LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 134 - 133: Meeting the Parents
Chapter 134: Chapter 133: Meeting the Parents
He somehow produced two small wine cups from nowhere, poured wine for both Shen Luo and himself, clinked their cups together and began to drink.
Along the way, Bai Xiaotian, who seemed to know all the restaurants and eateries on the street, gave Shen Luo an extensive commentary.
When they passed a river that ran through the city, Bai Xiaotian, who normally didn’t look out, suddenly leaned towards the carriage window and curiously looked outside.
Following his gaze, Shen Luo saw that buildings on both sides of the river channel were densely packed. Most of them were decorated with lanterns and colorful banners, and even in the river water, there were beautifully unique barges.
“What place is this?” Shen Luo asked in confusion.
“Have you ever heard of ‘Mooring by Qinhuai River near the restaurant at night’? This is the Qinhuai River, where people drink Flower Wine. I’ll bring you to experience it another day.” Bai Xiaotian draped an arm around Shen Luo’s shoulder, and said with a laugh.
“No wonder the perfume is so strong… We are members of the Taoist sect, it’d be best if we keep some distance from this place of lust and wine.” Shen Luo said, wrinkling his nose.
“You just don’t understand, do you? As the saying goes, ‘Transcending the worldly desires, the Taoist heart stands like solid rock’. Without experiencing the world’s temptations, how can one clear all worldly distractions?” Bai Xiaotian retorted dismissively.
The carriage went through the city, and as they moved to the southern part of the city, the streets became emptier, but there were more and more grand mansions.
Finally, the carriage stopped before a majestic courtyard.
When Shen Luo got out of the carriage, he saw a stone lion sculpture as tall as a person beside him. The lion, stepping on a hollowed-out silk ball, looked majestic.
A yard away from the stone lion, three tiers of stone steps rose up, leading to a two-story gate tower. The main gate in the middle was wide open. A huge signboard hung above the entrance, with the words “Bai Mansion” inscribed in golden letters on a red background.
Looking at the brass lion-head door knockers and forty-nine golden rivets on the vermilion gate, Shen Luo couldn’t help but admiration from the bottom of his heart.
Apparently, they had been informed of their arrival in advance, so there were already a dozen servants and maids standing by the gate, waiting respectfully.
Seeing Bai Jiangfeng and Bai Xiaotian arriving, these people immediately greeted them. Shen Luo followed Bai Xiaotian and was ushered into the mansion by the crowd.
When they got to the front yard, an elegantly dressed elderly woman with white hair, supported by a maid, came to greet them.
As soon as she saw the still injured Bai Xiaotian, her eyes filled with concern and she couldn’t help but berate him.
After Bai Xiaotian’s introduction, Shen Luo learned that she was his grandmother, and the biological mother of the current Bai family head, Bai Hecheng.
The old woman treated Shen Luo, who was a good friend of her grandson, with kindness and immediately ordered an elaborate feast to be prepared to welcome him.
Shen Luo was flattered and somewhat embarrassed.
Just then, a middle-aged man dressed like a housekeeper hurried over. He bowed to the old woman and Bai Jiangfeng, saying, “The Family Head is waiting in the study in the backyard and asks the young master and the guest to go there first.”
“You should all go then. The important matters come first.” Upon hearing the words, the old woman nodded her head.
“Yes. After paying respects to my father, I will come back to accompany you, grandmother.” Bai Xiaotian agreed immediately.
Then, the three of them went through a series of courtyards and two gardens and arrived at the backyard of the mansion.
In the study, Shen Luo met Bai Hecheng, the head of Bai family. He was expecting a dignified middle-aged man, but turned out to be a thirty-something, good-looking man who was as handsome as Bai Xiaotian.
Seeing them enter, Bai Hecheng put down the book in his hand, stood up from behind the desk, looked up and down at Bai Xiaotian and the other, a smile appeared on his face, and he said,
“Looking at you two like this, you probably have suffered quite a bit on the road, haven’t you?”
“Fortunately, Uncle Three arrived in time to scare off the demon woman during the crisis, which worried Father.” Bai Xiaotian said with a smile.
