Chapter 47: Xu Xiao Yan
The bamboo raft stopped about half a zhang away.
Shi Hao said, “Can you come a little closer?”
The girl in the blue dress said, “It’s too muddy there. You’re a martial artist; just jump over.”
Shi Hao asked, “How did you know I’m a martial artist?”
The girl in the blue dress smiled, “This is the middle of nowhere, surrounded by wilderness. Although this river connects east and west, both banks are infested with wild animals and venomous snakes.
“If you weren’t a martial artist, sir, you would have been eaten by wild beasts by now.”
Shi Hao smiled, “That’s true.” He jumped onto the raft.
The raft dipped slightly under his weight.
The girl said, “Impressive lightness of foot, sir!”
Shi Hao said, “You flatter me. If I were truly skilled, the raft wouldn’t even move.”
The girl said, “Oh, I was just admiring your graceful demeanor and steady posture. You look quite dashing. I didn’t notice anything else.” She pushed off with her bamboo pole, and the raft glided downstream.
Shi Hao stood at the front, admiring the scenery. Steep cliffs lined the riverbanks, trees clinging precariously to their sides, monkeys leaping among the branches.
Shi Hao recited, “From both river banks, the monkeys’ cries incessantly rise, as my light raft glides past a thousand towering skies.”
The girl said admiringly, “You’re a poet as well, sir?”
Shi Hao said, “I’m just a scholar.”
The girl said, “You’re truly accomplished in both literature and martial arts.”
Shi Hao said, “You flatter me. Since you know I have some martial arts skills, aren’t you worried I might harm you?”
The girl laughed, “I’m just a simple village girl. I’m too plain to be kidnapped for my looks, and with my simple clothes and bamboo raft, there’s nothing to steal. I have nothing to worry about.”
Shi Hao turned to face her and smiled, “Although you’re dressed simply, you might not be a village girl. And you might not be as… plain as you claim.”
The girl pushed off with her bamboo pole, and the raft continued downstream. The wind blew through her hair, her two braids swaying gently.
The girl tilted her head, “If I’m not a village girl, then who am I?”
Shi Hao sighed, “You’re the female thief.”
The girl also sighed, “Oh dear, I kindly offered you a ride, and you accuse me of being a thief?”
Shi Hao looked at her and said, “I’m more curious about what you really look like.”
The girl smiled, “You look much better now than last night, not so menacing.”
Shi Hao said, “I’m more puzzled by how you knew to find me here than your actual appearance.”
The girl said, “Oh? I thought I had been careless and revealed some clue that led you to me.”
They stared at each other, trying to see through each other’s masks. After a moment, the same thought crossed their minds… Could this really just be a coincidence?
Shi Hao looked at the girl’s face and said, “No wonder you knew I was in disguise last night. You also possess such skills. But now that you’ve seen my true face, can I see yours?”
The girl smiled, “If you tell me your real name, I’ll show you my true face.”
Shi Hao said, “My name is Shi Hao, from Small Han Mountain City in West Shu. Through a series of fortunate encounters, I learned martial arts. After learning about the God-Sealing Experiment, to prevent the barbarian court from further threatening the martial world, I infiltrated a group of righteous martial artists to steal the God-Sealing Stones… Is that enough information for you, Miss?”
The girl said in surprise, “I didn’t think you would actually tell me… Is that all true?”
Shi Hao said, “I believe someone has to take the first step towards mutual trust. I’m willing to trust you, Miss. I wonder if you’re willing to trust me?”
The girl stared at him, then sighed softly, “I’m having second thoughts. Perhaps I shouldn’t have let you on board. I can’t tell if you’re incredibly sincere or incredibly cunning.”
“If I don’t tell you anything and don’t show you my true face… will you kill me to silence me?”
Shi Hao said softly, his voice low and menacing, like a whispering ghost, “Don’t worry… I… won’t…”
The girl shuddered, “Fine, fine, you’ve scared me!” She tossed the bamboo pole to Shi Hao and turned around.
Shi Hao caught the pole and watched as she rubbed her face and undid her hair, then turned back, shaking her long, dark locks.
She had an oval face, delicate features, and bright, expressive eyes. She was surprisingly beautiful.
Her hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes sparkled like stars.
The girl smiled gently, “My name is Xu Xiao Yan. As for my background, I can’t reveal too much. In short, I have connections to both the demonic and Daoist sects, but not the kind of ‘righteous’ Daoist sect that colludes with the barbarian court like the Chongxian Sect. I’m talking about the ‘unorthodox’ kind.”
Shi Hao thought, connections to both demonic and Daoist sects? That sounded strange… although, technically, he was the same.
