Chương 36: She Listened to Me, Good!

Xiao Xuan ran through the corridors of the Su Clan estate in the silence of dawn. The morning air bit cold against his skin. He stopped at the entrance of the medical hall, his breath catching at the sight before him. The room hummed with strained murmurs and reeked of blood and medicine. Su Ming and the convoy soldiers lay across red-stained cots while clan physicians moved between them with bowls of steaming herbs and clean linen.

Near the entrance, two physicians channeled their internal energy into the punctured torso of a young guard. On an adjacent cot, another soldier sat rigid with a locked jaw, fighting back screams as a physician sealed his severed left arm. Toward the far wall stood two cots, cold and unattended. Coarse linen sheets covered the lifeless bodies beneath them. Near the center of the hall, Commander Su Ming sat upright against a wooden headrest, thick bandages wrapped tightly around his chest and torso.

The imposing authority he usually commanded was gone. Beside him, Lieutenant Su Han lay face down on a cot, his spine coated in thick green medicinal paste that failed to hide the jagged burns across his shoulders. Surrounding the beds, the elders stood in small clusters murmuring, their faces dark. Su Luoyang stood near the foot of Su Ming's bed, her white and silver robes clashed with the carnage around her. Her brows were knit together, and in her right hand, she gripped a crumpled piece of parchment.

Xiao Xuan stepped into the room. The low murmurs died. One by one, the elders turned to the door.

"Xuan," Su Luoyang said, her voice strained. Xiao Xuan looked past her to the covered bodies by the wall. Then his gaze drifted down to Su Ming's pale face.

"We failed, Young Master," Su Ming rasped, lowering his head.

"Do not apologize, Commander," Xiao Xuan said, stepping forward. He shook his head firmly.

"I spoke with Wei Tu on the way here. You faced a Qi Ling (Qi Lord) and stood your ground." He turned his eyes across the wounded men lying around the room.

"All of you did. You brought your men home. That is what matters."

"It was a farce," Su Han muttered into his flat pillow, his teeth grinding bitterly. Xiao Xuan frowned.

"What do you mean?" The elders exchanged silent glances, none of them ready to break it to him. Su Luoyang closed the distance between them.

"The bandits took the carriages, but they did not pursue the survivors. They left this." She straightened the crumpled parchment and held it out before his eyes. The ink was crude, slashed across the paper in hurried strokes: GIVE US XIAO XUAN. Xiao Xuan stared at his own name. His eyes drifted from the parchment to the dead soldiers beneath the white sheets, then to the severed limbs and the blood-soaked bandages binding Su Ming's shattered ribs.

"Why…?" Xiao Xuan muttered. Su Ming shook his head slowly, keeping his eyes on the floor. Xiao Xuan frowned.

"Don't worry, Xuan," Su Luoyang said, stepping between him and the lingering stares of the council elders.

"No harm will come to you," she stated as she crumbled the parchment within her palm.

"Qi Ling or not, these bandits cannot fight the might of the Su Clan."

"Indeed," an elder added.

"They will pay for this insolence with their lives!"

"Calm yourselves," First Elder Su Zhongyong commanded, stepping forward with his hands tucked into his sleeves.

"The Clan Leader is away in the Capital. We cannot afford reckless actions." He turned to Xiao Xuan, glaring with unusual intensity.

"For now, you should stay in the estate. Send a letter to the Tang Auction House and tell them that we will resume our deal after we put an end to these bandits." He shifted his eyes to Su Luoyang.

"What do you say, Luoyang?" This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Yes, Uncle is right." She turned to Xiao Xuan.

"For now, staying indoors is safer while we investigate the bandits."

"Okay," Xiao Xuan said quietly, his eyes lingering on the fallen soldiers.

"Come with me," Su Luoyang said, turning away without waiting for his reply. … The walk back to his chambers was silent. Xiao Xuan kept pace beside Su Luoyang. The rising sun cast a warm glow over the estate, a sharp contrast to the cold reality they had just left behind. Each step felt heavy, weighing on his conscience.

"Xuan," Su Luoyang said, breaking the silence.

"Do not let this consume your thoughts." She held his gaze and continued.

"A Qi Ling (Qi Lord) among the bandits was unexpected, but that isn't enough to scare us. Focus on maintaining the deal with Tang House. I will personally deal with this matter and put a stop to the bandits."

