Chapter 8, The Haunted House

The young girl Xu Jinyi seemed to have heard nothing ambiguous: "Indeed, my Fifth Brother is a well-known young genius in the martial world."

Shi Xuan's expression turned serious as he said, "My master has passed away for nearly a year."

Among these five individuals, the most striking is a tall young lady, around seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in a lotus-colored dress. She has phoenix-like eyes and a delicate nose, possessing extraordinary beauty. The other young woman, resembling a red chili pepper, is comparatively petite, with large eyes, a pointed nose, and a small mouth, appearing to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, exuding an exceptional liveliness. The remaining three men stand slightly farther away, with the young man in a scholar's robe at the center. Aside from having a slightly pale complexion, he appears much more handsome than Xu Tianqi. The two men behind him are robust middle-aged figures, exuding a fierce presence.

"Oh, I wonder which elder it is. After I returned, I made sure to pay my respects one by one. Which elder is your master?" The elegantly dressed young woman displayed a spirit of relentless inquiry. This question seemed to pique Meng Yuqiong's interest as well. The keen senses brought about by Shi Xuan's formidable spiritual cultivation detected that Meng Yuqiong had subtly shifted her attention. It should be noted that after hearing that Shi Xuan was merely Xu Tianqi's junior disciple, she had not paid much attention to him.

As the sky had not yet turned completely dark, upon entering the main gate, one could observe that the entire residence exuded a sense of grandeur, devoid of any eerie atmosphere. It was not until approaching the central hall that Shi Xuan keenly sensed a hint of something sinister.

In the afternoon, Shi Xuan had completed his preparations, placing the talismans in his bosom and the hidden pockets of his sleeves. He had prepared several sheets of some talismans, while others that were less likely to be used were prepared with only one sheet each, organized and categorized to ensure they could be accessed immediately. At this moment, he reflected briefly to check if anything had been overlooked, then nodded and left with Xu Tianqi and Mu Jin.

Shi Xuan then entered with Mu Jin, the tall and often overlooked boy who was quiet and reserved, like a heavy book.

Xu Jinyi, upon seeing this, stuck out her tongue and said: "I’m sorry, Brother Shi. By the way, I wonder what level you have reached in your martial arts practice, and how do you compare with Third Brother?"

The girl in the lotus-colored dress insisted on speaking to the girl in the red dress, not willing to let it go. She hurriedly pulled her back and answered first: "It is still Xu Shixiong who is considerate; it is we two who are too curious." After saying this, she smiled apologetically.

"Oh, Xu Tianqi, how could you not invite me and Sister Yuqiong to such an interesting event?" The girl in red exclaimed as soon as Xu Tianqi walked in.

Meng Yuqiong noticed that Shi Xuan and Mu Jin did not respond, and fearing that Xu Tianqi might feel awkward, she quickly tried to ease the situation, smiling as she said: "Since everyone is here, why don't we go in? Speaking of which, I have never seen any ghosts or monsters before; I wonder if I will get my wish this time."

Xu Tianqi suddenly realized he had not yet made the introductions and hurriedly said: "This is my sect's elder's closed-door disciple, Brother Shi Xuan. This is my father's fifth disciple, Brother Mu Jin, who is my companion today"

Alright, Seventh Sister, no need to say more. Shidi Shi, this is Miss Meng Yuqiong, the most outstanding disciple of the current generation from Yuhua Sect. This is our Seventh Sister Xu Jinyi from the Xu family's fourth branch. However, this branch moved to Luojing over thirty years ago and rarely returns, which is why you haven't met before

Upon seeing Xu Tianqi, the young woman in red frowned and said to the scholar-like figure: "Xia Wenhui, do you have no shame? We, the younger generation, are betting among ourselves, and you bring your family's elder expert into this! My fifth brother is very respectful of the rules"

"Shishi, this is Mu Jin, my father's fifth disciple, and my closest friend."

