Chapter 393: Misjudging the Snow Lotus Bloom

Shao Xiaoli stood quietly, holding a box.

The tribulation lightning had passed, and moonlight once again filled the room. The long winds from the tribulation had slightly disheveled her blood-red satin gown. Her top was slightly open, revealing a bare shoulder and delicate collarbones, her soft, smooth skin whiter than ivory.

She looked at Ning Changjiu’s astonished expression, her smile deepening.

The lake breeze outside blew in a cool air.

“Huh? Keep what? What are you talking about, Boss?” Shao Xiaoli’s long eyelashes fluttered, her youthful, charming face filled with a look of innocent bewilderment. “Does Boss know what’s in the box?”

Upon hearing this, Ning Changjiu’s expression turned cold, his eyes narrowed, and his Taiyin Eye activated, peering into the wooden box.

He fell silent once more.

Inside the wooden box were old personal items: hairpins, bracelets, and other trinkets left by Shao Xiaoli’s mother. There were also bone carvings Xiaoli had made when bored after they reached the tribe across the snowy plains. Among them were a few secret manuals, with one titled “Northern Darkness Divine Sword” resting on top.

Ning Changjiu was speechless.

Shao Xiaoli began introducing each item, speaking with evident delight as if her scheme had succeeded, but Ning Changjiu turned his head away.

Shao Xiaoli asked curiously, “Boss, why do you look a little disappointed?”

Ning Changjiu replied, “It’s nothing; I simply misunderstood.”

Shao Xiaoli set the box aside, then climbed onto the bed, crawling closer to Ning Changjiu. She asked with feigned innocence, “Misunderstood? What did Boss think it was, then? Hmm?”

Ning Changjiu looked at Shao Xiaoli’s face, so close to his. The young girl’s delicate features, lightly powdered, made her look exquisitely ancient and enchanting, like a goddess in a painting. Most of her thick, dark hair cascaded over her shoulders and back, while several playful strands swept past her collarbones and fell into her loose top, contrasting beautifully with her snow-white skin. Shao Xiaoli seemed to know how alluring this scene was, deliberately reaching out to toy with the strands of hair caught in her clothing, as if plucking a zither string.

The zither string seemed to pluck something within him; though silent, Ning Changjiu felt as if he heard a languid melody.

The mythical Luoshen and the girl before him merged, and Ning Changjiu stared, momentarily speechless.

“Boss, why aren’t you speaking?” Shao Xiaoli extended a slender finger and waved it before his eyes.

Ning Changjiu took a deep breath and said, “You’re doing this on purpose again, aren’t you?”

“Doing what on purpose?” Shao Xiaoli’s eyes were wide with innocence.

Ning Changjiu never imagined that he, who could subdue a woman like Sze Ming, would repeatedly stumble with this little girl.

Shao Xiaoli seemed to realize, and she gave a charming smile. “So that’s what Boss was looking for.”

With that, she got off the bed again, rummaged through a pile of boxes, found a small wooden one, expertly unlocked it, and presented it to Ning Changjiu.

Ning Changjiu looked at the candles and whip inside the wooden box and sighed, “You actually kept them?”

Shao Xiaoli replied, “Of course. Mother didn’t leave many things when she went away; I cherish every single one of them.”

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly. “You’re truly very filial.”

“That’s right,” Shao Xiaoli nodded confidently. “Would Boss like to try these?”

Ning Changjiu said, “You should take them and play with your Sister Sze Ming instead.”

Shao Xiaoli’s eyes widened in realization. “Boss wants to play this with Sister Sze Ming!”

Ning Changjiu’s expression darkened. He ruffled her hair and muttered, “You little vixen.”

Shao Xiaoli wanted to continue teasing, but then she heard Ning Changjiu say, “I’m a bit tired, Xiaoli. Please let me rest.”

Shao Xiaoli thought he was just making an excuse and didn’t believe him, but when she looked closely, she saw that Ning Changjiu’s cheeks were somewhat pale, and when she held his hand, it was also rather cold.

Ning Changjiu soon closed his eyes and fell asleep.

After confirming that he was genuinely just tired and not seriously ill, Shao Xiaoli quietly took off her shoes and socks, lay down beside Ning Changjiu, and warmed him with her body.

When Ning Changjiu woke up, the sun was high in the sky.

The small cottage wasn’t large; the bedroom and kitchen were close by. As he awoke, he heard the crackling of firewood burning and, along with it, the aroma of food.

Ning Changjiu didn’t have a strong attachment to the delicacies of the human world, but Xiaoli was very enthusiastic about cooking.

