Chapter 801: Hmph!

Chapter 801: Chapter 801: Hmph!

Qianqing did not hesitate. She nodded decisively in agreement.

Chen Baiqing turned her gaze to the old and young novices standing nearby. She had no interest in asking about the ins and outs of their situation, and simply spoke in a warm tone:

"Thank you both, fellow Daoists, for your help. This Qianqing does indeed know my master. I apologize for the trouble of your journey. Why don’t you rest in the guest hall first? There will be a generous gift for you later."

The young novice from Daoxuan Temple, standing to the side, heard this and felt the world spinning — it was like a dream.

In all his wildest imaginings, he had never dared to think that the pure martial artist before him actually knew Chu Xingchen.

Truly, the world was unpredictable.

The abbot glanced at Qianqing, hesitated briefly, then bowed and asked gently:

"Fellow Daoist, are you certain that Qianqing knows your master?"

Chen Baiqing understood the abbot’s concern perfectly and answered directly:

"This is Tianyan Sect. No one here has the time or inclination to toy with a martial artist."

Though Chen Baiqing had never actually met Qianqing, while gathering and organizing intelligence she had paid extra attention to what her master was up to — just in case he decided to do something foolish, and she, as his disciple, naturally needed to try to stop him.

After a moment of recollection, she did remember records of Qianqing, the pure martial artist, and her connection to Yuankong.

The abbot nodded in understanding, then let out a sigh of relief:

"Then I thank you, Fellow Daoist. No gift is necessary — we brought Qian-qian [Benefactor Qianqing] here of our own accord, and accept no reward. We also won’t trouble your sect with rest. This old monk still has trivial matters to attend to, and will not impose further."

Chen Baiqing did not press them to stay. She offered a slight bow: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

The abbot chuckled softly, reached out to pat the still-stunned young novice beside him, and led him away by the collar.

Chen Baiqing turned to the Tianyan Sect disciple and asked:

"Where are they from?"

"They claim to be from Daoxuan Temple."

"In my master’s name, send a gift to Daoxuan Temple."

"Understood. I’ll see to it immediately."

"Much obliged." Chen Baiqing nodded, then turned to Qianqing. With a slight raise of her hand, she lifted Qianqing with spiritual energy and carried her into Tianyan Sect.

In just a moment, the three figures landed halfway up Loving Family Peak.

Chen Baiqing glanced toward the summit and said softly:

"I don’t really understand the martial artist’s cultivation levels, but you should be able to walk from the midpoint, yes? Shall we walk and talk?"

Qianqing snapped back to reality: "Thank you, Immortal. That would be fine."

Lin Luoyu stood to the side, studying Qianqing. The woman was visibly nervous, but her tone remained neither servile nor overbearing — which was rather interesting.

Qianqing gathered her thoughts, ready to answer Chen Baiqing’s inevitable questions about the cause and effects of her journey.

But what Chen Baiqing wanted to ask was clearly something else entirely.

Chen Baiqing walked uphill at an easy pace, her tone casual, as if making idle conversation:

"I’ve known Yuankong since we were children, really. I’ve just never particularly liked him."

"He makes a stiff monk, not the sharpest tool in the shed. Doesn’t know how to be flexible."

Qianqing listened without responding, simply looking down at the path beneath her feet.

Chen Baiqing observed her expression, then continued: "But he’s still a decent person, all things considered."

Only when she heard this did Qianqing raise her head, echoing quietly:

"Just a pushover, that’s all."

Chen Baiqing nodded in understanding:

"But if you do get to see Yuankong someday, what would you want to say to him?"

Qianqing was struck silent. Looking at the immortal architecture growing ever more vivid before her, she did not know how to answer.

If it were private thoughts...

She would demand to know why he had left without a word.

Why he had left her alone in what he thought was a safe place.

Why he hadn’t asked what she truly felt.

Did raising a child you’d picked up off the road mean you were done with them once they grew up?

