Chapter 523: If he follows Tian Yan into the Holy Land of Tian Yan, will he even come out?
“What’s with the silence from the Siku Family? Not a single movement?”
Bai Feng stroked his chin thoughtfully. Long before he returned the gift, he’d sent people to keep an eye on the Siku Family in Central Continent. But after all this time, not a peep from them—seriously, a bit suspicious, no?
Either the Siku Family was very sneaky, or they just didn’t care. The latter? Impossible. If they truly didn’t care, why bother giving such precious gifts?
“Guess they’re definitely one of Central Continent’s big shots,” Bai Feng mused, shaking his head. Clearly, the Siku Family was playing it close to the vest. Plus, since Bai’s forces are based in the Northern Region, trying to pry their secrets isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
Should I ask the Yun Family for help? Nah. Even though Yun Yue Yao is pretty friendly with me, the Yun Family? Not so much. When Bai Yu Mo and Chu Chu’s parents met their unfortunate ends, the Yun Family made it clear—helping me out isn’t in their plans.
In the end, it looks like Tian Yan’s assistance might be the only way.
Tian Yan’s Holy Land is also a major player in Central Continent—actually, they appeared even earlier than the Siku Family and are bigger, too. If Tian Yan’s Holy Land helps investigate, they’d definitely get to the bottom of things, unlike now when they’re pretty much in the dark.
But here’s the catch: this isn’t a small matter. Tian Yan may be the Holy Maiden, but she can’t just boss around all of Tian Yan Holy Land. To get them to help, Bai Feng probably needs to throw in some conditions.
“Well, better ask Tian Yan first,” he decided and stepped into the Immortal Ring. There he saw Tian Yan staring absent-mindedly at a wheat field.
“Whatcha doing?” Bai Feng went over to her, inspecting the wheat without seeing anything unusual.
“You came just in time,” Tian Yan turned to him and stood up, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m training. With your help, I’d be more efficient.”
“…You just stare at the wheat every day during training?”
“You can hold me, too. Actually, it’d be best if you held me beside the wheat field.”
“…Huh?” Bai Feng thought she was going to train beside the wheat, not just stare at it.
Tian Yan lifted her head slightly: “By the way, why are you inside my ring? Is something wrong?”
“Oh, right. Almost forgot the main point because of your distraction,” Bai Feng suddenly clapped his hands. Instead of answering directly, he grinned and asked, “By the way, why didn’t you figure out I needed your help this time?”
“I was cultivating and seeking a breakthrough to the Merging Stage,” Tian Yan explained. “I’ve gotten some clues now. Or… you could do me a favor.”
“What kind?”
“Just spend more time with me from now on,” Tian Yan looked up at Bai Feng. Though her face stayed expressionless, a hint of a smile flickered in her eyes.
“Just keep me company?”
Bai Feng was somewhat surprised. He had expected her to ask for something more over the top.
“If you think that’s too much, then during this time, besides staying away from me, you can do anything you want.”
“…That’s kind of hard to refuse,” Bai Feng muttered.
“This, uh, can wait. Just do me a favor first,” Bai Feng coughed softly, revealing his real purpose. “I want the Holy Land to help observe the Siku Family. I feel they won’t be so obedient and peaceful for long.” He added, “Don’t rush to reply. Ask the others in the Holy Land what they think. If there are conditions, just tell me. As long as it’s not too much, I’ll try to meet them.”
“Not hard at all,” Tian Yan pondered for a few seconds, placing her small hand on her chin. “Actually, I think you don’t need to ask anyone else. Almost all the disciples and elders in the Holy Land are interested in you. If you agree to visit Tian Yan Holy Land with me sometime, I bet they’d work their tails off to help you.”
“…Huh?” Bai Feng felt a twinge of unease instead of happiness. If he followed Tian Yan into Tian Yan Holy Land, could he even get out again?
“Relax. They won’t eat you,” Tian Yan saw right through his worries. She tiptoed, wrapping her arms around his neck, her small face gradually leaning in. “Besides, I’ve become much greedier lately. I don’t want to share you with anyone else.”
With that, she pressed her soft lips against his, her playful tongue teasing him.
“Mm, chu~~”
After a while, Tian Yan slowly pulled away, saliva linking them like silk threads.
“Think of this as my payment for helping you contact the Holy Land,” Tian Yan said, her breath warm on his neck.
Bai Feng saw her usually impassive face now tinged with laziness and charm that was totally unlike her usual demeanor. His heartbeat quickened just a little. He reached out, pulling her close, and kissed her again.
…
“So, just as we said—do nothing?”
“Of course not. We can’t just sit there and wait for them to come knocking. We’re not afraid, but if that little b*stard kicks down the door, it’ll really damage the Siku Family’s reputation.”
“So what? Send someone to assassinate him?”
“Nope. Once that little brat regains her Celestial Eye, the Heavenly Sword Sect will be on high alert, and few assassins are foolish enough to accept that kind of job.”
“Waiting won’t do, and an assassination isn’t an option either. Come on, spit out any ideas you’ve got!”
“Heh-heh. Very simple—let their enemies provoke them. That way, they’ll get what’s coming.”
“You mean…”
“I don’t believe they have no temper when something like that happens.”
“But what about the Holy Land?”
“Who cares about those stuffy fools? This is Siku Family territory. They can’t just stick their hands in our business. Besides, if we do things carefully, no one will ever find out. Just wait a little longer. Once Ru’er breaks through to the Merging Stage, we’ll make those blind fools regret crossing us!”
“…Got it.”
Seeing the other’s resolve, he didn’t argue further. Still, he felt uneasy working with the Demon Monarch’s forces—what if revealing our plans unleashes more trouble? And with the Demon Monarch’s cruel cunning? Who knew what might happen.
But he was only a little Elder, and unlike the now-powerful Young Lady’s father, no one paid his words much mind anyway.
Sensing some dissatisfaction, the Siku Family head scanned the room and declared in a commanding tone, “This isn’t just my idea; it’s also the Grand Elder’s. If anyone has better suggestions, speak now. Otherwise, we’ll proceed as I and the Grand Elder agreed.”
“All right!”
Before long, a few fortune-tellers trailing the merchant convoy entered the Siku Family city amid discussion and chatter.
