Chapter 26: The Fourth Young Master of the Bai Family

Central Continent City

Unlike the major sects, the headquarters of the House of All-Knowing does not occupy a celestial mountain or island of its own, but rather is situated within Central Continent City itself.

Bai Qiu landed just outside the city and walked straight toward the city gates. Flying was forbidden within Central Continent City—a rule passed down since ancient times.

From ages past, only a minority possessed the innate spiritual roots and aptitude to cultivate the Way of Immortality; the majority were ordinary folk, living peaceful, uneventful lives under the rule of the imperial court.

The fundamental rule for cultivators was never to harm civilians. Whether of the orthodox path, the demonic sects, or the neutral factions, none were to interfere in the affairs or conflicts of ordinary people, nor were they permitted to do them harm. Should anyone break this rule, they would become a target for the entire cultivation world.

Cultivators themselves were loath to attack mortals, for such actions would violate the mandate of heaven and man, bringing upon themselves even fiercer heavenly tribulations when they attempted breakthroughs in their cultivation.

Yet, there were indeed those who broke this foundational law, just as there were those charged with hunting them down. The organization responsible for this task was known as the Alliance of Humanity.

The Alliance of Humanity was a cultivators' coalition directly linked with the imperial court. Regardless of sect or age, any cultivator at the Golden Core stage or above could apply to join, and after passing the trials, become a member. Members were tasked with carrying out a variety of missions issued by the organization, including tracking fugitives, providing protection, seeking rare objects, and more.

The House of All-Knowing, a neutral sect, had its headquarters within Central Continent City. Disciples of the House were permitted to travel freely after reaching the Golden Core stage, sending back reports of what they saw and heard via flying swords, which were then recorded by dedicated staff at the headquarters.

In the realm of intelligence gathering, the House of All-Knowing was second to none; no sect dared claim otherwise. Precisely because of its dominance in intelligence, many sects were willing to cooperate with them, purchasing their services for a fee.

Bai Qiu made his way through the bustling streets. Today was the Day of Sevens, the day the Central Continent market opened. The streets were crowded with merchants and townsfolk enjoying the fair.

After wandering for a while, Bai Qiu stopped at a stall selling candied hawthorn.

He fished out a silver tael. “Boss, one skewer of candied hawthorn—the biggest, with the thickest sugar coating.”

“Coming right up!”

The vendor took the silver, selected the largest skewer from the top, and handed it to Bai Qiu.

Bai Qiu accepted the candied hawthorn and continued toward the headquarters.

“Third Brother! Third Brother!”

He hadn’t yet reached home when, turning a corner, he heard a familiar voice.

A young girl, fourteen or fifteen years old, dressed all in white with long, jet-black hair, came running toward him with a lively bounce.

It was Bai Qiu’s younger sister, Bai Dong.

Bai Dong dashed up and threw herself at Bai Qiu, knocking him sprawling. Both tumbled to the ground in a heap.

“Ouch.” Bai Qiu groaned. “Dong’er, you’re not a child anymore. Can’t you be a little more dignified?”

“No way!” Bai Dong sprang to her feet, noticed the candied hawthorn in Bai Qiu’s hand, snatched it away, and popped it into her mouth.

“Mmm… Third Brother really is the best. You actually brought me candied hawthorn. Not like Eldest Brother and Second Brother—one’s always in seclusion, and the other’s as dull as a rock.”

“Of course. In this whole world, only your Third Brother spoils you like this.” Bai Qiu ruffled her hair.

The head of the House of All-Knowing was Bai Rulei, who had four children, aptly named Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

The eldest, Bai Chun, was twenty-five. Exceptionally gifted, he had long since perfected his Golden Core and devoted himself to cultivation, spending recent years traveling. He was ranked second among the young masters of the Twelve Provinces and was the designated heir to the House.

The second, Bai Xia, was twenty. Unfortunately, he had no aptitude for cultivation. After more than a decade of effort, he had only learned basic techniques for health and fitness—he couldn’t even lay a foundation.

