Journey to the End of the Night

Chapter 1669 - 1003: The Peerless Radiance of This Emperor (Part 2)

"What has happened that it’s so noisy?"The leading military guard spoke sternly: "Young Master Ji, this woman did not submit the spiritual stones required to enter Shifang City and her actions violate city regulations. Moreover, she stole medicines from Jishi Hall. Her conduct is disgraceful, and we intend to apprehend her, impose punishment, and expel her from the city."

Baili An looked down at the pale-faced girl in his arms without any visible change in expression. Underneath her neckline, traces of blood-stained bandage marks were faintly visible.

A slight scent of blood was indeed emanating from her body, hinting at what he had deduced.

He threw a bag of spiritual stones to the leader of the city guards and said, "It’s really not a significant matter. Let these spiritual stones cover her entry fee and the cost of the medicine."

The city guard weighed the bag, felt its substantial weight, and opened it to find it was filled with top-grade spiritual stones.

The guard, evidently keen-eyed, noted Baili An’s intention to protect the girl, and since the stones were already in his possession, he found it unwise to make matters more difficult.

He handed over a city entry token to Baili An and then withdrew his troops.

Ying Ji said with a semi-smile: "Why did I never realize before that you have a personality that leaves favor everywhere?

So many top-grade stones handed over without even blinking—Baobao, what kind of fortune have you amassed behind my back outside?"

"Don’t spout nonsense."

Baili An rolled his eyes in exasperation and then handed another bag of spiritual stones and gold ingot, along with the city entry token, to the girl, asking, "Young Lady, do you have a place to stay?"

The girl received help but did not express thanks, merely staring blankly at Baili An.

Baili An asked again, "Do you need me to invite a physician to take a look at your injuries?"

The girl finally came back to her senses and shook her head saying, "I... have a place to stay; there’s no need for a physician, it’s just some superficial wounds."

Baili An observed her reaction, squinted slightly, feeling puzzled, as this was not how one should react when seeing a stranger.

He pondered for a moment, then bent slightly and asked in a low voice, "Miss Xiaolan, have you... recognized me?"

Baili An didn’t expect to encounter an old acquaintance like Chen Xiaolan within Shifang City, especially given what the city guard said about her sneaking inside.

Clearly, she didn’t possess such abilities, to sneak into the city under the rigorous watch of capable guards.

Thus, it seemed likely that this was the handiwork of Meng Zifei.

What puzzled Baili An was that he was currently wearing a disguise mask prepared by Yin King Shen Tu, and even Baili Yu had not been able to recognize him.

How then did Chen Xiaolan recognize him so effortlessly?

Chen Xiaolan was surprised by Baili An’s keen intuition, nervously glancing at the woman beside him, whose appearance and presence were incredibly stunning.

The young girl’s demeanor was involuntarily influenced by her extraordinary bearing, causing her to slightly swallow and lower her head, softly saying:

"When I bumped into Young Master Si Chen earlier, your body was cold, and... there was no heartbeat.

I thus guessed you might be Young Master Si Chen, and later, you handed over spiritual stones for me.

If a stranger, they certainly wouldn’t be so kind-hearted; so, it had to be an old acquaintance."

Ying Ji was quite surprised: "An old acquaintance?"

Baili An laughed: "Miss Xiaolan has gained much acuity from accompanying Young Master Meng into the mortal world."

Chen Xiaolan bashfully lowered her head but couldn’t resist stealing glances at Ying Ji, tentatively asked in a low voice: "This sister is...?"

Baili An noted the implicit complexity and ambiguity in her gaze, hurriedly explaining: "This is my mother, not a sister."

Chen Xiaolan exclaimed softly, eyes full of surprise: "Young Master Si Chen’s mother? So young and beautiful; if Young Master Si Chen hadn’t personally said, I would have thought she was his newly wedded wife-sister."

Chen Xiaolan spoke candidly and directly, saying whatever came to mind, leading Baili An to cough lightly, adopting a slightly serious tone: "Don’t joke around."

"Why act so stern to the young girl?" Ying Ji seemed to enjoy hearing this and treated Chen Xiaolan, who was without a Spirit Root and a mortal worldly girl, as if without any airs.

The Empress’s exquisitely beautiful face slowly broke into a smile, her features appearing more radiant and ethereal, her gaze lively and shimmering, casting a sidelong glance with a hint of humor.

