Two streaks of light cut through the night sky above the Jia Ma Empire's capital.
On the rooftop of a luxurious southern inn, three aged figures snapped their heads upward.
"Hm? That's Master Bai. Who's with him? Why does their aura feel familiar?" Jia Xing Tian's brows furrowed as he watched the pair fly brazenly overhead, murmuring, "Ice Old Man, you know them? It feels a bit like that woman from the desert, but she lacks the signature snake tail."
After a long silence with no reply, he turned to find Hai Bo Dong with his head bowed, muttering, "Can't see me, can't see me…"
"…!" Jia Xing Tian blinked.
"…!" Fa Ma gaped.
Exchanging a glance, their eyes sparked with realization. Judging by Hai Bo Dong's reaction, could that woman really be Queen Medusa?
Recalling Hai Bo Dong's words at the Nalan estate—that without Xiao Bai, those around him might have already struck the Jia Ma Empire—Jia Xing Tian's face darkened, his vigilance spiking to new heights.
A mysterious Master Bai, Queen Medusa, and this Ice Old Man, gone for twenty years, all converging on the capital. Were they plotting to topple the Jia Ma royal family?
"Ice Old Man, for the sake of our years of acquaintance, tell me straight: do you have thoughts on my Jia Ma Empire?" Jia Xing Tian's low voice echoed across the empty rooftop, his wary eyes fixed on Hai Bo Dong.
With just Hai Bo Dong and Master Bai, he was confident he could fight to the death, at least taking one down with him. But now, with the infamous Snake-People Queen added to the mix, he felt outmatched.
"Who the hell has plans on you? They're heading to Yun—" Hai Bo Dong cut off abruptly, cursing himself. Damn it, I was so rattled I nearly spilled Xiao Bai's plans!
"Yun…"
Jia Xing Tian paused, then seemed to grasp something. His heart jolted, joy flooding his cloudy eyes. "Could their target be the Yun Lan Sect?!"
"I didn't say that—you did!" Hai Bo Dong rolled his eyes, slumping onto the roof ridge and spreading his hands.
"Yes, yes, I figured it out. Nothing to do with you!" Jia Xing Tian waved it off, his frown easing into a hearty laugh. "Haha, excellent! Remind Master Bai I owe him a favor. If he needs help, the royal family will back him up!"
Hai Bo Dong scoffed, shooting a mocking glance at the guffawing Jia Xing Tian. "Calling that repaying a favor? I'm too embarrassed to call you out!"
"I'm not just repaying a favor," Jia Xing Tian admitted, unfazed by the jab. His gaze swept the two men—each a leader in their own right. Hiding intentions would only make him look small, so he nodded openly.
"You both see the royal family's situation clearly. I'm the only old bone holding it together. The Yun Lan Sect's grown bolder, moving freely in the empire, treating the royal family like nothing. If this continues, a clash is inevitable. Recently, your Miteer family's been making waves too, making me fear the royal family's centuries-old legacy might crumble under my watch. But tonight… I can finally sleep soundly!"
"Heh," Hai Bo Dong gave a noncommittal smile, eyeing the relieved Jia Xing Tian. Sleep soundly? That depends on the attitude of the woman who just passed by.
But he didn't bother saying it. Whatever happened to the Jia Ma Empire's skies, it wouldn't touch him.
"Have you forgotten why we're here tonight?" Fa Ma, silent until now, pointed at the ice mirror beside them, his voice dry.
"Right, almost forgot that guy!" Hai Bo Dong sprang up, peering into the mirror's scene. "Who's this?"
"Yan Li, vice-president of the Chu Yun Empire's Alchemist Guild," Fa Ma said, his gaze venomous as he studied the figure in the mirror.
"That kind of status, and he dares show up here? What're we waiting for? Kill him and go!" Ice frosted around Hai Bo Dong as he glared at Fa Ma.
Just then, their eyes narrowed. In the mirror, Yan Li looked up and flashed them a slight smile.
