Chapter 850 - 474: Earn the Money First, Worry About Face Later (Double-Length)

Even though Zhu Pingniang knew Wen Li wouldn’t be upset about this, she still had to say what needed to be said.

Wen Li didn’t fully understand at first, but with Zhu Pingniang’s hint, she realized what she wanted to do.

Because someone proposed without giving enough respect and etiquette, should... the other party compensate?

What kind of logic is this.

Wen Li couldn’t quite comprehend it; since it’s a proposal, it belongs to a woman’s matter, and from a woman’s perspective, Wen Li has never thought of herself as an extraordinary girl.

She only felt the other party was not very wise.

As the Senior of Muyu Peak, how could she possibly...

"Ah Li, don’t you mind? Using you as an excuse to ask for money and such." Zhu Pingniang spoke, feeling embarrassed herself.

Wen Li shook her head: "Master, the master... told me not to meddle in these affairs and let you and the other elders decide."

She said she didn’t mind and wouldn’t involve herself, so she won’t mind.

"I understand." Zhu Pingniang breathed a sigh of relief.

With the master’s permission, she could proceed freely with her plans.

She was genuinely angry.

In women’s etiquette, before proposing for a grown lady, you should even choose a favorable day and write a "cat adoption contract" to find a dowry for a newly born Li Hua kitten—this is the rule of ’marrying a cat.’

If even a Li Hua requires this, what about the Senior of Muyu Peak?

The visit wasn’t researched, no prior notice to Wen Li’s master, bringing gifts and a marriage proposal directly to the door—how can you not drive him away? Should Wen Li meet him?

The Profound Sword Bureau can’t seriously think this is how to take home the high flower of Muyu Peak.

The Profound Sword Bureau acted rather dishonestly, so don’t blame her for making an issue out of it.

Thinking about it... Zhu Pingniang stealthily glanced at Li Zhibai.

"With Ah Bai here, if we really take their stuff, he might even thank us."

The Profound Sword Bureau has been wanting to reconnect with Li Zhibai for some time.

So Zhu Pingniang isn’t entirely being malicious; if the compensation satisfies her and Ah Bai reaccepts this junior... it’s not impossible.

Therefore, it’s a win-win.

Let’s see if Sikong Lixu has any brains.

"Ah hem... Ah Li, if all goes well, our mountain’s Dao Discussion Arena will soon be established." Zhu Pingniang smiled.

"That would be best." Wen Li nodded.

"Okay then, go and change clothes."

As Zhu Pingniang summoned the maid with a spell, Wen Li nodded, saluted Li Zhibai and Zhu Pingniang, then left the Inner Realm accompanied by the maid.

"Phew..." Zhu Pingniang sighed in relief.

Finally sent her off.

"A girl with no sense."

Had to interrupt the rare moment of peace between her and Ah Bai.

"Ah Bai..." Zhu Pingniang was about to say something, but noticed Li Zhibai shaking her head: "Hold on, let me organize a bit."

Li Zhibai took out a set of chairs and tables from somewhere, sat down, and started organizing with pen and paper, scribbling away.

Zhu Pingniang curiously glanced over, realizing it was all about the nature and changes of Wen Li’s True Yuan and the structure report of Star Sword Light, thus losing interest.

Because...

There’s clearly a better view.

Ah Bai looks really lovely in this outfit.

Having fallen under Li Zhibai’s charm, Zhu Pingniang’s gaze lingered on Li Zhibai’s legs and didn’t move. Her red dress, in Zhu Pingniang’s view, seemed like nothing more than a classical red gown with large open sleeves, expressing the gentle side of a daughter with its own advantage...

But it’s the person wearing it.

Tsk.

One can only say Ah Bai was indeed a young lady from a wealthy family; it’s likely she’d never gone hungry, so... she grew up so beautifully.

At that moment, Li Zhibai bent her waist slightly, the dark-red spliced waistline accentuating her figure in a perfect curve. Her long hair, simply tied, gave Zhu Pingniang an elder sister’s feeling.

She has always been fond of sisters, from Ms. Gu to the present Ms. Li—all the same. Perhaps her frequent self-reference as "sister" is part of the reason.

Zhu Pingniang wished to watch a little longer... but alas, Li Zhibai already noticed her gaze.

