Hidden Dragon

Song Lingqing's eyes flickered slightly. For a moment, she hardly dared recognize him.

She vaguely remembered that when she had left the manor, Chu Zheng had still been a half-grown youth. Now, he had fully grown into himself; at a glance, he looked like some young master from a noble household.

"This lowly one pays respects to Second Miss."

Chu Zheng bowed respectfully as he replied.

Song Lingqing had been chosen by the Hidden Immortal Sect at thirteen and had been away from the manor for more than three years.

For a half-grown youth, more than three years was enough time for earth-shaking change.

The same was true for Song Lingqing herself.

At least, upon first seeing her, Chu Zheng had not connected this woman carrying Immortal Qi with the lively young girl in his memories.

Chu Zheng did not feel the pressure that Immortal Qin had brought from Song Lingqing, but he still sensed a trace of discomfort.

Those who cultivated immortality would inevitably undergo a leap in the very level of their lives.

"I nearly failed to recognize you."

Song Lingqing nodded and said no more.

Chu Zheng tactfully took a few steps back and did not continue the conversation.

Song Lingqing slowly took her seat, while Immortal Qin walked to the side and sat down at a guest seat not far from the round table.

Seeing this, Song Tonghai gestured, and a maid immediately stepped forward to serve tea.

"I heard Elder Qin has abstained from food for a long time. The day before yesterday, when I went to the imperial capital, I happened to obtain an ounce of Dragon Blood Leaf. I had it brewed into tea. I wonder if it suits your palate."

"You are thoughtful."

Immortal Qin gave a slight nod but did not touch the tea cup on the table.

Seeing this, Song Tonghai smiled and cupped his hands in salute. "These past years, my daughter has troubled Immortal Qin with her care. Should there ever be a place where my Song Family is of use, we will not utter a second word."

Immortal Qin did not respond. He merely lifted the tea cup and took a light sip.

The smile on Song Tonghai's face deepened by several degrees. He turned toward Song Lingqing, his tone carrying no small amount of reproach.

"Have you been well these past years? Why did you suddenly think to return today? You left for so long, yet not a single letter came home."

"It is sect rules. We are not permitted to correspond with the mortal world. There was truly no way around it. I hope Father can forgive me."

Song Lingqing gave a helpless smile and explained,

"I am leaving the Qian Domain to participate in the Myriad Sects Hidden Dragon Competition. I was merely passing through this time, so I begged Martial Uncle Qin Feng to bring me back for a look."

"Good, good, good."

Song Tonghai's eyes narrowed with joy as he repeatedly praised her. He did not know what the Myriad Sects Hidden Dragon Competition was, but he only felt that his daughter had made something of herself, and he basked in her glory.

"This time, is your sect sending only you? When does this competition begin? Would staying a few more days delay you?"

In the blink of an eye, Song Tonghai's face gained a measure of sorrow. "When are you leaving?"

"The competition is still far off. It will not begin for nearly another ten years."

Just as delight rose to Song Tonghai's face, Song Lingqing changed the subject.

"But I truly cannot stay long this time. I must depart tomorrow."

Song Lingqing let out a soft sigh. "The region where the competition is held is simply too distant. I also need to leave myself time to cultivate. Ten years is only barely enough."

"Wouldn't the round trip take twenty years?!"

Song Tonghai's expression changed drastically. He instinctively turned to look at Qin Feng nearby.

Qin Feng sat with his eyes closed and said nothing, clearly having no intention of explaining.

Song Tonghai lifted his wine cup, his hand trembling slightly. The spilled wine soaked his fingertips.

In a few short exchanges, Song Lingxue beside them lowered her head a little further and remained silent.

"Father, please keep my return today a secret. Do not let outsiders learn of it."

Song Lingqing spoke softly, a trace of complexity in her eyes.

When the hidden dragons of myriad sects entered the sea, only those who reached the site of the competition alive would be true dragons.

