Chapter 276 Your Husband...is Quite Good (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The waning moon shone like frost.

Amidst the twinkling stars, two figures hung high in the night sky.

The man had white hair that almost reached his knees, wore a purple Taoist robe, and although his face was somewhat weathered and his beard was sparse, he also had a touch of cynicism.

A man with flowing long hair, handsome as a demon, dressed in a black robe, with a three-foot-long sword hanging at his waist.

Those long, narrow eyes looked down at Xiao Jinghong below with a hint of inquiry.

It was none other than "Immortal Bai" Gongye Bai and his disciple Shui Hetong, who had just arrived at the Wushan border market from Shuzhou Prefecture.

Xiao Jinghong looked up at the two of them, a thoughtful expression flashing beneath his half-mask, before suddenly speaking:

"You are Senior Uncle Bai?"

"Junior Nephew Jinghong, I didn't expect you to recognize me."

Bai Daxian laughed heartily, his white hair swaying slightly behind his head, and he landed beside her.

Shui Hetong followed closely behind, bowing respectfully: "Fengyulou, Shui Hetong greets Junior Sister Xiao."

Seeing the two smiling amicably, Su Zhenyue, who had been on guard, relaxed.

Before Xiao Jinghong could speak, she silently withdrew to prepare tea for the three of them.

Xiao Jinghong ignored all of that, his gaze sweeping over Bai Daxian and Shui Hetong, before he clasped his hands in greeting:

"Jinghong greets Senior Uncle Bai and Senior Brother Shui."

Master Bai waved his hand, "No need for formalities."

"I apologize for my intrusion in coming here, I hope you will not take offense at my rudeness."

"Master, you jest. I dare not presume to say that."

As Xiao Jinghong spoke, he gestured for them to proceed and led the way:

"Senior Uncle, Senior Brother, please come with me to the quiet room for a chat."

When she first learned from Granny Shan that Bai Daxian had returned to the martial arts world, she didn't think anything of it.

When Pei Gan told her at the Wushan border market that Bai Daxian would be coming to Shuzhou, she vaguely sensed that she would see him.

Nothing more.

It was all because of the relationship between her master, Li Wudang, and Bai Daxian.

A short while later.

The three of them arrived at a wooden house.

It was called a "quiet room," but it was even more simple than Xiao Jinghong's residence.

One table, five chairs.

An oil lamp hung from the roof beam, casting a dim, yellowish light that cast several swaying shadows that filled the quiet room.

The three of them took their seats.

Su Zhenyue brought tea and placed it in front of the three of them, then left the quiet room and stood guard at the door.

Xiao Jinghong paused for a moment, then calmly said, "Please forgive me, Uncle-Master, the trade market is not yet established and the conditions are rudimentary."

Bai Daxian smiled and shook his head: "It's alright."

"I am only passing through with He Tong, so you don't need to take it too seriously."

"Besides, your master sent a letter the other day, instructing me to take care of you when I come to Shu Prefecture."

He paused, looked Xiao Jinghong up and down, and shook his head again, saying, "Li Wulai is dishonest."

"Your skill and technique have already reached a high level; why do you need guidance from others?"

Xiao Jinghong didn't take the compliments to heart.

She was more concerned about "Li the Scoundrel".

It seems that Bai Daxian's relationship with her master Li Wudang is closer than expected.

"Uncle-Master, you flatter me. In recent years, I have been busy with military affairs and have neglected my cultivation. I have failed to live up to Master's expectations."

"At your age, you have reached the lower level of the second rank in cultivation, with perfect swordsmanship and spearmanship. How can you say that you have 'neglected your cultivation'?"

Bai Daxian saw through Xiao Jinghong's true strength at a glance, and chuckled as he pointed to Shui Hetong beside him, saying:

“My unworthy disciple is about the same age as you. After ten years of cultivation, he has only managed to reach the perfection of the martial arts.”

"Compared to you, your swordsmanship is as bad as the Red River."

Shui Hetong lowered his head slightly and said with admiration, "Junior Sister Xiao's talent is extraordinary, I admire her greatly."

"If it weren't for the burdens of military service and your training in spear fighting, your swordsmanship would probably be on par with Uncle Li by now."

Xiao Jinghong's eyes fell on him, "Senior brother, you flatter me."

