Chapter 164 Heartless Palace (2/2)
Xiao Chen knew they were being considerate but he had an urgent need to meet Huashang. He returned the salutation. ”I'll wait outside the valley while you report to your master that her old friend's disciples are here to pay a visit. Will this do, Senior Sisters?”
”Well...” The girls looked uncomfortable. One of them said, ”I'll be honest, Young Master Xiao. Our master has been meditating behind closed doors all this while. We don't know when she'll be done.”
Xiao Chen and Li Muxue exchanged glances, both thinking, ”If this is the case, never mind asking her to return, it'll be difficult to even meet Huashang.”
Xiao Chen turned around and walked to the entrance of the valley. He knew that it was impossible to barge in. The only thing he could do was leaving this place and coming up with another plan. They couldn't return just like this or they risk jeopardizing the matter at hand.
He recalled the sarcastic remarks that Mu Shaoai and the rest made when they left this morning. What should they do now? Was Huashang really mediating behind closed doors or did something major happened in the valley?
Suddenly, a cool female voice drifted from a faraway place. ”How could we turn you away when you're the disciples of my master's old friend?” Xiao Chen turned around and saw a beautiful woman dressed in plain white clothing hovering in the air. The other girls respectfully greeted her. ”Senior Sister Chu.”
Xiao Chen stared fixedly at the figure and saw that it was Chu Lingjiao. Even though they had gotten into a disagreement over the zither's string in Zhou State, it was nevertheless easier to speak to an acquaintance. Moreover, her words implied that he should stay. He saluted her with a smile. ”So it's you, Senior Sister Chu. It's been a while. I trust you've been well.”
Chu Lingjiao swiftly came close and landed in front of him. She glanced at Li Muxue, who stood beside him, before fixing her gaze on him. With a faint smile, she said, ”Junior Brother Xiao, how have you been?”
Many of the girls were taken aback to learn that their Senior Sister Chu knew this man. Senior Sister Chu chuckled, emanating her lovely charm. With a soft and sonorous voice, she said, ”This way, Junior Brother Xiao.”
Seeing as Chu Lingjiao intended to bring him into the valley, one of the girls hastily said, ”Senior Sister Chu, this...” Chu Lingjiao gestured for her to keep quiet and then smiled at Xiao Chen. ”Junior Brother Xiao, this way please.”
It was almost dusk. The delicate fragrance that enveloped the valley penetrated deeply into their hearts. After walking for seven or eight miles, the scenery became even more beautiful. The meandering river stretched on as far as the eye could see. Flowers of every kind bloomed beautifully as butterflies fluttered without leaving any trace behind. This place was like a paradise from the distant past.
Subconsciously, the sorrowful feeling in Xiao Chen's heart slowly manifested. ”Senior Sister Chu, has this place always been named the Falling Flowers Valley?”
Chu Lingjiao chuckled. ”I don't know its previous name but it gained its current name after my master came. She came up with the name 'Falling Flowers Valley' after noticing how the flowers bloom here without wilting and rain petals all year round.”
He nodded. So that was why. After walking for a little longer, he saw several palaces and pavilions in the distance. This must be the Heartless Palace. Under the setting sun, he could vaguely see many ladies practicing their swordsmanship, their skirts fluttering elegantly as they moved.
When they got closer, the ladies stopped practicing. All of them looked at the man in astonishment. Chu Lingjiao said loudly, ”Continue your swordsmanship practice.” She turned around and told Xiao Chen, ”We have many rules here and bar the entry of men. I hope you wouldn't pay them any mind, Junior Brother Xiao.”
Xiao Chen nodded. After following her another five to six miles westward, Chu Lingjiao said, ”We don't have guestrooms for men but there's a small courtyard located on the cliff up ahead. We don't know who built it and it has seen better days after weathering the years. We hope you two don't mind staying there.”
Xiao Chen naturally took no issue. He was fine with living anywhere. However, when he saw the small courtyard, another pang of sorrow inexplicably hit him. It was as if this courtyard was the source of all his sadness.