Bai Jingyun's voice carried a faint choke, and he looked deeply grief-stricken.
"The last time I saw Fellow Daoist Bai, he was still quite hale and hearty. Did something happen?"
Hearing Bai Jingyun's words, Song Qingming showed a trace of surprise. After taking the letter Song Yuanfang had voluntarily handed over, he asked another question.
Song Yuanfang, who managed the family's miscellaneous affairs, immediately cupped his hands and replied, "Reporting to Seventh Granduncle, things around White Lion Ridge have been fairly stable lately. Nothing major has happened.
"Last year, I did hear Changze mention that Fellow Daoist Bai had fallen ill, so I had him send over some pills to visit him.
"At the time, Changze sent word back that Fellow Daoist Bai had merely caught a chill and that it was nothing serious. We did not pay further attention to the matter afterward. That was an oversight on my part."
Song Qingming nodded slightly. He opened the letter in his hand and carefully scanned it, then rose and said to Song Qingyu beside him, "Fellow Daoist Bai and I were old friends in our younger days. I fear this may be our final meeting, so I ought to go see him.
"Once I return from White Lion Ridge, I will continue accompanying you in finishing this game of chess!"
"Mm! Yuxin will be back shortly as well. I was just thinking of asking her to accompany me to Chiyan Market for a stroll. Seventh Brother, go take care of your business without worry. Do not concern yourself with this little matter of mine."
After speaking with Song Qingyu, Song Qingming took Song Yuanfang and Bai Jingyun out with him. They then went to Chiyan Market and took the Teleportation Array to White Lion Ridge, several thousand miles away.
The