Ch40 – Honeymoon?

Translator: Abo Dammen

Bai Qing pushed the door open and closed it behind him, then approached the potted peach tree on the small earthen mound. Seeing Bai Qing, the peach tree trembled, then transformed into the radiant and flourishing Tao Yaozhi. 

Tao Yaozhi stepped forward and said, “You two were fast.”

Bai Qing immediately felt a bit awkward.

Afraid Bai Qing might be displeased, Tao Yaozhi hurried to patch things up, saying, “Well on the battlefield, speed is everything!”

As they were talking, bursts of footsteps suddenly came from the direction of the covered walkway. Bai Qing’s ears twitched. He quickly composed himself, turned around, and looked toward the approaching figure. 

Tao Yaozhi also sensed that something was wrong. His expression changed drastically, and he hastily hid behind Bai Qing, clutching Bai Qing’s sleeve tightly with both hands.

“Bai-ge, that unreasonable Taoist seems to be here again…”

Before he had even finished speaking, Lin Zhao’s figure appeared at the far end of the walkway, slowly walking toward them. Fortunately, there was no trace of killing intent on Lin Zhao’s face. Instead, his expression looked calm and composed.

Bai Qing quietly let out a breath of relief, adjusted his posture, and asked Lin Zhao, 

“Did you uncover the truth?”

Lin Zhao frowned slightly. To be honest, he hadn’t fully gotten to the bottom of it either.

The young disciples of his sect had indeed said that the misfortune at the Jing household was Jing Shuizhi’s own doing, not only unrelated to the Great Fierce Ghost, but even suggesting that the ghost had acted to uphold justice. Under Lin Zhao’s questioning, the bearded Taoist and his group had also confessed the truth, admitting they had exaggerated matters. They had never personally seen the Great Fierce Ghost or the living corpse harm anyone.

However, Bai Qing’s version of events was not entirely airtight either. 

According to Bai Qing, he was a reclusive master beyond the mortal world who had single-handedly subdued both the Great Fierce Ghost and the peach demon.

Yet the disciples all spoke in unison, insisting that Bai Qing and Jing Liansheng were an underworld-marriage couple. Bai Qing was no master at all. His strength was weak, and every time he was in danger, it was Jing Liansheng’s protection that allowed him to escape peril.

Lin Zhao was an open and straightforward person. He spoke what was on his mind and couldn’t hide his thoughts.

He stated his doubts directly, “I’ve confirmed that neither you nor the Great Fierce Ghost harmed anyone. However… what the disciples said and what you told me have some discrepancies.” 

Though inwardly a little nervous, Bai Qing maintained the outward calm of a world-transcending expert. He lifted his brows lightly, the corner of his lips curling. “With their level of cultivation, it’s normal that they can’t see through me.”

Lin Zhao pondered for a moment, as if choosing to believe Bai Qing.

He cupped his hands toward Bai Qing and said sincerely, “In that case, Martial Uncle, you truly are a man of chivalrous heart and righteous courage, with profound cultivation!”

“One could certainly say that,” Bai Qing replied, not blushing in the slightest as he accepted the praise outright. 

Hearing this, Lin Zhao’s face lit up with joy, and he continued, “If that’s so, then that’s wonderful! I happen to have one matter to request.”

At the words “that’s wonderful,” Bai Qing’s heart tightened, vaguely sensing something off. Hearing “one matter to request” made him even more uneasy. “What do you mean?”

With a hint of hopefulness, Lin Zhao said, “There is an evil object wreaking havoc in the world. I hope Martial Uncle can help subdue it!”

Bai Qing’s heart went thud. 

He had stepped straight into a trap of his own making.

Since he had created the persona of a master skilled in subduing evil, he clearly couldn’t refuse now!

An evil object that even Lin Zhao found so troublesome he had to seek outside help—just how evil must it be?!

Masking his unease with mild curiosity, Bai Qing asked, “You are the head of a sect. What kind of evil object is it that even you can’t deal with?” 

A flicker of hidden worry crossed Lin Zhao’s face. He seemed to have something he couldn’t easily speak of.

He fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, “This matter involves secret affairs of the sect. It truly isn’t something that can be discussed with outsiders. Please forgive me, Martial Uncle, for not being able to speak frankly. However, if you are willing to condescend to visit the Xuanmen Sect and formally handle this matter, then I will naturally lay everything out in full, and we can devise a plan together.”

Can’t say it now? Have to agree first before explaining anything?

