Chapter 5

They escorted Xu Xing back to the main residence, then immediately went to fetch Liang Heng.

He Sitao had also been awakened by the commotion. When he came out, he found Xu Xing eating breakfast as though the scream earlier that morning hadn’t come from him at all.

Before he could ask, Sanwei stepped forward and reported everything that had just happened.

“Where’s Liang Heng?” He Sitao asked.

“Peak Master Liang has already ordered someone to take Elder Chen’s body away,” Sanwei reported.

He Sitao nodded.

The dead man was Chen Hui.

Xu Xing had also recognized him afterward, but since Liang Heng had already taken charge of the matter and there was nothing he needed to do, he’d simply returned to enjoy his breakfast in peace.

Why was he still able to eat after seeing something like that?

Well, he’d spent so many years in Changtang Sect in his previous life that he’d long since grown accustomed to such bloody scenes. It was just that everything had been peaceful in this life so far, and suddenly encountering something like this had caught him off guard.

Chen Hui’s death had also answered a question that had been bothering Xu Xing for a long time—what happened to those who tried to force their way into Wenzhi Pavilion.

At the very least, he certainly wouldn’t be attempting it himself.

So the killing formation outside Wenzhi Pavilion really did exist.

That afternoon, Liang Heng came to Tianya Residence to report to He Sitao the results of the recent purge of Changtang Sect’s disciples.

He happened to come across Xu Xing instructing Sanwei and Sitong to set up a reclining chair for him beneath a tree.

“Peak Master Liang,” Xu Xing greeted him.

Liang Heng lowered his eyes and ignored him.

“?” Xu Xing froze for a moment, but didn’t take it to bailiantales.com heart. Liang Heng had always had a strange personality anyway. “What a peculiar fellow.”

Liang Heng went inside to report to He Sitao about Chen Hui’s collusion with the Demonic Sect, then left shortly afterward.

After he departed, He Sitao also came outside. He walked over to Xu Xing’s reclining chair, his eyes following the direction Liang Heng had gone, and asked, “What do you think of Liang Heng?”

Xu Xing: “???”

What kind of question was that?

Since He Sitao was standing, Xu Xing felt it would be inappropriate to remain sprawled in his chair. He sat up and replied, “I’ve only met Peak Master Liang a few times, so I can’t really judge him.”

He Sitao’s tone was difficult to read. “That’s true. You’ve only met a few times. If you’d like to get to know him better, you could visit Wangchuan Cliff sometime.”

Sanwei and Sitong, standing nearby, exchanged a glance.

Was the Sect Master jealous?

What was going on? Why would he want to see Liang ​unauthorized copy​Heng more often? Xu Xing already knew everything there was to know about Liang Heng and his troublesome affairs.

Xu Xing tilted his head up to look at He Sitao and said sincerely, “Compared to that, I’d much rather get to know you better, Sect Master.”

Even though he’d spent ten years working tirelessly for He Sitao in his previous life, now that he’d been given another chance, he still couldn’t understand the man.

Unexpectedly, those words seemed to please He Sitao, who broke into a smile.

It was a genuine smile. Not a superficial one, nor a mocking smile, nor one tinged with anger, but a smile that came straight from the heart.

Xu Xing had never seen He Sitao smile like that before.

A warm breeze swept past, rustling the leaves overhead. Beneath the tree, Xu Xing gazed at He Sitao’s smile, somewhat mesmerized, and the corners of his own mouth unconsciously curved upward.

He Sitao leaned forward and lowered his gaze, catching a strand of hair behind Xu Xing’s ear between his fingers. Then he lifted his eyes, his dark pupils sparkling with amusement as they reflected Xu Xing’s face.

“I thought we already knew each other well enough.”

Thump. Thump. Thump.

After momentarily forgetting to breathe, Xu Xing slowly blinked and came back to his senses, finally catching the implication behind He Sitao’s words.

They’d already done the most intimate things two people could do together. Didn’t that mean they knew each other well enough?

Was He Sitao… flirting with him?

Xu Xing had no idea where his sudden courage came from, but he abruptly raised his hand and placed it against He Sitao’s chest.

“Not here. I don’t know what’s in here.”

His voice was so soft that even Sanwei and Sitong, who were standing nearby, couldn’t be certain they’d actually heard him.

He Sitao froze for a moment at those words. But soon, his large, well-defined hand closed around Xu Xing’s slender fingers, pressing his hand firmly against his chest.

“That’s all right. We can take our time.”

Xu Xing didn’t quite understand what he meant, but he could feel that the atmosphere between them had become far too intimate. He unconsciously pressed his lips together.

He Sitao watched him, his Adam’s apple bobbing. But in the end, he said nothing more and simply straightened up.

“The sun will be reaching this spot soon. You should go inside.”

With that, He Sitao turned and left. Judging by the direction he was heading, he was probably going to Wangchuan Cliff.

Only after He Sitao had walked away did Xu Xing’s heart begin beating faster and faster.

It was like the sudden release of emotions that had been suppressed to their limit.

Xu Xing simply couldn’t control the speed of his heartbeat.

Fuck! Had he actually managed to flirt back successfully just now?

It wasn’t his fault! He Sitao had started flirting with him first. He’d merely been acting in self-defense!

While Xu Xing was secretly agonizing over what had happened, the sun slowly shifted its position. The shade beneath the tree was no longer large unauthorized copy enough to cover his reclining chair, forcing him to temporarily put aside his wandering thoughts.

“Sanwei, Sitong, help me move the chair.”

Sanwei and Sitong, who were also questioning everything they knew about life, unable to believe they’d actually lived to see the Sect Master flirting with someone, were jolted back to their senses by Xu Xing’s call.

“Yes!”

Well, that settled it. From now on, they’d have to treat this young master like someone precious, putting him on the highest possible pedestal.

Sanwei and Sitong exchanged another glance, each understanding the unspoken meaning in the other’s eyes.

“Young Master Xu, please go inside and rest. We’ll take care of everything here.”