Chapter Fourteen: Journey to Liang Prefecture

Journey to Liang Prefecture

Bai Qi quickly regained his composure, the corners of his lips curling up with a faint smile. “What’s the matter? Done fighting already? My body hasn’t even warmed up yet, and it’s over so soon—it feels a little unsatisfying.” Though he spoke with such careless ease, in truth, he was probing, hoping to squeeze a little more out of his opponent through this banter.

Yang Zi lowered her head with a soft smile, as if she were the very embodiment of spring’s warmth—gentle, pure, and radiant. She then lifted her gaze to Bai Qi, taking a few steps forward to draw closer. Covering her cherry lips, she laughed sweetly, “Oh, you make it sound so easy. If you hadn’t held back just now, I doubt I’d be standing here to speak. But since we’ve come to blows, I suppose we now know each other. Judging by the way you dodged so deftly, you must have some skills and, I’d wager, you’re from around here as well. Since I’m a weary traveler, don’t you think you ought to show a little hospitality as the local?”

Their words, sharp and swift, left no room for error or revelation—on the surface, a simple exchange of pleasantries, an attempt at familiarity, but beneath it, each could guess at the other’s intentions.

Seeing that there was no substantial progress to be made, Bai Qi remained patient. “Heh, Miss Yang, you’re overthinking it. I’m only here by Green Mountain gathering some herbs, nothing more. I’m hardly a ‘local host.’ As for why I greeted you, it’s because earlier, while hunting a second-rank spirit beast, I heard a commotion—you, I suppose. Imagine my surprise when I stepped out to find a beautiful young lady standing before me. Seeing someone as lovely as you, I admit, my heart…” Here, Bai Qi feigned the bashful admiration of a man confronted by rare beauty, stumbling over his words. In truth, he meant what he said—compared to the people back in his hometown, she truly deserved to be called a fairy.

Noting the sincerity in Bai Qi’s eyes, Yang Zi’s heart was, for a moment, moved. Though they’d only met by chance, the ease of their conversation felt like a rare stroke of fate. She found herself warming to him, if only a little. But puzzled, she asked, “Xiao Bai, what’s with all those words—‘young lady,’ ‘little fairy’ and such? It sounded like you were talking nonsense. I thought you were mocking me; that’s why I fought you so seriously.”

“Ah, ha, those are just words to praise your beauty—to say you’re as enchanting as a fairy,” Bai Qi explained at once, realizing she had truly misunderstood his earlier compliments as jests. If he hadn’t had some skill, she might have left him battered and bruised.

With Bai Qi’s explanation, Yang Zi understood, laughing softly. “I didn’t know there were such odd ways to compliment someone’s looks. If we hadn’t cleared that up, we’d have ended up as enemies for nothing.” Her laughter was all the more captivating, making Bai Qi’s heart beat quicker in his chest.

Bai Qi suddenly asked, “So, where are you from? Judging by your bearing, I’d say you come from a renowned sect, and you must be the disciple of some powerful figure—otherwise, one wouldn’t see such a fine sword at your side.”

Yang Zi replied with a hint of exasperation, “What renowned sect? What powerful figure? Why do your words sound so strange to me?”

Bai Qi realized his mistake. “Ah, those are just ways of saying someone is impressive or referring to someone of great power. Sorry, I’ve gotten used to these expressions; sometimes they slip out. Don’t mind me.” He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.

Hearing this, Yang Zi was somewhat speechless. If she hadn’t been curious about Bai Qi’s true identity, she would have left long ago. She’d met plenty like him before, but there was something about his aura—profound and unfathomable, yet with a warmth reminiscent of her elders—that made her linger a little longer.

Since he’d asked, she had no reason to hide. She sidestepped lightly to the right, turning gracefully to face Bai Qi. “I am a disciple under the sect master of the Green Mountain Sect, which belongs to Liang Prefecture and is directly governed by the Prefecture Lord of Liang City. This time, I’ve come down the mountain to celebrate my mother’s birthday. I insisted on coming alone, of course. And if I run into the likes of you—a ‘rascal’—I have plenty of ways to make you regret it.” With that, she raised her delicate fist in a show of strength, wrinkling her nose in mock warning. What was meant as an intimidating gesture turned out to be endearing instead—a touch of innocence that, unbeknownst to her, left a perfect impression on Bai Qi’s heart.

Bai Qi swallowed hard and shook his head as if to clear it, quickly replying, “Alright, I understand—you don’t need to show off. I know my limits. I just wanted to ask: where are you headed?”

“Hmph, listen or not, as you please. As for where I’m going, are you planning to come with me? I hardly need the company!” Yang Zi rolled her eyes. She’d been explaining herself so seriously, only to be interrupted with indifference. In the past, she barely spoke to the people in her sect—an “mm,” an “ah,” a formal greeting to some elder, and at most a few words with her master. Bai Qi, though…

Perhaps women’s thoughts are as mysterious as the deep sea; Bai Qi’s thinking was a world apart from hers.

Bai Qi coughed. “I was just asking. Maybe I’ll wander along and get a taste of adventure with a powerful figure like you.”

Before Bai Qi finished, Kun suddenly sent a voice transmission to his mind, suggesting that Yang Zi’s purpose might not be as simple as celebrating her mother’s birthday. He sensed a faint presence of a rare treasure within her—something reminiscent of the artifacts he’d encountered with his old friend Yin in distant ancient ruins. Kun urged Bai Qi to go along with her; should anything unexpected arise, Kun would intervene.

“You really want to come? Aren’t you afraid I’ll beat you up?” Yang Zi was momentarily taken aback by his sudden agreement.

“Fine then. Since we’ve met by chance and you don’t seem like a villain, come along if you wish,” she said at last.

Bai Qi was speechless. “Alright, let’s be on our way then.” Though he said this, inwardly he was exasperated. What did she mean by “don’t seem like a villain”? Is goodness or wickedness something one can judge by appearance? He really couldn’t understand her way of thinking.

Together, they walked on, their figures stretching long beneath the setting sun. The uneven ground made their shadows seem to draw together and apart, and in the glow of the crimson dusk, it lent the moment an inexplicable intimacy.