XIAO SHUXIANG'S
357 - Regret
Right at midday, the circumstances outside the Butterfly Sect were so crowded by the citizens of Cold Cloud City. They were so boisterous about wanting to meet Xiao Shuxiang.
In fact, not only were the disciples of the Butterfly Sect spreading the news of the return of the Protective Star, but also Ping Gou and his companions.
No one could doubt the speed of the lightning rodent in spreading information. They're so enthusiastic. Even right in the afternoon, the entire citizens of the Three Empires had already heard this great news.
The most fast-moving apart from the citizens of the Cold Cloud City themselves and the citizens in the nearby city, there were also cultivators. They used flying swords and shot out at high speed to the Butterfly Sect.
The first to arrive was Alchemist Zhou Yan and his disciple, Feng Ying. Seeing Xiao Shuxiang in a good state made the two feel happy.
"Chair Three..!" Xiao Shuxiang was also excited to see the son of his senior even though the face of the Patriarch of the Sky Sword Sect was covered in a thick veil.
!!
Zhou Yan was startled when Xiao Shuxiang suddenly jumped up and hugged him in an agitation. Though he initially suspected this young man was getting older, it was unexpected that it was still so childish.
"Are you not ashamed to hold me like this? You should show your wibaw a little," Zhou Yan patted slowly on Xiao Shuxiang's back. His words were completely incompatible with his actions, he clearly did not refuse to be hugged by the all-black-clothed youth.
"Chairman Three, there is nothing shameful about embracing the teacher himself. I miss you so much and I know you feel the same way. It's perfectly natural, so why be ashamed.."
Xiao Shuxiang knew very well that Zhou Yan was the son of his senior. But even so, this thick veiled young man was still his alchemist teacher.
After long enough to let go of the longing with Alchemist Zhou Yan, it was now Feng Ying's turn to hug Xiao Shuxiang.
He had been famous as a sparingly talkative Young Genius Alchemist. Sometimes he showed a flat face with dead fish eyes, but it was all different when he was with his Brother Xiao.
The next people to arrive at the Butterfly Sect were Lai Kuan Ye and his daughter, Lai Mian. Those two black-clothed people were cultivators who came from the Black Stream.
Xiao Shuxiang had only first clearly seen the face of his uncle's daughter. Lai Mian is a beautiful white girl who has a plain face like a spotless. She's a good girl, but not if she's on a battlefield.
This beautiful girl would never hesitate to swing her sword to slash the opponent, making them a chop of meat, including prying their eyes and making them a collection.
Well yeah.. It was all just in the pre-war days against Wyvern. Right now, the Third Flow swordsmen were at the point where they were all getting along with each other.
Xiao Shuxiang as before, he would hug Lai Kuan Ye so happily.
Although he liked to vent his frustration at the Blood Skull Sect, but this uncle was still willing to accept it.
"You seem to have been through a lot, Xiao'Er.." Lai Kuan Ye rubbed the back of the young man who was hugging her.
At just over a hundred years old, Lai Kuan Ye looked like a powerful Old Grandfather. He was actually famous as a disciplined Elder and always had a serious face, but when before Xiao Shuxiang, he was no more like an ordinary Old Bangka.
Xiao Shuxiang let go of his embrace and smiled kindly, "Nearly three years we haven't met, you're looking even younger, Uncle.."
Lai Kuan Ye, "Really..? Do I look good after shaving my beard and mustache?"
"Well, so that's why you look young. Which widow are you looking for, Uncle? Tell me.. Hm?" Xiao Shuxiang furrowed his brows, he was clearly teasing Lai Kuan Ye.
His familiarity with the Grand Elder of the Blood Skull Sect could be felt by Alchemists Zhou Yan, Feng Ying, and the disciples of the Butterfly Sect that were around him.
Lai Kuan Ye and Zhou Yan can be awkward when facing each other. But since Xiao Shuxiang was among them, the atmosphere was like a gathering of family members only.
Xiao Shuxiang turned his gaze to Lai Mian. Although he hugged Lai Kuan Ye so happily before, he would not do the same to a girl. Xiao Shuxiang simply saluted and asked Lai Mian for some pleasantries.
".. Thank you for coming all the way here. Uncle is so looking after Miss very well, the proof is Miss is so pretty,"
Lai Mian smiled awkwardly, he had indeed heard a lot about Xiao Shuxiang from his father, and he had also seen the painting of this young man's face. Yet it felt really awkward, he had already met many handsome youths, but never this ugly.
