Chapter 3: Already In The Jianghu

Chapter 3: Already in the Jianghu

Soon Zhao Changhe realized he had guessed wrong.

Lord Luo led the two into the main hall, dismissed the servants, and there sat a young man in brocade, quite handsome and refined. Lord Luo introduced him with a smile: “This is my son, Zhenwu.”

Luo Zhenwu bowed gracefully to Yue Hongling: “It is an honor to meet the Fairy Yue. I have long heard of your name; today I am truly blessed…”

Yue Hongling frowned. She disliked such empty formalities, especially when they revolved around her beauty. Hadn’t Zhao Changhe nearly retched from hearing it earlier? But such was the world, and she was too lazy to say more. She cut straight to the point: “I have received news—not entirely certain—that the Blood God Sect may attack your manor. The reason is unknown.”

Lord Luo was taken aback: “Uncertain news?”

“Yes… Some days ago, I was at Mount Beimang and overheard some demon cultists speaking carelessly. There were many of them, and it seemed their leader was present, so I could not capture anyone for details. In any case, I came specially to inform you, and I hope you will be on guard.”

“Mount Beimang? That’s nearly a thousand li from here…” Lord Luo stared at her in surprise, his expression somewhat peculiar.

Zhao Changhe sat to the side, pale and weak-lipped, listening and also taken aback.

For a piece of news whose truth was unknown, she had traveled a thousand li just to give a warning… And from the polite tone of their exchange, she and Lord Luo were not even well acquainted—perhaps they had met only once.

Zhao Changhe felt that if this girl were a burly, heroic man, it would fit better. A woman behaving like this was truly interesting. Did dreaming of such a person mean he liked this type? Or did it prove he was a homosexual…

Lord Luo pondered and said: “We have never had any dealings with the Blood God Sect. Fairy, you must be mistaken… However, since you have come a thousand li to deliver this message, our manor is deeply grateful. Please stay a few days, so we may fulfill our duties as hosts.”

Yue Hongling pointed at Zhao Changhe: “On my way here, I passed a village called Zhao Village. The villagers had been slaughtered. This young brother is the sole survivor. I rescued him just now—consider this a piece of evidence.”

Father and son Luo’s expressions shifted slightly: “Did you fight them, Fairy? Can you determine their origins?”

Yue Hongling shook her head: “They were only crude fighters, with no clear background. Most likely bandits under the Blood God Sect—the demon cult often gathers ruffians to plunder, something like that… As for why they would massacre a village and alert their prey, I haven’t figured that out either. Unfortunately, I was too eager to save lives and left no one alive to question.”

So this was how he was involved… Zhao Changhe recalled her muttering “Why alert the prey?” and it matched up.

In truth, his hatred for that throat-slitting enchantress was nothing compared to his hatred for these murderers. The fury at that moment, the surge of bloodlust to kill every last bastard—only those who had witnessed it could understand.

The Blood God Sect, huh… Zhao Changhe clenched his fists silently.

Lord Luo’s expression grew serious. After a moment’s thought, he said: “In that case, our manor should immediately go on alert and prepare for battle. Fairy, you have gone above and beyond by traveling a thousand li to warn us. It would be improper for us to keep you here and drag you into this conflict…”

Luo Zhenwu seemed about to speak, but his father shot him a glare.

Yue Hongling had come all this way to deliver the news, clearly meaning to help fight the demon cult. But Lord Luo’s attitude was strange… His words sounded polite, but in essence, he was sending her away without even offering a meal. How could she shamelessly insist on staying? She was a free-spirited wanderer, not someone who would grovel.

With that thought, she felt a flicker of irritation and said coldly: “I have fulfilled my duty to the jianghu. Since Lord Luo is confident, I will not meddle further. I take my leave. One more thing—I hope you will attend to it.”

Lord Luo cupped his hands: “Please speak, Fairy.”

Yue Hongling said: “Zhao Village is only a few dozen li from here. The bodies lie everywhere, a terrible sight. I hope you will send people to handle the aftermath and bury the villagers. That would be a great kindness.”

She then pulled Zhao Changhe forward: “This survivor is named Zhao Changhe. He is now alone and helpless. I hope, for my sake, you will take him in and give him shelter.”

Lord Luo smiled: “That is only right. From now on, this manor will be his home.”

Yue Hongling smiled too, patted Zhao Changhe on the shoulder, and said: “Farewell. I hope you will keep your innocence. When we meet again in the jianghu, you can still call me ‘Sister.’”

With that, she turned and left.

Zhao Changhe saw her to the door, watching fixedly as that red-clad figure strode toward her horse under the setting sun. The scene was truly beautiful.

He had just arrived in this strange place, everything was baffling, and he understood nothing. Naturally, he was dazed and taciturn, which made others see him as a “simple country boy.” But Zhao Changhe knew he was not like that. What he truly admired was the image of Yue Hongling.

