Chapter 22 [VIP] The Jianghu Saga (Part 3)

Chapter 22 [VIP] The Jianghu Saga (Part 3)

Nan Yan chuckled softly, looking up at him, her eyes showing no blame, "You don't need to be so formal with me. Even if we can’t be husband and wife, we can still be siblings for life. I believe Brother A-Yu will always cherish me as family, right?"

Xie Yu glanced at her and hummed in agreement.

"No matter what happens, my care for you won't change."

Nan Yan, upon receiving this response, seemed somewhat pleased. She smiled at him again, her smile gentle yet tinged with a barely noticeable sadness, fleeting as it was.

She continued, "Then... may I meet her?"

A hint of envy flashed in Nan Yan's eyes, followed by a moment of silence in the air, "Don't get me wrong, I just want to see what kind of woman Brother A-Yu likes. Someone who matters so much to you must be quite special."

Xie Yu initially didn’t want to agree.

But seeing Nan Yan's expression, he found he couldn't bring himself to refuse her. In the end, he acquiesced.

"...Alright."

Nan Yan quickly composed herself, showing a more compliant smile, "Then, once your injury heals, let's quietly leave the villa together. That way, my father and others can't force us into marriage. Once everything settles down, we can come back and explain everything to them."

Xie Yu thought it over. Her logic made sense. With Nan Yan's understanding, resolving this marriage issue would be easier, and he eventually agreed.

But the guilt in his heart deepened.

His childhood sweetheart was too understanding. Sometimes, seeing her trying to smile through obvious sorrow, he felt an odd sensation in his heart.

Xie Yu frowned, ultimately remaining silent.

He thought it might be for the best, as he would soon see Su Mo. Just thinking about his beloved made the whip wounds on his body seem less painful.

……

Nan Yan hadn’t expected him to be so eager.

They had agreed to wait until his injuries improved before meeting his beloved, but the next night, he sneaked into the stable, stole a horse, and quietly entered her room.

It was bad luck for him; as soon as he entered the room, Nan Yan detected his presence. In the dark, she bit his wrist hard, causing Xie Yu to wince in pain, yet he dared not make a sound. Thus, he ended up leaving Mingyue Villa with her in his arms.

Later, the two rode out of Mingyue Villa together. Half an hour later, as they got farther from the villa, Xie Yu finally began to relax a little.

In fact, after taking her out, Xie Yu regretted his impulsiveness. The jianghu was not a playground; it was a world of mixed characters. Nan Yan, a fragile woman with no martial prowess, could easily encounter danger.

But it was too late for regrets now that they had left.

He would just have to be more vigilant, wondering if Su Mo would mind these developments.

"How are you feeling? Is your wound hurting again?"

Seeing his increasingly furrowed brow, Nan Yan instinctively took out her handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Xie Yu didn’t initially realize the intimacy of their actions. By the time he did, she had already put her handkerchief away. Not wanting to seem petty, he shook his head and uncomfortably said, "I'm fine."

Nan Yan responded with a simple acknowledgment and did not press further.

After all, some things couldn't be rushed.

She smiled at him, "That's good. But don’t push yourself too hard. I have brought some medicine; I can re-dress your wound if needed."

After speaking, she turned her head away, her eyes curiously observing the surroundings, filled with the anticipation and longing of a sheltered young lady venturing far from home for the first time.

Xie Yu just nodded absently, his thoughts preoccupied with Su Mo, paying little attention to Nan Yan's words.

Nan Yan, noticing where his mind was, smoothly asked, "So where shall we go next to find Miss Su?"

After a moment's thought, Xie Yu replied directly, "She should still be in the Medicine King Valley."

"Medicine King Valley?"

Xie Yu nodded, "Exactly. Originally, the three of us were to travel together, but I had some urgent matters and left a letter before departing abruptly. So, Sumo should still be with Xiao Guanxue."

"Xiao Guanxue?"

Nan Yan seemed intrigued by the name and casually inquired, "Is that the Xiao Guanxue, the eccentric doctor from Yaowang Valley known in the martial arts world?"

"Yes, that's him," Xie Yu nodded, somewhat resigned about the rumors in the martial arts world.

"He may be a bit cold, but he's a decent person and an excellent physician. We owe him a lot for the help he's provided on our journey."

In the original storyline, Xie Yu and Xiao Guanxue were like-minded friends, both having feelings for the main female character. Unfortunately, Xiao Guanxue didn't realize his feelings early on. Once he learned of his friend's affection for Sumo, he intentionally distanced himself from her. But emotions are hard to control, and by the time he fully understood his feelings, it was already too late, leaving him to bury his love deep in his heart.

Nan Yan turned to glance at him with a cool look, "Oh, really? Brother Yu, have you forgotten?"

