Xing Shuishui lowered her gaze and stood behind He Liansheng.
Had he also come for Qitong?
She couldn’t forget how at the Guan family home, every time she made a mistake, Xue Sansi would always try to take responsibility, telling Sister not to worry. Back then, Xue Sansi was like a brother to her, the person she trusted most after Sister and Mother.
If only Sister hadn’t been killed.
If only the Separation Fire hadn’t damaged Sister’s soul.
Perhaps their relationship wouldn’t have become so strained and deteriorated. In the end, Xue Sansi couldn’t forgive her.
He Liansheng had never seen her act so strangely. The girl didn’t say a word as she hid behind him, fingers clutching his clothes. He couldn’t see her expression, but her hands were trembling.
Following her gaze, he also saw Xue Sansi.
Dismissively, he asked: “You’re afraid of him?”
Xing Shuishui whispered: “How could humans not fear spirits?”
She wasn’t the only one who recognized him.
“Manor Lord Xue? Doesn’t he hate Xue Jiuling the most? Why is he here too?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“I heard Du Dizhu is also in Qingzhou. This will be interesting – those two families have a feud. Wonder what tricks Huayulou is up to this time.”
“Isn’t Lingshan here too? Seems like… they’re at the same… inn.”
Hearing this, Xue Sansi turned his head. He ignored Li Guanyu but sized up He Liansheng instead. The young man gripped his silver sword, expression cold, otherworldly in his white robes, coldly appraising him in return.
His face was exceptionally handsome, if murderous.
Xue Sansi returned a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Glancing behind He Liansheng, his grip on his fan faltered.
A breeze stirred, lifting the red ribbons tied in the girl’s hair. Though he couldn’t see her face, the feeling was too familiar.
Xing Shuishui noticed Xue Sansi approaching and slowly peeked out. Though she knew her face was different from her past life, she still felt nervous.
Seeing her face clearly, Xue Sansi wasn’t surprised. He said calmly: “I heard Lingshan’s master’s disciple is cold-hearted by nature, and once sought to cultivate the Path of No Emotions. But seeing is believing – it seems the rumors were wrong.”
His gaze swept over the red string on their wrists.
Li Guanyu could only explain: “He Lian and Shuishui were just affected by the Linked Hearts technique. It’s not what you think. Senior Xue, there are many innocent people here. We shouldn’t fight, and hope you’ll show restraint too.”
Xue Sansi smiled: “I always show restraint. It’s just that this young lady reminds me of someone from the past.”
The man stared at Xing Shuishui, speaking slowly: “Come to think of it, she also liked wearing clothes this color. Quite the coincidence.”
As he said this, killing intent flashed in his eyes.
He suddenly reached out, testing, trying to grab Xing Shuishui.
Afraid of revealing herself, Xing Shuishui didn’t dodge. She just gripped the young man’s clothes tighter, looking terrified.
Just as Xue Sansi was about to touch her—
He Liansheng blocked his hand with his sword. The sword energy of Taoyuan surged forth. Xue Sansi was somewhat surprised.
Xing Shuishui looked up at the Taoyuan sword protecting her, hair flying, also startled.
He Liansheng’s headband brushed against her cheek, tickling her. Xing Shuishui’s grip unconsciously loosened.
The young man shielded her behind him, his gaze arrogant yet cold as he sneered: “Xue Sansi, actually meeting me is a better coincidence, don’t you think? Because all the spirits who died by this sword were as stupid as you. Are you that confident you can leave Qingzhou alive?”
Xue Sansi smiled without humor: “You’re welcome to kill me. Then the Separation Fire will instantly burn through your entire Lingshan. Speaking of which, it’s been many years since people have seen the Separation Fire. Might as well let everyone witness it.”
A peacemaker stepped forward: “Fellow Daoists, please don’t fight. We’re all here for Qitong, no need for hostilities.”
Li Guanyu also said: “He Lian, the situation is unclear. No need to quarrel with him.”
He Liansheng contemptuously sheathed his sword.
But Xue Sansi continued: “If you beg me, perhaps if I’m in a good mood, I might use the Separation Fire to break this Linked Hearts technique for you. Otherwise—”
He turned his head, speaking with interest: “You better think about how to teach this mortal girl dual cultivation. Then give your master an explanation.”
“I heard your master has always wanted to find you a good cultivation partner.”
A leaf filled with killing intent flew at him. Xue Sansi was prepared to dodge, and the leaf shattered a bowl on a nearby table instead. The innocent bystander didn’t dare make a sound.
Xing Shuishui: “…”
No way. She’d rather die than dual cultivate with He Liansheng.
He Liansheng’s expression was already dark. He looked at Xing Shuishui, catching her look of rejection, and snarled: “Xing Shuishui, can you stop being so presumptuous? You don’t even have any cultivation yet you’re thinking of dual cultivation?”
Can she just kill him!
The Huayulou matchmaking would happen in a few days.
They returned to their room first. Xing Shuishui ran to the dressing mirror and undid her tied hair. The black strands instantly fell to her shoulders.
She thought her previous hairstyle was too risky. Even if she avoided Xue Sansi, there was still Du Dizhu.
Having half her hair down might be better.
She lowered her head and felt her hair for a while, finding some tangles. Xing Shuishui looked for a comb but couldn’t find one, then saw through the mirror that it was on the table next to He Liansheng.
