AVL Chapter 6

Xi Jianlan’s five fingers suddenly clenched.

 

Another person from Xiezhi Sect.

 

Despite his life hanging by a thread, Xi Jianlan’s first reaction was annoyance.

 

Why was Xiezhi Sect always like a lingering ghost?

 

Sooner or later, he’d have to find a way to kill Sheng Jiao.

 

The sword blade was sharp and ice-cold, pressed tightly against the blood vessels in Xi Jianlan’s neck, directly freezing the water on his neck into thin ice.

 

Xi Jianlan, in his soaked single garment with his frail frame, felt this person’s aura as if from the depths of hell, yet his heart remained calm. He even boldly shifted his gaze slightly upward, finally landing on that person’s face.

 

Heh, utterly ordinary.

 

This person had half-bound black hair and held only an ordinary mortal sword, yet every inch was filled with fierce, cold light. When he looked down at him from above, the sense of oppression was overwhelming.

 

A jade token hung at his waist, faintly flickering with blue thunder patterns.

 

—That was Xi Jianlan’s capture warrant, and the Xiezhi Sect brand on his shoulder was reacting to this jade token.

 

Xi Jianlan’s heart immediately relaxed by half.

 

It wasn’t Sheng Jiao.

 

That made sense. No matter what Sheng Jiao did, he would use “Worthy of Heavenly Dao” to strike people dead with heavenly thunder and be done with it. There was no need to disguise his identity.

 

But before Xi Jianlan could breathe a sigh of relief, he suddenly saw that the tiger’s mouth of the person holding the sword was slowly dripping blood, and a familiar sword intent rushed toward him along with the bloody smell.

 

Xi Jianlan’s heart sank: ‘I’m finished.’

 

It was Spring Rain’s sword intent.

 

Xi Jianlan’s life sword was called Spring Rain. Anyone wounded by it would have sharp sword intent remaining in the wound, making it difficult to heal.

 

This person was not only from Xiezhi Sect but also an enemy he had wounded?!

 

Although he was a dandy in his youth, he didn’t like using Spring Rain. Xi Jianlan racked his brains but couldn’t remember whom he had wounded with Spring Rain.

 

At this moment, the utterly ordinary man spoke again.

 

“Xi Jue, you…”

 

Xi Jianlan’s dangling earring was soaked with water and wasn’t functioning very smoothly. The earring made several “sizzling” sounds, and Xi Jianlan didn’t hear the second half of the sentence clearly.

 

He instinctively looked at the person’s lip movements, but the upward motion caused the ice-cold sword blade to cut a straight bloody line across his neck.

 

That person’s rock-steady hand suddenly paused.

 

Xi Jianlan’s pupils shifted slightly.

 

Afraid of hurting him?

 

The girl named Shang Yuan earlier was the same—her attacks seemed fierce, but whenever her Binding Silk was about to hit him, she would quickly withdraw it, afraid of touching him.

 

What were they wary of?

 

In an instant, Xi Jianlan’s brain spun like a whipped top.

 

“Sir, do you know why among all the Xiezhi Sect capture warrants in the Thirteen States, only mine specifically states ‘capture alive’?”

 

The cold sword intent slightly condensed.

 

That person looked down at him from above. After a long time, he finally spoke: “Why?”

 

Just two words, yet he seemed to say them with great difficulty, his thin lips moving slowly, word by word.

 

Xi Jianlan thought to himself: ‘So it really is capture alive. I guessed right.’

 

He gave an enigmatic light laugh—even though he was still kneeling there, clutching someone’s robe hem to barely support his body, he maintained his composure: “Naturally, it’s because someone in your Xiezhi Sect has excessive personal feelings for me and can’t bear to let me die.”

 

That person’s voice seemed very strange.

 

“…Who?”

 

Xi Jianlan said unhurriedly: “Whoever issued my capture warrant is naturally the one.”

 

That person’s brow furrowed slightly.

 

“Yes, you’re thinking correctly.” Xi Jianlan said, “…It’s Sect Master Sheng.”

 

That person: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan saw that the person seemed shocked and continued his efforts, spinning more tall tales.

 

“Sheng Jiao has deep-rooted feelings for me. He is wise and mighty, his cultivation should rank first in the Thirteen States. If you harm me, you’ll have no good fruit to eat.”

 

That person: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan had relied on this mouth to swindle throughout the Thirteen States, hiding and fleeing for six years without being caught by Xiezhi Sect. His abilities were evident.

