In the Cave Mansion of the Peak Master on Herb Peak, the aroma of tea lingered in the air, shrouded in a mist that refused to disperse.
Peak Master Pang Tianning gently twirled his long beard, slowly speaking: "Nephew Qingsong, I have already transferred Chen Ye on your behalf, sent him to Baiqi Garden."
The person before him was none other than Xu Qingsong, the second young master of the Xu Family at Moon Rhinoceros Lake, a rising star within the Inner Sect.
Despite his youth, he had already reached the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer. Coupled with his profound family background, even an elder like the Herb Peak Master in the Outer Sect had to give him some face.
"That’s good to hear, thank you for your efforts, Peak Master Pang."
Xu Qingsong smiled warmly and cupped his hands in respect.
He put down his teacup, seemingly casually asking:
"Speaking of which, Baiqi Garden has been abandoned for many years, the exhaustion of the Spirit Vein is secondary. I’ve heard... there seems to be more to it?"
Pang Peak Master, hearing this, put down his teacup and sighed: "What Nephew said is not wrong. The abandonment of Baiqi Garden, aside from the Spirit Vein issue, is mainly due to those Spiritual Medicines from the Emotion Crossing Sect."
"The Spiritual Medicines of the Emotion Crossing Sect?" Xu Qingsong feigned surprise, "Those Demonic Path items indeed are avoided by most Spirit Plant Masters. However, given the heritage of Herb Peak, it shouldn’t be that challenging to manage, right?"
"Ah," Peak Master Pang shook his head, lowering his voice a bit, "Nephew is unaware; these Spiritual Medicines are related to True Man Baili."
Mentioning "Baili," Xu Qingsong’s fingers around the teacup imperceptibly tightened a bit.
Pang Peak Master continued: "In those days, True Man Baili was indeed a prodigy, hailed as the number one genius of our Lingyin Sect. His prospects were endless. Twelve years ago, during the war with the Emotion Crossing Sect, True Man Baili beheaded two Golden Core Elders from the rival sect, becoming renowned throughout the Yan Kingdom. However... it seems heaven is jealous of geniuses."
Xu Qingsong interjected: "I have also heard that True Man Baili fought valiantly to his death, facing an ambush by at least five Golden Core True Men, and even his complete remains could not be preserved. This matter is still an unsolved case, some say it was... sect infighting, while others claim it was a conspiracy between the Ten Thousand Puppet Sect and the Emotion Crossing Sect."
"Precisely."
Pang Peak Master nodded, his expression becoming more solemn,
"And those Spiritual Medicines in Baiqi Garden were one of the many trophies True Man Baili seized from the Emotion Crossing Sect back then. His only daughter, Bai Susu, had a fondness for flowers and Spirit Plants since childhood. Out of deep love for his daughter, True Man Baili specially planted these captured Spiritual Medicines in Baiqi Garden, personally beginning to adjust their properties. Originally, he planned to study and cultivate them with his daughter in the future, enjoying family joys..."
At this point, Peak Master Pang could not help but let out another long sigh:
"The things remain, but people do not; Baiqi Garden is still there, but True Man Bai’s spirit has returned to the path. Since True Man Baili’s fall, Baiqi Garden has become the apple of Bai Susu’s eye, guarded like a treasure. Anyone who dares to touch a single plant or tree there, she would fight to the death. Nephew knows, that girl is eccentric in nature and ruthless in means, no disciple on the peak wishes to provoke her. Over time, Baiqi Garden has become completely deserted."
This matter, within Herb Peak, is an open secret known to everyone. The Peak Master pointed it out now to make Xu Qingsong aware of the stakes involved.
As for the disciples of other peaks, such as Outer Sect disciples of Purple Cloud Peak like Li Qiuyun, they naturally know nothing about it.
Xu Qingsong toyed with the teacup in his hand, sighing slightly:
"But Baiqi Garden cannot be left neglected... Other steward disciples are so cowardly, they are not even as good as Steward Chen, who just entered the sect!"
