飘零影音

Chapter 57 - Arc 6: Pinglan County Wang Family | Chapter 57: Outing

Translator: Lynn

Sponsored chapter (4/10)

Xu Ziqing’s conversation with Wang Yingwu, even if it was conducted through sound transmission, inevitably revealed some clues in his expression. Meanwhile, Wang Kangde was entertaining the Gui Yin-Yang sisters, who were in a desperate state and couldn’t help but pay attention to the situation on this side.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept by, and two beautiful figures appeared on Xu Ziqing’s left and right sides, each wearing a smile. One of them spoke, “What are you doing, sir? Would you like to have a conversation with us sisters?”

Wang Yingwu’s face immediately turned pale, and regret filled his heart even more. If he had known that these two malicious women were so perceptive, he wouldn’t have said those things just to befriend Xu Ziqing.

Xu Ziqing also sensed the difference.

Although the two female cultivators were smiling, their eyes lacked joy. The female cultivator on the right had colorful patterns swirling on half of her face, which was quite disturbing.

When Wang Yingwu saw this, he became even more flustered. His lips trembled, and he couldn’t utter a single word.

However, Xu Ziqing smiled gently and said, “You two fellow Taoists are too polite.” He added, “I didn’t say anything offensive; we were just chatting. If the two of you don’t mind, you can join us.”

Gui Yin-Yang Sisters found Xu Ziqing’s attitude quite intriguing. They glanced at each other and cleverly smiled. One of them took hold of Xu Ziqing’s left arm, while the other embraced his right arm, positioning themselves at his side. “Naturally, we don’t mind. This honorable son is so kind, and my sisters are truly delighted,” they said.

Wang Yingwu, feeling as if he had been granted a reprieve, stood up and said, “Well, since the seniors are getting along so well, I won’t disturb you any longer. Please, have a seat here!”

Wang Kangde, who had been observing attentively, felt relieved upon seeing Wang Yingwu leave. Although the Wang father and son were apologizing to Xu Ziqing, they couldn’t help but feel relieved after witnessing the Gui Yin-Yang sisters latching onto him.

Guiyang and Guiyin took their seats, turning their heads to converse with Xu Ziqing.

Observing Wang Yingwu’s distressed appearance, Xu Ziqing found it slightly amusing. He then shifted his gaze away and kindly nodded to the two sisters.

The two sisters became increasingly perplexed. Despite their youthful appearance, they were actually over forty years old. They had gained fame more than twenty years ago, and while women were generally fine, they had never encountered a man who treated them with such kindness. It seemed unusual to them.

Guiyin’s facial markings stirred, and she softly said, “Aren’t you afraid of us, my lord?”

Xu Ziqing was taken aback and asked, “Afraid of what?” Guiyin raised her delicate finger, pointing at her face, and said, “Look, my lord.”

Xu Ziqing turned his gaze in that direction.

To his surprise, the markings on their faces became increasingly active, stretching out their furry legs and bodies, gradually revealing a menacing and terrifying spider. As it turned out, the patterns on their faces were not tattoos, but rather the Yin-Yang spiders they had nurtured, making them appear eerie and horrifying.

Xu Ziqing realized once again that the world was truly vast and filled with wonders. Nevertheless, he maintained a smile and said, “Fellow Daoist is quite inventive. This beast companion may look frightening, but it must be wonderful to have such a close bond with it.”

Upon hearing his words, Guiyin carefully observed Xu Ziqing’s expression and found sincerity in his clear eyes and genuine tone. Yet, she still couldn’t fully believe it and asked, “You are sitting so close to me. Aren’t you afraid that I’ll let it bite you?”

Xu Ziqing somewhat understood her thoughts after hearing her question. He responded sternly, “Even if it bites me, it won’t harm me.”

The sweet smile on Guiyang’s face faded, replaced by a sneer. She said, “You’re just being cunning. All men in the world are unlucky. Are you acting this way to seek mercy from my sisters?”

Xu Ziqing sighed softly and replied, “When I love someone, I only think of them. Whether they bite or not, my focus is solely on that person. Although there are many fickle people in the world, there are naturally those who are deeply devoted to love. Sisters, you needn’t worry…” As he spoke, he felt his words were inadequate, so he stopped and simply smiled, disregarding the dark spider on Guiyin’s face that seemed to select its prey.

