Chapter 113 Requesting Bai Zhixing
"I never expected to meet you all here again."
Peony poured them a cup of tea, her smile warm and gentle, suggesting she was doing quite well. The three of them observed her discreetly and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"We never imagined that we would meet again in this vast sea of people. Isn't this an incredible stroke of fate?!" Cen Ying smiled with emotion.
"How did you end up here? This place is so far from Furong Town."
Peony had quite a story to tell: "It's a long one. I was traveling south when I unintentionally helped an old lady in Hengzhou. I later met that same old lady again, and she rescued me from being harassed by hooligans. We parted ways after that. I heard that the scenery of Nanshao City was quite different from that of the north, so I wanted to see it for myself. As a result, I met this old lady again on a ship heading south. The old lady was also surprised and felt that I had a special connection with her. When she heard that I was coming to Nanshao City, she invited me to come with her... When we arrived here, I learned that this old lady was actually the mother of the chieftain of Nanshao City..."
"And then what? Why did you stay?" Cui Mingcan couldn't help but ask.
Peony blushed, her eyes darting away, and she said sweetly, "Later, the old lady's son wanted to marry me. They were both kind people, and knowing my situation, they didn't care. They only pitied me for having met the wrong person and having such a tragic past... Now, we are engaged..."
Speaking of this, Peony smiled again: "You've come at just the right time! We were originally planning to get married on the 10th of next month, but now that you're here, I'll have to save you the seats for my family!"
Cui Mingcan and Cen Ying were extremely excited: "Really?! That's great! We definitely came! We must drink this glass of wine with you!"
Bai Yuheng laughed as well: "We absolutely have to give you face!"
Peony laughed happily: "Yes, yes, if it weren't for you all, how could Peony be what she is today..."
As Peony spoke, tears welled in her eyes. She had thought she would live out her life alone and miserable, drifting like a rootless duckweed in this world. She never imagined that she would have a home of her own now...
Peony looked at the knee-high peach sapling in the courtyard and smiled contentedly and happily.
"By the way, immortal masters, you don't need to call me Peony anymore. I was originally a person without a surname or roots, but now I have changed my name and started anew. My surname is Fang, and you can call me Xichun, the rising sun in the east, the beginning of spring after winter, the start of a day and a year."
All three were happy for her: "Fang Xichun? What a beautiful name! Springtime brings life, may you be like today every year, and may every year be like this morning."
"Thanks!"
The three said, "You don't need to be so polite and call us Immortal Master. We've known each other for a while, so just call us by our names. You're older than us, so think of us as older sisters."
Fang Xichun nodded, her eyes stinging with tears: "Yes, from now on we're family!"
The four of them talked for a while, catching up on how things had been lately, mentioning the peach tree and Li Tiankuo.
When asked about his ascension to the throne as emperor, Fang Xichun was somewhat surprised. Nanshao City was remote, and news from the capital might not have reached them yet. It wouldn't be long before these chieftains would know that the court had changed hands.
Fang Xichun was only surprised for a moment. After all, Nanshao City was far from the capital, and the emperor was far away. No matter what, as long as they did not betray the country and rebel, they could live well.
If anyone cares, it's the new emperor's opinion of them, the chieftains, and how much tax and tribute they have to pay. They don't usually care who becomes emperor.
"By the way, Sister Xichun, why are you arresting outsiders?" Cui Mingcan asked skillfully.
Fang Xichun sighed: "This is a last resort."
"You are cultivators, you must have heard of the fairyland, right?"
Bai Yuheng and the other two exchanged glances, their hearts skipping a beat, and quickly asked, "What happened?"
“Since last month, several groups of people have come to Nanshao City. They have been sneaking around the city for several days, and were finally discovered at Wangyue Mountain,” Fang Xichun said. “Wangyue Mountain is the sacred mountain of Nanshao City. A group of people died on Wangyue Mountain because the mountain god was angry. The chieftain did not want the people to know and worry, so he arrested the outsiders on the grounds that the treasures in the mansion had been stolen. They were released after interrogation and found no suspicion.”
"Wangyue Mountain?"
