Saved by a young man of mysterious origins?
This instantly piqued Qing Jin, Zheng Tianhe, and Zhou Zhili’s interest.
Chang?Guoke’s eyes filled with reminiscence. “That night, there was a sudden downpour. While seeking shelter from the rain, I encountered a man and a woman. At the time, I thought the blue-robed youth was the scion of some prominent clan, because he was simply too strange. He was traveling through the mountainous wilderness, but he didn’t just bring along a peerlessly beautiful servant girl; he even carried around a wicker chair big enough to lie down in….”
Zhou Zhili found it rather funny. “Someone sure knows how to enjoy himself.”
Qing Jin glared at him. “Don’t interrupt.”
Chang Guoke sighed. “What happened afterward proves that I misjudged him. That youth seemed like he was just in the Qi Accumulation Realm, but his powers were vast and inscrutable….”
With that, he told them everything that happened the night before, his words carrying a hint of lamentation.
By the end of this tale, even Zheng Tianhe couldn’t help but sigh. “A sword guiding the lightning and slaying enemies from afar? Aren’t those the methods of an Earthly Immortal?”
Chang Guoke said solemnly, “If I hadn’t witnessed it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t dare believe it either. A youth like that actually possessed such mind-boggling strength…”
It was then that Zhou Zhili’s expression shifted. “That style…. Why does this story remind me of Young Lord Su? Back at the Qingding Military Drill Grounds, he once used his sword to call the rain and slay an entire crowd of armored soldiers; it was like watching a deity in action. The sight shook everyone present.”
Suddenly, his tone filled with excitement. “Also, Young Lord Su’s aura suggests a Qi Accumulation Realm cultivation too, and he habitually dresses in blue robes. Could it really be him?”
“Young Lord Su?” Chang Guoke said in a daze.
But instead of explaining, Zhou Zhili glanced at Qing Jin. “Martial Aunt, what do you think?”
Qing Jin reacted as if awakening from a dream, and the look on her beautiful face shifted with uncertainty. “It… It probably is him….”
She sounded conflicted; her voice was surprised, but it carried a hint of hatred too.
When she first heard Chang Guoke describe how a blue-robed youth slew three Grandmasters, including Hua Lianxiu, Qing Jin immediately thought of Su Yi. By the end of his story, she was almost certain of the mysterious youth in blue’s identity.
However, Qing Jin couldn’t forget that time at the Cloudriver Prefectural River’s Sand-Scouring Waves, when Su Yi slapped her.
Thus, hearing his name now, she looked conflicted.
Zhou Zhili’s eyes lit up. “Martial Uncle Chang, might you describe that man and woman’s appearance for us?”
Chang Guoke thought for a moment, then did so. Zhou Zhili slapped his thigh and laughed. “That’s definitely Su Yi! And the woman with him should be…. Mm, Miss Cha Jin.”
When he mentioned Cha Jin, his mood shifted a little, and he sounded slightly bitter.
“Your Highness, just who is this ‘Su Yi’ you speak of?” Zheng Tianhe couldn’t help but ask. His heart swelled just listening to this story, and he felt respect rising in him.
“That’s right. I’ve been wondering about my savior’s origins too,” said Chang Guoke, every bit as curious.
“He…. He’s the most unique and mysterious person I’ve ever met, like a transcendent and detached fallen immortal,” sighed Zhou Zhili. “I remember the first time I met him….”
Once he got started, the words just poured out of him. He told them of their first encounter aboard the tower ship, and about everything that happened in the Cloudriver Prefectural Capital, from beginning to end.
By the end of his tale, he was animated and beaming with shared glory.
When Chang Guoke and Zheng Tianhe finished listening to this tale, they couldn’t help but gasp. A?youth like that really is worthy of being described as a fallen immortal!
Only Qing Jin felt inwardly conflicted and complex.
