The Daoist’s Challenge

Having spent the entire night immersed in books and studying the body-refining cultivation methods, Su Mo drifted into sleep without even realizing it. When she awoke, she found herself tucked under a quilt, her hairpins and ornaments carefully removed. It was entirely possible Xu Qingzhu had even helped her wash her face with warm water, though she had slept like the dead, like a pig oblivious to the world.

“Mmm…” Groaning softly, Su Mo kicked aside the crumpled quilt and saw him, still reading at the table.

‘Doesn’t this man need sleep?’ She hesitated for a moment, not daring to speak.

Ever since that incident, perhaps to prevent her from lashing out, Xu Qingzhu had exercised considerable restraint, never approaching her too closely. She still remembered the scene vividly: Xu Qingzhu, without a word, had simply climbed into bed and gone to sleep.

“Awake already? If you were any other man’s wife, you’d be chastised endlessly by others,” Xu Qingzhu remarked casually, his eyes still on his book.

“Who bothers getting up this early?” Su Mo retorted lazily, idly raking her fingers through her hair. Her loose robes had slipped, revealing a hint of skin, but she remained utterly unfazed, casually pulling it back up, as if Xu Qingzhu weren’t even there.

Essentially, the man before her was the young imperial uncle’s “moral compass”; without any unexpected provocations, his self-control was astonishingly firm. And, he had, after all, already seen most of what there was to see. Now, considering everything, she realized she felt considerably less resentment towards Xu Qingzhu. After all, that “forced” encounter had been an accident…

A sharp slap echoed. Su Mo had slapped herself, leaving Xu Qingzhu utterly bewildered.

‘You’re so firm, Su Mo! Has this fellow bewitched you?’ She rubbed her temples, suspecting her dreams from last night were influencing her. Speaking of which, last night she’d dreamed of a wedding scene, but she wasn’t the bride.

Another sharp slap. Xu Qingzhu’s book slipped from his grasp.

‘The bride wasn’t me! Isn’t that a good thing? Why did I feel a touch of sadness in the dream? It’s the opposite! Dreams are inversions! You can’t fool me, hahahahaha…’

Seeing her standing there, foolishly grinning, Xu Qingzhu carefully considered, confirming the body-refining cultivation method he’d given her was flawless.

“Alright, we’re meeting a Daoist priest today.” He approached her, his gaze briefly flicking to her flushed cheek. She must have hit herself quite hard; perhaps she truly regretted it?

“Bai Yunbo?” Su Mo looked up, seeing him extend a robe. It was his own. ‘Clearly not for me to wear, so that means…’

“Dress me.” Xu Qingzhu stated calmly, noticing her confusion.

Though she yearned to snatch the robe and hurl it away, Su Mo restrained herself, asking, “Can’t you dress yourself? I’m not your wife.”

Shrugging, Xu Qingzhu lowered his gaze and said, “I’m about to engage in a life-or-death struggle with a master, my fate unknown. Shouldn’t you show a little concern?”

“Who could possibly kill you? Your skin is as thick as a city wall.” Su Mo pouted, all the while helping him don the robe.

Smiling, Xu Qingzhu gazed into the round mirror, at the small head peeking out from behind him. A single cowlick swayed playfully amidst her messy hair, looking utterly adorable. Turning around, he pulled her closer, stating calmly, “Today, I’ll comb your hair.”

“Where are the other maids?” Su Mo recalled Maid Xia, who was still unconscious.

“Given what happened, all the servants need to be investigated. Such caution is wise.” Xu Qingzhu paid no mind to her turning her head, gently cupping her small head with one hand.

A faint blush crept onto Su Mo’s cheeks. She lowered her gaze, only to find her own feet obscured. Her eyes were drawn downwards, into the shadowed depths where ripples seemed to stir. Her voice came out a little haltingly, and without looking up, she asked, “Um, can I come with you?”

After a brief pause, Xu Qingzhu spoke, “Why?”

“…Afraid something might happen to you?” Su Mo carefully ventured.

“Oh?” Xu Qingzhu undoubtedly knew it was a lie, but he didn’t expose her. The truth was, Su Mo was still thinking of Lian Huan, ‘Su Mo’s’ former personal maid. From the inherited memories alone, she knew Lian Huan was a good girl. The maid’s diligent, tireless care had been met with ‘Su Mo’s’ cold indifference, but she herself saw it clearly. Moreover, ‘Su Mo’ had faced danger multiple times, and each time Lian Huan had rescued her without regard for her own life. Without her, Su Mo might not have remained untouched. Such immense kindness meant she couldn’t allow Lian Huan’s later life to become a puppet in the hands of Daoist Bai Yunbo.

