novelGive It All Up
| ← Ch.252 | Ch.254 → |
Chapter 253: Give It All Up
Just as Yi Tong was about to leave, they ran into Gu Xiqiao and Jiang Shuxuan.
They've been here for many days, and this was the first time Jiang Shuxuan had stepped outside. Yi Tiao's eyes were round and wide."That's... Big Boss?"
Yi Bing gave him a disgusted look."You don't look retarded." Why are you saying such idiotic things, if that's not Big Boss, then who is it?
Yi Tiao: "..." D*mn this as*hole Yi Bing!
Gu Xiqiao was buying some small trinkets, with Jiang Shuxuan following behind her. When they bumped into Yi Tong and the others, he nodded slightly. Gu Xiqiao however, smiled brightly as she greeted them."Hello, have you seen Jiji?"
"Jiji is eating in the kitchen, Miss Gu." Yi Bing wanted to slap himself once the words were out, Jiji was a robot, how could it be eating?
Wouldn't the food just get stuck inside it?
"Thank you for your care, " Gu Xiqiao replied, the smile still bright on her face.
Yi Bing hurried to say that it was no problem at all, and he couldn't help but feel like there was something hidden behind her bright smile.
Thinking back to the happenings in the Imperial Capital as well as the elders in the ancient martial arts world, he couldn't help but shudder. Who was the unlucky one this time, to have caught her eye? If you thought about it, there was only Xiahou Chengqin at the current moment.
Seeing how Yi Bing the rest left in such a hurry, Gu Xiqiao rubbed her chin thoughtfully as she turned to look at Jiang Shuxuan."Are they afraid of me, or you, Brother Jiang?" They had run away so fast?
The expression on Jiang Shuxuan didn't change as he replied, "Whoever you say."
"..." What a half-a*sed answer!
Glancing around, she spotted Cecily not far from them. Cecily had brightened up when she saw Gu Xiqiao, but she stopped in her steps the moment she noted Jiang Shuxuan beside her, not daring to come any closer.
Gu Xiqiao saw this, and glanced at Jiang Shuxuan."Wait here for me, I'm going over to Cecy."
"Cecily, her name is Cecily." Jiang Shuxuan corrected.
Thinking that she shouldn't argue with a patient at this time, Gu Xiqiao just agreed with him."Alright, Cecily it is." She waved her hand, and ran all the way to Cecily's side.
"Qiao Qiao, " Cecily greeted, breathing out deeply."I thought that I wouldn't see you today."
"What's wrong?" Gu Xiqiao asked, looking at her.
"It's this." Cecily pulled out a USB drive."When I was on a mission this afternoon, I did a sweep and managed to find fluctuations of malicious aura in the area, but I wasn't able to recover the data on it. If you can try recovering it, then I'll be able to pinpoint the location of the source."
Gu Xiqiao took the USB drive, twirling it around in her hand."What happened to you this afternoon?" Gu Xiqiao asked suddenly, the thought had been on her mind all the while.
When Gu Xiqiao raised the matter, Cecily's face changed to a pitiful one immediately."Qiao Qiao, you have to get revenge for me. Do you know why I was sent to N City? It's because of him, he almost tore tendons in my hands and legs."
The tears almost slid out from Cecily's eyes when she thought about it.
D*mmit, she had never seen such a man who wouldn't show any mercy to a beautiful woman!
Gu Xiqiao observed Cecily from top to bottom, suspicion in her eyes."Brother Jiang may be a little cold, but his temper is much better than mine. Did you manage to anger him in any way?"
Cecily looked a little embarrassed, deciding that she would never tell her the truth of what had happened.
She used to yearn for this man so much in the past, and now there was nothing left but fear. He looked like a handsome and elegant person, but he was crueler than anyone when it came to lashing out at a girl! He had completely crushed whatever little girl yearning she had for him!
If she knew what he had done to another person in the Imperial Capital, torturing her and even crippling her hand, Cecily would be celebrating her good fortune instead.
"Anyway, it was all calculated by Xiahou Chengqin at that time, " Cecily said, letting out a sigh."Qiao Qiao, you won't take revenge for me even though you're my good friend!"