She’d once gone against Su Yi’s advice and refused to become his servant, and he’d once slapped her across the face, not the least bit politely.
At the time, she swore to herself that she’d avenge this insult and reclaim her dignity sooner or later.
Who would have thought that on that rainy night in the wilderness, Su Yi would save her senior apprentice brother….?
She suddenly found herself unable to hate Su Yi.
“Hahaha, this time, Young Lord Su didn’t just save Martial Uncle Chang’s life; he slew three of my third brother’s Grandmaster-level retainers! What a wonderful feeling! This is simply grand!” Zhou Zhili laughed and applauded; he suddenly felt great.
Each and every Grandmaster-level subordinate played an important role.
It was no exaggeration to say that the deaths of Hua Lianxiu and her two companions were an enormous blow to this third brother, Prince Zhou Zhizhen!
“Alas, this Young Lord Su isn’t in the Imperatorial Provincial Capital. Otherwise, I’d honor him as a VIP guest and treat him to the best brew in my private stash,” sighed Zheng Tianhe.
“No, he’s in the city,” said Chang Guoke out of nowhere. “Just now, while I was waiting for Junior Apprentice Sister Qing Jin, I happened to bump into him.”
“What? Young Lord Su is in the city?” exclaimed Zhou Zhili in delight. “Martial Uncle Chang, do you know where he is now?”
Chang Guoke grimaced and shook his head. “He wasn’t willing to get involved with me any further. I’ve long since lost track of him.”
“That’s easily resolved. My Zheng Family has a bit of power within city limits. Discovering Young Lord Su’s whereabouts won’t be difficult,” Zheng Tianhe laughed heartily.
Zhou Zhili instantly warned him, “Uncle, while searching for Young Lord Su, make absolutely sure you do nothing to offend him. He might seem aloof and disinterested, but his pride runs deep; we cannot be negligent.”
Zheng Tianhe nodded solemnly. “Rest assured and leave it to me.”
When she saw how much emphasis they attached to Su Yi, Qing Jin couldn’t help but interject, “Your Highness, didn’t you have an appointment at the Cloudscouring Tower today? It’s almost noon already!”
Zhou Zhili froze. He instantly recalled Yu Baiting’s invitation and rose to his feet. “Alright, let’s go pay Yu Baiting a visit right now. Right, Uncle, send someone to inform Mu Zhongting. Have him come with us. Martial Uncle Chang, would you like to come too?”
Chang Guoke nodded.
….
The House of Waveswept Rocks.
The property occupied almost a full acre, and the courtyard was full of lush trees and tall bamboo. A stream flowed under a wooden bridge, and the pavilions at the center of the grounds had an old-fashioned charm.
There was even a lotus pond at the center of the courtyard. This was a highly elegant, tranquil environment.
As they walked towards the atrium and over the covered bridge, Chen Jinlong asked tentatively, “Brother Su, what do you think of the place?”
“Not bad.” Su Yi nodded. “But you’ll need to have the servants currently living here leave soon.”
Chen Jinlong was briefly stunned, but although he found this request a bit strange, he nodded. “Then do you need any additional goods or furniture?”
“No need.” Su Yi shook his head. Chen Jinlong quickly realized that Su Yi had no desire to engage in any further conversation, and he?considerately?bade farewell and left.
The second story of a quaint, second-floor loft, a building with flying eaves and corbeled columns.
Su Yi stood by the window lattice, his hands behind his back, watching the swaying pink lotuses flowers floating in the lake. He couldn’t help but nod to himself.
Living in this quiet, peaceful garden was indeed far better than finding a room at an inn.
“Get everything in order. In a bit, we’ll go and get something to eat, then take a stroll and get a feel for the city. While we’re at it, we can visit the Goldstone Pavilion,” commanded Su Yi.
Cha Jin was off in the distance, brewing tea. She immediately agreed; she’d wanted to go buy some new clothes and change into a prettier dress for quite some time already.
