Keeping the Appointment

Chapter 277: Keeping the Appointment

“No, nothing like that. It’s just that your disciple strongly resembles an old acquaintance I haven’t seen in a very long time.” The strange light in Fairy Nan Gong’s eyes faded, replaced by her usual cool, clear gaze.

Han Li’s heart constricted, a bitter taste rising in his throat.

“Oh, what a coincidence!” Li Huayuan said with a smile, taking another look at Han Li. But Han Li’s face was as calm as still water, betraying not a single trace of emotion.

The other cultivators exchanged glances, their expressions all saying, “So that’s it.” But whether any of them truly believed that was anyone’s guess.

Fairy Nan Gong knew her words wouldn’t convince anyone, but she made no attempt to explain further. She simply drifted away, leaving the others to cast knowing looks at Han Li before taking their leave of Li Huayuan and his wife one by one.

Li Huayuan’s smile gradually faded after he had seen all the guests off. He furrowed his brow and turned to Han Li, speaking flatly.

“Come inside with me. I have questions for you.”

Hearing this, Han Li groaned inwardly but had no choice but to obey. The young matron—his shiniang—spoke a few gentle words of comfort to him before following them inside.

When Han Li entered the main hall, Li Huayuan was already seated in a chair, looking pensive. The matron sat down close beside him.

“Do you know Nan Gong Wan of the Moon-Masking Sect?” Li Huayuan asked without any preamble, abandoning his contemplation the moment Han Li stepped before him.

Han Li was silent for a moment, his mind racing as he weighed his options. He knew that Fairy Nan Gong’s unusual reaction had been seen clearly by his master. There was no way to brush it off. So he simply nodded and admitted it.

“This disciple did have a single encounter with Senior Nan Gong once.”

Li Huayuan had not expected Han Li to admit it so readily. A bit surprised, his expression softened noticeably.

“What happened? Can you tell us about it?” the matron asked, burning with curiosity. It was strange—Fairy Nan Gong had flatly denied knowing Han Li, yet her disciple was now saying he did recognize her. There had to be a story there.

Hearing his wife’s question, Li Huayuan nodded and looked at Han Li, clearly wanting to know the details as well.

“Forgive me, Master, but this matter involves some personal affairs of Senior Nan Gong. This disciple once gave his word never to speak of it to anyone. I beg your understanding, Master and Shiniang.” Han Li had prepared this perfectly reasonable excuse well in advance and delivered his refusal very tactfully.

Li Huayuan and his wife exchanged a surprised look at this. After a moment’s thought, Li Huayuan spoke slowly, as if weighing his words.

“Since you’ve already given your word, I naturally can’t make you break your promise. But let me give you a warning: it’s best to avoid too much contact with that Fairy Nan Gong. The Moon-Masking Sect’s charm arts are formidable. I’m worried you might fall under her spell without even realizing it. But seeing that your mind is clear and your words are steady, I’m a bit more at ease now.”

Han Li felt a wave of relief and quickly agreed with his master.

Seeing Han Li’s respectful demeanor and proper regard for his teacher, Li Huayuan’s last trace of displeasure vanished. He even began to kindly instruct Han Li on his cultivation problems. Han Li, for his part, listened with rapt attention, not wanting to miss a single word.

After a long while, Li Huayuan casually asked Han Li about some of his cultivation experiences and insights. Satisfied with the answers, he suddenly said something completely unexpected.

“Han Li, I have a personal matter I’d like to entrust to you. Are you willing?”

“A personal matter?”

Han Li was taken aback, but he immediately agreed.

“Please, Master, just give your orders. This disciple will do his utmost to carry them out.”

Li Huayuan was pleased with Han Li’s prompt, unhesitating attitude. He stood up, paced a few steps through the room, and then spoke in a grave tone.

“It’s not actually anything too dangerous. I just need you to act as a bodyguard for a while and protect a certain family.”

“A bodyguard? Protecting people?” Han Li was a bit surprised, but he remained calm and waited for his master to continue.

“Originally, I was going to send your Fourth Senior Brother, Song Meng. But recently, I happened to hear about how many demonic cultivators you’ve killed. That really surprised your shiniang and me. I never thought I’d have such a fierce disciple under my tutelage. I hear even people from the other six sects are talking about it. So naturally, I’d feel safer sending you.” Li Huayuan said with a smile, clearly in a very good mood.