He pushed off with the bamboo pole, turning the raft so that she was now at the front.
The raft continued downstream. Xu Xiao Yan smiled, “So you know how to pole a raft. Even better!”
She moved a small bamboo stool to the center of the raft, sat down with her back to Shi Hao, and began combing her hair.
Shi Hao, poling the raft, asked, “How did you learn the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique, Miss?”
Xu Xiao Yan said, “Oh? You also use the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique? I was wondering how someone from another sect could know it. But there are no men in the Moon Lotus Pavilion. How did you learn it?”
Shi Hao said, “Moon Lotus Pavilion? I’ve never heard of it.”
Xu Xiao Yan continued combing her hair without turning around, “But the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique is a secret of the Moon Lotus Pavilion. Even if you’re not from there, you must have some connection to them.”
Shi Hao said, “I’m definitely not from the Moon Lotus Pavilion. I only know of the Evil Lotus Sect.”
Xu Xiao Yan suddenly turned around and looked at him in surprise, “Evil Lotus Sect? You know about the Evil Lotus Sect?”
Shi Hao asked, “What’s wrong?”
Xu Xiao Yan said, “If you know about the Evil Lotus Sect, don’t you know that two hundred years ago, it split into three factions: the Black Lotus Realm, the Moon Lotus Pavilion, and the Mirror Flower Water Moon Pavilion? Even their Night Charm Demonic scriptures were divided among them.”
Shi Hao realized this must have happened after Su Mei was trapped in the Primordial Grotto Heaven. Su Mei wouldn’t know, so he naturally wouldn’t either.
He asked, “Are you from the Moon Lotus Pavilion?”
Xu Xiao Yan shook her head and smiled, “No, but I have some connections to them. I learned the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique from someone related to the Moon Lotus Pavilion.”
Her face, now that her disguise was gone, was quite lovely, her smile like a blossoming peach flower.
She turned back and continued combing her hair, “You must have used a Black Lotus Realm technique last night for that man from the Ghost Extreme Sect to mistake you for one of them.”
“But you said you’re not from the Black Lotus Realm. Yet you also know the Evil Shadow Disguise Technique, which is part of the Night Charm Demonic scriptures obtained by the Moon Lotus Pavilion.”
“You know techniques from two of the three Evil Lotus factions. I’m even more curious about you now. But I can’t reveal my own background in exchange. Although if you’re willing to tell me, I won’t refuse…”
Shi Hao said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you either.”
Xu Xiao Yan said softly, “I thought you might soften a little and reveal something. You’re really making me curious!”
Shi Hao said, “You’re also quite intriguing, Miss. Since you have connections to the Moon Lotus Pavilion, and I might have just instigated a conflict between demonic sects, potentially involving the Moon Lotus Pavilion, aren’t you worried?”
Xu Xiao Yan chuckled, “I told you, I’m not from a demonic sect. I just know someone who is, and she wants me to stay as far away from them as possible, although it’s too late now… Are you really not from a demonic sect?”
Shi Hao said, “I’m really not! Although I do practice some demonic techniques.”
Suddenly, shouts came from upstream, “Stop, thief!”
Shi Hao looked back and saw a dozen small boats rapidly approaching. A dozen or so burly men, armed with swords and staffs, stood on the boats, their demeanor aggressive. They shouted at Xu Xiao Yan’s back, “Thief…”
Xu Xiao Yan turned around, “Can I help you?”
The men saw the beautiful young woman sitting on the raft, combing her hair, her beauty taking them by surprise.
They exchanged glances, one of them whispering, “That doesn’t seem like… her.” The girl’s beauty softened his tone.
Another said, “Look at their raft. Isn’t that the one the female thief stole?”
They looked at the bamboo raft. After a moment, one of them muttered, “All bamboo rafts look the fucking same. How can we tell?”
One of the men pointed his sword at Shi Hao, “Have you seen a crooked-mouthed, ugly girl pass by on the river?”
Shi Hao pointed ahead, “I did see someone like that. She went that way. She’s very skilled, and her raft was incredibly fast. She’s long gone.”
The man shouted, “Men, after her! We have to avenge our brothers!”
The boats sped past them, continuing upstream.
Shi Hao continued poling the raft, and the girl resumed combing her hair.
Shi Hao asked, “You attacked their men?”
The girl said, “A dozen or so, I think.”
Shi Hao asked, “Why did you attack them?”
The girl said, “To steal this raft!”
Shi Hao was speechless, “You beat up a dozen men just to steal a bamboo raft?”
The girl smiled, “They called me ugly.”
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