Chapter 702: Xie Guan Has Come. You

You walked in from the street corner, and suddenly a deep emerald lake came into view. At its center stood the famed Zi Xiao Pavilion—the Tingyu Tower.

Your steps were unhurried, indifferent to the oddness around you. The once-bustling marketplace had somehow emptied of people.

From the shadows, countless eyes followed like shadows, each brimming with lethal intent, as if wolves circled, waiting for the prey to step into death.

In your heart-sea, nine swords trembled and sang; the divine fire in your crown dantian burned silently.

You walked slowly to the shore; the street corner was now empty, save for a few scattered figures by the lakeside, all eyes turning to you as you arrived.

～

It was the hour of Qiu, the afternoon.

He Lan Zhen Shu grew restless; this matter concerned their repatriation from Da Qi to their homeland—how could it not be taken seriously?

He rose for the fifth time, pacing back and forth. He had gathered so many hands, laid out a heavenly net—and yet the main target had not shown his face.

“Could it be that Xie Guan won’t come?”

“He will come,” Xie Renfeng said with certainty.

Du Kong frowned at Xie Renfeng. “Young Master Xie, why are you so sure?”

Xie Renfeng said, “Someone like Xie Guan is just like those figures in books—undoubtedly talented, undeniably capable.”

“To befriend such a man, he would die for his friends, live his life by righteousness—but never manage his own life well, refusing to compromise even for a tile.”

“So if you call him a gentleman, I say he’s stubborn. Even the writers who left such words behind couldn’t live by them—how could he?”

Liu Yuan, Crown Prince of Da Sui, listened with a complex expression, a pang of regret stirring in his heart.

Had he not been trapped in prison himself, he would have welcomed such a man as a friend—men die for those who understand them.

Had he been a sovereign, such a national treasure ought to have been his honored guest, bought with gold for his bones.

There would have been a timeless tale of ruler and minister.

Too bad… Liu Yuan tilted his head and drained the last of the wine in his cup.

He would use this fine head to shatter the cage of Bianjing.

The highest level of Yanbo Tower fell silent once more.

Only Prince Chen Mu idly peeled sunflower seeds, the crisp crunches piercing the stillness.

Soon, the tall eunuch in charge of court protocol, Xiao Yu, lifted his gaze, his voice low, slow, and soft:

“The person you’re waiting for… seems to have arrived.”

Liu Yuan rose abruptly, strode to the window, fingers tightening in his sleeve, his voice barely concealing suppressed excitement:

“Xie Guan… finally here!”

He Lan Zhen Shu froze for a moment, then burst into loud laughter, slapping the window frame with his palm, eyes gleaming with bloodlust:

“What a fool—he actually came to die!”

Liu Yuan drew a deep breath, all emotion vanishing from his eyes, leaving only coldness:

“Move. Seal this place.”

Chen Mu slowly swallowed his last bite of pastry, brushed crumbs from his fingertips, and rose to walk to the window.

The lake shimmered with the crimson glow of the setting sun; faintly visible beneath the surface, a massive dark shadow glided slowly, like a sleeping beast.

Hidden beneath the water lay deadly intent—flashes of blade and sword glinted with cold light.

Killing intent had already enveloped Yanbo Lake like a dense net.

Chen Mu’s lips curled slightly, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes—these princes of various states truly hated Xie Guan enough to set up such an elaborate trap.

“Too bad…” he chuckled softly, tapping his finger against the window frame. “I wanted to see you beg at my feet—now you’ll die too quickly.”

Xie Renfeng’s gaze was locked on the far end of the street.

A figure in blue robes approached, sword in hand.

His face wore a mad grin.

“Xie Guan, today I’ll see how you escape death!”

～

Not far from Yanbo Lake, a three-story private mansion stood quietly.

On the top floor, the window stood half-open; Princess Chen Zhirong leaned on the railing, her slender hand resting on the carved wooden balustrade, gazing far toward Yanbo Lake.

