Chapter 358

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 358: Drinking You Up

Half a month later, Bai Wei packed his bags, preparing to leave Qiantang and continue his travels.

Xu Xian, having used Madam Bai’s dowry and Bai Wei’s angel round investment, opened a medicine shop and began enjoying a peaceful life.

As for Bai Wei, he resumed his adventures. This time, however, a beautiful girl with bright eyes and white teeth accompanied him.

Together, they traveled, visiting famous mountains and rivers, and even fought against gangsters. Bai Wei’s already good reputation grew, and soon he became well-known.

The Kaifeng government tried to recruit him multiple times, but each attempt failed. Zhan Zhao and Gongsun Ce also made crooked plans, including setting him up with a blind date. However, when they saw Diwu Qiansui, none of those attempts were mentioned again to avoid embarrassment.

Adventuring through the rivers and lakes was exciting, especially facing wind and rain. But after a while, it could become monotonous.

Gradually, Bai Wei found himself with more free time. He started buying houses in different places, staying in them whenever he wished.

One day, Zhan Zhao rushed in, not even stopping for tea.

“Someone is here with you.”

“Who?” Bai Wei asked.

“Don’t pretend,” Zhan Zhao replied, familiar with him. “I’m in a hurry. Hand over the person quickly.”

“What about the official document?” Bai Wei calmly took a sip of tea.

“Don’t drink!” Zhan Zhao scolded. “This matter is of grave importance!”

Ignoring Zhan Zhao’s urgency, Bai Wei waved his hand, preparing for a fight.

In his impatience, Zhan Zhao drew his sword, and the two began sparring.

The courtyard was filled with the clash of two top martial artists, dazzling the onlookers. Zhang Long and Zhao Hu watched in amazement.

“Zhan is getting better and better at kung fu.”

“Younger Master Bai can’t gain the upper hand anymore. Half a year ago, they were evenly matched.”

“After all, they’ve been inactive in the martial arts world, so some regression is inevitable.”

After half an incense stick’s worth of fighting, Bai Wei released a breath. “No more fighting. Your skills have improved a lot recently.”

Zhan Zhao, surprised, asked, “I’ve made progress in the past six months, but what about you? Why are you not as good as before?”

Bai Wei replied, “I have regressed.”

“You’re an expert in internal martial arts, and you practice boxing every day. You shouldn’t be regressing,” Zhan Zhao remarked. “Do you have any health problems?”

Bai Wei waved his hand, saying, “A little. I’ve been drinking and staying up late too much, so my body’s weak.”

He continued, “Although I lost, I managed to buy some time. You can search freely. If you find the person, I’ll consider it my loss.”

Zhan Zhao’s eyes widened. “Really?!”

Bai Wei laughed, “Don’t blame me for being clever. It’s safer with me than at Kaifeng Palace.”

Zhan Zhao knew Bai Wei was always precise in his actions, so he lowered his voice. “Lord Bao will handle this matter himself.”

Bai Wei sighed. “It’s difficult. If it’s with me, at most some assassins and thugs will come. But if it’s in Kaifeng, there will be a trial at the Three Halls, and pressure from the Six Ministries. Are you sure Bao Zheng can handle it? It’s all about perspective.”

Zhan Zhao nodded. “When can I come and take them?”

Bai Wei replied, “Whenever Bao Zheng allows, that’s when you can take them.”

Zhan Zhao left.

Before long, Qin Xianglian and her son, hiding in the backyard, finally came out… and so, the case involving the son-in-law began.

Bai Wei wasn’t pleased. In the past, he had merely watched from the sidelines. Now, he found himself directly involved.

Bai Wei sighed. “After this, I might have to spend all my money and run away. I’m not a famous person with powerful friends protecting me.”

Diwu Qiansui’s eyes lit up. “Yay~”

“What are you so happy about?”

“I’m so happy! From now on, you have to come with me, and I’ll take you back to my hometown,” Diwu Qiansui said with excitement.

She moved closer, hugging Bai Wei’s arm tightly, reluctant to let go, like a cat rubbing against its owner at dinnertime.

“Do you want to?”

“Umm…”

“You don’t know how to control yourself, can you help me save some?” Bai Wei sighed.

“One small bite, then another small bite.” She embraced him and, without warning, bit his shoulder, sipping fresh blood.

After a while, she let go, blood dripping from her lips.

Bai Wei was surprised. “Did you save some for me?”

Diwu Qiansui looked timid. “I need to take care of you. Your body isn’t as strong as before.”

Bai Wei shook his head. “As a warrior, it’s not hard to take care of you. I just hope you won’t attack anyone besides me.”

Qiansui shook her head. “No, that’s not possible. Other people’s blood doesn’t affect me, and I don’t eat humans either.”

Bai Wei asked, “But you still have to drink blood. Are you a vampire bat or a fox spirit?”

Diwu Qiansui sat in a gazebo, hugging her knees. “It’s to maintain this way… I’m still too young.”

