Chapter 96
The flying boat landed silently at the post station outside the city.
Chu Le had matters entrusted to him by the Chu family, and after agreeing on a way to contact Sheng Ningyu, he hurriedly left.
Sheng Ningyu entered the city called "Hehuan City" alone.
The old city gate creaked under its own weight, and as you slowly peered through it, the vibrant hustle and bustle of the marketplace came rushing towards you.
The shouts of peddlers, the laughter of children chasing each other, the aroma of food wafting from teahouses and taverns...
Compared to the disciples in Sword Pavilion who were so absurd they seemed like puppets, everything in this city felt so real and vibrant.
Sheng Ningyu's tense emotions relaxed with each step she took into the city.
She had already changed her clothes on the flying boat, found an inn in the city to stay in, and then changed into a set of coarse cloth clothes. While having a meal in the main hall, she overheard the guests at the next table talking in hushed tones:
"Have you heard? 'That person' has made a move again..."
"But what about 'Flower Willow Smoke,' which is said to be able to steal people's souls? Wasn't it said that it was surrounded by the immortals of Sword Pavilion at the former site of the Rouge Shop in the West City last night?"
"Sigh! We just surrounded them, but didn't catch them!"
"That's pretty much it! This time, the Sword Pavilion has sent people to oversee things! Although that demon is quite powerful, and can transform into anything, making it extremely difficult to capture, with two immortal masters from the Sword Pavilion working together to lay a tight net, no matter how many tricks she uses, where can she go?"
The guests' admiration and reliance on Jiange were evident in their conversation.
This sentiment is shared by most people in Hehuan City.
No matter what happens in this world, as long as the people of Sword Pavilion are there, they can always solve it.
"I heard that the people who came this time are quite extraordinary!"
"I remember! I remember! It's that so-called 'Flawless' First Young Master!"
"I've heard of her too! That's wonderful! Now we don't have to be afraid of those demons anymore..."
Sheng Ningyu lowered her eyes, a strange feeling rising in her heart.
Deep within her, a voice seemed to be urging her on, making it impossible for her to ignore what was happening before her. But the feeling remained vague, and despite her repeated attempts to understand, Sheng Ningyu's thoughts remained a blank, unattainable.
Demons and ghosts are mostly transformed from the souls of those who died unjustly, whose obsessions and resentments have not been quelled. They are obsessive and malevolent, lingering in the world and often causing trouble.
Eradicating and eliminating them is a matter of course.
But Sheng Ningyu didn't understand what this had to do with her.
Now that Senior Sister Ning and Second Senior Brother are both here, what trouble could possibly arise?
Besides, even if she did cause some trouble, it should be handled by Senior Sister Ning and Second Senior Brother. In any case, it has nothing to do with a useless person like her who "can't learn swordsmanship".
"Young lady, are you here to buy rouge?"
Sheng Ningyu suddenly raised her head and realized that she had been standing in front of a shop for quite a while because she was thinking with her eyes down.
The rouge shop in the west of the city looked somewhat dilapidated and old. An old woman walked out from behind the shop, looking her up and down, and sighed in her aged voice.
“You look unfamiliar, you’re not from around here, are you? Things haven’t been peaceful in the city lately, there are all sorts of demons and ghosts around… Young lady, you should find somewhere to stay as soon as possible, don’t wander around at night.”
Sheng Ningyu blinked, revealing a slightly timid smile that suited her current appearance: "Thank you for the reminder, Granny. But I heard earlier that there are Sword Pavilion disciples here exorcising demons, so I suppose it should be alright?"
The old woman paused, then her face lit up with admiration: "Yes, it's all thanks to the disciples of the Sword Pavilion! The evil spirit that was causing trouble a few days ago was wounded by Immortal Lord Mingyue with a single sword strike!"
Sheng Ningyu's eyes shone with longing: "This is wonderful! I wonder where the Sword Pavilion disciples are now?" She scratched her head, a slightly shy expression on her face, "I've been in poor health since childhood, and although I inherited a little bit of spiritual power, I can never improve it. It's rare to have the opportunity to..."
As they were talking, a slight commotion suddenly arose on the street.
Sheng Ningyu looked up.
The crowd parted automatically to both sides, and Ning Jiao, dressed in a moon-white outfit with a light green gauze overlay, her hair styled in a high bun, still wearing that exquisite butterfly gold crown, walked gracefully in the center, surrounded by several Sword Pavilion disciples and guards from the City Lord's Mansion.
Her face was gentle, her steps unhurried, and she would occasionally nod slightly to the people bowing on either side, a perfectly timed, compassionate yet resolute smile playing on her lips. Sunlight bathed her, making her seem like a bright moon, hanging high in the sky, compassionate towards all living beings.
His demeanor was completely different from his sharp and sarcastic manner on the sword-fighting field.
"Is this the Immortal Lord Mingyue?"
"Truly as the rumors say, a celestial being!"