"When Mingyue Mountain Villa sent for this doctor to treat me, he ruthlessly refused. How could you be friends with someone like that?"

This was indeed true, but it was all due to a misunderstanding. At that time, Xiao Guanxue was mourning his master's death, and he rejected all requests for medical assistance, including those from Mingyue Mountain Villa, earning him the reputation of a heartless, eccentric doctor.

Seeing Nan Yan's spirited and unyielding demeanor, Xie Yu couldn't help but feel amused, tapping her head with a playful gesture.

"All those were misunderstandings. You'll understand once you meet him. Aside from being somewhat aloof, he's excellent in every way."

He explained the reason and defended his friend, only relaxing once he was sure the other party no longer held any prejudices. After all, one was his close friend and the other his childhood companion; he certainly didn't want them to start arguing upon meeting.

To his surprise, Nan Yan turned away, muttering softly, "No matter how good he is, he can't compare to my Brother Yu..."

Xie Yu, with his exceptional hearing, caught the comment and raised his eyebrows proudly, "Of course, there aren't many in this world who can surpass your brother."

Nan Yan couldn't help but laugh, playfully twirling her hair around her finger and teasing, "It seems that during Brother Yu's travels in the martial world, he didn't gain much skill but his skin has certainly thickened. I wonder whom he learned that from?"

"Ah, are you indirectly scolding me?"

Xie Yu's eyelids fluttered as he raised his finger and lightly tapped her forehead without mercy.

Nan Yan cried out, immediately tugging at his sleeve, pleading for mercy just like in their childhood. Once she angered him, she would quickly become contrite and apologetic, her gentle coaxing easily dissolving any of his anger.

"Alright, Brother A-Yu, stop teasing. I really can't ride horses well. If I fall from this height, I'm done for..."

Xie Yu watched her pitiable, pleading demeanor, her bright, tearful eyes gazing at him.

Just as Xie Yu was about to touch her, his hand suddenly froze, his mind momentarily in a trance. It was as if a pebble had been thrown into the depths of his heart, stirring up ripples, causing a slight itch in his chest.

But that was only a fleeting moment. Xie Yu quickly realized the inappropriateness and turned his face away, "Alright, enough teasing. Hold on tight, and be careful not to fall off."

Upon hearing this, Nan Yan promptly sat up straight, gripping the reins tightly, and together they rode the swift steed directly towards Medicine King Valley.

Medicine King Valley, under the jurisdiction of Wushuang City, was a place of significant influence. However, the valley master was known for his cold temperament and indifference to the affairs of the jianghu.

The valley was evergreen throughout the year, abundant with medicinal plants, and the terrain was rugged, accessible only through a narrow path.

Though Medicine King Valley had few disciples, its master, Xiao Guanxue, was a highly skilled doctor. His eccentric and aloof personality meant that most visitors seeking medical help dared not offend him.

The closer Xie Yu got to seeing Su Mo, the more his heart filled with joy and nervousness. He had left without saying goodbye; would she be angry with him?

Meanwhile, in the valley, Xiao Guanxue stared absently at a letter in his hand. Although he should be happy for his friend's safe return, he felt an inexplicable resistance and reluctance.

He didn’t want Xie Yu to appear so soon...

Why was that?

Xiao Guanxue couldn’t fathom the reason, his brows furrowed in slight agitation. He tossed the letter aside, just as a knock sounded at the door.

"Brother Xiao, how is your shoulder injury?"

Su Mo had been in a gloomy mood lately, unsure why. Ever since Xie Yu left without a word, she had stayed in Medicine King Valley with Xiao Guanxue, growing much closer to him over the past half a month.

It should have been a happy development, but she always felt an emptiness inside, as if something was missing.

Xiao Guanxue looked at her calmly, suppressing the subtle change in his emotions, and poured her a cup of tea, "It's nothing, just a minor injury. Did you need something from me?"

Su Mo hummed softly, her tone not fluctuating much, "Can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong?" She added, "I came to bring you medicine."

Xiao Guanxue noticed her displeasure and chuckled lightly, "Are you in a bad mood?"

Su Mo glanced at him sideways, denying, "Not at all, I’m in a very good mood. I'm just a bit worried about your injury."

She then remembered something, feeling somewhat resentful, and couldn’t help but grumble, "Whose fault is it, after all? It's all because of that Xie guy. We agreed to catch thieves together for the good of the martial world, but he left without a word. Does he think we can’t manage without him?"

Xiao Guanxue observed her frustrated expression and shook his head with a smile, "Are you so concerned about him?"

Su Mo’s expression froze for a moment, then she deliberately showed a look of disdain, placing the medicine on the table with a thud, "Why would I be concerned about him? Brother Xiao, don't get the wrong idea. It’s not like what you think... between him and me."

