Since being interrogated by Xie Liufeng in the middle of the night, the black bird finally seemed to realize its life as a bird was utterly meaningless. It started lying in the cage in a depressive slump, refusing to leave even when the door was opened.

Chu Xinghui received his spirit sword again but didn’t ask much. He simply shook the cage every time he passed by.

Soon, the time came for the Songjian Secret Realm to open.

That morning, just as Xie Liufeng stepped outside, he saw someone peeking around outside the courtyard.

It was none other than Cheng Yu, Chu Xinghui’s recent strategic partner.

As a competent guardian, Xie Liufeng enthusiastically greeted the friend of his “child”: “Here to see our little Xinghui? Come in and make yourself comfortable — Xinghui went out to practice his sword and should be back soon.”

Cheng Yu walked in awkwardly and found a seat to sit on, clearly tense.

Although Xie Liufeng looked very friendly, Cheng Yu inexplicably felt nervous, as if he were being grilled on homework by a sect elder.

He cleared his throat and cautiously asked: “You are…?”

Xie Liufeng poured him a cup of water and casually lied: “I’m Chu Xinghui’s older brother.”

Cheng Yu hadn’t heard Chu Xinghui mention any “older brother,” but Xie Liufeng’s manner was so natural that Cheng Yu believed him for the time being.

Xie Liufeng chatted with him casually: “Oh right, where are you from, Cultivator Cheng?”

Cheng Yu stammered: “Me? I’m from Meishan.”

Xie Liufeng replied smoothly: “Meishan, eh? It’s a nice place. I visited there once while traveling.”

With a familiar topic at hand, Cheng Yu gradually relaxed and started talking about the sights and culture of his hometown.

…

By the time Chu Xinghui returned from sword practice, Cheng Yu had already spilled everything about himself.

He had no idea and happily greeted him: “Xinghui, you’re back. Your brother is quite a nice guy.”

Chu Xinghui paused, not quite following: “Brother?”

Xie Liufeng sat on the side, lazily sipping water. Hearing this, he looked up and gave an innocent smile.

He had merely gathered some basic information about his disciple’s friend—nothing bad.

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He didn’t need to ask to know Xie Liufeng must have made up something again to fool others.

Xie Liufeng tossed him a storage pouch: “You’re going to Wanchun Mountain, right? I packed it for you yesterday. Take it with you.”

Chu Xinghui took the pouch and, looking at Xie Liufeng, emphasized the title: “Brother, we’ll be leaving now, then?”

Xie Liufeng didn’t flinch at all and smiled warmly: “Go on, come back early.”

—

After Chu Xinghui left, Xie Liufeng couldn’t help but touch his ear.

Sounded pretty nice.

He’d have to coax him into saying it a few more times next time.

His disciple had already left. Xie Liufeng was just considering what entertainment would suit a lonely old man when he received a message talisman.

Shang Ling’s respectful voice came through: “Sword Master, you still have time, right? Could you lend a hand?”

Xie Liufeng still remembered how he had been spreading rumors of his death and didn’t bother listening to his nonsense. He asked directly: “What’s the matter?”

Shang Ling quickly explained: “It’s about Wanchun Mountain again. The secret realm is supposed to open today, but some unstable spiritual energy fields have appeared nearby. We need more people to investigate.”

Xie Liufeng confirmed: “The Songjian Secret Realm?”

Shang Ling nodded: “Yes, that’s the one.”

Xie Liufeng thought for a second and agreed without hesitation: “Wait for me, I’ll be there right away.”

Shang Ling had been preparing a whole persuasive speech to get this master to come down the mountain but was stunned silent: “…Why are you so cooperative this time?”

Xie Liufeng guessed: “Maybe because my disciple is there.”

Shang Ling: …

Enough already. Why did this old guy bring up his disciple every three sentences?

—

Wanchun Mountain was close to Wanling Valley. The two of them took less than half a day to arrive at the entrance of the secret realm.

There was a small town near the Songjian area. Because of the secret realm’s opening, many cultivators from far away had set up camp nearby, making the place quite lively.

As soon as they landed, Cheng Yu couldn’t help but exclaim: “So many familiar faces!”

Each sect had its specialties and frequently interacted. Although Cheng Yu didn’t like socializing much, he still recognized some of the well-known figures among his peers.

“Senior Brother Zhang Meng from Wanfa Sect, Junior Sister Xu Jing from the Artifact Sect…” He pointed them out one by one, then looked in another direction: “And over there—Qin Yuwen from the Lingxiang Sect, with his two junior disciples.”

Catching a familiar name, Chu Xinghui asked for confirmation: “What did you say his name was?”

Cheng Yu, confused, repeated: “Qin Yuwen.”

Chu Xinghui looked in that direction again.

A gentle, delicate-looking youth was speaking with his juniors. The three of them looked happy and harmonious.

He indeed looked like a kind, gentle person as the rumors claimed.

But Chu Xinghui still remembered the book’s contents. Although he had no current conflict with the guy, he instinctively didn’t want to get involved.

Cheng Yu kept chattering: “Oh right, I heard Ming Xiao from the Beiyue Sword Sect is coming too. I saw him once ages ago. He didn’t seem like someone with a good temper.”

