Chapter 678: Yuqing Cultivation

Chapter 678: Yuqing Cultivation

Atop Chiyang Peak, Xiao Nanfeng and Xia Lan were called in for questioning by Xia Xingchen's three wives.

Upon hearing what had happened within the Southeastern Aquatic Palace, the three women all sighed in relief. A huge burden had been lifted from them.

"Nanfeng, you've done very well. It's all thanks to you that Yu'er is safe," Han Bingdie said, smiling.

She was very satisfied with Xiao Nanfeng, and was more than happy for Yu'er to marry him.

Xia Lan shook his head from beside them. "Father was largely responsible. How else would Xiao Nanfeng have been able to handle the Southeastern Aquatic Palace otherwise?"

Xia Lan's mother tutted at him. "You're growing older, but you don't seem to be maturing at all. We're talking to Nanfeng—don't you know it's rude to interrupt?"

Xia Lan's face turned dour.

Betrayed, he glanced at his mother.

"Madam, Xia Lan was of significant assistance as well. Without him, we wouldn't have been able to carry out many stages of our plan," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Don't bother speaking up for him. We're well aware of what Xia Lan's like. He's heartless and speaks without thinking. Don't mind him. Help him out, will you?" Xia Lan's mother asked.

Xia Lan's jaw dropped. Was the woman in front of him really his mother? What mother would speak of her own son in this manner?

"Don't worry, Madam. Xia Lan is Yu'er's third brother, and I'm naturally obliged to help him."

"Very good." Xia Lan's mother smiled. "As I said, Nanfeng's a good choice. Yu'er has discerning taste."

"Indeed," the other woman agreed, nodding approvingly.

All three of Xia Xingchen's wives were happy with Xiao Nanfeng, a significant relief. Xiao Nanfeng would only have to win Xia Xingchen over now.

"Nanfeng, what are you planning to do next?" Han Bingdie asked.

"For the moment, I'd like to stay by the foot of Chiyang Peak while I wait for Yu'er to emerge from the purple moon illusory realm. Would I be a hindrance?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Hardly! Treat this place like your own home. There's no need for you to stay by the foot of the mountain—just live up here with us!" one woman exclaimed.

"Right, it's hardly as if you're an outsider," the other added.

Xiao Nanfeng dipped his head. "I'm honored you think of me that way, Madams, but I think I had better stay at the foot of the mountain regardless. I have a few subordinates with me, and I intend to interact with the Yuqing disciples during my stay. I might cause a little commotion, and I wouldn't want to disturb you. What's more, while Mountain Lord Xia might not comment on my staying here without his permission, it won't give him a good impression. Better that I stay at the foot of the mountain; it would give me more freedom to act as well."

The three women eyed each other approvingly.

"Very well. If there's any issue, though, head up the mountain and let us know at any time," Han Bingdie said.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

"Xia Lan, prepare the best guest house at the foot of the mountain for Nanfeng. If he's mistreated in any way, I'm holding you accountable," Xia Lan's mother said.

Xia Lan suddenly felt as if he were an adopted son.

"There's no need," he said irritably. "The disciples at the foot of the mountain have already prepared everything."

Xiao Nanfeng's new guise as a lecturer began in earnest.

His last lecture had drawn the attention of many, and when word spread that he was about to do so anew, even more disciples came to listen.

There were disciples from all twelve peaks present, and Xiao Nanfeng dropped the pretense that this was largely a discussion. Rather, he began to orate, and everyone listened.

During the first two days, there were only a few hundred disciples present; after that, a few thousand; by the tenth day, almost ten thousand.

The sight was astounding. The plaza at which Xiao Nanfeng had first lectured was too small to host such an audience, so countless Yuqing disciples expanded the land overnight. The plaza grew larger day by day as Xia Lan watched on sourly.

Atop Chiyang Peak, Xia Xingchen's three wives were looking at the scene unfold from high above.

"Sister, how did your junior nephew cultivate? Did he really get this far within just ten years?"

"His understanding of scripture is truly remarkable. One of those disciples asked a truly obscure question about natural law, one that neither of us would have been able to explain offhand, but he did so with ease starting from fundamentals! It really is unbelievable."

The women shook their heads in amazement.

Han Bingdie frowned. "I wonder if he did all this for Yu'er."

One of the women sighed. "That would explain it, wouldn't it? He wants to marry Yu'er, and he wants every Yuqing disciple to give her well wishes. With disciples from all twelve peaks here, anyone who dares to criticize her or the wedding would surely gain a significant number of enemies immediately.

"Yu'er really is blessed," the other woman agreed.

Xia Lan shook his head. "I feel like Xiao Nanfeng has an ulterior motive."

All three women glared at Xia Lan. Xia Lan's mother shook her head. "What sort of nonsense are you talking about now? Why haven't you grown up yet?"

Xia Lan grimaced. He was just expressing his own opinion; why was he getting scolded again? Didn't he have any say in this household anymore?

"Xiao Nanfeng initially told me that he was worried the Mountain Lords would trouble you about Yu'er, so he was coming as support. But none of the Mountain Lords have bothered us at all! He's lying!" Xia Lan accused.

"Better to be prepared for something that didn't happen than not to be prepared for something that did. He's showing filial respect with his actions. What have you, my own son, done during this period of time?" Xia Lan's mother asked.

Xia Lan scowled. Fine! He'd stop talking before he got himself into more trouble.

Just as he was stewing, a shout came from down below.

"Xiao Nanfeng, how dare you come to the Yuqing holy land! You must want to die. I'll teach you a lesson today, haha!" The domineering voice of a child echoed about Chiyang Peak.

The three women frowned as they scanned the surroundings, as did countless Yuqing disciples at the foot of the mountain.

The Demon Child, glowing with red light, was flying through the air. He had dark circles around his eyes, as if he hadn't slept for quite some time. He was brimming with excitement and held the demon-subduing golden hoop in one hand.

"The Demon Child? What's he doing back here?" Han Bingdie frowned.

"That troublesome pest—he's back!" one of the other women exclaimed.

Afar, the Demon Child howled at the Yuqing disciples, "Scram, all of you! Why are you surrounding Xiao Nanfeng? I'm going to teach him a lesson. If any of you dare to stand in my way, I'll beat you up too!"

The Yuqing disciples glared at the Demon Child, infuriated.