Daughter of a prestigious family
She paused, then said, "To be honest, Bai Shi also came here for this matter. He lingered in the outer sect of the Hidden World Sect for a long time, but couldn't find the key. He could only do odd jobs in the Heavenly Craft Workshop to cover his tracks."
Only then did A Qiu realize that her name was Bai Shi, and casually asked, "Which master did the painter Bai study under?"
Bai Shi sighed softly and said, "As I have already said, our lineage is not a martial arts group, and you wouldn't know even if I told you. However, my master and Sect Leader Li have always been old friends, and in the past year, my master had vaguely sensed that something had happened to Sect Leader Li, so he sent me to come and see for myself. After I arrived, I felt that the Hidden World Sect was acting very mysteriously. In order to avoid arousing their suspicion, I didn't mention this matter at all, and just pretended to be a disciple of an old friend who had come here to experience the world and broaden his horizons. My offense just now was also at the behest of Young Master Meng. I had no choice but to do so. Please don't take offense."
From the beginning, A Qiu thought that this Bai painter was also a person who could greet guests well, and her thoroughness and meticulousness were no less than that of Xiao Mengchang. Now she realized that she must also be a top disciple of a certain lineage, otherwise her sect would not have sent only her to investigate the details of such an important matter. And she was indeed thorough and meticulous, leaving no room for error.
Bai Shi continued, "And I did not arouse their suspicion. I stayed in this outer sect business as a painter and was quite trusted by Young Master Meng. But that's all I know. Young Master Meng never mentions anything about the sect's internal affairs. As far as I can tell, he knows nothing about it either."
A Qiu thought to herself that if the painter Bai wanted to gain someone's trust, there would be no one in the world she couldn't convince. For example, she herself found it hard not to believe the painter Bai's words at this moment.
Bai Shi continued, "I know that you are a peerless master, but if you enter the Dayuan Mountains, there are many array formations and fog, and occasionally there are miasma-ridden areas. You are currently in a weak state, so it would be much easier if you had a concubine by your side to take care of you."
She spoke gently and thoughtfully, her words both sincere and persuasive. Even as a woman, A Qiu was almost convinced by her gentle and tactful manner.
However, she was certainly not so easily trusting. The fact was that she had once attempted to capture A Qiu to blackmail Gu Yi, but had failed. If she really brought her into the Dawan Mountains, who knew whether she was protecting her or ambushing her from the side, waiting for an opportunity to capture her and coerce Gu Yi?
Unexpectedly, Gu Yi spoke up and said, "Yes."
A Qiu was very anxious, so she looked at Gu Yi's expression. Gu Yi's face was hidden under a veil, so of course she couldn't see it clearly.
At this moment, Bai Shi outside the curtain seemed to be relieved and said, "Thank you both." She said somewhat shamefully, "Actually, I have also wanted to go into the mountains to search for them, but because my skills are poor and I am afraid of alerting them, I have not gone yet."
Gu Yi's expression was obscured by the veil, but he hummed in response.
But even that single "hmm" was a thunderbolt to A Qiu's ears. When had Gu Yi ever been so interactive and responsive with strangers? Just now, he hadn't uttered a single word to Meng Jue.
Ah Qiu was not a petty girl, but at this moment she couldn't help but glance out the curtain again.
Bai Shi's demeanor and insight are far beyond those of ordinary women, and she is certainly not as aristocratic and extravagant as the ladies of Jianzhang Palace. She is neither a martial artist nor the daughter of an official. What kind of sect could cultivate such a perceptive and understanding woman?
Gu Yi's voice, sharp and focused, rang in her ear as he said, "What she said is true."
A Qiu looked up in surprise, only to be met with Gu Yi's sharp gaze as he peered out from behind his veil.
Gu Yi's voice continued, "She activated the Spirit Locking Array just now, but she didn't use her full strength. She could have taken you down, but she didn't actually do it."
A Qiu was horrified. That meant that what Bai Shi was showing was not her true strength, but rather a perfunctory performance to fulfill her duties to the Meng family.
In other words, Bai Shi did not really intend to deal with them.
The fact that she had the opportunity to trap them but didn't suggests that her initial intention wasn't to deal with them. Therefore, it's highly likely she won't do anything to them in the future.
Gu Yi's voice softened slightly as he said, "I may have some past connection with the seniors of her sect."
Only then did A Qiu understand why Gu Yi trusted Bai Shi. She unconsciously nestled her head deeper into Gu Yi's arms and whispered, "Okay. What do we do next?"
Gu Yi said in a deep voice, "Find the woman in green."
The woman in green that Gu Yi mentioned was naturally the senior sister Meng Jue had spoken of. She had first lured their horses astray on the mountain path with the sound of bells, causing them to wander aimlessly for ages. Then, she had positioned herself on the plank road and suspension bridge, holding a sword across their throats, intending to force them to turn back and never set foot in the southwest again. Now, it was said that she had the Hidden World Sect under her complete control. Even if she was truly not a bad person, as Meng Jue claimed, the whereabouts of Li Wujiu would inevitably depend on her.
Gu Yi didn't utter a sound after saying this. Bai Shi, who was outside the curtain, heard this and immediately replied, "I have met and heard about the senior sister of the Hidden World Sect. She is impeccable, steady and thoughtful, with the demeanor of a lady from a prestigious family, and very capable."
When A-Qiu arrived, she discovered another advantage of Bai Shi: she would readily share any information she suspected others needed without waiting for them to ask, and the other party would not owe her any favors. Therefore, being with her always felt like a gentle breeze.
However, her next words immediately left A-Qiu speechless, unable to utter another word.
Bai Shi continued, "This senior sister's surname is Xiao, and her given name is Yu. She is a descendant of the Lanling Xiao clan."
