Chapter 439: The Incense-Spreading Sect Is Here?

Valley Master Nie was speechless. Yes, what a perfectly satisfactory reason this was.

Zhang Xiaohua looked to be only fourteen or fifteen years old. When he first stepped onto the arena, others had said he was “still wet behind the ears”, and had even specially asked Valley Master Nie to come up and verify his qualifications. Now, using his age as an excuse was simply flawless.

“Sigh, sometimes being too clever isn’t necessarily a good thing,” Valley Master Nie sighed inwardly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua also nodded to himself and said: “Miss Nie is indeed formidable. She can come up with such a reason so casually.”

Nie Qianyu mocked: “Young Hero Ren only thinks about leaving, so this kind of… errand can only be thought up by a little woman like me.”

Those two words, Nie Qianyu simply could not bring herself to say.

Zhang Xiaohua cupped his hands in thanks and said: “Then I must thank Miss Nie for your trouble.”

Afterwards, he turned to Valley Master Nie and Elder Yue and said: “In that case, I shall take my leave early tomorrow morning. I have been tired all day, so I won’t be attending the evening banquet. I hope you both will forgive me.”

“This…” Valley Master Nie and Elder Yue hesitated. The main character of tonight’s banquet was this fellow, and now he wanted to bow out—how were they supposed to explain that to the others?

However, from Zhang Xiaohua’s attitude, it was clear he didn’t even want to go through the motions. This young man’s martial arts were extraordinary, and he had done Sprign Rebirth Valley a great favor, but he couldn’t be forced.

Valley Master Nie was about to try to persuade him when he heard Nie Qianyu say mournfully: “Brother Ren, forgive me for being forward. I really shouldn’t ask, but I feel that your stay in Danhe City was quite long, and staying a few more days in Spring Rebirth Valley wouldn’t matter. Could you… could you tell me what business you have in Danhe City?”

Nie Qianyu was truly desperate. Of course, back in Pingyang City, she wouldn’t have asked a single word about where Zhang Xiaohua was headed, but now she spoke so directly. Still, after saying it, she felt it was inappropriate and hurriedly explained: “Brother Ren, if it’s sect business, then please don’t say anything!”

Ah, Nie Qianyu’s mind was indeed sharp. Zhang Xiaohua had already hinted earlier that it was something to do with comforting his own family, so it was likely a personal matter. By asking in this way, Nie Qianyu was both leaving herself a way out and, in a subtle way, pressing for an answer.

Valley Master Nie listened, his eyes turning as he smiled and said: “Nephew Ren, the affairs of your esteemed sect are naturally not something Spring Rebirth Valley dares to interfere in. But if it’s a personal matter, why not tell us? Perhaps Spring Rebirth Valley can be of some help.”

Elder Yue immediately followed: “That’s right, Nephew. Our Luming Sect will also do our utmost to assist.”

“Brother Ren, Spring Rebirth Valley holds a rather special position in the southern martial world, with frequent dealings with various sects. It’s even somewhat renowned throughout the entire jianghu. If there’s anything you need from Spring Rebirth Valley, please don’t hesitate to let us know.”

Zhang Xiaohua’s heart stirred. He knew very little about the affairs of the jianghu, and the exact location of the Incense-Spreading Sect was truly difficult to find out. Chu Yunfei of the Piaomiao Sect had only said he’d go back and ask Elder Hu, and promised he’d definitely get the information. Moreover, the Piaomiao Sect was being closely watched by the Heaven’s Way Alliance and other sects. Even if Chu Yunfei got the news, whether he could deliver it to Songning Town was uncertain. If he rushed to Songning Town and got nothing, it would be far better to ask Valley Master Nie and Elder Yue directly now. After all, they were the heads of a valley and a sect, surely they would have more information.

But would asking like this arouse their suspicion?

Yet, what could they really suspect? He was only asking about the location of the Incense-Spreading Sect.

Having thought it through, Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said; “Since you two uncles are offering to help, then I’ll ask directly. If there’s anything inconvenient to say, just pretend I never asked.”

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua speak so earnestly, Valley Master Nie and Elder Yue both straightened their expressions and said: “Nephew, please go ahead.”

“Very well, uncles.” Zhang Xiaohua cleared his throat and said: “I’d like to know the whereabouts of the Incense Spreading Sect, or at least its general location.”

“This?!” The two of them showed strange expressions upon hearing this question, and even Nie Qianyu looked puzzled.

Nie Qianyu was about to speak, but Valley Master Nie shot her a look.

Valley Master Nie frowned and said: “Nephew, why are you inquiring about the Incense-Spreading Sect out of the blue? I remember you said the information you were seeking concerned the lives of your family. This Incense-Spreading Sect…?”

Zhang Xiaohua now somewhat regretted having made things sound so grave earlier. However, although he hadn’t interacted much with Valley Master Nie and Elder Yue, judging by Nie Qianyu’s upbringing, they certainly weren’t sinister people. As long as he kept the most crucial part to himself, there was no harm in telling them the rest.

So, Zhang Xiaohua said worriedly: “This matter is rather complicated, but I’m not sure what impact it might have on Spring Rebirth Valley or Luming Sect. If it’s inappropriate, I hope you two uncles will keep it secret.”