Cecily's expression was very accusing, and she was right on point. The only person that was able to get revenge for her was Gu Xiqiao, she had to make sure to curry favor with this person!
"I can't take revenge for you in this matter." Gu XIqiao patted her shoulder in sympathy."Next time, if you have anyone else that rubs you the wrong way, let me know, I'll definitely give them a good beating. Just forget about Brother Jiang." Her heart had already hurt so much at his injuries, how could she add salt to his injuries?
Cecily: "..." Somehow, she was brushed aside so easily?
"Then, how about changing it to Xiahou Chengqin? She's particularly unpleasant to the eyes, " Cecily said suddenly.
Gu Xiqiao rubbed her chin thoughtfully."Deal!"
Cecily left in a contented mood, but when she passed by Xiahou Chengqin's medicine hall, her expression tightened. Xiahou Chengqin merely spared her a glance, ignoring her after and continued her work on saving people. It made Cecily's temper shoot to the roof and close to exploding, being ignored like that.
Fortunately, she pulled out the scripture that Gu Xiqiao had given her at this time, and she was finally able to reign in her anger.
Gu Xiqiao walked back to Jiang Shuxuan's side."Let's go back, Brother Jiang."
The man lowered his head to look at her, a calm and soft expression on his face. He nodded."Sure."
Taking her hand in his again, he led them to the tallest building. However, not even two steps in, Gu Xiqiao stopped suddenly, a cold mechanical voice speaking in her mind.
[Ding! Random mission activated: Rescue that little boy. ]
[Mission completion reward: 200 points. ]
[Ding! Chain mission activated: Solve the crisis in the ancient city. ]
[Mission completion reward: 15, 000 points. ]
The two missions activated simultaneously, and Gu Xiqiao lifted her gaze to look at the crowd in front of her. There was a little boy, looking about seven or eight years old, and he seemed to be enveloped in a malicious aura which was suffocating him.
"Auntie, hurry and send him to the sorcerer, otherwise it will be too late." The people around her were blabbering, and some even reached out in an attempt to carry the boy over to Xiahou Chengqin's hall.
The woman sitting on the ground was slapping their hands away, intent on protecting her child."Just leave me, my husband went to her before this, and he died a few days later. I will never send my son there!"
This was the first person Gu Xiqiao had seen that didn't believe in Xiahou Chegqin's 'miracles', and she pulled Jiang Shuxuan over in a hurry. Her voice was soft as she spoke, "If you're willing, would you let me treat him?"
The woman looked up to see a young girl, although she was young, she was dressed elegantly, and the man beside her was the same. She didn't have any intentions of underestimating the girl, and she nodded in a hurry.
"Did he leave the city to play?" Gu Xiqiao didn't reach out to touch the child, but merely observed.
"Yes, he said he was going to see a friend. Then he became like this after he returned!" The woman choked out.
Gu Xiqiao nodded her head in understanding, and stretched out her right hand, laying her palm on the child's head.
The Wang Tribe leader was passing by with his son coincidentally at this time, and he hurriedly said, "Miss Xiahou has said that your husband has been condemned by the heavens, and it has nothing to do with her. Look at my son, he has just been saved by Miss Xiahou!"
Once the man spoke, the people around them nodded in agreement."That's right, Auntie, don't be deceived by others. Hurry and send your child to Miss Xiahou, she will definitely save his life!"
Seeing that their words fell on deaf ears, the patriarch of the Wang Tribe straightened up, his voice cold and mocking, "Don't regret it when something happens later on!"
He didn't leave after saying that though, just standing in his place, waiting and wanting to watch the woman regret her decision.
Gu Xiqiao was silent all the way, and ten minutes later, she slowly pulled her hand back. The yin energy on the child had vanished, and color had returned to his face. His eyes blinked open slowly, and then he started crying softly."Mom."
"He actually woke up?" The people around them started whispering among themselves.
The people who were watching Gu Xiqiao with doubt on their faces were also shocked. Her method in waking people was comparable to Miss Xiahou's.
The patriarch of the Wang Tribe was also stunned. He had been waiting to see the woman regret her decision, and then he would preach and promote Miss Xiahou's magical powers, and let her save the child. But now, the child had woken up?!
