Chapter 206: Xiao Shaoyu (Please Subscribe and Support)

Elsewhere, Tianming was surrounded by a group of burly men led by Xiang Shaoyu. The sword in Tianming’s hand, the Yuanhong, was easily snatched away by Shaoyu.

"Kid, who are you?" Shaoyu asked. Seeing that Tianming was just a child, they relaxed; he looked like someone who knew nothing of martial arts and was clearly not an enemy.

"Let me go! Let me go!" Tianming cried out while struggling against the two men holding him.

"It seems this kid was roasting a pheasant and accidentally set off the fire meteor," Xiang Liang said after a quick inspection.

"A misunderstanding. Who was on watch today?"

"It seems it was A-Long."

"Where is he?"

"That’s right, where is A-Long? He was just here!"

"Are you looking for this person?" A deep, heavy voice echoed, followed by a corpse being thrown out.

"It’s A-Long! A-Long is dead!"

"Everyone, be careful! He’s behind us!" Compared to the panicked crowd, Shaoyu remained remarkably calm.

A giant, three-meter-tall man leapt out. His muscles rippled, shocking the onlookers, before he charged straight at Tianming. Tianming, paralyzed by terror, stood frozen in place.

"Bang!"

A white figure suddenly appeared before Tianming, catching the giant’s full-force punch with a single palm. The impact sent a cloud of dust billowing within a three-meter radius, a testament to the sheer power of the giant's blow.

"Little brother, are you alright?" A voice as melodious and gentle as a clear spring snapped Tianming out of his stupor.

"I... I’m fine?" Tianming looked up at the beautiful young girl standing before him, who wore a blue dress and resembled a girl next door. He scratched his head in embarrassment.

When Tianming looked at the girl in the red dress beside her, he pointed in disbelief and exclaimed, "There... there are two pretty sisters?!"

"Hehe, little brother, don't be surprised. My name is Murong Huang, and she is my twin sister, Murong Feng." Seeing Tianming’s panicked expression, Murong Huang couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.

"Quicksand, and Wushuang Gui at that—nothing more than mediocrity!"

Xiao Xie looked at the shocked Wushuang Gui. His right hand, which had caught the punch, began circulating the North Dark Divine Art. In an instant, the internal energy inside Wushuang Gui was drained away. Although Wushuang Gui possessed strength comparable to a Xiantian expert, it was primarily due to his innate physical power; his internal cultivation was only at the peak of the Houtian realm. After absorbing all his energy, Xiao Xie converted it into nineteen years of pure internal power.

Xiao Xie’s right hand pulsed slightly, sending a surge of immense force through Wushuang Gui’s body, shattering his meridians and causing blood to pour from his seven orifices. The giant, three-meter-tall corpse collapsed with a thunderous crash, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Great! Great! The big wild bear has been defeated!" Tianming clapped his hands in joy. If this brother in white hadn't stepped in to save him, he would have likely been killed by that punch.

"Who are you people? How did you end up being attacked by Wushuang Gui of the Quicksand organization?" Xiao Xie asked as he walked toward Shaoyu.

"Many thanks to you for your intervention, sir. I am Xiang Shaoyu. We are of the Xiang clan of the State of Chu. After the fall of Chu, we have been hiding in these deep mountains. As for why this brute attacked us, I have no idea," Shaoyu replied respectfully. Although the giant hadn't fought much before being killed in a single move by Xiao Xie, Shaoyu knew that none of his men could have matched that opponent. The fact that Xiao Xie could finish him off in one strike meant his strength was truly terrifying.

"The Xiang clan of Chu?" Xiao Xie nodded, then turned his gaze to Tianming, asking a question he already knew the answer to: "And who might you be?"

"My name is Tianming. My uncle and I are on our way to a certain place. My uncle was injured, and while we were resting, we were surrounded by these people. This guy even stole my sword! Then that big wild bear showed up," Tianming complained, pointing at the Yuanhong in Shaoyu’s hand.

"I am Fan Zeng. I thank you for your chivalrous intervention, sir. Might you know the origins of this person?" Fan Zeng, who had hurried over, bowed to Xiao Xie and pointed at the corpse of Wushuang Gui.

