Xiao He

Xiang Yuan passed by Yulin Academy and subconsciously glanced over. Coincidentally, he met the gaze of a young scholar.

The other party's eyes were sharp, like a wolf's, like a tiger's, and ravenous, staring intently at his... oil-paper umbrella.

Xiang Yuan inwardly cursed his luck. The young man didn't have an umbrella, but he did. A glance at this moment would surely create the misunderstanding of "meeting in the rain, why not travel together."

He remembered the thousand-year-old snake demon waiting ahead, quickly withdrew his gaze, lowered his head, adjusted his umbrella, and suddenly quickened his pace.

"Brother, brother... walk slower, wait for me."

The young man invited himself, squeezed next to Xiang Yuan with a grin, and with a nudge of his butt, occupied more than half the umbrella, shamelessly saying, "Thank you, brother, for inviting me to share your umbrella. I'm extremely grateful and will remember it. I'll surely repay you in the future."

Xiang Yuan felt like he was being bothered by buzzing mosquitoes, and even the light rain felt heavy. He grumbled, "You've misunderstood, sir. I didn't..."

"That's where you're wrong. One must be grateful. Your lack of intention to seek repayment doesn't stop me from wanting to repay you."

"..."

Xiang Yuan was speechless. With such a shameless chatterbox, even the snake demon would flee from afar... Wait a minute, could this be the fated person?

No way, this development is completely unconventional.

Xiang Yuan looked at the young man in disbelief. He saw that the young man had handsome features and a good face, but he was definitely male in appearance, with no possibility of cross-dressing. His hopeful thoughts died on the spot.

As Xiang Yuan looked at the young man, the young man was also sizing him up, smiling slyly, a bit irritating.

The young man, acting familiar, said, "Brother, seeing your constable attire, are you perhaps the new constable in Fengxian County? Was there a case last night? Was it big, how big? Truly a young hero, how old are you? May I ask your name, brother?"

Are you from Dunhuang? So many murals!

The fated person had changed from a thousand-year-old snake demon to a chatterbox, and a male chatterbox at that. The disparity was immense. Xiang Yuan didn't want to deal with him and continued on his way in silence.

When he didn't speak, the young man became even more spirited, chattering on, "I am Xiao He, a native of Shendu. I admire wise masters and have come to Fengxian County to study."

Xiao He?

I'm still Han... No, I'm still Zhang Liang!

Xiang Yuan grumbled inwardly. What a good name, it sounds like a top-tier strategist, but unfortunately, he has a mouth.

Suddenly, he thought of something and looked at Xiao He in surprise, "The Xiao Clan of Shendu?"

The Xiao Clan of Shendu was the royal family of Western Chu. Even if Xiao He wasn't a prince or grandson, he was still royalty. He wouldn't lack for food or drink, nor for good teachers. To come all the way to Fengxian County to study instead of enjoying wealth and status, his head must have been squeezed by a door.

The fated person is from royalty, and my future path is somehow connected to the royal family?

"Brother has sharp eyes, indeed I am from the Xiao Clan of Shendu!"

The young man raised his chin, his brows filled with the smugness of noble birth, then said humbly, "Don't tell anyone, and don't take it to heart. I never consider myself a royal relative. Just call me Young Master Xiao. Everyone walks on two legs in this life; there's no such thing as noble or lowly. Hehe, no one has more legs than another, don't you agree?"

His animated expression made Xiang Yuan feel like he was being run over by a truck.

He doesn't seem very reliable. I hope he's just a transitional fated person.

Xiang Yuan silently made his assessment. Carrying an umbrella or not carrying one leads to different circumstances, like a butterfly's wings, a slight flutter creating a different future. If only the Heartless Daoist had given him a little more advice, he definitely would have brought a sword instead of an umbrella last night.

He inwardly rejected such an unreliable fated person.

"Brother, I've been talking the whole time, why aren't you speaking? Were you born silent, do you dislike talking?"

"Brother?"

"You still haven't told me your name?"

"..."