That sounded like a massive trap. 

Bai Qing deliberately showed displeasure, his brows knitting slightly, his tone tinged with complaint. “If you won’t be open with me, how can I possibly help? Since you don’t trust me, then forget it. I won’t inquire further into this matter.”

With that, he turned his back on Lin Zhao and started walking toward the room.

He hadn’t gone far when he faintly heard Lin Zhao murmuring to himself behind him, “Fine… Second Martial Grandfather has already returned to the sect as well… Perhaps he also has a way…”

Bai Qing’s heart stirred. He halted, turned back to Lin Zhao, his brows drawn tight. 

“Who did you say? Ying Zhili?”

Lin Zhao hadn’t expected such a strong reaction from Bai Qing. He froze for a moment, then nodded. “Ah—yes. Exactly him.”

“You said he’s already returned to the sect?” Bai Qing asked again.

Lin Zhao nodded. “Yes. Second Martial Grandfather, after hearing my request, has already set off ahead of time.” 

Bai Qing couldn’t help wondering, ‘Was Ying Zhili really that warm-hearted? He agreed as soon as Lin Zhao asked?’

Could it be…

A suspicion surfaced in Bai Qing’s mind, weighing heavily on his expression.

“Could it be… the matter you’re entrusting me with is related to the Ancient Lotus?” 

At this, Lin Zhao’s face changed drastically. He exclaimed in shock, “Martial Uncle… you—you know about the Ancient Lotus?”

Bai Qing’s gaze shifted to the ancient lotus bud swaying gently in the pond, then back to Lin Zhao. “You… haven’t seen the Ancient Lotus, have you?”

Lin Zhao looked utterly surprised and answered honestly, “Indeed, I haven’t. I’ve only heard of it from the accounts of senior predecessors.”

Understanding dawned in Bai Qing’s heart. He thought silently: No wonder. Lin Zhao sees nothing strange about this pond. 

He has only heard of the Ancient Lotus, but never seen it. Then what exactly is the connection between this matter and the Ancient Lotus? And Ying Zhili deliberately going to the Xuanmen Sect for this… that’s very strange indeed.

After thinking for a moment, Bai Qing said to Lin Zhao, “I’ll consider the matter you mentioned.”

Hope flared in Lin Zhao’s eyes. “If Martial Uncle is willing to help, that would be wonderful.”

Bai Qing waved his hand and turned to enter the West Wing. 

Tao Yaozhi, upon seeing Lin Zhao, reacted like a mouse spotting a cat. He clearly didn’t want to stay with Lin Zhao, so he hurried after Bai Qing, slipping inside with him and closing the door behind them, cutting Lin Zhao off outside.

Once inside, Bai Qing knocked on the coffin lid. “Liansheng, are you convenient to talk right now?”

Jing Liansheng remained silent for a long while, so long that Bai Qing almost thought he hadn’t heard. Only then did the coffin lid slowly slide open a crack, and Jing Liansheng’s spectral form drifted out. Before Bai Qing could get a proper look, there was a sudden bang—the coffin lid snapped shut again, the speed unusually abrupt.

It was a little strange, as though Jing Liansheng were hiding something inside the coffin, something he didn’t want Bai Qing to see. 

But Bai Qing didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he relayed everything Lin Zhao had said, from beginning to end. When he finished, he added, “I keep feeling like there’s something off about this. We really should go and get to the bottom of it.”

Jing Liansheng gave a slight nod. “Since that’s the case, let us go and investigate.”

Bai Qing frowned. “You’re coming with me?”

Jing Liansheng laughed softly. “Of course. Or are you truly a world-transcending master, confident you can subdue that evil thing single-handedly?” 

Bai Qing: …Unfortunately, I actually am.

He rubbed his nose and said, “Going together so we can look out for each other is good. Of course.”

Tao Yaozhi also scooted over, blinking eagerly. “Then don’t leave me behind! I want to go too!”

“What are you going for?” Bai Qing said. “Aren’t you afraid?” 

Tao Yaozhi grinned.

“With Bai-ge around, how could I be afraid?”

Hearing this, Bai Qing couldn’t help feeling a little lightheaded with pride, a faintly smug expression surfacing on his face.

Jing Liansheng snorted inwardly. 

…Honeyed words and shameless flattery—there’s definitely an ulterior motive.

