Chapter 232: Chapter 231: The Two Beauties of the Green Water Pool

Hearing Bi Yingying’s words, the old Daoists all looked at her, then back at Taoist Shen Hao.

"Is this woman the sister of that Ningbi Flood Dragon?" Taoist Ming Yu asked.

Taoist Shen Hao nodded. "She’s a Spirit Monarch, and a skilled painter."

The old Daoists shifted their gazes to the landscape painting on the desk behind Bi Yingying.

"The use of color is quite good," Taoist Yan Song commented with a nod.

Taoist Yi Hong offered his critique. "It attempts to convey harmony between man and nature, but the smoke from the village chimneys is painted a bit stiffly."

Taoist Ming Yu smiled. "But her use of density and sparseness is fitting. I’d say she’s quite talented."

Taoist Jing Feng paused. When he saw the others looking at him, he simply shook his head and said indifferently, "I don’t know anything about painting."

All the old Daoists stroked their beards and smiled.

But after their laughter subsided, their gazes upon Bi Yingying and Mo Wei remained scrutinizing.

Just then, a streak of jade light shot out from the deep mountains, transforming into a long, jade-colored rainbow. It arrived in an instant, landing beside Bi Yingying.

The light dissipated to reveal a stunningly beautiful woman in an embroidered, jade-colored palace gown with a water-ripple pattern.

The woman’s eyes were naturally seductive, her ruby lips full and lustrous. Even facing the old Daoists, her gaze seemed to shimmer with moisture. "I wonder who you esteemed gentlemen might be, to have come all this way to my remote Gorge for a visit?"

The beautiful woman’s figure was enchanting, her every movement soft and alluring. However, Taoist Qingyuan and Taoist Yi Hong, the most skilled in Martial Arts, could see that hidden within these charming gestures were several preparatory moves, poised to strike at a moment’s notice.

"You must be the Pond Master of Green Water Pool?" Taoist Yan Song said, giving a formal bow. "Yan Song of Daluo Palace pays his respects."

This woman also carried a trace of Evil Qi, but it wasn’t heavy. Relative to her Cultivation level, she was clearly not a Demon who delighted in killing or devoured mortal souls for power.

Although the old Daoists roamed this world as righteous heroes, slaying demons and devils, they weren’t so uncompromising as to be utterly intolerant of any impurity. When faced with Demons and Ghosts who didn’t possess heavy Evil Qi, they didn’t simply kill on sight.

Otherwise, they never would have taken in The Golden Dog of Bond Huang Yuan.

"Daluo Palace?" Bi Jingjing’s brow furrowed. She had clearly never heard the name. "Are you from Yazhou?"

Taoist Ming Yu smiled faintly. "It seems you rarely venture out of these mountains."

Bi Jingjing didn’t lose any of her imposing presence, smiling leisurely. "I may not leave the mountains, but I’m certainly not afraid of others who enter them."

"I hear Green Water Pool and White Bone Cave are enemies?" Taoist Yi Hong asked abruptly.

Bi Jingjing raised a delicate eyebrow. "Are you gentlemen trying to get to Bai Shi Prefecture, or have you had a run-in with White Bone Cave?"

Taoist Shen Hao nodded. ’As expected of the master of Green Water Pool,’ he thought. ’She can deduce a great deal from a single sentence. She’s just guessed wrong this time.’

"We’ve already been to Bai Shi Prefecture. As for White Bone Cave..." Taoist Jing Feng grinned, swiping a hand over the Storage Gourd at his waist. Three skulls appeared, hovering before him and radiating a faint, chilling aura.

"The White Bone God Monarch and his family committed countless evils. They have already been put to death," Taoist Jing Feng stated coolly.

Bi Jingjing’s pupils contracted. She stared at the four of them in disbelief. "You destroyed White Bone Cave?"

Seeing Bi Jingjing take a step back, channeling all her Demon Power and raising her Divine Thought in utmost vigilance, Taoist Yan Song gave a meaningful smile. "We only kill those whose sins are overflowing. If you do no evil, Pond Master, then you have nothing to fear."

Mo Wei swallowed hard and breathed a sigh of relief.

But Bi Jingjing’s seductive eyes, as clear as autumn waters, still held a hint of a chill. "In that case, what business do you have at Green Water Pool?"