"Damn, too cocky!" Hai Bo Dong roared. A Chu Yun pest, a mere Dou Ling, daring to provoke three Dou Huangs?
"Wait." Fa Ma grabbed Hai Bo Dong, who was about to strike, studying Yan Li's brazen gaze in the mirror. "He knows we're here and still acts like this. He's got some kind of leverage. Let's hear him out."
"Fa Old Man, who cares about his leverage? Kill him and be done with it!" Jia Xing Tian frowned, annoyed at Fa Ma's hesitation.
"Fa Ma, I know it's you. I came alone, unafraid of death. Kill me, and your Alchemist Guild is finished. Oh, and I'm Master Bai's man now!" Yan Li's mocking voice rang out.
"Master Bai?" The three rooftop figures exchanged stunned looks.
"He's talking about the Master Bai, isn't he?" Jia Xing Tian recovered first, speaking slowly.
"Judging by his attitude, it's gotta be him. Otherwise, he wouldn't be this calm," Fa Ma said, his face grim, puzzled why the black-robed youth would orchestrate this.
"Earlier, I even invited him to come along, and he didn't mention this!" Hai Bo Dong said, the frost on him fading as he rubbed his nose awkwardly under their gazes.
"So what now?" Jia Xing Tian asked, feeling the situation was tricky. Master Bai was tied to the royal family's interests, and he didn't want to offend him over this.
"If we can't kill him, we secure the championship to save the Jia Ma Alchemist Guild's face," Fa Ma said, brows knit. After a pause, he continued, "The only ones with a shot at beating him are Yue'er, Liu Ling, and that Yan Xiao."
At Yan Xiao's name, Fa Ma's eyes flickered, his expression unreadable. Yan Xiao was close to Master Bai and also disguised, stirring suspicions. Is he here to sabotage us too? Does Master Bai have a grudge against the guild?
"Haha, Fa Old Man, for old times' sake, if you want to save the guild's face, go to Yan Xiao," Hai Bo Dong said with a laugh, winking. "He's got a trump card that should meet your needs. I know what you're worried about, but rest assured, he's definitely from the Jia Ma Empire. Plus, letting that guy's left hand fight his right? Even if the Chu Yun punk loses, he won't complain."
"Really?" Fa Ma's eyes lit up. He trusted Hai Bo Dong's character, and his doubts about Yan Xiao eased significantly. Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed him. "Let's go to your family now and find that kid!"
"No way, I'm not going!" Hai Bo Dong's face changed, shaking his head frantically, trying to shake off Fa Ma's grip, but the old man held tight.
"Ice Old Man, you're saying I'm not welcome?" Fa Ma's face darkened, glaring at Hai Bo Dong. "If it weren't for the guild's reputation, you think I'd want to visit your dump?"
"Yeah, Ice Old Man, I'll come too. I can deliver the herbs to Master Bai while I'm at it!" Jia Xing Tian chimed in, grabbing Hai Bo Dong's other arm with a grin.
"You old bastards, let go! I'm not going back!" Hai Bo Dong roared, ice coating his arms as he glared at the two flanking him.
Their withered hands—one earthen yellow, one orange-red—flared, firmly countering the blue frost, unshaken.
"What, scared of Queen Medusa?" Fa Ma teased.
"Bullshit! Me, scared of her? I just want to stroll elsewhere tonight!" Hai Bo Dong retorted.
"The night's the same every day. Stroll tomorrow," Jia Xing Tian said.
"Tomorrow won't feel the same!"
"No worries, I'll join you tomorrow night."
"Piss off! Who needs you, you old fossil?"
Their bickering faded with the night breeze, the rooftop falling silent.
___
Meanwhile, in a tranquil courtyard in the northern city, the atmosphere was also hushed.
A pair of narrow, smiling eyes locked with deep, dark ones.
"You really won't let me in?" Xiao Bai's face darkened, glaring at the exquisite, curvaceous figure barring the door.
