“Come out…”
Just as the girl was about to answer Nan Xi’s question, a low shout suddenly echoed from the distance —
“This is the Sword Furnace restricted area. Who is making such a ruckus here?”
“!”
Nan Xi was startled and turned to look behind him.
Several figures wearing Elder robes were stepping through the snow, walking quickly toward them.
‘Night patrol Elders?’
Perhaps it was an instinct left over from his days as a Disciple who often clashed with authority, but the moment he saw the Elders, Nan Xi subconsciously reached out, wanting to shield the girl behind him.
However, when Nan Xi looked down, he discovered that the girl who had been standing beside him just a moment ago had already vanished, as if she had never existed.
‘What is going on?’
Nan Xi frowned, but before he could think further, the patrolling Elders had already reached him.
“Oh, isn’t this our respected Peak Master?”
The moment the leading Elder recognized Nan Xi, his expression instantly switched to a fawning one. He led the other Elders in a respectful bow. “This humble subordinate greets the Peak Master.”
“And you are…” Nan Xi looked the Elder up and down, searching his memory. “Elder Song Er?”
“It is truly an honor to have my name remembered by the great Nan Xi,” Elder Song Er chuckled, doing his best to cater to Nan Xi.
“I heard today that you graced the Sword Furnace with your presence and gave important instructions to the Sword Casting Elders. It is a pity I do not work at the Sword Furnace, or I could have witnessed your majesty with my own two eyes.”
Facing this sudden flattery, the expression on Nan Xi’s face stiffened. He could not help but look at the man more closely.
“You can take a few more looks now; the offer expires soon.”
“Uh… Peak Master Nan Xi must be joking.” Elder Song Er’s fawning expression froze, looking as uncomfortable as if he had just swallowed a cockroach.
Fortunately, he was an Elder after all, and his years of experience were not for nothing.
After a brief moment, Elder Song Er quickly regained his composure.
“Cough, this subordinate has one more question for the Peak Master.”
“Speak.”
“You already visited the Sword Furnace to guide the work during the day, so why have you appeared here in the middle of the night?”
As he spoke, Elder Song Er’s tone shifted, his words carrying a hint of an interrogation.
“Could it be that there is some… special business to attend to?”
He deliberately emphasized the word “special,” his every syllable seemingly mocking Nan Xi.
However, Nan Xi did not fall for his threats at all.
Acting as if he did not understand the underlying implication, Nan Xi stretched and spoke nonchalantly.
“I ate a bit too much for supper, so I came out to help my digestion.”
“Cough… I see.”
Elder Song Er forced a smile.
“Since it is getting late, this subordinate will take his leave. If there is an opportunity, I shall invite you to visit the Sword Repository.”
“There is no time like the present. I have time right now.”
“Ah… this…” Elder Song Er was clearly shocked by Nan Xi’s thick skin. After a long pause, he stammered, “The Peak Master must be joking.”
“Why? Is there something in the Sword Repository that cannot be seen?”
“Of course not. It is just… just that the Sword Repository is closed for maintenance today. It is truly difficult to receive guests.”
Elder Song Er spoke respectfully.
“When there is an opportunity another day, I will definitely come to your door personally to invite you to visit the Sword Repository.”
“Don’t come. If there is anything, just tell Granny Ji.” Nan Xi gave Elder Song Er no face at all.
“I… I understand.” Elder Song Er forced another smile. “Then this subordinate shall leave first.”
After saying that, Elder Song Er gave Nan Xi one last bow and led the other Elders away across the snow.
Of course, judging by his slightly trembling back as he departed, the man was clearly infuriated by Nan Xi.
…
“Is he gone?”
A delicate voice suddenly rang out, causing Nan Xi’s aggressive mood to relax significantly.
“Hmm?”
He scanned his surroundings. Suddenly, from the shadows of a corner, a small, thin figure slowly poked her head out.
It was indeed the girl from before!
“So you didn’t leave.”
“Mm-hmm!” The girl ran over to him, her small feet leaving a clear trail of footprints in the snow.
“Why did you… suddenly hide just now?”
His tone softening slightly, Nan Xi looked down and asked the girl softly, “Do you also dislike that Elder?”
His question was not without reason.
He had not noticed it when he met the collective group of Elders a few days ago, but during his personal encounter with Elder Song Er just now, the man’s fawning expression had immediately filled Nan Xi with deep disgust.
Hypocrisy and feigned compliance were what such people excelled at most.
Naturally, Nan Xi would not show him any kindness.
“No, no.” The little girl shook her head incessantly. “It’s because I’m afraid of being caught by that Elder.”
“Caught?” A question mark practically appeared over Nan Xi’s head. “Why would they want to catch you?”
“Because he doesn’t allow someone like me to practice cultivation techniques. If I’m caught, I’ll be thrown straight off Tianquan Peak.”
The girl spoke cautiously. While explaining, she did not forget to peek behind Nan Xi, fearing Elder Song Er might double back.
After confirming several times that no one was returning, the girl breathed a long sigh of relief. She patted her chest and looked up at Nan Xi again.
“Thank you, Peak Master, for helping me hide!”
“Actually… I didn’t.” Nan Xi chuckled, but in the next second, as if thinking of something, a mischievous smirk played on the corners of his lips.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll turn around and hand you over to that guy? I’m a very bad Peak Master.”
Nan Xi spoke in a sinister tone, closing in on the little girl while waving his hands like claws.
“Hurry and run, or I’m going to catch you!”
Pfft—
“Hahahaha!”
The girl giggled, her laughter as crisp and melodious as a bird singing on a spring day.
“I can’t even scare you?” Nan Xi gave up.
In front of this little girl, his authority as Peak Master seemed to hold no weight at all.
“Because the Peak Master isn’t a bad person!”
“Why do you say that?”
“No bad Peak Master would tell the Disciples to take a holiday on the very first day he meets them.”
“And…”
The girl tilted her head back, her small, delicate nose twitching slightly.
“The Peak Master has a scent that makes people feel very at ease. My nose is very sensitive; I won’t be mistaken.”
“I really can’t win an argument with you.”
Nan Xi shrugged helplessly.
“Ah, it’s late. I have to hurry down the mountain!” The girl suddenly gasped and gave Nan Xi a deep bow.
“Thank you for your help today, Peak Master!”
With that, she flew past Nan Xi and dashed toward the bottom of the mountain.
“Wait…” Nan Xi turned around and spoke helplessly. “We’ve talked for so long, and you don’t plan on introducing yourself?”
“Eh? Does the Peak Master actually want to know my name?”
The girl braked suddenly and tilted her head, pointing at her own nose.
“This is basic etiquette when speaking to an elder.”
Nan Xi placed his hands behind his back. At this moment, he looked like a true Peak Master.
“This…”
The girl seemed to give in as well. She turned around, her emerald-green eyes looking at Nan Xi seriously.
“My name is Xia Xia. Currently… I am a Servant of Tianquan Peak.”