Chapter 276: That Husband of Yours Is Quite Good (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 276 Your Husband... is Quite Fine (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

The remnant moon cast a radiance like frost.

Amidst the scattered dots of starlight, two figures hung high in the night sky.

One possessed white hair that fell almost to his knees and wore a purple Daoist robe; though his face bore the marks of time and his beard was sparse, he carried a somewhat cynical air.

The other had long hair flowing in the wind, a countenance as beautiful as a demon, and wore a black robe with a three-foot green blade hanging from his waist.

Those long, narrow eyes looked down upon Xiao Jinghong below, filled with a faint sense of scrutiny.

They were none other than "Great Immortal Bai," Gongye Bai, who had just rushed to the Wushan Border Market from the Shuzhou Prefectural City, and his disciple, Shui Hetong.

Xiao Jinghong tilted her head back to observe the two, a touch of contemplation flashing beneath her half-armor mask as she suddenly spoke:

"Are you... Senior Uncle Bai?"

"Nephew Jinghong, I did not expect you would still recognize this old man."

Great Immortal Bai laughed heartily, his white hair swaying slightly behind his head as he landed right by her side.

Shui Hetong followed closely behind, bowing in greeting: "Shui Hetong of the Wind and Rain Lodging greets Junior Sister Xiao."

Seeing the amiable smiles of the two, Su Zhouyue, who had been on guard nearby, relaxed.

Without waiting for Xiao Jinghong to speak, she silently withdrew to prepare tea for the three.

Xiao Jinghong naturally paid no mind to this; her gaze swept over Great Immortal Bai and Shui Hetong in turn as she clasped her fists and said:

"Jinghong pays her respects to Senior Uncle Bai and Senior Brother Shui."

Great Immortal Bai waved his hand, "No need for such courtesy."

"This old man has presumed to come here; it is well enough if you do not blame my rudeness."

"Senior Uncle jests, Jinghong would not dare."

As Xiao Jinghong spoke, she extended her hand in a gesture of invitation, taking the lead to guide them:

"Senior Uncle, Senior Brother, please follow me to the quiet room for a conversation."

Previously, when she learned from Granny Shan that Great Immortal Bai had re-emerged in the martial world, she had not felt anything unusual.

But when Pei Qian passed by the Wushan Border Market and informed her that Great Immortal Bai would come to Shuzhou, she faintly sensed that she would meet him.

For no other reason than the relationship between her master, Li Wudang, and Great Immortal Bai.

Before long.

The three arrived inside a wooden house.

Though called a "quiet room," it was even more rudimentary than Xiao Jinghong’s own quarters.

A single table, five chairs.

An oil lamp hung from the roof beam, shedding a dim, yellow light, as several flickering shadows filled the entire quiet room.

The three took their seats.

Su Zhouyue brought over the tea, placing it before them, and then retreated from the quiet room to stand guard at the door.

After a brief silence, Xiao Jinghong spoke calmly: "Please forgive me, Senior Uncle; the border market has not yet been fully built, so the conditions are crude."

Great Immortal Bai smiled and shook his head: "It matters not."

"This old man and Hetong are merely passing through this time; you need not care too much."

"Moreover, your master sent a letter a few days ago, instructing me to look after you a bit when I came to Shuzhou."

Pausing for a moment, he sized up Xiao Jinghong and shook his head once more: "That Scoundrel Li is truly dishonest."

"You child have already entered the chamber of mastery in both cultivation and techniques; why would you need guidance from others?"

Xiao Jinghong naturally did not take such slight praise to heart.

What she cared more about was the term "Scoundrel Li."

It seemed the relationship between Great Immortal Bai and her master, Li Wudang, was even closer than she had anticipated.

"Senior Uncle praises me too highly. Jinghong has been busy with military affairs in recent years and has neglected her cultivation, falling short of Master's high expectations."

"At your age, your cultivation has reached the lower stage of the second rank, with both your path of the sword and path of the spear reaching perfection. How can you say you have 'neglected your cultivation'?"

Great Immortal Bai saw through Xiao Jinghong’s true strength at a single glance, pointing cheerfully to Shui Hetong beside him and saying:

"This worthless disciple of mine is of a similar age to you; after ten years of cultivation, he has merely brought his path of the fist to the realm of perfection."

