Chapter 240 : Reunion with an Old Friend
Chapter 240: Reunion with an Old Friend
“You… what did you just call me?”
Chen Ming looked at Jiang Yingxue with a blank expression, which immediately made her lose heart. She pouted, “There’s no one else here anyway…”
“You should leave. I still need to heal my wounds.”
He pulled his hand away.
“Elder Sister Yuan, I know I was wrong.”
Jiang Yingxue grabbed his hand again, looking at him pitifully.
Chen Ming transmitted his voice, “Don’t forget, I’m a woman right now. Don’t slip up in front of others. Especially not in front of people close to you. Whoever learns this secret… I’ll silence them.”
“Mhm, mhm.”
Jiang Yingxue’s face was full of emotion. “Elder Sister, you really care for me, worrying about my reputation being damaged… Don’t worry, I’ll never let anyone find out.”
I just don’t want to suffer social death.
Chen Ming’s eye twitched slightly as he changed the subject. “Do you have any connection with Yu Haitang?”
Jiang Yingxue’s eyes instantly reddened. She lowered her head in a crestfallen manner. “The moment you came to Jiangzhou City, you only wanted to see that vixen…”
Don’t forget, she’s the wife. You’re the vixen.
Chen Ming thought this to himself but said aloud, “I just want to have a chance to see my family in the future. If you’re unwilling to help, I’ll find her myself.”
“I’ll help.”
Hearing that he wanted to go find Yu Haitang on his own, Jiang Yingxue grew anxious and grabbed his arm tightly. “Our Jiang Family has a good relationship with the Cangyue Sect. I can visit her in my father’s name. Then I’ll bring you along as a guest to her husband’s family.”
Yu Haitang’s “husband’s family,” of course, was none other than the Chen Family of Qingfeng City.
Chen Ming was about to speak but suddenly stopped.
Just then, a maid’s voice came from outside the door, “Miss, a young lady from the Inspector’s Residence, Miss Zhao, has come to see you.”
Jiang Yingxue responded, “I know, I’ll be right there.”
Then, with a mischievous look, she deliberately asked Chen Ming, “Elder Sister, do you want to meet Miss Zhao? I can introduce you.”
So it was Zhao Xiyan.
Chen Ming hadn’t expected that upon returning to Jiangzhou City, the first old acquaintance he would see would be Zhao Xiyan.
In truth, it had only been three months since he fell into that sea of magma within the Fire Element Secret Realm. Yet it felt like a long time had passed.
The last time he saw Zhao Xiyan was at the Azure Clouds List Assembly.
Now, in just a few short months, everything had changed.
He was already a Second Grade expert.
…
“Xiyan!”
Jiang Yingxue went out to greet Zhao Xiyan. The moment she saw her, she grew emotional, rushed forward, and held her hand, almost crying.
The two hadn’t been very close before. Only after the rumors of Chen Ming’s accident spread did they become friends. Their bond grew deeper with time, until they became intimate sisters.
“Xiaoxue, I heard you had an accident this time. I was worried sick!” Zhao Xiyan’s face was full of anxiety as she held her hand. “Let me see, are you hurt?”
“I thought I’d never see you again.” Jiang Yingxue’s lips quivered as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“As long as you’re fine.”
Zhao Xiyan’s heart ached. She embraced her, pain stabbing at her chest.
A beautiful young girl, falling into the hands of evildoers… Heaven only knew what she had endured.
Not wanting to bring up bad memories, she asked instead, “I heard someone saved you?”
“Mhm. It was all thanks to Elder Sister Yuan. She, like me, was captured by those bandits. If not for her, I wouldn’t have made it back…”
Wiping away her tears, Jiang Yingxue pulled her along. “Come, I’ll take you to meet Elder Sister Yuan.”
…
“This is Zhao Xiyan, my good sister. And this is Yuan Ziyi, Elder Sister Yuan, my savior.”
Jiang Yingxue led her into the courtyard where Chen Ming was staying, introducing them to each other.
After months apart, Zhao Xiyan looked much more mature, no longer the proud, slightly willful girl she once was.