Guiyin and Guiyang had initially arrived to cause trouble and hoped to bite this young man who seemed clueless. However, upon hearing his words, they found them extremely sincere, though they couldn’t discern their true feelings. They yearned to believe that not every man in this world was fickle, but their past experiences had made them wary and reluctant to trust.

Under the circumstances, how could they have the heart to engage in conversation with Xu Ziqing? They remained seated, whispering to each other.

Xu Ziqing felt a sense of pity for the two sisters, but since he didn’t know them well, he didn’t take the initiative to engage in further conversation.

At that moment, three unfamiliar monks, two men, and one woman, entered through the door. They appeared quite old and had a cultivation base at the seventh level of Qi Refining. The trio carried an air of arrogance and paid no attention to Xu Ziqing and the others. Wang Kangde and his son approached them first, but their greetings were met with casual responses. The monks found their seats without engaging in any conversation, seemingly avoiding or looking down on the rest of the group.

Not wanting to disturb them, Xu Ziqing patiently waited for the arrival of others. An hour passed swiftly, with tea being served multiple times, yet no one else joined them. Initially, Wang Kangde was not concerned, but the three new monks grew impatient. The obese monk among them spoke up, “Patriarch Wang, am I wasting my time here?”

Since these three monks were also at the eighth level of Qi Refining, their attitude carried a hint of arrogance. However, they quickly realized the master’s cultivation level and adjusted their demeanor accordingly. Xu Ziqing observed this and inwardly sighed, questioning the need for such behavior.

Unable to gain any benefits, the three monks restrained their attitudes. The fat monk, in particular, lowered his head and silently drank his tea.

After a while, the door opened again, and three male cultivators entered. One appeared composed, another uncertain, and the third had a slightly reckless temperament. Their cultivation bases ranged from the seventh to the eighth level of Qi Refining. As they walked in, their gazes swept past Xu Ziqing before greeting Wang Kangde one by one.

Wang Kangde’s demeanor towards them changed utterly, welcoming them warmly. He quickly mentioned the presence of other alliance members and asked if they knew each other. Before he could finish speaking, the reckless cultivator exclaimed, “Is it him?”

The other two cultivators turned to Xu Ziqing and replied, “Yes, we do know each other. Master, please don’t bother. We are here to welcome him.” With those words, the three of them moved toward Xu Ziqing.

The reckless cultivator took a few steps ahead and eagerly said, “My good friend, you helped us greatly a year ago. Do you remember?”

Surprised by his enthusiasm, Xu Ziqing stood up, cupped his hands, and replied, “How could I forget…”

The three cultivators exchanged glances, and the elder among them smiled, saying, “A year ago, a fellow Daoist bestowed us with a storage bag. We are grateful to you.”

Recalling the incident, Xu Ziqing also smiled and said, “So, I, Xu Ziqing, am also a member of the foreign alliance.”

The three cultivators introduced themselves as Hongzhi, Wang Jun, and Ruan Yuanliang, expressing their willingness to become sworn brothers. Xu Ziqing engaged in pleasant conversation with them.

Once everyone was seated, Nian Hongzhi suggested, “Since we’ve encountered each other here, why not wait together? We can take care of each other during this mission.”

Wang Jun chimed in, “Indeed. Fellow Daoist is talented and promising. You won’t look down on us, right?”

Ruan Yuanliang laughed and listened to his two brothers. Xu Ziqing couldn’t refuse their request, especially considering their warmth and enthusiasm. He smiled and replied, “You can count on me. Let’s support each other.” Ruan Yuanliang’s eyes lit up at Xu Ziqing’s response, and his attitude towards him became even more intimate. He pulled Xu Ziqing into a conversation as if they had known each other for a long time.

Nian Hongzhi and Wang Jun remained silent, listening with smiles on their faces. Xu Ziqing found their company enjoyable and appreciated their friendly nature. Little did he suspect any ulterior motives from these newfound brothers. He felt glad to have met them during this mission.

After waiting for another half an hour with no further arrivals, Wang Kangde lit a stick of incense. Simultaneously, the mission walls displayed a silently ignited silk cloth, signifying the cancellation of the task. Wang Kangde then proposed that every one, being highly cultivated individuals, should stay. He asked for their opinions, but since all those present had come with the intention to complete the task, they expressed no objections and replied, “That’s great.”

