He arrived at the Su family branch in an hour. He came out of the cabin and, gently holding Bai Yunxi's arm, guided her to the ground. This time she is prepared mentally.
After landing in the courtyard, he said to Bai Yunxi, "Madam, you have to hide your identity in the future. We cannot let the enemy of the Li family discover your whereabouts. Although they can not do anything directly, we have to think about underhanded methods."
Bai Yunxi agreed with these remarks. In the past she has already suffered from this.
"So for the sake of convenience, how about I call you Miss Bai in the future?" Su Kang asked, looking at her face.
Bai Yunxi frowned. It felt… strange. No one had called her "Miss" since her marriage. She hesitated, unsure how to respond. Su Kang, sensing her discomfort, rushed to explain.
"It's not… disrespectful, Madam. In the cultivation world, age… isn't always what it seems. Even cultivators centuries old might address me as 'Senior.' It's simply… practical."
Bai Yunxi considered his words. Practicality, she understood. "Very well," she conceded, a small smile touching her lips. "Miss Bai it is, then."
Su Kang, relieved, called for the servants and arranged a comfortable room for her. He then retreated to his own courtyard, his mind already turning to the task ahead.
He is going to practice an exquisite level of cultivation skills based on illusions and dreams. He obtained this from his memory. After killing a demon cultivator, it was found in his storage ring.
He kept this skill for information gathering. He only practiced it for a few months, but that experience is enough for his current needs.
He spent the night immersed in practice, the intricate movements and subtle energy manipulations of the technique slowly coming back to him. By morning, he had reached a level of basic proficiency.
"A few more days," he muttered to himself, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes, "and I'll reach small success."
His current proficiency is enough for a person in the Qi refining realm, but Bai Yunxi has such strong destiny, so he will increase his proficiency more to be on the safer side. He is only delaying their time so he can use this skill at the right time.
He decided to handle some clan business to settle matters before their departure for Liyun City.
"First," he murmured, "breakfast."
He found Bai Yunxi in her courtyard, a serene figure amidst the blooming jasmine.
"Let's eat," he said simply, gesturing towards the stone table where servants were already setting out a spread of spiritual fruits and fragrant teas.
"We leave for Liyun City this evening," he informed her as they ate.
Bai Yunxi nodded, her gaze distant, her thoughts still miles away. He ate his own meal, but he didn't miss the subtle tremor in her hands.
After breakfast, he went to the clan hall, informing his cousins, Su Lang and Su Cheng, of his impending departure. He kept Bai Yunxi's presence a secret. Some things were best left unspoken.
That evening, he returned to Bai Yunxi's courtyard. "We're ready to leave, Miss Bai," he informed her.
She nodded, her expression carefully neutral, and followed him to the spiritual boat.
Inside the comfortable cabin, he turned to her. "Are you hungry?" he asked, considering.
Cultivators don't feel hungry. But since Bai Yunxi is a Qi-refining cultivator, she can eat a lot of spiritual food. It will be beneficial for her cultivation.
Bai Yunxi hesitated, then nodded. "A little," she admitted.
"Good," Su Kang said, a small smile playing on his lips.
"I have some… ingredients." He'd stocked the boat with various spiritual herbs and rare meats, anticipating this very scenario.
"Any preferences, Miss Bai? Spicy? Savory? A particular type of meat?"
Bai Yunxi blinked, surprised by his detailed questions. She hadn't expected such consideration.
"A light soup, perhaps?" she suggested. "With moon night mushrooms, if you have them."
"I do," Su Kang replied, already retrieving the ingredients from his spatial ring.
"And some second-level spirit fish. Good for blood qi." He set about preparing the meal, his movements efficient and practiced.
Bai Yunxi didn't expect him to start cooking, and she offered to help him.
Su Kang agreed with her offer.
"May I… assist?" Bai Yunxi offered hesitantly.
"Of course," Su Kang replied, gesturing towards the mushrooms. "If you wouldn't mind preparing these? Low heat, slow simmer."