……
The Cloudscouring Tower.
This was one of the top dining establishments in the provincial capital, and it was hundreds of feet tall.
Within the Star-Gazing Palace.
When Zhou Zhili, Qing Jin, Mu Zhongting, and Chang Guoke arrived, they found the head of the Yu Family, Yu Baiting, waiting for them already.
“I’ve kept you waiting, Family Head Yu.” As soon as he walked into the hall, Zhou Zhili clasped his fist and greeted him with a smile.
Yu Baiting rose, but he merely nodded and said flatly, “Sixth Highness, take a seat.”
When he took in Yu Baiting’s cold attitude, Zhou Zhili’s smile disappeared, and he sat across the table, facing Yu Baiting.
When he saw the sumptuous array of delicacies laid out on the table, Zhou Zhili asked, “Family Head Yu, did you invite me here for a banquet, or did you have something else to discuss?”
Yu Baiting laughed calmly. “Your Highness, you’ve been straightforward with me, so I’ll get straight to the point too.”
“Alright, I’ll clean out my ears and listen carefully,” said Zhou Zhili with a nod.
Yu Baiting sat upright, emanating a formless pressure. “I am very displeased about what happened last night, so I’ve decided to be bold. I’d like to propose an exchange.”
Zhou Zhili furrowed his brow in confusion. “Last night? What happened?”
Yu Baiting snorted coldly. “Your Highness, at this point, there’s no need to pretend anymore.”
But this only made Zhou Zhili even more confused. He felt completely lost in the dark. “Family Head Yu, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I didn’t do anything last night.”
“With your lofty status, you naturally wouldn’t do something so debased and despicable personally,” said Yu Baiting with an outward mask of calm, his emotions unreadable. “But surely you haven’t forgotten what that boy?Su Yi?did last night?”
He sounded almost as if this were an interrogation, and his attitude made Zhou Zhili uncomfortable.
But when he heard the name Su Yi, he was instantly dumbstruck. “This?has?something to do with Young Lord Su?”
Qing Jin, Chang Guoke, and Mu Zhongting were stunned too.?What’s going on? Don’t tell me Su Yi has offended the Yu Family?
“Your Highness, an honest?man doesn’t?resort to underhanded words,” said Yu Baiting. “I’ll just ask you this: is Su Yi your subordinate?”
“He isn’t.” Zhou Zhili shook his head. “He’s my friend, but it’s been a while since I last saw him…..”
Before he could explain, Yu Baiting?waved?and cut him off. “Your Highness, you needn’t explain any further. You’ve admitted your connection with Su Yi, and that’s enough already.”
When he saw how rude Yu Baiting was, Zhou Zhili couldn’t help but feel irritated. He said expressionlessly, “So, Family Head Yu, you invited me here… to hold me accountable?”
The atmosphere throughout the hall instantly tensed up.
“No. Even if I were far braver, I wouldn’t dare,” he said calmly. “I just want to propose a trade. So long as you kill that Su Yi boy, I swear to support whichever candidate you recommend at the upcoming Tea Party.”
“Kill Su Yi?” Zhou Zhili was flabbergasted. After a brief pause, he snapped, “Family Head Yu, never mind that Su Yi isn’t my subordinate, even if he were, I couldn’t possibly agree to such terms!”
Was he joking? A ‘fallen immortal’ like Su Yi was far beyond the Grandmasters of the mundane world; who would be stupid enough to attempt something so foolish?
Yu Baiting’s expression darkened, “Then I might as well be direct. Last night, I had an audience with Provincial Governor Xiang Tianqiu. Your Highness, are you?sure?you want to lose the Yu Family’s support over Su Yi?
“I urge you to cool your head and think twice. Whatever you do, don’t be rash. After all, I’d hate to see you suffer over a mere youth.”
Yu Baiting spoke with cold indifference, and when he was done, he took a drink, as if all of this were perfectly normal.