At the beginning of the Hour of the Rabbit, the sky was faintly bright.
In the woodshed, Su Lingyi asked about what had happened outside these past days, and Du Yanruo answered each question. In the end, the topic returned to Xie Wuxing.
"I vaguely recall the Chancellor mentioning the Sword Pavilion's true disciples. Because Sword Pavilion disciples descend the mountain every year to slay Monsters and eliminate evil, their deeds even outnumber those of the Qingxuan Bureau. It also means the Sword Pavilion loses disciples every year."
Su Lingyi lay amid the firewood. With his junior sister keeping him company, he actually felt rather at ease.
He even drew upon his experience to arrange himself in the most comfortable position, then said softly, "And Xie Wuxing has had the highest aptitude in the Sword Pavilion for decades. According to Junior Sister, Xie Wuxing traveled dozens of li back and forth in only half an hour, killed over a hundred Luo Yong, and did not even stop to catch his breath. His cultivation must be deeper than Instructor Cai's."
He glanced sideways at Du Yanruo and continued, "How could Jiang Wang possibly defeat Xie Wuxing?"
Du Yanruo hesitated. "I did suspect that Xie Wuxing might not be weak, but I thought he could not be too strong either. If what Senior Brother says is true, would that not make Jiang Wang even more terrifying?"
She truthfully told him about Tan Lao Liu.
Though Su Lingyi was somewhat surprised that his junior sister could devise such a venomous scheme, since it had targeted Jiang Wang, he felt quite pleased. It was only a pity that the final result had been less than satisfactory.
He pondered, "I have heard of Tan Lao Liu as well. Whenever the Kutan Qingxuan Bureau goes out to slay Monsters and eliminate evil, Tan Lao Liu always hides at the very back. Yet he has killed the most Monsters in the Kutan Qingxuan Bureau, which is why he is not well liked. Even if his true cultivation is somewhat stronger than Instructor Cai's, it cannot be by much. He should be weaker than Xie Wuxing."
As Su Lingyi recalled every encounter he had had with Jiang Wang since arriving in Hun City, even if the man surnamed Jiang really was strong, he still refused to admit that Jiang Wang could be stronger than Xie Wuxing.
Not to mention Fish Abyss Academy—even in the Kutan Qingxuan Bureau, if the older generation did not act, who could possibly be Xie Wuxing's match?
He had initially thought only that his junior sister had met a Sword Pavilion disciple. But if it was Xie Wuxing, hope rose in him once more.
"We are in such miserable straits now, which will make Xie Wuxing believe us even more. As long as Jiang Wang's reputation as a tyrant is confirmed, he will be placed on the Sword Pavilion's kill-on-sight list. Taking a step back, even if Xie Wuxing loses, what ability would Jiang Wang have to stand against the entire Sword Pavilion?"
In Kutan, offending the Sword Pavilion was far more terrifying than offending the Qingxuan Bureau or Fish Abyss Academy.
The gloom in Su Lingyi and Du Yanruo's hearts was swept away because of this.
They simply waited for Xie Wuxing to kill his way into Xunyang Marquis Manor.
Yet they did not know that Xie Wuxing was already standing outside the woodshed.
He heard every word they said with perfect clarity.
Looking at Xie Wuxing's dark expression, the Old Butler said softly, "Now you should know what kind of person Miss Du is, shouldn't you?"
He had expected Su Lingyi and Du Yanruo, reunited after such a long separation in the woodshed, to have some things to say. But even the Old Butler had not expected their discussion to run this deep.
Xie Wuxing said nothing.
This was his first time descending the mountain.
He had not fallen into the hands of Monsters, yet he had stumbled because of a woman.
He was furious, and he was ashamed.
He remained silent for a long while, looking rather dejected.
Sure enough, "With no woman in one's heart, draw the sword and the divine emerges naturally"—that was the ultimate truth.
Women would only affect the speed at which he drew his sword.
They would destroy his Dao heart.