How perilous was that journey? The movements of each sect's direct disciples were top secret and could not be revealed in the slightest.

If not for her persistent pleading, Qin Feng would never have brought her back to the manor. This was a risk as great as the heavens.

"Rest assured. I have already issued a gag order. You are now a member of an Immortal Sect, no longer as you were before. You need not worry about the family. Cultivate with peace of mind and bring honor to your sect!"

Song Tonghai drained the wine in his cup and waved with a smile. "Your father is still strong and healthy. Living another eighty or a hundred years will not be a problem. I will wait for you to return with good news."

"Rest assured, Father. When I return, I will find a few Spirit Pills to extend your life by a hundred years."

The sorrow in Song Lingqing's eyes faded considerably. Raising her cup toward Song Lingxue, she said,

"I leave the household in Elder Sister's care."

Song Lingxue smiled, raised her cup somewhat stiffly, and replied softly, "You give me too much credit."

Qin Feng was sparing with words and did not say another sentence. Only after the meal had ended did he rise and leave.

Not until the candles in the hall had gone out did Chu Zheng rub his slightly numb legs and slowly walk out of the hall toward the Filth Room.

As the moon passed overhead, Song Manor returned to its usual silence.

Chu Zheng sat cross-legged on his bed, his thoughts churning, unable to settle.

He had not learned much that evening. Song Tonghai seemed to have some misgivings and had not asked about Song Lingqing's daily life in the Hidden Immortal Sect, while Song Lingqing had not mentioned it either.

What could be confirmed was that there was conflict among the Hidden Immortal Sects as well, and it was even quite brutal.

The words Myriad Sects Hidden Dragon Competition alone were enough to explain certain things.

Something could also be seen from Song Lingqing's warning. Her return to the manor could not be disclosed, which clearly meant she was guarding against something.

None of the servants at Song Manor could come into contact with Immortal Sect cultivators. Even if word spread, it would only circulate among mortals.

And Song Lingqing was clearly not guarding against mortals.

That was enough to show that, within this mortal world, there existed channels of information belonging to different Immortal Sects or factions.

From this, it could be seen that coming into contact with the Hidden Immortal Sect was not as difficult as Chu Zheng had initially imagined.

What alarmed Chu Zheng most was how terrifyingly vast the world beneath his feet was.

Immortal Sect cultivators could roam the North Sea in the morning and Cangwu at dusk, chase stars and race the moon. Yet even with such astonishing speed, attending a competition required ten years of travel...

"Chu Zheng."

Just as Chu Zheng was thinking, a call came from outside the door.

In an instant, Chu Zheng recognized Song Lingqing's voice. He immediately rolled out of bed and stepped outside.

"I heard Elder Sister punished you two days ago. Are you feeling better?"

In the courtyard, Song Lingqing stood with a smile at her lips, bathed in Moonlight Essence. The Immortal Qi around her was three parts stronger, while Qin Feng stood not far away, inseparable from her shadow.

"Thank you for Second Miss's concern. I am unharmed now."

Chu Zheng bowed, his heartbeat quickening somewhat. He had not expected the opportunity he had just missed to appear before him once again.

"Elder Sister truly treats you well."

Song Lingqing spoke with a soft laugh. "That jade cup was something I begged from Martial Uncle Qin Feng back then. There may not even be many such pieces in the imperial palace."

An immortal had bestowed him a treasure. That Chu Zheng was still alive now was already proof that incense had burned high for him.

"I will leave tomorrow. The next time I return..."

At this point, Song Lingqing paused and did not continue. Instead, she changed the subject.

"In consideration of your serving me for several years, do you have any wish? Today, I will help you fulfill it."

Chu Zheng's eyes lit up at once. Instinctively, he wanted to ask for his freedom back, but when the words reached his lips, he swallowed them.

Compared to the secrets of the Immortal Sect, his current predicament was utterly insignificant.

After considering it for a moment, Chu Zheng came to a decision.