Chapter 1513 - 104: Factions (Part 5)
Thump. Thump.
Two deep knocks echoed at the door.
Huo Gu rose in delight, assuming it was the long-awaited return of Little Miss Cui.
He hurriedly opened the door.
However, what he saw was a fiery-red figure with a sullen face standing outside.
"Venerable Yuan Huo..."
Huo Gu was quite surprised.
Xie Xuanyi was equally astonished.
"Brother Yuan Huo."
Xie Xuanyi smiled and spoke, somewhat guiltily, "What brings you here in the middle of the night?"
He had only met Yuan Huo "three" times.
Not counting the robbery, only two encounters, coming at this hour couldn’t possibly be because they discovered the hints from before, right?
"You, leave immediately."
Venerable Yuan Huo glanced at Huo Gu.
He recognized the other as Venerable Qing Ming’s junior brother, but didn’t bother with courtesy, directly issuing an expulsion order for Xie Xuanyi.
"This..."
Huo Gu scratched his head, originally wanting to support Brother Lu.
Yet, seeing Venerable Yuan Huo’s eyes brimming with hidden anger, his straight posture shrunk back.
This was Great Saint Mountain.
Though Yuan Huo was rather formidable in the Yin God Realm, he had to maintain a low profile in front of the Great Venerables.
Moreover, being fellow disciples, surely they wouldn’t end up fighting?
"Brother Lu, err... I have some matters to attend, I’ll head back first."
Huo Gu backed down.
He felt quite regretful, after drinking for half the night, Little Miss Cui still hadn’t shown up.
He was kicked out like a ball.
After Huo Gu departed.
Yuan Huo forcefully shut the courtyard door, which made Ao Ying furrow her brows as the demoness silently took out the [Feng Mou], ready to act first if the situation turned foul. Was Yuan Huo here at this hour to clear accounts for the robbery?
Preparing to settle scores?
"..."
Xie Xuanyi continued smiling, he brushed his sleeves, signaling Venerable Yuan Huo not to rush, and sat by the wine jar and bonfire.
The atmosphere in the courtyard was deathly silent.
Venerable Yuan Huo walked very slowly.
He sat opposite Xie Xuanyi, gazing expressionlessly into his eyes.
"Junior Brother Lu."
Venerable Yuan Huo took out a brand new exquisite wine cup from the Grotto Heaven within his sleeve, poured himself a drink, but didn’t hurry to consume it, instead inspecting under the moonlight.
The wine swayed.
He squinted his eyes and said slowly, "Do you know why I came looking for you tonight?"
"I’m rather dense."
Xie Xuanyi smiled and glanced above the courtyard.
He had prepared for the worst.
Fortunately, he had already set up the talisman formation in advance.
If they were to fight soon, hopefully, those Great Venerables wouldn’t notice?
The aftermath would be difficult to handle.
A living person like Yuan Huo couldn’t just vanish into thin air...
"Some time ago, I indeed got robbed."
Venerable Yuan Huo said flatly, "Such matters involve the sect’s dignity, the masterhood’s honor... If it were spread, Red Flame Dojo would inevitably become a laughingstock."
"...Oh?"
Xie Xuanyi fell silent, his smile retracting, "Has Senior Brother discovered the culprit?"
"Naturally."
Yuan Huo lifted his head, sneering coldly, "Junior Brother truly is oblivious... It’s not far away, but right before us!"
"!"
Upon hearing this, Ao Ying’s eyes flashed with a hint of killing intent.
She was about to act immediately.
But Xie Xuanyi firmly suppressed her with a wisp of Divine Thought.
Xie Xuanyi sat in the wheelchair, unfazed, drinking slowly, waiting for more.
He could feel the anger, hatred, and killing intent in Yuan Huo’s eyes.
But this anger and hatred...
Were not directed at him.
"Venerable Heavenly Phoenix!"
Yuan Huo gritted his teeth and said coldly, "The culprit... is Venerable Heavenly Phoenix!"
"???"
These words stunned Ao Ying.
The direction of this matter, why does it seem different from what I imagined?
"Today you and I travel, encountering Venerable Heavenly Phoenix."
Yuan Huo lowered his voice, speaking word by word, "He and Master have held resentment for years... You witnessed it too, he deliberately chose such a moment just to suppress the Red Flame Dojo. He received the invitation from Great Saint Mountain long ago, yet delayed appearing, all to cover his actions. He had already targeted ’us’."
"Us?"
Xie Xuanyi feigned surprise.
"Don’t think you can escape Heavenly Phoenix’s schemes just because you are merely a nominal disciple of Master."
Yuan Huo warned in a deep voice, "This person is treacherous, cunning, deeply shrewd... and exceedingly vindictive. Having gained an advantage, naturally he aims to revenge, against the entire Red Flame Dojo."
Upon entering Great Saint Mountain’s gates today.
He returned to his residence for seclusion, but couldn’t stop recalling the day’s meeting.
The more he thought. The more wrong it seemed.
Yuan Huo pondered, in terms of cultivation realm, there are only a few "Great Perfect" in the Demon Country capable of surpassing him decisively.
In Giant Martial City...
Is there such a person?
But if it’s "Heavenly Phoenix," then everything falls into place!
Venerable Heavenly Phoenix had long reached Yin God Perfection, but due to lacking Creation, unable to Promote to Yang God. Facing such an old demon, Yuan Huo naturally was not a match.
Hence...
The night’s attack had only one explanation!
Venerable Heavenly Phoenix had lurked along his unavoidable path, followed him, figured out his residence, and shamelessly ambushed him!
He detailed his deductions thoroughly.
"Brilliant."
Xie Xuanyi felt complicated but maintained a straight face, commending, "Brother Yuan Huo indeed has sharp vision."
"Though some details might be off, the result certainly isn’t."
Venerable Yuan Huo gritted his teeth and said, "It must be that Heavenly Phoenix plotting against me, wanting me humiliated..."
"So you came to see me tonight?" Xie Xuanyi asked.
"Though I disapprove of your self-deprecating behavior, we are fellow disciples."
Venerable Yuan Huo sighed lightly, saying, "You address me as Senior Brother, I must offer you some warnings... Be careful, that old thief Heavenly Phoenix won’t stop after one robbery if it disgraces Red Flame Dojo, he won’t mind doing it again."
"This is Great Saint Mountain, isn’t that unlikely?"
Xie Xuanyi feigned astonishment.
"Great Saint Mountain has many Great Venerables, but who would care about such remote corners?"
Venerable Yuan Huo shook his head, sneering, "If Heavenly Phoenix truly targets you, you can only count on fortune. I came tonight hoping you’d be mentally prepared, keep your treasures well hidden."
"Pfft."
Ao Ying nearly burst into laughter at those words.
She was somewhat anticipating the scene where Venerable Heavenly Phoenix comes knocking for Xie Xuanyi.
"Senior Brother."
Xie Xuanyi raised his cup and drank it all, speaking sincerely, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for the reminder tonight... I am truly grateful."
"Enough."
Venerable Yuan Huo stood up, waved his sleeve, about to leave.
"Senior Brother..."
Xie Xuanyi spoke again, stopping him.
"What else?"
Venerable Yuan Huo mildly turned back, slightly impatient.
"I have a suggestion."
Xie Xuanyi gazed into Yuan Huo’s eyes, earnestly asking, "If I recall correctly, that old thief Heavenly Phoenix brought an entourage of disciples for the birthday celebration this time... Since he has done it once, why don’t we... do it again?"