Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Yun Qingying

Princess Consort Jing’an didn’t hide her admiration. She said, “Si Que, find an opportunity to sound out that young man. See if we can recruit him to work for the Palace. He wouldn’t need to do much on ordinary days, just serve as our personal guard during outings.”

Take today’s encounter as an example. Even if their escort could protect them, it would be a chaotic and dangerous situation, with potential casualties.

If they had that young man by their side in the future, they would feel much safer!

If the Jing’an Palace didn’t recruit such an extraordinary martial artist, other noble families would likely do so. If that young man ended up serving another prince or duke, it would be a regrettable loss.

At this moment, the old nanny serving the Palace spoke up, frowning in disapproval. “Princess Consort, I’m afraid that young man is playing mind games, pretending to be aloof while waiting for you to treat him with respect!

Everyone wants to climb the social ladder. His indifference is most likely an act.”

A maidservant accompanying the old nanny agreed, “Indeed. Before the Palace entourage left the mountains, that martial artist ignored us. But as soon as we returned, he sent a bear paw as a gift. Isn’t that currying favor?

He’s afraid that you and Princess Yao’er will overlook him!”

Si Que remained silent, not arguing, but simply glanced at the two servants and shook her head inwardly.

In the world of servants, everyone flattered their masters. If someone didn’t, they must be dishonest and insincere.

Servants could only survive by reading their masters’ faces; they lacked their own core values and abilities. But Chu Wuji already possessed exceptional skills. With his ability to fight a bear, he wouldn’t have to worry about food and shelter wherever he went.

Why would he need to rely on others?

Wen Yao’er felt uncomfortable hearing the servants’ suspicions and said, “If Brother Chu really had those intentions, wouldn’t escorting the Palace entourage back to the capital be a great opportunity to receive a reward? He could even receive rewards from every family!”

Princess Consort Jing’an reached out her fair finger and tapped the little girl’s delicate nose, laughing. “You haven’t even met him twice, and you’re already calling him brother.”

Wen Yao’er had a very good impression of Chu Wuji. In both of their encounters, he had indirectly led her to see cats, and he was handsome and dignified.

“I’ve met him exactly twice~!”

Princess Consort Jing’an didn’t tease her further. She wouldn’t let a few words from the servants influence her judgment.

Even if that young man truly was playing hard to get and waiting for the right price, so what?

He had the qualifications to name his price. Besides those immortals in the mountains, Princess Consort Jing’an had never heard of anyone who could beat a black bear with their bare hands, then cut off its paws and throw it down a cliff.

“Yao’er loves this big cat so much, but when it grows up, it will be difficult to manage. We still need someone to help Yao’er control it.”

Princess Consort Jing’an’s meaning was clear, and the servants didn’t say another word.

***

On the same day,

After Chu Wuji left in the morning, Ning Xianzhi visited her original destination for this trip: the Yun family.

The Yun family was a thousand-year-old clan, with branches and descendants spread across the country and beyond, quite prosperous.

Their ancestors had even produced individuals with decent cultivation talent. Unfortunately, this luck didn’t continue. While there were many brilliant and talented individuals among their descendants, none possessed cultivation aptitude, failing to renew their connection with the immortal path.

Talent was something bestowed by the heavens; one couldn’t obtain it through sheer effort.

After several hundred years, a girl with exceptional aptitude finally appeared in the Yun family. Relying on the remaining connections left by their ancestors, they contacted the immortals in the mountains, hoping to find a good master to guide her.

“If it weren’t for the incident in Yunhe Town, I would have appeared in the Yun family in a more ethereal form. Now, I have to appear using this great demon’s vessel…”

Ning Xianzhi sighed helplessly. Despite her words, she was actually quite satisfied with this unexpected turn of events. She had enjoyed these days of rest and recuperation.

Entering the Yun family residence, Ning Xianzhi introduced herself as “Bai Sujin, a good friend of Ning Xianzhi, here to assess the situation.”

Despite this, she easily gained the trust of the family head, Yun Gaosong, without much effort. It turned out her worries were unnecessary; she had even considered using a few minor spells to convince him.

