Chapter 5: Autumn Snow’s Attitude
AGM 0005 – Autumn Snow’s Attitude
Inside Clear Wind Inn, Mustang was sitting by the window seat and enjoying liquor by himself.
Bai Qingsong’s 50th birthday celebration would occur three day later. It was said that this time round, the Bai Clan had sent invitations throughout the country, and there would be plenty of big shots coming from the royal capital of the Chu Country. Patrons around the other tables begin their discussion — most of them were here just for the bustle and excitement.
“En, that was what I heard too. It seems like this Bai Qingsong is using his daughter’s breakthrough to raise his own position. But his daughter’s talent is really too terrifying, to think that she could condense an Astral Soul from the 3rd Heavenly Layer. Her future potential cannot be underestimated. When she opens up her second and third Astral Gates, she could condense at least two additional Astral Souls that are at least of the 3rd Heavenly Layer, or even higher. Such talent, even in the Chu Country, is considered extremely important, akin to a great personage.”
“Damn straight! I’ve heard that the Bai Clan still wants to annul their previous marriage engagement, but this is something to be expected. That Qin Wentian from the Qin Clan is just a piece of trash, what status does he have, to be mentioned in the same breath as Autumn Snow? Anyone with half a brain would kick him away. I also heard that the trashy young master still wasted plenty of the Qin Clan’s Yuan Meteor Stones. I really don’t know why Qin Chuan still loves and treasures this foster child so much.”
Many people silently shook their heads, as they were unable to understand this matter. At this moment, all the chatter instantly ceased, as a silhouette wearing a long dress could be seen making its way up the stairs of the inn. As the person in question came into view, everyone was awed by her beauty. Without a doubt, this was a lady from an eminent clan.
“Autumn Snow, the genius from the Bai Clan.” Someone intoned in a low voice. Mustang, who was nearby, stole a glance at Bai Autumn Snow, and silently approved of her. This little girl wasn’t bad indeed, with a high level of talent in addition to a beautiful visage. No wonder the Ye Clan was interested in proposing a marriage engagement with her.
After which, Mustang continued to enjoy his liquor and shifted his attention away. His gaze was overlooking the direction of the Bai Clan as he mused to himself, “The Bai Clan was previously driven away from the royal capital, and yet now, it seems that their status is going to rise abruptly. The birthday celebration a few days later is certainly going to cause the atmosphere to be extremely lively.”
“Huh?” At this moment, Mustang froze. Because of the special characteristics of the Astral Soul he condensed, his sensory abilities were extremely sensitive towards Astral Energy. In this instance, he could somewhat sense that there was an immense amount of tyrannical Astral Energy descending from the heavens, focusing in on a location somewhere near the Bai Clan.
With but a slight intent, both of Mustang’s eyes underwent a transformation. Faint shadows of constellations orbiting appeared in the pupils of his eyes, giving off the impression that he was capable of seeing through everything.
“Hu…” Mustang’s heart slightly shuddered. Based on this fluctuation of Astral Energy that he was sensing, it was highly possible that it belonged to a layer that was higher than the 3rd Layer of Heavens. Was there still another hidden talent in the Bai Clan? But why’d they only spread the news about Autumn Snow?
Mustang was puzzled by the actions of the Bai Clan, “It seems like I’ll have to make a trip personally down to the Bai Clan tonight.”
Qin Wentian didn’t know of Mustang’s existence, he was only concerned with increasing the level of his cultivation. Using the Tempered Thousand Hammer Refinement Technique, he unceasingly endured the pain to reforge his body, and finally, after suffering excruciating agony, a “Ka Cha” sound rang out from Qin Wentian’s body as his body underwent another transformation. A warm smile broke out on Qin Wentian’s face — he knew that he had just successfully broken through to the 4th level of the Body Refinement Realm! The initial three levels of the Body Refinement Realm referred to the refinement of his flesh and muscles, while the middle three levels referred to the refinement of energy channels and bones, and finally, the last three levels referred to the refinement of one’s inner organs.
