Chapter 164

Chapter 164: Brother Xu is Truly an Outstanding Person (4000 Words, Two-in-One)

Official Wang Jie stared at the little girl beside Xu Ming, confusion swirling in his eyes.

This little girl gave off a human vibe, but with horns atop her head and vertical pupils. Yet strangely, she emitted not a shred of demonic aura? “I encountered some incidents earlier, and this girl saved me,” Xu Ming explained smoothly, prepared with his words. “She might be a half-breed between humans and demons, leaning more toward human lineage, thus her demonic aura is faint.”

“Indeed, that’s plausible,” Wang Jie nodded.

If she was a hybrid offspring who had interbred with humans, the demonic aura would indeed be very weak—almost nonexistent.

Wang Jie didn’t waste time on chatter; he summoned a flying vessel, ferrying Xu Ming and his companions to the governor of Qingyang Jun.

Onboard the flying vessel, after exchanging pleasantries, Xu Ming learned that Yu Wen Xi had gone to summon reinforcements separately.

There was supposed to be an old master from an academy, but he wasn’t present. His disciple’s cultivation level was too low, making it inappropriate to send him to certain death. Hence, they decided against it.

Fortunately, the governor of Qingyang Jun agreed to help.

Governor Wang Jie, named after the region, was a Nascent Soul Stage warrior-cultivator who had served as an official for five years.

Though serving in the dynasty drained one’s life essence, the rewards from Wudu were immense.

Wang Jie’s term lasted ten years. Afterward, Wudu would provide the resources needed to break through. If successful, not only could the lost lifespan be recovered, there might even be a surplus.

Of course, that depended on whether Wang Jie could achieve the breakthrough.

“Where is Qingwan? Is she alright?”

Given Qingwan’s character, she would undoubtedly search tirelessly for him.

Yu Wen Xi reassured, “Brother Xu, rest assured. Miss Qin is safe. She has been taken away by Daoist Wang Xuan.”

Miao Feng added, “When we came looking for Brother Xu, we happened upon Daoist Wang Xuan leading Miss Qin back. It was also thanks to Daoist Wang Xuan’s guidance that we found you. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have known where to look.”

“That’s good.” The last remnants of worry faded from Xu Ming’s heart.

Still, reflecting on how Daoist Wang Xuan arrived so promptly, Xu Ming surmised that something must have happened with Qin Qingwan’s spiritual lotus flower, proving its importance to her. Thus, she had set up a magical mark.

“Champion Scholar, regarding your encounters in Baiwa City and afterward, I need you to inform me. I must draft an urgent report to send to Wudu.” Wang Jie addressed Xu Ming.

“Naturally.” Xu Ming nodded.

He truthfully recounted everything that transpired in the White洼Secret Realm and the Lava Heart Cave, including the experiments conducted by the Black God Sect.

Xu Ming naturally refrained from mentioning Shen Shengsheng to Wang Jie.

Otherwise, even Xu Ming couldn’t guarantee what treatment Shen Shengsheng might receive.

Upon hearing this, Wang Jie was astonished. He glanced at the little girl beside Xu Ming, wondering if she could be the result of fusion between beast and human.

But Wang Jie didn’t dare ask outright; it seemed the Champion Scholar wanted to protect her.

In the end, when a medical cultivator diagnosed Shen Shengsheng, Wang Jie secretly had him extract a drop of blood.

Upon investigation, Wang Jie discovered both human energy and traces of demonic qi within the drop, devoid of any beastly malevolence.

Xu Ming and Shen Shengsheng were housed in a courtyard at the governor’s residence.

Every day, the medical cultivator delivered medicine to Xu Ming.

Within the courtyard, while recuperating, Xu Ming reviewed the battles he had fought over these days.

Xu Ming pondered how to merge his Martial True Qi with Spiritual Energy.

Long ago, he realized that his Martial True Qi and Spiritual Energy couldn’t be used simultaneously.

For instance, a punch’s power derived from his strength and Martial True Qi, but could not incorporate Spiritual Energy.

Similarly, a sword strike powered by Spiritual Energy couldn’t include Martial True Qi.

Initially, Xu Ming thought it was due to his low cultivation level.

However, as his cultivation deepened, the repulsion between Martial True Qi and Spiritual Energy grew stronger.

Now it was evident why most cultivators didn’t practice both physical and magical arts—not just because of the effort required, but because combining them didn’t enhance combat prowess in a straightforward 1+1=2 manner.

