Forgotten Tale of Jianghu-Chapter 55: Rumors

As Chu Cao watched Bai Hongfu stride past her and leave the room, she recalled his final words echoing in her mind. A faint smile appeared on her lips. She smiled because she already knew that Bai Hongfu would never truly uncover the truth he so desperately sought from Xin Long.

Why?

Because during the battle against Xu Zhu Han, the sword techniques Xin Long had used were the same ones Bai Ye Yue had once employed when fighting Tai Shan Hu. That realization had not escaped her notice.

And how did Chu Cao notice this so quickly?

It wasn't just her keen observation. It was her mastery of the Falling Hundred Leaves Formless Force. The ability to see, remember, and break down martial moves at a glance — that was a hidden gift of her training. A formless internal force so subtle that others couldn't sense it. After all, the core of her technique wasn't about having overwhelming strength — it was about having nothing.

To empty herself completely, so she could absorb everything.

No one, not even Bai Hongfu, could recognize the depth of what she saw.

And as she watched Bai Hongfu's figure disappear from view, that quiet smile lingered — a knowing curve of her lips that spoke of truths yet untold.

...

Wu Ji tightened his grip on the reins as his horse galloped toward Kunming City, the cold wind biting at his face. Glancing to his right, he cast a sidelong look at Luo Tuo, who rode beside him, and finally broke the silence.

"Are you sure about what you said back in that restaurant in Chang Hai City?" Wu Ji's voice was low but firm. "That brat may have completed his mission, but until he returns to the sect... we can kill him?"

His words hung in the air, heavier than the howling wind.

The fierce gusts whipped at his face, pushing hard against his left cheek as he leaned into the cold, his jaw set tight. Through the corner of his eye, he saw the same unyielding tension on Luo Tuo's face — stiff, unmoving, as if carved from stone.

Beyond them, the fading rays of the setting sun spilled over the distant trees — their once lush green now muted beneath the soft veil of falling snow. Each flake drifted down, caught between light and shadow, as the quiet of the forest pressed in around them.

They had stopped in Chang Hai City just hours before, pausing at a small restaurant to rest briefly and fill their stomachs. It was there, over a simple meal, that they overheard the shocking rumors — the events that had unfolded in Kunming City involving Xin Long.

Rumors swirled about how Young Master Xu had clashed with Xin Long on the dueling stage, where Xin Long wielded both the Demon Sword and the Flaming Sparrow Blade Technique with terrifying precision, cutting down his opponents with cold-blooded ease. Whispers of the Demon Sword reappearing spread like wildfire.

The more they heard, the more uneasy they became. Both Wu Ji and Luo Tuo couldn't suppress the shiver running down their spines — it wasn't just the power of Xin Long's martial arts but the sheer cunning and unyielding will behind his every move that terrified them.

The mere thought of Xin Long returning to the sect sent a wave of fear crashing over them.

Though they could easily overpower Xin Long, the rules set by the sect could not be broken. These very rules and discipline were what kept their sect under control — the foundation of its success.

A mercenary's duty was simple: kill when ordered or protect if commanded by the one who paid. This was the nature of their work. Likewise, for a sect to thrive, rules had to be upheld. The moment those at the top started bending the rules, the entire sect would begin its march toward ruin. The disciples would no longer follow orders, and chaos would spread like wildfire. Eventually, the sect itself would crumble.

According to the sect's rules, even though Xin Long had completed his mission, he would be granted a full week of freedom and celebration upon his return. However, if the sect leader decided otherwise, the consequences would likely be far from pleasant.

As Wu Ji rode on, his mind kept circling back to the thoughts that had weighed on him since Chang Hai City — the things he had heard and witnessed. Just then, Luo Tuo turned to him with a sly grin, his voice light yet laced with meaning.

"Oh? Asking again, are we? Like a snake bite with just a tiny mark? Come on, Big Brother Wu Ji... The sect's rules are clear — once someone returns to the sect, they get a full week of celebration... But that dog hasn't gone back yet, has he? Until he steps foot in the sect again, we can kill him whenever we want along the way..."

