Chapter 68: Could Such Outstanding Talent Exist in This World?

The autumn sun rose from the east.

Dan Wang Zhao Xiao walked through the academy with his attendants, his five-clawed python robe shimmering in the autumn sun, while a trace of sorrow showed between his brows.

Zhang Zihu, the director of the Dan Hospital, walked behind him, recounting the general situation:

"His body was struck by a strange poison that severely damaged his essence and blood; even a quarter-hour later, even immortals would find it hard to save him. Now, over three hundred people have been snatched back from the hands of King Yama, all thanks to Young Master Xie venturing into danger alone and breaking the Blood-Sacrifice Demonic Curse..."

Behind them, Zhu Wenyuan, Princess Changning, Butler Hou, and others were following along.

Because a great disaster had just occurred, Princess Changning's attire was much plainer; hearing Director Zhang's account, she sighed softly:

"If I had arrived first last night, even with the courage to face the enemy alone, I would not have had the ability to slay Tai Shu Dan. If it were merely bravery, that would be one thing, but Xie Jinhuan's character and wit are impeccable; he is also humble and does not fight for fame or profit. I wonder what kind of high master could have taught such a disciple."

Butler Hou fanned himself as he followed, nodding in agreement:

"This young man and I in my youth were practically cast from the same mold. When heroes meet heroes, there is a certain feeling of mutual appreciation."

The crowd stumbled.

The outstanding students from various departments following behind all had strange expressions; if the occasion had been appropriate, they would probably have been laughing with their bellies in their hands.

Dan Wang was not angered by this; seeing the young people with varied expressions, he even interjected:

"Old Hou is not boasting. During the 'Jian'an Incident' twenty years ago, this King and my royal brother were trapped in Wang Fu. If not for Old Hou and Cao Fo'er fighting alone to protect us brothers and break out of the encirclement, how could there be today's Great Qian?

"It is just a pity that there were too many strong enemies at the time; Old Hou had half his soul knocked out by a demonic curse, completely severing his martial path. Otherwise, it would not be impossible for him to be discussing wine and swords with Mr. Mu today."

Princess Changning was born when Butler Hou was already like this; hearing this, she asked curiously:

"Was Old Hou as handsome as Xie Jinhuan when he was young?"

"Uh..."

Dan Wang pondered slightly, speaking with considerable tact:

"Judging heroes by their appearance is too narrow-minded. However, back then when Old Hou and this King attended a banquet together, as long as he showed his head, the entire hall would usually fall silent; all the talented scholars and beautiful ladies would not even deign to glance at this King."

"..."

The crowd slowly nodded, understanding the meaning.

After all, if Butler Hou and Xie Jinhuan showed their heads together now, most people would be stunned by this earth-shattering, tear-inducing appearance and would not notice the handsome young master standing nearby.

The group skipped over this topic without agreement and soon arrived at a small lake with an elegant environment.

The lakeside was prepared as a recovery ward for high masters; since no high masters were injured last night, only Xie Jinhuan was staying inside.

At this moment, Liu Qingzhi and Yang Dabiao were standing by outside the corridor, whispering quietly:

"Brother Xie's skills are so great that having two wives would be too few, but it is really hard to decide who is the wife and who is the concubine..."

"Physician Lin's biological father is the Left Court Judge of the Imperial Hospital, and he knew Jinhuan first..."

"Lord Linghu's background is no small matter; he is a direct disciple of the Mount Zihui Sect Master..."

And not far away by the lake, Linghu Qingmo held her sword and gazed at the koi in the lake; as a pure little Taoist nun, she was secretly pondering Xie Jinhuan's rude act just now...

His medicinal nature had not yet passed, so he could not control his true nature; one should not take it to heart...

Even if it was truly intentional, Xie Jinhuan saved so many people; what was wrong with kissing her once?

Hundreds of lives, more than most knights save in a lifetime...

I shouldn't have been so fierce just now...

Just as she was in such a state of mental turmoil, commotion came from the distance:

"Your subordinate Yang Dabiao (Liu Qingzhi) pays respects to the Prince!"

"No need for ceremony."

Linghu Qingmo quickly withdrew her scattered thoughts and ran over somewhat nervously:

"Paying respects to the Prince!"

Dan Wang had always viewed Linghu Qingmo as a niece, so his attitude was quite amiable:

"Has Jinhuan woken up?"

Linghu Qingmo nodded slightly:

"He has woken up; Physician Lin is currently attending to him."

Saying this, she ran to the door and raised her hand to knock:

Knock knock~

Before stepping onto the covered walkway, Dan Wang slightly adjusted his python robe, his mindset resembling 'the Imperial Uncle meeting Zhao Yun'.

But after arriving at the door and waiting for a moment, there was no response from Xie Jinhuan; instead, a voice came from inside:

"Eh? Where is everyone?"

Hearing this, Linghu Qingmo was shaken and immediately pushed the door open.

Splash~

What presented itself before the eyes was naturally the rope on the ground, and Lin Wanyi sitting on the hospital bed looking left and right.

Lin Wanyi was slightly nearsighted; at first she hadn't seen clearly, but after taking out her gold-rimmed glasses and putting them on, she discovered that dozens of people were standing outside the door, and Zisu was also stretching her neck to peek from the back of the crowd.

Such a scene was no different from fainting from excessive self-masturbation and waking up to find a whole street of people peering at the door...

"Eh? This humble maiden pays respects to the Prince!"

