?
Seeing her like this, Xiao Yifeng felt an impulse surge in his heart. He let out a long breath, stepped forward, and cupped his hands.
"Master's Wife, this disciple is untalented, but I earnestly request Master's Wife to permit Senior Sister to travel with me. Although my strength is humble, I am willing to stake my life as a guarantee. With me here, Senior Sister will not suffer any danger. Anyone who wishes to harm Senior Sister must step over my corpse first. I beg Master's Wife to grant this."
Su Miaoqing looked at him in total astonishment, standing rooted to the spot.
Lin Ziyun turned back to look at this little disciple whom she regarded as her own. His expression at this moment was one of seriousness she had never seen before, giving him an indescribable aura.
Yet Lin Ziyun did not yield to this. She said coldly, "You say you will protect Qing'er's safety. What guarantee do you offer?"
Xiao Yifeng knew his current abilities were hardly sufficient to support such words, but he steeled himself and said solemnly, "Although this disciple's skills are humble, I am willing to sacrifice life and forget death to protect Senior Sister's safety."
Seeing that Xiao Yifeng did not back down in the slightest, Lin Ziyun could not help but smile slightly. She turned her head, her gaze soft as she looked at the stunned Su Miaoqing, and spoke gently.
"Xiao Feng is like this. Qing'er, what do you think yourself?"
Su Miaoqing hesitated and stammered, "Mother, I..."
No one knew a daughter better than her mother. Seeing her like this, Lin Ziyun sighed, pulled her small hand, and took out several talismans and a bottle of pills from her bosom. She then produced a few protective Dharma Artifacts and a stack of banknotes, stuffing them all into her hands.
"Mother knows you yearn for the outside world in your heart, so Mother will not stop you. I will handle matters on your father's side. When I left, I made up my mind that if I could not bring you back, I would give you a few more protective items to keep you safe. When you go out with Xiao Feng, take care of your safety, and listen to Xiao Feng in all things."
Hearing this, Su Miaoqing threw herself into Lin Ziyun's arms and wept bitterly. Lin Ziyun held her and comforted her for a good while before turning to Xiao Yifeng.
"Xiao Feng, I know you have always been wise within. On this trip, you must take good care of Qing'er and not let her suffer any grievances. Qing'er has a willful nature; please be patient with her."
Xiao Yifeng hurriedly agreed.
Lin Ziyun released Su Miaoqing and smiled. "You are already so grown, yet you still cry like a child. Very well, Mother must return, or your father will come in person."
The three walked out into the courtyard, where Su Miaoqing returned the identity token to Lin Ziyun.
Lin Ziyun smiled and said, "Go back inside now. Be careful on the road. Qing'er, Mother is leaving."
With those words, she soared into the night sky like an immortal maiden from the nine heavens, riding the evening breeze and stepping into the moonlight as she departed.
The two watched her depart from the courtyard. Xiao Yifeng turned, intending to say something to Su Miaoqing, but she swiftly headed back to her room without even looking back.
Xiao Yifeng was completely baffled, leaving him with no choice but to return to his room to rest.
Flying through the night air, Lin Ziyun was also filled with countless thoughts. After leaving the Wentian Sect, she had come straight toward Wangtian City.
Guessing that the two would likely be in Wangtian City, as she approached the city, she used a secret technique to sense the location of her identity jade token. Sure enough, it was within Wangtian City.
Su Miaoqing did not know that the identity token carried Lin Ziyun's imprint, allowing her to sense its location within a certain distance through a technique.
Lin Ziyun had spotted the two wandering through the bustling market. Seeing Su Miaoqing's joyful look, she did not step forward immediately, but followed silently behind them. When the two boarded a small boat, Lin Ziyun immediately hired another boat to follow.
The youth and maiden lost in thought amidst the fireworks across the sky-the maiden gazing at the fireworks with a brilliant smile, and the youth gazing at the maiden, full of affection and fondness.
The two devoutly releasing river lanterns, playing and laughing on the street, completely unaware that they had become part of the scenery in someone else's eyes.
Her daughter's jubilant appearance brought a subtle smile to Lin Ziyun's lips as she silently accompanied them all the way, only appearing after they returned to their room.
Lin Ziyun sighed inwardly, though she did not know what she was sighing for.
Early the next morning, Xiao Yifeng rose early. After washing up and tidying his belongings, he called the waiter, gave him some loose silver, and bade him take his old clothes to give to poor families.
Afterward, Xiao Yifeng went to Su Miaoqing's room and knocked on the door. "Senior Sister Qing'er, are you awake?"
"Wait a moment," Su Miaoqing's voice came from inside.
After a short while, the door opened. Su Miaoqing had changed into a white dress, seemingly having applied a bit of makeup that enhanced her beauty even further.
She was already striking; with this subtle touch, she was even more captivating.
"Senior Sister, you look truly lovely in this. Let us go eat breakfast, and then we shall set off," Xiao Yifeng said with a smile.
"Alright. I will listen to you," Su Miaoqing nodded with a bright smile.
The two went to the front hall for breakfast, packed up, and departed from Wangtian Tower.
"Xiao Feng, where are we going?" Su Miaoqing asked.
"Haha, I do not know either. Let us wander about for now. However, I heard from the waiter yesterday that evil entities seem to be haunting the villages to the southwest. As members of the Righteous Path, it is our duty to slay demons and eliminate evil," Xiao Yifeng said with a smile.
"Indeed!" Su Miaoqing's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and she immediately nodded with great enthusiasm.
Xiao Yifeng knew that her desire to slay demons was merely a passing impulse, driven mostly by curiosity. Leaving the city gate, the two took to the air from a secluded spot.
Yet not long after flying out of Wangtian City toward the southwest, as they passed over a low hill, three golden lights suddenly shot upward. The three golden lights then supported a formation that closed in an instant, trapping them inside.
Caught off guard, the two fell into the formation. It severed all connections to the outside aura, leaving the interior shrouded in dense fog.
Although somewhat surprised, Xiao Yifeng did not panic. He grabbed Su Miaoqing, landed quickly, and drew the Falling Rainbow sword, standing on guard with full attention.
"Who goes there?" Xiao Yifeng asked, shielding Su Miaoqing behind him.
Three figures walked out from within the formation, standing opposite the two. Surprisingly, all three possessed early Foundation Establishment cultivation.
One of them had a sharp mouth, monkey cheeks, and slightly buck teeth-it was none other than Li Lifang, with whom Xiao Yifeng was exceedingly familiar. The other two were dressed in black robes with hoods concealing their faces, making it impossible to discern their identities.
"I wonder what Senior Brother Li intends by intercepting us here?" Xiao Yifeng asked with a faint smile.
"Brat, you still have the nerve to smile? Today is the day you die," Li Lifang sneered menacingly.
"Oh? Senior Brother Li, I have no past grievances or recent animosity with you. I wonder why you keep targeting me. I doubt it is solely because of Junior Sister Ling's matter, is it?"
Xiao Yifeng was genuinely curious. "Could Senior Brother grant me a clear explanation so I do not die in ignorance?"
"Hmph, since you insist on knowing, I shall tell you. Do you still remember Li Linzong from your Wuya Hall!" Li Lifang said coldly.
"Who on earth is Li Linzong? I have never met him. Could Senior Brother have made a mistake?" Xiao Yifeng asked in surprise.