Chapter 54

Second branch's rear courtyard

Qi Wan Shi was discussing the recent mourning of the Zhou family with Qi Yuan Si.

Qi Yuan Wu hurried back to Haojing; in fact, most of the funeral arrangements were handled by the second branch.

Meanwhile, the events in the garden were conveyed to this couple through the words of the old servant woman.

"Yu Xian's temperament is exactly the same as that of my late sister-in-law!"

Qi Wan Shi's demeanor was dignified, her face bearing a smile, showing no trace of anger whatsoever.

Qi Yuan Si, however, knew Qi Wan Shi's nature; at this moment she was likely already displeased in her heart, but Qi Wan Shi was very clever and never displayed negative emotions in front of him.

What kind of temperament does Zhou Shi have?

Arrogant and domineering, she fears no one!

If it were not so, his elder brother would not have left Zhou Shi in Fengyang for years without returning, and upon hearing the rumors from Haojing, his elder brother had recently gained the favor of a 'noble person' and was about to rise swiftly to prominence.

Qi Yuan Si merely said calmly: "A Yu is not only the youngest scholar among the southern commanderies, but also understands the arts, is upright and courteous in conduct—being sought after is inevitable!"

"Madam, what we need to do at this time is not to cause further trouble or create complications, but simply to properly educate Yu Hua."

Qi Wan Shi nodded upon hearing this; she too was extremely perceptive.

One hint and she understood immediately.

With the second branch of the Qi family holding the advantage in this matter, there was no need to take any other unnecessary actions.

As for the niece of the main branch who is dissatisfied, even if she runs to the old grandmother to complain, it will be of no use.

After the couple discussed the matter, Qi Yuan Si prepared to depart, returning once more to the garrison of the Fengyang commandery office.

Qi Yuan Si's expression was solemn; he was the Deputy Patrol Commander of Fengyang Commandery, overseeing part of the commandery's troops, yet still subject to the command of Commandant Wang Shao.

Wang Shao originally had secret dealings with the Gu family, but recently he has been frequently summoned by Commandery Governor Yu Tongguang, which makes Qi Yuan Si uneasy.

Qi Yuan Si is deeply concerned that Wang Shao's attitude might waver because of this.

……

In the serene little courtyard

After Zhang Jian returned, he summoned his personal attendant.

"Zhang Lu, go outside and inquire, inquire—what is the situation with the Daoist hired by my fourth uncle's household?"

Zhang Lu agreed, turned, and left.

Zhang Jian merely felt a slight curiosity in his heart, and soon his attention was entirely focused on the Dragon Chant Sword in his hand.

His figure leapt into the courtyard, he raised the long sword, and in his mind appeared the Sun-Moon Sword Formula from that short sword; he swung the long sword toward the rising sun in the air, and vaguely he could feel that this sword formula could slowly draw upon the power of heaven and earth to infuse into the Dragon Chant Sword, forming a layer of rosy cloud light upon it—not only refining the Dragon Chant Sword, but also helping him achieve harmony and augment his Extreme Yang spiritual power.

This Sun-Moon Sword Technique is truly wondrous.

Especially its ability to gather the essences of sun and moon—each time it leaves him reluctant to stop.

……

Night fell, the sun and moon inverted.

Beneath the dark clouds, the lovely moonlight shimmered as if floating and sinking in white water.

At this moment, in the vast white water beneath the night, demonic mist surged, yet several strands of hazy demonic qi shot straight forward from the water's depths.

Amid the snow waves surging to the heavens, a spiritual light darted like a fish through the depths, moving with extreme speed.

Bai Laiying felt the intense layers of demonic qi behind her; she gritted her teeth, having just returned from the Qi mansion to the Bai Shui River, preparing to enter the water's eye to seek aid from the Bai Shui Dragon Lord, but was immediately ambushed by these water spirits.

Caught off guard, she was in a sorry state.

