Translator: CinderTL
Zuoqiu Hui carefully scrutinized Fang Qingge, her mind brimming with curiosity. His reputation had long preceded him, spreading far and wide across the land.
"My name is Zuoqiu Hui. It's an honor to meet Young Master Fang. This is my younger sister, Zuoqiu Xin, and this is..."
Zuoqiu Hui paused, pointing at Qin Manyang. Her mind raced: If I reveal she's from the demonic sect, will Fang Qingge strike her down without hesitation? And if Qin Manyang dies here, will Xu Sanyan hold our Zuoqiu Clan responsible?
Unwilling to gamble on Xu Sanyan's temperament, Zuoqiu Hui opted for caution, muttering vaguely, "This is a friend of mine."
Qin Manyang exhaled in relief, her fingers relaxing slightly as she cast Zuoqiu Hui a grateful glance.
Zuoqiu Xin pressed her lips together, silently lowering her head. She didn't understand why her Third Sister hadn't told the truth, but she chose to trust her.
"So you're the renowned Huai Lake Seven Heroes! I've heard so much about you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Fang Qingge's eyes lit up slightly. He had long been curious about the Zuoqiu Seven Sisters, whose beauty was legendary. Meeting them in person today did not disappoint.
Junior Sister Yu pouted, tugging at his sleeve with a sour tone, "Senior Brother, have you forgotten they're our opponents now?"
She knew her senior brother's old habit was resurfacing—he couldn't resist flirting with pretty girls.
Fang Qingge paused, realizing he had indeed forgotten. A moment of awkwardness followed.
If he were alone, he might have gracefully conceded to show his chivalry. He didn't care much for the so-called rewards. But with Wei Xunzhi and Junior Sister Yu beside him, he couldn't voice such a suggestion.
Zuoqiu Hui, aware they were no match for Fang Qingge, was about to concede when Fang Qingge suddenly smiled, "How about... we settle this with rock-paper-scissors?"
"Huh?!"
The five women on the field stared in bewildered silence, the arena falling into an instant hush.
Wei Xunzhi ventured cautiously, "Senior Brother Fang, isn't this... inappropriate?"
Zuoqiu Hui, well aware of their situation, waved her hands in refusal. "Thank you for your kind offer, Young Master Fang, but this is absolutely impossible. We three will take our leave now and wish you victory."
Fang Qingge smiled, opening his folding fan. "Then I won't stand on ceremony. After this matter is resolved, we should stay in touch, exchange insights on Daoist techniques, and discuss cultivation methods. What do you think, Immortal Maiden?"
Junior Sister Yu pursed her lips, inwardly scoffing, I bet you're not just interested in exchanging Daoist techniques, are you?
"We'll certainly come to call," Zuoqiu Hui said with a graceful bow, leading her sister back the way they came.
Fang Qingge's gaze followed the trio until they vanished completely. He sighed wistfully. So many beauties in the world, yet I can't gather them all under my roof.
"Hmph!" Junior Sister Yu huffed.
"Senior Brother Fang is truly a romantic..." Wei Xunzhi remarked, her tone ambiguous.
"Ahem..." Fang Qingge coughed, covering his mouth, and quickly changed the subject. "Come, let's see what treasures this level holds."
As Xu Sanyan stepped onto the seventh floor, his footsteps paused slightly. His gaze swept across the chamber, meeting the eyes of the four figures opposite him.
Two men and two women.
The women possessed delicate features and slender figures. One wore a plain, dark gray robe that concealed her completely, her hair neatly coiled behind her head and secured with a simple wooden hairpin, exuding both elegance and warmth. Her round face, free of makeup, perfectly matched Xu Sanyan's ideal of a virtuous wife and devoted mother.
No words were needed; a single word captured his current state of mind:
Like!
Xu Sanyan mentally acknowledged that this was the type he truly admired.
"I am Zuoqiu Shu," the woman said, offering a graceful bow. "Greetings, fellow Daoist."
