Chapter 8 (1/2)
Then again, despite his failure to defeat his opponent, Xiao Chen had withstood more than three blows from Qin Xiu. The onlookers of their brief duel were still in a dazed stupor when a deep and chilly voice rose from the hall, “Hold it…”
The voice roused everyone back to their senses as they looked towards the source of the voice: the Master of the Xiao Family, Xiao Changfeng. Qin Xiu turned to him and asked, “Master Xiao, is there anything I can be of service? Are you also interested in a duel with me? I would be pleased to be able to spar with you.”
“Take your things and leave.”
Xiao Changfeng’s voice boomed as he flailed the sleeve of his robes. The force channeled from him whisked the brocade box from the table and threw the box towards Qin Xiu. Sensing that something was wrong, Huangfu Zhe had tried to warn Qin Xiu, but he was too late.
Qiu Xiu stretched his arm forward to receive the box gliding towards him only to find that the force propelling the box at him was as powerful as a mountain. The box slammed into him, nearly throwing him off his feet that he struggled to maintain balance, staggering backward until he reached the entrance of the hall. Qin Xiu felt a dreadful chill. How was it possible that a mortal warrior possessed such powerful strength?
Xiao Changfeng shot him a disdainful glare before he turned to Huangfu Zhe, who had turned pale with fear and his back drenched with cold sweat. To his guest, the Master of the Xiao Family said, “In truth, the matter of matrimony was but a mere proposal made in jest by the two Patriarchs of our families centuries ago. There shall be no need for us to put any more stock of seriousness into this matter. There shall be no need for any more matrimonial arrangements in the future.” He then instructed a servant girl, “See the guests out the door.”
Xiao Chen raised his head and looked at his grandfather. He full well knew that his grandfather was only trying to protect his reputation by annulling the entire matrimonial arrangement to save him the shame of being rejected.
With no intent to tarry any longer, Huangfu Zhe and Qiu Xiu hastily took their leave. As they walked down the hill, Huangfu Zhe could feel his entire back wet from the perspiration of his fear. The visit to the Xiao Family to call off the marriage arrangements were actually a scheme concocted by him and Qin Xiu. Both Huangfu Xin’er and the old Master of the Huangfu Family were, in fact, oblivious of the annulment. Huangfu Zhe felt a creeping fear, “I have incurred the displeasure and anger of the entire Xiao Family for your sake, my young friend. Things will turn worse if the Master of my family and Xin’er are to receive wind of this…”
Qin Xiu stretched and flexed his arms as he thought about Xiao Changfeng’s earlier gesture. Callously, he replied, “Have no fear, Uncle Huangfu. Junior Sister Xin’er is gifted with six Spiritual Meridians. My teacher will surely pass on his seat to me if I am able to have her hand in marriage. I will have enough authority and power to support your rise to be the next Master of your household then! As for this Xiao Chen…”
For a fleeting moment, there was a brief but unmistakable hint of malice in his eyes. Qin Xiu turned to the servant girl trailing behind him, “Surely you will know how to behave yourself in front of Junior Sister Xin’er? Otherwise…”
The servant girl shuddered with fear, not being able to raise her head and look at Qin Xiu in the eye. Huangfu Zhe gave a weak laugh, his thoughts wandered back to the duel earlier where Xiao Chen had displayed a strength never before seen in him. He could not help feeling regretful now. He paused and spoke to Qiu Xiu, his hands clasped together with respect, “I will first convey my thanks for the help that you will be giving me in the future then.”
…
The Fly Cloud Hall of the Xiao Family residence was still filled with hushed whispers following the departure of the guests. Xiao Changfeng spoke to his grandson, “You must be exhausted, Chen’er. Go and have a rest.”
Xiao Chen rose to his feet. He was still dejected by his loss. “Yes…” He turned, walking out of the hall with the broken sword still held tightly in his grasp. Another bout of excited and curious murmurs and mumbling rose once more from the midst of younger kinsmen watching outside.
“A-are, are you still well?” A pleasant-looking girl, clad in green, stood in front of him.
One could almost feel the heat from the countless burning stares looking at her. It was Xiao Wan’er, a fine-looking lass who had reached the Threefold at the age of fifteen. This made her well-adored in the household as her beauty mesmerized many other lads in the Xiao Family.
But Xiao Chen hardly noticed her as his paces continued, his heavy steps slowly treading out of the square outside the hall. His leaving figure, sunken and dejected in the billowing winds, was so akin to the broken sword he held as his silhouette traipsing away.
Watching him leave, Xiao Wan’er felt her eyes growing moist as she thought of the cheerful young lad she had met many years ago.
Xiao Chen was once a bright young man; a budding prodigy in the household who had great intellect and a bright mind. There was nothing that he could not learn. This, plus his position as the Fourth Young Master of the household, made him popular with the rest of the female disciples and kins of the family. But things had turned dire for him when it was later known that Xiao Chen could not practice martial arts. People began to treat him like a pariah, all of whom included Xiao Wan’er herself.
Lil Ruo was busy tidying up Xiao Chen’s books in the Purple Bine Pavilion when she heard approaching footsteps. She walked toward the door and saw that the Young Master had returned so soon. Noticing his pale expression, she immediately hastened to him, asking, “What happened, Young Master? Why are you back so soon? Have you forgotten something…”
She had barely finished when Xiao Chen spat a mouthful of blood. The final stroke by Qin Xiu had sent a jolt of shock though him that nearly burst his heart.
With a frightful wail, Lil Ruo immediately held him, crying on the verge of tears, “What happened, Young Master?”
Xiao Chen shook his head weakly, “All is well…” He noticed a cut on her hand and asked, “What is wrong with your hand?”
There was fear and worry in her eyes which had turned red and moist. Hastily, Lil Ruo replied, “I am fine, master. It was just a minor cut I got when I was wiping your zither.”
Xiao Chen frowned, “Have I not said many times that you are not to touch that zither?”
“Y-yes, Sir. I will never go near that zither any more. Please, Young Master, let me help you into the Pavilion,” said Lil Ruo anxiously.
Shaking his head, Xiao Chen took her hands off him as he said, “That will not be necessary. I need some time alone. Go to my mother.”
Knowing full well of her Young Master’s temperament, Lil Ruo did not dare defy him, nodding and replied, “Yes…” The Young Master was to be left alone every time he wanted some private time lest he grew angry.
Xiao Chen waited until Lil Ruo has left and ambled towards the large banyan tree in his courtyard. With a hand on its trunk, he spat another mouthful of blood. He punched hard at its trunk and began to roar with laughter while throwing his head backward, “Xiao Chen, Xiao Chen! Thousands of years have passed and you are not even a match for a Cultivator of the Foundation Building Realm!”