"It’s clearly his unfaithfulness and lack of loyalty that upset me. I just feel he didn’t regard us as friends, not that I’m thinking about him or anything!"

After saying this, she huffed and turned away, her expression awkward and slightly sullen, betraying a hint of saying one thing but meaning another.

To claim she wasn’t concerned at all would be false; after all, they had been together for so long, and feelings were bound to develop.

But that person took them too lightly, leaving without even a word. When he returned, she would definitely give him a piece of her mind.

Xiao Guanxue felt a slight bitterness in his heart, his gaze unintentionally falling on her slightly reddened cheeks from annoyance, clearly catching the tone of complaint in her voice.

And he didn’t know why?

Sometimes, he even envied the way Su Mo treated Xie Yu – so intimate and natural, with no distance between them. But her attitude towards him was different, always showing a subtle unfamiliarity and restraint, not as relaxed and familiar.

"Alright, don’t be angry. He had his reasons. I’ve already received the news..."

He hadn’t finished speaking when a sudden voice interrupted him.

"Who’s being accused of unfaithfulness and lack of loyalty?"

Xie Yu, in dark attire, his black hair fluttering in the wind, arrived hurriedly, his forehead slightly damp with sweat.

He raised his eyebrows, standing in the doorway, exuding the youthful vitality and liveliness characteristic of young men.

Upon seeing Su Mo, the longing in his heart surged like a tumultuous wave, easing his previously tense mood. He couldn’t help but tease her in a light-hearted manner.

"Didn't I leave you a letter? Talking behind my back doesn't suit the style of Lady Su, does it?"

Both of them were momentarily taken aback by his words.

Xiao Guanxue frowned slightly, but as he looked up, he inadvertently met a pair of gentle and clear eyes. The other person hadn't expected him to look over and returned a shallow smile.

Xiao Guanxue paused for a few seconds before shifting his gaze away indifferently.

His attention then turned to Xie Yu.

Sumo also realized who had spoken just then. She turned to the man standing at the door, disbelief clear on her face, "Xie Yu?"

Xie Yu chuckled, "Who else could it be but me?"

Sumo knew her expression must have been silly. Once she regained her composure, she became annoyed, "How dare you show your face, Xie Yu? Who cares if you come back? Leaving without a word was bad enough, but what's the meaning of suddenly showing up like this?"

Overcome with anger, she didn't notice the woman standing beside Xie Yu and began to pound on his chest in a flurry.

Her blows weren't heavy; it was more like playful banter between lovers, "Who do you think you are, expecting others to miss you? Why couldn't you speak face-to-face instead of sneaking away? What do you take us for?"

The two of them had always fooled around without much regard for gender boundaries. Xiao Guanxue wasn't surprised by this behavior, and Xie Yu stepped aside to avoid her playful punches.

Far from being annoyed, he actually seemed to enjoy it, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, which only irritated Su Mo even more, making her punches heavier.

"You still dare to dodge? Do you really think I won’t beat you to death?"

Nan Yan, witnessing the relentless scolding from the woman, immediately showed a worried expression. Her delicate brows furrowed, and she attempted to step forward to separate the two, "Stop it, he’s injured..."

Before she could finish speaking or intervene, she was unexpectedly pushed aside forcefully. Losing her balance, Nan Yan fell to the ground with a soft cry of pain, seemingly hurt.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was enough to halt the playful scuffle.

"Alright, stop it now."

The speaker was Xiao Guanxue.

However, his intervention wasn’t out of concern for Nan Yan on the ground, but rather because he found the tussling between Su Mo and Xie Yu particularly irksome.

Su Mo glared at him, “Who's making a fuss with him?”

It was only then that Xie Yu realized the force of their pushing had been excessive, accidentally causing Nan Yan's fall.

He quickly brushed aside Su Mo’s wrist and turned to help Nan Yan up, "Yan Yan, are you alright?" His tone was inevitably filled with concern.

Yan Yan?

Hearing this name, Su Mo's gaze shifted to the woman beside him.

Suddenly, she remembered. When she first met Xie Yu, he often mentioned his childhood sweetheart, saying she was not as gentle, elegant, or as beautiful as this other woman. Now it seemed, that woman's name was... Gu Nan Yan?

Was this the woman before her?

With just one glance, Su Mo felt an uncomfortable sensation in her heart. She had never seen Xie Yu be so considerate and caring towards any other woman, hence her words carried a tinge of resentment.

"Why are you so anxious? Besides, it was you who avoided me first. How can you blame me for this?"

She pushed him away sullenly and turned to leave, only to be unexpectedly caught by him.

"When did I blame you?"

Su Mo was extremely frustrated. She was already angry about Xie Yu leaving without a word and further annoyed by his attitude towards her, feeling that her previous concerns for him were unnecessary.

Little did she know that he was happily immersed in his romantic feelings, which had nothing to do with her.