Chapter 127 Sister and Brother
Chen Xingcai's whole body stiffened, her pupils suddenly contracting.
That form of address...
She stared fixedly at the other's face, trying to pull some clue from memory. The young man seemed to enjoy her reaction, the malice in his eyes nearly overflowing.
As her cultivation advanced, Chen Xingcai's sea of consciousness grew ever clearer. Those long-buried fragments of memory surfaced bit by bit, like reefs revealed as the tide receded.
She recalled that cold, desolate courtyard of the Hong family, and those ruthless, icy eyes.
In the stillness of the night, she had once stared at the candle flame, wondering if she should hate, if she should seek revenge for what had happened.
But soon she shook her head, crushing the thought in its budding stage.
No, I should thank them.
Yes, thank them. If not for the Hong family's cruelty in abandoning her, how would she have met the father who cherished her? How would she have encountered the master who was stern outwardly yet soft at heart? How would she have found her protective, mischievous senior brothers and sisters?
She touched the crimson silk ribbon at her waist—her third senior sister's birthday gift from three years ago. Then she felt the jade hairpin in her hair—her second senior brother had risked injury to bring it back from a secret realm especially for her.
The way she lived now, she was happier than anyone.
So she chose to bury those nightmarish memories, along with the surname "Hong," deep in the dust of her mind. She only wanted to be the current Chen Xingcai, the little junior sister who loved to laugh and play, and whom everyone doted on.
—As long as those nightmares did not come seeking her.
At that moment, as the tense air lingered, Chen Xingcai's eyes suddenly brightened. A radiant smile blossomed on her face as she waved energetically toward the street corner. "Second senior brother!"
That cheerful voice seemed to drive away the gloom around them, even the sunlight appeared brighter.
At the corner, Han Yu in his plain green robe turned his head at the call.
His features were ordinary and his attire simple, making him inconspicuous in the crowd.
But when he saw Chen Xingcai, those calm eyes instantly brimmed with joy, his entire being radiating a restrained brilliance.
"Little junior sister." Han Yu strode quickly over, his voice warm like spring wind through willow branches.
Chen Xingcai keenly sensed that her second senior brother's aura was more refined and profound than when they last met. The flow of true essence around him carried a faint heaviness. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Second senior brother, did you have another fortuitous encounter?"
Han Yu chuckled as he rubbed the top of her head, his movements practiced and doting. "Yes, I stumbled upon the cave abode of an ancient cultivator on my way back and gained some unexpected rewards." He paused, lowered his voice, and said, "I brought you a gift."
"Really? What is it, what is it?" Chen Xingcai instantly forgot her earlier unease, circling around him like a lively sparrow. The crimson ribbon in her hair traced graceful arcs in the air.
Han Yu took out an exquisite wooden box from his sleeve, just about to speak, when Chen Xingcai already leaned in eagerly, her nose nearly touching the box.
He couldn't help laughing. "Don't rush, wait until we get back to open it."
The two siblings conversed as if no one else were present. Han Yu recounted his experiences from the journey, while Chen Xingcai responded with exclamations of wonder and bursts of laughter. Sunlight poured over them, sketching a warm, harmonious scene.
Yet the young man standing nearby grew darker in expression.
His gaze locked onto Han Yu's hand that had touched Chen Xingcai's head, eyes swirling with twisted jealousy.
His slender fingers clenched involuntarily, nails digging deep into his palms until blood seeped out, unnoticed.
A fierce sense of possessiveness burned within his chest—
The marketplace remained bustling, streams of people passing endlessly.
No one noticed the black mist gradually spreading around the young man, nor the crimson light surfacing in his eyes.
After a moment, a cold gleam flashed in his gaze as he prepared to strike, but Han Yu had already stepped silently in front of Chen Xingcai. The gentle smile on his face had vanished, replaced by a chilling calm.
"I am Hong Xianglong, direct son of the Hong family," the young man said coldly. His eyes bypassed Han Yu and locked straight onto Chen Xingcai. "I came to find my elder sister, Hong Yuechan." The corner of his mouth twisted into a smile. "Sister, how long do you intend to keep hiding from me?"
Chen Xingcai peeked out from behind Han Yu, her eyes cold. "There is no Hong Yuechan here, and I am not your sister," she enunciated word by word. "Words can be spoken carelessly, but kinship cannot be falsely claimed."
Han Yu spoke lightly. "Did you hear? The person you seek is not here." His voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable pressure. "Leave."
Hong Xianglong's eyes narrowed dangerously, his aura suddenly turning sharp. "It seems you do not know what the Hong family represents?"
Before his words faded, a powerful pressure erupted, sweeping outward like an invisible storm. Mortals on the street fled in panic, stalls overturned, goods scattering everywhere. Yet Han Yu stood unmoved, not even the hem of his robe lifting.
"It seems you refuse the toast only to drink the forfeit," Han Yu said, his tone still even, though a cold light flickered in his eyes.
At that tense instant, a squad of city guards in uniform armor rushed over. Their captain shouted sternly, "Stop! Fighting is forbidden in Immortal Spirit City!"
Hong Xianglong sneered, his gaze sweeping the guards with disdain. "A few mere cultivators of the Profound Connection Realm dare interfere in Hong family matters?"
The captain showed no fear, his voice steady. "In Immortal Spirit City, you must abide by Immortal Spirit City's rules!" At his command, the guards instantly formed a battle formation, their spears glowing faintly with runes, clearly no ordinary weapons.
The atmosphere froze. Hong Xianglong's expression shifted uncertainly.
Though arrogant, he was not a fool. His own background was deep, but his current cultivation was only at the late stage of the Return to Origin Realm. To face a top-tier power alone was beyond his ability.
Especially his protector—
He knew him all too well. Bound by family ties and that woman, he appeared to be his protector, yet secretly wished for his death at any moment.
To rely on him?
Other people's protectors feared arriving too late to save them, but his… his would likely wait until he was beaten half to death before intervening, secretly rejoicing at the sight and thanking the attacker for striking so well.
While he hesitated, Han Yu spoke. "Captain, this man is disturbing the peace and attempting harm. Please enforce justice."
The captain nodded, his gaze sharp on Hong Xianglong. "Restrain your aura immediately, or do not blame us for being rude!"
Hong Xianglong ground his teeth, then finally gave a cold snort and withdrew his pressure.
He cast Chen Xingcai a deep, sinister look. "Sister, we will meet again."
With that, he turned and left, his figure soon vanishing around the street corner.
Chen Xingcai let out a breath of relief, though worry still lingered in her brows.
Han Yu patted her shoulder gently. "It's fine now. With your senior brother here, even if the Hong family has a Saint behind them, don't we still have our master?"
Only then did Chen Xingcai nod.
The captain stepped forward, cupping his hands toward them. "Second young master, little miss, I arrived late and caused you alarm."
Han Yu smiled and nodded, then instructed, "Pass down the order. Place that man on the Immortal Spirit City's unwelcome list and drive him out."
"Yes, sir!"
…
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