"Thank you miss!" The woman hurriedly went to kneel and bow to Gu Xiqiao with her child.
"No need for that." Gu Xiqiao smiled, reaching out.
The woman felt as though her knees were supported by a gentle force, and she couldn't kneel down no matter how she tried. Her eyes turned to Gu Xiqiao, excitement in her eyes. An immortal!
Gu Xiqiao glanced down at the little boy."Listen to your mommy, and don't leave the city for a few days, alright?"
"I only wanted to see if Big Brother was still around." The boy said bashfully, and nodded his head.
Big Brother? Gu Xiqiao filed that information away for the time being, turning to leave with Jiang Shuxuan. Although the people around them had a lot of questions, but feeling the mysterious aura that the two radiated, they knew that the two were not ordinary people, and they didn't dare to block their way. They cleared a path, letting the couple leave.
"I know, that was Miss Gu!" Someone shouted out from the crowd suddenly.
Xiahou Chengqin had finally rushed over, only to find that the patient had already been cured. She was a little dazed, and the Wang Tribe patriarch asked suddenly, "Mistress Sorceress, that Miss Gu cured this child just now. Is she also a sorceress?"
"No, she's not." Xiahou Chengqin calmed herself as she spoke."The Lisu Tribe only has one sorceress. I think the child only had a mild fainting spell, and she was just lucky he woke up in time."
When Xiahou Chengqin explained it, everyone was surprised."No wonder, I saw her just place her hand on the boy's head. There wasn't even any talisman or anything."
Yi Tong and Yi Bing, who was returning from sending Yi Tiao off to his punishment, stumbled upon this scene. Yi Tong had finally managed to lift Gu Xiqiao's name, but it was immediately shot down by Xiahou Chengqin's words so easily.
Yi Bing glared angrily, this also showed how high the position of Xiahou Chengqin's position was in the hearts of these people.
***
That night, Xiahou Chengqin closed the doors of the medicine hall after treating the last patient for the day. She then drew something on the talisman paper.
Bang!
The elder kicked the door open, and his eyes widened at what he was seeing.
"Xiahou Chengqin, have you gone mad?!" The elder's face darkened, thinking back to the rumors that he had heard on the streets during the day. He threw the cup beside him, shattering it on the wall. His hands were shaking in anger."Who gave you the right? How dare you treat Miss Gu this way!"
"Elder! Have you been bought over by just a few words from her? Do you believe anything that she says?" Xiahou Chengqin looked up at the elder."I am the rightful sorceress of the Lisu Tribe!"
"Hold your tongue!" The elder exclaimed coldly, tearing the talisman in her hands."You're mad, aren't you? Do you think Miss Gu is someone that you can persecute? It's better if you just stay here and be at ease. Study your sorcery properly."
"You're the one who's mad!" Xiahou Chengqin glared at the elder with her bloodshot eyes. She turned and left, slamming the door behind her.
The middle-aged man beside the elder opened his mouth, "Elder, this..."
"Leave her be." The elder's face was sad, and he seemed to have aged ten years in that instant."Prepare a meeting with the Elders' Association. It would seem that we will have to replace our tribe's sorceress soon."
Miss Gu was right. If they didn't come up with anyone else talented, it would probably be the end of the Lisu Tribe's legacy.
As he walked out the door, he looked up at the moon shining brightly in the sky. The ancient martial arts world was about to change.
***
Xiahou Chengqin had just left the city gates, when suddenly a sword aura burst in front of her, and the sky was filled with a bright white light.
Her body flew through the air, smashing to the ground heavily. It rattled her bones, and even her internal organs felt like they had moved positions.
A powerful, heavy force fell on her person, and she struggled to get up through the pressure. Using her hands to shield her eyes from the bright light, she saw a person walking towards her at a leisurely pace.
The figure was tall and lean, his face cold and hard as though it had been carved from jade. He was clad in a crisp, snow-white shirt, and his facial features were sharp and delicate. Under the white light, his features were slightly hazy to look at.
An ice blade hovered over his left hand, and the white light that filled the sky shone from this sword. The chilled blade reflected his deep, dark eyes, making it impossible to meet his eyes.
