Chapter Twenty-Three: What Sin Have You Committed?

Regarding the system’s infuriating judgment, Chen Xiang only grumbled for a moment before letting it go. After all, being rewarded with five hundred reputation points was no small thing.

Returning to himself, Chen Xiang looked at the Sixth Elder and said coolly, “Old man, now you can leave, can’t you?”

The Sixth Elder’s face twitched. He hadn’t expected the boy he’d always dismissed to be this formidable. By his estimate, Chen Xiang’s strength was comparable to a cultivator at the second or third tier of Nascent Soul. He found himself in a difficult position. From Chen Xiang’s relaxed manner, it was obvious he still had strength to spare, and the elder wasn’t arrogant enough to think he could oppose him.

Yet if he returned without the young lady, he’d also be punished. Losing influence was a minor matter, but if the family head learned he’d let the young lady go, he might very well be killed outright.

It was as if Chen Xiang could read his thoughts. With a beaming smile, he said, “What’s wrong? Are you in a bind? Want me to give you a slap so you’ll have something to report when you go back?”

The Sixth Elder was startled, hastily retreating several steps while watching Chen Xiang warily.

“Hey, why are you running? I have no interest in men.” With that, Chen Xiang activated the Three Thousand Thunderclaps, transforming into a bolt of lightning and appearing instantly before the Sixth Elder. He extended his left hand, which glowed with intense golden light, and smiled, “Look, I’m all ready. Don’t worry, I promise I won’t kill you.”

The Sixth Elder’s face drained of color. At such speed, he had no hope of dodging. Was he really about to take a blow? He’d seen how powerful that strike was earlier—if it landed on him, he’d be crippled if not dead!

“Young Master Li, please wait!” A voice like celestial music rang out.

Chen Xiang turned to see the young woman shakily standing up. Her tattered clothes clung tightly to her body, revealing glimpses of her exquisite skin.

Chen Xiang’s eyes lit up, and he exclaimed inwardly at her fine figure.

Such perfect curves and a voice like heavenly bells—if only her face weren’t ruined, she’d be nothing short of a fairy.

Sensing his gaze, the woman blushed slightly, her shy expression instantly dampening Chen Xiang’s enthusiasm.

With a wave of her hand, white light surged around her. When it faded, she was clad in a fresh, spotless white robe.

This woman certainly favored wearing white, Chen Xiang thought to himself.

She offered Chen Xiang a respectful bow, then spoke softly, “Thank you, Young Master Li, for saving me. I am deeply grateful. But I beg you not to harm the Sixth Elder. He is only following orders and has no choice.”

As she finished, she looked at Chen Xiang with large, anxious eyes.

Chen Xiang’s mouth twitched. He felt almost unable to resist such an appeal.

He dispersed the light from his hand and patted the Sixth Elder on the shoulder. “Ha, relax, I was just scaring him. He hasn’t actually attacked, so I won’t lay a finger on him.”

The woman sighed in relief and cast Chen Xiang a grateful look. “Thank you, young master!”

“Ding! Congratulations to host ‘Chen Xiang’ for gaining the gratitude of a cultivator. You are awarded twenty reputation points.”

“Huh? That works too?” Chen Xiang was surprised at the system notification. So earning someone’s gratitude could also net him reputation points? Was the system forcing him to play the good guy?

Seeing Chen Xiang put away his technique, the Sixth Elder finally relaxed.

He then looked at the woman, his expression complicated. “Miss, I—”

“Sixth Uncle, please return and tell Second Uncle that I wish only to live peacefully on my own. I will never again have dealings with the Li family, nor bring disaster upon it. If he still clings to those empty legends, let him give up hope. I promised my mother to live on, even if it means enduring sorrow alone,” the woman interrupted gently, her brows lowered in sorrow.

The Sixth Elder opened his mouth to speak, but in the end, only managed a sigh.

He clasped his hands toward her. “Very well, miss. I will convey your words to the family head. I hope you live well. As for whether they’ll come for you again, that’s not up to me. But I will do my best to persuade the master.”