"Compared to you, his path of the sword is separated by an entire Chishui River."

Shui Hetong lowered his head slightly, his tone filled with admiration: "Junior Sister Xiao’s natural talent is supreme; I am filled with admiration."

"If you had not been burdened by the military and concurrently cultivated the spear, your current achievements in the sword would likely already rival those of Uncle Li."

Xiao Jinghong’s gaze fell upon him, "Senior Brother praises me too much."

"Master’s path of the sword is already close to the 'Dao'; even if Jinghong cultivates for another ten years, it will still be difficult to catch a glimpse of his back."

Hearing this, Shui Hetong smiled, taking it merely as her humility.

Great Immortal Bai, on the other hand, nodded in agreement, "What Jinghong says is correct."

"Scoundrel Li may be a scoundrel, but his talent in the sword is rare in this world; very few can rival him."

"However, girl Jinghong, you need not underestimate yourself either. Given another ten years, it is not impossible for you to surpass your master."

Xiao Jinghong lowered her head slightly, offering a tacit agreement.

One knows their own business best; she understood very clearly how powerful her own talent in the sword was.

Never mind ten long years; if given just five years, she was equally confident in making a breakthrough in her sword path.

Unfortunately, within the military, the path of the spear was better suited for slaughter; with her attention divided in cultivation, her progress in both would naturally be a bit slower.

After a few pleasantries.

Xiao Jinghong inquired: "What business brings Senior Uncle down the mountain this time?"

Great Immortal Bai had already anticipated she would ask this, and replied with a smile: "Recently, this old man observed the celestial phenomena at night and saw that the Purple Forbidden Enclosure of Shuzhou was in motion, so I simply came to take a look."

The Purple Forbidden Enclosure of Shuzhou in motion?

A worry of military devastation in the west?

Xiao Jinghong understood a bit of divination and was naturally familiar with the terminology of occultists.

The so-called military devastation meant that a war on the border was like a prairie fire, burning everything to ashes wherever it reached.

Did this mean... Shuzhou would rise in arms once again?

Xiao Jinghong frowned slightly, and several major events she had recently learned of surfaced in her mind.

Could it be that the band of horse bandits from the Vashishtha Kingdom truly intended to march eastward?

"Senior Uncle, is Shuzhou truly about to face a great upheaval?"

Great Immortal Bai waved his hand and said: "This old man’s readings have always been inaccurate; you girl need not take it too seriously."

“This…”

Shu Rong and Xiao Hong, standing nearby, noticed Xiao Hong’s hesitation, their brows furrowed as they smiled faintly and added their thoughts:

“The Patriarch had just returned and glanced at the weather, remarking that the people of Shuzhou were blessed by the land’s virtues and spirits, destined to turn misfortune into good fortune.”

“…”

Xiao Hong glanced between the two, pressed her lips together, and said, “Patriarch, don’t blame me—I’m just a bit nervous.”

Her heart was indeed full of concern.

Daishi, however, glanced at Shu Rong and scoffed, “Do you have to keep talking?”

Shu Rong sighed, “Patriarch, why must you make Xiao Hong so worried?”

“What do you know?”

“Divination and numerology are straightforward—seven parts truth, three parts falsehood. It is the way of the world. When I speak, I have not yet finished. If you keep adding your thoughts, won’t that make my words seem false?”

“Ah… my disciple knows better than to correct me…”

Watching the two elders bicker, Xiao Hong let out a weary sigh.

Daishi, like the rumors suggested, was somewhat brash, showing no trace of the refined bearing one might expect from a senior master.

Fortunately, his connection with Li Wudang meant he harbored no ill will toward this young cousin of hers.

After a moment’s thought, Xiao Hong spoke: “Patriarch, the other day, Grandmother Mountain mentioned you had arrived in Shuzhou, and she…”

Before she could finish, Daishi raised his hand and interrupted, “That old crone would prefer I never return to Shuzhou. I have no need to pay her any mind.”

“I’d rather not please her, for I come here openly and honorably.”

His words had just settled, and he seemed to realize that Shuzhou was under the jurisdiction of the mountain clans, quickly pivoting, “Though I did come to Umuting for a specific purpose—Xiao Hong, you’d better not let the old patriarch’s movements be discovered by her.”

“Lest she… lest she interfere.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Hong and Shu Rong exchanged a glance, both sensing the oddity in Daishi’s tone.

