Chapter 824 - 259: Gathering of the Four Young Elites of Qingying (Second Update)
"Someone wants to see me?" Mu Qingge didn’t expect that as soon as she emerged from her space cultivation, she received a message from the Outer Court.
The messenger was someone she knew.
It was the woman who traveled with her on the ferry from Yanghai, Song Jinsan. It seems she successfully passed the Alchemy Institute’s examination and stayed in the Outer Court.
But, she didn’t understand why the messenger would be her.
"Yes, they are two men and one woman, none of them seem like ordinary people." Song Jinsan said softly.
News about Mu Qingge had already spread from the Inner Courtyard to the Outer Court. Seeing her again, Song Jinsan felt the distance between them growing. Mu Qingge’s brilliance made her feel like she could only look up from afar.
"They didn’t give their names or send a visiting card?" Mu Qingge asked with narrowed eyes.
Song Jinsan slowly shook her head, "One of the gentlemen said you should be able to guess who they are."
Three people? Two men and one woman...
Who could it be?
Yin Chen, Hou, and Bai Xi?
Mu Qingge slowly shook her head, that was unlikely. Without her, those three would never gather together. Besides, Yin Chen was at a crucial breakthrough point, how could he come?
Thinking of Yin Chen, Mu Qingge frowned slightly.
This time, Yin Chen’s breakthrough was quite unusual; there were several signs of breakthrough, yet it seemed something was missing. So much so that Yin Chen revealed his true form in Luoxing City to cultivate.
If not them, who could it be?
’Ji Yaohua and Ying Ze did mention they would come, but who could the woman be? It couldn’t possibly be Xi Qianxue! Even if Xi Qianxue were to come, she wouldn’t come with those two.’ Mu Qingge pondered in her heart.
She raised her eyes and asked Song Jinsan, "What do they look like?"
Song Jinsan frowned in recollection, "One of the gentlemen always has a playful smile, appearing somewhat carefree. The other one is cold as ice, making people fearful. The remaining woman carries a constant smile, with a beautiful appearance that makes others feel very comfortable."
After hearing her description, Mu Qingge was already certain about who they were.
However, she was a bit surprised that Ji Pianpian would come along with the two.
’Could it be...’ Mu Qingge put away her curiosity and said to Song Jinsan, "I know."
After hearing, Song Jinsan had no reason to stay longer; she bowed slightly and retreated.
She was only there to deliver the message and couldn’t stay long in the Inner Courtyard.
Thinking about it, she left the yard and headed towards Yao Xinghai’s residence.
Luckily, halfway there, she saw the disciple who originally led her to Yao Xinghai’s place. Judging from the direction he came from, he must have just come from Yao Xinghai’s residence.
She spotted him, and naturally, he saw her as well.
He immediately stopped in his tracks and said to Mu Qingge, "Is Senior Brother Mu looking for Senior Brother Yao?"
Mu Qingge nodded, "Since I ran into you here, Senior, please relay a message for me. Tell him that Young Master Ji and Young Master Ying have arrived, waiting outside the Outer Court."
After saying this, she turned and left gracefully.
The person was momentarily stunned, scratched the back of his head, and then turned to walk back towards Yao Xinghai’s residence.
Mu Qingge cheerfully walked towards the Outer Court, but as she passed through the courtyard gate, she saw Lian Qiao leaning against the wall, smiling.
’Why is she here?’ Mu Qingge’s pace involuntarily slowed down. This month, she had announced she was in seclusion, naturally not seeing Lian Qiao.
Initially, she thought Lian Qiao had given up trying to entangle her, but unexpectedly, she showed up again.
Lian Qiao saw Mu Qingge and said with a smile, "Same old rule, you do what you need to do, I’ll just follow you. Won’t disturb or cause trouble."
"..." Mu Qingge stopped in front of her, her expression involuntarily darkening. "What exactly do you want?"
Lian Qiao shrugged and said, "I told you long ago, I’m quenching my thirst by admiring the scenery."
Mu Qingge took a deep breath and said calmly to her, "Don’t you think this is ridiculous? No matter how much you feel I resemble the person in your heart, I am not him. What good does it do to entangle me? The fact that he is gone can’t be changed!"
This statement wiped the smile off Lian Qiao’s face, and her gaze turned cold.
She threatened, "Do you believe I can make sure you won’t be able to attend the Alchemy Conference?"
Mu Qingge sneered, "Of course, I believe. You are the ancestor of the Alchemy Institute, stopping me from attending the Alchemy Conference is just a matter of saying the word."
"Since you know, you still dare to provoke me?" Lian Qiao’s adorable features twisted with ferocity.
"Provoke?" Mu Qingge shook her head, "I’m just speaking the truth."
She sighed, crouched down so that her eyes could meet Lian Qiao’s. "Though I don’t know who you’re waiting for or what profound shared experiences you had, but if he’s gone and you remain submerged in his memory, what’s the use?"
"He will come back! He promised he would!" Lian Qiao clenched her teeth, swallowing back heart-wrenching pain, squeezing out these words through her teeth.
However, it was unclear whether those words were meant for Mu Qingge or herself.
"No matter how many of you claim he won’t return, I won’t believe it! I only believe him, only his words!" Lian Qiao shouted at Mu Qingge.