Zhao Xiyan bowed deeply. “Many thanks, Miss Yuan, for saving Xiaoxue.”
“Miss Zhao is too polite. At that time, I was just saving myself as well.” Chen Ming returned the bow courteously.
The three sat in the courtyard, drinking tea, eating pastries, and chatting.
After a while, Jiang Yingxue suddenly asked, “Xiyan, I heard you went back to Qingfeng City. Did you visit Elder Brother Chen’s home?”
Zhao Xiyan nodded. With her, there was no need to hide it. “Yes, I did.”
Jiang Yingxue hurriedly asked, “How is the Chen Family now? How are Elder Brother Chen’s elder brother and sister-in-law?”
“If you care that much, why not go there yourself?”
“I just haven’t had the time yet. Hurry and tell me.”
Zhao Xiyan finally said, “They’re all doing well, just worried about his safety, hoping he returns soon.”
Jiang Yingxue glanced at “Yuan Ziyi” beside her, then asked, “And his nephew and niece? I heard his sister-in-law gave birth to another son. Unfortunately, Elder Brother Chen wasn’t there for his little nephew’s full-month celebration.”
Zhao Xiyan replied, “They’re all fine. Little Lide has already started practicing martial arts. Yu… found him an initiation master. The boy’s aptitude is good, and he’s perceptive. Everyone says he looks just like his uncle when he was young…”
“And Little Lirong keeps clamoring to learn martial arts too, saying she wants to find her little uncle. She knows I’m his friend and secretly asked me if he was hiding because bad people wanted to hurt him…”
“Forgive me, I lost control.”
She grew emotional as she spoke, tears slipping out before she could stop them. Turning her head, she wiped her face. “Miss Yuan, please don’t laugh at me. I just thought of an old friend whose life and death remain unknown, and I couldn’t help it.”
Hearing the news of his family at last, Chen Ming’s feelings grew complicated. He looked at Zhao Xiyan, whose eyes were still slightly red, and said, “You are someone who values old bonds. If that old friend knew, he would surely be moved by your feelings.”
Jiang Yingxue coughed lightly, shifting the subject. “Speaking of which, it’s thanks to that woman surnamed Yu that the Chen Family has been so well protected. Otherwise, many would surely have caused trouble for Elder Brother Chen’s family.”
Zhao Xiyan was indeed distracted, hesitating a moment before saying, “I’ve heard she’s in some trouble recently.”
“Who’s troubling her?”
“They say Lord Pan warned her not to break through to Third Grade. But in the Fire Element Secret Realm, some claimed she already stepped into Third Grade. Back then, Jiangzhou had too many matters at hand, and Lord Pan had no time to deal with her. Now that he has, he’s preparing to suppress her. If she can’t stay in Jiangzhou, she won’t be able to protect the Chen Family anymore.”
Zhao Xiyan spoke with some worry.
Yu Haitang had dared to openly claim herself as Chen Ming’s wife, publicly protecting the Chen Family.
But Zhao Xiyan could never do that. Neither her father nor her master would ever allow her to take on such enemies for the sake of an unrelated Chen Family.
Jiang Yingxue was shocked. “Such a thing? Won’t Ling Qiyang protect her?”
Zhao Xiyan replied, “After the Fire Element Secret Realm, the Cangyue Sect suffered heavy casualties. They’re pulling back their strength. He can’t go against Lord Pan just for a niece-in-law. And Yu Haitang isn’t truly of the Cangyue Sect. With those ugly rumors around, when Ling Qiyang married her aunt, many opposed it. He forced it through, saying it was his personal matter.
“But this time it’s public business, not private, so he can’t act willfully.”
Jiang Yingxue said, “Lord Pan is a Peak First Grade, focused only on achieving perfection and taking that next step. His strength is nearly unmatched even among First Grade experts. This time that woman surnamed Yu… she’s in real trouble.”
Her tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.
She had always thought that shameless woman surnamed Yu went too far—publicly declaring herself Elder Brother Chen’s wife, utterly without shame!
