Doubi Is Here

The three people standing outside the formation were Wang Wenxu, Xiao He, and Xu Jixian. Xiao He stood in the middle, and the other two seemed to defer to him.

Xiao He and Xu Jixian no longer looked like a couple of clowns. Xu Jixian in particular had changed beyond recognition. His dark face was as stern as a mountain, and it was hard to imagine that this was the same man who had been so frightened by ghosts last night that he'd wet himself on the spot.

Xiao He's striking good looks made him seem largely unchanged. There was a hint of arrogance between his brows, but he was also carefree and irreverent, laughing and cursing with an easygoing charm. He certainly lived up to his father, the ruler of eight provinces.

Wang Wenxu was still the same Wang Wenxu, with a scholar's bearing and a vigorous spirit. He frowned at Xiao He's words. "First came the Heavenly Saber Sect's Lone Star Chasing Moon, then the Blood Sea Dao's Everlasting Killing Intent, and now a Shaolin secret art. He's displayed all kinds of techniques, and his background is incredibly mysterious. His aura also changes in strange and unpredictable ways. He might be a demonic cultivator. Are you sure it's him?"

"When we were at the academy, the worthy teacher already tested him with a question and concluded that Brother Yuan was benevolent and righteous. Why are you still questioning whether he's a demonic cultivator?"

Xiao He spoke with conviction, allowing no room for argument. "The worthy teacher may not trust Brother Yuan, but he can't doubt my divination. He's no ordinary person, and fate has bound him to me in a way that's beyond measure. It has to be him. Even if we can't force it, we still have to!"

As it happened, their meeting had been a stroke of luck. It was drizzling that day, and when Xiao He saw the young constable passing by with an umbrella, he'd approached on a whim to share it, all while reinforcing his image as a good-for-nothing.

But the moment he got close, Xiao He's brow twitched. Something stirred in his heart. He read the young constable's aura and face, and found a single word: fate.

It was a mutual pursuit. Xiang Yuan was looking for someone fated to meet him, and Xiao He was no less eager to find such a person.

Only, Xiang Yuan had just entered the martial world and was far less experienced than Xiao He. The latter wore his clownish persona like a mask and acted so convincingly that he fooled everyone.

So the more Xiang Yuan ignored him, the more Xiao He clung to him. By persistently shamelessly begging, he'd managed to secure their fated connection.

But that connection wasn't enough. Xiao He was brimming with curiosity. He couldn't divine Xiang Yuan's sect or teacher, nor could he figure out what made him special. So he laid a trap that led to Xu Jixian's ghost encounter.

Lone Star Chasing Moon alone made it clear that Xiang Yuan had been taught by the Heavenly Saber Sect, but Xiao He still felt something was off. He consulted Wang Wenxu, and after they came up with a plan, tonight's ambush by Sima Qingyan in the mass grave had followed.

Xiang Yuan had a bewildering range of skills. The more Xiao He watched, the more confused he became. He still had no idea who Xiang Yuan's teacher was, and could only guess that he was someone extraordinary—a powerful figure Xiao He couldn't afford to offend.

A good thing. A great opportunity!

"I have no objection to you bringing Xiang Yuan into the sect. You're in charge now, after all, and I know something of your divination. Whatever you say goes. But..."

Wang Wenxu hesitated for a moment. "He's a fine candidate for scholarship, and I'd like to teach him. I'm afraid you'll lead him astray."

"Worthy teacher, you jest. He's devoted to martial arts, not scholarship. He likes the martial world, not lecture halls."

"I don't think so!"

Wang Wenxu snorted, unwilling to agree. After seeing 'Toiling Farmers,' he was convinced Xiang Yuan could become a great literary master.

No matter what, Xiao He couldn't be allowed to ruin such an uncut gem.

"Don't worry, worthy teacher. He'll be studying at the academy, so you'll have plenty of time to shape him. I'd be delighted to see it happen." Xiao He watched the fight with a beaming smile.

Sima Qingyan was stronger, but she'd lost an arm, making it hard for her to use her palm techniques to their full effect. Relying on her deep reserves of energy, she was trying to drag the fight out and wear Xiang Yuan down.

One led to two, and two to three. Everything Xiang Yuan had done so far proved he could endure a drawn-out fight. It was anyone's guess who would wear out first.

"This tiger belongs as my sworn brother!"

Thinking of all the sworn sons his father had taken in, Xiao He felt nothing but disdain. They were a mixed lot, most of them freeloaders content to do nothing with their lives.

Xu Jixian, who'd been silent at the side, spoke up. His eyes were fixed on Xiang Yuan and Sima Qingyan as they fought. "Brother Xiao, shouldn't I go in and separate them?"

"Wait a little longer. I can see that Qingyan has lost her composure. Brother Yuan is bound to capture her. This place is deserted, and Brother Yuan will want to force you and me to reveal our whereabouts. He'll surely resort to some cruel treatment—at the very least, he'll tear off a couple of pieces of her clothing."

Xiao He waggled his brows with a snicker. When Xu Jixian didn't catch on, he patted his forehead and muttered that he'd nearly given himself away. Then he continued, "We've kept Brother Yuan in the dark for days. Now that we're asking him to forgive us, we can't afford to offend him any further. Qingyan is different. To win Brother Yuan over, she'll just have to suffer a little."

