Chapter 28: Master Bai Song

“Thank you, young master!” Zhao Qi bowed deeply to Su Ye, then left Su Ye’s courtyard in a daze.

Su Ye did not send Zhao Qi home immediately but arranged for him to stay at the Su residence.

Once Su Ye had settled Zhao Qi’s family affairs, he returned to his chamber to continue crafting talismans.

Autumn passed and winter arrived. Snow fell thick and fast from the sky, soon blanketing the entire city of Jinhua in white.

At this time, a lavishly decorated carriage entered the city gates. The guards, upon recognizing it, instantly opened the gates and welcomed its owner into Jinhua.

The carriage rode straight through the city streets, heading directly to the county yamen.

It halted before the county office, where a middle-aged cultivator in a robe adorned with white cranes and pine patterns stepped out. He was refined in appearance, holding a white horsetail whisk, exuding the air of a sage.

This was Master Baisong, a cultivator of the ninth rank.

“Master, you’ve finally returned! While you were away, I suffered terribly at the hands of that brat from the Su family!” The moment Master Baisong alighted, a portly middle-aged man, balding and clad in a magistrate’s official robe, rushed up to him. This was Wu Wei, the magistrate of Jinhua.

“Enough. Whatever happened, wait until we’re inside to talk. What do you look like wailing out here?” Baisong frowned at Wu Wei, then strode into the yamen.

Wu Wei, showing none of a magistrate’s dignity, eagerly trotted after him like a lackey. The guards nearby were unfazed, as if this was entirely ordinary.

Indeed, at present Wu Wei was merely an ordinary official. In the heyday of the Song Kingdom, he would never have had to curry favor with a ninth-rank cultivator like Baisong. But now, with demons and fiends running rampant—even the Lanruo Temple destroyed—an ordinary magistrate like him needed the protection of someone like Baisong if he wished to keep his position.

Once inside, Wu Wei recounted the matters of the Su family, embellishing as he spoke.

After Wu Wei finished, Tao Xu and the other cultivators added further details, confirming that Wu Wei had spoken the truth.

“Has the Su family paid their tribute this month?” Baisong sipped his tea, asking casually.

The entire city was under Baisong’s protection, and so every household paid him tribute each month. As the wealthiest family in Jinhua, the Su family’s monthly offering was considerable.

“They haven’t. Not only did they skip this month’s, but last month’s hasn’t been made up either!” Wu Wei said bitterly. He had hoped to claim the Su family’s fortune for himself, but now, not only had he failed to seize their wealth, even their regular tribute payments had ceased.

Baisong’s expression turned cold, a glint of ice flashing in his eyes. “Who’s in charge of the Su family now? Have you inquired?”

“Master, the current head is the second young master, Su Ye. He…” Tao Xu had anticipated this question, so after leaving the Su house that day, he’d already gathered the latest information.

“So, this Su Ye is rather odd. But with his cultivation below the ninth rank, he’s no match for me.”

Baisong set his tea down and rose. “I’ll go to the Su residence myself. Prepare to move their wealth.”

The Su residence was not far from the yamen, and Baisong’s pace was swift. In moments, he arrived at the gate.

The doors stood wide, two servants waiting outside. At the sight of Baisong, one greeted him with a smile, “My young master has been expecting you. Please, do come in.”

Knowing that Baisong was away from Jinhua, Su Ye had ordered his guards to keep watch at the city gates. Thus, the moment Baisong returned, word reached him at once. Su Ye had suspected Baisong might seek him out, and, as expected, the cultivator came to the Su family soon after his return.

“Tricks and theatrics,” Baisong scoffed, glancing at the servants but not troubling them. With a flick of his whisk, he entered the residence.

“Master, allow me to show you to my young master,” another servant offered.

“No need. I know where Su Ye is.” Baisong shot the servant a look, gathered aura beneath his feet, and with a gust of wind seemed to soar, arriving in an instant at Zhao Bai’s courtyard.

“Master Baisong, your reputation precedes you.” Su Ye was seated calmly in the courtyard. As Baisong arrived, snow swirling around him, Su Ye rose with a smile.

Master Baisong clearly had no intention of exchanging pleasantries. The moment he saw Su Ye, a cold sneer appeared on his face. He flicked his wrist; a white gleam flashed from his whisk, splitting into countless needle-fine rays that shot toward Su Ye.

Su Ye sighed softly, produced his talisman brush, and channeled spiritual energy to its tip. Earthen-yellow light surged forth—an Earth Armor Talisman, a defensive charm.

With a few swift strokes, several earthen shields formed around him, thick and sturdy, blocking the barrage of white needles.

Su Ye then flicked his sleeve, sending out a flurry of talismans. Streaks of dark gold and crimson light roared toward Baisong. Some of these had been prepared in advance and were of high grade, their power rivaling attacks from a ninth-rank cultivator.

Baisong, being of the ninth rank himself, was instantly overwhelmed by the onslaught, unable to withstand the barrage. He was forced back, his composure shattered.

When the power of the talismans faded, Baisong no longer resembled the immortal sage he had appeared to be. His hair was disheveled, and wisps of sinister energy billowed from his body.

“Su Ye, you’re courting death!” Baisong roared in fury. His eyes glittered with cold light as he brandished his whisk, which, charged with mana, now gleamed as sharp as a sword.

With lightning speed, Baisong thrust his whisk at Su Ye’s chest. At the same time, he formed a spell with his fingers; cold air gathered from all directions, and a barrage of ice spikes coalesced in the sky, whistling down toward Su Ye.