Chapter 205: The Scarlet Serpent (Please subscribe, please vote)

"Xiao Xie, your current name is Seventeen Brother. Now, in this world, you are the only family I have left. Do you still remember me, your sister?" A woman clad in a red, high-slit gown, her features bewitching and her figure sinuous like a beautiful serpent, murmured softly.

"You are no longer the Seventeen Brother of old, and I am no longer the Red Lotus Princess. When we meet again, will you still recognize me?" The current Sand Assassin, Scarlet Serpent, gazed towards Qingyun City, whispering to herself.

Xiao Xie had long secluded himself, and Scarlet Serpent had presumed him dead. Yet, over a month ago, while investigating the recently notorious Ascending Tower, she accidentally discovered that the seventeenth young master of the Han Kingdom was alive, having changed his name to Xiao Xie and now owning the Ascending Tower.

Though years had passed, a mere glance from afar was enough for Scarlet Serpent to recognize Xiao Xie as her Seventeen Brother. But she dared only to look from a distance, refraining from revealing herself, unsure if he would still remember her. Fearful of being unrecognized, she chose avoidance.

"Someone's coming?" Feeling the subtle movement of the Scarlet Serpent King snake coiled around her waist, she furrowed her brows and then smiled with playful amusement.

"We have come to pay respects to the master here. Such a manner of receiving guests surely does a disservice to the etiquette of the Han royal family!" Upon entering the woods where the Sand Assassin dwelled, Li Si and his group found themselves surrounded by venomous snakes. Despite their increasing numbers, Li Si remained composed and spoke loudly.

"Heh heh heh..." From deep within the forest came the enchanting laughter of Scarlet Serpent, and the snakes retreated accordingly.

"Ah?" Li Si and his men finally saw their visitor clearly: Scarlet Serpent, dressed in a red, slit gown, as beautiful and dangerous as the Scarlet Serpent King itself.

"The forest here devours men. You must stay close to me and not get lost!" Scarlet Serpent teased, casting a glance at Li Si’s group as she swayed her slender waist and ventured deeper into the woods.

Li Si followed without expression, and the other soldiers exchanged wary looks. Though frightened, they mustered their courage and followed.

At last, they reached their destination. Scarlet Serpent stepped aside. At the main gate stood a coiled dragon chair, upon which sat the man they sought.

His hair was white as snow, his black coat trimmed with gold, his piercing eyes forbidding direct gaze. He was Wei Zhuang, another heir of the Ghost Valley Sect.

"I am Li Si of the Qin Kingdom." Li Si bowed respectfully, fully aware of the terror embodied by this man.

Wei Zhuang remained unmoved, replying coolly, "Otherwise, you wouldn’t have come in alive."

At this, a soldier, eager to show loyalty, pointed at Wei Zhuang and said, "How dare you speak to the Prime Minister in such a tone! Show some respect."

A flash of steel, and Wei Zhuang sheathed his sword as the soldier fell dead.

Wei Zhuang said calmly, "Good manners of old have long been forgotten. I’ve said it once; some just refuse to remember."

The remaining three soldiers quickly drew their swords, eyes wary of Wei Zhuang.

"Sir was once the most outstanding warrior before the King of Han. Such talent would be wasted if it slumbered only in these woods," Li Si said with a wave, signaling his men to lower their swords, addressing Wei Zhuang without change in expression.

"Oh? Is that so?"

"The current emperor is an unparalleled sovereign."

"You mean Qin King Ying Zheng?"

"Now, there is only one king under heaven—the king of Great Qin. His path to dominance has only just begun and desperately needs exceptional talents like you to join him..." Before Li Si could finish, Wei Zhuang interrupted.

"You traveled so far just to spout such worn-out rhetoric about titles and ranks? Ha! Lord Li, I am a bit disappointed!" Wei Zhuang said leisurely, tapping the dragon’s head on his chair. Then he added, "You’re just like everyone else. But that’s not such a grave fault. You may leave."

"Mr. Wei..."

"I won’t say this twice!"

"Please take your comrades with you," Scarlet Serpent spoke up, noticing Wei Zhuang’s growing impatience.

Li Si knelt to examine the wounds on the fallen soldier and sighed, "Terrifying swordsmanship, yet still second only to Gai Nie’s."

Hearing this, Wei Zhuang frowned, recalling, "Gai Nie—a name hard to forget."

He glanced at Li Si and nodded, "The Mohist Society has been active lately, scheming against Ying Zheng. I suppose that is why you sought me out."

"Your legendary one-strike throat seal killing of the Mohist leader is well known. Their disciples still tremble at your name."

"Over the years, they’ve hunted me everywhere, seeking revenge for their leader."

"Gai Nie’s recent movements have many links to the Mohists."

"What is the identity of the child Gai Nie protects?"

Li Si paused, then said slowly, "A life that should not belong to this world."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhuang said coldly, "You get the child; I get Gai Nie. That is the deal. Nothing else concerns us."

"Let’s go." Satisfied, Li Si told his remaining soldiers. They lifted the corpse of their fallen comrade and hurriedly departed.

Scarlet Serpent asked Wei Zhuang, "Shall we set off as well?"

Wei Zhuang rose slowly and inquired, "Where are Wushuang, Canglang, and Baifeng now?"

"I’ll notify them to assemble," Scarlet Serpent replied, adding, "Wushuang is cultivating deep in the mountains, three hundred li from Lishangdang."

"Have Wushuang investigate first," Wei Zhuang said calmly.

...

In a hidden mountain village, the sounds of martial training echoed.

Inside a house, Xiang Shaoyu sparred with several burly men of the Xiang clan.

"Bang bang bang..."

"The young master’s strength grows stronger; every time he fights, he gets bruised," the men who had been knocked down complained, yet with a hint of satisfaction.

"If he faced a real enemy without such seriousness, it wouldn’t be about bruises," Xiang Shaoyu turned to the bearded Xiang Liang, saying, "Uncle Liang, am I right?"

"Yes!" Xiang Liang nodded with pride.

Suddenly, two fireworks exploded outside. The white-haired Fan Zeng declared firmly, "An enemy approaches!"

...

At this moment, Xiao Xie was inwardly speechless. Though they had news that Gai Nie had brought Tian Ming into these mountains, the three had wandered for nearly half the mountain without a single sign of life. Truly maddening.

"Young Master!" Seeing two fireworks light up the sky, Murong Huang called out excitedly.

"Those must be alarm fireworks. Gai Nie and the others should be there!" Murong Feng said with certainty.

"Let’s go!" A smile tugged at Xiao Xie’s lips as he headed toward the fireworks.

Seeing this, Murong Feng and Murong Huang hurried after him.

...