Shen Yanchu and Ji Yanche spent a relatively peaceful time eating roasted fish by the river, but this tranquility was shattered abruptly. One day, just as the two were seated in the stone chamber enjoying their meal, Xie Huaizhou suddenly materialized at the cave entrance.
The gaze of Xie Huaizhou was as cold and piercing as the water of a freezing abyss, his line of sight locking squarely onto Shen Yanchu without deviation. The voice that issued from his mouth seemed to traverse the depths of the netherworld, devoid of any emotional fluctuation belonging to a mortal: “Shen Yanchu, the sect master has already issued a command for me to escort you back to the sect.”
Shen Yanchu was startled upon hearing this, his heart filled with extreme astonishment. He had never anticipated that people from the Taiyi Sect would be able to track him down to this location. Subconsciously, he turned his head to look at Ji Yanche beside him, an expression of disbelief shining in his eyes. Ji Yanche, however, remained as calm and tranquil as still water, showing not the slightest hint of surprise at the scene unfolding before them.
At this moment, Ji Yanche slowly rose from his seat, stepped forward without the slightest hesitation, and firmly blocked the path in front of Shen Yanchu. With a faint smile, he softly spoke, “Brother Huaizhou, why must you be in such a hasty rush?”
Xie Huaizhou’s gaze paused briefly on Ji Yanche for a moment before shifting away once more, landing back upon Shen Yanchu’s face with a tone that remained mercilessly cold: “Shen Yanchu, as a disciple of the Taiyi Sect, you dared to flee the sect without authorization. Such conduct constitutes a severe violation of our foundational precepts.”
Hearing these words, Shen Yanchu’s body trembled involuntarily. He knew full well that with his current strength, he stood no chance against Xie Huaizhou in a direct confrontation. Yet deep within, he felt an intense reluctance to be captured and hauled back to the sect like a lamb to the slaughter. Thus, he cast a hopeful gaze toward Ji Yanche, a silent plea for help shimmering within his eyes.
Faced with this situation, Ji Yanche merely let the corners of his mouth curve upward into a serene smile, making his true thoughts completely inscrutable. He slowly articulated, “Xie Huaizhou, Shen Yanchu is currently a distinguished guest at my residence. No matter what, I will never permit you to take him away by force.”
Xie Huaizhou let out a cold snort without offering further words, directly drawing the long sword at his waist and pointing it straight at Ji Yanche: “Then do not blame me for being discourteous.”
The moment the words fell, the two began exchanging blows right inside the stone chamber. Sword lights flashed and fierce energy surged outward, forcing Shen Yanchu into a corner where he could only watch the two clash helplessly. He sighed inwardly, acknowledging that as primary attack protagonists, their martial prowess and cultivation levels were indeed formidable.
Suddenly, Xie Huaizhou executed a pivot, reached out to grab Shen Yanchu, and dragged him directly to his side. Shen Yanchu felt a jolt of panic, but before he could react, he was already securely restrained.
“Ji Yanche, an even trade, quite fair,” Xie Huaizhou stated coldly, his gaze resolute, showing he had no intention of backing down.
A cold flash crossed Ji Yanche’s eyes. Knowing he could not afford to force a violent breakthrough, he turned and grabbed Su Rongyu instead: “Very well, we shall do as you say.”
Bound by the sect master’s orders and knowing Ji Yanche would not harm Su Rongyu, Xie Huaizhou ultimately agreed to the exchange. He departed the stone chamber with Shen Yanchu in tow, leaving Ji Yanche and Su Rongyu behind.
As Xie Huaizhou led him away, Shen Yanchu felt a mix of helplessness and regret. He glanced back at Ji Yanche, noticing that the latter was looking back at him as well, an expression carrying complex emotions hidden within his eyes.
Ji Yanchu, thank you for taking care of me during this time, Shen Yanchu thought to himself before being whisked away by Xie Huaizhou from the place where he had briefly lingered.
The moment they left Ji Yanche’s field of vision, Shen Yanchu’s expression instantly relaxed. He drew a deep breath, feeling as though he had finally shed some invisible burden. Stretching his limbs slightly, a crafty smile crept across the corners of his mouth. I have finally shaken off that terrifying fellow!
Noticing Shen Yanchu’s sudden transformation, Xie Huaizhou could not help frowning. This fellow had looked completely pitiful just moments ago; why did he change his expression so quickly? He could not resist complaining, “Shen Yanchu, are you devoid of any conscience? Ji Yanche treated you quite well these past few days.”
Shen Yanchu turned his head slightly, casting a mocking, sidelong glance filled with playful sarcasm toward Xie Huaizhou, before curling his lip and delivering a sharp retort: “Oh really? Could it be that your esteemed self is truly as cold-hearted as stone? Just to stand by and watch Su Rongyu stay behind all by himself? Who knows what kind of treatment that vicious dragon might subject him to! What if, tsk tsk tsk.”
Naturally, Xie Huaizhou did not miss the heavy sarcasm laced within Shen Yanchu’s words. In an instant, his previously composed face turned dark as a thundercloud, his anger spilling over completely. Letting out a cold huff and unwilling to waste any more breath on Shen Yanchu, he raised his right hand without a second thought and chanted a spell under his breath. With a flash of light, a silencing incantation took effect, tightly sealing Shen Yanchu’s lips with an invisible force so that not a single syllable could escape.
“Hmph, look at you now. When this mouth of yours is closed and stops chattering away, this face of yours is actually quite pleasing to the eye,” Xie Huaizhou stated indifferently and coldly, shifting his gaze back to Shen Yanchu’s flushed, angry face with an indifference akin to inspecting a worthless object.
Hearing this, Shen Yanchu widened his eyes in fury, his eyeballs practically popping out of his head. He desperately tried to open his mouth to fire back, but no matter how hard he tried, no sound emerged from his throat. Left with no alternative, he could only glare fiercely at Xie Huaizhou, mentally cursing every ancestor of his for eighteen generations: You scoundrel Xie Huaizhou, to actually resort to such a despicable trick to shut me up! Just you wait!
Ignoring Shen Yanchu’s glare, Xie Huaizhou continued leading him toward the Taiyi Sect. Although filled with burning resentment, Shen Yanchu knew he currently lacked the strength to contest Xie Huaizhou, so he could only endure it for the time being and wait for an opportune moment to escape.
Along the journey, Shen Yanchu continuously expressed his dissatisfaction through his eyes, while Xie Huaizhou maintained a completely cold demeanor, turning a blind eye to his visual onslaught.