Chapter Seventy-Four: The Profound Malice of This World

"Wait, that sword."

"What about it?" Xiao Bei reluctantly stroked her backpack. "Are you not giving it to me?"

She had spent quite some time practicing with that short sword before bed last night, cherishing it dearly.

For adults, it was a bit short, but for her, it fit perfectly—she wielded it with ease.

So she packed it in her backpack, intending to carry it with her... When she walked, the outline of the sword was faintly visible.

"Fine, you can keep it. Just don’t flaunt it unless you’re in danger."

Xiao Nan had wanted to say that she’d better not carry the short sword these days, worried someone might find out it was stolen property or something.

But then he reconsidered. The Wu Gang brothers were dead beyond saving. Faced with a case like yesterday’s, where beastmen had appeared, the police would likely prefer to avoid complications.

No matter how imaginative they were, they wouldn’t bother tracking two young girls.

So, carry the sword or not? It didn’t really matter.

...

After walking more than thirty meters, Xiao Bei noticed Fang Luoluo already waiting by the roadside.

She had thought Fang Luoluo would be like herself, unable to sleep at night...

But she saw that Fang Luoluo’s face was alight with excitement, clearly brimming with things she wanted to say, unable to hide it.

Before Xiao Bei even got close, Fang Luoluo hurriedly pulled her aside and bombarded her with questions, "Xiao Bei, did you watch the evening news last night?"

Xiao Bei shook her head, confused.

"Knew it! Your family always goes to bed early!"

Fang Luoluo glanced around, lowered her voice, and said, "The news reported that the Night-Bloom Tavern was wiped out, including the leader Wu Gang—they’re all dead."

"Apparently beastmen appeared, the two sides fought, and in the end, everyone perished."

She patted her chest in lingering fear and exhaled deeply, "It was so gruesome, I nearly died of fright. I couldn’t sleep until late."

You slept perfectly well.

Xiao Bei shot her a look. She was the one who truly couldn’t sleep until late—she woke up with dark circles under her eyes.

It wasn’t just worry about whether Wu Tie’s situation would be discovered, or if someone would come to the school for questioning—

She also worried Xiao Nan might act recklessly...

With his current temperament, he definitely wouldn’t tolerate things; if he faced a crowd alone, what if something happened?

Now hearing there had been beastmen and Wu Gang was dead, she felt relieved.

The murder in the abandoned building had naturally been pinned on the beastmen—it would hardly implicate them.

If only she had known this news earlier, she would have slept soundly as well.

...

Thinking this, Xiao Bei suddenly felt a stir in her heart and looked back toward her home.

There, a tall figure dressed in black was gradually walking away.

He carried a backpack, the sword hilt protruding slightly over his shoulder; his entire body was like a sharp blade, radiating a fierce and cutting aura.

She only glanced once, and the figure disappeared around the corner.

"Last night, Xiao Nan was out for a while, between nine and ten o’clock—the timing fits."

"And he had that treasured sword with him; it wasn’t in his room."

A strange light flashed in Xiao Bei’s eyes. Thinking back to Xiao Nan’s nonchalant demeanor beneath the abandoned building, she immediately understood.

Her brother had changed—become ruthless. Yet, why wasn’t she afraid at all?

"What’s wrong? Xiao Bei, are you also scared stiff by the news?"

"You’re the one who’s scared... I made some pocket money from Xiao Nan today. Let’s go to Orchid Pavilion—I’ll treat you to pear blossom cakes."

Xiao Bei waved her small hand generously.

"I won’t eat, I’m dieting." Fang Luoluo looked down at her chest in distress, face bitter.

"Perfect, then I’ll have more to myself. I don’t have much money, after all." Xiao Bei giggled.

Fang Luoluo gulped, "Then can I just have a tiny bit? Just to taste."

The two girls chattered as they headed toward school, finally leaving yesterday’s events behind.

...

The Martial Artists’ Association, Yuanjiang Branch, stood in the southwest of Yuanjiang City, not far from the city gate.

A thirty-story tower, its azure glass reflected sunlight, shimmering with a mysterious glow, imposing and grand.

Xiao Nan spotted the building from a distance.

Compared to the surrounding old residential blocks, most only six or seven stories high, this tower was strikingly conspicuous.

As he walked up to the plaza, the lively bustle was overwhelming, like stepping into a marketplace.

Beneath the massive statue shaped like a cross between sword and blade, people came and went—most exuding a rugged aura, clad in fitted gear...

Inside the first-floor hall, people were exchanging tasks; the service attendants spoke patiently with smiles, their fingers deftly tapping at the keyboard.

At the counter, some carried beast pelts and bundles of herbs, haggling over prices.

So this was the environment for independent martial artists?

Forging a future with their own hands.

Compared to the routine training in martial arts schools, the Martial Artists’ Association was true life-or-death competition...

"Advance, or die"—that was the motto here.

...

"Xiao Nan, you’re already here!"

A timid voice called out in surprise beside him.

Xiao Nan turned and saw Zhang Xiaorou.

She, too, was dressed in black gear, sweeping away her usual delicate image, suddenly gaining a heroic air.

They had agreed to meet at the Association’s entrance at eight in the morning; Xiao Nan had arrived ten minutes early.

"What’s with this outfit? First-year should have regular classes today—aren’t you supposed to wear your uniform?" Xiao Nan felt a twinge of unease.

"I’ve already asked the teacher for leave. Aren’t we going hunting outside the city? I’m going with you." Zhang Xiaorou was full of excitement.

Well, Xiao Nan had to admit he was mistaken—Zhang Xiaorou wasn’t as fragile as her name suggested, but rather reckless.

True daughter of Zhang Yi.

Are you sure you’re going hunting, not just tagging along for the ride?

"No, I can’t let you come—I wouldn’t feel safe! I’d have to split my attention to look after you, and couldn’t get much done."

As he said this, Zhang Xiaorou’s eyes immediately turned red, tears threatening to fall...

Xiao Nan cursed inwardly, forgetting she was prone to crying. He quickly softened his tone, "Xiaorou, if you won’t think of yourself, at least think of me."

"Imagine if your father finds out I took you hunting outside the city—he’d break my bones!"

"Pfft..."

Zhang Xiaorou couldn’t help laughing at Xiao Nan’s words, forgetting her earlier grievance.

She sniffed, "You underestimate me. My blood energy is nearly at 3.0, and I’ve recently mastered the visualization technique."

Higher than mine, actually.

Xiao Nan was speechless.

His previous self’s training had been wasted; this girl was only in her first year and already much stronger.

Mastering the visualization technique meant she could achieve shallow meditation—by the time she reached senior year...

Not to mention breaking through to the ‘forgetting seat’ stage, deep meditation would be a breeze.

And a blood energy of 3.0 meant she could already pass the qualified admissions line for second-rate universities...

He still couldn’t manage that.

Most importantly, she was only a first-year, just sixteen years old.

Xiao Nan gazed up at the sky, feeling the world’s deep and abiding malice.