Nevertheless, Xu Ming still aimed to master both paths. Having more skills meant more options, and the robustness of a martial artist’s body was crucial.

Shen Shengsheng shared the same courtyard with Xu Ming.

Shen Shengsheng didn’t know what to do each day, often sitting idly in the courtyard.

She didn’t need to cultivate and didn’t know how to start.

Her happiest moments were waiting for meals.

These days, Xu Ming tried teaching Shen Shengsheng to speak.

Although Shen Shengsheng occasionally managed a few words, overall progress was slow.

Xu Ming also taught her to recognize characters.

Shen Shengsheng’s intelligence wasn’t much of an issue, just slightly lower than peers, but manageable.

The problem was her inability to sit still.

Perhaps due to her beastly nature, she couldn’t control herself.

Six days later, Xu Ming bid farewell to Governor Wang Jie of Qingyang Jun.

Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng were also returning to the White Deer Academy to report.

“Brother Xu, during your travels across the world, if you have time, please visit the White Deer Academy,” Yu Wen Xi invited.

Xu Ming nodded: “After visiting the Heavenly Profound Gate, I’ll also go to the Ten Thousand Sword Sect. If I have time, I will definitely find both of you for a drink.”

“Hahaha, by then, someone might not let Brother Xu drink,” Miao Feng chuckled.

Xu Ming: “Hm?”

Yu Wen Xi paused: “Brother Xu doesn’t know?”

“Know what?”

“Ah…” Just as Yu Wen Xi was about to speak, Miao Feng nudged him with his elbow.

Miao Feng bowed politely: “Nothing. We’ll wait for Brother Xu. On the road, please take care.”

“You two as well.” Xu Ming returned the bow.

The four parted ways, Xu Ming heading towards the Heavenly Profound Gate, while Miao Feng and Yu Wen Xi flew towards the White Deer Academy.

“What’s wrong? Why shouldn’t I say?” Once they were far enough, Miao Feng asked Yu Wen Xi. “Our talented lady at the academy has been waiting for Brother Xu for quite some time.”

“What are you talking about?” Miao Feng sighed, “It seems Brother Xu doesn’t know about Zhu Cici’s feelings. Besides, didn’t you see the relationship between Brother Xu and Miss Qin in the White洼Secret Realm?”

“Could Zhu Cici be pining for nothing?” Yu Wen Xi clicked his tongue several times. “The third-ranked beauty on the Red Beauty List actually has unrequited love for a man. If this gets out, the entire world would envy Brother Xu to death.”

Miao Feng laughed: “The fourth-ranked princess of the Wu Kingdom rejected marriage from Brother Xu. What do you think about that?”

Yu Wen Xi: “… People envying people can kill. The fifth-ranked Qin Qingwan has ambiguous relations with Brother Xu, clearly having a story. The fourth-ranked Wu Kingdom princess was rejected by Brother Xu. The third-ranked Zhu Cici likely harbors unrequited feelings for Brother Xu. Why does Sister Qingqing dislike me when I think I look similar to Brother Xu?” Yu Wen Xi asked melancholically.

Miao Feng shot him a disdainful look: “Do you have the guts to fight hundreds of demon and human cultivators alone?”

Yu Wen Xi: “…”

Miao Feng: “Can you self-learn sword techniques and defeat the direct disciples of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect?”

Yu Wen Xi: “…”

Miao Feng: “Can you carry an entire city and ascend the Heavenly Ladder step by step?”

Yu Wen Xi: “…”

Miao Feng: “Can you endure the nine heavenly thunder tribulations?”

Yu Wen Xi: “…”

Miao Feng: “Can you compose ‘Butterfly Lovers Flower’ and the ‘Refusal to Marry Memorandum’?”

Yu Wen Xi waved his hands frantically: “Alright, alright, don’t say anymore. I get it. Brother Xu being liked is justified. Let’s hurry back.”

Five days later, Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng returned to the White Deer Academy.

Their first task upon returning was to report to their teacher.

Upon hearing their report, the principal of the White Deer Academy, Guan Yan, deemed the Black God Sect matter serious and immediately reported it to the dean.

How the White Deer Academy handled the Black God Sect was its business, unrelated to Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng.

Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng returned to their respective courtyards to recuperate.

The dormitories at the White Deer Academy weren’t sufficient. Students like Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng, known as “scholar gentlemen,” shared a room, while scholars shared with three others.

Of course, noble students each had their own room.

They were guests after all, and neglecting them wouldn’t be polite.

The next day, while Miao Feng was reading in his room, Yu Wen Xi rushed in, “Stop reading. A guest has arrived.”

