Wayfarer

Chapter 651: Xia Xingchen

The Yuqing holy land was significantly larger than Dayin's capital, though the majority of that land was filled with mountains and rivers. Countless Immortal avians and beasts roamed the majestic lands.

Xiao Nanfeng and Zhao Yuanjiao followed Han Bingdie to a mountain whose peak extended into the clouds. It was surrounded with spiritual aether, and there were a large number of floating islands arrayed around it.

"This is Chiyang Peak. You may both stay at the guest lodgings at the foot of the mountain for the time being," Han Bingdie said.

"As you will, Senior," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Han Bingdie brought both of them toward a valley. The Yuqing disciples all bowed respectfully to her upon seeing her presence. There were all manner of exquisite pavilions and gardens in the vicinity. On Han Bingdie's orders, all the disciples departed, leaving only the three of them present.

"This valley is where you'll be staying," Han Bingdie told them.

"Understood!" the two cultivators replied.

"Now, tell me about what's been going on these last two years."

In a pavilion, the two cultivators sketched out all that had happened in the meantime.

Han Bingdie's eyes widened as she listened to Xiao Nanfeng and Zhao Yuanjiao describe shock after shock. "Lan Jiguang and Zhang Feifan are both dead? To think all this would happen to the Taiqing Immortal Sect in so short a period of time..."

"Senior Uncles Lan and Zhang both perished in the red moon illusory realm, so it's possible for them both to be revived," Xiao Nanfeng said.

He didn't mention that Zhang Lingjun was now attempting to gain control over the red moon illusory realm, not when it was still a secret.

"It's hardly so easy! Plenty of cultivators have died in the red moon illusory realm over the last ten thousand years, but no one has ever been revived." Han Bingdie sighed.

"Senior, who knows? With effort, anything is possible," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Han Bingdie shook her head. "Forget it. Let's not speak of this for the time being. You've really overcome danger after danger to get this far."

"We have to fight for every opportunity, after all. The Taiqing Immortal Sect has already recovered a portion of its former glory. It might not be straightforward for it to advance into a holy land for the time being, but in a few years, once the Taiqing Immortal Sect has a new batch of Golden Immortals, it surely won't be too difficult."

"You make it sound so easy, but do you think it's that easy to reach the realm of a Golden Immortal?" Han Bingdie sighed even as she smiled.

"Don't you believe in us, Senior?"

Han Bingdie glanced at the two cultivators again. They had reached the True Immortal realm in just two years, after all. What if it really were possible?

"I'm very glad that your generation is striving hard to excel," Han Bingdie replied. "Rest here while I seek out my husband."

"Thank you, Senior."

Han Bingdie got up to leave.

Xiao Nanfeng turned toward Zhao Yuanjiao. "Senior Brother, though I've had subordinates stationed outside the Yuqing holy land, they're still not very familiar with the situation within, especially with regards to Yu'er's family. Are you aware of any details?"

"I'm not, either. I only know that Yu'er's father had two wives to begin with, both of whom gave birth to boys. Then, Yu'er's father married Senior and gave birth to Yu'er," Zhao Yuanjiao said.

Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

Meanwhile, Han Bingdie ascended Chiyang Peak.

In a hall outside the mountain, a group of nominal disciples were busying themselves with chores as they shot furtive glances at a male and two female cultivators close by.

"You brat, if you remain that obstinate, I'll lock you up within!" the man shouted.

Beside him, two beautiful women attempted to pacify him.

"Husband, this is your only daughter. Don't get mad at her, will you? Look at what a wonderful girl Yu'er is! She wants to stay by your side and spend more time with you. Isn't that a good thing?"

"I don't need her company. She's grown wild ever since her trip, and she hasn't changed," the man replied, fuming.

The other woman interceded, "Husband, please calm down. You don't want others to laugh at us, do you? You used to dote on Yu'er so much. She's grown up, and she can think for herself now. Can't we avoid forcing her into such matters?"

"Who's forcing her to do anything? I just want her to meet these suitors. I'm not insisting that she choose any of them, but she refuses to even give them a single glance! She's going to ruin my reputation—she's been far too coddled!"

"Please calm down, Husband!"

Just then, Han Bingdie flew over. "Husband, Sisters," she greeted.

When the man saw Han Bingdie return, he thundered, "What did that brat want? Did he beg you for mercy again? He can't even do his duty as a guard well! He'll stay there until his punishment's over."

Han Bingdie hid a smile. "Husband, Yu'er was the one who got you mad. Why punish Xia Lan? Haven't you always spoken of the importance of unity between siblings? Surely Xia Lan shouldn't be punished for speaking up on Yu'er's account. What father would be so unreasonable?"

"I'm an unreasonable man. Deal with it!" the man thundered.

"If that's the case, then I won't share what information I have with you."

The man frowned, while the two women turned to her. One asked, "Sister, what did Lan'er ask you about? Is there some important business?"

Han Bingdie lifted her chin. "I'd happily tell both of you, Sisters, but just you."

The man: ...