So she's the Boss of the Huai Lake Seven Heroes. No wonder...
Xu Sanyan mused that the Zuoqiu Clan seemed to be playing a grand game. With seven distinct women, there was bound to be one to capture your heart.
A faint smile curved Xu Sanyan's lips. "I am Xu Sanyan," he replied. "Greetings, fellow Daoist."
"Xu Sanyan?! You're the one..." The other woman gasped, covering her mouth in shock and abruptly stepping back.
"Oh? You've heard of me?" Xu Sanyan's gaze shifted to her.
"N-no... no..." The woman shook her head vigorously.
Zuoqiu Shu reluctantly curled the corners of her lips. "Holy Son, please forgive me. This is my younger sister, Zuoqiu Zhen. My third and fourth sisters have already informed us about you. Thank you for taking care of us along the way."
No one mentioned the deceased Zuoqiu Shen.
Xu Sanyan shook his head and chuckled softly. "Heh, no need for thanks. We were simply traveling the same path."
Zuoqiu Shu nodded. "Then I'll take my leave now. I wish the Holy Son a resounding victory."
She wasn't oblivious to the situation. She could sense that the four before her were far stronger than her group, and as members of a demonic sect, they were ruthless and unrestrained. If anyone were to die here, it would be disastrous.
Noble clans differed from sects. Sect disciples were outsiders; even if they all perished, Xu Sanyan wouldn't care. But noble clan members were family, bound by blood. Losing even one would require a difficult explanation back home.
Moreover, their exploration of the secret realm had just begun, with vast areas yet to be explored. There was no need to risk a deadly confrontation here. A strategic retreat was the wisest course.
Xu Sanyan didn't press them further. His gaze swept over Zuoqiu Shu, his eyes lingering with predatory intensity. "Zuoqiu Shu, I'll remember you. I like you very much. I hope you don't die here."
Xiang Tan carefully observed the person opposite her and nodded silently. The woman was indeed likable; even as a woman herself, she felt a sense of goodwill toward Zuoqiu Shu.
"Uh..."
Zuoqiu Shu was taken aback by the directness of the demonic path. Are all of them this blunt?
"Then... thank you for your favor, Holy Son. I am unworthy of such kindness."
"Hmm. I hope to see you again. Now, go." Xu Sanyan waved his hand dismissively.
"Farewell."
Zuoqiu Shu led the three others back the way they had come, until they disappeared from sight.
Zuoqiu Zhen seemed particularly intrigued by Xu Sanyan, whispering, "Eldest sister, is that the holy son of the demonic sect? He doesn't seem as terrifying as the rumors suggest."
Zuoqiu Shu shook her head. "You only see the surface. In truth, they're all demon lords who kill without blinking an eye. Be extremely cautious if you ever encounter them again."
"Oh~"
Zuoqiu Zhen seemed unconvinced, her eyes darting mischievously. A sly grin crept across her face. "Hehe, Eldest sister, he said he likes you! Why don't you... just give in to him?"
"Nonsense! Since ancient times, good and evil have been irreconcilable. As the eldest daughter of the Zuoqiu Clan, how could I marry the holy son of the demonic path? What would become of our clan's honor?" Zuoqiu Shu lightly slapped her impudent younger sister.
"Tch, I think he's quite nice..." Zuoqiu Zhen muttered under her breath, barely audible.
Xu Sanyan stroked his chin, silently savoring the memory. He had already met four of the Zuoqiu Clan's seven sisters: the eldest, the third, the fourth, and the sixth. Without a doubt, he favored the eldest sister the most—she truly possessed a womanly charm.
"Senior Brother, if you're truly smitten, let's just kidnap her. The Zuoqiu Clan wouldn't dare retaliate. Besides, for Zuoqiu Shu to marry you would be quite the step up for her."
Xiang Tan always had Xu Sanyan's best interests at heart.
(End of the Chapter)
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