Wu Ji heard the words loud and clear — and deep down, he knew Luo Tuo was right. The rules were the rules. Until Xin Long returned to the sect, he was fair game.

Letting those words settle in his mind, Wu Ji faced forward once more, tightening his grip on the reins. With renewed determination, he urged his horse faster, pushing toward Kunming City as if every gust of wind and every flake of snow were pushing him forward.

Even the chill of the falling snow seemed less biting now, or perhaps it was just the fire burning in his heart.

...

"Ah... tch... tch..."

The sound escaped Xin Long's lips, sharp and dry. The moment he regained consciousness, it felt as if something within his chest was twisting — an odd sensation, like invisible tendrils coiling and uncoiling around his heart. He clicked his tongue but didn't bother opening his eyes, merely groaning in annoyance.

Despite the lingering pain, he could sense one thing — his body brimmed with strength. It was an undeniable truth, even as his nerves still buzzed with discomfort.

Slowly, he opened his eyes.

Above him was a canopy of soft pink silk, elegantly draped to form a delicate cover over the bed — designed more for beauty than practicality. The pale fabric fell gracefully from the top, cascading down both sides of the bed in thin curtains. His gaze followed the flowing silk until it reached the foot of the bed.

And then he saw her.

Chu Cao sat beside the bed, her head resting on her folded arms as she slept, her face a picture of quiet concern.

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Just as Xin Long made a faint sound, she stirred, lifting her head with a start — her hair slightly disheveled, and her eyes still hazy with sleep.

It was only then that he realized — this was Chu Cao's room.

The soft hush of the chamber emphasized an unspoken truth — in this quiet space, there were only the two of them.

"You're awake?"

Chu Cao's soft voice reached him, her hand still rubbing at her sleepy eyes.

Before she could stand, Xin Long's hand reached out, gently grabbing her wrist — stopping her from leaving. He knew. She was about to fetch medicine or food for him.

For a moment, she blinked in surprise but didn't resist. Understanding his unspoken intent, she simply turned back and sat down again.

There was no need for words.

Some things didn't need to be explained — a glance, a gesture, a quiet pause. All of it spoke louder than a thousand sentences ever could.

"You saved me, didn't you, Chu Cao?" Xin Long's voice was calm, yet a sharp edge of curiosity cut through his tone. "Before I passed out... I saw you climb the platform... And I saw you strike down the man who attacked me with a long-range blow..."

He asked — no, he demanded an answer, though he already suspected the truth.

Chu Cao didn't hesitate. She gave a small, firm nod.

In that instant, a dull ache throbbed in Xin Long's mind.

If she really was the one who saved him... then everything he had calculated — every plan, every carefully laid step — had gone completely off course.

The weight of that realization pressed against his thoughts, a silent storm swirling behind his steady gaze.

Xin Long found himself staring at Chu Cao — a lingering gaze, edged with a faint, almost bitter smile. Yet beneath that calm facade, a new wave of pain pressed against his chest, a silent torment gnawing at him.

"Why did you save me?" His voice, usually steady and measured, now held a flicker of unguarded frustration. "You knew full well the dangers those greedy dogs would bring... How am I supposed to leave Kunming City now, Chu Cao?"

The weight of what lay ahead already unfolded in his mind. The consequences were inevitable — the relentless pursuit of those blinded by greed. He had intentionally revealed the treasured sword from Sangguan Yun'er on that stage, a calculated move to draw out the vultures lurking in the shadows.

It was part of his plan. Every move, every risk — all carefully laid out.

But now...

Now, because of the girl he held dearest, the path forward had twisted into something far more complicated.

The room fell into a heavy silence. The world outside seemed distant, muffled, while the storm of schemes and strategies within Xin Long's heart...

For the briefest moment, even those plans fell silent.

End - 55