By the time he’d completed his cultivation practice, night had already fallen. Countless thoughts arose in his mind as Qin Wentian left the training grounds and walked towards the front yard. Qin Wentian believed that, if he were to tell the truth to Bai Qingsong, based on his current achievements, Bai Qingsong would immediately change his mind about the annulling of the marriage engagement. However, he didn’t want to appear so cheap and inferior. Some matters, Qin Wentian believed, were enough to see a person’s true colours. The only thing he wanted to know now, was the attitude of Autumn Snow. Through these three years since they had come to know each other, he had come to believe that she too would care for him.
“Three days later, at Bai Qingsong’s birthday celebration, I must ask her personally.” Qin Wentian silently stated in his heart. After which, he walked in the direction of the exit, only to see the two guards were still standing there, barring his path. As everyone knew that Qin Wentian was born with broken meridians, Bai Qingsong had no inclination to waste more manpower. Stationing two armed guards here was already thinking highly of Qin Wentian.
As the guards saw Qin Wentian’s approach, one of them stood in his path, barring his path as the guard angrily stated, “F*ck off.”
“Oh, it seems like the dogs have learned how to bite.” Qin Wentian’s visage turned cold. The words uttered by Qin Wentian caused the guard to freeze momentarily as shock suffused his features. Swiftly after, the guard’s leered threateningly as a cruel smile appeared on his face, ”It looks like our Young Master Qin was too used to living a carefree live, and has forgotten his current position. Since this is the case, let me WAKE YOU UP!”
Roaring in anger, the guard raised his fist as he rushed forward, aiming for the critical area of Qin Wentian’s head region. The movement of the airflow, caused by the fist strikes of the guard, was extremely overbearing.
Qin Wentian’s reaction speed and senses were extremely keen. To the current him, who’d already stepped into the ranks of a Stellar Martial Cultivator, the speed of his opponent’s strikes were so slow that it seemed laughable. Qin Wentian easily shifted his body to the side, dodging the strike, while advancing in the same moment, leaping up, and explosively using his knee to slam against his opponent’s chest. In that instant, “Boom!”, the internal organs of the guard shattered as the impact sent him flying away, as he collapsed on to the ground, far off in the distance, dead.
“What?” The remaining guard stared dumbstruck for a moment, before he recovered. Shrugging disdainfully as the guard thought to himself, “How weak was he? To think that he was caught unawares so easily by attacks from a trash.” With a cold glint in his eye, the remaining guard gathered his strength as he struck out. Each of his punches punctured the air with an angry roar akin to that of a tiger. This was.. The basic fist technique, Ferocious Tiger Fist!
This time round, Qin Wentian did not chose to dodge. His fist, akin to that of a steel hammer, clashed directly with his opponent. “Ka Cha!” The sound of bones breaking rang out. Except, the broken fist belonged to that of the guard, shattered even before he had the time to let out a scream of terror. Not giving any chance for the guard to react, Qin Wentian’s fist instantly landed on his opponent’s head. However, at that instant, Qin Wentian retracted back his energy, merely knocking the guard unconscious instead of causing his head to explode.
After doing what needed to be done, Qin Wentian tossed both of their bodies inside the small house that was used for his imprisonment. After which, he stripped himself and swapped clothes with one of the guards, before exiting the courtyard and disappearing into the darkness.
After living here for three years, Qin Wentian was too familiar with the routine of the night patrol of the Bai Clan. He purposely chose those remote paths, evading the night patrols, and after an hour, he finally arrived at the main gate of the Bai Residence.
As his footsteps echoed out as he walked towards the gate, Qin Wentian couldn’t help feeling slightly nervous. If, at this moment, he was caught by the Bai Clan, he knew that there was no way Bai Qingsong would let him off so easily.