Li Zhibai’s writing hand paused slightly, and then... her left hand gently pressed down the hem of her skirt, rendering Zhu Pingniang’s desires to see more null.

Humph.

Dressing nicely yet not allowing others to see, what kind of reasoning is this.

However, Zhu Pingniang didn’t take it too far, and she quietly waited until Li Zhibai finished her work before stepping up to hold her wrist, preventing her from disbanding the Inner Realm.

"Tong Jun?" Li Zhibai questioned.

As the Inner Realm was ready to be disbanded, why was Tong Jun holding her?

"Ah Bai, shouldn’t you almost start calling me Pingniang?" Zhu Pingniang suggested.

"I’m still not quite used to it, give me some more time," Li Zhibai replied.

"Alright." Zhu Pingniang did not force her to change, but only squinted at the record Spirit Stone beside Li Zhibai, then approached... and gently reopened it.

"Tong Jun?" Li Zhibai blinked.

With Wen Li gone, what does reopening the Spirit Stone aim to record?

"Ah Bai, don’t you think... it’s somewhat unfair?" Zhu Pingniang’s eyes narrowed to slits as she held the record Spirit Stone: "My... Wen Li’s appearance is all inside, isn’t it missing someone?"

"Missing someone..." Li Zhibai thought for a moment, realizing what Zhu Pingniang was suggesting, and pointed at herself, surprised: "You mean me?"

"Of course, you!" Zhu Pingniang put down the record Spirit Stone in slight irritation. "Why was it just the three of us... and you alone not recorded? That’s unfair. Where’s your Sword Hall’s rule?"

If Zhu Pingniang were unreasonable, Li Zhibai wouldn’t entertain her.

But bound by Sword Hall’s rules, Li Zhibai had no argument.

Indeed... if this was to show Chang’an the mysteries of the world, Tong Jun and Ah Li were recorded... and yet she, as a teacher, remained outside. That’s truly unfair.

"What are you waiting for; are you treating Ah Li and me as mere performers?" Zhu Pingniang huffed.

But Li Zhibai helplessly glanced around herself.

"Tong Jun, it’s not me... just that my attire isn’t suitable for Chang’an to see."

"Not suitable?" Zhu Pingniang was momentarily confused, not understanding Li Zhibai’s meaning.

"...This attire is a bit too flamboyant."

Because it isn’t stately enough, so it isn’t appropriate for Xu Chang’an to see her current appearance.

"What do you mean?" Zhu Pingniang confusedly asked.

"I mean, even if you want me to compete with you in the Inner Realm, you should... let me change attire," explained Li Zhibai.

This girl intended to compete with her in the Inner Realm, just like Wen Li.

But Li Zhibai looked at her red dress, knowing she couldn’t fully utilize her combat strength... without hesitation, if you open the record Spirit Stone, she would disappear from range at once.

"Change attire..." Zhu Pingniang understood, seriously saying, "But Ah Bai, you look beautiful in any clothing, I don’t think there’s much difference."

Li Zhibai: "..."

Zhu Pingniang pursed her lips.

Does Ah Bai really think her usual Daoist robe is stately?

Don’t be silly.

Zhu Pingniang glanced down at herself, her eyes slightly twitching.

Comparison is deadly.

Any attire on Li Zhibai has virtually the same effect; despite the Daoist robe being spacious, with Ah Bai’s indifferent to her manners temperament, sometimes things can’t be hidden.

"Anyway... don’t fuss about it," Li Zhibai gently chided her.

Now isn’t the moment to insist on sparring with her.

"Alright." Zhu Pingniang gave up the idea of sparring with Li Zhibai, but her visible displeasure was clear.

Evidently, after Li Zhibai had Wen Li playing with her two avatars, Zhu Pingniang wasn’t entirely without resentment.

Li Zhibai dissolved the Inner Realm, and she returned to the room with Zhu Pingniang, looking back at the pouting woman, shaking her head: "Unhappy?"

"Very unhappy." Zhu Pingniang didn’t hide this.

"If I apply makeup for you, will your mood improve?" Li Zhibai asked.

"Of course not..." Zhu Pingniang began, then suddenly froze.

"Apply makeup?"

"For... me?"

She raised her head to see Li Zhibai’s faintly curved smile.

Ah Bai... Ah Bai still likes her.

Zhu Pingniang thought in this way.