 

Anyway, as long as the person who came wasn’t Sheng Jiao, he dared to spin tall tales even to the Jade Emperor.

 

That person remained silent, watching him for a long time before repeating word by word.

 

“…Deep-rooted feelings?”

 

“Correct.” Xi Jianlan nodded, raising his hand to adjust his dangling earring. “This is the love token your Sect Master gave me, worth a hundred spirit stones.”

 

That person: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan wasn’t lying. This dangling earring was indeed given to him by Sheng Jiao.

 

—Except he had forced Sheng Jiao to give it to him.

 

But in Xi Jianlan’s mouth at this moment, it became a love token that Sheng Jiao had offered with a heart full of sincere feelings, and he didn’t even blush.

 

That person seemed somewhat moved, and the sharp sword blade suddenly withdrew.

 

Clang—

 

The sound of a sword being sheathed.

 

Sheng Jiao said impassively: “Is that so?”

 

Xi Jianlan thought there was hope: “Exactly so. If you want to kill me, carefully consider whether you can defeat Sheng Jiao first.”

 

Sheng Jiao looked at him indifferently.

 

Xi Jianlan’s soaked snow-white inner garment was almost translucent as it clung to his body. He had been weak for too long, kneeling there in a small bundle, looking like a youth whose body had just matured.

 

Xi Jue had formed his nascent soul at seventeen, so his stature should have stopped growing that year for life, but he thought it wasn’t imposing enough and worked hard eating spirit pills.

 

Later, when he finally managed to grow a bit taller, he turned around to see that Sheng Jiao, who had also formed his nascent soul at seventeen, was still half a head taller than him. This made him so angry he ate two fewer bowls of rice that day.

 

Sheng Jiao’s gaze imperceptibly swept over the “Zhuo” brand on Xi Jianlan’s right shoulder and lightly parted his lips.

 

“Come with me, back to Xiezhi Sect.”

 

Xi Jianlan’s eyelashes had frozen with a layer of white frost. Hearing this, he frowned.

 

Hadn’t this person been wary of Sheng Jiao just now?

 

Could it be that even such a righteous-evil tragic beautiful abusive romance couldn’t move this block of ice?

 

In his youth, Xi Jianlan had relied on his ability to charm cats and tease dogs to offend Sheng Jiao thoroughly.

 

Later, after the Xi family was massacred, he was captured and taken to Xiezhi Sect, then escaped from prison right under Sheng Jiao’s nose.

 

If he were captured and taken back to Xiezhi Sect again, that cold-faced, cold-hearted killing god Sheng Jiao would probably chop off his head and hang his corpse as a warning to others.

 

Xi Jianlan didn’t dare go back with him and immediately started spouting nonsense.

 

“Sir, you don’t understand the true meaning of Sect Master Sheng’s capture warrant. Sheng Jiao is so enamored with me that he gets jealous and strikes people with heavenly thunder even when others put their arms around my shoulders. Naturally, he only wants to capture me personally. If you take action and go back to claim credit, you’ll probably be expelled from Xiezhi Sect by the possessive Sect Master Sheng.”

 

Sheng Jiao: “…”

 

Sheng Jiao finally lost patience and reached out to yank Xi Jianlan’s capture warrant from his waist.

 

With a casual grip, the jade token immediately turned into snow-white powder that scattered to the ground.

 

At the same time, the brand on Xi Jianlan’s shoulder also contracted inch by inch, finally becoming a red mole, as if dripping blood.

 

The burning sensation on his shoulder finally receded.

 

Sheng Jiao said nothing and turned to leave.

 

Xi Jianlan covered his right shoulder and was stunned for a moment.

 

A person from Xiezhi Sect recognized him but didn’t try to capture him—could there really be such good fortune?

 

It seemed the prestige of “Mrs. Sheng” could be used again in the future.

 

But before he could finish rejoicing, he suddenly felt an invisible force pull at his wrist, yanking his slender body and making him stumble forward two steps.

 

Xi Jianlan looked at Sheng Jiao’s wrist in bewilderment and sure enough discovered a black iron chain hidden in the air, barely perceptible.

 

—That was Xiezhi Sect’s Binding Silk used when arresting criminals, which could render a person powerless and unable to escape even with wings.

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

He was still caught.

 

Xi Jianlan had just been soaked in water and his whole body was starting to burn faintly. After staggering two steps, he fell to the ground with a “thud.”

 

The Binding Silk suddenly tightened, dragging his slender wrist upward.

