World-Saving Pavilion!
Inside a simple thatched hut, Qin Jishi sat casually, with two cups of fragrant tea set before him.
"Old Man, I wonder how you've been these past few years. If your health is poor, drink less wine and more tea."
Qin Jishi set down the fragrant tea in his hand and picked up the teapot to refill the other cup.
"You, everything else about you is fine, but you're far too naggy. When I was with you before, you annoyed me to death. I couldn't wait to leave you sooner. Now that you're gone, though, I find myself missing you somewhat."
"Hehe~"
"Come!"
"Try it and see whether my tea-making has improved. Didn't you always say my tea tasted like a complete mess? I've painstakingly studied it for the past three years."
"Try it!"
Holding the fragrant tea in his hand, Qin Jishi remained silent for a long while. In the end, he gently clinked the cups together and drained his cup in one gulp.
"How was it? Hasn't my skill improved?"
"What? It's still terrible?"
"Old Man, don't fail to appreciate the blessings you have. In all the world, I'm the only one who doesn't disdain you, a beggar. You should be happy to have the chance to taste my handiwork."
"Don't... don't look at me like that. You don't want to see me, and I don't want to see you either."
"..."
As Qin Jishi spoke, he suddenly fell silent. The only sound in the entire room was his breathing.
Hoo~
After a long while, Qin Jishi let out a soft breath. "To tell the truth, if it hadn't been for you back then, perhaps I would already be dead. You gave me hope to live on. You taught me the Primordial Savage Art. You let me gain the Chaos Bead's recognition as its master. You also gave me back my confidence."
"Yes!"
"I know your intentions. The Qin Family is powerful, and you feared I would die. The ten-year marriage pact was meant to let me settle and temper myself. How could I not understand that?"
"Ah~"
"Old Man, I feel very fortunate—fortunate that Heaven let me meet you. Though you were harsh with me and often nagged me, I knew it was all for my own good. I remember all of it."
Who could have imagined that the Young Pavilion Master of the World-Saving Pavilion would have reddened eyes at this moment?
This was shocking news no less earth-shattering and ghost-weeping than a thunderclap from the heavens.
Holding his fragrant tea, Qin Jishi quietly stared at the other cup.
The time it took to drink a cup of tea!
The time it took for an incense stick to burn!
After remaining silent for a long time, Qin Jishi finally squeezed his eyes shut. The two cups of fragrant tea lightly clinked together. "Old Man, I miss you."
After draining his cup, Qin Jishi composed himself. Just as he was preparing to rise—
"Are you planning to go to the Black and White Academy?" Baihe's voice rang out in his mind.
"Mm!" Qin Jishi nodded. "Do I have any other choice?"
"Baihe!"
"You surely know how I came back."
"I don't know!" Baihe answered without hesitation.
Qin Jishi could still believe it if Qingfeng did not know how he had returned.
But if Baihe said she did not know, he definitely would not believe her.
Who could escape her discerning eyes? Who could show off with an axe before a master in her presence?
"I asked too much." Qin Jishi showed a trace of helplessness.
"When are you leaving?" Baihe continued.
"Now!"
"Mm!"
Baihe said no more. Qin Jishi rose to his feet and stepped out of the room.
"Young Pavilion Master!" Seeing Qin Jishi emerge from the forbidden grounds, Qingfeng stepped forward. "Are you not leaving this time?"
"I'm leaving now!" Qin Jishi shook his head.
"Now?" Qingfeng was somewhat startled. "Still going to Soaring Dragon City?"
"No—the Black and White Academy."
"The Black and White Academy?" Qingfeng pondered for a moment. "Do you need me to accompany you, Young Pavilion Master?"
"No!" Qin Jishi instructed, "The World-Saving Pavilion needs you to manage it. Don't worry. No one would dare do anything to me."
"Mm!" Qingfeng extended his hand. "Young Pavilion Master, I'll see you off."
Watching Qin Jishi's receding figure, Qingfeng's lips curled into a meaningful smile.
