Chapter 123
Chapter 123: Big Sister Shi Can Do No Wrong!
After leaving the mourning hall, Shi Zi Chu raised her hand to adjust the stray strands of hair that had fallen onto her forehead.
Sometimes, rather than trying so hard to prove oneself, it was better to stir the waters and let things get muddled.
Creating a ruckus at her birth mother’s mourning hall—such a person, could her words really be trusted?
A brief flicker of amusement passed through Shi Zi Chu’s eyes.
Noticing the tender look in Pei Luo Xiu’s gaze, Shi Zi Chu smiled softly. “It’s just a small cut, nothing serious.”
Pei Luo Xiu’s concern didn’t wane.
“A’Xiu, I’ve heard this kind of thing too many times from her,” Shi Zi Chu lowered her brows, her tone full of melancholy. “I know it’s wrong, but…”
“Big Sister Shi, you’re always right!” Pei Luo Xiu interrupted her words without the slightest hesitation.
She quickly stepped forward and linked her arm with Shi Zi Chu’s, her tone resolute as stone. “As your little sister, I will always believe in you, support you, and help you!”
If Big Sister Shi were to kill, she’d hand over the knife! If Big Sister Shi harmed, she’d cover for her! If Big Sister Shi set fire, she’d add fuel to the flames!
Her peach blossom eyes shimmered with tears, filled with heartfelt emotion.
Pei Luo Xiu curved her brows in a gentle smile, her face radiating warmth. “Big Sister Shi, please let me stay by your side, okay?”
Shi Zi Chu was touched, tears welling up in her eyes. “Alright, we’ll never be apart again.”
Upon hearing this promise, Pei Luo Xiu’s face lit up like a child who had just been rewarded with honey.
Shi Zi Chu’s expression softened, but if one looked closely, the tenderness in her eyes didn’t quite reach the depths of her soul.
As their bond grew stronger, the two women returned with the black serpent in tow.
With the necessary matters completed, Shi Zi Chu exchanged a few words with the guard before leaving.
No sooner had she stepped out of the Ye Clan, when news of Chu Zhi Rou causing a scene at the mourning hall and injuring others began to spread like wildfire.
Leaving Supreme Virtue City, Shi Zi Chu embarked on a task with Pei Luo Xiu trailing closely behind like a little shadow.
In the span of just a few days, the two of them had traveled through half of the cultivation world.
When the Buddhist cultivators from Bodhi Sect found Shi Zi Chu, she had just finished slaying a demonic beast and was resting on a withered tree.
Pei Luo Xiu sat beside her, fanning her with a hand fan.
This scene caused the three Buddhist cultivators to momentarily freeze, their minds going blank.
Shi Zi Chu glanced up from her disciple’s token, which she had been studying.
The three Buddhist cultivators stood a few steps away, each of them vastly different in appearance—some refined, others burly—but all donned in monk robes, their auras calm and benevolent.
“Daoist Shi, Daoist Pei, poor monk Liao Kong,” the gentlemanly Buddhist cultivator said, clasping his hands together. “These two are my junior brothers, Liao Hen and Liao Xin.”
Following his senior’s introduction, the other two Buddhist cultivators also clasped their hands and bowed.
Shi Zi Chu tucked away the disciple’s token and stood up, returning the bow. “Jade Void Sect Rising Succession Peak, Shi Zi Chu.”
Pei Luo Xiu followed, also bowing. “Returning Cloud Sect, Pei Luo Xiu.”
After a few simple pleasantries, Liao Kong got straight to the point. “A regional secret realm has appeared in Water Road Village, Water Lotus Town. The sect leader has instructed us Buddhist disciples to lead other disciples to help guide the souls. Both Daoists, you have great ties to Water Road Village, and we request your assistance.”
Pei Luo Xiu turned to Shi Zi Chu.
“As a direct disciple of Rising Succession Peak, clearing regional secret realms is my responsibility,” Shi Zi Chu smiled gently. “When does this secret realm open?”
Liao Kong, relieved by her agreeable tone, sighed inwardly. He had prepared for a difficult conversation, but unexpectedly, Shi Zi Chu was so approachable.
After chanting a short prayer, Liao Kong continued, “The secret realm will open in about a month.”
“This time, I need to complete all my tasks,” Shi Zi Chu smiled with ease. “Are you Daoists coming with me, or shall we meet in Water Lotus Town when the time comes?”
Liao Kong clasped his hands together and nodded. “Daoist Shi, please wait. I’ll inquire with the Buddhist disciples.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded in understanding.
