What on earth was this person trying to do?

Right now Wan Xiuzi clearly wanted to use her to coerce him, but not only did he not want to distance their relationship, he even wanted her to say next time that the two of them had cultivated together?

Jiang Xuening really couldn’t figure it out.

After Xie Wei finished speaking, he no longer concerned himself with her reaction. He returned his gaze to the window crack, watching for a long while. After thinking briefly, he actually lifted his wide sleeve and untied the thin, short blade that was always bound to his wrist.

Jiang Xuening: “…”

She lowered her head to look at the ball of rope that had just been untied and fallen at her feet, then raised her head to look at the blade Xie Wei was inserting into the window crack. The corner of her eye twitched slightly: “Since you had a knife, why didn’t you use it when untying the rope earlier?”

Since he had brought a knife, why go through the trouble of untying it? Wouldn’t it be better to just cut it open with one slash?

Xie Wei had already gently pushed open the wedge fastened in the window crack. When she asked him this, his form froze for a moment. After a long silence, he replied: “I forgot.”

Jiang Xuening: “…”

How could you forget that? You’re really something!

Xie Ju’an hadn’t lied. Earlier when untying the rope for her, he actually hadn’t thought of anything else. Only after untying the rope, when he wanted to act according to his predetermined plan, did he naturally remember the knife at his wrist.

Throughout the Celestial Teaching, everyone said he was someone who relied on his brain.

Seeing him enter with nothing on his person, they hadn’t been vigilant when searching him. Moreover, this blade was extremely thin. Bound to his wrist, he only needed to clench his fist forcefully, making the muscles on his arm hard, and no great difference could be felt.

That’s why it was so easy to bring it in.

This window wasn’t large. Pushing it open slightly to create a narrow crack, one could see that even behind the building there were people visible.

However, this room was already in the side courtyard, with the courtyard wall right at the northeast corner.

After thinking briefly, Xie Wei said to Jiang Xuening: “I’ll go out first. No matter what commotion you hear, don’t panic. Wait a moment for me to return.”

Jiang Xuening was startled. Before she could answer, he had already silently pushed open the window and flipped out with remarkable swiftness and silence. Immediately after, a sharp cry came from outside, as if somewhat shocked and panicked, but before it could be completed it had already been cut off, stopping abruptly.

Faintly there was a sound of spraying.

Very quickly the Celestial Teaching followers guarding outside had already discovered the abnormality. A loud shout rang out: “He came out! They’re escaping!”

Jiang Xuening’s heart immediately began pounding with alarm.

Outside, however, Xie Wei was methodical and orderly. After flipping the blade and killing one person first, he quickly seized the unfortunate follower’s sword, then slashed another cut across that person’s neck, covering up the wound previously made by his thin, short blade.

Someone chased after him.

But these Celestial Teaching followers knew his identity was different and had some scruples. They only wanted to capture him, not acting decisively when they moved. On the contrary, this gave him an opportunity—with one slash each, he cut them down to the ground.

He hid toward the small bamboo grove by the courtyard wall, flicking the blood on his blade over the eastern courtyard wall and leaving a footprint on the wall. However, he himself did not cross over the wall from this spot. Instead, he turned back and climbed over the wall from beneath the tallest locust tree at the northeast corner.

This Celestial Teaching branch altar was loose on the outside but tight on the inside.

The interior was extremely strictly guarded, but the outside, being the authorities’ territory, they didn’t dare station too many guards, also fearing exposure.

But this precisely became his opportunity.

“Where is he?!”

“There’s blood on the wall! And footprints!”

“Quick, he must have escaped outside. Chase him toward the north street!”

…

Inside the manor, torches immediately blazed brightly. Everywhere was in chaotic commotion, with followers shouting back and forth, and people quickly running to report to Wan Xiuzi.

At this moment, Xie Wei had already followed the outer northeast corner wall, calmly and unhurriedly circling to beneath the north wall. After walking about twenty steps, he pressed against the wall to listen to the movements inside.

Everything was exactly as he had predicted.

Learning that someone had run away, the inside immediately panicked. Immediately someone in charge ordered others to take the key and open the door to check the situation, saying: “Only one ran away! That woman is still inside!”

Who could have imagined that Xie Ju’an, coming alone with an air of disregarding life and death, would now abandon Jiang Xuening and escape by himself?

It could be said that no one was prepared.

Some were even completely baffled: If he was going to run, why take such risks in the first place?

But in any case, someone had escaped. If they didn’t quickly catch and bring him back, when the Sect Leader became enraged and held people accountable, no one could bear the responsibility. Therefore, these people below couldn’t spare time to think further. They quickly mobilized manpower—most went outside the wall to chase, and quite a few followed along the north wall searching. The number of people originally guarding in front of that room in the side courtyard decreased.

Xie Wei listened as those chasing him gradually moved farther away. After calculating briefly, he held his breath and flipped over from the north wall.

This way, he landed right at the front of the building.

Only a few followers remained to guard Jiang Xuening. Moreover, no one took Jiang Xuening inside the room seriously—a man with his strength could run, but a weak, delicate woman, even if you gave her both hands, probably couldn’t escape. Thus they were somewhat lax and distracted, with two still puzzling over Xie Wei’s sudden escape.

