The Peerless Beauty Stuck With Me

Mountain rain in the hills is fierce but fleeting; in less than ten minutes, the sound of the rain lowered, leaving only the occasional drip of waterdrops from leaves and the rare shrill cry of a bird in the night.

Inside the cave, Tang Rao, Zhou Boxiong, and Zhou Sancai were all seated, and Bai Lian maintained the posture she held before.

Leaning against her sword, she lounged at an angle, her expression as eternal and unchanging.

"The rain has stopped," Bai Lian suddenly said, pushing against her back to straighten up.

"Mm, then let's go. I wish you success in saving him," Tang Rao nodded.

How to put it? The reason he so readily gave the Serpent Essence Blood to Bai Lian wasn't out of kindness.

Actually, it was probably because she was from Yin Yang Valley.

Tang Rao didn't really hold any grudge towards Yin Yang Valley.

Compared to Sword Sect and Wangu Sect, he felt much more favorably towards them.

Besides, there was some interaction between him and that Fang Yanran... mm, he had once firmly grabbed her—chest.

"Thank you," Bai Lian said to Tang Rao with utmost sincerity.

Having secured the Serpent Essence Blood, she could finally revive her senior brother.

"Oh, right..." Just as Bai Lian was about to exit the cave, Tang Rao called out loudly, "Is there someone named Fang Yanran in Yin Yang Valley? Pass her a message for me. Say: Brother Tang Rao misses her a lot and tells her to call me when she's free."

Bai Lian swiftly turned around, her eternally unchanging expression finally showing a hint of surprise.

"Mm, say it just like that, you can go now," Tang Rao waved his hand with a 'heh heh heh'. Fang Yanran, ah, Lao Tang here just can't seem to stay away; I like to stir things up even when you're not bothering me.

"I will deliver your message," Bai Lian exhaled deeply, nodded, and then left.

"Holy shit, Tang Rao, who is this fierce and striking lady hero? Just look at her white hair, so beautiful, so enchanting! I'm doomed, I've been struck; I've fallen for her," Zhou Boxiong couldn't restrain himself, approaching Tang Rao, his eyes filled with countless twinkling stars, just as Bai Lian's footsteps faded away.

Tang Rao: "..."

"Grandson, if you like her, then pursue her. Your grandpa supports you!" Zhou Sancai chimed in from the side.

"Ah, but she doesn't notice me."

"You, my grandson, how can you be so lacking in courage? Being good-looking, what's there to fear, and you're not even ugly!"

"Grandpa, why do I feel like you're insulting me?" Zhou Boxiong pouted.

"You only realize now? My foolish grandson, stop dreaming of punching above your weight and just enjoy your snake meat."

Zhou Boxiong: "..."

...

At a certain partway up Baishan, nestled amidst the foliage, pavilions and towers stood in clusters, their lights dim.

In the drizzling rain, they appeared especially mysterious.

Inside one courtyard, a white figure bustled to and fro, busy and stressed.

Watching over the fire, keeping track of time, sweating profusely.

The usually expressionless face now looked anxious and excited, beaming with vitality. Rainwater wetted her long white hair, causing it to clump together; her flowing white robe clung to her body, and despite her graceful figure, she appeared quite disheveled.

Her bright white Longsword at her waist tinkled with her movements, like a clown adorned with bells.

Time trickled by, dawn's light just began breaking, signaling a revival of everything.

"It's ready." Bai Lian picked up the medicine jar, carefully pouring out its contents with full concentration.

Then, carrying the medicine bowl and with her face full of hope, she walked towards a room in the courtyard.

"Senior brother, have you awakened?" Bai Lian knocked and called out.

"Mm," a somewhat deep voice responded from inside the room.

Bai Lian pushed the door and entered, then didn't close it, leaving it slightly open to let the morning breeze come through.

On the bed's edge was seated a lean young man, about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.

Clothed in plain garments, with neat, short hair, his eyes dark and recessed.

The skin on his face appeared to be in good condition, but it was devoid of vitality, casting a ghastly pallor.

It was clear that if he were in good spirits, he would be a strikingly handsome man with stellar features and sword-like eyebrows.

"Senior brother, I've prepared the antidote." Bai Lian brought the medicine bowl to the man.

Perhaps it was due to her personality, but when Bai Lian spoke, she seemed somewhat cold. Only by looking into her eyes, one could see they were filled with both joy and tenderness.

Senior brother should be happy, shouldn't he? He should be worried about her, even perhaps scold her, because the antidote required Serpent Essence Blood...

"What!" The man was momentarily taken aback, staring at the medicine bowl Bai Lian presented.

Without a second thought, he rudely snatched it away and gulped it down eagerly.

Soon, the bowl was empty.

"Xiao Lian, you go out first, I'm going to start detoxifying," the man said, tossing the bowl aside.

Bai Lian opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she said nothing. She nodded and slowly exited the room.

Her white robe, dried by steam and somewhat sour, was stained with mud. Her snow-white hair, in clumps, appeared greasy and forlorn.

Bai Lian didn't leave, she just stood quietly at the door.

Half an hour, one hour, two hours...

Creak, the door opened.

The man was clad in a black and gold-threaded outfit, airy yet structured; his facial slump was completely gone, replaced with vitality, sharpness, and arrogance, dazzling in handsomeness.

"Senior brother, is the poison... cured?" Bai Lian asked.

The man stretched out his hands and gently placed them on Bai Lian's shoulders.

"Xiao Lian, thank you, I'm fine now. From now on, we can cultivate together, practice swordsmanship together, always together..." The young man said with a soft, warm smile that seemed to melt everything.

Within Bai Lian's lowered gaze, excitement and sweetness twinkled.

"Mhm." Bai Lian responded softly, her head leaning forward slightly as if to nestle closer.

"I'll go to master first!" The young man suddenly let go of Bai Lian and strode off briskly.

Bai Lian pursed her lips slightly, confused, and adjusted her tangled hair. A warm, sweet, and somewhat foolish smile spread across her face...

...

"Tang Rao, are you heading back to Sui City next?" Zhou Boxiong asked, looking at Tang Rao at the foothill of Baishan.

"I..."

Buzz...

Tang Rao was about to speak when his phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.

Guan Zhenkong.

"Hello, Lao Guan, have you set off?" Tang Rao answered the call with a smile, just in time.

"Yes, I'm already on the plane, I should arrive in Biyun this afternoon. What about you? Have you finished your business?" Guan Zhenkong's voice came through.

"It's done, I'm now on my way to Biyun by car. I should arrive by the time you do," Tang Rao said.

"Xiao Rao... actually, you don't have to..."

"Stop nagging, you've been an old man for so many years, why are you still whining and fussing? Let's meet this afternoon, send me the hotel address," Tang Rao interrupted Guan Zhenkong.

"Alright then." Guan Zhenkong didn't say anything more and hung up after acknowledging.

"Fat Bear, I have some things to attend to in Biyun, is there a bus around here?" Tang Rao asked.

"Leaving now?"

"Yes."

"Damn, I haven't taken you to see the treasure sword yet!" Zhou Boxiong shouted.

"Bang!" Zhou Sancai's tobacco pipe came down fiercely, "You dead fat pig! I've lived for seventy to eighty years and never once 'played' with a treasure sword, you heartless father, and you're no better, what a waste raising you both!"