The two women glanced at her curiously. They both gave her sly glances, knowing that she was deliberately trying to frustrate their husband.

"Sister, tell us! Don't beat around the bush," one woman begged.

"Very well, but I insist that my husband not interrupt. He'll have to wait until I reveal everything before sharing his opinion," Han Bingdie emphasized.

The two women glanced at the man, knowing that what she said could well be inflammatory.

"Don't worry. If our husband gets mad, I'll restrain him," one woman volunteered.

"Tell us, Sister!" the other woman said.

Han Bingdie nodded. "Xiao Nanfeng is here."

"What? That bastard?!" the man roared.

The two women each held tightly onto one of their husband's arms.

"Husband, Xiao Nanfeng is a Martial Aspect of the Imperial Court, and he recently led a delegation to destroy the divine empire of Dayin. Aren't you aware?" Han Bingdie asked.

The two women exclaimed in surprise, "What? He destroyed a divine empire?"

The man frowned. "I did hear of it, but there's far too much uncertainty in the information we received. Who's to say that it's the truth? What's more, I heard that eighteen Martial Aspects of the Eastern Quadrant were involved, along with some Venerable Buddha or another. What does it have to do with Xiao Nanfeng? As for that Stratagems Against Yin, how can you be confident that Xiao Nanfeng wrote it?"

The other two women glanced at each other, not anticipating that the man would know so much about Xiao Nanfeng.

"Husband, I just questioned Xiao Nanfeng. I'm happy to tell you about him now," Han Bingdie said.

"Tell us, Sister! What sort of man is he? I've been interested for some time."

"Right, Yu'er keeps telling us about him. I'm sure he must be extraordinary."

The two women latched onto Han Bingdie's words with interest. Only the man continued to fume, though by now, he had curbed his anger and was listening carefully.

Han Bingdie recounted what she knew.

The two women were both amazed by what she had revealed.

"Incredible. To think Xiao Nanfeng would have done so much within a decade..."

"Dazheng already governs forty Immortal cities? That's an impressive feat."

"Would Dazheng become a divine empire in another ten years' time, I wonder?"

"Husband, Xiao Nanfeng is more than adequate a candidate for our Yu'er."

"Right, Husband. You might have looked down on him before, but what do you think about him now?"

The two women continued to badger the man, who frowned as he fell deep in thought.

Han Bingdie likewise advised, "Husband, I know the weight of Chiyang Peak lies heavy over your shoulders. You might even have to consider the future of the Yuqing holy land—but if there are multiple qualified suitors, won't you think of Yu'er's own feelings? Yu'er and Xiao Nanfeng have gone through thick and thin together. If not for Xiao Nanfeng, Yu'er might already have perished! It's true that she's not always obedient, but you dote on her! Surely you won't deny her happiness?"

"Right, Husband, Xiao Nanfeng's perfectly suited for Yu'er!"

"Don't make things difficult for Yu'er, will you, Husband?"

The two women jumped in again, nodding at Han Bingdie.

The man growled. "What would you women know of this?"

"You're right. We women don't know anything, do we? You'd better not come to my room tonight, then."

"Nor mine."

"I won't be available tonight!"

The three women threatened the man.

The man: ...

Seeing how upset all three of his wives were, the husband sighed. "I don't blame you, but—very well. Xiao Nanfeng might be an excellent candidate, but things are far too dangerous for him."

"Dangerous? How?" the three women asked.

"Ignoring the fact that Xiao Nanfeng's hounded by cursed effigies, think about all his accomplishments to date. Just how much slaughter, how much bloodshed, has he experienced over the last decade? He's a troublemaker or trouble magnet. He managed to survive this long out of luck, but a chance encounter could leave him crippled or dead. I don't want Yu'er to become a widow."

The three women pursed their lips. That was true. Xiao Nanfeng had created legends, but even a moment's carelessness might unmake him. What of Yu'er then?

Han Bingdie shook her head. "You looked down on Xiao Nanfeng's qualifications; now that he's made a name for himself, you claim that what he's doing is too dangerous. How else would he have changed your mind if not for his doing what he did?"

"At any rate, I won't accept it for the time being. Not only is his cultivation inadequate, he hasn't accomplished enough. His skill at causing trouble alone would be worth making me reconsider," the man declared.

"You stubborn fool! Xiao Nanfeng's an excellent man with unlimited potential. Why won't you give him a chance?" Han Bingdie asked.

"He's not your son-in-law yet. Why are you heaping so much praise on him? It's true that he might ascend even further, but he might also suffer his downfall. There are plenty of cases like his."

"But—"

"No buts. I, Xia Xingchen, will provide my daughter with only the best. I might consider Xiao Nanfeng in the future, but I won't have them tangled together at the moment. This is final. You're all making short-sighted decisions based on your intuition, which can easily lead you astray. Yu'er's marriage will be a lifelong affair, and I have to ensure that it's a success," Xia Xingchen announced.

"We three women are short-sighted, you claim? Are you the only one who can predict the future?"

"Don't come find us tonight!"

The three women glared at him and stalked away.

Xia Xingchen: ...