It seemed there was a tangled history between Daishi and Grandmother Mountain.

Shu Rong cautiously asked, “Patriarch, did you know that Mountain Old Woman before?”

“That old woman’s nonsense about the Valley of Broken Chickpeas—she’s always had a mind for trivial matters.”

“Back in my early days in the martial world, when I was young and prominent, I naturally attracted those with hidden motives…”

Daishi noticed the two young ones’ gaze, cleared his throat, and said, “This is a matter from years past—let’s not dwell on it.”

“But you, Xiao Hong, these days I’ve only heard of you through Li Wudang. Even your wedding, I never sent a gift—my oversight.”

Xiao Hong smiled and shook her head, “Patriarch, after so long in seclusion, I’d never trouble you with such trivialities.”

“Nonsense, I’ll just—”

As Daishi said, he patted his body, his face flushing slightly, then gestured toward Shu Rong:

“Take this, my disciple, and convey my regards.”

“…”

Shu Rong sighed, then, after a moment’s thought, took a white jade seal from his sleeve and placed it on the table:

“This is a token from Fengyu Tower. If Xiao Hong ever faces a dire emergency, she may command our disciples to obey by this seal.”

Xiao Hong glanced between the two, then at the jade seal on the table, and did not decline.

Though she had spent years in the army, she was well-versed in many matters of the martial world.

Fengyu Tower, by Daishi’s reputation, was renowned across the lands.

Even in his prolonged absence, under the management of a few disciples, its operations had spread across the nine prefectures of Dawei.

Its followers included many strong martial artists.

Take Shu Rong, for example—two years prior, he had earned the title “Fist Clashing Across a Thousand Li of Land and Sea.”

Should he gain Fengyu Tower’s aid, Xiao Hong would have a solid ally in her future endeavors.

“Thank you, Patriarch Daishi, Brother Shu.”

When Daishi saw her accept the seal, a smile touched his lips.

“I know you’re not as stubborn as your father. Years ago, I urged him to join me at Fengyu Tower, but he refused.”

“If it weren’t for the recent letter, I’d have thought he’d died somewhere in the wilderness.”

Xiao Hong tucked the seal safely away, unable to speak.

Seeing this, Daishi grew more animated, recounting the “transgressions” of the “Sword Saint” Li Wudang.

From their youth, when they roamed the martial world together, to a clash thirty years prior.

With tales of reflection, nostalgia, and reproach.

When he reached the climax, Daishi pointed at Xiao Hong, saying, “Come, come—I’m in high spirits today. Let me divine a hexagram for you, this young cousin.”

Xiao Hong hesitated, then quickly coughed twice.

“Patriarch, wait a moment—tea has run out. Xiao Hong will have someone refill it.”

In the meantime, Su Keimyue “burst in,” bringing tea for the three of them, interrupting Daishi’s divination.

After Su Keimyue departed, Daishi set down his hands, muttering, “Boring, boring.”

“You’re just like your husband—both of you have a bias against my methods of divination.”

“Husband?”

Xiao Hong’s heart skipped a beat—“Patriarch, you know my husband?”

Daishi nodded, sneering, “He’s a scoundrel. Not only refused to let me divine for him, but also blocked me from giving his elder brother a reading.”

Xiao Hong relaxed slightly, smiling, “Patriarch, please understand.”

“Your husband is a scholar from the Chen family of Nanzhou. He never learned martial arts, and rarely ventured out, so he knows little of the martial world.”

“If he’s neglected me, Xiao Hong owes you an apology.”

Upon hearing this, Daishi’s expression turned strange, asking, “Has your husband never studied martial arts?”

Xiao Hong assumed he was blaming her for choosing such a husband, so she nodded and explained, “My husband is from the Chen family of Nanzhou. He’s always loved books since childhood, so he never learned martial arts.”

“But after coming to Shuzhou, his family taught him some basic skills to keep him fit.”

She added, praising Chen Yidao: “Fortunately, her husband has a remarkable talent for learning.”

Not only did the path of literature and martial arts reach a perfect realm, but through this, he also became a teacher at the esteemed Guiyun Academy, and even his poetry achieved some merit.

Perhaps Master Bai has heard of it; that piece "Shuidi Gaotou" from a few days past was composed by Lord Jinghong.