The third, Bai Qiu, was eighteen—talented, reaching Golden Core at sixteen and its mid-stage by eighteen. However, he was lively and restless, disliking cultivation and preferring to roam about.

The youngest, Bai Dong, was fifteen—also talented, at the Foundation Establishment stage but yet to form a Golden Core.

These were the four young masters of the Bai family. Although the youngest was a girl, for convenience, everyone referred to them in this way.

Bai Qiu and Bai Dong were close in age and had grown up together, getting into trouble and being punished together. Thus, Bai Dong was closest to her third brother.

“All right, Dong’er, is Father at the headquarters?” Bai Qiu asked.

Bai Dong shook her head. “Father left for the Alliance of Humanity early this morning. I don’t know what he’s discussing with their leader, but he probably won’t be back until evening.”

Bai Qiu pondered for a moment. “That’s good, that’s good.”

Bai Rulei’s absence was a relief—after all, Bai Qiu had run away from an arranged marriage, bringing disgrace to the family. He expected trouble upon his return, but there were matters concerning demonic cultivators he had to report to his father—a real headache.

“Oh well, let things take their course.” Bai Qiu sighed, then entered the headquarters with his sister.

“Young Master!”

“Young Master!”

The gatekeepers, seeing Bai Qiu return, hurriedly greeted him.

Bai Qiu waved them off, indicating they needn’t be so formal, and pulled Bai Dong along toward the rear courtyard.

Despite being called the headquarters, the House of All-Knowing’s main compound was neither grand nor ostentatious. Beyond the main gate was a central hall, where Bai Rulei and the heads of the various divisions usually met.

On either side were the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise divisions, each responsible for the latest intelligence and major events from the twelve provinces.

The rear courtyard was the residential area where Bai Rulei, his four children, the division heads, and their disciples all lived.

Bai Qiu and Bai Dong slipped into the rear courtyard. Bai Qiu crept up to the window of a main room, carefully slid it open, and peeked inside. He saw a woman sitting at a table, sipping tea.

He let out a long sigh of relief, straightened up, and, with Bai Dong, went to the door. Bai Qiu raised his hand and knocked.

“Mother, I’m home!”

As he spoke, Bai Qiu pushed the door open. A cup of tea came flying at him; he dodged instinctively.

“Oh no!”

The tea missed Bai Qiu entirely and instead landed squarely on Bai Dong’s head.

“Third Brother!” Bai Dong, clutching her head, ran out crying to wash her face.

“Mother!” Bai Qiu hurried to his mother’s side and bowed.

This was Yun Rouhui, the wife of Bai Rulei and mother of the four siblings.

“So you know to come home at last!” Yun Rouhui snapped, not looking up. “Do you realize how much shame you’ve brought on the Bai family this time?”

“Ah, Mother—” Bai Qiu slipped behind her and began to massage her shoulders. “Didn’t you always say marriage is no trivial matter, not to be treated lightly?”

“Hmph!” Yun Rouhui snorted. “And what’s wrong with the eldest daughter of the Mo family? How is she not worthy of you?”

“She’s worthy, she’s worthy. Mother, you’ve scolded and punished me enough—please don’t stay angry.”

“Nonsense! When did I ever scold or punish you?”

“You see, Mother, you may not raise a hand, but it pains your heart all the same. I just didn’t want to see you suffer, so let’s say you punished me, all right?”

Yun Rouhui, still fuming, couldn’t help but laugh. “You and your glib tongue! Go check on Dong’er at once!”

“Right away!” Bai Qiu replied, heading outside. Before leaving, he turned and said, “Mother, when Father gets back this evening, I’ll need you to say a few kind words so he won’t be too hard on me.”

“In your dreams!” Yun Rouhui hurled the now-empty teacup at him.

Bai Qiu ducked his head just in time.

“Ouch!” The teacup hit Bai Dong on the head as she returned after washing her face.

“Third Brother!” Bai Dong, clutching her head, ran off in tears once more...