“Oh, what does the young man have to say?”
Xue Zhao put on an unhurried expression, but his hot-blooded young disciples had already exploded, shouting in unison: “You issued the challenge letter, and you lost the match. Are you trying to go back on your word now?”
Seeing that Ah Qing and the others were about to speak, Wuqing stopped them with a look and addressed Juelin and the others calmly: “This junior left due to urgent matters, which was indeed improper and disrespectful.”
He bowed halfway to the several masters and Xue Zhao, then continued: “But the difference between this junior and the senior is that, with your cultivation levels, you should be able to see that Sect Master Xue’s martial arts are indeed formidable, but you must also see that the true victory has not been determined.”
With this statement, Juelin and the others found it difficult to refute. The eyes of masters should naturally be different from others. Moreover, this Capture Gate had done some good deeds, so suppressing them too much wouldn’t be appropriate. They were also quite mysterious, and their current strength was still unclear. Since this was a battle between leaders, it would naturally be better to take this opportunity to see clearly.
Because today’s friends might not necessarily avoid being tomorrow’s enemies.
This was the martial world.
Whether you were willing or unwilling, you couldn’t avoid it.
Juelin was the first to speak: “Very well. Sect Master Xue’s martial arts have long been famous in the martial world. I’m sure you’re willing to give the younger generation an opportunity?”
Seeing that Wuqing’s eyes retained their arrogance but his complexion was abnormally pale, Xue Zhao knew the poison was taking effect and he was forcing himself to hold on. Why not do a favor? “Very well, then let me exchange a few moves with the Gate Master.”
As soon as the words fell, the two quickly exchanged a palm strike in mid-air. Xue Zhao suddenly cried out loudly and fell down. When he landed, his figure staggered, retreating several steps with a strange expression on his face.
“Master!”
His disciples shouted in unison. Xue Zhao’s face was gloomy as he waved his hand backward to stop them.
“I concede to the Gate Master.” Wuqing smiled slightly. “Today we both had victories and defeats. It seems you and I must battle again another day. At that time, I hope these masters will witness it. This junior takes his leave first.”
He slightly cupped his hands toward the people around him and led the Capture Gate members away.
After this battle, the Capture Gate established a new reputation in the martial world. No one knew that in that palm strike that day, the Divine Sword Sect’s master had actually been hit by a hidden weapon—his own golden needle.
Wuqing had caught a disciple in the back courtyard and had him lead the way to this cunning old fox’s training room, where he found the antidote and golden needles, using his own methods against him.
It was also from this battle that Wuqing decided to reform this so-called orthodox martial world. Three years later, the Capture Gate became the top faction in the martial world, using martial arts power to handle unjust cases that the authorities couldn’t thoroughly investigate. However, the Capture Gate acted strangely, being both righteous and evil, and wasn’t listed among the famous sects, but it left a heavy mark in the martial world records.
That evening, Lian Xin returned to the inn where the Capture Gate was staying with everyone.
Everyone didn’t dine in the main hall but requested a separate room. Everyone knew that Wuqing’s injuries weren’t actually serious. After all, they were in the intelligence business and had long figured out Xue Zhao’s background. They knew he was sanctimonious—many in the martial world didn’t know his true nature, but essentially he was a hypocrite. Wuqing was even more clearheaded and, to prevent him from using underhanded tactics, had taken some detoxifying substances beforehand. This naturally wasn’t as effective as Xue Zhao’s exclusive antidote, but it was the masterwork of the great physician Lian Jie, certainly not ordinary. Because of Lian Xin, everyone naturally cooperated by pretending not to know. After all, Wuqing had been searching for her and Xiao Zhou for nearly five years.
In recent years, as Wuqing traveled the martial world, with his good looks, excellent martial arts, and cold temperament, quite a few women in the martial world had secretly given him their hearts. Even Wu Tong, a new partner who had joined two years ago, secretly admired him. Earlier, before the martial arts competition, she had warned Wuqing to be careful. Ah Qing and Tie Shou often sighed that this was a world that judged by appearances, but Wuqing maintained a distant and courteous attitude toward all of them.
