Chapter 64: Liu Xue Arrives
The morning sun cast a golden glow upon the Xia Family Manor as servants bustled about, preparing for the day’s activities. Around midday, a flurry of hurried whispers announced the arrival of a distinguished guest.
“Miss Liu Xue, the core disciple of the Jade Lotus Palace, has arrived, Matriarch!” a servant informed Xia Bingling, bowing deeply.
And very soon, this news of Liu Xue’s arrival reached Wang Li and Xia Qingwu.
Following Xia Bingling’s lead, they made their way to the grand council hall, a place reserved for formal meetings and gatherings.
Entering the hall, Liu Xue cut an elegant figure. Clad in the pristine white robes of the Jade Lotus Palace, she exuded an aura of quiet strength and grace. Her eyes, the color of a clear summer sky, held a hint of curiosity as they landed on the occupants of the room.
Protocol dictated the order of greetings.
“Greetings, Matriarch Xia,” Liu Xue bowed respectfully, her voice carrying a gentle melody. “It is an honor to visit your esteemed manor.”
Xia Bingling returned the bow with a warm smile.
“Welcome, Liu Xue. We are delighted to have you here. Please, make yourself comfortable.”
Liu Xue’s gaze then shifted to the figure seated beside Qingwu.
A man, his face shrouded by a mask that seemed to shimmer with a subtle energy, held her attention. An intriguing air of mystery surrounded him, and a spark of recognition flickered in her eyes, a whisper of who he might be dancing on the edge of her mind.
Before she could delve deeper into speculation, Xia Qingwu bounded towards her, a bright smile plastered on her face.
“Senior Sister Liu Xue! I’m so happy you came! Thank you for accepting my request and coming alone.”
Liu Xue chuckled, her smile deepening.
“Of course, Qingwu. I am curious, though. What could be so important that it requires such secrecy?”
“Well,” Xia Qingwu began, a hint of nervousness creeping into her voice. “There’s something we need to discuss…”
Her voice trailed off as she noticed a servant lingering near the doorway. With a polite nod, she gestured for them to leave. Once the servant had disappeared, all eyes turned to the masked figure.
A slow, deliberate movement filled the silence as Wang Li removed the mask, revealing a face Liu Xue knew all too well.
Surprise washed over her features, followed quickly by a flicker of understanding.
“Wang Li?” she exclaimed, her voice barely a whisper. Her gaze darted between him, Xia Qingwu, and a now-composed Xia Bingling.
“I… I didn’t expect to find you here. And…” her voice trailed off, searching for the right words. “I didn’t think the Xia Family would be…”
Wang Li chuckled, the sound light and airy. “Supporting me? Is that what you were going to say?” He leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “And why wouldn’t they, Liu Xue? Do you truly believe those fabricated allegations against me?”
Liu Xue snorted, a hint of defiance in her eyes. “Believe them? Absolutely not. Anyone with a shred of sense can see they’re nothing but malicious rumors.”
“Glad to hear it,” Wang Li replied, his voice turning serious.
“The truth is, Qingwu and I… well, let’s just say we have a deep connection. It’s because of her unwavering trust in me that the Xia Family has decided to lend me their support in these turbulent times.”
A blush crept up Xia Qingwu’s cheeks as she intertwined her fingers with Wang Li’s, a silent confirmation of his words. Liu Xue couldn’t help but smile at the sight – a genuine, heartfelt smile.
“Well, then,” Liu Xue said, a playful glint in her eyes, “it seems there’s much more to this story than meets the eye. Qingwu, you’ve certainly been keeping secrets from your dear senior sister!”
Xia Qingwu giggled, a nervous edge to her laughter. “There was so much going on, Liu Xue. I didn’t know how to… It all happened so fast.”
“Don’t worry,” Liu Xue reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I’m not here to judge. I’m just happy to see you happy, Qingwu.”
Wang Li let out a sigh of relief, a small smile playing on his lips.
“Alright, everyone,” Matriarch Xia Bingling interjected, sensing the conversation beginning to drift a little. “Let’s save the catching-up for later. Right now, Liu Xue, I’m sure you must be hungry after your journey. How about we enjoy this delicious lunch and then you can get some well-deserved rest? We’ll meet again in the evening for a more detailed discussion.”
Liu Xue nodded obediently, her gaze lingering on Wang Li for a fleeting moment before her eyes shifted back to Xia Bingling. “Of course, Matriarch Xia. Thank you for your hospitality.”
Following Xia Bingling’s lead, they all rose and made their way to the grand dining hall. The air, heavy with the anticipation of a sumptuous meal, was broken only by the soft clinking of their footsteps on the polished marble floors.
The dining hall was a sight to behold. Sunlight streamed through crystal-clear windows, illuminating a grand feast laid out on a table that seemed to stretch on forever. Delicately carved plates held steaming bowls of food, their aromas a symphony of exotic spices and fresh herbs. Liu Xue, despite her privileged position as a core disciple of the Jade Lotus Palace, couldn’t help but be impressed.
