Chapter Eighty: The Elder's Assistance

  Outside the ancient city gate of Juyuan, the lake waves rippled, and the sunlight shone through the hundred-foot-deep emerald water, casting a distant reflection on the soft, shallow sand at the bottom of the lake. The clusters of aquatic plants swayed gently with the waves, like a woman's slender waist, and suddenly a flash of silver light appeared, and several silver fish chased each other out of the plant clusters, playing and frolicking, darting back and forth, and after a few turns, they swam to the front of the city gate. Just as they were having fun, they suddenly bumped into a cold, dark face, and were startled, swimming away in fright.

  However, the figure remained motionless in its original position. The few "daring" fish that had just approached didn't pay any attention to it, as if it were one of the many bronze sculptures at the bottom of the lake. Only a pair of dark eyes shone with a hint of light, occasionally scanning back and forth between the surface of the water above its head and the pile of sand in front of it, revealing a bit of vitality.

  After a long time, those silver fish finally gathered the courage to come closer again. One of them was trying to peck at the black face, but just as it got close, a huge wave suddenly came crashing down, sweeping it and several other mischievous companions away to who-knows-where.

  On the contrary, the "statue" that had been motionless just now took a step forward instead of retreating, walking towards the surging lake waves, and even a hint of a faint smile appeared on its cold face.

  "It's been two years since we last met, and you've become even more powerful."

  In the emerald waves, a faint blue light was hidden, and the jumping runes and the small magic array on the sand pile gradually disappeared with the calm ripples, revealing the slender figure inside.

  That was a man in red, with bare feet, and a head of black hair that cascaded down his back like thick ink, revealing a clear and handsome face with a pair of warm and gentle eyebrows and eyes. If not for the two crimson marks on his forehead that looked like blood, and the demonic aura that lingered around him, he would have been indistinguishable from those humble gentlemen of the human tribe.

  As he heard the man's calm and smiling voice, he also smiled slightly, his handsome face looked even more gentle. He cupped his hands and said: "Letting Uncle Feng wait for so long, Baiying is really sorry." His tone was soft and gentle, making him look like a jade-like person.

  Yuè lightly shook his head: "What's the big deal." He was always taciturn, and although he was delighted to see Shen Baiying return, he didn't show it on his face. After a moment, he said, "The elder ordered us to wait for you here, and then take you to see him first. Let's go." With that, he turned around and headed towards the city.

  Shen Bailian followed him up, the two demons walked all the way without saying a word, until they reached the outside of the Nest Temple, and then heard Ao Yue suddenly say: "You... have found the person you are looking for?"

  Shen Bailian was taken aback, her eyes dimmed, and she lowered her eyelids without speaking.

  Glancing at him, she guessed a few things in her heart, and let out a faint sigh, no longer asking any more questions.

  Bypassing the Nest Temple was where the elder lived, and Ao Yue sent him to this place and did not take another step. He only gestured for Shen Bai Lian to see the elder himself. Shen Bai Lian had no choice but to lift the curtain and walk in alone.

  Although it was at the bottom of the lake, the bronze lamps in the four corners of the house illuminated all four walls very brightly. The elder sat on a shell chair in the middle of the room, with his cane leaning against the side table. Seeing Shen Baiyun enter, the joy in his eyes almost overflowed, and he smiled and beckoned: "Come sit down." His expression was quite kind and gentle.

  He has become increasingly old and frail over the years, although his lifespan is much longer than that of humans. As the elder of the Youxu Country for over 200 years, he has seen the younger generation of demons grow and prosper, and he is content with what he has achieved. Now, there is only one thing on his mind: the matter of succession to the position of elder. Although there are many demons in the Youxu Country, it is difficult to find someone who can take on this important responsibility. He had originally intended for his own nephew, Yuewai, to succeed him, but since Shen Bailian returned over a decade ago, this idea has gradually faded away.

  In Ao Xuan's view, Ao Yue had a steady personality and had been following him in handling the national affairs of Ju Chao for many years, which was not a bad candidate for the elder. However, compared to Shen Baiying, he was slightly inferior. On the other hand, Shen Baiying seemed to have had some extraordinary experiences outside, not only his magical powers were strong enough to protect the people of Ju Chao from being bullied, but also his knowledge and experience far surpassed those of the lake-bottom monsters who never left their homes. Therefore, Ao Xuan valued Shen Baiying more and more, even with the intention of cultivating him as the next elder. What made Ao Xuan even happier was that after Ao Yue learned about it, he not only didn't show any dissatisfaction but also showed great care for Shen Baiying. Thinking this way, in the future, these two monsters, one master and one deputy, would bring boundless benefits to Ju Chao, which was truly wonderful.

  Shen Bailian, however, had pressing matters weighing on her mind. Over the years, she hadn't spent much time in Ju Chao country, and even when she returned, it was always with a flurry of activity, no time to attend to the various affairs of state. It wasn't until Feng Xuan asked that she learned Shen Bailian's constant rushing about was actually due to her searching for someone. Who this person was or what abilities they possessed, Feng Xuan had no idea, but after all these years, Shen Bailian still hadn't found them. This time when Shen Bailian returned, judging from her expression, it seemed she had once again come up empty-handed. Feng Xuan let out a silent sigh, but on the surface remained calm and collected, saying: "Bailian, this time you've returned, I don't know how long you plan to stay? In Ju Chao country these days, there have been many more monsters appearing, and the affairs of state are truly numerous. I'm getting older, and it seems my energy is waning...