After speaking, Xu Qingsong took out an ornate box from a Storage Bag and pushed it before Peak Master Pang: "A small token of regard, not worth much, but I hope the peak master will accept it with a smile."
Pang Peak Master’s eyes flickered slightly as he accepted the box with a smile.
To him, it was simply a matter of going with the flow, and to gain a favor from the Xu Family at the same time—why not?
Though Bai Susu’s temper is odd, she doesn’t kill randomly...
This newly arrived steward just happens to be skilled in treating Demonic Qi.
It is indeed a matter that serves two purposes!
The more Pang Peak Master thought about it, the more satisfied he became, sighing: "I merely don’t wish to see a piece of Spiritual Soil be ruined, and since Steward Chen did not refuse, I can only trust in Steward Chen’s skills... I hope he truly has some real abilities and does not waste True Man Bai’s labors, nor should he irritate that girl from the Bai Family."
Xu Qingsong also stood up with a smile: "Peak Master Pang really puts great effort! I shall not disturb you further, farewell."
...
On another side, just after Xu Qingsong left Herb Peak, one of his trusted followers approached and whispered: "Second Young Master, there’s news, Chen Ye has already gone to Baiqi Garden."
The follower paused, slightly puzzled, and asked: "Second Young Master, to deal with a mere steward, why go to so much trouble?"
Xu Qingsong sighed: "Foolish! If you can use a borrowed knife to kill, why dirty your own hands? Besides... right now, I just want to teach him a lesson."
The follower nodded, not entirely understanding.
Xu Qingsong’s mind drifted back to a few days ago.
If not for his older brother’s preparations,
they might truly have allowed this stepmother to deceive them completely.
It turns out... his sister actually survived!
Xu Qingsong’s lips curled into a cold smile, and instead of returning directly to his Cave Mansion, he instructed: "To Luoli Courtyard."
...
Luoli Courtyard.
Xu Qingsong stood outside the courtyard, gazing at the few pear trees that remained verdant, his eyes deep and somber.
He walked into the courtyard at a leisurely pace, his gaze immediately fixing on the small girl with silver hair huddled under the eaves, hugging her knees, her hair particularly striking.
Beside her sat another black-haired girl, quietly watching him with vigilance.
"I knew that woman surnamed Mao would eventually reveal her fox tail... I really want to see how her offspring fares!"
Xu Qingsong mentally scoffed, yet his face was wreathed in a warm smile.
He slowly approached, attempting to make his voice sound gentle and friendly: "You must be Junior Martial Uncle Chen’s disciples? How adorable."
Qing Jun was startled by this sudden stranger and instinctively shrank back behind Lu Zhiwei.
Zhiwei shielded Qing Jun behind her, her face tense, staring silently at Xu Qingsong: "You are..."
"Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid,"
Xu Qingsong’s smile grew warmer as he crouched down, trying to make eye contact with Xu Qingjun,
"I am a friend of your master’s. Your master is currently on a mission for the sect, managing the Baiqi Garden herb plots, and may not return for a while. He specifically asked me to drop by and check on you if I had the chance."
His voice was gentle, but his eyes scrutinized the silver-haired little girl.
So, this is the bastard child that wandered astray?
Aside from those phoenix eyes that faintly showed some resemblance, everything else... was completely unlike her parents.
"You... you’re my master’s friend?" Qing Jun timidly poked her little head out from behind Lu Zhiwei, asking softly.
She remained vigilant against this smiling older brother in front of her.
"Of course it’s true." Xu Qingsong’s smile didn’t diminish, and he even retrieved a few Spirit Fruits from his Storage Bag, offering them, "I specially brought these for you; try them out, they’re very sweet."
Xu Qingjun looked at the sparkling and fragrant Spirit Fruits, subconsciously swallowing her saliva, but didn’t reach out to take them.
She sneaked a glance at Lu Zhiwei beside her.
