White Robes and Green Robes

The Night Voyage Ship, Lingxi City.

At dusk that day, Ning Yao planned to head for the next city. With another casual sword strike, she broke through the Night Voyage Ship's restriction, sending sword light straight into the clouds so the Central Plains Confucian Temple would know the ferry's whereabouts.

Before leaving, Ning Yao took Pei Qian, Little Millet, and the white-haired boy to see the woman City Lord hailed as the master of graceful ci poetry throughout Vast Heaven and Earth. Besides thanking her for Lingxi City's hospitality, Ning Yao passed along a message from Chen Ping'an's friend Jiang Shangzhen.

Madam Li and the handsome antlered youth walked with their guests along a Covered Bridge above the sea of clouds. Nearby, the evening glow spread like brocade, as though a precious carpet of vivid red had been laid out. They climbed high and gazed into the distance. The scenery was lovely: mountain air at dusk, birds returning together, heaven and earth quiet and peaceful.

Madam Li's mood suddenly soured. At the far end of the Covered Bridge, a group of uninvited guests had arrived from Appearance City.

She admired Ning Yao. That did not mean she liked every sword cultivator.

To swordsmanship under heaven, Ning Yao was what she was to ci poetry. Neither yielded to any man, ancient or modern.

Ning Yao frowned slightly. How had an Ascension Realm sword cultivator appeared out of nowhere aboard the Night Voyage Ship?

Had he come for Chen Ping'an?

But he seemed to be injured?

Ning Yao turned to Madam Li. "They're here for us. Madam, you need only stand aside. If I accidentally damage Lingxi City, I'll repay you in full afterward."

She had no money. Chen Ping'an did.

Madam Li nodded. She had no wish to get tangled in