Xu Jixian nodded. That made sense. If someone had to suffer, why shouldn't it be Sima Qingyan, an outsider?

Wang Wenxu still hadn't given up. He spoke more emphatically. "Xiao He, you'll surely send Xiang Yuan to the Southern Border. I know you carry a secret imperial decree and can't reveal your identity lightly. You must have your reasons for what you're doing. But do you know what the Southern Border is like? He may never come back."

"Worthy teacher, you still don't understand what I mean. Brother Yuan is extremely important to me. If he goes to the Southern Border, I'll go with him," Xiao He said calmly.

"You're serious?"

Of course I am. I can't even divine a single hair on his teacher's head. If he dies, what difference does it make whether I'm alive or dead?

Xiao He grumbled to himself, not bothering to explain further to Wang Wenxu. Instead, he said, "As for the Southern Border, you've spent years laying plans, planting spies, buying off lackeys, and opening up the checkpoints. If I just rely on what you've left behind and play it safe, I might as well not go at all. How would I fulfill my mission or set events in motion?"

"You... Just don't do anything reckless," Wang Wenxu said with a wry smile.

Anything involving the imperial court and the martial world was bound to draw out powerful experts. Every step would be fraught with danger, and he was genuinely afraid Xiao He would get himself killed.

He considered himself a good judge of character. His assessment of Xiao He was that he was steady but ambitious—too inclined to take risks.

"Don't worry, worthy teacher. I still have wealth and glory to enjoy. I'm afraid of dying."

"..."

Wang Wenxu fell silent. If Xiao He had been after wealth and glory, he could have obtained them through his family connections and abilities in Shendu or Zhendian Prefecture. The fact that he'd gone to Fengxian County, which bordered the Southern Border, clearly meant he wanted to accomplish something great.

He was so ambitious that no amount of wealth and glory could satisfy him.

"The fight's nearly over. Worthy teacher, open the formation. Brother Xu and I should go ask Brother Yuan for forgiveness... Huh, what terrifying martial talent! If he won't forgive us, Brother Xu and I will stay on our knees until he does!"

Xiao He drew back his foot and turned to Wang Wenxu with a beaming smile. "Lend me your face, worthy teacher. You go first. We've put Qingyan through enough; now it's your turn to suffer."

Wang Wenxu's expression changed drastically. He acted one way in public and another in private. How could he ever face Xiang Yuan again, let alone call himself a teacher?

"Worthy teacher?"

"Could we...?"

"No. Those two strikes of the ruler you gave me today were clearly revenge for a personal grudge!"

At the formation's death gate, Sima Qingyan swept out her palm with one hand. Her movements were light and graceful, seemingly casual, yet each concealed profound mysteries. Like a lake in autumn, every palm strike seemed to brush a fallen leaf across the water, sending out ripples in layer after layer—gentle on the surface, unfathomably deep beneath.

Below the surface, her breath was deep and steady, flowing without pause. Her inner force kept surging, allowing her to turn softness against strength and strike after her opponent yet land first. She displayed astonishing staying power.

But with one arm gone, her palm techniques could no longer reach their full potential.

She fought cautiously, not daring to rush for a quick victory. She planned to use her endurance to overcome Xiang Yuan's weakness and wear him down.

Xiang Yuan hadn't even opened his Ren Meridian. How could he possibly have the deep reserves of true energy needed to match Sima Qingyan? He could only rely on the ingenuity of the Formless Seal Method and pretend he was capable of anything—not only could he fight, he could also keep going indefinitely.

When facing an enemy a whole realm above him, he had to focus on every move. It took a great deal of effort and concentration, draining his energy quickly.

Cold Blood was unavailable, and Steady Water couldn't help him win. In a prolonged fight, his strength would ebb, and Sima Qingyan really might wear him down.

Without hesitation, he simulated the fight in his mind and prepared a way out. He brought his five fingers together like a blade, his heart still as water, and harnessed the force of a meteor. For the third time, he used Lone Star Chasing Moon, striking toward Sima Qingyan's right chest and abdomen.

Sima Qingyan's right arm was injured, so she couldn't wield her sword. It hung limply at her side. She'd hurriedly pressed the points to stop the bleeding, but hadn't had time to bandage the wound.

Seeing the edge of his palm come at her with the force of a meteor, swift, precise, and deadly, she couldn't help admiring Xiang Yuan's martial talent. He was so young, yet already one with the blade in his hand. He was truly a monster. At the same time, she followed his example, bringing two fingers together like a sword and forming a sword seal to unleash a technique.

If you can do it, so can I. It was the stubborn pride of a top student!

Their hands crossed, and each poured everything into the clash. Xiang Yuan felt an overwhelming force rushing toward him. The edge of his palm was pressed down by two slender fingers, creating the absurd impression of Lin Daiyu lifting Lu Zhishen by the roots.

He knew true energy could let a delicate woman overpower a burly man, but this was ridiculous.

His arm went numb. He was losing the contest of strength, and after a brief struggle, the blade's momentum drained his spiritual energy. He could no longer fight.

Sima Qingyan was overjoyed. At last, Xiang Yuan had run out of strength. Her sword fingers kept going, striking toward his chest.

She refused to believe that after one and two, there could be a third.

There really was!

Doubi was here!