Chapter 24: The Worries of Bai Xiyu

The helicopter touched down at the Bai family’s secret base in Hexi. Once the scouts had disembarked, they immediately began preparations for the battle against the Zhu family.

Gu Liuyun followed behind Bai Xiyu as an old man with a youthful complexion and hair like white cranes approached, his eyes filled with warmth as he gazed at her.

"Yuer, why have you come here yourself?"

Despite his advanced years, the old man showed no signs of frailty. His movements were light and vigorous; one look was enough to tell he was a cultivator of no small standing.

Bai Xiyu giggled and threw herself into his arms. "Grandfather!"

"A young girl like you should stay safely at home. Fighting and killing are tasks for men," her grandfather, Bai Zhiyuan, said with a smile, patting her on the back.

"Grandfather! I want to help you!" she coaxed.

"You little rascal, you’ve been mischievous since you were a child," Bai Zhiyuan replied, tapping her nose with infinite indulgence.

After chatting for a while, he finally noticed Gu Liuyun standing behind her. "And this is..."

"Grandfather, this is Gu Liuyun. He used to live next door to us when we were young," she introduced.

The warmth in Bai Zhiyuan’s eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a cold tone. "So you are the boy, Gu Liuyun?"

Gu Liuyun was taken aback, unable to fathom why the old man suddenly harbored such inexplicable hostility toward him.

"Indeed. It is an honor to meet you, sir," Gu Liuyun said, bowing politely.

"Hmph!" Bai Zhiyuan snorted, turning his back on him completely.

"Grandfather!" Bai Xiyu pouted, shaking his arm vigorously.

"I am not sure how I have offended you, sir?" Gu Liuyun asked, feeling utterly bewildered.

Bai Zhiyuan’s expression remained grim. Shrugging off his granddaughter’s hand, he suddenly struck out with a palm toward Gu Liuyun. True energy surged around him, bearing down with the immovable weight of a towering mountain.

Gu Liuyun’s expression tightened. Reacting quickly, he retreated several steps and braced his hands in front of him. The old man was clearly at the Golden Core stage. Unlike Gu Liuyun, who had just stepped into the realm, Bai Zhiyuan had been there for some time; his foundation was profound, and his palm strikes were sharp and fierce, nearly overwhelming him.

"Grandfather!" Bai Xiyu cried out in alarm.

Gu Liuyun retreated violently, twisting his body to deflect the force of the blow before throwing a counter-punch.

"Good lad!" A hint of approval flashed in Bai Zhiyuan’s eyes as he caught the fist and spun it around.

Though Gu Liuyun’s fist struck the old man’s palm, it felt as though he had hit a mass of cotton, finding no purchase.

"This is called 'four ounces deflecting a thousand pounds'," Bai Zhiyuan declared aloud. He twisted Gu Liuyun’s momentum and yanked hard on his wrist, expecting him to stumble.

But things did not go as the old man imagined. Gu Liuyun shifted his feet with uncanny grace, turning to break free from the hold before pushing back with a counter-force that sent Bai Zhiyuan sliding away.

The old man looked surprised as he regained his balance. He patted Gu Liuyun on the shoulder, his eyes filled with unconcealable appreciation. "Not bad, boy."

"You flatter me," Gu Liuyun replied. He realized that while the old man had attacked him, he hadn't used his full strength; it was merely a test of his capabilities. Had it been a life-or-death struggle, Gu Liuyun was confident he could win, though it would be a pyrrhic victory. He needed to collect the remaining fragments of the Ascension Stone as quickly as possible to raise his cultivation.

He was lost in thought when the next thing Bai Zhiyuan said nearly made his jaw drop.

"You’re a fine seedling, perfect for a grandson-in-law. When do you and Yuer plan to marry?"

"This..." Gu Liuyun was stunned, looking toward Bai Xiyu.

Her face flushed like a ripe apple, and she grabbed her grandfather’s arm. "Grandfather! What are you saying! When did I ever say I was going to marry him?"

Bai Zhiyuan laughed. "Little girl, for the past ten years, you haven't gone three sentences without mentioning your 'Brother Yun'. Do you think I don't know you? The boy may lack a grand background, but he has reached the Golden Core stage—his future is limitless. Becoming a son-in-law to the Bai family is no disgrace to our name."

"Grandfather!" Bai Xiyu stomped her foot in frustration. She had spent a long time convincing herself to let go of these feelings, intending to never let Gu Liuyun know, yet her grandfather’s big mouth had ruined it all the moment they met.

"What? Boy, do you think my granddaughter isn't good enough for you?" Bai Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow.

Bai Xiyu tried to speak, but her grandfather held up a hand to stop her. She looked at Gu Liuyun, her eyes filled with a faint, hopeful expectation, waiting for the answer she longed to hear.

Gu Liuyun bowed apologetically. "I apologize, sir, but I already have a fiancée. I cannot marry Miss Bai."

The words hit Bai Xiyu like a bucket of cold water.

Bai Zhiyuan’s expression darkened. "You have a fiancée?"

"Yes."

"Then what about our Yuer..." Bai Zhiyuan grew furious.

"Grandfather!" Bai Xiyu interrupted, her voice louder than before. "I will never speak to you again!" She turned and stormed off.

"You brat, just you wait! I’ll settle this with you later!" Bai Zhiyuan shot a glare at Gu Liuyun before rushing off to chase his beloved granddaughter.

Gu Liuyun was left standing there, completely baffled. What was this all about?

Bai Zhiyuan soon caught up to her. Seeing her tear-filled eyes, he felt at a loss. "Little Yuer, what did I do wrong? Please, don't cry..."

"Grandfather, you are a big idiot!" she stomped her foot angrily.

"I didn't know he was betrothed! I just wanted to find you a good husband while I still have the strength to help," he sighed, pulling her into his arms. "Don't cry. Toads with three legs are hard to find, but men with two are everywhere. Once we finish dealing with the Zhu family’s evil cultivators, I’ll find you someone even better!"

Bai Xiyu shook her head. She had sworn long ago that she would marry none but Gu Liuyun. Even if he were with someone else—even if he were heartless—she could not be unrighteous. She decided that once the Zhu family matter was resolved, she would enter secluded cultivation, severing ties with the secular world to focus on her duties as the next head of the Bai family.

"Grandfather, I am grown up now. I am no longer the little girl who needs your protection. I came here to help you deal with the Zhu family's evil cultivators. Do not let my personal feelings interfere with matters that concern the entire cultivation world."

Wiping the tears from her face, Bai Xiyu’s eyes turned resolute.