"Ning Beichen, are you sure your master has truly returned to the Mortal Realm?" Song Qiuyan asked.
"I can't be a hundred percent certain, but there's at least a ninety percent chance. Besides returning to the Mortal Realm, I can't think of anywhere else he would go. Mistress, do you truly have no news of Master?" Ning Beichen said.
"It's not that there's no news at all. More than a year ago, someone spotted traces of someone who might have been your master, Chen Xingyun, in Luoxing Sea. However, by the time I rushed over, I couldn't find him. Moreover, for so many years, rumors have circulated that your master is dead, so it's impossible to be sure if the person seen in Luoxing Sea was indeed Chen Xingyun," Song Qiuyan said with deep regret. Although she had always believed Chen Xingyun was alive, as time passed, the flicker of hope in her heart gradually faded. At times, even she doubted if Chen Xingyun was truly dead. It was only with Ning Beichen's appearance today that a flame reignited within Song Qiuyan.
"What is Luoxing Sea? Why would Master go there?" Ning Beichen asked curiously.
"Luoxing Sea is one of the three great secret realms in the Mortal Realm. Inside it is the Henghe Star Sea, which is incredibly dangerous. Even the strongest individuals may not be able to emerge alive after entering. Why your master went to Luoxing Sea, I'm not sure either," Song Qiuyan said worriedly.
"Mistress, is there any way to spread the news that I'm looking for him? If my master hears about it, he'll definitely come to find me. If he doesn't, then I'll go to Luoxing Sea to find him," Ning Beichen said.
"No, if word gets out that you are his disciple, your situation will become very dangerous. Your master's enemies from back then will come for you. As for going to Luoxing Sea, that's even more impossible. That place is extremely dangerous, and with your cultivation, you wouldn't be able to contend with the demonic beasts within Luoxing Sea," Song Qiuyan said urgently.
"Mistress, how about this: you have someone spread the word that Ning Beichen has arrived and that you wish to see him. This way, if my master hears my name, he'll know it's me and will come to find me. This vague message won't attract undue attention either. What do you think?" Ning Beichen pondered.
"That could work. I'll have people spread this message. As long as your master appears, our people will be able to notify him. You'll be here," Song Qiuyan said.
"Alright, thank you, Mistress." Ning Beichen expressed his gratitude to Song Qiuyan.
"Since you're calling me Mistress, why be so formal? Oh, right, two people from Tiandao Sect came to our Hongxiu Pavilion today looking for someone. They said a group of people killed their disciples. However, I had a premonition that this matter might involve you, so I didn't let Hongxiu Pavilion reveal your whereabouts... But I can only stall them for a short while, as it will be difficult to hide from the people of Tiandao Sect. After all, you are outsiders; it won't be hard for them to find you if they inquire. Did you do this?" Song Qiuyan asked Ning Beichen.
Ning Beichen could only give a wry smile and explain the situation.
"Hmph! This Tiandao Sect is becoming more and more unruly. Don't worry, since you call me Mistress, I will handle this matter for you," Song Qiuyan said assertively.
"Thank you, Mistress, but this small trouble doesn't require your intervention. I am Chen Xingyun's disciple, and I believe in the rule of 'I won't offend unless offended.' If I can't even resolve this minor issue, then I'm not worthy of being my Master's disciple," Ning Beichen said confidently.
"You're so much like him, so confident, and with the same temper. Alright, since you're so confident, I won't interfere. But rest assured, if Tiandao Sect breaks the rules, I will step in," Song Qiuyan said.
"Yes, thank you for your care, Mistress." Ning Beichen expressed his gratitude to his "bargain" Mistress.
"Mistress, if there's nothing else, I'll be going back now," Ning Beichen said.
"Alright. Take this, my token. From now on, you can come directly to see me here without sneaking around," Song Qiuyan said, handing Ning Beichen a token.
"Yes, Mistress. I'll be leaving then. If you get any news, just have someone notify me," Ning Beichen told her his address and then took his leave.
Not long after he left, an old woman appeared in the attic.
"Miss, do you truly believe he is Chen Xingyun's disciple?" the old woman asked.
"I believe so. His aura and temper are exactly the same as Xingyun's," Song Qiuyan said.
"Miss, but this is just his word. Chen Xingyun has been missing for so many years, and we've never heard of him taking any disciples." The old woman remained skeptical, not fully trusting Ning Beichen.
"Hush. You don't need to determine whether it's true or false. If I say it is, then it is. Oh, and continue to send people to monitor the situation in Luoxing Sea. I want to know every detail," Song Qiuyan told her.
"Yes, Miss, I'll arrange it immediately," the old woman said respectfully.
"Also, send someone to secretly protect Ning Beichen, without him knowing."
"Yes, Miss." The old woman's figure gradually disappeared, as if she had never been there.
Meanwhile, Ning Beichen left Hongxiu Pavilion and glanced back at the aerial pavilion before departing. He had actually sensed the presence of a second person hidden in the aerial pavilion, someone who seemed to harbor some hostility towards him. However, Ning Beichen chose not to expose it and pretended not to know about the second person's existence. It was a pity that Song Qiuyan refused to disclose information about Luoxing Sea, so Ning Beichen would have to inquire through other means upon his return. If his master appeared, everything would be easily resolved. If not, Ning Beichen was determined to visit Luoxing Sea.
Soon, Ning Beichen returned to his residence and recounted his experiences of the night to Liu Yilin and the others. They were all astonished, never expecting the owner of Hongxiu Pavilion to be Ning Beichen's Mistress. Since the title "Mistress" would not be casually acknowledged, if she admitted it, even if she wasn't Ning Beichen's true Mistress, or perhaps not Chen Xingyun's wife, she must have had an extremely close relationship with Chen Xingyun. Furthermore, their nighttime visit to Hongxiu Pavilion had revealed not only information about Chen Xingyun but also that people from Tiandao Sect had already tracked them down and were in Feilai City.
"Beichen, since the people from Tiandao Sect have tracked us down, they must have already locked onto us. What do you plan to do?" Liu Yilin asked with some worry. They had all learned from Ye Lanxin that Tiandao Sect was a powerful sect, and opposing them would bring them great trouble.
"I don't offend others, and I don't wish to be offended," Ning Beichen said slowly, word by word. However, there was one phrase he left unspoken: "If others offend me, I will eradicate them!"