Yellow petals blanketed the boats deck and rained down from the sky. Cultivators ran around, kicking up petals left and right. Lu Xubo glared imposingly down from on high. Petals poured out of his blade like water. A thick floral scent choked the air.
Li Xiang raised her sleeve to cover her nose. Her nose wrinkled slightly in disgust. I cant stand the sll of these flowers.
Ah! Is that why she was so fastidious about them in her house? Hui wondered. He shook his head at Lu Xubo. Elder Brother, it seems your love was dood from the start.
Lu Xubo glared at him. You thief! Give her back.
Hui bowed. Actually, would Elder Brother mind coming down? We have sothing wed like to speak with you about.
Ha! As if Id step foot on such a shoddy vessel, Lu Xubo laughed, crossing his arms.
Lu Xubo, co down, Li Xiang ordered.
Like a star from the heavens, Lu Xubo plumted from the sky. He landed on his knee at her foot, reaching for her pale hand. Of course, Li Xiang.
Li Xiang casually tucked her hands behind her, giving him nothing to grab.
Struck dumb, Lu Xubo stared at her. His eyes watered, but a second later, his expression fird up once more. Naturally. My hands are dirty, how could I dare touch you? Let cleanse them. His body thrumd, and all the dirt and yellow petals fell off of it, leaving him pristine once more.
Huis eyes lit up. Elder Brother! Can you teach that technique? I only know a version that removes all my clothes, not one that cleanses them!
Li Xiang nudged Hui. Jolted back to reality, Hui let out a little cough. He gestured at Ya Ai. Elder Brother, this Elder Sister here is Chen Xiguis beloved. Shes willing to hear us out about Chen Xigui. Could you share what happened to you with her?
Lu Xubo paused, startled. His expression twisted, and he hesitated. After a mont, he nodded, slowly. I will.
It must be sothing truly painful for him to react that way, Hui thought, shaking his head internally. He turned to the others, casting a aningful glance around the other cultivators on the ships deck. Should we head back to Ya Ais quarters? Theres no need to expose his trauma before the ears of all.
The sect elder scowled, but Ya Ai nodded. I agree.
Ji Taiyu raised his hand. Could I listen in, as well? Im curious about this Chen Xigui.
Uncertain, Li Xiang looked at Hui. Hui nodded. He leaned in to Li Xiang and whispered, Hes a righteous cultivator, an upright and moral man. And that Bao Huli who follows him around is a fifth stage fox demon. If hes on our side, shell co as well, and well gain the benefits of both a third-stage sword cultivator and a fifth-stage demon fox.
Li Xiang nodded. She raised her head and t Ji Taiyus eyes. You can co as well.
Ji Taiyu smiled. Many thanks.
Having gathered Lu Xubo, the group returned to Ya Ais quarters. Again, Hui lifted his hand to exclude the sect elder.
This ti, Ya Ai raised a hand to stop him. Let Hong Haitao listen in. Ultimately, I will have to convince him one way or another. It will be easier if he hears the sa things I do.
Hui glanced at the sect elder. He looks like an old fox. Not trustworthy at all. Are you sure? If he lets news of our plan escape
Hong Haitao scowled back at him. This kids a slippery one. I dont like the way hes been excluding . Ill have to caution Ya Ai against him!
I am sure. Please, Ya Ai insisted.
Hui pressed his lips together. At last, he glanced at Li Xiang, who nodded in return. He breathed out. I can rely on Li Xiang to test him after the fact. Ill quiz him and see if he plans to run off and alert Chen Xigui. If Li Xiang says he plans on it, then well have to restrain him.
He cast the sound-deadening technique, but included the sect elder in its loop this ti. He turned to Lu Xubo. Go ahead. What happened between you and Chen Xigui?
Lu Xubo took a deep breath. He glanced at the floor, then clenched his fists. Chen Xigui stole my girlfriend!
Eh. Hui stared at Lu Xubo with dead eyes. I guess it was too much to hope for, that this hopeless guy would have a tragic, touching story Ah well, ti to find so different evidence. Li Xiang, you have that whole multicolor squad, right?
Li Xiang nodded. Should I call soone else?
Lu Xubo scowled. What? Whats wrong with holding a grudge over Chen Xigui stealing my girlfriend?