"But—" Xiao Xuan began.

"For now, stay indoors. I will talk to you later." They had already reached his door. Su Luoyang interrupted him and turned toward her own chambers. Looking at her retreating back, Xiao Xuan sighed and went inside. There was nothing he could do. … Lying down on his bed, Xiao Xuan traced the carved ceiling. Who was after him? Why did they have to steal the Su Clan's consignments twice and so brutally attack the soldiers just to get him? A Qi Ling (Qi Lord)? Why would such a powerful cultivator come after him?

Did Gu Tianqi send them? Or was it Zu An? He had not offended anyone else. What would he do if he were attacked? Run using the Falcon Dash? Where to, and for how long before he was exhausted? He could never fight the powerful bandits. Or should he cower behind these estate walls while Su Luoyang protected him? What about her safety then? People died. This was more true for cultivators than one would think.

Millions and billions of years of lifespan were just numbers; meaningless the moment a blade found the right gap in their armor. Even powerful experts like Su Ming were not exempt. He had promised Su Luoyang that she would never have to put her life at risk for his sake. Knock! Knock! Knock! Xiao Xuan sat up and looked towards the door.

"Brother-in-law! Open the door!" the voice came from outside. He got out of the bed and opened the door. Su Luoyao entered the room without waiting for an invitation and sat on the edge of the bed.

"What is it, Su Luoyao? We can't play now, there is trouble—" Xiao Xuan began.

"I am not here to play," Su Luoyao interrupted with a pout.

"I know what happened."

"And?" Xiao Xuan asked.

"I am here to tell you that you don't have to be scared," Su Luoyao stood up and puffed her chest. With her chin raised, she brought her right palm to her chest.

"I will protect you." Xiao Xuan sighed. He moved toward the bed and sat down.

"This is not a joke, Su Luoyao."

"I'm not kidding!" Su Luoyao protested.

"I am stronger than you, and I have promised you that I will protect you. You don't have to worry about anything!"

"If anyone dares to hurt you, I'll make them experience a hundred times the pain with my whip," she said, pointing at the weapon at her waist.

"Huu…" Xiao Xuan exhaled slowly and looked at her.

"Thank you very much, Su Luoyao, for caring about me," he said, before adding, "but you should understand the severity of the situation. Commander Su Ming and the others are badly injured. Two soldiers are dead. You are disrespecting them."

"I—I came to console you, but you are treating me like a child just like the others! I hate you!" Su Luoyao dashed out of the room.

"Wait—Luoyao!" Xiao Xuan stood up and called out to the empty air. He would have to console her later. First, he had to talk to Su Luoyang. … Knock! Knock! Knock! The door pulled open a few inches, revealing Xinyue. The maid looked at him with her usual guarded expression.

"What do you want?"

"Is Luoyang inside? I need to speak with her," Xiao Xuan said, leaning slightly to glance into the room. Xinyue stood on her heels, blocking his view.

"No. Miss Luoyang has already left to investigate the ambushed route."

"Oh!" Xiao Xuan sighed.

"When she returns, let her know I want to talk to her."

"Okay," Xinyue said bluntly and moved to close the door. Xiao Xuan stood in front of the door, stranded. Since Su Luoyang wasn't there, he would have to talk to Su Ming. He turned around and headed back toward the medical hall. … Behind the closed door, Xinyue crossed her arms.

"Why does this fool never understand?" she murmured under her breath.

"Luoyang doesn't care about him, yet he keeps approaching her like a moth to a flame…" Did he leave? Curiosity getting the better of her, Xinyue pulled the latch back and opened the door just enough to peek out. Down the sunlit hallway, she saw Xiao Xuan's disappearing back. He wasn't returning to his room. What is he up to now? He won't go after Luoyang, right?! Xinyue narrowed her eyes, smoothed down her maid robes, and quietly stepped into the corridor, following his trail. …

"Young Master Xuan!" the guards bowed.

"I need to speak with Commander Su Ming. Where is he?" Xiao Xuan asked.

"He has been shifted to a private quarters. The Second Miss also went to see him just a moment ago," the guard on the left replied.

"I see. Thank you." Xiao Xuan nodded and left, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. She listened to me, good! Around the corner, the maid silently followed him.