AVL Chapter 46

Xi Jianlan crouched in the corner for quite a while before crawling out with a green face.

 

The three young men were still chattering and pulling at him.

 

“This is going to your death! Even if you’re really good-looking, you’ll still get beaten down by him!”

 

“That person is an iron-faced King of Hell, showing no mercy to anyone!”

 

Xi Jianlan said quietly: “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t be as embarrassing as you all.”

 

The young men: “……”

 

They gave kind warnings, but he still brought mockery and attacks?

 

This person wouldn’t listen no matter how they advised. The three young men looked at each other and simply let him leave, crouching there to peek and watch this person make a fool of himself.

 

Xi Jianlan straightened his wrinkled robes and walked up the third-floor wooden stairs looking presentable.

 

Before he even approached, he vaguely felt a cold sword intent surrounding the area. At the last step, there was even a thick barrier formed by condensed sword intent, blocking everyone from stepping onto the third floor.

 

Xi Jianlan stumbled slightly, thinking it really was Liu Changxing.

 

Only his sword intent was like piercing icicles, bone-chillingly cold, wanting to freeze people into ice shards on the spot.

 

Xi Jianlan’s slender body moved as if entering uninhabited territory, parting Liu Changxing’s sword intent and slowly ascending the steps, his thoughts racing.

 

Liu Changxing’s master was stern and unsmiling, naturally born with sword bones and had even achieved great success in the Emotionless Path. He definitely wouldn’t let Liu Changxing come to Nine Heavens City’s pleasure houses to disgrace the Sword Sect for no reason.

 

Who exactly was this Xun Niang that she could actually invite someone from the Sword Sect to protect her?

 

Lost in thought, he had already stepped onto the last stair.

 

The young men below waiting to watch the show were shocked.

 

“That’s a sword cultivator’s sword intent barrier! He looks like he has no cultivation—how did he pass through so easily?”

 

“Stupid, if we can’t see his cultivation level, he’s probably some expert from a great family who just looks young.”

 

“I see!”

 

Xi “Expert” stepped onto the third floor and vaguely heard a woman’s charming voice drifting over.

 

“Sword Cultivator Lord, what’s so good about cultivating the dao? You’ve come to Hongchen Shijun Tower—don’t you want to indulge just once? To enjoy the pleasures of intimacy?”

 

A person said in a deep voice: “No. If you continue like this, I’ll draw my sword.”

 

The beauty couldn’t help but laugh: “They say sword cultivators from the Sword Sect don’t understand romance. Seeing you today, it’s indeed true. Are you so hard-hearted because I’m not beautiful enough?”

 

“Not at all, you’re very beautiful,” Liu Changxing said. “The sword path requires bitter cultivation. I’ve already sworn an oath to never approach women in this lifetime.”

 

The beauty had probably never seen this type of man and laughed until her whole body shook.

 

She was delighted and stopped teasing, waving her red sleeves as she strolled away.

 

Xi Jianlan steadied himself against the railing and looked over quietly.

 

Most of the doors on the vast third floor were tightly closed. The surroundings were brightly lit with the pleasure house’s characteristic seductive incense wafting up, but the tall man sitting upright on the wide chair remained unmoved.

 

Liu Changxing rested his sword across his knees, half-lowering his eyes in cultivation. Sword intent surrounded his body, causing his trailing robes to flutter gently.

 

Xi Jianlan secretly gestured to compare heights, wanting to find some balance, but thinking carefully, Liu Changxing had already been taller and more imposing than him back then. After six years, he certainly couldn’t have shrunk.

 

Xi Jianlan could only resentfully lower his hand and quickly walk over, planning to catch up with his old friend.

 

Liu Changxing slightly lowered his eyes. Sensing someone approaching him, he caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye that it was a man and immediately pressed his palms together, looking like he was about to achieve enlightenment on the spot.

 

“Amitabha, benefactor, I don’t approach male beauty either.”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…………”

 

Xi Jianlan said with a green face: “Liu Changxing.”

 

Liu Changxing was stunned and suddenly looked up.

 

Xi Jianlan wore his robes from years past, his appearance hardly changed. As he slowly approached, it gave Liu Changxing the illusion that time was flowing backward.

 

“Jue’er?”

 

Xi Jianlan’s face was pale: “Retract your sword intent a bit, I’m dying.”