Cai Lin's eyes fluttered, a radiant smile spreading as she delicately tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Shaking her head, her tempting red lips parted slowly. "After we're married, you can come in anytime. But now? No way."
"…!" Xiao Bai froze.
So many things to unpack here. Is my darling Queen flirting? She's practically running me over with her words!
And marriage again!
The word gave him a headache. In a world of cultivation with long lifespans, why rush? No Dou Di, no family.
His mood soured, and he waved a hand. "You've traveled far. You must be tired. Rest well."
With that, he turned to leave.
Cai Lin blinked, caught off guard. She'd braced for his relentless teasing, but his sudden propriety threw her.
Watching his slightly forlorn back, her brows knitted. She twisted her slender waist and stepped out the door.
Xiao Bai, lost in thoughts of the pill formula, felt a tug on his robe. Turning, he met a bewitching, enchanting face.
"Scared to sleep alone?" he teased with a grin.
"Xiao Bai, something's troubling you." Ignoring his jest, Cai Lin's clear, beautiful eyes fixed on him, worry flickering in their depths. "Can you tell me?"
Xiao Bai sighed. Troubles? If anything, he had two: reaching Dou Di to ascend to the upper realms, and hoping his four loves could get along.
But neither could be voiced. The first would sound like bragging to Cai Lin—or Xun Er, for that matter. The second? She'd probably kill him on the spot.
Sigh. Knowing too much isn't always a blessing. In the end, I bear it all alone.
He nearly let out a dramatic wail, but meeting her concerned gaze, he shook his head with a smile. "What troubles could I have? My cultivation's soaring, and I've got a beauty like you to share my life with. I'm content."
"Sweet talker," Cai Lin scolded, a flash of warmth in her eyes. Exasperated, she added, "Our hearts are linked—you can't fool me. For a moment there, you seemed… disheartened."
"…!" Xiao Bai stared at his oblivious Queen, feeling her genuine worry.
He sighed. Isn't a man feeling a bit deflated normal when he's left unsatisfied?
Under the moonlight, his peripheral vision caught her bare feet, pale and cold on the ground. He smacked his forehead, nearly forgetting.
"I've got something for you."
Pulling her to a stone table, he pressed her shoulders to seat her, then knelt before her.
Under her puzzled gaze, he produced a pair of exquisite gold-and-red shoes with a wave of his hand.
"For me?" Cai Lin's cool voice trembled, her eyes sparkling with surprise.
"Mm."
Nodding, Xiao Bai lifted one delicate foot, its perfect curve and faint veins flawless, always shielded by Dou Qi, pristine and unblemished.
He couldn't resist toying with it a moment, chuckling as her snowy toes curled shyly.
"Hurry up!" Her embarrassed snap rang out.
Xiao Bai didn't tease further, slipping the shoe on. With her temperament, any other time, she'd have kicked him already.
Cai Lin gazed at the man kneeling to shoe her, her expression dazed, red lips pursed. Her majestic phoenix eyes brimmed with tenderness.
He'd pulled the shoes straight from his ring, proof he always kept her in his heart, prepared long ago. They fit perfectly, showing how well he knew her, how meticulously he'd planned this.
They said she was proud, but their bond let her sense his pride, etched into his very bones, unnoticed by most.
Yet here was this man, pride in his marrow, kneeling to shoe her—a profound act of love.
"Done!" Xiao Bai stood, clapping his hands with a smile. "Like them?"
Cai Lin's gaze lingered on his handsome face, following his every move, ignoring the shoes. Rising from the bench, she produced a water jug with a wave.
Taking his hands, she poured clear water over them, then gently wiped them with a silk cloth.
"No need for this," Xiao Bai said, shaking his head with a smile as she worked silently. "My Queen is always spotless."
Her wiping paused. After a moment, her clear, resolute voice rang out, "My man should be like sunward blooms, still waters planted—noble and untainted by a speck of dust."
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