He got up, put on his clothes, and went to the kitchen, where he saw Xiaoli sitting by the firebox, her cheeks flushed by the flames.

Her hair no longer covered her forehead; instead, her dark hair was parted to the sides, enhancing her charm. Dressed in red, she exuded the aura of a proud queen when silent.

“What are we eating today?” Ning Changjiu asked casually.

“The dish name isn’t ready yet,” Shao Xiaoli said, looking troubled.

“…” Ning Changjiu asked, “Do you really enjoy cooking?”

Shao Xiaoli asserted, “Some people train hard in blade arts to slay demons and monsters, while others do so to acquire better ingredients.”

Ning Changjiu was silent for a moment, then said, “Xiaoli truly has a way with words.”

For the first time, he felt verbally outmatched, and he sheepishly retreated from the kitchen, waiting for Xiaoli to finish.

Shao Xiaoli brought out the dishes one by one, giving them grand and imposing names. Compared to before, her naming conventions had become much more ambitious; it wouldn’t be long before all twelve divine lords would be included.

After eating the Vermilion Bird Nirvana Broth and Hoof Mountain Trampling Sea Soup, Shao Xiaoli cleared the dishes and went out with Ning Changjiu.

Ning Changjiu recalled the images the poem had shown him, trying to find clues, but those images were too ordinary, primarily consisting of the world’s structure and scenery. Because the scenes were so vast, he couldn’t even discern living beings.

He stopped overthinking, opened his eyes, and looked at the gentle summer scenery as they crossed the Red River.

“Where are we going? To Boss’s hometown?” Shao Xiaoli asked.

Ning Changjiu replied, “I don’t know, but I feel I need to do something.”

Shao Xiaoli asked, “Boss still hasn’t figured it out?”

Ning Changjiu pondered, “I have some initial ideas, but I’m not yet certain.”

“What ideas?”

“I’m going to return the Dao to Nanzhou,” Ning Changjiu said.

“Return the Dao?”

“Yes, it means severing ties.”

“Have you left many ties in Nanzhou?”

“Because I intentionally avoided the world, there aren’t many,” Ning Changjiu said. “Walk with me.”

Shao Xiaoli walked gently by his side.

Exiting the Southern Wilderness Abyss, the closest place was Liantian Town.

It was summer now, and the gentle breeze in Liantian Town rustled through the lotus fields, where lotus flowers bloomed everywhere. The lake surface was a vibrant green, reflecting the clear sky above.

Another white cloud appeared in the clear sky.

It was Ning Changjiu’s clothing.

He wanted to avoid more people, so he didn’t enter through the main gate but went around via the lotus lake behind.

Just as many years ago, wooden boats were moored by the lotus pond, and small houses lined the shore. The streets and residences formed a character resembling "丰" (Feng, meaning abundant).

“What is this place?” Shao Xiaoli asked.

Ning Changjiu briefly introduced it and then generally described the millennium-long conflict between Yayu, Xiu She, and Nine Infant. The scene of Nine Infant emerging, its snake heads twisting like thunder, felt as if it had only happened yesterday.

Shao Xiaoli listened, her heart trembling, and laughed, “Boss, you really have been through a lot of hardships.”

Ning Changjiu said, “Indeed. When an old Daoist died, he told me I was destined for a solitary and ominous life, and I’ve always believed it.”

Shao Xiaoli smiled faintly, “Daoists only tell lies.”

Ning Changjiu said, “I also came from a Daoist background.”

“Oh… the lotus flowers here are blooming so beautifully. How about we secretly take a small boat tonight and go boating here?” Shao Xiaoli suggested.

This brought back memories for Ning Changjiu. “When I left Broken Realm City, the first night, Jiajia and I came here.”

Shao Xiaoli’s eyes brightened. “I understand. Boss is hinting that I should wear Jiajia’s clothes to help you relive the past, right?”

Ning Changjiu found it difficult to respond. He could only ruffle her hair and softly call her a vixen.

The two slowly went ashore.

General Lizard and Marshal Toad were still in a standoff on the eaves of the houses on either side. They squawked noisily, but Marshal Toad looked somewhat aged. No doubt, before long, General Lizard would spend its days staring at the lonely rooftop, missing its lifelong adversary.

The Rabbit Spirit was also on patrol, carrying three carrots. Upon seeing Ning Changjiu, it couldn’t resist and offered him one carrot as a gift.

Ning Changjiu smiled and politely declined.

He tried to avoid accumulating more karma.