Of course, Shi Xuan was very accommodating: "Sister Jin, you are truly impressive, not inferior to your elder brother from five years ago." Xu Jinyi was quite happy and began to chat with Shi Xuan. The young girl was quite candid; during the time she spent in the main hall after entering the residence, she even mentioned her admiration for one of the Four Young Masters of the martial world, the White-clad Young Master Liu Suiyun. She spoke of how Liu, at such a young age, had already achieved great success in his cultivation and was the most likely candidate to enter the realm of Subtlety in the future (the realm corresponding to the out-of-body state in martial arts is Subtlety, which, according to Xu Laodao, is a method of expanding the soul to the out-of-body state without actually leaving the body, manifesting in the physical senses). The young girl, being so straightforward, also expressed her admiration for Liu Suiyun, noting that he was not only handsome but also exceptionally talented. How could those wise elders of the martial world not include him among the five great masters of the world? They truly lack vision.

After saying this, Shi Xuan felt that Meng Yuqiong's gaze, which had slightly fallen upon him, was withdrawn.

Shi Xuan smiled and said, "Senior Brother Xu, I can only do what I am capable of." Xu Tianqi took a step back to look at Shi Xuan, and perhaps Shi Xuan's calm demeanor gave him confidence, as he smiled and said, "Since that's the case, let's set off."

"Miss Jin Yi, you must not speak carelessly in front of Miss Yu Qiong. I am not sure when this rule was established, but when I was betting with Brother Tian Qi, I never said that we could not invite the elders to preside over the matter" said Xia Wenhui with great pride

Shixuan could only use the excuse prepared by the Xu family, saying: "My master is an elder who lives in seclusion and enjoys tranquility, residing in a small alley on the west side of the city, and of course, I also live there."

"Junior Brother Mu, this is Junior Brother Shi Xuan, a direct disciple of an elder who has secluded himself from the Xu family. Regarding the matters of the venerable Xu Lao Dao, the Xu family only refers to him as a reclusive elder, except for the core members within the clan. Shi Xuan also indicated to Xu Tianqi that he could simply be addressed by his alias, Shi Xuan. Although Xu Tianqi was puzzled, he complied with the request.

For so long, Shi Xuan has practiced the Divine Observation Method, and such a level of killing intent has no effect on him at all. Shi Xuan smiled and shook his head, choosing to ignore it. He initially intended to glare back and use a bit of minor magic to let these two fierce individuals suffer a little, but their appearance was simply not to Shi Xuan's taste. He thought it would be better to admire the beautiful and elegant Yu Qiong instead. Of course, Shi Xuan was not a lifelong bachelor; his current focus was on cultivation, and as for beautiful women, they were just for the eyes.

In front, Xu Tianqi and Meng Yuqiong were conversing, while the young girl Xu Jinyi tactfully took a half step back, curiously observing Shi Xuan: "I say, Senior Brother Shi, during this period, I have been wandering around the clan every day, yet I haven't seen you. I have encountered Senior Brother Mu Jin several times."

Shi Xuan thought for a moment and smiled as he said to Xu Tianqi: "I have my own ways to ensure that you have great prestige in front of your sister Yuqiong." Then Xu Tianqi took a quick step forward and entered the main hall alongside Meng Yuqiong and Xu Jinyi.

At that moment, three men in the distance happened to walk over. Upon hearing Xu Tianqi's introduction, one of them, a pale-faced scholar, laughed heartily and said: "Tianqi, my dear brother, is this the 'expert' you invited? Truly, heroes emerge from the youth. Come, let me introduce you. This is my Uncle Jiancong, and this is Uncle Daofeng. They are both renowned figures in the martial world. Everyone, please engage in more exchanges. Hahaha"

Xu Tianqi approached Shi Xuan and whispered, "Junior Brother Shi, is everything alright?"

On the agreed day at dusk, Xu Tianqi arrived at Shixuan's small courtyard with another junior disciple, Mu Jin, their expressions a mix of concern and excitement

The beautiful woman has spoken, and of course, Xu Tianqi and Xia Wenhui have no objections. Xu Jinyi will definitely walk alongside her fifth brother. Meng Yuqiong will also want to be with her close friends, so Xia Wenhui has no choice but to lead his two elders and enter first.

