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AVL Chapter 29

Law Does Not Yield to Emotion

Xi Jianlan was not usually a curious person, but this time it was as if a cat was scratching at his heart, making him desperately want to know what Sheng Jiao had said.

 

Was it “no”?

 

Then why not say it outright?

 

Was it “yes”?

 

That clearly wasn’t something a righteous gentleman like Sheng Jiao would do—it sounded more like something Xi Jianlan himself would say.

 

Xi Jianlan mumbled in the corner for a long time before figuring it out.

 

“…Maybe he really is broke.”

 

Heaven above, even after becoming Xiezhi Sect Master, Sheng Jiao was still as poor and penniless as when he was young.

 

Xi Jianlan felt sympathy and understanding.

 

If it were him, he’d be too embarrassed to admit being broke too.

 

Sheng Jiao was steady and quiet, meditating by the window like an unmoving boulder, seemingly planning to endure the entire boring day on the riverboat like this.

 

Xi Jianlan, on the other hand, couldn’t sit still. He ran barefoot around the tiny cabin several times, making so much noise that the cultivators below came up to knock on the door and scold them.

There was nothing to be done—Xi Jianlan could only settle down.

 

The private cabin had a small soft couch. Even with Xi Jianlan’s slender build, he couldn’t stretch his legs out, having to curl his knees and lie on his side just to barely fit.

 

The riverboat sped along, ivory windows etched with spell patterns keeping out the cold wind and turbulence.

 

In the cramped cabin, only the sound of their breathing could be heard.

 

Xi Jianlan originally wanted to sleep away the boring journey, but the couch was too narrow. Curled up, his stomach was uncomfortable, and after tossing and turning for a while, he grumbled: “Sheng Jiao, this bed is too small, I can’t sleep.”

 

Sheng Jiao closed his eyes and replied coldly, “It’s only for one day.”

 

“That’s not good enough.” Xi Jianlan sat up and slapped the bed hard. “It’s hard and small, my back hurts. Even when I was down and out these years, I never had to sleep somewhere this shabby.”

 

Sheng Jiao ignored him.

 

Xi Jianlan glared at him for a while, then suddenly seemed to think of something and changed his expression: “Hee.”

 

Whenever he did that, it meant trouble.

 

Xi Jianlan crept off the bed barefoot, tiptoeing quietly toward Sheng Jiao.

 

The cabin was so small that even their breathing sounded close, let alone footsteps.

 

Without opening his eyes, Sheng Jiao said, “Lie down.”

 

Xi Jianlan paused, then decided to go all in. He quickly ran over, rearranged several cushions into a “bed,” and sprawled out on top of them.

 

…Then, like a little silkworm, he wriggled forward twice, boldly resting his head on Sheng Jiao’s thigh.

 

Sheng Jiao finally opened his eyes and looked at him coldly.

 

Xi Jianlan stretched out comfortably, grinning up at Sheng Jiao: “I’m lying down now.”

 

Sheng Jiao: “…”

 

In all the Thirteen States, probably only Xi Jianlan would dare to be so audacious.

 

Sheng Jiao pretended he didn’t exist.

 

But Xi Jianlan wouldn’t behave, shamelessly starting to reminisce.

 

“Sect Master Sheng, I heard from Feng Yu that your Sheng family is now the top clan in Central State’s three territories?”

 

Sheng Jiao didn’t answer, but Xi Jianlan could carry on a one-man show.

 

“Tsk tsk, Sect Master Sheng is really cold-faced but soft-hearted. The Sheng family treated you like that when you were young, and you still let them step on you to climb higher as if nothing happened.”

 

Seeing Sheng Jiao unmoved, Xi Jianlan poked his hand: “If it were me, anyone who humiliated me like that—I’d risk my life just to…”

 

He paused, then, like a cheeky child, said with a grin, “…make them die.”

 

Xi Jianlan was always vengeful, never letting even the smallest slight go.

 

Sheng Jiao rested his hand on his knee, wide sleeve draped over Xi Jianlan’s face, not wanting to talk.

 

Xi Jianlan wanted to tease him more, but suddenly there was a gentle knock at the cabin door.

 

Juan Xunfang: “Sect Master?”

 

Xi Jianlan glanced at Sheng Jiao, noticing his brow was furrowed—he hadn’t expected Juan Xunfang to come either.

 

“What is it?”

 

Such a small cabin was usually for one person only.