Zhu Ziqing: Thousands upon thousands of bees buzzed around under the flowers (×)

Sun Wukong: Chirping and babbling, like a swarm of flies buzzing into your ears (√)

Xiang Yuan was extremely annoyed. He never knew a person could be so long-winded. He looked coldly at Xiao He, "If you say one more word, I'll shove this entire umbrella up your backside."

"Ah?"

"And open it from the inside."

"..."

Xiao He instantly fell silent. After a long pause, he said, "This is the first time I've heard such a fresh and elegant way of putting things. Brother, you're truly interesting. I've learned a lot. By the way, I still don't know your name?"

"Xiang Yuan."

"So it's Constable Xiang. My apologies, my apologies. I've long heard of Little Yuan Ge's great name, but I regret not having the chance to meet you. Your divine constable demeanor is truly as described."

"..."

Xiang Yuan's eyelids twitched. He saw his own reflection in Xiao He, just like when he bragged about Old Daoist Quexin, but Xiao He's superb acting, which he could control with such ease, lacked a bit of shamelessness.

Xiao He seemed naturally lively and couldn't keep his mouth shut. "Little Yuan Ge, you're covered in mud. Did a big case happen last night? Can you tell me? The journey is still long, and we're idle anyway. If you can, tell me about it."

Seeing Xiang Yuan's lack of response, he continued, "It rained last night, so I took a carriage this morning and didn't bring an umbrella. Why did Little Yuan Ge decide to bring one? There was no sign of rain when the city gates closed last night."

"Bringing an umbrella, just in case."

"Little Yuan Ge truly has foresight."

Seeing Xiang Yuan engage, Xiao He became even more energetic, rambling about this and that. In just five li, Xiang Yuan's mind was exhausted, more so than practicing saber techniques for two hours.

Master, just one sentence, but if you had said even one more, it would have been good!

Reaching the west gate, Xiang Yuan headed straight for the yamen. Xiao He, using the excuse of being on the way, continued his aggressive advances.

"Meeting you today, Brother Xiao, feels like we've known each other forever. We're of one mind, why don't we become sworn brothers? From now on, we'll share fortunes and hardships together."

"Then let me treat you to a meal. How about Hongyun Garden? It's the best restaurant in Fengxian County. I've eaten there a few times, and their chef's skills are truly excellent, almost as good as those in Shendu."

"And let's call a few girls from Yusheng Workshop over. We brothers can have them on each arm, singing and playing music. Wouldn't that be a blast!"

"Do you know the girl Baoqin from Yusheng Workshop? Hey, she's incredibly beautiful!"

Finally managing to reach the yamen entrance, Xiang Yuan felt as if he'd been granted a great pardon. He handed the umbrella to Xiao He and rushed inside.

"Hey, Brother Xiao, I'll be borrowing your umbrella for now..."

"Remember to come find me at the Xiao Residence on Liuxi Street to return it."

You're not a snake, why would I come find you!

Meeting his so-called fated person for the first time, Xiang Yuan rejected him in every way possible, unwilling to acknowledge this fated connection from the bottom of his heart. He pondered, If my heart isn't willing, then this path of royalty isn't for me.

Thinking about it, his change of heart was likely within the Heartless Daoist's divination.

Xiang Yuan walked into the yamen and went straight to the mess hall, eating his fill.

The yamen was unusually quiet today. Xiang Yuan heard from the head cook that the previous night's mountain search had been chaotic, with a few lost constables still returning. The rest were either recovering from injuries or resting, with very few remaining at the yamen.

Xiang Yuan inquired and learned that Old Liu had returned that morning. He had specifically eaten both breakfast and lunch at the mess hall, which put Xiang Yuan's mind at ease.

With both work meals accounted for, it seemed the person was fine.

He went to the roll call station to report his safe return, then headed directly to his small room, closed the door, and began to cultivate.

What Hongyun Garden, what Yusheng Workshop, fine food and beautiful women – none of it was important. In this life, he would enter the Dao through martial arts, become an immortal, and reach the highest, the farthest.

Cultivation!