Chapter 347: Two Mothers-In-Law

Chapter 347: Two Mothers-In-Law

Xu Kou once served as a Green Phoenix Guard before changing allegiance to the Daoist Order, where he started off in the Qizhou Daoist Mansion before transferring to Tiangang Hall. His promotion journey was clear at a glance, unlike Qi Xuansu, who had a gap in experiences after his master’s death to the time he entered Tiangang Hall.

“Which friend are you referring to? He could be an old acquaintance of mine.” Xu Kou asked.

Qi Xuansu replied, “Eighth Tianyang. I wonder if you’ve heard of him, Brother Xu.”

Xu Kou pondered for a while. “That last name is rare. I might have some impression of a Deputy Commander with that last name in the Imperial Guard’s Office. Perhaps your friend is this Deputy Commander’s descendant. By the way, I haven’t asked for your name yet.”

Qi Xuansu introduced himself. “I am Wei Wugui, currently part of the Black Robes. But right now, I am off duty to deal with some private matters.”

“What a coincidence! I am also off duty to deal with some personal matters.” Xu Kou smiled bitterly. “Well, I’m actually going back to my hometown for a visit. This is the first time I have gone home since transferring to Tiangang Hall.

“Although the Daoist Order issued a relocation fee and provided a residence in Jade Capital, it still feels like a temporary home. It’s not somewhere I would retire in. Brother, I’m sure you understand that people like us can die in the line of duty at any time. So it’s best to visit our hometowns whenever possible.”

Qi Xuansu mixed in some lies with the truth. “You’re right. When the Yinglong Warship fell, my battalion was stationed not far from Cuowenbu, so I witnessed how all those people died just like that. After the incident, I purposely went to the lakeside to check out the situation and happened to meet a Sage there.”

Since Zhang Yuelu had already grasped his rough itinerary, Qi Xuansu did not care if Xu Kou knew about them.

Xu Kou hesitated for a moment. “Brother Wei, is that Sage male or female?”

“Female.” Qi Xuansu answered, “She looks about 40 years old, very friendly.”

Xu Kou coughed lightly. “If I’m not mistaken, that Sage should be the new Tiangang Hall Master and one of the three Omniscient Sages expected to become the next Grand Master—Sage Cihang.”

Qi Xuansu blinked, feeling awestruck. “Sage...Cihang...?”

“Yes, Sage Cihang. I haven’t even gotten the chance to meet her yet. I just heard that Sage Cihang happened to be on the way back to Jade Capital when Sage Shangguan was attacked. She immediately rushed to the scene and saved some of the disciples on board.”

Xu Kou was a superintendent of Tiangang Hall, and that incident involved Tiangang Hall’s disciples, so his information would be much more accurate than Qi Xuansu’s, which came from public gossip.

There were more male Sages than female Sages within the Daoist Order, but the number of female Sages was not considered low. In addition, after the fifth-generation Grand Master standardized the dress code and appearances of Sages, most Sages were of the same age and had similar clothes and auras.

“It’s normal. If I could meet such a big shot, I would have probably reacted the same way.”

Xu Kou was no longer as aggressive and irritable as before, especially after being taught a lesson by Zhang Yuelu and living in Jade Capital. After all, there were not many people he could afford to offend in Jade Capital.

Turning his gaze to Liu Hu, Xu Kou asked Qi Xuansu, “Is this your daughter?”

Many Daoists lived to be 80 or 90 years old, some even exceeding 100 years old. However, in the real world, it was rare to live past 70. Forty years old was considered old, and most people would have children before they turned 20. Therefore, it was still common to have a teenage daughter before one turned 30 years old.

Qi Xuansu coughed lightly. “I am a bachelor. How can I have such an old daughter? She is the daughter of an older brother of mine, who entrusted me to send her to her aunt. This child calls me her uncle.”

Liu Hu said nothing and only saluted Xu Kou.

“Comrades.” Xu Kou sighed. The disciples of Tiangang Hall, the Green Phoenix Guard, and the Black Robes formed deep friendships with each other because they could relate to each other having gone through similar life-and-death situations.

Of course, Qi Xuansu did not explain his relationship with Wild Bodhisattva. He was only glad that Xu Kou had misunderstood him.

Qi Xuansu was a bachelor, while Xu Kou was a widower. The two men stood on the deck, chatting. Looking around, there were many members of wealthy families on the ship. Many children were playing. It was a harmonious atmosphere that they were not accustomed to because they were used to torture and blood. They both felt nostalgic and sad upon this realization.

“It would be nice to have wine at this time.” Xu Kou leaned on the railing and gestured for a glass.

Qi Xuansu asked, “Brother Xu, are you planning to drown your sorrows with wine because you feel sad?”

“I often wonder, why are we working so hard just to live in this world?” Xu Kou seemed to be asking Qi Xuansu, but it also seemed like a rhetorical question.

“Ascension to immortality is too unattainable. If we are just living, we don’t have to work so hard. But if it’s just for pleasure, there will always be a day when we get tired of leisurely activities. What’s the use of ambition if we’re alone? No matter how high one’s cultivation level is, no one can beat the Holy Xuan.”

Qi Xuansu pursed his lips. “I really don’t know how to answer this question.”

Xu Kou sighed. “That’s why it’s important to find one’s purpose.”

Qi Xuansu said with emotion, “Indeed, people must have a purpose and something to look forward to in life.”