Chapter 613 - 344: Hidden Immortal!

"Martial Uncle?"

Xiao Jinghong looked up into the depths of the night sky. Twenty miles high, two figures hovered faintly against the full moon.

They were none other than Gongye Bai and his disciple, Shui Hetong.

Xiao Jinghong gave a slight nod to the two, waved at Su Zhenyue not far away, and leaped into the air.

Su Zhenyue tilted her head, watching her soar into the sky and head west after the two figures. Then, holding the roster of the Profound Armor Military Town’s soldiers, she returned to her tent.

Several experts guarding the Profound Armor Military Town naturally witnessed this scene, their faces revealing traces of envy.

"General Jinghong has extraordinary talent and formidable Martial Arts. She is countless leagues above self-taught bumpkins like us."

"A few days ago, news from Cang Lang Town said that General Jinghong’s master is the Sword Master, Li Wudang. I wonder if it’s true."

"Li Wudang? It might be."

"I heard that when General Jinghong killed over a dozen members of the Evil Demonic Dao with a single sword strike, it looked remarkably like the Sword Master’s Absolute Skill, ’Qing Feng.’"

"It’s a pity we didn’t have the fortune to see it."

"Yeah. When we were lucky enough to follow General Jinghong beyond the pass for reconnaissance, we mostly saw her using a spear to charge enemy lines..."

Soldiers in the army prioritized lethal combat. The Weapons they used were mostly heavy arms like the Blade, spear, hammer, and axe, designed for charging formations and killing enemies.

Although the Sword Dao was equally sharp, it was ultimately too delicate and elegant compared to spears, halberds, and battleaxes.

Otherwise, Xiao Jinghong wouldn’t have cultivated the Spear Dao alongside it.

River View Mountain, located outside Profound Armor Town, was famous for its perilous steepness. It earned its name because it sat near the Chishui River, allowing one to climb high and gaze far into the distance.

The mountain rocks were jagged and bizarre, with not a single blade of grass growing on the sheer cliffs.

Yet, at the mountain’s peak stood an exquisitely constructed canopy pavilion. With Phoebe Wood serving as its pillars, the pavilion featured a meticulously carved Pine Crane Longevity Painting, making it look like an Immortal’s dwelling.

Gongye Bai stood in the pavilion, looking down at the rushing Chishui River below, a trace of nostalgia crossing his face.

"Years ago, when I first came to Shu State, I shared drinks and joyful conversations with a few close friends right here. In the blink of an eye, eighty years have passed.

"The world has transformed, and the people of the past are no more."

Xiao Jinghong stood to his left. Hearing this, she didn’t say a word, only gazing calmly at Profound Armor Town in the distance.

She could faintly see the soldiers who had just left Profound Armor Town heading south. As they galloped on horseback, a dark banner fluttered, bearing the character "Ding" in crimson-gold.

On the other side, Shui Hetong caught a glimpse of the half-mask on her face from the corner of his eye and said with a smile, "Master, you weren’t nearly this sentimental when you met Granny Shan this time."

"Her?"

Gongye Bai’s face showed a rare hint of helplessness, his demeanor as an aloof expert crumbling slightly as he snorted.

"I’ve never thought highly of Confucianism and its classics, but Mr. Da from the previous dynasty’s academy said one thing right—women and petty men are exceptionally hard to deal with.

"Liu Guihua has truly become more unreasonable with age. This time..."

Gongye Bai looked at Xiao Jinghong and warned, "Martial Niece, since you have a Mutual Market cooperative with the Mountain Race, there are some things you shouldn’t mention to her."

Xiao Jinghong silently repeated the name Liu Guihua in her mind and nodded. "Rest assured, Martial Uncle."

She wasn’t a gossip by nature, let alone when it involved the private grudges of two seniors.

Seeing this, Gongye Bai sighed. His exasperation toward Granny Shan dissipated a bit as he shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"On my way to Wumeng Mountain this time, I passed by the Mountain Race and merely thought of greeting her. I didn’t expect such a massive reaction.

"Gu Insects, Poisonous Insects, and all sorts of bizarre Witchcraft and Gu Skills were laid out before me. She insisted on arguing with me over a few stale events from the past.

"Tell me, those things happened decades ago. How could we possibly reach a conclusion now?"

Holding back a laugh, Shui Hetong chimed in, "Master, Granny Shan just wants you to pay back the silver."

Gongye Bai coughed. "What silver?

"That year, the Government Office offered a bounty for capturing a member of the Evil Demonic Dao. I took action and slew him. What did it have to do with her?"

"Granny Shan said she threw two bottles of Poison and lost five Gu Insects, one of which was an extremely rare Illusion Gu."

"Is whatever she says the gospel truth? You..."

Watching the master and disciple bicker, Xiao Jinghong wasn’t in a hurry to ask why they had sought her out, letting them banter for a few more moments.

Gongye Bai lightly raised his hand. Instantly, Shui Hetong’s face turned crimson, and he stood frozen in place. His fists were tightly clenched, as if he were bearing an immense pressure.

Gongye Bai shot him a sidelong glance. "My good disciple, I need to have a few words with your Junior Sister Xiao. I’ll have to trouble you to keep quiet for a bit."

Veins bulged on Shui Hetong’s demonically handsome face. Struggling, he turned his head and squeezed out an "okay" through gritted teeth.

Seeing this, Xiao Jinghong took the opportunity to ask, "Martial Uncle, for what matter did you seek me out?"

Gongye Bai walked over to the stone table inside the pavilion and sat down, gesturing for her to follow.

Xiao Jinghong naturally didn’t refuse. She sat beside him, waiting for him to continue.

This left Shui Hetong standing alone by the cliff edge, trembling slightly as he stared out at the distant Chishui River under the night sky.

Gongye Bai ignored him. Looking at Xiao Jinghong, he asked with a chuckle, "I wonder if your master ever mentioned the matter of ’Debating and Striving for the Lead’ to you?"

"Debating and Striving for the Lead?"

Xiao Jinghong recalled for a moment and shook her head. "Master never spoke of this."

Meeting Gongye Bai’s gaze, she asked, "Please enlighten me, Martial Uncle."

Looking as if he had expected this, Gongye Bai smiled bitterly and shook his head. "This junior martial brother of mine is truly carefree. He doesn’t want to bother with anything.

"Otherwise, I wouldn’t be the one stepping forward for this round of ’Debating and Striving for the Lead.’"

He tucked his hands into his sleeves and spoke with the air of a Saint:

"There are profound experts in this world, proud and aloof.

"Since Martial Niece Jinghong serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Dingyuan Army, you must know that whether in the Great Wei Dynasty, the Barbarian Race, or the Poshisu Country, experts with Cultivation levels like your master’s or mine have never appeared on the battlefields during any of their past military campaigns, right?"

Xiao Jinghong was slightly taken aback. She thought about it and nodded. "You are correct, Martial Uncle."