The Rabbit Spirit looked a bit annoyed and hopped away.

“The monsters here are all very friendly,” Shao Xiaoli remarked.

“Yes,” Ning Changjiu responded.

He didn’t reveal the truth—that Zhang Qieyu had extracted all the evil thoughts from the nearby monsters to incite Xiu She’s demonic nature.

Ning Changjiu bypassed the alley and followed his memory to Zhang Qieyu’s residence. The house was empty. The lotus flowers in the water缸 had long turned into mud at the bottom, and the wind chime hanging by the door was gone. The palindromic poem that was once there must have long since shattered.

Ning Changjiu didn’t touch the door. With a casual stroke, he drew another ‘door’ on the wall and silently stepped inside.

The house was empty.

Qiu Sheng and Xiao Lian had both been taken to the village elder’s house.

“This is Yayu’s residence,” Ning Changjiu said. “I once promised a little boy that I would bring his grandfather back and cure his sister’s muteness.”

Shao Xiaoli said, “Bring his grandfather back? Didn’t you just tell me his grandfather is at your Master’s temple?”

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly and nodded. “Yes, but I can paint.”

As Shao Xiaoli looked puzzled, Ning Changjiu had already passed through the house and courtyard, arriving at Zhang Qieyu’s study. The swallow’s nest outside the study door was also empty. When the study door opened, dust fell silently.

In the old house, with its dappled light and dust, one could faintly smell the scent of ink and old books.

Ning Changjiu sat down at the desk. Shao Xiaoli found an inkstone, and with her jade-like hand pushing back her sleeve, she began to grind the ink nearby. Her hair draped over the desk, appearing even more antique than the inkstone.

After grinding the ink and preparing the paper, holding it down with a paperweight, Ning Changjiu took up the brush. The tip absorbed the ink. He pondered for a moment, then began to draw. His first stroke was a little unpracticed, but subsequent strokes became increasingly fluid, and soon, the image of an aged, weathered man was outlined on the paper.

Shao Xiaoli sat directly beside the desk, resting her hands on its edge, her slender legs swinging. She watched Ning Changjiu paint with concentration, a faint smile playing on her lips, careful not to disturb him.

Once the portrait was complete, Ning Changjiu added the eyes to the figure.

The painting was incredibly lifelike.

Ning Changjiu hung the painting on the wall.

“Boss, you’re really amazing,” Shao Xiaoli said genuinely.

“I learned it when I was little,” Ning Changjiu said.

Shao Xiaoli replied, “Mother told me every man has a magic brush… Mother really didn’t lie to me.”

“…” Ning Changjiu lightly coughed twice, unwilling to respond, and simply dipped the brush in water, swirling it to clean it.

Shao Xiaoli helped tidy the desk.

“Where to now? Are we going to find Qiu Sheng and Xiao Lian and tell them their grandfather is back?” Shao Xiaoli asked.

Ning Changjiu nodded. “Yes, first I’ll cure Xiao Lian’s illness.”

Shao Xiaoli looked at the painting hanging on the wall and worried, “Isn’t this lying?”

Ning Changjiu sighed, “That’s why we must try to maintain the deception for a lifetime.”

The study door was closed. Ning Changjiu returned to the front hall and walked to the painting of the black cat on the wall.

According to Zhang Qieyu, when Xiao Lian was born, it was precisely when the Fourth Senior Sister came searching for someone, and he was forced to activate the ‘Ghost Festival.’ As a result, Xiao Lian’s soul was affected, and to save her life, a part of her soul had to be deposited into a black cat.

When Xiao Lian retrieved her soul, the black cat would die. Zhang Qieyu feared his granddaughter would be sad, so he had drawn a replacement long ago.

Ning Changjiu took the black cat out of the painting.

The two left the house and found the village elder’s residence.

He saw Qiu Sheng, who had grown much taller, helping the elder chop firewood, while Xiao Lian was helping to sort vegetables.

Ning Changjiu waited a while, and when Xiao Lian carried the vegetables back into the house, he shattered the void and appeared inside.

Shao Xiaoli waited quietly outside.

Soon, Ning Changjiu returned, carrying the body of a black cat.

This black cat had actually been dead for many years.

“Bury it outside the village,” Ning Changjiu said, looking at the black cat.

Shao Xiaoli said, “No, let’s bury it inside the village. This is its home.”

“Hmm, alright,” Ning Changjiu nodded.

Ning Changjiu incinerated the black cat’s body with sword fire and buried its ashes by the lotus pond. The perennial gentle breeze would purify it.

