Chapter 22 Qingyao City
Chu Jianshan asked first, "What are you doing here?"
Bai Qianfan had left Changjin Mountain after Xie Yin committed suicide, and Chu Jianshan had never seen him since. He absolutely refused to believe that meeting him here was a coincidence.
Bai Qianfan shook the mask in his hand a couple of times and laughed, "I arrived a long time ago, but seeing that you and your little apprentice were having a good time, I didn't want to disturb you."
Chu Jianshan frowned slightly, sensing that there was something more to his words. Before he could speak, he heard him ask again, "It's been so long, why haven't you acknowledged Cheng Yuan? Didn't you always dote on this disciple? Can you really bear to watch him keep looking for you?"
Chu Jianshan lowered his head and said, "I can't bear it, but there's nothing I can do. The path we're on is already difficult enough. How can I just watch him go to his death with me?"
Bai Qianfan chuckled twice and said, "You really have the heart to watch me go to my death?"
Chu Jianshan asked, "Can I stop you from doing what you're about to do?"
Bai Qianfan and Chu Qingyuan grew up together, and their personalities became more and more alike. To put it nicely, they were stubborn; to put it bluntly, they were headstrong and wouldn't turn back until they hit a wall. From the moment Bai Qianfan asked to leave, Chu Jianshan understood that he wanted to do the same thing as him.
If he himself cannot forget his hatred, how can he persuade others to let go?
But to his surprise, Bai Qianfan tried to persuade him first: "At least you have a disciple, unlike me who is all alone and has the right to risk everything, but you..."
"Bai Qianfan."
He was interrupted before he could finish speaking. Chu Jianshan seemed slightly angry and said solemnly, "Is qualification determined by these things? Your senior brother's death is not your personal vendetta. Besides, Chu Qingyuan is already 'dead'. I will walk this path to the end no matter what."
"Alright, I won't say anything more. You still have such a bad temper after all these years."
Bai Qianfan pursed her lips, then noticed that he wasn't wearing a sword at his waist, so she asked, "Where's your Mo Yang sword?"
When this was mentioned, Chu Jianshan took a deep breath and said after a long while, "It was confiscated by Cheng Yuan."
"..."
After an awkward silence, Bai Qianfan burst into laughter, patting his thighs.
"Hahahaha... Chu Qingyuan, you... you actually made your disciple laugh out loud... truly, what goes around comes around!"
Chu Jianshan frowned slightly, kicked Bai Qianfan in the shin, and said irritably, "Stop laughing!"
Bai Qianfan winced and dodged twice, but still couldn't stop laughing.
"Hahahaha, what kind of master would be as pathetic as you, having your sword confiscated by your disciple?!"
"I...I was just saying that!" Chu Jianshan thought of various reasons, but then felt they were all inappropriate, and finally gave up, saying, "You don't have any disciples, you wouldn't understand!"
Bai Qianfan said, "I may not have any disciples, but I do have a master!"
He began to recall: "Back then, I was completely obedient to my master. If he told me to go east, I would never go west. I would rather suffer myself than make him angry, and also..."
what else?
Bai Qianfan's eloquent speech came to an abrupt halt, and his expression froze instantly. Chu Jianshan looked up at him and understood what was happening.
Xie Yin died long ago.
No matter how many memories you have, it's all in vain and useless.
Chu Jianshan patted him on the shoulder, signaling him not to dwell on the past. Bai Qianfan understood his intention and nodded without saying anything more.
Chu Jianshan then asked, "You came to see me this time because you discovered some clues, right?"
Bai Qianfan composed himself and replied, "Do you remember seven years ago, my master went to a place where, it is said, remnants of the demon race were causing trouble, and not a single person was left alive in the entire village?"
"Zhangjia Village on the outskirts of Qingyao City?" Chu Jianshan recalled.
Bai Qianfan nodded and continued, "I was very puzzled at the time. What kind of demon remnant could manage to do this to an entire village? Besides, my master's cultivation level is not low. There's no reason why he couldn't save a single person and had to rely on the Linyi Sect to clean up the mess in the end."
Upon hearing this, Chu Jianshan also remembered that Xie Yin had been acting strangely ever since he returned from there, as if he was hiding something. When asked, he refused to say anything, and not long after, he committed suicide as a sacrifice.
Bai Qianfan continued, "I've been there many times over the years, but I haven't found any useful clues. Until recently, I met a man and learned by chance that he was the only survivor there. According to him, Linyimen was also present when the demons killed people."
Chu Jianshan immediately raised his eyes, looked at Bai Qianfan, and tentatively asked, "Is Linyi Sect colluding with the Demon Clan?"
Bai Qianfan affirmed, "That's what I guessed too. It's pitiful that their ancestor Zhao Yi sacrificed himself to set up the barrier, but his descendants colluded with the remnants of the demon race to harm the people. It's truly laughable."
"So, to prevent their scheme from being exposed, they orchestrated this grand sacrificial act, forcing their senior brother to commit suicide, and in doing so, they enhanced their own reputation. What a cunning scheme..."