Nothing, Elder Brother. Its just the tragedy level is a bit Hui half-grinned, half-bared his teeth. Whos going to hate Chen Xigui from a story like that?
What do you an? He ripped her out of my arms and stole her away, then executed her in front of the entire town. Is that not tragic enough? Lu Xubo snarled, angry.
Huis eyes widened. He bowed apologetically. Please excuse , Elder Brother. I deeply apologize. This pathetic cultivator misunderstood. Continue, please continue.
Argh, if only hed phrased it better, I wouldnt havemmm. In this case, I can only bla myself. I shouldnt have spoken so soon, but allowed him to keep speaking!
Lu Xubo took a deep breath. He looked at the group before him and shook his head. That man is a monster. He thinks only of himself and his own pleasure. When he sees a girl he fancies, he takes her, whether shes a betrothed, a beloved, a concubine or a wife. He spares no one, and no one can stop him. Hes smart enough to not provoke those above him, and with the threat of All-Heavens Sect looming with every move he makes, how could any of the families in his city dare disobey when he asks for sothing?
After all, we all rember how All-Heavens treats sects and clans it dislikes. Look at Starbound Sect, for example. As if they were truly harboring so ancient demonic relic! He scoffed, glancing at Li Xiang for approval.
Li Xiang stared dead ahead, emotionless.
Hui glanced aside. Er Im sorry, but we were actually harboring an ancient demonic relic Not that it makes what All-Heavens did correct! But well, in others eyes
Anyways, best not to correct Elder Brother. If Li Xiang doesnt find it necessary to correct him, neither do I!
Although, co to think of it, was Li Xiang still there when the soul array was revealed? I know Lan Taijian teleported her away relatively early
Either way, theres no need for this small cultivator to speak up.
In the case of my girlfriend, I we did nothing. We were part of a moderately sized clan and lived in the city, never acting up or stepping out of line. The two of us grew up together, as childhood friends. Everything was peaceful. Until the day Chen Xigui ca to visit.
Everyone was nervous, but I was too young to understand why. I was only second stage back then a child, a teen, carefree and far too weak. The dinner went fine until Fei Sanbei ca out to greet . He took one glimpse at her in that gown, and there was no stopping him.
I begged. I begged my parents, I begged the elders. I got down on my knees and offered Chen Xigui anything, if only I could have her back. Even even after he laid his hands on her. No matter what, as long as she could live, I thought, I thought it would be fine.
Lu Xubo stared at his hands. They trembled, and he clenched them shut. His eyes shut.
Chen Xigui he couldnt allow that. For anyone else to have her, for her to live on he couldnt allow it. When he was done with her, he made up charges and publicly executed her. In the town square. In front of everyone. Allowing her no dignity, going so far as to hang her bones up until they dried and not permitting a proper burial. In the end, even I dont know what he did with her body.
Lu Xubo looked up, his yellow eyes flashing. Petals swirled around him, unconsciously slicing into the walls and floor as he sat there. That man cannot be allowed to live. Even if it kills , I will take his head. Im not so weak anymore. Now that I have strength, Ill absolutely use it to execute him!
He glanced at Li Xiang and blushed, his conviction suddenly fading. I vowed that Id never again love soone weak enough to lose to that perverted City Lord His eyes lingered on Li Xiang.
Shoo! Back off! We dont need any petals around here, Hui thought, narrowing hiseyes at Lu Xubo.
What was her na? Ya Ai asked gently.
Lu Xubo lowered his eyes again, long lashes hiding his eyes. Dong Mingyue.
Hong Haitao leaned forward. Dong Mingyue
Do you recall her? Ya Ai asked quietly.
Executed for stealing a valuable pill from the City Lord, Hong Haitao replied.
Lu Xubo scoffed. The Dong family is renowned for its pill refiners. If she wanted a pill, she could have asked anyone in her family.
That is true, Hong Haitao allowed, though slowly.
Ya Ai turned to Li Xiang.
Everything he said, he believes to be true, Li Xiang replied calmly.
Ya Ai leaned toward Hong Haitao. The two exchanged a look, and quickly fell into silent conference.
Hui held his breath, waiting. Please believe him! I dont care if hes telling the truth or not, but I need you to believe him! If not argh, I dont want to think about if not! It involves far too much violence! I dont like violence, okay? Lets choose peace, everyone! Believe Lu Xubo!
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