Chapter 820: Chapter 609: Yin Peach Blossom_2
"Chunlu... Chunhe..." Yang Xiao kept chewing on these words, trying to connect them with another word.
"Don’t think about it any further, the last character is either ’lou,’ ’fang,’ ’lu,’ or ’zhai,’ something of that sort, basically, it’s a place name," Xiang Fengchen said.
Xiang Fengchen, a veteran of the world of martial arts, always spoke in halves, keeping the initiative in his own hands, even though Yang Xiao did not feel the remaining people could pose any threat to him.
"Yang, that thing I promised you before is now null and void. You’d better find someone else if you want Jiang Qingluan to warm your bed."
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiao was stunned and then angrily retorted, "When did I ever tell you I wanted to capture Jiang Qingluan for that?"
"You didn’t say it out loud, but you thought it."
"Do I look like that kind of person to you?"
Xiang Fengchen looked Yang Xiao up and down and nodded seriously, "Yes, you do have a peach blossom branch between your eyebrows, which clearly means good things are approaching."
"Me?" Yang Xiao pointed at himself, his face full of disbelief.
"Yes, you. If Jiang Qingluan is not your destined partner, then you must have seen this peach blossom, which means you’ve already met your marital match."
Yang Xiao was utterly confused by this conversation. Initially, he thought Xiang Fengchen was spouting nonsense, but seeing his serious demeanor, it didn’t seem like it. Moreover, at this moment, there was no reason for Xiang Fengchen to deceive him just for fun.
Yang Xiao quickly reviewed all the women he had interacted with recently in his mind, and besides those he met at work, there was only Tong Han left, but he and Tong Han were good brothers, and Yang Xiao had no other intentions.
"Can you determine the origins of my destined match?" Nalan Shuo suddenly chimed in, his tone as serious as a father concerned about finding a wife for his son.
"This kid has a Rashamon fate, his destiny afflicted by the Lone Star; he shouldn’t have this burden of a peach blossom debt. Whatever suppresses the sinister force in his brow must have a fate more fierce than his. I can’t imagine what could overpower his fate," Xiang Fengchen’s tone also became somewhat puzzled. After a moment, he scoffed at himself, "It’s unlikely to be a person; more likely a ghost."
Nalan Shuo and Xiang Fengchen didn’t take it seriously, as it sounded far-fetched, but Yang Xiao’s face instantly turned pale. His mind conjured an image of a funeral procession and the Big Red Coffin, which was even more vivid than blood.
"What’s wrong with you?" Nalan Shuo was the first to notice Yang Xiao’s strange complexion. "Why are you so pale?"
"It’s nothing, just got annoyed by this old bastard here; he’s cursing me," Yang Xiao pointed straight at Xiang Fengchen’s nose, not mincing his words.
"I only observe appearances, not meddle in affairs. I am responsible for what I say. There is indeed a peach blossom debt in your brow. If you are confident you don’t have one, then the problem is serious.. it could well be a Yin Peach Blossom."
With a deep voice and a grave expression, Xiang Fengchen seemed to stake his reputation as an Evil Mage on this, "This peach blossom will severely affect you. I advise you to steer clear of weddings and funerals, and don’t take on similar supernatural tasks at the Patrol Defense Office. If during a mission you encounter a red bridal sedan, wedding celebrations, or bridal processions, you should also keep your distance, be wary of the peach blossom calamity, lest a ghost steals your disasterous marriage."
After these words, Yang Xiao started to see the infamous Evil Mage in a new light; the man’s abilities were indeed terrifying, no wonder he had been able to evade capture for ten years and still live well.
However, Yang Xiao wanted to continue prying information, hoping to find a way to turn the tables and suppress Big Sister if possible. So he scoffed, narrowed his eyes, and stared intently at Xiang Fengchen, "Cut the crap. Aren’t you just trying to get me to take you as my master? You’re thinking too much. I’m a man of the Patrol Defense Office in life and a ghost of Director Nalan in death. Yang Xiao and the wicked Evil Cultivators will never coexist under the same sky!"
"Believe it or not, that’s up to you. If we were outside, I wouldn’t speak with such certainty, but with this," he gestured to the Divine Turtle Shell hidden at his chest, "I have at least a ninety percent assurance. Yang, we’ve had a master-apprentice relationship; take care of yourself." Xiang Fengchen no longer prattled on and turned to go sleep in his bed, leaving Yang Xiao alone with his anxious thoughts.