"That's great! With Immortal Lord Mingyue here, we're definitely safe!"
Looking at the cheering crowd who kept calling out "Immortal Lord Mingyue," and then at Ning Jiao, who was high above and surrounded by the crowd, Sheng Ningyu felt quite uncomfortable.
I always feel...
I just don't feel like it should be like this.
The old woman selling rouge walked up to Sheng Ningyu's side. Looking at Ning Jiao in the crowd, she said, "This is the Bright Moon Immortal Lord. He's truly a young man of great talent. Little girl, do you want to be like him?"
Unexpectedly, Sheng Ningyu shook her head.
She said, "I don't have that kind of ability. Being able to sit in a street-side restaurant, eat something, and laugh and joke with everyone is enough for me."
Upon hearing this, the old woman turned her head and gave Sheng Ningyu a deep look.
With that one glance, the original turbidity disappeared, and her eyes became so sharp that they didn't resemble those of an old woman at all!
Sheng Ningyu's heart tightened.
She touched her side, but there was no sword. She subconsciously pointed her fingers together, wanting to use them as a blade, but her wrist suddenly felt a sharp pain, as if an invisible chain had suddenly tightened, preventing her from continuing.
The old woman said slowly, "Ayao wrote to me about you. Your character is first-rate."
In an instant, Jin Xianyao's fluctuating attitude and the apologetic glances he cast at her from time to time intertwined in her mind.
Sheng Ningyu tensed up: "Senior is too kind."
Seeing her like this, the old woman revealed a genuine kindness on her aged face: "You are a good prospect, and this has nothing to do with you. If you have time, leave as soon as possible."
Depart?
Sheng Ningyu quickly grasped the word, but before she could finish expressing her excitement, she suddenly realized something else.
Where else could she go besides here and besides Jian Ge?
No...that's not right!
The world is so vast, where can't one go?
But why did Young Master Chu specifically send her to Hehuan City?
Sheng Ningyu's mind was in turmoil, as if something was about to burst forth from the ground. However, at that very moment, Ning Jiao, who was being worshipped by everyone in the very center of the path, suddenly turned his head.
The smile on her lips froze for a mere fraction of a second, and a cold, sharp glint flashed in her seemingly gentle eyes as she pinpointed Sheng Ningyu's location.
We've been discovered?!
A sudden change has occurred!
A shrill cry, like that of a night owl, shattered the peaceful facade. The "old woman" who had just been chatting with Sheng Ningyu suddenly leaped into the air, her hunched figure rising abruptly so fast that she was just a gray shadow!
Where was the bamboo basket in her hand? Instead, she gripped a long sword with a cold, sharp gleam, and with a heart full of resentment and a determination to die together with him, she thrust it straight at Ning Jiao's heart!
The turn of events was too sudden and too swift! The guards' exclamations and the people's screams erupted simultaneously. Ning Jiao's gentle smile froze instantly, turning into a chilling murderous intent. Her reaction was extremely fast; her spiritual power surged, her moon-white sleeves billowed, and a shimmering white spiritual energy instantly condensed into a shield in front of her, protecting Ning Jiao within it.
"Remnants of demons and monsters!"
"Protect Immortal Lord Mingyue!"
Sheng Ningyu stumbled as she tried to dodge, almost losing her balance.
What are we protecting?
She couldn't help but turn around.
The situation on the field was not one-sided at all.
Although Ning Jiao's side had the advantage in numbers, the "old woman's" assassination attempt was clearly not a spur-of-the-moment act, but rather a premeditated one. Sheng Ningyu could tell at a glance that the angle at which she held her sword was tricky, her movements decisive and ruthless, and her eyes seemed to hold a determination to strike with certainty.
The shield formed from spiritual energy was pierced by the longsword, producing a teeth-grinding scraping sound. Although it did not shatter immediately, it still made Ning Jiao stagger.
The guards of the city lord's mansion were startled by the scene before them. After they came to their senses, they immediately drew their swords and blades, and spiritual energy surged in an instant, causing chaos in the scene!
...Why does it still feel so familiar?
Not only was the scene familiar, but even the "old woman's" sword-wielding posture and angle were very familiar, as if she had just seen it not long ago.
Ning Jiao!
Even though the situation was so tense, she still hadn't forgotten the figure she had vaguely seen earlier.
Sheng Ningyu moved slightly, but her spiritual energy was thin, and she was almost exhausted just by avoiding Ning Jiao's gaze.
Sheng Ningyu's mind raced, and she quickly made a decision.
Although the "old woman" seemed familiar with Jin Xianyao, her identity remained a mystery, and she was also connected to demons and ghosts.
Although Ning Jiao was a disciple of the Sword Pavilion and her senior sister, her attitude towards her was unclear, and it was impossible to tell whether she was a friend or foe.
Just then, an irresistible force enveloped Sheng Ningyu.
Her gaze suddenly shot upwards, and the world spun around her!