Hearing this unexpected news, Chen Ming frowned. This was troublesome. His family still relied on Yu Haitang’s protection. He couldn’t allow Pan Zhiyuan to drive her away.
…
Meanwhile, in Xiazhou City.
Inside Zeshi Hall of the Six Doors Headquarters, Hong Yuze was entertaining a distinguished guest.
“Lord Hong, are you saying that my nephew went on a mission with a First Grade Purple-Robed inspector?”
The speaker was a man in his thirties, lounging against his chair’s backrest, swirling a cup of wine leisurely in hand, exuding a free and unrestrained air.
Strictly speaking, wine wasn’t permitted in the Six Doors Headquarters.
But Hong Yuze poured for him personally, face full of smiles. “Indeed, Brother Gu. Your nephew is truly remarkable. He personally killed two First Grade experts of the Nine Nether Sect and rendered great service. Promotion to Third Grade Gold-Robed is only a matter of time.”
“Is that so?”
The man said with great interest, “So my Seventh Nephew has such ability? I’ve practiced martial arts for over thirty years and never killed a First Grade expert. Yet he killed two at once? Remarkable indeed.”
This man was none other than Gu Xianyu’s Fifth Uncle—Gu Haochuan.
He had just arrived in Xiazhou City. His first stop was the Six Doors Headquarters to find his nephew, only to learn that he was away on a mission.
“In that case, I won’t impose. I’ll take my leave.”
Gu Haochuan had little fondness for dealing with Six Doors officials, so he immediately stood to go.
At the door stood a valiant young man, resembling Gu Xianyu somewhat. He was his nephew and disciple, Gu Zhengshan—fifth among the siblings.
Leaving the Six Doors Headquarters, Gu Haochuan strolled down the street, scanning the passing young women. Whenever he spotted a beautiful one, he would look more than twice.
Behind him, Gu Zhengshan followed closely, eyes straight ahead, never straying.
Suddenly, Gu Haochuan asked, “Xiao Wu, do you think Little Seven is the type to harbor such deep schemes?”
Gu Zhengshan answered, “It’s hard to know a man’s heart. I can’t say.”
“In the Gu Family, he kept a low profile, hiding his strength. He even refused the marriage alliance with the Prince’s Residence, then left the capital of his own accord. But once outside, he soared like a dragon returning to the sea. At twenty, he broke through to Third Grade. In the martial contest for marriage, he defeated many peers and won a beauty’s hand. Then, less than a month in the Six Doors, he slew two First Grade experts of the demonic sect, making unparalleled contributions. Tsk, tsk…”
Gu Haochuan shook his head in amazement. “In the Gu Family, Little Seven acted so submissive. Yet in Xiazhou, he displayed astonishing brilliance, gaining fame throughout the land. Tell me, is our Gu Family really so terrifying that he had to hide himself just to survive?”
Gu Zhengshan said, “This disciple dares not say.”
“Hahaha, dares not say. That shows just how rotten our Gu Family’s atmosphere has become. Third Brother’s policy of raising Gu like venomous insects, letting the juniors fight it out—he surely didn’t expect that his most outstanding son would be forced to leave just to survive.”
Gu Zhengshan remained silent. He wouldn’t dare comment on that ruthless and decisive Third Uncle.
Gu Haochuan scratched his head, as if it itched. “Still, I don’t think Little Seven is so scheming. And when he left, I was sure he was still far from Third Grade. Without two or three years, it was impossible for him to break through. He absolutely couldn’t have hidden it from me. Besides, how could he master the ‘Heaven and Earth’s Lone Swan’ sword art in just a single month?”
Gu Zhengshan’s expression grew tense. “You mean—”
“We’ll know once we see him.”
Gu Haochuan paused, then added, “If he truly is fine, with his current strength, he might even secure a place at this year’s Palace Banquet.”
Gu Zhengshan nodded firmly.
The Gu Family desperately needed that spot. With one more, their family would gain more power.
“Let’s go,” Gu Haochuan said.
“Where to?”
“To find your Seventh Brother.”
“Oh.”