Chapter 236: Chapter 237 Meng Bingci


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    “Since that’s the case, let us have our Spirit Birds carry everyone down the mountain and back to the capital.” Wen Lingfei said.


    Upon hearing this, Zhu Minng let out a long sigh of relief.


    Everyone stood on the mountain teau, where several female disciples of the Miao Mountain Sword Sect led over a few Spirit Birds with Dragon Sparrow Bloodline. They were fitted with saddles and were veryfortable to ride for flying, but only for flying.


    The Sect Leader, elders, Hall Masters, and various dignitaries stood at the Sword Pavilion, watching as the people from the Yaoshan Sword Sect departed.


    But just then, a female Swordswoman hurried over and whispered something into Master Wen’s ear.


    Zhu Minng had a bad feeling!


    They’ve been discovered!


    How could it be so quick?


    The majority were still at the Sword Pavilion, so which Swordswoman who had eaten their fill would go to the Ruined Ancient Tower and stare at the treasures?


    “Zhu Minng.” Wen Lingfei called out to him.


    Zhu Minng immediately signaled to Nan Lingsha to lead the others away first.


    “Head Meng requests your presence,” Wen Lingfei continued.


    Zhu Minng was nearly ready to summon his Sword Spirit Dragon, intending to fight these Swordswomen. Hearing these words, he almost used too much force and nearly fell from the Spirit Bird.


    “The night is deep, and I’m tired, another day to pay a visit to my mother,” Zhu Minng said.


    “Head Meng has asked you to stay,” Wen Lingfei said.


    “But don’t you forbid men from staying overnight?” While saying this, Zhu Minng had already quietly had Little White pass the Ancient Lantern Jade to Nan Lingsha.


    Zhu Minng looked around and noticed that the elders who had vehemently opposed overnight stays were now silent.


    It seemed that Meng Bingci held a much higher position in the Miao Mountain Sword Sect. Those elders dared to oppose some of Wen Lingfei’s actions, but they didn’t dare to defy Meng Bingci’s wishes.


    At that moment, Zhu Minng felt like he was between a rock and a hard ce.


    Why did it have to be at this time?


    Although she was his birth mother, in reality, Zhu Minng didn’t know her all that well.


    Never mind that, the important thing was to shift the stolen item. Even if it were discovered at night, they would not find the Ancient Lantern Jade on him. He would deny any involvement, and if it came down to it, he could just eat vegetarian meals here for a month or so while waiting for Zhu Heavenly Officer toe and get him.


    “You all go on ahead,” Zhu Minng said.


    Nan Lingsha looked at him but did not speak.


    Zhu Minng smiled and said, “Don’t worry, it’s unlikely they can keep me here.”


    After everyone left, Zhu Minng returned to the Sword Pavilion, where the dignifieddies were quite enthusiastic about him, almost as if they wanted to spend the whole night chatting with him.


    However, Zhu Minng didn’t linger long at the Sword Pavilion; Wen Lingfei personally led him to the waterfall and flowing mountain behind the Miao Mountain Sword Sect.


    “It seems they haven’t discovered it yet.” Zhu Minng observed quietly, noticing that there were no usationsing his way.


    Wen Lingfei, wearing a ck veil, only asked Zhu Minng about some matters concerning Zhu Xuehen. It had been a long time since Zhu Minng had seen Zhu Xuehen, so he answered nomittally.


    Gradually, the sound of the waterfall became audible, and some cool mist drifted down from mid-air, dampening Zhu Minng’s hair.


    “If you walk ahead, you will be able to see the Waterfall House,” Wen Lingfei said, pointing to a narrow path with her hand.


    Zhu Minng nodded and followed the path.


    Calcting the time, the Ancient Lantern Jade should have been taken down the mountain by Nan Lingsha by now. Even if it were discovered now, as long as there were no conclusive proofs of theft found on him, there was still room to maneuver.


    In any case, the idea was Zhu Heavenly Officer’s, and if push came to shove, he could just me the mastermind on Zhu Heavenly Officer.


    The waterfall cascaded, resembling a silver dragon descending leisurely from one mountain peak to another in the Yonder Mountains, enveloped in the dusk. Indeed, the vista of mountains and waterfalls was uniquely elegant, and the Spirit Origin was dense amidst the slender streams, making practice in such a ce twice as effective with half the effort.


    Walking along, Zhu Minng saw a wooden bridge reaching across the waterfall’s stream, and beside it stood a cabin with bright lights shining forth. A young woman in a long white garment stood guard, her face cold and aloof.


    Zhu Minng approached, ncing at this adopted sister whom he had met only a few times.


    Her name was Meng Han Wu, an adopted girl who served at Meng Bingci’s side and was treated by her as a daughter.


    Meng Han Wu looked at Zhu Minng, her face expressionless.


    Zhu Minng passed by, not bothering to deal with this frosty adopted sister. Throughout his life, he probably could count the number of words they’d exchanged on one hand.


    As he walked past her, Zhu Minng felt that the frost on her cheeks was sharp enough to freeze him to death. He had initially intended to reluctantly greet her, but on second thought, he decided against it. It was better to maintain the mutual disdain typical of an estranged family.


    Zhu Minng headed toward the brightly lit cabin and saw Meng Bingci. She stood in an open-work wooden corridor, gazing spellbound at the waterfall that was gradually bing hazy in the twilight.


    Zhu Minng realized he hadn’t seen her for many years, yet her appearance seemed to have hardly changed—probably due to the nourishing spirit of the mountain and water, as most Sword Cultivators pursued a sort of ascetic transcendence akin to the path of immortals.


    “What are you doing with the Divine Jade?” Meng Bingci turned around and asked.


    Zhu Minng was startled in his heart.


    What’s happening!


    None of the people in the Sword Pavilion had noticed him stealing the jade, so how did Meng Bingci, living a secluded life under the waterfall, find out? Did she have irvoyance?


    “To save someone,” Zhu Minng replied helplessly, forced to give an honest answer.


    Meng Bingci’s demeanor remained calm, with no hint of interrogation in her words—as if she was simply inquiring about a matter, and her emotions, whether of joy or anger, were inscrutable.


    “You may have the jade…” Meng Bingci said.


    “What?”


    “Do something for me,” Meng Bingci continued.


    “What is it?” Zhu Minng asked, his mind as foggy as the mist rising from the waterfall.


    “Go forth as a suitor and be Princess Luoshui’s husband,” Meng Bingci stated.


    Zhu Minng wondered if he had misheard.


    Arranged marriage??


    Why should he be the one to trade on his dashing good looks?


    “The person I’m saving is my bride,” Zhu Minng dered.


    “Once you be the princess’s consort, whether you wish to stay with Princess Luoshui is up to you,” Meng Bingci said.


    Marry first, run awayter??


    This is too thrilling!


    Zhu Minng felt he might not be able to handle it.


    “It’s quite inappropriate, and it goes against ethics and morals,” Zhu Minng protested.


    “Then cultivate here in the mountains for ten years—I will see to your progress,” Meng Bingci said, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.


    Zhu Minng furrowed his brow, shooting a nce at his icy sister and then at his mother who was like a cier herself. To undergo austere practice in such a ce for ten years—he might as well kill himself!


    “Allow me to consider it,” Zhu Minng said.


    “Be the consort, and the jade is yours. The Miao Mountain Sword Sect will not pursue the matter of you stealing the jade any further,” Meng Bingciid out the condition.