Xiang Yuan threw back his head and laughed heartily. Moving like a ghost, he stepped out of the grass. Seeing no one around but Master Bai Yue, his smile grew even more unrestrained.
As a complete stranger, he greatly admired Master Bai Yue's resolve to charge into battle and risk her life. But did the master not take a look at what she herself was like? Charging ahead this stubbornly, she would not need to wait until morning or nightfall—by noon, she would be moving into the basement.
Fine, then. Who told him to be so kind-hearted? Before leaving, he would give the master one more lesson. Fall into a pit once, gain wisdom once; perhaps she would stop being so reckless in the future.
Xiang Yuan's eyes glimmered darkly. Draining the last thread of Devil Qi from his body, he flashed forward, seized the treasured sword from Master Bai Yue's hand, and laid the blade across her shoulder with a backhand stroke.
Courtesy demanded reciprocity. Since the master had put a sword to him, naturally he had to return the favor.
Master Bai Yue's expression did not change. Her hands remained hidden in her sleeves as she silently circulated her Qi, ready to erupt into action.
Xiang Yuan raised a hand, pulled a porcelain bottle from his robes, and gave it a shake. "Master, how about another bottle of Forget-Soul Powder?"
"..."
Master Bai Yue stood frozen. A vague suspicion arose in her heart, yet she did not dare believe it. She knew Xiang Yuan's capabilities and had personally experienced his skill. Strong though he was, it should have been impossible for him to defeat the combined assault of three Shaolin Sect and Wudang Sect masters.
Just then, another figure rose from the grass and silently came to stand