“Woohoo, a bed!”
The young girl cheered and lunged onto the soft, comfortable mattress. She rolled around, clutching the quilt until she had wrapped herself up like a caterpillar.
“Careful you don’t roll right off the edge,” Nan Xi teased with a light chuckle as he scanned the spacious room.
The Da Ye Hotel certainly lived up to its reputation as the largest establishment in Daye City. Not only were the facilities luxurious, but the service was top-notch as well.
After the commotion with the Wuxing Sect downstairs, the manager had personally come forward to appease Nan Xi, even upgrading all their rooms to the highest tier.
It was a pity the manager refused to take a single coin of Nan Xi’s money; he had been hoping to squander a bit more of his wealth.
Currently, Nan Xi was staying in the most prestigious suite in the hotel. Located at the very top of the building, the room offered a sweeping view of Daye City’s most bustling marketplace through its open windows.
Beyond the scenery, the interior decor was exceptionally lavish.
Knock, knock.
Nan Xi lightly tapped the armrest of his chair and listened closely.
‘Red Sandalwood, at least 1,000 years old.’
Not to mention the incense burning with wisps of blue smoke; it likely came from the distant Western Regions. How else could one explain that unique, exotic fragrance?
The Da Ye Hotel had truly spared no expense.
“Master, Master.”
While Nan Xi was lost in thought, the “caterpillar” wrapped in the quilt suddenly popped her head up, her emerald eyes brimming with curiosity.
“Why did those Wuxing Sect people want to fight us the moment they heard the name of the Tianhe Sect?”
“Hmm?”
Nan Xi paused, looking at Xia Xia with an incredulous expression.
‘Wait, are you even a disciple of the Tianhe Sect? Do you really not know that the Tianhe Sect and the Wuxing Sect are sworn enemies?’
“Why is it?”
Xia Xia blinked, her face full of innocent confusion. She truly seemed to have no idea why the two sects were at each other’s throats.
One couldn’t really blame her, though.
During her years as a Servant, her daily routine consisted of trekking miles of mountain paths to do chores and clean up messes.
Her rare moments of free time were spent secretly eavesdropping on cultivation lessons.
When night fell, she had to trek back down the mountain to her quarters under the cover of darkness.
She had never learned a thing about the history between the two sects.
“…”
Nan Xi let out a soft sigh, his gaze filled with helplessness.
How was he supposed to answer her?
In the Wuxing Sect, the very first thing every disciple heard upon joining was: “People from the Tianhe Sect are all good-for-nothings.”
If one were to open the Wuxing Sect’s code of conduct, the first rule written in bold was: [The Tianhe Sect is a sect of betrayal and dishonor. Anyone who interacts with members of the Tianhe Sect without permission shall have their cultivation base abolished and be expelled from the sect immediately.]
The feud with the Tianhe Sect permeated every aspect of their lives.
If you encountered someone from the Tianhe Sect and didn’t give them a thrashing, others would suspect you were colluding with the enemy.
On the other hand, while Nan Xi didn’t know if the Tianhe Sect had similar formal regulations, the fact that they were mortal enemies suggested their stance wasn’t much different.
The Wuxing Sect called the Tianhe Sect hypocrites and treacherous cowards.
The Tianhe Sect called the Wuxing Sect Great Demons and unpardonable scum.
“Maybe…” Nan Xi looked down, letting out a laugh that was both amused and weary. “Maybe because we aren’t bros.”
“Not bros…”
Xia Xia tilted her head, whispering the words back to herself.
She still didn’t quite understand.
However, there was one thing she was curious about.
“Master, Master, is a Hall Master really powerful in the Wuxing Sect?” Wrapped in her quilt, Xia Xia wiggled toward the edge of the bed, looking at Nan Xi in a cute, side-lying position. “I saw the Wuxing Sect people calling that girl ‘Hall Master’.”
“To some extent, it’s a rank similar to a Peak Master of the Tianhe Sect.”
Nan Xi leaned his face against his hand, his gaze drifting out the window.
“Unlike the Tianhe Sect, the Wuxing Sect doesn’t have many hierarchical divisions like Peak Masters, First-class Elders, or Second-class Elders. Aside from the Sect Master who governs the entire Wuxing Sect, it is divided into four main branches: the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise halls. Disciples train under the Elders of these respective halls and interact with one another.”
Of course, Nan Xi didn’t reveal everything about the Wuxing Sect’s inner workings.
He didn’t belong to any specific hall. He and his master were part of a relatively independent organization within the Wuxing Sect.
As for the reason…
Nan Xi had to admit that names like “Azure Dragon Hall” and “White Tiger Hall” sounded far too edgy. It felt like a gang where someone would pull out a cleaver and chop you just for looking at them the wrong way.
“Master, you know so much!”
Xia Xia wiggled again, seemingly trying to clap for Nan Xi from inside her quilt.
She didn’t doubt him for a second.
Nan Xi had long been prepared for such questions. He lightly rubbed his chin as if stroking an invisible beard, then spoke with an air of profound wisdom.
“To know your enemy and know yourself is to be ever victorious.”
“I’ve learned something new!”
Xia Xia nodded vigorously. Suddenly, she looked up again, thinking seriously.
“Thinking back, since she’s a Hall Master, that girl must be really strong, right? The Wuxing Sect has four Hall Masters and the Tianhe Sect has four Peak Masters—the numbers are the same on both sides.”
“She’s average. She can’t compare to your master,” Nan Xi said nonchalantly.
He wasn’t just boasting. During today’s standoff, he had clearly perceived that her strength, much like Luluo’s, was still at the Golden Core Stage.
He didn’t know how she had become a Hall Master, but judging by their cultivation levels…
It was a seventy-thirty split.
Meaning thirty for her and seventy for Nan Xi.
“Master, Master, what exactly is your cultivation level?”
Beside him, the curious Xia Xia spoke up again.
“I keep hearing those guys say ‘Golden Core Stage’ this and ‘Golden Core Stage’ that, and…”
“And what?”
“Um…” Xia Xia suddenly grew timid, shrinking back into her quilt. “They said that Master is just very good at managing Ling Peak, but a bit lacking when it comes to actual strength.”
‘Good at managing?’
Nan Xi burst out laughing; the comment genuinely tickled him.
However—
A mischievous smirk suddenly curled on Nan Xi’s lips.
“My strength…”
“Yes, yes?”
“It’s enough.”
Nan Xi shrugged, but his body began to inch closer to Xia Xia.
“But it seems a certain rebellious disciple has grown quite bold, hasn’t she? Daring to question her master’s power.”
“Eek!?”
Xia Xia’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively tried to flee, only to realize she was still wrapped in the quilt like a caterpillar and couldn’t move an inch.
She had quite literally cocooned herself!
Nan Xi leaned over Xia Xia with a wicked grin, bracing one hand on the bed and pinning the caterpillar version of Xia Xia beneath him.
“Ma… Master…”
Xia Xia’s eyes welled with tears, her heart filled with regret for being so playful.
But Nan Xi wasn’t about to let her off that easily.
He reached out and gently pinched the tip of Xia Xia’s small nose.
“No sleep for you tonight.”