Schemes and Requests

"Your father is an elder, so it's not unreasonable for him to teach me a lesson," Song Wen said. "Besides, if you go to confront him in anger, he'll probably dislike me even more. Then the chances of us becoming dao companion in the future will be even slimmer."

Bai Jinge retorted sharply, "Why do I need his permission! At worst, I'll sever my father-daughter relationship with him and elope with you!"

Song Wen's expression darkened, and he became more serious.

"Jinge, let's not mention this matter again. Your father raised you with great difficulty, cherishing you as the apple of his eye. He endured hardship and poured his heart and soul into raising you to where you are today. Have you ever thought about how heartbroken your father would be if such words reached his ears?"

"But..." Bai Jinge paused, a hint of hesitation flashing across her tear-streaked face, "If he keeps refusing to agree to our relationship, does that mean we should just break up...? No, I don't want to!"

As she spoke, tears welled up in Bai Jinge's eyes again.

"Of course we won't separate," Song Wen said softly. "Your father's current disagreement is simply because my strength is insufficient, and he worries that I cannot protect you for a lifetime. I will diligently cultivate and do my best to improve my strength, so that your father can see my sincerity. In that case, I believe that one day your father will agree to our marriage."

"Extreme Yin, you... you're so kind, always thinking of me."

Bai Jinge threw herself into Song Wen again, tears still streaming down her face, but with less sadness and more emotion.

"You are the only woman I have ever loved in my life, so naturally I must consider everything for you. Rest assured, we will eventually be married and never betray each other," Song Wen said.

"Mmm!" Bai Jinge buried her face in Song Wen, her voice somewhat muffled, "Even if time passes and the world changes, I will never let you down."

Afterwards, the two embraced for a long time, but said nothing more.

When Bai Jinge finally stopped crying, Song Wen said again.

"Jinge, remember this: don't cause any more trouble with your father. It will only backfire. We should diligently cultivate ourselves so that he knows that our love and understanding are about mutual growth and progress, not about relying on his fame and forever depending on his protection."

"Okay, I'll remember that." Bai Jinge changed the subject. "However, I'll also make it clear to him that he must never hurt you in the slightest again."

Song Wen tightened his grip slightly, pulling Bai Jinge closer to his chest.

"Jinge, meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life. My only wish is to hold your hand and grow old with you."

"Me too!" Bai Jinge's eyes were no longer filled with sorrow, only sweetness.

"It's just a pity..." Song Wen hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

"What's wrong?" Bai Jinge looked up at Song Wen. "Have you run into some trouble?"

Song Wen said, "It's not that I've encountered any trouble, it's just that my cultivation isn't going smoothly, and I've hit some bottlenecks."

"What bottleneck? Tell me about it, maybe I can help you," Bai Jinge said.

"As you know, I possess the Great Sun Golden Flame, and a few days ago I also obtained the Azure Firmament True Fire. I originally wanted to fuse the two True Fire into one to further enhance my strength, but I have been troubled by the lack of guidance and have failed many times in my attempts," Song Wen said.

A hint of surprise flashed in Bai Jinge's eyes.

"You've actually obtained the Azure Firmament True Fire again; that's an incredible fortuitous opportunity of luck. As for your desire to fuse the two True Fire, that's probably not easy. True Fire are rare enough in the world, and Secret Method to fuse two True Fire is even rarer. However, I can go to the Heavenly Secrets Hall to look through the ancient books, and then go to the Merit Transmission Hall to search for Secret Method; perhaps I can find something there."

"This..." Song Wen Jinge, wouldn't this be too much trouble for you? Besides, your father already thinks that I approached you deliberately because of your status. If you help me like this, I'm afraid it will only deepen your father's prejudice against me and make him think that I have ulterior motives."

"Hmph!" Bai Jinge sneered, "Ignore him. My heart is with you, so naturally I should help you. How can I stand idly by when you're in trouble just because of my father's suspicions? If I did, what right or face would I have to say I'd be with you forever!"

"Then... I'll have to trouble you," Song Wen said.

"Between you and me, there's no need for formalities," Bai Jinge said. "By Extreme Yin way, do you have any other bottlenecks? Tell me about them, perhaps I can help."

Song Wen hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

"I've recently been practicing a new cultivation method, but I'm lacking a few spirit medicine. They're hard to find in the market. I wonder if you, Jinge, can find them?"

"Just say it directly, it's Extreme Yin," Bai Jinge urged.

"Fire Toad Venom, Army-Breaking Grass, Snakeheart Lotus, Ghost-Crying Vine..." Song Wen rattled off the names of seven or eight spirit medicine in a row.

Upon hearing Bai Jinge Jingge's brows immediately furrowed with worry.

"These kinds of spirit medicine must all be highly poisonous, right? Extreme Yin, how could you possibly use such potent poisons in your cultivation?"

Song Wen said, "What I cultivate is a body-forging technique, which has the power to resist all poisons, hence the need to use these deadly poisons."

"Even so, I will inquire about it when I return to the sect," Bai Jinge said.

"Jinge, thank you so much." Song Wen pulled Bai Jinge into his arms once again.

Hu Rui stood outside the door of the side room.

Bai Jinge had been inside for some time, but because the room was separated by an array, no sound could be heard from inside, and she had no idea what was happening inside.

She grew rather bored while waiting, so she decided to stop and retreat to the square outside the room, where she sat cross-legged in mid-air.

As for what happened inside the room, she couldn't be bothered to care or think about it. All she needed to do was obey Bai Zhengli's orders and protect Bai Jinge's safety. Everything else was none of her business.

However, she had only been meditating for a short while when the door to the side room was pushed open.

Bai Jinge and Song Wen walked out hand in hand.

"Extreme Yin, I'll head back to my sect now. I'll come see you again in a few days."

"Alright." Song Wen nodded, then turned to Hu Rui and said, "Thank you for escorting Jinge back to his sect, Fellow Daoist Hu."

"It's my duty, fellow Daoist, there's no need to be so polite," Hu Rui said calmly.

But in Hu Rui's heart, she was full of complaints.

I just arrived, and I'm already going back? Aren't I worried about the hassle?

Besides, we'll be coming back in a few days anyway, so why bother with all this trouble!

You two might as well spend a few more days together, so she doesn't have to travel back and forth with you.

This damned love between men and women is indeed the source of all trouble; even outsiders can't have peace of mind.

"Extreme Yin, I'm leaving." Bai Jinge tenderly, reluctant to part.

"Okay." Song Wen held Bai Jinge's slender hand. "I'll miss you when I can't see you."

"I'll miss you too," Bai Jinge said. "I'll come back just to see you."

Seeing how reluctant the two were to part, Hu Rui felt increasingly disgusted, but the two just kept saying goodbye.

"Cough!"

Hu Rui couldn't hold it in any longer and coughed lightly.

"Miss Bai, since we're returning to the sect, let's set off as soon as possible."