Chapter 451

Chapter 451: Nangong Li

Yun Jiuge returned to her cave-dwelling and saw Jin Chuan standing right outside the entrance to her dwelling.
He forced a smile on his scowling face, he greeted her, “Junior Yun.”
“Senior Jin, what can I do for you?” asked Yun Jiuge. She was very impressed by Jin Chuan. For the sake of his sect, he went undercover at Yin Corpse Sect for several decades despite being a righteous person. He was such a strong character and was indeed admirable.
“I have something to discuss with you. Would it be alright for us to go inside and talk?” Jin Chuan asked respectfully.
Yun Jiuge opened the door and welcomed Jin Chuan in.
She had not been back for a long time. Although she had set up an Air Ventilation Spell Formation inside the cave, the air inside was stale.
Yun Jiuge quickly cast some Wind Elemental Magic and invited Jin Chuan to sit down.
“Junior Yun Jiu, no, I should address you as Miss Yun Jiuge instead,” Jin Chuan said with a laugh.
“What Yun Jiuge? What nonsense is Senior Jin Chuan talking about? I don’t understand,” said Yun Jiuge, pretending to be ignorant.
“Miss Yun, you don’t have to pretend. Our Young Master personally sent a message to inform me of your identity,” Jin Chuan said, staring hard at Yun Jiuge.
“Who is your Young Master? He must be mistaken,” Yun Jiuge said as she steadily poured tea.
“Our Young Master is Nangong Li from Ziyun Sect, the nephew of Miss Nangong Yue.” When Jin Chuan said this, his heart was racing.
“So, you’re from Ziyun Sect,” Yun Jiuge said. Although Yun Jiuge had known this some time ago, she still felt a little sad now that Jin Chuan personally admitted to it.
She did not know what was going on today. Everyone who came, confessed their identity to her.
“Yes, Miss Yun. Ever since you and Young Master joined forces to deal with the Bloodthirsty Sect at that time, Young Master always praises you,” said Jin Chuan.
Jin Chuan had not finished speaking when he was interrupted by Yun Jiuge, who said, “Don’t speak anymore of this nonsense. How did you know of my identity?”
He said, “Young Master asked someone to do a divination. It was said that a great person who could help us, was about to appear. Furthermore, you changed back to your female body. You are also close to Elder Qiu Sen and your name is …” Jin Chuan trailed off. He almost blurted out her name again.
“Yes, I’m Yun Jiuge,” Yun Jiuge admitted, feeling that she had nothing to hide. “Just tell me what you want to do. If you want to deal with the Yin Corpse Sect, I cannot help you,” she said. The Yin Corpse Sect was now her best ally.
“Miss Yun, you misunderstand. Ziyun Sect and Yin Corpse Sect have nothing to do with one another. There is no hatred between us. Our Young Master wishes only to join you and Elder Qiu Sen when you go to the Treasure Map Secret Realm. Please take him along with you,” Jin Chuan said.
“If he wants to throw his life away, he can go jump off a cliff. He doesn’t have to travel so far to the Treasure Map Secret Realm,” said Yun Jiuge who was surprised by the request.
Even a Cultivator with the Middle Stage of Golden Core Cultivation could get into trouble in that Secret Realm. Nangong Li was only a Cultivator with the Foundation Establishment, who was he to follow them for a piece of the action?
“Miss Yun Jiuge, you do not have to worry about our Young Master. He has his way to deal with it. You just have to help secure a place for him, that’s all. After the matter is settled, our Young Master will reward you generously. If you have any requests, you can put forth your wishes,” said Jin Chuan, with great sincerity.
“This is a matter of great importance. I cannot agree right away. Let me think about it for a few days and I’ll let you know when I have decided,” replied Yun Jiuge. Although she didn’t think too badly of Nangong Li, going to the Treasure Map Secret Realm was no small matter. She would rather not rush into responding to the request.
“Miss Yun, Elder Qiu Sen has always been vicious and merciless. If our Young Master joins in, it would be to your advantage,” said Jin Chuan. He was trying hard to persuade Yun Jiuge into agreeing. But Yun Jiuge did not want to listen anymore. She said, “It’s getting late. I am tired. We will speak again next time.”
“If that’s the case, I ‘ll take my leave now,” said Jin Chuan, who was now full of regrets. He should have developed a good rapport with Yun Jiuge in the past.