“Guest?” Miao Feng blinked. “Who?”

Yu Wen Xi grinned mischievously, “You’ll know if you go check. Let’s agree beforehand—if we accidentally leak anything and Brother Xu blames us, we share the responsibility.”

Hearing this, Miao Feng guessed who the visitor was.

“Let’s go,” Miao Feng put down his book. “As long as we don’t mention Miss Qin, it should be fine.”

Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng reached the courtyard.

A stunning woman in a black silk gown waited in the yard.

“Greetings, Senior Brothers,” Zhu Cici greeted, placing her hands together in front of her and bowing respectfully.

“Greetings, Junior Aunt Zhu,” Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng replied.

Zhu Cici was the closed-door disciple of the academy’s dean, hence held a high rank, requiring Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng to address her as “Junior Aunt.”

However, Zhu Cici always felt she entered the academy late and didn’t deserve the title, so she usually called everyone older siblings or sisters.

This caused the strange mutual titles now.

“Please stop calling me Junior Aunt; it sounds weird. Call me Cici, Senior Brothers,” Zhu Cici smiled.

Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng rarely interacted with Zhu Cici and also found the title awkward, so they nodded in agreement: “Alright.”

“Cici, please take a seat,” Miao Feng invited her to sit.

Yu Wen Xi brewed tea and asked, “Cici, may I inquire why you’ve come?”

“It’s nothing major,” Zhu Cici smiled. “My teacher sent me to check on the Senior Brothers’ injuries and see if there’s anything needed for recovery.”

Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng knew full well that checking on their injuries was secondary. Asking about Brother Xu was likely the main purpose.

Miao Feng thanked her, “We thank the Dean and Miss Cici for your concern, but we’re fine. Our safe return was entirely thanks to a friend.”

“Oh?” Zhu Cici’s eyes sparkled, surprised that Miao Feng mentioned it voluntarily. Following the cue, she asked directly, “Who might this distinguished person be?”

Yu Wen Xi answered, “Speaking of this distinguished individual, I’m sure Cici knows him—the talented scholar of the Wu Kingdom who gifted you a poem in childhood—Xu Ming from the Wu Kingdom.”

“Is it really him?” Zhu Cici’s cheeks flushed slightly. “I wonder, is he well?”

As she spoke, her eyes shimmered with joy, the excitement of a well-bred lady hearing her lover’s name, and the cautious shyness of wanting to learn about him yet being timid—all nearly overflowed from her lively gaze.

Seeing this, Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng couldn’t help but feel their hearts race.

Truly deserving of her third-place ranking on the Red Beauty List, Brother Xu truly had good fortune.

Yu Wen Xi nodded, smiling, “He’s doing splendidly. When we were bullied in the White洼Secret Realm and everyone stood by, Brother Xu stepped forward.

When we asked why he helped,

Brother Xu said it was because of an old acquaintance at the White Deer Academy, so naturally, he had to assist.”

“Old acquaintance…” Zhu Cici lowered her head, softly repeating the words, her eyes filled with joy and bashfulness.

Clearly, Zhu Cici interpreted “old acquaintance” as herself.

Miao Feng silently kicked Yu Wen Xi, signaling him not to fabricate.

Miao Feng knew Yu Wen Xi wanted to preserve Brother Xu’s image in Cici’s heart, but saying such things recklessly could lead to trouble. Originally, Brother Xu mentioned helping because of Mr. Xiao.

Yu Wen Xi helplessly glanced back at Miao Feng, his eyes seemingly saying, “Would you let a devoted soul grieve?”

Miao Feng looked at the young woman before him and remained silent.

Yu Wen Xi pushed further, “Surely the old acquaintance Brother Xu referred to must be Cici. That we received help is thanks to Cici, right, Miao Feng?”

“Ah? Hmm…” Honest Miao Feng reluctantly nodded.

“Don’t say such things, Senior Brothers. Perhaps the ‘old acquaintance’ Brother Xu referred to isn’t me. Moreover, even without this ‘old acquaintance,’ I believe Xu Ming would still offer assistance,” Zhu Cici stated.

“Indeed,” Yu Wen Xi nodded. “Brother Xu is truly an outstanding person. Otherwise, Miss Qin wouldn’t have… Ow!”

Yu Wen Xi stopped mid-sentence, again stomped on heavily by Miao Feng.

Realizing his slip, Wang Jie tilted his head curiously, asking, “What about Miss Qin? Are you referring to Qin Qingwan?”