Free Web NovelChapter 542: Chapter 496: Everything Is Ready
After parting with Xie Jingshan, Jiang Yuebai headed straight to the West Sea, where Aojuan was still waiting for her at their agreed meeting place.
Only a quarter of an hour passed before Jiang Yuebai habitually checked behind her for anyone following, suddenly noticing thick black smoke rolling up from the coastal camp.
"Smoke signals? Or is there a fire?"
Jiang Yuebai stepped into the high sky, gazing into the distance, and that direction seemed to be where the camp of Biyou Palace disciples was.
It was too far away to determine what exactly it was. She could only conceal her figure and aura, speeding up to reach Aojuan early for safety.
Now, everything was ready. They just had to wait for Xie Jingshan to arrange everything in six months, and then go with Aojuan to the chosen place to form their Nascent Soul!
*
At that time, Xie Jingshan and Jing Chujun were passing through the checkpoint, each controlling their flying swords to rush back to Fulong Mountain.
Xie Jingshan fled forward, with Jing Chujun catching up beside him, looking at his solemn face, and couldn’t help but laugh.
Xie Jingshan glanced over, "Boss, can you stop teasing me?"
Jing Chujun stifled a laugh, "Then tell me, why did you set fire to Qii Siheng’s tent? Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?"
"Who... who set the fire? I don’t know any nonsense like Qii Siheng or Qii Sishu!" Xie Jingshan stiffened his neck and said.
"Qii Siheng left the camp long ago; you burned it for nothing," Jing Chujun said.
Xie Jingshan was stunned, "When did he leave? Why didn’t you tell me?"
Jing Chujun glanced at him, "When I told you that Qii Siheng was painting a portrait of Jiang Yuebai, you didn’t care and didn’t ask me."
"Huh? Didn’t I burn it for nothing?" Xie Jingshan looked bewildered.
"Still saying it wasn’t you?" Jing Chujun squinted.
"Ahem! So, how long are you staying at Fulong Mountain?" Xie Jingshan changed the subject.
Jing Chujun smiled knowingly and didn’t pursue the matter further, "If negotiations with the Dragon Clan really happen, my dad might stay for the full three years, and my mom and I will also remain here, returning to the sect together once it’s over."
Xie Jingshan sighed, "My dear boss, when will you finally have some courage? Even if you go against your mom, so what? She’s your mom; she won’t really eat you!"
Jing Chujun’s gaze dimmed, "Back then, my mom nearly fell when she gave birth to me. Her Immortal Path was severed because of this, and she can only wait until her life span ends. So she places all her desires onto me. I understand; I owe her this, and I’ll endure a bit longer."
Xie Jingshan shook his head, "Alright, during this time, just stay at Fulong Mountain without running around, especially don’t get involved in Dragon Clan matters. By the way, keep an eye on her news for me, and if you can lend a hand, do help her."
Jing Chujun laughed teasingly, while Xie Jingshan shyly scratched his face, silently increasing the speed of his flying sword, fleeing into the distance.
"Don’t worry, Junior Brother Xie; I won’t fail the trust!"
*
Deep in Fulong Mountain.
Dongqiao emerged from the Daoist Temple in the mountain, walking down the stone steps covered in moss, with a troubled brow.
He had just parted from Star Lord Wuchang, reporting all the changes in the West Sea to him.
The affairs within Fulong Sect were governed by the Sect Master, but the matter of hunting the Winged Dragon in the West Sea fell under the complete control of Star Lord Wuchang, who had the highest cultivation within Fulong Sect.
After hearing Dongqiao’s report, Star Lord Wuchang gave only one instruction.
Follow Biyou Palace’s arrangements, and seize the opportunity to capture Jiang Yuebai and the Winged Dragon!
The Winged Dragon must be under the control of Fulong Sect; this is the only chance for Fulong Sect to dominate the entire Green Dragon Realm.
In recent days, Dongqiao had caught wind that Biyou Palace decided to withdraw its troops, retreating everyone beneath Fulong Mountain as Jiang Yuebai required, and a ceasefire would last for three years.
As for the next step, Dongqiao had no plan for now and could only adapt to changing circumstances.
As he was about to break through space and leave, a sudden wave of zither sound drifted out from the bamboo forest, resonating with an echo that lingered in the air.
