Night Walk

Deng Baiyi stared blankly at her "foolish father."

Her mother had been sickly and passed away early.

For so many years, Deng Chicheng had never considered remarrying.

From her earliest memories, Deng Baiyi's impression of her "father" was of a lonely figure, toiling away, constantly fiddling with his abacus and poring over endless ledgers.

Northern Prefecture was desolate to begin with, and Jade Pearl Town was even more remote.

There were very few wealthy families in the town, and the Deng Estate was definitely one of them.

Deng Chicheng always said that she didn't know how good she had it.

Deng Baiyi never felt that way.

She didn't care about the Deng Estate's small fortune, nor did she care about being a young lady of a wealthy family.

What kind of blessing was that?

All along, she had wanted to cultivate, to wield a flying sword, to slay demons and monsters, to become a carefree Sword Immortal soaring through the skies.

On the contrary, she felt that her father was too unambitious, only wanting to do small business and earn a few taels of silver.

How could one enter the gates of immortality if they were afraid of death?

He was truly a mortal!

The older Deng Baiyi got, the more "ordinary" she felt her father was.

But at this moment, she suddenly realized that she was wrong.

Very wrong.

The man she usually saw as being so afraid of death was actually standing in front of the deputy city lord of Taian City, demanding repayment of a debt?

Demanding repayment from Miss Shen was the same as demanding repayment from Xu You?

Xu You was completely silent.

He looked towards Xie Xuanyi beside him.

Xie Xuanyi's expression was as usual as he held his wine cup and took a light sip.

Interesting, very interesting.

No wonder Deng Chicheng had previously insisted on getting Shen Yan on board and had proactively told him about the Spirit Luo Mountain Shen Clan's affairs.

So, this old fellow's initial plan was to "save someone" and then "collect a debt."

Xie Xuanyi put down his wine cup and smiled, "Northern Prefecture has been too chaotic in recent years. The Spirit Luo Mountain Shen Clan is a large family, so they may have forgotten about this matter, but with Miss Shen's character, she certainly wouldn't want to owe anyone, right?"

"That's natural."

Shen Yan said quietly, "How much does Spirit Luo Mountain owe you?"

"A total of three thousand seven hundred and ninety-two taels and four li."

Deng Chicheng said respectfully, "Everything is recorded in the ledger. I have reviewed and verified each entry. If Miss Shen doesn't believe me, we can re-verify it..."

"No need."

Xu You interrupted Deng Chicheng, waving his hand and saying calmly, "A total of four thousand taels of silver. Jing'er, get the silver notes for this Mr. Deng."

Four thousand taels of silver was nothing to a cultivator like Xu You.

Mundane wealth meant little to them.

"Thank you, Lord Xu, thank you, Miss Shen."

Ever since Xie Xuanyi had spoken, Deng Chicheng's spine had been ramrod straight.

He tried his best to keep his voice calm.

But his fingers still trembled uncontrollably as he accepted the silver notes.

"Young Master Xie, thank you so much."

After the banquet ended, Xu You arranged for the Deng Estate party to stay overnight at his residence...

On the way back, Deng Chicheng's voice was slurred with alcohol as he thanked him repeatedly.

Xie Xuanyi smiled, "It's Spirit Luo Mountain that owed you money, and it's Xu You who repaid you. I only said one sentence. What are you thanking me for?"

"I, Deng Chicheng, am just old, not stupid."

Deng Chicheng said sincerely, "If you hadn't spoken up, I'm afraid I would never have been able to get that money back from Spirit Luo Mountain in my entire life."

"It's good that you know."

Deng Baiyi chided, "A few taels of silver, is it worth you worrying about it for so long?"

"Money gives a hero courage. You've followed Young Master Xie. Won't you need money when you travel the world in the future?"

Deng Chicheng said helplessly, "Not to mention anything else, a two-courtyard residence in the Imperial City costs at least three or four thousand taels of silver. How much have we saved up in Northern Prefecture after working so hard for so many years? You're so generous. I didn't keep an eye on you for a moment, and you gave away half of our family fortune. If I don't shamelessly get some back, how many days will these reserves last you?"

Deng Baiyi had nothing to say and obediently shut her mouth.

