TheLazyDreamer
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10. The Woman Left Behind
🕑 Added 2025-03-26 19:15:00 +0000 UTCReturning to the courtyard, Su Kang found Bai Yunxi sitting by the stone table, a lone figure wrapped in quiet sorrow.
Her slender shoulders were slumped, dark eyes distant as if gazing at something far beyond the courtyard walls. The faint sheen of unshed tears lingered in her gaze, betraying the heaviness in her heart.
She hadn't noticed his approach, lost in the swirling currents of her grief.
Su Kang slowed his steps, stopping an arm's length away before breaking the silence.
"Madam, you don't have to worry about him... He will be fine." His voice was low, carrying a quiet warmth.
Bai Yunxi flinched, her body tensing. She turned abruptly, surprise flickering in her eyes before they softened with relief.
The lingering sorrow on her face made her beauty feel even more delicate, like a flower weighed down by the morning dew.
"You startled me... You should announce yourself when you enter." The reprimand was light, more out of habit than irritation.
Su Kang offered a faint, apologetic smile. "I called out, but you were...lost in thought."
Bai Yunxi's gaze wavered, a faint self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips. "I... lost myself in thought for a moment."
"It's only natural to worry. But Madam, they are only going to wander around... there's no need to let such thoughts trouble your heart."
Bai Yunxi lowered her eyes, trying to compose herself. She didn't want to appear fragile in front of her son's friend.
"I know... It's just... mother's heart is soft sometimes."
"As long as you're fine, that's what matters." Su Kang's tone was gentle, leaving her a path to retreat.
Without pressing further, he shifted the topic. "Madam, we must leave Qingyun Sect tonight. I'll go inform the Sect Master now."
Bai Yunxi nodded quietly, offering no objection.
After leaving the courtyard, Su Kang made his way to the main peak and left a brief message for the Sect Master. With that settled, he proceeded to the artifact refining pavilion.
The elder in charge of the pavilion quickly greeted him, polite and deferential.
"Young Master Su, this way please."
Although Su Kang was a disciple of the sect, his pill formation cultivation and famous temperament made him well-known and respected among the elite circle.
They ascended to the upper floors where higher-grade spiritual artifacts were displayed.
"I need a spiritual boat focused on comfort... with a concealment array. Speed is not a priority."
The elder's brows twitched in surprise at such a request. Spiritual boats were usually prized for their speed, not comfort.
Understanding his intention, the elder nodded and began showing different boats, explaining their features one by one.
Su Kang finally chose a mid-grade spiritual boat, its cabin small yet elegantly decorated.
By the time Su Kang returned to the courtyard, the sun was already beginning its slow descent, casting long shadows across the stone tiles.
He didn't see Bai Yunxi outside.
"Madam?" he called softly.
A moment later, she emerged from within the small building, her face composed — though traces of her earlier sorrow still lingered in her eyes.
"I have prepared everything. When will we leave?" she asked.
"Tonight... There's still some time left." Su Kang's gaze flickered.
"Would you mind if I kept you company for a while?"
Bai Yunxi was slightly taken aback by the request. After a brief hesitation, she nodded and invited him inside.
They settled at the small tea table. Bai Yunxi brewed tea in silence, her movements practiced yet distant.
"Madam... How are you feeling now?" Su Kang asked softly.
Bai Yunxi's hands paused mid-motion. She blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question.
"...I'm fine."
Su Kang's lips curved faintly. "Madam hides her feelings well, but... even I can see through them."
Bai Yunxi's eyes flickered. For a moment, her composed mask wavered.
"You are quite perceptive for someone so young." She let out a soft chuckle.
"I'm simply trying to make Madam feel better." Su Kang's smile was gentle, his tone lighthearted.
"Your gloomy expression will only eat your beauty."
Bai Yunxi's fingers stiffened slightly around the teacup. She shot him a sharp glance, but his expression remained sincere — without the slightest hint of flattery.
