C23 – Hu Gewan
“Haha, this kid’s quite the little Casanova—nearly drowned, and the first thing he does upon waking is to gaze at our sister like he’s spellbound.”
A playful, coquettish voice snapped Liu Xingchang back to reality.
Scrambling to his feet, Liu Xingchang took in his surroundings. He found himself in an ancient forest, encircled by six individuals—three men and three women. The closest to him was the woman currently administering medical aid, the same wild beauty who had captivated him at first sight.
The source of the teasing was a tall woman standing behind the young healer. She was clad in a sheer dress that boldly showcased her long, ivory legs. Her waist was as slender as a serpent, and her face bloomed with the delicate beauty of a flower, her skin so fine it seemed a gentle puff could mar it. Each smile and pout radiated an endless allure.
The third female was more of a girl, younger and exuding a fresh, vivacious charm. Her cheeks were the color of new lychee, yet her expression carried a deep-seated grudge.
“We’re currently being hunted by the Liu Family. I can’t fathom why you’d bother rescuing such a liability from the river. The Second Elder is wounded. If the Liu Family catches up, what will we do? I’m still young, unmarried—I don’t want to die because of him!”
The girl glared at Liu Xingchang with disdain as she vented her frustration.
The healer rose to her feet, saying, “Our father always taught us to live with our heads held high and our consciences clear. Since he wasn’t claimed by the river, and fate had us cross paths, we had to help him. Otherwise, we’d be troubled by guilt.”
Among the men, one was a dashing youth in ornate clothing leaning against a tree, another a black-robed elder seated cross-legged on a boulder, and the last a rugged man wielding a hefty sword.
The rugged man, dressed in a sturdy green tunic, spoke gruffly, “Miss, now that this fellow is awake, let’s leave him here and make our escape! We’re at least ten miles from Cloud Ascending City, and the Liu Family will be upon us shortly!”
The elder in black slowly opened his eyes and addressed the group, “Miss, my energy has returned to balance; we can proceed.”
Wan Mei immediately nodded, swiftly picking up her sword from the ground, and declared in a composed manner, “The Second Elder’s condition has stabilized. We mustn’t delay; let’s set out at once!”
Through their exchange, Liu Xingchang had managed to piece together his situation. He realized that after being knocked unconscious by a rock in the cave, he must have been swept into the Great Goose River along with the collapsing mountain. Miraculously, he hadn’t drowned. Instead, he was carried by the current to the forest’s edge, where this group of travelers had found and rescued him.
Grateful for the life-saving favor, Liu Xingchang quickly bowed in thanks to the girl, “My name is Liu Xingchang. I am deeply indebted to you all for saving my life!”
Wan Mei dismissed the gesture with a wave of her hand, “It was a simple act of assistance, hardly worth mentioning. Now that you’re awake, you should continue on your own. We must be on our way.”
The young man shrugged. “Yes, my older sister, Hu Gewan, and my second sister, Hu Geqing. I’m the third sibling in our family.”
Understanding dawned on Liu Xingchang, and he chuckled. “And why would you think I’m trying to woo her?”
The young man lifted an eyebrow knowingly. “Come on, we’re all men here. I know full well the allure my sister holds. No need for excuses. Your desperate attempts to stick with us, that’s a trick I’ve seen before. And who knows, maybe you’ll stage some melodramatic scene on the road ahead... I’ve met all the noblemen’s sons in Cloud Ascending City, and I’ve never come across anyone like you. Clearly, you’re not from a life of wealth. You don’t even carry a weapon, and I doubt you’re a Cultivator. Chasing after my sister? You don’t stand a chance.”
Liu Xingchang expressed his amusement, “Oh? At such a young age, you seem to be quite the veteran in matters of the heart.”
The young man thumped his chest with pride and boasted, “Absolutely, there isn’t a girl in Cloud Ascending City that I can’t win over!”
Liu Xingchang chuckled and asked, “So, if you weren’t Hu Gewan’s brother, how sure would you be of winning her over?”
Caught off guard, the youth admitted sheepishly, “Fifty... maybe sixty percent sure.”
“I don’t buy it,” Liu Xingchang laughed.
The youth retorted indignantly, “You don’t believe me? Just wait until we reach Cloud Ascending City, and I’ll show you, Linghu Sanlang’s allure! You’ll see how those girls on the streets throw admiring glances my way!”
Liu Xingchang found great amusement in provoking the youth and was about to continue when he suddenly tensed, his pupils narrowing and his ears perking up, “It seems we won’t be able to make it to Cloud Ascending City just yet.”
As the youth was about to question “Why,” a series of strong gusts and the swift movement of shadows emerged from the deep forest.
Simultaneously, a mocking laugh echoed through the trees.
“Hu Gewan, I’ve said it before, none of you will get away!”
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