The Yun family hadn’t disclosed their contact with the Shenxiao Sect, and as a “good friend of Ning Xianzhi,” her intentions were clear. There was no need for suspicion.

Ning Xianzhi sat in the main seat of the reception hall and waited for a while. Seeing that the child hadn’t been brought over yet, she asked, “Patriarch Yun, why hasn’t the child been brought here yet? We can’t indulge in arrogance on the path of cultivation.”

There was no issue with the girl’s background as a daughter of a prestigious family. These thousand-year-old clans placed great importance on the upbringing of their descendants. Their private schools were lavishly funded, for fear that their legacy would be squandered by future generations.

However, she was worried that the girl, having discovered her cultivation talent early on, might have been spoiled by the Yun family and become arrogant. That would be troublesome.

Ning Xianzhi wasn’t in the mood to correct a girl’s temperament.

Patriarch Yun was also a bit anxious and urged his subordinates to check, sincerely apologizing to Ning Xianzhi.

“Immortal Bai, I apologize for the delay. I suspect her mother might be reluctant to let her daughter leave home to travel far, hence the delay in her room. That child is my granddaughter. Since childhood, she has been trained in martial arts to cultivate her character and develop perseverance. She doesn’t have the unruly temperament of a spoiled young miss, please rest assured!”

This was quite a peculiar phenomenon.

Families that rose to prominence quickly, like nouveau riche, often carried an air of arrogance from top to bottom, as if they were the highest heaven.

But thousand-year-old families like the Yun family in the Lihuo Kingdom, with their deep roots, solid foundation, and vast knowledge, remained unaffected even by dynastic changes. Yet, Yun Gaosong, the head of this ancient clan, was exceptionally humble. And this humility wasn’t a situational performance but an integral part of his character.

After a while, a mature and beautiful woman entered the reception hall. The corners of her eyes were red, on the verge of tears, evoking sympathy. She kept glancing at the person beside her.

It was a young girl with a cold and aloof demeanor. She had inherited her mother’s beauty but with an added layer of icy detachment. It was unclear whether this was her innate nature or a result of her experiences.

Patriarch Yun introduced them, “This is my granddaughter, Yun Qingying, and beside her is her mother, Madam Jiang. Their deep mother-daughter bond caused the delay, making Immortal Bai wait for so long!”

Seeing that Immortal Bai had already approached Yun Qingying, Patriarch Yun stopped talking and remained silent.

It had to be said that these ancient clans truly valued their descendants!

Yun Qingying had already opened her Qi Acupoint, which meant she had taken the first step on the path of cultivation, establishing an excellent foundation. However, she hadn’t progressed further, remaining a blank slate.

This was because some cultivators didn’t like their disciples to have practiced too many miscellaneous things; a clean slate was most desirable.

The Yun family had truly made ample preparations for this child’s path to cultivation in the mountains!

Ning Xianzhi nodded in approval. “Indeed, observing this child’s aura, she is like a dragon or phoenix in the icy world, stunning and exceptional, a talent worth cultivating! Although her temperament is a bit cold and aloof, at least she can endure the loneliness of cultivation.

In a few days, Ning Xianzhi will personally come to take this child away.”

Seeing Yun Qingying receive such praise, the Yun family members breathed a sigh of relief, their smiles almost uncontainable.

Only Madam Jiang’s eyes were redder, and she suppressed her sadness. “Patriarch, I only have this one child left. Will even Qingying leave my side? Back then, Qingying’s brother was still in his swaddling clothes, only the size of a kitten…”

Patriarch Yun’s face turned serious. “Don’t disturb the immortal’s visit. Take Qingying’s mother back to her room to rest!”

As Patriarch Yun was about to apologize to Immortal Bai again, the housekeeper rushed in to report, “Patriarch, three immortals claiming to be from the Shenxiao Sect have arrived, saying they are looking for someone.”

Yun Gaosong was puzzled. “Invite them in first and see what this is about.”

“…” The corner of Ning Xianzhi’s eye twitched slightly. It seemed she couldn’t reveal her true identity to her fellow disciples for now.