Chapter 246: Two Hundred Years
Some time later, womenâs playful laughter started to ring out inside Shangqing Palace.
Several young, beautiful Foundation Building female cultivators ran over while joking around with each other. Just as they were about to run into Mingxin Residence, they suddenly stopped in shock, staring at the man who sat on the railing as if he had become one with the dragon engraved pillar.
âMartial Uncle Shoujing?â Xianshu said while blinking her eyes, seemingly not daring to believe what she saw.
She exchanged looks with Daihua then she also looked towards Xiuqin and Qingqi.
Qin Xi finally stirred. He swept his gaze over them and said, âDo you know what happened?â
His expression was very cold, causing the four female cultivators to remain silent for a whileâall were a bit afraid to answer. Eventually, Xiuqin said cautiously, âWe heard⊠Martial Uncle Mo had an accident inside the Ten Thousand Laws of Nature Formation.â
âSince you already know, why are you still so noisy?â There was no hint of rebuke in his tone, but it was so apathetic that he seemed as cold as the stone pillar.
ââŠâ It was still Xiuqin, who was the eldest among the four of them, who answered: âYes. Weâll be more careful from now on.â
Without saying anything further, Qin Xi looked away then closed his eyes. It was as if he didnât want to worry about anything anymore.
Qin, Qi, Shu, and Hua snuck glances at each other. In the end, they bowed then proceeded to cautiously make their way into Mingxin Residence.
The four felt their hearts skipping a beat. Although Martial Uncle Shoujing usually didnât like to smile, he was still very polite. But his manner today was indeed frightening; he was even more frightening than grandmaster.
Xiuqin asked in a low voice: âMartial Uncle Shoujing, do you have any other commands?â
Qin Xi didnât even turn his head to look at her and simply said faintly, âMingzhu was also injured; have you seen her?â
âWe have. Momei and the others were behind us; theyâll soon bring Senior Martial Sister Ruan back.â
âEn.â He waved backward. âYou may go.â
The four of them cautiously went towards Mingxin Residence, where they then found Martial Uncle Moâs formation not in place, so they softly stepped inside.
Upon entering the courtyard, Xianshu finally whispered, âWhatâs going on with Martial Uncle Shoujing? He was really scary just now.â
âWho knowsâŠâ Xiuqin wrinkled her brows. All of a sudden, however, she showed a stunned expression. âMartial Uncle Shoujing showed up hereâdoes this mean he already exited his Closed Door Meditation?â
Daihua mused: âDidnât they say heâll be in Closed Door Meditation until he makes a realm-breakthrough? Just now, I still thought I saw things wrong, wondering how Martial Uncle Shoujing could possibly have come out of his Closed Door Meditation.â
âI donât see the problem in him coming out of his Closed Door Meditation, but why was he sitting there in a daze?â Xianshu said in bewilderment.
Qingqi said, âCould it be⊠Martial Uncle Shoujing came back to Mingxin Residence but then he remembered this was now Martial Uncle Moâs dwelling?â
Xiuqin said, âRubbish! Ever since Martial Uncle Shoujing moved out, how many times has he come back here? Every time he came back, didnât he just go to the main hall to talk to grandmaster and leave right after he finished?â
Xianshuâs eyes shifted around. Soon afterward, she came closer to the three others, whispering: âDid you guys hear? It was Martial Uncle Shoujing who suddenly went to the main peakâs valley and brought Martial Uncle Mo back today.â
âAh!â Daihua cried out in surprise. She soon realized she was too loud, so she immediately covered her mouth with her hand before she said quietly, âI came out late, so I didnât know. What happened?â
âIâm not too sure about it either.â Xianshu said, âI only heard that bit. En, this makes me remember the rumors from several dozen years agoâŠâ
The four of them looked at each other, and they immediately knew what each of them wanted to say.