Pei Luo Xiu lowered her voice. “Regional secret realms are extremely dangerous. Big Sister Shi, are you really going?”
Her concern carried an unspoken sorrow.
Shi Zi Chu gave Pei Luo Xiu a reassuring glance, her voice soft and warm. “We haven’t been back in many years. This time, let’s go back to honor our family.”
Pei Luo Xiu suddenly fell silent.
Shi Zi Chu gently brushed Pei Luo Xiu’s long hair back behind her ear. “A’Xiu, will you come with me? If I get so upset I faint from crying, someone has to pick me up, right?”
Pei Luo Xiu couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time, looking at Shi Zi Chu.
“Big Sister Shi, you really…” Pei Luo Xiu snorted lightly, then hugged Shi Zi Chu’s arm. “I’ll go back with Big Sister Shi.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled and patted her on the head. “You’re really good.”
After their quiet conversation, Liao Kong returned with the communication talisman in hand.
“If you two Daoists do not mind, my junior brothers and I would like to travel with you,” Liao Kong said, his hands together.
Shi Zi Chu smiled. “I don’t mind.”
After chanting another “Amitabha,” Liao Kong added, “There’s much news about this regional secret realm. It’s good that we can share it on the way.”
…
A month later.
Before heading to Water Lotus Town, Shi Zi Chu returned to her sect to complete her tasks.
Meng Xi Yu intercepted her at the Mission Hall.
Seeing Shi Zi Chu looking travel-worn and slightly tired, Meng Xi Yu’s eyes filled with concern.
Shi Zi Chu smiled faintly, and as she walked out of the Mission Hall, she spotted the three Buddhist cultivators and Pei Luo Xiu waiting outside.
Meng Xi Yu glanced at the equally travel-worn Buddhist cultivators before looking back at Shi Zi Chu. “The regional secret realm in Water Lotus Town will have an immortal rank Azure Luan Sword.”
The Azure Luan Sword?
If she wasn’t mistaken, that was a growing immortal rank spirit sword.
Undoubtedly, the Azure Luan Sword had become Chu Zhi Rou’s life-bound sword, eventually becoming the famous divine sword of the cultivation world.
Seeing Shi Zi Chu’s astonished gaze, Meng Xi Yu’s cold voice rang out, “The news spread yesterday. The three sects, five schools, and seven clans are all after it.”
A growing immortal rank Azure Luan Sword, if given enough resources, could become a divine sword.
With the allure of a divine sword, how could these top-tier powers stay idle?
Shi Zi Chu pressed her fingers to her forehead.
Meng Xi Yu reached out and tucked her loose strands of hair behind her ear. “Jade Void Sect will send me to lead the disciples. You should rest for a day. Tomorrow, we’ll head to Water Lotus Town together.”
Shi Zi Chu replied, “I’ll go see the master first and then leave. We’ll meet in Water Lotus Town.”
Meng Xi Yu didn’t press further and nodded.
Shi Zi Chu said a few words to Pei Luo Xiu and the others before heading toward Rising Succession Peak.
On the back mountain of Rising Succession Peak, Xing Lan, who had been preparing tea in a pavilion, seemed to have known that Shi Zi Chu would return and had specifically waited for her.
“Master,” Shi Zi Chu pulled out a chair and sat down, then leaned her head on the table in exhaustion.
Seeing her slumped in such a manner, Xing Lan handed over a cup of cooled tea. “Sect Master wants the Azure Luan Sword, and Lesser Sect Master wants to lead the disciples. I will go and seize the sword.”
Shi Zi Chu shot up straight in shock.
Xing Lan quickly withdrew his hand to avoid Shi Zi Chu knocking over the tea cup.
Before Xing Lan could comment on her sudden reaction, Shi Zi Chu urgently asked, “Master, you’re going?”
Xing Lan nodded.
Seeing her reaction, Xing Lan’s mind seemed to wander to some old memories, and he quietly observed her with a look of patience.
Shi Zi Chu’s heart skipped a beat. If Xing Lan went to the secret realm, her past secrets would no longer be hidden. This wasn’t good news at all.
She had to come up with a plan to keep Xing Lan from pursuing this further.
Acting cute? Pleading?
Noticing the glint of calculation in Shi Zi Chu’s eyes, Xing Lan passed her the tea again, his tone cold. “Confession brings leniency.”
There were some things he wanted Jiu Jiu to say out loud.
He needed to feel Jiu Jiu’s trust in him.