Chapter 595: Returning to Huayang (3k)
Just as Su Jiu thought, they set off again the next day, taking the train towards Huayang. Along the way, the scenery constantly changed, transforming from the wheat fields of the north into the sugarcane fields unique to the south. Verdant green replaced golden yellow, and continuous waves of green seemed to announce the arrival of spring. Su Jiu leaned back in her chair, her eyes slightly narrowed, like a little cat, enjoying this moment of peace.
“Beep, beep…”
The sound of a phone call once again broke the sleepy tranquility. Su Jiu effortlessly pulled out her phone and saw the contact name – “Principal Fusheng”. Instantly, she picked up with surprise, smiling and asking, “Hello, Principal Huang, is there something you need?”
There was a pause on the other end of the line, as if something was being mulled over. Then, a wry smile was heard as he said, “Originally, after I got my position back, I wanted to transfer you to the military for advanced studies. I didn’t expect to be overruled by superiors. My authority is insufficient…”
“You know I’ve already joined another Dragon Country organization and am in a mid-level position. I’ll definitely bring gifts to visit you at the Magic City Military Department when I have the chance.” Su Jiu smiled, grateful for the old principal’s past help in concealing the Awakening Stone. The fact that he still remembered her now proved he was a nostalgic person.
“What gifts do you need? Just your presence is enough. Old Lu has been talking about you too, saying he’s never met a student who can hide so well in his life.” Hearing Su Jiu’s words, Huang Fusheng smiled with great satisfaction. He had contributed to the war in the Snow Country and had wanted to support his most outstanding student. He didn’t expect her to have already reached a mid-level position in that organization. That indicated her strength might already rival his, or even surpass him…
“Please say hello to me from Old Lu. For these three years of high school, I was a troublemaker for him, causing him quite a bit of trouble.” Su Jiu replied with a smile. She was also a nostalgic person, and Lu Nan’s persistent attempts to win her back back then were still vivid in her memory, making her want to chuckle at the thought of it now.
“Alright, alright…” Huang Fusheng chuckled a few more times, then paused as if thinking of something, and asked with a smile, “Principal Fusheng High School changed principals these days, and the third-year students are preparing for the hundred-day oath ceremony. If you have time, why don’t you go there and use your experiences to encourage these junior students?”
“Okay, but I’ll state upfront that I don’t really have any encouraging advice. I might be able to encourage them to skip class, though.” She didn’t refuse the old principal’s request, replying with a playful tone. From the time she started school until now, she had actually skipped class, and even in her first semester of her freshman year, she still hadn’t reported to school.
“We have arrived at Huayang City. Please check your belongings, passengers…” While the two were chatting, time passed quickly. Suddenly, the voice of the attendant, both familiar and unfamiliar to Su Jiu, sounded.
“Huayang doesn’t have train tracks. We’ll need to transfer later. It should take about an hour and a half to get there.” Su Jiu explained briefly, then led the group to disembark with the flow of people. They found a taxi by the roadside heading towards the largest hospital in Huayang City.
“Is this a southern city? The sun is warm in the morning, and these humans are wearing short sleeves…” Under the taxi driver’s somewhat fearful gaze, Aman scratched his backside and leaned out the car window, looking at the southern scenery he had never seen before. He was filled with longing, much like Stitch. Su Jiu’s gaze also fell upon the familiar scenery. This not-too-long journey was one she watched with particular earnestness. She had experienced so much in the past year, and the people she met had transformed from ordinary members of the Ancient God Sect to Ferrymen. She had gone from a small Exorcist to a Sentinel Elder, and from a barely War General Level to the current Battle King. Only she knew the hardships and difficulties she had endured. This place was where her dream began, and it was also her home.
On the highway, the scenery constantly shifted. Su Jiu’s eyes flashed with memories of her past self, a person with a sword protecting everyone in a car. Back then, she was also afraid, confused, and feared the appearance of monsters like Cang Shan Jun. As time passed, the car truly entered Huayang City. Aman, pressed against the window, looked at this small city that had produced a strong individual like Su Jiu, his surprise growing with every glance… The strongest pedestrians on the road were only at Intermediate Stage Warrior level. The entire city seemed like an out-of-the-way town, devoid of any true powerhouses. He opened the window, and the scent of Osmanthus wafted in. Smelling the faint floral fragrance, Aman grinned slightly, thinking it was quite suitable for retirement. Beside Su Jiu, Bairnis also observed the not-so-bustling city, a hint of surprise in her eyes: “Is this the city Miss lives in?”
Turning her head, Su Jiu smiled, “Doesn’t it seem small and backward? After all, they don’t even have a subway system.”
“No…” Bairnis shook her head, her eyes reflecting the passing stream. Along the stream were osmanthus trees, their yellow petals falling onto the water, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to her heart. “It’s beautiful, like a dream. This place is like a reserved water town, where both people and scenery are gentle.”
