Chapter 54: Eavesdropping
After walking some distance, Xu Mo's once-arrogant posture deflated like a punctured tire. His heart pounded so rapidly it felt as though it might burst out of his chest.
He removed the flask from his belt and began chugging water. Only after nearly emptying the entire flask did his heart finally calm down. Xu Mo felt a little better now.
Meanwhile, in the Sect Master's Hallway...
"No, Sect Master, Xu Mo must not participate in this tournament!" Long Bai exclaimed, his voice almost a shout. Yet, Bai Xu remained firm in his decision.
"You wanted to train him. I didn't say anything. I also know what you've been doing and how many rare herbs you've taken from the sect's treasury."
Hup!
Long Bai immediately shut his mouth. He had thought he'd covered his tracks well. Who was the traitor?
"Remember, many before you have attempted the same, but not one has succeeded. Or, if some have, it was only after encountering extraordinary opportunities in ancient ruins or secret realms," Bai Xu said, his elbow resting on the golden armrest and his chin propped on his palm. His words served as a stark reality check for Long Bai.
"I know. But this time, it's different. Xu Mo is different. You and I both know that."
"Long Bai... I understand that you see your younger self in Xu Mo. And I agree, Xu Mo is not like other geniuses."
"No, no, you don't... BAI XU!" Long Bai shouted, forgetting all decorum as he addressed the Sect Master by name.
Bai Xu's expression remained calm, but his voice carried a subtle threat. "You're still breathing because I consider you my friend first and my subordinate second. If it were anyone else..." He left the sentence unfinished, but the implication was clear. Long Bai realized he had let his emotions get the better of him and quickly composed himself.
"But I heard you're planning to distribute secret realm passes to the top ten of this tournament. Why, then, are you excluding Xu Mo?"
"It seems I was right—your skull is filled with hay instead of a brain. The top ten is only for outer sect disciples."
"And?!" Long Bai still didn't grasp the point. Bai Xu had the urge to slap the man across the face. "Do you truly believe Xu Mo is counted among the outer sect disciples? He is the—" Bai Xu suddenly paused, his gaze shifting to the massive door that stood closed. Though the door was shut, his vision seemed to pierce through it, focusing on the other side where someone was eavesdropping on their conversation.
If one thought about it, only a handful of people could reach this place, and even among them, only a few eccentric individuals would dare listen in on a conversation between the Sect Master and the Head Elder. And even fewer could avoid punishment.
Jin Meiyu, standing on the other side of the door, strained to listen carefully. But it seemed the conversation had stopped. Before she could react, the massive door began to creak open. The crack in the center widened, and soon, two figures stood before her.
"Miss Jin, it's not very respectful to eavesdrop on someone else's conversation without their knowledge," Bai Xu said with a smile. Though he appeared calm on the surface, inwardly he cursed himself for letting his guard down. He never imagined someone would dare to stealthily listen in.
"What do you mean, Master? I was merely walking by when the door suddenly opened," Jin Meiyu replied.
She addressed him as "Master," not "Sect Master," because Bai Xu had taken on the role of her teacher. Though she appeared cold and indifferent on the outside, Bai Xu, after teaching her for months, knew she was a curious and soft-hearted soul. She used her icy demeanor to keep strangers at a distance, and he didn't discourage her. After all, she was in the countryside, far from her family, with no one to help her lower her guard—except for one female servant who had cared for Jin Meiyu since she was a newborn.
Nor did Bai Xu try to get too close to the girl. He didn't agree with the imperial scholars' saying that "a master for a day is a father for life." In his view, there was a vast difference between a tutor and a parent. Only by staying within their roles and limits could one maintain control. As the saying goes, "Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile."
"Oh? Really? Then you may continue on your way," Bai Xu said, stepping back and gesturing for Jin Meiyu to pass. Long Bai, meanwhile, was sweating profusely. Thankfully, the Sect Master had signaled him to stay silent. No matter how much they had lowered their guard, it didn't make sense for the Saintess to remain undetected for so long—unless she had help.
The "she" Long Bai was thinking of was Jin Meiyu's caretaker, who was no ordinary person. According to his intel, the caretaker was actually Jin Meiyu's aunt, rumored to hail from a major sect. He didn't know which one, but his informants had only gathered so much.
Jin Meiyu said nothing. She nodded politely to Long Bai and walked ahead, her face still half-covered by a veil. She had grown accustomed to wearing it. Though she was aware of her beauty, she knew most of her suitors were only interested in her status. She longed to experience life as an ordinary girl but knew it was an impossible wish—at least in this lifetime. Unless, of course, she secured a place in the Holy Sect her aunt belonged to. According to her aunt, that sect was home exclusively to women, from the disciples to the Sect Master and even the ancestors.
Her aunt had assured her that with her talent, Jin Meiyu would undoubtedly enter the inner sect of the Holy Land. The sect recruited new disciples every ten years, and there were still a few years left before the next opportunity arose.
"What are you thinking about?" A calm, composed, yet strangely enchanting voice sounded beside her. Though no one was visible, Jin Meiyu knew it was her aunt, who had concealed her presence.
"Nothing, just about what the Master and Head Elder were discussing earlier," Jin Meiyu replied, shaking her head. Her usual cold and indifferent tone was gone, replaced by a youthful, genuine voice. Her aunt was the second person in front of whom Jin Meiyu could truly be herself. Her aunt had taken her in after her parents' passing, and Jin Meiyu cherished the bond they shared.