Bai Ming had arrived.
Li Chuan pushed open the courtyard gate and saw Bai Ming standing beneath the banyan tree with his hands behind his back.
Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting mottled patches of light and shadow over him.
The White Dragon King, who had stirred the winds and clouds, remained as composed as ever.
But the space behind him was empty. There was no second person.
"Master Bai, why don't I see Senior Sister Bai?"
Li Chuan was somewhat puzzled.
Bai Ming gave a laugh.
There was a hint of awkwardness in that laughter.
He looked up at the sky, then at the tree, as though weighing his words.
Only after quite a while did he let out a soft sigh.
"This matter is not something Zhaozhao should hear."
Li Chuan raised his brows.
Song Yichen had clearly said the two had come together, yet Bai Ming had sent Bai Zhao away first.
"Is this about earning Contribution Points from the Vajra Sect?"
Li Chuan asked.
Bai Ming nodded.
He fell silent for a moment, as if recalling something from long ago.
"Back in Flat Sand Prefecture, I once had an old flame."
His tone was frank enough, though his gaze drifted elsewhere.
"Her name was Kong Lingsu."
Li Chuan froze for an instant.
Then, the look he gave Bai Ming became deeply suggestive.
That expression plainly said... I understand!
Bai Ming felt uncomfortable all over under that look.
"Li Chuan, what kind of look is that?"
He put on a stern face, though his voice remained steady.
"I'm telling you this because there's serious business involved."
Li Chuan straightened his expression. "Please speak, Master Bai."
His demeanor was perfectly proper, aside from the faint smile at the corner of his lips that he had not