Soaring the Heavens

"Of course there’s a difference! The difference is me liking you as a prerequisite." Miao Yi lifted up his flask and slapped down hard, making a powerful display that he was a man of great action. "If I was the one who followed you back then, if I was your man in that situation, if I really did like you, and you were willing to come along with me, then all your problems wouldn’t even be problems at all!"

The Lady Boss shook her head and smiled, giving him a look that said—’You’re too naive.’ "Pretty big talk. You know about our background and how our situation was like back then. If you were put in that situation, how would you have handled it? Let me hear your opinion."

Miao Yi raised his flask and downed another mouthful of wine, then rested it upon his knee. He smiled. "It’s not much of an opinion. I already told you, I’ve never received a lot of education ever since I was young. The only thing I’m ever concerned about is whether to take action or not. And if I do decide to act on it, then no matter how great the ordeal is, I will face it straight on. And to face it straight on means that I will solve my problems regardless of how difficult it may be. At the very least, I wouldn’t have made the same choice your husband did. Despite not getting the agreement from both families, and despite knowing how much trouble would ensue, he still decided to elope with you. This isn’t fair to both you and the two families. How could he just throw caution to the wind for the sake of his own self-interest like that? This isn’t what a man should do to the woman he loves. Since the two of you love each other, then why didn’t he try to be more patient and first solve the problem at hand? If it were me, I would spare no effort in first getting both families’ approval. If that turned out impossible, then I would wait until it became possible. If it were really beyond salvaging, then I would at least try to leave you with an alternative. I wouldn’t have let you be reduced to the state you’re currently in right now. I wouldn’t have let you shoulder all this responsibility on your own."

His words caught the Lady Boss completely off guard. She stared at him blankly; she was utterly astonished!

Miao Yi turned back to look at her. "How many people actually get to live over ten thousand years? And you’ve waited for one man for tens of thousands of years! Lady Boss, do you not regret your decision?"

The Lady Boss snapped back to reality. She didn’t answer his question and simply smiled. "You do have a way with words, but can you actually live up to them, I wonder?"

Miao Yi chuckled. "I’m not just all talk. I’ve always lived up to my promises. It doesn’t matter how hard it is, I would do my best to make sure that the people beside me have a fallback. I wouldn’t have done what you guys did. Perhaps it’s because I don’t have the same sort of background you two did. Even after causing such a big mess, you still have a Tempest Tavern to bring in ludicrous amounts of fortune for you."

The Lady Boss said playfully, "If you put it that way, then perhaps it would’ve been better for me to elope with you instead back then."

Miao Yi chuckled and teased, "It’s still not too late if you want to come along with me."

"Is that so?" The Lady Boss tossed him a wink and gestured forward with her mouth. "If you’re brave enough to shout out right this instant that you want to be with me, loud enough that everyone can hear you, then I’ll happily oblige and grant you the remainder of my days. It’s not like I’ve never done anything crazy before, so I might as well go all the way. I wouldn’t mind being reckless a second time. Go on then, shout it out!"

"This..." Miao Yi grew anxious as he thought to himself, ’Who are you kidding? It’s not like I’ve already grown tired of living or anything. You’re a married woman for crying out loud. If I really did something like that, then there’s no need to wait for your Devil Nation and the Boundless Nation to kill me. The Celestial Nation itself will get first crack at butchering me. We haven’t grown so close to the point that I’m willing to die for you, I think? I didn’t see you trying to save me either when I was fighting those two assassins.’

He suddenly coughed and laughed dryly. "I’m just joking. Why are you taking me so seriously? Come, let us drink some more. Forget about all those unhappy memories."

The Lady Boss’s leg suddenly flew out from under her skirt, reaching across the round log beneath her and firmly landing on the side of Miao Yi’s thigh.

How could a mere Blue Lotus cultivator withstand the attack of a Purple Lotus cultivator? Miao Yi groaned in pain and fell to the ground. The wine flask was also smashed, drenching his entire body in alcohol.

"I just knew that you were nothing but a kid with a big mouth. How dare you try and tease me when you don’t have the guts? Do you really think that anyone can just take advantage of me?" the Lady Boss said scornfully.

"Every time I drink with you, I get beaten up. Don’t come looking for me next time." Miao Yi got back up and lightly slapped on his wine-soaked body, then turned around and left.

Suddenly, a woeful voice echoed from behind him. "Even though my heart was indeed swayed back then, I was aware that our actions were not well thought out, and I also knew full well the consequences that would follow. But he... Back then, he really shouted his heart out with reckless abandon in front of everyone. And that’s why I decided to also throw caution to the wind and be with him. Perhaps it is as you said; he wasn’t a very reliable man. But in this regard, he’s definitely stronger than you!"

Miao Yi halted his footsteps and turned back to look at her, watching as she raised her wine flask and downed a heavy gulp while facing the sunset. It was indeed a sight that tugged at his heartstrings, but he couldn’t help feeling a little conflicted deep down.

"That’s a bit unfair. If you weren’t married, do you think I really wouldn’t dare to shout? I just don’t want to be a home-wrecker!" Miao Yi replied in stubborn arrogance, before promptly leaving.

At the same time, he decided that he would never drink with this woman again. Each time he drank with her, he would get beaten up. And to add insult to injury, he couldn’t even fight back. No one in their right mind would come back after that...

That night, the white-robed person slipped into Miao Yi’s room again. "How goes your recovery?"

"Not too bad!" Miao Yi gave a perfunctory reply, then asked cautiously, "Why are you here again? I’ve already sent word to my Palace Lord. I’ll be returning to Traversing Water Palace soon enough."

"Your Palace Lord has no say in this matter."

