The person landed on one knee, swiftly grabbed the knife, and with a few quick movements, knocked out several surrounding people while simultaneously supporting Luo Yingbai’s arm.
Then he pulled Luo Yingbai forcefully into his embrace.
Xia Jianning half-hugged and half-supported him, completely disregarding everyone else. He gently patted Luo Yingbai’s back, his voice slightly altered: “Senior brother!”
Luo Yingbai knew his junior brother would be anxious at the sight of his injury. To prevent Xia Jianning from worrying, he forcibly suppressed his churning qi and blood, laughing, “I’m fine. You came quite quickly. Is that matter settled? What about the others?”
Xia Jianning said irritably, “You’re worrying about everything else! Look after yourself first. Didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t get hurt!”
His tone was harsh, but his movements were extremely gentle. Seeing Luo Yingbai stand up straight, he even reached out to protect him. Luo Yingbai laughed and slapped his hand away: “What am I, a kindergartener?”
Xia Xianning said: “Admitting defeat is admitting defeat, but shirking responsibility is just shameless. Since the Qi Sect Master just said my senior brother’s behavior was inappropriate and caused the dispute, then please clearly state what was inappropriate. If you can’t explain, then don’t talk nonsense.”
Qi Kun was completely speechless. He realized that apart from being uncompromising about his senior brother, Xia Xianning was someone he absolutely couldn’t provoke.
He squeezed out a forced smile and said: “It was our mistake. I spoke inappropriately just now. Little Xia… Director Xia, please don’t take offense. Qi will apologize to Young Master Luo. You can take him away.”
Peng Xuan suddenly laughed coldly from the side: “Qi Kun, isn’t it a bit unwise to use me to curry favor now? Don’t forget, those things weren’t done by me alone. Are you trying to gloss over this in front of the Special Investigation Unit?”
Qi Kun, who had just made a temporary compromise, was caught off guard by his quick betrayal and changed color, hurriedly saying: “You’re slandering me!”
Peng Xuan laughed heartily and called out: “Senior Brother Xia?”
Xia Xianning ignored him.
Your Qing Sect uses treating illnesses as a cover to cultivate various parasites and monsters. When you arrest me, you absolutely cannot let them off!”
When he spoke, there was even a hint of excitement in his tone. However, his words could not be ignored.
Luo Mingbai said softly: “It’s true.”
He paused and added: “Be careful, they might act desperately.”
Xia Xianning said: “Don’t worry. The wall is high, and even a desperate dog can’t jump over.”
His voice was not low, and Qi Kun’s face turned ugly. Just as he was about to speak, Xia Xianning frowned and asked: “Qi Sect Master, isn’t what your Qing Sect has done this time somewhat inappropriate?”
Qi Kun no longer made futile arguments and said directly: “Right now, you only have two people, and Young Master Luo is injured. Do you two plan to capture an entire sect with just your two forces?”
Xia Xianning had taken a shortcut, and the other Special Investigation Unit members hadn’t arrived yet. Qi Kun didn’t know they were here on a case and thought only Xia Xianning and Luo Mingbai had come to Changyuan Village.
Xia Xianning said calmly: “One of me is enough. You can try if you want.”
Qi Kun: “…No need. What exactly do you want?”
Xia Xianning said: “You helped the renegade disciples of the Changliu Sect injure my senior brother, which is a personal vendetta.
Deceiving ordinary people to voluntarily offer themselves for poison cultivation is a public grievance. For my uncle’s sake, I’ll give Qi Sect Master two choices.”
His sword was still on Peng Xuan, and Xia Xianning stepped forward, blocking Luo Mingbai behind him, and pulled out the knife from the ground: “Either we settle accounts with your entire sect here, or you come back with me to the Special Investigation Unit, and Qing Sect members cannot leave the sect for now.”
As Xia Xianning drew his knife, the clear light was dazzling, full of killing intent. Anyone could feel the overwhelming pressure bearing down, and Qi Kun, who was connected to Xia Xianning’s family, understood his background and character even better.
He was silent for a moment, then sighed deeply and made the wisest choice: “A momentary misjudgment led to a great mistake. Fine, I’ll go with you.”
Xia Xianning was straightforward, immediately sheathing his knife and turning to support Luo Mingbai: “How do you feel?”
Luo Mingbai couldn’t help but spit out a mouthful of blood: “Barely hanging in there.”
Xia Xianning wiped the blood from the corner of his lips with his thumb, feeling an intense heartache.
Although his tone and demeanor seemed no different from usual, based on his understanding of Xia Xianning, Luo Yingbai subtly sensed that he seemed somewhat unhappy.
He wrapped his arms around Xia Xianning’s neck, resting his head on his shoulder, thinking he would definitely ask Xianning what was wrong later. However, after the intense battle, the wounds on his body were throbbing with pain. Lying on Xia Xianning’s back, he felt an unusually relaxed sense of security. Luo Yingbai fell asleep to the rhythm of Xia Xianning’s steps.
This matter involved TV program recording, villagers’ safety, and Peng Xuan’s interrogation. Xia Xianning had quite a lot to do. After confirming that Luo Yingbai’s injuries were not serious, he placed him in a room provided by the program team to rest, then hurriedly left to handle various matters.
Xia Xianning first communicated with Yue Tao, and given what had happened, the treasure-hunting segment clearly could not continue. Yue Tao urgently contacted the station to discuss solutions. The program recording was suspended. Fortunately, the injured actors were not seriously hurt, so they temporarily remained in the village to rest, explaining externally that it was an accidental injury.
Qi Kun and Peng Xuan were brought back by others who arrived subsequently. When Luo Yingbai awoke, Xia Xianning was not by his side, presumably questioning them.
Luo Yingbai’s injuries were not severe, with only two deep wounds from gripping a sword blade bare-handed, now thickly wrapped in bandages.
Supporting himself with one hand, he sat up with some difficulty. Just as he settled, there was a gentle knock at the door. Luo Yingbai said, “Wei Shou? Come in.”
Wei Shou walked in with a slight smile: “How did you know it was me?”
Luo Yingbai replied, “Among those who frequently come to my room, you’re the only one who knows how to knock.”
They both laughed simultaneously. Luo Yingbai then asked, “How are things resolved?”
Wei Shou’s smile faded slightly as he shook his head: “He won’t say anything. Xia Shixiong tried many methods.”
Luo Yingbai looked up at the ceiling, seeming to exhale, and after a while said to Wei Shou, “What did Peng Xuan say to you back then? He said he didn’t want to die, but no one was going to kill him. Or was he saying that if he didn’t kill me or my mom, he would die?”
Wei Shou’s expression turned somewhat gloomy: “I’ve thought about it for a long time but can’t figure out the reason. But from his appearance, it doesn’t seem like he’s making excuses.”
Everyone felt complicated emotions about seeing Peng Xuan again. On one hand, they all knew he had betrayed them and was no longer the close sworn brother of the past. On the other hand, their lifelong friendship made everything feel somewhat unreal.
Peng Xuan had survived the massacre of his entire family, barely escaped, and managed to join Changliu Sect. Disciples like Luo Yingbai had watched this child kneel and beg Luo Xiao to take him as a disciple. They saw him strive to become stronger, seek revenge, and after many trials, finally catch the evil spirit that killed his family.
