Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1558 - 961: Honored Guest Entering the Inner Chamber

As the sky just began to lighten the following morning, a biting north wind swept through with its icy chill. Ensconced warmly beneath the covers, Shu Ci was deep in slumber.

Suddenly, a series of insistent knocks echoed from outside the door.

Baili An, seated against the wall in meditation, opened his eyes and cast a glance toward the window.

It was still exceptionally early, with hardly any souls braving the roads. Who would choose to pay a visit at such an ungodly hour?

Unless their intention was to deliberately shatter someone's peaceful dreams, there had to be a matter of grave urgency.

The knocking, while not loud, possessed a polite and steady rhythm, yet it persisted relentlessly without a break.

As anticipated, the peacefully sleeping Shu Ci on the bed was roused by the disturbance.

Much like animals, Shu Ci possessed sharp hearing, and with disheveled hair, he grumbled indifferently, "Who dares disturb my sweet dreams so early in the morning? Are they tired of living?"

Baili An rose to answer the door, only to find a familiar face awaiting him.

Clad in an immaculate white robe, the woman exuded the distinct chill of the early dawn, reminiscent of a pristine spring with its crisp, refreshing essence.

Her ebony eyes held a similar icy coolness, as though capable of piercing the very depths of a person's heart.

Baili An regarded the woman at the threshold with wide-eyed astonishment, remaining utterly silent.

Su Jing's expression was serene as she spoke in a clear, measured tone, "You must be Wen Hanwei's new disciple, Ji Xinnian?"

Noticing her lack of recognition, Baili An felt a wave of relief wash over him and replied, "Greetings, Senior Sister Su Jing."

Su Jing pursed her lips, pausing in a moment of subtle contemplation, before continuing, "The Sect Master's wife is arriving in Shifang City this afternoon. All disciples are instructed to gather and welcome her. You must make the necessary preparations."

For reasons unknown, her voice carried a distinct intensity, perhaps three decibels higher than her usual tone.

Inside, Shu Ci, who had been restlessly turning in bed, found his irritation growing.

Baili An simply inclined his head in acknowledgment.

Without further words, Su Jing departed as cleanly and decisively as she had arrived, leaving behind a disturbed and sleepless Shu Ci tossing restlessly on his bed.

Baili An found himself pondering Su Jing's underlying motives. If the sole purpose was to relay the news of the Sect Master's wife's imminent arrival,

why would the Young Master of Taixuan herself need to personally deliver the message?

At the stroke of noon, Li Banfen arrived at the inn, where all Taixuan disciples were expected to formally greet her.

Afu Tu and Shu Ci, being part of the demon contingent, were instructed by Baili An to remain at the inn.

Since he was to operate under the guise of Ji Xinnian within Shifang City, Baili An deemed it necessary to at least encounter Li Bansheng, even if avoiding extensive interaction.

Li Bansheng entered the city via sword control and proceeded to the designated inn. However, even before setting foot inside,

her gaze fell upon a solitary figure clad in white, patiently awaiting her arrival by the inn's entrance.

Witnessing this tableau, Li Bansheng couldn't suppress a knowing smile, and her eyes instantly softened with warmth and tenderness.

For the past two centuries, her relationship with her daughter had been marked by a considerable distance. Su Jing, from a tender age, had maintained an emotional detachment from her close kin, largely due to persistent health issues.

Ever since the tragic incident two hundred years prior, Li Bansheng was acutely aware of her failings as a mother. Genuine heart-to-heart connections between mother and daughter had been exceedingly rare.

Su Jing, accustomed to solitary journeys, possessed a demeanor that, while seemingly cold, was often underscored by surprisingly fervent and unwavering actions.

The emotional chasm between them remained difficult to bridge, and whether towards her or Su Guanhai, she frequently kept her distance, presenting a facade of familiarity yet behaving like a stranger.

It seemed that Baili An's survival and subsequent reunion with Yin Baishuang had been sufficient catalysts for her to finally relinquish the burdens of the past.

Had it not been for this newfound state of mind, Li Bansheng would never have envisioned being personally welcomed by her own daughter one day.

A gentle smile gracing her lips, Li Bansheng proceeded forward gracefully and inquired, "Jing, were you waiting for your mother?"

Su Jing shifted her gaze to meet Li Bansheng's, offering a slight nod. "The Taixuan disciples in Shifang City have assembled. If Mother has any instructions, please proceed to the second floor."

Despite the underlying warmth, her words still carried an undeniable formality and a hint of distance.

Yet, Li Bansheng did not take offense, her expression growing even more tender and sincere.

As they entered the inn, with Su Jing leading the way, Li Bansheng inquired softly about her daughter's recent well-being, their conversation flowing as they ascended the staircase to the second floor.

Abruptly, Li Bansheng's gentle inquiry ceased mid-sentence.

In that instant, it felt as though an endless expanse of ice and snow had descended upon her very being.

Her face drained of all color, and the leg she was lifting to ascend the next step froze mid-air, as if an unseen, spectral hand had clamped firmly around her ankle.

The transformation was so sudden and alarming that even Su Jing couldn't help but turn and ask with evident concern, "Mother?"

Li Bansheng appeared to be in extreme discomfort, as though her long-dormant injuries had flared with sudden, agonizing intensity.

Her complexion was terribly grim, and she slowly turned her head to fix her gaze upon Su Jing, the tenderness in her eyes vanishing. Her voice, squeezed out between gritted teeth, asked, "Is that brat Baili An here too?!"

Su Jing was startled, clearly unable to comprehend how her mother's intuition had become so sharp. Before she could respond, the sound of numerous disciples moving about on the second floor echoed. The Taixuan disciples emerged from the guest rooms one by one, offering respectful greetings at the staircase, "Disciple greets Madam." Among the crowd, Li Bansheng immediately spotted Baili An standing in a corner, also joining the chorus of "Madam." Li Bansheng's eyes flared with rage, her teeth clenched so hard that veins slightly bulged on her forehead. She roared in anger, her gaze seeming capable of consuming him, "You!" Baili An, seeing her fierce stare directed his way, was momentarily bewildered. He swiftly stepped forward, approached, and bowed respectfully, "Disciple of Taixuan Nine Classics, Ji Xinnian, greets the Sect Master's wife." Li Bansheng glared at Baili An with intense hatred, unable to voice her accusations. Baili An's face was flawlessly disguised at that moment, clearly intended to hide his true identity. Although she felt indifferent towards his life, she had to take her daughter Jing's feelings into account. Even as fury burned within her heart, she could not expose Baili An's identity under the public's watchful eyes.