Chapter 103 (2/2)

Xiao Chen did not wish to get into an argument. He shouted, “I want you to go away! Once I am safe, I will naturally release Her Highness… ” Before he had finished these words, his arm started to feel numb. Xuanyue had jabbed a finger at him on the sly.

Xiao Chen was shocked. When did she force the Illusive-Immortal Incense out of her body? He cried out, “Grab her!” It was too late. Xuanyue had wrenched herself free and had streaked away like a sword radiance. She landed beside Liku and saluted him with a bow. “We are sorry to make Your Eminence come out of your retreat.”

Xiao Chen understood that he was in serious trouble. Xuanyue was not incapable at all. She could force the Illusive-Immortal Incense out of her body using mystic arts. Since he no longer had a hostage, he took out the Fuxi Zither string.

Liku focused his gaze on the half-illusionary, half-substantial Jade Zither in his arms. He asked, “Is this the zither crafted by the Archean Emperor Fuxi, which possesses his divine prowess? It had ended up in the mortal world after the war between the Immortals and the Devils. Are you holding the C Major string in your hand?”

Xiao Chen heard him explain the Fuxi Zither’s origins and was even more stunned. By his side, Chu Lingjiao was also knitting her brows. She blamed him for what he did days before. Why else would the Zhou State invite this man over? She did not know what to do.

Liku nodded again. “If you don’t answer me, I take it that I am correct. This zither string belongs to the Zhou State. You’d better return it to its owner.”

Xiao Chen’s heart sank. Unless he woke to find it all a nightmare, he could never hold on to the zither string. If this man took away his zither string, he would not kill him. He would still remember Xiao Chen’s meritorious service in the last few days. Yet to kill him now would be as easy as turning a palm.

He had finally located this zither string. How could he let him have it now? Just when he was at a loss, someone in the distance started humming a tune. “A blade of flower, a blade of dust, a night shower of flowers leaving no dust… ”

As each word descended, the voice seemed to creep a little closer. With the final word “dust”, a man in white appeared in the air.

This man’s countenance seemed carved out of jade and it was as pretty as a picture. He was a most handsome man of the mortal world. His complexion was as fair as a maiden’s. In his hand was a feather fan with ornamental flowers, as he descended slowly from mid-air. The moment he landed, all the dust on the ground dispersed away.

Xiao Chen was astounded. Was this man the No. 7 Cultivator None-flower Dust? He could not discern his cultivation at all. Was he here for the zither string?

Liku gave an expression of slight surprise. Then, he smiled. “Oh? Is this young None-flower? We haven’t met for ten years. How are you?”

In the distance, the crowds bustled with excitement. Numerous girls gave a scream at the city gate. Was this the most handsome and graceful man in the world, None-flower Dust?

None-flower Dust smiled faintly and looked at him. His voice was tender as a girl’s. “Oh? Perfected Immortal Liku? Look, it has been ten years. You still look so old and I, so young… ”

Liku glanced at Xuanyue by his side and ordered her to return to the city at once. Then, he smiled again at None-flower Dust. “You are right. Unfortunately, I have something I need to attend to. Why don’t we reminisce again another day?” His body shifted as he streaked toward Xiao Chen.

A white shadow flashed. None-flower Dust had blocked Liku’s path. He waved the feather fan in his hand gently, smiling nonchalantly. “How can you leave just like that? We have scarcely met. After all, our last fight ten years ago ended in a draw. Why don’t we continue today?”

All these took place in the blink of an eye. Xiao Chen had not even seen what had happened. None-flower Dust stood rooted to the ground. The figure which had blocked Liku’s path was a double.

Chu Lingjiao tugged at his robe sleeve, whispering, “Now’s the best time to go!”

Liku saw that Xiao Chen was about to leave. He yelled out in a deep voice, “We’d better choose another day to reminisce!” His body whizzed and he edged near Xiao Chen. He was about to extend his hand to grab the Jade Zither, when another white shadow stopped him. Yet None-flower Dust seemed still rooted to the spot.

He could conjure up two separate doubles so quickly, one after the other. Xiao Chen was astonished. How high was his cultivation, really? He could not dwell on this question. Chu Lingjiao pulled him away as they dashed into the forest.

Behind them, Liku had been detained by None-flower Dust. He could not come after them for the time being. Together with Luo Shangyan and the 12 Heartless Palace disciples, they continued running for 10 kilometers. Xiao Chen had kept his Jade Zither into the Divine Vessel. When he turned back to look, he could no longer see Liku and None-flower Dust. Another girl in red blouse had come after them. It was Liu Fenghuang.

Liu Fenghuang stared at the two and said in a soft voice, “Junior Brother Han… Senior Sister Chu…” Chu Lingjiao smiled quietly. “Little Fenghuang, are you still addressing me as Senior Sister?”

Xiao Chen spoke. “Go and wait for me over there. I have something to say to her. I will be there shortly.” Chu Lingjiao smiled indifferently. “Hurry up. That None-flower Dust might not be a match for Liku.” She glanced at Luo Shangyan. “Let’s go together, Miss Luo.”

Xiao Chen knew that she had made Luo Shangyan accompany her because she feared that he would run off with the zither. He said to Luo Shangyan, “You go too, Senior Sister Luo. I shall be there shortly.”

The others left. Xiao Chen stared at Liu Fenghuang. “I’m sorry I deceived you. My motive all along was the divine zither. I know you won’t believe me, but this divine zither was once my companion many years ago.”

Liu Fenghuang choked back tears. “Junior Brother Han, come back with me. My father won’t blame you… ” Xiao Chen sighed. “My surname isn’t Han but Xiao. My real name is Xiao Chen.” Then, he took out the dragon pill from the Divine Vessel and handed it to her. “You’d better return this dragon pill to Sect Leader Liu… ”

Liu Fenghuang’s eyes were full of tears. She continued to choke. “Junior Brother Han… ”

Xiao Chen sighed. “Be careful in the future. Don’t trust another person too easily… ” He turned to go after these words. After walking 15 meters away, he turned back his head and discovered that she was still standing at the same spot. He said again, “I am going to Jade Qing Sect in the Qing Province. You can look me up if something is up.”

This time, he no longer stopped. He pushed himself forward on his tiptoes. He believed that Liu Fenghuang would not reveal his whereabouts to anyone.