Chapter 218: Facing the Sun, Flowers Approach, Clear Waters, and Quiet Plants
Two streaks of light sliced through the night sky of the Jia Ma Empire.
From the rooftop of a luxurious inn in the city's south, three aged figures looked up.
"Huh? That's Mr. Bai! Who's with him? Why does she seem familiar?" Jia Xingtian's brows furrowed as he muttered, "Old Bing, do you know her? She resembles that desert woman, but no snake tail."
No response came. Turning, he saw Hai Bodong with his head bowed, muttering, "Can't see me, can't see me!"
"…!" Jia Xingtian.
"…!" Fama.
Exchanging glances, surprise flickered in their eyes. Could that woman really be Queen Medusa, judging by Hai Bodong's reaction?
Hai Bodong recalled his words at the Nalan residence: without Xiao Bai, his entourage might have attacked the Jia Ma Empire. Jia Xingtian's expression darkened, his vigilance peaking.
Was the mysterious Mr. Bai, Queen Medusa, and the long-absent old man plotting to overthrow the Jia Ma Imperial Family?
"Old Bing, for our long acquaintance, tell me the truth. Any plans for our empire?" Jia Xingtian's deep voice echoed on the empty rooftop, his gaze fixed on Hai Bodong.
With just Hai Bodong and Xiao Bai, he was confident he could fight and take one down. But with the notorious Snake Queen, he felt overwhelmed.
"Only a fool would have plans for you. They're going to the clouds…" Hai Bodong stopped, cursing inwardly. Damn it! He'd nearly spilled Xiao Bai's intentions.
"Yun?" Jia Xingtian paused, then realization hit, joy flooding his eyes. "Could their target be the Yunlan Sect?!"
"I didn't say it, you guessed it!" Hai Bodong rolled his eyes, sitting on the roof ridge, spreading his hands.
"Yes, yes, my guess, not you!" Jia Xingtian waved nonchalantly, laughing heartily. "I owe Mr. Bai a favor. Tell him if he needs anything, the royal family will help!"
Hai Bodong smirked sarcastically. "Repaying a favor? I'm too embarrassed to call you out!"
"I'm not just repaying a favor!" Jia Xingtian admitted generously, unfazed by the ridicule. "You see the royal family's situation—only my old bones hold it up! The Yunlan Sect's grown radical, treating us like nothing. If this continues, war's inevitable. Your Mitel family's been so high-profile, I thought the empire's foundation was doomed. Tonight, I can finally sleep!"
"Hehe," Hai Bodong gave a noncommittal smile. Sleeping peacefully depended on that woman's reaction, but he didn't say it. The empire's changes didn't affect him.
"Have you forgotten why we're here?" Fama, silent until now, pointed at an ice mirror.
"Yeah! Almost forgot!" Hai Bodong stood, staring at the mirror's figure in surprise. "Who's this?"
"Yan Li, Izumo Alchemist Guild's vice-president!" Fama glared hatefully.
"How dare he come here? What are we waiting for? Kill him!" Frost swirled around Hai Bodong, anger flaring.
Their gazes froze as Yan Li looked up, smiling at them in the mirror.
"Damn! Too arrogant!" Hai Bodong raged. A Dou Ling from Izumo daring to challenge three Dou Huangs?
"Wait." Fama stopped him, puzzled. "He knew we were coming, yet he's this bold. He must have a trump card. Let's ask first."
"Old Pharaoh, who cares about his trump card? Kill him!" Jia Xingtian frowned, annoyed by Fama's hesitation.
"Fama, I know it's you. I came alone, unafraid of death. Kill me, and your Alchemist Guild is finished!" Yan Li's teasing voice rang out. "And I'm Lord Bai's man now!"
"Lord Bai?" The three exchanged blank stares.
"Isn't that Mr. Bai?" Jia Xingtian spoke first, regaining composure.
"Looking at him, probably. How else could he be so calm?" Fama's face darkened, wondering why Xiao Bai had spared him.
"I invited him earlier, but he didn't tell me!" Hai Bodong's frost faded, touching his nose awkwardly.
"So what now?" Jia Xingtian glanced at Fama, urgency rising. Mr. Bai's interests tied to the royal family—he didn't want to offend him over this.
"Since we can't kill him, detain the champion to save the guild's reputation," Fama said after a pause. "Only Yue'er, Liu Ling, and Yan Xiao have a chance against him."
Mentioning Yan Xiao, Fama's eyes flickered suspiciously. Yan Xiao, tied to Mr. Bai and also disguised, raised doubts. Did Mr. Bai have a grudge against the guild?