“Your Highness, Xie Guan has arrived.”

Yan the maid bowed her head behind her, voice low. Seeing no reply, she added: “I delivered your words exactly as you commanded.”

“I know.”

Chen Zhirong sighed softly; rare regret flickered across her usually composed features. “I thought today I’d finally found a pillar capable of holding up the heavens.”

Before the words faded, another sigh followed: “Too bad—he won’t even mature before he’s broken here.”

Yan the maid spoke: “When Master Guan walked onto Changning Street, Master Dongshan stopped him.”

“What did Master Dongshan say?”

“Our people dared not get close—we only asked passersby,” Yan said respectfully. “It’s said Master Dongshan advised Master Guan that a gentleman shouldn’t act on fleeting anger.”

Chen Zhirong nodded slowly.

“So Master Dongshan, though he values Xie Guan, is powerless.”

“Your Highness, won’t we act? Perhaps we could save Xie Guan.”

Chen Zhirong shook her head. “That one… is here today. No one in Bianjing dares move.”

Yan the maid stiffened.

She knew perfectly well who “that one” meant—the all-powerful Prime Minister Su Xiang.

Could he be watching this very moment?

Chen Zhirong said, “Where do you think Xie Guan is now?”

“According to our scouts, he’s reached Yanbo Lake.”

Chen Zhirong nodded. “Wait.”

“I find it strange—a mere bastard could draw his attention to this place.”

“Xie Guan… is there something about him I haven’t seen?”

～

“It’s him!”

Xue Huai’an sharply sensed the hidden masters by the lake’s edge freeze—their gazes all fixed on the far end of the street.

A slender, upright figure walked slowly forward.

Luo Susu’s fingertips trembled. The shadow that had haunted her thoughts these past days now stood before her, stealing her breath.

Mei Qingsu scanned the surroundings and saw that although the hidden experts maintained their postures, their spiritual senses had all locked onto the boy.

“So this killing trap today… was set for Xie Guan.”

Even as she spoke, Mei Qingsu found it unbelievable: “Why would the Yan Prince and the princes of other states unite against one Xie Guan?”

What puzzled her more—“And he came alone?”

The two courtesans watched the approaching figure. Liu Zixin whispered softly: “Today’s Master Guan seems different from that day…”

The boy had tied his long hair high, his blue robe fluttering in the wind.

The former scholarly gentleness had faded, replaced by an unyielding, sharp vigor—like a sword drawn from its scabbard.

Luo Susu also noticed the sword in Xie Guan’s hand, her heart jolting.

The boy had finally taken up his sword.

Xue Huai’an asked, “Should we help?”

“After all, last time at Xie Family’s Daguan Garden, Xie Guan aided us.”

Mei Qingsu hesitated. “If we intervene, given today’s situation, we’ll be dragged in too… Let’s wait and see.”

The Daguan Garden incident had always troubled him—why had Baigu Guan not struck the Xue family? Was it because of this Xie bastard? He couldn’t make sense of it.

Today, he felt somewhat certain.

Had they been entangled last time because of Xie Guan?

Also, he had noticed Xie Guan’s strange face—bearing the countenance of nobility beyond mortal measure: “Immortal features aren’t about physical beauty, but inner radiance, heavenly bone naturally formed—that’s the sign of unattainable nobility.”

Yet he also bore the mark of early death—could it be fulfilled here today?

A fate sealed by heaven!

Luo Susu had already gripped her sword, her face resolute: “I, Luo Susu, never owe debts. He saved me once—I will draw my blade without regret.”

Mei Qingsu felt helpless, yet knew the current manager of Jinxiu Tower spoke without compromise—unbending, unyielding.

He could only urge: “First, protect the Young Master and the two girls. The Xue family has been deeply kind to us—if anything happens to the Second Young Master, can we bear the consequence?”

