There is a Xiao Chan in the Jianghu

Chapter 8

"Mother, where are you? My son is in so much pain..."

Yun Chan closed her eyes and listened silently to the man's ramblings, a myriad of emotions surfacing in her heart.

This man, this unshaven robber, this pervert who always smiled as he broke her fingers, this celestial being in purgatory, always seemed indifferent to everything when he spoke; perhaps, it was simply because he cared too much.

Is it okay to settle all grudges?

As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves into the woods at dawn, the cicada wearily opened its eyes. Then, it was blinded by a gleaming, silvery object on the ground.

This... looks like silver!

Without hesitation, she rushed over. It turned out that the silver she had dropped yesterday had fallen nearby. It was hard to see in the darkness at the time, but now, under the sunlight, it was shining brightly at her.

Haha, it seems the Bodhisattva is still protecting her in the unseen world. Yun Chan held the silver coins and laughed silently three times. After laughing, she quietly turned around and looked back, seeing the man still leaning against the tree with his eyes closed, seemingly still asleep.

The two little voices in her heart started fighting.

Now that she has money, she can hire horses and carriages, or ask people to deliver messages; she can go back alone. If she takes him with her, she might be implicated and hunted down.

He's severely injured and poses no threat now. He once broke two of his fingers, and they still haven't healed. He also... Yun Chan blushed; she had even once resolved to kill him to silence him.

There were countless reasons for Yun Chan to turn around and leave, but why was she finding it hard to take a step?

If we just abandon him again, he'll probably die within a day.

Thinking this, Yun Chan withdrew her foot. In the end, she silently walked back to his side, then counted out an ounce of silver and placed it on him.

Amitabha. I hope that a kind hunter will pass by and use this one or two taels of silver to bury him, so that his body will not be left to rot in the wilderness and be carried away by dogs.

Yun Chan bowed twice to him, then clapped her hands, finally feeling relieved as she got up and left.

Suddenly, a large hand gripped her arm tightly: "Ungrateful woman, I'm not dead yet."

When Yun Chan turned around, she saw that Lou Lou had opened his eyes at some point, and the hand he was holding seemed to have considerable strength. She couldn't help but struggle to break free a couple of times.

Lou Lou's face paled: "You bastard, you heartless scoundrel."

Yun Chan fainted: "What...what did you say?"

"Heartless and ungrateful! You ingrate!"

Why did this man suddenly become like a discarded wife overnight?

Yun Chan said angrily, "Everything I've suffered is your fault. I've already been more than merciful by not killing you."

Lou Lou suddenly gave a bitter smile: "Kill me."

Those lines sound so familiar. I remember she said the same thing to him before, and he didn't hesitate to draw his sword and attack without a second thought.

Yun Chan decisively drew his knife. Lou Lou was startled and quickly turned his head to avoid it: "You're inhuman!"

She plunged her knife into the tree and said to him, word by word, "You kidnapped me first. Now I will not kill you. Our grudges are settled. From now on, our lives are up to fate and we will have nothing to do with each other."

Lou Lou suddenly opened his bright, star-like eyes and stared intently at her: "Are you really that heartless?"

Yun Chan was stunned. Was this some kind of seduction tactic? No way, even someone as handsome as Xia Yi had never been moved by her.

Lou Lou gave her one last melancholy look, then pointed to the pile of medicine in the bundle in her hand and said, "The green bottle can remove the disguise on your face." His words had the air of someone whose dying words are kind and compassionate.

Yun Chan immediately did as she was told, taking out the bottle, but hesitated before swallowing the medicine. Was this person trying to deceive and harm her one last time?

Lou Lou knew what she was thinking from her expression. He silently took the medicine from her hand, popped one into his mouth, and then slowly plucked off his fake beard. A moment later, Yun Chan watched in astonishment as his rough, dark skin gradually turned white.

His facial features have been restored to their original depth.

Although she looked pale and weak, and although she was a bit disheveled, she was really... really beautiful.

His eyes were like bright stars, and he was handsome and otherworldly. Even the jade in the lake could not compare to him. This person was truly like someone who came from heaven.

Seeing her in a daze, Lou Lou smiled: "Pretty?"

The man's voice was no longer hoarse, but had returned to its original gentle tone. Yun Chan became somewhat bewildered: "You're so beautiful, why did you cover your face with a mask back then?"

"I'm going to rob something, can I let people see my true face?"

"Oh, so why are you showing me your true face now?"

"..."

Lou Lou rarely had a moment when he couldn't speak. Yun Chan chuckled and confidently poured a pill into her own mouth. Soon, the discomfort that had been lingering on her face faded, and when she touched it, her skin was indeed much smoother.

Miss Yun then softened her tone: "I see you still have a lot of strength, you shouldn't die. Let's go our separate ways."

"Are you still going to walk alone?" He grabbed her again. "Last night...didn't you say you felt more at ease with someone else?"

So he heard it?

Yun Chan explained bluntly, "But you're being chased."

"You're just leaving like this, not even wanting Hua Rong's antidote?"

"Well, all the medicine you have is here. I'll find an antidote eventually."

"Oh, using the wrong ingredient will cause internal fire and death from pus-filled wounds." Lou Lou has finally reverted to his threatening self.

Yun Chan sighed and helped him up: "If we run into those people again, do you think we can escape?"

Hearing the word "we," Lou Lou felt happy, and his face warmed up: "Don't be afraid. I said I'd take you home, so I won't let you die."

"You're just all talk!" Yun Chan rolled her eyes at him and helped him walk out of the woods.

The two arrived at the village where Yun Chan had visited the previous night. Yun Chan had already reverted to her original appearance, and the villagers didn't recognize her at first. Having money certainly made things easier; Yun Chan easily obtained some food, two sets of clothes, and a thin horse.

