“No.”
Zhu Zhao led a large group of cultivators across the corridor bridge. With a subtle look, she dismissed the others and stepped up to Song Yao. “Even though Ye Chongguang is dead, the seal on Fifth Junior Sister hasn't been completely broken. I suspect her love threads are still sealed. When we escort the Taiqing Pavilion cultivators back, we must search for a way to break it.”
She paused, then added, “But I just heard from the Twelfth Elder's subordinates that the demons in Frost City are connected to Feng Qing. The Fifth Elder is still in Frost City. To be safe, Xie Zhou, you should go to the Beiyao Sect first to investigate the situation.”
Song Yao suggested, “Then why don't we split up? I'll escort the prisoners to the Taiqing Pavilion, and Xie Zhou can go to the Beiyao Sect?”
Both of them froze.
Zhu Zhao reminded her, “You only have a Golden Core. If the Taiqing Pavilion still harbors ill intentions and turns on you, it will be very troublesome. Besides, given your current physical condition, the best choice is to stay in the Nine Saints Hall and go nowhere.”
Song Yao automatically ignored the latter half of the sentence.
She had been trapped on Mount Mingjing with her master for so long. Now that she had finally managed to get out, all the elders were actively avoiding her. She couldn't even find many opportunities to torment them, which was incredibly boring.
She needed to go out and look around.
Besides, how could she miss out on something as fun as escorting hostages?
She looked at the Beiyao Sect cultivators sitting neatly inside the cell. “Then I will go to the Beiyao Sect with Fourth Junior Brother.”
Zhu Zhao: “...”
A faint trace of annoyance flickered between her brows. After a moment, she offered a tactful piece of advice. “The whereabouts of Feng He and Feng Qing are still unknown, and the current situation in the Beiyao Sect is unpredictable and fraught with danger. It would be safer for you to remain in the sect for now and wait for news while Xie Zhou goes ahead to test the waters.”
Xie Zhou remained silent for a brief moment before turning his head to look at Song Yao. In a soft voice, he said, “In that case, Senior Sister should stay in the Nine Saints Hall. I will go alone.”
Zhu Zhao: “?”
When escorting these Beiyao Sect cultivators back, many Nine Saints Hall cultivators would go along to guard them and prevent them from escaping halfway.
Even the Third Elder would accompany them to negotiate with the other leaders of the Beiyao Sect and discuss various compensation matters.
How did it suddenly turn into him going alone?
Song Yao didn't sense anything amiss at all. She reached out to pat his shoulder, but stopped halfway as if remembering something and withdrew her hand. “It's fine, it's fine. The Beiyao Sect has already fallen. I doubt they'll dare to do anything out of consideration for Fusheng. Nothing major will happen. I'll go with you.”
Yet Xie Zhou persisted, lowering his gaze slightly. “Is it convenient?”
Song Yao waved her hand. “Why wouldn't it be convenient? When do we set off? I need to prepare early.”
Xie Zhou: “Tomorrow at the Hour of the Rabbit.”
Song Yao hesitated. “So early?”
Xie Zhou: “The troops will assemble at the Hour of the Rabbit, but we will depart at noon.”
Song Yao: “That's fine then. I'll come find you at noon.”
Zhu Zhao: “...”
What kind of decent person departs at noon?
She gently massaged her temples, feeling somewhat helpless. Suddenly, Song Yao leaned in closer, bringing with her a faint, clean scent of medicinal herbs. With bright, sparkling eyes, she asked, “Zhu Zhao, are you busy right now?”
Startled, Zhu Zhao instinctively placed a hand on her shoulder to steady her. “What is it?”
Song Yao: “Haven't we missed quite a few meals together? Do you want to go grab a bite? I want to try the pastries at Chunfan Pavilion.”
Zhu Zhao saw right through her intentions.
It wasn't that she wanted to eat pastries; she was clearly craving the wine brewed personally by the manager. The manager only sold this wine to acquaintances, never to strangers, so she was trying to find a way to buy some.
