Chapter 70: Freedom |
Father Xiao also stepped forward, his face full of relief.
Grandfather Xiao leaned on his cane, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, unable to suppress his smile.
The harmonious atmosphere outside the Bai Residence formed a stark contrast with the chaos inside the banquet hall.
At that moment, hurried footsteps came from behind.
Lu Fengmian turned his head.
Bai Qingran ran out from inside.
Her hair was loosened, a few stray strands falling across her cheeks, and her splendid dress was somewhat disheveled.
Yet her eyes burned brightly, like candle flames just lit.
She saw the Xiao family, stopped briefly, then walked straight toward them.
“Thank you!”
Lu Fengmian looked at her quietly.
Bai Qingran straightened up, tucking her loose hair behind her ear, and took a deep breath.
“From childhood until now, I’ve always followed others’ arrangements. Whoever my father told me to marry, I would marry. I once thought my life was meant to be like this.”
Her gaze fell on Lu Fengmian.
“But today, I saw you standing there, holding that token—those people were so frightened they didn’t even dare speak… I saw Xiao Jin shielding you, refusing to take even a single step back…”
“I suddenly began to think—what kind of life do I truly want?”
“I thought about it for a long time, but still couldn’t find an answer.” She gave a self-mocking smile. “But at least I know what I don’t want.”
She turned and spoke seriously to Xiao Jin.
“Xiao Jin, I’m sorry.”
Bai Qingran bowed again.
“The breaking of the engagement back then was not my intention.” Her tone carried a trace of nervousness. “I never meant to humiliate you, but I also didn’t do anything to stop it. I’m sorry.”
Xiao Jin looked at her blankly. Looking at this girl who had once been engaged to him, he shook his head.
“I don’t blame you. That wasn’t your fault,” he said. “I don’t care about it anymore.”
Bai Qingran suddenly smiled. She straightened up and let out a long breath, as if finally casting off a tremendous burden.
“That’s good,” she said softly.
“I hope we can both gain the freedom we want.”
She turned, gazing at the blue sky, preparing to leave.
“Miss Bai.”
A gentle voice came from behind.
Bai Qingran stopped and turned back.
Lu Fengmian stood there, sunlight falling upon his robe, making him seem as though he was surrounded by a faint halo.
“If you ever need help,” he said, “you can come to the Lingyun Sect.”
Bai Qingran froze for a moment.
Then a radiant smile bloomed across her face.
This smile was no longer the composed, proper one—it was sincere and natural, like sunlight breaking through clouds.
She said nothing, only raised her hand and waved vigorously.
Then she turned, lifted her skirt, and ran toward the vast world ahead.
The wind tossed her long hair and stirred her dress, but she ran swiftly and lightly, like a bird finally freed from its cage.
Xiao Jin stood where he was, watching the girl’s figure gradually fade into the distance.
“Senior Brother,” he suddenly said.
“Mm?”
“She’ll be alright, right?”
Lu Fengmian curled his lips slightly.
“She will.”
The Xiao family returned to the Xiao Residence in high spirits.
“Quick! Have the kitchen prepare everything!” Father Xiao began bustling about the moment he stepped inside, his voice an octave higher than usual. “Bring out the best dishes! We must celebrate properly today!”
After the servants hurried off, the residence regained its usual lively atmosphere.
Mother Xiao supported the grandfather as they walked inside, smiling as she said, “After all the twists and turns this morning, we can finally sit down and have a peaceful meal.”
“Exactly.” The grandfather leaned on his cane, the wrinkles on his face easing with his smile. “Back at the Bai family, just looking at those dishes made me lose my appetite.”
Xiao Jin followed behind, listening to their conversation, unable to stop himself from smiling as well.
Before long, the dishes were served.
Chicken, duck, fish, mountain delicacies, and seafood filled the table to the brim.
Father Xiao raised his cup toward Lu Fengmian. “Young Master Lu, this toast is for you. If not for you today, the Xiao family would have lost all face.”