 

With a “boom,” Liu Changxing waved his large hand and the cold sword intent that had been surrounding the entire third floor instantly dissipated.

 

He got down from the wide chair and strode over with large steps. His handsome, cold face was like encountering spring wind, gradually melting into warm babbling spring water.

 

…And the melted “spring water” slowly flowed down from both pupils.

 

In just a few steps, Liu Changxing was already in tears. He walked up to Xi Jianlan, grabbed his waist and lifted him into his arms, weighing him as he choked up: “Jue’er, A-Jue, after not seeing you for so many years, how come you still haven’t grown taller? Look how thin you are, like a little chick. Did you suffer greatly?”

 

Xi Jue’er: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan was held so his toes were off the ground, so he could only stand on Liu Changxing’s feet and pound on him with effort, struggling desperately: “I didn’t suffer before, but I’m suffering greatly now.”

 

Liu Changxing shed fatherly tears, holding him and crying bitterly.

 

Xi Jianlan nearly vomited up his soul, struggling to catch his breath for a while before recovering.

 

Liu Changxing, a dignified sword cultivator, had spent these years training his body and mental state, but his sensitive heart hadn’t improved at all—the slightest little thing could make him cry until his own mother wouldn’t recognize him.

 

His large frame sat there, yet he wiped his tears as delicately as a willow swaying in the wind.

 

“Gege.” Xi Jianlan still had important matters to attend to, barely managing not to hold a grudge about him mocking his height. He pretended to be gentle as he lifted his sleeve to wipe Liu Changxing’s tears. “What are you doing here?”

 

Liu Changxing said: “Training my mental state.”

 

“What’s there to train your mental state about in a pleasure house?” Xi Jianlan said. “Didn’t your master say that before you achieve the great dao, you mustn’t carelessly lose your vital essence? If you’re in this pleasure house and your mental state training goes wrong, making one misstep that becomes eternal regret, won’t your master flay you alive?”

 

Liu Changxing dried his tears and said seriously: “I would never do such a thing.”

 

You can’t beat around the bush with sword cultivators. Seeing he wasn’t taking the bait, Xi Jianlan simply got straight to the point: “I just heard from a friend that you’re here as Xun Niang’s bodyguard. Is this true?”

 

Liu Changxing choked.

 

Xi Jianlan immediately pressed his advantage, saying with disappointment: “You, you, you, how did you become so depraved? Even with my complete lack of cultivation, I haven’t fallen to the point of being someone’s bodyguard. Liu Changxing, Liu Tiaotiao, when you go out, don’t say you’re from Zhuxing Zhai—”

 

Liu Changxing was so wrongly accused he almost started crying again, frowning: “Master sent me here. I don’t know why I have to protect her either.”

 

Xi Jianlan looked thoughtful.

 

Liu Changxing was focused on Xi Jianlan’s sword moves, passing his sword over: “Come, show me a sword technique so I can see if you’ve regressed these years.”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan brushed away his sword and said sincerely: “Can I go in to see Xun Niang?”

 

Liu Changxing’s expression instantly darkened. With tears still on his face, he said coldly: “See what Xun Niang? At such a young age, you’re already so lustful. Practice your sword for me.”

 

Xi Jianlan said tactfully: “With all due respect, I only fancy men.”

 

Liu Changxing’s expression grew even colder: “You’ve been with men?”

 

Unable to reason with him, Xi Jianlan had no choice but to walk toward the courtesan’s door.

 

Liu Changxing caught up and thrust the sword at him: “Practice sword, practice sword.”

 

Xi Jianlan didn’t want to practice sword. He raised his hand to push open Xun Niang’s door.

 

“Click.”

 

Liu Changxing pressed his unsheathed sword against the door crack, blocking Xi Jianlan’s hand.

 

Xi Jianlan looked up to meet his gaze, suddenly smiled, and said softly: “Gege, if I insist on going in, would you kill me?”

 

“I’m entrusted by my master not to let anyone approach Xun Niang.” Liu Changxing’s eyes, dampened by tears, were dark and cold. Sword intent slowly poured out from that icy scabbard, forming a freezing barrier blocking the door.

 

He said flatly: “—That naturally includes you.”

 

Xi Jianlan said: “I won’t harm her. I just want to know an answer.”

 

Liu Changxing remained silent.