"Young Master Xiao as well.. So good-looking. More handsome than.. Um.. In the painting I've seen," although faint, but both of Lai Mian's cheeks appear red. He was obviously nervous because of what he said.
"Drawing? Am I that famous that I should have a painting? Thanks for the compliment, it was not necessary. Miss will only make me big-headed," Xiao Shuxiang rubbed her nape, she asked Lai Mian to be casual with her and not to be too nervous. Honestly speaking, he could hear the sound of this girl's heartbeat being so clear.
Seeing Xiao Shuxiang standing with a beautiful girl in front of him-Making Yi Wen who had just returned home from the Middle Sun Emperor's palace seemed to have a sour expression.
While gently fanning his short hair, he began to walk towards his Brother Xiao and directly embrace his brother's right arm.
!!
Yi Wen's actions jolted everyone, even Xiao Shuxiang himself. Although in the end this Alchemist Chef behaved as usual after knowing that the one who embraced him was Yi Wen.
"Brother Xiao~ you didn't come looking for me right away.. You really outrageous~" Yi Wen's way of speaking was so spoiled and this made Xiao Shuxiang creep on his own. Moreover, his right arm is currently in a worrying condition because it rubs against two warm hills.
"Yi Wen's.. You're making my arm die. Let's release.."
"No want~ I miss you so much, Brother..!"
!
Not only did Yi Wen embrace the arm, she even directly hugged Xiao Shuxiang so tightly right before everyone. Ro Wei unconsciously opened his mouth wide at the sight of this behavior of his fellow students.
Lai Mian and Lai Kuan Ye were shocked, including Alchemist Zhou Yan. The disciples of the Butterfly Sect who were of a more mature age and had just returned home also looked surprised to see Senior Wen they were hugging a young man.
There were some disciples who even stumbled and almost fell while witnessing this. They knew very well that Yi Wen was a beautiful and well-bodied senior idol.
He was indeed notoriously ruthless, but still many disciples of the Butterfly Sect were trying to attract his attention.
Not a few of them who dream of embracing Yi Wen and feel for themselves how the warmth of God's creation. Unexpectedly, that luck was siding with the young man who had a dazzling face.
"Yi Wen, you're making me cramped. Let's get your arms off, man.." Xiao Shuxiang patted Yi Wen's back gently, his face did not appear red at all, but was full of discomfort as his chest came into contact with something soft.
Yi Wen hugged Xiao Shuxiang for a long time, while letting go of her embrace.. He glanced at Lai Mian. The look in his eyes seemed to warn Lai Kuan Ye's daughter not to approach her Brother Xiao.
The alchemist Zhou Yan shook his head slowly looking at Yi Wen's behavior. When you think about it again, the disciples of the Butterfly Sect were indeed a gathering of strange people, so this was already not too surprising.
"Senior..!"
One of the Butterfly Sect disciples exclaimed, he appeared to be panting.
While in front of Ro Wei, he began to say that outside the sect gate was now filled with many people.
"Xiao'Er, come. They all want to see you.." Lai Kuan Ye patted Xiao Shuxiang on the shoulder with a faint smile.
Xiao Shuxiang gulped his saliva and then started to catch his breath. He smiled while nodding slowly.
Together with Lai Kuan Ye and his other friends.. He walked towards the gate of the Butterfly Sect.
Lan Guan Zhi and Ling Qing Zhu also came along, behind them was Ao Fang as well as the other disciples of the Butterfly Sect.
?!
Xiao Shuxiang narrowed his eyes slightly when he was right in front of the gate of the sect. He stared at the back of a black-clothed young man who was sitting on top of the wall of the Butterfly Sect while holding his bamboo staff.
The young man was none other than the Crazy Beggar Boy. He was really just like a ghost, whereas before Xiao Shuxiang was sure to make sure the person could not walk even if the bond was removed.
Xiao Shuxiang jumped up and landed right beside the Crazy Beggar Boy. He was shocked when he heard the roar of the citizens of Cold Cloud City calling out his name.
!!
"That's Young Master Xiao..!"
"Young Master Xiao..!!"
It was hard to know who was exclaiming, but Xiao Shuxiang could clearly see the facial expressions of those who were so elated. The Crazy Beggar Boy who was beside him even to the point of amazed.
"You seem to be very famous in this place. What have you done until they're so enthusiastic about you?" Crazy Beggar Boy slightly improved his sitting position, his butt still sore because of Xiao Shuxiang. When he was dragged and tied to the bed.. This young man gave a hard slap to his beautiful ass. So late!
