AVL Chapter 64

Sheng Jiao watched coldly from the side.

 

Xi Jianlan coughed until his eyes watered. After recovering, he skillfully played dumb: “Huh? What? Don’t try to test me again. If you want to trick me into talking, that’s going to cost extra.”

 

Sheng Jiao said: “His eyes are very similar to yours too.”

 

Xi Jianlan said nothing.

 

Sheng Jiao looked at the top of Xi Jianlan’s head and added: “But taller than you.”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan gently gripped Sheng Jiao’s hand, tightening his five fingers bit by bit as he smiled sweetly: “What did you say? My ears aren’t working well—I didn’t hear clearly.”

 

Even with pressure on his wound, Sheng Jiao remained expressionless and repeated: “But taller than you…”

 

Xi Jianlan maintained his gentle, lovely smile while frantically reaching out to cover Sheng Jiao’s mouth, nearly grinding his molars to powder: “Shut up. How come you’re so talkative now? Why don’t you learn from Spring Rain?”

 

Since their reunion, Spring Rain hadn’t said a single word.

 

Sheng Jiao brushed away his hand, saying indifferently: “Spring Rain wanted to kill me back then because he also knew Rang Chen’s ‘Glimpse of Heaven’s Secrets’—he wanted to kill me to clear away danger for you.”

 

Xi Jianlan froze.

 

“Even Spring Rain knew to use this method to avoid the heavenly secret of your tragic death.” Sheng Jiao said. “Why didn’t you choose this path then?”

 

Perhaps the odds would have been better.

 

After all, the teenage Sheng Jiao who believed Xi Jianlan’s lies without question was much easier to fool than the current Xiezhi Sect Master Sheng Wuzhuo. Moreover, Sheng Jiao’s feelings for Xi Jue ran deep then—success would have been certain.

 

Xi Jianlan said quietly: “You wanted me to scheme and kill you while we were being tender and affectionate, all to preserve my wretched life?”

 

“Mm.”

 

“You’re still ‘mm-ing’?” Xi Jianlan was amused by his anger. “Is that the kind of person I am in your heart?”

 

But Sheng Jiao said: “Since we reunited, how many times have you wanted to kill me? Do you still remember clearly?”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

“Perhaps you should tell me about this matter.” Sheng Jiao showed his true intentions, reaching out to cup Xi Jianlan’s chin. Rarely, he leaned down to kiss him once, his voice still ice-cold: “No matter how many hardships or grievances you have, I will…”

 

Xi Jianlan interrupted him, staring straight at him: “Sect Master Sheng, what if I have no hardships?”

 

Sheng Jiao was slightly stunned.

 

“If I have no hardships, no grievances…” Xi Jianlan said expressionlessly. “If the Xi family matter was truly my doing, after your 108 Tianyan Pearls all turn to ‘Execute,’ would you really grind my bones to dust?”

 

Sheng Jiao was about to speak when Xi Jianlan continued: “I don’t want to hear you righteously persuade me to tell you the truth. I just want an answer right now.”

 

Sheng Jiao met Xi Jianlan’s gaze for a long while before speaking words like ice: “Yes.”

 

Once the Tianyan Pearls determined Xi Jianlan was truly the mastermind behind the Xi family slaughter, those 108 pearls would instantly summon Heaven’s punishment. No matter where he fled to the ends of the earth, he would be struck to powder—no one could stop it.

 

Xi Jianlan looked at him coldly.

 

Sheng Jiao added: “But I wouldn’t.”

 

Xi Jianlan froze, staring at Sheng Jiao intently for a long time before suddenly bursting into uncontrollable laughter.

 

He laughed until his whole body trembled, taking a long time to finally stop.

 

Xi Jianlan gently cupped Sheng Jiao’s hand, using the little spiritual power he’d managed to accumulate to slowly form the Spring Rain sword technique, bit by bit drawing out the sword intent that had tormented Sheng Jiao for six years.

