Chapter 1257: Black Peony's Ex-Husband

Seeing that Xi Haitang had finally relented and stopped asking for any, Niu Youdao touched the things tucked inside his sleeve and felt satisfied.

Just then, there came a knock at the stone chamber door. Wen Hua sent his voice out with spiritual power. "Enter!"

Rumble!

The stone door opened. A disciple entered and cupped his hands. "Mr. Shan and his wife have come to pay their respects."

At once, Wen Hua paid close attention to Niu Youdao's reaction. He saw a flicker in Niu Youdao's eyes, as though the words had stirred something.

"Why aren't they staying where they belong? What did they come here for?" Wen Hua asked with a slight frown.

The disciple glanced at Xi Haitang. "It seems they heard the Sect Leader of Myriad Beasts Sect had arrived and wanted to take the opportunity to pay their respects."

"Mr. Shan?" Xi Haitang thought for a moment, then asked Wen Hua, "Could this be Shan Hailong and his wife, the son-in-law of Jin Jue, Grand Marshal of Han?"

Wen Hua nodded and gave a quiet grunt of acknowledgment. He smiled at his two guests. "People who don't know the immensity of Heaven and Earth. There's no need to bother with them."

Unexpectedly, Niu Youdao interjected, "Since they're Jin Jue's daughter and son-in-law, there's no harm in putting faces to the names."

Xi Haitang did not care either way. "I heard this son-in-law of Jin Jue's is rather handsome. Since they're here, we may as well greet them and meet face-to-face."

Since both men wished to see them, Wen Hua gave the disciple a look. The disciple immediately invited Xi Haitang and Niu Youdao to step outside for a moment.

The three left, while Wen Hua remained behind to find somewhere to hide the things.

Along the hollowed-out corridor running through the cliff face, the two men strolled slowly. The scenery beyond the precipice was beautiful. Xi Haitang walked with his hands clasped behind his back and noticed that Niu Youdao seemed somewhat quiet.

"Do you know this Shan Hailong?"

Niu Youdao said, "No. Didn't you just say he's Jin Jue's son-in-law?"

Xi Haitang said, "He used to be an independent cultivator. If I remember correctly, he was already married. Later, who knows how Jin Jue's daughter took a fancy to him. I heard he had a decent face."

"Back then, Jin Jue was only one of Han's generals, but to an independent cultivator that was still an opportunity hard to come by. Even though Jin Jue's daughter is an ordinary mortal, Shan Hailong apparently divorced his wife later and married Jin Jue's only daughter."

Niu Youdao asked, "Who was Shan Hailong's former wife?"

Xi Haitang said, "I think she was also an independent cultivator. Some nobody, hardly worth mentioning."

"After Jin Jue rose to become Grand Marshal of Han, Shan Hailong naturally rose with the tide as well. Husband and wife had a daughter who showed quite a bit of talent for cultivation. Since Tianxing Sect is based in Han's territory, Jin Jue personally came forward to make a request, and their daughter became Wen Hua's closed-door disciple."

"That little girl is the one we saw when we first arrived, the one who saluted us at the entrance. A lively, pretty child."

"Shan Hailong himself has always yearned to enter a great sect like Tianxing Sect. I heard he used Jin Jue's status in his early years and made quite an effort to join one, but none of the great sects would accept him. Once someone has spent years wandering as an independent cultivator, proper great sects generally won't take him in halfway."

"But later, his daughter won Wen Hua's favor. Somehow, after Wen Hua gave his approval, Shan Hailong was also allowed to reside in Tianxing Sect and cultivate. Husband and wife have basically lived here ever since."

"There." Xi Haitang lifted his chin. "That little girl. The two beside her should be the couple."

Niu Youdao followed his gaze.

On a terrace where mountain steps extended out from the cliff, the little girl they had seen earlier was acting lively and adorable before a married couple, chattering nonstop about something. The husband and wife looked to be smiling happily.

The girl was named Shan Xian'er.

The woman was Jin Feng.

The man was Shan Hailong.

Niu Youdao stopped walking and studied the family of three carefully.

The woman was ordinary-looking, though pleasant enough to the eye. There was nothing particularly distinctive about her features, but she carried an air of wealth and status.

