Chapter 124
Chapter 124: Water Road Village
Shi Zi Chu took the tea cup with both hands, sipping the tea at just the right temperature before tentatively speaking, “Master, do you remember the scene from when we first met?”
Xing Lan replied, “I do.”
It was the sixteenth of April, fourteen years ago. On that day, he had been flying on his sword back to the Jade Void Sect, but in midair, he saw a burst of fire.
As he descended to investigate, he saw Jiu Jiu, wearing a red bridal gown, standing in a safe zone. Her clothes were singed, and her body was marked with burns.
But soon after, he realized something was terribly wrong.
The entire village, except for Jiu Jiu and another young lady, had no survivors.
In broad daylight, the village burned, and yet, only two young ladies had managed to escape.
At that time, Jiu Jiu had cried terribly, but looking back, it seemed she had tricked him with her harmless face.
By the time he had noticed something was wrong, it was already too late.
Shi Zi Chu observed the man seated in front of her.
His posture was dignified, his features sharp and cold, and his expression, aloof and distant, only deepened his air of detachment.
He resembled a high-standing Asura, his icy aura creating a barrier between him and the world, indifferent and ruthless.
Yet, within his deep, ocean-like eyes, there was an unspoken warmth.
Maybe she could trust Xing Lan a little more.
Shi Zi Chu thought to herself.
“I massacred the village,” Jiu Jiu’s soft voice broke the silence, accompanied by a pair of innocent eyes that made her seem harmless and docile.
Xing Lan replied in a flat tone.
His voice showed no surprise, as if he had already known.
Shi Zi Chu blinked in surprise. Was that it? No reprimands or punishment?
Seeing the curiosity in her eyes, Xing Lan responded, “Why?”
Shi Zi Chu smiled mysteriously, “The secret realm will reveal that.”
Xing Lan glanced at her.
“Master~” Shi Zi Chu elongated her voice, playfully asking, “Master, will you shelter me just one more time?”
Xing Lan took a sip of tea from the cup.
Shi Zi Chu set down her cup, stood up, and walked over. She draped herself over his back, whining softly, “Master, Master, Master…”
Noticing Xing Lan’s lack of response, she switched tactics, her voice turning pitiful. “Master, you don’t mean to expel me from the sect, do you?”
“…” Xing Lan was a little speechless.
Without seeing Xing Lan’s expression, Shi Zi Chu clung to his neck with both hands, her voice growing more pathetic. “No, please! I can’t live without Master! Master…”
“I know,” Xing Lan said, his hand ruffling her hair. “Come, let me show you the spirit sword.”
Shi Zi Chu released him and stood up straight.
Xing Lan waved his hand, producing the modified spirit sword.
Shi Zi Chu took her life-bound sword, which changed forms at her will.
A flute, a folding fan, a round fan, a pipa, and a guqin.
Finally, it transformed back into its long sword form.
Seeing the gleam in Shi Zi Chu’s eyes, Xing Lan knew she was satisfied.
“Master is the best!”
With that, Shi Zi Chu bent down and kissed Xing Lan’s cheek.
Xing Lan froze for a moment, his deep, intense gaze slowly shifting to her face, the sharp intensity in his eyes undeniable.
As for Shi Zi Chu, after the kiss, she grabbed her sword and went to practice.
Xing Lan stood up and walked over.
After Shi Zi Chu finished her practice, his palm gathered spiritual power and formed an ice sword. “It should be done like this.”
With those words, the sword in his hand was swung, rustling the bamboo leaves around them.
Shi Zi Chu watched intently.
She observed Xing Lan point out several flaws, then took her sword and tried again.
Once their sword practice ended, Xing Lan’s cold voice asked, “Shall we go to the secret realm together?”
Shi Zi Chu shook her head.
“A’Xiu and the others are still waiting for me.” She stored her life-bound sword and tugged at Xing Lan’s sleeve. “Master, let’s meet in the secret realm.”
Xing Lan said nothing, his eyes showing a questioning look.
“A’Xiu is Pei Luo Xiu of the Returning Cloud Sect, the young lady from back then,” Shi Zi Chu explained.
Xing Lan responded with a soft acknowledgment.