Chu Jianshan laughed in anger, his breathing heavy, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Then now there is only one last question: what exactly is the reason that Senior Brother refuses to reveal what the Linyi Sect has done, and is able to commit suicide on the stage as they wish?"
“That’s what I’m wondering about too,” Bai Qianfan continued. “My master has always been an upright person and has no enemies. What kind of leverage could make him willing to go to this extent?”
"I will find out every single piece of dirt on you, no matter how small," Chu Jianshan said firmly, then asked him in return, "You came to me to investigate with me?"
Bai Qianfan laughed and said, "Many hands make light work, and I heard that Qingyao City recently appointed a new female city lord who is absolutely stunning. How can we not see her in person?"
Chu Jianshan couldn't help but roll his eyes at him and sneered, "You still haven't changed your old habits. If Xie Yin were still here, he would definitely beat you to death."
Bai Qianfan knew he was joking to ease the tension, so she replied in tacit understanding, "Everyone has a love for beauty."
He argued, "Even if my master were here, he would surely understand me. Besides, he would never actually hit me."
Xie Yin only appeared stern on the surface, but in reality, he rarely punished Bai Qianfan. When he was really angry, he would only make him kneel down, and then he would personally apply medicine to his knees.
"So, don't you want to go and see this most prosperous city in the world?" Bai Qianfan asked with a smile.
Chu Jianshan feigned reluctance and said, "Since you've put it that way, I'll go with you."
Qingyao City, located south of Yunshan Mountain, has been a prosperous and wealthy city for hundreds of years, where its people have lived in peace and contentment.
The two traveled together and didn't arrive in Qingyao City until it was dark.
Upon entering the city, they felt as if they were in a new world. Qingyao City had no curfew, and even though it was late at night, it was still decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, bustling with people.
Although they were from out of town, Bai Qianfan acted as if he were in his own home, becoming incredibly familiar with the place and heading straight for the largest brothel in town.
Chu Jianshan grabbed him and said with a fake smile, "Young master, you seem to be in such a hurry. Don't forget what the important thing is that we're here for."
Bai Qianfan returned a fake smile, let go of Chu Jianshan's hand that was gripping his arm, and explained, "This is important business!"
"Is finding a flower seller the important thing?"
"Of course not, there are also female musicians, we should check them all out."
"You!" Chu Jianshan was so angry that he was about to kick him again.
Bai Qianfan dodged with a deft movement, then quickly explained, "I'm telling the truth! Think about it, so many people come and go here every day, news travels the fastest!"
Upon his reminder, Chu Jianshan instantly understood that the enemy was in the shadows while they were in the open. Xie Yin's matter was difficult to investigate, and they definitely needed to find a way to lure him out. This place was the best place to spread the news.
"You're going to be the bait?" Chu Jianshan asked tentatively.
"Of course!" Bai Qianfan said confidently, coaxing him, "How could I bear to let you go? You've lost all your spiritual power. If something happens to you, how am I supposed to explain it to Master?"
Chu Jianshan squinted at him, clearly disbelieving. This man had never been so kind before. Could it be that he had changed his ways after a few years?
Despite his disbelief, he still followed Bai Qianfan inside.
As soon as he entered, several beautiful women pounced on him like boneless beasts, but Chu Jianshan made a graceful turn, and the women missed their target.
The courtesans weren't annoyed; they turned and threw themselves into Bai Qianfan's arms. He didn't discriminate, embracing both of them equally.
He gently lifted the chin of one of the courtesans and asked with a smile, "Who is the most beautiful courtesan here?"
The courtesan pushed him away in annoyance, and said in a coquettish voice, "Young master, you have no taste at all. Apart from my sister, no one else can catch your eye?"
Bai Qianfan didn't explain, but simply took out a silver ingot from his purse and gave it to her. The courtesan immediately beamed with joy and hurriedly said, "Sister, you're entertaining guests today. As the rule goes... the highest bidder wins."
After saying that, she turned and left gracefully.
Chu Jianshan nudged Bai Qianfan beside him with his elbow and asked in a low voice, "Where did you get so much money?"
Bai Qianfan said, "Don't you know?"
Chu Jianshan looked puzzled: "Know what?"
Bai Qianfan explained in a serious tone, "Before going to Changjin Mountain, I was a young master from a wealthy family. Later, my family suffered a disaster, and I was taken in by Changjin Mountain. But all the family's private property was left to me. Didn't I tell you that before?"
Chu Jianshan: "..."
When did you ever say that?! So he's the only one who's suffered for years, having to buy chickens on the street for ten coins?! Why is Heaven so unjust?!
Seeing Chu Jianshan's fascinating expression, Bai Qianfan suddenly realized that he hadn't actually told him this before. He then smiled awkwardly and said, "It's okay, it's okay, you can spend all my money from now on!"
"Thank you so much!"
Chu Jianshan rolled his eyes at him, then casually found a seat and sat down. He desperately needed some time to process this information.
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