Chapter 35: Bai Xuan's Brother

Clearly, it was Bai Xuan who had just reached out to take the medicine bottle. He was now examining the emerald object with a complex expression, which left Fairy Tianfeng, standing nearby, secretly curious. "What kind of background does this boy have? A mere bottle has left Master looking so troubled."

After a long moment, Bai Xuan slowly raised his head and let out a long sigh. He then descended the steps and stood before Tong Jin. "Hmm, not bad. To have reached the Qi Transformation Realm at such an age—no wonder that fellow took a liking to you." With a gentle expression, Bai Xuan handed the green bottle back to Tong Jin. "Oh? He even taught you the art of insect rearing? Hahahaha!" Bai Xuan burst into hearty laughter, as if he had discovered something delightful.

"Little one, follow me inside. Oh, and Tan’er, you should head back first. Tell your master that this boy will be staying at my Imperial Palace from now on." Bai Xuan’s voice, though seemingly gentle, carried an irresistible authority.

Watching Bai Xuan turn back toward the house, Tianfeng pursed her lips, then walked forward and patted the heads of both Tong Jin and Su Tan. "You heard my master’s orders, right? Little brother, go inside, and little junior brother Tan, you should head back obediently."

A stone fell from Tong Jin’s heart. He thought that based on Bai Xuan’s reaction, he must have a deep connection with the Old Ghost. Since he was allowed to stay, this was good news. At the very least, he was one step closer to his goal; with this opportunity, how could he fail to learn the art of insect rearing from Bai Xuan? A look of joy appeared on his face.

Su Tan, however, frowned and said with some concern, "Brother Tong, should I ask the Emperor to let me stay with you?"

Tong Jin smiled faintly, patted Su Tan on the shoulder, and said, "Brother Tan, Senior Bai has his own plans. Go back first and thank Senior Shennong for me. I will come to the Shenqi Palace to find you soon." Without further delay, he bowed to the beaming Tianfeng and turned to walk up the steps into the wooden house.

"Little junior brother Tan, wouldn't you like to stay and have a meal with your senior sister before returning to the Shenqi Palace?" Fairy Tianfeng watched the reluctant Su Tan and teased him with a fluttering laugh, as if she were about to pull him into her arms and dote on him like a younger brother.

Su Tan struggled to break free. Catching sight of her heaving chest as she laughed, he blushed, quickly offered his farewells, and fled as if escaping. This only caused Fairy Tianfeng to giggle uncontrollably.

Inside the wooden house, Bai Xuan stood silently facing the window, lost in thought. Tong Jin curiously surveyed the Emperor’s room: inside the spacious wooden structure, there were only two meditation cushions on the floor. Tong Jin thought this was far too austere, perhaps even simpler than Su Tan’s small cave dwelling. As he pondered, Bai Xuan turned around and offered a kind smile.

"Little one, what is your relationship with Bai Yunbian?"

Tong Jin answered frankly, "The Old Ghost saved my life."

"The Old Ghost? Hahaha!" Bai Xuan paused, then burst into laughter. It was clear he found the term "Old Ghost" quite amusing, and he instantly guessed the nature of the relationship between Tong Jin and the Ghost Physician.

Based on his understanding of Bai Yunbian, he would never allow a junior to address him as "Old Ghost" so casually. Since Tong Jin had spoken the name without a second thought, it seemed this was how he addressed him daily. Given that he could use such an informal title while having been entrusted by Bai Yunbian with his only favor, Bai Xuan was certain that Tong Jin was someone of great importance to his brother—someone he fully acknowledged and trusted.

Bai Xuan asked with a light smile, "Little one, do you know what the medicine bottle in your hand represents?"

Tong Jin took out the emerald bottle and shook his head.

Bai Xuan gestured to the two cushions on the floor. He walked over to one and sat down, and only after Tong Jin had seated himself opposite did he speak. "This represents the only promise I, Bai Xuan, have ever made in my life."

Although Tong Jin had guessed the object was significant, he had not dared to imagine it represented a promise from Emperor Bai Xuan. He understood well what such a promise entailed. His eyes widened, and he gripped the green bottle tightly.

"I imagine that since Yunbian sent you here with this, it is either for you to become my apprentice, or he has encountered a problem he cannot solve himself," Bai Xuan said, staring at Tong Jin. Though he still wore a smile, Tong Jin felt as if his entire mind were laid bare.

"Sigh!" Tong Jin let out a sigh, thinking that these old fellows were all sharper than the last; he had been seen through completely without saying a word. He then tried to recount the sequence of events as concisely and clearly as possible.

When he finished, Bai Xuan closed his eyes and sat quietly on the cushion. After a long while, he slowly opened them and scoffed, "The Soul-Guarding Pavilion, eh? Just a bunch of petty thieves who defected from the Immortal-Guarding Pavilion."

Tong Jin was startled. "The people of the Soul-Guarding Pavilion actually defected from the Immortal-Guarding Pavilion?"

Bai Xuan nodded. "Others might not know, but they cannot escape the eyes of Bai Xuan." He looked at Tong Jin and said, "Little one, you may choose to stay now, and I will take you as my personal disciple, fulfilling my promise to Yunbian. Or, you may choose to leave, and when you have need in the future, you may come and find me."

Tong Jin replied with a question: "Senior, what is your relationship with the Old Ghost? When I see your face, I am reminded of him. I do not know how he is faring now." As he spoke, a wave of sorrow washed over him.

Bai Xuan looked at the genuinely sorrowful boy and nodded to himself. "Yunbian is my younger brother. As for how he is doing, I shall know soon enough."

Tong Jin’s heart surged like a stormy sea. The Ghost Physician was actually the biological brother of Bai Xuan! Hearing this, he realized Bai Xuan intended to intervene, and he was filled with excitement.

"Tong Jin thanks you on behalf of the Old Ghost for your willingness to help." Even though he knew they were brothers, the fact that Bai Xuan was willing to act to find the Ghost Physician overwhelmed Tong Jin with gratitude.

Tong Jin looked up at the nodding, smiling Bai Xuan. "Senior, I am not an ungrateful person. If you take me as your disciple, it would only be to fulfill your promise to the Old Ghost. I hope that promise remains between you and him. I only ask that, in return for my traveling thousands of miles to bring you this news, you might teach me some of the art of insect rearing..."

Bai Xuan clearly had not expected such a choice. Becoming his personal disciple was something countless young people dreamed of; beyond the hands-on instruction, the mere title alone would allow one to walk through the Holy Capital unimpeded.

After a moment of thought, Bai Xuan replied decisively, "If you insist, then stay at my Imperial Palace for a while. Whether it be martial arts, cultivation techniques, or the art of insect rearing, you may come to me for whatever you wish to learn."

With that, Bai Xuan produced a wooden plaque the size of a palm, upon which the character "Imperial" was precisely carved, and handed it to Tong Jin. "Take this token to find Feng’er, and she will make the arrangements."

Tong Jin thanked him tactfully and withdrew, stepping out of Bai Xuan’s wooden house.