But regarding Xiao Zhou and the Princess, everyone couldn’t figure out what he truly thought.
At the table, everyone discussed the day’s events and Wuqing’s arrangements for the next mission. It should have been quite pleasant, but Lian Xin kept her head down without speaking. When Wuqing served her food and dishes, she would pick them out and place them on a side plate. Everyone were martial world people accustomed to being forthright, so they all felt somewhat awkward.
Wu Tong frowned slightly as she watched, then suddenly said: “She no longer has a princess’s status, yet still has a princess’s temper.”
Lian Xin didn’t get angry, only saying: “I’ve finished eating. I’ll return to my room first. Please continue, everyone.”
“In my heart, she is a princess.” Wuqing reached out, blocking Lian Xin who was standing up, and spoke to Wu Tong.
Wu Tong’s expression changed. She pressed her lips together but ultimately said nothing. But Wuqing’s eyes grew colder as he suddenly threw his chopsticks out the window.
Rustling sounds came simultaneously from the eaves and trees opposite.
“This friend who has followed us all the way must be tired. How about coming in for a drink?” Wuqing called out loudly.
Everyone’s expressions changed slightly as they instantly rushed outside.
The Princess was here, but Wuqing’s martial arts were so high that few could match him. Moreover, they had brought people—this inn was two-thirds occupied by Capture Gate brothers, with fighting power comparable to several hundred imperial guards, so they weren’t worried. Only Leng Xue continued drinking. He had also noticed the disturbance earlier, but since Wuqing didn’t expose it, he didn’t pay attention either.
But Wuqing spoke up: “Leng Xue, you should return to your room first.”
Leng Xue picked up his wine jug, waved to the Princess, and walked away cheerfully.
Lian Xin immediately frowned. She stepped forward to leave, but Wuqing quickly grabbed her hand.
“Lian Xin, let’s have a good talk.”
His usually cold voice came from behind, carrying a trace of hoarseness.
“There’s nothing for us to talk about. I really don’t want to appear in public. Don’t force me. Once your injury heals, I’ll leave.” Lian Xin said through gritted teeth.
“I’ve been looking for you for several years.” He smiled self-mockingly.
“Can we not talk about this anymore? I know, but you should be looking for Xiao Zhou instead. She’s a good girl. Brother Six told me before, but I was living willfully and selfishly then, didn’t listen, and wouldn’t consider others. But now, I’ve truly thought it through. It’s not that I should have whatever I like. You don’t need to compensate me either. At that time, I did it to redeem my mother’s sins, not… for you.” She closed her eyes and shook her head.
He laughed coldly. “If, as you say, you didn’t do it for me, why did you wait for my injury to heal today! Since you care, why can’t you give each other a chance?”
He gripped her hands firmly, instantly turning her around to face him.
“I did like Xiao Zhou, and even now I still have deep feelings for her in my heart. But I hope to spend my life with you, Lian Xin.” His gaze was sharp, looking at her intensely as if to burn a hole through her.
“Do you know why I came to challenge the Divine Sword Sect this time?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t want to know.”
His eyes were fierce, like a leopard awakening from sleep, pressing and intimidating. She was frightened and confused, her heart both sour and painful. Afraid she might waver, she couldn’t accept his sympathy and charity! If so, what would she have left?
“Whether you listen or not is up to you; whether I speak or not is up to me. The Divine Sword Sect has various good medicines—wound healing medicine, bone-mending powder, and especially medicine very effective for treating scars. I wanted to get some to treat Xiao Zhou’s injuries. I hoped to do something for her, to owe her a little less.”
