Chapter 913: Suzhu (III)
She waited in the hall until a female cultivator draped in a red robe landed before the palace. Her skin was fair and tender, and her features were distinct from those of Jiangnan. She had higher brows and larger eyes, while the bright red robe made her look all the more dazzling.
She wore pale moon-colored inner garments beneath her vibrant red robe, paired with golden bangles at her sleeves, further elevating her refined aura. Both eyes twinkled as she smiled and said, "I am Bi Yuzhuang. Greetings, fellow Daoist. Might you be from the Moongaze Li Family?"
"I am Li Qinghong of the Moongaze Li Family. Greetings, senior," Li Qinghong responded naturally. Beside her, Bi Qiaoyu clasped his hands and swiftly withdrew.
Bi Yuzhuang made a 'please' gesture, the golden bangles on her wrist jingling as she smiled and said, "You are too polite, Qinghong. Fellow Daoist Xuanfeng and I fought side by side at Green Pine Temple and share some camaraderie."
Bi Yuzhuang led her all the way to the highest crimson pavilion. It contained only a red-lacquered wooden table, upon which sat a jade vase with a few diagonally arranged white plum blossoms.
The two of them sat down. Bi Yuzhuang poured some tea and said gently, "Daoist Master Chang Yun of Jiangbei used the Golden Feather Sect’s favor to establish a gate in Chengshui Marsh and called it Chengyun Gate. He even claimed a territory for it. The Golden Tang Gate has also reopened its mountain gate and begun sending disciples down the mountain.
"The current sect leader of Chengyun Sect is Zhong Qian. He shares a deep friendship with Fellow Daoist Xuanfeng. Your family could consider sending someone to establish that connection."
Bi Yuzhuang finished steeping the tea, glanced at her, and smiled. "I worried that you’ve been away from the mainland too long and might not be up to date, so I thought I’d offer a word."
Li Qinghong quickly said she wouldn’t dare. Her heart warmed toward Bi Yuzhuang, and she silently thought, Hengzhu Dao is after all one of the most orthodox among the great Daos... and since they’re on friendly terms with my family, she should be trustworthy.
After a few casual exchanges, Bi Yuzhuang soon brought the conversation around to the topic at hand. "The Purple Mansion Realm spirit items you need on this island, Qinghong, are known best by me. Though the Eastern Sea now surges with thunder, if you're seeking items like Celestial Thunder Blossom or Cloud-Patterned Heavenly Lightning, my family can't retrieve them at the moment."