“If this Master Guan is in danger, we can still save him later… even if we do, you saw last time at Daguan Garden—could you even block his sword?”

Luo Susu looked back at Xue Huai’an and the two girls, hesitation crossing her face.

Especially those last words—her grip on the sword trembled slightly.

The scabbard clashed against the blade with a clear “jing”—and finally, she sheathed it.

“Fine.”

Mei Qingsu exhaled inwardly, eyes sweeping the lake—the old fisherman, the seated nun on the boat, the monk drinking and eating meat, the submerged pig-dragon—all radiating power equal to the Night Demon Generals of Baigu Guan that day.

Today’s trap was far deadlier than Daguan Garden.

The lake wind carried a faint fishy odor, and killing intent surged!

Xue Huai’an watched Xie Guan, seeing him about to board a boat—his heart tightened.

“Bad. If he enters the lake, he’ll be surrounded on all sides—especially with that pig-dragon lurking beneath.” Xue Huai’an said anxiously.

～

【Before you reached the lakeside, a faint, elegant scent of powder drifted to you on the wind.】

【A maid in a pale blue ruqun approached gracefully; her face was lovely, and she possessed the strength of the third realm of Primordial Spirit.】

【The maid bowed deeply and offered a plain sheet of paper with both hands.】

【On the paper, the ink was elegant and clean, bearing only one line: “We humbly request Master Xie Guan to step aboard the boat.”】

【You pinched the paper lightly between your fingers; it ignited without fire.】

【You shook your head. “The handwriting is terrible.”】

【The maid froze for a moment, then vanished as quietly as she had come, saying not a single word more.】

【You lifted your gaze to the lake’s surface—though no wind stirred, ripples moved of their own accord, deep currents pushing the waves into Cengcengdiedie layers.】

【Near the lakeshore, a small, flat boat rested silently.】

【At the stern sat an old man in a straw rain cape, his bamboo hat pulled low; his fishing rod remained utterly still, as if fused with the lake and mountains, as though he had been waiting for you here all along.】

【On the shore stood a burly man wearing a straw hat and short tunic, his left ear missing. He looked up at you—his expression was utterly simple, yet held not a trace of warmth; instead, only the raw, blood-soaked killing aura forged by years of slaughter struck you like a wave.】

【You did not hesitate, walking straight toward them.】

【The old man flicked his fishing rod lightly; an invisible thread tugged, and a lively perch leapt onto the deck, landing in the basket.】

【“Good luck today,” the old man rasped, his voice like dry leaves being rubbed together. He threaded fresh bait onto the hook and cast it back into the water.】

【The fisherman finally turned to face you, grinning. “The fish has bitten. Reel it in.”】

【You stepped calmly onto the bow of the boat.】

【The burly man on shore followed you aboard without delay.】

【The small boat moved forward on its own, cutting through the water without an oar.】

【Several other boats on the lake also began to stir, all deliberately drawing closer to this spot.】

【If viewed from above, one would be startled to see—a vast, elongated shadow beneath the boats, slowly coiling, its scales gleaming with cold, dark green-black light. The deep currents it stirred had already carved a black vortex at the lake’s center.】

【The burly man removed his straw hat, staring at your back. His knotted muscles twitched beneath his coarse tunic; his fingers clasped together, knuckles cracking in a rapid series of pops as he fixed his gaze on your back.】

【He tilted his head, staring at your neck, his Adam’s apple rolling, his smile chilling.】

【“I wonder what the blood of the Nine Families tastes like.”】

【The fisherman sat at the stern; the man stood in the center of the boat.】

【You stood at the bow, your blue robe fluttering slightly in the lake wind, your long sword trembling faintly, emitting a clear, ringing tone.】

【Your gaze crossed the shimmering waves, landing on the distant Tingyu Pavilion with its upturned eaves and ornate brackets—leaving only your back to the two behind you.】

【The burly man narrowed his eyes, clenching his fist. “You’re arrogant!”】

(End of Chapter)