 

Juan Xunfang and Shang Yuan took this as permission to enter, opening the door gently and bowing respectfully: “Shang Yuan and I have finished what you instructed, and just happened to sense the Tianyan pearl’s spiritual power nearby, so we came to…”

 

But as their gaze fell on the cramped cabin, they couldn’t finish their sentence.

 

Sheng Jiao sat cross-legged with a face like still water, as if cultivating in seclusion atop the snowy peaks of Xiezhi Sect, his presence awe-inspiring;

 

But beside him, sprawled in a pile of cushions, was someone lying with their head on the Sect Master’s thigh, lifting the wide Xiezhi-patterned sleeve and smiling out at them.

 

—Like a ray of sunlight leaping into the snow.

 

“Yo.” Xi Jianlan grinned. “Lord Juan, little Shang Yuan, what a coincidence you’re on this riverboat too. Come in, don’t be shy, have a seat.”

 

Juan Xunfang: “…”

 

Shang Yuan: “…”

 

Juan Xunfang stared in shock for a long time before his voice trembled: “S-sect Master?!”

 

Please tell him this was just a special technique for restraining prisoners!

 

Shang Yuan sucked in a cold breath.

 

Before she could react, Juan Xunfang burst out angrily: “Don’t believe him! Don’t believe a word he says!”

 

Shang Yuan: “…”

 

I—I haven’t even said anything yet.

 

Xi Jianlan laughed, lying sideways on Sheng Jiao’s knee like he’d found a new toy, and said softly: “Oh come now, Lord Juan, no need to be so agitated. Relax, your Sect Master and I are perfectly innocent, we haven’t even gotten on the bed.”

 

Sheng Jiao shot him a cold look, signaling him to shut up.

 

Juan Xunfang pointed at him, trembling: “You, you…”

 

“Don’t worry.” Xi Jianlan said sincerely, “Your Sect Master is still pure.”

 

Juan Xunfang: “…”

 

Sheng Jiao suddenly reached out and clamped a hand over Xi Jianlan’s mouth, forcibly silencing him.

 

His palm was so large it covered almost half of Xi Jianlan’s face, the web of his thumb pressing right against Xi Jianlan’s nose, his breath swirling around Sheng Jiao’s hand before dissipating.

 

Xi Jianlan, forcibly pinned back on his knee, was unhappy with this and clawed at the iron-like hand like a cat, glaring in protest.

 

“Mmmph!”

 

Sheng Jiao ignored him, keeping this position as he asked coldly, “Any findings?”

 

He always used spiritual power to transmit his voice when speaking to others.

 

Juan Xunfang shivered, forcing himself to keep his head down and not look at the “restraint technique,” and answered concisely: “There are indeed people from Central State hiding their identities to trade Xiangwen in Evil Qi Road. I’ve drafted a list—about nine people, all from noble families.”

 

He respectfully presented a jade token.

 

Sheng Jiao’s face was grim as he scanned the names on the token, his gaze finally stopping on the last two.

 

Both surnamed Sheng.

 

Juan Xunfang had probably hesitated when drafting the list, which was why he put those two at the end.

 

He ventured, “Sect Master, how should we handle this?”

 

Sheng Jiao’s expression was icy, the Tianyan pearls on his wrist spinning several times before all 106 stopped on “Execute.”

 

“Kill.”

 

Sheng Jiao’s word was as cold as ice—one light syllable, yet it seemed to turn into a mighty thunder tribulation, bringing a chilling, murderous intent.

 

Sheng Jiao always acted this way: if someone was guilty, even if they were wretched or pitiful, he would show no mercy and mete out thunderous punishment;

 

If someone was innocent, no matter how ugly, poor, or evil they appeared, as long as the Tianyan pearls found no proof of guilt, they could remain safe and unbothered.

 

Such was the justice of Xiezhi Sect—law does not yield to emotion.

 

Juan Xunfang thought, as expected, and bowed his head: “Yes.”

 

Xi Jianlan had been clinging to Sheng Jiao’s arm, looking up at him. For some reason, he suddenly shivered, as if frightened by that word full of killing intent.

 

Just a moment ago, he was saying Sheng Jiao was cold on the outside but soft-hearted, kind to the Sheng family…

 

Now he was instantly slapped in the face.

 

Smack, smack.

 

Juan Xunfang reported a few more trivial matters, his eyes constantly shooting daggers at Xi Jianlan.

