After Sheng Jun Chapter 41 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 41 Soul Reflection in the Crossing River (part 1)
After Jiang Xingzhi finished speaking, seeing that the person beside him remained silent, he turned to express concern, "What's wrong, Bai Mu? Did I frighten you by being too fierce?"
Zhong Ming was practically holding his breath at this moment, yet still maintained his composure flawlessly, "How could that be?"
He slowly softened his tone, "Your fierceness wasn't directed at me."
Jiang Xingzhi smiled, "Of course, I'm quite reasonable most of the time."
"Mm..." Zhong Ming's throat felt dry and itchy. He cleared his throat lightly to change the subject, "Let's not mention him anymore. Shouldn't we be setting off?"
The round sun on the horizon had already leaped out of the sea of clouds during their brief conversation, golden light covering the entire mountain as if infinite hope lay ahead.
Jiang Xingzhi nodded, "Then let's go."
….
Wanyao Valley was located in the largest valley south of Jiuzhou, not too far from Xunyang City. The two didn't take long to reach the entrance of Wanyao Valley.
Having made an appointment yesterday, someone from Wanyao Valley was already waiting at the entrance today.
Left Protector Yin Ran, upon seeing Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming, hurried forward to greet them. Having just found matrimonial bliss, his face was radiant with joy, appearing quite enthusiastic.
"How should I address you two?"
"Surname Jiang." After Jiang Xingzhi spoke, seeing that Zhong Ming didn't respond, he introduced him as well, "Brother Bai."
Wanyao Valley had always lived in seclusion and didn't yet know of their "Ancient Remnant Spirit" identities. But with Wu Jie's introduction, Yin Ran showed no negligence, stepping aside to escort the two into the valley, "Brother Jiang, Brother Bai. The Valley Master is already waiting inside."
Jiang Xingzhi followed him in, seeing spiritual plants and medicinal herbs planted along the way in great variety.
Yin Ran introduced, "The variety of spiritual plants in our Wanyao Valley is the greatest in the Three Realms. The Valley Master has examined spiritual plants from all realms - there's no plant he doesn't recognize."
Jiang Xingzhi asked, "Has he seen the Red Spider Lily?"
Yin Ran suddenly stopped in his tracks, frowning seriously, "Don't be impudent!"
The Red Spider Lily was a flower of the afterlife, only seen by those about to reincarnate - regardless of who the other party was, one couldn't curse their Valley Master!
Jiang Xingzhi, "......"
He gently pulled out that bright red Red Spider Lily from his storage bag, "Broaden your perspective a bit."
It wasn't only dead people who could see this flower.
The crimson petals swayed in the wind, demonic obstruction instantly shrouding the surroundings. The spiritual plants and herbs seemed more greatly affected, all swaying without wind. Yin Ran was immediately stunned, as if his soul had been captured by this flower.
The same scene had occurred a day ago.
This time, however, Zhong Ming didn't break the obstruction for anyone. Jiang Xingzhi couldn't help but glance at him.
Zhong Ming glanced back at him, "He was just fierce to you."
Jiang Xingzhi, "......" He discovered that Bai Mu was quite childish indeed - not the kind deliberately displayed, but the kind unconsciously revealed.
It was hard to imagine this person was actually a peak Mahayana sword cultivator!
His previous doubts suddenly diminished considerably.
After all, his Xu Jian was mature and steady, not this childish.
Jiang Xingzhi raised his hand and snapped his fingers with a "snap."
The demonic obstruction broke, and Yin Ran suddenly came to his senses. Only then did he realize he had misunderstood, hurriedly apologizing with shame, "I was too sensitive."
Jiang Xingzhi was tolerant, "No harm done. Everyone has a bit of sensitivity about them."
Zhong Ming's fingers, clasped behind his back, curved as if precisely struck by an arrow.
****
With the misunderstanding cleared, Yin Ran quickly brought them to Zhilan Hall.
"Valley Master, the two guests have arrived."
Jiang Xingzhi looked toward the man waiting in the hall, appearing to be in his thirties by his features, dressed in plain clothes, carrying a faint scent of medicinal herbs that somehow brought peace of mind.
