"Come on in..."

Fang Shuwen gave a noncommittal nod and stepped into the inn.

A waiter came over, helped shut the main door, and slid the bolt into place. His gaze on the young man wasn’t exactly friendly.

But they had just seen Fang Shuwen casually toss the old man out, so they knew he wasn’t someone to mess with and didn’t start any trouble.

The young man, meanwhile, stuck close behind Fang Shuwen, all traces of his earlier troublemaking attitude gone, replaced by an air of pure obedience.

With the old man gone, a table had just freed up.

The three of them sat down at the table. Just as the waiter was about to approach, Fang Shuwen waved a hand, signaling for him not to disturb them yet.

His gaze swept over the immobilized burly man, but he didn’t ask any questions.

Chen Yan looked at Fang Shuwen, his face still wearing that same woeful, grief-stricken expression.

"I heard you put on a spectacular display of power outside Flying Snow City, Brother Fang. What brings you here now?"

Fang Shuwen cracked a grin. He was, of course, on his way to Cyan Blue Valley. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

After learning from the man named Qian Gong that the Vermilion Bird Hall Master was in Cyan Blue Valley, he had first made a trip to Flying Snow City.

He bought two new sets of clothes before going to the City Lord’s Mansion to see Wu Lingxiao.

But he didn’t get to see Wu Lingxiao, only Grand Commander Liang.

The Grand Commander told Fang Shuwen that Wu Lingxiao had already left Flying Snow City in the middle of the night, leaving only Murong Qingchen behind as a guest.

So, Fang Shuwen decided to meet with Murong Qingchen again.

When he asked about the location of Cyan Blue Valley, Murong Qingchen’s expression turned strange.

"You know full well that City Lord Wu and I both have a feud with that Ye Feihua. You gave her the Seven-String Ancient Chapter, and now you come running to us for information? What makes you think I’d tell you?"

Fang Shuwen feigned a look of surprise.

"But I *am* helping you get your revenge.

"Now that the Seven-String Ancient Chapter is in her hands, Jinghua Pavilion will never know another day of peace."

"..."

Murong Qingchen was never a particularly silver-tongued man. After thinking it over, he realized Fang Shuwen’s logic was sound, so he gave him directions to Cyan Blue Valley.

Fang Shuwen then asked where Wu Lingxiao had gone.

But Murong Qingchen shook his head, indicating he didn’t know either.

Fang Shuwen had only asked offhandedly and didn’t truly care about the answer. Before getting up to take his leave, he asked one last question.

"That legendary expert who supposedly left Wu Lingxiao severely injured... was that you?"

Murong Qingchen didn’t answer, and Fang Shuwen didn’t press the issue. It didn’t matter whether it was him or not. The show orchestrated by Wu Lingxiao was over.

Cyan Blue Valley was a great distance from Flying Snow City. He bought a horse and traveled for about ten days, riding by day and resting by night, until tonight’s sudden, heavy snowstorm.

The land was blanketed in a coat of silvery-white snow, making the night surprisingly bright. He had intended to press on through the night but then spotted the lights of an inn and made his way over.

He had just tied up his horse and was about to knock on the door when he stumbled upon the whole affair.

Of course, Fang Shuwen didn’t go into these details with Chen Yan. He simply said he was passing through on his way to Cyan Blue Valley.

He hadn’t expected, however, that as soon as the words left his mouth, a glimmer of hope would appear in the young man’s eyes.

Fang Shuwen didn’t understand why, but Chen Yan spoke up quietly.

"This boy’s name is Xu Shuxin.

"He’s the grandson of Xu Zeyuan, the ’Hundred-Pound Saber’.

"Some time ago, the Xu Family was massacred by Leng Xinjue, the ’Demon-faced Tiger’ of the Sang Mountain Seven Face.

"This boy was the only one to escape with his life.

"Then, he ran into ’Iron-handed Cangying’ Li Xiuci—the old man from earlier."

Fang Shuwen wasn’t surprised to hear Chen Yan recounting these details with such familiarity. The man clearly had some skill; otherwise, he never would have been able to identify his Great Black Heaven God Palm on sight.

Xu Shuxin, however, stared at him, dumbfounded.

"Sir... how... how do you know all this in such detail?"

