Chapter 198 I’ve Really Seen It All…

Chapter 198: This King Has Truly Seen It All...

A flicker of surprise crossed Bai Xiuming’s eyes as he countered, "How did you know?"

A vein throbbed on King Ming’s forehead. "The soul lamp of the King of Northern Wilderness in the ancestral temple went out. What do you think? If the Emperor hadn't suppressed the news, the entire royal family would know by now."

Bai Xiuming clicked his tongue, having completely forgotten that detail. He instantly regretted admitting it.

"Perhaps he met with some accident on the road. Why must Father always suspect his own son?"

King Ming glared at him. "Enough nonsense. Your reason?"

"He was looking for death."

Another vein pulsed on King Ming’s forehead, reinforcing his belief that raising sons was a path of no return.

"What did he do to make you so eager to kill him?"

Bai Xiuming answered succinctly, "He took what was mine and tried to bring her to the Northern Wilderness."

"So you rushed day and night to kill your love rival? What impressive skills! This King has truly seen it all!"

"You flatter me, Father. It wasn’t day and night—I went during the day."

"Get lost! Do I sound like I’m praising you?"

Bai Xiuming waited until King Ming finished berating him before speaking again. "Don’t worry, Father. I’ve already handled the matter in a way that won’t trouble His Majesty."

"How did you manage it?"

"The King of Northern Wilderness was traveling through Ghost Wail Mountain when the Ghost Gate’s seal broke. To protect the nearby civilians, he and his subordinates fought fiercely against powerful ghosts, refusing to retreat. In the end, they perished fighting the ghosts. Only one subordinate escaped alive and returned to the capital to deliver the tragic news to His Majesty."

Bai Xiuming was magnanimous. Since Bai Zhanhuang had already died by his hand, their score was settled. He didn’t mind giving the man a good reputation—after all, the tale was compelling and would satisfy the Emperor.

After finishing, Bai Xiuming asked King Ming, "What do you think, Father?"

"Where is Bai Zhanhuang’s body?"

"At Ghost Wail Mountain, thrown into the abyss sealing the Ghost Gate. It’s unrecoverable now."

King Ming frowned slightly, sensing his son must have encountered something there. "What about the ghosts? Did you kill them?"

"No. A-Chan’s father took care of them."

Bai Xiuming didn’t mention his brush with death during his breakthrough. None of that mattered—what mattered was that A-Chan had chosen him.

Every time he thought of this, Bai Xiuming couldn’t calm his racing heart. Fortunately, he could still control his expression.

King Ming paused, remembering that A-Chan was the girl’s name. Wasn’t her father Xi Jing?

But considering Xi Jing’s countless schemes, it wasn’t impossible for him to have left something to protect his daughter. So he didn’t press further.

After a moment of contemplation, King Ming said, "In that case, it works."

Giving the King of Northern Wilderness a good reputation was better than making the Emperor shoulder the blame.

Then he added, "When explaining to His Majesty later, rephrase it."

"This..." Bai Xiuming glanced at Bei Huai. "Why not have him explain?"

King Ming looked at Bei Huai standing behind Bai Xiuming.

Bei Huai’s limbs went numb, his face frozen. The nearby guards likely couldn’t hear the conversation, but these two hadn’t bothered to exclude him.

Two of Great Xia’s most powerful cultivators were discussing how to frame the King of Northern Wilderness’ death—could it get any crazier?

If he could, he’d stay far away from this. But survival required proving his worth to Bai Xiuming.

King Ming’s indifferent gaze swept over Bei Huai. "This King will take you to the palace later to meet His Majesty. Do you know what to say?"

Bei Huai dropped to his knees, nodding frantically, eager to divulge everything he knew. "This lowly one understands. The King of Northern Wilderness conspired with Princess Xue Yao to assassinate Lord Bai in Qingzhou. After failing, he hurriedly severed ties and fled back to the Northern Wilderness."

When killing Bei Yan, Bai Xiuming had already suspected Bai Zhanhuang’s involvement in Qingzhou. But he hadn’t expected the two great demons were sent by Princess Xue Yao.

King Ming’s face turned grim. He had underestimated the King of Northern Wilderness—bold enough to conspire with demons to scheme against his son. In that case, he got what he deserved. It seemed the Northern Wilderness lineage no longer needed to exist.

"Then what?" King Ming pressed.

"Then... while passing Ghost Wail Mountain, the ghost under the King’s guard Huang Wu suddenly lost control, breaking the seal and opening the Ghost Gate, releasing a horde of powerful ghosts. The group was surrounded and slaughtered. Lord Bai detected the disturbance and came to investigate, happening to rescue this lowly one. Unfortunately, the others had already been devoured by the ghosts."

Bei Huai struggled to piece together what he believed was a convincing tale—delaying the incident by a day to match Bai Zhanhuang’s soul lamp extinguishing, while clearing Bai Xiuming’s name.

After finishing, he looked expectantly at King Ming.

"Good. Stick to that story."

Though revealing the truth to the Emperor wouldn’t change much, a white lie would keep everyone comfortable.

The harmonious relationship between successive Kings Ming and the emperors was no accident.

Bei Huai let out a relieved breath, only for King Ming to add, "It seems the King of Northern Wilderness was up to no good?"

