Chapter 215

"Xu Yang and the former Witch Venerate — what does the old master think?"

"Xu Yang and the for… Xu Xu Xu Yang and the former Witch Venerate?!"

Once he realized what was said, Ba Shao was stunned.

Frozen on the spot for two breaths, the white-haired old man lost the composure he had shown before and immediately lost control of himself.

He stepped forward quickly, both hands gripping Jiang Sishui's shoulders, his voice trembling slightly: "You… you know where Xu Yang and the former Witch Venerate are?"

Jiang Sishui knew Ba Shao meant no harm, so he did not push him away, and nodded.

Having received a confirming answer, Ba Shao's old face broke into a broad smile, and he could not help but burst into laughter.

238 The Shrewd Ba Shao, Hou Jian Awakens

Why does the Rain Clan need Hou Jian?

It is because after the former Witch Venerate had chased after Xu Yang and vanished, the Rain Clan was plunged into a leaderless predicament.

If the former Witch Venerate could now be recovered, then Hou Jian would no longer be the sole, indispensable one.

Of course, this is not to say Hou Jian is unimportant.

Possessing the great power of a Witch Venerate, wherever she is placed she is a presence that cannot be ignored.

Only, compared to the former Witch Venerate, she truly falls short.

Besides, there is also Xu Yang!

He is an extraordinary genius rarely seen in the Rain Clan's history; if he could return to the Ice Domain, every difficulty facing the Rain Clan would be solved at once.

Under the impact of such an immense surprise, even someone as steady as Ba Shao could not help losing his composure at this moment.

After laughing heartily twice, he hurriedly pressed on: "Where are they now?"

Jiang Sishui did not keep him in suspense, and told them about how the two of them had been ambushed and imprisoned back in the day.

Ba Shao's expression changed as he listened: "Imprisoned the Witch Venerate and Xu Yang — what manner of person is this Qinglong Token Master, to have such ability?"

Although the Qinglong Society was renowned, people of the jianghu generally only spoke of it in private, not daring to discuss it loudly in public, for fear of offending a taboo and being targeted by the Qinglong Society.

The Rain Clan is also a reclusive clan that "hears nothing of what goes on beyond its walls"; before Xu Yang and Wu Zhou escaped the Ice Domain, they had not exchanged with the outside world for who knows how many years.

Therefore, although Ba Shao had lived a great many years, he was very unfamiliar with the Qinglong Society.

Then Ba Shao frowned, looked at Jiang Sishui, and asked: "Are you confident you can rescue them?"

He did not know how the Qinglong Token Master had bound the Witch Venerate and Xu Yang, but if even the two top experts of the Rain Clan had been helpless, what could this young man possibly do?

Ba Shao was deeply doubtful.

Jiang Sishui nodded calmly: "Ninety percent confidence."

Seeing Ba Shao half-believing and half-doubting, Jiang Sishui did not explain; he turned and went to the women, spoke a few words with them, and then used "Hegemon's Grand Map" to send them back.

Watching the women vanish through the teleportation, both Ba Shao and Heichuan were startled.

This kid knows sorcery too?

No!

Once they reacted, the two men's gazes turned to the map in Jiang Sishui's hand.

But before they could investigate and understand, the "Hegemon's Grand Map" vanished into thin air.

Ba Shao and Heichuan looked at each other, and the same thought rose in both their minds at once: "This kid's background is absolutely no small matter!"

This was the first time they had seen such a divine method on someone from outside the Rain Clan.

After sending the women off, Jiang Sishui walked back and said: "Old master should have a bit more confidence in me now, right?"

Hearing this, Ba Shao instantly understood the purpose behind the other's move.

He nodded and said: "Since leaving the Ice Domain, you are the most unusual person I have ever seen."

Heichuan at the side also fell silent.

He was born of the Rain Clan, and after coming out to the outside world, he always felt a sense of superiority when facing people out there.

When he mocked Xiao Wu during the day for being ignorant, it was actually because he looked down on him.

But now, facing this mysterious young man before him, he could feel superior no longer.

Ba Shao's gaze shifted to the divine sword by Hou Jian's side, and he said: "The divine sword is here — I wonder, little brother, have you seen the Sword Boy?"

Jiang Sishui hesitated for a moment, then said truthfully: "I killed him."