"Even if she doesn’t, I won’t go out either way. I’m going to give it to you guys straight. Before that rat is discovered, my life will continue to be in peril. If that’s the case, then even if you beat me to death, I won’t continue with this damned mission."

"I’m here precisely to talk to you about the matter with the rat."

Miao Yi was taken aback. He was evidently intrigued by this topic, and quickly asked, "What about it?"

The white-robed person replied, "We’ve already replenished your troops for you. Tomorrow, you will continue to lead the team and proceed with the mission."

Miao Yi immediately waved his hand in refusal. "Are you kidding me? The people sent to kill me just keep getting stronger and stronger. Death will be my only outcome once I set foot outside the tavern. I’m not going. Kill me right here in the tavern if you dare."

The white-robed person explained, "This time, things are different. We’ve specially arranged for two bodyguards to protect you, and they’re both Purple Lotus cultivators."

"..." Miao Yi was in disbelief. "Are you serious? Two Purple Lotus bodyguards?" He mused, ’Isn’t this treatment a little too much?’

The white-robed person didn’t waste his breath and cut straight to the chase. "Your job is to proceed with the mission and lure out the culprit that’s after your life."

"Isn’t this a little dangerous?" Miao Yi asked cautiously, "Don’t you guys already know that the Hive Gang and Peony are involved in this matter? Couldn’t you just go up to them and ask?"

"Things are not as simple as you imagine. Firstly, this place is not Celestial Nation territory. We’ll need sufficient evidence if we wish to make an argument. Otherwise, the Hive Gang and Peony could always just deny all our claims. Secondly, after the two assassins’ failure, it is highly plausible that the culprit has already cut off all ties with Peony. That’s why this time, we must act with haste and strike before the other party can even react, in hopes that we’ll be able to draw out the mastermind behind this incident. All you have to do is lure out the culprit. You can leave the rest to us."

’So I’m nothing more than just bait! Are these guys really going to ensure my safety?’

"Can I not go?" Miao Yi asked.

The white-robed person asked him back. "Are you sure this is what you want me to report to the higher-ups?"

"..." Miao Yi sighed. "I can’t win against you guys, but you should at least give me something to protect myself, right? What if the people who are supposed to protect me are too busy going after the assailant, and it just so happens that the other party still has another trick up their sleeve? Can you help me get a Glorious Star Immortal Herb from the Chamber of Commerce to heal my wounds? And also a decent Third Grade Transcendent Artifact?"

"Didn’t we already give you a Third Grade Transcendent Artifact?"

"That thing’s way too powerful. You saw how I was after using it just once. I nearly died by my own hands instead of the assailants’."

The white-robed person was utterly speechless at his excuse. Who in the world would complain that their transcendent artifact was too powerful? "I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll relay your wishes to the higher-ups."

"Oh! I also need a mount. The one you guys gave me last time already died in battle."

A mount was indeed necessary. The white-robed person nodded in acknowledgement.

However, Miao Yi quickly added, "It would be even better if you could give me two flying-type mounts as well. I can use them if I ever need to run away."

"Don’t you think you’re requesting a little too much? You want two of them? What are you going to do with two? Ride one, and cook the other?"

"Big Brother! Your joke isn’t funny at all. You’re not the one risking your life. Of course you can make things sound easy. What do you think my cultivation grade is? With my strength, death is all but certain once I step outside. Here I am, risking my life for the Celestial Sage, but you guys aren’t even going to provide me with the basic necessities? Are you trying to jeopardize the Celestial Sage’s affairs?"

"You should at least tell me why you want two, right? Otherwise, how will I answer if the higher-ups ask me about it?"

"Big Brother! I’m saving one just in case of emergencies of course! If anything happens to one of the mounts, at least I’ll still have another one I can use, right? Don’t you think it’s better to be safe than sorry? What if I end up dead, and you guys fail to catch the culprit? As long as I’m alive, there’ll be a chance for us to lure the culprit out into the open. What’s wrong with asking for an extra mount? Do you guys actually think that I want it? If you guys are willing to retire me from this mission, then I’ll return everything I was given back to you. How’s that sound? I’m just thinking on the Celestial Sage’s behalf..."

"Alright, stop talking already." The white-robed person raised his hand and gestured for Miao Yi to stop. He simply couldn’t bear to listen to him any further. The guy pressured him with the Celestial Sage’s name at every turn. "I already told you, I’ll relay your wishes to the higher-ups. Whether or not they’ll grant your request is up to them."

"Sure thing! Can you help me tell this to the higher-ups as well—’We’re all working for the Celestial Sage here. Don’t risk the mission just for some minor details. A treasure that’s not being put to use is as good as junk...’ Oh, that’s right. I’m used to using spears. It would be best if you can give me a Spear Artifact this time around for the Third Grade Transcendent Artifact."

At Miao Yi’s current level, he was still barely able to control a normal Third Grade Transcendent Artifact. However, it was just that he was forced to go on this mission on very short notice, so Yao Ruoxian didn’t have enough time to refine one for him on the fly. Not to mention, the strength of the Inferno Qilin Spear was greater than that of a normal Third Grade Transcendent Artifact to begin with. As such, he might as well put it to good use. Right now, he was just requesting for another Third Grade Transcendent Artifact as an excuse to pressure the higher-ups. If they gave it to him, then all was well. If not, then he would just continue to coop himself in here. As for the two flying-type mounts, he was planning on bringing them back to Qian’Er and Xue’Er as gifts. Of course, he could also use them himself.

"Got it." The white-robed person immediately acknowledged, no longer wishing to argue with Miao Yi. After briefing Miao Yi on some of the details of the operation, he quickly left.

Later on, in the dead of the night, the white-robed person returned. He handed a storage ring and a beast sack over to Miao Yi, not uttering a single word as he then promptly turned around and left.