Chapter 118: Through These Thousands of Mountains and Rivers, You Are There
After Xiao Mo left the bamboo forest, he rested and recovered for several days.
During this period, Xiao Mo's enlightenment had indeed consumed considerable mental energy.
Four days later, Xiao Mo went to Teacher Qi's courtyard to engage in scholarly debate with him.
This scholarly debate lasted for a full seven days.
After seven days, Xiao Mo left Teacher Qi's courtyard.
At Xiao Mo's waist hung a plaque reading "Academy Headmaster."
For ranks below "Academy Administrator," the Academy Grand Libationer could independently assess disciples and grant corresponding ranks.
However, before doing so, the Academy Grand Libationer needed to first apply to the Academy for qualification.
As early as the day Xiao Mo went to the bamboo forest for enlightenment, Qi Daoming had written a letter to the Academy, hoping to independently assess his final disciple.
The Confucian Academy agreed and sent Qi Daoming the jade plaque for "Academy Headmaster." When Luo Yang and Shang Jiuli saw the plaque at Xiao Mo's waist, they knew without thinking that their junior brother's scholarship had gained their teacher's recognition and had even passed the assessment to become an Academy Headmaster.
Shang Jiuli suggested going to the tavern in town to celebrate, and Luo Yang nodded in agreement without objection.
"How about senior brother and senior sister come to junior brother's humble home for a meal instead?" Xiao Mo smiled, "Ruxue's cooking is quite good, and after all these years, we haven't properly hosted senior brother and senior sister."
"That's also a good idea," Luo Yang agreed, "Should we invite our teacher as well?"
"Forget it. We young people would feel uncomfortable with the teacher there, and he definitely wouldn't go anyway. Come on, let's go celebrate at junior brother's courtyard. I haven't tasted Miss Bai's cooking yet."
As Shang Jiuli spoke, she linked arms with Xiao Mo and headed down the mountain.
Luo Yang shook his head and could only follow.
Standing atop the mountain, Teacher Qi heard his three disciples talking and couldn't help feeling somewhat regretful.
Although he didn't have much interest in their young people's gathering, if he could have a meal cooked by the Demon Empress of the North Sea, he could boast about it in the future.
"Sigh, this girl really doesn't understand," Teacher Qi smacked his lips, "Never mind, never mind. I'll go drink with this girl's grandfather."
Before long, Xiao Mo brought the two back to the courtyard.
When Bai Ruxue heard that Xiao Mo had passed Teacher Qi's assessment and become an Academy Headmaster, she was also very happy.
As for Xiao Mo's senior brother and sister coming to celebrate at home, as the lady of the house, she naturally welcomed them and wanted to host them properly.
Bai Ruxue went to buy ingredients in the town below the mountain, with Shang Jiuli accompanying her.
Xiao Mo and Luo Yang chatted leisurely in the courtyard.
At noon, Bai Ruxue prepared a table full of dishes.
After Shang Jiuli and Luo Yang tasted them, their eyes immediately lit up.
These were all ordinary ingredients, without using any spirit beast flesh or spirit plants as supplements, yet they tasted so delicious.
It showed that this Demon Empress of the North Sea's culinary skills were truly exceptional.
Without dedicating oneself to honing cooking skills or cooking for a long time, one couldn't achieve such flavors.
"Simple food and tea, Ruxue's cooking is also ordinary. Please don't mind it, senior brother and sister," Bai Ruxue said with a smile.
"Miss Bai, what are you saying? Among all the chefs I've encountered, your skills would rank in the top three if not top five," Luo Yang said.
"Indeed delicious!" Shang Jiuli also nodded, "No wonder when junior brother goes out with us, his standards are so high. It turns out he's been spoiled by Miss Bai's cooking."
"You both flatter me. If it tastes good, please eat more," Bai Ruxue smiled happily and secretly raised her fair little chin toward Xiao Mo.
Her proud expression seemed to say, "How about that? I didn't embarrass you, did I?"
Xiao Mo understood Bai Ruxue's meaning and smiled while nodding at her.
Bai Ruxue smiled even more happily.
This family banquet lasted for an hour, with Bai Ruxue serving tea and pouring wine for her husband and guests like a virtuous wife.
Although Shang Jiuli and Luo Yang both knew that Bai Ruxue had been taking care of Xiao Mo all these years, seeing this Demon Empress of the North Sea being so capable "in the hall and in the kitchen" still left them somewhat dazed.
Where was the master of the vast North Sea?
This was clearly a newlywed young wife!
Bai Ruxue watched from the side as Xiao Mo and his senior brother and sister raised their cups and chatted, feeling very happy in her heart.
In her previous life, Bai Ruxue had fantasized about Xiao Mo drinking and chatting casually with his peers while she hosted from the side, watching her Xiao Mo speak eloquently.
Although too many things happened in the previous life and it didn't come to pass, in this life, she had finally realized one small wish of hers.
Moreover, even though Bai Ruxue didn't like Shang Jiuli, she could sense that whether it was Senior Brother Luo or Senior Sister Shang, they both genuinely cared for her Xiao Mo and truly treated Xiao Mo like family.
After the banquet, Luo Yang and Shang Jiuli bid farewell to Xiao Mo and went back to their respective courtyards to rest.
After the two left, Xiao Mo helped Ruxue clean up the dishes and utensils.
"Ruxue, let's also prepare ourselves. It's time to go down the mountain."
Xiao Mo smiled at Bai Ruxue.
"Eh?" Bai Ruxue blinked, "We're leaving today? Don't we need to say goodbye to Senior Sister Shang and Senior Brother Luo?"
"No need," Xiao Mo shook his head, "Everyone will meet again eventually. Why create unnecessary sorrow?"
"Alright, I'll go pack right now."
Bai Ruxue listened to Xiao Mo.
Whatever Xiao Mo said, she would do.
Half an hour later, Bai Ruxue followed Xiao Mo down the mountain.
And at the peak of Feather Ink Peak, Shang Jiuli and Luo Yang were watching the gradually departing figures of Xiao Mo and his companion.
"Not going to see them off?" Luo Yang asked his junior sister beside him.
"No need," Shang Jiuli stretched lazily, "Though it's a parting, soon junior brother's fame will spread throughout the world, and it won't be long before we meet again."
"Indeed so," Luo Yang held his sword and turned to leave, "I'm leaving too."
"Where are you going, senior brother?"
"The border of the Demon Realm, to take a look."
As Luo Yang's voice fell, his figure had already disappeared.
On Feather Ink Peak, only the woman remained sitting atop the mountain, gently swinging her legs as she gazed at this world, watching the two figures at the mountain's base gradually move away.
"By the way, Xiao Mo, where are we going?" At the foot of the mountain, Bai Ruxue looked up and asked.
Xiao Mo shook his head, "I don't know either. We'll just walk around, look around, and see which academy we end up at."
"Hehe," the woman's eyes curved into crescents.
"Why so happy?" Xiao Mo asked.
Bai Ruxue kicked at small stones, "Because when I think about how we'll travel through thousands of mountains and rivers together, I feel happy!"
Xiao Mo rubbed her head, "Traveling through these thousands of mountains and rivers will be very tiring."
"But Xiao Mo."
The woman turned around with her hands behind her back, her skirt swaying lightly, silver-white hair dancing in the wind.
"Through these thousands of mountains and rivers, you are there."