What's going on?
Xu Xiaoshou had never experienced this before. His vision was so blurred by his twitching eyelids that he could barely see anything. He had felt this on a whim once before. Why this sudden, unexplained eyelid twitching?
"Xu Shao?"
Liu Changqing walked in from the doorway and saw Xu Shao lost in thought, so he called out softly.
Xu Xiaoshou looked up, and for some reason, his mood soured even more. Was it because of the two people Liu Changqing had brought? A blind man? And a girl in purple robes? Others might find this pair unfamiliar, but as soon as Xu Xiaoshou heard "blind man," he thought of only one person—Lei Shuangxing. The girl with Lei Shuangxing must be Luo Leilei. These two coming to see him probably meant there was some message from the Shengnu side. But they should know that the Yunjing world was under surveillance, so they couldn't expose themselves directly. The fact that they had made it this far without being discovered meant there was no issue with them. So, the problem might arise in his upcoming interaction with them?
"Will something bad happen?"
Xu Xiaoshou furrowed his brows. He couldn't see the future, but at that moment, he suddenly thought of his junior sister. This eyelid twitching wasn't necessarily because of the two people Liu Changqing brought. At that time, his junior sister had also run out of the camp...
"Xiao Qing!" No matter what, Xu Xiaoshou turned to Liu Changqing first.
"What are your orders, Xu Shao?" Liu Changqing replied dutifully.
"Follow her. No matter what happens, don't let her get hurt at all. If anything goes wrong, notify me immediately." Xu Xiaoshou nodded toward him, signaling Liu Changqing to protect Mu Zixi secretly.
Liu Changqing was taken aback, though a bit confused, he still nodded.
"Understood."
In this area, the Xu Bang's reputation was already established, so Mu Zixi was unlikely to encounter any danger. Even if she ran off to play far away, with her own strength, she should be able to escape if she couldn't win a fight. What Xu Xiaoshou feared most was her running into Touduzhe. But with Liu Changqing protecting her, those Touduzhe probably wouldn't cause any trouble.
"Oh, and on your way, bring those two in!" As Liu Changqing neared the doorway, Xu Xiaoshou added.
"Yes!"
Outside the camp, the Xu Bang members were still holding their victory celebration banquet. Unknown but edible spirit beasts were roasting over various bonfires, their meaty aroma wafting everywhere and covering the entire mountain.
From the moment Lei Shuangxing and Luo Leilei stepped into this territory, they had felt numerous unfriendly gazes. These people looked at them like they were fat sheep just waiting to be fleeced. It made sense, though—based on the reputation Xu Bang had built recently, anyone they encountered in the trials usually had only two options: get eliminated outright or get plundered of their points and then eliminated after three strikes. People like them, who directly entered the enemy's formation and asked to see Xu Shao, were rare, though not unheard of.
The Xu Bang members knew their limits. These visitors weren't here to cause trouble; they were probably connected to the Beiyu Taixiang Xu family in the outside world and seeking protection. So, everyone just cast greedy glances and whispered among themselves, never stopping their feasting.
"It's been so long since I've seen such a peaceful scene..."
Under the moonlight, Luo Leilei looked around, feeling a bit envious. Not just in the Yunlun Mountains, but even in the outside world, she hadn't experienced this carefree time of eating and drinking heartily in ages. Ever since leaving Tiansang Linggong, she had been on missions nonstop. Every day was spent rushing around delivering intelligence or cultivating, cultivating, and more cultivating. In Shengnu, the younger generation was small, but every member was an elite. Fall behind for even a moment, and you'd be left in the dust.
Just like Lei Shuangxing...
In such a short time, he had already become the Jiandao Wangzuo.
After her sigh, silence lingered beside her. Luo Leilei turned to look and saw Lei Shuangxing in a daze, an expression she had never seen before. This was rare! She knew how Lei Shuangxing was driven by his deep-seated grudge, cultivating relentlessly day and night. When was the last time she had seen him so lost in thought? Uh, maybe never?
"What are you listening to?" Luo Leilei gently bumped his arm.
Lei Shuangxing kept his eyes closed, just twitching his ear and tilting his head slightly, saying softly, "Nothing, just listening to the footsteps."
"Footsteps?" Luo Leilei was surprised. There wasn't much foot traffic here; everyone was busy eating meat, celebrating, and singing loudly. Even if someone was grabbing food, they mostly flew. If he wanted to listen to something, the off-key songs or jeers would make more sense. But footsteps?
"What footsteps?"
No sooner had Luo Leilei asked than a young girl burst out from the camp nearby, cursing and stomping her feet as she ran outward.
As she left, she kept muttering:
"Smelly Xu Shao, wicked Xu Shao, can't even fulfill such a small request and wants to imprison me?"
"Hmph, I curse you to never find a girl, never in your life!"
"Vile, shameless, despicable..."