“Thank you, Sixth Uncle!” The woman bowed deeply, no longer calling him Sixth Elder, but using the more intimate ‘Sixth Uncle.’

A faint smile appeared on the elder’s face at this.

“Miss, take care!” He clasped his hands once more, shot Chen Xiang a deep look, then summoned his spiritual power, lifting the seven gravely injured guards, and disappeared into the sky.

The woman watched the group leave, dazed for a long while. Chen Xiang stood at her side, idly appraising her.

Apart from her face, this woman’s figure, voice, and bearing were all flawless. He couldn’t help but wonder what ill fate had caused her to look like this.

“System, scan her face for me. Has she used some special method to hide her true appearance?” Chen Xiang called out silently.

“Bzzt… System scan initializing… ten… thirty… seventy… scan complete. No spells or artifacts detected.”

Chen Xiang nearly spat. So this really was her true face?

Then again, it made sense. Everything else about her was perfect—what use was it to conceal only her appearance, and she even covered her face.

The woman noticed Chen Xiang’s odd expression and looked at him in confusion.

“Young master?” she called softly.

“Ah? Oh, you’re finished watching?” Chen Xiang snapped out of it.

What a strange young master, the woman thought.

She then bowed deeply to Chen Xiang. “Thank you for rescuing me just now, Young Master Li. My name is Li Qiner, and I am eternally grateful.”

She thanked him again, finally revealing her name.

“Li Qiner? That’s a fine name! You’re a Li as well—maybe five hundred years ago, we were one family!” Chen Xiang joked, though he felt a pang of regret. Even her name was melodious, yet her face—what crime had she committed to deserve such looks?

The woman smiled gently. “Young Master Li, that can’t be. The Li family has stood for a thousand years, but has never had any branches. Had there been someone as remarkable as you in our clan, your fame would have spread across the four kingdoms long ago!”

Chen Xiang’s smile froze. Damn, what a blunder! This was the cultivation world—cultivators lived long lives; a Core Formation cultivator could easily live four or five hundred years, let alone those in higher realms. And here he was, making jokes about being family five hundred years ago. What a blunder.

“Haha, never mind the details. By the way, where are you headed now?” Chen Xiang swiftly changed the subject.

Li Qiner lowered her eyes and replied softly, “Now that I’ve left the Li family, I am alone in the world. The four seas are my home. I do not know where I’ll go, or where I’ll end up.”

Chen Xiang’s eyes lit up. “Oh? Is that so? As it happens, I too am a wandering swordsman, with the world as my home and the sky as my blanket. Would you care to share my bed?”

He said this with a straight face, his tone upright and sincere, as if nothing could be more proper.

A true ‘wandering scoundrel,’ indeed.

Li Qiner was stunned by his words. She hadn’t expected Young Master Li to be so forthright and daring, uttering ‘share my bed’ so breezily, as if it were the most natural thing.

Yet her eyes soon dimmed, and she replied softly, “Young Master Li wishes me to accompany you? But with my appearance, I fear it would put you in a difficult position.”

Seeing that she hadn’t refused outright, Chen Xiang knew he’d succeeded. “Miss, that’s not right. As they say, ‘beauty is but a skeleton with flesh and skin.’ A person’s worth lies not in their looks, but in the beauty of their heart. I don’t find you ugly at all, and I’d be glad to travel with you. So please, do not belittle yourself.”

Li Qiner stared at Chen Xiang in amazement. Who exactly was this Young Master Li, to utter such profound words?

But her heart warmed. She hadn’t expected him to disregard her appearance, and she resolved not to dwell on it herself.

But just then, Chen Xiang added, “However, miss, even if I don’t care about your appearance, not everyone shares my open mind. So please, when we travel, dress as you did at the teahouse—for the sake of others, if nothing else.”

Li Qiner: “…”

I can’t believe I trusted you!

“To be continued…”