Chapter 1066:

The young girl Wang Sheng quickly closed the sword case and fell silent again after seeing her master’s gaze.

The master and disciple were none other than Xu Fengnian and Wang Sheng. It wasn’t exactly a coincidence—Xu Fengnian was indeed here to save someone. Not some beauty from the Xu family of Guanhai, but a boy who had changed his surname. In the early years of the Xiangfu era, this child, then around ten years old, should have been surnamed Sun. His grandfather was Sun Xiji, the Grand Preceptor of the fallen Western Chu.

At the end of Western Chu’s brief restoration, the great scholar Cao Changqing died outside Tai’an City, while the “Empress Jiang Shi” perished on the battlefield of Xileibi. Before them, Sun Xiji had died in the Western Chu capital’s court. The old man’s family was one of unwavering loyalty—every warrior in the family had died on the battlefield, and every scholar had faced death with dignity, choosing martyrdom.

Yet, only that young child vanished in the flames of the Sun residence. Back then, Emperor Zhao Zhuan of Liyang had no intention of pursuing the matter and ordered the Zhao Gou to drop the investigation. Later, the new emperor, Zhao Zhu, held the Sun family in high regard and hoped to secretly locate the last surviving descendant to win over the scholars of Guangling Dao. However, after digging deeper, they discovered the boy might be tied to a monumental secret, forcing the Zhao Gou and the Ministry of Justice to take the matter seriously.

Xu Fengnian only learned of this while drinking with an old spy from the Fushui Bureau who had settled in Jianzhou. Had it not been for the Xu family of Guanhai producing a beauty who drew too much attention, the Zhao Gou and the Ministry of Justice might have already uncovered clues. The boy could have grown up safely under the Xu name, carrying his secret to the grave.

Of course, Xu Fengnian didn’t understand why the Xu family had placed the boy beside Xu Baozao. Staying in the estate would have been the safest option—even Song Li and Marquis Gaoting wouldn’t dare to slaughter the Xu family openly. Did they think the old coachman and those martial heroes were enough to fend off Marquis Gaoting’s elite cavalry? Or were they afraid of being implicated for harboring a fugitive and decided to cast the boy out, leaving him to his fate?

Xu Fengnian didn’t care either way. His only concern was keeping the Sun boy alive. Otherwise, Marquis Gaoting, oblivious to the truth, would likely not spare this “insignificant” scholar from the Xu family.

But what to do after saving the boy? Xu Fengnian was at a loss. He couldn’t keep him around forever, so handing him over to someone trustworthy was a problem. Logically, sending him to Beiliang and Xie Xichui would be best, but the journey from the southeast to the northwest was daunting. Right now, Xu Fengnian dreaded trouble more than anything.

Spotting the anxious Liu Guanshan of the Great Sword Hall, Xu Fengnian’s mischievous side resurfaced. He glanced at the maid and the woman. “We both know the stakes. Since you’ve made your choice, follow me west. Don’t worry—I’ll ensure you’re settled somewhere safe.”

Liu Guanshan growled, “We don’t even know your name! How can we trust you? This is life and death—not a game!”

Xu Fengnian chuckled. “Didn’t I say it earlier? I share a surname with the lady here. Have you forgotten, Young Hero Liu?”

Then, for some reason, the man in green robes smiled warmly at the little girl sitting before Lü Situ. “Don’t be afraid, little one. Later, I’ll have this sister protect you.”

The girl blinked, confused.

Xu Fengnian turned to Wang Sheng. “Escort them to Wudi City, then meet me at Huishan… No, just go straight to Difu Mountain.”

Wang Sheng glanced at the dismounted maid, then back at her master, her expression complicated.

Xu Fengnian flicked her forehead, amused. “What nonsense are you thinking?”

Wang Sheng snorted, leaped onto a riderless chestnut horse, and coldly addressed the group. “Let’s go.”

Suddenly, Xu Fengnian slapped his forehead, as if struck by inspiration. “Wait! Let’s switch. You take the girl west—feel free to act as you see fit. That way, I can slack off and just escort them to the border of Jianzhou.”

Wang Sheng’s eyes lit up with delight.

But then, the maid walking toward Xu Fengnian shook her head. “I’m only going with you.”

Xu Fengnian patiently explained, “My disciple may be young, but she’s a true expert. She won’t abandon you.”