In an instant, the sounds of clashing swords and exploding spiritual energy became blurred.
Sheng Ningyu only had time to catch a glimpse of a snow-white hem of clothing flash past her eyes, and a faint, familiar, cool fragrance wafted into her nose. The next moment, she was taken back to the inn where she had previously stayed.
The moment her feet touched the ground, Sheng Ningyu turned around without hesitation, grabbed something from the table, and threw it behind her.
The man reacted quickly, retreating a few steps and turning his head to dodge.
With a crisp, soft sound, the teacup shattered, and a puddle of water spilled onto the snow-white wall.
The man spoke first, his voice clear and crisp: "Very beautiful swordsmanship... You can use a sword?"
Um?
He does have a good eye and is quite eloquent.
Sheng Ningyu raised her eyes and carefully examined the person in front of her.
The person who saved her was tall and slender, dressed in white, with a veil hanging down to her waist, completely obscuring her face and figure, leaving only an unfathomable darkness.
He stood in the dim light, as if he himself were a snow shadow.
The movement that happened in the blink of an eye was not the movement technique of an ordinary cultivator, but rather a kind of exquisite manipulation of space.
Sheng Ningyu casually picked up a flower from the vase on the table: "I was not carrying a sword, so why do you say that?"
After she spoke, the man remained silent for a moment, then raised his hand and lifted the veil.
Her slender fingers gently brushed aside a small patch of snow-white veil that draped over her shoulder, revealing her face beneath the veil.
Upon seeing the person's face clearly, Sheng Ningyu couldn't help but gasp.
Its snow-white bamboo stalks are carved like jade.
To call him a nobleman from a secular painting would be an insult; the red mark between his brows is more like a Buddha statue sitting high in a temple, its eyes lowered, adorned with a Bodhi snow lotus, transforming into human form and coming to the mortal world.
Such beauty is truly unparalleled.
Even more terrifying is...
Sheng Ningyu was surprised to realize that she couldn't feel any wariness towards this person at all.
This should absolutely not be!
Could it be that she's about to contradict herself so soon?
Suddenly, a voice rang in my ear: "What are you thinking about?"
The moment she uttered those two words, she saw the celestial lord before her, whose features were as solidified as frost and snow, suddenly turn cold.
The last trace of composure froze instantly, his entire face covered with an icy chill, as if even the air around him had stopped flowing, as cold as a handful of snow in the dead of winter, devoid of any life.
Upon hearing the question, the young immortal in white actually lowered his eyes and pondered seriously for a moment. His icy, snow-sculpted face was already extremely otherworldly, and now, with a slightly focused expression, it made this ordinary guest room seem to be bathed in moonlight, inexplicably radiant.
His long eyelashes cast a faint shadow on his refined face, and when he looked up again, he shook his head very slightly.
“I don’t know him.” His voice was very calm. “But I don’t like the name ‘Chu’.”
After a pause, the white-robed little immortal looked at Sheng Ningyu and added calmly, "I suppose the people with the surname 'Chu' are not good people. You should not associate with them."
They actually said such unreasonable things with such self-righteousness.
Sheng Ningyu: "..."
What kind of weirdo is this?
What's even stranger is that, given her current temper, she should have stayed away from this person instead of getting angry after hearing this.
At this very moment, as Sheng Ningyu gazed at the icy profile of the person before her and listened to his cold, blunt, and almost rude request, her heart felt as if it had been gently tickled by a feather, and she even found a touch of cuteness in him.
This is truly bizarre.
The little wariness and distance that was already there melted away quietly in this inexplicable feeling, and could not be gathered up again.
Sheng Ningyu sighed, completely letting down her guard, and asked with a hint of joking helplessness, "...May I ask, Immortal Lord, do you have the blood of the Qingqiu Fox Clan flowing through your veins?"
This was originally just a casual joke, but the white-robed little immortal lord frowned almost imperceptibly upon hearing it: "You still have such a strong preference for the fox clan?"
These words were spoken so naturally, as if they had already been uttered a thousand times in his mind. Before the last syllable was finished, he paused slightly, his long eyelashes drooping for a moment.
A glint flashed in Sheng Ningyu's eyes. Instead of retreating, she suddenly leaned forward, tilted her head back, and looked at the aloof and pure-looking young immortal before her, raising an eyebrow.
"You say it so smoothly... Little Immortal Lord, you seem to know me very well."
As her gaze swept over the other person's tense jaw and trembling eyelashes, Sheng Ningyu relaxed even more, and she even took another half step forward.
Their clothes almost touched, their breaths could be faintly smelled, and she was almost pressed against his spotless white robes.
When she spoke, her tone was light and playful, clearly floating in the air.
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Author's note: Some things become clearer when you have no memory. [Sunglasses]
As mentioned in Chapter 49, there used to be a little fox who would fawn over Mingyue.
And the fact that Ning Jiao knew Sheng Ningyu was hiding in the tree in the previous chapter was a small foreshadowing!
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