He respected Sui Yi, and Sui Yi respected him in return, which made Song Que feel quite pleased!

At his stage of life, friends with whom he could connect so freely were few and far between.

Clap, Song Que grabbed the Sky Cluster Cloud Sword and rode the wind away.

"With the sword in my hand, he cannot take it away."

"When you return from Snow God Mountain, if you have time, visit the Song Clan in Lingnan, and I guarantee you’ll witness those majestic landscapes."

Speaking of it, Lingnan within the borders of China is indeed uniquely blessed, especially under the protection of the Song Family, as strong as a fortress. Back in the day, even Emperor Yang of Sui couldn’t reach it, let alone the current Li Family.

Sui Yi nodded: "Alright."

Song Que left, merging into the boundless night.

Only then did Sui Yi reach out and caress the Blood Runes on the altar... where her fingertip traced, a golden light flowed, and then those runes converged into a pattern.

As Sui Yi watched silently, she couldn’t tell if it was she or that second personality who spoke.

"Blood of the God, Divine Rune Tribe, God’s Jasper."

"I did not expect she was also still here..."

The tone was deeply melancholic and bewildered.

After transcribing the altar’s runes, it was already deep into the night. A light drizzle began to fall, and she took a bamboo raft downstream, eventually docking beside a bridgehead in Luoyang.

There was no curfew in Luoyang recently, because Luoyang’s naval forces had suffered significant losses, along with the assassination attempt on Li Yuan here, which diverted resources. Who could bother with a curfew in the city? Moreover, it couldn’t be enforced, with so many martial artists around. Any group of them could give the officials a hard time, so they simply left it be. Thankfully, due to the presence of three Great Grandmasters, who knew how many were still in Luoyang? Additionally, this was the territory of Jingnian Zen Temple, so martial artists mostly restrained themselves. Even those with grudges wouldn’t stir up too much trouble... they just liked to come out for drinks and patronize brothels at night...

Thus, though drizzling, the streets of Luoyang were still bustling.

The drizzly rain fell before Sui Yi’s eyes but didn’t touch her. Just as it drifted towards the bridgehead, she couldn’t help but overhear a conversation from the person on the bridge, speaking to someone with their back to her.

"In the current unstable situation, it’s not safe for Qingxuan to go with me to Duzun Fortress. Who knows if those from Dongying or the Western Regions still have a backup plan? Back then, the Evil King caused such a stir in the Western Regions... and even clashed with Abe Haruaki. Both sides are eager to capture Qingxuan..."

"So she returned?"

"Not yet... but she has to leave... Luoyang is no longer safe... huh?"

Xie Hui’s words on the bridge suddenly stopped because of the expression on Yue Shan’s face...

He turned to look.

In the misty rain, under the dim light of the bridgehead, an unattended bamboo raft drifted over. On the raft, Sui Yi saw them, her expression calm, nodding slightly, to which the two subconsciously nodded back, then watched as the bamboo raft floated under the bridge... docking beside the staircase, where an ancient tree stood, its branches reaching the sky. As Sui Yi stepped off the raft, she felt an oiled-paper umbrella appear above her head.

Sui Yi’s gaze slightly gathered, and she saw a pair of simple yet classical shoes before her eyes, followed by a soft, flowing, green robe. The color of her green robe was not as deep and monochromatic as Sui Yi’s; it was lighter, more elegant.

Sui Yi raised her head slightly, looking at the woman holding the umbrella.

The person was too ethereal and spirit-like, as if embodying the tranquil and serene night rain.

She was a stranger.

If she had met her before, she would never have forgotten.

"Shi Qingxuan?" Sui Yi asked.

"Yes, does Master know me?" Shi Qingxuan’s exterior was ethereal, harmoniously embodying the beauty of nature, leaving one reluctant to harm her. However, her inherently different life made her always appear cold and indifferent, less tender than her flute.

At this moment, she looked at Sui Yi, her clear eyes seemingly enveloped in a watery hue, veiled in mist, making it difficult yet irresistible to look into.

"I should," Sui Yi replied softly, with the names of Shi Zhixuan and Bi Xiuxin frequently echoing around her. As their daughter, how could no mention be made of her?

Furthermore, Gong Jiu used to mention her occasionally.

"At Wang Tong’s place before, thank you."

If Shi Qingxuan hadn’t played the flute in the building, repelling Long and the Dongying Goblin Master, she and Shi Feixuan would have faced even more trouble.

"It was just by chance..." Shi Qingxuan did not claim credit but studied Sui Yi, softly asking, "Is Master going to Snow God Mountain?"

"Almost."

It seemed that everyone assumed she would inevitably go to Snow God Mountain.

"Soon?"

"Yes."

Sui Yi did not hide it; there was nothing to hide about this matter.

"Before you leave, visit Qingxuan. You have to pass by Qingxuan’s area when going to the Western Regions... Qingxuan lives at the Secluded Forest Cottage on the Ancient Shu Path."

Shi Qingxuan’s words made Sui Yi pause, then understand that there must be something important she wanted to convey or give her.

She and Shi Qingxuan hadn’t developed such a bond yet.

The other party wasn’t someone who would invite others lightly.

A visit along the way?

Sui Yi still had some apprehension about Shi Zhixuan.

However, before Sui Yi could respond, Shi Qingxuan handed the oiled-paper umbrella to her, as Xie Hui and Yue Shan were waiting above for her.

The two of them had umbrellas.

Sui Yi silently glanced at Shi Qingxuan for a moment, weighed her options, and ultimately followed her heart.

She reached out and took the umbrella.

"Alright."

It seemed she agreed to many people today.

Shi Qingxuan ascended the steps, entering the cover of Xie Hui’s umbrella, then turned her head towards Sui Yi, her affectionate gaze lingering, with a gentle smile, "Master need not worry, Qingxuan wouldn’t mistake someone else for her mother..."

With that, even Xie Hui and Yue Shan’s expressions couldn’t help but reveal a hint of amusement, while Sui Yi: "..." (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com), or cast monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)