"Your mother, I possess the grace of a thousand years, the divine flow of elegance, and my beauty is hard to conceal, vibrant with youthful charm.

If you don’t tell others I’m your mother, anyone who sees will think I’m like a delicate blossom—a lovely maiden, and this is no strange matter."

Baili An pretended to gag, his expression seemingly disdainful: "Mother, you are truly narcissistic."

"No matter what..." Chen Xiaolan watched the mother and son bantering, she lifted her head with a warm and blessed smile on her face: "Si Chen, to find your mother after half a lifetime of wandering, and have someone to share your joys and sorrows, to comfort you in warmth and cold, is truly... wonderful."

Baili An appeared slightly startled, then smiled and said: "Thank you."

Ying Ji glanced at the herbs in Chen Xiaolan’s arms and suddenly spoke: "Young girl, you have wounds, though not severe. But these herbs don’t seem to be for you."

Chen Xiaolan detailed all the events that occurred recently in the snowy mountain.

However, regarding Meng Zifei’s old ailment, out of respect for others.

She ultimately did not elaborate much, only mentioning it was a lingering scar from past demon suppression, and explained the purpose of Meng Zifei bringing her to Shifang City.

Upon hearing this, Baili An showed a hint of apology on his face and said: "It’s my fault the Sea God Festival did not last the full three days. You must have traveled in vain, but regarding the Spirit Root issue..."

Baili An pondered for a moment, then glanced at Ying Ji again.

Originally, after rescuing the little White Dragon, Baili An had planned to visit Penglai Mountain.

Although Shen Jibai was the Crown Prince of the Immortal Country, he had not resided in the Immortal World Guyin domain for many years, preferring to stay in Penglai Immortal Mountain.

Mother’s old wound from self-excavated Spirit Root had never healed, so Baili An had intended to seek a Spirit Root from the mountain.

Helping Chen Xiaolan to obtain a Spirit Root would also do no harm.

"The matter of the talisman spirit has become a regret, no need to dwell on it. If young lady Xiaolan truly wishes to cultivate, please wait a while.

I will find a Spirit Root for you as a gift, in appreciation of the care from Kongcang Mountain Realm in the past."

Unexpectedly, Chen Xiaolan refused: "No need to trouble yourself, Si Chen. Although I come from humble beginnings, following my master around all these years has taught me one thing, the path of cultivation lies in cultivating the heart, if clinging stubbornly to one thing, it could harm one’s state of mind.

Even if forcibly obtained, the path will not be long, why not let nature take its course? Perhaps in this brief life, there might be another scenery?"

"At such a young age, to have such a state of mind surpasses countless cultivators chasing fame and fortune in the world."

Ying Ji approvingly said: "Baobao should not insist either. Since this child can say such things, it’s not about talent. His achievements in the future will certainly go beyond a mere hundred years.

Besides, passing naturally is the destiny of mortals, and not necessarily a bad thing."

She looked teasingly at Baili An: "Relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself, why owe Shen Jibai a favor for nothing? Has Baobao forgotten what your mother does?

This child, a hundred years later, will definitely return to Central Netherworld. If you truly like this girl, Mother can use her power privately, don’t erase her memory, and pinch her a fate of excellent potential, with immeasurable prospects."

The first half of the speech sounded like a normal, steady senior’s advice, but the latter part became increasingly off-track.

To speak of using power privately so righteously, it’s unreasonable but bold.

What’s up with Mother’s adorable yet exasperating nature, isn’t she afraid of being scolded by the elder?

Chen Xiaolan listened to Ying Ji’s words in a cloud of confusion, but also recognized the implied partiality, smiling:

"Si Chen, your mother is really an interesting person. But instead of a Spirit Root, Si Chen might as well buy me a candy haw for practicality."

Outside the open-air tea house, there were many vendors, among them one bearing candy haws for sale.

Baili An assumed this was her way of gently declining, since Meng Zifei, being from an affluent family, was surely not lacking in silver tael.

Following him for so long, how would she be tempted by such trifles as candy haws?

Yet he did not refute her sentiment, Baili An called for the vendor and bought her a string of candy haws, then asked:

"Hearing you say that, it seems Young Master Meng is quite injured, despite being in the city for so long, still recuperating. Miss Xiaolan, may I ask where you are residing now, is it convenient for me to visit briefly?"

"No need!" Who knew that the face full of delight receiving the candy haws from his hand would suddenly change, Chen Xiaolan’s reaction was rather intense.