Chap 4 - The Young Maiden, Miss Bai

Thousand Illusionary Sect, Main road,

Under the shimmering moonlight, several minutes elapsed before a pair of young ladies emerged into view, strolling along the main road.

Their attire unmistakably distinguished their roles—the first adorned in a double layer of long, pale-cream Hanfu, while the other wore a simple white Hanfu.

Delicate accessories adorned their faces, signaling the stark contrast between a servant and a person of noble or prestigious lineage.

The former, although unadorned, possessed alluring curves that hinted at her latent beauty, awaiting refinement. The latter, however, captivated with her stunning countenance, enhanced by a meticulously applied layer of makeup.

As they meandered past quaint dwellings and the majestic GoldCherry Waterfall, they eventually reached the enclave reserved for esteemed guests.

Standing before the wooden door that housed Xia Wei, the two ladies failed to notice Xia Ping, who observed them intently, his gaze sharp and indifferent.

"Qian Ya, has the poison been added to his wine, as I instructed?" The lady with resplendent makeup and elevated status inquired.

"Yes, my lady, I have carried out your instructions diligently. The alchemist assured me that this poison possesses the potency to eradicate even a Nascent Soul cultivator," Qian Ya replied, her voice a blend of mixed emotions.

Concealed beneath the long sleeves of her unadorned Hanfu, Qian Ya's slender hands trembled involuntarily. Her delicate brown eyes betrayed a flicker of guilt, and her head bowed meekly whenever her mistress inquired about their nefarious plot.

The discerning lady detected Qian Ya's apprehension and exhaled disdainfully. "Hmph! Had you been in my position, you would have done the same!

"-This young master claims to hail from the Upper Realm, yet presents no concrete evidence. And to think he dared to request the company of the patriarch's daughter on his lonesome night!"

"What an imposter!" Her beautiful brows knitted into one, her voice ringing clear and unapologetic as she vented her frustration. Her foot came crashing down upon the wooden floor, echoing her displeasure.

"And to think a mere Golden Cultivator dares to deceive my father? He shall pay with his life!" the young lady pressed on, her voice resolute and unwavering.

She harbored no fear that her words would reach the ears of the person within.

Unnerved by her mistress's anger, Qian Ya hastened to excuse herself. "Please forgive me, my lady. There are pressing matters that require my attention."

She bowed respectfully, her hands cupped before her, securing a nod of approval from her mistress. Qian Ya, in reality, was not a mere servant, but rather a disciple of the sect.

Regardless of her mistress's status, restraining a fellow disciple went against the sacred rules of their sect. If such regulations were flouted, prospective cultivators would be hesitant to join their ranks.

Meanwhile, Xia Ping, his gaze filled with an intent to kill, was momentarily halted by the voice of his own master.

"Is that Miss Bai?" a cheerful and amiable voice resonated from within the room. The young lady, Miss Bai, froze momentarily, her expression transforming from disdain to a wry smile. Her narrowed eyes and brows relaxed, forming a united front.

Though she had voiced her desire to end his life, the circumstances differed when the target remained conscious. Moreover, what if this person truly hailed from the Upper Realm? Had she unwittingly brought trouble upon her beloved sect?

As these thoughts coalesced in her mind, doubt began to creep in, clouding her resolve. A troubled expression etched upon her face, her hand trembled at the mere thought of her father's wrath.

"Just go. Even if he regains consciousness, the poison will hinder him from reaching his peak," a seductive and mesmerizing voice broke through her reverie, pulling her senses back to reality. Nodding toward the vacant space behind her, she steeled herself and pushed open the door.

"Greetings, young master. Does my presence displease you at this moment?" Miss Bai's smile widened, accompanied by a light chuckle, as if her previous words held no connection to her current demeanor.

Her smile radiated purity and naturalness, an appearance that could easily deceive others into believing she harbored no ill intentions.

Xia Wei couldn't help but think of her as a repulsive woman. They now found themselves seated at a table, each holding a cup of tea, their eyes fixed upon the grandeur of the moon.

Glancing at the woman before him, who now sipped her tea with delicate cherry lips, he noted the absence of any earlier hostility.

"Miss Bai, your arrival is akin to a beautiful fish swimming amidst troubled waters," Xia Wei spoke, taking a sip of his tea as he cast a brief glance in her direction.

He noticed her captivated gaze, her widened eyes fixated on the reflection in her tea.

"Oh, you flatter me excessively, young master," she replied, regaining her composure upon realizing his gaze upon her.

Her cheeks blushed ever so slightly, her mouth hidden coyly beneath the sleeve of her Hanfu. "But, have you ever witnessed a fish stripped of its scales?"

Her voice paused momentarily, her large, deep eyes glimmering with a flash of light as she narrowed her gaze upon him.

Xia Wei returned her gaze, momentarily stunned by her words. The two locked eyes, amidst the chilling breeze of the night.

Slowly, her hands began to peel away the first layer of her Hanfu, unveiling a pristine, snow-white complexion beneath. The concealed curves now revealed themselves, each contour perfected as if meticulously crafted.

Xia Wei's gaze remained steady, exuding a sense of calm and confidence as he observed every subtle movement. This perplexed Miss Bai, prompting her to proceed with undoing the final layer of her Hanfu.

However, her actions abruptly halted, and her expression transformed in an instant. She shouted, her voice brimming with intensity, "Even a powerful dragon cannot subdue a local snake!"