Why do I have so many masters?

After a moment, the wooden door of the grass hut in front of the woman was opened, but it wasn't the 'distinguished gentleman' she had referred to, but rather a rather young boy, dressed in light blue clothes, with fair skin and a gentle smile, who said:

"The distinguished gentleman is currently making medicine. Please come in first and wait for a moment."

The woman nodded, followed the boy inside, and was then led to sit on a chair to the side, where the boy served her a cup of tea before retreating. About an hour passed before someone returned.

It was an elderly woman, somewhat short in stature, dressed in attire with the distinct style of Baiyue Country, her hair silver, not fond of smiling, with pupils like the fangs of a venomous snake. Upon entering, she looked towards the woman.

The latter hastily stood up to pay her respects, half-kneeling down, left knee on the ground, right hand raised to her shoulder, head bowed, respectfully saying:

"This subordinate greets the distinguished gentleman, may the distinguished gentleman be well."

The elderly woman waved her hand dismissively, saying in an irritable tone: "What do you mean by 'be well', only Central Plains' emperors like such words. Speak, what important matter brings you here suddenly?"

As she spoke, she had already seated herself on a chair. She appeared aged but her steps were light and her movements sharp, leaving the woman unable to see her actions clearly. Not daring to look closely, fearing the former might find her impolite, she lowered her head, took out the letter from her bosom with both hands, and respectfully said:

"Bi Tong'er has sent a letter."

The elderly woman's face uncontrollably showed a smile, clearly very fond of the person named, while murmuring: "That girl went to the Heavenly Capital City of the Central Plains, didn't she? How could she still remember this old lady and write back..." as she reached for the letter to open and read it.

The woman had read the letter before and knew what it contained, so the more the elderly woman showed happiness and fondness, the more apprehensive the woman felt, her forehead lowering almost to the ground.

Just as expected, the elderly woman's smile froze after reading a few lines, and the relaxed atmosphere instantly turned to ice, so that the woman delivering the letter broke out in a cold sweat and dared not even breathe.

This woman before her could be considered the most esteemed figure in the entire Jianghu of Baiyue Country. If she vented her anger at her, not only might she severely injure, but she might even strike her dead, and no one would speak up for her.

With her forehead touching the ground, who knows how much time passed before she heard the irritable voice say:

"Are you planning to kneel to death here? Get up quickly!"

The woman let out a sigh of relief, cautiously raised her head, seeing the elderly woman seated, playing with the secret letter in her hand. Although the expression on her face couldn't be described as happy, it was far from wrathful.

The elderly woman cast her a sidelong glance, a mocking smile appearing on her face, saying:

"Did you think I would vent my anger on you?"

The woman trembled with fright, bowed her head, and repeatedly said:

"This subordinate wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare at all!"

The elderly woman impatiently waved her hand, saying: "Alright, alright, don't put on this act before me. While I'm not considered some upright person by Central Plains standards, I've not descended into evil ways, where displeasure leads to killing."

The woman responded repeatedly, yet dared not relax in her heart.

The elderly woman before her could be considered a legendary figure she'd heard about since childhood. Unlike those contending for top ten with Central Plains experts, within the Jianghu of Baiyue Country, only this elderly woman's word carried authority.

Didn't all the various clans submit to the distinguished gentleman back then?

Then at forty, she traveled the world with a cane, entered the Central Plains, and equaled the sect masters and elders of the seven Jianghu sects in their discussions.

Moreover, after leaving the Central Plains, at sixty, she used her medical and poison techniques to subdue masters of the seven famous sects, making those proud and aloof figures deeply ashamed.

Truly a first-class figure in the world's Jianghu.

The elderly woman toyed with the letter, tossed it on the table, saying:

"Not to mention Bi Tong'er has successfully completed the main objective this time. Before she left, I gave her a weapon for protection. With this weapon, her cleverness, and her subordinate, if the three together still couldn't contend, they must have encountered a Grandmaster."

"To use the Qilin Lock as the price for survival can also be considered a wise sacrifice."

Saying this, the elderly woman even burst into laughter.

The woman relaxed slightly in her heart, cautiously asked: "Bi Tong'er lost the Qilin Lock, aren't you angry with her?"

The elderly woman glanced at her, loudly saying: "Angry? Angry about what?"

"If it were you few people who went, you'd either end up dead, or fail to keep the Qilin Lock. Better to learn a lesson and save your life."

"Bi Tong'er, though clever usually, sometimes overestimated herself, not realizing the vastness of the world. Besides, people from Baiyue Country always let her have her way, making her think the heroes of the world were only this capable."

"This setback, however, is a good thing."

The woman felt her heart and mind resonate, filled with both envy and jealousy towards Bi Tong'er, saying: "And the Divine Weapon..."

'Distinguished gentleman' gave her a sideways glance, laughed coldly twice, saying:

"What concern is the Divine Weapon to you?"