Chapter 24: Great Upheaval (Part 3)

Xiao Lie had originally harbored great expectations for the arrival of Xiao Zong’s envoy. The son of the Patriarch, surely a figure akin to a celestial dragon or a divine beast. But upon seeing him, his hopes were utterly dashed. He failed to witness the commanding presence, grace, and cultivated refinement one would expect from a direct descendant of the main sect, nor the appropriate pride that accompanied it. What he saw instead was an arrogant disdain and a gaze that made one deeply uncomfortable, resembling all too clearly a spoiled brat raised in luxury and accustomed to a life of leisure. Yet, upon further reflection, he sighed in relief… for how could Xiao Zong, the head of such a minor sect, possibly deign to pay him any heed, let alone dispatch a true “important figure”? The title of “Patriarch’s son” was merely a superficial gesture to show respect for the departed Xiao Che.

“Father, I heard you and the Patriarch went to meet Xiao Zong’s people, and you’re back so soon?” Xiao Si Lixi arrived to deliver the meal, her eyes filled with curiosity. “Has Xiao Zong’s envoy arrived yet? What are they like? Do they have a presence that’s particularly intimidating?”

Xiao Lie’s thoughts were drawn to the elderly figure trailing Xiao Chuan Yun. He nodded. “Xiao Zong’s people, of course, are profound and inscrutable. But Lixi, for the past few days they’ve been here, avoid all contact with them. The young man leading them isn’t one to be trifled with. If you can steer clear, do so.”

“Ah?” Xiao Si Lixi blinked in confusion, then nodded gently. “I understand, Father. Truth be told, I’ve always felt a bit uneasy around them. After all, they’re from Xiao Zong’s sect—they must be incredibly, incredibly powerful.”

“Even if you’re curious, keep your distance.” Xiao Lie cautioned once more, inhaling deeply, his expression heavy with unspoken thoughts, and stepped into the courtyard.

“Father? You look troubled. Has something particularly significant happened?” Xiao Si Lixi, ever perceptive, noticed her father’s burdened demeanor and asked with growing concern.

Xiao Lie paused, then shook his head. After a moment, he added, “Nothing…” He hesitated, realizing that if he didn’t speak, this sensitive daughter of his might remain uneasy all day. So he spoke slowly: “When Xiao Zong’s people came, they brought a gift called the Tongxuan Dan. The elderly Xiao Chuan Yun said it has remarkable effects in repairing damaged meridian pathways. So…”

“Ah! It can repair damaged meridians? Really?” Before Xiao Lie finished speaking, Xiao Si Lixi erupted in excited exclamations, her small hands gripping the hem of her sleeve. Repairing Xiao Che’s meridians had always been her deepest wish. For years, she’d worked tirelessly with Xiao Lie to find every possible method. His words were like celestial music to her.

“Xiao Zong’s elixirs are no ordinary potions. They may truly yield extraordinary results.” Here, Xiao Lie’s expression darkened. “But the Tongxuan Dan’s primary function is to accelerate the rate of meridian repair within a certain timeframe. Now, the Patriarch and his associates regard this Tongxuan Dan as a treasure beyond all else. To have them use it on the utterly useless Chuan Er… well, that hope is as fleeting as mist.”

Xiao Si Lixi’s expression faltered. Xiao Lie’s words, like cold water, doused all her excitement. She bit her lip, resolutely declaring: “Regardless of the method, we must secure the Tongxuan Dan. Chuan Er isn’t useless! He’s the one who needs it most!”

“I’ll do everything in my power to obtain it,” Xiao Lie said, looking at his daughter’s determination, letting out a long, sorrowful sigh. Yet in his heart, he knew the chances of securing the Tongxuan Dan were as slim as they came—perhaps even impossible.

…………………………

Night fell.

“I met Xiao Zong’s Xiao Chuan Yun today.”

The flickering candlelight danced across the room as Xia Qingyue sat on the bed, speaking in a calm, measured tone.

“Oh… what was he like?” Xiao Che yawned, asking offhandedly, his expression indifferent.

“As his name implies.” Xia Qingyue’s brow furrowed slightly, her eyes flashing with a hint of disgust. Her master had told her that among Xiao Zong’s four sons, the other three were indeed formidable, but this fourth son was nothing but a fool. Yet he was the most favored by the Patriarch, perhaps because he was the youngest and the only legitimate son.

“That’s rather expected, isn’t it? Xiao Zong would send someone here, and it’s no surprise they’d be a scoundrel. But it doesn’t concern me much. At most, I’ll just play along tomorrow.” Xiao Che shrugged, then suddenly furrowed his brow, his expression growing serious. “Qingyue, did you see him? Did he see you too?”

“Yes… what of it?” Xia Qingyue averted her gaze.

Xiao Che touched his chin, then said, “You mentioned he’s a notorious scoundrel. Such scoundrels… ah, Qingyue, if I’m not mistaken, your master is near the Lingyun City area, isn’t she?”

“…How did you know?” Xia Qingyue’s face flickered with surprise.

Xiao Che didn’t explain. He spoke earnestly: “Since that’s the case, find a way to contact your master. Have her come here tomorrow…” After a moment, his expression lightened again. “Since your master is nearby, there shouldn’t be any real trouble. Get some sleep.”