The man, however, had a rather impressive appearance. Three long black strands of beard fell from his chin. His features were handsome and refined, his figure tall and slender, his robes loose. When the mountain wind caught them, he looked as though he might ride the wind away at any moment. Gentle and elegant, he carried something of the bearing of an immortal.

A disciple came out to pass along the message.

Shan Xian'er, who had been acting spoiled before her parents, immediately invited them to follow.

The family of three climbed the steps and entered the main hall of the cave residence built into the mountain wall. Wen Hua was already seated inside.

"Master!" Shan Xian'er ran happily over to salute him.

After receiving the family's greetings, Wen Hua gave an expressionless grunt. "Why have the two of you come here?"

Shan Hailong cupped his hands. "We heard that the Sect Leader of Myriad Beasts Sect had personally come to visit. My wife and I hoped to borrow the Supreme Elder's light and pay our respects."

Wen Hua said, "If you wish to meet him, I won't stop you. But let me remind you of one thing: watch your tongue. There are some people you cannot afford to offend. Be as humble as possible."

Shan Hailong did not understand why he would say such a thing and smiled. "Before the august presence of the Sect Leader of Myriad Beasts Sect, how would this one dare behave rudely?"

Wen Hua turned his head. "Where are the guests?"

A disciple at the side replied, "They're sightseeing along the cliff corridor."

Wen Hua looked at Shan Xian'er. "Take your parents over."

"Yes!" Shan Xian'er cupped her hands in acknowledgment, then extended a hand toward her parents. "Father, Mother, come with me."

The couple thanked Wen Hua and followed their daughter away.

Watching his closed-door disciple skip out, Wen Hua's expression grew complicated. He muttered to himself, "Hopefully I'm thinking too much..."

There were some things others did not know, but how could he not?

Naturally, he had investigated the family background of his closed-door disciple. Her mother's side possessed considerable power and status and had therefore been easy enough to investigate. Shan Hailong's background, on the other hand, had taken rather more effort.

In his early years, Shan Hailong had been an independent cultivator, wandering the cultivation world for a long time outside the bounds of any proper institution. His history was not easy to trace.

After considerable effort, Wen Hua had naturally also received information on Shan Hailong's former wife.

She had been an independent cultivator named Black Peony.

She was only an independent cultivator, so Wen Hua had paid her little attention.

Later, however, he discovered that the woman called Black Peony had joined Niu Youdao. Her relationship with Niu Youdao had been somewhat unclear. Whether or not they had been man and woman, no one knew. In any case, she had been one of Niu Youdao's trusted confidantes.

When Black Peony first joined Niu Youdao, he himself had not yet amounted to much and was not worth Wen Hua's notice.

Wen Hua had only begun paying slightly more attention to Niu Youdao later, and that had been because of Hongniang from the Qi capital.

By the time Niu Youdao truly rose to prominence, Black Peony had already been dead for years. Wen Hua had not paid much attention to the matter; he had merely skimmed the information once.

Even after Niu Youdao became a major figure, Wen Hua had not thought much of him. Never in his dreams had he imagined that one day Niu Youdao would come directly to his door and that the two sides would become entangled in a relationship like this.

Even after Niu Youdao arrived, Wen Hua had forgotten all about Shan Hailong's former wife.

It was only when Shan Hailong took the initiative to come here that the old matter suddenly returned to his mind.

In the end, Black Peony had only been one subordinate from years ago. Wen Hua did not think Niu Youdao would necessarily care.

Yet Niu Youdao's reaction just now had stirred something in him.

He could not tell what exactly Niu Youdao was thinking, but something about that reaction had felt wrong.

Of course, he was not particularly worried about Shan Hailong going over to meet him.

He believed Niu Youdao was not stupid enough to act recklessly here. Given his present circumstances, Niu Youdao could not afford to expose himself, much less openly cause trouble in this place.

But if Niu Youdao truly had developed some intention toward Shan Hailong, Wen Hua could say one thing with certainty: Shan Hailong was in serious trouble.

Even Jin Jue might not be able to protect him.

