Chapter 21

"Disciple Ximen Wuyan, I pay my respects to the Lady of the Sect." His address was peculiar; he did not call himself the Lord of Cloudy Peak City, but rather an unworthy disciple.

"Senior Brother Ximen, it has been ten years since we last met, and I have missed you very much. Was your journey smooth?" The Lady's tone was very gentle, even carrying a hint of intimacy, and she addressed Ximen Wuyan as Senior Brother.

"Fairly well, but I was delayed by some trivial matters on the way, so I only arrived today." Ximen Wuyan said, "Yanyan, pay your respects to Aunt Dongfang and your Senior Sister Dongfang."

Ximen Yanyan's tone was somewhat unfriendly as she reluctantly bowed, "I pay my respects to Aunt Dongfang, and to Senior Sister."

The Lady seemed to help Ximen Yanyan up and praised her softly, "Yanyan is truly beautiful; I have never seen a girl as beautiful as you."

"Not as beautiful as Senior Sister Dongfang; people call her a fairy," Ximen Yanyan said.

Dongfang Bingling did not mind Ximen Yanyan's words and stepped forward to bow, "Niece pays her respects to Uncle Ximen."

"No need for formalities," Ximen Wuyan said. His attitude towards Dongfang Bingling surprised Yang Dingtian. Yang Dingtian had expected Ximen Wuyan to politely praise Dongfang Bingling and even say that his daughter was far inferior to her, but Ximen Wuyan did not say any of that; he simply said there was no need for formalities.

Then, Ximen Wuyan asked, "Has the Sect Lord emerged from seclusion yet?"

The Lady replied, "Not yet."

"When will the Sect Lord emerge?" Ximen Wuyan asked.

Before the Lady could speak, Dongfang Bingling said, "Father will emerge when he feels complete. I don't know the exact month or day."

"However, our Yin-Yang Sect is still ready to fight. Several elders can take on the challenge," Dongfang Bingling continued, "We can also have the younger generation fight, and if necessary, I can fight as well."

At this point, even in the back room, Yang Dingtian could feel Dongfang Bingling's assertiveness.

"Hmph, what's there to be so proud about?" Ximen Yanyan said coldly.

"No need for that. Among the young generation of Cloudy Peak City, none can match you, Dongfang Bingling," Ximen Wuyan said. "Since the Sect Lord has not emerged, this battle is off. As before, I will announce that I have already fought with the Sect Lord and lost again."

Hearing this, Yang Dingtian was slightly taken aback. It turned out that the supposed defeat of Ximen Wuyan by Dongfang Niemi ten years ago was a lie; they had never fought.

"Thank you, we will remember this favor, Uncle Ximen," Dongfang Bingling said coolly.

Ximen Wuyan replied, "It's not a favor. Over ten years ago, I was not a match for the Sect Lord, and I am even less so now."

Then, both sides fell silent, and no one spoke. Even in the back room, Yang Dingtian could sense the special relationship between them, a mix of closeness and coldness. On the way to the Yin-Yang Sect, Ximen Wuyan had been warm and affectionate towards Yang Dingtian, but now he was polite yet aloof.

Clearly, the gentle Lady wanted to break the awkward silence, but she was not good at making small talk, so her delicate lips opened several times but found nothing to say. It was Ximen Yanyan who broke the silence.

"Dongfang Bingling, I heard you are going to marry Zhu Hongxue." Even without seeing, Yang Dingtian could imagine Ximen Yanyan's beautiful little mouth pouting as she spoke. These two most beautiful girls in the world seemed to be natural enemies.

"What? Have you become a gossip too?" Dongfang Bingling countered.

The Lady hesitated for a moment and then said, "Bing'er has a betrothal arranged by her father."

Hearing this, Yang Dingtian's heart skipped a beat.

Ximen Wuyan laughed, "Is that so? I am very curious to know which young man has been chosen by the Sect Lord."

The Lady smiled, "You will see soon."

Then, both sides fell silent again. Ximen Wuyan stood up and said, "If there is nothing else, Lady, we will take our leave."

The Lady replied, "Alright, we have prepared a separate courtyard for Senior Brother Ximen. Please rest well."

Then, the Lady and Dongfang Bingling escorted Ximen Wuyan out of the Embroidered Pavilion. When they returned, only Dongfang Bingling was there, and she walked directly to the back room, "My mother is taking Lord Ximen to his quarters. Senior Brother, I will take you to your quarters."

Yang Dingtian followed her out of the Embroidered Pavilion, leaving the Lady's warm garden behind.

Exiting through the arched gate to the north, they found themselves in a world of ice and snow. The scenery here was completely different; there were no buildings, only a steep mountain path. The trees on both sides were covered in ice, and the path became steeper and more remote the higher they went, with no one in sight, a completely wild and desolate mountain.

