Chapter 390 - Heaven-bridging Divine Tree (1/2)
“Swoosh!” It was the sound of someone jumping from the tree. Then there came a voice carrying a hint of mirth. “What a coincidence. So you’re here too, Brother Xiao and Fairy Su.”
The Unsullied Sword and the Purple Jade Flute returned to their owners. Su Lianyue smiled. “So it’s Brother Seven Killings. You should’ve informed us about your arrival beforehand. See, we weren’t able to welcome you properly.”
In the dark of the night, a man dressed in red strolled up to them. In his hand was a gleaming steel fan and on his face was a faint smile. Seven Killings walked to the bonfire and smiled at Xiao Chen. “Brother Xiao, we meet again.”
“Yes, we meet again,” Xiao Chen replied placidly, a cold glint flitting across his pupils. To think that he didn’t notice this man approaching them. Like Su Lianyue, he must have not shown his true strength in the siege against Danyang Zi that night.
Su Lianyue said with a smile, “In the past two days, Brother Seven Killings has successfully provoked countless disputes between the Orthodox Path and Devil’s Practice. Looks like the extraordinary treasure is destined to be yours.”
Seven Killings threw his head back in laughter. “Just a little trick, that’s all. Compared to you, Ice Jade Fairy, my talent is nothing to write home about.” He shot Xiao Chen a look, whether intentionally or otherwise.
Su Lianyue chuckled. “Is that so? It’s getting late and the night is cold. Why don’t you sit down, Brother Seven Killings, and gather some warmth…” She moved the Purple Jade Flute in her hand ever so subtly. The Unsullied Sword in Xiao Chen’s hand also emitted a cold light. In their eyes was a faint glint.
Detecting their sudden murderous aura, Seven Killings smiled and said, “I won’t be imposing on you. Brother Yi Yeqiu is still waiting for me. Farewell.” He tipped his foot and hastily left in the direction he came from.
When he was gone, Xiao Chen turned his head and asked, “What did you want to say earlier, Fairy?”
Su Lianyue replied, “If the missing thirty-one people are indeed the work of the Corpse Refinery Sect, what do you think is their objective?”
Xiao Chen frowned. No matter what the Corpse Refinery Sect was up to, people would always assume that they were doing it to revive the rumored Divine Corpse. But what was that the truth?
“Why aren’t you speaking?”
Xiao Chen took a deep breath and shook his head. He had no guesses to offer and neither did he want to offer any. He stood up and strolled to the cliff. Feeling the gusts of cold wind hitting his face, he quietly stared at the boundless region that encompassed the southwest part of the mountain range.
It was pitch-black over there and incomparably cold. Not even birds and beasts dared to get close. However, there seemed to be an undetectable, untouchable silhouette standing in that sinister, cold place.
Ever since he stepped foot inside the Miasma Mountain Range, Hua Weiyang would always appear in his mind. Every time he closed his eyes, he would vividly see her as if she was just right beside him. Memories that were covered in dust had quietly surfaced.
The night was getting colder as if it was trying to freeze those unruly memories. Yet it was unable to freeze a throbbing heart. Xiao Chen took a deep breath. The days he spent with Hua Weiyang emerged in his mind.
He remembered their first meeting at the Beautiful Immortal Mountains. Inside the bamboo forest filled with the cries of a hundred birds, he purposely lost a game of zither to her. When he wanted to leave for the Immortal-saving Clan to return a zither, she stood behind him and yelled, “Don’t forget! You lost to me and owe me three things! Remember my name. I’m Hua Weiyang!”
He felt like he had returned to that day. Xiao Chen wouldn’t have concerned himself with that unreasonable girl, but she had caught up to him before he could walk far.
Xiao Chen turned around with a frown and said impatiently, “I’m going to the Immortal-saving Clan to return a zither. Since you’ve offended them, you best not come along.”
Hua Weiyang burst into laughter. “Who’s going with you? You still owe me three things. Don’t even think of going back on your word. The first thing: I still don’t know your name.”
Xiao Chen frowned. “Surname Xiao, single first name Chen.”
Hua Weiyang couldn’t help smiling widely. “Xiao Chen? What an old-fashioned name. I’ll call you Yi (One) Chen from now on.”
Xiao Chen’s frown deepened. It was his Master who gave him this name. Her calling it a bad name meant that she was scolding his Master. This time, he truly wanted to ignore her. He turned around and left. Behind him, Hua Weiyang yelled, “Hey! There’s still the second thing!”
He stopped in his tracks. Flicking his sleeves, he said irritably, “I’m an upright and proper man who accepts my loss. Since I’ve promised you three things, I’ll definitely fulfill my promise. Are you spouting nonsense because you look down on me?”
Hua Weiyang burst into laughter. “Who cares if you’re upright or not? I’m going to tell you the second thing now. Turn around and face me. I forbid you from turning your back to me!”
Xiao Chen didn’t turn around and said, “I’m listening. You can tell me.”
Hua Weiyang walked up to his face and said, “The second thing is, you’re not allowed to engage in zither matches with other girls, especially not promising them that you’ll promise them three things after you lose. Got it?”
Xiao Chen increasingly found this girl to be inane and unreasonable, but he was a man and wouldn’t resort to her level. Thus, he said, “Very well. I’ll promise you. What’s the third thing?”