Dongqiao frowned, stepping into the bamboo grove, seeing Qii Siheng of Biyou Palace, dressed in white, surrounded by fluttering bamboo leaves, sitting cross-legged playing the zither in the forest.
"True Venerable Dongqiao, could you spare a moment for a chat with a junior?"
Qii Siheng’s presence here clearly meant he came to find Dongqiao on purpose, given that no others from Biyou Palace were nearby.
"I have no time for such leisure," Dongqiao refused, waving his sleeve to depart.
Qii Siheng lifted his eyes, displaying a confident gleam, and smiled, "The peace is a ruse; the girl has other schemes. Surely you, True Venerable Dongqiao, with your perceptive mind, haven’t failed to notice?"
Dongqiao’s raised hand suddenly tensed, and his pupils moved slightly.
Qii Siheng lowered his gaze again, leisurely adjusting the zither strings, "At first glance, the girl’s reasons for peace talks seem reasonable. She’s part of the Human Clan and naturally seeks its interests. Using the Winged Dragon as leverage for benefits isn’t an issue, but what about from the Winged Dragon’s perspective?"
Dongqiao remained silent, and Qii Siheng tested the strings, continuing his adjustments.
"True Venerable Dongqiao has faced the Winged Dragon in the West Sea several times and should understand its character best. It is not the kind to humble itself, making life and death pacts with humans. Even the Azure Dragon with our Biyou Palace’s Immortal Monarch is without contract or restriction, relying on bonds of friendship."
Dongqiao’s hand trembled slightly, having indeed overlooked this issue earlier, especially given the Winged Dragon’s higher cultivation than that of the female cultivator.
"What do you intend to do?" Dongqiao’s aura turned cold, watching Qii Siheng guardedly.
As the closed-door disciple of Star Lord Bichen of Biyou Palace, why wasn’t he consulting with Star Lord Bichen but coming to him instead? This seemed out of the ordinary.
Qii Siheng raised his eyes, "Would True Venerable care to listen to a piece played by this junior?"
Dongqiao pondered for a moment, and finally, curiosity prevailed. He wanted to know what exactly Qii Siheng intended, so he lifted the hem of his robe and sat down on the large stone beside him.
The zither music flowed like a babbling brook, echoing distantly through the bamboo forest, forming an impenetrable sound domain.
*
Initiated by Biyou Palace, the West Sea entered a three-year ceasefire period.
The army along the West Sea Coast gradually withdrew, stationing themselves under Fulong Mountain, while the Eastern Star Alliance recalled all dragon-hunting squads from the sea, prohibiting further sea expeditions.
The items Jiang Yuebai requested were not delivered by Biyou Palace, which sought a face-to-face meeting with Jiang Yuebai, promising her absolute safety.
Biyou Palace also instructed Star Lord Bichen to negotiate with Fulong Sect, applying pressure on various parties to prevent secret contact with Jiang Yuebai.
Biyou Palace is backed by a Mahayana Immortal Monarch, and though this Immortal Monarch isn’t in the Green Dragon Realm, their authority remains, compelling compliance from all parties.
A massive conflict lasting nearly two decades finally settled, bringing a rare peace to the once turbulent West Sea.
Meanwhile, an ancient site concerning the Barbaric Witch Ancestor and the Candle Dragon Remains unexpectedly emerged in the East Sea deep within the Green Dragon Realm, stirring the ambitions of various factions.
In the deep waters of the West Sea, Jiang Yuebai sat cross-legged on Aojuan’s head, holding a letter retrieved by sea beasts dispatched by Aojuan from Biyou Palace, burning it to ashes after reading.
"Who wants a face-to-face talk with you? Everything’s almost ready. Let’s go, Aojuan, to the place you mentioned."
Jiang Yuebai patted the dragon’s head.
Roar~
Aojuan ascended from the sea, spreading its wings and splashing a vast wave.
"You needn’t worry about Brother Dog on that side. Though he appears unruly, he’s utterly reliable in action, and I trust him."
Aojuan nodded, his dragon whiskers fluttering in the wind, with waves of space ripples forming ahead. It plunged into them, taking Jiang Yuebai with it, disappearing from the sea’s surface.