She was indeed busy, but when her eyes swept over to Xie Zhou, her physical reaction bypassed her brain before she could even calculate the time. “Go eat now?”
Song Yao nodded. “Yes, right now.”
Zhu Zhao: “Alright, let's go.”
She turned to walk out. Song Yao followed her for a few steps, then suddenly remembered the person still standing nearby. “Is Fourth Junior Brother coming along?”
Zhu Zhao stopped abruptly. Grabbing Song Yao's wrist, she led her out without a second word. “We depart tomorrow. He needs to count the heads, so let's not disturb him.”
Song Yao: “Alright.”
Xie Zhou: “...”
...
Sichun City was still undergoing reconstruction, so there weren't many taverns and restaurants open for business. However, there was a steady stream of cultivators coming and going who wished to pay their respects to the Nine Saints Hall.
Consequently, even before the rush hour, Chunfan Pavilion was already packed.
The waiter, sharp-eyed as ever, recognized Zhu Zhao and hurriedly welcomed them inside. “Hall Master Zhu, the manager has already reserved a private room for you. This way, please.”
Song Yao nudged her from behind and whispered, “Get the Chunfan Brew.”
The waiter smiled and said, “Immortal, do not worry. The Chunfan Brew has also been reserved. Please head upstairs, both of you.”
But Zhu Zhao was simply too eye-catching. The moment the two of them entered the establishment, it caused quite a stir.
Every eye in the tavern lobby locked onto her simultaneously. Everyone wore expressions of excitement, practically itching to step forward and make themselves known.
Following the great battle, the Tianshu Realm had undergone a complete reshuffle. Of the three major sects, it could be said that only this one remained.
As the newly appointed Hall Master of the Nine Saints Hall, Zhu Zhao now held absolute authority over the entire Tianshu Realm.
The cultivators who came to Sichun City were all here for her.
However, since the Nine Saints Hall was in the middle of rebuilding and restoration, she was so busy that her feet barely touched the ground. She had no time to receive external guests, and all the visitation requests sent to her had been rejected.
Bumping into her here was naturally an unexpected pleasant surprise.
Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea after they sat down in the private room, the waiter had run up and down several times to deliver jade tokens from various cultivators. Without exception, they were all asking if she would do them the honor of meeting them.
Fingering one of the jade tokens, Song Yao, already in high spirits from the alcohol, raised her eyebrows and said with a grin, “Don't be so shy! Come on, be generous. Find a few people who can drink well to come up and join me.”
Only she could say something so preposterous.
Zhu Zhao's temples throbbed. She stood up, snatched the jade token from her hand, and handed it back to the waiter. “We won't see anyone. No need to bring any more up. We will be leaving shortly.”
The waiter respectfully agreed, then turned around and closed the door behind him.
Song Yao felt rather disappointed. Zhu Zhao returned to her side, closed the wide-open window slightly, and then sat beside her to ladle a bowl of hot soup, threatening her, “If you keep drinking like this without eating anything, I will forbid every tavern in Sichun City from selling you wine.”
Song Yao was shocked. “You became a Hall Master just to abuse your power like this?!”
Zhu Zhao snorted expressionlessly and fed a spoonful of fish soup to her lips. “I would abuse my power even if I weren't a Hall Master.”
“Zhu Zhao, you are so fierce.”
Song Yao grumbled, bringing it up over and over again. “We aren't enemies anymore, so why are you being so fierce with me? Come on, be a little gentler.”
Zhu Zhao lost her patience. “Are you going to drink this or not? If not, I'll have someone take the wine away.”
Song Yao wanted to argue some more, but seeing her about to pull her hand back, she immediately opened her mouth obediently and drank the soup from her hand. “I didn't say I wouldn't drink it. Can you please have some patience with your junior sister?”
Zhu Zhao: “...”
If it had been anyone else provoking her like this, she would have dumped this bowl of soup right over their head.
Rate on N.U.