Xiao Shuxiang did not care about the groans and nagging of the Mad Beggar Boy, let alone the question this young man just now had. He is now struggling with his own mind.
"Young Master..!!"
The cries of many people filled his mind. Xiao Shuxiang did not know what he was really feeling, he was happy but also nervous.
Not only were the citizens of the Cold Cloud City so happy about his return, but also the warriors from the Third Stream.
?!
Xiao Shuxiang regained his senses as someone stepped on and stood right beside him. The young man was none other than his best friend, Lan Guan Zhi.
"Are these the people you wanted to slaughter in the past?"
!!
Lan Guan Zhi's face was flat and contained calmness, his question just now did not sound annoyed let alone cold, yet it was all enough to make Xiao Shuxiang shocked.
He thought about his friend's words. The people he saw were like remnants of how foolish his actions were in the past. If he had not drawn the sword to fight the Three Streams cultivator, there might have been many great cultivators in the Eastern Continent.
"You know what's the most unpleasant of regrets, Lan Zhi?" Xiao Shuxiang asked without turning his head towards his friend, ".. That is fear. They think of me as a hero, but they don't know that people who are being hailed are the cause of their worst nightmares in the past."
Xiao Shuxiang could not imagine how these people he saw would react when his identity as the Destroying Star was revealed.
".. You, Elder Three, Patriarch Lan, Duan De, Brother Jing, Dai Chen, even my beautiful mother did not mind this identity. But I can't expect the same from them.."
Although Xiao Shuxiang said softly, the Crazy Beggar Boy and Lan Guan Zhi were able to hear it well. They clearly understood the intent of this young man.
Every human being had different traits, so there was a possibility that many people who had previously idolized Xiao Shuxiang would become very resentful of him if the identity of this young man's past was revealed. Both of them understand that.
Crazy Beggar Boy stood up, he then said that the sad past should not be remembered. ".. You've fixed your mistake. If they really sincerely admire you, no matter how bad you were in the past-they will still accept you,"
"Crazy Beggar, you pervert but sometimes wise too. Did you eat wrong, huh?" Xiao Shuxiang nudged the Mad Beggar Boy's arm until the young man almost fell down. Fortunately, he was able to rebalance himself.
Xiao Shuxiang then turned his head towards Lan Guan Zhi, ".. You were the first to accept me and stay by my side. I'm sorry I used to make trouble for you, and thank you for always being with me.."
Lan Guan Zhi looked at Xiao Shuxiang. The way his friend spoke was like he was saying a farewell, it did not seem to reflect the usual Xiao Shuxiang at all.
"You once said a friend shouldn't say 'sorry' and 'thank you'. So you better not say. It'll put some distance between me and you,"
"Lan Zhi's.." Xiao Shuxiang did not know what to say. Lan Guan Zhi's voice was calm, gentle, yet contained a firmness making something in him grateful to be able to reincarnate in this life.
"Shouxingis.. I think I have a good friend in my life right now. I'm lucky to be friends with people like you, you're best friends."
!
Lan Guan Zhi gasped as Xiao Shuxiang smiled towards him. His friend's smile was not as usual. In fact, he said, the smile could tear down the hearts of anyone who saw it.
"I knew. I am indeed kind," Lan Guan Zhi smiled faintly, but to Xiao Shuxiang.. It was the clearest sincere smile he had ever seen. He felt proud for being the one who witnessed this rare thing from the figure of Lan Guan Zhi.
"Ahem!" Crazy Beggar Boy cleared his throat, ".. The two of you when you're together like you forgot how boisterous the world is. Have you guys always been like this? You're actually compatible, why don't you just get married?"
"You want to die?" Xiao Shuxiang turned his head towards the Mad Beggar Boy, ".. You could've married me to Lan'Er, but do it in your dreams, and that's even if you don't need 'Your Future',"
Xiao Shuxiang shook his head, he could not imagine himself and Lan Guan Zhi having such a forbidden relationship.
He admitted that he often acted mischievously and sometimes teased Lan Guan Zhi, but that was all he did because his friend was a stiff person, too disciplined, and minimal expression.
The method of flirting is still within the limits of fairness, not to the dangerous level as always Crazy Beggar Boy does with his customers. Xiao Shuxiang was still very sane.
The boisterous atmosphere he had forgotten was beginning to sound again. Xiao Shuxiang felt that it would take a long time to serve the citizens and warriors who wanted to meet him.
Seeing how antagonistic they were, he felt he had found something precious and could call family.