She turned her head, pointing at the comb: “He Liansheng, can you hand that to me?”
He Liansheng sneered: “Why should I help you?”
Xing Shuishui said seriously: “I can help get it for you too if you need to comb your hair.”
He Liansheng: “…”
Not wanting to hear her chatter, the young man grabbed the comb and tossed it to her. Xing Shuishui almost fumbled catching it. He Liansheng glanced at her from behind – with her hair down, she looked much gentler than with it tied up.
For some reason, that irritating feeling rose in his heart again. It seemed to happen frequently lately. He forcefully suppressed it.
As Xing Shuishui combed her hair, she noticed He Liansheng standing behind her – tall and lean, expression cold, lost in thought. He… wasn’t planning to cut off her hair, was he?
She paused.
Xing Shuishui: “He Liansheng…”
He Liansheng impatiently: “What now?”
Xing Shuishui innocently: “Standing so close, do you want to help me comb my hair?”
Only then did He Liansheng realize he had somehow ended up standing behind her. It irritated him.
He only needed to lower his gaze slightly to see her face.
The girl had already smoothed out her hair. Up close, she looked even gentler than she had in the mirror just now.
The emotions he had barely managed to suppress surfaced again…
Seeing him not answer for so long, Xing Shuishui mumbled: “Never mind. I’ll do it myself.”
She fiddled for a while, retying both sides, then separated a small section to braid. But after braiding it, she couldn’t tie it up. She asked sheepishly: “He Liansheng, could you… help tie this…”
He Liansheng snapped out of it and barked: “No. Stop daydreaming.”
Xing Shuishui insisted: “Then I’ll just sit here all day…”
Resisting the urge to throw her out the window, he grabbed the red string from the dressing table and vindictively tied it around the thin braid.
The hair pulled at her scalp.
Xing Shuishui winced: “Ow ow ow ow—ow ow ow ow—”
She tilted her head, nearly jumping out of her seat.
“He Liansheng, you did that on purpose.”
The young man looked down, smirking mischievously: “Yes, I did.”
“—So what? Got a problem with that?”
Xing Shuishui suddenly said weakly: “This one doesn’t count, you didn’t tie enough, it doesn’t look good. Help me one more time…”
He Liansheng sneered as he did it again.
Still without any gentleness.
“Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow—”
She teared up: “Are you this rough when you tie your own hair? I’m never asking you to help again.”
He Liansheng looked at her with contempt, his tone turning harsh: “Xing Shuishui. What makes you think there will be a next time?”
There won’t be.
Xing Shuishui thought, there really won’t be a next time.
After resting a while, Li Guanyu and the others decided to investigate Huayulou first.
Even without the matchmaking, Huayulou was a treasure house. If they could meet the tower master beforehand, it would save a lot of trouble.
But they hadn’t walked a few steps from the inn when a man in blue robes approached with others. Xing Shuishui saw it was none other than Xue Sansi. He glanced at her and mocked: “We just parted, and this young lady’s hairstyle has already changed.”
Xing Shuishui pointed and said: “My hair got messy by accident, so I just retied it.”
She lowered her eyes. Though He Liansheng had been rough, he had tied the braid quite nicely and prettily.
Xue Sansi smiled gently and asked He Liansheng: “You tied it?”
He Liansheng was very impatient and said coldly: “Xue Sansi. Are you so sure your head won’t part from your body?”
Xue Sansi crossed his arms: “Oh, just asking. Your temper really is as rumored. I have urgent matters and currently no interest in tangling with you.”
He looked at Xing Shuishui: “I just think her previous hairstyle suited her better.”
Xing Shuishui froze for a moment.
Perhaps because Sister used to tie her hair that way.
He Liansheng saw her staring absently at Xue Sansi and felt inexplicably annoyed. He grabbed Xing Shuishui and walked away. She lost her balance and almost fell. Could he stop yanking people around…
Xue Sansi’s destination was clearly Huayulou as well.
The group met again at Huayulou, along with cultivators from other sects. Seeing the Separation Fire Manor people first, they looked uncomfortable, then seeing Li Guanyu’s group, they consciously made way.
Li Guanyu stepped forward.
A female attendant from Huayulou blocked her, speaking coolly: “It’s not yet the matchmaking day. Without the tower master’s permission, no one may enter. What is everyone’s intention?”
Li Guanyu bowed: “I am Li Guanyu of Lingshan, here by the Sect Master’s order to investigate a case. Our inquiries led to Qingzhou, and your tower master happens to be involved. To avoid unnecessary trouble, please ask your master to meet with us and explain. The Li family won’t wrong innocent people.”
They thought the other side would cooperate.
But the attendant crossed her arms, attitude haughty: “I don’t care what kind of jade you are. At Huayulou we follow Huayulou’s rules. Our tower master isn’t here now. If you’re only here for this matter, please leave.”
Just as He Liansheng was about to act, Xing Shuishui stopped him. Now wasn’t the time.
Xue Sansi stepped forward and said gently: “They’re here for other matters. But we’ve simply come about the matchmaking and have some questions we’d like to ask inside. Might we trouble you?”
The attendant looked troubled: “Huayulou has rules. Without the tower master’s permission, no one may enter.”
Just then, someone came out from inside and whispered something in the attendant’s ear.
She frowned, then turned to everyone and said: “You may all enter.”
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