Wanyao Valley Master Shen Que rose and gestured, "Please sit. What do you two seek?"
Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming took their seats. He got straight to the point, "I've heard that Red Spider Lilies, once refined, can restore incomplete souls. Can Valley Master Shen refine it?"
"You have a Red Spider Lily!" Shen Que exclaimed in amazement, "May I have a look?"
"Naturally."
The Red Spider Lily was carefully examined in Shen Que's hands. Jiang Xingzhi didn't rush him, leaning back in his chair to wait patiently.
As he waited, he felt his mouth idle. Looking around, he saw only tea served on the table, his fingertips involuntarily rubbing together in loneliness.
"Whoosh," suddenly a pile of snacks was presented beside him.
Jiang Xingzhi turned to see Zhong Ming raising his chin toward him with an expression of "I really can't do anything about you," saying, "Eat."
Jiang Xingzhi, "......"
What the hell, how did Bai Mu know he was craving something? And where did these snacks come from?
Shen Que also looked up: ?
Having guests bring their own snacks when visiting made him feel somewhat apologetic - though he indeed had never seen any guest who had the mood to eat snacks when visiting. After all, those sick enough to seek his medical help were usually half-dead already.
Shen Que called out to the hall, "Shi Yan, prepare some pastries for our guests."
A clear voice responded from outside, "Yes."
After the words fell, Jiang Xingzhi keenly noticed Yin Ran, waiting nearby, showing slight emotion in his expression, glancing outside several times.
Before he could observe more, Shen Que across from them spoke, "This is my first time seeing a Red Spider Lily."
Zhong Ming asked in a deep voice, "Can't it be refined?"
Jiang Xingzhi heard his voice tighten, seeming even more urgent than when they were at Piaomiao Palace. He wondered what the rush was about, as if his own time was running out.
Shen Que reassured, "Don't be anxious. The medicinal principles among flowers and herbs are interconnected - I already know how to refine it. It's just..."
Jiang Xingzhi asked, "Just that the demonic obstruction is too heavy?"
The man across nodded, seeming somewhat ashamed, "If contaminated by demonic qi, I fear accidentally harming my dao heart. If you two have 'that kind of' connections, I can tell you the refinement method and you can seek someone more suitable."
"Having a method is good." Zhong Ming didn't make things difficult for him, "We'll find someone else for the rest."
"Excellent."
Shen Que quickly took up his brush to write down the refinement steps on paper.
Jiang Xingzhi pondered his and Lord Minshuang's wording, feeling that the current righteous and demonic paths didn't seem to be in complete opposition.
He still remembered rumors he'd heard a thousand years later: It was said that the righteous and demonic paths had once engaged in violent conflict, but later, for unknown reasons, it subsided and they reached an agreement. The two paths had since remained non-interfering, allowing peace in the Three Realms to continue to this day.
So what exactly had happened?
Just as he was thinking, Zhong Ming's voice transmission sounded in his sea of consciousness, "What are you thinking about?"
Jiang Xingzhi was still immersed in thought, "I'm thinking about demon cultivators..."
The voice across suddenly tightened, "You're still thinking about him!"
"Him?" Jiang Xingzhi emerged from his thoughts, turning his head in confusion. Seeing Zhong Ming's guarded expression, his memory suddenly returned - was he referring to the demon cultivator from that night during the Prayer Festival?
Jiang Xingzhi looked deeply at him, "You're being sensitive."
Zhong Ming also realized he had overthought it. He slowly averted his gaze, "After all, everyone has some sensitivity about them..."
"Protector Bai certainly remembers every word this sect master says."
As they spoke, a woman entered carrying tea and pastries, placing them on the table in front of Jiang Xingzhi, "Please enjoy, you two."
Jiang Xingzhi casually looked up at her, just in time to see her and Left Protector Yin Ran exchange glances, smiling with slight shyness.
...Oh. Jiang Xingzhi suddenly understood - this must be the matrimonial match the master had arranged.
"Alright, that's everything." Shen Que said, handing over a paper with the medicine formula. Seeing Jiang Xingzhi's attention elsewhere, he smiled and said, "Forgive us, our Left Protector is in the throes of passionate love."