Chapter 1004: Let the Wolf Guard the Sheep

Xiao Yao opened his blurry eyes and glanced at him. "You don't seem afraid?"

Zu An smiled faintly. "We have no enmity, and we just shared a drink. Why should I be afraid?"

"I don't think that's the reason," Xiao Yao said, jumping down from the window and slowly walking towards him. "It's because we've crossed paths before, and you have enough confidence."

"Your swordplay at the banquet was truly stunning, whereas I merely used a clever trick," Zu An said humbly. At the time, the opponent had imbued his sword intent into the wine. Most of the wine was water, and Zu An's Blue Teal possessed a natural affinity for water elements, making it much easier for him to receive the attack than others.

Xiao Yao shook his head. "I'm not talking about our encounter at the banquet; I mean the one during the day."

Zu An's heart skipped a beat. "I don't understand what you're talking about."

Xiao Yao looked at him with a half-smile. "We'll find out if you try."

As soon as he finished speaking, a sword thrust out with such speed that Zu An didn't even see him draw it.

Zu An instantly retreated a full ten feet, dodging the lightning-fast strike. Just as he was about to counterattack, the other person had already withdrawn his sword. "Just like how you dodged this morning."

Just then, several presences rapidly approached from outside. The first to arrive was Sang Hong. "A'Zu, what's wrong?"

Immediately after, others also rushed over, clearly alerted by the burst of energy fluctuations.

"Nothing, just practicing martial arts," Zu An said. To dispel their suspicions, he even opened the door and met them.

Sang Hong subtly surveyed the room. Seeing nothing amiss, he nodded. "Then be careful. If anything happens, call out. The nearby guards will arrive immediately."

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle," Zu An said. After seeing them off, he closed the door again.

At that moment, Xiao Yao emerged from behind the bed and asked somewhat curiously, "Why didn't you notify them to help capture me?"

"I can sense you have no ill intentions, so why should I capture you?" Zu An pulled up a stool and sat down, gesturing for Xiao Yao to do the same.

Xiao Yao was not polite, sitting down casually without much etiquette. "You're young, but you have quite a broad-minded outlook."

Zu An was noncommittal. "You didn't come to visit me in the middle of the night just to chat, did you?"

"I'm a bit curious, how did you recognize me at such a young age? I've been absent from the martial arts world for so many years that I've almost forgotten my own name," Xiao Yao said with a sigh.

Zu An replied, "Actually, I've visited the academy a few times and have quite a good relationship with the teachers in the back mountains, so I might know a bit more than others."

Hearing him mention Shen Xuzi, Heibaizi, and the others, a smile appeared on Xiao Yao's face. "So many years have passed, and they are still the same. Alas, they've all become leaders in their respective fields, while I, their senior, have completely wasted my talents..."

Sensing his dejection, Zu An said, "You don't need to be so self-deprecating. The world says you've fallen, but I see your swordsmanship is even more formidable than your legendary peak back then. It just goes to show that everyone was mistaken; the Sword Immortal is still the Sword Immortal."

Xiao Yao shook his head with a self-mocking smile. "Not anymore. Many things can't go back."

Zu An said in a deep voice, "Although I don't know what happened to you, your deeds back then inspired many people. For example, a friend I know considers you his idol..."

He roughly recounted the story of Xiao Jianren, of course omitting many details to avoid letting anyone with ill intentions guess that he was Gold Medal Eleven.

Hearing that someone admired him so much, Xiao Yao was somewhat surprised and seemed lost in thought, clearly recalling his glorious past.

Zu An thought to himself, if he were to launch a sneak attack now, the other party would be severely injured even if they didn't die. Such a strong emotional fluctuation; he wondered what he had gone through to become like this.

"To be able to guide a young man positively means I haven't lived in vain. We should have a drink," Xiao Yao said with a laugh, taking out his wine gourd and taking a few gulps, then asked Zu An if he wanted some.

Zu An shook his head. This person truly was a drunkard; he always found excuses to drink.

After putting down the wine gourd, Xiao Yao suddenly sobered, his previously sleepy eyes becoming sharp. "Why did you enter the Pei family's inner courtyard during the day?"

"Manman and I are friends," Zu An replied, then countered, "Then why were you there?"

"Her mother and I were friends." Speaking of her mother, a trace of tenderness flashed in Xiao Yao's eyes.

Zu An's expression was odd. *Were these 'friends' legitimate?*

"Brat, what are you thinking?" Xiao Yao seemed to sense his thoughts and glared at him irritably.

Zu An tentatively asked, "You're not Manman's biological father, are you?"

If the other party turned out to be his father-in-law, that would be a big joke.

Xiao Yao's face flushed crimson. "Don't talk nonsense. Manman's mother was pure and untainted. Don't you dare insult her reputation."

Seeing his reaction, Zu An roughly guessed what was going on, and Xiao Yao's standing in his mind rapidly plummeted.

He had originally thought the other party was a lover of Manman's mother, but now it seemed he hadn't even become a lover; he was merely an admirer.

Xiao Yao gradually composed himself and looked towards Zu An's neck. "When we fought during the day, I saw you wearing a flame-shaped pendant. Where did you get it?"

