Chapter 64

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Chapter 64: Xia Zhilan’s Sweetness

Old Man Feng and Xia Guanqiu exchanged another look, their confusion reaching its peak. So, Granny Bai Cao’s clan wanted to exterminate everyone surnamed Lou—that was one thing—but for there to be eight other families involved? How had the Lous possibly provoked so many people!

“Then did your clan members follow this ancient decree? How many people named Lou did they kill?”

Granny Bai Cao shook her head. “I don’t know. In any case, I haven’t killed a single one. In fact, I haven’t even encountered anyone with that surname all these years. That’s why I reacted so strongly earlier when I heard that boy was actually surnamed Lou!”

Old Man Feng suddenly slammed the table. “Right! I just remembered—I haven’t met anyone named Lou all these years either! Isn’t that strange? Logically, Lou isn’t a common surname, but it’s certainly not rare either!”

Xia Guanqiu cautiously added, “Lou Yun’s family seems quite large, numbering at least a hundred people.”

Granny Bai Cao glanced at him. “Rest assured, I won’t enforce our family’s ancient decree. The Lous have never provoked me, so why would I kill them? Honestly, I’ve often pondered over the years why our clan has such a decree, but I’ve never found an answer.”

Had Lou Yun’s father or Second Uncle been present then, they would have connected this to something. For the Lou Family also had its own secret, unknown to outsiders: “Fire rises over the Fusang, the nine clans perish!”

Old Man Feng thought it over. “Martial sister, do you know who the other nine clans might be?”

Granny Bai Cao replied, “Our clan once sent people to investigate. We uncovered a few families: the Liu family, the Han family, and the Helian family. The rest remain unknown.”

“Helian family? Han family? I’ve never heard of them. But this Liu family…” Old Man Feng looked meaningfully at Xia Guanqiu. “Could it be… the Liu family of Spirit Weapon Sect?”

Granny Bai Cao shook her head. “I didn’t inquire closely, so I’m not sure. But even if it is the Liu family of Spirit Weapon Sect, so what!”

Old Man Feng shrugged. “Nothing much, just asking casually! But listen, martial sister. Regardless of your family’s ancient decree, that boy Lou Yun is Guanqiu’s future grandson-in-law. I’m quite fond of the kid myself. You absolutely cannot touch him!”

“Nonsense! Of course I won’t touch him! Do you really have to say that?” Granny Bai Cao then lowered her voice. “But in the future, he’d best keep a low profile. Even though these are ancient decrees, in some families, many strictly adhere to them!”

After chatting a while longer, seeing it was late, Xia Guanqiu escorted Granny Bai Cao to rest. Upon his return, he found Old Man Feng still hadn’t left. Leaning back, he was tilting a wine jug into his mouth.

“Venerable Feng, you haven’t retired yet?”

Old Man Feng gestured with his chin toward a nearby stool, motioning for Xia Guanqiu to sit. “Guanqiu, I’m pondering whether the Liu family of Spirit Weapon Sect is the same Liu family my martial sister mentioned among the nine clans.”

Xia Guanqiu had actually considered this problem too. He smiled bitterly. “If it isn’t, that’s fine. But if it is… their intense interest in Lou Yun, even publicly stating their intent for him to become the Spirit Weapon Sect’s son-in-law… their motives would be deeply suspicious indeed!”

“Indeed. Anyway, I’ve already forced that boy to admit Little Lan is his fiancée. It doesn’t betray her risking her life to save him. Whether the Liu family belongs to the nine clans or not, whatever plot they have against Lou Yun, we certainly won’t stand idly by. But I don’t think we need to worry too much.”

“Why?”

Old Man Feng chuckled, his eyes narrowing into slits. “Because Lou Yun seems to have a powerful supporter protecting him from the shadows. Even with my cultivation level, I haven’t caught a glimpse of this expert. Think about it! With such an ally watching his back, what is there to fear from any ‘nine clans’? Ah, and even Beichen Ming seems to favor the kid!”

“Beichen Ming?” Xia Guanqiu blinked. “The seventh-grade skilled weapon maker of Spirit Weapon Star, Beichen Ming?”