After all this was done, Ning Changjiu stood by the lake for a while. He could feel his soul had become lighter.

Nine Infant, Yayu, Xiu She—these were ancient gods he had slain in his previous life as ‘Yi.’ These thousand-year-long, subtle ties were like a hand tugging at his clothes, waiting to speak. Now, that hand had finally let go.

When he and Ning Xiaoling came here, Ning Xiaoling had once said that after all was said and done, they could settle in Liantian Town, but now he knew he probably wouldn’t return.

The lotus flowers that once witnessed pure dreams overwhelming the starlit river had long since decayed. Though the sound of waves remained, they no longer called to him, for he was not of this world.

Shao Xiaoli looked at Ning Changjiu’s snow-white clothes, finding him even more solitary.

She gently raised her hand and gripped Ning Changjiu’s sleeve.

Ning Changjiu slowly came back to himself.

“Boss, you’re so amazing at painting. Can you paint Xiaoli a little sister?” Shao Xiaoli asked.

Ning Changjiu smiled sheepishly. “Xiaoli is too beautiful; my brushwork is too clumsy. I’m afraid I couldn’t capture even a fraction of your charm.”

Shao Xiaoli insisted, “I think Boss can do it.”

“But I don’t have a brush now. Perhaps another time.”

“Boss is trying to brush it off again… Mother clearly said every man has a brush.”

“…You want me to draw you a little Xiaoli?”

“Can you?”

“You truly are a vixen,” Ning Changjiu flicked her forehead and conceded, “When would Xiaoli like me to paint?”

“Why not tonight?” Shao Xiaoli smiled, looking at him.

Ning Changjiu looked at the graceful girl standing before him, contemplating the uncertainties of the future, and finally nodded. “Then tonight, for the sake of the people, I shall subdue this vixen.”

Shao Xiaoli feigned alarm, but her eyes were full of soft amusement.

There was still a long time until nightfall.

Time suddenly felt prolonged.

Ning Changjiu said, “I’ll take Xiaoli to see other places. Where would Xiaoli like to go?”

Shao Xiaoli replied, “How about visiting Yujian Heavenly Sect? The peak masters there seem like interesting people.”

Ning Changjiu shook his head. “There are many people in the peaks. I don’t plan to return until I’m fully prepared.”

“Are you afraid of inadvertently creating new ties?”

“Yes.”

So they walked casually outside Liantian Town, looking for traces of the past. There weren’t many barren mountains here; everywhere they looked, it made one want to gallop on horseback.

Shao Xiaoli tiptoed, leaping across the stream, and suddenly recalled a line of poetry, reciting, “Lili yuan shang cao…”

Ning Changjiu pretended not to hear her.

Shao Xiaoli watched the shrimp, crabs, and snails swimming in the stream and then asked, “Oh, by the way, Boss, where is the Luo River?”

Ning Changjiu replied, “The Luo River is in the Central Lands, far to the north. It’s quite close to the Divine Painting Pavilion. I can take you to see it then.”

“Great!” Shao Xiaoli readily agreed. She looked at the fertile water plants and scattered wild flowers, remarking, “The outside world is truly wonderful. Everything looks so fresh and beautiful.”

“But some people want to destroy all of this,” Ning Changjiu said.

Shao Xiaoli narrowed her eyes, looking at the sun, and asked incredulously, “With such brightness in the world, what darkness cannot be dispelled? There’s no sun in Broken Realm City, so it’s very dangerous, but it’s different here…”

Ning Changjiu smiled and said, “You’re right. Xiaoli has never seen the sun before; you should look at it more. Once you get used to it, you won’t feel the same way.”

But Shao Xiaoli shook her head, smiling brightly, her finely spaced teeth gleaming like porcelain in the sunlight. She looked at Ning Changjiu and said, “I’ve already seen the sun, you know. Three years ago, when I knelt before the curtain of light, I saw it.”

Ning Changjiu paused for a moment before understanding her meaning.

This little girl was truly relentless and exhaustive in her compliments, making him feel somewhat embarrassed and unsure how to respond.

Shao Xiaoli became even more joyful. She lifted her skirt and walked under the human sun, her hair shining darkly.

Like Shao Xiaoli, others too were captivated by the vast fields upon their arrival in Nanzhou.

Liu Junzhuo looked at the rolling waves of grass before her, unsure of her feelings.

She knew she was merely lying dormant according to her master’s secret orders, awaiting the right moment to turn the world upside down.

Yet, she felt increasingly detached from this world.

Liu Xiwan asked, “Senior Sister, should we go further south?”

