Chapter Twenty-Nine: Depths Unfathomable

The Bai family estate was considered a blessed land, where the five elements were balanced and the feng shui flowed harmoniously—a place of extraordinary fortune. Yet in Qingyuan’s eyes, it was almost suffocating, no better than being trapped in a mire or a deep pond. Only after he left the Bai family grounds did he feel as though a weight had been lifted from his chest.

Truthfully, it was not the Bai family itself that troubled him most, but rather Bai Jiye, the young head of the family. Although Bai Jiye’s body was frail and sickly, his gaze was calm and detached, as if nothing in the world could surprise him. He wore a gentle smile, as though everything in his sight had already been accounted for, every variable calculated.

Nothing escaped his plans.

Even when Bai Jiye lacked tangible control, merely seeing his composure and his subtle smile would make anyone believe he was already privy to all secrets.

“Impressive…” Qingyuan thought to himself.

He looked up, catching a flash of white streaking across the sky.

“So this is the network of eyes and ears he relies upon?”

Qingyuan’s brow arched slightly. He stamped his foot, flicking up a pebble, and with a swift motion, sent it flying skyward.

In a blink, the pebble grazed past a white pigeon. The startled bird veered off, fleeing in haste.

“What was that…” Shanxiu’s expression shifted, puzzled.

“A spy watching us,” Qingyuan replied. “But now it’s gone. The master of the Bai family is not one to be trifled with.”

He turned to glance back at the Bai estate.

The two stone qilin at the gate seemed almost alive, their imposing presence surging outward. Qingyuan felt his own vital energy roil within him, as if he heard the distant roar of a dragon. The earth dragon dwelled within him; born of millennia of converging ley lines, why would he fear mere stone beasts?

Silently, Qingyuan withdrew his gaze. “Let us go.”

...

In the rear courtyard of the Bai estate, the faint smile faded from Bai Jiye’s face. His expression became serene as he sipped his tea.

“Master, why did you give up such a treasure so easily?” Xiao Bai asked through clenched teeth. “Blood was shed for that item when it was acquired. It’s priceless—how could mere worldly silver compare? Moreover, you sent him a message with a carrier pigeon, which alone is of enormous value.”

He had always held deep respect for his cousin, who had assumed leadership at such a young age. Despite Bai Jiye’s frailty, he had demonstrated uncanny intellect and strategy over the years—a source of admiration for all.

Earlier, while Qingyuan was present, Xiao Bai dared not speak, lest he undermine the master’s authority. Now, with Qingyuan gone, he could no longer suppress his doubts.

“And what’s more, you agreed to twenty thousand taels of silver, without even setting a deadline. He can take as long as he likes—or not pay at all, and we’d have no recourse. What if he simply discards the token? How would we ever find him?”

“He won’t throw it away,” Bai Jiye said with a faint smile. “Mister Qingyuan is a clever man.”

“Clever people are the ones who renege on their debts,” Xiao Bai muttered.

“Clever people know that the twenty thousand taels are just words. Far more valuable is the token I gave him, which grants him access to the flow of information in this world. That is truly priceless.”

He paused, then continued with an easy laugh, “Besides, the thing itself is of no use to us. If it serves no purpose, it does no harm to sell it.”

“Who says it’s useless?” Xiao Bai protested. “If he came seeking the key, he must know what it unlocks—perhaps he even has the treasure already. You shouldn’t have let him go, or at the very least, kept him under surveillance…”

“We did watch him.” Bai Jiye spread his hands in resignation. “But he noticed. Out of regard for me, he spared that pigeon’s life and merely frightened it away.”

“That only makes him more suspicious.”

Bai Jiye’s smile faded. He sighed. “And what if he is suspicious?”

“If he is, then we should detain him.”

“Do you think you could defeat him?”

Xiao Bai was momentarily taken aback, then a glint of disdain flashed in his eyes. “My cultivation has improved lately. That greenhorn and his little sprite—give me one hand, and I could tear through twenty of him.”

Bai Jiye chuckled softly, refilling his cup. “Are you sure his cultivation is as meager as it appears?”

Xiao Bai hesitated, then asked, “Could it be otherwise?”

“Look at his bearing, his manner of speech—does he seem an ordinary man to you? He can read the flow of feng shui and perceive the shifting of the heavens. When he set foot in our estate, even the stone qilin at the gate were startled and the aura disrupted. This is a man who has cultivated for years, not a mere novice. How could his cultivation be so shallow?”

“Perhaps…” Xiao Bai mused, “he simply has poor innate talent?”