Zu An's heart stirred. No wonder the other party's killing intent had instantly diminished a lot then. He took out the uniquely shaped pendant, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "Manman gave it to me."

Xiao Yao was momentarily lost in thought, his gaze towards Zu An becoming extremely complex. "She actually gave you that pendant."

Zu An's heart moved. "What's wrong?"

Xiao Yao shook his head, his expression seemingly recalling something. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "This pendant used to belong to her mother. Later, her mother passed it on to Manman. This item is their most precious possession; they only give it to their closest beloved."

Zu An silently put the pendant away. This guy didn't get Manman's mother's pendant back then; he hoped he wouldn't become jealous and try to snatch it.

Xiao Yao let out a soft laugh. "Since you and Manman have this kind of relationship, then I can confidently entrust her protection to you. I have something I must attend to and won't be able to protect her for a while, so I'm a bit worried."

Zu An said, "As expected, Senior was protecting her."

It was similar to what he had guessed.

Xiao Yao nodded. "Manman's mother died young. Later, her father married a woman from the Yu family and had a younger brother, Pei Xing, who was at the banquet today. Because her mother had no official status, Manman's position and situation in the Pei family have always been awkward."

Hearing this, Zu An felt a pang of heartache. He could perfectly imagine what kind of life Manman had from childhood. Yet, the first time he met her, she was smiling and enthusiastic, clearly burying all her bitterness inside and using a smile as her protective color.

"The Yu family mother and son, relying on their status as the main wife and legitimate son, and their family's background, often made things difficult for Manman. That fellow Pei Shao is also extremely biased, so Manman, unable to bear the harassment, rarely stayed at home and spent her time traveling outside, finding some peace."

"However, after she returned this time, she was put under house arrest by the Pei family and no longer allowed to leave freely. I originally wanted to take her away, but unfortunately, she refused to go with me no matter what."

Speaking of this, Xiao Yao's face showed a pained expression.

"Why wouldn't she leave?" Zu An asked curiously. Manman shouldn't be the kind of person to quietly endure bullying.

Xiao Yao gave a self-deprecating smile. "I suppose it's because she resents me somewhat due to her mother's affairs."

Zu An's expression immediately turned strange. *And you said you and her mother were just ordinary friends?*

Xiao Yao clearly did not want to delve deeper into the topic and continued, "Later, through my investigation, I finally found out that Pei You wants to marry her off to the Crown Prince of Qi as a concubine."

Although Zu An had already learned of this from Pei You, hearing it now still filled him with rage. "Zhao Zhi is worthy?"

Seeing his reaction, Xiao Yao nodded with deep understanding. "Exactly! With Manman's talent and appearance, being a main consort would be a waste, let alone a concubine. That scoundrel Pei Shao has lost his mind!"

Zu An looked in the direction of the Pei family, thinking that he would never allow Manman to marry someone else.

"I couldn't take Manman away, so I've been secretly protecting her all this time to prevent her from being bullied. Unfortunately, there's something I must leave for soon. Entrusting her protection to you puts my mind at ease," Xiao Yao said with relief.

"Don't worry, I will protect her!" Zu An replied firmly.

Xiao Yao nodded with satisfaction and took a toothpick-sized wooden sword from his怀. He handed it to Zu An. "Although your cultivation should be sufficient to handle various situations, just in case, take this with you. My sword intent is sealed within it. If you encounter a formidable enemy in the future, use it to attack them. It's equivalent to my full-power strike."

"In the entire Cloudtop Commandery, there are not many who can withstand my full-power strike," he said with a hint of pride in his voice.

After speaking, he did not wait for Zu An to try to make him stay, and his figure quickly vanished outside the window. "Riding the sword upon the wind, slaying demons across the land... You gave me a poem, and I return you a gift. We're even, hahaha!"

------

It's been a long time since I wrote an acknowledgment list, mainly because my previous updates were too infrequent to have the face to do so. However, many readers have silently supported me all this time. Thank you, Tricolor Secret Forest, Heavenly Dynasty Man, book friend, Long Sword Still in Hand, Long Xiaoxiao, Elder Brother Qing Shu, Jian Xue, Will it Fly or Not, book friend, Jun Yongzhi, Lu Teng Gaomingyuan, Lone Ranger Reporting, Lawyer Bai 123@Baidu, That Cold Deity, Ji Ba Da, book friend, book friend, God's Daily Life, book friend, book friend, Only Loves Married Women Song Qingshu, Lone Fisherman in Cold River Snow, Mature Woman Killer Auntie Song, Strange Demon's Roll Call, hh, North Wind 1288, Young Master Ji, Laughing at the Fates of the Mortal World, Pure Love Warrior Invincible, Sir I Want Them All, All Regrets, Brother Gusheng, Romantic Sad Story, Marx, book friend, KartEric, tqhhw092, Massage Parlor's, You Tanzhi...

Since there are too many people, there are bound to be omissions. I ask for your understanding.

Today is the last day of 2021. On this day of bidding farewell to the old and ushering in the new, I wish all readers of this book that your wishes come true and everything goes well in the new year!

I will also strive to update more in the new year to repay all your continuous support!