But he didn’t say it aloud. He simply watched the two of them in silence, a trace of suppressed irritation flickering in his eyes. Bai Qing noticed that Jing Liansheng seemed unhappy, but assumed he was worried about something else.

He tried to reassure him. “Liansheng, are you worried that going to the sect will make you miss the Ancient Lotus blooming? There’s no need to be afraid. If the Ancient Lotus were about to bloom, Ying Zhili wouldn’t have left. He’d be glued to the pond that even an eight-bearer sedan chair couldn’t drag him away.”

Moreover, Bai Qing had already recovered the Saint Child’s spiritual power and could sense the signs of the Ancient Lotus’s bloom. 

It wasn’t time yet.

Thinking this, Bai Qing looked at Jing Liansheng with a hint of confidence in his eyes.

“Don’t worry. The Ancient Lotus won’t bloom that fast. We have plenty of time.”

Jing Liansheng looked at Bai Qing’s utterly confident expression, his eyes narrowing slightly. 

“You seem to know it very well.”

Bai Qing immediately felt a little guilty. “Mm… just… just okay.”

Jing Liansheng didn’t pursue the matter further. He simply gave Bai Qing a deep, lingering look. Bringing Jing Liansheng and Tao Yaozhi with him, Bai Qing went out and told Lin Zhao, “Alright. We’ll go with you.”

Lin Zhao glanced at Jing Liansheng and Tao Yaozhi, a bit surprised. “They’re coming too?” 

Bai Qing replied breezily, “Of course. I subdued them and keep them by my side to guide and enlighten them. Naturally, I have to keep an eye on them at all times. I can’t let anything go wrong. Besides, when dealing with the evil thing, they can also help stand guard.”

“That makes sense,” Lin Zhao said, understanding.

After deciding to set off, Bai Qing felt he should say something to Jing Er first. After all, Jing Liansheng was technically his “elder brother.”

So he found Jing Er and said, “Jing Er, I’m taking your elder brother on a trip.” 

Jing Er was thoroughly confused. “Where are you going? Why so suddenly?”

Bai Qing’s mind spun, and he blurted out, “Honeymoon.”

“Sounds reasonable.” Hearing this explanation, Jing Er raised no objections. Instead, he looked curious. “Where are you going for your honeymoon?”

Bai Qing was momentarily at a loss for words. 

He couldn’t very well say, we’re going to a death trap for our honeymoon, could he?

Other people’s honeymoons are about romance—ours is about losing one’s sanity.

Bai Qing brushed it off casually. “We’ll go wherever our feet take us.”

“That really is romantic!” Jing Er was remarkably easy to fool. Not only did he accept this perfunctory answer, he even handed Bai Qing a large sum of money for travel expenses. 

Watching the money roll in, Bai Qing couldn’t help patting Jing Liansheng on the shoulder.

“Your grandson is such a good grandson!”

Since Bai Qing didn’t know the exact location of the Xuanmen Sect, he could only follow Lin Zhao.

Before boarding the plane, Bai Qing remembered something else and asked, “Why didn’t you call my Shifu?” 

Lin Zhao gave a bitter smile. “Third Martial Grandfather insists that he’s been expelled from the sect and will never set foot there again in this lifetime.”

Hearing this, Bai Qing felt something was… off.

After thinking it over briefly, he still sent Chu Ze a message before boarding.

The group flew to another city. With his pockets well-lined and unwilling to exhaust himself before a major confrontation, Bai Qing suggested renting a luxury car. But Lin Zhao shook his head and pointed toward the endless mountain range in the distance. “The sect is deep in the mountains. The roads are rugged, and there are formations set up. We can only go on foot.” 

The moment Bai Qing heard “on foot,” the soles of his feet began to ache faintly. His millennia-old barefoot mountain-climbing PTSD was about to flare up.

With a miserable expression, he said, “On foot? That sounds exhausting! How about you slap a corpse-driving talisman on me so I don’t have to walk myself?”

Lin Zhao: …What a lazy world-transcending master.

Lin Zhao forcibly swallowed his urge to complain and glanced at the sky. “We should set off quickly. Once it gets dark, the mountain paths will be even harder to walk.” 

“Nightfall is actually the best time for us to travel,” Jing Liansheng interjected coldly.

It was as if Lin Zhao had only just remembered that he was the only living human in this little traveling party.

He was the odd one out.

Jing Liansheng checked the time and said decisively, “We’re not going up the mountain yet.” 

“Not going up first?” Lin Zhao was confused. “Do you have something important to take care of?”