“His beloved is arriving soon. We need to be prepared,” Li Xiang said. She led the way to a simple, clean house at the edge of town. Although nothing stood out about it except its cleanliness, it stood out anyways. As for why…

Hui swallowed, not daring to glance at the glamorous manors squeezing in as close to the humble house as possible. Glittering gold, spotless red paint, jade décor and all manner of gildings, carvings, decorations, gardens, and so on cluttered the scene. Isn’t this a bit much, Seniors? Could it be… has everyone here idolized Li Xiang, the same as back in the sect?

Er, this small cultivator had better watch his back…

Ying Lin glanced at the manors, then frowned at Li Xiang’s house. “Sect-Aunt, isn’t your house a bit plain for the surroundings?”

Ah! She said it! She said it out loud! Ying Lin, why? Hui screamed silently, in despair.

Li Xiang turned, taking it in. With a deadpan look, she shrugged nonchalantly. “My house came first.”

Li Xiang, do you not notice how odd it is? Maybe it’s normal for her, but surely, surely—! Hui took a deep breath and rubbed his face. Ah well. In the end, it’s the fools who live in these manors who look the strangest, not Li Xiang, so it’s all well.

Li Xiang led the way into her house. Before they entered, Ying Lin stopped in Hui’s way. He looked at her, startled, and found her frowning at him.

She leaned in close and whispered, “Master, aren’t you in love with Li Xiang?”

“In love—such a thing. I’m… merely one of many admirers,” Hui said, waving his hand dismissively.

“Hmm… if that’s so, why has it only been business since you arrived? Shouldn’t you desperately go running to her side, clasp her hand, and promise to never let go?” Ying Lin asked.

Hui waved his hand harder. “Ying Lin, you’ve been watching too many movies—ahem, reading too many romance novel—ahem, influenced by those old wives’ tales too much! Romance, romance, how could I bother Li Xiang with romance at this time? She’s busy, and we’re both trying to revive the sect in our own way. Romance would only be distraction. Rather than talk about love, let’s clear this scenario. Once Chen Xigui’s dealt with, then we can figure out love.”

Ying Lin frowned. “But isn’t Li Xiang righteous and upright? A paragon of justice? If there isn’t a scenario, won’t she find one quickly? If you wait, you’ll never bring it up.”

“Ah, if it’s so, then that’s merely fate,” Hui said, nodding wisely.

“Or… could it be? Is Master… afraid to bring it up?” Ying Lin asked, her eyes curling up as she smiled.

Hui swatted the top of her head lightly. “Don’t be ridiculous. Of all things, that, that—”

“Hmm? Master, you’re blushing,” Ying Lin said.

Hui rushed past her, hiding his face with a sleeve. “Never mind that. Stop teasing your Master, and let’s follow her inside.”

“Hmm,” Ying Lin hummed, still grinning.

The inside of the house was as ascetic as its exterior, simple and plain, the insides clean, without an extra stick of furniture or piece of decoration anywhere. A single small table sat in the room’s center.

Li Xiang sat at the table and gestured for them to join. As they sat, she began. “His beloved arrives at the beginning of next week. In other words, in three days. We should prepare—”

“Li Xiang! You’ve returned safely!” A beam of yellow sword light shot through the window and materialized into a handsome man in yellow robes, carrying a massive yellow saber on his back. Yellow petals rained through the window as he arrived, complimenting the yellow ribbon that clasped his crown hairstyle in place. He immediately dropped to his knees and took Li Xiang’s hand to hold it close with both of his. “Li Xiang, I can’t bear to see you in danger. Stay by my side and never leave again. I’ll protect you for the rest of your life!”

Stunned, Hui stared, his jaw dropped. Eh, there’s really people who subscribe to the Ying Lin school of romance?

Ying Lin nodded approvingly, her arms crossed. She shot a glance at Hui and subtly nodded at the man.

No, no, that’s not how any of this works, I promise you, it’s not! Hui thought, shaking his head back at her.

Li Xiang stared at the man, her expression flat. She opened her mouth.

The man lifted one hand off hers and pressed it against her lips. “Whatever you are about to say, I, Lu Xubo, pledge to accomplish it!”

Li Xiang moved her mouth back, slightly offput. “Clean it up.”

Lu Xubo blinked. “Eh?”

She twisted her hand free and plucked a petal off the table, exerting a tiny amount of sword qi to obliterate it. “Clean it up.”

“I… understand, I understand,” Lu Xubo murmured, suddenly crestfallen. “Yet again, you refuse my love. But don’t worry. This Lu Xubo won’t be put off so easily. One day, I’ll make you understand that I’m the only one who can love you!” So declaring, he went to jump out the window again.

Faster than lightning, Li Xiang’s hand snapped out and snagged his belt.

Yanked to a halt, Lu Xubo spun about. The light of hope glimmered in his eyes. “You can’t bear to part with me after all—”

“Clean. It. Up,” Li Xiang repeated flatly.