What the Mad Beggar Boy said was true. He did not have to remember the past, he only needed to make amends by becoming the new Xiao Shuxiang, even though it was not an easy path to go through.
**
The disciples of the Butterfly Sect helped Xiao Shuxiang arrange his meeting with the citizens as well as the swordsmen.
Every five times a day, ten people would be allowed into the sect and meet the Alchemist Chef.
Xiao Shuxiang who had first grabbed their hands to shake hands, he was truly like a friendly Host.
There was no awkwardness, Xiao Shuxiang could create an atmosphere full of familial sense. When he saw it, one would doubt that such a dazzling young man was the cultivator who liked to squeeze the internal organs of the opponent the most.
Qi Xuan, Huan Mei, and Huan Fei also came over. They could not hide the happiness of finally being able to meet Xiao Shuxiang after such a long time.
".. Brother Xiao, what kind of conditions are in the Middle Continent? I just looked at the book, is that place really so vast? I heard as well, it's hard for cultivators to live there.." The most enthusiastic Huan Mei asked Xiao Shuxiang. His eyes of different colors look amazing.
"Central Continent is very broad. It was the most vast continent among the other continents. It was indeed difficult for cultivators to sense the Qi in that place, but there were some places as well with a high Qi density. One of them was the sect where the White Cat lived,"
Xiao Shuxiang was currently inside a room, Ling Qing Zhu was visibly sitting beside him. He did not forget to introduce this white-haired beautiful girl to the people who wanted to meet her.
Actually, it was Xiao Shuxiang who forced Ling Qing Zhu to sit beside him. Honestly, he felt uncomfortable because he had been impressed to ignore his White Cat, so what he did now was solely to make up for his mistake.
".. Brother Xiao, are you and Miss Ling getting married?" Huan Mei could not help her curiosity.
Xiao Shuxiang looked at the white-clothed beautiful girl with the lotus complexion before smiling faintly. "Either.. If this lady beside me wants to. What say?"
Huan Mei, "The two of you fit in. I pray for your happiness Brother Xiao.."
"Young Master Xiao and Miss Ling do look harmonious. One is quiet and the other is too active, this can make Master and Young Miss complement each other,"
"I also agree. Young Master Xiao can learn from Miss Ling, and vice versa. Miss Ling will discover new things that are rarely found in the surroundings of the Sky Pagoda Sect,"
Two people aged around 50 years also spoke. They joked that saying the Sky Pagoda Sect would not feel boring when there was Xiao Shuxiang. The mischievous behavior of this young man could definitely overwhelm the teachers as well as senior disciples in the sect.
Besides being accompanied by his White Cat-In this room there was also Lan Guan Zhi, Crazy Beggar Boy, Yi Wen, Feng Ying, Zhou Yan, Lai Kuan Ye and Lai Mian, among others, as well as the representatives of the disciples of the Butterfly Sect.. Ao Fang and his three seniors.
It took Xiao Shuxiang 17 days to serve the people who wanted to meet him. Nothing else is said 5 times a day, all that has not happened since when.
People always arrive, before sunrise until the moon at night. This condition made Xiao Shuxiang intend to return Ling Qing Zhu.
He didn't want his White Cat for too long in the Eastern Continent, Ling Lang Tian would definitely be worried. That was why it was when only Xiao Shuxiang and his friends stayed.. He immediately brought out a Moving Mirror.
Yi Wen was also asked to come with Ling Qing Zhu on the grounds of Hu Li, Jing Mi, Nie Shang, Siu Yixin, Hou Yong, Mo Huai, and O Zhan had yet to figure out their current location. Hu Li and the others must have been very anxious.
"Wait for my brother, what if we want to see you?" Yi Wen asked before stepping her foot into the mirror.
"You just find Hu Li. He has a marker seal on me, he knows what to do with the paper I gave him.." Xiao Shuxiang had not been able to leave because he had to do something first.
Ling Qing Zhu understood the intention of his Guardian, he advised that Xiao Shuxiang could take good care of herself. He then entered the Moving Mirror without any hesitation.
Just as Yi Wen and Ling Qing Zhu were nowhere to be seen anymore-Xiao Shuxiang began to take out Xiao Qing Yan and Lan Xiao from within her Semestal Bracelet.
The Moon Tiger directly leaped towards Xiao Shuxiang and let out a typical grunt sound of a small cat.
Lan Xiao and Xiao Qing Yan were obviously upset that they had just been expelled. Both of them even thought they had been forgotten.
"It doesn't have to be that wet. It's time to go to the Southern Continent and complete this mission,"
!!
***