"Haha, Fama, for our friendship, I suggest you bet on Yan Xiao," Hai Bodong winked. "He's got a trump card to meet your needs. Don't worry, he's definitely from Jia Ma! Even if he loses to Yan Li, Mr. Bai won't care."
"Serious?" Fama's eyes lit up, trusting Hai Bodong's character. Most doubts about Yan Xiao vanished. He pulled Hai Bodong up. "Let's go to your family and find that kid!"
"No, I'm not going!" Hai Bodong's face changed, shaking his head, trying to free himself, but Fama held tight.
"Old Bing, you saying I'm not welcome?" Fama glared, displeased. "If not for the guild's reputation, you think I'd want your shabby place?"
"I'm just joining to deliver herbs to Mr. Bai!" Jia Xingtian grinned, pulling Hai Bodong's other arm.
"You old bastards! Let go! I don't want to go back!" Hai Bodong raged, frost covering his arms.
The two arms holding him—one earthy yellow, one orange-red—lit up, resisting the frost firmly.
"Afraid of Queen Medusa?" Fama teased.
"Bullshit! Why would I be? I just want to stroll elsewhere tonight!" Hai Bodong retorted.
"It's the same every night. Go tomorrow!" Jia Xingtian said.
"Tomorrow I might not be in the mood!" Hai Bodong snapped.
"No problem, I'll keep you company tomorrow!" Fama offered.
"Get lost! Who wants an old man like you?" Hai Bodong shouted.
Their voices faded into the night, the rooftop falling silent.
In a quiet courtyard in the city's north, the atmosphere was hushed.
Narrow, smiling eyes met deep, black ones.
"You really won't let me in?" Xiao Bai's face darkened, glaring at the exquisite figure blocking the door.
Cai Lin's eyes fluttered, her smile radiant. She toyed with a strand of hair cascading over her chest, shaking her head. "After we're married, you can come in anytime. Not now!"
"…!" Xiao Bai.
Her words were loaded. Is the Queen flirting? The marriage talk gave him a headache. In a cultivation world with long lifespans, why rush? How could he start a family before reaching Dou Di?
"I've come a long way, I'm tired. Get some rest!" Xiao Bai waved, turning to leave.
Cai Lin was startled. She'd braced for his persistence, not sudden politeness. Unaccustomed, she frowned at his lonely figure, stepping out with a swaying waist.
Feeling a tug on his robe, Xiao Bai turned to a charming face. "Afraid of sleeping alone?" he teased.
"Xiao Bai, are you worried about something?" Cai Lin's clear eyes fixed on him, worry lingering. "Can you tell me?"
Xiao Bai was speechless. Worried? Only about reaching Dou Di and ascending, or hoping he, Cai Lin, Xun'er, and others could live harmoniously. But he couldn't say either. The first would sound like bragging; the second might get him killed on the spot.
Knowing too much is a burden! He sighed inwardly, meeting her worried eyes with a smile. "What could I worry about? My cultivation's soaring, and I have a beauty like you for life. I'm content!"
"You're nagging!" Cai Lin glared, tenderness fading. "We're connected. You can't fool me. You seemed disillusioned just now!"
"…!" Xiao Bai.
Sensing her genuine worry, he sighed. Isn't it normal for a man to feel disillusioned when unsatisfied? Noticing her bare feet on the cold ground, he slapped his head. "I have something for you!"
He pulled her to a stone table, seated her, and squatted before her.
Cai Lin stared, confused, as he produced a pair of exquisite gold-and-red shoes.
"For me?" Her cold voice trembled, eyes surprised.
"Hmm!" Xiao Bai nodded, lifting her slender, flawless foot. Its perfect curves and visible veins captivated him. He played with her shyly curling toes, chuckling.
"Hurry up!" Cai Lin's annoyed voice rang out.
He stopped teasing, slipping on a shoe. With her temper, she'd have kicked him otherwise! Cai Lin stared, stunned, tenderness welling in her majestic eyes.
Taking the shoes from his ring showed he'd always cared, preparing them long ago. Her foot's comfort proved his attentiveness.
Everyone called her proud, but she sensed his deeper pride, hidden from most. Yet this proud man bent to put on her shoes—a sign of deep love.
"Alright!" Xiao Bai stood, clapping his hands. "Like it?"
Cai Lin's eyes followed him, dim with emotion. She stood, still wearing the shoes, and produced a kettle, pouring clear water over his hands, wiping them gently with a silk handkerchief.
"No need!" Xiao Bai shook his head, smiling. "My queen is always clean!"
Cai Lin paused, silent, then said firmly, "My man should be like a flower facing the sun, pure and untouched by dust, like a flower in the morning breeze, a flower in clear water…"
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(End of Chapter)