529: Days to Come
Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue received the second gift of the evening, and the little tiger was quite pleased, happily thanking Fei Yuan. However, with this interruption, the two mother-in-laws she had previously abandoned were now right before her.
When they weren't visible, she could ignore them, but now with these two formidable figures standing before her, Jiang Mo couldn't pretend not to see them even if she wanted to.
The little tiger didn't dare hide behind her Senior Sister this time. She forced a smile and called out to them: "Sect Leader, Peak Master, you've come out so quickly? I thought you had matters to discuss with the Sect Leader..." As she spoke, her gaze swept across the hall, suddenly realizing that Sect Leader Qingxiao was already gone, presumably having returned to his residence—he had left quite swiftly.
Peak Master Qingyu slightly furrowed her brows without any response, while Zhu Baiyi wore a cold smile, glancing at Jiang Mo: "What else could we possibly have to discuss? As for you two, you seem to be in quite a hurry, aren't you?"
Jiang Mo felt that Sect Leader Zhu's gaze lingered on her legs for a moment, strongly suspecting the other was contemplating how to break them. This made her legs feel somewhat weak, but she still mustered her courage, not wanting to appear too cowardly: "Is that so? Then, then perhaps I misunderstood." After a pause, she still boldly said: "Actually, that's perfect. I have something to report to both of you."
Without her even saying it, Peak Master Qingyu and Zhu Baiyi could guess what she wanted to say. But now it was far too late for such things—this tiger cub was truly audacious, clearly having acted first and reported afterward. Now they didn't need her explanation; they just needed to give her a sound thrashing to teach her a lesson.
At least that's what Zhu Baiyi thought, and what she intended to do.
Peak Master Qingyu immediately saw through Zhu Baiyi's intentions, but after all, Jianbing was her own tiger, so some consideration was necessary... Therefore, she decided to take her back to Mount Mingxia before beating her—at least not letting outsiders see would preserve some face for Jiang Mo.
"No rush, let's return to Mount Mingxia first," Peak Master Qingyu stopped Zhu Baiyi, who was about to act, and said to Jiang Mo.
Zhu Baiyi obediently withdrew her hand, then grabbed Jiang Mo and flew toward Mount Mingxia first.
Feeling guilty, Jiang Mo didn't resist and docilely followed Sect Leader Zhu. Yun Qingyue did wish to intervene, but under her master's gaze, she swallowed her words—she too had been caught off guard by Jiang Mo's impulsiveness today. Although she didn't mind personally, failing to inform their elders beforehand was indeed their mistake. Feeling partially responsible, she had no standing to speak on Jiang Mo's behalf.
The four traversed the wind and rain, quickly arriving at Mount Mingxia. They landed at Peak Master Qingyu's residence, and since she preferred solitude and disliked being attended to, naturally there were no outsiders present.
Zhu Baiyi tossed Jiang Mo down and immediately began a fierce beating. Jiang Mo didn't dare retaliate and could only cover her head as she took the blows. Though struggling to defend herself, she had after all broken through to Grand Achievement today... Her skin was thicker now, and she dodged more nimbly, so while she was being beaten, she didn't appear too miserable. She even managed to spare a reassuring glance toward her Senior Sister, who was watching with concern.
Though after that, her mother-in-law's attacks became more concentrated, causing the little tiger to dodge frantically.
Peak Master Qingyu didn't participate in this one-sided beating. She stood aside with her hands behind her back, watching for quite some time before suddenly turning to Yun Qingyue: "She's still young, her character perhaps not yet stable. Are you truly certain about her?"
In the cultivation world, there were actually many who came together and parted ways, with cultivators treating relationships even more casually than ordinary people. Had it been another disciple, Peak Master Qingyu might not have even asked this question, but she knew Yun Qingyue was different—her daughter, the disciple she had raised with her own hands, resembled her greatly. Beneath their similarly cold exteriors, mother and daughter were both extremely stubborn about their feelings, never changing once they had made up their minds.
Yun Qingyue glanced at the little tiger, who was frantically leaping about, her eyes and eyebrows softening. She turned and bowed deeply to Peak Master Qingyu: "Yes, Master, your disciple is certain it is her. She may still be young, but I believe she won't change, and moreover, we don't know how many days we have ahead of us."
The cultivation world's calamity was imminent. If they survived, naturally an eternity awaited them.
But if not, perhaps their future would be less than a month. Thinking too much about it would simply be unnecessary worry.
Hearing this, Peak Master Qingyu looked at Yun Qingyue with surprise, not expecting her to have such a carpe diem mindset. However, even as a master, even as a mother, she had no rebuttal at this moment.
Yun Qingyue remained bowed, continuing: "Please grant us your blessing, Master."