"Yes, it's just outside the city, the tallest mountain shrouded in mist." Fang Xichun rarely dealt with the affairs of the chieftains; she was only present today because the chieftain was away. This was all she knew. "Mount Wangyue is a sacred mountain in the hearts of the people of Nanshao City. Without the chieftain's permission, no one can enter the depths of the sacred mountain. Of course, this is also because the depths of the sacred mountain are not only inhabited by mountain gods and spirits, but also by wild beasts and poisonous insects; basically, no one who goes there will return..."
Wangyue Mountain is the origin of the local people, a sacred mountain revered by all, and also the duty of the chieftain.
Only those chosen by the sacred mountain can become chieftains. The chieftain's duty is to protect the sacred mountain and prevent the immortals and spirits on the mountain from being disturbed by outsiders.
"I heard from Zhixing that those people's goal was not only to enter that fairyland, but also to seize the sacred mountain for themselves..."
The trip Fang Xichun mentioned was to the chieftain of Nanshao City. She frowned in thought, somewhat helplessly: "Although it's absurd to arrest all the outsiders, he was also afraid. The group of people who died at the foot of the sacred mountain had gruesome deaths. The shaman said it was because the mountain god was angry and they disturbed the immortals..."
"Arresting them was the only option. As long as they can explain their purpose for coming here, they will be released without any problems," Fang Xichun added. "We absolutely have not done anything to oppress the people!"
The three of them suddenly smiled.
Fang Xichun laughed along, feeling that she looked a little silly for trying to explain.
Just as she was smiling, the maidservant guarding the door called out, "Miss Fang, the master is here."
Fang Xichun was surprised that he had returned so early, then suddenly smiled shyly. He always came to her to report his whereabouts after returning from the government office. The two stood side by side for a while, looking at each other affectionately, then turning their heads away shyly. In their deep affection, even a glance was a moment of happiness.
Fang Xichun stood up, and while having the maid open the door, introduced the visitor to Bai Yuheng and the others: "This is our chieftain of Nanshao City."
The chieftain was dressed in local-style clothing. He wasn't exactly handsome, but he was upright and masculine. Standing next to the graceful Fang Xichun, they were truly a perfect match, each one outstanding.
"I heard from the servants that your family has come to see you," Bai Zhixing said, his eyes never leaving Fang Xichun as soon as he entered the room. Only after speaking did he look at them, his eyes filled with a hint of inquiry and curiosity.
Fang Xichun smiled and said, "Yes, I only found out they came to Nanshao City today when I went to Baichong Hall..."
Fang Xichun introduced Bai Yuheng and the other two to him. After exchanging greetings, Bai Zhixing said with a hint of apology, "I am truly sorry. I did not know that you were all Miss Fang's family members. I have been negligent in my manners. I, Bai, apologize for their behavior."
Bai Yuheng and the other two said, "You are too modest, sir. Your subordinates behaved properly and did not harm us."
Bai Zhixing nodded.
"I've instructed the kitchen to prepare extra dishes for a family feast tonight, to properly welcome you back and wash away the dust of your journey."
Fang Xichun was deeply moved by how much he valued her family, her eyes reddened, and she couldn't help but choke up.
Bai Zhixing, afraid that she would shed tears, disregarded the presence of others and gently coaxed her with tenderness.
Bai Yuheng and the other two looked at each other, realizing that the affection between them was genuine and that Bai Zhixing truly loved Fang Xichun. Their worries subsided, and they sincerely wished her a better life.
After Fang Xichun calmed down, she blushed with embarrassment. Afraid that Bai Yuheng and the other two would laugh at her, she made an excuse to go and supervise the family banquet and left. Before leaving, she told them to get some rest.
Bai Zhixing followed her away, but before he had gone far, Bai Yuheng called him back.
"Lord Bai, would you mind having a word with me in private?"
This matter is urgent. She can't wait until Bai Zhixing actually catches those people who are plotting against the sacred mountain. She needs to take a proper route and enter the sacred mountain openly and honestly, instead of sneaking in and causing trouble for Fang Xichun. They can leave without a trace, but Fang Xichun can't. They will become husband and wife, and she can't leave any rifts between them.
Bai Zhixing was somewhat surprised, but he nodded, indicating that they should talk in the pavilion in front, where there were no obstructions and no need to worry about being overheard or the strict separation of men and women.
