The news of Xiao Yufan’s awakening quickly spread throughout the Huangpu Clan. Yet, the person who had become the scapegoat in the eyes of the younger generation of the clan was now with the goddess they all longed for.
The bamboo house was quiet, and Xiao Yufan could even hear the faint, chaotic sound of wind outside. Facing the campus beauty of Huaqing University—the divine princess of the Huangpu Clan—Xiao Yufan found himself at a loss for words.
“I heard what your father said. Actually, I didn’t know about those decisions made by the elders and the great elders.”
Huangpu Xian’er gently combed through her loosely flowing hair with her jade-like hand. Her long lashes fluttered like stars twinkling in the night sky, and the smile on her lips carried an enchanting beauty that could stir one’s soul. Yet beneath that breathtaking smile, Xiao Yufan could sense the subtle anger hidden within this fair lady.
“But you can’t resist any of this either, can you?”
Xiao Yufan shook his head bitterly, without any intention of blaming Huangpu Xian’er. Even though she was a beauty beyond compare, at times, she was just a pitiful young woman herself.
“Much of the Huangpu Clan’s power lies in the hands of the elders. This time, I don’t know what methods the hidden Tan family used to sway them all to their side. It seems that what the hidden Tan family really wants isn’t just the women of our hidden Huangpu family.”
A cold glint flickered in Huangpu Xian’er’s eyes, her beautiful gaze now carrying a chill. It was true she didn’t want to strain relations with those old elders too much, but if they dared to go too far, she certainly wouldn’t tolerate it. She hated those who relied on seniority to dominate others more than anything.
Moreover, Huangpu Xian’er had a strong intuition that the hidden Tan family’s ambitions were far greater than just forming an alliance.
After all, since the revival of ancient martial arts, many hidden clans and forces had become restless. Previously, these hidden families rarely entered the outside world, mainly out of fear of causing major disturbances. After all, the sudden appearance of many powerful individuals would certainly cause widespread panic.
But now, things were different. Many people already knew about the existence of these hidden clans and inner-energy experts, so entering the outside world had become much easier, and the ambitions of certain individuals were soon to be exposed.
“I guess I don’t really have any reason to refuse the temptation of a beautiful woman, even though what I’m about to do is full of danger!”
“Who’s tempting you!”
Upon hearing Xiao Yufan’s words, Huangpu Xian’er smiled charmingly, her lips curling into a beautiful arc, both coquettish and teasing—adorably enchanting.
“Didn’t your father say that if I could walk out from the Cold Water Gully, I would gain the recognition of those old elders. Then wouldn’t you become truly mine?”
Xiao Yufan laughed, seemingly unconcerned about the so-called trial. But in reality, it was all just an act. He still harbored some fear toward the Huangpu Clan’s forbidden area.
“If you can do it, what’s stopping me from becoming your woman?”
He had expected Huangpu Xian’er to scold him, but after a brief pause, she finally responded—only her reaction was completely different from what he had imagined. It seemed it wasn’t him teasing her, but rather her teasing him instead.
Once again, he was left speechless. Her words, “what’s stopping me from becoming your woman,” directly touched the softest part of his heart. If a woman wasn’t afraid, then what reason did he have to be afraid?
Could he really become a paragon of virtue like Liu Xi Hui? Xiao Yufan knew he wasn’t that noble. Moreover, he could vaguely sense some unknown affection from Huangpu Xian’er toward him. Even if it was just because he had touched her body, he still felt the need to take responsibility.
“I will definitely try my best. No matter how perilous the Cold Water Gully is, I will go through it!”
A surge of bold determination rose in his heart. Without this woman, he might have already perished at the hands of that old villain from the hidden Guo family. The kindness she had shown him could truly be considered life-saving.
“I believe in you!” Huangpu Xian’er nodded gently, a hint of shyness appearing on her face. Once a woman from the Huangpu Clan had chosen a man, it was for life. From the moment she decided to let Xiao Yufan touch her body, their fate had already been intertwined.
This promise intoxicated her entire heart. If at first she had truly intended to use him, now she had instead fallen into the trap she had set herself.
However, Huangpu Xian’er had no regrets. This man was far more outstanding than she had imagined. His only flaw seemed to be his tendency to be a bit of a womanizer. But the fact that he could keep so many excellent women by his side was enough to show his charm.
If the members of the Huangpu Clan knew what Huangpu Xian’er was thinking at this moment, they would probably faint on the spot. A woman’s thoughts were indeed hard to fathom. No wonder people often said that once a woman falls in love, her intelligence quickly drops to zero.
“Tell me more about the Cold Water Gully. I need to understand it thoroughly to pass through it. Otherwise, if I die there, your Xiao Yufan will leave you a widow!”
Trying to ease the awkward atmosphere, Xiao Yufan finally spoke up. His knowledge of the Cold Water Gully was still insufficient, and what little he knew wouldn’t be enough to face the upcoming trial. He needed to know more.
“Nonsense!” Huangpu Xian’er scolded gently, almost as if in reproach. She disliked Xiao Yufan speaking like this—it was too ominous. Moreover, entering the Cold Water Gully wasn’t as dangerous as her father described.
However, one thing Huangpu Xian’er was very clear about was that if Xiao Yufan perished in the Cold Water Gully, she would definitely be forced into another marriage. The only thing she could do then would be to marry a corpse…
Then, Huangpu Xian’er proceeded to tell Xiao Yufan everything she knew about the Cold Water Gully without holding anything back.
The Cold Water Gully had existed since the founding of the Huangpu Clan. It was called the forbidden zone of the Huangpu family because many who had entered before never returned. Over time, it became a forbidden place.
However, those who had managed to exit the Cold Water Gully eventually achieved great success. Rumor had it that they had obtained the Huangpu Clan’s inheritance, though no one had ever confirmed it.
But since the last person entered the Cold Water Gully, nearly a hundred years had passed. Only the most dangerous criminals were cast into this place, and whoever emerged from it would have all their past sins forgiven by the Huangpu Clan.
In short, to many people, the Cold Water Gully was a mysterious place—full of danger, yet also filled with things that sparked curiosity. According to the records of the Huangpu Clan, there seemed to truly be the clan’s inheritance hidden within the Cold Water Gully…
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