Old Man Feng nodded, still smiling. “He even gifted that kid his treasured ice crystal jade weapon. I suspect… he’s planning to take Lou Yun as his final disciple!”

Xia Guanqiu was both shocked and excited. “Beichen Ming is notoriously arrogant and aloof! Even Ao Wushen, the four-star Weapon Emperor, tried flattery without success. To think he’d show such favor to Lou Yun! With such a powerful backer, Lou Yun truly has nothing to fear!”

“Hmm. But right now, Lou Yun doesn’t realize the one who gave him the ice crystal jade weapon is Beichen Ming. So let’s keep that quiet for now. Alright, I’m off. You get some rest. Little Lan’s condition is stable now. No need to assist her with spiritual energy anymore. She’ll fully recover upon waking naturally. Oh, and you’d best prepare a few high-tier weapon techniques for her cultivation soon!”

With that, Old Man Feng swayed out. Xia Guanqiu looked at Xia Zhilan lying peacefully on the bed and let out a long sigh. Little Lan had turned disaster into fortune! Not only had she avoided becoming crippled, her cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. Enhanced by high-tier weapon techniques and cultivation methods, her future was also bright!

Xia Guanqiu walked to the bedside and sat down. Slowly closing his eyes, he entered a meditative state. Just then, a faint breeze stirred, carrying a subtle, elusive ripple of energy as it slipped out of the room. When he opened his eyes to search for it, it was gone, leaving him to dismiss it as his imagination.

It wasn’t imagination at all. Someone—or rather, a presence—had indeed slipped away unnoticed moments earlier: Chang Xiang!

Chang Xiang returned silently into Lou Yun’s body, who was engrossed in his cultivation. Offering a cold smile, he mused quietly, “The nine clans… finally, I’ve found traces of you. Hmph! Thinking you can wipe out everyone bearing the name Lou? It won’t be that simple! Lou Yun… Lou Yun… you must strive! Don’t disappoint me!”

……

Early the next day, just as dawn broke, Lou Yun appeared outside Xia Zhilan’s room. He didn’t knock but stood by the door, listening for any sound. To his surprise, the door abruptly opened. Standing there was none other than Xia Zhilan herself!

Lou Yun hadn’t expected Xia Zhilan to suddenly emerge. Equally startled, Xia Zhilan hadn’t anticipated Lou Yun waiting at her doorstep. Caught face-to-face, they froze in mutual surprise. As they regained their composure, a rosy blush spread across Xia Zhilan’s cheeks. Lou Yun scratched his head, offering an awkward smile. “Xi… Xia!”

Before Lou Yun could even utter the word "miss," Old Man Feng’s heavy cough sounded in his ear, startling him into a panicked correction. "Little Lan, are… are you feeling better?" he blurted out.

After speaking, he surreptitiously scanned his surroundings but saw no sign of Old Man Feng.

Xia Zhilan nodded shyly, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. "I’m much better, thank you for your concern, Brother Lou!"

Lou Yun waved his hands dismissively. "There’s no need to thank me! I should be the one thanking you!"

Having said that, Lou Yun bowed deeply and formally towards Xia Zhilan. "Little Lan, thank you for saving my life!"

Xia Zhilan naturally couldn’t accept Lou Yun’s gratitude. Hastily, she reached out to pull him up. However, just as Lou Yun finished bowing and raised his head, their foreheads collided resoundingly.

"Ouch!"

Both clasped their foreheads, then caught each other’s eye and couldn’t help but laugh. The bump served to dissolve the awkward atmosphere between them.

Lou Yun’s concern remained evident. "Little Lan, your body has only just recovered. You shouldn’t be moving around too much just yet. Rest for a few days."

Xia Zhilan’s heart felt sweet as she nodded. "Brother Lou, I feel fine now. Grandfather told me what happened. He asked me to go pick out a good weapon technique and cultivation method. Brother Lou, let’s go together!"

Lou Yun waved his hand again. "No need. I’m already practicing a specific technique and method!"

Han Tianxiao had mentioned countless times that he wanted to exchange Lou Yun’s current methods for higher-level ones, but Lou Yun always found a way to politely refuse. He genuinely didn’t need them!