But who would have guessed that a pretty boy restricted by a Thousand-year-old Living Corpse would be Yun Jiuge, a friend of the Young Master?
After Jin Chuan left, Yun Jiuge asked Zi Shang, “Do you think Nangong Li can safely enter the Treasure Map Secret Realm?”
He said, “It seems that Ziyun Sect is well aware of the Treasure Map Secret Realm. Looking for Nangong Yue is only an excuse.” Qiu Sen was only a Long Cultivator in the past. Even if he joined the Yin Corpse Sect and became an elder, Ziyun Sect would not be afraid of him.
If the Sect Leader of Ziyun Sect wants to bring his daughter back, he must have other ways. But they have chosen to stay at Qiu Sen’s side all the while, including despatching two disciples to keep a close watch. Something fishy seems to be going on. Zi Shang was slowly analyzing the scenario.
“This matter is getting more and more complicated. Do you think it has something to do with The Great Catastrophe?” Yun Jiuge asked. She had sealed all information about the desolate Great Catastrophe in the Secret Realm. Why would so many people choose to go there?
“It’s possible. Before Ziyun Sect do anything else, let’s just wait and see what happens next,” suggested Zi Shang. At a time like this, they have to be careful with every step that they take.
“Then I’ll perform an Enclosed Cultivation,” she said, taking the time to raise the young Phoenix in her Elixir Field.
In the following days, Yun Jiuge performed her Enclosed Cultivation and began her days of eating and sleeping.
Qiu Sen came to look for her several times and left messages to say that he wanted to discuss the matter of the Treasure Map Secret Realm with her. He also vaguely mentioned that they have to include the Sect Leader the next time they set off.
Yun Jiuge decidedly to let him do as he saw fit.
Qiu Sen then told her that they would set off in three months. She was asked to make preparations for the trip.
There were also a whole lot of messages from Little Fatty, Lang Ya, Mo Jingyuan, Si Youyue, and more. They were all trying to get more information from Yun Jiuge.
Although they did not know the existence of the Treasure Map Secret Realm, the fact that Yun Jiuge was named as the Sect Leader’s candidate made them think that something strange was going on.
Yun Jiuge’s standard reply to every one of them was ‘no comment’.
Two months later, Jin Chuan sent a message to say that Nangong Li wanted to see her.
“It’s time for them to show their sincerity,” said Yun Jiuge as she dangled the Communication Charm in front of Zi Shang.
“We shall go meet him,” replied Zi Shang. Nangong Li was persistent.
“Hopefully, he has some new, useful information,” said Yun Jiuge. She had been flipping through her memories to look for any clues related to the Treasure Map Secret Realm. Unfortunately, she came up empty-handed.
In her previous life, it was all about conceiving the Child of Life, and thus all her memories centered on this one obsession. Those memories were of no use to her now.
Zi Shang helped Yun Jiuge with the reply to Jin Chuan. They set up a time to meet with Nangong Li in Zuixiang Building on Zeyuan Street at midnight, two days from now.
Zuixiang Building was a place that specialized in selling Spiritual Wine on Zeyuan Street. The place was constantly packed with customers. A Private Room must be booked in advance.
On the night of the appointment, Nangong Li was already waiting in the private room when Yun Jiuge got there. He was accompanied by Baili Moyun.
“Miss Yun, long time no see,” Baili Moyun greeted Yun Jiuge. He still looked bright and dashing as ever. He smiled at Yun Jiuge as he greeted her.
Yun Jiuge had not returned his greetings when she saw a pink object flying towards her. It was chirping like crazy.
A bird, the size of a fist, flew excited around Yun Jiuge while chirping non-stop. The bird which was very excited, seemed to have missed Yun Jiuge a lot.
Yun Jiuge had not seen Xiao Tao, one of the two birds for a few years. It had grown much bigger and with lots of fluffy feathers. Its small black eyes were darting around. It was unbelievably cute.
Xiao Ying, the second bird flew over and haughtily squawked at Yun Jiuge twice before it returned to Nangong Li’s side.
When Yun Jiuge recognized the two lovely birds, she felt immediately closer to Nagong Li. The years apart had fallen away.
She went straight to the point and asked, “Nangong Li, did you ask Baili Moyun to come along because you wanted him to join us?”