Chapter 5: The Arrival of the Dao Lord
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He stood tall, she crouched low; his figure graceful, hers dust-streaked and weary.
The two of them epitomized both utter embarrassment and silent perfection. Hua Xiangwan stared at him, stunned, a hint of surprise flickering across her features. After a moment, he finally turned his gaze toward her, blocking her path.
His eyes were hidden beneath a white silk veil, so she shouldn’t have felt his stare. Yet, the instant he “looked” at her, Hua Xiangwan sensed a distinct warning. Understanding the peril, she instinctively rolled aside to avoid the Dao Lord who enforced “immediate execution for trespassers.”
Her movement startled the surrounding disciples, and the Tianjian Sect’s eyes lit up.
“Senior Brother Wushuang!”
“Thank you, Senior Brother, for coming!”
From her hiding place, Hua Xiangwan glimpsed the young man. His attire resembled that of Xie Changji in his youth, blue robes and jade crown signifying the Heart-Searching Sword lineage. Yet his aura was colder, sterner—a masterful balance of poise and authority.
She dared not comment. She quietly retreated to the side, applying her medicine while keeping her head low.
Nearby, Shen Xiuwen stepped forward, bowing to the young man.
“Xie, Senior Brother.”
He noticed the white silk covering the man’s eyes. “Your eyes...”
“Place your disciples,” Xie Wushuang replied, ignoring the question. He extended his hand. “Give me all the Immortal Locking Ropes.”
Shen Xiuwen nodded, handing over the ropes from his Qiankun bag. Xie Wushuang took them without expression. Leaping high, he vanished.
Hua Xiangwan watched curiously. Shen Xiuwen quickly instructed his disciples to sit and tended to their wounds. Then, approaching Hua Xiangwan, he asked stiffly, “Young Master Hua, may I assist you?”
Recovering her composure, she smiled gently, despite dust covering her face. “Trouble you, Daoist Master.”
Shen Xiuwen, unused to such intimacy with a female cultivator, lowered his head and carefully applied medicine to her wounds. Polite and precise, he avoided any unnecessary touch.
Curious, Hua Xiangwan asked, “What’s your name?”
“Shen Xiuwen,” he replied shyly. “I am the master’s disciple, ranked second, in charge of the reception. If you have any needs, you may tell me.”
She glanced toward where Xie Wushuang had disappeared. “Was that your senior brother?”
“Yes,” Shen Xiuwen answered respectfully. “He is a disciple of Qingheng Shangjun, Senior Brother Xie Wushuang.”
Hua Xiangwan noted his powerful sword intent. “Only Nascent Soul stage?”
“The Sword of Inquiry’s strength cannot be judged by cultivation alone,” Shen Xiuwen explained, applying the powder to wounds that couldn’t heal with spiritual power alone. “Although Nascent Soul, his true power is unmatched.”
Before Hua Xiangwan could respond, a young girl in red was thrown down, tightly bound. She wailed immediately, followed by Lingbei and others from Hehuan Palace, all bound and tossed from the sky. The sight was chilling.
Amid the chaos, Xie Wushuang reappeared, wiping blood from his longsword with a white handkerchief. Hua Xiangwan noted the similarity to Xie Changji’s habits.
“Brother Wushuang, it’s fortunate you arrived,” Jiang Yiran said excitedly.
“I was coming,” Xie Wushuang replied softly. He looked at Hua Xiangwan, who offered a polite smile. Shen Xiuwen introduced her.
“Capture them.”
The order froze Hua Xiangwan’s smile. Xie Wushuang left, instructing all prisoners to Zui Town for interrogation. Shen Xiuwen then turned to Hua Xiangwan.
“Young Master Hua, would you tie the Immortal Binding Rope yourself?”
“I believe Lord Xie may have misunderstandings about us,” she replied calmly. “But I am willing to comply. Please.”
Bound tightly, she maintained her dignity, cursing Tianjian Sect in her mind while cooperating fully.
After resting and attending wounds, the group, bound together, followed Shen Xiuwen toward Zui Town.
Hua Xiangwan whispered to Lingnan, “How did they do this? Mingluan Palace didn’t even notice?”
Lingnan explained the Western Territory’s Qin Yunshang orchestrated the attack, and only Xie Wushuang’s timely arrival saved them. The display of power left Hua Xiangwan awed and contemplative.
“Take him down!” Lingnan whispered, pointing at Xie Wushuang. “He is the strongest. Young Master, you must act during these days.”
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