Chapter Thirty-Four: Wang Can

"What exactly is going on here?" In the courtyard, Wu Xier stood amid the chaos, her delicate face as dark as a storm.

"Sister Wu," Zhan Yan emerged from the corner, his demeanor humble and subdued.

Wu Xier glanced at him, and only now did she truly understand—being beaten by a single person was no mere prank.

"What happened?" Her voice was cold as ice, sending a shiver down Zhan Yan's spine. He answered in a low voice, "Just as I wrote on the communication talisman—we were all beaten up by one person."

"What!" The four people behind Wu Xier were instantly shocked. One person had managed to defeat all fourteen of them here?

Wu Xier's expression turned stormy. For a single person to overpower everyone here, only the stewards and elders of Quiet Bamboo Peak might be capable of such a feat—and as far as she knew, none of them were in the sect at present. There was no enmity with anyone else, so there was no reason for trouble. Still, it was not impossible that one of them had returned.

Having considered this, Wu Xier looked at Zhan Yan and asked, "Was it Xing Wuque?"

He shook his head.

"Gu Yang?"

Again, he shook his head.

Wu Xier's tone grew sharp and forceful. "Then who was it! Only three people in Quiet Bamboo Peak could accomplish this. Don't tell me it was him!"

Zhan Yan shook his head once more; if the third person had acted, the commotion would have been far greater.

"Junior Brother Zhan, at least tell us who it was!" one of the female disciples behind Wu Xier urged, her voice anxious.

Zhan Yan was filled with inner turmoil. So many Foundation Establishment cultivators, all defeated by a single Qi Refining disciple—how could he say such a thing aloud? No one would believe it.

He sighed heavily. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. He bowed his head, resigned to whatever they might say or do.

Wu Xier studied him for a long moment, then her red lips parted. "Where is he now?"

"What?" Zhan Yan looked up, unable to believe her words. The others behind Wu Xier stared at her as though they'd seen a ghost—when had Wu Xier ever been so easygoing?

"You should know I won't repeat myself," she said coldly.

Wu Xier's words snapped Zhan Yan out of his daze. He hurriedly pointed towards a nearby stream. "He said he'd wait for you upstream!"

"Oh?" Wu Xier's eyes showed a flicker of amusement.

"Let's go see what kind of person this Shen Qingyun really is," she said, turning to leave the courtyard.

...

At the end of the stream was a small pool, surrounded on all sides by forest, with only one narrow path leading in. In all of Quiet Bamboo Peak, this was a secluded spot.

Shen Qingyun stood by the water, his reflection clear in the pool. Behind him, Ling Xiao clenched his fists, his expression resolute.

"If this is truly your resolve, then show me," Shen Qingyun said, eyes deep and unfathomable as he gazed at the water.

...

"Hey, Sister Wu, where are you headed?" Wang Can called out, seeing Wu Xier and her group striding forward, the air around them tense and forbidding. He couldn't help but wonder who had provoked them.

"Brother Wang?" Wu Xier was momentarily startled. Her first instinct was to avoid him, but there was only one path—nowhere to hide. She steeled herself and walked forward.

"I thought you were out on a mission, Brother Wang?" Her tone was unchanged, as if she spoke this way to everyone.

Wang Can chuckled. "I just returned a moment ago. I was coming to find you—who would have thought I'd meet you on the way? Isn't it fate, wouldn't you say?" He smiled warmly at her.

"Brother Wang, you are quite the humorist. But would you mind stepping aside? We have business to attend to," Wu Xier replied. Rarely did she restrain herself so, but her politeness was laced with distance, making it impossible for Wang Can to press further.

A trace of coldness flickered in Wang Can's eyes, but he maintained his elegant smile. "Has someone provoked you?"

"And how did you know that, Brother Wang?"

"It’s written all over your faces—no need for me to guess," he laughed.

Seeing her intentions exposed, Wu Xier offered no further explanation. "That's right, so would you please let us pass?"

Yet Wang Can remained in the path, still smiling. "If someone bullies you, they are bullying me, too. Tell me the matter, and I'll handle it for you—there’s no need for you to get involved."

"That won't be necessary, Brother Wang," Wu Xier declined flatly.

"That won't do. If someone has wronged you and I know about it without helping, it would be a stain on my reputation!"

Wang Can clung to Wu Xier like melted sugar, refusing to budge no matter what she said.

Her companions behind her also revealed signs of irritation at Wang Can, but, like Wu Xier, said nothing aloud.

It was said that behind Wang Can stood a steward elder. Because of this elder, Wang Can had joined Quiet Bamboo Peak; and due to this, Wu Xier and her group dared not offend him openly.

For in Quiet Bamboo Peak, the steward elders held far too much power. With a word, they could see you ostracized, your cultivation resources cut for a month, or even have you expelled from Cangyun Sect.

Wu Xier bit her lip in secret. If she could, she would have slapped Wang Can hard across the face. But she could not—she needed to remain in Quiet Bamboo Peak, to receive its resources and cultivation. For those resources, she would endure Wang Can.

Forcing a stiff smile, Wu Xier said, "Since Brother Wang is so concerned, it would be ungracious of me to refuse."

"As long as you understand, Sister Wu," Wang Can replied with a smile.

"You may come with us, Brother Wang. If I'm unable to resolve things, then I'll trouble you to step in."

Wang Can considered, then nodded. "Very well."