Chapter 123: The Return of Xiaolang

Chapter 123: Chapter 123: The Return of Xiaolang

The chest of Ni Bodhisattva heaved with unrelenting fury, anger reaching its zenith. His once serene gaze, akin to still waters, now brimmed with boundless hostility.

"Tianxingzi, you scoundrel!" Ni Bodhisattva suddenly roared to the heavens.

With a thunderous roar, Ni Bodhisattva stamped his foot and soared into the sky, disregarding the presence of Zhongshan and Bei Qingsi before him. Like a cannonball, he shot towards the horizon, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.

Taking a deep breath, Zhongshan watched Ni Bodhisattva vanish into the sky with a perplexed expression. What kind of person was Ni Bodhisattva, after all? Zhongshan wasn't worried for Tianxingzi because he could tell that Ni Bodhisattva's overwhelming rage wasn't directed at him, but rather at whoever had killed his wife.

With Ni Bodhisattva gone, Zhongshan turned his gaze back to Bei Qingsi, a faint sense of reluctance shimmering in his eyes, while Bei Qingsi seemed hesitant to meet his gaze.

Sighing softly, Zhongshan spoke, "Are you leaving immediately?"

"Yes, I'll head north by sea and won't return to Kaiyang Sect," Bei Qingsi nodded.

Glancing at the lowered head of Bei Qingsi, Zhongshan gently suggested, "Let me accompany you to the seaside."

"Mm," Bei Qingsi softly agreed.

The two then set off towards the north without exchanging words. It wasn't until five days later that they arrived at the end of a river, which flowed into the vast sea. In the distance lay the boundless ocean, stretching endlessly out of sight.

Both of them instinctively halted by the riverbank.

Zhongshan looked at Bei Qingsi, who dared not meet his gaze.

"Do you know the way?" Zhongshan asked clumsily.

"When I first reached the Golden Core stage, I had been to the Divine Land. I know the way," Bei Qingsi replied softly.

Silence ensued.

Neither spoke, each bearing a faint sense of melancholy in their hearts, yet unable to articulate it, only allowing it to settle into a heavy silence.

After a while, Zhongshan suddenly spoke up, "Can you not go?"

It was Zhongshan's final plea, knowing that returning would be too dangerous.

Hearing Zhongshan's words, Bei Qingsi felt a surge of reluctance. In this moment, she truly wanted to say 'yes'. But the images of her parents kept echoing in her mind. Could she really not go back now?

Seeing Bei Qingsi's expression, Zhongshan could guess her thoughts. He sighed softly, "Let me wash your hair one more time."

At Zhongshan's words, Bei Qingsi, who had avoided his gaze, suddenly turned to look at him, her eyes filled with tenderness and reluctance, a faint sorrow lingering in her heart. She looked at Zhongshan as if trying to imprint his appearance into her memory once again.

"Mm," Bei Qingsi nodded softly. She bit her lip, refraining from saying anything extra, fearing that she might break down in tears.

At the riverside, Zhongshan still hewed a large stone for Bei Qingsi to lie on. Bei Qingsi could control the flow of water to her hair, making it easier for Zhongshan to wash, but she didn't. Instead, she let Zhongshan do it himself.

Running his hand through Bei Qingsi's darkened hair, Zhongshan took a deep breath. Without using a towel, he scooped water with his own hands, wetting Bei Qingsi's hair gently and attentively, washing it with great care and tenderness.

"You...!" Nie Qingqing pointed at Tianxingzi, seething with anger, unable to say a word.

Outside the hall, Tiansha, upon hearing Nie Qingqing mention that Ling'er had the "Li Ding physique," was utterly stunned. His eyes filled with astonishment, delight, and a sense of sudden realization.

Tiansha was overwhelmed with excitement and took a deep breath to forcibly calm himself.

"Is that Tiansha outside?" Tianxingzi's voice came from within the hall.

Tiansha quickly walked inside.

Seeing Tianxingzi, Tiansha immediately bowed respectfully, "Yes, Master. The tasks you assigned have been completed."

"Good. Very well. You may go rest now," Tianxingzi nodded.

"Yes," Tiansha replied swiftly and exited the hall.

After leaving the Kaiyang Hall, Tiansha, seeming somewhat anxious, flew towards a distant peak.

At the base of the peak, Yun Qian was guiding several low-ranking disciples of the Kaiyang Sect in their cultivation.

"Yun Qian," Tiansha called out urgently.

"Ah, Senior Brother?" Yun Qian immediately looked at Tiansha.

"Where is Ling'er?" Tiansha asked at once.

"Ling'er? She's been at the entrance of the Kaiyang Sect lately, outside the mountain-guarding formation. It seems she's waiting for someone," Yun Qian pondered for a moment and replied.

"Waiting for someone?" Tiansha frowned.

"Yes, Senior Brother. Do you need Ling'er for something?" Yun Qian asked, puzzled.

"No, nothing. Carry on with your work," Tiansha shook his head and said.

Then, under Yun Qian's confused gaze, Tiansha tossed his flying sword and flew towards the entrance of the Kaiyang Sect.

At the entrance of the Kaiyang Sect.

Outside the small hut where the mountain was guarded, there were two rocking chairs.

Beside one of the rocking chairs was a teapot, and the mountain guardian was lying on it, half-closed eyes, rocking back and forth, thoroughly enjoying himself.

In front of the mountain guardian, Tian Ling'er was gazing expectantly into the distance, looking at the empty expanse.

"Grandpa Shan, when do you think Zhongshan will come back?" Tian Ling'er asked, pouting, her face full of worry.

As she spoke, Ling'er idly kicked a small stone by her feet.

"Pa!"