"If Your Highness and Lord Bai wish to know, this lowly one will spare no detail."

"Mm. We’ll discuss it after meeting His Majesty."

Then King Ming turned to Bai Xiuming. "You’ll accompany this King to the palace."

Bai Xiuming knew he couldn’t avoid the palace visit, but his mind was on A-Chan. He needed to see her first. "Hold on, Father. Let me change clothes."

King Ming glanced at his pristine robes and snorted. "Changing clothes or checking on someone?"

"You know the answer."

"What’s up with that girl? Qin Heng said she’s been sleeping in your room all day."

"If you’re curious, why not take a look?" Though Bai Xiuming doubted Xi Jing would harm A-Chan, King Ming’s vast expertise would reassure him.

"Fine." King Ming followed Bai Xiuming to his quarters, where A-Chan still lay deep in slumber.

King Ming’s expression shifted to surprise upon seeing her. "Such intense life force... Did Xi Jing leave this for her?"

Bai Xiuming nodded. "Yes."

Then he asked, "Could this harm her?"

"Of course it will." King Ming shook his head in disbelief. "Only Xi Jing could be so extravagant. Using vitality to temper her soul and body—first cleansing her marrow, then extending her lifespan by a thousand years. After the marrow cleansing, even a fool could reach the Fifth Realm. If this King had such an elder, I might’ve broken through thirty years earlier."

Bai Xiuming coughed lightly. "Father, focus."

"The main point is, you got lucky. If Xi Jing were still alive, you wouldn't have stood a chance with his daughter."

Bai Xiuming took A-Chan's hand, which was resting outside the blanket, and ran his thumb over it, feeling its warmth.

He retorted, "Your boy's got looks and brains. Who knows, your old friend might have been very pleased with me?"

Bai Xiuming recalled the nine-tailed fox he had seen upon waking. Though it was just a glimpse, he had already convinced himself that his would-be father-in-law approved of him.

King Ming let out a derisive snort and turned to leave, unable to bear the sight.

After seeing A-Chan, Bai Xiuming followed King Ming into the palace with Bei Huai to meet the Emperor. About ninety minutes after he left, A-Chan's eyelids fluttered slightly, and after a while, she slowly opened her eyes.

She had slept for a long time, but instead of feeling exhausted, she felt refreshed and light on her feet.

This change didn’t surprise her. Absorbing life force had always been the surest way. Once absorbed, she would gain an extended lifespan, allowing her to cultivate at her own pace without worrying about aging.

She had abandoned this path from the start, never expecting that she'd wind up back on it in the end.

In her dazed state, she had entered her inner realm and seen her spirit self, no longer in fox form. It mirrored her original human appearance—she could never shift back into a fox.

Her ties to the demon race had been completely severed.

When she made her decision, A-Chan had known what she would lose. She wouldn’t regret her choice, but that didn’t stop the ache in her heart.

Just then, she heard the door creak open. Someone was coming in.

The door swung open, and against the backlight, she saw a tall, familiar figure. Unconsciously, her mouth curved into a smile.

Her father had said she had grown up. But in truth, she had simply realized just how loved she was—from her parents, and from Bai Xiuming.

She had found the strength to keep moving forward, no matter which path she walked.

Bai Xiuming approached the bed and locked eyes with A-Chan's shining gaze. As she sat up, he bent down, reaching out slowly to brush his fingers against her cheek, like she might break at his touch.

"You're awake."

Only a few days had passed since they last parted, yet to Bai Xiuming, it might as well have been years.

A-Chan grabbed his hand, her soft fingers lacing through his. Bai Xiuming went still.

"Bai Xiuming," she called his name, looking up at him.

"Hmm?"

"I saved your life again. Don't forget you owe me."

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he replied in a husky voice, "Name your price."

His gaze burned into her as he leaned closer, until their breaths mingled. "How about giving myself to you?"

His lips were almost upon hers when a finger against his lips halted him.

A-Chan leaned back slightly, her fingertip pressing against his lips. Bai Xiuming paused, but the heat in his gaze could've burned her.

"No. Have you forgotten? We're still fighting, remember?"

Bai Xiuming caught her finger lightly. "My mistake."

This was their first fight. Even if the choice had been A-Chan’s, he'd still take the blame—he had no problem admitting that.

A-Chan’s fingertip drew circles on his palm. "What exactly was your mistake?"

"Hurting you."

She suppressed a smile, secretly pleased with his apology.

Bai Xiuming leaned in again, claiming her mouth. This time, A-Chan didn’t pull away.

At first, it was slow, exploring kisses. A-Chan responded hesitantly at first, but her slight reaction nearly undid Bai Xiuming.

Fortunately, he still had some self-control. He held her close, slaking just enough of his hunger before releasing her just as she began to squirm.

A-Chan lay on the bed, breath coming fast, eyes shining and slightly dazed.

Bai Xiuming dotted kisses along the corner of her eye before she pushed him away. "Are you happy now, A-Chan?"

She glared at him, though the effect was ruined by her softened gaze. "What do you think?"

"Then will this make you happy?" Suddenly, a gilded tome appeared in Bai Xiuming’s hand.