Xia Qingyue raised her slender eyebrow, thought carefully, and upon recalling the afternoon’s gaze from Xiao Chuan Yun, finally understood Xiao Che’s meaning. Her expression shifted to one of shock, and instinctively, she clutched a jade-like pendant at her waist.

Looking at Xiao Che arranging a blanket in the corner, her eyes flickered with unease, her lips trembling before she finally spoke: “To bed with you.”

“What?” Xiao Che turned, his eyes widening. “Qingyue, what did you say?”

Xiao Qingyue turned her face away, her voice cold and sharp: “Never mind! I didn’t hear anything!”

“Liar! How could I not hear it?” Xiao Che quickly nodded, tossing the blanket aside, and sprinted to the bed, smiling cheerfully at Xia Qingyue: “My dear wife, should I sleep inside or outside tonight?”

“…” Xia Qingyue said nothing, waved her hand, and extinguished all the red candles in an instant. The room plunged into darkness, and she let out a quiet breath of relief. She pushed Xiao Che inside, pulled the blanket over them both, and lay on her side, back to him. Her voice was icy: “Don’t think too much. I just wanted it convenient for you to massage my body at three AM. No improper conduct, understand? Otherwise, you won’t sleep in this bed again!”

“Understood, my dear wife!” Xiao Che pulled the blanket over, inhaled the lingering scent of the young woman, and said sweetly.

Over the past day, Xiao Che had called her “wife” dozens of times. From initial irritation, it had now become second nature, and somehow, she felt an indescribable sense of being his wife. This subtle shift made her heart flutter, leaving her confused. She closed her eyes, forcing herself not to dwell on these chaotic emotions, and soon drifted into peaceful sleep.

Time slipped unnoticed into the pre-dawn hours, the darkest moment before dawn. The entire Xiao sect remained silent, only the occasional buzz of mosquitoes breaking the stillness.

In the darkness, a faint creak came from Xiao Si Lixi’s courtyard. The tightly closed door slowly opened with the sound, and a tiny black shadow cautiously peeked out. After checking the surroundings, it quickly darted away.

Before the shadow could step beyond the courtyard, a tall gray figure descended from the sky, landing before it. A girl’s startled cry echoed, followed by a hushed, urgent voice: “Lixi, where are you going at this hour?”

“Ah! Old… Father!” The small figure jumped, pulling down the veil over its face, revealing a delicate, beautiful young woman—Xiao Si Lixi. Seeing Xiao Lie appear before her, she stumbled, her voice stammering: “I… I… I…”

“Sigh…” Xiao Lie exhaled longingly, whispering, “Lixi, you’re here to steal the Tongxuan Dan, aren’t you?”

“I… I…” Xiao Si Lixi lowered her head, her voice a mumble.

“You’re my biological daughter. What’s on your mind, I already know.” Xiao Che stepped forward, patting her shoulder gently: “In the afternoon, when you left me, I sensed something off in your eyes. I couldn’t bring myself to let you go unguarded… so it’s true—you’ve come to steal the Tongxuan Dan. Lixi, you’re such a troublemaker. Do you know how dangerous this is? That Tongxuan Dan isn’t just any ordinary item—it’s a gift from Xiao Zong. If your actions are discovered, you’d be putting your life in grave danger. The four sons of Xiao Zong would deal with you harshly. Not to mention me, no one in the Lingyun City could save you.”

Xiao Si Lixi bowed her head, biting her lip: “I… I know all this. But… but… Chuan Er is so pitiable. He’s so kind, yet everyone mocks him, looks down on him, treats him as useless. If he could repair his meridians, he wouldn’t be laughed at, wouldn’t be worse than anyone else…”

Xiao Lie’s jaw tightened, his expression pained.

“I often wonder why it was Chuan Er whose meridians were damaged, not me. This world is so unfair to him… Father, do you know? Whenever I see Chuan Er being mocked and pretending to be unconcerned, trying to comfort me, my heart aches so much. If only his meridians could be repaired, I’d steal it… I’d face death’s punishment, but I’d do it a hundred times over.”

As she spoke, tears welled in her eyes, her hands covering her face as she sobbed.

Xiao Lie’s face contorted with anguish, looking at his weeping daughter, his heart aching. He whispered soothingly: “Lixi, I know you’re doing this for Chuan Er. But doing this without considering the consequences… the box of Tongxuan Dan that Xiao Yunhai took with him hasn’t been handed over to anyone. With your skills, you couldn’t have stolen it from Xiao Yunhai. Listen to me, go back to bed. The matter of the Tongxuan Dan, I’ll try my best. Though these years I’ve gained nothing, within the Xiao sect, I still have some influence. Securing the Tongxuan Dan isn’t entirely hopeless. These foolish acts, don’t repeat them. If you truly get into trouble… who will care for and protect Chuan Er?”

Xiao Lie’s final words struck Xiao Si Lixi’s soft heart like a gentle blow, making her suddenly fearful… for if she failed and was caught, what would happen to Chuan Er?

“I… I understand.” Xiao Si Lixi removed her black robe, threw it aside, wiped away her tears, and said with a guilty expression: “Father, I’m sorry. I’ve been foolish again, causing you worry. I’ll go to bed now, I promise I won’t steal the Tongxuan Dan again. You should rest too.”

“Very well.” Xiao Lie nodded, offering a gentle smile. But as he left, he still bent down to pick up the discarded black robe.

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