Chapter 127 Guarding the River "Who told you she forgot?"...

"No, that's not true!"

"no!"

Two denials rang out almost simultaneously.

Cultivators use spiritual power to prolong their lives and preserve their youth. The deeper their cultivation, the less obvious the traces of time are left on their bodies. It is difficult to judge a cultivator's age by appearance alone. Therefore, even though Jiang Yuhuo looks young, it is very possible that she has given birth to such a big child. In addition, the two look very similar, so people subconsciously assume that they are mother and daughter.

"She's my aunt!" Xiao Jing raised her chin and glared angrily.

"Senior, please don't talk nonsense. She's my junior sister's niece, whom she found on the road. My junior sister is still young... and not married yet." Wen Yizhan scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly. He had only written in the letter that his junior sister would be coming, and had forgotten to mention this little girl to them. He glanced at Jiang Yuhuo, and thankfully she didn't seem to care at all.

"This is Senior Bai," Wen Yizhan introduced to Jiang Yuhuo, and then introduced Jiang Yuhuo to the other immortals.

"Oh... I'm sorry, it's my fault. It's easy to become confused as you get older." The white-haired immortal patted his head and said to Jiang Yuhuo with annoyance.

Jiang Yuhu shook her head, indicating she didn't care. Just then, a spiritual energy brushed past her head. She reacted instinctively, intercepting the energy with two fingers almost instantly. But she hadn't even noticed when it had approached her.

The white-haired fairy was slightly surprised at the sight, then smiled at Jiang Yuhuo and said, "You really have good aptitude. Zhenyang is lucky to have taken in two good disciples. It's enviable."

After she finished speaking, she turned around, flicked her sleeve, and all the spiritual energy that was caught between Jiang Yuhuo's fingertips dissipated. She sighed, "It seems I'm getting old."

"You're not old, you've just had too much to drink," a cold voice came from behind the crowd.

Jiang Yuhuo looked in the direction of the sound and saw a man with a cold and stern expression sitting under the flowering tree. There were wrinkles on his eyebrows and around his eyes, but his features were still extremely handsome, and one could imagine his dashing appearance in his youth.

"Yes, Senior Bai, you should drink less of this wine. It's fragrant, but it's too strong." A female fairy with a white magnolia in her hair echoed, her temples already gray.

"Haha, good wine. We only drank a little too much, and we were drunk for three whole days and nights..." Another immortal holding a white folding fan smacked his lips, seemingly still savoring the taste.

"Alright, so that's why you haven't been replying to my messages. Turns out you've all passed out drunk." Wen Yizhan instantly understood, raised an eyebrow, and laughed, "I'll have to go back and have a good talk with the sect about this."

He spoke exaggeratedly, but he knew perfectly well that a little wine was no big deal, and even if they left, no one could say anything. These cultivators were guarding the river for themselves rather than for their sect, and they were no longer bound by the rules of Kunlun Mountain. Besides, the seal on the river was laid down by a hundred cultivators years ago, and it hadn't been disturbed for a hundred years.

The white-faned immortal laughed loudly, "You brat, you want to report us? We haven't even investigated you for running away halfway last time!" He closed his fan and tapped it in his palm, his smiling eyes carrying a warning, "You brat, if you dare to run away again, we won't let you off the hook."

Wen Yizhan's smile remained unchanged as she quickly begged for forgiveness, "No, no, I brought my junior sister with me this time, so there's no reason for me to leave. Hehe, I hope you seniors will take good care of me on this trip."

He had known the River Guardians for many years and they were already very close. After a few rounds of laughter and conversation, the atmosphere gradually warmed up, and Jiang Yuhuo was introduced to the seniors one by one.

The white-haired fairy slapped her forehead sheepishly, "My bad, my bad, I've kept you all waiting." She picked up a jar of wine, pointed at it, and laughed, "But it's also the wine's fault, it's getting more and more fragrant, how can anyone resist at this rate?"

"If you don't believe me, smell it for yourselves." She opened the wine jar, and immediately a rich and mellow aroma wafted out. "One cup, would you like to try a sip?"

These words were exactly what Wen Yizhan wanted to hear. He had long smelled the tempting aroma of the wine, and now that the seal was broken, the aroma was even more enticing. He smiled and took the wine glass, like a cat that had smelled fish.

Wen Yizhan wasn't the only one who smelled this aroma; the two people traveling with him also did.