But it was the subtle presence of spiritual essence emanating from the food that truly caught her attention. Each dish, from the succulent roasted boar to the glistening white fish, vibrated with a faint, ethereal energy. It was a clear sign that the beasts these dishes came from were powerful creatures, slain no more than a few days ago.
The Xia Family spared no expense for their guests. As they took their seats, a small army of servants descended, expertly presenting each dish with a flourish. The clinking of cutlery and the murmur of conversation filled the air as the four of them dug into the feast.
For a while, it was mostly Qingwu and Liu Xue who dominated the conversation. They excitedly exchanged stories of their experiences over the past few months.
“Senior Sister,” Qingwu chirped, her eyes sparkling with excitement, “you’ll never guess what! I finally…”
Liu Xue leaned forward, her eyes widening with anticipation. “Finally…?”
A shy smile spread across Qingwu’s face. “I broke through! From Core Formation to Nascent Soul! Isn’t that amazing?”
Liu Xue’s eyes widened in disbelief. A squeal of delight escaped her lips as she lunged across the table, engulfing her junior sister in a hug. “Qingwu! That’s incredible news! What a wonderful surprise!”
Pulling back, Liu Xue scrutinized her with a playful glint in her eyes. “Though I must say, you sneaky little girl! How could you hide such a monumental achievement from your dear Senior Sister?”
A blush crept up Qingwu’s cheeks. “Well… it all happened rather quickly,” she stammered. “And honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could believe it myself at first.”
Liu Xue chuckled, her skepticism evident. “Hmm, quickly you say? I don’t sense any fluctuations from your Nascent Soul. Are you using a treasure to conceal your cultivation base?”
Qingwu sheepishly reached into her robes and retrieved a small, jade pendant. “This,” she announced, “is a Spiritual Concealment Jade. It allows me to mask my true cultivation level.”
Liu Xue nodded in understanding. “Clever girl. Discretion is key in these times.”
She reminisced about their last encounter a few months prior. “Honestly, Qingwu, I thought reaching the Nascent Soul Realm would take you some years, based on your talent and cultivation speed.”
Qingwu nodded, a hint of pride flickering in her eyes. “That was a fair assessment, Senior Sister.”
Liu Xue raised an eyebrow, a playful smile still dancing on her lips. “So, what happened then? Did you acquire some special treasure or resources, Qingwu? A rare herb, perhaps? Or maybe a secret cultivation technique?”
Qingwu hesitated, stealing a glance towards Wang Li. Her voice barely above a murmur, she replied, “It’s… all thanks to Li’s help.”
Liu Xue’s brow furrowed, her gaze switching between Xia Qingwu and Wang Li.
She couldn’t help but recall Wang Li’s ambiguous words in the cave several months ago, about enhancing a woman’s Spiritual Roots through physical contact.
Could this be the secret to Qingwu’s sudden advancement? A mischievous glint entered her eyes.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Xia Family Manor as Xia Qingwu addressed Liu Xue with a hesitant smile. “Senior Sister,” she began, “there’s something I need to tell you. I have a… family duty to attend to.”
Liu Xue raised an eyebrow, a touch of concern flickering across her face. “Duty? What kind of duty?”
Qingwu took a deep breath. “There’s a pack of Wind Lightning Wolves causing trouble near the western border. They’re not only disrupting trade routes, but their fur and fangs are crucial for strengthening the manor’s defensive arrays. It’s urgent, and Mother wants me to lead a team of hunters to deal with them.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed Liu Xue’s face. She had been looking forward to spending more time with her junior sister, catching up on all they’d missed. However, she quickly replaced it with a supportive smile.
“Ah, I see,” she said, her voice understanding. “Sounds like the perfect opportunity to test out your new Nascent Soul prowess! This is exactly the kind of experience that will solidify your foundation and sharpen your combat skills.”
A sense of relief washed over Qingwu. “You really think so?”
“Absolutely!” Liu Xue declared, clapping her on the back playfully. “Besides, family comes first. Don’t you worry about me, Qingwu. We’ll have plenty of time to catch up when you return. Go forth and conquer those wolves!”
A surge of warmth filled Qingwu’s heart. “Thank you, Senior Sister. You’re the best!”
Lunch ended shortly thereafter, punctuated by lighthearted jokes and well wishes for Qingwu’s mission. Xia Bingling discreetly instructed a servant to show Liu Xue to her guest quarters, a luxurious space reserved for esteemed visitors.
With a final hug and promises to catch up in the morning, Qingwu bid farewell to Liu Xue and hurried off to prepare for her departure. The bustling courtyard soon filled with the clang of armor and the excited chatter of the assembled hunting party.