 

Xi Jianlan found his expression so amusing he started kicking his legs with delight, finally finding some fun in the boring journey. He tugged at Sheng Jiao’s hand and mumbled, “Sect Master, gege, I’ll stop talking, let me breathe, okay?”

 

That “gege” was like two bolts of heavenly thunder, crashing right onto Juan Xunfang’s forehead.

 

Juan Xunfang’s mind went blank, his body swaying.

 

Shang Yuan reverted to her old ways, covering her mouth in shock and saying—

 

Before she could finish, Juan Xunfang frantically made a vow of silence gesture, telling her not to believe the little liar!

 

Seeing Xi Jianlan so obedient, Sheng Jiao let go, telling Juan Xunfang, “Continue.”

 

Juan Xunfang gritted his teeth and continued his report.

 

Yet as he spoke, his eyes kept drifting to Xi Jianlan’s face.

 

Sheng Jiao no longer covered his mouth, but Xi Jianlan still held onto Sheng Jiao’s hand. When he caught Juan Xunfang glancing over, he suddenly smiled, leaning over to gently touch Sheng Jiao’s fingertip with his lips.

 

Juan Xunfang: “…”

 

His lips brushed the pale finger like a dragonfly skimming water, sending out ripples.

 

Sheng Jiao’s hand twitched slightly.

 

Xi Jianlan’s casual gesture was like a drop of water in hot oil, blowing Juan Xunfang up like fireworks.

 

Crackle, crackle—about to explode!

 

Juan Xunfang exploded: “Sect Master!”

 

Shang Yuan quickly hugged his waist, exclaiming in alarm: “He called Sect Master ‘gege’! Gege!”

 

Juan Xunfang roared: “What gege! Sect Master is an only child, where did a brother come from?!”

 

Shang Yuan tilted her head: “I don’t get it either, maybe… a lover gege?”

 

Juan Xunfang: “…”

 

Juan Xunfang was nearly killed by Xi Jianlan’s antics, but was almost driven mad by his own friend.

 

Sheng Jiao shot Xi Jianlan a cold look.

 

Xi Jianlan just smiled innocently, holding Sheng Jiao’s hand and tapping his lips twice, feigning innocence as if to say he hadn’t said a word.

 

Sheng Jiao’s gaze flicked quickly over his lips: “Out.”

 

Juan Xunfang was instantly moved to tears.

 

Heaven above!

 

Sect Master—Sect Master was finally going to kick that cut-sleeve fox spirit out…

 

But when he looked up, Sheng Jiao was staring at him.

 

Juan Xunfang: “…”

 

Juan Xunfang instantly petrified, like a loyal minister who risked his life to remonstrate but was about to be dragged out and executed by a ruler bewitched by a fox spirit, his face blank as Shang Yuan carried him out.

 

The cabin finally returned to quiet.

 

Xi Jianlan smiled obediently, as if he hadn’t just been the one causing trouble.

 

Sheng Jiao didn’t bother with him, withdrew his hand, shook his sleeve, and resumed meditating.

 

Xi Jianlan lazily poked at his fingers, saying offhandedly, “If I remember right, those two Shengs on the list—one is your uncle’s only son, and the other is the current Sheng family head’s brother. You just say kill, with no mercy at all?”

 

Sheng Jiao replied coldly: “Stripping Xiangwen for profit, buying Xiangwen to plant in one’s spiritual root—all violate Heaven’s will and deserve death.”

 

Xi Jianlan burst out laughing.

 

To think he’d worried Sheng Jiao would be sucked dry by the short-sighted Sheng family.

 

With Sheng Jiao’s temperament, even if the Sheng family became the top clan in Central State, they’d never dare be arrogant. If anything, they’d have to be even more cautious, never daring a single misstep.

 

Still, those two were truly foolish—of all things, why get involved in Xiangwen trading?

 

Xi Jianlan even wondered if the Sheng family’s shortsightedness was hereditary.

 

Oh, except for Sheng Jiao.

 

A familiar chill, laced with the faint fragrance of osmanthus, lingered around Sheng Jiao. Xi Jianlan had wanted to chat more, but suddenly felt as if a heavy hand was dragging his mind down, and soon fell asleep.

 

He was still badly injured—his lively appearance was only sustained by a few streams of Tianyan spiritual power from Sheng Jiao.

 

Once that power faded, the backlash from abusing “Abandoned Immortal Bone” would sweep through, completely destroying his battered body.

 

To call it sleep was inaccurate—it was more like fainting from exhaustion.