She took a light breath, her eyes slightly moist.

No matter what, her father...

Had always been thinking of her.

"Besides, I have no use for this silver."

Deng Chicheng smiled and said frankly, "When I die, won't all this be yours... and Young Master Xie's?"

"???"

Deng Baiyi understood the old geezer's hidden meaning, her face flushed red as she scolded, "Dad, what are you talking about?!"

Xie Xuanyi also noticed something was off.

He chuckled wryly, "No, let's leave this silver for Deng Baiyi, I really don't deserve it."

Deng Chicheng wanted to say something to salvage the situation.

But the next second, he was pinched hard, wincing in pain.

Restrained by his daughter's sternness, Deng Chicheng could only force a bitter smile and change his tune, "Young Master Xie, please don't misunderstand. Of course, I know we're not from the same world, how dare I think that way? What I meant earlier was... you can spend this silver as you please. After Carp Tide City, if it's convenient, why not take Deng Baiyi as a maid by your side? She's wanted to venture into the pugilistic world since she was little. Even if she can't become a Sword Immortal, seeing a flying sword would be good."

This time.

Deng Baiyi was uncharacteristically not angry.

She quietly waited for Xie Xuanyi's response.

She was also very nervous about this matter.

"..."

Xie Xuanyi was silent for a moment.

He could naturally see through the thoughts of this father and daughter, especially Deng Baiyi, who wished she could throw her eyeballs into the sky every time they stopped to rest.

"Baiyi is a good seed, talented. If she encounters a teacher willing to guide her, she will achieve great things."

He said softly, "...But unfortunately, that person is not me."

The light that had just appeared in Deng Baiyi's eyes dimmed.

She silently clenched her sleeves, not saying anything more.

"If the trip to Carp Tide City goes smoothly, I will find a suitable place for her." Xie Xuanyi raised his head and smiled, "As for you, don't worry. I will arrange for the Deng Estate to go to the imperial city... you don't need to spend a single silver tael, there will naturally be a place to live, and you won't have to worry about food and clothing."

Deng Chicheng was stunned for a moment.

Earlier, this Young Master Xie Zhen had said that he would arrange for them to live in a city that was unrelated to demon troubles and absolutely safe.

He was still wondering what kind of place could be called absolutely safe.

Now he knew...

The imperial city! The Great Chu imperial city!

This was truly a great favor!

"Thank..."

Deng Chicheng wanted to speak, but Xie Xuanyi interrupted him.

"You've thanked me too many times tonight. If you want to thank someone this time, thank yourself for giving birth to a daughter with good aptitude. Deng Baiyi is indeed a Sword Immortal in the making."

Xie Xuanyi turned to look at Deng Baiyi, whose eyes were dim, and encouraged her, "You have laid a very solid foundation in the Qi Refining realm. Even in a large sect, you can be considered above average. Just cultivate steadily like this, and sooner or later, you will become the kind of person you want to be."

Deng Baiyi didn't say anything. For some reason, even though her cultivation achievements had been affirmed, she wasn't very happy.

"Alright, let's not talk too much nonsense. There is a very important matter at hand."

The smile on Xie Xuanyi's face gradually disappeared, and his voice gradually became serious.

The carriage had stopped.

Ahead was the mansion arranged by Xu You.

"When we arrive at the mansion later, don't actually settle down. After the lights are turned off and Xu You's people leave, have everyone pack their luggage."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly, "Leave Taian City immediately, tonight."

"Leave Taian City tonight?"

Hearing this, Deng Chicheng immediately sobered up.

"What, is there a problem with the mansion arranged by Xu You?"

Deng Baiyi also noticed the unusual tone in Xie Xuanyi's voice.

Xie Xuanyi didn't explain anything, but silently lifted the car curtain, looking at the distant mansion. Under the dark night, the long streets of Taian City were eerily quiet.

He didn't know if there was a problem with this mansion.

But he knew.

After entering Taian City, his heart had welcomed an unprecedented unease.

"Lingluo Mountain, Shen Yan, Taian City, Xu You, the Eight Hundred Li Forbidden Zone of Qing Province..."

Xie Xuanyi tried hard to piece these clues together.

A rough outline emerged in his mind.

But it was always missing something.

"Z!"