Return Journey

The Tang Emperor's birthday banquet proceeded as scheduled, making Chang'an even more vibrant as everyone shared in the prosperity of the era.

Xu Ling was sound asleep in her room, while Bai Yujun dared not go to the imperial city to freeload. She knew it was the Human Emperor's residence, protected by the Dao of Heaven, and that demons and evil spirits could not approach. A mere snake spirit like herself would be easily injured if she got too close, unless she was invited by the Human Emperor or members of the royal family. Even then, Bai Yujun felt it wasn't wise to accept casually, as the celestial beings were watching closely.

Without a bodyguard, Bai Yujun didn't dare to venture far. She found herself standing outside the back door of a Taoist temple, lost in thought.

While the front hall was filled with pilgrims, the alley behind the back door was a quiet residential area where children played, creating a leisurely atmosphere. Bai Yujun pulled up a stool and sat by the entrance, enjoying some fruit to quench her thirst.

Before long, a group of boisterous children caught Bai Yujun's attention.

The game they were playing was Demon Subjugation.

"Halt! Fiend, taste my sword!"

A young boy, wielding a wooden stick, chased a doll that was playing the role of a demon, laughing heartily. The children quickly captured the "demon" and began to punish it. Some suggested locking it in a dungeon, while others advocated tying it up and burning it alive. The doll, playing the demon, cooperatively pleaded for mercy.

"Ah~ I'm going to die~ Spare me~"

The children paraded the "demon" as if they were victorious generals. Adults nearby chuckled as they watched the children play.

A sense of melancholy washed over Bai Yujun for no apparent reason. Those not of our kind are bound to have different hearts. Was she like a snake in Cao Ying, with her heart in Han? Even transforming into human form couldn't change that fact. Besides, she never intended to be human; being a snake was perfectly fine.

In the distance, the sounds of music and drums emanated from Daming Palace. She sighed. It would be best to come down the mountain less often in the future. The human world was, after all, for humans.

Still, it was nice to visit.

The warm sunlight felt incredibly comfortable on her skin. The temple keeper kindly offered her a pot of wine, claiming it could ward off evil and cold. The moment Bai Yujun tore off the seal, she almost bit the old, near-sighted temple keeper to death. Why would he offer her Realgar Wine of all things? Wasn't that precisely what was used to ward off evil and cold? Was he trying to kill her?

In the bustling streets of Chang'an, the White Snake enjoyed a rare moment of leisure, nearly going mad from a pot of old Realgar Wine.

Night fell.

Chu Zhe and Yang Mu returned to their lodgings with their companions, but both had grim expressions. Xu Ling inquired from an elder who had also entered the palace and learned what had happened: it wasn't a case of someone causing trouble, but rather that two handsome young men had caught the attention of the princesses...

Chu Zhe and Yang Mu, with their immortal demeanor, handsome looks, and elegant bearing, were a rare sight in the mortal world. During the palace banquet, they naturally attracted the princesses' attention, who expressed their desire to take them as imperial sons-in-law. Chu Zhe, being older and more experienced, could handle it with a smile. Yang Mu, however, maintained his icy demeanor. His attendance at the birthday celebration was merely to convey goodwill on behalf of his master, Yu Rong, not to become an imperial son-in-law.

The princess who fancied Chu Zhe was an older one. She had a previous consort who, it was said, died of anger because the princess favored handsome men and often took lovers. Now, she had set her sights on Chu Zhe.

What troubled Yang Mu was a princess around ten years old, who was of marriageable age. This caused Xu Ling to laugh uncontrollably, disregarding her image.

Yang Mu was truly scared.

"Senior Brother, why don't we leave tomorrow and return to the mountain early? We've neglected our cultivation by descending the mountain."

Chu Zhe rubbed his temples with a slight headache. He found Yang Mu's suggestion reasonable.

"Alright. Once we've settled our affairs in Chang'an, we'll return to the mountain."

Hearing the words "return to the mountain," Yang Mu breathed a sigh of relief. He then turned and glared fiercely at Xu Ling, who was still laughing. He couldn't stand her exaggerated and affected smugness. To hear that his Senior Brother was being pursued and not get angry about it—her change was truly remarkable.