Wang Kangde possessed a broad and open-minded nature. The enduring success of the Wang clan could be attributed to the wisdom of their patriarchs throughout the generations, who knew when to be firm and when to exercise tolerance within reasonable limits.

With this in mind, Wang Kangde continued, “I have four sons who wish to participate in this training. As long as they do not suffer severe injuries, each fellow cultivator can receive ten spirit beads. And if they return safely from this journey… I will express my deepest gratitude!”

Those familiar with the Wang family understood the weight behind Wang Kangde’s expression of gratitude. This understanding brought great joy to all the monks present, and they responded in unison, “We will not disappoint the great trust of the Patriarch!”

In addition to Wang Yingwu, the eldest son from the direct lineage, three sons from concubines accompanied him on the trip. These illegitimate sons were not as fortunate as their half-brothers. The legitimate sons had to cultivate to the third level of Qi Refining before being allowed to venture outside, but the illegitimate sons would have to wait until they reached adulthood to cultivate alongside their half-brothers.

After Wang Kangde finished explaining, Wang Yingwu took the lead and led the concubine sons in saluting the monks once again. Then, he walked out of the door and stood in the open courtyard. As there were numerous monks following them, Wang Yingwu intended to make a grand display. He retrieved a Ruyi handle from his storage bag, threw it into the air, and declared, “Rise!”

The Ruyi handle soared, resembling a small boat. Taking a deep breath, Wang Yingwu leaped up, spread his feet, and landed firmly on the boat. As he stood, his clothes billowed, giving him an imposing and upright appearance.

The three concubine sons also jumped up, but their cultivation levels were lower, ranging from the first to the second level of Qi Refining. Their ascent into midair appeared somewhat challenging, lacking the gracefulness of Wang Yingwu.

Once the four disciples from the Wang family landed on the Ruyi handle, it would be the turn of the supporting monks to showcase their abilities.

Eager to save face, the three monks who were previously suppressed by Wang Kangde made every effort to demonstrate their strength, hastily drawing out their magic weapons. Three flying swords unsheathed from behind them and swiftly soared into the air with a “swish.”

The three monks cleared their throats and adopted a solemn demeanor. Due to their relatively strong cultivation, they meticulously walked through the air, hands behind their backs, and then stepped onto the flying swords with both feet.

Witnessing this, Wang Yingwu and the other disciples were filled with surprise.

The fat monk chuckled, the female nun adjusted her hair, and the slimmer monk stroked his long beard—all three wearing expressions of great pride.

The Gui Yin-Yang sisters burst into laughter, with Guiyin lifting her delicate hand and plucking a pearl flower from her hair. She tossed it into the air, and the flower bead released a delightful fragrance, resembling real flowers in their freshness and loveliness. However, this bead was as large as a millstone, significantly surpassing the size of ordinary flowers.

The two sisters held hands, their skirts swaying as they swiftly landed on top of the flower’s stamens. From a distance, their faces couldn’t be clearly seen, but their appearance resembled ethereal Lingbo fairies, exuding extraordinary beauty.

Nian Hongzhi and the others turned their gaze towards Xu Ziqing, who made a subtle gesture of “please.”

Without hesitation, the three brothers displayed their respective abilities.

A melodious sound resonated as a pair of swords clashed and soared into the air.

The saber emitted a crimson hue, while the sword resembled flowing water. When the two weapons merged, they transformed into a dashing dragon.

The saber belonged to Nian Hongzhi, and the sword was Wang Jun’s magical weapon. Both were acquired during their missions in the past year. Due to their higher cultivation levels, they utilized these weapons.

The phantom of a flood dragon formed at the intersection of the saber and sword, consuming a considerable amount of spiritual power but possessing immense power. They showcased their strength as envoys, aiming to gain Xu Ziqing’s trust.

The Jiaolong lowered its head in front of the three brothers, appearing as a virtual image rather than a tangible creature. However, the fact that it displayed such might demonstrated the power of the magical weapon.