The matron beside him also spoke up, smiling.

“Besides, Song Meng has been training in Green Wave Cave his whole life and has almost no experience in the mortal world. He lacks worldly wisdom. Even from that perspective, you’re the one who has to go. The family you’ll be protecting are mortals in the secular world.”

Hearing the praise from his master and shiniang, Han Li managed an embarrassed smile, looking quite bashful. But inwardly, he was a bit puzzled. Why would they send him, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, to protect a mortal family? Any Qi Condensation disciple would be more than enough for a task like that.

Perhaps Li Huayuan guessed his confusion, for he began to explain.

“The man I’m sending you to protect is the descendant of an old senior brother of mine. He saved my life, a great kindness I can never repay. But his only son was born without Spiritual Roots and couldn’t cultivate. He had to remain in the mortal world. Before my senior brother passed away, I swore an oath that as long as I live, I would guarantee the safety and prosperity of his descendants. For over a hundred years, I’ve secretly supported this family, making them wealthy and powerful for several generations. Whenever any danger arose, I had it dealt with long before it could reach them.”

Li Huayuan paused here, as if lost in old memories. Then his face grew serious as he continued.

“But a few days ago, I received word that the Six Demon Sects might send some low-level disciples into the secular world of our kingdom. They’ll try to purge some of the mortal families secretly supported by our Seven Sects, hoping to disrupt our supply of basic resources. My connection to this family will almost certainly put them on the demonic sects’ list. So I need someone capable of handling this storm to go and protect them. Of course, it would be for the best if the demonic cultivators don’t come looking for trouble at all.”

Han Li listened solemnly and nodded to show he understood.

“Good. I’ll write a letter to the current head of this family, explaining your identity and the situation. He’s the only one who knows about my connection to his ancestor. I’ve also already made arrangements—this period will be counted as an official mission, so you won’t have to worry about any punishment. This jade slip contains the family’s detailed information. Take it and go pack your things now. Set out tomorrow morning. It’s best not to delay lest something unexpected happens.” Li Huayuan gave his final instructions after a moment’s thought.

“As you command, Master.” Han Li bowed slightly and answered quietly.

…

Han Li sat on the Divine Wind Boat, speeding through the sky at full speed several hundred feet above the ground.

But he wasn’t heading to the Yue capital, where the mortal family he was supposed to protect resided. Instead, he was flying straight toward the Yuan Wu Kingdom.

Since this mission gave him some free time, Han Li decided to first keep his appointment with Qi Yunxiao. He wanted to see if that formation master could repair the damaged ancient formation that might be a teleportation array.

This could be his last resort for escape if the Seven Sects were to lose the final battle. If the Six Demon Sects were freed up, he would have to spend the rest of his life fleeing from their constant pursuit, with no time left for cultivation.

Han Li calculated that if nothing unexpected happened, the round trip would only take about twenty days. That wouldn’t delay Li Huayuan’s mission at all, so he felt confident enough to make the detour.

Qi Yunxiao had arranged to meet Han Li at a teahouse in a small city in the Yuan Wu Kingdom. According to him, the teahouse was run by a former servant of his, so Han Li needed only to find the place and he would be able to contact Qi Yunxiao.

Han Li traveled at lightning speed the entire way. Even when he occasionally encountered other cultivators, he simply ignored them and passed them by without any intention of striking up a conversation. After flying non-stop for seven or eight days and nights, he finally arrived at a small place called “Gold Horse City.”

To avoid causing a commotion, he put away his magic tool and descended a few miles outside the small city. Then he strolled leisurely toward the city gate.

Though Gold Horse City wasn’t large, the area around its gates was bustling with people coming and going. It seemed quite prosperous.

Han Li’s features were ordinary, and he had changed into a worn Confucian scholar’s robe. He blended in easily with the crowd entering the city, following the flow through the gate.

The “Clear Spring Teahouse” was apparently quite famous. Han Li simply asked a random child for directions and easily learned where it was, then made his way there.

When he finally stood before the so-called Clear Spring Teahouse, Han Li looked it over with great interest.

(Author’s note: Sorry, but I returned from the hospital late today, so it’s taken me until now to finish this chapter!)