Bai Yuheng followed behind him, her demeanor measured, neither too close nor too far, clearly indicating that it was business.
"What brings you here, Miss Bai?"
Bai Zhixing did not treat Bai Yuheng's appearance as merely a teenager, but rather as a serious and important matter, his thick, dark eyebrows furrowing slightly.
Bai Yuheng knew that she was still benefiting from Fang Xichun's family background.
She went straight to the point, saying, "Since you're so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush either."
“Cen Ying and I are disciples of the Tianyan Sect. My… Daoist partner,” Bai Yuheng paused, then said without hesitation, “My Daoist partner was harmed by a villain and is now barely clinging to life. My friend is in your sacred mountain. I would like to ask you to allow us to enter the sacred mountain and ask my friend to help treat him.”
Xuan Lang hasn't replied to her yet. One reason is for Pei Yuan, and the other is to go see her, in case she gets into any trouble.
Bai Zhixing was astonished for a long time. First, he was astonished that they were cultivators; second, he was surprised that they wanted to enter the sacred mountain; and third, he was shocked that there were indeed gods in the sacred mountain, and that they even knew them!
Yes, even if Bai Zhixing was chosen by the local mountain god as the chieftain, he had never actually seen the god. The so-called selection by the mountain god was more of a human choice. The only one among them who could communicate with the mountain god was the shaman, but he had never seen him, so he harbored a sliver of disbelief. At this moment, he was also regretting and reflecting on his usual behavior, wondering if he had blasphemed the god.
Fortunately, although he harbored a sliver of disbelief, he was also filled with reverence for the gods. While he was not outstanding in any aspect, at least he did not blaspheme or neglect the gods.
Bai Zhixing breathed a sigh of relief.
He remained silent for a long time, still looking solemn, which made Bai Yuheng's heart jump.
Although she wanted to go in openly and legitimately, she was not a rigid person. Even if he did not agree, she would never give up the opportunity to save Pei Yuan and see Xuan Lang.
So during those few moments of silence, each of them had their own thoughts. One prayed in his heart that he had not neglected the gods and vowed to respect and worship them properly in the future; the other was planning a second plan, how to enter Wangyue Mountain more quickly and secretly.
After a short while, Bai Zhixing came to his senses and saw that the beautiful and harmless girl in front of him was still anxiously waiting for him to speak. Realizing that he had been distracted, he coughed lightly, feeling a little embarrassed, and said slowly, "It is not something I can decide to let people into Wangyue Mountain alone. This matter also requires the consent of the wizard, and the number of people entering the sacred mountain must be no more than three, and they must be accompanied by the wizard..."
Bai Yuheng frowned slightly. She had no objection to the rule and nodded. As long as she could get in, it didn't matter if she was alone or with someone she didn't know.
Seeing her nod, Bai Zhixing thought to himself, "As expected of a disciple of a major sect, she is open-minded and easy to talk to."
He enjoys dealing with people like that—upright and without ulterior motives.
If Bai Yuheng knew what he was thinking, she would be incredibly ashamed; she wasn't nearly as harmless and upright as she appeared...
But all of that was just empty talk. Seeing that he had relented, I knew there was some hope.
Bai Yuheng said, "This junior thanks you very much, sir. This matter is urgent. If it were not a matter of life and death, this junior would not have dared to speak of this matter to you in the name of Xichun."
Bai Zhixing understood what she meant and nodded with a smile: "I'll talk to the wizard when I get back. If he agrees, I will naturally agree."
Although he encountered such a situation, he was not the kind of person who would block things out as soon as they came up. It would be better to guide than to block. Besides, she was a member of Xi Chun's family and a disciple of the prestigious Tianyan Sect. Naturally, he should give her some face. He would leave her a way out today so that they could meet again in the future.
Who knows, he might need her help someday, so it wouldn't hurt to leave a good impression. That's how relationships are built up through give and take.
Having said what she needed to say, Bai Yuheng thanked him and then left.
Bai Zhixing immediately got up to find the wizard.
These immortal masters are Xi'er's family members. He sincerely wants to marry her, so he naturally has to take this matter to heart. Even if things don't go smoothly, he has to make sure it's done beautifully so as not to let it affect their relationship.
The two then parted ways and went their separate ways.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
