Chapter 291 They’re Here!
Just like Hua Qiyue with Yun Shimo in her heart, it would be nearly impossible for her to accept Xuanji after that.
“What about you? Don’t you like Qiyue a lot? I heard that your father had singled her out as your wife.”
Bai Qianxue said with a quiet smile, some complex emotions flashing in his eyes. His eyes looked like iridescent pieces of jade.
“Let nature take its course,” Xuanji said quietly and nothing more.
“But nature won’t run its course smoothly. After all, they’ll be holding their wedding on the coming eighth.” Bai Qianxue gave a light smile, his eyes lonesome as snow. “It’s hard to win your beloved or to understand and locate them. The saying is right. Some live a lifetime and cannot find their true love. Brother Xuan, regardless of whether you can be together with Qiyue, you ought to count yourself lucky.”
Xuanji said nothing. Bai Qianxue was right: how many handsome and talented men in this world had died as bachelors? Two from the Xuan Family had died old and unmarried, with no woman by their sides.
Because they felt that the women were not right for them.
The two sat opposite each other, drinking tea quietly. The stream gurgled happily as a clear breeze wafted in, accompanied by the fragrant scent of flowers. All was silent.
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On the morning of the next day, a procession of horses and men was entering the city conceitedly. They had neither joined the line nor communicated with the guards. The moment a guard approached them, he was sent flying out by a slap.
“Scram. How dare you try and detain the Xuanyuan Family’s carriages?”
The man smiled coldly. Their procession consisted of 10 Lightning Steeds and five lavish carriages. Some big shots must be on the carriages.
A tooth of the guard was lost thanks to the slap, but when he saw that these men were expert Qi Artists, he realized that he might lose his life if he resisted. So he dejectedly lowered his head and stepped aside, allowing the haughty procession to enter.
The Xuanyuan Family was once renowned in the Yuewu Kingdom. Like the Xuan and Bai Families, they had retreated to hills and forests, or had lived in remote towns. Only the Murong Family resided in Xuanyuan City.
“That man said that this procession is the Xuanyuan Family’s. Is it true? Why have they entered the city? Has something happened?”
“I don’t know. Recently, the Xuanyuan Family must be in trouble of some sort. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have entered the city in such a mult.i.tude. It’s a rare sight, not witnessed for a century.”
The people were discussing quietly among themselves. Some of the more curious Qi Artists simply followed them into the city, in order to learn what trouble was brewing.
At this very moment.
Outside Qinghe Inn, Tianci and Hua Qiyue had already taken their breakfast. Hua Qiyue was preparing to bring Tianci into the green jade to practice when Caiqing came hurriedly to report the Xuanyuan Family’s arrival.
Hua Qiyue raised her brows. Yun Shimo must have waited a long time for this day.
Yun Shimo was sampling tea in the hall when he heard the news. He gave a snicker. “Just as well. We won’t need to wait any longer.”
“How many are they?” Hua Qiyue handed Tianci a snow pear and suddenly thought of this question.
“About 20, seven of them are elders. I heard that Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan is also here. We can’t see anyone in the carriages,” Caiqing replied.
Hua Qiyue made an estimation. There were 15 or 16 attendants. They must be the Xuanyuan Family’s disciples. In other words, there were more than 20 of them. They really thought highly of her and Yun Shimo, coming in such numbers.
“20. It means that most of the big shots from the Xuanyuan Family aren’t here… But if Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan is here, that will suit me perfectly,” Yun Shimo said quietly.
Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan had led a group of men and nearly ma.s.sacred the entire Yun Family years ago.
Such great enmities were irreconcilable. There would be no meaning in the fight if he was absent. After all, the leader of their generation was Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan. There would be no point in anyone else leading the pack.
Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan had wanted more helpers. But when he thought that he had eight elders and himself, he felt that their number was enough. So, after a discussion, he left some out from his team and ended up with some two dozen.
“I heard that this Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan is at the Great Completeness of Holy G.o.d. If you fight him alone, take care,” Hua Qiyue advised.
Bai Qianxue’s smile was like lonesome snow. “Haha, Brother Yun is so strong. You don’t need to worry on his behalf, Qiyue.”
“Indeed. Right now, nothing can prove too difficult for Brother Yun.” Xuanji also chimed in, concurring.
Hua Qiyue watched the silent Yun Shimo. She could not tell what emotions were hidden beneath those profound, black eyes.
“Qiyue, I heard that there’s a new restaurant east of the city that’s very good. Shall we try the osmanthus wine there? I heard that your Master loves it,” Xuanji said with a smile.
Hua Qiyue’s eyes lit up. For the past few days, Tianpi was acting lifelessly. He looked very displeased and stand-offish. Hua Qiyue wanted to find some way to toady to him.
But after bringing him rice, dishes, and wine, he was still not the man he was before. Hua Qiyue felt a faint worry troubling her. Had he run into some problem?
But a man taking the same food and wine would get tired of them. She suddenly thought about taking Tianpi some new food to try.
Seeing Hua Qiyue’s eagerness, Yun Shimo glanced at Tianci. Little Tianci was playing hide-and-seek with the Man-Hunting Insect and had not sensed anything amiss.
“It’s no good if you gorge the boy’s stomach with food,” Yun Shimo said coolly.
Hua Qiyue heard him and immediately gave up the idea of sampling food from the new restaurant. After all, Tianci was a mere boy but such a glutton. He would keep on gorging himself with good food even if he felt full.