"Who is a beauty? I'm far too old to fall for such sweet words," she chided softly, though the rebuke lacked any real sharpness.
"How can Madam say that without looking in the mirror?" Su Kang countered playfully.
A flicker of amusement passed through Bai Yunxi's eyes, though she quickly suppressed it.
They sipped tea in quiet companionship, their conversation flowing naturally. Su Kang spoke of the journey ahead, the sect, and Li Fang's recent adventures.
Bai Yunxi listened intently, her expression softening whenever her son was mentioned. Every now and then, Su Kang would sprinkle in a light joke, drawing faint chuckles from her lips.
Her laughter was gentle — like wind chimes ringing in the distance — dispersing the gloom lingering around her heart.
"You seem much younger now compared to before," Su Kang remarked, his smile carrying a trace of sincerity.
Bai Yunxi's brows knit slightly. "Before...? Have we met before?"
Su Kang's expression remained calm. He shook his head. "Ah, no... I just saw you a once."
Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer, a flicker of doubt passing through them — as if something about him tugged at a buried memory. However, she didn't press further.
"It seems Li Fang has used many spiritual herbs to treat you," Su Kang said, subtly shifting the topic.
Bai Yunxi's expression dimmed slightly. She set down the teacup and gazed out at the fading sunlight.
"He did his best... but it's already too late for me." Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of resignation.
Su Kang's gaze flickered.
Bai Yunxi's story was no secret within Qin City. Once the number one beauty and a rising genius, she had reached the fifth stage of Qi Refining at just sixteen — a rare achievement for a small city.
But fate had not been kind to her
After her husband disappeared, a poisoning incident took place in the Li Family, blocking her meridians and bringing her cultivation to a standstill.
She endured years of stagnation and pain—years that only ended when Li Fang took control of the Li family and spared no effort in treating her.
With the help of countless precious herbs, her meridians had reopened. Yet, time had already left its mark.
Her body had lost its former vitality, and her cultivation progress had drastically slowed.
The top-grade Foundation Building Elixir Li Fang had left behind could offer her a chance of breaking through — one that would vanish completely once she passed forty.
"You shouldn't lose heart, Madam." Su Kang's voice was calm. "I have a feeling... your luck is far from over."
Bai Yunxi glanced at him in surprise, a faint smile playing on her lips. "What makes you so certain?"
Su Kang's gaze deepened.
He had already consulted Fate about Bai Yunxi’s destiny—5000 destiny points.
A number that most Foundation Building cultivators could only dream of.
For someone still at the peak of Qi Refining, it was nothing short of abnormal.
Fate's explanation had been vague — only that she would experience great fortune in the future, though the exact form remained unclear.
"I can't explain it," Su Kang said softly, "but... I believe Madam's destiny is great."
Bai Yunxi stared at him for a long moment before letting out a quiet laugh.
"To think I’d be comforted by such childish words at my age... Fine, I'll believe you—just this once."
By the time the sky darkened, it was finally time to leave.
Su Kang activated the spiritual boat, the concealment array shimmering faintly as it cloaked the vessel from sight.
He offered Bai Yunxi a steady hand, helping her onto the deck without any unnecessary closeness.
Inside the cabin, Bai Yunxi glanced around in mild surprise. The furnishings were simple, yet the space was warm and comfortable — far better than the cold, cramped spiritual boats she had ridden before.
"This... is quite nice." Her voice carried a rare trace of warmth.
"I'm glad Madam feels comfortable in this. "
Bai Yunxi remained unaware that the entire boat had been chosen with her comfort in mind—just as she failed to notice the many small gestures Su Kang had made throughout the day, subtly guiding her emotions without ever crossing any lines.
As the boat rose into the night sky, blending seamlessly into the moonlit veil, Bai Yunxi leaned against the window.
Her gaze lingered on the distant lights of Qingyun Sect, growing smaller and smaller until they finally disappeared beyond the horizon.
