At the mention of Zonghe, Xiao Yue’Er’s tone clearly changed.
“I’ll go with you!”
“No—”
The word had barely left her lips before Shuidong Liu took her hand.
“Our marriage agreement may not be official yet, but since we both feel the same way, we must face the future together and support one another,” Shuidong Liu said softly.
“Come, I’ll go with you!”
Xiao Yue’Er gazed at Shuidong Liu.
If her initial impulse to give him a token of affection was mainly because he had helped her break through to a new realm, then the words he’d said after killing the Musician who slandered her had truly moved her heart.
Now, as she looked at him, there was a light in her eyes, and that light took the shape of Shuidong Liu.
Meanwhile, ten miles away from Duke Zhen’s Mansion, an old man was kneeling.
“I told you not to interfere.
It seems you didn’t listen!”
“Young Master, I…
I know you want the Xiao Family’s Earth-level Technique.
But Shuidong Liu is already formidable.
We absolutely cannot let him learn the Xiao Family’s cultivation techniques.”
“If I want it, I have my own ways of getting it!” the young man said angrily.
“As for Shuidong Liu, so what if he learns it?”
“Do you think the Xiao Family’s Martial Arts could possibly surpass the Celestial Level?”
“Look at the mess you’ve made!
If they find out…
That agent was planted for so many years…
I could just kill you!”
The young man gritted his teeth, not bothering to hide his murderous intent.
‘What’s the use of a disobedient subordinate?’
“Young Master, I…” The old man kept his head lowered.
“This is your final warning.
If you dare to act on your own again, you can just end yourself,” the young man said coldly.
“Even a dog I raise would be more obedient than you!”
The old man didn’t dare to speak again.
He felt a chilling, sinister energy envelop him.
‘The Young Master really wants to kill me!’
“Get out!”
“Yes!” The old man scrambled to his feet and leaped out the window.
“Idiot!
Utter idiot!” The young man slammed his palm down, shattering the chair.
“Young Master!” A voice called out as the door was gently pushed open.
“You…
follow him secretly.
If he dares to act on his own again, kill him immediately!”
“Yes!”
“In this world, I will not allow anyone to ruin my plans!” The young man’s face was dark and cold.
Clutching an Earth-level Technique in one hand, he vanished from the room in an instant.
「The next day.」
News of the incident at the Xiao Mansion’s Cultivation Technique Pavilion spread through Celestial Fragrance City in a flash.
“Someone dared to attack the Duke’s Mansion?
Who has the gall?”
“Was it aimed at Master Shui?
Does he really have some great secret?”
“It’s so strange.
Why hasn’t the Duke’s Mansion made a big move?
I heard three experts died!”
In the teahouses and by the street stalls, everyone was discussing it.
Walking by with Huang Yi, Huang Wenlong frowned.
“Something happened at the Xiao Mansion?”
“Young Master, this…
They seem to be saying the Cultivation Technique Pavilion was attacked and three people died!”
“Quick, let’s go!”
Huang Wenlong’s expression changed, and he picked up his pace.
When the two of them arrived at the site of the Xiao Mansion’s Cultivation Technique Pavilion, they were stunned by the sight of the charred ruins.
“Who did this?”
“We don’t know.
The Second Miss and her fiancé are still investigating.”
Huang Wenlong said angrily, “How audacious!
To attack the Duke’s Mansion itself.
What do they hope to achieve by destroying the Cultivation Technique Pavilion?”
Huang Yi said in a low voice, “Young Master, it seems a lot more has been happening in Celestial Fragrance City these past few days.
And it all seems to be related to Master Shui!”
Huang Wenlong shot him a glare.
“If you don’t have anything smart to say, then don’t say anything at all!”
“Yes!”
Huang Wenlong thought for a moment.
“Go back to the mansion and inform my father.
Have him send a team over.
Don’t make a scene about this.
Since they’re so focused on targeting the Duke’s Mansion and Dongliu, our men can lie in wait.
We might be able to catch them by surprise!”
“Yes!”
Huang Yi departed quickly.
“Any luck?”
Huang Wenlong found Xiao Yue’Er and Shuidong Liu.
Shuidong Liu shook his head.
“We haven’t found anything.
There was nothing wrong with the guards at the Cultivation Technique Pavilion.
So who killed those three is a mystery for now.”
“We’ll just have to wait for them to reveal themselves.”