 

The sword intent was like a snowflake, floating ethereally above Sheng Jiao’s tiger’s mouth.

 

The wound that had never been able to heal completely finally began to recover bit by bit under the spiritual power’s soothing, leaving no trace of scarring.

 

Xi Jianlan leaned forward to draw the snowflake to his lips and swallow it, his brows and eyes seeming to carry the colors of spring. He lifted his pupils slightly to look at Sheng Jiao, smiling both cunningly and tenderly.

 

“…So I didn’t choose that path.”

 

***

 

Xi Jianlan found being trapped in Xiezhi Sect dull and boring. All day he did nothing but tease Sheng Wuzhuo and provoke Spring Rain, until he and Winter Snow were both chased around the entire sect by Spring Rain.

 

Fortunately, after just two days, it was time for Zhuxing Zhai’s gathering.

 

Xi Jianlan was finally allowed to leave Xiezhi Sect.

 

“Spring Rain…” Taking advantage of Sheng Jiao being busy with the water path, Xi Jianlan secretly hugged the Spring Rain sword and whispered: “What’s your cultivation level now? If you forcibly snatched me away from Sheng Jiao, what are the odds of success?”

 

Spring Rain: “…”

 

Spring Rain played dead and ignored him.

 

Xi Jianlan hugged the sword and chattered in what he thought was a very quiet voice, but this half-deaf person’s idea of quiet was loud enough that even Sheng Jiao in the distance couldn’t help glancing at him.

 

Xi Jianlan thought he couldn’t hear and smiled obediently at him.

 

Xiezhi Sect’s water path to the outside world opened quietly, a stream of water forming a road extending into the distance.

 

Sheng Jiao beckoned to him.

 

Xi Jianlan hurried to follow.

 

Xi Jianlan was always amazed by Xiezhi Sect’s water path. He ran and bounced along it, happily moving to Sheng Jiao’s side: “Hey Sect Master Sheng, can you only freely enter and exit Xiezhi Sect during the hour of Xu when the water path opens?”

 

Sheng Jiao turned his head: “Why ask about this?”

 

“Hey, why are you so suspicious of me?” Xi Jianlan said with a grin. “I’m just asking casually. If we register our union in the future, I can’t not know how to get in and out of my own home, right?”

 

Sheng Jiao: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan looked at him with complete sincerity.

 

Whether it was the power of the words “register our union,” Sheng Jiao’s expression remained cold, but he still indulgently answered his question: “It’s different every day.”

 

“Oh, oh.” Xi Jianlan indicated he was educated. “Then who’s responsible for setting each day’s water path timing?”

 

Sheng Jiao met his gaze coldly: “Me.”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan immediately deflated, saying dryly: “Oh, oh I see, that’s good.”

 

Having his plan to escape by opening the water path himself seen through by Sheng Jiao, Xi Jianlan knew to pace himself. Throughout the entire journey to Tianyan Academy, he obediently followed Sheng Jiao without saying a single word that would anger him.

 

The hour of Xu was approaching and the sky had darkened, even beginning to drizzle.

 

When Sheng Jiao arrived at Zhuxing Zhai holding an umbrella with Xi Jianlan, the others had all assembled and were sitting around a large table drinking and chatting casually.

 

More than ten years had passed, but Jiusi Courtyard hadn’t changed at all. Eight small tables were arranged on the left and right, and even the plain screen still bore the same Tianyan traveling poem that Wen Gubai had personally written years ago, in bold strokes.

 

Xi Jianlan looked through the screen into the room, seeing six shadowy figures chatting and laughing with ease. He had a vague illusion that as long as he passed through the screen, he could return to Zhuxing Zhai from over ten years ago.

 

Each young person was full of passion, carefree and thoughtless, their biggest worry being assigned to copy books as punishment.

 

Those were the most carefree days of his life.

 

But after walking a few steps to the side and looking up.

