Chapter 650 - 0376 The Beginning of Encounter (Two-in-One)

Everything happening in Beisang City always catches Zhu Pingniang’s eye, so back when Sikong Jing found Liu Qingluo to ask questions, she saw it all.

Clearly remembered.

In Liu Qingluo’s eyes, that encounter wasn’t anything noteworthy. It was simply someone from the Immortal Sect visiting Zhu Pingniang, asking her for directions and inquiring about redeeming the girls.

After giving a brief reply, Liu Qingluo guided Sikong Jing to Steward Lu and then turned away.

Now, if you ask Liu Qingluo to meet Sikong Jing again, she wouldn’t remember any of the details.

A woman with scattered thoughts always forgets unimportant people.

That’s Liu Qingluo’s perspective.

However, Zhu Pingniang’s view is quite different.

Because there was an additional scene—the moment after Liu Qingluo left, Sikong Jing was staring blankly at her departing figure.

This scene is quite strange.

But at that time, Zhu Pingniang didn’t find it odd. She was only amused, thinking Sikong Jing was a naive boy, believing he was just stunned by the absurdity of redeeming the girls from Flower Moon Building, so she paid it no mind.

Even when Sikong Jing visited her, asking for Liu Qingluo’s name afterward, Zhu Pingniang still treated it as a fleeting encounter.

But now, as Xu Chang’an mentions Sikong Jing again, Zhu Pingniang suddenly realizes the oddity.

Sikong Jing is a sword fool, just like his father was back then.

Why would someone like him suddenly inquire about Qingluo?

Zhu Pingniang looks at Xu Chang’an. "Tell me, why would a boy around your age suddenly start asking about a woman?"

"...?"

Xu Chang’an blinks.

This senior is starting the random conversations again.

But Xu Chang’an had just learned he could be rewarded with Spirit Stones, his mood couldn’t be better. He thoughtfully asks, "The boy you’re talking about, similar in age to me... does he have a family?"

"No." Zhu Pingniang shakes her head.

Looking at her, Xu Chang’an couldn’t help but think the boy she’s referring to must be that Senior Sikong, since they were discussing Sikong Jing earlier.

Still, Xu Chang’an says, "If he doesn’t have a family... he might have taken a fancy to the girl... if the girl is pretty."

Xu Chang’an actually has many thoughts, but Zhu Pingniang’s questions mostly revolve around male-female relationships, so he speaks his mind directly.

Zhu Pingniang nods slowly after hearing this.

"Indeed, that’s what most people might think."

Qingluo is certainly very attractive.

But...

Sikong Jing likes Liu Qingluo?

Just because Qingluo gave him a scolding?

Is there something wrong with his head?

Zhu Pingniang furrows her brow, stands up, and starts pacing in front of Xu Chang’an. After a few rounds, she vigorously shakes her head.

"No... no... no."

Qingluo nowadays is completely different.

She possesses Immortal Grade talent.

Could it be that in such a brief conversation, Sikong Jing sensed something unusual about Qingluo, prompting him to inquire?

It shouldn’t be.

She’s watched Qingluo grow up, and before Liu Qingluo entered the Open Source Realm, she noticed no sign of Immortal Grade talent at all.

Liu Qingluo frequently visits a little temple to pray for her beloved. That old monk sees her daily, yet he noticed nothing of her talent.

What basis does Sikong Jing have to detect something strange about Qingluo?

"...Ah, the Immortal Sword."

A glimmer of realization flashes in Zhu Pingniang’s mind.

According to what she understands, Sikong Jing’s Sword Heart is connected with the Immortal Sword... with the mysterious Immortal Sword, it’s possible it detected some trace from Liu Qingluo.

Zhu Pingniang recalls when Gu Qiancheng mentioned in his letter that after Liu Qingluo’s breakthrough to the Open Source Realm, she hadn’t yet developed Spiritual Protection, yet the Hehuan Bell rang first.

Looking at it this way, Immortal Grade talent indeed might be sensed by an Immortal Artifact.

And the name of the Immortal Sword...

[Celestial Mirror]

Zhu Pingniang returns to her seat, remembering seeing a confrontation between the Immortal Sword and the Hehuan Bell in a past generation.

The Celestial Mirror soaring high, wind and clouds surge, heaven opens its eyes, gazing upon all things.

With "Mirror" in its name... Zhu Pingniang feels the possibility of Liu Qingluo being discovered increases.

This won’t do.

She doesn’t want anyone from the outside world to know, at least not for now.

"Hmm... maybe he didn’t necessarily discover anything, perhaps just something felt off, so he asked a simple question." Zhu Pingniang mutters, suddenly slapping the table hard, looking at Xu Chang’an.

"Chang’an."

Xu Chang’an looks at the senior, exasperated by her slapping the table, and says, "Here."

"Didn’t I ask you to take Qingluo’s zither belt with you when you return to Beisang City?"

"Yes."

"When you see her, relay a message for me." Zhu Pingniang says seriously, "Tell her to stay far away from Sikong Jing... no, from anyone from the Profound Sword Bureau, and not to say a word. Even if Sikong Jing finds her to ask questions, she mustn’t respond."

Xu Chang’an: "..."

"Not just that, make sure she understands not to respond to anything, if Sikong Jing talks to her, she should act as if she didn’t hear, don’t be afraid of offending anyone." Zhu Pingniang, still worried, says, "This is important, I’m entrusting you with it, did you hear?"

"I got it." Though Xu Chang’an wishes to comment, Zhu Pingniang’s serious instructions make him memorize them.

Xu Chang’an doesn’t want to delve into the underlying meaning, but Zhu Pingniang realizes something, blinks, and asks him:

"Chang’an, am I being too obvious?"