Chapter Seventy-Five: Watching in the Shadows

Nangong Xiaomei's expression darkened as she said, "We are all members of the Four Sects of the Southwest. Now that an alliance is imminent, why must you press us so aggressively, Young Master Fan?"

Fan Xunmei's face remained unchanged as he laughed, "The Four Sects of the Southwest share a bond of kinship. If we unite further through marriage and cultivate together for a hundred years, would we not be closer than ever? As long as we work together with one heart, we will surely carve out a place for ourselves in the entire Zhao Kingdom."

"Closer than ever? Kinship? I suspect your Tanshan Sect simply covets our poison and concealed weapons," snorted Yue Xiaozhu from the side before Nangong Xiaomei could reply.

Li Xiaosong could not help but interject, "That's right, you beast in human guise! I can smell your schemes from a mile away. Let me tell you, as long as I'm here, you best not think about making a move on Sister Xiaomei!"

"Hmph!"

Fan Xunmei snapped his folding fan shut, his face turning sinister. "I am the direct grandson of the founding ancestor of Tanshan Sect. Am I not worthy of a mere inner disciple of Incense Scent Sect?"

"Since its founding in Zhao, Incense Scent Sect has always relied on its own strength. We do not survive by marrying into other sects. If you wish to do business, our doors are open. But if you continue to speak of marriage, I fear there will be no need for us to meet again." Nangong Xiaomei gave him a respectful bow, her tone neither servile nor overbearing.

"Hmph! I see you refuse a toast only to accept punishment. Do you know that my ancestor broke through to the Gathering Essence Realm just last month? By now, he is likely already on his way to your sect to propose marriage. I wonder how many guts your master has to dare refuse my ancestor’s visit?"

"So that’s how it is," Nangong Xiaomei nodded, "Congratulations to the Tanshan Ancestor for breaking through to the Gathering Essence Realm. When I have time, I shall surely pay my respects with gifts."

Fan Xunmei revealed the news of his ancestor's advancement, but did not see the fear he expected on Nangong Xiaomei's face; she remained calm, leaving him somewhat perplexed.

"No matter. Today, I’ll seize this woman first. Once things are done, Incense Scent Sect will have no choice but to agree. Hmph, if not for her special physique, which aids men in dual cultivation, I wouldn’t bother with such pomp," Fan Xunmei thought to himself.

His thoughts raced, and suddenly he smiled darkly, "Nangong Xiaomei, if you obey, I will treat you well. If you resist, I guarantee you will suffer humiliation."

"Well, that fox’s tail shows up so quickly! Just moments ago, you acted so refined. Every one of you from Tanshan Sect is a master of changing faces!" Li Xiaosong shouted from the side.

"Hmph, I treated you as an honored guest, but you see me as a worn shoe. If that's how it is, don't blame me for being ruthless," Fan Xunmei sneered. "Dog Uncle, handle those two brats. Nangong Xiaomei is mine—I’ll personally teach her what it means to be a husband and master!"

Beside Fan Xunmei stood a hunched old man, who had previously seemed half-asleep with drooping eyelids.

Upon hearing Fan Xunmei's command, the old man's eyes suddenly shot open, gleaming with a sharp light. His cultivation of the seventh layer of Qi Refining was unmistakable. The blue-robed cultivators spread out, subtly encircling the three women, clearly to prevent their escape.

"Both of them are formidable," Nangong Xiaomei murmured, her lips barely moving as she whispered to Yue Xiaozhu, "Xiao Zhu, when the fight breaks out, protect Xiaosong and find a chance to escape. I have my own way."

But before Yue Xiaozhu could respond, Fan Xunmei had already launched himself forward, striking towards Nangong Xiaomei with his palm.

"It's too late to run now!"

The three women felt a surge of immense force rushing toward them, as though a mountain was bearing down.

Nangong Xiaomei stepped ahead, shielding her two junior sisters. With a wave of her red sleeve, a crimson light shot forth, flying straight at Fan Xunmei.

That red light flickered in the night, spinning as it advanced. Fan Xunmei did not dare to be careless; he shifted his palm to a slap, his left hand coming down hard to suppress the red light by two inches. Then, with a deft tap of his toe, he leapt backward, narrowly evading the attack.