 

Time flows like rushing water—those phantom images of youths had already vanished into the river of time. The young ones had long grown into adults, and…

 

“Damn it.” Xi Jianlan thought expressionlessly. “Every single one of them is taller than me.”

 

All his sentimental feelings from the scene turned into jealousy and resentment, wishing he could chop off their heads.

 

When Sheng Jiao folded up his bamboo umbrella and entered Jiusi Courtyard with the gloomy-faced Xi Jianlan.

 

The two hadn’t attended any Zhuxing Zhai gatherings in these six years. Their sudden appearance caused the six people who had been playfully making noise to instantly fall silent, looking at them expressionlessly in unison.

 

The eight stared at each other, face to face.

 

Jiusi Courtyard fell into deathly silence.

 

Finally, the six cold-faced people looked coldly at Xi Jianlan. As if they had agreed beforehand, they simultaneously raised their hands and lightly, slowly patted the tops of their heads.

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan exploded instantly, lunging at them with bared teeth and claws: “I’ll kill you all!”

 

Everyone burst into laughter.

 

Xi Jianlan’s tall and slender build wasn’t actually short, but the people around him were each one taller than the next, shooting up as if they’d eaten premium feed, making him appear extremely delicate and “petite.”

 

Xi Jue had endured countless humiliations and mockery from them since childhood.

 

Xi Jianlan flew into an embarrassed rage and started fighting with them in a tangle.

 

He had already seen Heng Yudu, Feng Yu, Liu Changxing, and Lezheng Jiu—these four people. After Xi Jianlan punched each of them once, his gaze turned to Rang Chen, who sat there smiling as he watched.

 

The moment their eyes met, Jiusi Courtyard fell silent again.

 

The others didn’t dare breathe, each holding wine cups and pretending to toast while secretly watching the two from the corners of their eyes.

 

Sheng Jiao sat in the corner as usual, looking down at the wine in his cup, quiet as a wallflower.

 

Heng Yudu reached out to tug at him and gave him a meaningful look.

 

Feng Yu also winked at him.

 

Sheng Jiao: “?”

 

Everyone held their breath, very worried about whether they should break up a fight or watch the show if Rang Chen and Xi Jianlan started fighting.

 

Xi Jianlan sat down cross-legged, staring straight at Rang Chen, casually snatching a wine cup from someone nearby and knocking it on the table.

 

That person said: “Hey, hey.”

 

Rang Chen said gently: “You can drink alcohol?”

 

Xi Jianlan removed the earring from his ear and casually tossed it on the table, slightly raising an eyebrow: “Better than you can.”

 

Rang Chen couldn’t help but smile with curved eyes. He reached out to pick up his wine cup and clinked it with Xi Jianlan’s.

 

“Clink.”

 

It was as if their past grievances were dissolved in this small wine cup.

 

After draining it in one gulp, Rang Chen, who had always been like a lofty deity, seemed to be dragged down from his pedestal by a breath of mortal warmth. He suddenly reached out to embrace Xi Jianlan, his broad hand gently stroking the back of his head, as if comforting a prodigal son who had finally returned home.

 

“You’re back. It’s good that you’re back.”

 

Xi Jianlan choked on the wine a bit, forcing back a cough as he was held, stunned for a moment before reaching out to hug back.

 

Rang Chen still carried that reassuring sandalwood scent from six years ago. Xi Jianlan suddenly felt exhausted, his eyes nearly reddening.

 

The others inconspicuously breathed sighs of relief.

 

Good, good, they didn’t start fighting.

 

Rang Chen patted Xi Jianlan’s thin back, his voice gentle: “Jianlan, you’ve suffered a lot, haven’t you?”

 

Xi Jianlan said: “No.”

 

But Rang Chen said: “But you haven’t grown taller at all.”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

Someone said: “A-Jue has grown quite a bit.”

 

Xi Jianlan’s expression changed instantly. Like a fierce demon, he tackled Rang Chen to the ground and started hitting him, saying furiously: “Let’s settle our old grievances! One of us has to die today!”