Lu Zhiwei remained composed and aloof, simply glancing between Xu Qingsong and the Spirit Fruits, and said calmly: "Thank you for your kindness, but before the master left, he stocked us with food."
A flash of displeasure flickered in Xu Qingsong’s eyes; this black-haired girl was certainly more vigilant than the silver-haired one.
However, he maintained his smile as he said, "No worries, children do love new things. These Spirit Fruits I stumbled upon are quite beneficial to your health, surely your master would be pleased to know."
He gently placed the Spirit Fruits on the stone step in front of them, without insisting.
Then suddenly asked, "Little girl, you crave Spirit Fruits so much? Does Junior Martial Uncle Chen usually hold back like this?"
Xu Qingsong had never seen such a gluttonous little girl before!
Both timid and greedy.
Hiding behind the black-haired girl, yet her eyes were glued to the Spirit Fruits, drooling.
If it wasn’t for usually going hungry, how could she be this gluttonous?
Hmph...
Even if she’s a bastard, she’s a bastard of the Xu family!
Xu Qingsong was somewhat displeased.
The older girl couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Qingjun, then said, "Our master fulfills our needs without fail."
Hearing this, Xu Qingsong dismissed it, pretending to show concern he said:
"I think so too... Junior Martial Uncle Chen is certainly a kind person. However, your master is going to Baiqi Garden, and he’s busy with tasks, it may be hard for him to come by anytime soon. If you have any difficulties, or any messages for your master, feel free to come to the Inner Sect to find me."
While speaking, his eyes never left Qingjun.
This gluttonous girl, becoming more adorable the more he glanced at her?
After all, she carries the Xu family’s bloodline...
Xu Qingsong felt a bit of an itch in his hand.
He turned his head and stood up:
"I won’t disturb the little junior sisters anymore, if needed, remember to come find me."
Xu Qingsong departed slowly with his attendant, but the attendant followed behind while quietly mumbling to himself:
"Second Young Master with his acts, diverting Chen Ye and then coming here to this secluded Luoli Courtyard... Is the main purpose just to see this silver-haired little girl? Her identity is already a sensitive topic within the family, yet Second Young Master’s covert actions certainly match his usual style. It’s a pity for that Chen Ye, being unwittingly used as a raft for Second Young Master’s visit, who knows what danger he might face."
Once Xu Qingsong went far, Luoli Courtyard resumed its tranquility.
Qingjun looked at the few enticing Spirit Fruits on the steps, whispering: "Senior Sister, that older brother... is he really a friend of the master?"
Zhiwei shook her head solemnly: "I don’t know. But this person is very cunning, beneath his seemingly gentle words, his gaze was fixed on you; he’s certainly not a good person. Qingjun, if you see him again, be very careful and do not trust him lightly."
"Oh..."
Qingjun nodded somewhat understanding, yet her gaze couldn’t help but drift to those Spirit Fruits. She licked her lips asking quietly: "Then... can we eat those fruits?"
Zhiwei glanced at her, seeing her craving expression, eventually softened a bit, whispering: "Wait for Chen Ye to return, and ask him first. The origins of things should not be consumed recklessly."
Upon hearing this, Qingjun’s small face fell, but she obediently nodded.
She knew her senior sister was thinking for her own good. It’s just... the fruits smell really delicious.
The older girl bit her lip,
from an unknown day, the black-haired girl again dislodged her hairpin, letting her hair cascade freely.
The black bangs once again covered her eyes.
She murmured: "Anyways... Chen Ye treats you so well, you, don’t lack these Spirit Fruits."
The little girl couldn’t understand the underlying meaning from her senior sister’s words?
She puffed her little cheeks on her own:
"Hmph! Master’s so annoying!! Always patting my head every day... If it wasn’t for his snacks being that tasty, I wouldn’t let him! Why doesn’t he pat Senior Sister’s head! It’s just bullying Qingjun!!"
The older girl remained silent, deciding to eat a few bowls of rice less in the coming days, to let herself grow even slower.
As for the reason?
No reason at all.