 

Sheng Jiao stopped and turned to look at him coldly.

 

His gaze was too aggressive, like a cold wind pouring in from the soles of his feet, spreading bone-deep chill throughout his body.

 

Xi Jianlan’s greatest strength was assessing situations and being flexible. Seeing that the Binding Silk was already on and there was no escape, he quickly changed tactics, looking up pitifully: “Sir, my dao companion’s capture warrant does specify to capture me alive, right?”

 

Sheng Jiao seemed shocked by the term “dao companion,” his eyes rarely showing a moment of emptiness.

 

After a long time, he said: “…What?”

 

“…It’s to capture me alive.” Xi Jianlan’s body trembled slightly, his long hair covered with thick white frost as he said innocently, “If you don’t save me soon, I’ll freeze to death here. Then your Sect Master will definitely hold my corpse and cry bitterly, and in his rage kill you to accompany me in death.”

 

Sheng Jiao: “…”

 

Sheng Jiao was silent for a long time before saying: “What do you want?”

 

“Clothes.” Xi Jianlan naturally extended his hand toward him, “…I see that crane cloak you’re wearing is quite nice. Please trouble yourself to take it off and lend it to me.”

 

Sheng Jiao: “…”

 

Sheng Jiao looked down at him, seemingly unable to understand how this person could speak so righteously about the unseemly act of stripping someone’s clothes.

 

He raised his hand to form the Binding Silk seal, planning to drag him along.

 

Xi Jianlan moved quickly, just like someone who was used to scamming, directly lying flat and pretending to be dying with his last breath.

 

“I’m going to die, my parents are coming to take me. Ah, the Yellow Springs Rakshasa are right before my eyes—Sir, if you see Sect Master Sheng, you must tell him to remember to burn more paper money for me during the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

 

Sheng Jiao: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan’s face was pale, his whole body radiating “about to go to the Yellow Springs, burn paper money if you need something.”

 

Suddenly, a crane cloak and black outer robe still carrying warmth were thrown directly over his head.

 

Sheng Jiao wore only a black inner garment, his broad shoulders and narrow waist completely unafraid of the bitter cold wind.

 

“Put it on. Walk.”

 

Xi Jianlan was shivering from the cold. Without more nonsense, he looked around and found no one nearby, then with trembling hands took off his inner garment that had frozen into ice shards.

 

The Yutan flower hidden in his sleeve had long since fallen into the water with his outer robe and disappeared.

 

Today was truly a great misfortune, unsuitable for all activities.

 

Sheng Jiao inadvertently looked back and suddenly turned sideways.

 

His sword sheath swept out a circle of spiritual power, thunderously exploding the lake water beside them into dozens of zhang of snow-white spray.

 

“You!”

 

Xi Jianlan was “mourning” the Yutan flower while tying the sash of his long robe. His black hair had frozen into ice, and he casually rubbed it twice, causing ice crystal powder to fall.

 

Hearing the commotion, he looked up in surprise, seeing the man with his back to him, tightly gripping his sword hilt with his whole body tense. He thought: ‘Oh oh oh, this person really is the same type as Sheng Jiao.’

 

Even embarrassed by seeing someone undress.

 

The shameless Xi had long forgotten what embarrassment was. He casually put on the outer robe and wrapped the thick crane cloak around himself, smiling: “Is the sir practicing ‘see no evil’?”

 

Sheng Jiao said nothing and started walking.

 

Xi Jianlan laughed heartily and strolled along to follow.

 

Xiezhi Sect robes had silver thread dark patterns woven into arrays that protected against cold and heat. Xi Jianlan’s nearly frozen body gradually warmed up.

 

After recovering, he looked around and belatedly realized this was actually the outskirts of Guchangsi Temple.

 

Guchangsi Temple wasn’t a real temple, but the old site of a Buddhist temple in the northern border of Yuchuan near the snow mountains. Because spiritual objects were often sold there, countless cultivators gradually gathered and settled there.

 

Outside Guchangsi Temple was a vast ghost forest, covered with paper money and yellow paper, with ghostly fires jumping through the mountains and forests.

 

The surroundings were filled with ghostly energy, with occasional ghost cries and laughter echoing in the ears, making one’s hair stand on end.

 

“Sir?” Xi Jianlan sensed something was wrong, “Aren’t you taking me back to Xiezhi Sect?”

 

Sheng Jiao walked toward the thousand-layer steps, sparing his words: “Go to Guchangsi Temple first.”

 

Xi Jianlan smiled with curved eyes.

