Chapter 259 – A Thorough Sweep; Wood Demon Subjugation - Part 1
After some time, Li Yuan was welcomed into the Jing Clan’s inner estate and given the same elegant courtyard he had toured a few days earlier during the wedding festivities. Cui Huayin and Yao Jue moved in with him as well, a simple act that marked the beginning of renewed harmony between the Jing and Gu Clan.
The courtyard itself was all wood, releasing a faint, cool fragrance. It stayed warm in winter, cool in summer, and remained free of insects. Though smaller than most, Li Yuan didn’t mind; his own home wasn’t large, so what use was a sprawling courtyard to him?
Still, he had to keep up appearances. So he sat alone on the stone steps by the entrance, staring at a sea of off-white flowers in the distance. He looked utterly lost, as though dazed by grief.
From beyond the courtyard walls, he sensed people secretly watching him—men and women both. As he was now in the heart of the Jing Clan estate, whose patriarch was the deputy temple master of the Holy Tree Temple, of course their people would observe him closely.
Inside, Yao Jue peered through a narrow gap in the oiled-paper window. She wanted to go out to him, but remembered Cui Huayin’s words. He needs some time alone.
Yao Jue thought that was right. Sometimes, letting the pain flare up and burn through was better than suppressing it. Yet she couldn’t help recalling Sheng'er—the sweet girl she had grown so close to.
She pictured the two of them strolling hand in hand beneath the sun, setting up an easel by the trees or behind rocks, painting in a lovely corner of the estate. Tears filled her eyes at the memory. Overcome, she closed the window and sobbed.
Hearing Yao Jue cry, Li Yuan scratched his head. He never imagined Yao Jue and Sheng'er would become so attached in such a short time.
The off-white blossoms in front of him were called fragrant snowballs. Under the night breeze, they looked like rolling waves of white, gently rising and falling. Their delicate scent mingled with a subtle meaty aroma that stirred one’s vital energy, flowing naturally into Li Yuan’s body and strengthening it.
Even without active cultivation, he absorbed the ambient power, gradually growing stronger.
Before long, hurried footsteps approached.
Jing Banfeng, carrying two pots of wine, sat down on the stone steps beside Li Yuan. As someone of high status, he was just as willing to seat himself on a simple doorstep as on a gilded throne; that was part of a leader’s fundamental composure.