Jiang Yuhuo had to admit that the aroma of the wine was indeed tempting, but she felt something was off. The aroma of the wine was unusual; she could vaguely smell a familiar scent.

Just as he was about to stop him, he saw that Wen Yizhan had already drunk a full cup.

"Wow, it smells so good! I want a sip too!"

The little Pekingese leaned closer, gazing expectantly at the white-haired immortal, its hand already raised high.

A hand pulled her back, and Jiang Yuhuo's cold yet warning voice rang in her ear, "You don't want to."

Seeing this, the white-haired immortal laughed and waved a finger in front of Xiao Jing, "Little kid, you're not allowed to drink alcohol."

"I'm not a child anymore!" But her aunt was older and didn't drink either. Her aunt was also stronger, so she couldn't reach it even if she wanted to.

"Are you alright?" Jiang Yuhuo took Wen Yizhan's wine glass, her intention to prevent him from drinking was quite clear.

Wen Yizhan had just downed a glass of wine when he saw his junior sister's concerned gaze. He immediately felt the effects of the alcohol kicking in, and smiled, squinting his eyes. "I'm a little dizzy."

The white-haired immortal couldn't help but laugh when he saw him like this. "Hey, this wine of mine is really something else. Someone who can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk is drunk after just one cup today."

Wen Yizhan secretly winked at the other side. The cold and stern man who had been sitting under the flowering tree came over and pulled the white-haired immortal away, saying, "You talk too much. I think you're drunk."

Jiang Yuhuo had her back to them, so she naturally didn't see the exchange of glances between Wen Yizhan and them. She helped her up and asked, "Can you still walk?"

Wen Yizhan nodded, his voice slowing down as if he were drunk, "Junior sister, walk in front of me later, I'll follow you."

"Um."

Having already wasted a day, the group reunited and headed straight for the place where the previous purification ritual had been temporarily interrupted.

Since it was a sacrificial ceremony, everyone stopped using ritual implements and walked like ordinary people, only their pace was slightly faster. As they walked, they chanted prayers and offered sacrifices by the river, warming a cup of sacrificial offerings brought from Kunlun and throwing some into the water every now and then to purify the last trace of impurity in the river.

On the way, Wen Yizhan stayed half a step behind Jiang Yuhuo, talking to her from time to time.

Jiang Yuhuo learned that the white-haired immortal's real name was Bai Hui, the renowned owner of the Dingchun Sword on Kunlun Lingxiao Peak a hundred years ago. His sect, numbering several dozen, was decimated in the battle a century ago, so he volunteered to guard the river. Jiang Yuhuo had heard of this name before; she was the legendary one who could wield the ninth sword of the Kunlun Nine Swords.

The man with cold and stern eyes was Jiao Chongyuan, the former master of Chongyuan Peak. He had also come to Moyujiang because his fiancée had perished in the great war a hundred years ago.

Almost everyone who came to guard the river had relatives or friends who died there. Even after all these years, you can still see these people adorned in white mourning attire.

"What about Master back then?" Jiang Yuhuo asked.

The further downstream you go, the calmer the river becomes. The setting sun shines obliquely on the river, making it look like a mirror spread out between heaven and earth, dazzling and brilliant.

Wen Yizhan stood on the riverbank, scattering the spices in her hand into the river water. After a moment of silence, she said, "Master, you weren't in the great battle back then."

Jiang Yuhu nodded, feeling somewhat regretful that his master hadn't experienced it firsthand, but also somewhat relieved that his master wasn't there, which allowed him to escape the calamity.

Seeing that she was no longer asking questions, Wen Yizhan didn't say anything more.

As night deepened, the group stopped their journey and found a high place by the river to rest.

Perhaps it is because long lifespans require more order, these river-guarding immortals on the banks of the Black Jade River, although their cultivation has long passed the stage where they need to sleep, still follow the daily routine of mortals, working at sunrise and resting at sunset.

A bonfire burned in the open space, and the autumn river wind was already quite cold for ordinary people.

Jiang Yuhuo set up a barrier around the campfire for Xiao Jing, shielding her from the outside wind. Inside, it was warm as spring, and Xiao Jing slept soundly, with Wen Yizhan and a meditating immortal watching over her.

Jiang Yuhu got up and went to the woods not far away.

Not long after, Wen Yizhan also went. However, he didn't go with Jiang Yuhuo, but instead went to stop another person who was with Jiang Yuhuo.

