Venerable Xing Lan, the City Lord’s residence will be holding a banquet in three days. We sincerely invite you to attend.”
“The guest list for the Jade Void Sect’s banquet has not yet been decided.”
Just as City Lord Yan thought Venerable Xing Lan would decline outright, the cold voice rang out, “Jiu Jiu, you go in my place.”
City Lord Yan’s surprise flashed in her eyes.
She had no real hope of this invitation being accepted by Venerable Xing Lan, but she never expected him to send his disciple in his stead!
Shi Zi Chu nodded.
Xing Lan turned to City Lord Yan and added, “Jiu Jiu has been at Rising Succession Peak for a long time. If she seems lacking in manners, please be forgiving.”
Upon hearing this, City Lord Yan’s mind was thrown into turmoil.
Venerable Xing Lan had many personal disciples, but this was the first time he had given such an explicit directive.
Perhaps everyone had underestimated how important Shi Zi Chu was to Venerable Xing Lan.
“Venerable Xing Lan is too kind. I will be sure to look after little friend Shi,” City Lord Yan said with a smile. “Little friend Shi, please don’t be too formal. Just consider it a visit to the City Lord’s residence.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled gently.
Clan Chief Wan Yan couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in his daughter’s foresight.
This level of attention, nothing could compare to it—not even ten Chu Zhi Rous.
Jun Yue Hua’s deep, unfathomable gaze betrayed no emotion.
Ye He Qi wore a perfectly measured, polite smile, elegant and regal.
Whether it was the upcoming banquet at the City Lord’s residence or the Jade Void Sect’s gathering later, it was sure to be an eventful time.
The group exchanged a few polite words, and after a quick round of farewells, they left.
Once Shi Zi Chu finished her meal, she and Xing Lan made their way back to the manor.
The next day.
As Shi Zi Chu was finishing her body tempering in the morning, Xing Lan had already returned to Jade Void Sect.
Noticing the storage ring by her pillow, she picked it up and scanned it with her spiritual sense, then smiled softly.
There wasn’t much in the ring—only a few cultivation techniques and magic artifacts.
But these few items were more than enough for her to bid on the spirit stone mine.
After finishing her body tempering, Shi Zi Chu left the house.