Nian Hongzhi and Wang Junshi stepped onto the Jiaolong with great enthusiasm, slightly overshadowing the performances of others. Ruan Yuanliang had obtained a slightly lower-grade flying sword over the past year, matching his attributes and exhibiting substantial power. However, he chose not to reveal it at that moment and joined his two elder brothers on Jiaolong1‘s head.

Everyone from the Wang family looked on with admiration, including Wang Kangde, who couldn’t help but feel amazed.

Nian Hongzhi didn’t make the Jiaolong raise its head but instead looked at Xu Ziqing, smiling as he said, “If you don’t mind, Daoist Xu, why don’t you come along?”

Xu Ziqing smiled but shook his head, replying, “Thank you for your kind offer, but…” He had already heard the sound of something breaking through the sky and couldn’t accept their kindness.

As expected, a black shadow swiftly descended and fiercely grabbed Xu Ziqing!

Nian Hongzhi exclaimed, “Be careful!” but made no move to intervene.

Everyone present was taken aback.

Surprisingly, the black shadow did capture Xu Ziqing, but it didn’t harm him. Instead, it lowered its head and affectionately rubbed against him.

Xu Ziqing smiled and reached out to stroke the eagle’s head, saying, “Chonghua, why did you come down?”

Only then did everyone realize that it wasn’t an attack but rather a friendly gesture.

In response, Nian Hongzhi and Wang Jun glanced at each other with a touch of pity in their eyes.

Chonghua raised its head and let out several howls toward the dragon.

It was at that moment that Xu Ziqing understood and couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re still young, how can you carry me?”

Chonghua gripped Xu Ziqing’s shoulders with its iron claws, flapped its wings, and lifted him off the ground.

Everyone witnessed a divine steed eagle soaring high in the sky, holding a young monk with smiling eyes under its claws.

Then, Guiyin spoke up, saying, “So, you also have animal companions.”

Xu Ziqing’s thoughts stirred, and Chonghua carried him toward the other monks. He smiled and said, “Although Chonghua is a bird, it is also part of my family.”

Guiyin extended her hand to touch the spot where the Yin spider rested on her cheek, her mouth curved silently, but didn’t say any bad words to him.

All the monks gathered in mid-air, ready to depart.

Wang Kangde clasped his fists from a distance and said in a resolute voice, “I entrust all of you with the safety of the Wang family. Please!”

The monks echoed each other, and at that moment, their magic tools radiated a dazzling light before transforming into colorful streams and shooting off into the distance.

Chonghua raised its head high, emitting a clear whistle, and flew away with Xu Ziqing.

Soon after, several beams of light shot out from behind Wang Kangde, accompanying the senior monks of the Wang family.

Chonghua’s claws firmly held Xu Ziqing, but they were careful not to hurt him.

In the sky, Xu Ziqing experienced the sensation of flying without relying on his spiritual power for the first time. As he looked down, he felt a unique sense of tranquility. With the cold wind brushing against his face and his long hair occasionally flickering forward, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of exhilaration, along with a sense of vigor and refreshment.

This small world was already vast, despite its seemingly insignificant size…

Recalling a few years ago when he had just entered the realm of immortals and observed the high-level monks soaring in the sky using magical weapons, he had been captivated. Witnessing various spells being performed, he had made a firm resolution to diligently cultivate. At that time, he even had thoughts of carefully cultivating spiritual herbs in the Baicao Garden and establishing a foundation in the Xu family to accumulate his cultivation…

Unexpectedly, during a trip to the secret realm, he had been abandoned by the Xu family. However, this misfortune turned into a blessing as he obtained the storage ring, met Brother Yun, and became Chonghua’s master. Now, despite his entanglement with the Sanxiu League, he still enjoyed a sense of freedom. With Chonghua and Yun by his side, he no longer felt lonely in this unfamiliar world. No matter how many difficulties and dangers he encountered, he remained unafraid.

Pondering these thoughts, a faint layer of blue light appeared around Xu Ziqing’s body, quickly dissolving and blending into the world within him. Thanks to Chonghua’s actions, Xu Ziqing turned his gaze toward the sky, and by facing it, he gained enlightenment.

In just a few breaths of time, Xu Ziqing’s state of mind underwent a subtle improvement… There might have been numerous lingering thoughts in his heart that had gone unnoticed in the past, but at that moment, he let go of them all.

Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^