“Master’s swordsmanship is close to the ‘Tao’, and even if Jinghong cultivates for another ten years, she will still find it difficult to catch up with him.”

Shui He smiled upon hearing this, taking it as her modesty.

On the other hand, Master Bai nodded, "What Jinghong said is correct."

"Li Wulai may be a scoundrel, but his talent in swordsmanship is unparalleled in the world, and few can rival him."

“However, Jinghong, you don’t need to underestimate yourself. If you have ten years, it’s not impossible for you to surpass your master.”

Xiao Jinghong lowered his head slightly, which was taken as acquiescence.

She knew her own situation well, and she was very clear about how strong her talent in swordsmanship was.

Let alone ten years, even if she were given five years, she would be confident that she could make a breakthrough in swordsmanship.

Unfortunately, in the military, the way of the gun is more about killing, and when she is distracted in her training, her progress is slower.

They exchanged a few pleasantries.

Xiao Jinghong asked, "What brings you down the mountain this time, Uncle-Master?"

Bai Daxian had anticipated her question and replied with a smile, "Recently, I have been observing the celestial phenomena at night. The Purple Palace in Shu Prefecture has been moving, so I decided to come and take a look."

Is the Purple Palace in Shu Prefecture in turmoil?

Is there a threat of war in the West?

Xiao Jinghong had some knowledge of divination and was naturally familiar with the terminology used by divination masters.

The so-called war on the border is like a wildfire, burning everything in its path.

Does this mean... war will break out again in Shu Prefecture?

Xiao Jinghong frowned slightly, and several major events he had learned about recently came to mind.

Could it be that those bandits from Vaishsa Kingdom are really planning to march eastward?

"Senior Uncle, is a great change truly about to occur in Shu Prefecture?"

Bai Daxian waved his hand and said, "I've never been very accurate in my predictions, so you don't need to take it too seriously, girl."

"this……"

Shui Hetong, noticing Xiao Jinghong's hesitation, smiled and chimed in:

"On the way here, Master looked at the celestial phenomena again and said that Shuzhou is a land of outstanding people and abundant resources, and will surely be able to turn bad luck into good."

"..."

Xiao Jinghong glanced at the two of them, pursed her lips, and said, "Uncle-Master, please don't be offended. I was a bit presumptuous."

Concern leads to confusion.

She did overthink things.

Bai Daxian glanced at Shui Hetong and snorted, "Do I need you to be so talkative?"

Shui Hetong gave a bitter smile, "Master, why...why do you have to make Junior Sister Xiao worry?"

"What do you know?"

"Divination and numerology are seven parts truth and three parts falsehood; this is the great way. I haven't finished speaking, and you've interrupted, making everything I've said seem like a lie."

"Yes...this disciple knows his mistake..."

Watching the master and apprentice bicker, Xiao Jinghong gave a wry smile to himself.

Just like the rumors say, Master Bai is somewhat unruly and has no airs of a senior master.

Fortunately, he and Li Wudang had a very close relationship, so he wouldn't have any ill intentions towards her, a junior.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Jinghong said, "Uncle-Master, a few days ago, Granny Shan mentioned you, saying that when you arrived in Shu Prefecture, she..."

Before she could finish speaking, Bai Daxian raised his hand to interrupt her, saying, "That old woman would love for me to never come to Shuzhou again. There's no need to pay her any attention."

"I will not do as she wishes, but will come openly and honestly."

As soon as he finished speaking, he seemed to realize that Shuzhou was the territory of the mountain tribes, and changed the subject:

"However, I do have important business to attend to in Wumeng Mountain, so please don't reveal my whereabouts to Jinghong."

"To avoid... to avoid her sabotaging us in secret."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinghong and Shui He exchanged a glance, clearly sensing the strangeness in Bai Daxian's words.

It seems that there is a deep entanglement between Bai Daxian and Shan Popo.

Shui Hetong asked cautiously, "Master, did you know that old woman from the mountain before?"

"That's all ancient history."

"Back when I first entered the martial arts world, I was incredibly famous, which naturally attracted some people with ulterior motives..."

Noticing the gazes of the two juniors, Bai Daxian coughed and said:

"Let bygones be bygones."

"But you, Jinghong, I've lived in Fengyu Tower for years and have only heard about you from Li Wulai."

