Chapter 67
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Chapter 67: Title
"Who was that?" Suiyin asked when she caught up.
Xia Shi quickly hid her emotions. "Mistaken identity."
She walked away, her silhouette growing distant.
Suiyin’s chest tightened. She clenched her fists until her palms hurt.
Lu Ciyou strolled over, lifting Suiyin’s hand that held A Li’s and waved their joined hands before Xia Shi.
Her bright smile held no mockery.
Suiyin: "……"
Annoying.
Head hanging low, she hurried after Xia Shi and asked softly: "Are you angry?"
Xia Shi glanced at her in confusion. "No."
What was there to be angry about?
Suiyin explained, “She works for Aunt Yan. She must’ve been passing by and came over to speak with me when she noticed me.”
“The Aunt Yan you mentioned—is she Yan Ge from the twenty-four immortals of the Immortal Capital that Fairy Lord Min Sheng spoke of?” Xia Shi suddenly asked, slowing her steps as she glanced sideways. “Were you planning to leave the Nine Realms and return to the Immortal Capital after finding your sword?”
Suiyin hesitated briefly before matching her pace until they walked shoulder-to-shoulder.
“Aunt Yan’s name is Yan Ge, and perhaps she is a Fairy Lord. I’m not even certain that place is the Immortal Capital—it was too quiet. All these years, I only ever saw Aunt Yan and Sister Hongling there. I don’t wish to return.”
“Then don’t.”
“What?”
Meeting Suiyin’s startled gaze, Xia Shi’s calm eyes flickered faintly. “If you don’t wish to, then don’t.”
Suiyin’s heart stirred, her lips curving upward. “Alright.”
Was this Xia Shi’s way of asking her to stay?
She decided to take it as such.
The two walked side by side, their harmony drawing a satisfied smile from Lu Ciyou trailing behind.
Peace was better than discord.
“Where to next?” Suiyin asked her companion.
“Now that we’re here, we might as well meet the new Leader.” Xia Shi lifted her chin toward the approaching group led by the same man who had executed dissenters on the city walls earlier.
“Speak of the devil.”
They didn’t even need to go looking.
“Jin Ming of Canghai’s Golden Token, bearing the Leader’s invitation for Fellow Immortals to converse at the residence.” Jin Ming clasped his hands in greeting, his face stern but his courtesy flawless.
This newly appointed Golden Token Lord appeared thoroughly dutiful.
“Lead on.”
*
Perched on Si Hai City’s highest ground near the East Sea stood the Leader’s residence, with the Four Seasons Hall housing Canghai disciples’ operations sprawling below.
As Jin Ming guided the four through the Hall, rows of Canghai disciples swung blades in synchronized drills, their movements sharp and undistracted.
Their clear-eyed focus confirmed they were no puppets.
Xia Shi observed them briefly before remarking, “The rumors of Canghai’s internal conflicts seem baseless.”
Jin Ming gave a noncommittal hum, offering no comment.
Beyond the Hall, muffled music and laughter spilled from an ornate pavilion. Halting at its entrance, Jin Ming gestured. “After you.”
Xia Shi inclined her head and entered first.
Diaphanous silks rippled across the central hall, veiling and unveiling gyrating dancers who twisted suggestively to the rhythm. Upon the raised dais, the new Leader Jiang Feng traded wine cups with a half-dressed beauty, heedless of his audience.
The newcomers froze. Such debauchery defied the dignity of any major sect—let alone the esteemed Canghai. Few among lesser sects would dare such indecency.
The courtesan peered through the gauze and tittered in Jiang Feng’s ear. “Leader, your guests have arrived.”
Jiang Feng blinked owlishly and staggered upright, sloshing his cup toward the group. “The Half-step Sword Immortal… the Little Sword Immortal… and the young master of Liujin Pavilion…”
When Jiang Feng spotted Yan Li, he narrowed his eyes. Finding her unfamiliar, his wine-fogged mind dismissed her without recognition.
“Three guests visiting Canghai deserve proper hospitality from this sect Leader. Come, sit.”
He gestured at the dancers. “You girls – attend our honored guests properly!”
“Yes.”
As beauties swarmed over, Suiyin ducked behind Xia Shi in alarm, hands waving frantically. “No need! Really!”
Xia Shi’s frosty expression kept others at bay.
Beside them, Lu Ciyou yanked A Li protectively close while dodging grasping hands, snapping, “Don’t touch me!”