‘But my strength is insufficient, so why go along? I’m afraid Xu Qingzhu might casually cut down Lian Huan, who is now no different from a puppet, mistaking her for the Daoist’s weapon. Tell Xu Qingzhu the truth, just a word? Lian Huan probably knows too much. After rescuing her, it would be best to part ways and never meet again. Going our separate ways would be the most benevolent course of action.’

Without any fanfare, the two departed silently. They even informed Uncle Zhang beforehand, so the household would believe they were still within the manor.

Their movements were phantom-like. While Dangyang County had cultivators, it was primarily inhabited by mortals. As they moved, the common folk remained unaware, merely feeling a faint breeze or catching a fleeting shadow. They dismissed it as a trick of the light.

The residence where Bai Yunbo was to be found was actually a house prepared for sale, which Xu Qingzhu had already purchased and furnished.

“Clang.” Pushing open the door, they stepped into a small courtyard. A stone well stood at its center, flanked by young vegetable sprouts that shimmered under the afternoon sun. Small rooms surrounded the courtyard on all sides, suitable for a family to live in and store a few belongings; it wasn’t a bad place.

“Is this house expensive?” Su Mo asked, surveying her surroundings.

“For mortal affairs, a cultivator can easily cover the cost with any trinket,” Xu Qingzhu replied indifferently.

Unlike earlier times, when mortals and cultivators were worlds apart, a mere trinket from a cultivator would have been considered a supreme treasure by mortals, for which they would willingly sacrifice their lives. After the world fell into chaos, cultivators descended, leaving the cultivation realm to seek opportunities. Mortals had seen so many that they were no longer surprised; they wouldn’t kneel and shout “Immortal” upon seeing one.

Speaking of which, Su Mo’s ancestral home was in the cultivation realm, but she dared not return. Her family had been raided, and various righteous factions were now watching, demanding to see Su Mo “alive or dead.” She herself couldn’t understand it: when the Su family was intact, she was unknown; after its demise, all sorts of demons and monsters crawled out, clamoring for her body. ‘Who exactly started these rumors?’ Su Mo mused.

Naturally, they weren’t staying here. Su Mo lost interest after a brief look. Xu Qingzhu, however, moved about, carving various patterns and then concealing them. ‘Are those formations? Or curses?’ Su Mo’s eyes lit up slightly as she secretly memorized several of the designs.

Watching him, Su Mo deliberately changed the subject, “Do you think that Daoist priest will come? He must know we’re from the Zhang manor, right?” The Zhang family incident had caused quite a stir yesterday; even if not everyone knew, a cultivator would certainly have some knowledge.

“He will. The jade pendant you’re hiding is more enticing than you imagine.” Xu Qingzhu turned, a hint of scrutiny in his gaze. It was barely plausible that the Su family knew the mystery of the Nine Pendants. But he didn’t know that Su Mo had learned it herself, from ‘reading a book’.

“Doesn’t that Daoist know to start with the Zhang family?” Su Mo pressed further.

Her question was quite cunning. “The Demon Suppression Bureau is watching the Zhang family now, you should know that, right?” Xu Qingzhu asked, suspicion in his tone.

“Yes, I know.” Su Mo stammered her reply, yet managed to deceive him. Her understanding of the Demon Suppression Bureau was very one-sided. In the book, it was depicted as Xiao Yao’s lackeys, constantly marveling at him and speculating about his identity as a master. They were both in awe and full of praise, making the Demon Suppression Bureau seem rather foolish. ‘But was that truly the case?’

Whoosh—! The wind rose, sweeping into the house. The windows inexplicably flew open, clattering against their frames. The entire house seemed to come alive, an eerie atmosphere pervading its surroundings. At this moment, Su Mo felt a mist descend; the slanting sun grew faint, and reality blurred.

Ring, ring, ring! From the distance, an ethereal ringing of bells drifted, and following the sound, she saw a vast expanse of white outside the main gate. A large sedan chair, borne by paper figures, swayed merrily as it approached, until the Daoist priest seated within became clear.

Bai Yunbo, stroking his goatee, had a banner standing beside him, fluttering in the wind. He smiled slyly, with a hint of brazenness, as if ready to shed all pretense. “You two, you’re rather lacking in sincerity.”

Click. It stopped. He rose with a graceful shift, stepping down from the kneeling paper figures. His dark eyes fixed on Su Mo and Xu Qingzhu.