 

Rang Chen: “…”

 

Everyone hurriedly scrambled to break up the fight.

 

Feng Yu deliberately offered “kind” advice with a mischievous tone: “Hey, hey, why are you getting worked up? Actually, Rang Chen was right. You really haven’t grown much compared to six years ago. If we really take Tianyan Academy’s new students to the secret realm this time, you might not even be as tall as them.”

 

Xi Jianlan roared incredulously: “I’ll kill you! Sheng Jiao! Sheng Jiao, won’t you say a word? Are you just going to let me be bullied?”

 

All eyes turned to Sheng Jiao in the corner.

 

Sheng Jiao nonchalantly drank a cup of wine, turning a deaf ear.

 

Heng Yudu poured wine for Sheng Jiao, saying casually: “Sect Master Sheng seems to have drunk too much and probably can’t help you get revenge.”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan said urgently: “Don’t you know he acts crazy when drunk? Why are you still pouring for him?”

 

Sheng Jiao frowned slightly, looking no different from usual. His empty wine cup sat there as he quietly waited for Heng Yudu to pour for him.

 

Heng Yudu put down the wine pot, no longer continuing to let alcohol poison Sect Master Sheng’s brain.

 

Sheng Jiao waited patiently for a while, giving enough time for pouring, then reached out to grasp the empty wine cup.

 

He earnestly drained it in one gulp.

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

The others laughed until they slapped their thighs.

 

Xi Jianlan had a splitting headache and was about to stop Sheng Jiao when he felt a hand grab his sleeve, forcibly making him sit back down.

 

Following the pure white jade-like hand up the wide sleeve, he looked up and only then noticed the person who had been sitting beside him like a ghost all along.

 

Fu Man had delicate and handsome features—clearly first-rate in looks, but you’d instantly forget his appearance the moment you looked away.

 

He wore dazzling golden robes, with glittering magical devices on his hair crown, wrists, and all ten fingers, desperately trying to attract everyone’s attention.

 

But unfortunately, even so, others subconsciously ignored him.

 

At this moment, Fu Man suddenly grabbing Xi Jianlan did startle him.

 

“Fu Man?” Xi Jianlan was nearly blinded by the glare. “When did you arrive?”

 

He had thought only he hadn’t noticed, but then heard the others also exclaim in surprise with wide eyes.

 

“Fu Man?!”

 

“Buyin, when did you get here?”

 

“I thought you wouldn’t make it today.”

 

Fu Man: “………..”

 

Fu Man was already used to it and didn’t mind, smiling gently as he handed Xi Jianlan’s earring back to him.

 

Xi Jianlan casually put it on, but heard a whooshing wind sound rushing into his ear. The next moment, the surrounding sounds became crystal clear.

 

Fu Man had actually repaired the magical device that helped him hear all things.

 

“Such skillful hands.” Xi Jianlan held Fu Man’s paws and marveled. “I couldn’t make it to your coming-of-age ceremony. Let me make up for it with a proper gift in a few days.”

 

Fu Man was always calm and composed: “Oh, it’s fine. When you had your coming-of-age ceremony, I also… mm.”

 

Lezheng Jiu quickly covered his mouth.

 

Fu Man’s talent for bringing up the wrong topic at the wrong time was consistently remarkable.

 

Fortunately, Xi Jianlan was carefree. After chatting and laughing with him for a while, he caught sight of Heng Yudu still mischievously pouring wine for Sheng Jiao.

 

“Heng Yudu!” Xi Jianlan suddenly stood up and ran over with quick steps. “Stop pouring wine for him! He’ll torment me to death tonight! Ahhh Sheng Wuzhuo! If you know you can’t drink, why are you showing off? Stop embarrassing yourself, I’m begging you!”

 

Sheng Jiao frowned tightly, brushing away Xi Jianlan’s hand that was trying to snatch his cup, and said to the person across from him: “Fu Man.”

