“May I ask for your na, Miss?” Xu Ming clasped his hands and bowed politely.
In Xu Ming’s opinion, they were both sneaking around San Shi Peak. They were like grasshoppers tied to the sa rope, with no need for unnecessary secrecy.
If she betrayed him, he could just as easily betray her.
As for whether she would kill him to silence him, Xu Ming admitted that this girl was strong, but she wasn’t beyond his level. If it ca to a full fight, he might even win. She wouldn’t be able to take his life.
“My na is Jiang Xue,” Xu Xuenuo replied, avoiding her real na.
However, she didn’t feel like she was lying to Xu Ming.
“Jiang” was her master’s surna, and “Xue” was a character from her given na.
When she first joined the Wanjian Sect, her master had suggested changing her na entirely to sever all ties with the mortal world, including her family na.
But she had refused.
One reason was that she wasn’t ready to completely abandon the na her parents had given her. Another was that she felt that changing her na would sohow make her lose herself.
Her master didn’t push her.
To her master, swordsmanship was just another path of the Dao. And the Dao—the path—was sothing one had to walk for oneself, to make one’s own choices.
If soone else made the choices for you, that path would belong to them, not to you.
From the mont she began cultivating, every step of her journey had been her own decision. Her master had never forced her into anything.
“Miss Jiang, your swordsmanship is remarkable,” Xu Ming complinted her, trying to build rapport. “May I ask which sect you belong to?”
Although the girl wore a sword robe, its design was plain and could easily be purchased in the mortal world. It bore no insignia or markings to indicate her sect.
As for whether her na was real or not, Xu Ming didn’t really care.
Even if it was false, so what?
If trouble arose, and she managed to escape unscathed, he’d make sure to have a portrait of her drawn and expose her identity. If he had to go down, she’d go down with him.
“Thank you,” Xu Xuenuo responded coldly, her tone polite but distant. “As for my sect, I’d rather not say. But don’t worry, I’m not a disciple of the Tianxuan Sect. Like you, I’ve entered this peak without permission.”
She turned her head and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, looking slightly uncomfortable.
“Let’s not beat around the bush, Miss.”
Xu Ming studied the girl, who exuded sword energy from every fiber of her being, as if she herself were a sword.
“We’ve both snuck into San Shi Peak. I sensed your sword qi at the base of the mountain. Whatever your purpose is, I won’t pry.
But perhaps we can help each other. At the very least, we could agree not to interfere with one another. Let’s act as if we never saw each other and handle our own business. What do you think?”
Truthfully, Xu Ming was tempted to team up with this girl.
Though their interaction had been brief, he felt she wasn’t the kind of person who would stab soone in the back. Of course, this impression might have been influenced by her breathtaking beauty.
After all, people are naturally inclined to like those who are attractive.
Regardless, this girl was undeniably strong. Who knew what other dangers lay ahead on San Shi Peak? If they worked together and each pursued their own goals, it seed like a reasonable arrangent.
Hearing Xu Ming’s proposal, Xu Xuenuo hesitated for a mont before nodding. “Alright!”
Xu Ming nodded as well. “Then, may I ask why Miss Jiang ca to this place?”
Xu Xuenuo did not hide anything. “I was practicing my swordsmanship when my life-bound flying sword reacted to sothing. Following its guidance, I ended up at this mountain. There was a formation protecting it, so I split it open.
Although the formation was quite powerful, I was able to create a small crack, which was enough for to enter.
It might sound unbelievable to you, but that’s one of my flying sword’s innate abilities.
After entering what you call San Shi Peak, I ca across that cave and encountered the beast. Everything that happened after that, you already know.
Speaking of which, I should thank you for stepping in to help.”
Xu Ming replied politely, “You’re too kind, Miss.”
At this point, Xu Ming’s trust in this “Jiang Xue” increased even further.
Her explanation had been natural and swift, her expression genuine and innocent. It didn’t seem fabricated in the slightest. If it was all a lie, then her acting skills were truly impeccable.
“What about you?” Xu Xuenuo asked, her gaze on Xu Ming.
“As for , it’s because of a friend,” Xu Ming replied vaguely. “She told that San Shi Peak held so secrets and gave sothing that allowed to enter.
Beyond that, she didn’t tell much. So I’ve been wandering around like a headless fly until I heard a loud noise in the sky. Thinking sothing might have happened, I ca to investigate.
And then, well, you ca crashing down on . The rest, as you said, is history.”
“Mm.” Xu Xuenuo nodded, seemingly fully convinced by Xu Ming’s explanation, without the slightest hint of suspicion.
Xu Ming glanced at her and smiled. “Why do I feel like you believe everything I say so easily?”
“I do believe you,” Xu Xuenuo replied with a nod. She tilted her head slightly, looking at him. “Or… are you lying to ?”
The girl’s bluntness left Xu Ming montarily speechless. “No, I’m not lying. I just feel like you trust a bit too easily.”
“Oh.” Xu Xuenuo pointed to the cave ahead, swiftly changing the subject. “I want to check out what’s in there. Are you coming with ?”
Xu Ming nodded. “Of course.”
Xu Xuenuo didn’t waste any words. “Then let’s go.”
Watching her figure walk toward the cave, Xu Ming couldn’t shake a sense of familiarity.
It was a vague feeling he couldn’t quite put into words.
“What’s wrong?” Xu Xuenuo asked when she noticed Xu Ming hadn’t followed her.
“Nothing.” Xu Ming shook his head. “I just feel like I’ve t you before.”
Xu Xuenuo’s heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained calm. “How so?”
Xu Ming smiled. “I can’t rember.”
“Well, if you can’t rember, then hurry up.”
Xu Xuenuo turned back around, her long legs striding confidently into the cave.
Xu Ming followed her, occasionally glancing at her profile.
He tried hard to recall why she seed so familiar but couldn’t co up with an answer.
For so reason, though, she seed colder than before.
Was she… upset?
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