 

Sheng Jiao lowered his gaze.

 

The light outside was too bright. In his sleep, Xi Jianlan frowned, tilting his head against Sheng Jiao’s waist to avoid the glare.

 

Sheng Jiao watched him for a while, then gently reached out to shade Xi Jianlan’s eyes.

 

Xi Jianlan’s brow smoothed, and he slept even more soundly.

 

The riverboat flew for a day.

 

Outside the ivory window, water vapor condensed, freezing into layers of white frost in the cold wind.

 

Night deepened. Sheng Jiao, eyes closed in cultivation, circulated spiritual power through his meridians, blue lightning patterns swirling around him.

 

Warm spiritual power filled the cabin. Xi Jianlan should have slept even more soundly, but just after midnight, his whole body spasmed, dried-up meridians filled with a burning, unbearable pain.

 

He groaned incoherently, cold sweat soaking him as he gasped and opened his unfocused eyes.

 

Xi Jianlan wasn’t fully awake. Acting on instinct, he grabbed Sheng Jiao’s robe, his cracked lips moving slightly, not knowing whether he was calling for “Abandoned Immortal Bone” or Tianyan.

 

After a while, with a sob in his voice, he murmured, “Sheng Jiao…”

 

Sheng Jiao’s spiritual power slowly stilled as he opened his eyes to look at him.

 

Xi Jianlan’s face was full of pain, his long hair like flowing water and fallen petals spilling across Sheng Jiao’s knee. He struggled to sit up and leaned on Sheng Jiao’s shoulder, murmuring, “Sheng Wuzhuo…”

 

Sheng Jiao’s whole body stiffened, and only after a long moment did he reach out a hand to him.

 

Xi Jianlan’s subconscious already remembered that this gesture would soothe his dried-up meridians, so he immediately leaned forward and bit Sheng Jiao’s little finger, his violet eyes staring fixedly at Sheng Jiao, hoping for a stream of spiritual power.

 

Sheng Jiao channeled a thread of Tianyan spiritual power into Xi Jianlan’s mouth.

 

In an instant, Xi Jianlan was like a withered tree blossoming—his deathly pale cheeks gained a hint of life, and the tears that had pooled in his eyes finally rolled down from his lower lashes, tracing a wet line across his face.

 

Xi Jianlan looked completely satisfied, yet still clung to Sheng Jiao’s hand, nibbling here and there as if savoring the bliss of Tianyan entering his body.

 

But as he chewed, his mind, lost in a fog, seemed to slowly clear.

 

By the time Xi Jianlan was fully awake, he had already gnawed all of Sheng Jiao’s fingers, and the hard-won, faded bite marks from earlier in the day were once again covering them in red.

 

Xi Jianlan looked down, dazed, then glanced at Sheng Jiao, who had his eyes closed and let him bite as he pleased.

 

Xi Jianlan: “…”

 

Xi Jianlan: “???”

 

Expressionless, the tips of his ears suddenly turned bright red.

 

So that’s how those marks got there.

 

Xi Jianlan wished he could find a hole to crawl into, or just open the ivory window and jump out. His earlobes were so red they seemed about to bleed as he carefully tried to put Sheng Jiao’s hand down.

 

Suddenly, Sheng Jiao opened his eyes.

 

Xi Jianlan froze, hurriedly biting Sheng Jiao’s finger again, gently gnawing as if still muddled, mumbling something indistinct, feigning confusion.

 

Sheng Jiao’s hand was a size larger than his; biting the thumb filled his whole mouth.

 

Xi Jianlan pretended to be dazed, biting each of the five fingers in turn, catching a glimpse of Sheng Jiao actually watching him.

 

Looking?

 

Look at your grandpa!

 

Xi Jianlan was furious inside.

 

Just as he was about to lose it, Sheng Jiao finally closed his eyes again.

 

Xi Jianlan silently breathed a sigh of relief.

 

The next moment, Sheng Jiao spoke coldly.

 

“…Awake now?”

 

Xi Jianlan: “…………”

 

——————–

 

Author’s note:

 

Xi Jianlan: Ready to curse.

 

##


 


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Comment

  1. Erica Nuitari says:

    AAAAAH I’m dying to see what’s going on inside poor Sheng Jiao’s head. It feels like he is barely holding his feelings in (prolly cause of tianyan beads and his xiangwen) while Jianlan teasing the poor guy completely clueless😂

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