The plain-faced girl with slightly dark skin shook her head again. “But I’m not. I don’t want to die.”

Xu Fengnian paused, realizing for the first time that this girl wasn’t as naive as he’d assumed. She had seen right through him—he didn’t care about her survival. Wang Sheng taking her west was just a diversion. If Marquis Gaoting or even Song Li pursued them, Wang Sheng could escape unscathed, but the girl’s fate wouldn’t matter to him.

Xu Fengnian fell silent, and Wang Sheng didn’t press him.

Looking at the masked girl, Xu Fengnian sighed.

He thought of Murong Wuzhu and Murong Tonghuang, the siblings he’d first met in Jianzhou years ago, fleeing from the mad dog Yuan Tingshan to avoid becoming cauldrons for the old monster of Huishan…

Calmly, he said, “I’ll take you to Daxueping in Huishan.”

The girl replied firmly, “Deal.”

Xu Fengnian asked Wang Sheng, “Want a little case for the road?”

The young swordswoman shook her head. “You keep it, Master. Handy for tricking future wives…”

Xu Fengnian flicked his sleeve in mock outrage. “No respect!”

After hushed whispers between the maid and the woman, under the curious gazes of Lü Situ and the purple-skirted lady, and Liu Guanshan’s hidden resentment, the two groups parted ways.

Xu Fengnian led the girl to the extinguished campfire, sat cross-legged, and rekindled the flames. A long, flat cloth bag lay beside him.

The girl, holding two horses, looked down at him. “Aren’t we leaving?”

Xu Fengnian poked the fire, roasting the already golden-brown hare. “Let’s eat first.”

The girl’s eyes darkened, but she stayed silent.

Xu Fengnian tore off a leg and offered it to her. “Nearby towns are under curfew. We’ll camp here. I’m not hungry, but you should eat.”

After a pause, she sat beside him, keeping a distance, and took the fragrant hare leg. She nibbled delicately while Xu Fengnian ate slowly.

Once done, Xu Fengnian wiped his hands. “Why did you dare to follow me?”

She countered, “Did I have a choice?”

Xu Fengnian chuckled. “Too clever for your own good.”

Her expression shadowed as she wiped her lips, silent.

Xu Fengnian stood, slinging the bag over his shoulder. “Let’s go.”

She sprang up, heading for a horse—then froze, realizing she couldn’t ride.

Amused, Xu Fengnian approached and lightly touched her shoulder.

She recoiled, whipping out a dagger hidden in her sleeve, gripping it fiercely. Her eyes burned with defiance.

Xu Fengnian rolled his eyes. “I don’t care what’s under that mask. Frankly, I’ve no interest in seeing it. Need a mirror to check your current look?”

Her ears reddened, but she kept the dagger raised, her eyes full of scorn.

Before Xu Fengnian could react, Lü Situ lunged at him with his sword.

Wang Sheng watched from afar, making no move to stop him, merely rolling her eyes.

Lü Situ couldn’t strike again—his arm had gone numb.

Xu Fengnian glanced at him. “In the second year of Xiangfu, I crossed blades with your grandfather, Lü Dantian.”

With that, he grabbed the girl’s shoulder, and they vanished.

Lü Situ stood stunned, as if struck by lightning.

Miles away, on a narrow path, the girl bent over, retching.

Xu Fengnian handed her the dropped dagger. “Here.”

Trembling, she sheathed it, her wide eyes a mix of shock, confusion, and curiosity.

“Better?” he asked.

She nodded faintly.

At the next stop, she collapsed to the ground. When he asked again, she gritted her teeth and nodded.

By the third stop, she was on the verge of tears, shaking her head before he could speak.

Finally, they paused by a mountain stream. Xu Fengnian let her rest while he stood nearby.

She washed her face, lost in thought.

Xu Fengnian warned, “That mask isn’t top quality. Be careful when washing.”

She turned. “Can I ask who you are?”

He nodded. “Of course.”

She waited.

He grinned. “But I won’t tell.”

Speechless, she pondered, then said, “I’m Xu Baozao.”

Xu Fengnian smiled. “I’m also a Xu.”

For the first time, she smiled. “If I take off this mask, will you tell me?”

He countered, “If I strip, will you?”

She flushed, silent again.

Xu Fengnian plucked a blade of grass from a crevice, chewing it absently.

The girl studied his profile, her thoughts unreadable.