Chapter 1619 — The Moon Palace Tea Tree Overflows with Subtle Fragrance

" She gestured with her hand. "Your memory is truly formidable, Venerable. " Bai Qu'er was astonished. At that celebration the clans taking part had numbered far more than tens of thousands; for Venerable Ling to glimpse her once among the multitudes and record her voice and face entire was frightening indeed.

"I saw you again later. " Venerable Ling said, "At the source of the Yong River, a woman carrying a basket, and in the basket an infant. It was I who sent you to save them.

Later, when the infant had grown, I sent him back forty thousand years to see you.

" Bai Qu'er's eyes went wide; she could not speak.

The fate that bound the three of them was wondrous indeed, forming a wondrous ring! Forty thousand years ago, Shen Mu had come to Bailong City and saved Bai Qu'er; forty thousand years later, Bai Qu'er, guided by Venerable Ling, had saved the infant Shen Mu; and Shen Mu, grown, had been sent by Venerable Ling back to Bailong City of forty thousand years past. Shen Mu fetched over a stone table.

Bai Qu'er brewed tea, and Shen Mu poured a cup for Venerable Ling, who sipped once, set it aside, and sank again into thought.

Bai Qu'er looked at Shen Mu with a doubtful air. Shen Mu laughed. "That is simply her temper.

Pay her no mind.

" He drank his tea slowly; the tea was as understated as the woman beside him, fragrant and captivating, and a single small sip left a long, lingering savor.

Shen Mu raised his head and looked at the tea tree. Curious, he said, "It was transplanted here from the heavens above, was it not? " Bai Qu'er nodded.

"Madam Xu Jingyan gave me one. She said that in those years Xu Shenghua entertained you with this very kind of tea, and that you tricked half of it out of him.

" Shen Mu laughed heartily, much pleased. "I did not trick half his tea out of him; I tricked the man himself away with me!

" Bai Qu'er laughed softly and drank her tea. Shen Mu looked at her, and recalled again their wanderings beyond the heavens, and their days together in the moon palace, and how they had disturbed the stars, so that Jiang Baigui and Yu Chenzi came to investigate, and forced Shen Mu to address her as a senior.

That had been the happiest, most carefree time of his life.

He smiled; his heart was utterly tranquil. He drank his tea quietly and let himself relax.

He felt his spirit come into a tranquil harbor, and he savored that peace, so rarely granted. The fate between him and Bai Qu'er was too wondrous.

Who knew how long had passed when Venerable Ling suddenly said, "I have it worked out!

Give me fifty thousand years, and I can solve it for you! " She startled them both. Only then did Shen Mu remember that she meant the matter of the Red Rope Knot, and he did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Venerable Ling picked up her tea, and Bai Qu'er said hastily, "One moment, Venerable, it has gone cold.

I will fetch a fresh cup.

.

.

" "No need! " Venerable Ling drained it at a tilt of her head, set down the cup, and said, "Venerable Mu, I will wait for you on the ship.

Do not tarry too long. " Shen Mu nodded, and Venerable Ling returned to the Golden Ship of Salvation.

Shen Mu poured himself another cup and cradled it in his palms, feeling the warmth. Bai Qu'er watched him, and found that he had been looking at her all along; her heart could not help but flutter with confusion.

Shen Mu admired her for a long while, until the tea in his hands had gone cold; then he drained it, set down the empty cup, rose, and said, "I must be going again.

" Bai Qu'er rose and straightened his collar for him. "Will it be dangerous?

" "Passable.

" Shen Mu stood there without moving, waiting for her to finish, and smiled.

"I have always come through this way.

I have been through a great deal. " "Then be careful.

" Bai Qu'er thought for a moment.

"Venerable Ling and Venerable Moon are Venerables of the High Emperor's age.

Ask her for me: I watch over some survivors of the High Emperor's day, but my own strength is not great, and I beg the two Venerables to shelter their people. " Shen Mu nodded, turned, and left.

Bai Qu'er watched him walk toward the golden ship, only to see him suddenly turn back, and abruptly gather her into his arms.

Bai Qu'er did not struggle; she leaned quietly against his chest. After a moment, Shen Mu released her and turned away. "She is a fine girl.

" On the ship, Venerable Ling still sat sprawled on the deck as ever, using her yuan qi to model the structure of the Red Rope Knot and attempting to deduce its variations and mysteries, and without raising her head she said, "If the two of you could be together, it would be most perfect. " "Yes," Shen Mu laughed, and urged the Golden Ship of Salvation on.

Venerable Ling said, "I heard from Yue'er that you painted a picture for her, and that she treasures it.

" Shen Mu's eyes shifted; a bead of cold sweat slowly rose on the back of his neck.

"I heard from Su Muzhe that your ties with Emperor Yanxiu are far from ordinary, that you pledged yourselves to each other when young, and even bowed in the marriage hall, only that you never consummated it," Venerable Ling went on.

Shen Mu's nape was wet, sweat running down his back. Venerable Ling raised her head and glanced at him. "Su Muzhe also told me in confidence that in Langwan's keeping there is a picture painted by you.

The Painting Sage painted better, but Langwan burned the Painting Sage's painting and kept only yours.

" A chill spread across Shen Mu's back.

He poured his strength into the ship; the golden ship split the void and vanished.