Xie Wuxing looked at the Old Butler and said softly, "I apologize for misunderstanding Jiang Wang. Come to think of it, since he could contend with me on equal footing and even surpass me by a fraction, he must have devoted himself to cultivation. How could he possibly be some tyrant?"
He said again, "I want to apologize to Jiang Wang in person. This can count as friendship forged through a fight. I am determined to make this friend."
Though the Old Butler did not particularly want Xie Wuxing to disturb the young master's rest, becoming friends with a true disciple of the Sword God might be an enormous stroke of fortune for the young master. So he led the way and brought Xie Wuxing to Jiang Wang's courtyard.
The Green-robed Cultivator and White-robed Cultivator became extremely tense. The instant they saw Xie Wuxing, they both drew their swords.
The Old Butler slightly raised a hand and gave them a brief explanation, then stepped forward and gently knocked on the door. "Young Master, are you asleep?"
There was no response from inside the room.
The Old Butler turned back and said, "Young Master Xie, why not come again tomorrow? Presumably, the battle with my young master also injured your vitality."
Xie Wuxing said, "Without receiving Jiang Wang's forgiveness, I will find it difficult to sleep. Dawn is already breaking, so I shall wait here."
He directly sat down on the steps outside Jiang Wang's door.
The Old Butler wanted to speak but stopped himself. He could only smile helplessly. "Then please do as you wish, Young Master Xie."
As they watched the Old Butler leave, the Green-robed Cultivator and White-robed Cultivator continued to watch Xie Wuxing warily.
Jiang Wang slept soundly inside.
Xie Wuxing sat upright outside the door.
The two cultivators in green and white watched him closely as well, until daylight fully brightened.
The sound of a door opening rang out.
Xie Wuxing glanced to the side.
Xiaoyu emerged from the room next door.
She looked at Xie Wuxing in surprise, then turned to the Green-robed Cultivator and White-robed Cultivator, whose wide-open eyes made them look like two stone pillars.
The Green-robed Cultivator twisted his stiff neck at that moment, his eyes bloodshot. Once he hoarsely explained why Xie Wuxing was there, Xiaoyu joined their ranks.
All three of them stared at Xie Wuxing.
Clearly, Xiaoyu was also on guard, wary of Xie Wuxing harming the young master.
Not long after, Jiang Wang pushed open the door and came out stretching.
His gaze was quickly drawn to Xiaoyu and the other two standing neatly to one side. Bewildered, he asked, "What are you doing?"
The three of them pointed at Xie Wuxing in perfect unison.
Following their fingers, Jiang Wang met Xie Wuxing's eyes.
Xie Wuxing stood and said, "I kept watch here all night. Hearing Brother Jiang snore, I imagine you slept quite well."
Jiang Wang was stunned.
You kept watch outside my room all night?!
Isn't that the sort of thing storytellers say handsome young masters do only for the one they love?
Jiang Wang's face turned deathly pale as he said in a trembling voice, "I never expected your feelings for me to run so deep. But I am sorry—I fear I must make you love in vain."
Xie Wuxing: [○?1?1｀Д?0?7?1?1○]
He forcibly swallowed his anger and said gloomily, "I do not want to explain this again..."
He sincerely apologized to Jiang Wang and explained how Du Yanruo had deceived him. Then he said again, "I will help Brother Jiang deal with Cai Tanggu and the Qingxuan Bureau's troubles. Besides, it was all a misunderstanding to begin with. For the Sword Pavilion's sake, we can surely turn weapons of war into jade and silk."
Jiang Wang's face became flushed. Of course, it was not because he was deeply moved by Xie Wuxing keeping watch outside his door all night and working so earnestly to solve his problems.
He said furiously, "How can your heart be so vicious? Even if you cannot have me, you cannot harm me like this!"
This was simply outrageous!
Having such a fine powerful enemy suddenly switch sides had already grieved him greatly.
And now Xie Wuxing wanted to resolve all his other enemies as well?
Xie Wuxing was plainly a stumbling block on his path to invincibility!