"Even for your wedding, I was unable to prepare a gift for you, which is truly regrettable."

Xiao Jinghong smiled and shook his head, "My senior master has been in seclusion for a long time, and I certainly cannot disturb you with such mundane matters."

"Don't say anything about disturbing me, I'll just..."

As he spoke, Bai Daxian touched his body, his old face flushed, and then looked at Shui Hetong, gesturing:

"Good disciple, please express your appreciation on my behalf."

"..."

Shui Hetong smiled helplessly, thought for a moment, then took out a white jade square seal from his pocket and placed it on the table, saying:

"This is a token of the Wind and Rain Pavilion. If Junior Sister Xiao encounters any emergency in the future, she can use this to command the disciples of the Wind and Rain Pavilion to obey her orders."

Xiao Jinghong glanced at him and Bai Daxian, then at the white jade square seal on the table, and did not refuse again.

Although she had been in the Dingyuan Army for many years, she still had some knowledge of the affairs of the martial arts world.

Thanks to Bai Daxian, Fengyulou has long been one of the top establishments in the martial arts world.

Even though Bai Daxian has been absent for a long time, under the management of his disciples, Fengyulou's businesses have spread throughout the three prefectures of the Great Wei Kingdom.

His disciples include many who are highly skilled in martial arts.

Just like the water and the Tong River before us—two years ago, they had already made a name for themselves as having the power to "overwhelm thousands of miles of mountains and rivers with their fists".

If Xiao Jinghong could get help from Fengyulou, he would have an asset in the martial arts world in the future.

"Thank you, Senior Uncle Bai and Senior Brother Shui."

When Bai Daxian saw that she accepted it, a smile appeared on his face.

“I knew you weren’t as stubborn as your master. Years ago I tried to persuade him to come to Fengyu Tower and keep me company, but he absolutely refused.”

"If it weren't for the letter I received a few days ago, I would have thought he had died in some remote corner."

Xiao Jinghong carefully put away the seal and dared not speak.

Seeing this, Bai Daxian became even more enthusiastic, listing all of "Sword Saint" Li Wudang's "sins".

They talked about how the two of them roamed the martial arts world together when they were young, and about their duel thirty years ago.

There were feelings of lamentation, reminiscence, and even cursing.

Getting excited, Bai Daxian looked at Xiao Jinghong and was about to do some divination. "Come, come, I'm in a good mood today, let me tell your fortune."

Xiao Jinghong was slightly taken aback, and then coughed twice after realizing what was happening.

"Please wait a moment, Master. The tea is gone. Jinghong will have someone refill it for you."

As they were talking, Su Zhenyue "broke in" and poured some more tea for the three of them.

This naturally interrupted Bai Daxian's "divination".

After Su Zhenyue left, Bai Daxian lowered his hand, smacked his lips, and said, "Boring, boring."

"You're just like your husband, you have a prejudice against my divination skills."

"Husband?"

Xiao Jinghong was startled. "Senior Uncle, have you met Jinghong's husband?"

Bai Daxian nodded and snorted, "That's a slippery fellow. Not only did he refuse to let me do a divination, he also stopped me from doing one for his brother."

Xiao Jinghong felt relieved and said with a smile, "Please forgive me, Uncle-Master."

"Jinghong's husband is a scholar who has never practiced martial arts. In addition, he rarely goes out and is unaware of the affairs of the martial arts world."

"If he has neglected his master, Jinghong will apologize to you."

Upon hearing this...

Bai Daxian looked somewhat strange and asked, "Your husband has never practiced martial arts?"

Xiao Jinghong assumed he was blaming her for choosing such a husband, so she nodded and explained:

"My husband is from the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture. He has loved reading since childhood and has never practiced martial arts."

"But after he came to Shuzhou, his family also taught him some stance training, just to improve his health."

Xiao Jinghong added a few words, praising Chen Yi: "Fortunately, my husband has an extremely high talent for studying."

"Not only did he achieve perfection in calligraphy, but he also became a teacher at Guiyun Academy, and even his poetry has become quite accomplished."

"Perhaps my master has heard that the poem 'Prelude to Water Melody' written by my husband Jinghong a few days ago was composed by him."

Bai Daxian exchanged a glance with Shui Hetong beside him, and their expressions became even stranger.