Upon hearing this, A Qiu felt even Gu Yiwei's body, which was pressing down on her, tremble.
He said coldly, "So, the Hidden World Sect has become the nest of the Xiao family all these years?"
Bai Shi pondered for a long time before speaking tactfully, “That’s not quite the case. From what I’ve seen and heard these past few days, this Miss Xiao has managed her worldly affairs very well since joining the Hidden World Sect. She has also made a point of associating with local powerful families in the southwest, which has caused the Hidden World Sect’s influence in the secular world to rise sharply. For example, the Third Young Master Meng and Tianxiangpu that I just met are the results of her efforts to befriend local powerful families.”
She pondered for a moment before continuing, "In my opinion, although these actions deviate from the Hidden World Sect's principle of living in seclusion and cultivating in seclusion, they cannot be called evil deeds, nor can they be called deliberate control for personal gain. If we talk about benefits, every disciple of the Hidden World Sect has benefited."
It's obvious that Tiangongfang's famous brocades can be sold as far as Jianzhang, and Tianxiangpu's peonies cost tens of taels of silver per plant. Although they are nominally owned by the Meng family, the Hidden Sect probably also has a stake in them. Just look at how respectful and attentive Meng Jue is to his senior sister Xiao Yu, and how he can carry out the order to stop, conceal, and question Li Wujiu without any hesitation. It's clear that the interests between the two are not shallow.
Gu Yi said bluntly, "Including you, my guest advisor, you haven't been mistreated these days, have you?"
His words also had a hidden meaning, namely that Bai Shi was lingering here probably because of the generous money and benefits Meng Jue had given him, so he had abandoned the trust placed in him by his master, and was deliberately delaying and not taking any action.
Upon hearing this, Bai Shi sighed and said, "For a person who cultivates in seclusion, money is of little use. Young master will understand my predicament in the future."
When A Qiu thought about how Xiao Yu, the currently popular senior sister of the Hidden World Sect, was actually a fellow disciple of Xiao Chang'an, and also about how Xiao Chang'an came to Jianzhang half a year ago, initially keeping a tight rein on things, but now secretly testing and manipulating Gu Yi, he broke out in a cold sweat.
She couldn't help but tentatively ask, "The Hidden World Sect has a disciple named Xiao Chang'an, who also comes from the Lanling Xiao Clan. Has Master Bai ever heard of this person?"
Bai Shi seemed startled and immediately said, "This is also my question. Now everyone in the world knows that the positions of the four Flying Phoenix Guards of the current generation in the capital have been determined. Everyone says that Lord Xiao Chang'an of the 'Azure Hawk Guard' is from the Hidden Sect, but after I have been probing and asking around for a long time, at least all the outer disciples say that they have never heard of this person."
She hesitated for a moment, then said, "I had considered asking Miss Xiao, but I was intimidated by her power and prestige and dared not speak. I was afraid of alerting her and not actually helping the matter."
A Qiu's heart sank to the bottom of an icy valley, yet she knew that Bai Shi's words made sense. Since the Lanling Xiao family was able to send Xiao Chang'an to the capital and make him one of the four pillars supporting the Great Yan world, and also allowed Xiao Yu to hold the power of the Hidden Sect for so long, if they discovered anything suspicious about Bai Shi, a junior guest, it would be as easy as crushing an ant.
In no time, the carriage stopped; they had arrived at the gate of the inn where they were staying.
Gu Yi carried A Qiu out of the carriage. Bai Shi showed no surprise, but bowed deeply and said, "Please, both of you. If you ever need my help in the future, just let me know and go to Tiangong Workshop."
Gu Yi didn't reply. He picked up A Qiu and started walking away. A Qiu, perched on his shoulder, nodded at him from afar, indicating that she understood.
Gu Yi didn't say a word. He carried A Qiu through the corridors and courtyards, ignoring the surprised looks from the guests and staff he encountered along the way, and went straight back to his room.
As they approached the door, A Qiu suddenly remembered something and struggled to get down, saying, "Chief Lie and Young Master Fusu have probably returned. Don't let them see us."
Gu Yi paused, but did not put her down. He said in a deep voice, "You think they haven't seen it?"
A Qiu was immediately confused: What hadn't she seen? Then she remembered that she had been knocked unconscious by Wan Qiqing's palm strike at the Martial Saint Shrine, and it wasn't Gu Yi who carried her all the way back to the carriage. Lie Changkong and Gongye Fusu must have seen Gu Yi carrying her with their own eyes. But she was unconscious then, while she was awake now. How could the two be compared?
Slightly embarrassed, she whispered, "I'm afraid they'll laugh at you."
Gu Yi looked down at her and said calmly, "I think you're afraid they'll laugh at you."
A Qiu was deeply embarrassed this time, because he had really hit the nail on the head. Gu Yisheng was open and honest; when had he ever been afraid of others laughing or not laughing? — Only she, with a guilty conscience, was afraid of being laughed at.
Gu Yi passed by Gongye Fusu and Lie Changkong's room without looking back, unaware that the two had already returned and were now lying in bed.
When they reached their own room, Gu Yi suddenly stopped, put A Qiu down with one hand, and his eyes, visible even through his veil, swept into the room as if he wanted to see clearly what was inside.
At the same time, he drew out the 'Crescent Moon' with his other hand, and the cold light of sword energy shone brightly in the passageway.
A Qiu knew there must be someone in the room, so she took a step back and moved closer to Gu Yi's side.
A gentle and pleasant female voice came from inside the room, yet it seemed to be right next to me:
"Xiao Yu, a disciple of the Hidden World Sect, respectfully awaits the arrival of the Young Master and Miss A Qiu. Please come in."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