He had originally come to the Divine Sword Sect to seek medicine, willing to exchange a luminous pearl obtained from recent escort work. The Capture Gate gathered information for Lian Yu, usually making a living through escort services and trade, earning considerable fees. But the Divine Sword Sect’s master said the medicine was a precious treasure of the sect that couldn’t be easily given to others, unless someone could defeat him. How could Wuqing not know what this old fox was thinking? This medicine wasn’t some life-saving treasure—it was for promoting blood circulation and beautifying the complexion. For martial world people, it wasn’t any kind of precious treasure. The Capture Gate was a rising star in the martial world that had never met defeat since its debut. If Xue Zhao could defeat him, it would attract new disciples and establish martial world prestige again—all benefits. Compared to a luminous pearl, wouldn’t this be more tempting?
“Xiao Zhou and I—we appreciate each other but also suspect each other, mutually investigating. For her, many things come before me. If I became enemies with Lian Yu, she would be the first to kill me. But there’s a girl who puts me first in everything. I used to hate this girl to the bone, didn’t hesitate to use her and hurt her, only because her mother and I had an irreconcilable blood feud, and she was her mother’s only daughter. I couldn’t be like my sister and focus my hatred on just one person. I witnessed my parents’ deaths with my own eyes, watched them being humiliated even after death. My romantic feelings for you… indeed began when you did something that shocked me.”
“You think it’s pity and compensation, but for me, it was more your reckless devotion that gradually drew me in. As for her, if she had thought of me even one-tenth as much as you did that day, I would have found other ways to repay your kindness. This isn’t her fault—the mistake was mine. But now, the person I most hope to care for in this lifetime is truly you.”
He looked at her, speaking word by word. He was usually a man of few words, and these words were spoken low and suppressed. One hand gripped her wrist while the other pressed firmly against her back, the heat from his palm penetrating through her clothes. He had been drinking earlier, and the wine’s fragrance gently brushed against her face. His eyes became increasingly dark and dangerous. She seemed to have also been infected by this wine’s intoxication—amid the sourness was trembling, was liking, endless liking, but… but…
Xiao Zhou, Xiao Zhou… she thought dazedly as he lowered his head, slowly approaching her lips. They were so close that… she could hear his heartbeat.
“Master—”
Suddenly a voice rang out. Her heart shook as she forcefully pushed him away. With a clattering sound, he was caught off guard and crashed into the table, shaking all the bowls and dishes.
“This subordinate deserves death! Master, forgive me!”
The newcomer was a clever fellow who knew he had interrupted a romantic moment, wearing an expression that said “I’m guilty of interrupting.”
“What matter made you so reckless?” Wuqing quickly moved to block Lian Xin, afraid she might feel uncomfortable.
It was a scout from the Capture Gate. Seeing Wuqing’s slightly darkened expression and fearing he might take offense, the scout immediately reported: “Master, Xue Zhao sent someone with a message, asking Master to complete the martial arts competition here again in one month.”
Wuqing said: “Tell him this junior will definitely keep the appointment to seek guidance.”
That night’s pursuit yielded no results. Everyone suspected it was people from the Divine Sword Sect gathering intelligence, so they strengthened their defenses to prevent further underhanded tactics.
After that night, at Wuqing’s insistence, Lian Xin returned to the Capture Gate with everyone.
Lian Xin still maintained distance from Wuqing, seemingly observing something in secret.
After bringing Lian Xin back to the Capture Gate, Wuqing led Tie Shou, Ah Qing, and others back, asking Lian Xin to wait for his return. He naturally wasn’t afraid of his opponents, but to prevent them from secretly causing trouble and accidentally harming Lian Xin, he left her at the gate and had Wu Ming stay to accompany her. Wu Tong also voluntarily stayed behind, saying she wanted to apologize to the Princess.
Lian Xin knew what kind of person she was—her temperament had changed, but her ability to read people hadn’t. Usually, she avoided Wu Tong to spare herself the annoyance.
During Wuqing’s absence, her internal struggle was intense. Should she stay or leave? What should she do?
This day, she went to Wuqing’s room.
When Wuqing hadn’t yet left, he had asked her to come sit there, but she hadn’t gone. Now, with him away for many days and missing him in her heart, she went there since he wasn’t around anyway.