Lin Wanyi was dazed; she first checked left and right, then quickly flipped off the bed, crouching down to look under the bed:

"Xie Jinhuan?"

Dan Wang was also somewhat bewildered; he bent down to look as well, found no one under the bed, and couldn't help but ask in confusion:

"Where is Jinhuan?"

Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi were both terrified.

Linghu Qingmo's face also turned pale; she had no mind to scold the foolish original wife who had lost her boyfriend, and hurried to the window to search.

Lin Zisu ran into the room: "Auntie, where did you go just now?"

Lin Wanyi fainted in Xie Jinhuan's arms; waking up like this, she naturally could not speak:

"I... I accidentally fell asleep..."

Princess Changning scanned the room, discovered paper with writing on the table, stepped forward to pick it up and examine it:

"The shadow of demons crosses the sky, blood not yet dry; the traces of demons hide, making the world's path difficult. How could a heroic soul fear evil winds? The sword points to the universe, raising the banner of righteousness. Everyone, do not worry; I will return shortly... Where has he gone?!"

Silence fell inside and outside the room.

Hearing this "Poem of Aspiration," Linghu Qingmo was filled with emotion beyond words, and stamped her feet in anxiety:

"This reckless one! He heard the government office was searching for the source of demonic qi on Mount Zihui, and this morning was eager to help the government office. I told you, yet why did you still let him go?!"

Lin Wanyi's eyes were full of innocence, her gaze resembling a favored concubine who accidentally caused a major trouble after charming the monarch into skipping court, too timid and cowardly to speak.

The Alchemy King heard the direction, his eyes turned red; he stepped forward quickly to take the paper, examining the iron-stroke and silver-hook handwriting carefully:

"This... Could there truly be such outstanding talent in the world?!"

Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi, who had always been in contact with Xie Jinhuan, directly fell to their knees in awe.

Yang Dabiao fiercely pounded his palm, heartbroken:

"Jinhuan, no, Brother Xie is truly loyal and righteous, peerlessly brave. My father is even a Commandant; if I had half this drive, why would I still be a Wei Shi now?"

Liu Qingzhi also looked full of self-reproach:

"Compared to Young Master Xie, I am ashamed of this very robe! This... Alas! Truly shaming to me!"

Even the usually humble Butler Hou could not help but praise:

"This youth's resilience, even I am slightly inferior by half a move."

For Butler Hou to admit defeat, Xie Jinhuan was likely the first.

The Alchemy King gazed at the Poem of Aspiration on the paper, not knowing what words to utter.

After all, in the Alchemy King's heart, Xie Jinhuan's current image was roughly this—his father died in public service, he is humble and uncontentious, his martial arts surpass his peers, his aspirations are high and he upholds righteousness, he risks his life for the people, he spares no effort in his duties, his appearance is handsome and extraordinary, and his literary talent is presentable...

Possessing any single one of these would mean great promise, yet Xie Jinhuan had gathered them all!

If one had to pick bones from an egg, it was just his ordinary background; he was not even the Alchemy King's heir!

Otherwise, he would probably be foolishly happy even in his dreams.

Right, the son...

Thinking of this, the Alchemy King, a daughter-slave, suddenly remembered he had a eldest daughter who was not yet married; he glanced at Princess Changning:

"Ling'er, what do you think of Xie Jinhuan?"

"Ah? Me?"

Princess Changning knew more than the Alchemy King; she also knew Xie Jinhuan was learned and talented, humorous and witty, could drink, sing, play instruments, and dance, and was even very skilled at games.

This perfect man who could ascend the hall and climb the embroidered bed made Princess Changning feel a bit of pressure just speaking of him.

But the greater pressure came from her best friend!

Facing her father's burning gaze, Princess Changning quietly signaled the two young ladies beside her:

"Since Xie Jinhuan is not here, Father should return to Wang Fu to rest first. I will order people to go out and search, lest he is injured and something goes wrong."

It was only at this moment that the Alchemy King remembered two beauties were standing nearby; granting marriage on the spot and snatching love away was not quite appropriate, so he did not ask further.

But this son-in-law, he would definitely claim...

—

Night fell, deep within Mount Zihui.

Occasionally, a few beast howls echoed from afar; Meiqiu, with jet-black fur, circled under the starry sky, paying attention to the surroundings.

In the primitive forest with absolutely no path, Xie Jinhuan held the lead of a Huozu Sect, which walked unsteadily; even though covered in sweat, he still held the Zhenglun Sword, chopping dead wood and tangled vines:

"Last time I came out, it didn't seem so far; why haven't we reached the place yet?"

The red-clad ghost floated beside him, her eyes showing helplessness:

"Last time you were afraid I would absorb your yang energy, you almost flew; now crawling slowly, is it the same? At this speed, it will take you three or four days to reach the place."

Xie Jinhuan could endure walking slowly, but feared the search officials would find the place first; facing the endless Chongshanjunling, he now only regretted not bringing Beauty Lin Da when leaving home.

"Your cultivation is so high; won't you study some method to shrink the earth into an inch or fly on a sword right here?"

Ye Hongshang shrugged slightly: "I can. However, any divine technique or method requires mastering as much power of heaven and earth as the impact it causes upon heaven and earth. You do not even have the strength to drive yourself to fly hundreds of li; how can you fly that far out of thin air?"

Xie Jinhuan thought this made sense; while he was buried in his arduous journey, he suddenly sensed something was wrong, stopped his steps, and frowned, looking forward.

The horse behind him, which had refused to take a step, began to retreat in fear and unease...

Tap tap...

(End of this chapter)