Dongfang Bingling walked in front, and Yang Dingtian followed behind. The more he interacted with her, the more he felt her astonishing beauty. Yang Dingtian could not imagine how captivating a woman's back could be, how graceful the curve of her waist and hips.

The two walked in silence, the path was very steep. Dongfang Bingling was fully aware that the curve of her waist and hips was completely visible to Yang Dingtian as she walked, but she did not seem to mind, neither letting Yang Dingtian walk in front nor telling him not to look.

They walked for over an hour, already on the other side of the mountain, but Yang Dingtian did not feel tired at all. Time seemed to pass in an instant, as if he wished the path would never end.

However, Yang Dingtian was slightly puzzled as to why his quarters were arranged in such a remote and uninhabited place, rather than within the buildings of the Yin-Yang Sect.

They reached their destination, the top of the mountain on the other side. A flat area had been carved out of the mountain, and a stone house stood there.

"This is Father's residence. He often stays here, and no one has lived here for over ten years," Dongfang Bingling said.

Then, Dongfang Bingling pushed open the door.

The inside of the house was simple, with a thick carpet on the floor, no chairs, and a low square table in the center. The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled with books. Candle stands were placed around the room.

Dongfang Bingling lit the candles and incense, and the room instantly felt warm and fragrant.

"Behind the house is a natural hot spring. If Senior Brother wants to bathe, you can go there," Dongfang Bingling said. "Do you need a maid to assist?"

"No, no," Yang Dingtian said.

"Alright, I will send clothes and a meal over," Dongfang Bingling said. "These books all belong to Father. Disciples of the sect are not allowed to read them, but Senior Brother can read any of them."

"Is there anything else you need? I can have it arranged," Dongfang Bingling asked.

"No, it's already very considerate," Yang Dingtian said.

"Then, Senior Brother, please rest well," Dongfang Bingling said. "I will send clothes and dinner over shortly. I will be busy for the next three days, so I may not have time to talk to you. We will discuss the important matters after three days."

Yang Dingtian's heart skipped a beat, and he nodded.

"Then I will take my leave," Dongfang Bingling said, and she walked out of the stone house. Yang Dingtian saw her off.

"Senior Brother, goodbye," Dongfang Bingling said, and with a light step, a fragrant breeze blew, and her figure was already dozens of meters away. In a few leaps, her beautiful figure disappeared from Yang Dingtian's sight.

Yang Dingtian was stunned. His junior sister seemed very strong. She had accompanied him for over an hour to get here, when in reality, with her cultivation, it would have taken her only a few minutes.

Looking in the direction where Dongfang Bingling had disappeared, Yang Dingtian's gaze was somewhat dazed. Everything felt like a dream. Such a beautiful woman, such a fairy-like girl, such a girl with flawless skin, had become his fiancée.

Yes, she was cold, but towards Yang Dingtian, she had been as gentle as possible. At this moment, Yang Dingtian's heart was filled with sweetness.

Back in the stone house, Yang Dingtian picked up a book and tried to read under the candlelight. He tried hard to focus, but his mind was completely occupied by her image.

This was the most beautiful girl in the world, the most powerful girl in the world, the most pure and noble girl in the world, the fairy that all men dreamed of, and she had become his fiancée. Yang Dingtian had nothing in this world; his master, Dongfang Niemi, was the closest person to him. Now that his master was gone, this girl might become the most important person in his life.

After a long time, it was already dark, but Yang Dingtian had not read a single word.

Suddenly, a fragrant breeze blew in, and Yang Dingtian looked up to see Dongfang Bingling walk in, carrying a food box. She had brought it herself, rather than sending a maid.

She sat opposite Yang Dingtian, her waist and hips forming a beautiful curve.

Opening the food box, she placed the exquisite dishes on the table, still steaming hot. There was a pot of wine and a small wooden bucket filled with fragrant rice.

"I had the kitchen prepare it. I hope it meets your taste," Dongfang Bingling said.

"I will definitely like it," Yang Dingtian said. Indeed, the sight of this stunning beauty made even the worst food taste delicious.

There were only five dishes, but each was exquisitely prepared. When Yang Dingtian tasted them, he found they were not only beautiful but also delicious, and the wine was excellent.

Yang Dingtian happily ate and drank, while Dongfang Bingling sat opposite, watching him.

"Junior Sister, would you like to eat with me?" Yang Dingtian asked, full of hope and nervousness.

"Sure," Dongfang Bingling said, and she picked up a jade chopstick, picking up a piece of vegetable and putting it into her crystal-like mouth.

"Do you drink?" Yang Dingtian asked.

"Sure," Dongfang Bingling said.

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