It was not that Jiang Sishui had not considered lying, but as long as the Sword Boy lived, the free divine sword would absolutely never leave him.

Ba Shao could not possibly be unaware of this.

If he still lied at this point, it would be the most complete joke of all.

"You killed Ma Feng?" Ba Shao's face darkened.

Before Ma Feng fled the Ice Domain, he had been raised by Ba Shao; although they had been apart for many years, some of the old affection remained.

Jiang Sishui knew all this, so he did not conceal anything now, and told them the full facts.

In the end he added one more line: "On this matter, I hope you will not tell Hou Jian."

The two listened, both shocked and afraid.

Heichuan directly cursed out loud: "That bastard — how could he treat Hou Jian like this! He never gave a damn about the Rain Clan's safety! Good riddance! He deserved it!"

A trace of sorrow crossed Ba Shao's face: "Who would have thought that after leaving the Ice Domain, he would become like this. Hou Jian, she… Sigh, perhaps it's better she forgot."

With a helpless sigh, he said to Jiang Sishui again: "We will of course keep this matter secret. Thank you, little brother, for stepping in to save her."

Jiang Sishui, however, did not take credit: "I did it for myself as well."

Seeing him so candid and frank, Ba Shao could not help but smile.

At this moment, Jiang Sishui said again: "The two of you, if you have matters to attend to, please go ahead. Three days from now, we shall meet here, and then go together to see the former Witch Venerate and Xu Yang — how does that sound?"

"Matters?" Heichuan was stunned for a moment, and instinctively shook his head: "What matters would we have? We don't…"

Before he could finish speaking, Ba Shao cut him off: "Good, then three days from now, we meet here."

Having said that, he cast one last glance at Hou Jian, then turned and departed.

Hei Chuan remained bewildered, yet could do nothing but follow.

Only Jiang Sishui and Hou Jian remained at the scene.

Watching the two figures recede into the distance, Jiang Sishui murmured, "The Rain Clan, I will not let you suffer losses either; this is a win-win."

In fact, whether he could persuade Hou Jian to leave with him, he held no absolute certainty.

Though the Wu Venerable's ascension causes one to forget all past events, when watching the drama back then, Hou Jian had not forgotten her own identity; even Ba Shao and Hei Chuan were remembered.

From beginning to end, she had forgotten only one person: Ma Feng.

This was clearly a plot hole.

Indeed, because she had drunk the "Dragon Saliva Tea," the Wu power within her body was affected, and she had not even forgotten Ma Feng completely.

Now that Jiang Sishui had used the "Purification Art" to dissolve the "Dragon Saliva Power," there was no reason for Hou Jian to remember Ma Feng again.

But whether she would remember her own identity and companions upon waking, Jiang Sishui dared not be certain.

With the situation beyond his control, he did not wish to leave the two of them here, adding unnecessary variables (Good money, good).

Ba Shao, an old man refined to the point of cunning, had guessed part of his thoughts, which was why he tactfully departed.

Now, only Jiang Sishui remained here; when Hou Jian opened her eyes, the first person she would see would be him, and he reckoned she would feel somewhat more attached to him.

That would save much trouble.

With no one around, Jiang Sishui waited while continuing to contemplate the Sacred Scripture.

Time passed, drop by drop...

Unknowingly, the sky grew brighter and brighter.

Finally, the first ray of morning sunlight leaped over the distant mountain peaks and shone upon Hou Jian.

The blue radiance surrounding Hou Jian's body began to recede and dissipate, while her body slowly descended.

Her feet touched the ground, her eyelids trembled, and finally she slowly opened her eyes.

At first glance, she saw Jiang Sishui; confusion remained in her blue pupils, now mixed with a hint of bewilderment.

"Who are you?"

The girl's voice was clear and cold, containing no emotion.

239 A Blank Slate of the Soul, Winning Over Hou Jian

Jiang Sishui had naturally been observing her all along; noticing Hou Jian's bewildered gaze, he could not help but feel joy in his heart.

He showed no trace on his surface, instead asking, "Do you remember who you are?"

"Me?" Hou Jian's expression showed slight surprise; after a moment of thought, she said, "I am Hou Jian."

"And what else?" Jiang Sishui pressed.

"And... and what else? What else is there?" Hou Jian grew even more bewildered.