Knowing that they couldn't linger here too long, after everything was prepared, Yun Chan told Lou Lou, "The closest city to here is Shuangzhe City. I want to go there first to find someone to send a message home."

Lou Lou pondered for a moment and said, "Shuang Zhe? He's not far from the Yuanqing Sect. Why don't we go to the Yuanqing Sect first? You're from Feiyun Fortress, they'll definitely help you."

Yun Chan's eyes widened: "Go to Yuanqing Sect? Aren't you afraid of being killed if you go there with your status? They're a righteous sect, while you're an evil one!"

"Don't worry, they won't recognize me. I'm still recovering from the effects of the Dissolving Power Powder, so I can't be too violent. Hiding there is definitely safer."

“I’m not going. I don’t need the Tan family’s help. I’d rather be hunted down outside.”

"That Master Xia was with them when he came to rescue you. He might be at the Yuanqing Sect right now."

"What does it matter to me whether he's there or not? I'm not going to the Tan family!"

"Isn't it all because of that fairy-like Miss Tan?"

"Nonsense!" Miss Yun's voice suddenly rose, clearly having been hit where it hurt.

"You were whipped by Xia Yi, was it related to her?"

Yun Chan's face immediately darkened: "None of your business, I'm not going to the Tan family anyway."

Lou Lou coaxed her with amusement, "Be good, you've never been very strong-willed, why are you being stubborn now?"

"...If you really want to go, then go by yourself. We'll go our separate ways." Yun Chan showed all her backbone this time. "I don't need the antidote anymore!"

The two rode together on one horse, following the villagers heading to the city until dark, but they still hadn't reached a conclusion by the time they entered the city. While resting temporarily in a small inn room in the city, Yun Chan was still sulking, saying, "I think these city people..."

There are so many, and it's very safe.

Lou Lou leaned against her and said, "I'm about to die. If someone attacks now, I won't be able to withstand a single blow."

Yun Chan quickly stepped aside: "Anyway, they're going to kill you, I'll just run away myself."

Lou Lou squinted and smiled seductively: "They will definitely kill you to cover it up. Do you think you can escape with your skills?" After saying that, he continued to shamelessly rub against her.

Yun Chan moved further and further away, finally unable to hold back any longer and roared, "Enough! You might as well just die!"

The inn was rather dilapidated, and the windows rattled in the wind. Lou Lou suddenly stopped smiling, stood up, and said in a cold voice, "Zi Ying, didn't I tell you not to follow me anymore?"

A woman in purple quickly entered through the window, knelt down, and said, "This subordinate was only worried about the Pavilion Master..."

"Afraid I'll be killed by those traitors?" he smiled.

Zi Ying lowered her head even further: "How could that Yu fellow be a match for the Pavilion Master?"

"If that's the case, why don't you listen to me?"

Ziying immediately kowtowed heavily: "My lord, it is too dangerous for you to kill those traitors alone. Why not take Ziying with you..."

"No need." Lou Lou interrupted her decisively, his hand gently stroking the hilt of the knife. He added, seemingly uninterested, "If I find you following me again, you can just end it yourself."

Zi Ying swayed heavily, her face visibly stiffening. Yun Chan, who was listening nearby, frowned. She looked at the woman on the ground and was about to say something when she saw Zi Ying glance at her, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally, before slowly bowing: "Your subordinate obeys."

Ziying left quickly. Yunchan couldn't help but mutter, "Hey, she's so loyal, you're being too harsh. Besides, you're injured, wouldn't it be better to have a subordinate as a guard on the road?"

Lou Lou's body went limp and he slumped back onto the table, answering without even lifting his eyelids, "I was just betrayed by my subordinates. Do you think I'm as forgetful as you? If Zi Ying finds out I'm injured, how do you know she won't finish me off?"

?

Yun Chan choked: "Don't you have anyone you can trust around you?"

"unnecessary."

"Then I'm leaving too."

He immediately reminded her, "The antidote for Hua Rong."

"..." Yun Chan lunged at him in hatred and pinched him, "You're afraid she'll harm you, but aren't you afraid I'll stab you in the back too? I'd rather die with you."

A smile crept onto his lips: "That's not bad either. But do you have the guts?"

"Go to hell!" Yun Chan punched him in the wound.

Kidnapped again

The Yuanqing Sect was nestled amidst mountains and rivers, surrounded by picturesque scenery, exuding a secluded and otherworldly atmosphere, showing no signs of being a martial arts sect. Although Yun Chan had seen the Tan family members at Xiaming Manor several times, this was her first time visiting the Yuanqing Sect.

Lou Lou glanced at the beautiful scenery and exclaimed, "Indeed elegant, no less so than my Ink Pavilion."

Yun Chan glared at him. If he was going to act so carefree, he shouldn't be slumped over, leaning all his weight on her. She supported him and said angrily, "You're here for a picnic? Aren't you worried about being recognized when you see them later?"

Before she could finish speaking, a woman hurriedly walked out from the outer gate. Upon seeing Yun Chan, she was suddenly taken aback: "It's you?"

Yun Chan looked up and her face fell: "Tan Shiyao, it's you."

The two women looked at each other in silence for a moment.

The atmosphere became a little awkward. Tan Shiyao was the first to shift her gaze, then exclaimed in surprise, "Master Lou?!"

What? What kind of hero?

Yun Chan immediately turned her head and looked around, but there was no one else there. She looked back at Tan Shiyao with suspicion, only to find that the beautiful Tan's eyes were fervent, but she was looking in the direction of Lou Lou.

"Hero Lou Guyan, is it really you?! After our parting at Bai Rong Mountain, my father and Yao'er have searched for you many times without success. We have never had the chance to thank you for saving our lives that day, and we are so glad that Yao'er has met you again today."