He looked at Xiahou Chengqin, who was lying on the ground. He raised his hand and waved lightly, the Seven-Frosted Blade pulsed again with aura, slamming into her heart violently.
His cold voice rang through the air."You were intending to use your sorcery to hurt someone just now, am I right?"
After saying, the aura from the sword pierced through Xiahou Chengqin's both hands.
"Abolish your sorcery today. The Lisu Tribe will choose another sorceress tomorrow."
"You're from the Jiang family, you can't treat the Lisu Tribe like this!" Xiahou Chengqin's eyes were wide, her body trembling uncontrollably from the pain on her body, as well as her mind. She could hardly speak through all the pain she was feeling.
"Why wouldn't I dare to?" Jiang Shuxuan looked at her calmly, an indifferent expression on his face.
"The Jiang family, h-h-heaven's will!" Xiahou Chengqin struggled to quickly piece her words together. The fear of losing her life made her feel regretful of her actions now.
Jiang Shuxuan eyes were as cold as his blade, and he raised the sword in his hand. His tone was mocking when he next spoke, "Heaven's will? At this point, what about it?"
Another pulse of the blade's aura shot out after he said that, which directly shattered Xiahou Chengqin's talent.
At the same time, the clear sky raged suddenly, thundercloud rolling in and roaring through the skies.
A streak of purple lightning slammed down from the clouds in the next instant, seemingly like an omen of the world's end.
***
Yi Tong and Yi Bing, who were not far off from the place, saw it happening with horror and shock in their eyes."How is Big Boss doing this? How is it causing such a big disturbance like this?"
Yi Bing shook his head, staring at the scene unblinking."I have no idea."
Having followed Jiang Shuxuan for so many years, this was the first time he was seeing such a thing happen.
***
At the same time, the people in the ancient martial arts world were panicking. The movement in the northwest desert was the topic of everyone's discussion.
In the Jiang family, the disciple that was in charge of guarding the jade tile suddenly saw a crack in the tile, with a faded white mist floating out from it. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, and got up in horror once he confirmed it. He immediately went to inform the elders.
That night, all the elders of the Jiang family stayed up chanting sutras the entire night.
***
In the desert, Jiang Shuxuan looked at the person lying on the ground with disinterest, neither dead nor alive at this point. He reached up to wipe the trail of blood away from the corner of his mouth, the cold, hard look still on his face. Looking up at the dissipating clouds, he kept his blade away before leaving the place.
The phone in his pocket rang not even two steps later.
He pulled it out and looked at the screen, taking a while before he finally reacted.
"Shuxuan, did you just hurt the heiress of the Lisu Tribe?" Shu Chen's voice came from the other end, and to be honest, she was quite at a loss at this moment. The news the elders told her made her feel like she had been hit by a hammer, and she immediately gave Jiang Shuxuan a call.
She didn't feel relieved until she heard his voice.
Jiang Shuxuan responded in affirmative.
Hearing that, Shu Chen felt faint."You... you actually... do you want to lose your life?!"
"Mom, I've already done it. It's useless to say anything more." Jiang Shuxuan narrowed his eyes.
"But the Lisu Tribe, you know that..." Shu Chen's voice cracked, and she choked out instead, "Shuxuan, don't worry me, please?"
"So I have to accept my fate?" A cold glint appeared in Jiang Shuxuan's eyes, and he laughed condescendingly."Surrender myself to the Jiang family's fate?"
A tear slid from Shu Chen's eyes, and she closed her eyes tightly."Shuxuan, we are so sorry."
"It's not your fault." Jiang Shuxuan raised his head to look at the night sky."I've given up so much for the Jiang family. Now, all I want is one thing. Is that not fine?"
"Shuxuan." Shu Chen's voice cracked further, and she sobbed. A pain shot through her heart. From the moment that Jiang Shuxuan was born, his life was lived for the sake of the Jiang family for the ancient martial arts world. He had never spoken a word of complaint about this matter, and today, he was actually talking to her in this tone. Shu Chen felt her heart break."Don't bother about the ancient martial arts world, don't care about anything anymore! Do what you want to do, ignore the ancient martial arts world or whatever. We won't care anymore, I will tell the elders tomorrow!"
| ← Ch. 252 | Ch. 254 → |