Qingqi held her chin, saying: âOriginally, I still thought it was nothing but a rumor!â
âThereâs no smoke without a fire.â Xianshu laughed. âWeâve served by grandmasterâs side for almost a hundred yearsâwhat do we not know when it comes to matters regarding Martial Uncle Shoujing? Martial Uncle Mo was originally accepted by grandmaster as his disciple because of Martial Uncle Shoujing. Besides, that year⊠didnât you think Martial Uncle Shoujing treated her much better than he did everyone else?â
âThatâs indeed correct,â Daihua said, âBut I still find it quite hard to believe; how can Martial Uncle ShoujingâŠâ
âOtherwise, why would he be standing guard outside? Think about how he looked just now; when have we ever seen him sitting so casually on a railing in a dazed state like that?â Xianshu continued on secretively, âAccording to me, the truthâs most likely exactly what we think.â
ââŠâ Daihua said, âYou mustâve over thought things, right? Weâve been by grandmasterâs side for so long; when have we ever seen someone with a stauncher Dao Heart than Martial Uncle Shoujing?â
âWell, youâre right too.â Xianshu shook her head, overthrowing what she just said. âIn any case, this matter doesnât have anything to do with us.â
Eventually, Xiuqin spoke: âAlright, weâve just been rebuked by Martial Uncle Shoujing, but you guys are still so chattyâcould it be that you havenât been rebuked enough?â
Xianshu immediately shut her mouth.
Qingqi muttered: âAy~ We only laughed for a bit but Martial Uncle Shoujing rebuked us like that⊠Itâs not like weâve neverââ
âMartial Uncle Moâs injured!â Xiuqin put a stop to Qingqiâs words. âGrandmaster treats us very generously, but we also mustnât be lazy about what we should do. I heard Martial Uncle Moâs injuries were quite severe; if weâre still laughing and joking around, wouldnât we be making others uncomfortable? It wouldnât matter much if we didnât know, but since we already said we knew, we should tone ourselves down a bit.â
The other three nodded, then with sighs, they followed Xiuqin towards the small house.
In fact, it really wasnât their fault for still joking around when they came back. At first, although they knew Martial Uncle Mo was injured, they also heard her injuries werenât life-threatening, and grandmaster also didnât seem to take the matter too seriously. Besides, although they didnât dare to disobey Martial Uncle Mo, they werenât friends with her.
However, what Xiuqin said obviously meant Xianshu was talking nonsense, but it also had another meaning worth pondering. If they were somewhat joyful, others might feel uncomfortable⊠was it because Martial Uncle Mo was injured? The four of them indeed couldnât help but mull over this idea.
Qin Xi continued to sit in a daze for another while, during which he saw Momei and the others bringing Ruan Mingzhu back. This time, the masters of Mingxin Residence and Zhili Buildings both got into accidents; the maids in Shangqing Palace all lamented their bad luck but could do nothing about it.
It was already clear whoâd take care of Mo TiangeâQin, Qi, Shu, Hua lived closest to Mingxin Residence; until now, it had always been the four of them who took care of every task at Mingxin Residence. As for the Zhili Building, although Ruan Mingzhu was no longer staying at Mount Taikang, her identity persisted in the end, so Mei, Lan, Zhu, Ju had no choice but to bear the duty of looking after her.
This time, the schoolâs test had practically caused Shangqing Palace to be a complete mess.
Being stared at by the strange gazes of the passing maids again and again, Qin Xi finally couldnât sit still any longer. He stood up then slowly walked towards the main hall.
The moment he took a step into the main hall, however, he was immediately filled with regret.
Lord Daoist Jinghe was the only one in the main hall. He was seemingly waiting for him.
After giving it some thought, Qin Xi eventually decided not to flee. âMaster.â
Lord Daoist Jinghe seemed to be a bit surprised. He swept his gaze over Qin Xi before he spoke. âWhy did you take so long?â
âI sat and thought about some things for a while.â
âThought about things?â Lord Daoist Jingheâs eyes brightened. âWhat did you think about?â
Instead of answering, Qin Xi took a seat and once again sank into contemplation.
Although he already understood his heart, he was still very unaccustomed to this kind of situationâas it turned out, this was how having oneâs mind filled with all kinds of things felt like. This being the case, sometimes, women really couldnât be blamed. Women were always a bit more emotional, and some matters⊠were beyond peopleâs control once they started.
But he always had resolute willpower. Since he already made his decision, he wouldnât hesitate anymore.
âMaster, why do you care so much?â he asked indifferently.
âBrat, youâŠâ Lord Daoist Jinghe was fuming. âIs there anyone who talks to their master like this?â
âYouâd definitely feel uncomfortable all over if I didnât speak like that to you, right?â
ââŠâ Surprisingly, Lord Daoist Jinghe didnât retort back. He contemplated for a moment then said, âBrat, your mood isnât that good today.â
âYou knew but you still irritate me.â Qin Xi also didnât try to conceal it. In any case, some matters were already obvious from what heâd been doing. Rather than being laughed at by this shameless old man, he might as well be a bit more honest.