Peak Master Qingyu sighed helplessly: "You've already acted without permission, what blessing do you still need?"
Yun Qingyue felt somewhat anxious hearing this, but her master didn't say anything more. She secretly glanced at her master's expression, seeing the rare helplessness on her face, and suddenly understood the indulgence in those words.
"Thank you, Master," Yun Qingyue said, feeling as if something had settled in her heart. Looking at the frantic leaping on the other side now seemed merely lively.
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Jiang Mo received a thorough lesson from her mother-in-law. Though her injuries might not have been as severe as before, the beating was certainly real. However, this beating was well worth it, as at least her relationship with her Senior Sister had been officially acknowledged, receiving the approval of both mothers-in-law.
Zhu Baiyi couldn't stand the little tiger's smug smile and waved her hand to dismiss them: "Get out, stop lingering before our eyes."
The little tiger didn't mind at all. Besides, it was getting late, and she wanted to take her Senior Sister home. So she obediently said goodbye and left. How she would cajole and pamper her Senior Sister on the way home and after arriving was another matter... Oh, right, she still owed her Senior Sister a proposal. Would there be time tonight, and would the atmosphere be appropriate?
With the two juniors having happily departed, only Peak Master Qingyu and Zhu Baiyi remained in the residence on Mount Mingxia.
Peak Master Qingyu glanced at Zhu Baiyi and similarly dismissed her: "Well, it's getting late tonight, you should go back too."
Zhu Baiyi wouldn't say she obeyed Peak Master Qingyu without question, but she was generally compliant, or rather, she didn't dare displease her. Normally, hearing such a dismissal, she would certainly have politely taken her leave, but tonight she didn't quite want to leave.
Peak Master Qingyu waited, noticing her lingering, and turned back to look at her with confusion.
A flash of hesitation crossed Zhu Baiyi's face, but it quickly transformed into determination. She pressed her lips together and spoke: "Qingyu, don't you think what Qingyue just said was quite right... we don't know how many days we have left."
Peak Master Qingyu immediately guessed what she wanted to say, her eyes showing a trace of emotion, but she lowered her gaze to conceal it: "So what?"
Zhu Baiyi didn't see the emotion Peak Master Qingyu had hidden; she only saw her cold, unmoved face, and her heart inexplicably ached. She suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Peak Master Qingyu's wrist, saying: "At most, in a month's time will be the great battle. We will face the most powerful enemies—we don't have much time left. I, I don't have hundreds of years to keep waiting!"
Peak Master Qingyu seemed unmoved, trying to free her wrist. Zhu Baiyi's grip was firm, and she couldn't break free immediately. But even so, she didn't give up, instead using greater force, forcing Zhu Baiyi to let go.
Most of the time, Peak Master Qingyu was as cold as her spiritual root. Zhu Baiyi had once seen her most vulnerable self, but now she no longer revealed herself. As Peak Master Qingyu forcefully freed her wrist, a part of Zhu Baiyi's heart emptied. She realized she might have chosen a poor time and said inappropriate things, but she couldn't find a better time.
Perhaps from the day they parted years ago, there had never been a better time between them.
Zhu Baiyi hung her head, her beautiful fox eyes drooping, looking like a dispirited large dog.
Peak Master Qingyu raised her eyes to look at her briefly, then averted her gaze. Others might think her cold-hearted, but in truth, she feared her own soft heart. After a good while, she finally spoke: "With the great battle imminent, we should prioritize the greater good. Why waste thought on these personal matters?"
Hearing this, Zhu Baiyi felt even more hopeless. Just then, she heard Peak Master Qingyu continue: "If our days are numbered, I don't wish to be entangled with you anymore."
Upon first hearing these words, Zhu Baiyi couldn't understand their deeper meaning, feeling only a heart full of loss. But she habitually mulled over Peak Master Qingyu's words several times, and as she pondered, she seemed to understand something—her dimmed fox eyes instantly brightened. With days numbered, there was no need for entanglement, but what if there were days to come?
Zhu Baiyi's heart began to pound wildly. If not for Peak Master Qingyu's cold expression at this moment, she would have rushed forward to embrace her, promising that they definitely had a future together.
But despite her joy, Zhu Baiyi managed to maintain her final rationality after calming down slightly. She clenched her fist and promised: "Very well, with so many matters at hand, I won't trouble you with these things now. After the dust settles in a month, I will certainly discuss this with you again. You... you won't reject me again on the grounds of our righteous and demonic paths, will you?"
Zhu Baiyi began with firm conviction, but as she spoke, she felt something wasn't right and became wary again.
Peak Master Qingyu truly had no mood to discuss this now. She and Yun Qingyue were ultimately different; she didn't want to talk about romantic matters at such a time. Therefore, she gave no promises and dismissed her visitor again: "It's late, you should return now."