jdhmnovel Chapter 262 Returning the Jade Cabbage
Chapter 262 Returning the Jade Cabbage
Inside the East Garden, Ning Xiaoxi listened to Jian Xingzhi's words and couldn't help but sigh. These Celestial Master families were actually already bound to the existence of demons. Once the demons were eliminated, the Celestial Masters would naturally have no reason to exist.
Inside the cave, on the chest of the giant dragon vein, the blood vessels on its plump body looked somewhat bloody. Huh! It actually looks bloody; it's starting to take shape! The jade cabbage it cradled was vibrant green, white and green, warm and smooth.
Ning Xiaoxi picked up the jade cabbage, her plump body turning around with some difficulty, and walked back to her heart, sitting down cross-legged.
A faint blue light flowed along the veins, and with each heartbeat, a thick blue mist fell, nourishing the bloodied body.
Looking at the jade cabbage in her palm, Ning Xiaoxi felt a moment of daze. This was the deepest bond she had with anyone besides her family since arriving here. It was the comfort she received whenever she was troubled, and although it was a one-sided, unwavering support from her, it had still been with her for so long.
Originally, the plan was to reshape Nüba's physical body and let Jian Shu's soul reside in it. Who knew that it would become a hot potato? Keeping it would be a hidden danger, and it couldn't be given away or used by itself. This was a huge loss.
A flesh-and-blood doll inhabited by a living soul looks eerie no matter how you look at it, and the fact that Tuanzi hasn't protested is a bit abnormal. Lately, Tuanzi has been unusually quiet; I've stopped lecturing her and am now helping her as much as I can. This sudden level-up is also strange.
She shook her head, deciding to stop thinking about it. Her cave dwelling was now too strange to investigate further, so she decided to stop trying to figure it out.
Early in the morning, after having breakfast, Ning Xiaoxi took her leave.
Jian Xingzhi saw Ning Xiaoxi off at the door.
As they walked out the door, Ning Xiaoxi took out a wooden box and handed it to Jian Xingzhi.
Jian Xingzhi opened the box, and inside lay the jade cabbage, its bottom lined with red velvet.
Jian Xingzhi solemnly closed the lid and bowed to Ning Xiaoxi.
Ning Xiaoxi waved her hand, severing this last connection; from now on, the Jian family would simply be the Jian family.
After leaving Yandu, Ning Xiaoxi didn't hesitate and headed straight north.
It was already late September; the trees were lush, the grass was green, and birds were singing. Everywhere you went, there was fruit.
They passed through Bingzhou and Jizhou in a fleeting manner, and entered the territory of Youzhou.
Inside the military camp at the border, the soldiers were training with great enthusiasm and intensity. Xiong Wei led the soldiers in training with a cold face, his aura as a martial artist growing stronger, and his spiritual energy fluctuations were almost imperceptible.
Passing through the Icefield Pass, gazing at the distant, towering mountain range, the red-haired, red-eyed, and towering Kuafu tribesmen were nowhere to be seen. Kuiwei Mountain Moon, Kuiwei Mountain Spirit, Kuiwei Guardian—how distant it all felt!
Inside the cave, Jiuyu opened his eyes. The white of the distant snow-capped mountain peaks remained pure, but it was no longer its final resting place.
Within Beixiao City, the trees are now lush and green, and caravans come and go in a constant stream. Sea beasts from the east coast are already hunting with their young at sea. The soldiers guarding the towering city walls remain diligent and conscientious; the massive stone walls, rarely fully exposed, look remarkably reliable. Is Li Jia still in Beixiao? At least the Celestial Master's Pavilion's headquarters in Beixiao must still be there!
The crops in the fields a hundred miles away are already full of fruit, and farmers are everywhere in the fields, preparing to harvest the grain, which is the guarantee of survival for the year.
Fufang County
The Celestial Master Pavilion's residence was deserted. No, it wasn't just deserted; it was completely empty, leaving only a desolate courtyard. The door to the Zaidao Pavilion was unlocked, and the interior was also empty.
Thankfully, thankfully, there are people at home.
Looking at Ming Luoying's smiling face, at the abundant vegetables in the garden, and at the grapevines climbing all over the trellis in the courtyard, though the bunches of grapes were a bit small and looked very sour.
The teleportation array she left on the bluestone slab was still there, and the flower on the windowsill was blooming very brightly.
The older brother rode his horse from the street corner and quickly entered the courtyard. He said something to his mother, whose smile widened, and she affectionately patted her son's shoulder. Her son was already taller than her and could shoulder the responsibilities of the family just like his father. She only wondered where her little daughter was now; a faint sadness still lingered in her eyes.
As dusk fell, Ning returned carrying a basket, from which wafted the aroma of roasted chicken.
The family of three was enjoying their dinner together, with a set of chopsticks and a bowl still set up beside them, waiting for their family members to return at any moment.
Ning Xiaoxi stood quietly outside the door, watching her brother boil water for their parents to wash up, and then quietly went out alone.
He walked straight to the city gate, greeted the guards, and left the city.
Ning Xiaoxi followed silently behind her brother. The night wind was a bit chilly, and the leaves rustled in the breeze.
Ning Ziqing sat on a rock, looking up at the dim and unclear stars in the sky.
"Do you even have to hide when you go home?" The soft murmur drifted into Ning Xiaoxi's ears on the wind.
Ning Xiaoxi released her breath.
Its cold, fierce, and bloodthirsty aura was as vast as a mountain and as deep as the sea, sharp enough to pierce through the surrounding space.
Ning Ziqing stopped breathing. Although she knew the path of a Celestial Master was difficult, she never imagined it would be this hard.
"Don't worry, Father and Mother are in good health." Ning Ziqing cleared his throat. "Lord Di Kui has been transferred, and there are no longer any Celestial Masters stationed in Fufang County. The garrison is now empty."
No wonder she couldn't sense the Earthly Demon's aura. Didn't they say there was still a year left? It seems not only the west is on the defensive, but the north is also in motion. What about the south and east? The royal court's swift and decisive actions must have come so suddenly; something uncontrollable must have happened!
"The city garrison commander and the general have a very good relationship with my father. My second cousin's shop hasn't made much profit yet due to the season, but our family's pharmacy is doing well and has built a good reputation. Doctor Zhao's medical skills are highly regarded."
Ning Xiaoxi's heart gradually calmed down, her cold and sharp aura softened, and her edge softened.
"I haven't used the spirit crystals much, just enough to keep their grade from dropping. There's no need for celestial masters here, so I've focused my energy on martial arts. When Lord Di Kui left, he asked me if I wanted to leave."
Ning Xiaoxi was momentarily dazed; it seemed her brother had his own plans.
“Fufang is located on the border. If there are no external influences, it should be a place where one can live peacefully. Our family is here, doing good deeds and accumulating merit. The people of the North are rugged but kind, and they all know how to be grateful. You don’t need to worry too much.”
Ning Xiaoxi took out a space talisman filled with spirit crystals from her bosom and placed it next to her brother.
A gentle breeze blew, and the night grew even darker.
Ning Ziqing sat on the rock for a very long time.