Chapter 533: Chapter 523: The Child Lacks a Father

Just as the two were about to clash over a minor issue, Si Guanhai and Yin Dufeng’s expressions drastically changed as they simultaneously stood up, ready to separate their beloved daughters.

Unexpectedly, a young man behind Su Jing suddenly stepped in between the two, speaking to her in a gentle and soothing voice, “Miss Su Jing, please be reasonable. If you continue to fight and drag me around, I simply cannot handle it.”

Su Jing glanced faintly at the light red marks on Baili An’s wrist left by the Sea Vine, her gaze subdued, and she remained silent.

Su Guanhai, who had barely stood up straight to intervene, suddenly froze like a petrified duck, disbelief written all over his face.

When had his Jing become so easy to talk to?

Hadn’t they agreed that every encounter with the Yin Family’s girl would result in fierce, life-and-death struggles, shaking the heavens and the earth?

Though he was reluctant to see the two girls fight, as it always resulted in severe injuries.

But why was his daughter suddenly acting meek and subdued? Wasn’t she afraid of being bullied severely by the Yin Family girl?

Seeing his own daughter fight hurt him, yet her silent meekness made him fear that she was being bullied.

Si Guanhai’s eyebrows twisted in conflict.

Yin Dufeng was also taken aback, then felt a secretive surge of pride, thinking that after all these years of battling with that stoic girl, his daughter could finally overpower her.

He felt consoled.

Just then, as the Yin family father reveled in his moment of relief, Baili An turned his head, looked at the severely cold-faced Yin Baishuang, and sincerely asked, “Miss Yin, it’s been a few days since I’ve seen little Shou. Has he been eating well? Sleeping soundly?”

The formerly aggressive Miss Yin’s expression dramatically changed, her hands clenching her Qiankun Treasure Bag, her voice suddenly sharp and guarded, “What… what are you planning?”

She even stammered.

After a brief thought, Baili An organized his language and then reassured her sincerely, “Miss Yin, rest assured, I have no intention of being your child’s father.”

His explanation, meant to reassure, inadvertently sounded even more like a devious plan to steal the bell, terrifying Yin Baishuang even further.

She thought to herself, Shou likes him so much, if he really intended that, wouldn’t she end up having to accept this guy as the kid’s father?

How could that be possible!

Tears instantly welled up in her eyes, her eyes reddening, where not a hint of murderous intent remained. Angrily stomping her foot, her voice carried a hint of a cry, “Go to hell!”

With that said, she clutched her wallet, twisted her head as if a fierce dog was chasing her, and ran out of the hall as if fleeing…

Yin Dufeng nearly choked on his saliva, shocked at his daughter’s sudden timidity.

The two leading figures of the Cultivation World watched the scene in the hall, shocked and speechless, wondering what kind of magic this young man had employed to subdue the girls so thoroughly.

They thought they might as well take the opportunity to toast him and learn some tips.

But before the Venerable Leaders had the chance to offer their toast, another dignitary from Kunlun Mountain steps into the hall one step at a time — Miss Qingshui.

Her gaze smiling warmly, she bowed to Baili An, performing a standard Mortal World forehead salute, saying, “Master Si Chen, the Empress requests your presence.”

Baili An was startled, a bit puzzled, “The Empress… wants to see me?”

Qingshui nodded with a smile, “Please, Master, move to the Ziwei Pavilion.”

Baili An peered deeply at her, not asking further, vaguely guessing that the Empress wanting to see him likely had to do with the Bronze Gate being opened wide, he felt somewhat certain, nodding before stepping forward.

Qingshui bowed politely, her manner suddenly gentle as she blocked Su Jing, “Miss Su, please stay, the Empress only wishes to see Master Si Chen.”

She lowered her gaze to look at their wrists, entwined with the vine of the sea demon, shook her head with a smile, “Qingshui does not possess the Geng Metal Sword to sever this, I’m afraid you two will have to endure a bit longer.”

Then, the graceful official elegantly held out a small phial encased in silver rings, her palm cradling a purification bottle filled with clear liquid.

She poured the clean water over the dry vine, which had been only three villages long, instantly growing and coiling more and more under their feet.

Qingshui smiled, “This is spring water from the Kunlun Pure Pond in my Kunlun Mountain, capable of growing countless woods. Though I cannot cut the vine, I can make it grow endlessly for a while.”

Su Jing watched the vine silently, then turned and went back to her seat at the banquet, indicating no interest in meeting the Kunlun God.

The Divine Palace’s white jade hall was bathed in the night sky, heavy and dignified clouds above hiding the cold moon. The chill of early spring wafted from the distant cold mountains, carrying with it the unique, fresh chill of the prairie.

Passing through the garden, Qingshui now led the way, holding a green lamp in her hand, her silhouette seemingly hidden in the misty rain, enchantingly beautiful.

Unlike the silent officer who initially led the way, Qingshui’s soft voice rose sweetly in the long night, tinged with a hint of sweetness, “May I ask, Master, why do you wish to become the lord of Xianling City?”

Baili An followed unhurriedly, focusing on the path beneath his feet, he said, “I want to open the Bronze Gate of Ghost Mountain again.”

Qingshui stopped abruptly, turned around, and the green lamp vividly illuminated both their faces, her smile unwavering, “Master, do you know that the ghost vein in the mountain is tied to the life of the Empress’s young child in the inner hall? Even if you are the lord of the mountain city, without the Empress’s nod, you have no right to open the Ghost Mountain.”

She stepped forward, tilting her head almost close enough to touch noses with Baili An, her black eyes moist with the night’s dew, “Even if you are the owner of the Bronze Gate, it is not allowed.”

Baili An’s eyes widened suddenly, her commanding presence as if she had foreseen everything, compelled him to almost take a step back. Yet as he met Qingshui’s ethereal gaze, his eyes darkened slightly, his heart made up, he instead moved forward unapologetically, closing the distance.

Qingshui’s pupils dilated, her usually calm facade breaking slightly as she leaned back her supple waist, hair touching the ground, avoiding the near-touch of their noses.

Baili An, hands behind his back, took the upper hand, leaning forward, cleverly stopping just before actual contact, “Lady, isn’t it a bit premature for you to be saying these things?”

The darkness enveloped them, along with the cold and unfamiliar breath of the man looming over her. Qingshui’s wrist trembled slightly, the candle inside the green lamp tilting, the light spilling out, instantly setting the thin lantern ablaze.

Her cheeks flushed, she threw away the burnt lantern, wanting to poke this youth’s face, but she restrained herself, taking several steps back, saying, “Don’t keep the Empress waiting any longer.”

Baili An stood upright, smiling slightly, “Very well, Miss Qingshui.”

Soon, they reached Ziwei Pavilion.

In the inner hall, incense wafted in curls, soft snow carpeted the floor, and the ancient scent of the terrace outside allowed wildflowers and parasol trees to grow inside. The shadows of the flowers in the window overlapped, a wild but beautiful disarray.

Deep in the pavilion, thin curtains separated them from the outer world’s sky and sight. With the aid of lamp light, they could barely make out the two figures, one sitting and one reclining.

“The Empress, Master Si Chen has been brought here.”

There were only two people in the hall.

But Baili An immediately knew the Empress was the one playing the zither.

He had never seen the Empress up close, but he knew immediately because, the moment he stepped into the pavilion, he recognized the reclining young girl’s silhouette.

“Fang Geyu?!”

No longer composed, struggling to stay calm, both his stance and demeanor in disarray.

Baili An almost sprinted, completely ignoring the prestigious presence behind the thin curtains, fearing as if facing an illusion, anxiously approaching her.