Furious, he turned and went back into his room, slamming the door shut with force.
Xie Wuxing was utterly bewildered. He looked at Xiaoyu and the others. "Did I say something wrong?"
Xiaoyu shook her head. She did not quite understand either.
Perhaps the young master was cranky after waking up?
But she had never noticed that before.
The Green-robed Cultivator, however, wore an expression of sudden realization. He immediately sneered, "Why would Mr. Jiang need you to solve his troubles? Who are you looking down on?"
Xie Wuxing parted his lips slightly, understanding dawning on him.
Since Jiang Wang could surpass him by a fraction, Jiang Wang must possess pride of his own, just like him. Besides, at such a young age, having reached such a high realm, how could Jiang Wang lack a background?
He had taken things for granted and overstepped his bounds.
Putting himself in Jiang Wang's shoes, if he encountered trouble, he would not want others to help him either. He would want to resolve it through his own abilities.
He felt deeply ashamed.
"Brother Jiang, rest assured—I will not help you again!"
Xie Wuxing called out, then took his leave.
Jiang Wang pushed open the door again, his expression full of resentment.
Seeing this, the White-robed Cultivator's mind spun, and he imagined another terrifying truth.
Could it be that Mr. Jiang had also taken a liking to Xie Wuxing?
First he had been furious, but after Xie Wuxing left, he looked like a resentful wife confined to her chambers.
Was that not the absolute truth?
He quickly concealed the change in his expression. Even if Mr. Jiang had a penchant for men, he must not discriminate against him. He should respect Mr. Jiang as he always had.
Jiang Wang continued to sprawl in his wicker chair. Though he had lost a powerful enemy like Xie Wuxing, fortunately Cai Tanggu's trouble had not vanished. Thinking of this, he grew extremely anxious. Why had Cai Tanggu still not come back for revenge?
Could he have accidentally fallen into a pit and died on the way back?
He hurriedly pressed his palms together, praying that Cai Tanggu was safe and sound.
Watching Jiang Wang behave this way, the Old Butler could not help worrying. "Young Master, should we call a physician to take a look?"
Jiang Wang asked blankly, "What would we call a physician for?"
He waved his hand and added, "Keep Du Yanruo locked in the woodshed for now. She can keep Su Lingyi company. I only hope Cai Tanggu comes back soon."
The Old Butler nodded. "The Sword Pavilion looks down upon all of Kutan. Xie Wuxing is the Sword God's true disciple. If the young master can befriend him, it will surely be of great benefit."
Thinking of the perilous situation the Marquis had faced back then, whatever the young master intended to do in the future would plainly yield twice the result with half the effort if the Sword Pavilion aided him.
Jiang Wang said coldly, "Do not mention his name in front of me. It disgusts me."
The Old Butler did not know what had happened that morning. Just as he was about to offer the young master a few more words of advice, the Green-robed Cultivator suddenly ran over.
"Mr. Jiang, a guest has arrived. He says he is an old acquaintance of the Marquis."
Jiang Wang's expression shifted slightly.
The words the Old Butler had been about to say caught in his throat, and his expression also turned grave.
He glanced at Jiang Wang, then walked straight out.
Outside the Marquis Manor stood a young man dressed in a goose-yellow long robe.
He surveyed the surroundings and muttered, "A dignified Marquis actually lives on the run-down Qixia Street. More than half this manor wall has collapsed. They must be living quite miserably."
Before the Old Butler arrived, his voice did. "The Marquis cherishes old ties, and since coming to Hun City, he has lived on Qixia Street. You, a mere Fourth Realm Martial Artist, dare speak ill of the Marquis Manor!"
Looking at the lame old man who appeared before him, the man in the goose-yellow robe said indifferently, "I say whatever I want. Do you have a problem with that?"
The Old Butler's eyes narrowed slightly. In an instant, an indescribable aura emerged.
"Tong Ji, why bother arguing with a junior?"
Venerable Luo arrived with his hands clasped behind his back.
The Old Butler's entire body stiffened.
Before you continue