Just then, Bi Yingying, who was standing behind her, suddenly spoke up. "It’s because the Mages were previously unaware of the situation here at Green Water Pool. They assumed we were the same as those from White Bone Cave, which is why they paid us a visit."

Meeting their gazes, Bi Yingying remained composed and bowed to Taoist Shen Hao. "Although my sister is not a Spirit Monarch, her wickedness is not severe. I implore you Mages to be merciful."

Taoist Jing Feng waved his hand, and the three skulls vanished.

Taoist Shen Hao smiled. "The scenery here in this deep Gorge is quite beautiful. I wonder if you would be so kind as to give us a tour?"

Seeing that the Mages, whose Dao Practice was clearly profound, had no intention of attacking, Bi Jingjing relaxed considerably. Her posture softened as she laughed charmingly. "Green Water Pool is like spring all year round, with flowers always in bloom. When it comes to scenery, it rivals any beautiful place in the world."

Bi Jingjing said to Bi Yingying, "You and Mo Wei, go back to the palace and prepare some food and wine."

Bi Yingying shook her head. "Just have Uncle Mo go back. I wish to ask the Mages for their guidance on painting."

Bi Jingjing’s eyes narrowed. She sent Mo Wei back, then gave a slight bow to the old Daoists. "This way, please."

...

A short time later, Gu Zhao, who was at Daluo Palace painting with Zhuo Qingyan, received a report from the old Daoists.

"There’s a Bishui Palace beneath Green Water Pool, with two Palace Masters, Bi Jingjing and Bi Yingying."

"Bi Yingying is a Spirit Monarch?"

"Bi Jingjing’s Evil Qi isn’t heavy, but she loves the company of men. Her feud with White Bone Cave started because she took a liking to a handsome man with a Three Yang Body and ended up losing him to the White Bone God Monarch."

"What the hell..." Gu Zhao was at a loss for words, but then a question came to mind. "But if she practices Absorbing Yang and Nourishing Yin, wouldn’t all those men be drained to death? How could her Evil Qi not be heavy?"

Taoist Yan Song explained, "Because she doesn’t drain them to death. She doesn’t even practice the Cultivation Technique of Absorbing Yang and Nourishing Yin. She just sends the men away after she’s had her fun."

Gu Zhao was speechless again. After a moment’s thought, he could only come up with one assessment: ’She really plays around.’

"Also, Bi Jingjing is lax in managing her subordinates. There are quite a few Demons in her palace who carry Evil Qi," Taoist Yan Song continued. "Do you remember the Registered Disciple I took in at Shanglin County?"

"I remember," Gu Zhao nodded. "A fisherman formed a Harmony with a Female Ghost, offended someone from Green Water Pool, and fled to Changping Prefecture."

"It was because the fisherman was so handsome that one of the Demons saw him and wanted to capture him as a gift for Bi Jingjing." Taoist Yan Song chuckled. "It scared the young couple so much that they fled all the way to Shanglin County."

Taoist Yi Hong interjected, "Bi Jingjing isn’t bloodthirsty, and we can’t just go around killing everyone everywhere. Leaving Green Water Pool as a local presence would be beneficial for Daluo Palace."

Gu Zhao had no objection. The old Daoists were far more experienced than he was. "You Uncles can make the decision."

"Bi Yingying has accepted Martial Brother Shen Hao as her teacher to learn painting from him," Yan Song added.

"Besides his profound Daoist Techniques, Martial Brother Shen Hao is also a famous artist in Hai Province. His traditional painting is exceptional. He gave them a small demonstration at Bishui Palace and completely wowed them," Taoist Ming Yu said in praise.

Although all the old Daoists dabbled in the arts, Taoist Shen Hao was by far the most accomplished.

"You flatter me, you flatter me! It’s just a small hobby, hahaha!" Taoist Shen Hao was quite pleased with himself. "By taking Bi Yingying as a disciple, we can foster good relations with Green Water Pool and also have a say in making Bi Jingjing manage her subordinates better. It’s the best of both worlds."

Gu Zhao nodded and smiled. "If Bi Yingying’s character is up to par, Daluo Palace is still short one Jiaomu Flood Dragon for its Guardian Star Officials."