Bing Jiu Talks with Sword Douluo

"Familiar? What do you mean?"

Sword Douluo felt that something was off as well. He thought back carefully.

At last, the image of a small figure who smiled at him every day inexplicably surfaced in his memories.

His eyes widened, his breathing quickened, and even his voice began to tremble.

"Old Bone, Jiujiu? Are you saying Jiujiu is still alive?!"

"That's right. Although her hair and eye colors have changed, her face bears an extreme resemblance to Jiujiu's. Old Sword, I've kept this buried in my heart for a long time, but there really were many suspicious things about what happened back then. I mean..."

"No need to say any more."

A glint of coldness seeped into Sword Chenxin's eyes as he glanced at the pavilion beside them, where Bing Jiu was staying.

A sharp light immediately burst from his eyes.

"I'll go myself. I must get a clear answer from her."

At that moment, inside Bing Jiu's room, she was dressed in pajamas and lounging in a recliner, eating small red dates while reading a newly published novel. She looked utterly at ease.

Tuoba Xi and Ling Yuan Douluo stood guard outside. Hearing Bing Jiu's chirping laughter from within, they could not help but feel stunned.

After all, Bing Jiu had never acted like this before.

Tuoba Xi asked in a low voice, "What's gotten into the Saintess?"

"Don't listen."

Ling Yuan sneered. Just as she was about to answer, an inconspicuous shadow flashed past outside.

Ling Yuan was startled. She immediately covered his mouth, signaling him to stay quiet as she pointed outside.

"Don't listen. We can't get involved in anything happening inside right now."

"But..."

Tuoba Xi's eyes widened at once, and he was about to make a move when Ling Yuan firmly held him down.

"Don't move."

Ling Yuan Douluo glanced through the crack in the door and hurriedly lowered her voice.

"This is the Saintess's true purpose for coming here."

Inside, Bing Jiu was smiling as she reached for an apple, only for her wrist to be seized by a large, powerful hand.

Bing Jiu turned toward the visitor and froze for a moment, looking somewhat startled. "Sword Douluo?"

"Saintess."

Sword Douluo lowered his gaze to Bing Jiu's somewhat familiar face.

Examining her from such close range, he discovered the resemblance between Bing Jiu and the young Ning Jiujiu.

Then there were the small red date pits scattered all over the floor. Back then, even though such things were cheap, Ning Jiujiu had never been able to eat them. She had always craved them and begged him to bring some back for her.

Jiujiu...

Sword Douluo recalled those memories in a daze. Unconsciously, his grip tightened.

Bing Jiu frowned slightly, anger entering her voice. "Breaking into my room in the middle of the night, Sword Chenxin—is this how the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect treats its guests?"

"..."

Sword Chenxin seemed to realize his lapse in manners and immediately released Bing Jiu's wrist. "My apologies, Saintess, but I came this time with a question."

"Oh? A question? Then I'm truly honored."

Bing Jiu rubbed her slightly sore wrist and casually tossed over a pot of tea.

Sword Chenxin raised a hand and caught it steadily.

"What fragrant tea."

He took a light sip, immediately wearing an expression of enjoyment. "It tastes excellent. Your skill remains as good as ever."

"So Sword Douluo has had it before?"

"Of course. And often."

"Aren't you afraid I poisoned it?"

"Poisoned it? Heh heh." Sword Chenxin slowly set down the teacup and raised his eyes to Bing Jiu, his gaze gaining a hint of tenderness.

"Jiujiu, would you really poison your dearest Grandpa Sword?"

"Jiujiu? That name..."

Bing Jiu narrowed her eyes slightly. There was not the slightest panic in her gaze, but the fist hidden behind her back clenched faintly.

Such tiny movements might have meant nothing to others, but Sword Chenxin was one of the continent's foremost experts.

Those eyes of his could easily catch even such subtle details.