"Little Yang, he’s a brute, but he doesn’t lie. Remember his words and be very careful," Nalan Shuo’s tone was full of concern.
After this incident, Yang Xiao gained a new appreciation for the Evil Mage Xiang Fengchen. Not only was the man skillful, but he also had a sense of loyalty. Jiang Qingluan had risked everything to come out and save someone, and although Xiang Fengchen didn’t say it outright, he still appreciated the gesture. Hence, the previous matter he spoke of was now null and void; he would no longer pursue capturing Jiang Qingluan for marriage.
"Director, you go sleep first; I’ll stay up and keep watch." Yang Xiao’s mind was in turmoil; he couldn’t sleep at all.
"Mm, don’t think too much. If something hard comes up, you still have me, and all of us." Nalan Shuo patted Yang Xiao’s arm, as if imparting strength to him.
Time ticked by, second by second. Outside, the stillness of the night was frightening. Yang Xiao sat alone by the table, pondering, his downcast eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight.
"Peach Blossom Calamity..."
...
Half an hour earlier, in another room, two women sat together. Jiang Qingluan was calm and composed, while Chang Chuchu dared not even breathe too loudly.
Recently, there had been an argument about opening the door to rescue someone. In the end, it was Jiang Qingluan who had demonstrated some of her martial arts skills to persuade Chang Chuchu to cooperate.
"You don’t need to be afraid of me; I’m truly sorry about what happened earlier." Jiang Qingluan started speaking, glancing at the uneasy Chang Chuchu. "But the fact proves that my decision was right. If we hadn’t opened the door and something had happened to Xiang Fengchen or Nalan Shuo, we would have ended up in a very passive position."
"Moreover, that Yang Xiao would have torn off the Gate God we pasted on our door. He’s a jerk, but he’s clever, knowing how to force us to open the door in the most direct way." Jiang Qingluan’s tone was steady as if she were talking about a trivial matter.
"It’s my fault; sister, you were right." Chang Chuchu’s eyes reddened as she muttered softly, "From now on, I’ll just listen to you."
"I know you’re emotional, which is normal. The things you’re saying now are just because you’re afraid of getting hit again; in fact, you probably hate me deep down. But that’s okay, I’m not interested in exploring your feelings. Just make sure your facade is convincing enough that I don’t catch any flaws." Jiang Qingluan was unexpectedly frank. "Now, go to sleep. I’ll keep watch."
"Who on earth are you?" Chang Chuchu couldn’t hold back any longer and asked aloud.
"A woman." Jiang Qingluan said without even looking at her, and closed her eyes to rest.
...
In the third room, the atmosphere was surprisingly oppressive. A figure lay on the bed, and a chair was placed in the room, with a pair of eyes nervously scanning everywhere.
The one in the bed was Fangzhou, and the one who had moved the chair to keep watch was Lou Huixiang.
Lou Huixiang had been awakened earlier and noticed Fangzhou’s strange behavior. Fangzhou’s explanation had made Lou Huixiang completely lose his desire to sleep, sending chills down his spine.
"Lou... Brother Lou, you... under your bed..."
Lou Huixiang still remembered Fangzhou’s complexion at that moment—deathly pale, lifeless, utterly devoid of color, almost as if he had seen a Ghost Envoy. It had taken him a full half-minute to muster the courage to jump off the bed and inspect under it, finding nothing. Fangzhou also finally explained that it might have been a mistake due to sheer terror.
But Lou Huixiang didn’t think so. He knew he had offended some people, including Xiang Fengchen, and couldn’t rule out the possibility that Xiang Fengchen was scheming against him. So, he simply didn’t dare to sleep and had to summon his energy to volunteer for keeping watch.
To confirm whether a ghost would actually appear from under the bed, he even persuaded Fangzhou that he didn’t need to stay up with him and should instead sleep in the bed.
Fangzhou did just that, much to Lou Huixiang’s surprise. This young man’s heart was really big—told to sleep, he really fell asleep, and before long, even began snoring.
After an unknown amount of time, a thoroughly exhausted Lou Huixiang suddenly felt something. He looked at the deeply sleeping Fangzhou and wondered if he had been tricked—was this young fellow scaring him just so he’d keep watch and let him get a good night’s sleep?
"Damn it..."