“Forget it. Let’s wait till lunch then!” Hua Qiyue smiled apologetically. Xuanji gave the indifferent Yun Shimo a cool glance and then quietly shifted his sight away.
Round Two. Yun Shimo was the complete victor.
Ji Jing was walking down the stairs at this moment when she saw the company and smiled quietly. Ji Feng asked with concern, “Jing’er, what’s wrong? Why are you up so late today?”
Why was she up so late today?
One must know that Ji Jing had gone through a sleepless night. She kept thinking about Bai Qianxue’s face, as frosty as snow. Only at the break of dawn did she manage a little sleep.
“Nothing, just that I’m tired out by all the practice. So I’m a bit lazy today,” Ji Jing replied with a smile. She did not dare look into Bai Qianxue’s eyes.
The waiter brought Ji Jing her breakfast. But there was a young master at the door who called out Ji Jing’s name.
After saying good morning to the company hurriedly, she left. Naturally, she left with that young man with delicate features.
Ji Feng stared incredulously at their departing figures and felt somewhat troubled. Why was his sister in the company of a strange man, not informing him before?
Xuanji cast a glance at the silent Bai Qianxue.
Bai Qianxue brought the flute to his lips and started to blow a tune. The sound of the flute was refreshing and melodious, setting their hearts at ease.
Soon after, the men from the Xuanyuan Family finally arrived at Qinghe Inn’s doorstep.
Bai Qianxue’s flute-playing stopped.
Trailing them was a big company of busybodies. They were all astounded. They had not expected the Xuanyuan Family to come to this small inn. Who was lodging in this inn?
The large entourage of men and horses surrounded the front and back doors of the inn. Finally, someone lifted aside the carriage curtain and a wiry old man alighted. His piercing eyes flashed with murderous malice.
Even when the entire entourage had alighted the carriages, no one from Qinghe Inn emerged.
There were eight elders taking part in this operation. The Second to Eighth Elder were all here. Together with Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan, there were nine such big shots. There were 10 other disciples, all the elite of the Xuanyuan Family. Most were at the first or medium level of Moon Eclipse. The elders were at the Great Completeness of Round Sun, or at the first level of Holy G.o.d.
There were seven elders who were at the Great Completeness of Round Sun, one at the first level of Holy G.o.d, together with Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan at the Great Completeness of Holy G.o.d. This combination of Qi Artists could be considered extremely powerful.
“Outrageous! After learning of the Xuanyuan Family’s arrival, no one’s here to welcome us?” The Second Elder stared at the unfrequented inn. He could see through the open door Yun Shimo and his friends sampling tea leisurely.
These upstarts were not worth mentioning in the eyes of the Second Elder, at the first level of Holy G.o.d.
Actually, the Second Elder had requested to lead a team himself to capture Yun Shimo. But his request was rejected by Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan.
After all, Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan knew the fate of Liu Shaoming. Yun Shimo had advanced so rapidly in his Qi Art that it was terrifying. With Bai Qianxue and his other friends helping him, the Second Elder might not be his match.
“Indeed. These jerks are so conceited and perverse. Wait for me to finish you guys off. We will fly our Xuanyuan Family’s flag high again!” the Third Elder also remarked coldly.
Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan gazed slowly into the inn. His old face was tensed as he strode slowly in.
The other elders also followed. The onlooking Qi Artists could not squeeze into the crowd and all climbed up a tree to watch the scene.
Fortunately, the hall of the inn was large and s.p.a.cious. Those on the tree could basically see the situation inside.
“Why has the Xuanyuan Family mobilized so many elders? Is it only to deal with these small potatoes?”
“What small potatoes? That woman inside seems to be Hua Qiyue. And that man must be Yun Shimo!”
“Good heavens, you mean those fellows who slew the seven Palace Leaders of the Dark Sect in one night?”
“Yes, of course. Do you think the Xuanyuan Family is made up of idiots? Why would they come after Yun Shimo in Xuanyuan City with such fanfare? They must be quite confident, I think. That’s why they have jumped the line so brashly outside the city gate, to vaunt that they are the Xuanyuans.”
“Ha, so what if they are a big clan? They are so conceited with poor breeding,” one of the Qi Artists remarked with cold sarcasm.
At this moment.
Yun Shimo finally lifted his eyes slowly, gazing coldly into that pair of chilling, murderous eyes.
Heavenly Saint Xuanyuan. He had waited so long for him.
The inn proprietor and his waiters had hidden themselves some distance away. After all, Hua Qiyue had stayed so long in the inn. It would not matter even if they were to destroy the inn.
Because it would not matter even if they cared. In the face of these big shots from the Xuanyuan Family, they could smile if they survived.
Hua Qiyue and their friends were so nonchalant and calm. Quite obviously, they were making light of these men from the Xuanyuan Family.
“How outrageous! Arrogant upstarts, die!” the Third Elder, whose temper was especially irascible, bellowed loudly. The moment he stepped into the hall, the entire inn trembled a little.
A long, shining sword appeared in his hand. Its glow was blinding, causing the bystanders to avert their eyes.
“Mom, why is that old freak shouting? We haven’t offended him, I think. He’s so old and yet is yelling so loudly. What if his lungs burst?” Tianci sized the Third Elder up from head to toe and said in a worried voice.
Bai Qianxue and the others heard him and had to smile faintly.
“Tianci, how can b.e.s.t.i.a.l lungs burst? Beasts are very greedy creatures. Have you seen tigers or ma.s.sive evil beasts eat only a small bowl of rice?” Yun Shimo quietly caressed the boy’s smooth hair, smiling. His face beamed with a radiant smile.