For the first time, Xiao Yue’Er realized that even as a master of the Magic Realm—able to fly through the sky, burrow through the earth, and manifest her spirit—she wasn’t omnipotent!
Huang Wenlong said in a low voice, “I had Huang Yi go back and call for a team.
They’ll hide in the shadows.”
Xiao Yue’Er nodded.
“Thank you!”
“We’re all family, no need to be formal!” Huang Wenlong said.
“Dongliu, I brought you some cultivation techniques.
Take a look!”
“There are even two Earth-level Techniques here.”
Shuidong Liu now knew that across the ninety-nine cities of Dongling, besides Duke Zhen’s Mansion, likely only the Dongling Mansion itself possessed a few such techniques.
Yet Huang Wenlong had just brought out two of them.
He was truly generous.
How could Shuidong Liu not be moved by such a person?
As Shuidong Liu was thanking him, Xiao Yue’Er said, “Perfect timing.
Let’s go to my sister’s place.”
“Is that…
a good idea?” Huang Wenlong seemed a little worried.
Xiao Yue’Er smiled.
“What are you so nervous about?
My sister is a recluse, but it’s not like she’s going to eat you!”
“It’s just that she likes her peace and quiet.
We’ll be disturbing her if we go over!”
“I’m taking the Master over to practice his techniques.
Even though the Cultivation Technique Pavilion is gone, there are backups of everything on Canglan Island.” As she spoke, Xiao Yue’Er started leading Shuidong Liu away.
As expected, Huang Wenlong followed them.
Canglan Island was the largest of the Three Islands.
The trees were dense.
After disembarking and following a small forest path, the air became filled with the fragrance of flowers that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Shuidong Liu was amazed.
There were countless varieties of flowers here.
A woman in a white dress was carrying a small bucket and holding a ladle.
She was bent over, gently and softly watering the flowers.
It was as if she feared even the weight of the water might break the delicate plants.
Sunlight fell upon her, casting a hazy glow that made her look like a goddess in the mist.
Her exquisite figure was a breathtaking sight.
“Sister!”
Only then did Xiao Xiang’Er look up, her gaze lively.
“Yue’Er, what are you doing here?”
Her voice was cool and detached, far from enthusiastic, as if she were merely looking at an acquaintance.
She was even colder toward Huang Wenlong and Shuidong Liu, not even offering a greeting.
“First Miss!” Huang Wenlong took the initiative to greet her.
Xiao Xiang’Er straightened up and gave a slight nod.
She was the same height as Xiao Yue’Er, but her curves were more voluptuous.
“Shuidong Liu pays his respects to the First Miss!”
Xiao Xiang’Er merely nodded again.
“Do you need something from me?”
“The Cultivation Technique Pavilion was destroyed last night, so the Master is here to train…
Don’t worry, he won’t bother you,” Xiao Yue’Er said softly, taking her sister’s hand.
Xiao Xiang’Er gave Shuidong Liu a deep, scrutinizing look before nodding.
“Do not damage any of the flowers or plants on the island!”
“Okay!”
“Whatever you do, don’t disturb me!”
“Okay!”
Shuidong Liu nodded, finally understanding what Xiao Liang had told him before, and why Huang Wenlong had been reluctant to come over.
‘This First Miss is too aloof.
She doesn’t even have a Maid on the island!’
“Why don’t you two chat for a bit?
I’ll take the Master over first!”
With Xiao Xiang’Er’s approval, Shuidong Liu was finally able to go to the place where the cultivation techniques were kept.
“It’s been many days.
The First Miss’s beauty surpasses what it was before,” Huang Wenlong said with a warm smile.
Xiao Xiang’Er only gave a faint nod.
“I won’t entertain you.
See yourself out in a bit.”
After saying that, she went back to tending her precious flowers and plants.
Even though he knew this was his fiancée’s personality, Huang Wenlong still felt a little awkward.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yue’Er was still instructing Shuidong Liu, “That’s just how my sister is.
To put it nicely, she’s a recluse, but really, she’s just antisocial.
Don’t go near her unless you have to.
She’ll act like you don’t exist, and you can do the same to her!”
“Alright.”
The Underground Palace opened.
Descending the stone steps, rows upon rows of books came into view.
“Take your time looking through them.
I won’t disturb you.
If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can come out and ask me!”
Shuidong Liu nodded.
“I won’t look just yet.
I’m going to go out and teach the Wenlong Swordsmanship first, then I’ll be back!”