 

“My cousin Xi Minghuai was close to Xun Niang.” Xi Jianlan didn’t beat around the bush, saying directly: “Xi Minghuai knows who the real mastermind behind the Xi family slaughter was, but he’s already gone mad, and even the Medicine Sect can’t cure him. Right now, the only clue is Xun Niang.”

 

Liu Changxing frowned.

 

“Only the true mastermind would want to kill Xun Niang. Your master must have learned something, which is why he sent you to protect Xun Niang.” Xi Jianlan raised an eyebrow. “Gege, do you think I would destroy the only clue for the sake of the mastermind who slaughtered my entire clan?”

 

Xi Jianlan’s mouth was truly too eloquent. Liu Changxing hesitated: “But…”

 

“I’m on the same side as you.” Xi Jianlan placed his palm on the back of Liu Changxing’s hand, saying affectionately: “I want to protect Xun Niang more than anyone. If you don’t believe me, you can ask your master who exactly he’s guarding against—it definitely won’t be me.”

 

Liu Changxing’s resolve began to waver.

 

“I’ve been fleeing outside for six years, suffering countless hardships. Even my cultivation was destroyed.” Xi Jianlan pressed his advantage, his eyes showing a glimmer of tears as he murmured: “Xiezhi Sect even framed me as the mastermind behind the Xi family slaughter. Sheng Jiao even… to me… wu.”

 

As he spoke, he covered his face and wept in sorrow.

 

If it were an ordinary person, they would definitely know what Xi Jianlan’s unfinished accusation implied. But Liu Changxing, being such a pure sword cultivator, though sensitive in mind, would never think in terms of romantic affairs. He urgently asked: “What did he do to you? Did he also force you to practice swords early in the morning?”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

He felt deeply ashamed of his own dirty thoughts.

 

“…Yes.” Xi Jianlan continued to act pitiful through gritted teeth. “In the middle of the night when I was sleeping well, he insisted on waking me up to practice swords, continuing until dawn. My hands couldn’t even lift up.”

 

Xi Jianlan had never liked practicing swords since childhood. Every time during sword practice classes, the Zhuxing Zhai members had to coax and cajole to get the young master to reluctantly wake up early to practice sword moves—only this way could the others avoid being collectively punished by the director.

 

Liu Changxing frowned: “Sheng Jiao really is worse than a beast.”

 

“Exactly.” Xi Jianlan nearly ground his teeth to powder. “So gege, please let me in. If you’re really worried, come in with me. I’m completely powerless now, just a waste of space…”

 

Liu Changxing frowned in displeasure: “Stop it. Don’t speak of yourself that way.”

 

Xi Jianlan’s heart warmed.

 

Through dew and frost, through vast changes in the world, it seemed everything had changed, yet only the Zhuxing Zhai members’ sincere feelings toward him remained unchanged.

 

Xi Jianlan’s barren, withered sea of consciousness seemed to be flowing with babbling spring water again.

 

Zhuxing Zhai truly embodied brotherly harmony. Xi Jianlan felt that calling them “gege” these past years hadn’t been in vain.

 

“You’re right.” Liu Changxing seriously considered for a moment. “You’re completely powerless now, just a waste of space, so you pose no threat to Xun Niang.”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

Bah, to hell with brotherly harmony.

 

“But it still won’t work.” Liu Changxing still frowned and refused.

 

Xi Jianlan’s silver tongue was about to wear out from talking. He said irritably: “Why not?”

 

“Red Dust Recognition Pavilion will have a courtesan competition tonight. Xun Niang is probably the top candidate.” Liu Changxing casually tucked a strand of long hair that had fallen across Xi Jianlan’s forehead behind his ear, saying carelessly: “During this period, Nine Heavens City is a mix of all sorts of people. I heard quite a few people from Evil Qi Road have come.”

 

Xi Jianlan frowned: “Evil Qi Road?”

 

Liu Changxing: “The pavilion master has spent considerable effort on this courtesan competition. Probably afraid of complications, he’s set up many barrier formations on the third floor to protect those three courtesan candidates. Even if I let you in, the pavilion master probably wouldn’t easily let you see his money tree.”

 

With Sheng Jiao not present, Xi Jianlan’s boldness knew no bounds. His eyes shifted slightly as a plan suddenly came to mind.

 

“As long as someone is a courtesan candidate, they can enter?”

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)