That was the jianghu of his dreams, the heroine of his dreams.

Zhao Changhe watched her mount and ride away, feeling a pang of reluctance. He did not know how to converse with the Luo father and son, nor what they planned to do with him…

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly froze.

He clearly saw behind him, the Luo father and son standing outside the hall, their expressions cold and sinister as they stared in the direction Yue Hongling had gone.

She had come a thousand li to warn them, and they hadn’t even offered her a meal—and now this look on their faces?

Zhao Changhe inconspicuously stepped back a few paces, straining his ears to eavesdrop.

The blind man had said this “eye in the back” could slightly enhance his normal vision, but he found it also seemed to sharpen his hearing a little. The voices were clearer than before. The other two, not taking this “simple country boy” seriously, spoke freely among themselves. Though their voices were low, he could still make out the words:

“Father, why let her go? We could have kept her as a guest, maybe even…” Luo Zhenwu said in a low voice, making a fist gesture with a lecherous look.

“You idiot!” Lord Luo gritted his teeth. “Yue Hongling is at the eighth level of the Profound Barrier, ranked fifth on the Hidden Dragon List! I’m not even sure I could defeat her, and you dare scheme against her? If it fails and she escapes, do you know the consequences?”

“We could trick her into a secret chamber, use traps…”

“You know nothing! Did you notice that from the moment she entered, her hand never left her sword hilt, and her eyes and ears were constantly alert to every sound and movement? That’s the instinct of a seasoned wanderer! Would someone like that follow you into an unknown place?”

Luo Zhenwu: “…”

Lord Luo sighed in frustration: “Let me tell you, any woman who has made a name in the jianghu—the more beautiful she is, the harder she is to bully. Because more men have coveted her than you’ve ever known. She has weathered countless schemes and treacheries. The fact that she still roams the jianghu freely, rather than becoming someone’s plaything, is proof enough!”

Luo Zhenwu: “…”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

That made a lot of sense. Maybe when she had casually let him sit behind her, it was a deliberate test? Seeing him stay a few inches away, maybe even blushing, she thought he was an innocent boy…

But that’s just how straight men are…

Lord Luo continued coldly: “Right now, she only thinks we were rude and left in displeasure—that’s good. If she stayed longer and discovered that the people in Zhao Village were actually sent by you, we’d be in endless trouble!”

Zhao Changhe’s face changed instantly.

“It’s those villagers’ own fault for being ungrateful!” Luo Zhenwu said bitterly. “What’s so wrong with playing with one of their village girls? The whole village took up hoes to rebel—if we didn’t teach them a lesson, they’d think we were pushovers!”

Lord Luo didn’t respond to that, only said: “Luckily, Yue Hongling was too eager to save lives to investigate thoroughly. She thought it was demon cult bandits, which cleared us of any connection. That blame falls neatly on the Blood God Sect.”

Luo Zhenwu said: “In other words, the evidence she claimed of demon cult attacks doesn’t actually exist. Doesn’t that prove she was chasing shadows? We have nothing to do with the Blood God Sect at all.”

But Lord Luo seemed strangely hesitant. After a long pause, he said: “Better to believe it exists and be prepared. Strengthening our defenses won’t hurt. I’ll send a letter to the Demon Suppression Bureau in the capital, asking Chief Tang to send someone to assist.”

Luo Zhenwu didn’t quite understand but didn’t argue with his father. He finally glanced at Zhao Changhe’s back by the door and said: “That kid is still leaning against the door, seeing off his benefactor. He looks dazed. Should we…”

He made a cutting gesture: “Lest he discover something later and come seeking revenge.”

Lord Luo shook his head: “No. If one day Yue Hongling has a whim and comes to visit the boy she saved, and he’s gone, we won’t be able to explain. For her sake, we’ll take him in as an outer disciple and leave him be. After all, the men you sent to Zhao Village were all killed by Yue Hongling. No one else in the manor knows about it. How could he ever discover the truth?”

Luo Zhenwu muttered discontentedly: “Father, you’re too afraid of Yue Hongling. I haven’t even mentioned avenging my men she killed… Her Falling Sunset Manor is just a ninth-rate sect…”

Lord Luo sighed: “You are known because of the Luo family. She is the opposite—it is because of Yue Hongling that the world knows there is a Falling Sunset Manor. If you truly want her, perhaps you can scheme from her humble origins… But as for her personally, be honest.”

He ignored his son, whose eyes had suddenly lit up, and put on a genial smile as he walked over to Zhao Changhe, patting his shoulder warmly: “Standing here watching the door—do you miss your sister?”

Zhao Changhe took a deep breath, then turned around with a simple, honest smile: “Yes, Sister Yue is really beautiful.”

Lord Luo laughed heartily: “Study martial arts well. Your sister is waiting for you in the jianghu.”

What a warm, kind elder… But he didn’t notice that Zhao Changhe’s fists were clenched so tight the veins stood out.