Then he introduced Shen Luo to his father, stating that their safe return was due to their mutual support.
“You two handled it well. This kind of experience surpasses three years of cultivation more than staying at home and reinventing the wheel.” Bai Hecheng nodded.
“Family head, the situation was indeed dangerous. The one who chased them was a Demon Race monk in the Grain Avoidance Stage. For them to hold on until I arrived was indeed not easy.” Bai Jiangfeng stepped forward and recounted the scenario when he found Bai Xiaotian and the others.
“It’s truly thanks to Uncle Three that Xiaotian is alive.” Bai Hecheng frowned as he listened, and finally bowed to him.
“The Family Head does not need to be so courteous, Xiaotian is the future pillar of our Bai Family, as an elder it’s something I should do.” Bai Jiangfeng quickly stepped aside, refusing to accept the gesture.
“Xiaotian, what exactly happened to the Spring and Autumn Pavilion this time? Tell me everything in detail.” Bai Hecheng looked at Bai Xiaotian and asked.
Bai Xiaotian immediately recounted the events that occurred in the Spring and Autumn Pavilion that day. However, he did not mention anything about the “Pure Yang Scripture” in his words.
Shen Luo then added what he knew, but he too concealed the matter about the “Pure Yang Scripture”.
“I did not expect even the ancestor of the Spring and Autumn Pavilion to have been killed… Shen, for now, you can stay at the Bai residence. Later, I will use the Bai Family’s name to cooperate with other cultivation sects to thoroughly investigate this matter and find the real culprit.” Upon hearing the end, Bai Hecheng’s expression gradually became serious.
“Uncle, I believe that the two crucial players in this event are Wang Qingsong, who betrayed his sect, and Gu Hualing, who is a transformed demon. If we can capture either of them, we will know the truth.” Shen Luo suddenly said.
“These two are indeed the source of trouble in the Spring and Autumn Pavilion events.” Bai Hecheng looked at Shen Luo and said agreeingly.
“In behalf of the Spring and Autumn Pavilion deceased, let me thank Uncle for clarifying the true perpetrator, Shen Luo truly appreciates Uncle’s help.” Shen Luo said, followed by a deep bow.
“You need not be so polite, young man! After all the adventures you must have suffered a lot. Xiaotian, you should take Shen to rest properly.” Bai Hecheng waved his hand and said.
After the two bowed and left, Bai Hecheng looked at Bai Jiangfeng and asked,
“Uncle Three, have you found anything inappropriate about Shen Luo?”
“From his words and deeds, it’s likely that he was a rich young man before joining the Spring and Autumn Pavilion. Xiaotian seems to trust him quite a bit. Since they supported each other all the way, only then could they hold on until I rescued them. Looking at Shen Luo, his skills aren’t from the Little Straw Mountain line, he must have had some other opportunity. He may also be the only living disciple of the Spring and Autumn Pavilion apart from Xiaotian.” Bai Jiangfeng considered and replied.
“This is precisely why I feel that this man is not simple, he might be hiding secrets from the Spring and Autumn Pavilion. Assign someone to investigate his background. If there is no problem, then take the opportunity to make Xiaotian talk to him and see if he is willing to submit to our Bai family in the future. The world is becoming more and more chaotic. Incidents like small cultivation sects like Spring and Autumn Pavilion being annihilated are frequently happening within the Tang Dynasty. We also need to accumulate strength in a hurry.” Bai Hecheng nodded and said.
“At present, our Bai Family still has more than enough to survive. More and more sects outside believe in the prophecy of the Heaven and Earth Calamity. The whole cultivation world seems calm and stable on the surface, but there is already an undercurrent blowing. The Spring and Autumn Pavilion incident, I see that the chance to find the real culprit behind the scenes is not great. We should also sift through our family thoroughly.” Bai Jiangfeng suggested.
“This is exactly what we can do now, it is to thoroughly probe the entire family to prevent the demon race from infiltrating. The other day, the ancestor also mentioned the Heaven and Earth Calamity, and he too felt a lot of pressure.” Bai Hecheng slowly said.
“Jiangfeng, Hecheng…”
At this moment, an old voice suddenly sounded directly in their minds.