A carriage raced through the darkness and arrived at Soaring Dragon City late at night.
Qin Jishi stepped down from the carriage and gazed from afar at the Zhang Family. "After leaving this time, I wonder what year or month it will be before I return."
Originally, he had wanted to go in and see Zhang Jinhua, since Zhang Jinhua had always treated him well.
In the end, Qin Jishi still gave up. He could not bear that sort of sentimental farewell.
Returning to the carriage, Qin Jishi signaled for them to continue onward.
As for why Qin Jishi had specifically chosen a carriage, it was because he wanted to keep a low profile.
He did not want to be too ostentatious. After all, those who flaunted themselves were always the first to die.
Whoosh~
The carriage vanished into the darkness, and two figures appeared.
"Ninth Brother, Qin Jishi."
"Are you sure it's him?"
"There can be no mistake!"
"Chase him~"
The two figures likewise disappeared into the darkness.
Darkness gave way to light, and a sliver of fish-belly white appeared on the horizon.
After racing through the night, both man and horse were exhausted. Qin Jishi stepped out of the carriage and motioned for the driver to rest briefly before continuing on. He himself walked toward a distant stretch of dense forest.
The instant he entered the forest, Qin Jishi's lips curved upward. "Come out. You two escorted me through the night—thanks for the hard work."
Once his voice fell, the depths of the forest remained silent.
"What? Are two dignified Heavenly Dipper Realm martial artists really going to be turtles hiding their heads in their shells?"
"Must I invite you out personally?"
Rustle, rustle~
The previously silent forest filled with faint rustling. Then, two black-robed figures emerged.
Though their appearances could not be seen clearly, their auras revealed a hint of astonishment.
"A mere mortal—how did you detect us?"
"Black Eagle Guard?" Qin Jishi gave a cold laugh. "As far as I know, the Black Eagle Guard is under the direct command of the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord. You followed me all the way. Whose orders are you carrying out?"
Qin Jishi did not believe they had been sent by the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord. Others might not know his identity, but would the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord not know? Unless he no longer wanted Pan Xu to live, nor wanted the entire Black Eagle Prefecture to continue existing.
"Cut the nonsense. Answer our question."
They released their divine senses and confirmed that there was not the slightest fluctuation of mystic qi from Qin Jishi. It was precisely because of this... that they were even more baffled. How had the other party detected them?
Qin Jishi did not grow angry at their attitude. Instead, he smiled. "The Black Eagle Guard has ten members, every one of them a Heavenly Dipper Realm expert. I wonder which two you are?"
"Who exactly are you?" Black Eagle Ninth's expression shifted. Could someone who knew the Black Eagle Guard inside and out truly be an ordinary person?
"Hehe~" Hearing the question, Qin Jishi smiled. "Who I am is not important. What is important is whose orders you received. Could it be that you do not know my relationship with the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord?"
"Putting on airs and playing the mystic." Black Eagle Tenth narrowed his eyes. "Ninth Brother, don't waste words on him. I'll deal with him right now..."
With that, a powerful aura enveloped Qin Jishi.
"Ah~" Qin Jishi shook his head. "I advise you two to think this through. Even the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord must treat me with utmost respect when he sees me."
"Hmph! You're at death's door, yet you still dare disrespect the Prefecture Lord. Unforgivable."
"Sky-Rending Claw..."
Black Eagle Tenth's five fingers transformed into sharp claws, tearing through the air as they shot toward Qin Jishi's throat with overwhelming might.
If this claw strike landed, Qin Jishi would undoubtedly die.
Whether it was Black Eagle Tenth or Black Eagle Ninth, both believed Qin Jishi had no power to resist.
Watching the sharp claws arrive before him in an instant, Qin Jishi wore a faint smile.
"Fine, then. Let me see what strength the Black Eagle Guard truly possesses."
"Great Compassion Sky-Tearing Hand!"
Dense mystic qi gathered, and he thrust out a palm.
Boom!
A massive phantom palm appeared and blasted toward Black Eagle Tenth's claws.
Before you continue