Chapter 95: Masterful Manipulation
Many things only become clear in hindsight.
Now, recalling Nan Xiaoxiang’s shocked expression when he had dragged her to eat stinky tofu earlier that day, Chen Yin finally understood what it meant.
“So I was actually quite lucky, huh?”
Nan Xiaoxiang smiled gracefully in response to his self-deprecating remark. “Fortune favors the bold. Young Master Chen, as a cultivator, embraces the unique cuisine of mortals. It seems that saved you from misfortune.”
“So you’re saying…”
Chen Yin’s expression turned serious. “If I hadn’t eaten it, I would be lying unconscious like them right now?”
“There’s no need to worry, Young Master Chen.”
Nan Xiaoxiang said calmly, her red lips parting slightly. “It’s just a temporary sleep. It wouldn’t harm you.”
“Why did you knock them out if you weren’t planning to rob or kill them?” Chen Yin was curious.
Nan Xiaoxiang didn’t answer. Her clear eyes flickered, a hint of sadness in them.
“…What else could I do?”
“Other cultivators who came here for treatment warned me about Young Master Ju. He’s known for his fickle nature and his callous treatment of women, using them and then discarding them. But they didn’t dare to speak up for me, fearing the power of the Canghe Sword Sect.”
“Was I supposed to just… submit to him?”
Chen Yin remained silent.
“How can a mortal fight against a cultivator? I had to use every means at my disposal to protect myself.” Her gaze was as dull as dust.
“What are you planning to do?”
“It’s best if you don’t know, Young Master Chen.”
She looked at him and said, “Otherwise, if the Canghe Sword Sect comes looking for trouble, you might get dragged into this mess.”
Chen Yin pondered for a moment, then sighed. “So I went through all this trouble to lure him out, only to have you reap the benefits?”
“It’s not like you’ve lost anything, Young Master Chen.”
Nan Xiaoxiang said nonchalantly, “Why don’t you just consider this a favor to me, in return for treating your friends?”
“That sounds tempting…”
“But unfortunately,” Chen Yin shrugged, “I need this guy. I can’t give him to you.”
“If you really want to repay me for treating your friends, you can buy me a few more bowls of stinky tofu some other time.”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s brows furrowed. “Is there no room for negotiation?”
“Of course there is.”
Chen Yin smiled mischievously. “We both need Ju Shaohé. Why don’t we cooperate?”
“…Tell me more.”
“Alright, but since we’re going to cooperate, first…”
The moonlight glinted off the blade of his sword.
The breeze ruffled Nan Xiaoxiang’s hair, revealing her delicate collarbone.
A translucent, crystal-clear sword hovered before her throat.
“Don’t let those bugs touch me.”
Chen Yin grinned. “I’m a coward. I hate bugs.”
Nan Xiaoxiang blinked.
A moment later, a faint buzzing sound, like the beating of insect wings, filled the air as the Gu worms flew back to her hand.
“…You’re quite perceptive, Young Master Chen.”
“You too.” He chuckled. “You’re not one to show mercy either, Miss Nan.”
“You’re threatening me like this, aren’t you afraid I’ve left something behind on your friends?”
“Not at all.”
Chen Yin said seriously, “Unless you want the people of Guyu Town to be buried with you.”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s gaze, as deep as an autumn pool, locked onto his face. She said slowly, each word deliberate:
“You wouldn’t do that. You’re not the type to harm innocent people, Young Master Chen.”
“Hah. You think too highly of me.”
Chen Yin’s eyes were clear and unwavering. “If anything happens to them, I’ll kill everyone in Guyu Town, one by one, right before your eyes.”
Nan Xiaoxiang was silent for a long time, then shook her head slowly. “You’re bluffing.”
“Even if you know I’m bluffing, do you dare gamble?” He stared at her with a playful smile.
This time, she was truly speechless.
“…You win.” She sighed, her voice laced with defeat.
After a masterful display of manipulation, Chen Yin had emerged victorious.
He sat down on the ground, the Eternal Light sword still hovering before Nan Xiaoxiang.
“You want to get rid of this Ju Shaohé and prevent him from bothering you anymore, right, Miss Nan?”
“That’s easy.”
“Just hand him over to me, and I guarantee he’ll never trouble you again.”
Nan Xiaoxiang hesitated, then said softly, “If you kill him now, all suspicion will fall on my Xiaoxiang Medical Clinic.”
“If the Canghe Sword Sect blames me, it won’t just be me who suffers. The entire town of Guyu will be in danger.”
“That’s even easier.” Chen Yin chuckled.
“The Canghe Sword Sect won’t blame you. I guarantee it.”
Hearing this, Nan Xiaoxiang’s curiosity grew.
“What are you planning to do with him, Young Master Chen?”
“Well, since this Young Master Ju is so fair-skinned and delicate, and I have certain… preferences, I was thinking of taking him back for my own personal enjoyment.”
Seeing the shock and disgust on Nan Xiaoxiang’s face, Chen Yin coughed awkwardly.
“Ahem. Actually, I’m just going to give him to a friend as a gift.”
“A friend? Who would want such a gift?”
Chen Yin thought for a moment and smiled silently.
“…A quiet, clumsy, and rather adorable girl.”
Nan Xiaoxiang blinked but didn’t press further.
“If you can guarantee the safety of my Xiaoxiang Medical Clinic and the people of Guyu Town, I don’t mind handing him over to you.”
“But how can I trust you, Young Master Chen?” she asked seriously.
“You can only trust me.”
Chen Yin met her gaze, his eyes clear and calm. “Even if you don’t trust me, I’m still taking him.”
Nan Xiaoxiang glared at him playfully.
“Is this what you call cooperation?”
“Don’t get it twisted. You’re the one who disrupted my plans.”
Seeing Chen Yin’s unwavering stance, Nan Xiaoxiang’s gaze turned cold, and she looked away.
“…Then I’ll trust you this once.”
She turned around. “I hope you’ll keep your promise and not involve any innocent people in this matter.”
“Happy cooperation~”
Chen Yin smiled at her retreating figure.
Nan Xiaoxiang glanced back at him one last time, her eyes filled with meaning, then slowly left.
“Sigh, women are truly troublesome.”
“Only a girl like Luo Luo doesn’t make me worry.” He sighed.
Then he turned to look at the unconscious Ju Shaohé lying on the ground.
“Alright, I finally caught you, kid.”
Without hesitation, Chen Yin retrieved a rope from his scroll and approached him with a mischievous grin.
The next morning…
Luo Luo woke up, rubbing her sleepy eyes and yawning as she sat up in bed. She stretched her ears and reached for a cup of water.
Suddenly, she noticed a note on the table.
“Be good, Luo Luo. Young Master is out taking care of some business and will be back soon.”
Luo Luo held the note, her ears drooping sadly.
“Young Master… went off on his own again…”
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