Chapter Forty-Six: Fearing That After Parting, a Hundred Years Will Pass in This World

The scroll slowly unfurled. Shen Lian had expected to find something marvelous within, but it turned out to be completely blank.

He hesitated and asked, “Is this the item from the Green Bamboo Society?”

“It certainly is,” Xin Qubing replied with a gentle laugh. “To speak of it, this is also something that our ancestor Ling Chongxiao brought from Qingxuan.”

“What is the mystery of this painting?” Shen Lian was curious. The man in the green robe was so obsessed with it—it must hold secrets, for a blank scroll ought not be so coveted.

Xin Qubing wore a peculiar expression, casually picked up the scroll, and tossed it toward the fire.

The flames blazed brightly. Shen Lian’s expression changed as the scroll dropped in, but despite the heat, it did not ignite; somehow, it was made of an unknown material.

Withered hands reached into the fire, retrieving the scroll. Xin Qubing said, “Young Master Shen, take one of your flying knives and try to cut this scroll. Remember to channel your inner energy.”

Shen Lian did as instructed. Though the knife was made from ordinary iron, it was exceedingly sharp. His inner energy was well developed, and when focused, the force was immense—enough to split a stone the size of a melon. Yet, when brought to bear upon the blank scroll, it left not the faintest mark.

“It is truly a remarkable thing, no wonder it’s connected to the immortals,” Shen Lian said in a deep voice.

“Though this painting came from Qingxuan, it seems no one paid it much mind, nor did anyone seek to retrieve it. Much like the Divine Foot Scripture you practice, it is merely a martial art of the mortal realm. Even that one who later achieved the Dao had little to do with it. As for this scroll, it was a gift from a predecessor in Ling Chongxiao’s sect to the Green Bamboo Society as a means of establishing themselves. The reasons, I do not know in detail. These matters I learned only through idle wanderings in past years.

Aside from being impervious to water, fire, blades, and swords, no other secrets have been discovered within this painting. Were it not for Yang Xuan’s attempt to steal it, perhaps few would even know of its existence.

The Green Bamboo Society is populous and powerful in Qingzhou, and An Wanli is shrewd and cautious, hiding this item very well. Outsiders know only a little of its strangeness, but not much else. If it weren’t for someone like Ye Liuyun, who fears no blame for holding a treasured item, and for An Wanli’s hints—both open and hidden—that the secrets of the scroll had already been unraveled, Ye Liuyun would not have advanced so rapidly to become a first-rate figure in the martial world.

Still, the Green Bamboo Society could not keep it much longer. Of course, now the item is no longer in their possession.” Xin Qubing spoke of these matters casually, as if he had witnessed them firsthand, leaving one uncertain how much he truly knew.

“Since you knew of the scroll’s strangeness, why didn’t you take it earlier to study, instead of waiting for Ye Liuyun to retrieve it and then obtain it from him?”

---

Shen Lian raised a crucial question, one he himself could not quite comprehend. With Xin Qubing’s fox immortal abilities, he ought to be unchallenged among mortals—unless there were other constraints.

“You will understand the reason in time, Young Master Shen. This scroll does indeed hold some secrets, perhaps even unknown to the people of Qingxuan. I have learned only a fragment, and unfortunately, the scroll is of no use to me. But for you, it may bring some benefit.”

“Is the elder planning to give me this painting?” Shen Lian smiled.

“You wish,” Xin Shisi Niang said with a slight, teasing glare.

“In truth, there’s no harm in giving it to you, but the time has not come. Among the immortals, there are different sects—if any suits you best, it would be Qingxuan. If Ling Chongxiao ever spoke to you of his sect’s martial origins, you should have some understanding. Next year, on the Double Ninth Festival, Qingxuan will open its gates. The following half-year will be the period for choosing disciples. If you wish to know more, it’s best to speak with Ye Liuyun.” Xin Qubing smiled calmly, finally revealing the heart of the matter.

“I am truly at a loss when it comes to matters of the immortal sects. Only after hearing some words from you, Master Shaoan, do I have a rough impression. But what is it you want from me?”

“If you truly enter Qingxuan in the future, I will indeed have a favor to ask of you. It won’t trouble you too much; in fact, having Qingxuan as your backing, even if you turn against me, I’ll have no recourse. Yet I trust your character—you would never do such a thing.”

This was heartfelt. Shen Lian possessed first-rate integrity; in these past days, Xin Qubing had secretly observed him with his supernatural abilities.

That was why he hadn’t let Xin Shisi Niang immediately invite Shen Lian up the mountain, but instead left a few days’ buffer.

“You trust me, and I do not doubt you would harm me. If there is nothing else, I’d like to return home. What I’ve heard just now, I need to digest.”

“Too indecisive, lacking decisiveness,” Xin Shisi Niang remarked coldly.

“I dwell in the mortal dust, muddied head to toe—where is decisiveness to be found? I’ve never lied to myself,” Shen Lian replied lightly to her.

“Then we won’t keep you tonight. Please, go.”

***

Shen Lian descended the mountain. These fox immortals, father and daughter, were not entirely ungenerous.

At least he had received the recipe for the Awakening Soup.

He would not rashly seek out the ingredients. Though much was discussed tonight, only a corner of the immortals’ mysteries had been uncovered.

He felt that, while the foxes bore him no ill will, there were many truths left unspoken.

Yet, whether Xin Shisi Niang or Xin Qubing, both were unfathomably deep.

Shen Lian knew that, should they wish to make things difficult for him, it would be all too easy.

---

What was rarer still was that these fox immortals understood human nature deeply, far from being mere demons. They were shrewder than even Shen’s old grandfather.

Looking back toward the mountain, he seemed to catch Xin Qubing’s profound gaze, and Xin Shisi Niang’s nearly flawless beauty.

He was far less calm than his outward appearance suggested. If Xin Qubing had not deceived him, then Qingxuan’s opening of its gates would be a superb opportunity.

Only by entering such an immortal sect could he avoid the confusion he currently felt regarding cultivation.

Even if he must traverse mountains and rivers, and spend decades among mortals, he would not regret it.

He appeared sluggish, yet once he committed, he would never turn back.

The way of immortality was elusive, but even a glimmer of hope—he would seize it.

When he returned to the inn, night had already deepened.

Even Wu, the steward, diligent as he was, had gone to bed by now.

Entering through the inn’s doors, Shen Lian did not see Wu, but he did spot Bai Yufei.

“You’re on night duty tonight?” Shen Lian asked. His memory was excellent; he recalled the shifts arranged by Wu, and tonight should not have been Bai Yufei’s turn.

“I traded shifts on purpose, waiting for your return,” Bai Yufei smiled warmly under the lamp.

“You have something to discuss?”

“I know you’re about to set out on a journey, so I asked Wu for an advance on next month’s wages. I’d like to treat you to a drink—if you’d honor me.”

“When someone offers a drink, how can I refuse?” Shen Lian laughed. Bai Yufei was a clever sort.

He was certain his judgment was sound: as long as Bai Yufei stayed at the inn, it would always be safe.

“There’s nothing really, just wanted to have a drink with you once—preferably enough to get you drunk,” Bai Yufei chuckled.

ps: Thanks for the rewards from Ghost Helmet (588), Cold Star Radiance (588), He Gui Hua Zhen, Sword Lord of Green Lotus a, ooqanter, Snow for No Trace, and Qian Xu Zi.