Chen Baiqing waited a moment. When Qianqing did not respond, she sighed softly.

Qianqing looked over.

"As expected, whether immortal or mortal, some things are just impossible to put into words." Chen Baiqing’s tone carried a hint of melancholy. "The reason I’ve come back this time is mainly to reconcile with my eldest senior sister."

"I had a misunderstanding with her once, and we haven’t been in touch for a long time."

"Now that I’m back, I don’t know what to say when I see her. I don’t know if she can forgive me."

Qianqing heard these words and, for reasons she could not explain, suddenly felt much closer to Chen Baiqing.

Perhaps because they both shared the same kind of worry. Or perhaps because Chen Baiqing had not relentlessly pestered her with questions she was already tired of answering.

Qianqing thought for a moment, then offered comfort:

"She is your senior sister, after all. Within the same sect, a misunderstanding from the past should not undo years of bond."

"Let’s hope so," Chen Baiqing replied softly.

The road that followed was much quieter.

Chen Baiqing occasionally asked harmless questions — whether the journey to Central Continent had been dangerous, for instance.

Qianqing answered simply. The rest of the time was free, and she could spare a glance to see what the legendary immortal sects actually looked like.

But the more she looked, the less she dared to look closely.

In short, the storytellers’ imaginations were far too limited. Even their wildest exaggerations could not compare to a single casual scene here.

Spirit beasts leaped through the forests. Immortal cranes called softly.

And periodically, the grand protective formation would shimmer to life, its rainbow-hued light screen surging across the sky.

Scattered points of sparkling light drifted down. In the distance, an enormous flood dragon — absurdly large — coiled around the foot of a mountain.

Like a dream, like a phantom... like a dream, like a phantom.

A very long road, yet when she finally reached the top, it felt as though only an instant had passed.

Qianqing raised her head to read the plaque before the building — Loving Family Peak.

The brushstrokes brimmed with spiritual vitality, and a single glance conveyed a sense of grand, domineering presence.

"My master named it," Chen Baiqing said with a soft laugh. "Rather unconventional, isn’t it? You said you drank with my master — his conversation is a bit... scattered, right?"

"Your honored master’s words did not make sense at the time, but thinking carefully, there was always reason behind them." Qianqing took a deep breath, and her head inexplicably felt clear and refreshed. "Though this name does have the flair of your master’s transcendence beyond worldly matters."

Lin Luoyu, standing nearby, stifled a laugh.

She had never imagined there would come a day when her master’s naming taste would be complimented.

Most cultivators who saw the name would pause mid-step, their expressions unreadable.

Yanyun had once puzzled over whether the name carried some hidden meaning.

Could it be that at its most vulgar, something became elegant?

Chen Baiqing nodded with satisfaction. No matter how you looked at it, praising her master was the same as praising her.

"Come. Now that you’re here, there will certainly be an answer regarding your matter. After all, for a martial artist to reach the gate of Tianyan Sect — without an unshakable resolve in one’s heart, it would be impossible."

Qianqing nodded and followed behind Chen Baiqing as they walked inside.

They continued onward, past the bridge and the small pond, along the corridor for a moment, and then the wide-open courtyard came into view.

In the courtyard, two people sat at a table. One was a man in white with an unfriendly face, and the other was a woman with exquisitely beautiful features and an inexplicable gentleness about her.

But at this moment, this woman who radiated gentleness appeared to be lecturing the unfriendly-looking man, creating quite a contrast.

Chen Baiqing quickened her pace and raised her voice:

"Eldest Senior Sister! Second Senior Brother!"

Li Xingtian looked over, a trace of a smile appearing on his face, and nodded slightly.

Li Yingling’s gaze also turned toward Chen Baiqing and Lin Luoyu. Then her eyes locked onto Chen Baiqing. She immediately crossed her arms, raised her chin slightly, and turned her head away:

"Hmph!"