Chapter 93

A petite figure slowly emerged from the corner, with short black hair that reached her ears, and a faint scent of blood lingering around her. The dim light from the distant street lamp outlined a face that was both delicate and fierce.

"Miss Xiaobai, why did you come?"

Yue Hongxue was extremely surprised and hurried over to support her.

Just a moment ago, Miss Xiaobai was clearly unable to move due to the paralyzing needles.

"Stand aside."

Fang Xiaobai glared at the waiter, her eyes sharp.

They had already escaped danger, but this boy insisted on coming back. What if they encountered danger again? If not for his safety, she wouldn't have forced herself to use her inner energy, risking the chaos of her mystical qi, to expel some of the anesthetic and struggle to get here.

"Okay."

Yue Hongxue, like a child who had been scolded by a parent, lowered his head and slowly moved to the side.

Finally, he added, "Miss Xiaobai, this big brother is a good person..."

"Shut up."

Fang Xiaobai glared again.

Yue Hongxue fell silent.

"About what just happened..." Fang Xiaobai glanced at Lin Beichen and said coldly, "Although you didn't take the initiative to help, I still thank you. At least you bought us some time for the three of us."

Her words were not very polite.

But Lin Beichen wasn't angry.

Because Fang Xiaobai was telling the truth.

At first, he had no intention of helping.

If it weren't for the bald giant mistaking him for the leader of the Gale Brothers, whether he would have acted was still uncertain.

"I, Fang Xiaobai, owe you a favor, and I will definitely repay it."

Fang Xiaobai gave a cold nod and said, "Please leave your name."

Although they had met at the pre-selection camp, Lin Beichen was currently in disguise, so she didn't recognize him.

Lin Beichen glanced at Yue Hongxue, who was standing with his head down, shook his head, and left.

Avoiding excessive contact and entanglements with people from this world was still Lin Beichen's first principle.

Especially with those who were involved in gang conflicts and grudges.

But why would a clever and kind child like Yue Hongxue be entangled with gang members?

What a pity.

Watching Lin Beichen's figure disappear into the distance, Fang Xiaobai's body trembled, and she was about to fall. Yue Hongxue quickly supported her and asked anxiously, "Miss Xiaobai, what's wrong with you?"

Fang Xiaobai took deep breaths and said, "Nothing, just the forced expulsion of the anesthetic has caused some chaos in my mystical qi. Do you know this person?"

Yue Hongxue recounted the events at the Yuelai Inn in the afternoon.

"He asked you to deliver the meals for the next two days to the Bamboo Courtyard of the Third Academy?" Fang Xiaobai mused.

Yue Hongxue supported her as they walked and said softly, "Yes, this big brother was very polite and courteous, and even gave me a copper coin as a tip."

"The major courtyards of the Third Academy are only for important figures. This person looks to be only fourteen or fifteen, and his face is hidden behind a mask... Forget it, since he doesn't want to reveal his name, he probably looks down on us gang members."

Fang Xiaobai laughed bitterly and asked, "Xue, do you think I was too cold to that person?"

Yue Hongxue remained silent.

Fang Xiaobai sighed and said, "You are just too kind and don't understand the darkness and treachery of this world. In the gang, I've encountered countless treacherous and sinister things. I've seen blood feuds, betrayal for profit, and ruthless betrayals. I've seen many people who were once righteous and noble turn into vicious and evil beings, and many people die on the streets, unable to rest in peace... That person was fine, but what if he had malicious intentions? You might already be dead."

"Miss Xiaobai, I think trust can sometimes be..." Yue Hongxue tried to defend.

"Shut up." Fang Xiaobai interrupted sharply.

Yue Hongxue shivered and didn't dare to say anything more.

Fang Xiaobai sighed again, took something from her pocket, and handed it to Yue Hongxue, saying, "This is the White Jade Continuity Ointment. Take it back. With this, your sister's hand should recover."

Yue Hongxue immediately looked guilty and said, "If it weren't for this medicine, Miss Xiaobai and Brother Dazhuang wouldn't have been ambushed and injured by the Thousand Mile Merchant Guild. It's all because of me..."

"Don't say that." Fang Xiaobai smiled and said, "I only distrust outsiders and strangers. You will understand in the future... You are now part of the Gale Brothers, and we are all poor children who need to help each other. If we don't help ourselves, who will? Do you think those high-ranking officials will? Now, take the medicine back quickly. I'll take Dazhuang back to treat his injuries."

After a few more words, Fang Xiaobai gradually regained her strength, and they parted ways in the alley.

...

...

The next day.

Class day.

When Lin Beichen arrived at Class 9 of Grade 2, he was greeted with enthusiastic applause.

The class president, Yin Yi, and others led the cheers, welcoming the return of their idol.

Yes, Lin Beichen had become an idol for the entire second grade and even the Third Academy.

For decades, he was the first second-year student to enter the Tianjiao Competition.

This time, only four people from the Third Academy entered the main competition: one first-year prodigy, Lin Beichen and Yue Hongxiang from the second year, and Han Bufu from the third year. This was a record, especially Lin Beichen's second-place finish in the pre-selection, which was the best in history.

However, the next mystical qi class was taught by a different instructor, which disappointed and worried Lin Beichen.

Ding Sanshi must have something going on.

Where did he go?

Lin Beichen thought, and before he knew it, he fell asleep on his desk.

The instructor, seeing this, could only shake his head helplessly.

What could he say?

After class, Lin Beichen went straight to the office of the grade head, Chu Hen.

"Oh, Instructor Ding? He is in seclusion."

Chu Hen said.

"In seclusion?" Lin Beichen was puzzled. "Why suddenly go into seclusion?"

Chu Hen explained, "An old rival has come to the city to challenge Instructor Ding. So, Instructor Ding is in seclusion to adjust his state and prepare for the duel."

A duel?

Lin Beichen was greatly surprised.

Such a thing could happen.

"When is the duel?" he asked.

Fang Xiaobai's gang conflicts, Lin Beichen could watch without any burden, but Ding Sanshi's duel... Lin Beichen couldn't help but be concerned.

"In eight days, the sword trial."

Chu Hen said.

In eight days? That's very soon.

Lin Beichen asked, "What kind of rival is it? Does Instructor Ding have a good chance of winning?"

Chu Hen shook his head and said, "It's hard to say. Instructor Ding's rival is Bai Haqin, one of the three famous swords of Baiyun City. In the last sword trial, Instructor Ding lost."

Baiyun City?

One of the three major sword arts holy places in the Beihai Empire?

Lin Beichen felt a chill.

This opponent is no small matter.

"Take a look at this..." Chu Hen took out a bright red invitation and handed it over.

Lin Beichen took it, opened it, and saw an invitation for Chu Hen to attend the sword trial at the city lord's residence on the 15th night. Besides the prefix, there were two lines of text—

On the 15th night, the moonlight fills the sky.

At the peak of the Ling residence, a sword pierces the mystic.

The writing was forceful, each stroke and line like a sword slash, giving a sense of sharpness and piercing energy, making Lin Beichen feel as if a sword tip was pointing at his forehead.

"This invitation was written by Cao Potian, Bai Haqin's most talented disciple, and it contains his understanding of swordsmanship."

Chu Hen said.

He added, "Cao Potian was once Instructor Ding's disciple, from a humble background, without the opportunity to study. Later, Instructor Ding discovered him and nurtured him, making him a genius in Yunmeng City. Unfortunately, in the last sword trial, he betrayed his master and joined Bai Haqin, one of the three famous swords of Baiyun City. This time, he has also come to Yunmeng City."