The knife Xie Wei was holding—that’s when it fell on the backs of their necks.

With two thuds, the people had already fallen to the ground.

The person killed first, blood flowing freely, struggled to turn his head and saw it was Xie Wei. His eyes immediately widened in terror. However, how could the blood from the wound be staunched? Without making a single sound, he collapsed to the ground.

The remaining few people were even more directly stunned—

Didn’t they say he escaped toward the north?

How had he come back!

Those with quick reactions had instantly thought of the feint strategy, deliberately luring the tiger away from the mountain, then turning back for a counterattack to rescue the woman inside the room.

However, it was still too late.

Fighting against them, Xie Wei ultimately had the advantage. The wound at his waist and abdomen had mostly recovered. Though it still imposed some constraints on his movements, he killed people so cleanly and decisively, going straight for vital points. Before they could make too much commotion, he had already ended their lives.

The lock hanging on the door had already been opened earlier.

Xie Wei’s snow-white robes were covered entirely in blood. He directly kicked open the door and strode inside.

Jiang Xuening looked at him in disbelief.

But he couldn’t spare time to explain. He pulled her along and headed outside.

At this moment, the followers who had gone far to chase him hadn’t returned, and the nearby guards hadn’t yet understood the situation. As long as he could take Jiang Xuening and flip over that nearest north wall he had crossed earlier, they would be halfway to escape.

Xie Ju’an’s face was calm, but his feet moved quickly.

However, just as he gripped Jiang Xuening’s hand tightly and stepped one foot out the courtyard gate, a sharp, gleaming sword tip suddenly appeared, precisely blocking his path. If he took even half a step forward, this sword tip would pierce through his brow!

Jiang Xuening’s palms were covered in sweat. Alarmed, she gasped, and following the sword tip upward with her eyes, she saw clearly that the one holding the sword was a Daoist acolyte with a stern, cold expression. Behind this acolyte, a group of Celestial Teaching followers had already surrounded the front of the side courtyard, holding torches.

Wan Xiuzi slowly walked over from that end of the crowd.

Xie Wei looked at him.

Wan Xiuzi stopped with his hands behind his back. He swept a glance at Xie Wei, then looked toward Jiang Xuening behind him. His gaze paused on Jiang Xuening’s lips, which bore some slightly ambiguous red marks, then fell on their tightly clasped hands. With an expression somewhere between mockery and pity, he laughed coldly: “I knew it—you, Xie Ju’an, have always had your own ideas. You’re definitely not someone who would submit without resistance. I was on guard against you early on. If you hadn’t made a move tonight, I would have been unable to sleep peacefully instead! As for the young married couple’s deep mutual affection—she’s truly placed on the tip of your heart. When disaster strikes, you don’t fly your separate ways!”

Hearing this, Jiang Xuening suddenly recalled Xie Wei’s earlier phrase “staging a good show.” Though she didn’t know what plan he had or what purpose, somehow she seemed to understand a bit.

Her thoughts immediately turned, and she said: “What young married couple! Old demon Daoist, don’t speak nonsense and ruin people’s reputation!”

Though she said this, her gaze appeared guilty and evasive.

Seeing her like this, how could Wan Xiuzi truly believe she and Xie Wei were completely innocent?

The more she dared not admit it, the more suspicious it was.

He knew it in his heart but couldn’t be bothered to deal with this insignificant little girl. He only looked at Xie Wei and said: “Feint east, strike west; lure the tiger away from the mountain—it’s a good plan. Unfortunately, most of your intelligence and strategy were taught by me. Did you think you could deceive me with such small tricks? Do you really take this seat for a senile old fool?”

Xie Wei seemed to know his plan had failed. He gently released his grip and threw the knife he had been holding to the ground, assuming an attitude of submitting to punishment. Yet he said calmly: “If my injury hadn’t healed and my movements were slightly slower than usual, even if you could see through my stratagem, I’m afraid you wouldn’t have had time to react. By the time you brought people here, I would have long escaped. Strategy is certainly important, but timing also cannot be lacking. It depends entirely on how it’s used, when it’s used, and who uses it. This time I was one move behind in the game. However, if I didn’t make such an attempt, I wouldn’t be reconciled in my heart.”

These words were reasonable and logical.

To blink and become a prisoner, yet still have to serve him—how could this be something Xie Wei would do?

He had to try it before giving up, only then could he be obedient.

Hearing this, Wan Xiuzi was not angry. Instead he laughed heartily: “Now the Celestial Teaching is flourishing. Having you assist me again wouldn’t be wronging you! However, you’re also not some easy person to deal with—”

His face suddenly turned cold.

Though he had spoken politely just now, after tonight’s incident, he wouldn’t be lax in the slightest. He sternly rebuked those around him: “Someone come! Confine them in Lingxu Pavilion. Guard them day and night. If even a fly escapes, I’ll have your heads!”

“Yes!”

The followers had long been frightened into a cold sweat by tonight’s incident. Fortunately, at the critical moment, after hearing about the situation, the Sect Leader immediately saw through Xie Wei’s scheme, preventing the escape.

