Yet, despite the pallor and exhaustion, the sharp brows, bright eyes, and refined features could not be concealed. There was an unmistakable air of elegance and nobility, coupled with a quiet composure that seemed almost tangible, emanating subtly from their serene countenance.
–– “Who are you?”
–– “Were you the one who caught Ge Yun Fei’s ‘Releasing Spear’? And was it you who killed Mu Xiu Quan? Why are you hiding here too?” The young man in the yellow robe asked in one breath, his voice sharp with curiosity.
The youth in black merely responded with a polite and elegant smile.
“I am but a nobody; my name is hardly worth mentioning. But you, sir, must be someone extraordinary. The legendary weapon Yin Yang An is in your hands, and your lightfoot martial arts, that ‘fleeting glimpse,’ are nothing short of divine. Surely, you must have a deep connection with Ling Long Manor. Might I ask for your esteemed name?”
Hearing the respectful tone, the young man couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. For a moment, he was so flattered that he failed to notice the youth had completely evaded his questions.
“You even know about the Yin Yang An? It seems like even if I don’t tell you, you’ll figure it out sooner or later.”
His large eyes darted mischievously. “My, my, my surname is Huo, and my name is Huo Xiao Di.”
He flashed a playful grin and added, “But to tell you the truth, Huo Xiao Di isn’t my real name. There, I’ve told you my name—now it’s your turn. Who are you?”
Amused by his mischievousness, a faint, relaxed smile appeared on the youth in black’s face. “As expected, you must have strong ties to the Huo family of Ling Long Manor. Brother Huo, my surname is Zhan, and my name is Zhan Ri Fei—or to be honest, that’s not my real name either.”
* * *
The two looked at each other and couldn’t help but share a smile. Strangely, despite the soldiers searching everywhere outside, the storm raging fiercely, and the mountain town seemingly on the brink of collapse, a subtle warmth began to fill the dim little room, making it hard to resist a fleeting sense of comfort.
Huo Xiao Di’s mind, however, was filled with unanswered questions. He stared at Zhan and asked, “Your martial arts are impressive! So why are you hiding from Little Shao?”
At that moment, a flash of lightning briefly lit up the room, illuminating Huo’s expression of determined curiosity. His buck teeth gleamed brilliantly, making him look both earnest and slightly comical.
In the dimness, Zhan Ri Fei’s expression was hard to discern, but his voice carried a strange tone. “Brother Huo, who is this Little Shao you speak of?”
Huo Xiao Di replied, “He’s Shao Ji Zu, the one who was talking in the courtyard earlier! Don’t you know him? If you don’t, then why are you hiding from him?”
Zhan Ri Fei murmured to himself, “So that was Shao Ji Zu... Brother Huo, I’ve long heard of his great reputation but have never seen him before. Since you call him ‘Little Shao,’ you must know him well?”
Zhan couldn’t help but wonder: Huo Xiao Di’s casual and affectionate nickname for Shao Ji Zu suggested they were quite familiar with each other. But if they were so familiar, why was Huo Xiao Di hiding from him?
Huo Xiao Di huffed, “Just because I know him doesn’t mean I’m his friend!”
He pouted and added grudgingly, “Besides, what’s so great about Little Shao? The only reason I know him is because his ancestors’ graves must’ve been blessed by green smoke, and his forefathers must’ve burned countless sticks of incense!”
Zhan Ri Fei said, “Brother Huo, your martial arts are exceptional. Earlier, you faced the experts from Tang Sect’s ‘Hall of Unwavering Righteousness’ with ease, and judging by your tone, you don’t seem to think much of Commander Shao either. So I find it curious—why are you hiding from him? Could it be that you’ve offended him before? Is his martial skill truly that formidable?”
He paused, a thought crossing his mind.
“Or perhaps... you’ve not only offended him but also—”
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