 

Fu Man looked confused: “Huh?”

 

Sheng Jiao appeared completely normal and was even discussing serious matters with Fu Man. He placed the glass orb from the “Bone-Gazing Mirror” on the table—but he was probably drunk and actually placed the glass orb on a plate of grapes.

 

The glass orb immediately rolled off the bunch of grapes. Sheng Jiao coldly grabbed it back, insisting on placing it on the grapes.

 

Everyone desperately held back laughter, wanting to laugh but not daring to, trembling all over from the effort.

 

Xi Jianlan painfully covered his face, finally understanding why Sheng Jiao never attended Zhuxing Zhai gatherings these past six years. Without him watching, he would definitely get drunk and make a fool of himself.

 

Sect Master Sheng’s image as an aloof flower on a high peak crumbled to pieces overnight.

 

Finally, Sheng Jiao steadily placed the glass orb on the tip of a single grape, and it actually stayed motionless.

 

The others were stunned and couldn’t help but cheer.

 

“Amazing!”

 

“Worthy of Sect Master Sheng!”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

What was amazing about that?

 

Sheng Jiao seemed to think he was amazing too. He quietly waited for the cheering to die down before solemnly discussing business.

 

“Has this glass orb from the ‘Bone-Gazing Mirror’ been tampered with?”

 

Xi Jianlan was stunned, seeing his clear thoughts and logical speech, even still remembering Xi Minghuai’s business. He suspected the current Sheng Jiao wasn’t drunk at all.

 

Everyone knew what was in the “Bone-Gazing Mirror’s” glass orb. They all held their breath and looked at Fu Man in unison.

 

Fu Man was flattered.

 

This was the first time he had basked in everyone’s attention. He immediately perked up and carefully studied the glass orb.

 

Fu Man had made considerable progress in formations and spiritual devices over the years. Many people in the Thirteen States specifically sought out Manting Prefecture to commission work from Fu Man.

 

In less than half a quarter-hour, Fu Man completely understood the orb’s mysteries and excitedly slammed the table: “I know!”

 

The others had already started drinking and chatting again, and no one heard his words.

 

Fu Man weakly raised his hand: “Hey, hey, I figured it out! Everyone, everyone!”

 

Xi Jianlan was also drinking and nearly collapsed, covering his ears like a cat, saying drowsily: “Figured what out? Who figured it out?!”

 

Fu Man: “Me! Me!”

 

Xi Jianlan smiled foolishly: “Me? Who am I?”

 

Fu Man: “I’m Fu Man.”

 

“Ah!” Xi Jianlan suddenly jumped up. “Fu Man!”

 

Only then did the others finally react, searching for a long time before finally finding Fu Man.

 

Sheng Jiao had already drunk several cups of plain water that Xi Jianlan had poured for him. He placed the water-filled wine cup on the table with great momentum and said in a deep voice: “Has it been tampered with?”

 

“Yes.” Fu Man nodded, then suddenly made an “ah” sound and pointed at Heng Yudu and Feng Yu. “When I arrived, I noticed you two seem to have spiritual-grade techniques cast on you.”

 

Heng Yudu and Feng Yu were stunned.

 

The two of them?

 

Fu Man said: “Exactly the same as the one on the ‘Bone-Gazing Mirror.'”

 

Xi Jianlan was dizzy and spinning, limply leaning on Lezheng Jiu’s shoulder. Like listening to gibberish, he watched them discuss serious matters and mumbled: “Gege, what are they talking about?”

 

Lezheng Jiu casually replied: “Who knows?”

 

Xi Jianlan didn’t ask further and continued drinking.

 

Sheng Jiao frowned.

 

He hadn’t expected this matter to somehow involve Heng Yudu and Feng Yu.

 

“Can you break it?”

 

Fu Man nodded.

 

“If it were back when I was young and unskilled, it definitely wouldn’t work. But now that I can see the technique, I can naturally break it.”

 

**

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