The force of it shook Mu Qingge internally, and she felt her blood and energy surging. A hint of red appeared at the corners of her lips.
After shouting those words, Lian Qiao dashed away, her silhouette as if trying to flee, to escape.
Mu Qingge watched her retreating figure, slowly stood up, raised her hand, and with the back of her hand, wiped away a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth. Lian Qiao had inadvertently hurt her just now, but it was not a big deal. With her current physical strength, she didn’t even need to take an elixir to recover instantly.
Slowly shaking her head, Mu Qingge flung her sleeves behind her and walked out of the courtyard gate.
...
In the market outside the Outer Court of the Alchemy Institute, following the instructions, Mu Qingge easily found the inn for the meeting.
"Qingge, you’ve arrived!" As soon as she entered, Mu Qingge saw Ji Yaohua’s smiling face.
She curled her lips into a smile, and her gaze swept over to the other two people.
Sure enough, it was Ying Ze and Ji Pianpian.
However, although both were seated, the distance between them was somewhat far, not as intimate as she imagined.
"City Lord Mu, Pianpian’s illness has been cured. This time, upon hearing my brother and them coming to support City Lord Mu, Pianpian insisted on coming along to thank you personally." Ji Pianpian stood up and bowed to Mu Qingge.
Ying Ze also stood up and nodded slightly toward Mu Qingge.
"Congratulations, Miss Ji." Mu Qingge nodded and smiled.
"Have a seat, everyone’s not strangers here." Ji Yaohua beckoned.
Mu Qingge sat down as ordered, with the four of them sitting around the table. She noticed that there were no dishes on the table, and looked at Ji Yaohua in surprise.
Ji Yaohua grinned and said, "The taverns outside the Alchemy Institute mostly serve medicinal cuisine. I’m not fond of it, and Pianpian and Ying Ze said they’d wait for you to order."
Mu Qingge nodded in understanding. She smiled at the three of them and said, "Feel free to order whatever you want, even if you want to go through every dish in this tavern."
Her words made Ji Pianpian blink and Ying Ze looked at her in confusion.
Only Ji Yaohua reached over, trying to touch Mu Qingge’s forehead, and directly asked, "Are you sick? How come you’re suddenly so generous?"
Mu Qingge dodged his probing hand and pouted, "What makes it sound like I’m stingy?"
"Not stingy, just not like you!" Ji Yaohua muttered.
At this moment, someone knocked on the door.
The four of them simultaneously looked toward the door, and Ji Yaohua called out, "Come in."
The door opened, and naturally, it was Yao Xinghai who came in. He glanced around at everyone in the room and smiled, "Everyone, sorry for being a bit late."
"Yao Xinghai?"
Ji Yaohua stood up in surprise.
Ying Ze also looked at him, slightly furrowing his brow, with a gaze full of fighting spirit. He had mentioned that aside from supporting Mu Qingge, he also wanted to challenge Yao Xinghai during this visit to the Alchemy Institute.
Mu Qingge pointed behind her at Yao Xinghai with her backhand, calmly saying, "Look, the one treating us is here."
Her words made Ji Yaohua and the others even more astonished.
Yao Xinghai, after a slight pause, laughed and said, "Feel free to order whatever you’d like today; it’s Yao’s treat." Saying this, he called over the tavern’s waiter and told everyone, "Since you’ve come from afar, how about trying the soup here first? The soups here are brewed with hundreds of herbal ingredients, and they’re great for health."
Ji Yaohua transmitted sound to Mu Qingge asking, ’Aren’t you two supposed to have a Dan Fighting match? Why are you getting along so peacefully?’
Mu Qingge faintly smiled and also transmitted sound, ’He wants to team up with us to explore the Divine Tomb.’
This explanation made Ji Yaohua suddenly realize, exchanging a glance with Ying Ze, and they understood each other’s mind.
’So your meaning is...’ Ji Yaohua inquired of Mu Qingge.
Mu Qingge’s smile widened, ’I told him that since it’s a team, all members need to accept him.’
Ji Yaohua’s eyes narrowed, staring at Mu Qingge, suddenly chuckling, ’You’re so bad!’
Mu Qingge shivered and spoke disdainfully, ’Don’t use that tone with me, it’s disgusting!’
However, Ji Yaohua didn’t mind Mu Qingge’s words.
Having understood Mu Qingge’s meaning, he naturally would cooperate well. He stood up, warmly inviting Yao Xinghai, "Come, come, Young Master Yao, please take a seat."
Yao Xinghai smiled and chose a seat to sit down.
The table in this room was meant for ten people, so even with five of them seated, it still seemed very spacious, not crowded at all.
Once seated, Yao Xinghai first nodded to Ying Ze, then looked at Ji Pianpian with a smile, "Miss Ji, we meet again."
"You’ve met before?" Ji Yaohua asked in surprise.
Even Ying Ze slightly frowned, seemingly contemplating something.
Ji Pianpian responded to Yao Xinghai’s greeting, saying, "Young Master Yao, long time no see." Then she explained to her brother, "Last time I went to the Alchemy Institute with father, we met Young Master Yao at the Dean’s place."
"I see!" Ji Yaohua nodded.
"Miss Ji, is your health better?" Yao Xinghai asked at this moment.
Ji Pianpian sweetly smiled and nodded, "Thank you, Young Master Yao, for your concern. I’ve already recovered."