Seeing Bing Jiu's reaction, Sword Chenxin had already guessed part of the truth in his heart. Yet he still did not dare be certain. He continued drinking tea while observing Bing Jiu's movements.

Bing Jiu's gaze shifted evasively as she swallowed.

So formidable...

Though I deliberately led him toward it, he recognized my true identity so quickly.

Grandpa Sword really was the only one who truly cared about me back then...

But even so, Bing Jiu could not let Sword Chenxin know her true identity yet.

The time had not come. It was not yet time to punch Ning Fengzhi down from the clouds into the dust.

At that thought, Bing Jiu put on a cold expression once more. "I'm sorry, but I am not her."

"I see..."

A trace of disappointment appeared on Sword Chenxin's face, though it was impossible to tell why.

Had he given up?

No, he had not. But at the very least, she had achieved the effect she wanted.

Bing Jiu curled her lips and continued, "However, I know her."

Upon hearing this, Sword Chenxin immediately seemed to have seized a lifeline. He grabbed Bing Jiu by the shoulders. "Tell me, where is she?"

Bing Jiu looked at the shoulders he was gripping so tightly that they hurt.

This time, she did not simply break his hands as she had with Yu Xiaogang.

Of course, the real reason was probably that she could not break the damn things. A Titled Douluo's body was already incredibly tough, let alone a powerful expert like Sword Chenxin, who stood near the peak among Titled Douluo.

Bing Jiu could only helplessly pat his hand. "I don't know. But Sword Douluo, have you ever heard the term hostage?"

Sword Douluo raised an eyebrow. "Hostage? You mean..."

"That's right. Around six years ago, a little girl was sent to Spirit Hall by Ning Fengzhi. I saw her name in the records. It was Ning Jiujiu."

"Jiujiu really is alive!"

Sword Chenxin staggered back several steps uncontrollably. His clenched fists cracked again and again from the force.

A bone-chilling sword intent continuously gathered throughout the room.

"Damn it! Fengzhi, that bastard! I was wondering why, at the crucial time when Jiujiu and Rongrong were awakening their martial souls, he sent Old Bone and me away on a mission!"

"So he could lure the two of us away and send Jiujiu to Spirit Hall! What kind of father does that to his child? He's worse than a beast!"

"You don't actually need to be so angry."

Bing Jiu leaned back in her chair and spoke indifferently. "That little girl awakened nothing but a useless tower martial soul. Using her to obtain Spirit Hall's protection was actually quite a good deal!"

"A good deal?"

Sword Chenxin could not help but sneer. "Saintess, before saying that, have you considered... she was only a six-year-old child."

Bing Jiu stopped eating and looked up at Sword Chenxin.

Sword Chenxin was looking at her as well. For a moment, the two of them found themselves in a strangely confrontational standoff.

After a long silence, Bing Jiu somewhat flusteredly wiped at the corner of her eye, breaking the deadlock.

"Who says otherwise? Sword Chenxin, let me tell you this: the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is not as wonderful as you imagine. If you wish to come, Spirit Hall's doors will always be open to you."

"Thank you for your guidance, Saintess."

Sword Chenxin's voice was so cold it seemed to chill one's bones. As he stepped out the window with one foot, he turned back to look at Bing Jiu again.

Bing Jiu tilted her head, looking at him with slight confusion.

"Saintess."

"Hmm?"

Sword Chenxin pointed at the fruit pits on the floor and smiled. "Small red dates are certainly delicious, but if you eat too many of them, you'll get cavities easily."

"You..."

Bing Jiu froze and fell silent for several seconds.

"No need for your concern."

Sword Chenxin sighed upon hearing that, then turned and left.

Soon after, Ling Yuan and Tuoba Xi rushed inside as well.

"Saintess, are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

Bing Jiu waved them off. Watching the agile figure in the distance as he flew away on his sword, a smile curled across her lips.

"Whether I am Ning Jiujiu or not is not that important. But the seed of suspicion has already been planted. Now, all that remains is to wait and see how it bears fruit and flourishes."