An invisible barrier was erected outside the grove of trees, and Wen Yizhan stood in front of the barrier, holding his sword.

"Lord Zongzi, I remember my junior sister has never owed you anything." He tilted his head and looked into the void, saying lazily, "Why bother clinging to me like a creditor the whole way?"

Sure enough, a white robe gradually appeared in the void. The merman landed back on the ground. His icy blue eyes no longer had their usual sharpness and coldness. He looked at Wen Yizhan and said, "It seems that your eyes have been completely restored."

He would have been better off not mentioning it, because it made Wen Yizhan angry. If it weren't for wanting his junior sister to return as soon as possible, he wouldn't have used this mermaid's medicine. Unfortunately, even after using the medicine, he still couldn't contact his junior sister, and instead, it made her sad because she felt she hadn't been able to help.

"Yes, I used your Earth Flame Vine. But I'm the one who owes you, it has nothing to do with her. Don't even think about using this to blackmail her." Wen Yizhan held her sword, her eyes filled with warning. "Stay away from her."

Jia Yue ignored his hostility. His gaze passed through the woods, and he seemed to see the figure inside. "How could you think that? Don't you know that she and I were once partners in a contract?" He chuckled and looked back at Wen Yizhan, adding, "You are her senior brother. It is my duty to help you. You don't need to feel indebted to me."

As expected, the black-clad swordsman seemed frozen in place upon not hearing Wen Yizhan's reply. The bond of brotherhood and the partnership—combining these two separate matters—would lead anyone to believe they were the closest people in the world.

Bondage, partnership...

Wen Yizhan stood there, stunned, struggling to understand the two words. Neither of these words should have appeared in Jiang Yuhuo's life: a bound partner.

So, did they enter into a marriage contract?

But Jiang Yuhuo never mentioned this; she only said it was an old friend. How could it be such an old friend?

Wen Yizhan subconsciously looked at Jia Yue's fingers and saw a very faint mark on his right little finger.

The fading of the contract marks indicates that the contract has been dissolved. However, judging from the degree of fading of the contract marks between Jia Yue's fingers, the contract may have been dissolved many years ago.

There were no contract marks on my junior sister's hands.

Yes, that's all in the past.

Jia Yue walked straight towards the barrier, which was set up so casually that it couldn't stop him.

But a sword still stood in front of him.

Having figured out the cause and effect, Wen Yizhan felt a little relieved. He slowly exhaled, "I don't care what kind of contract you two made in the past, the contract has been dissolved now. Besides, she said that she has nothing to do with you anymore." He looked up and stared directly at the merman, a hint of provocation flashing in his eyes, "She should have made it very clear to you that day by the Qing River, right?"

The merman's gaze suddenly sharpened, as if he wanted to pierce through the swordsman who had offended him time and time again.

The silent standoff lasted a long time. Jia Yue smiled and deflected Wen Yizhan's sword with her fingers. The seemingly slight movement actually contained an irresistible spiritual power.

"She seems to know everything about you," Jia Yue said with a smile, but her gaze was extremely cold.

“But it doesn’t matter. You are her senior brother, and she respects you, so she will naturally tell you everything she knows. I lost her by accident before, but I have found her now.” He gently stroked the faded seal between his fingers, as if the seal still existed. “I know she has some resentment towards me and has forgotten many things, but our feelings are real. As long as she remembers, we will be the same as before.”

Just like when he regained his memories.

Wen Yizhan was furious. She drew her sword and pointed it at the merman. "You think you can just leave whenever you want and come back whenever you want? What do you take my junior sister for? What makes you think she'll accept you? You have no idea what she's been through..."

"Don't know what?" Jia Yue glanced at him indifferently.

Realizing what the other person had said, Wen Yizhan immediately stopped talking. He narrowed his eyes, originally intending to fight him and risk his life to get him out of his junior sister's sight. But at this moment, he suddenly changed his mind.

Wen Yizhan burst into laughter, "Who told you she forgot?"

"What do you want her to remember? To remember you?" Wen Yizhan shook her head with a smile. "You really are... self-righteous."

“I’m telling you, she only changed bodies, she didn’t erase her memories. Everything, including her past in the human world, every single person and event, she remembers clearly.” He sheathed his sword, the mocking smile barely concealed. “Unlike you.”

A crack finally appeared on the merman's perfect face. He seemed frozen, and the wind blowing around him suddenly became filled with cold air and killing intent.

"What did you say?"