Chapter 15

When Bai Shi and Su Xuan arrived at Dongchen Manor, it was already late at night.

The late-night Dongchen Manor was rather quiet, with no sounds of strange beasts howling. Perhaps it was because these beasts had not yet ended their hibernation.

The snow on the mountain had not completely melted, and the white moonlight shone on the snow, reflecting a silvery glow. This made it possible to see the general layout of Dongchen Manor even at this late hour.

Even so, in some cliffs or ravines of the Chen Mountain Range, one could still hear the trickling sound of water from the melting snow, tinkling like a bell.

At this time, all the disciples should have been asleep. However, in Dongchenzi's room at Dongchen Manor, a faint candlelight flickered, casting the shadows of three people.

These three people were Bai Shi, Su Xuan, and Dongchenzi.

Indeed, when Bai Shi and Su Xuan arrived at Dongchen Manor, their first task was to tell Dongchenzi everything that had happened in Daochen Town that day. After all, today's matter required Dongchenzi's consideration.

The window in Dongchenzi's room was open, and the cold wind occasionally howled in, but it did not alleviate their heavy hearts.

Dongchenzi's room still emitted a strong aroma of alcohol, and the wooden table was filled with rice wine. However, this wine was not the usual "Daughter Red" that Dongchenzi usually drank, but the "Moutai" that Bai Shi had brewed for him.

Standing with his hands behind his back, Dongchenzi did not seem to be drunk at all. After listening to Su Xuan's account, he turned his gaze to the window, as if admiring the full moon in the sky or wondering when the snow would completely melt.

In fact, he was considering how to handle today's matter.

Furrowing his brows, Dongchenzi suddenly drew in a cold breath, as if worried about something. Bai Shi and Su Xuan, standing behind him, remained silent, watching Dongchenzi without speaking.

Although Dongchenzi was a heavy drinker, he was not a muddled person who could not distinguish right from wrong. However, he was very familiar with Beichenzi's character. After all, they were fellow disciples. If Bai Shi had injured Cai Heng, and Beichenzi came to confront them, they would not know how to deal with it.

After a moment, Dongchenzi turned around and looked at Bai Shi, his expression unchanged, and said, "Beichenzi is a fiery person, but once she sets her mind on something, even the sky falling down won't change it. Today, you injured her favorite disciple. I think she will definitely come to Dongchen Manor and demand that I expel you from the sect..."

Bai Shi pursed his lips, feeling a sense of helplessness, as today's incident was initiated by Cai Heng. However, for Dongchenzi, he was unwilling to completely ruin his relationship with his fellow disciple of several decades over a disciple who had only recently joined Dongchen Manor. Bai Shi understood this very well.

On the contrary, Su Xuan said indignantly, "Cai Heng has always been tyrannical and bullying in Beichen Manor. Today's incident was started by him, and he got injured because he deserved it! It's not Bai Shi's fault..."

Hearing this, Dongchenzi's furrowed brows did not ease at all. After pacing a few steps in the room, he continued, "I naturally believe you, but it's hard to explain to Beichenzi. However, I am curious, Bai Shi, with your strength, how could you possibly injure Cai Heng?" As he spoke, Dongchenzi's gaze fell on Bai Shi.

Bai Shi smiled bitterly and said, "I don't know... Perhaps it has something to do with what happened in that cave."

Hearing Bai Shi's words, Su Xuan was completely puzzled, but Dongchenzi's furrowed brows suddenly relaxed, as if he had thought of something. A smile appeared on his lips, and he said, "I have an idea. If Beichenzi insists on expelling you from the sect tomorrow, I will expel you in front of them, and then you can go into that cave to cultivate... This way, no one will know where you have gone."

"What cave?" Su Xuan asked curiously, hearing Dongchenzi's words.

Bai Shi smiled faintly and looked at Su Xuan, saying, "You'll know when the time comes." As he spoke, he looked at Dongchenzi, who had a mischievous smile on his lips, and continued, "I will follow Master Dongchen's instructions..."

...

...

In the early morning, after the moon had set, the sky was illuminated by the first rays of sunlight, welcoming the dawn.

The disciples who had been sleeping began to wake up gradually, stretching lazily and smiling contentedly, feeling the comfort that comes after a good night's sleep.

In Dongchen Manor, where only a few disciples lived, someone had already started to sweep the snow that had not yet melted in the courtyard.

The icicles hanging from the roof tiles began to melt into water droplets, which, along with the remaining ice chips, trickled down, making a rhythmic dripping sound.

The roosters, which had just announced the dawn, stopped their first call of the day.

Pushing open the windows that had been closed all night, the disciples felt the fresh morning air, which, though slightly cold, brought a refreshing sensation to those who had just woken up.

Spring would soon arrive.

Bai Shi looked out the window, his expression calm. After standing for a moment, he washed up and left the room.

In Dongchen Manor, even those without cultivation talent were not treated differently when it came to cleaning the courtyard.

Bai Shi was no exception.

When he stepped out of his room, he saw Su Xuan, who was sweeping the courtyard. Su Xuan's plump body, which made him look like a bobblehead, made him look rather awkward even while sweeping.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Su Xuan rubbed his already numb waist, which had started to ache after only a short while of work, and saw Bai Shi coming out of his room.

"Lazybones, you're just getting up... Come over, it's our turn to clean the courtyard today." Su Xuan said, pointing to an empty shovel nearby.

Bai Shi smiled faintly, feigning helplessness, and without further ado, took the shovel and started cleaning the courtyard with Su Xuan and another unnamed disciple.

Cleaning the courtyard in winter was the most difficult task. Not only were there ice layers on the ground that had not completely melted, but the icy cold water from the melting snow that seeped into their shoes also made them uncomfortable.

Fortunately, it was a relatively heavy task, and time passed quickly as Bai Shi and Su Xuan chatted. The cold brought by the melting snow was forgotten in their labor.

Of course, during their conversation, Bai Shi also learned the name of the other disciple, Chen Peng.

Chen Peng had previously cultivated in Nanchen Manor but came to Dongchen Manor because he failed the test. He was not a quiet person but felt inferior due to his perceived lack of strength, which made him somewhat melancholic.

In their conversation, Bai Shi also learned the origin of Chen Peng's name. His parents had given him this name, which means "a great bird spreading its wings."

Of course, through their conversation, Bai Shi also gained a general understanding of the two manors, Beichen Manor and Nanchen Manor.

Amidst their casual conversation, Bai Shi, Su Xuan, and Chen Peng had finished cleaning the courtyard.

By then, it was already noon, and the sunlight was no longer gentle but rather hot.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Bai Shi straightened his back and looked up at the sky. As his gaze fell on the sky, he suddenly noticed streaks of rainbow light, like meteors, rapidly approaching Dongchen Manor.

"A storm... is about to come!" Seeing this, Bai Shi's expression became serious. He murmured to himself and stood there, as if waiting for the rainbow lights to arrive.