“Heh heh, it’s normal to feel this way when you’ve just come from the north.” Su Jiu smiled, following their gaze, and didn’t deny it. It was indeed a place suitable for a slow-paced life, without powerhouses or various disasters.
“We’ve arrived. This is the county hospital that Huayang has re-established. The director here is a War General Level, capable of curing any illness.” As they were conversing, the taxi pulled to a stop. Ahead were several interconnected tall buildings. Su Jiu took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in her heart, and got out of the car with an excited expression.
As the two and the monkey were about to enter the hospital, several people dressed as nurses rushed out from the lobby and stopped them. Aman was told to stay outside. However, leaving Aman, who was out for the first time, alone outside the gate seemed somewhat dangerous. Just as Su Jiu was feeling a bit conflicted, Bairnis smiled and proposed, “I’ll stay outside with Aman, Miss. You go ahead and meet Madam.” Looking at her sensible little maid, Su Jiu chuckled and gently patted her head before walking towards the location Bai Zhi had sent. She ascended the stairs, walked down the long corridor, and the light from the fluorescent lamps felt somewhat warm. She finally stopped at the door of a ward on the third floor. Swallowing hard, she decided to push the door open in one go. Inside, she saw a familiar face.
“You’re back?” Bai Zhi asked with a smile, then withdrew her gaze and continued to watch the television. She patted the chair beside the bed and said softly, “Sit here.” On the TV screen, an ancient costume drama was playing. Just as Bairnis liked to read, Bai Zhi enjoyed watching things from her own era, even if the performances by those popular celebrities weren’t entirely authentic. Nodding, Su Jiu sat beside Bai Zhi, looking at this woman who was slightly taller than her. A flood of emotions welled up in her heart, but her words caught in her throat, finally forming into a single question: “How have you been all this time?”
“Nonsense, I couldn’t be better. I’m not like you humans…” Bai Zhi rolled her eyes. She was still the same, disliking Su Jiu’s changes in attitude and the formal politeness between them. After all, she was a demoness at heart, enjoying excitement and the thrill of being “violated” by the person in front of her. Su Jiu was slightly taken aback, unsure how to respond. She felt Bai Zhi was still the same mischievous little flower fairy. However, sensing Su Jiu’s awkwardness, Bai Zhi smiled helplessly, reached out, and placed her hand on Su Jiu’s, speaking softly, “Tell me about your experiences these days.”
“That’s a long story…” Su Jiu gave a dry laugh. Now that they had met, she didn’t know where to begin. She wanted to tell her about her experiences in the Snow Demon Kingdom, about outsmarting the Ancient God Sect… Time passed, but Su Jiu didn’t feel it was long. After half an hour, her throat became dry. She looked at the ever-smiling girl before her and suddenly realized that her companion had changed. She had become more human-like. Bai Zhi seemed uninterested in these matters, but when she heard about Su Jiu’s heroic deeds, she would smile and nod, like a wife encouraging her husband.
“Don’t you want to see Xiao Yezi?” Bai Zhi gently patted Su Jiu’s hand, her bright, lively eyes flickered as she tilted her head and asked. Sunlight streamed through the window with falling leaves, casting shadows on her face. Her unadorned face appeared beautiful and gentle, reminding Su Jiu of the small white daisies on the balcony, giving off a fresh and clean vibe.
“Xiao Yezi…” Su Jiu’s body trembled, her throat tightened. Her gaze fell on the cradle beside them, but it was empty. She felt bewildered.
“Without using the Awakening Stone, she awakened her bloodline yesterday, shortly after your call with her. She’s being examined by a group of nurses now.” Bai Zhi said with a smile, her chin slightly raised, as if Su Xiao Ye’s remarkable abilities made her, as a mother, proud.
“Awakened early?” Upon hearing this, Su Jiu quickly understood the situation. It was akin to her Hemostasis value starting at maximum, with excess energy in her body, signifying an exceptionally powerful bloodline. Bai Zhi nodded, pointing to the broken eggshell nearby, “The egg you gave her before, after signing a contract with Xiao Yezi, directly accelerated its hatching and transformed into her companion beast pet.” She chatted for another half hour or so, and soon, a group of people appeared at the door, looking rather chaotic, with some even wearing strange attire. Amidst the curious gazes of these unusual individuals, a nurse walked in carrying an infant. She placed the infant in the cradle and said to Bai Zhi with a look of amazement, “This child’s bloodline strength is very high, at least S-class or above. Her intelligence is also very high, even comparable to an ordinary six-year-old.”
“Excuse me, ladies.” After she spoke, a young girl in rather antique clothing walked up behind her. Her knight’s lance emblem on her chest was faintly visible, and she looked like a knight who had emerged from the West. Her gaze swept over Su Jiu and the other, a faint smile appearing on her face. She bowed slightly to Bai Zhi and said sincerely, “The Alah Temple greets this lady. We have come because of the appearance of the primordial griffon’s aura.”