  Shen Bailian had just sat down beside him when he heard these words, and a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes as he smiled and said: "Elder, with Uncle Feng here to share your worries, why must you say such things?"

  "With a flick of his old eyes: 'That guy is useless, although he's quite capable in handling matters, but when it comes to social interactions, he's completely hopeless! Last time I asked him to receive the new little demon, he just put on a black face and scared the poor thing almost back to where it came from. And the time before that, Huā Hóng Yàn and Hé Jì were quarreling, I asked him to mediate, but instead, he ended up beating up the young couple! Hé Jì is thick-skinned, but Huā Hóng Yàn is a girl after all, how could he bear to hit her?! And then there was another time..."

  After talking for half a day, he still couldn't hide his ardent expectations for Shen Baiying to succeed as the new elder.

  Shen Bailian suppressed the urge to support her forehead and maintained a smile on her face: "Elder, you also know that I have something important..."

  "According to you, that person has the aura of the imperial daughter's jade concealed on their body, making it difficult to detect even if they're right next to you. Isn't all your running around in vain? It would be better...” Yu Xiang said halfway, seeing Shen Bailian's gloomy expression, and suddenly stopped talking, secretly regretting his loose tongue for a moment, but the words had already been spoken and couldn't be taken back, so he could only use his old eyes to scan Shen Bailian's face repeatedly.

  Shen Bailian remained silent, but in his heart, he knew that the elder Ao Yan was not entirely aware of who he was looking for, yet he had spoken the truth. The daughter of Yuanyu had taken away the imperial girl Feicui, and all her demonic aura had been hidden, while Yun Tianqing, who had taken her away, had left Kunlun Mountain with Su Yu, and no one knew where they had gone. Over the years, Shen Bailian had searched everywhere in the Central Plains, went to Taiping Village where Yun Tianqing was born, also went to the southern small town where Su Yu used to live, and even visited the Ghost Realm, but never met the two again. As time passed day by day, more than a decade had passed, yet there was not a single clue, and he couldn't help but feel anxious in his heart. Now that Elder Ao Yan had spoken out, he had nothing to say.

  He didn't know what was on his mind, but he saw the hardships of these years in front of him. Although he said that he didn't like to intervene in Shen Baiying's private affairs, he still hoped that Shen Baiying would settle these troubles as soon as possible and make contributions to Juque Country. He had just made a mistake and was thinking about how to make up for it. Suddenly, he thought of something and his eyes lit up. He said, "It's not easy to find someone, I've known this for years. Well, I have a method here that might be able to help you, but..."

  Shen Bailian was taken aback, raised her head and slightly widened her eyes, a thread of hope rising in her heart. She hastily asked, "What method? I'd like to hear more about it." After glancing at Yu Xuan, she added, "If we can find that person, even if it's just to come back and help Elder and Uncle Yu with some small tasks, it would be fine too."

  He nodded, thought for a moment and said: "If you had asked me a few years ago, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to help you. However, it just so happens that during the past few years when you were not in Ju Niao Country, I heard some news..." He showed a reminiscent expression on his face, "It was two or three years ago, Lord Kun Yao suddenly arrived at our Nest Lake, and he also stayed in the city for a few days, reminiscing about old times with Lord Nest. This Lord Kun Yao has lived for thousands of years, is knowledgeable and has many friends. When I chatted with him, I learned that this time he passed by Nest Lake was to visit an old friend... Naturally, Lord Kun Yao's friend is not an ordinary person. I heard that the old friend is a cultivator who excels at divination and fortune-telling, and it's said that there's nothing in the world that he can't calculate. Maybe he can help you..."

  Shen Bailian was overjoyed, but after all, he was a calm and composed person, so he quickly suppressed his excitement and asked, "But I wonder where this extraordinary person lives?"

  The old man shook his head: "I heard that Mr. Kun said, his friend is a foodie and travels all over the place, so he doesn't have a fixed location. He also received a letter from that person to know that he was temporarily staying near Anhui Lake, so he rushed over. After these years, I think that stranger has already had enough of the local cuisine around Anhui Lake..." The implication is that they don't know where the stranger lives anymore.

  Shen Bailian felt a little disappointed, but after thinking about it, the elder didn't know where the stranger lived, and Lord Kun might not know either. Thinking of this, she felt hopeful again, and quickly asked Feng Xuan about Lord Kun's whereabouts.

  As soon as he heard the question, he knew what was meant. He decided to help him all the way and said: "Alright, you rest for a few days first, I'll write a letter for you. When the time comes, take the letter with you, that Lord Kun will naturally take care of you in consideration of Niao Shen's face."

  Shen Bailian was extremely grateful and thanked him repeatedly.

  "However, if you really want to thank me...hmm, these past few days have been quite busy with national affairs in Ju Chou. I think it would be better..."

  Shen Bailian was speechless.