In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 80 The Mortal World

Upon seeing the newcomer, Steward Fei walked over in a few steps, bowed, and said, "I was unaware that Lord Bai had entered the city. I will go and inform the city lord immediately."

"No need. I'm only here to see Xiaoxi. I'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

"Yes." Manager Fei didn't say another word. He bowed to Ning Xiaoxi again and then turned and left with his men.

Ning Xiaoxi stared blankly at that person, who looked exactly like Bai Qingnian, but the heart on the fountain didn't react at all, not even changing its beating speed.

"My strategist?" Ning Xiaoxi called out softly.

"Hello Xiaoxi, I'm not the strategist, I'm Bai Qingyun, Bai Qingnian's younger brother."

"Younger brother?" Ning Xiaoxi seemed to repeat unconsciously, staring blankly at that face. If it was a younger brother, and seemingly a twin, why wasn't her heart reacting at all? Shouldn't she be excited? What was he doing here?

Ning Ziqing noticed that something was wrong with her younger sister, so she stood up and patted her on the shoulder, "Xiao Xi."

Ning Xiaoxi snapped out of her daze and quickly bowed, "Xiaoxi greets Lord Bai." She then pulled her brother over, "This is my nephew, Ziqing."

Ning Ziqing bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Lord Bai."

Bai Qingyun nodded to Ning Ziqing, walked to Xiao Xi's side, and smiled as he lifted her arm. "Xiao Xi, there's no need for such formalities. The lantern market outside is bustling with activity. Would you like to accompany me to take a look?"

Looking at that smiling face, Ning Xiaoxi knew he really wasn't the strategist. The strategist, with his serious demeanor, would never have such a warm, spring-like smile. Was he trying to confirm something by using their twin status? Unfortunately, her heart didn't react at all.

Ning Xiaoxi nodded and said respectfully, "Yes, sir, please."

Bai Qingyun walked out first, Ning Xiaoxi followed a step behind, and Ning Ziqing followed behind Ning Xiaoxi, keeping a distance.

"It's been more than ten years since I last came to Bingyuan Prefecture. I never expected it to be so prosperous now." Bai Qingyun's tone was filled with emotion.

Ning Xiaoxi smiled but remained silent.

"Our Bai family only recently learned of Xiaoxi's friendship with Qingnian." Bai Qingnian strolled ahead, the quiet back street lacking the hustle and bustle of the main street, and his remarking tone created a somewhat somber atmosphere.

Turning the corner and stepping onto the main street, the lively atmosphere that greeted Ning Xiaoxi improved her mood considerably.

Bai Qingyun looked down and saw the joy on Ning Xiaoxi's face. He frowned imperceptibly. "My elder brother's heart was taken away. My father was so angry that he fell ill when he heard the news. Later, I heard that the Vice Pavilion Master found traces of it in Tushan. I thought that my elder brother could be buried properly, but unexpectedly it was lost again, and his condition has worsened again."

Ning Xiaoxi composed herself, her brows furrowing solemnly. "Although Lord Tianyou has issued a gag order regarding this matter, since he has inquired, I cannot conceal anything." Feeling her heart beating steadily and calmly, Ning Xiaoxi couldn't help but stick out her tongue inwardly. "That's your father, after all," she thought. "When I arrived that day, I only saw it being carried away by a falcon. There were traces of the Flame Shadow Falcon in that area around that time. Although Lord Dijie has eradicated them, some inevitably escaped. I wonder if they were caught out of the loop."

From the moment Ning Xiaoxi started speaking, Bai Qingyun kept his head turned and stared at Ning Xiaoxi's face. He kept walking, but managed to block the flow of people from bumping into Ning Xiaoxi.

"But what does Falcon want the strategist's heart for?" Ning Xiaoxi looked up at Bai Qingyun with a puzzled expression.

Bai Qingyun forced an ugly smile. "My Bai family is renowned for its healing arts. Over hundreds of years, we have accumulated good deeds and merits. I don't know when it started, but there are rumors that the heart of the eldest son of my Bai family has the power to dispel all illusions."

Ning Xiaoxi stopped, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Bai Qingyun turned around and smiled bitterly, "Isn't it ridiculous!"

Ning Xiaoxi revealed an indignant expression, "How could such a rumor exist? The strategist has been wronged!"

A glint of malice flashed in Bai Qingyun's eyes. "So, my elder brother never went out to take up his post. It was only because he had a childhood friendship with Lord Di'an that I couldn't bear to see him serving alone in a foreign land, so I went with him." Bai Qingyun sighed softly. "My mother originally disagreed, but my father believed that in recent years, demons had become difficult to organize on a large scale. Even if there were occasionally demons, with Di'an there, and him being the strategist, he only needed to stay at the base. Who would have thought... alas!"

Ning Xiaoxi's resentment turned into sadness. "It was those two devils who attacked the mountain city garrison. I thought they were doing it for revenge, but it turns out that the strategist was their target."

Bai Qingyun's face showed the same sadness. "My father also blamed himself for this, and coupled with my elder brother's loss of his heart, that's why his illness is so difficult to cure. Since ancient times, the heart's illness has been the hardest to cure!"

Ning Xiaoxi tried to deepen her grief, ignoring the steady heart on the fountain. "I only regret that I am too weak and powerless to avenge the strategist. If I find out which guy wants to use the strategist's heart for evil, I will find him even if it means going through fire and water, tear him to pieces, and make him vanish into nothingness!"

Bai Qingyun was shocked by Ning Xiaoxi's vicious oath. He had only come to confirm that it was not that serious.

"Xiao Xi, there's no need to worry too much. This matter is of great importance to our Bai clan, and we will surely achieve a result by pooling the strength of the entire clan." Bai Qingyun changed the subject. "Xiao Xi is no longer a criminal, and I've heard that your elder brother is already a Celestial Master. I suppose Minister Ning will be pardoned soon. I wonder what your plans are for the future, Xiao Xi?"

"Thank you for your kind words, sir. At present, I only hope to use my merits to exonerate my parents from their crimes. As for anything else, I dare not think too much about it for the time being. At least before the pardons of my parents and brothers are issued, we still need to arrive in Youzhou on time."

Actually, this matter is somewhat strange. Ning Xiaoxi's pardon was issued very quickly before, but now, more than ten days have passed since she helped to eliminate the Nether Mist Sables that attacked the city, and she still hasn't received the pardon. It seems that Lord Tianji's cover-up has worked.

"Well, that's fine." Bai Qingyun didn't show anything more and said calmly, "Since Xiaoxi is my brother's friend, she is also my friend. If you need anything in the future, Xiaoxi, just come to me. As long as it's within my power, I will definitely not refuse."

Ning Xiaoxi's face was full of gratitude. "The Ning family suddenly encountered this calamity. We thought it was a dead end. I never expected that I would have the opportunity to join the ranks of the Celestial Masters. Now, I am also under the protection of the Strategist. I am extremely grateful!"

Bai Qingyun nodded in satisfaction. She was a clever little girl.

Ning Xiaoxi and Ning Ziqing stood at the entrance of the inn, watching Bai Qingyun leave.

"Sis, you don't trust him?"

"The person I know and trust is the strategist. Who is he?" Why should she trust someone even her own brother doesn't trust?

"No one should be coming today, right?"

"Hmph, an official and a Taoist priest, that's all they are! Luckily, we're on our way to exile, which saves us a lot of trouble."

"Want some late-night snack? This shop has a roasted mutton dish that we learned from the tribes on the grasslands. Would you like to try it, little sister?"

"Great! Then we have to invite Mom and Dad to eat too!"