Feigning a sigh, he added, “If I’d known, I would’ve made sure to meet you earlier!”
Zhan Ri Fei smiled wryly. “You flatter me too much. I fear that meeting me today will only bring trouble to Brother Huo in the future. As for why I didn’t suggest you return to Ling Long Manor, it’s because I dare to speculate—Brother Huo, you likely can’t go back, can you?”
Huo Xiao Di was startled and instinctively took a step back. “How did you know?” The moment he spoke, he realized he’d just confirmed Zhan’s suspicion.
Zhan Ri Fei spoke slowly, “The Old Master of Ling Long Manor is a man of great authority. Having agreed to the Xiang Yang Prince’s marriage proposal, how could he permit anyone under him to stir up trouble with the Prince’s Mansion?”
“Yin Yang An is the treasured weapon of Xing Yun Manor, a peerless blade. Even the young master Huo Feng, who has dominated the martial world for over a decade, has never wielded it. When Grand Preceptor Pang requested to see it, he was politely refused. And yet, this sword is now in your hands.”
“Given the Old Master’s meticulous nature and his deep regard for the sword, he would surely have sent someone to protect it if he knew it had left the manor. But here you are, traveling alone. So I dare to guess that when Brother Huo left Ling Long Manor with the sword, the Old Master was unaware.”
After a long silence, Huo Xiao Di finally let out a sigh. “You’re only a few years older than me, but your insight and judgment far surpass mine.” There was a trace of admiration in his voice, tacitly admitting that Zhan Ri Fei’s deductions were mostly correct.
Zhan Ri Fei said apologetically, “I had no intention of prying into your family matters, Brother Huo. Though we’ve met by chance, I greatly admire your character and martial skill. If my words have offended you, I hope you’ll forgive me.”
Huo Xiao Di replied, “Of course, I’m not offended. If I were, I wouldn’t still be talking to you here.” He hesitated for a moment before giving in to the question he most wanted to ask. “But Brother Zhan, with the main roads sealed and soldiers everywhere, it seems our troubles are far from over. How do you plan to break through and escape?”
Zhan Ri Fei didn’t answer immediately. Instead, the corners of his lips twitched slightly.
For a fleeting moment, Huo Xiao Di thought he saw a faint, almost indifferent smile flash across Zhan’s pale lips. But when he blinked again, he thought perhaps he had been mistaken in the dim light.
Still, Zhan’s calm and composed demeanor inexplicably filled Huo Xiao Di with a sense of confidence.
“He must have a way out,” Huo thought to himself, and with a mischievous grin, he quickly said, “I’m also on the run and have racked my brains trying to think of an escape plan. If you have any brilliant ideas, would you be willing to share them with me?”
Zhan Ri Fei smiled faintly. “I have no brilliant ideas, Brother Huo. I simply have urgent matters in the capital and must reach there as soon as possible. So, I’ll have to take a shortcut and force my way through.”
His voice remained as tranquil and firm as ever, as though to him, the treacherous journey ahead—whether it was a perilous dragon’s den or a peaceful open road—made no difference.
Huo Xiao Di’s eyes lit up, and he said with a grin, “You’re heading to Dong Jing (the Eastern Capital)? What a coincidence—I’m going to Dong Jing too! Brother Zhan, why don’t we travel together?”
This offer took Zhan Ri Fei by surprise, and he paused. “Brother Huo, you’re heading to Dong Jing as well?”
Huo Xiao Di nodded. “That’s right. My journey is to Dong Jing to find someone.”
“And who might Brother Huo be looking for in Dong Jing?”
Huo Xiao Di’s face lit up with a smug smile. “Naturally, I’m going to see my patron. As you said, I’ve made so many enemies already, and since I can’t return to Ling Long Manor, I must hurry to find my patron for help.”
At this point, his face flushed slightly, and his voice lowered. Fortunately, the dark night concealed his embarrassment, so Zhan likely couldn’t see it clearly.
When he raised his head again, he found Zhan Ri Fei looking at him curiously.
0 Comments