Luo Leilei was stunned by what she heard. She didn't recognize this unfamiliar girl, but the Xiao Qing who had received them was heading into the camp to see Xu Shao. So, had Xu Xiaoshou changed this much in such a short time? Vile and shameless? Despicable?
Just then, Luo Leilei noticed that although Lei Shuangxing wasn't looking, his head was turned in the direction the girl had run, following her path. Footsteps... Luo Leilei recalled his earlier answer and raised an eyebrow. "Do you know her?"
Lei Shuangxing shook his head slightly, and only after the familiar voice in his ear faded away did he smile faintly and say, "Such lively footsteps, don't you think?"
Luo Leilei was shocked. Staring at the curve of Lei Shuangxing's lips, she was completely baffled. Brother Shuangxing... He smiled? This was huge! If there weren't outsiders around, she'd have pulled out a recording pearl to capture this smile as an image. You know, the storytelling seniors had tried every trick in the book for over a decade and never once made him smile. And now, just by hearing this girl's footsteps in Xu Shao's camp, Brother Shuangxing smiled?!
"You..."
Luo Leilei hesitated, her words catching in her throat, her feelings mixed. She wanted to say, if you actually like her, I could help you chase after her and keep her here. After all, she'd never seen him like this before. But from his tone, it didn't sound like romantic interest... Besides, how could he know her? She herself had never seen the girl. That sense of warmth in his voice—upon second thought, it was more like... affection? The kind a senior has for a junior, or a brother for a sister—caring and indulgent!
"Want me to stop her so you two can meet?"
Though her emotions were complicated, Luo Leilei didn't pry. She just knew this suggestion might mean a lot to Brother Shuangxing.
Lei Shuangxing paused noticeably, as if seriously considering the idea. But in an instant, he regained his aloof expression and shook his head gently. "No need. If we're fated to meet, the time isn't right yet. Hearing her from afar is enough."
Luo Leilei was even more convinced that the girl who had just left was no ordinary person. She started wondering if Xu Xiaoshou had someone new by his side that even Brother Shuangxing knew.
The sound of footsteps—"tap tap"—interrupted their thoughts.
Liu Changqing approached with a smile, gesturing invitingly.
"You two, Xu Shao requests your presence."
Inside the camp, Xin Gugu curiously sized up the man and woman before him. Just as he couldn't recognize his own past disguise as the blood-soaked Minotaur on the Lijian Grassland in Baiku, nearly killing Lei Shuangxing, the latter couldn't identify the disguised Xin Gugu either.
Xiao Wanfeng had been called in to serve as the dutiful tea pourer, handing out tea to the hosts and guests.
Xu Xiaoshou, aware of their identities, swept his gaze over their unfamiliar faces with a hint of amusement, finally settling on Lei Shuangxing.
"You're quite handsome."
If your face wasn't scarred, that is... He kept the second part to himself. Xu Xiaoshou remembered Lei Shuangxing's previous disfigured, unrecognizable face, but he hadn't expected him to look so refined after disguising himself.
"Go on, what brings you two to see me? I don't think I know you."
Luo Leilei picked up the thread, saying with a touch of flattery, "Xu Shao, you have such a good memory—three years ago at the Xu family gathering, my brother and I actually met you once. Oh, right..."
She suddenly stood up and introduced herself solemnly, "From Beiyu, Tianluo Zhang family. I'm Zhang Xingxing, and this is my brother, Zhang Xingchen."
"Zhang Xingxing and Zhang Xingchen?"
Xu Xiaoshou tilted his head, racking his brain but coming up blank. He took a sip of tea and chuckled, "After Xu Bang's reputation grew, I've met quite a few people like your Zhang family..."
As he spoke, Xu Xiaoshou leaned back, crossed his legs, and scanned them up and down, his eyes finally landing on the empty table.
"Wanfeng, what do you think of the setup in Xu Bang's main tent? It's so plain without any decorations—it feels too dreary!"
Xiao Wanfeng was startled. Wasn't it you who said to keep it simple and not overdo it? Why are you complaining now?
Before he could respond, Luo Leilei was already inwardly praising Xu Xiaoshou's astuteness. Their visit from Shengnu was risky, and they couldn't just join Xu Bang—it would hinder their operations. So, Xu Xiaoshou had instantly guessed their intent: to deliver something!
Luo Leilei had been worrying about how to steer the conversation and hand over the item under Rao Jianxian's watch. But Xu Xiaoshou had taken the lead, bringing the topic right out in the open so naturally.
After a brief hesitation, Luo Leilei stood up with a bright smile and solemnly presented a ring. "Xu Shao, this is a gift from the Tianluo Zhang family. It's nothing extravagant, but we congratulate you on your excellent results in the Yunlun Mountains trials and wish you success in claiming the championship."
