CHAPTER 243: 0165 THE SO-CALLED ZHIBAI (TWO-IN-ONE)

The rain outside the window had thinned considerably, perhaps because there were no more secrets left to shroud, and the remaining cold and rain merely served as a backdrop to highlight the warmth from the fire stone in the girl’s palm.

——

Inside the room, Xu Chang’an and Li Zhibai chatted idly.

Li Zhibai was astonished by Xu Chang’an’s peculiar connection to the rain, but she did not inquire further.

Approaching the Qiankun Realm, she still couldn’t discern the true nature of the rainwater, yet Xu Chang’an could easily resist it. There was too much to discuss here, and it was far from as simple as it seemed.

At the very least, she began to believe that Xu Chang’an’s origins were extraordinary, likely an Immortal Reincarnation.

...

Xu Chang’an realized Li Zhibai always talked about inconsequential matters rather than the main issue, which unexpectedly made him feel relieved.

Sir asked him about Yun Qian, expressing great interest by frequently referring to her as his sister... At least this showed that Yun Qian’s elixir field issue could likely be resolved with a mere wave of Sir’s hand.

Now, this pair of teacher and student both held their own thoughts.

"Sigh."

Xu Chang’an sighed and said helplessly after hearing Li Zhibai’s words, "The opportunity you granted..."

He didn’t clarify what he meant, but Li Zhibai naturally understood his implication.

She indeed gave Yun Qian an opportunity, but it ended up becoming just a box of rouge, and considering Xu Chang’an’s personality of spending a spirit stone as if splitting it into two, it’s already a good state of mind that he isn’t feeling distressed fetching Yun Qian now.

Listening to Xu Chang’an’s sigh, Li Zhibai sat by the table, gently grinding ink, and said casually, "Heartache?"

"Of course." Xu Chang’an looked at the exceedingly ordinary longsword on the table and truthfully said, "As a sword cultivator, I’ve always wanted a good sword as a student."

"You really are blunt." Li Zhibai paused her hand holding the Mo Stone, glanced back at the young man behind her, and said somewhat helplessly, "It was a gift for your sister’s first meeting, whatever she wants suits her best."

Xu Chang’an coughed lightly, "You’re right."

Li Zhibai turned around but instead of grinding ink anymore, she said, "What, not thinking about owing me a favor anymore?"

"Sir allowed me to enter the gate, discussing favors now would be unnecessarily formal." Xu Chang’an earnestly said.

He knew a bit about the Daoist Nun’s temperament too; Yun Qian being called sister naturally means she wouldn’t want to hear such distant words.

Speaking of which, Xu Chang’an blinked, "Still, like I said before, I’ve already owed Sir much, lacking just this one."

"..." Li Zhibai had a touch of helplessness between her brows.

Actually, seeing the strange connection between Xu Chang’an and the rainwater, and considering the Sect Leader’s attitude towards him, Li Zhibai thought the title Immortal Reincarnation was not unwarranted, yet it was indeed very difficult for her to associate this youth she had personally trained with any Immortal.

"Alright, I know you need a good sword." Li Zhibai affectionately glanced at Xu Chang’an, stood up, and tossed the Mo Stone in her hand to Xu Chang’an, "Grind ink, as for the sword... I’ll keep an eye out for you."

She had granted Xu Chang’an entry and now acknowledged Yun Qian as a sister, truly not favoring one over the other.

"At your command." Xu Chang’an took the Mo Stone, eyes displaying some surprise; he hadn’t expected Sir to be so agreeable.

Sure enough, as a recognized student, the treatment was distinct.

Xu Chang’an walked to where Li Zhibai had just been sitting and gently rubbed the ink stone on the ink slab, with ink gradually forming.

Behind him, Li Zhibai took a light brush and skillfully twirled it between her fingers.

"Sir." Xu Chang’an watched as the ink gradually turned clear water black, and asked, "You light the oil lamp, use mortal ink, wear cloth garments, could it also be considered cultivation?"

Thinking back to Zhu Pingniang being a Madam in Beisang City, Xu Chang’an was highly curious.

"Cultivation? It should count, I suppose."

"Suppose?"

"What, went to the Hundred Herbs Garden and think I can’t teach you now?" Li Zhibai sternly said.

"Certainly not." Xu Chang’an calmly replied, "Though the senior brothers and sisters at the Hundred Herbs Garden don’t know Sir’s abilities, I as a student am aware of a few."

"What abilities could I have." Li Zhibai walked behind Xu Chang’an, dipped the white bristle in ink, and let the stroke fall smoothly and swiftly.

When it landed on the paper, a straight line emerged onto the white paper.

Xu Chang’an looked at the stark black and white line in front, wondering if Sir specifically ground ink merely to draw a line?

"Do you know what I want to tell you?" Li Zhibai asked.

"A foolish student." Xu Chang’an shook his head.

"You know...my name now, don’t you." Li Zhibai suddenly said.

Xu Chang’an hesitated for a moment before nodding; the question he had always wanted to ask but couldn’t had been cleared by Yun Qian within an hour.

"How’s that?" Li Zhibai asked.

How’s what?

Xu Chang’an was bewildered again, not understanding Li Zhibai’s intention.

Was she asking about the name?

After pondering for a long time, Xu Chang’an looked at the "distinct black and white" on the paper and seriously said, "Knowing White and Guarding Black...is the Tao you taught me, from which I’ve greatly benefited."

Recalling the first time he fought robbers, Sir had told him good and evil were distinctions of stance and identity markers, just like between demons and humans.

At that time, Xu Chang’an felt calling Li Zhibai Sir was a very fortunate thing.

...

Listening to Xu Chang’an’s words, Li Zhibai blinked more frequently.

Honestly.

Ever since seeing Xu Chang’an ignore the ubiquitous rainwater, although he behaved no differently than before, Li Zhibai’s mind was still in turmoil.

The things Shi Qingjun could conceive, she also could.