The four became prickly hedgehogs, leaving dancers stranded in awkward hesitation.
“No need for such efforts, Leader Jiang.” Xia Shi tugged Suiyin toward empty seats. “The leading sects need no ceremony.”
They settled together as Jiang Feng drained his cup, cold glint sharp behind insincere smile. “Splendid. Continue.”
Music and dance resumed without conversation, broken only by low chuckles from the throne.
Their silent conversation buzzed with activity.
Lu Ciyou: “Why’d the old fool summon us? To watch him revel?”
Suiyin: “How do Canghai disciples obey such a man?”
Lu Ciyou: “Saw that person outside? One wrong word meant death.”
Suiyin: “Jin Ming seems arrogant. Would he truly follow this new Leader? Is Jiang Feng acting weak to deceive others?”
A cool voice interrupted: “Someone’s opposite us.”
Suiyin and Lu Ciyou blinked at Xia Shi.
Opposite? Someone?
Their puzzled gazes drew Xia Shi’s clarification: “Listen.”
Beneath music and silk whispers came faint finger taps.
Across the gauze-draped hall, hidden among shifting figures.
As music ceased, Jiang Feng dismissed dancers with a wave.
“Does Jiang’s hospitality displease you?” He glared at untouched banquet dishes.
“Your efforts are noted,” Xia Shi rose, bowing. “We took Half-Life Flower before coming. A cultivator’s precaution – no food or drink for ten days.”
Half-Life Flower – Spiritual Plants aiding energy absorption, nullified by earthly consumption.
A flawless excuse.
Jiang Feng knew the man was lying, but the smooth words left him no choice but to force a smirk. "Elder Wuwei’s diligence in ceaseless day-and-night cultivation is truly remarkable," he sneered.
Xia Shi inclined her head. "Your praise honors me, Leader."
Jiang Feng’s sleeve whipped through the air as he angrily slumped back into his seat, gulping down half a jug of wine. Below them, Lu Ciyou’s shoulders shook with suppressed laughter, while Yan Li’s gaze held quiet exasperation.
"Why did you have the Golden Token Lord bring us here?" Xia Shi cut to the chase, refusing to indulge his games.
Jiang Feng’s eyes darted sideways. "Ah—"
"You’ve surely heard of the Thirteen Ghost Domains’ recent incursion into Si Hai City," he began, adopting a mournful tone. "The former Leader was wounded, and now Canghai’s strength is depleted. Should the Ghost Domains strike again, we’d have no warriors left to resist."
Lu Ciyou nearly spat. *How can a Leader claim there’s no one to fight? Are you not a warrior yourself?*
She opened her mouth to retort when Yan Li’s grip tightened on her hand. Puzzled, Lu Ciyou tried sending a voice transmission, only to find it blocked. Transmissions failed either when the recipient refused them… or lacked spiritual power entirely.
Panicking, Lu Ciyou channeled her energy into Yan Li’s meridians—but it vanished into voidness. Tracing the pathways to Yan Li’s Dantian, she found emptiness where the Golden Core should have glowed.
Yan Li squeezed the trembling hand. "It’s alright," she murmured, leaning into Lu Ciyou.
Tears pooled in Lu Ciyou’s eyes as she turned away. *That night—when the Blood Demon came—I fell useless. Lost an eye, collapsed, left her alone…* Her nails dug into her palms. *She destroyed her Golden Core protecting me. How much did it hurt? How did she carry me to find Suiyin and Master Fan?*
"A-Li…"
"I’m fine." Yan Li’s whisper held steel. "No regrets. The Blood Demon is dead. We found our people." Her shoulder brushed Lu Ciyou’s. "Cores can be remade."
Their clasped hands spoke what words couldn’t. Lu Ciyou bit her lip until copper flooded her tongue, straining to focus on Jiang Feng’s theatrics.
"…assist Canghai through this crisis, and we’ll be eternally grateful," the Leader was declaring.
Xia Shi’s chuckle sliced through his performance. "Let’s skip the pretenses, Leader Jiang. We’re not your only guests tonight."
Before he could respond, draperies shredded under a surge of energy.
"Xia Wuwei." The rasping voice vibrated through the hall. "An honor."
The familiar voice made Xia Shi lift her eyes sharply. Through the scattered red veils, she glimpsed a half-turned profile.
Lu! Qing! Yu!