They left Rising Succession Peak and met up with Pei Luo Xiu and the others.
Water Lotus Town
When Shi Zi Chu and her companions arrived at Water Lotus Town, the place was bustling with activity.
The streets were crowded with cultivators.
As soon as Shi Zi Chu appeared, countless eyes turned toward her.
The unsettling gazes drew a frown from Pei Luo Xiu, and a suppressive aura surrounded her.
Shi Zi Chu immediately put on a white gauze Mu Li, obscuring her face.
As they walked further away, whispers began.
“Who was that female cultivator just now? That face, incredible!”
“Jade Void Sect, direct disciple of Rising Succession Peak.”
“If only I could have a fleeting affair with her…”
“Shut your mouth! Don’t you remember what happened to the Alchemist Association last time?”
…
Water Lotus Town was small, with few inns, all of which were fully booked.
Seeing this, Liao Kong turned to Shi Zi Chu for her opinion. “There’s nowhere to stay in Water Lotus Town. Shall we head to Water Road Village instead?”
Shi Zi Chu nodded in agreement.
Before leaving Water Lotus Town, Shi Zi Chu took a stroll.
As they departed, she commented, “So this is what Water Lotus Town is like.”
“Daoist Shi, aren’t you from here?” Liao Xin, the youngest of the group, asked bluntly. “You look like you’re unfamiliar with the place.”
Liao Kong and Liao Hen exchanged looks, giving their junior brother a reproachful stare.
Liao Xin’s tone showed a hint of hostility, which made Pei Luo Xiu roll her eyes and coldly snort.
This little bald donkey… she’d have to find a chance to teach him a lesson!
“Not to hide it from Daoist Liao Xin, this is my first time in Water Lotus Town,” came Shi Zi Chu’s soft voice from behind the gauze.
Her calm and gentle tone seemed unaffected by Liao Xin’s attitude.
Pei Luo Xiu smirked. “Daoist Liao Xin must come from a wealthy family. You don’t understand the hardships of the world!”
Liao Kong stepped in to prevent further trouble, speaking in a calm and apologetic tone, “My junior brother misspoke. Please forgive him, both Daoists.”
Shi Zi Chu smiled but didn’t reply.
The atmosphere grew quiet after Liao Xin’s remark.
Water Road Village
The entire village was already covered by a regional secret realm, which had yet to open, preventing anyone from entering.
Shi Zi Chu looked around. The grayish hue of the regional secret realm gave off an ominous feeling.
Cultivators surrounded the area outside the secret realm.
Pei Luo Xiu glanced around before speaking to Shi Zi Chu. “Big Sister Shi, that must be the back mountain, right?”
Shi Zi Chu nodded.
Pei Luo Xiu’s voice grew more serious as she gazed at the grayish back mountain. “Even the back mountain is covered by the secret realm.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded, her expression hidden behind the white gauze.
Just then, a guard with a sword approached them and bowed to Shi Zi Chu. “Daoist Shi, the clan chief asks for your presence.”
Shi Zi Chu glanced at the familiar guard.
Pei Luo Xiu, noticing the situation, spoke up, “Big Sister Shi, you go ahead.”
Shi Zi Chu nodded and followed the guard.
Inside the carriage, Shi Zi Chu entered to find Ye He Qi lounging lazily, holding a bamboo slip in his hands.
“Clan Chief Ye certainly knows how to enjoy himself,” she commented as she lifted her skirt and sat down beside him.
Ye He Qi looked up, just in time to see her remove her Mu Li and set it aside.
Raising a barrier technique, Ye He Qi finally spoke. “Azure Luan heritage, Azure Luan sword.”
His intuition told him that the upcoming Azure Luan sword was tied to Chu Zhi Rou’s destiny.
“Jade Void Sect has sent a master,” he added.
Shi Zi Chu reached out and took a pillow to rest against her back, her posture relaxing as she made herself comfortable.
Ye He Qi rolled up the bamboo slip and tossed it onto the table beside him. “Jade Void Sect is so determined?”
At this point, he no longer worried about whether the Azure Luan sword would fall into Chu Zhi Rou’s hands.
Once Venerable Xing Lan appeared, who would dare to fight him for it?