Instead of answering, Chen Yan continued,

"This Li Xiuci was the very old friend Xu Zeyuan was traveling to see. However, I know for a fact that this old man is inextricably linked to the massacre of the Xu Family.

"Xu Zeyuan, the Hundred-Pound Saber, had a well-deserved heroic reputation—it wasn’t just for show, unlike many of the fame-hungry charlatans in the Jianghu.

"Though I don’t usually meddle in the affairs of the Jianghu, I felt that such a man didn’t deserve to have his entire bloodline extinguished. That’s why I came here... intending to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.

"From the looks of it, though, the Xu boy has also sensed something is amiss. He’s been repeatedly stirring up trouble, most likely hoping to slip away when Li Xiuci gets into a conflict."

Fang Shuwen turned to look at Xu Shuxin.

"Is he telling the truth?"

Xu Shuxin’s gaze flickered between the two men. Finally, he sighed.

"That Li fellow is no good. At first, I thought he was saving me for my grandfather’s sake.

"But I never expected it... One night, I had an upset stomach. When I got up to use the outhouse, I discovered him secretly meeting with that fiend.

"I couldn’t understand much of their conversation, but I know they were looking for something my grandfather hid.

"Li Xiuci didn’t kill me because he thinks I know where it is.

"But how could I possibly know where it is?

"I was terrified that night. I tried to sneak away, but Li Xiuci discovered me.

"Once he saw I had discovered his secret, he dropped the pretense and told me bluntly that if I didn’t agree to lead him to the item, he’d kill me.

"I had no choice but to lie, hoping to placate him for a while and find a chance to escape..."

Fang Shuwen and Chen Yan exchanged a glance. Chen Yan turned to look at his donkey, as if contemplating where to make the first cut. Fang Shuwen just gave a wry smile and poured himself a cup of tea.

Xu Shuxin’s story was probably half-truths at best.

The boy was clearly unwilling to reveal the whole secret.

But that was only human nature; there was nothing more to be said.

Fang Shuwen wasn’t particularly curious about these things anyway.

But then, Xu Shuxin suddenly looked at Fang Shuwen, his eyes filled with a pleading expression.

"Sir, I can see your Martial Arts are incredible. Can you help me?"

"You want me to help you get your revenge?"

Fang Shuwen raised an eyebrow.

"No, no."

Xu Shuxin shook his head frantically.

"I just... I heard you say you’re going to Cyan Blue Valley.

"Could you take me with you?

"You only need to take me as far as Yuqing Pavilion..."

"Yuqing Pavilion is in Cyan Blue Valley?"

Fang Shuwen looked to Chen Yan.

Chen Yan, however, shook his head.

"Yuqing Pavilion isn’t in Cyan Blue Valley. To be precise, both Yuqing Pavilion and Cyan Blue Valley are on Qingyang Mountain.

"It’s just that one is on the mountain, and the other is at its base."

Understanding dawned on Fang Shuwen, followed by a wave of exasperation.

’That fellow Murong Qingchen hadn’t bothered to explain something so simple.’

’But if that’s the case, could the Vermilion Bird Hall Master’s scheme be connected to Yuqing Pavilion?’

As he was pondering this, Xu Shuxin’s voice piped up again.

"Actually, I have an aunt. She’s an Elder at Yuqing Pavilion.

"I’m burdened by this blood feud and have nowhere else to go. Seeking refuge with my aunt... it’s my only chance to one day get revenge.

"Please, Brother Fang, just take me with you since you’re going that way. In return, I can give you my family’s heirloom, the [Unskilled Saber Technique]."

Fang Shuwen thought for a moment. He felt that while Xu Shuxin wasn’t being entirely truthful, the main points of his story were likely correct. The part he was hiding was the secret that had led to the Xu Family’s destruction.

’The Vermilion Bird Hall Master from Undying Island is hiding in Cyan Blue Valley, plotting something. Judging by the earlier incident at Zhuji Pavilion, this new scheme might involve Yuqing Pavilion. If I take this kid there, it might just help with what I need to do.’

As the thought crossed his mind, just as he was about to nod in agreement, the system’s prompt suddenly sounded in his ear.

[Ding! New escort mission detected!]

[Escort Xu Shuxin to Yuqing Pavilion on Qingyang Mountain and deliver him into his aunt’s care!]

[Do you wish to accept?]