Xiao Wanfeng glanced over, seeking approval from Xu Shao. He'd seen plenty of people coming to offer gifts since Xu Shao became a Sipin Lian Dan Wangzuo, but Xu Shao rarely accepted them, usually just sending people away. This time, though, he received a retreating glance from Xu Shao. Xiao Wanfeng, still holding the tea tray, didn't overthink it and stepped back without taking the ring or chasing them off.
"Gifts, huh?"
Xu Xiaoshou drew out the word but didn't take the ring right away. He stared at Luo Leilei with a smile and said, "No one visits without a reason. So, what is it you two want from me?"
Luo Leilei, seeing he wasn't taking it, placed the ring on the table and pushed it toward him, replying with a grin, "It's a bit embarrassing, but my brother and I are in the Wangcheng trials, and we haven't accumulated many points. Without your help, it's tough to make it into the top thirty-six, so..."
"So, you want to join Xu Bang to earn points?" Xu Xiaoshou interrupted.
Luo Leilei paused. What was this about? I just wanted you to assist us in the final trials—joining Xu Bang wasn't the plan at all! But since Xu Xiaoshou had said it, she went along with it, laughing, "If possible, it would be our greatest honor."
Xu Xiaoshou's face suddenly darkened, and he sneered, "The Tianluo Zhang family?"
"I remember now—from the family gathering, my cousin Xu Xin Xiong was the one your brother beat up, right?" He fixed a cold stare on Lei Shuangxing and said slowly, word by word, "Zhang—Xing—Chen!"
Lei Shuangxing: ???
Luo Leilei: ???
This twist caught them both off guard.
Xu Xiaoshou laughed coldly. "You can join Xu Bang, but I don't need you to kneel. Just have your brother Zhang Xingchen apologize to my cousin Xu Xin Xiong right now, in front of all the Xu Bang members."
Apologize?
Lei Shuangxing was baffled. This conversation hadn't involved him at all; he was just here as backup for protection. How had Xu Xiaoshou steered it his way? But on second thought, the guy was basically kicking them out...
Lei Shuangxing remained unfazed.
Xu Xiaoshou slammed the table, pointing at this unresponsive person, and raged, "Tianluo Zhang family! You didn't even apologize for what happened before, and now you want help from Xu Bang? Zhang Xingchen, you're dreaming!"
Xiao Wanfeng was shocked. How had things escalated like this? Should he still be pouring tea?
Xin Gugu was so engrossed in the drama that he was stunned. If he didn't know there was no Taixiang Xu family in Beiyu, he might have believed Xu Xiaoshou's act completely. This was insane!
Luo Leilei grabbed Lei Shuangxing's arm and whispered urgently, "Brother, just say it. It's just one sentence—what's the harm? Father sent you here to Dongyu; this is a great opportunity..."
"I'll give you three breaths to think!" Xu Xiaoshou interrupted, his face furious.
"Three!"
Lei Shuangxing didn't budge.
"Two!"
Luo Leilei kept pleading.
"One!"
Xu Xiaoshou counted down.
Lei Shuangxing stood up calmly and said flatly, "Keep the item. Let's go home." With that, he turned and left.
"Hey!" Luo Leilei was torn, wanting to stop Lei Shuangxing and grab the ring, but she couldn't decide.
Xu Xiaoshou waved his hand, and the ring flew into his sleeve. He smiled at Luo Leilei and shrugged. "The Tianluo Zhang family? Come back when your brother comes to his senses!"
As for the ring... Well, it was a peace offering from an enemy—why give it back over a word?
Luo Leilei, too preoccupied with the ring, rushed after Lei Shuangxing and grabbed his robe, but couldn't hold him back. She kept urging, "Brother, this is Xu Bang's camp. Just say something! What if Xu Shao loses his temper and has us killed?"
Xu Xiaoshou, watching from behind, found it amusing.
"Reverse psychology?"
"Think I wouldn't dare touch you?"
The commotion inside the camp had clearly reached the Xu Bang members outside. When Lei Shuangxing and Luo Leilei stepped out, they were surrounded by a dense crowd.
Xu Xiaoshou flashed into the air above.
Lei Shuangxing and Luo Leilei were trapped and stopped in their tracks.
The Xu Bang members looked up, waiting for their leader's command.
Xu Xiaoshou raised his hand, about to order their capture, but suddenly froze, his brows furrowing as if he'd thought of something.
This pause led the nearby Xu Bang members to recall how Zhang Xingchen had gotten away after the fight at the Bansheng gathering.
Xu Xiaoshou sighed in the air, then raised two fingers and gestured lightly. "Let them go!"
"Xu Shao is so magnanimous!"
Luo Leilei praised him inwardly and quickly pulled her "brother's" robe, scolding him softly while hurrying away from the Xu Bang camp.
"Received admiration, Passive Value, 2."
3744 · 0 · 8
