Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 411 : Traveling Alone (5)

Chapter 411: Chapter 411 : Traveling Alone (5)

The booming sound shattered the night, jolting people from their beds. Curiosity burned in their eyes, but most, including the inn owners, hesitated at the threshold, peering nervously from windows rather than venturing out.

But not Qiao Wei.

And also not Zhang Fengxi, because he did not want to make love to a lifeless quilt in Qiao Wei’s stead.

Bristling with irritation, Zhang Fengxi followed Qiao Wei out of the inn.

The ruckus took place on the outskirts of the town. A careless hand had sent an oil lamp crashing near a tree, its parched bark and withered leaves erupting into flames that danced like a defiant torch.

A bitter tang of smoke hung heavy in the air as black-grey tendrils, writhing like phantoms, danced from the smoldering heart of the burning tree.

Close to the burning tree, four people were entangled in a clash of weapons -- three against one in a desperate struggle for dominance.

Drawing near, Qiao Wei saw the lone figure battling his three foes was just a scrawny youth in ragged clothes, his long hair whipped into a frenzy through his frantic movements.

"Stop!" Qiao Wei roared. "What is going on here?!"

The trio, united against their youthful adversary, swiveled their gazes toward Qiao Wei’s unexpected entrance. In that split second, the young man saw his chance. He hurriedly hurled an unknown object to the ground, causing it to erupt in another explosion.

Caught off guard by the thunderous blast, the three men were yanked from their feet and tossed like leaves in a hurricane.

Zhang Fengxi summoned a shield just in time to protect him and Qiao Wei from the dust and debris that shot in their direction.

By the time the air cleared up, the young man was nowhere to be seen.

Only the three groaning adult men remained.

"Mas... Master Qiao Wei," one of them sputtered. "Do not chase after that boy... That boy, he is dangerous..."

Only then did Qiao Wei recognize the man who just called out to him.

"Second Young Master Shang?" He asked with a touch of bewilderment. "What are you doing here?"

Shang Zichen was the second eldest son of the Shang family who ruled the Tian’an Shang Sect of Jiangnan. His sect hosted the Discussion Conference this time around.

"Ouch, ouch..."

Despite his relatively young age of thirty-five years, Shang Zichen groaned like an ancient oak creaking in the wind as Qiao Wei assisted him to his feet. By contrast, the other two cultivators were already upright, their grace betraying years of honed strength.

Qiao Wei, his attention now drawn to the other two cultivators’ attire, noted the familiar splash of purple and gold adorning their uniforms. The sigils of the Tian’an Shang Sect, etched into their belts, confirmed their affiliation to Shang Zichen.

"Cough... We have been following that lad for a while," Shang Zichen explained. "We heard that he spent the night here, so we came to catch him."

Zhang Fengxi narrowed his eyes at the three sorry men who were defeated by a mere youngling.

"Who is that young man? Why are three cultivators required to catch him?"

Zhang Fengxi’s question caused the three men to flush from embarrassment.

"That’s because he’s playing dirty," the youngest of the three men murmured. "He is just like his mother."

Shang Zichen shot the other man a sharp glare, instantly nudging him to silence.

"Do not speak about him that way. He is still young. It is our job to straighten his path."

Shang Zichen then cupped his hands at Qiao Wei and Zhang Fengxi.

"Gentleman, I am sorry for bothering you tonight. This is our Tian’an Shang Sect’s internal matter. We will take care of it. Oh by the way..."

Shang Zichen directed his gaze at Zhang Fengxi, "Esteemed Sir, I haven’t seen you around. You are?"

"A guest disciple at Wushan Temple Sect," Qiao Wei quickly answered. "He is accompanying me to the upcoming Discussion Conference."

"Oh, wait."

Shang Zichen’s face lit up in excitement. "I know you. You are the tenth person representing the Wushan Temple Sect at the Spiritual Mountain Competition. My father was thinking of recruiting you, but Sect Leader Bai refused to reveal your name and your origin."

Zhang Fengxi’s lips tugged up into a smile.

"I see."

"I am sorry, Second Young Master Shang, but he is currently the guest disciple at Wushan Temple Sect," Qiao Wei interjected with a frown.

"Of course, of course," Shang Zichen broke into cheerful laughter. "At least give us a name. Once you are done staying at Mount Wu, you are more than welcome to stay in our sect residence. Have you tasted the Jiangnan dishes? I am sure that it is quite a change from regular temple food..."

Not wanting Zhang Fengxi to get too close to the people from Tian’an Shang Sect, Qiao Wei tugged at his elbow and answered on his behalf, "Brother Shang, it is rather late. I am sorry for being impolite, but maybe we should call it a night."

"Oh, right. Right. So are you two staying around here? Otherwise, feel free to come to Tian’an Shang Sect earlier..."

"No need," Qiao Wei said. "We are good. Thank you, Second Young Master Shang."

He hastily bid his goodbye before he dragged Zhang Fengxi back to the inn.

"Why are you so adamant about keeping me a secret from those men from Tian’an Shang Sect?" Zhang Fengxi asked Qiao Wei as soon as they returned to their room.

"All cultivation sects compete in recruiting the most promising cultivators for their sect," Qiao Wei explained. "Tian’an Shang Sect happens to be the biggest of them all, ranked first in the list of the ten great sects of the cultivation world. Our Wushan Temple Sect has lost several disciples to Tian’an Shang Sect."

"Sounds like a betrayal," Zhang Fengxi pointed out. "And Bai Siyang did nothing about it?"

A bitter sigh, laced with the ashes of frustration and the weight of resignation, escaped Qiao Wei’s lips.

"Sect Leader Bai does not believe in forcing people to stay. Those who wish to go to other sects to improve their cultivation are free to go. Still, I would rather not have the Tian’an Shang Sect recruit one more person away from the Wushan Temple Sect."

"I see."

Drawing himself closer, Zhang Fengxi reached out, the space between their faces shrinking until his hands cupped his face like a precious flower.

"In that case, shouldn’t you keep your eyes on me? You wouldn’t want them to take me away from your sect."

Never mind that Zhang Fengxi was not related to Wushan Temple Sect in any way.

Qiao Wei pursed his lips at Zhang Fengxi.

"So cute, my Jianbao."

Slowly, Zhang Fengxi closed the distance, lips poised for a kiss. But then Qiao Wei’s delicate hand met his chin, gently guiding him back.

"It’s too late for that," Qiao Wei said. "I am tired. Let’s go to sleep."

"..."

Zhang Fengxi heaved a sigh.

Qiao Wei climbed into the bed and peeked at Zhang Fengxi over the quilt.

"Are you not tired?"

"I need to take a cold shower first," Zhang Fengxi declared with an expressionless face.

"Oh."

Qiao Wei flushed, but he did not want to give in to the horny tiger. "Don’t catch a cold."

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Author’s note :

Zhang Fengxi : My wife is so heartless, wuwuwu... He goes to sleep while I am taking care of my blue balls, all alone! (⁠｡⁠ŏ⁠﹏⁠ŏ⁠)

Xie Jianyu : It is not healthy to be so horny all the time! I am doing him a favor! (ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ)