Xiao Man smacked her lips and asked, "What if he's killed by someone else?"
"With your cunning and abilities, how could you let him be killed?"
"Elder, have you forgotten that Zhou Yan, who was by my side, died at someone else's hands, and I couldn't even rescue him in time?" Xiao Man said softly. "Elder, I cannot guarantee his safety."
Zong Yi fell silent. He knew that outside, experts were as numerous as clouds. Xiao Man was merely a cultivator at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. In the eyes of those powerful individuals, she was no different from an ant. It wasn't just Xiao Man; even he himself could not guarantee Bai Chen's safety.
"I'm entrusting this person to you. I believe you will do your utmost to ensure his safety. Even if you can't... I," Zong Yi paused for a moment, then continued, "neither his father nor I will blame you."
"Elder Zong Yi, may I ask why?" Xiao Man was deeply puzzled. She was merely a bit more capable than an ordinary person, yet there were countless individuals more powerful than her outside. She had even faced life-threatening dangers multiple times. What normal parents would entrust their beloved child to her?
"Someone once cast a fortune for Bai Chen, stating he wouldn't live past twenty-five. Bai Chen is already twenty-four, and his twenty-fifth birthday is in October. Coincidentally, the hunt in Dong Yue Forest is in September."
"You're worried he'll encounter danger in Dong Yue Forest?"
Zong Yi nodded slowly. "To ensure he grew up safely, he has been by my side since birth. He couldn't grow up with his own parents, which is already a debt owed to him. I can only teach him artifact refining, and ensure he has enough to eat and wear. Thus, he has developed a pure nature, unaware of the world's dangers."
"Tsk, I understand what you mean," Xiao Man pouted. "You think I'm a big villain, and by my side, he can learn about the sinister nature of people from this big villain, thereby becoming more guarded. Is that right?"
Zong Yi coughed twice. "That's an exaggeration. I just believe you can teach him many things, and he thinks so himself."
"He called me a big villain."
Zong Yi choked. "He's being immature. I'll have a good word with him."
"Alright, since you old man are giving him to me, I can't refuse. But my cultivation is low. If I encounter a master stronger than me, I can only flee for my life. It's easy for me to escape alone, but not with Bai Chen. Shouldn't you give me more life-saving treasures?"
"You little rascal, you really are..." Zong Yi glared at Xiao Man, then after a long pause, managed to say, "Your request is very reasonable. What do you want?"
"Can I choose freely from the armory? After all, Bai Chen's safety is at stake. If I don't have enough trump cards, I can't protect him."
Zong Yi's neck was stiff, but he still nodded fiercely. "Of course!"
"If he comes with me, he should pay for his own food, clothing, housing, and travel expenses, right?"
"Of course!" Zong Yi thought to himself, as long as Xiao Man could help Bai Chen overcome this immediate tribulation, he would give her money, weapons, spirit stones, or spiritual medicine. After all, Bai Chen was the future sect leader of the Thousand Mechanism Sect!
When Xiao Man left the Thousand Mechanism Sect, she had made a fortune. Jun Fei'er was also overjoyed after receiving a forty percent discount, thinking, "Now I can extort a hefty sum from the sect leader brother when I go back."
"Master, has the participant list for the seven-sect hunt in September been decided?" Xiao Man inquired.
"It's decided. Kong Qing, Fu Shen, you, and Yin Dong will participate. Shi Lan won't be going, as you wouldn't be able to look after her." Jun Fei'er understood clearly. "When we enter Dong Yue Forest, take care of yourself, come out safely, and return to me safely, understand?"
"Your disciple obeys."
The carriage stopped midway, and Xiao Man alighted.
Bai Chen reined in his horse, looking at Xiao Man in confusion. "Are you tired? Do you need to rest for a while?"
Xiao Man shook her head, reached out, and grabbed Bai Chen's reins. Jun Fei'er followed out, worried. "Are we leaving now?"
"I'll scout the terrain first. It's always good to be prepared," Xiao Man said calmly. "Master, you don't need to worry about me. As for Grand-Uncle, please convey a message for me: the month's period is up, and I won't be returning to serve him."
"What about Kong Qing and the others..."
"I'll wait for them in Dong Yue Forest." Xiao Man mounted Bai Chen's horse, waved at Jun Fei'er, and galloped away swiftly.
Bai Chen looked back at Xiao Man with a strange gaze. "Junior Brother, isn't it a bit odd for two grown men to ride on the same horse?"
Xiao Man suddenly understood and nodded, a brilliant smile blooming on her face as she reached out, grabbed Bai Chen's collar, and threw him off the horse.
"Senior Brother Bai Chen, this is your first lesson today: people's hearts are unpredictable. Your juniors might not respect you, and may even stab you in the back! From now on, you'll chase me on your own two legs." Xiao Man spurred the horse's belly, and it shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Bai Chen stared at Xiao Man's receding figure, dumbfounded. After a moment, he realized he had been robbed!
"Xiao Qin, you truly are a scoundrel!"
Bai Chen was furious and prepared to pursue with his sword, only to find he couldn't mobilize the true qi within his body.
"Senior Brother Bai Chen, I've sealed your true qi. To chase me, you'll have to run," Xiao Man's voice drifted from far ahead. Bai Chen's rage reached its peak. He charged forward regardless, determined to teach Xiao Man a lesson and let her know that respecting one's seniors was extremely necessary!
Xiao Man rode the horse ahead, with Bai Chen running behind. Xiao Man glanced back, a hint of a smile in her eyes. Although his mind wasn't the sharpest, his physical capabilities were up to par. Elder Zong Yi, despite his affection, had not compromised on his training.
Bai Chen was straightforward and had been too sheltered. The last time he went to the Land of No Return was his first time traveling alone. When he encountered Xiao Man, he had thought Xiao Man was the villain. In the end, Xiao Man hadn't attacked him, and he had almost died at someone else's hands.
Bai Chen stared at the galloping horse ahead, his gaze fixed on Xiao Man, a faint bewilderment in his eyes. Xiao Man was not a bad person; he had decided this after returning from Wuji City.
"What exactly do you want to do?" Bai Chen murmured, but his speed didn't falter as he rapidly pursued Xiao Man.
The two headed towards Dong Yue Forest. Many people hunted in Dong Yue Forest regularly, including many rogue cultivators. There were quite a few people along the way.
Xiao Man stopped at the last small town before entering Dong Yue Forest. She sat down at a wine shop by the village entrance, ordered food, and waited for Bai Chen to catch up.
Bai Chen ran until he was breathless. Even with his excellent stamina, he was drenched in sweat. He reached the town entrance and saw Xiao Man sitting at a small wooden table outside, eating and watching him with great interest.