"I am Xiao Xie, a survivor of the State of Han. As for this creature, his name is Wushuang Gui; he is an assassin from the Quicksand organization," Xiao Xie replied, returning the bow. He held a certain respect for Fan Zeng, a top-tier strategist of the era. It was a pity he had never found a true lord to serve; his repeated warnings to Xiang Yu to eliminate Liu Bang had all been ignored. Had Xiang Yu listened, he would not have met his tragic end at the banks of the Wu River.

"That notorious assassin organization, Quicksand!" Fan Zeng said, alarmed. He then turned to Shaoyu and the others, "Regardless of who their target was, this place is no longer safe. We must evacuate immediately."

"Young Master Xiao, since you have already offended the Quicksand organization, I fear they will not let you be. You should come with us!" Fan Zeng suggested.

"Very well!" Xiao Xie nodded. His goal was to infiltrate the Mechanical City with them, so he had no reason to refuse.

"This gentleman is severely wounded," Xiao Xie said, walking over to Tianming and looking down at Ge Nie, who lay on the ground, pale from blood loss. Any other person would have died from such wounds; only someone with Ge Nie’s profound internal energy could have held on for so long.

"Brother Xiao, can you save my uncle? If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have been so badly hurt while fighting those three hundred iron cavalrymen of the Qin Empire," Tianming said, his voice filled with self-reproach.

"Huang’er, feed Mr. Ge a Jade Dew Pill," Xiao Xie said to Murong Huang. Although he couldn't use advanced alchemy in this world, he could still craft simple pills. The Jade Dew Pill was one of his creations—a sacred medicine for healing. While it wouldn't fully restore Ge Nie, it was more than enough to save his life. Xiao Xie could have healed him completely, but then he would have no excuse to travel to Mirror Lake, and he wouldn't get to see Duanmu Rong or Yue’er. Thus, he only had Murong Huang administer the pill to ensure Ge Nie survived.

"Yes, Young Master." Murong Huang nodded and fed the pill to Ge Nie.

"Thank you, Sister Huang’er, thank you, Brother Xiao!" Seeing the color return to Ge Nie’s face, Tianming thanked them both profusely.

"Since this brave soul was injured while resisting the Qin army, he is our friend. Let us take him with us! We happen to know of a place where a master physician can surely heal him," Fan Zeng added.

"That’s great! Uncle is saved!" Tianming cheered, and together with the Xiang disciples, they lifted Ge Nie onto the carriage.

Once the Xiang party had packed their belongings, the group set off in a grand procession.

...

The caravan moved slowly. The Xiang clan members were hurried and kept a wary eye on their surroundings. In stark contrast, inside the carriage at the back, Xiao Xie was lounging comfortably, his head pillowed on Murong Huang’s soft lap, completely undisturbed by the bumps of the road.

Murong Huang played a gentle melody on a short flute, the beautiful notes flowing through the carriage. Xiao Xie hummed along from time to time, showing no signs of the tension expected during an emergency evacuation. Instead, it looked more like a wealthy young master out on an excursion with his beautiful maids.

Tianming and Shaoyu sat outside the carriage, watching Xiao Xie with envy. "Now, this is what I call living!" they thought.

"Brother Xiao is so carefree! This is what they call being bold because of one's skills," Tianming boasted to Shaoyu.

Shaoyu’s mouth twitched. He slapped Tianming hard on the head and retorted, "You brat, it’s 'bold because of one's skills.' If you can't say it right, don't say it at all, or you’ll make me look bad!"

"Isn't it the same thing? And when did you become my big brother, you stinky Shaoyu!" Tianming rubbed his head and retorted.

"Hehe, you can't beat me, so of course, you have to call me big brother. Come on, say it, let me hear it," Shaoyu said, hooking his arm around Tianming’s shoulder with a grin.

"Stinky Shaoyu, let me go! Even if someone is the big brother, it’s me!" Tianming shouted while struggling, though his efforts were useless against the innately strong Shaoyu.