However, seeing the unmistakable flicker of disappointment cross Xia Zhilan’s face at his refusal, Lou Yun hurriedly backtracked. "I don’t need to pick out techniques or methods myself, but I can definitely accompany you!"

A smile instantly reappeared on Xia Zhilan’s face as she nodded. "Brother Lou, then let’s go!"

So the two walked side-by-side onto the Ancient Weapon Academy grounds. Naturally, they attracted the gazes of many students and teachers along the way. At first, Xia Zhilan felt a bit shy, but gradually she relaxed and chatted happily with Lou Yun.

When they reached the Ancient Weapon Academy’s dedicated collection hall for cultivation methods and weapon techniques, Xia Guanqiu was already waiting inside. Seeing Lou Yun arrive with Xia Zhilan surprised him slightly, but regardless, seeing his prospective grandnephew-in-law still delighted him.

"Lou Yun, you’ve come too! Fittingly, I also have a few cultivation methods and weapon techniques here that should suit you!"

Lou Yun hastily shook his head, politely refusing Xia Guanqiu’s offer once more. Xia Guanqiu had heard from Han Tianxiao before that Lou Yun seemed uninterested in advanced methods and techniques, so he didn’t press further.

He changed the subject instead. "Well then, since Little Lan isn’t sure which techniques and methods to choose, why don’t you help her look and offer some advice?"

That was certainly fine. "Alright!"

Compared to the Lou Family’s treasured pavilion, the Ancient Weapon Academy’s collection hall was vastly superior in both size and appearance upon approaching it. As Lou Yun stepped inside, he felt numerous gazes focus on him.

Moreover, his spiritual sense, which could usually detect energy fluctuations, picked up absolutely nothing here. It was clear that the security measures were formidable, far beyond his imagination.

Xia Guanqiu offered a warm smile and briefly introduced the place to Lou Yun, though his role constrained him from revealing too many details.

Despite being the Academy Head, Xia Guanqiu couldn’t blatantly abuse his position to grant special privileges to his granddaughter.

Therefore, he led the two to a small room barred by protective restrictions. Reaching out, he dissolved the restrictions. "Just in here," he said. "Lou Yun, help Little Lan make a sound choice. I won’t enter."

The truth was, although Lou Yun was currently slightly stronger than Xia Zhilan, asking him to help her select suitable cultivation methods and weapon techniques was rather challenging!

It required a deep understanding of a person’s overall potential and constitution across all aspects to make the correct judgment. Lou Yun certainly didn’t possess this ability.

He only knew that Xia Zhilan was at the intermediate one-star level with a magical weapon, that her magical weapon was a sword, and nothing else.

The reason he agreed so readily, naturally, was because of Chang Xiang’s presence!

After expressing his thoughts to his mental companion, Chang Xiang’s tone was noticeably displeased. "You little punk, guiding your cultivation is one thing. Now you actually want my help flirting, guiding your fiancée’s cultivation? Listen, I’ll only help select a suitable technique for her. That’s it, nothing more!"

After the time it takes half an incense stick to burn had passed, Xia Guanqiu, who had been standing outside without leaving, finally heard Lou Yun’s voice from within the room.

"Little Lan, your constitution is somewhat delicate. Your five-element attributes lean predominantly towards water. This Moon-level advanced cultivation method, ‘Water Lotus Bloom,’ should be highly suitable for you. As for weapon techniques, your magical weapon is a sword. This Moon-level advanced technique, ‘Misty Flow Breeze,’ is primarily defensive… but that defense contains offense. There’s hidden sharpness within water – it should suit you well."

Xia Guanqiu’s eyes widened, his face etched with astonishment. The methods Lou Yun had named as suitable for Xia Zhilan – the cultivation method "Water Lotus Bloom" and the weapon technique "Misty Flow Breeze" – were precisely the same ones he and Old Man Feng had painstakingly selected after deep deliberation!

The kicker was that he and Old Man Feng had spent days discussing and debating to arrive at this conclusion. Yet Lou Yun, having entered the room less than the time half an incense stick takes to burn, had already made the optimal judgment.

This level of discernment was utterly incredible!