Chapter Forty-Six: Conflict

The waiter, seeing the curious looks from the group, became even more smug. He declared in a loud voice, “That’s because three days from now is the day our Fort Master Gan's daughter is to be married. The Fort Master has already given orders: starting today, there will be a grand feast for three days. Any traveler passing through Gan Fortress will eat and drink for free, so that all may celebrate the young lady’s marriage together.”

The waiter’s self-satisfied demeanor made it seem as though he himself was marrying the Gan family’s eldest daughter. Only then did the three nod in understanding. Nalan Xin’er, however, was not convinced. She said, a bit disgruntled, “Even if they are wealthy, there’s no need to be so ostentatious. Hmph, just because I have money, I won’t stoop to eating free meals.” Who was Nalan Xin’er? Though she seemed obedient enough before Mo Bai, she was proud to the core, just like Wu Luohua. How could a small place like Gan Fortress ever catch the eye of Miss Nalan, the heiress of a great spiritual clan?

The waiter merely sneered and said nothing more, ignoring them as he turned and busied himself elsewhere.

Mo Bai didn’t mind in the least, sipping leisurely at his drink. Just then, a commotion arose at the entrance — a group of dozens of men and women stormed into Du Bai Inn. Each bore weapons and wore a look of arrogance. One among them, a burly man with a full beard, shouted, “The Fort Master Gan is truly generous! With free food and drink like this, our Haikun Gang won’t be shy. Come, brothers and sisters, let’s eat and drink our fill!”

With his call, the burly men and fierce women immediately took over several tables and chairs. Their numbers were so overwhelming that some ordinary patrons were chased out of the inn altogether. Those driven out glared with resentment but dared not utter a word, evidence enough that this so-called Haikun Gang was not to be trifled with.

Their boisterous shouts quickly irritated Nalan Xin’er. She was already disgruntled by the waiter’s attitude, but she could tolerate the common townsfolk. However, these newcomers had the clear aura of spiritual cultivators — and our little enchantress was never one to show mercy to their kind. She snapped, “I don’t know where these stray dogs come from, making such a ruckus.”

Her words instantly angered the Haikun Gang. From the crowd leapt a young man, sallow-faced and thin, clearly the sort who indulged his vices. In these parts, no one dared challenge the Haikun Gang; even Fort Master Gan had to treat them with some courtesy. The man was about to curse back but swallowed his words abruptly.

His comrades behind were stunned. What’s gotten into the Fourth Chief? Only the bearded leader smiled knowingly, aware that the Fourth had fallen into his usual ways. The thin young man grinned lecherously at Nalan Xin’er. “Ah, so it was the young lady who spoke?”

Nalan Xin’er cast him a cold, disdainful glance. “Yes, I said it. What of it?”

He replied at once, “The lady is right and just. My underlings truly lack manners. We’ve disturbed your peace, my apologies. I shall send them out at once.”

Only then did Nalan Xin’er’s expression soften. “That’s more like it.”

The man was momentarily dazed. He had seen many women, but never one as fresh and captivating as Nalan Xin’er. Though she was young, her figure and charm were irresistible, her youthful face all the more enchanting. He bowed slightly. “I am Liu Shuyi, the Melancholy Scholar, Fourth Chief of the Haikun Gang. May I ask your name, miss? Would you be so gracious as to grant me a conversation?”

Before Nalan Xin’er could reply, Wu Luohua burst into laughter. “Melancholy Scholar — what a resounding nickname! It suits your air and your looks perfectly! Ha ha, marvelous, truly marvelous!”

The first couple of words sounded polite to Liu Shuyi’s ears, but the laughter that followed made the mockery plain. He was no fool and realized instantly he was being ridiculed. His anger rose, but when he looked at the speaker, he was taken aback.

The man wore a white robe, black hair cascading over his shoulders, the very picture of elegance. His features were striking, with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes — a true paragon of handsome youth, far surpassing Liu Shuyi himself. He barked, “Who do you think you are, making a scene here?”

Wu Luohua set down his chopsticks, snapped open his folding fan with a flourish, and appeared even more dashing — earning an adoring look from Nalan Xin’er. When it came to style, no one could outdo Master Wu. Unhurriedly, he replied, “I’m nothing much. But you, you’re something — a real piece of work.”

The so-called Melancholy Scholar was puzzled. “What do you mean, I’m something?”

Wu Luohua answered, “You’re not worth a thing.” Nalan Xin’er laughed delightedly at that.

Though her laughter made Nalan Xin’er even more beautiful in Liu Shuyi’s eyes, he could not endure such humiliation before a beauty. He shouted, “Pretty boy, get out here and face me! Don’t hide behind women. I’ll show you the might of the Haikun Gang!”

At that, the innkeeper hurried over, hoping to mediate. “Gentlemen, please, let’s talk things through. The meal is on my tab. Please, let’s all calm down.”

Liu Shuyi kicked the innkeeper aside and said coldly, “What’s this got to do with you, old man? The bill’s already covered by that old Gan Sen. Why are you meddling? Get lost.”

The poor innkeeper was an ordinary man and couldn’t afford to offend these thugs. Trembling, he withdrew with the help of the waiter. But the innkeeper was no fool; while no one was looking, he whispered something into the waiter’s ear, and the young man slipped away at the first opportunity.

Liu Shuyi now fixed his gaze on Wu Luohua again, sneering, “Come out, you pretty boy.”

Just then, he suddenly sensed a wave of spiritual energy sweeping toward him. Though usually lost to drink and pleasure, Liu Shuyi had some skill. With a deft movement, he dodged the energy and sneered, “Oh? A spiritual cultivator after all. I didn’t expect that.” But on closer inspection, he realized the energy had not come from the refined young man, but from the youthful beauty herself.

Nalan Xin’er had risen, her expression calm and composed. “You think you can call him ‘pretty boy’? Only I have that right.”

At that, Wu Luohua felt as though two little black birds had flown over his head.

Nalan Xin’er, now truly serious, flicked her wrist with genuine force. Earlier, she had waved casually, but now she held nothing back. Her wrist spun gracefully, and a cluster of purple blossoms bloomed from her hand.

Mo Bai, watching from the side, smiled with satisfaction. Grandmaster Yun Zui’s spiritual power was indeed formidable. In just a few days, Nalan Xin’er, having received the true inheritance, was a different person altogether. He had seen her use this Purple Blossom Nerve Strike before, but today, both her aura and the speed of her technique had reached a new level.

Liu Shuyi only chuckled, clearly unfamiliar with the rare secret arts of the Yun Tian Sect. “Miss, your little flower is truly beautiful. May I wear it for you, my dear?”

“Scoundrel, you seek death!” With a sharp cry, Nalan Xin’er shot forth like a blade of light!