The red light, failing to strike, spiraled in midair and returned to hover above Nangong Xiaomei's head, dancing restlessly. On closer inspection, it was a carved dagger.

"Oh my! This is... a demon..."

With a thud, the innkeeper collapsed, stunned by the sight. Liang Yan reached out to knock him unconscious, sparing himself the noise. The man, a mere mortal, had his worldview shattered by the magic being displayed. Before he could scream, Liang Yan decisively struck him on the back of the head, finally restoring peace.

He moved the innkeeper aside and claimed the window for himself, secretly enjoying the unfolding drama.

"Of course I’ll help, but if I intervene now, Li Xiaosong and the others may not appreciate it. Better let them struggle, and when they're losing, I'll step in to save the day. Then I can demand 'Intoxicating Fragrance' as my reward," he calculated gleefully, as if he could already see the precious item beckoning.

Clang!

As Nangong Xiaomei and Fan Xunmei exchanged blows, Yue Xiaozhu drew her sword, though her opponent was not Fan Xunmei, but the so-called Dog Uncle beside him.

Dog Uncle sniffed the air, his face drawn as he said, "Little girl, your aptitude is excellent—you possess the body of a Golden Immortal. Yet your temperament is too stubborn. Everything taken to extremes leads to decline. Your spiritual power is fierce and sharp, but your moves lack flexibility. I only need to beat you by a move or two."

Yue Xiaozhu’s face paled. This man was only at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, yet with just a sniff, he saw through her secrets—truly uncanny.

Yet with danger imminent, she could not show weakness. With a cold snort, she replied, "Then you’ll have to withstand my 'move or two' first!"

She formed a sword with her left fingers and ran them along her blade. Instantly, the sword flashed with golden light, its edge sharper than ever—touch it, and even refined iron would split in two.

As her sword mutated, Yue Xiaozhu’s aura shifted, no longer the quiet, taciturn girl, but a drawn blade. With a cry, she thrust at Dog Uncle.

Sword light filled the air, but Dog Uncle seemed still half-asleep, unmoving until the last moment, when he stepped right, letting the sword light brush past his beard, sending it fluttering.

"No, not enough!"

Dog Uncle shook his head in disappointment. "Too much force, not enough finesse."

Yue Xiaozhu gritted her teeth and swung again.

Dog Uncle dodged once more, hands folded behind his back, toe tapping the ground as he floated up, evading the sweeping blade. Then, as he descended, he pressed his foot down, pinning Yue Xiaozhu's sword into the earth.

"Terrible! You must know: when exerting full strength, only use seventy percent against an opponent, reserving thirty percent for yourself. Using all in one move, you become constrained and cannot recover," Dog Uncle lectured, shaking his head as if disappointed in her potential.

Yue Xiaozhu clung to her sword, face flushed as she tried to pull it free, but it did not budge.

Just as despair crept in, the pressure eased, and with a stumble, she managed to retrieve her sword. Looking up, she saw Dog Uncle leaping back with his lifeless expression.

"Little girl, winning too easily is no fun. Try again."

Yue Xiaozhu’s mind exploded. She possessed the body of a Golden Immortal, the perfect constitution for cultivating metal arts, her talent far outstripping her peers. In duels, she was nearly invincible.

Yet recently, she’d suffered setback after setback—first, Liang Yan had easily suppressed her despite being at the same level, and now this old man at the seventh layer of Qi Refining toyed with her. How could her proud heart not be wounded?

Her sword flared with golden light once more, and she attacked Dog Uncle relentlessly, each move fiercer than the last, as if she cared nothing for her own life.

"No, not enough."

"Again, again."

Dog Uncle remained calm, hands behind his back, not even bothering to raise them, occasionally mocking her with a few words.

The bystanders see what the players cannot. Yue Xiaozhu was furious, but Liang Yan saw the truth: despite Dog Uncle’s humiliating words, his moves lacked any killing intent. This was not a fight, but instruction.

"This man hides his abilities well—what is he up to?"