 

Heaven never seals off all exits—Feng Yu was also at Guchangsi Temple.

 

He wondered what spiritual object Guchangsi Temple was selling today that could make this person bring along a criminal like him despite the risk of complications.

 

Anyway, as long as he found that sucker Feng, he could definitely escape from this person’s hands.

 

Xi Jianlan completely relaxed, took a few quick steps with his bare feet, and shamelessly moved close to Sheng Jiao: “Do you have any old grudges with me, sir?”

 

Sheng Jiao’s whole body stiffened and he stepped half a pace to the side.

 

He had used spiritual power to forcibly heal the wound on his right hand’s tiger’s mouth, but the sword intent was still rampaging. Before long it burst open again, blood trickling down his pale hand.

 

Xi Jianlan thought, how pitiful.

 

The sword intent was rampaging through flesh and blood, tearing open healed bones and flesh—it was simply a form of torture.

 

Thinking this, Xi Jianlan sighed silently and suddenly reached out to grab Sheng Jiao’s wrist.

 

Sheng Jiao’s forearm instantly tensed, almost unable to control his spiritual power from flinging this sickly person several li away.

 

“Thank you for your mercy in not killing me, sir.” Xi Jianlan acted as if he hadn’t noticed his resistance, his eyes seeming to have hooks as he met Sheng Jiao’s gaze, saying gently, “Let me help you draw out the sword intent.”

 

Sheng Jiao still clenched his five fingers, hiding the wound, looking at him indifferently.

 

“This injury looks to be five or six years old.” Xi Jianlan felt guilty, his usually false eyes rarely showing some genuine emotion. “It’s probably from when I wounded you in my ignorant youth. Today you saved my life without holding grudges—such a virtuous act of repaying evil with good. How could I continue watching you suffer from Spring Rain’s sword intent?”

 

Sheng Jiao was like snow on a mountain peak, unmoved by whatever Xi Jianlan said.

 

Xi Jianlan had the protective charm of being “Mrs. Sheng,” so he boldly reached out to forcibly pry open Sheng Jiao’s clenched fist.

 

Sheng Jiao moved his finger, instantly healing the wound and making the blood traces disappear.

 

He was forced to open his palm, revealing the hideous scar at the tiger’s mouth.

 

Normally, healing a wound once would last at least half a month before reopening, but with Xi Jianlan nearby, Spring Rain’s sword intent was frantically rampaging through the wound.

 

In an instant, the scar split open with a tiny wound, a thread of dark red blood slowly seeping out.

 

Xi Jianlan cupped that hand full of sword calluses and actually pressed his lips directly to it, his crimson tongue tip gently licking the wound.

 

Sheng Jiao’s pupils contracted sharply.

 

Xi Jianlan, this sickly person, had been soaked in ice water and was now running a fever, his mouth and teeth burning hot, so hot that Sheng Jiao’s fingers unconsciously curled before he forced himself to relax.

 

The sword intent in the wound was being gathered in one place, seemingly being drawn out bit by bit.

 

Sheng Jiao’s eyes stared intently at Xi Jianlan’s face.

 

Xi Jianlan had a gorgeous face that amazed all the Thirteen States. Now with his hair disheveled and the rough-edged crane cloak piled around his beautiful neck, his face appeared even paler.

 

His cheeks flushed with fever, and he looked at him with thick eyelashes and an almost lustful gaze.

 

Vivid and alluring.

 

…Like a seductive spirit from hell’s Yellow Springs come to steal souls.

 

Xi Jianlan’s beautiful pupils flowed like a succubus, staring directly into Sheng Jiao’s eyes. After licking away the blood, he silently opened his teeth and slowly pressed his two small fangs against Sheng Jiao’s tiger’s mouth.

 

Just as he was about to bite down, Sheng Jiao suddenly reached out to grip his jaw.

 

Xi Jianlan was stunned.

 

Sheng Jiao remained expressionless, his thumb forcibly separating Xi Jianlan’s teeth and probing into the burning mouth, pressing hard against that fang.

 

Xi Jianlan was forced to tilt his head back with his lips open, staring at him with wide eyes.

 

“Mm…”

 

Sheng Jiao’s face was frosty, his fingertip pressing between Xi Jianlan’s canine teeth, vaguely feeling a tiny poison pill the size of a sesame seed.

 

“Want to kill me?”

 

——————–

 

Author’s Note:

 

Xi Jianlan: This one is so hard to deceive. I miss Feng Yu.

 

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