Chapter 213

Chapter 213: What Exactly is Our Relationship?

“Our Guest Peak accommodations are rather modest, and we hope you find them comfortable despite their simplicity.”

A junior disciple responsible for entertaining guests led the group to the courtyard of the Guest Peak.

“Your hospitality is already more than sufficient,” smiled one of the Elders at the front of the group. “Your Heavenly Profound Gate continues to entertain guests with the same meticulous care as ever.”

“You’re too kind, Elder. It’s always a pleasure to welcome friends from afar. This is your jade token; please feel free to call upon me should you need anything.”

Following protocol, the junior disciple handed over the jade tokens to the group.

“Thank you for your trouble.”

“With that, I shall take my leave.”

The junior disciple bowed politely before retreating.

The Elder of Ten Thousand Sword Sect, accompanied by five disciples, moved into a large courtyard.

This courtyard had six or seven rooms, two stories high, much larger than the single-person courtyards assigned to Xu Ming.

Courtyards like these were reserved for visiting delegations from sects.

Each sect received the same treatment; there was no special favoritism based on strength.

Single-person courtyards like Xu Ming’s were generally assigned to solitary practitioners. Though independent, they were smaller in size, with strict regulations on layout and interior design.

In short, Heavenly Profound Gate aimed to ensure fairness for every guest.

“That Xu Ming is truly remarkable.”

Sitting in the courtyard, a disciple named Luan Ye from Ten Thousand Sword Sect sighed in admiration.

“He defeated Chen Yun and now ranks second on the Azurecloud List,” remarked a woman named Liu Checho, equally astonished.

“He’s a martial artist, cultivating both body and technique to such an extent—I’ve never heard of anything like it. I’d love to spar with him,” said Ding Zhen, polishing his longsword. Suddenly remembering something, he glanced at Xuenuo beside him. “Hey, Master Xu, if I’m not mistaken, you’re also from Wudu, right? Do you know him?”

Elder Qi of Ten Thousand Sword Sect chuckled. “Xu Ming hails from the Xu Mansion in Wudu, Wu Kingdom. He’s Xuenuo’s younger brother. Does that answer your question?”

“Ahh!”

“So Xu Ming is Master Xu’s younger brother?”

“No wonder he’s so skilled!”

“This overwhelming and sharp sword qi would easily qualify him for the Ten Thousand Sword Sect. Why didn’t Brother Xu join us?”

All eyes turned curiously toward Xuenuo.

Coldly, Xuenuo replied, “As a child, his spirit veins were severed, preventing cultivation. He took the path of a martial artist. As for how he can cultivate now, I don’t know.”

“Ah, I see.” Everyone understood.

“Master Xu’s younger brother must have encountered some great fortune.”

“Elder Qi, why don’t we invite Brother Xu to join our sect?”

Elder Qi stroked his beard and laughed. “That depends on his wishes.”

While the group chatted, Xuenuo quietly left the courtyard, carrying her longsword.

The others watched her retreating back, puzzled.

“Why does it seem like Master Xu has issues with her younger brother?” asked Ding Zhen. Luan Ye shook his head. “I don’t know, maybe their relationship isn’t good.”

Liu Checho added, “It feels like something happened between Master Xu and her younger brother. Perhaps we shouldn’t mention him around her in the future.”

Unaware of what her sectmates were saying behind her back, Xuenuo paid no mind to their words.

Walking through the mountain forest of Guest Peak, Xuenuo couldn’t help but think about how she and Xu Ming weren’t actually biological siblings. They shared only half their bloodline due to different mothers. But now, they don’t even share the same father.

So who is the illegitimate child?

With a sigh, Xuenuo thought, it doesn’t matter whose the illegitimate child anymore.

After all, she had already been disowned by the Xu family. With no familial ties remaining and no blood relation to Xu Ming, what exactly was their relationship now? In the past, if Xu Ming were here, she would have gone to meet him immediately. But now, even though they might be in the same place, Xuenuo hesitated to approach him, unsure of how to face him.

Xuenuo wanted a drink.

But when she reached for the wineskin at her waist, she found it empty.

She slung the wineskin back and headed down the mountain to buy more wine. “This is Xuan Yue City? Quite lively, isn’t it?”

In Xuan Yue City, two women—one dressed in black and the other in white—walked side by side.

Both were stunningly beautiful, especially the woman in black, who drew most of the attention.

Behind them followed a group of maidservants and attendants.

“It certainly is. The size of this city is equivalent to half of Zhuang Kingdom,” Jiang Ruyan, the Lady of Falling Star City, told the exquisite young woman beside her. “It’s getting late. Let’s find an inn to rest for a while. We’ll visit Heavenly Profound Gate tomorrow, alright?”

Mo Zhu’er nodded lightly. “Fine.”

Jiang Ruyan checked into an inn and shared a room with Mo Zhu’er.

Lying sideways on the bed, Mo Zhu’er’s graceful curves were clearly visible.

Jiang Ruyan stared at her like a lovesick girl, her gaze roving hungrily across Mo Zhu’er’s form.

“Can you stop looking at me like that?” Mo Zhu’er shot her a disdainful glance.

“What are you talking about?” Jiang Ruyan sat at the edge of Mo Zhu’er’s bed, reaching out to touch her impossibly smooth and supple legs. “Men who look at you like that are lecherous, but sister’s gaze is one of appreciation. There aren’t many people I appreciate, you know.”

“Get off me,” Mo Zhu’er slapped Jiang Ruyan’s hand away.

“So cold, but I like it,” Jiang Ruyan teased, hooking Mo Zhu’er’s chin. “By the way, why did you decide to come with me to Heavenly Profound Gate? Are you really that curious about Qingwan?”

Mo Zhu’er smirked faintly. “I wasn’t curious before, but now, I really want to meet her.”

Jiang Ruyan tilted her head. “Why?”

“Don’t ask girls ‘why’ so casually. Girls have secrets,” Mo Zhu’er leaned closer like a fox.

“I enjoy uncovering girls’ secrets,” Jiang Ruyan said, ready to wrestle with Mo Zhu’er.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and a letter slipped through the gap.