Chapter Ten: I’ll Speak If I Win

He actually knows her, and even gave her flowers—how absurd. Chen Hongxu and Zhang Shufang retreated to Fan Caobao’s side, twisting their heads to examine the structure of the house, yet their eyes darted sidelong every second and their ears stood attentively, betraying their true interest.

Hearing Su Xiaoxiao’s questioning, the blind man outside, named Su Ning, leaned on his sword and slowly stood up. Though his appearance didn’t place him among the old, weak, or ill, neither his presence nor his manner hinted at mastery.

Su Ning straightened his back. Though his eyes could not see, he faced Su Xiaoxiao directly and spoke gently, “You were young then. I thought you might like flowers, so I went to great lengths and brought armfuls every day. Now that you’re grown, I imagine what you need is the sword in my hand, so I’ve come with it.”

“It’s always what you imagine. I never needed what you gave!” Su Xiaoxiao’s face was cold, her tone puzzled. “You knew I’d return? Wasn’t the lesson back then harsh enough? If not for me, your master wouldn’t have blinded you.”

“Bare feet, green dress, snake earrings—who else could it be but you? Of course, if it had been someone else who came, I would have killed them.” Su Ning smiled, the tenderness on his face undiminished. “My nation stationed eleven people in this temporary base. You killed six, I helped you kill four, so only I remain. They dared speak ill of you in front of me, so they deserved to die!

Years ago, my master said loving you meant I was blind. I agreed and destroyed my eyes, but then I realized loving you and being attracted to you are entirely different. Unless you dig out my heart, I’ll keep loving you.

If the heart is gone, a man dies. If I must die, I should die meaningfully. It’s ironic: my name follows yours, my life too, yet you remain indifferent. As your people say, perhaps I owed you in a past life—destiny…”

“Su Ning, you…” No matter how cold or calculating a woman, when faced with such a man, she cannot help but feel some guilt, even if she doesn’t fall for him. Su Xiaoxiao’s voice trembled as she gazed at Su Ning, “Why do you have to do this?”

…

Chen Hongxu, witnessing everything, mused silently, his gaze drifting to Fan Caobao. He felt deep sympathy for this fellow: not only was the woman he loved mad, but she had a rival willing to throw away his life—and that rival could easily defeat him. Ah, the path of love has always been fraught with hardship…

Su Xiaoxiao and Su Ning exchanged a few more words at the door, then Su Xiaoxiao led Su Ning inside, introducing him to the four people present.

Zhang Shufang’s face lit up with surprise as she looked at Su Ning. “Since you’ve never left here, you must have heard of someone named Binglong?”

“Binglong!” Su Ning paused, then nodded. “An eighth-grade expert, renowned everywhere. I’ve certainly heard of him.”

“Do you know where he is now?” Zhang Shufang’s joy spilled over; perhaps too excited, she reached out and grabbed Su Ning’s shoulder.

Su Ning lowered his eyelids and replied calmly, “I don’t know.”

“That’s impossible! From your reaction, you clearly know something. Why won’t you say?” Zhang Shufang shook him forcefully, then glared at Su Xiaoxiao. “Su Xiaoxiao, he listens to you—make him tell us!”

Su Xiaoxiao hesitated. She knew Zhang Shufang’s temperament; for her to lose composure like this, was there some secret between her and Binglong? But now was not the time for gossip. Facing Su Ning, she couldn’t bring herself to press him. Though he claimed to owe her, in truth, she always owed him. It was a tangled, difficult thing to ask.

Su Ning, though blind, perceived more than ever. He shrugged, stepping fluidly back, easily breaking free of Zhang Shufang’s grip.

“One, two, three, four, five! Fifth stage, sixth stage, ninth stage, ninth-grade and…” Su Ning’s words stopped halfway. He tightened his grip on the sword and pointed toward Chen Hongxu. “Interesting. If you truly want news of Binglong, defeat me and I’ll speak. Don’t expect to get information elsewhere—I’ll soon issue a gag order. In this place, my power is beyond your imagination.”

With that, Su Ning turned to leave, reluctantly, moving slowly.

“Why bother? I want you to tell us right here!” Zhang Shufang, her battle spirit aflame, exploded at Su Ning’s challenge. She knew he could pinpoint her level, so he was at least stronger than her. But so what?

Zhang Shufang’s eyes narrowed. She drew the peach talisman sword slung across her back. As its tip pointed forward, ripples spread, filling the house’s first floor with illusory peach blossoms—a beautiful scene.

“Taoist peach talisman, truly a magical weapon. Pity your skill is lacking, so you can only channel a little power. My sword is less famous, but it has a name: Cold Star.”

Facing away from Zhang Shufang’s attack, Su Ning walked forward without turning, swinging his sword in reverse. The peach blossom cores in the house gradually lit up, like stars in a night sky. As they sparkled, the illusion of peach blossoms scattered, fragmenting.

“With your strength, do what’s appropriate. Ninth-grade is nothing to boast about. Magical weapons require skillful wielders!” Su Ning turned and fixed his pale eyes on Su Xiaoxiao, speaking softly, “I know your temperament, and I won’t try to persuade you. But until you defeat me, you won’t get any information in this camp.”

He sighed and walked away, growing more distant. “I always hoped for your return. Now that you’re here, I suddenly wish you’d leave…”

Even after Su Ning had been gone a long while, everyone remained stunned. Su Xiaoxiao was the first to recover. She frowned at Zhang Shufang, “Are you hurt?”

Zhang Shufang pressed her lips together, her hand trembling around the peach talisman sword. Hearing Su Xiaoxiao’s question, she shook her head and turned to go upstairs. She knew she had lost, utterly defeated. Though she still had many tricks unused, it would have made no difference. His effortless counter not only broke her move, but shattered her confidence.

Fan Caobao snapped out of it, swallowed hard, and ran to Su Xiaoxiao’s side. “Sister Su, that guy’s so imposing—what level is he? He’s amazing at playing the underdog. Zhang Shufang looks like she’s suffered internal injuries.”

“Eight-grade seven years ago; now I can’t see through him at all,” Su Xiaoxiao answered, worriedly watching Chen Hongxu, who had yet to recover.

Sensing the odd glances, Chen Hongxu broke off his communication with the soldier-spirit and smiled at Fan Caobao and the others. “Something’s come up—I need to go out for a bit.”

“I’ll go with you?” Su Xiaoxiao’s brows knitted. What business could Chen Hongxu have here, a stranger to the place? Had Su Ning done something she didn’t know about?

“No need.” Chen Hongxu shook his head, stopping Su Xiaoxiao. He pushed off with one foot and dashed away, vanishing in the blink of an eye.