Chapter 247 - 131: On the Sword Plaque, a Titled Technique Repels the Dragon and Tiger! Miss Beicang, Xiao Mingli, Visits Anning

Chapter 247: Chapter 131: On the Sword Plaque, a Titled Technique Repels the Dragon and Tiger! Miss Beicang, Xiao Mingli, Visits Anning

’Never mind anything else—just these ’hidden dangers’ and ’debts’ I’m saddled with...’

’Master truly had great foresight.’

’After all, before the Great Xuan, even the Ten Directions Celestial Pillar, the Nine Great Families, and a One State’s Feudal Town have to take a backseat!’

’If I can get on this great ship and earn the Merit and Fame of a Prefecture Official, then in a way, I’d really be carrying a Protective Talisman.’

Ji Xiu mulled over these thoughts as he walked away.

Meanwhile, the Cangming Monarch lurked at the docks. He looked out at the county folk, who stared back with faces full of both reverence and fear. They treated him like a River God Master, as if they were worshiping the Incense deities of the Central Yellow Sect.

With a weary expression, he plunged into the water.

The Fishery Tributors could certainly keep him comfortable with their offerings of real gold, silver, rare treasures, and Great Medicines.

But he wasn’t one of the Divine Beings; he didn’t subsist on Incense Qi.

Truth be told, the Cangming Monarch normally wouldn’t deign to even glance at a shallow shore so devoid of any Spiritual Mechanism.

’If Bai Shuo hadn’t tied me down here, and if I didn’t want to get back to the Water Monarch’s Mansion...’

’Whoever wants to come here can have the damn place!’

However, the Cangming Monarch had barely rested for a moment after diving into the water.

Suddenly, as if he sensed something, he raised his Flood Dragon head and looked toward the West Street Ji Residence, his expression instantly becoming one of shock and uncertainty.

"Hm?"

From the Cangming Monarch’s point of view.

Aside from the Dragon Descendant Qi Mechanism of Young Lord Bai Shuo...

After a day and a night, another Qi Mechanism had appeared at Ji Xiu’s residence. It was immense—a Water Race Qi Mechanism from someone who cultivated the Secret Techniques of the Water Monarch’s Mansion, and it far surpassed his own!

’An expert from the Water Monarch’s Mansion has come looking?’

’They’re here so quickly!’

The Cangming Monarch’s head shot out from the shallow water by the docks. As his vertical pupils were about to scan the area, he was secretly wondering which expert had arrived...

But then, under the setting sun!

A colossal merchant ship, its hull like white porcelain, flew the banner of the "Beicang Marquis Ship." It was bearing down on them from the distance at full power, riding the wind and cleaving the waves. It created a vortex in its wake, emitting a tremendous, deafening hum!

A Martial Dao Qi that made the Cangming Monarch’s heart pound was faintly concealed aboard. It felt as if a ruthless Martial Dao expert, one capable of ’ripping out his Flood Dragon tendons and peeling off his Flood Dragon Skin,’ was lurking within!

The shock sent him diving back into the water like a frightened loach. He watched from a safe distance, utterly dumbfounded.

’Things are getting this lively?’

’First, an expert from the Water Monarch’s Mansion.’

’Then, the Marquis Beicang from Jiangyin shows up!’

’They’re all coming to Anning County...’

’What in the world is going on?’

...

Ji Xiu had just arrived at the Ji Residence, the Sword Plaque resting on his shoulder, when he saw the main courtyard gates were open. A guest was present. He could feel a faint, yet heart-pounding, Qi Mechanism...

He frowned, his grip on the Sword Plaque tightening as he strode inside.

As he stepped over the threshold, he immediately saw a woman in a water-blue robe standing before Bai Shuo. She had silver hair with straight-cut bangs, sharp, phoenix-like eyes, and the faint outline of wrinkles on her forehead.

Across from them, his younger sister, Ji Wei, stood under Fan Nansong’s protection. Her eyes were fixed warily on the uninvited guest.

"Young Lord, if you hadn’t caused such a commotion, I’m afraid I never would have found you."

"The Great Xuan isn’t like the East Canghai. The Mansion Master’s power is absolute here, and dangers abound. If someone with malicious intent were to scheme against you... it could lead to considerable trouble."

The silver-haired woman heard the commotion behind her and glanced over her shoulder. She turned, her expression cold and indifferent.

"Perfect timing."

"So it’s you..."

"The one who bewitched the Young Lord, consumed her Dragon Blood, stole the ’True Dragon Nine Transformations’, and cultivated the Dragon Descendant Treasure Bone?"

She turned to face him.

It was as if tangible manifestations of Water and Fire were blending and rising above her head, taking the form of a Dragon and Tiger. They coalesced into various Martial Dao concepts born from an ultimate, searing heat.

The sight was so piercing one couldn’t look at it directly without their eyes watering and stinging in pain.

A chill ran down Ji Xiu’s spine, and his pupils constricted.

’This is...’

’The legendary ’One Breath Becomes Dragon and Tiger’... This woman is a top-tier Dragon and Tiger expert, even among Qi Cultivation Grandmasters!?’

Bai Shuo had previously told him that if her identity were exposed, it wouldn’t even take a day for the Water Monarch’s Mansion to come and ’claim’ her. That’s why they had to be so cautious, wearing cloaks, terrified of giving themselves away.

But to help him subdue the Cangming Monarch, she had been forced to change plans at the critical moment. She had revealed her true form, a Manifested Saint in the eyes of the public.

As a result, the entire town of Anning was in an uproar.

The townsfolk in every street and alley were now saying that a ’True Dragon Maiden’ had descended. They claimed she had made a Flood Dragon into Anning’s new Water Deity, one who would protect the region and guarantee decades of favorable winds and rain...

Such rumors spread like wildfire.

Ji Xiu had only just returned from Jiangyin Prefecture.

And yet, in the main streets and back alleys, he had already heard the matter being discussed in countless teahouses and restaurants.

The moment he saw this woman, he instantly knew her origin. His thoughts raced like lightning, and just as he was about to speak...

STOMP!

The woman suddenly stomped, shattering the flagstones beneath her foot. Her amber-colored eyes radiated a cold severity, and a frigid glint flashed from the long nail of her little finger. In the next instant, she struck out with her palm, intending to capture Ji Xiu!

"Nine-Scaly Attendant, you dare to attack in the Young Lord’s presence!?"

Qingtuan, who stood beside Bai Shuo, saw the sudden attack. Her round, bun-like face flushed with anger, and she shouted:

"Even if you are one of the Twelve Dragon Attendants from the Dragon Monarch’s Mansion and hold some status, Young Lord Bai Shuo has not given an order! How dare you act on your own!"

Qingtuan seethed as she watched, but the woman called the Nine-Scaly Attendant didn’t even turn her head.

"Qingtuan, you’re just a child. Following the Young Lord around, you do nothing but offer terrible advice."