Hui cleared his throat. “Elder Brother did pledge to accomplish whatever she asked.”

Lu Xubo frowned. He looked at Hui, but from his expression, it seemed as though his eyes fell on dogshit instead. “Li Xiang, who is this?”

Internally, Hui rolled his eyes. You Li Xiang admirer, as if I’m not used to the way you people do things! I had to deal with dozens of your kind when I was much weaker, you know? A single man’s glare is nothing to me!

“Three days. As far as I know, she’s arriving from the north. I propose that we intercept her carriage before she reaches town. After she reaches town, she’ll be under Chen Xigui’s protection. Even in his weakened state, it will be harder to reach her. Thus, better to encounter her along the way, so we can come to understand her intentions before it becomes too difficult,” Li Xiang said, completely ignoring Lu Xubo.

Hui glanced at Lu Xubo. Internally, he shrugged. He doesn’t seem to be the type that quickly picks up hints. Let’s follow Li Xiang’s lead and ignore him. “Elder Sister is indeed correct. I have unusual skill when it comes to disguises, as Elder Sister knows well. Allow me to disguise you, myself, and my disciple, and we’ll join her entourage.”

“Eh? I can disguise myself, too,” Lu Xubo said.

Li Xiang pressed her lips together. She considered, then nodded. “Although a disguise is a form of deception, and I dislike lying, I can accept it just this once. I can’t think of an alternative, and speaking with his beloved in person is essential.”

Disheartened, Lu Xubo had begun to pick up the petals, but he looked up at that. “Beloved? Who are you talking about?”

“Chen Xigui,” Li Xiang replied.

Lu Xubo’s hands stopped. “You’re… going after… Chen Xigui?”

Li Xiang ignored him.

Clicking his tongue, Lu Xubo began to pick up petals again. “You’re going after Chen Xigui?”

“Mmm,” Li Xiang confirmed.

Although Hui kept a poker face, internally, he guffawed. So easy to understand! Oh my, Lu Xubo, you’re far too easy to use. Is this even legal? It’s so easy to get him to do what she wants, it nearly feels illegal.

Lu Xubo swept his sleeve. Instantly, all the petals flew into his hand. With a serious expression, he leaped to the window. “Li Xiang, wait a moment. I’ll get the others.”

He darted off. A fresh set of yellow petals materialized behind him and scattered over the floor, leaving it just as messy as it had been when he arrived.

Li Xiang sighed. She looked at the yellow petals and shook her head. “Every time he comes to visit, I’m the one who has to clean it. Doesn’t he understand that?”

“Go get the others? Ah… didn’t you mention that most people in this village have some form of grudge against All-Heavens Sect, if not Chen Xigui?” Hui guessed.

Li Xiang nodded. “However, for simply speaking to his beloved, it’s better to have fewer people, so I thought there would be no use in explaining it to everyone.”

“Mmm. Still, when it comes time to attack Chen Xigui, it’ll be good to have everyone’s help,” Hui said.

“I understand that, and yet, I also don’t want to see any more of my companions die,” Li Xiang said softly.

Hui turned his eyes down. I, too, can understand that.

A gentle breeze blew. For a moment, he almost saw a hand caressing Li Xiang’s face. He smiled, just slightly, though it was a bit bitter. Is that why the senior let her stay here? Li Xiang said the senior was tired of blood, killing, and war. Could it be that the senior sympathized wth Li Xiang’s—and ultimately, my predicament?

Hmm, when compared to Chen Wuya, I feel there’s more value in gaining this mysterious senior, if she’s willing to be fight at my side.

--

Claws darted out of the sky. Mortal flinched, blocking the beating as best he could. “Senior! The spider is close right now! Senior, I don’t want to be bit again! Senior, please!”

“I felt like you thought something evil just now,” Chen Wuya explained, landing on the web beside Mortal with a heavy bounce.

“I… didn’t?” Mortal said, confused.

Chen Wuya snorted and turned his head away. A second later, he took off into the sky again.

“Hey!” Did you really come just for that?

--

Hui licked his lips. Er, sorry, Mortal. That may be my fault.

In any case, I need to find people stronger than me who can help take down All-Heavens Sect. I’m fifth stage, which is impressive, but Gui Delun is only a Peak Lord and he’s already sixth stage. How many sixth stage experts does All-Heavens have? What about seventh? Eighth? …Ninth? Ah, when it comes to members who have ascended to heaven, I can probably leave that up to Master, but as for the rest, that’s a problem for little me to resolve!

I cannot overturn All-Heavens on my own. I don’t think Chen Wuya will move with me unless Fen Long is somehow involved in All-Heavens Sect, but this mysterious senior is already sympathetic. I’ll have to find her and have a talk at some point. It’s quite possible that this will bear no fruit, but it’s better than not trying.