Two more years slipped by. Midsumr, dead of night in Black River Market.
The Chu Qin spirit tea shop stood empty of custors. Bai Muhan and Wei Minniang sat together, sorting bundles of mugwort and incense, trading whispers only won share.
"Any sign yet?"
"Nope. You?"
"Nothing..."
They traded a wistful glance, sighs syncing in the quiet. Married life had treated them kindly—husbands attentive, beds warm—but years on, no child stirred in either womb. A shared ache hung soft in the air.
" and Zhan Yuan... back in Naless Valley, I took a bad hit low in the gut. Might be why..."
Bai Muhan had racked her brain for reasons. Watching Zhang Shishi's two concubines pop out kids like hens lately only twisted the knife. Zhan Yuan never complained aloud, but envy leaked through in fleeting looks, sharpening her worry year by year.
"So what now? Why not see a healer?" Wei Minniang pressed.
Bai Muhan tipped her chin toward the street. "Waiting on that deadweight father of mine to get free. Soon as I settle him in Immortal Grove Hollow, I'm heading to White Mountain's Hehuan Sect. Their cultivators know yin-yang arts inside out. Folks say plenty walk away with babies—works like a charm."
She'd kept eyes glued to the market square all day. Bai Xiaosheng locked there a full decade. One more night, and father and daughter reunited. Tears welled despite her teasing words.
"Oh?"
Wei Minniang, far from ho, knew little of White Mountain. The idea sparked interest. "Hehuan Sect? Na sounds shady. Really that effective?"
Bai Muhan shot her a knowing smile. "Thousand-year tradition in bedroom arts. Decent reputation up there—no scandals I've heard. Why not co with? Safety in numbers."
"Hm... alright. If he says yes." Wei Minniang thought it over quick, then nodded firm.
"He dotes on you. How could he refuse?" Bai Muhan laughed, leaning in conspiratorial. "So... how is he? Impressive?"
"Hey!" Wei Minniang swatted her arm, cheeks burning. But mories of Qi Xiu's prowess sent a shiver through her. Voice dropped. "Pretty... vigorous. Yours?"
"Him, well..."
Giggles bubbled lower, muffled and mischievous.
Upstairs in the inn—the sa room where Gu Ji once lay bleeding—Qi Xiu stood rigid by the window, gazing down at the market center. Silent.
Bai Xiaosheng sat like a ditating monk, eyes closed, composure intact. But twitching lids and restless thumb betrayed him.
Even at his level, freedom's edge rattled the cage.
Zhan Yuan hovered nearby with a Foundation Establishnt cultivator from South Chu Sect, buttering him up careful.
"Heh, Sect Leader Qi pulls strings like a master—straight to Old Ancestor Chu Duo sohow. Us small fry didn't catch a whiff!"
Chu Youguang's grating voice slithered from behind. Qi Xiu's stomach turned, but tonight demanded smooth sailing—no waves. [Clarify the Self] humd faint; he forced a smile, turning to parry with words. The man looked ninety-sothing yet younger by the day—skin glowing, vitality pulsing like a youth in his twenties. Odd as hell.
"Pfft. Hypocrite."
Chu Youguang spat inwardly. The more he eyed Qi Xiu, the more he itched. This "upright" Daoist had spouted virtue once, then slit Wang Qing's throat and played the saint everywhere. Rescuing Bai Xiaosheng now—what angle? Chu himself had tornted the man years on end. Revenge unlikely, but the grudge stuck in his craw. And with Qi Xiu tapping Chu Duo's connections? Nothing to do but snipe verbally.
Mutual loathing simred. Chu Youguang mocked freely; Qi Xiu absorbed it soft, deflecting clean. Finally, the hour crept to the final quarter. Chu Youguang swooped down, joining the South Chu cultivator. Together they unlocked the iron chains piercing Bai Xiaosheng's collarbones with a command token.
Freedom granted.
"Learn your lesson next ti. Behave."
Chu Youguang tossed the parting shot, vanishing into the glittering night market behind the Foundation expert.
Zhan Yuan hurried Bai Xiaosheng into the tea shop, doors barred. Bai Muhan launched into her father's arms, sobs breaking free. Wei Minniang wept quiet beside her friend, lighting prepared mugwort and incense to cleanse the ill luck. Qi Xiu descended the stairs, standing aside.
"You've all suffered..."
Bai Xiaosheng cracked at last. Tears rolled down the man's cheeks as he stroked his daughter's hair, pulling his good son-in-law into the hug too. To Qi Xiu: "Your help—I..."
Qi Xiu waved it off with a grin. "Save it. Tonight's your triumph, but ti's short. Word spreads fast here. Gawkers will swarm soon. We leave now—talk later."
"Right... yes."
Ten years as spectacle had scarred him deepest. Crowds of idle cultivators? Nightmare. He nodded quick. Changed into fresh robes his daughter handed over, then joined the Chu Qin group atop the inn roof. A compact second-tier flying spirit bird waited—rented by Zhan Yuan from a White Mountain loose cultivator. Cramped back, barely seating five. No more words. They lifted off into the night, streaking southwest.
Death Swamp's grim vistas unrolled below. Bai Xiaosheng's grief eased gradual. Voice low: "One thing I owe Sect Leader Qi an apology for. If not for my ddling hand back then—scribbling trouble—no Chu Hongchang ss. No near-death for you, injury for Kan Lin, exile wandering the wilds. I'm the fool. I..."
"Don't carry it that heavy. Even without Kan Lin answering Wang Qing's challenge, I'd have gone. Outco? Who knows—maybe I wouldn't breathe today. Fate twists strange. Hard to pin bla so far back." Qi Xiu had made peace. Bai Xiaosheng's sin: stirring the pot with ink. The rest? Not truly his.
"Alas... just curse my poor judge of character. Friends like foxes—scattered the mont trouble hit, even turned to steal my foundation, pressure my kin. And that betrothal we set..." Agitation rose, brushing his daughter's broken engagent. Zhan Yuan sat right there, face awkward.
"Dad!"
Bai Muhan cut him off with a pouty scold.
"Ahem. Enough of that. Enough..."
He caught the misstep, clamming up.
The bird flew small but swift—no detour through Artifact Talisman City needed. Five short days, and Immortal Grove Hollow rose to et them.
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