Lord Daoist Jinghe was silent for a long time, but he continued to size Qin Xi up with his stare. A while later, a smile finally emerged on his face. âBrat, do you finally understand now?â
âEn.â Qin Xi also didnât try to evade the question. His gaze fell into the distance, but his tone was still flat. âMaster, what else do you want to ask about? Just ask it all at once.â
The more normal his attitude was, the happier Lord Daoist Jinghe became because this meant the brat already made some decisions.
âFirst tell me about your plan.â He couldnât hold back the smile on his face. âIn fact, although the two of you have a disparity in your cultivation levels, the disparity isnât that big. Right now, Tiangeâs mental state and cultivation are both good enoughâsheâs already met the requirements for core-formation. If she supposedly succeeds in forming her Gold Core, the two of you will be same-realm cultivators. As for what will happen when you form your Nascent Soul later, sheâll only be a bit slower than you, so thereâs simply no need toââ
âI want to advance into the Nascent Soul realm.â Qin Xi cut him off.
Upon being interrupted midway, Lord Daoist Jinghe started to berate him: âWhat did you say? You still havenât given up on this idea even now? Didnât you say you understand now?â
Qin Xi hung his head, fixating his gaze on the teacup in his hands. His gaze was gentle, but his tone sounded very firm. âUnless I advance into the Nascent Soul realm, I wonât say anything to her.â
âYouââ Lord Daoist Jinghe was almost choked in anger. After a long time, he finally asked quietly, âWhat are you doing?â
Qin Xi said softly, âWhat would it look like if I told her how I feel now? Forcing her to repay my kindness? Or using my power to pressure her?â
A wrinkle emerged on Lord Daoist Jingheâs brows. âWhat kind of nonsense are you talking about? This kind of matter requires both sides to be willing. If Tiangeâs not willing, she just has to refuseâitâs not like weâll force her or anything.â
âBut what will she think about it?â Qin Xi still hung his head. âRight! Master, your relationship with her has been very good all these years, but no matter how good the feelings between you are, sheâs always had some vigilance against others deep inside her heartâMaster, sheâs about to form her Gold Core now; we better not disturb her mental state.â
Lord Daoist Jinghe was silent for ages before he finally let out a sigh. âBut didnât it cross your mind that if you formed your Nascent Soul, the distance between you would become even further?â
Qin Xiâs hands shook a little, but he still didnât look up.
Lord Daoist Jinghe continued to speak: âAfter all these years, I also roughly understand her temper. The pride in Tiangeâs heart isnât less than yours. You donât want to use her, but will she not think the same as you? Therefore, the higher your cultivation level is, the farther sheâll be from you.â
Qin Xi said nothing for a very, very long time, but Lord Daoist Jinghe noticed his hands were shaking slightly.
After a long time, he finally asked, âThen Master, what do you think about this? Sheâs going to form her Gold Core soon; in any case, itâll definitely take her about ten to twenty years, right? Could it be that I should stop cultivating now and just wait for her to catch up to me?â
Read Latest Chapters at wuxiaworld.eu
Lord Daoist Jinghe chuckled. âThis child⊠youâve become stupid, havenât you? If you form your Nascent Soul after you two become a couple, can she still back out?â
ââŠâQin Xi didnât nod; he seemed to be pondering what Lord Daoist Jinghe said.
Upon thinking this and that back and forth several times, he finally spoke: âIâll just wait then. In any case, sheâll definitely form her Nascent Soul someday. Itâll be only two hundred years at most. I still have a lot of time; I can wait for her patiently.â
Lord Daoist Jinghe choked on Qin Xiâs words; he never expected Qin Xi would eventually make such a decision. Nevertheless, he also mulled over it for a long time and in the end, he also stopped fighting against it. Lord Daoist Jinghe said, âAlright, maybe this solutionâs the best⊠Even if she succeeds in forming her Gold Core now, the gap between the early stage and the peak stage of the Core Formation realm is still too big, but after advancing into the Nascent Soul realm, she ought to have no other thoughts about this matter.â At this point, Lord Daoist Jinghe raised his gaze, which seemed to contain some secrets. âHowever, are you really willing to wait two hundred years?â