Chapter 40

Red bricks and green tiles. Green trees and red flora. Narrow courtyards were glistening with serenity and elegance.

When Xu Yi stepped foot in the courtyard, Little Qiu was helping Uncle Mu walk out of the main house.

With a night of good rest and after taking two prescribed doses of tonics, Uncle Mu’s complexion improved tremendously. He was able to hobble slowly.

When she caught a glimpse of Xu Yi, the young girl shouted: “Hey, Uncle Beard, where are you this early morning? We’ve been searching for you.”

Xu Yi hastened his steps and rubbed Little Qiu’s head. “You’ve been sleeping for quite some time. Haven’t you slept enough? Look at the dark black circles on your white face. Here you go, I’ve brought you some snacks. Eat it quickly before you catch a nap. Do not worry about Grandpa; Uncle Beard is here.”

He dangled an exquisite paper box while he rattled it. That was the snack he had brought from Linglong Hall.

The little rascal opened the paper box and was immediately attracted by the various delicate snacks. She finally broke into a smile and tapped Xu Yi on his lap. “Uncle Beard is so good.” She returned to her room with her present.

“You over-indulge her!” Uncle Mu chided hoarsely, then sighed, “I’ve burdened you.”

Xu Yi waved his hand. “Uncle Mu, there’s no need for such words. Let’s go. Let me bring you out to the courtyard to sit under the sun.”

It was gloomy at dawn. Now the skies had cleared up. A red hot sun hung against an azure sky.

It was August. However, autumn had yet to arrive. The climate was barely chilly. It would be one of life’s simple pleasures to snuggle against a heavily cushioned armchair and read a book under some shady corner.

Uncle Mu had been blessed with a good and healthy body. Despite his severe injuries, Xu Yi had generously bought the best quality tonics to help with his recuperation. After taking the tonics for one day, although it was still a far cry from full recovery, Uncle Mu was holding up excellently.

Xu Yi sat on a stool and struck up small talk with Uncle Mu. He engaged the old man in interesting stories along the Nielong River.

Xu Yi was knowledgeable and Uncle Mu was well travelled. The duo were chatting away happily.

A few moments passed, and Little Qiu brought out some snacks on a serving tray. She flapped her arms as her joyful feet carried her out of the house. “Let’s hear some interesting stories! Grandpa and Uncle Beard, how about you have a contest? The better story-teller shall be rewarded with a snack.”

Little Qiu had been untamed since a young age. Her sorrows had usually been transient. After spending the past few days with Xu Yi and being surrounded by delicious food, her thoughts were preoccupied with intriguing food ideas. She had indeed no time to dwell in sorrow.

Xu Yi grabbed her with his big hands and ruffled her hair. Little Qiu’s neat, bowl-cut hair was a mess! She was utterly infuriated and slammed her head into Xu Yi’s arms.

After several playful moments, Xu Yi did not wish to disappoint her. He sat patiently with her and told her a story about the Princess and a Pea. The story mesmerised Little Qiu, who listened attentively without uttering a word.

At this instant, there was a commotion outside the door. They heard neat and rhythmic marching sounds. Xu Yi frowned, then offered a smile. “Uncle Mo, the opera singers are here. Would you rather listen to them inside the house or out here in the courtyard?”

“My ears are bad. Let’s hear them out here.”

Though Uncle Mu was uncouth, he was a proud man.

Before he finished his words, a team of soldiers in black armour flooded through the entrance. Upon entering the door, they split into two teams, and within minutes, they had besieged the duo. Their swords were unsheathed, their arrows were mounted, their armour was shining under the light, and death was in the air.

Xu Yi ignored the enemies. He tapped gently on Little Qiu’s head and cautioned, “Be good and sit still. Close your eyes when you are afraid.”

The little rascal raised a brow. “As long as Uncle Beard is with me, I shall have no fear!” Before the childish voice trailed off, the little one fainted with a loud bang.

Out leapt an enormous tiger with white spots above its eyes. It landed in front of the trio. Its disc-like head was ferocious. Its whiskers were super lengthy and almost pricked Little Qiu. Its gigantic mouth was able large enough to hold a bucket. Its fangs were cold and merciless. Hot air fumed from its nose and mouth. The heat was sufficient to straighten the hairs on the back of the neck!

“You have killed my son!”

Jiang Shaochuan, clad in gold crown and silver armour, rode on the tiger’s back. He wielded a three-yard long Fangtian Huaji weapon and bellowed in a thunderous snarl.

With that roar, Jiang Shaochuan drove his halberd fiercely into a white stone board. A thunderous bolt came out, and the ground shook violently as if there were a hidden dragon rolling over beneath the ground. Soon, the sheer force cracked the stone board into pieces.

“Damn! It’s a mere beast, and it dares to intimidate me.”

Xu Yi did not bother looking at his opponent. He opened his big hand and delivered a blow across the huge beast’s fiery face. There was a loud slap, and the enormous tiger hissed and roared in pain.

The stoic animal bent down painfully. In its defeated state, it looked more like a sick cat than a majestic king of the jungle. Xu Yi plucked a bunch of its whiskers, and the suffering animal was jumping up and down. What just happened was astonishing. The beast did not retaliate. Instead, it retreated.

Xu Yi chuckled, “Are you Mr. Jiang from the Black Dragon Hall? There’s a saying that knowing someone by his reputation is not as good as meeting him in person. It really amazes me that the reputable Hall Master Jiang has stooped to such superficial means. After all, a bandit is a bandit. If I had the guts to kill your son, would I be intimidated by his father?”

Xu Yi was indeed a sharp, brave man.

Upon seeing Jiang Shaochuan’s formation, he immediately knew that his enemy was scheming for the priceless metal spirit.

It was a simple conjecture. If Jiang Shaochuan had no scheme, there would be no purpose for his visit. There was a feud between them. It would be much easier for Jiang to kill him on the battlefield.

The show Jiang had put on was merely used as a facade to intimidate Xu Yi. When Xu Yi was intimated, it would be easier for him to succumb to a verbal battle.

However, Xu Yi was crafty and refused to let Jiang Shaochuan challenge him to a duel. He intended to wipe out Jiang Shaochuan’s force with one move.

Xu Yi was fearless and took full advantage of the order against private duels in Guang’an City.

He had taken a calculated risk to know that despite Jiang Shaichuan’s prowess and fury, he would not have fought him then and there.

Furthermore, Jiang Shaochuan had shown all that he had in the earlier confrontation.

Since he had no qualms and nothing to be fearful about, Xu Yi would take advantage of the golden opportunity of Jiang Shaochuan’s visit.

Jiang Shaochuan was wild with his fury. He wielded his weapon that caused deafening air currents. It was as if he was about to strike.

Xu Yi brought Little Qiu to his lap and sat quietly. He was as cool as a cucumber. He picked up a snack and offered it to Uncle Mu. Grandpa shook his head to decline. Xu Yi smiled and put the snack in his mouth. He slowly devoured the snack and was enjoying the tastiness of it.

His nonchalance infuriated Jiang Shaochuan. His rage had nearly caused him to fall off the back of the beast.

“What does the motherfucker want?” Jiang Shaochuan roared.

“Order all the black ghosts out of the courtyard. After that, drive this sick cat out of my house,” Xu Yi stated clearly and calmly as he picked out another colourful candy.