Bai Yunxi nodded, taking the delicate mushrooms, her earlier unease replaced by the calm focus of preparing food.
He turned his attention to the spirit fish, his spiritual energy flowing like a knife, expertly filleting the shimmering flesh.
The aroma of the simmering soup filled the cabin, a comforting blend of earthy mushrooms and savory fish.
Once it was ready, Bai Yunxi took a tentative sip, her eyes widening slightly. "This is… delicious," she admitted, a genuine smile gracing her lips.
"Then you can order more food next time." Su Kang said in a joking manner.
With the current speed of the spiritual boat, it will take them more than weeks on the journey. Su Kang is planning to delay more on the journey; it will take them three weeks before they reach Liyun City.
As they ate, Su Kang engaged Bai Yunxi in conversation, asking about her life in Qin City, her hobbies, her preferences. It was subtle, but he was gathering information about her.
"Why… so many questions?" Bai Yunxi finally asked, her brow furrowed in curiosity.
"Just… making sure you're comfortable, Miss Bai," Su Kang replied smoothly.
"I want to… accommodate your needs during our journey."
Seeing the sincere expression on his face when he said all those things moved Bai Yunxi. She truly felt her son made the right choice.
"I am really happy that my son has someone like you as his friend." Bai Yunxi said with a smile.
Then she answered everything. Both of them talked about a lot of things. It was already late when Bai Yunxi left.
...
Su Kang saw Bai Yunxi coming out of her room in the afternoon and asked, "Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm just here for a breath of fresh air." Bai Yunxi said.
Since she has reached the peak of Qi refining, then she only has to consolidate her foundation. As long as her foundation is solid, she can take the next step. Indoor cultivation is not that much helpful to her until her foundation is strong.
"We could… stop at a few cities along the way," Su Kang suggested, considering. "It's autumn. Many of the mortal settlements will be holding harvest festivals."
Bai Yunxi is silent after hearing this. She is confused whether she should delay by doing this. But she has no opinion about this. Before she can answer him, he spoke again.
"You haven't… travelled much, have you, Miss Bai?" Su Kang asked gently, sensing her hesitation.
"Perhaps… a change of scenery would be… beneficial?"
Bai Yunxi agreed with him. After her marriage, she rarely went out of the Qin city. Most of her life is gray in color; only her son is the source of light and color in her life. Since Li Fang has left, she needs to change as well.
Su Kang is very happy to hear this. He needs to make their time together more enjoyable and memorable for her. He assured her about their safety as well. Then he closed his eyes and used his spiritual consciousness to look for a stop.
In the evening he found a small city filled with a festive atmosphere, and he slowed down the boat. After arriving near the city, he used his consciousness to look at everything. This is a mortal city. He asked Bai Yunxi about her thoughts on this city.
"Let's take a look," Yunxi said.
"Okay." Su Kang stopped the boat. They landed on the road and walked towards the city.
He used his spiritual consciousness to hide their presence and entered the city. The city is decorated everywhere. It seems some local festival is being celebrated.
He is taking Bai Yunxi towards the market and stopped hiding their presence. People occasionally take a glance at them with an astonished look. Su Kang acted calmly, but Bai Yunxi is feeling uncomfortable.
Su Kang stopped in front of a jewelry shop. He looked at the items and liked their designs.
"How much?" Su Kang asked the shopkeeper, a plump, middle-aged woman with a warm smile.
"Six silver taels for the hairpin, young master," the woman replied, her eyes twinkling.
"A fine piece, crafted by my own daughter. Perfect for a beautiful lady such as yours."
Su Kang didn't have any silver with him, so he bought a few more items after glancing at Bai Yunxi and gave the old lady some gold.
"I do not have any silver with me. Please take these gold coins. Don't worry about change."
The shopkeeper's eyes widened. "Of course, young master! More than enough!" she exclaimed, quickly taking the gold.
"You are a generous husband indeed! May your love blossom like the spring flowers!"