More accurately, he was proud and arrogant, always looking down on others. Not really evil—just hard to get along with.

Just as he finished mumbling, a cough came from behind.

A group of cultivators from Beiyue Sword Sect had somehow passed by them without notice, now awkwardly looking away.

Leading the group was a showily dressed, handsome young man. He glanced at them and deliberately stomped past with a cold snort.

As soon as he left, Cheng Yu jumped up: “Oh no, did he hear what I said? He’s not going to ambush us in the secret realm, is he?”

Chu Xinghui instantly guessed who it was: “Ming Xiao?”

Cheng Yu looked miserable: “That’s him.”

Chu Xinghui watched the temperamental youth walk away and said seriously: “What’s done is done—”

Cheng Yu perked up, waiting for his wisdom.

Chu Xinghui’s eyes drifted to a nearby inn. He suggested: “Let’s eat first. We’ll apologize to Cultivator Ming if we run into him again later.”

After all, they’d likely be roughing it in the wilderness soon with no hot meals.

Cheng Yu slumped: “Okay, you’re right. Let’s eat first.”

—

They entered the inn, found a table by the window, and casually ordered some food.

Before the food arrived, the group from the Beiyue Sword Sect also came in.

Ming Xiao spotted them immediately. He whispered something to his companions, then swaggered over to their table and declared: “I like this spot. Would you two kindly move?”

Chu Xinghui glanced at him, said nothing, and calmly moved to another table with his things.

Cheng Yu, caught red-handed talking behind someone’s back, felt guilty and flustered: “Oh, this spot? Sure, we’ll move.”

The table cleared quickly.

Ming Xiao stood there, not looking the least bit pleased. In fact, he looked furious.

Cheng Yu politely asked: “Cultivator Ming, is there anything else?”

Ming Xiao paused and said: “I’m trying to pick a fight. Can you guys at least act unfriendly?”

Chu Xinghui nodded: “If you really need it, I can oblige.”

Cheng Yu comforted him: “I was the one talking behind your back. It’s normal for you to want to get even. Don’t feel bad. Actually, I should apologize.”

Ming Xiao nearly exploded again. Chu Xinghui suddenly pressed his arm and said: “Wait a second.”

Both Ming Xiao and Cheng Yu instinctively went silent.

Ming Xiao quickly realized he had actually obeyed a stranger he didn’t even like. He looked visibly conflicted.

Chu Xinghui had spotted a “familiar face.”

Qin Yuwen and his juniors were also in the inn, though a pillar had been blocking them. They only became visible when they came to the counter to pay and collect their packed meals.

Qin Yuwen turned slightly, and his gaze accidentally met Chu Xinghui’s.

Chu Xinghui felt a snake-like gaze on him and looked away first.

But Qin Yuwen said something to his companions and walked over.

Chu Xinghui frowned and met his gaze again.

Qin Yuwen smiled gently and greeted: “How should I address you, fellow cultivator?”

Chu Xinghui lied smoothly: “My surname is Xie.”

“Ah, Cultivator Xie,” he smiled and got straight to the point: “You seem quite strong. Are you interested in joining our Lingxiang Sect’s team? We never shortchange our people.”

Teams were usually formed ahead of time for such events. A large sect like Lingxiang definitely wouldn’t be short on members.

Chu Xinghui didn’t know what he was up to and politely declined: “Sorry, I’ve already teamed up with these two. I don’t intend to join another group.”

Qin Yuwen scanned him, then lowered his gaze and said regretfully: “That’s unfortunate… Still, I wish you all the best.”

He returned to his juniors. The girl among them glanced over and deliberately said loudly: “I don’t see what’s so special about him. Just some rogue cultivator. Turning down our senior brother—so ungrateful!”

Her black-robed brother frowned: “Lingxuan, mind your words.”

She immediately looked hurt and turned away from him.

Qin Yuwen gently said: “Zeqing, Lingxuan’s just young. I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm. Don’t be too strict with her.”

They chatted as they packed up and left the inn.

Chu Xinghui’s gaze briefly passed over the siblings before falling on Qin Yuwen’s back. He frowned slightly.

Something about that man felt…off.

Like there was an invisible layer separating him from everything around him.

Once they were gone, Ming Xiao couldn’t hold it in anymore and jabbed Chu Xinghui with his elbow: “Hey, what’s with you and that Qin guy? Got a grudge?”

Chu Xinghui shook his head: “Never met him before.”

Ming Xiao thought for a bit, then snapped: “Also—who said I was joining your team?”

He glared at Chu Xinghui, put on a stern expression, and said: “I know I’m very strong and everyone wants me. But at least—at least you should personally and sincerely invite me. Then I might consider it. Only might. Very low chance.”

Chu Xinghui wasn’t really listening. He casually responded: “Oh.”

Seeing Ming Xiao glaring, he finally explained: “Relax. That was just an excuse to turn them down. We weren’t actually inviting you.”

That made Ming Xiao even angrier. His fingers trembled as he pointed, then huffed and stormed off.

Chu Xinghui and Cheng Yu exchanged glances, both feeling helpless.

Couldn’t team up. Couldn’t not team up.

This Ming Cultivator really was impossible to handle.

 

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