Liu Junzhuo shook her head. “Lu Jiajia went south a few days ago. Going further might lead to trouble.”

Liu Xiwan nodded. “Then shall we buy a house and settle here?”

Liu Junzhuo nodded. “Yes, but don’t be conspicuous.”

Liu Xiwan agreed. Just as she was about to go find a good place to live, Liu Junzhuo called her back, asking, “How did Junior Sister find such peerless sword iron?”

Liu Xiwan paused slightly.

The sword iron Senior Sister was referring to was actually Liu Xiwan’s hair, which had been submerged in the water. She was a peerless sword essence; her sword energy had condensed for a thousand years, making it extraordinarily rich.

Now, she had retrieved the sword threads that had sunk in the stream, following her memory.

The strands of hair had long since intertwined and solidified, looking like a single, hard piece of iron, its surface covered in flowing patterns.

“I found it by chance back then…” Liu Xiwan ran her fingers through her short hair. “In any case, it was a great fortune. I’ll find the best blacksmith and have it forged into two swords. I’ll give one to Senior Sister to repay your kindness from back then.”

Liu Junzhuo lowered her head, smiling with a hint of bitterness. “Those were just master’s orders. How can there be true kindness?”

Liu Xiwan said, “It’s alright, feelings grow over time.”

Liu Junzhuo looked at her adorable junior sister, genuinely feeling that taking her as a disciple was the best thing she had done in years. If she were to die unfortunately one day, her grave wouldn’t be desolate and unvisited.

The three senior and junior sisters walked across the grassland and arrived at a small city with swaying willows.

“This place will do,” Liu Junzhuo said.

No sooner had she spoken than a group of children ran past, laughing and chanting a nursery rhyme:

“Willows on the dike, how green they grow…”

She didn’t quite catch the next line.

In a blink, the sun set.

After severing the ties in Liantian Town, Ning Changjiu returned to the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom. Like yesterday, he tried to regain control of the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom and return to his throne.

But his two lives were too far apart, and his divinity had almost entirely dissipated in the Immortal World. Now, it was difficult to sense the Golden Crow Kingdom.

Of course, it was also possible that the divine kingdom itself was too damaged, and he needed to fully repair it before it could regain vitality.

The Golden Crow flew back to the quiet Grassy Hall.

He remembered his conversation with Shao Xiaoli earlier that day and somewhat regretted agreeing too hastily.

He certainly had deep feelings for her, but was that feeling truly passionate romantic love?

Ning Changjiu couldn’t be sure.

But it was too late to go back on his word. Since he had promised Xiaoli, he naturally had to devote himself fully to it and not disappoint her.

When Ning Changjiu returned to the room, he found Xiaoli already standing by the window. The light in the cottage was dim at night, as if shrouded in a hazy mist. Shao Xiaoli, wearing Lu Jiajia’s clothes, was a snow-white figure like a lotus at the end of the fog.

Ning Changjiu did not use his spiritual power, nor did he activate his Taiyin Eye.

He allowed everything to retain its raw and ambiguous beauty in the night.

He walked silently to the window, stopping a few steps from Shao Xiaoli.

“Was there little happening in the village today? Xiaoli, why are you back so early?” Ning Changjiu asked casually.

Shao Xiaoli’s delicate shoulder moved slightly, but she didn’t answer him.

Ning Changjiu continued, “Actually, Xiaoli, your own dress would have been fine. There’s no need to always wear Jiajia’s clothes, especially tonight.”

Shao Xiaoli still didn’t respond.

The atmosphere felt a little strange.

Ning Changjiu hesitated slightly, then immediately thought, Shao Xiaoli is playing hard to get. That’s right, she’s still just a young girl after all. Though she was persistent during the day, after the night stripped away her feigned stubbornness, perhaps only softness remained…

“Is Xiaoli pretending to be a cold, aloof immortal?” Ning Changjiu teased, threatening, “If you don’t answer me, tonight I’ll bring out that box and teach Xiaoli a lesson.”

Shao Xiaoli remained motionless by the window, her back to him, a silent snowy silhouette, her aura subdued, truly like a lotus quiet in the night.

Ning Changjiu felt something was odd. Just as he was about to playfully reprimand the girl, he heard the room door behind him open.

Shao Xiaoli, dressed in a red gown, stood at the doorway and said, “Boss, dinner’s ready. Tonight’s dish is ‘Little Pear Mixed Glutinous Rice Female Sword Immortal,’ made with lotus roots I stole from Liantian Town. Boss, please come eat… eat… now…”

Both of them froze.