Shi Xuan was also idly chatting, smiling as he spoke to the young girl: "I wonder what level of martial arts you have reached, Sister Jin Yi?" Xu Jin Yi, feeling a bit taken aback by Shi Xuan's familiarity after just a short while, shot him a disdainful glance. However, the question struck a chord with her, and she happily replied, "I have recently managed to break through to the Qi Nourishing stage." She looked quite proud, her face full of expressions that seemed to say, 'Praise me, admire me.'

Along the way, Shi Xuan and Xu Tianqi casually chatted about trivial matters, while Mu Jin spoke very little and appeared rather dull. Perhaps it was for this reason that Xu Tianqi decided to bring him along.

Brother Tianqi, those two were truly the dual killers of swords and blades on the Ganlong Road back in the day

Xu Tianqi certainly speaks without reservation: "Yes, a few years ago, I heard my father mention that the dual-wielding swordsman inadvertently offended Qu Hanshui, one of the Eight Kings of Power and Wealth, and was pursued like a stray dog to Yangzhou. Later, he sought refuge under the Xia family and, with the support of the Xiyu Building, was able to escape this life-threatening disaster"

Xu Tianqi's expression turned pale upon hearing the introduction, and after a long pause, he said: "So it is the senior who was known for the dual killings with sword and knife on the Ganlong Road back in the day. I, as a junior, have suffered defeat."

Shi Xuan cupped his hands in greeting to the two girls and was about to speak when Xia Wenhui interjected, "Oh, Tian Qixian, why don't you introduce me to these two young 'heroes'? Do you think my martial arts are insufficient to be worthy of them?" The two fierce middle-aged men behind him glared at Shi Xuan, who felt a wave of murderous intent approaching, as if he had killed at least a hundred people to generate such a thick aura of hostility

Because this statement was vague, it instead drew Meng Yuqiong's attention. Shi Xuan's keen senses detected that Meng Yuqiong's gaze was subtly directed back at her.

"Hehe, Brother Mu, you are being overly courteous," Shi Xuan replied with a cupped fist salute

As they approached the main hall, Xu Tianqi quietly took a half step back and whispered to Shi Xuan: "The dual killers are notorious thugs from the Ganlong Road, merciless in their killings, with more than a hundred murder cases on their backs. I remember our ancestor mentioning that those with such heavy malevolence are even avoided by ghosts."

At this moment, the other party also noticed this side. Among them, a girl in a red outfit, as red as a chili pepper, jumped up and waved at Xu Tianqi. Seeing that he could not avoid it, Xu Tianqi could only gesture to Shi Xuan and then walked over.

Hello, Senior Brother Shi. Mu Jin is tall and strong, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, giving off an impression of being honest and trustworthy

Shi Xuan thought to himself that this was indeed difficult to compare. To be honest, if it were purely about martial arts skills, "in terms of fist and foot techniques, Senior Brother Xu is definitely more formidable." As for the issue of realms, he chose to selectively ignore it.

Upon arriving near the haunted house, five people could be seen standing outside from a distance—three men and two women. Xu Tianqi's expression changed, and he halted his steps: "Damn it, why is Yuqiong also here"

Shi Xuan watched the girl beside him, feeling a bit dazzled by her smile. Xu Tianqi was even more so: "Sister Yuqiong, why do you still call me 'Shixiong'? We've known each other for so long; just call me Tianqi. Had I known you were curious about this, I would have brought you here much earlier." As he spoke, he leaned closer, looking as if he had never seen a woman before.

Xu Tianqi hurriedly clasped his hands in apology: "Seventh Sister, it is my fault. I was worried that the ghosts and monsters would not be liked by you girls."

Yu Qiong noticed Xu Tianqi approaching and slightly frowned. Looking around, she saw Shi Xuan and Mu Jin standing nearby, so she said to Xu Tianqi: "Brother Tianqi, may I ask who these two are?"