We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 631: I Wonder If What Sect Master Jiang Said Still Holds

Jiang Qingyi led Xiao Mo toward the northern part of Black Bee City.

Before heading to that place, however, Jiang Qingyi and Xiao Mo visited several shops, purchasing considerable amounts of fabric and other daily necessities.

Beyond this, they also bought some beggar's chicken, pastries, and other food.

"This place used to be called 'Black Wind City,' the 'Wind' meaning the wind that blows fiercely." Jiang Qingyi said slowly to Xiao Mo beside her.

"Then why was it renamed?" Xiao Mo asked.

"Because Black Wind City changed hands."

Jiang Qingyi explained, a flicker of remembrance passing through her eyes.

"Back then, Black Wind City was controlled by a sect called the Black Wind Sect, but I destroyed the Black Wind Sect, and absorbed it into my own."

Xiao Mo: "..."

"I don't like the character for 'wind.' So-called 'wind,' once it blows past, leaves nothing behind at all, nothing remains."

Jiang Qingyi raised her head, gazing toward the distant horizon at the edge of the city.

"By comparison, a bee, no matter how far it travels, will always find its way back home in the end."

With these words, Jiang Qingyi turned her head, looking at Xiao Mo, “I wonder which name Your Majesty finds more pleasing to the ear?"

"They sound about the same to me." Xiao Mo said with a scholarly smile. "But once the wind has passed, it doesn't leave nothing behind either. Take now, for instance, at the very least it's carried away some of the summer heat, making it easier for people to keep moving forward."

"Heh, Your Majesty truly is a scholar. Quite skilled with words."

Jiang Qingyi gave a cold laugh, paying Xiao Mo no further mind, continuing toward the end of the street.

Before long, Jiang Qingyi brought Xiao Mo before a certain courtyard.

Even standing at the courtyard gate, Xiao Mo could already hear the sound of children reading aloud from within.

Pushing open the gate and walking into the courtyard, what met Xiao Mo's eyes were children of various ages.

The youngest among them appeared no more than four or five years old, and the oldest, perhaps twelve or thirteen.

"Sister Jiang is back..."

"Sister Jiang... we missed you so much!"

"Sister Jiang, I found work. I'm an apprentice at Blacksmith Han's shop now."

"Sister Jiang, who's this big brother?"

"This is the first time Sister Jiang has ever brought a man here. Is he Sister Jiang's husband?"

The moment the children saw Jiang Qingyi, they rushed over happily, chattering all at once.

Especially upon seeing Xiao Mo, their eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Hearing one of the children suggest that Xiao Mo was her husband, Jiang Qingyi's cheeks flushed faintly beneath her veil.

"He's my... my friend..." Jiang Qingyi said gently, rubbing the head of a small girl before her. "Go on and study your reading and writing for now. I'll play with you all later."

"Okay, Sister Jiang!"

The children answered happily, bouncing off to the side, continuing their reading and writing lessons.

"Greetings, Sect Master." At this moment, a woman walked over, bowing to Jiang Qingyi.

"Guihua, Master Xiao bought some food and clothing for the children. Later, please distribute the food, and use this fabric to make some new clothes for them." Jiang Qingyi handed the storage pouch to the woman.

"My thanks, Sect Master, my thanks, Master Xiao." The woman named Guihua thanked them, then took the storage pouch and withdrew, no longer disturbing the two of them.

"Are all these children orphans?"

Looking at the children of various ages within the courtyard, Xiao Mo, too, had already guessed at their identities.

"Yes."

Jiang Qingyi nodded.

"Some of these children were abandoned by their own parents."

"Some had parents who died in wartime chaos."

"They come from all sorts of different places."

"The Ten Thousand Swords Sect maintains a dedicated hall that has established similar courtyards throughout various cities. Whenever we come across a homeless child, we bring them here, providing them with basic housing, food, and clothing."

"Those with talent for cultivation, should they wish to embark upon the path of cultivation, will be taken in by one of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's various affiliated sects, or even the main sect itself, depending on their level of talent."

"Those without any cultivation talent will study reading and writing here, and later learn a trade to support themselves, becoming apprentices at blacksmith shops, working as tavern attendants, opening noodle stalls..."

"No small number of them go on to start their own families, and no small number even become officials at court. These people, too, remember their gratitude, often sending back various donations."

Hearing Jiang Qingyi's words, Xiao Mo nodded, acknowledging her with respect, “I never imagined Sect Master Jiang could be so genuinely compassionate. Though an Ascension realm immortal, you still hold the mortal world close to your heart."

"It's nothing." Jiang Qingyi shook her head, turning, raising her eyes to look at Xiao Mo. "Because I, too, was once an orphan. My own master saved me, or else, I would have died somewhere long ago, unremembered."

"If Sect Master Jiang's own master knew of this, he would surely be proud of what Sect Master Jiang has accomplished." Xiao Mo said.

"Who needs his pride." Jiang Qingyi said coldly. "This is something I choose to do, not because of him."

"From Sect Master Jiang's tone, it seems you don't hold particularly fond memories of your master?" Xiao Mo asked with a smile.

"Memories?" Jiang Qingyi turned her head, looking at the children in the courtyard, her eyes growing ever more complicated. "I'm grateful to him, but I also resent him."

"..."

Looking at Jiang Qingyi's profile, Xiao Mo said nothing, only rolling up his sleeves, walking toward the courtyard kitchen.

"Where are you going?" Jiang Qingyi asked.

"It's about that time. I'll cook a meal for the children." Xiao Mo said, turning back with a smile. "Don't underestimate me. Back when I had nothing to do in the harem, I often studied recipes. My skills aren't bad at all."

Watching Xiao Mo's retreating figure, Jiang Qingyi could not help but clench her fingers tightly.

Before long, the fragrance of cooking drifted through the courtyard.

Pot after pot of dishes were cooked and brought out, with Jiang Qingyi, Guihua, and some of the older children helping to serve the food.

Xiao Mo, too, filled a bowl for himself, sitting together with the small children, chatting and laughing with them because Xiao Mo had never carried any airs of pretension, being remarkably easygoing, he quickly blended in with the children, joining them in their childhood games.

"Such a grown man, and yet so childish."

Jiang Qingyi remarked to Xiao Mo nearby, half-teasing, but before long, Jiang Qingyi, too, was pulled away by the girls to join in the games.

Not until well past the afternoon hour did Xiao Mo and Jiang Qingyi finally bid the children farewell, walking out of the courtyard.

The setting sun, nearing evening, stretched their shadows long, gradually merging into one.

"We've surely finished discussing everything Your Majesty wished to raise with me, haven't we? Is there anything else?" Jiang Qingyi asked Xiao Mo calmly.

"There is, in truth, one more matter, though it's a personal one of my own." Xiao Mo thought for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Please, Your Majesty, speak plainly." Jiang Qingyi said.

"Sect Master Jiang once said that, if I could defeat you in a duel, I would be allowed to see your true face."

Xiao Mo stopped walking, turning to look into her eyes.

"I wonder if what Sect Master Jiang said still holds?"