Bai Xuebing, who was sitting while leaning on his spear, watched the city, lost in his gaze, without thinking about anything else, when he was interrupted by a touch on his shoulder.
—Mmm...
He looked up and found Mei Lin. Her brown hair fell like a small stream down her neck, and her eyes held a contained sadness that seemed heavier than words could express.
—Mei Lin, what's the matter?
For a moment, she seemed to hesitate. Her fingers nervously gripped her clothes, while her lips pressed together as if she were searching for the right words.
—It's just... I wanted to see you before you left— she finally replied, her voice quieter than usual.
Bai watched her silently, trying to read in her face the words she didn't dare to say. Mei Lin had never been someone who openly expressed vulnerability, but that day, the sadness in her eyes was impossible to ignore.
—Are you okay?— Bai asked, keeping his tone neutral, though his brow furrowed slightly.
She nodded quickly, too quickly, as if trying to convince herself. Then, she took a breath, straightening a bit before speaking again:
—I didn't want you to leave without saying goodbye. I know this journey will be long and dangerous, and... I just wanted to wish you luck, Bai.
A brief silence settled between them, interrupted only by the bustle of the city behind the walls.
—Thank you, Mei Lin— he finally replied, shifting his gaze back to the city —I'll do what I have to and come back later; after all, I'm traveling in the opposite direction from where I really need to go.
She lowered her gaze, biting her lip slightly. Her hands remained restless, as if they wanted to cling to something, but in the end, they just clasped each other.
Despite his distant personality, Bai Xuebing, after all the time he had spent there, had developed a certain closeness with Mei Lin. She was the one he talked to the most and who, in some way, managed to soften the silences he usually preferred.
Although he wouldn't admit it openly, he had forged a kind of friendship with her, or at least a bond that transcended what he would normally allow with others.
However, from each of their perspectives, that bond had a very different meaning. To Bai Xuebing, Mei Lin was a passing person on his path, someone to share occasional moments with, but without breaking down the barriers he had built over the years.
To Mei Lin, on the other hand, Bai was much more than that. She saw him as a close friend, someone she could trust, but also someone who awakened deeper, harder-to-define emotions in her. The idea of him leaving left a void in her chest that she couldn't ignore.
—Are you still planning to go to Yanshi Guo?— Mei Lin asked, breaking the silence with a firmer tone than usual, though her eyes betrayed the concern she tried to hide.
Bai Xuebing nodded without hesitation, determination shining in his eyes.
—After completing this mission, I'll have enough to travel there.
Mei Lin lowered her gaze for a moment, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say something more, but instead, she took a breath and faced him again.
—Don't worry too much about me, okay? —added Bai, trying to ease the tension in the air, his voice softer than usual.
Mei Lin responded with a small but genuine smile, though her eyes still reflected that mix of emotions she couldn't hide.
—All right, but promise me you'll be careful, Bai. No matter how strong you are, even the strongest can fall if they're not careful.
The sincerity in her voice caught him off guard. There was something in those words that pierced through the barriers he worked so hard to maintain. For a moment, Bai Xuebing reconsidered the relationship he thought he had with her. Had he underestimated what Mei Lin meant to him? And, more importantly, what Mei Lin was beginning to mean to him?
More than someone passing through, she would be someone who would remain a part of his life.
But Bai wasn't someone who allowed himself to get lost in emotions or reflections for too long. He nodded seriously, responding to her concern with a silent promise, a promise he perhaps didn't fully understand himself.
She nodded, though she didn't seem entirely convinced. Without saying more, she took a step back, giving him space to lose himself in his thoughts again. But before leaving, she let out one last phrase:
—Come back in one piece, Bai. I'll be waiting for you.
With that, Mei Lin turned and walked away, leaving Bai with his thoughts and the city once again. For a moment, he looked at the empty space she had left, feeling a slight weight in his chest.
"Waiting, huh?" he thought, letting out a slight sigh as he adjusted his spear.
Time would wait for no one, much less for him.
With the gear ready, the client prepared, and the leader in charge, the group left the city heading toward their destination. Each step took them farther from the great walls, which gradually faded into the distance. Bai Xuebing gave them one last glance, inhaling deeply, as if trying to hold onto something from that place before departing.
Accompanying them were the heavy footsteps of the Mountain Shell Turtle, a spiritual beast as large as a three-story building. Its appearance was imposing: a long neck and snake-like head emerged from its body, covered by a shell that resembled a rocky mountain. On its forehead, a flat rock glowed faintly.
The turtle's shell had two distinctive parts. The first was its natural refuge, where it could completely shelter itself, while the second had been modified by human hands. Now, that mountain was a small rustic building that turned it into a walking house. Inside this structure, the client traveled, protected from the dangers outside.
With clear skies and the sun illuminating the path, the group advanced at a steady pace. They marched in a well-organized defensive formation: the client remained at the center, flanked by the two leaders and the strongest combatants. Around them, eight warriors formed a protective circle toward the Mountain Shell Turtle, while the rest of the team closed the formation, keeping watch for any threats on the horizon.