Both men nodded, and Nie Qianyu smiled: “Brother Ren, you’re being too polite. Just speak your mind. Uncle Yue watched me grow up—when I was little, I even tugged on his beard. I trust his character, and you can too.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and said: “I have a sworn brother who joined the Piaomiao Sect five years ago…”

Before Zhang Xiaohua could finish, Nie Qianyu exclaimed: “Brother Ren, I understand now. You went to Pingyang City to look for this brother of yours, didn’t you? And once you got there, you learned that the Piaomiao Sect had been destroyed by the Incense-Spreading Sect, Dalin Temple, and the Heaven’s Way Alliance? That’s why you now want to go to the Incense-Spreading Sect to look for your brother?”

This string of questions from Nie Qianyu saved Zhang Xiaohua the trouble of explaining. He smiled wryly: “Miss Nie, you’re truly perceptive. That’s exactly it. I’m worried about my brother’s safety and want to go find news of him as soon as possible. That’s why I plan to set out tomorrow.”

Nie Qianyu then asked: “But Brother Ren, if you’re looking for information, why do you have to go to Danhe City? Is your sect located there?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled: “Forgive me, Miss Nie, but I can’t say anything more about my sect.”

Upon hearing this, Nie Qianyu glanced at Valley Master Nie, then stood up, walked over to Zhang Xiaohua, and, for the first time, gave him a deep bow. “Brother Ren, I apologize to you, and I also thank you. I misunderstood you before, thinking you were unwilling to escort us to Mochou City, but I didn’t realize you had such a heavy matter on your mind. I truly feel ashamed.”

Zhang Xiaohua hurriedly stood up and returned the gesture, saying: “Miss Nie… Little Fish, there’s no need to be so formal. If you keep being so courteous, I’ll feel awkward. Look, I’ve got goosebumps all over the floor.”

Nie Qianyu covered her mouth and giggled: “So Miss Nie has finally become Little Fish.”

Valley Master Nie and Elder Yue exchanged a glance, both feeling gratified in their hearts: “This young man is truly chivalrous. Back in Pingyang City, he already knew his brother’s fate was uncertain, life or death unknown, yet he still escorted a little girl he’d never met before, traveling for over a month. In ancient times, there were those who would guard a sister-in-law for a thousand miles to return her home, and this young man is no less than them.”

What was even more gratifying was that, after delivering the girl home, he never mentioned any reward, still worrying about his brother and wanting to return to his sect as soon as possible to seek help. Yet they themselves had pressed their luck, asking him once again to save Spring Rebirth Valley from disaster. He agreed without a word of complaint, never mentioning any compensation, and stepped onto the arena!

Such ancient chivalrous spirit was indeed rare.

“Sigh, why can’t a pretense become reality?” Valley Master Nie sighed to himself.

Just then, Nie Qianyu giggled and said: “Brother Ren, you’re really too cautious. If you’d let slip a little in front of me, you wouldn’t have to worry yourself into this state.”

Zhang Xiaohua was startled and said, “Could it be…”

Valley Master Nie, standing nearby, also smiled and said: “Nephew Ren, let me ask you: you’re going to Danhe City to seek help from your sect, but is it to have your master seek justice for your brother?”

Zhang Xiaohua’s heart stirred, and he replied with a wry smile: “Though I’m new to the jianghu, I know the Incense-Spreading Sect is a super sect in the martial world, not something my sect could shake. Besides, why would my sect go to war over my personal matters? I only want to ask my sect about the location of the Incense-Spreading Sect, so I can go see if my brother was taken there.”

“I see,” Elder Yue interjected. “I heard that several years ago, when the Piaomiao Sect was destroyed, many disciples died for their sect. Some of the female disciples and lower-ranked disciples were taken to the Incense-Spreading Sect. Oh, and some injured or crippled disciples as well, but as for the rest…”

“Yes, Uncle Yue, that’s exactly why I’m in such a hurry to return.” Zhang Xiaohua sighed. “My brother’s martial arts weren’t strong, so I really don’t know if he’s alive or dead.”

Valley Master Nie smiled and said: “Heaven looks after the good. So many years have passed—if he survived, he must be living well now. If not… well, worrying won’t help.”

Zhang Xiaohua said: “No matter what, it’s still best to get news as soon as possible.”

Nie Qianyu added: “If it were really that simple, just wanting to know the location of the Incense-Spreading Sect, Brother Ren, I could have told you back in Pingyang City.”

“Ah???” Zhang Xiaohua was a bit overwhelmed. As the saying goes, “You search high and low only to find it effortlessly.” He never expected that such a secretive piece of information in the martial world would be known by this girl he’d spent nearly two months with. If only he’d asked her earlier!

Valley Master Nie said from the side: “Nephew Ren, it’s fortunate you shared your difficulties today. Otherwise, if you’d gone all the way to Danhe City just to find out the Incense-Spreading Sect’s location, I imagine you’d be so frustrated you’d cough up blood.”

Zhang Xiaohua was stunned, then his heart stirred and he frowned: “From what Uncle Nie says, could it be… the Incense-Spreading Sect is right here in Mochou City?”

If that were true, Zhang Xiaohua’s journey from Spring Rebirth Valley to Danhe City, and then back to Mochou City, would have been a huge waste.

Nie Qianyu smiled at the side: “Brother Ren, since you know the Incense-Spreading Sect isn’t in the north, there’s no need to go to Danhe City. Staying in Spring Rebirth Valley for another day or two won’t hurt, right?”

Elder Yue beamed: “Exactly, Nephew Ren. This is what they call, ‘If people won’t keep you, Heaven will.’ Don’t you agree?”