Chapter 211 – Pioneering the South, Cutting Through the Chaos - Part 1
It was the twelfth lunar month, with light snow falling.
At the Hundred Lotus Manor, the maids bustled about making dumplings. Steam rose from the boiling pot, carrying with it the cozy warmth of daily life, and each dumpling brimming with broth spoke of simple home comforts.
Ping’an didn’t quite understand what innate shadow blood meant, but he knew it was some kind of powerful gift. Every day, he asked, “Where’s my sister? When is she coming home?”
Li Yuan hadn’t immediately brought Tang Nian and Sheng'er back because he feared Gu Xuejian might return. He had attempted to use his ninth rank chameleon parakeet hidden among the reeds by the Eternal Rest River to watch the boat departing in the distance, until a flash of cold light shot over and tore his bird to pieces. His two blackbirds further out witnessed the tragedy. They saw that the culprit was a lone chopstick, presumably fired by Gu Xuejian on board. Judging by its shape, it must have been the boatman’s own utensil.
That startled Li Yuan. But the boat did not turn back. She had simply removed his lookout. It was also a grim reminder for him not to extend his senses so casually around experts.
Ordinary people mostly relied on sight, and even then, one could often sense when someone was staring. But high ranking martial artists possessed senses that bordered on the supernatural. As the sixth rank, Li Yuan could discern fine details from a small distance away. So if someone else tried to watch him from that same distance, he would feel it too.
In a crowded street, it was easier to stay hidden because of all the bustle. But in the lonely ferry crossing, the sensation of being watched stood out clearly. Li Yuan had his birds abandon their observation of the receding boat and only circle the nearby area. He also replaced the lost ninth rank chameleon parakeet with another bird. It wasn’t as rare as his original, but it would do as a lookout.
Two days later, once he was sure Gu Xuejian had left for good, Li Yuan went to the black market ghost domain to bring the two girls home. To his surprise, Tang Nian and Sheng'er, both rather solitary by nature, had become fast friends. Had they stayed in the same estate without that shared time, they might never have bonded. But something in the black market ghost domain brought them closer. They stuck together now, whispering about who knew what.
As soon as they returned to Hundred Lotus Manor, the two dashed into Tang Nian’s spacious residence. One tall, one short, a teenage girl and a little one, with the ever-stoic Tang Qiu following behind. He carried on his back a large iron chest, bigger than a person, that clanked with what sounded like puppet-making gear.
They entered the house, and right before the door closed, someone stuck out a hand to hang a sign reading, In Seclusion—Do Not Disturb. Then the door was locked tight.
Ping’an, thrilled that his sister was back, picked up his wooden sword and hurried over.
“Young Master, slow down!” Xiao Ju chased after him.