At this moment they had already tensed their nerves, fearing blame, and responded in trembling unison.

This time they had even less good will toward Xie Wei and Jiang Xuening.

Very quickly, they were escorted out of the side courtyard and locked in the second floor of a small building at the center of the manor.

Up, down, left, right, front, and back—the guards were impenetrable.

Jiang Xuening was pushed and shoved inside. Looking down from above, she couldn’t help but sigh in her heart: This time there really was no escape even with wings!

The room upstairs wasn’t large.

But compared to where she had been held before, it was somewhat more refined.

There was a table, chairs, a bed, a bathing tub, a screen…

The people who escorted them in harshly berated them for a few sentences before closing the door and withdrawing.

The door was once again heavily locked from outside.

Jiang Xuening didn’t take that scolding seriously at all. She only glanced at the room’s sole bed, and couldn’t help but silently greet Wan Xiuzi’s ancestors back eight generations again.

Xie Wei, however, was very composed.

The failure of that escape plan just now seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever.

The outer robe stained with blood was removed by him.

This revealed the waist bound tight with leather straps, the straight spine up to the nape of his neck. Compared to when wearing loose outer robes showing elegant detachment, he now displayed a bit more upright coldness.

Jiang Xuening finally had a chance to ask her question: “What exactly are you planning?”

Xie Wei said indifferently: “Wan Xiuzi has a suspicious temperament. If I behaved properly and caused no trouble, he would become suspicious instead.”

Jiang Xuening said: “But having dispelled his doubts, what then?”

Xie Wei glanced at her: “I have my own plan.”

Jiang Xuening: “…”

This person really hadn’t been beaten in his past life, had he?

She took a deep breath and simply didn’t ask further. In any case, when he needed to use her, Xie Ju’an wouldn’t fail to speak up. She only said: “Then… that cultivation thing, why is that?”

Xie Wei lowered his eyelids. Thinking of Wan Xiuzi, he slowly said: “To make him believe you’re extraordinarily important to me. However, people are always willing to believe what they already believe, but maintain doubt about things they cannot understand. If you firmly believe that everyone living in this world fears death, how could you believe someone would sacrifice their life to save another? Wan Xiuzi is precisely like this.”

He believed in profit, not righteousness.

He believed in desire, not emotion.

If one wanted to gain someone’s trust, naturally one should cater to what they believed.

Jiang Xuening finally understood. However, she vaguely felt something wasn’t quite right, but thinking it over carefully, she couldn’t pinpoint what exactly was wrong.

It was already late. After the earlier ordeal, it was even deeper into the night.

There was only one bed in the room.

Jiang Xuening had no choice but to share the bed with Xie Wei.

The two lay flat on the bed fully clothed, extremely close together, shoulder against shoulder, hand next to hand, heads each resting on one end of the pillow.

Inside the room was pitch black.

Neither moved chaotically, neither spoke.

Jiang Xuening could hear Xie Wei’s subtle, steady breathing. For a moment she actually felt it was very strange: something as intimate as sharing a bed seemed to mean nothing to them. After all, it wasn’t as if they hadn’t slept close together before, just not on a bed like this.

Having faced death twice, with everything said and revealed.

The rapids had returned to deep stillness; the vast sea stirred no waves.

For that brief moment, it even gave one an illusion of plain tranquility stretching far into the distance.

Jiang Xuening had thought that after experiencing such a bloody storm earlier, she would need a long time to calm down before falling asleep. Unexpectedly, after lying down, her heart was completely at peace, as if life and death weren’t such momentous matters after all.

She fell asleep quickly.

However, while sleeping soundly until midnight, in a daze, she was actually pushed awake by someone.

Jiang Xuening had almost forgotten she was currently imprisoned.

Opening her eyes drowsily, she only saw Xie Wei propping up half his body, sitting at her side, his hand still resting on her shoulder and arm.

Clearly, it was he who had pushed her awake.

She hadn’t slept enough yet. Having just woken, her head was simply a complete muddle. Somewhat annoyed, she complained in a sleepy, dream-like tone: “What are you doing now?”

Xie Wei asked: “Can you cry out?”

Jiang Xuening hadn’t reacted yet and instinctively said: “Cry out what?”

Xie Wei saw her eyelids heavy, about to close again. His thin lips pressed together. He simply didn’t bother explaining to her. His hand resting on her thin shoulder moved downward, and at her slender, soft waist, he squeezed with a bit of force.

The waist area is most sensitive.

A sensation both itchy and painful came from where Xie Wei squeezed. Jiang Xuening was pinched until she curled up, and a cat-like delicate moan with a trace of hazy nasal tone overflowed from deep in her throat, lazy and lingering.

His breathing stalled for a moment hearing it.

But at least now she had opened her eyes again.

Xie Wei glanced toward the tightly locked door, then turned back to gaze at her, repeating once more: “Can you cry out?”

If there was still confusion just now, in this instant, Jiang Xuening recalled the sound she involuntarily made when he pinched her, and hearing his meaningful question, she finally became completely and thoroughly frightened awake!

Cry out—

What kind of crying out did Xie Ju’an want from her?!