Each member occupied a specific position assigned by the leader. Those with better vision and speed flanked the group's edges, alert to detect any danger. Alongside them were the cultivators specialized in attack, all in the second realm, ready to react to any threat.
In the center, the third-realm cultivators, including Bai Xuebing, surrounded the Mountain Shell Turtle. Their task was to maintain defense and respond forcefully to any attack that broke through the front lines. Finally, the two team leaders, the true final barrier, remained close to the client, prepared to protect him with all their power.
—Stay alert.
Bai Xuebing observed the formation as they advanced. It was efficient and adaptable; it could change depending on the terrain or circumstances. In open terrain, the scouts would expand their distance, while in narrow passes, the group would tighten into a closed circle.
Inside the small building, the space was surprisingly spacious. There were three rooms: two small ones, likely intended for rest, and a larger one that served as a living room, dining area, and kitchen combined.
In the center of the living room, the leader and vice leader sat facing the clients. The first was a man in his forties, with a fierce gaze that contrasted with his grayish skin. A thick mustache gave him a tiger-like air, and he wore a green jade silk robe that emphasized his imposing presence.
At his side, a young woman remained silent, her face covered by a hat adorned with a fine translucent fabric that barely allowed her features to be glimpsed. Her attire was identical to the man's, a green jade robe that seemed to reflect a clear bond between them, although her posture and attitude were more discreet, almost evasive.
Xia Ruyen adjusted her posture, looking at the man in front. With his green jade robe and proud demeanor, it was evident he was not used to receiving orders. Beside him, the veiled young woman, Shen Mei, remained silent, her slender figure wrapped in an almost ethereal calm.
—Mr. Liang— Xia Ruyen began with a firm yet respectful tone —we need to discuss the route to take and the estimated travel time. Our priority is safety, but that could considerably extend the journey.
Liang Cheng raised an eyebrow, leaning on the table with a disdainful air.
—And how long do you estimate to get there? I have no intention of wasting days on unnecessary paths.
Xia maintained her composure as she replied.
—If we follow the safest route, crossing the western mountains, we'd arrive in about four to five months. By taking more direct paths, we could reduce the time to three, but it would mean crossing busier areas with higher risks of ambushes.
Liang Cheng scoffed, waving a hand dismissively.
—Five months? Is that the best you can offer? I don't know why my lady mistress insists on hiring you. It seems I'm surrounded by amateurs.
The vice leader, Ren Jihao, let out a low, sarcastic laugh.
—Amateurs? If it weren't for us, you wouldn't make it halfway before falling into a trap.
The tension instantly filled the air. Liang Cheng stood up, glaring furiously at Ren Jihao.
—What did you say? Watch your words! I won't tolerate insolence from a mere escort.
Ren Jihao took a step forward, his hands clenching.
—Mere escort?— he growled, raising his voice —I could crush you like an insect if I wanted!
Before he could do anything else, Xia Ruyen raised a hand, stopping him with a firm gesture.
—Ren Jihao, enough— Her sharp voice made him step back, though his eyes remained fixed on Liang Cheng.
For her part, Shen Mei slightly raised her hand, stopping Liang Cheng before he could continue. It was a subtle movement, but enough for the man to shut his mouth immediately and lean back, taking his seat again.
Silence took over the room for a few seconds before Liang Cheng spoke again, this time in a more controlled tone, though still full of pride.
—We'll have to take the less-traveled routes. It's essential to maintain a low profile, no matter how long it takes. My young mistress cannot risk being seen.
Xia Ruyen nodded, suppressing a sigh.
—Then we'll follow the northern mountain route. Five months at most, if we don't encounter setbacks.
The journey was long due to the distance and speed; traveling by land was slow, but this was due to the lack of flying mounts or transportation artifacts. Although all were cultivators, including the clients, Shen Mei's cultivation level was at least weak, and her health was delicate. Traveling on flying mounts or using transportation artifacts could worsen her condition. Hence, the decision to travel by land.
—You'd better keep your promise— Liang Cheng retorted, adjusting his robe —I trust you at least know how to do your job.
Ren Jihao's gaze hardened again, but this time he remained silent, obeying Xia's order.
Meanwhile, Bai Xuebing, leaning against the wall near the door, silently observed. His eyes shifted to Shen Mei, who, although silent, seemed to hold the only true authority over Liang Cheng. There was something about her presence that intrigued him, though he couldn't define what.
With the tensions eased, Xia Ruyen ended the meeting.
—Let's reach the road detour by dawn. Make sure you're ready.
Liang Cheng got up without saying anything else and led the way out. When the door closed behind them, Ren Jihao let out a growl.
—That man... If it weren't for the mission, I'd have already taught him a lesson.
Xia Ruyen looked at him sternly.
—Focus on the job, Ren Jihao. We don't need more internal conflicts.
Bai Xuebing, still silent, straightened up and stepped outside into the fresh air, letting the cold breeze clear his thoughts. The journey promised to be more complicated than he had expected.