“Would you like to ask me for a kiss? Would I refuse it?”

“I’m different. I’m an immortal fox, not like ordinary foxes,” Qiansui said softly. “I stay in the mortal realm and haven’t had time to cultivate. So, I can only maintain my human form like this.”

“Is this the mortal realm?” Bai Wei asked. “Is your hometown in a fairyland?”

“It’s not that magical,” Diwu Qiansui replied. “I ran away because I was mischievous. My hometown is probably looking for me, but I don’t plan to go back soon. Let’s stay a little longer.”

“Sure, it’s not much longer anyway,” Bai Wei smiled. “When I go bankrupt, I’ll go with you to take a look.”

“Okay. My friends will like you,” she said, smiling brightly. Then, her expression grew serious. “But be careful, there are many bad foxes around.”

“Like you?”

“I’m not!”

After a while, Diwu Qiansui shared the story of Qin Xianglian and Chen Shimei. “Chen Shimei abandoned his wife and child for wealth and fame, even sending someone to kill her. But it seems you don’t care.”

“Every person has their own aspirations,” Bai Wei said. “Power and wealth can’t be brought to life or taken away in death. If Chen Shimei had lived a few more lifetimes, he would have understood this. Unfortunately, he didn’t, and became a person with the heart of a wolf and the lungs of a dog.”

A month later, the famous case came to an end.

Bao Qingtian remained Bao Qingtian, but the case had far more complicated developments and details than before.

The outcome? Bai Wei took the blame, but he suffered no loss. He retaliated fiercely against the royal family, leaving the emperor, the princess, and the queen dowager embarrassed, tarnishing the royal family’s reputation.

Bai Wei used Kaifeng’s government and Bao Zheng’s reputations to support himself. He promised that his family would not be affected by the troubles, donated a large sum of money, leaving himself with nothing, and then quickly escaped.

Zhan Zhao and Bai Wei set off on a three-hundred-mile adventure. They constantly challenged each other along the way from Kaifeng to Qiantang, taking a long and winding path. It took them two months to complete the journey.

Bai Wei gained a small advantage, saving half a day’s time. The royal cat reluctantly admitted failure, and they returned to the capital.

It had been three years since Bai Wei last returned to Qiántáng.

He left Diwu Qiansui at Xu Xian’s house and climbed Golden Mount Temple with Xu Xian once again.

It seemed that when Bai Wei invited the monk for tea, it worked. Fa Hai did not trouble Bai Suzhen.

As Xu Xian spoke, it was clear Madam Bai even visited Golden Mount Temple during important holidays. They seemed to get along quite well.

While Xu Xian was in the restroom, Bai Wei asked, “Have your thoughts about Bai Suzhen changed?”

“No,” Fa Hai replied casually. “A monster is still a monster. It wouldn’t be surprising if one day it couldn’t resist and revealed its true nature.”

“As long as you don’t bother Xu Xian, there shouldn’t be any problems,” Bai Wei said.

“Do you still have the energy to worry about others?” Fa Hai frowned. “Think about yourself!”

“I, what’s happening to me?”

“You are dying soon,” Fa Hai said seriously. “If you keep going like this, you may only have ten more years to live.”

Bai Wei remained silent for a moment, then smiled. “I thought I only had one year left. That scared me.”

“Bai Wei!” Fa Hai said seriously. “If you continue to be stubborn, I might actually take action!”

Fa Hai was clearly confused, as both his friends always seemed to be plagued with bad luck.

Bai Wei chuckled. “Oh, monk. I’m now completely broke, wanted by the whole country, a top criminal. My life is in shambles.”

Fa Hai exclaimed, “If you come to Golden Mount Temple, I’ll make sure you’re safe. The realm of the Buddhist monks isn’t afraid of any kings or emperors!”

“In the story, Bai Wei stretched lazily and said, ‘By making enemies with the kingdom, you seem a little unreasonable. Oh well, I came here just to say hello and I’ll be leaving soon.’”

Fa Hai opened his mouth. “Have you made up your mind, to spend your life with a fairy? She will drain you to the bone and devour you completely…”

Bai Wei thought for a moment and smiled. “That is what I wish for.”

“Why?” Fa Hai asked, puzzled. “In this busy world, I thought you were aware.”

“No, monk, that’s not sober…” Bai Wei said. “It’s fear.”

Fa Hai forced a smile. “Are you afraid that people will hurt your heart, but not afraid that monsters will take your life?”

Bai Wei replied, “In the past, I used to be afraid because I was just a passerby. But now, I am a character in this play. So what is there to be afraid of, monk? As a scholar, I also want to experience a sweet romance once in a while.”

The young man stood up, smiling, wearing a scholar’s gown, and disappeared into the misty rain of the southern river.

Fa Hai watched him leave, hands clasped together. “Amitabha Buddha…”

Is the beauty of love and emotions truly more important than living in this world full of hardships?

I don’t understand.