Chapter 17
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This chapter is edited by omileye nofisat. Thank you for your contribution!
Chapter 17: All Fates Are Born by Reason
Bai Lian stayed in Hening City for another night.
That night, Xiao Jinse’s meridians suffered further damage as she attempted to calm herself using her spirit Qi. Shrinking into the quilt, she found herself experiencing a quiet, leisurely life.
“Second Elder Martial Sister,” Su Youwei said as she handed her a hot towel.
“Haw haw.”
The jade rabbit approached, carrying special snacks from Hening City that Bai Lian had bought.
“Come on, Second Younger Martial Sister, it’s time to take your medicine.”
Bai Lian carefully placed the blue pill into Xiao Jinse’s mouth.
It was comfortable.
Xiao Jinse pursed her lips. The faint fragrance of Bai Lian’s fingers seemed to linger there, a subtle reminder of her Elder Martial Sister’s care. She sighed inwardly.
When she recovered, Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian would guide her in practice hand in hand, with close night tutorials every other day. Yet, being injured brought its own blessings—Bai Lian stayed close, and even Su Youwei and the usually mischievous jade rabbit became endearing during these times.
This treatment was truly special.
As long as the injuries didn’t leave permanent scars, Xiao Jinse felt she wouldn’t mind lying in bed a bit longer.
Su Youwei, observing the light in Xiao Jinse’s eyes, narrowed her own.
Yes.
The Second Elder Martial Sister must have injured herself on purpose. What a waste of kindness! Apart from the sincere Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian, was there anyone honest on Qiongming Peak?
Su Youwei crouched by the bed, staying awake all night. A sense of foreboding filled her as she thought of Qiongming Peak’s future.
No. She couldn’t allow Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian to feel disappointed or sad. Reporting Xiao Jinse’s behavior was out of the question.
—
The next morning, Bai Lian and her younger Martial Sisters began their journey back to the Duxian Sect. Along the way, they stopped at the Guangtong Sect’s “Long Distance Passenger Station,” where Bai Lian received a message from the sect.
[Go to Tianyi City]
“Master Yan, what happened?” Bai Lian asked Yan Yue, who had just relayed the instructions.
Yan Yue replied, “Heluo Country is holding a ceremony for their eldest princess in Tianyi City. Many sects with ties to Heluo will be sending representatives. Since you’re already in the area, the sect leader decided you should attend as Duxian Sect’s representative.”
“?”
Bai Lian suspected this task was originally Yan Yue’s responsibility, now passed to her! She didn’t want to attend a ceremony. She would much rather roam Heluo Country earning skill points.
Noticing Bai Lian’s reluctance, Yan Yue quickly clarified, “This was the sect leader’s decision, not mine.”
This time, Yan Yue wasn’t lying.
—
After receiving Bai Lian’s message earlier, Yan Yue had prepared to confront the Elder of the Sword Washing Pavilion. Yet, as she readied herself, she received a sudden message from An Lan.
[She is my disciple.]
The terse message hit Yan Yue hard.
How had An Lan known Bai Lian had contacted her? Did An Lan monitor her disciple’s jade slip?
Yan Yue’s temper flared. She shoved the Blood Tree Patriarch—who had been trying to comfort her—back into the ground, sat under a tree, and began playing her lyre.
Qiang. Cha. Qiang…
—
Meanwhile, back at the Duxian Sect, the intelligence network had already reported Bai Lian’s recent exploits in Hening City:
“One strike! She sent a cultivator of the Sword Washing Pavilion flying a hundred miles with a single blow!”
Jue Yunzi, the sect leader, recognized the futility of concealing Bai Lian’s strength any longer.
“Let’s make it public,” he declared. “The world should know Bai Lian has reached the Soul Changing Stage. Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, we will face it together.”
With unanimous agreement from the elders, it was decided that Bai Lian would represent the sect at the Heluo ceremony.
—
Back in Hening City, Bai Lian reluctantly accepted her new task. “Master Yan, what exactly should I do at this ceremony?”
Yan Yue smiled. “It’s simple—deliver congratulations, give a speech, and watch the event.”
Bai Lian nodded. That sounded manageable. As long as they didn’t ask her for money or extravagant gifts, she could handle it.
“I’ll go alone,” Bai Lian said, glancing at Xiao Jinse’s pale face. “Master Yan Yue, can you escort my younger Martial Sisters back to the Duxian Sect?”
Yan Yue agreed.
Bai Lian turned to her Martial Sisters. “I’ll return in half a month. Jinse, use this time to recover. Don’t worry—I’ll be fine.”
—
Evening.
At a small shop a few hundred miles from Hening City, Yu Ying sat quietly in a corner, sipping tea.
The chatter around her was all about Bai Lian:
“Did you hear? Bai Lian appeared in Hening City, saw injustice, and defeated an Elder from the Sword Washing Pavilion with one strike!”
Yu Ying sighed, regretting her timing. Had she stayed a few more days, she might have met Bai Lian.
She touched the black cloth covering her eyes. If only Bai Lian could wield her sword. As a Natural Saint, Bai Lian surely met the criteria to become its master.
But alas, she had missed her.
Just as Yu Ying poured another cup of tea, the shop’s curtain lifted. A familiar figure stepped inside.
The woman approached the counter, smiled, and said, “Shopkeeper, a pot of tea and a plate of peanuts!”
As the coins clinked on the table, their eyes met.
“What a coincidence.”
“Yes, what a coincidence!”
Fate, it seemed, had other plans.