With a laugh, Bai Jiye shook his sleeve, producing an object—a bronze mirror, tarnished with age and its reflection dim and unclear. Most striking was a deep fissure running almost the entire length, nearly splitting it in two.

“This is…” Xiao Bai’s heart skipped a beat.

“One of the treasures left by our ancestors,” Bai Jiye explained. “When our branch split from the main family, our elders took it in secret. It’s called the Taibai Bone-Illuminating Mirror. It reveals a person’s cultivation, innate talent, and foundations.”

Xiao Bai asked, “And just now…”

“I used it on him. The moment I did, this ancestral artifact cracked.”

Xiao Bai was stunned into silence.

“Either his cultivation is incredibly profound, or his innate talent is unfathomably high. In any case, he far exceeds what the Taibai Bone-Illuminating Mirror can discern,” Bai Jiye said gravely. “This man’s origins are a mystery, and his depth is immeasurable—especially since he hails from Lixian, which makes it even harder to judge.”

“Why so?”

Bai Jiye spoke slowly, “The day after he left Lixian, the mountains of Licheng collapsed, and a deluge swept away the entire city. Perhaps it was a natural disaster, or perhaps… the handiwork of one with great power.”

Xiao Bai drew a sharp breath, his heart pounding with unease.

Bai Jiye looked at him. “So, we must not act rashly.”

Xiao Bai’s face grew solemn, but he still felt a pang of reluctance. In a low voice, he asked, “But the treasure the key unlocks…”

“Who knows what it is?” Bai Jiye sighed. “Surely you don’t expect my feeble body to achieve immortality?”

“Perhaps such a treasure truly exists,” Xiao Bai insisted.

“Perhaps.” Bai Jiye’s voice was heavy with resignation. “I was born frail and destined for a short life. I dare not take risks. Anything I do must be without a hint of uncertainty. If I cannot be absolutely sure, I cannot take action—lest I provoke Qingyuan, or worse, the power behind him…”

He paused, then added quietly, “A minor offense could ruin years of careful planning.”

A chill ran through Xiao Bai at these words.

The rear courtyard fell silent.

Suddenly, a white shape flashed through the sky and landed swiftly. Bai Jiye raised his arm, and the white pigeon perched upon it. He untied the message from its leg, read it, and fell into thoughtful silence.

“What does the letter say?” Xiao Bai asked.

“Nothing much,” Bai Jiye replied with a smile. “Only that the head of our main family has sent agents into Yuanmeng.”

“Yuanmeng?” Xiao Bai exclaimed in shock.

“That region is remote and has always been isolated from news of the central lands. The family head, Bai Shizhi, sent people there to open channels of communication. The people of Yuanmeng are fierce, their soldiers formidable, but their isolation is a weakness. Once they have access to information, they will be even more dangerous. The situation in the central lands will become more turbulent, and Shu will be in even greater peril.”

Xiao Bai did not understand all the details, but he knew this was not good news.

“Let the main family do as it wishes.” Bai Jiye considered for a moment. “Since they are moving, we cannot be left behind. Tomorrow… you and Bai Yue will each head to Nanliang.”

He raised his head, eyes gleaming. “Find a way to join the White-Clad Army under Chen Zhiyun and become one of his trusted men. Bai Yue will go to serve Deng Yin.”

Xiao Bai frowned. “Chen Zhiyun is famed as a god of war, but his reputation has made him the object of suspicion. The White-Clad Army has never exceeded ten thousand, and every member is carefully chosen—their backgrounds must be spotless. It won’t be easy for me to get in… And even if I do, becoming his right-hand man…”

Bai Jiye only smiled lightly. “What? After all this time at my side, have you not learned a few tricks?”

Xiao Bai was startled, then recalled the master’s many schemes and stratagems. Suddenly, inspiration struck, and he said with delight, “I understand.”

“Good.”

Bai Jiye continued, “You must hide your identity as a cultivator. Even if a blade falls upon your head, you may only defend yourself with martial skill, never with magic. Obey every order from Chen Zhiyun, even if it means marching to your death. Should he command you to infiltrate Shu and assassinate me in Liangjing, you must not disobey.”

Xiao Bai bowed his head slightly. “Yes.”

“Without my order, you must not act on your own.”

Xiao Bai lowered his head in assent.

The matter with Qingyuan had at least offered clues, so he had dared to question. But regarding this, he was utterly in the dark, unable to see a path forward. He had always revered and respected his cousin, knowing that every action was laden with meaning. He could only comply.

“Go and inform Bai Yue.”

“Yes.”