Bai Laiying also felt somewhat bewildered; she had no grudge against these water spirits, so why would they suddenly attack her, and moreover, surge forth all at once as five or six monsters whose cultivation far surpassed her own?

These monsters usually dwell in the depths of the Bai Shui River, each ruling as a tyrant in their own domain, many of them hostile to one another, yet today they have joined together, united in action against her—this made her feel a most unusual sensation.

This thought arising only deepened her anxiety.

Fortunately, the Dragon Lord gave her a protective talisman to shield herself; otherwise, even a single sneak attack would have been enough to cost her life here.

She transformed her form into a streak of light, flying swiftly toward the bank; now her only hope lies in entering Fengyang Commandery, where she might yet find a chance to survive.

"That little dragon girl, don't run—we brothers will cherish you dearly……"

"Yes, you may freely choose a husband among us brothers, or we could all take you as our wife! We brothers swear we will make you happy!"

At this moment, behind her, several streams of black light emitted continual foul language and fragmented curses.

Moreover, several streaks of black light shot like meteors toward Bai Laiying; one of these dark, black nails instantly pierced through an invisible layer of spiritual mechanism surrounding her body, yet was obscured by the flood dragon shadow that manifested around her.

Yet it also caused Bai Laiying to stagger.

But it also made Bai Laiying's speed increase slightly.

In the black wind, she felt a sharp pain behind her; gazing ahead at the border of Fengyang Commandery, she still breathed a sigh of relief, the jade seal in her hand flashing, her form turning into a streak of light that in an instant fell into the city walls.

At this moment, the black wind swept over the countryside; several shadowy figures, their bodies shrouded in demonic qi, appeared faintly in midair.

All appeared in human form, yet some had fish heads, some crab bodies, some toad forms—each emitting a strong fishy stench from their entire bodies.

At this moment, several of the monsters wore expressions of resentment.

"Wu Commander, she has entered the city? Should we pursue?"

A monster whispered: "But ahead lies the City God's Divine Office!"

This is that monster with a blue-black back, wearing a toad's head, and draped in a coarse hemp cloth—this is the toad monster.

The demonic qi surrounding him is not weaker than that of the blood-sucking leech slain by the Daoist of Xu Wu.

The toad monster's eyes rolled about wildly; seeing the other monsters looking at him, he shouted loudly: "I am not afraid of the City God, merely you brothers know—I, the old toad, have not eaten my fill today; once I am full, I shall certainly charge into the city and seize back the dragon girl!"

Among the five or six monsters, the leader is a figure whose entire body is covered in dark, unrefined skin, with heavy demonic qi, his mouth extremely large, his eyes gloomy.

He is Wu Commander, originally a divine general of the Bai Shui Dragon Palace, who after being overtaken by monsters came to occupy a large territory.

He also harbors some resentment in his eyes; his expression shows hesitation.

The interior and exterior of Fengyang Commandery's city are not the same; there lies the power of the City God's spirit to suppress, and if these monsters rashly enter the city, they will surely provoke a fierce reaction from the City God's Divine Office.

He was merely being stirred by many demons, so he couldn't help but feel restless.

If the dragon girl can enter, can he also go in?

But just then, his expression changed, and seeing in the distance a golden giant wave surging forward, his eyes rolled rapidly as he spoke.

"Today's sun is unfavorable, not good for pursuing the enemy—let's settle accounts with the City God's Office another day!!"

He shouted angrily, his form first turning into a black light that plunged into the White Water River.

Seeing this, the other demons also changed expression instantly, grew timid, and all fell into the river, fearing they would be too slow.

Then that layer of golden smoke and mist swept forward, striking the White Water River, and the two instantly collided like two massive objects, producing an invisible thunderous roar that shook everything.

After a moment, a phantom figure holding a golden sword appeared, glanced toward the White Water River, and slowly departed.

But that immense righteous divine might made hearts tremble and souls quake.