Leaving aside everything Niu Youdao had done in the past, the mere fact that he had managed to obtain Wuliang Fruits from the Sacred Realm, achieving what others could not, was enough to show what kind of ability this man possessed.

As for whether Shan Hailong lived or died, Wen Hua did not particularly care.

What he cared about was his closed-door disciple.

Back then, Jin Jue had personally come to Tianxing Sect and brought his young granddaughter before Wen Hua. Wen Hua had immediately discovered that the girl's innate foundation for cultivation was excellent. He had taken a liking to her at first sight and made an exception by accepting her as his closed-door disciple...

"Shan Hailong and Jin Feng pay respects to Sect Leader Xi."

Along the cliff corridor, Shan Hailong and his wife bowed respectfully to Xi Haitang. Shan Xian'er, who had already met him, merely cupped her hands along with them.

Ordinary people would not even have had the qualifications to meet Xi Haitang face-to-face.

Hearing them introduce themselves, Niu Youdao smiled faintly.

One dragon and one phoenix. Hailong and Jin Feng. Dragon and phoenix paired together indeed.

Xi Haitang raised a hand. "No need for such ceremony. You husband and wife truly do have fitting names."

The couple exchanged a few polite words with smiles.

Shan Hailong had already turned his attention toward Niu Youdao. Anyone able to walk shoulder to shoulder with Xi Haitang was clearly no ordinary person. The man was also plainly disguised.

Shan Hailong immediately cupped his hands. "May I ask how this gentleman should be addressed?"

Niu Youdao smiled faintly. "Wu."

Seeing that he was unwilling to give his full name, the couple did not dare press him. They could only cup their hands. "Greetings, Mr. Wu."

Niu Youdao merely nodded and said no more.

Afterward, he watched the couple converse with Xi Haitang. Shan Hailong in particular spoke rather more, clearly eager to draw closer.

So this was Black Peony's former husband.

To meet him in this fashion was unexpected even for Niu Youdao.

He stood quietly to one side and watched.

There was one thing he had to admit.

Shan Hailong truly was good-looking. In terms of appearance alone, he was more than a match for Black Peony.

Niu Youdao did not know what kind of fate Black Peony had been born to suffer.

Her short life had been spent almost entirely drifting from place to place.

The man who had humiliated and toyed with her had risen to a lofty position in the cultivation world.

The husband who had abandoned her now lived amid wealth and honor as well.

When she finally followed Niu Youdao, it happened to be while he was still laying his foundations. She was constantly forced to follow him into danger, risking her life again and again.

In the end, she died protecting him.

By the time he had finally established himself, gained substantial power, and could, to put it grandly, stand high above others, Black Peony no longer had any chance to see it, much less enjoy any of it.

He would never forget that scene upon the blue sea.

She had gradually gone still in his arms.

He would never forget the sensation of the sea wind stirring the ends of her hair across his face.

Until the moment she died, that woman had never told him the names of those two men.

Perhaps she had not wished to mention them.

Perhaps she had not wanted to bring him trouble.

Whether it was Chao Jing, Elder of Myriad Beasts Sect, or the son-in-law of Jin Jue, Grand Marshal of Han, neither had been someone she could afford to provoke.

And in her eyes, Niu Youdao at that time had likewise been someone who could never afford to provoke them.

"May I ask what great figure Mr. Wu might be?" Perhaps realizing that Niu Youdao had been left out, Shan Hailong suddenly spoke to him.

Pulled back from his thoughts, Niu Youdao answered blandly, "Better not to say."

"Uh..." Shan Hailong looked awkward and forced a few more traces of a smile onto his face.

Niu Youdao asked, "Does Mr. Shan reside in Tianxing Sect year-round?"

Shan Hailong replied, "Tianxing Sect is blessed by the spirits of mountain and water. I admire the place greatly and merely stay here as a guest in quiet cultivation."

Niu Youdao gave a quiet "Oh." "Then Mr. Shan must be rather familiar with Tianxing Sect. Would you mind showing this Wu around?"

Shan Xian'er suddenly raised a hand. "Mr. Wu, I'm even more familiar with it. I'll be your guide!"

[End of Chapter 1257]