Lu Fengmian smiled and raised his teacup. “Uncle Xiao, you’re too polite. I’ll toast you with tea instead of wine.”
Father Xiao did not mind and drank heartily, his face glowing.
“Come, come—eat!”
After the meal, Xiao Jin went alone to the guest courtyard.
Lu Fengmian sat in the courtyard, holding a scroll.
Xiao Jin sat down across from him. After hesitating for a moment, he finally spoke.
“Senior Brother.”
Lu Fengmian set down the scroll and looked at him.
“That…” Xiao Jin pursed his lips. “Has your cultivation recovered?”
Lu Fengmian nodded. “It has.”
Xiao Jin froze for a moment, then asked, “Then… the Peak Nascent Soul?”
He remembered his senior brother saying before that it was only a temporary boost to the Nascent Soul realm, and would later fall back.
But the pressure today had clearly been from Peak Nascent Soul.
Lu Fengmian glanced at him and suddenly blinked.
“Secret.”
Xiao Jin: “…”
Seeing his hesitant expression, Lu Fengmian smiled.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “When the time is right, I’ll naturally tell you.”
They stayed at the Xiao family for a few more days.
During those days, Xiao Jin told his family about the Primordial Myriad Manifestations Meridians.
That very night, the Xiao household was nearly turned upside down.
Father Xiao was stunned for a long time, then suddenly slammed the table and stood up. “What?! Primordial Myriad Manifestations Meridians?!”
Mother Xiao held Xiao Jin’s hands, repeatedly murmuring, “Heavens bless the Xiao family! Heavens bless the Xiao family!”
The grandfather was even more emotional. His hands trembled as he leaned on his cane and staggered toward the study.
“Wait! Wait!”
He rummaged for a long time before finally emerging with a dust-covered sandalwood box.
“This is the Xiao family’s ancestral treasure.” He shoved the box into Xiao Jin’s hands, his voice trembling. “It is the 《Primordial Myriad Manifestations Meridians Manual》 passed down from our founding ancestor, but no one has ever been able to use it.”
Xiao Jin lowered his head, staring at the box, his eyes burning.
“Grandfather…”
“Take it,” the grandfather pressed his hands down. “Cultivate well. Don’t waste these meridians.”
Xiao Jin nodded heavily.
***
At last, the day of departure arrived.
At the entrance of the Xiao Residence, Mother Xiao personally adjusted Xiao Jin’s collar, muttering as she did, “Be careful on the road, take good care of yourself, if you miss home, write back…”
Father Xiao patted his shoulder. “Cultivate well in the sect. Don’t worry about the family. Having someone like you is the Xiao family’s blessing.”
Xiao Jin responded to each of them.
The grandfather stood at the back, leaning on his cane, watching him. His gaze was full of reluctance, but even more so of satisfaction.
Lu Fengmian was the first to board the carriage.
Xiao Jin took one last look at the vermilion gates, then at his family standing there, before climbing into the carriage.
The curtain fell, and the carriage slowly set off.
The wheels rolled over the stone pavement, the sound of hooves gradually fading.
At the entrance, Mother Xiao wiped the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief.
“Let’s go back,” the grandfather said, turning toward the house. “The child has his own path to walk.”
The teleportation array of Lin City was located in the northern part of the city.
After arriving, the two got off the carriage, paid the spirit stone fee, and stepped into the array.
A flash of light passed, and the scenery before them blurred.
When they opened their eyes again, they were already standing at the teleportation point at the foot of the Lingyun Sect.
Familiar stone steps, familiar rolling clouds, familiar outline of the mountain gate.
Lu Fengmian let out a long breath.
Finally back.
During the time he had been away, he had no idea what condition the sect was in.
“Let’s go,” Lu Fengmian said.
The two walked up the mountain path.
It was clear—during the time Lu Fengmian had been gone, the situation in the sect had become extremely bad.