Bai Daoxian glanced sideways at Shuilo, his expression growing even more peculiar.

"Your lord... seems quite remarkable, hehe..."

"So he cannot heal illnesses or wield swords and guns?"

Without a hint of doubt, Jinghong nodded: "Master Bai, he indeed lacks such skills. Though..."

She paused, then met both their gazes: "However, Jinghong is quite satisfied with him."

"Regardless of whether he practices martial arts or not, he remains Jinghong, my lord."

Her voice remained calm, though she felt a warmth rising to her face.

Fortunately, neither Bai Daoxian nor Shuilo noticed her flushed complexion, their faces bearing faint smiles.

Bai Daoxian nodded, his smile radiant: "Well then, well then."

"Your lord has knowledge, has mastery of the books and martial ways, and... in any case, he can be of help to you."

Upon hearing this, Shuilo tilted her head slightly elsewhere, her lips twitching:

"Master says well."

"Just the other day, Master also praised Xiao Jinghong's lord as a rare and virtuous man among men."

Jinghong looked at Bai Daoxian again: "Master, you—you didn't...?"

Bai Daoxian, understanding her concern, leaned back in his chair and waved a hand:

"There's no need for old man to waste energy divining; a single glance suffices to reveal his exceptional nature."

Jinghong exhaled, nodding: "Jinghong thanks Master Bai for his praise."

"Whether praised or not, he... Jinghong, like your lord, is a person of outstanding merit. In the days to come, you must be cautious."

"Cautious?"

"People say scholars have many whims and fancies; you must be wary of being deceived by him."

"Master, rest assured, my lord is no such duplicitous soul."

"Then all the better..."

Bai Daoxian nodded, muttering to himself about how harmless this young fellow seemed, never imagining he harbored such deep secrets.

To his surprise, not even Xiao Jinghong had noticed he practiced martial arts.

Strange, and peculiar too.

This young man, despite his obvious talents, chose to hide them so thoroughly.

Luckily, this youth is upright and honest; otherwise, old man would have had to expose his schemes.

Though Shuilo too was puzzled, this matter concerned the Xiao family, so she dared not speak further.

Not long after,

The three of them rose.

Xiao Jinghong ordered servants to prepare two wooden huts for Bai Daoxian and Shuilo to stay.

Once arrangements were made, she and Su Zhimeng rested.

"General, might Bai Daoxian's visit to Shuzhou have some purpose..." Su Zhimeng asked cautiously, pointing north and west.

"Something to do with that?"

Xiao Jinghong pondered for a moment, then shook her head: "For now, it's best to wait for news from the Prefecture City and the Military Commission."

Su Zhimeng nodded, then said: "I'll send two letters right away."

She set off at once.

Xiao Jinghong reflected on her conversation with Bai Daoxian that evening, curious about his intentions in coming to Shuzhou, though her thoughts turned more to Chen Yi.

"Master Bai and the others seem quite attentive to my lord?"

...

At three o'clock in the evening.

Two hundred miles outside Shuzhou Prefecture, by the Red River.

Liu Lang, dressed in black robes and a bamboo hat, hurried to the riverside.

He scanned the area.

Under the night sky, he spotted a figure seated by the riverbank, his expression relaxed.

"Boss, it seems you've already arrived."

Chen Yi glanced back, waved: "Just arrived not long ago."

Then he turned his gaze steadily toward the drifting boat.

Liu Lang approached, eyeing his companion's demeanor:

"Boss, are you fishing?"

Chen Yi nodded: "Quietly now, don't scare the fish away."

Liu Lang blinked, staring at the various fish circling beneath the boat, none of them appearing frightened.

Yet seeing Chen Yi so focused, he settled beside him, waiting in silence.

"There are plenty of fish here; surely one will bite soon."

To his surprise, Liu Lang waited half an hour, and as midnight approached, Chen Yi's fishing rod remained motionless.

He couldn't help but speak: "Boss, shouldn't you move at all? Perhaps the fish will bite if you stay still."

Chen Yi remained still, glancing sideways at him: "Are you questioning my fishing skills?"

"Huh?"

Suddenly, Liu Lang felt a chill.

"I..."

Before he could finish, Chen Yi flicked his fishing line, retracted his rod, and stood.

"Since you're in a hurry, let's begin."

"?"

(Chapter End)