"Still laughing! Keep it up, and I'm afraid some princes in the palace will take a liking to you and drag you back to be a concubine, forcing you to fight for favor with a bunch of jealous women every day." These words were quite venomous, instantly turning Xu Ling's face ashen.

"How dare you insult me? Hmph! I'll ask Master to make you come to Chang'an as a consort when I get back!"

Beside them, Bai Yujun smiled and sipped her tea.

Their bickering was lively, but it was just a verbal spat. Bai Yujun had witnessed them argue much more fiercely before. She truly didn't understand why these fellow disciples, who had lived in the same palace for so long, had to bicker like this.

Everyone said they were a perfect match, a golden couple. According to conventional plot development, they should at least be a pair of envied Dao companions. In reality, it was the opposite. Yang Mu and Xu Ling couldn't stand each other, and secretly playing dirty tricks and tripping each other up was commonplace.

Bai Yujun was glad Xu Ling hadn't attended the banquet. Otherwise, some prince might have gone to great lengths to keep Xu Ling there.

Bai Yujun couldn't guess what those princesses were thinking. It was a bit like forcing a snake to sing. She hadn't expected the budding princesses to be so impatient, even pleading with the Tang Emperor to send someone to inquire.

Fortunately, when it came to power struggles, there was never a shortage of people to undermine others.

There were many ministers with eyes and ears in the palace. The princesses had long been regarded by various ministers as golden keys to forging closer ties with the imperial family and increasing their own power. How could they let a princess marry just anyone? Even if the legitimate heir didn't want to be a consort, there were still illegitimate sons, weren't there? When the Emperor sent his messenger, the cultivators at the Chunyang outpost had already been secretly informed through special channels.

As a result, a terrified Chu Zhe directly cast a spell, enveloping Bai Yujun and the other two, transforming them into streaks of sword light as they flew away...

When the palace attendants arrived at the Chunyang outpost and learned that the main figures had already left, they had no choice but to return to the palace to report.

Mount Hua.

Whether one's leisure life was comfortable varied from person to person. Some cultivated diligently, while others were lazy and indulged in pleasure. Strangely, there wasn't a significant difference in their cultivation levels. It could only be said that everyone's Dao was different, and they all eventually reached the same destination.

The lazy and pleasure-seeking one was Xu Ling.

Early morning, clouds and mist swirled, and purple energy ascended.

The door opened.

Bai Yujun yawned, her hair disheveled, and stretched. She walked to the cliff edge in an S-shape, swallowing clouds and exhaling mist. Xu Ling, her eyes slightly narrowed from sleepiness, slowly dragged her sword on the ground as she exited for morning practice. Yang Mu had already finished washing up and was practicing his sword at the cliff edge.

Xu Ling walked to the morning practice spot, threw her sword on the ground, and began to meditate to catch up on sleep.

On the opposite mountain across the canyon, a group of young disciples were on their morning run, weaving through the picturesque immortal mountains along the mountain paths. The sea of clouds churned, and palaces appeared and disappeared. Running didn't feel tiring at all.

After breakfast, Bai Yujun saw Yu Rong grab Xu Ling by the ear and drag her into the study.

"Master... it hurts... I was wrong..."

Yu Rong released Xu Ling and carefully examined her young disciple. Usually, she didn't pay much attention, but upon closer inspection, she realized Xu Ling was indeed a beautiful young girl. However, after being out for so many days, why had there been no progress?

"Ling'er, during those days you traveled down the mountain, did... did anything happen in terms of romance?"

Xu Ling blinked her large eyes, not understanding.

"Going down the mountain? Regarding relationships? Let me think, there might be a little."

Yu Rong's eyes lit up.

"Tell me about it."

"I just feel that Big White is very powerful and also very pitiful. Master, you didn't see how amazing Big White was when solving cases. Alas, it's a pity she's a demon and is constantly being attacked and even caught by the Demon Binding Net. If my senior brother and I hadn't been there, Big White might have been broken down into materials and sword scabbards."

She shook her head after speaking.

"Compared to our human race, Big White truly has a difficult life."

Yu Rong rubbed her forehead. This girl always missed the point. She was clearly asking about relationships, but why did she bring up Big White?

"Go practice. No more slacking off from now on."

"Okay."

Xu Ling felt her master was being inexplicable this morning.