Chapter 6 Sisters in the Imperial Capital

“Whew.”
Xia Jiuxuan let out a heavy breath.
The enemy was relentless, going so far as to hire a sorcerer in an attempt to steal little Ranran.
Had he not awakened his memories, he would never have sensed the soul arts the other was using.
Every time he thought of what would happen to Ranran if she were captured—her back split open, her body used to nurture ice silkworms—a murderous intent flooded his mind.
“How dare a mere alchemist be so arrogant? If I don’t destroy you, I’m unworthy of the title ‘Emperor of Slaughter.’”
No matter what, that venomous alchemist must die!
For Ranran’s safety, Xia Jiuxuan decided to keep her by his side at all times from that moment on. No one would be allowed near her.

Inside the inner room, because Xia Jiuxuan had just sealed Ranran’s hearing with his own will, she hadn’t heard a thing.
“Second father, please don’t send Sister Linghua away.”
Other than Xia Jiuxuan, the person Ranran relied on most was Sister Linghua. To the little girl, she was almost like a mother, someone she depended on deeply.
Xia Jiuxuan forced a smile and said, “Don’t worry. Sister Linghua is so kind—how could I bear to send her away? She just misses her family and wants to visit them for a while. She’ll be back after some time.”
“Isn’t this Sister Linghua’s home? How can she have two homes?” Ranran pouted.
“Yes, Sister Linghua has two homes. Her other home is where her father and mother live. She wants to visit the elders—this is her way of showing filial piety. When you grow up, you’ll understand.”
“Hmph, second father, you mustn’t lie to me.”
“I would never lie to you. Sister Linghua will come back…”
Xia Jiuxuan turned away, sighing inwardly.
When you’re older, you’ll understand—she’ll never be able to return.

The next day, Xia Jiuxuan took Ranran out with him.
After yesterday’s lesson, he would never leave her at the estate again, nor entrust her to anyone else.
But that meant he would have to delay his plan to hunt demons in Blackwater Mountain.
After all, deep in the remote mountains and forests, Xia Jiuxuan couldn’t guarantee Ranran’s safety.
Besides, it wasn’t right for a five-year-old girl to endure the hardships of outdoor life alongside him.

“Second father, I want that one!”
Xia Jiuxuan held Ranran’s tiny hand as she stopped in front of a candied hawthorn vendor, refusing to budge.
All children loved sweets.
“All right, second father will buy it for you.”
Just as he bought the treat, someone tapped his shoulder.

“Jiuxuan?”
He turned to see two young women of remarkable beauty studying him.

“And you are?”
In the blink of an eye, a crowd had formed around Xia Jiuxuan—not for his sake, but to gawk at the two beauties.

“She truly is the most beautiful woman in Dragon Cavern City. After studying at the Imperial Academy for a few years, she’s even more stunning.”
“Look at her! That grace, that barely veiled attire… If I, Old Ox, could marry someone like her, I’d gladly trade ten years of my life.”
“Bah! Take a look at yourself. You could trade ten lifetimes and still not be so lucky.”
The crowd fantasized wildly about the two women.

Yet Xia Jiuxuan’s memory of the beautiful maiden before him was vague at best.
“You’re going to die,” he blurted out.
The young woman, already miffed that he didn’t recognize her, grew furious at what sounded like a curse.
“Xia Jiuxuan! After all these years, you pretend not to know me and now you’re cursing me?!”
Xia Jiuxuan frowned, finally recognizing her—it was the second young lady of the Liu family. They’d once trained together. She’d changed a lot, more beautiful than ever, her bearing far more refined. No wonder he hadn’t recognized her at first.

But when Xia Jiuxuan said those words, he hadn’t meant to curse her.
“My apologies, Miss Liu Weiyu. I didn’t recognize you just now.”
“Hmph.”
Liu Weiyu curled her lip in disdain.
He can’t recognize me? Didn’t he used to pine for me, only to be rejected? As if he could truly forget me.

“Weiyu, so you lied to me,” said the other young woman at her side, even purer in appearance, sticking out her tongue playfully at Liu Weiyu.
“Ayao, what did I lie about?” Liu Weiyu was confused.
“Still trying to deny it? Hmph.” Ayao giggled, “Didn’t you say the young talents chasing you in Dragon Cavern City formed a line out the door? Yet here you are greeting this fellow, and he’s already forgotten you. Hee hee!”
Liu Weiyu grew even angrier at the tease.

“Xia Jiuxuan, you’re so petty. You couldn’t win my heart, so now you curse me? What kind of man are you? People from small towns really have no class. Ayao, you’re not allowed to laugh at me.”
She’d only meant to greet Xia Jiuxuan and show off in front of her friend, not expecting him to be so small-minded. She didn’t hold back either.
Xia Jiuxuan shrugged helplessly.
To be honest, as the Emperor of Slaughter, he cherished affection for his family, but those youthful crushes meant little to him now—he’d nearly forgotten them.

“Liu Weiyu, I wasn’t cursing you. Your dantian is riddled with poison. If you wish to live, stop cultivating at once; otherwise, within three months, you will surely die.”

“My words end here. Take care. Now, pardon me.”
With that, Xia Jiuxuan took a few steps forward, absentmindedly lowering the candied hawthorn in his hand.
No one took it.
“Oh no, where’s Ranran?”
With so many people crowding around, he’d only exchanged a few words, and Ranran had already vanished.

“Out of my way!”
His face darkened as he pushed through the crowd, his figure immediately disappearing.

“What a jerk! I’m furious!”
Liu Weiyu stamped her foot in rage. Was this man even worthy of being called one? Failing to win her love, he now cursed her? And he’d made up that ridiculous story, making her lose face in front of her friend. This wasn’t over!

“Hee hee, you’ve been found out. Actually, I think he’s quite handsome. If you really don’t want him, don’t hurt him—let me have him, will you, sister?”
“How dare you still tease me! If you keep this up, we’re not friends anymore!”
Liu Weiyu’s chest heaved with anger, drawing the eyes of all the lecherous old men nearby.

“Tsk tsk, women from the imperial capital really are something else…”
“All right, all right, I was just joking, dear. There aren’t any real catches in a small city—a nobody like him would never interest me. Don’t be angry, okay?”
Ayao caught up and clung to Liu Weiyu’s arm, wheedling sweetly.
But her gaze drifted back, searching for the vanished figure.
Had he seen through her?
How could a nobody see through me?
Ha!

Liu Weiyu didn’t notice the flash of venomous hatred flicker in Ayao’s eyes.
“That’s more like it. Ayao, why don’t you help me play a trick on him?” Liu Weiyu said.
“What sort of trick?”
“Oh, you little fox, it’s easy for you to fool him. Look at all the men you’ve bewitched—I don’t believe that country bumpkin Xia Jiuxuan can resist your charms.”
“You’re so bad, you’re the little fox! I can’t stand you.”
Ayao chimed in coyly, “Since you’re my best friend, I’ll help you this once.”
“Really? Thank you, sister! When we get back to the capital, I’ll treat you to something delicious.”
Hand in hand, the two young women walked together, appearing closer than ever.