As luck would have it, just as Qin Wentian stepped out of the main gate, he heard footsteps approaching from in front of him. Without a choice, he dipped his head lower making himself as inconspicuous as possible.
“Who are you? Why are you sneaking around. Incline your head.” A cold voice that was extremely familiar to him drifted to his ears, causing his heart to slightly shudder. Traces of a small smile appeared on his face. Were the Gods playing tricks on him? To think that they’d meet each other here.
Autumn Snow couldn’t help but to tremble slightly as Qin Wentian inclined his head. Unconsciously, she retreated a small step back.
Time’, momentarily paused, as the two of them look towards each other in silence. Qin Wentian from the start, had been observing the expressions of Bai Autumn Snow. From the slight panic, to a state of calm. He lightly smiled, yet he was feeling disappointment in his heart. It was as if he could read what Bai Autumn Snow was thinking.
“I… didn’t have a choice.” Bai Autumn Snow explained. Without saying anything, Qin Wentian silently looked at her. Never in his imaginations would he thought that such a scenario would occur between them.
“How many years have you wasted in study, regarding the condensation of Astral Souls, and yet, that is your limit. But what use was there? You could only be a secondary player, helping others to condense their Astral Soul. From the start, you were already destined to be lied to by me.”
Bai Autumn Snow’s headful of beautiful black hair danced about in the wind, accentuating her beauty. However, the Qin Wentian now didn’t have any mood to admire that, for his heart went cold at the words of Bai Autumn Snow.
“So this is the reason why the Bai Clan repaid my gratitude with enmity?”
Autumn Snow did not answer his question, and replied, “ Ye WuQue, at the age of 13, had already formed an innate link with a constellation from the 2nd Heavenly Layer, and condensed his first Astral Soul. At the age of 15, he stepped into the Arterial Circulation Realm, and opened his 2nd Astral Gate, forming an innate link with a constellation from the 3rd Heavenly Layer, condensing his 2nd Astral Soul. And now, at the age of 18, his cultivation is already at the 8th level of the Arterial Circulation Realm, with high hopes of stepping into the Yuanfu Realm before the age of 20. The distance between him and you, is as incomparable as the distance between the Heavens and Earth. How could you even begin to compare?”
Qin Wentian understood the meaning behind Autumn Snow’s words. The candidate selected for the marriage proposal this time round, was most likely Ye WuQue.
“You can leave. After all, no matter what, you did help me. I’m not someone who is so cold and unfeeling, and will not make things difficult for you. Even if you don’t die, there is no way you could affect the marriage between the Bai Clan and the Ye Clan. And in the future, both of us are already destined to be people belonging to different worlds.” After speaking, Autumn Snow lightly walked past Qin Wentian. At that moment, he could’t help but feel how unfamiliar Autumn Snow had become. Or maybe, this was who she truly was at the very beginning. He had only himself to blame for not being able to see through her facade.
“Autumn Snow.” Qin Wentian suddenly interjected, causing Autumn Snow to halt in her steps.
“Three years ago, your father Bai Qingsong was the one who initiated the marriage engagement with my Qin Clan. My foster father did not want to affect your future by agreeing, but yet, under the desperate urgings of Bai Qingsong, he gradually acquiesced.”
“In these three years, my foster father did all he could for your Bai Clan, providing cultivation resources, aiding the Bai Clan in their attempts to rebuild themselves, and never once has he been haughty or overbearing, lording it over the Bai Clan. And for me, in turn, I’ve long regarded you all as my kin.”
“Five days ago, I aided you in the condensation of your Astral Soul, and yet, your Bai Clan, actually wanted to kill me. Now that you say you’ll let me leave and not make things difficult for me, this is nothing but a joke. This is not you repaying the kindness owned, but sarcasm instead.
Every word of Qin Wentian was filled with indifference as he slowly walked away, ”But you are right, from the start, you and me, was destined to be people belonging to different worlds.”
[1] Ye WuQue → Ye is a surname, WuQue stands for flawless/perfection