"Your husband sounds like... quite nice, hehe..."

"So, he can't treat illnesses or save lives? He can't wield weapons?"

Xiao Jinghong, unsuspecting, shook her head and said, "Please forgive me, Uncle-Master, my husband truly doesn't know these things. However..."

She paused, then met their gazes and said, "However, Jinghong is very satisfied with her husband."

"Whether he practices martial arts or not, he is still my husband."

Her voice was calm, but for some reason, she felt a flush rise to her face.

Fortunately, neither Bai Daxian nor Shui Hetong noticed her expression, and both had slight smiles on their faces.

Master Bai nodded and said with a bright smile, "That's good, that's good."

“Your husband is learned, skilled in calligraphy, and... he can help you in some way.”

Shui Hetong turned his head slightly to look elsewhere upon hearing this, and his lips twitched slightly as he said:

“Master is right.”

"Master had previously praised Junior Sister Xiao's husband as a dragon among men."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinghong looked at Bai Daxian again, "Uncle-Master, you, you don't have that..."

Master Bai knew what she was worried about, so he leaned back in his chair and waved his hand, saying:

"There's no need for me to waste my energy on divination; his extraordinary nature is evident at a glance."

Xiao Jinghong breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, saying, "On behalf of my husband, Jinghong thanks you for your praise, Master Uncle."

"Whether you praise him or not, he... Jinghong, a girl, you'd better be careful of someone as outstanding as your husband in the future."

"Be careful?"

"As the saying goes, scholars are the most cunning; be careful not to be fooled by him."

"Don't worry, Uncle-Master, my husband is not that kind of wicked and wicked person."

"That's good……"

Bai Daxian responded, thinking to himself that the kid looked harmless, but he hadn't expected him to be so cunning.

Even Xiao Jinghong hadn't realized he knew martial arts.

How strange and bizarre!

That kid clearly has a lot of skills, why is he hiding them like this?

Fortunately, that kid was quite upright, otherwise I would have exposed his tricks.

Although Shui Hetong was also puzzled, this was ultimately Xiao Jinghong's family matter, and he couldn't say much about it.

Not long after.

The three of them stood up.

Xiao Jinghong instructed people to prepare two wooden houses for Bai Daxian and Shui Hetong to stay in temporarily.

After everything was arranged, she and Su Zhenyue finally rested.

"General, is it possible that Senior Bai is coming to Shu Prefecture this time..."

Su Zhenyue carefully pointed to the south and west, "Related?"

Xiao Jinghong pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "For now, it's best to wait for news from the prefectural city and the capital's command."

Su Zhenyue nodded and immediately said, "I'll send two letters right away."

Wait until she gets busy.

Xiao Jinghong recalled her conversation with Bai Daxian that evening. While she was curious about his purpose in coming to Shuzhou, she was more concerned about Chen Yi.

"It seems that my senior uncles are quite concerned about my husband?"

...

The third quarter of Hai hour.

Two hundred li outside the city of Shuzhou, on the banks of the Chishui River.

Liu Lang, dressed in black clothes and a bamboo hat, hurried here.

He looked him over.

Seeing the figure sitting upright by the river in the distance under the cover of darkness, he relaxed.

"Boss, so you've been here for a while now."

Chen Yi turned around, glanced at the person, and waved, saying, "I haven't been here long."

Then he turned his head and stared intently at the distant buoy.

After Liu Lang walked over and looked at him, he exclaimed, "Boss, are you fishing?"

Chen Yi hummed in agreement, "Keep your voice down, don't scare the fish away."

Liu Lang was slightly taken aback, looking at the various fish circling below the float, which didn't seem like they would be scared away.

However, seeing how serious Chen Yi was, he sat down quietly and waited for the fish to take the bait.

"With so many fish, I'm sure some will take the bait soon."

To Liu Lang's surprise, after waiting for half an hour, and with midnight approaching, Chen Yi's fishing rod did not budge an inch.

He couldn't help but say, "Boss, why don't you stay still? Maybe those fish will take the bait."

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

"Um?"

Suddenly, Liu Lang felt a chill run through his body.

"I……"

Before he could say anything more, Chen Yi cast off the fishing line, reeled in the fishing rod, and stood up.

"Since you can't wait, let's begin."

"?"

(End of this chapter)