Chapter 105:

[You return home and prepare to practice but discover an uninvited guest.]

[It’s a seriously injured girl of unknown identity.]

[You provide basic treatment to stop her bleeding and place her weapon far away for safety.]

[Your efforts are effective. After half an hour, the girl, clearly in the Blood Exchange Realm, awakens from her coma.]

[Her consciousness is clouded by panic, and her immediate reaction is to attack you despite her injuries.]

Her attack, weakened by her state, poses no threat.

Xu Xi, having already secured her weapon, easily deflects her desperate moves.

Confusion, shock, and embarrassment flash across her face in quick succession before settling into an awkward grin.

“Uh… how about I say sorry?” she muttered, attempting to mask her unease.

Her appearance was stunning, every feature exuding an air of beauty. However, her demeanor was a mix of carelessness and guardedness. Despite her casual tone, Xu Xi could see through her façade. Her wandering eyes betrayed her wariness, as she subtly searched for her weapon.

“No need to apologize,” Xu Xi replied, sipping his tea with a calm demeanor. His nonchalant attitude visibly startled the girl. “Since you’re awake, you can leave.”

His words shocked her into silence. She clearly hadn’t expected such a dismissal.

The room fell eerily quiet.

Outside, the faint rustle of willow trees and the chirping of insects emphasized the stillness.

“You…” The casualness faded from her face, replaced by a serious expression. Her gaze scrutinized Xu Xi, trying to discern his intentions.

Confusion and hesitation filled her eyes before she spoke decisively.

“I am Wu Yingxue, the legitimate daughter of Emperor Dingyuan of Daqian!” she declared, her tone urgent. “The Princess of Liang’an, appointed by His Majesty! I was ambushed by traitors, injured, and fell here. Please, escort me back to the capital! My father will reward you with a high-ranking position!”

Gripping Xu Xi’s arm tightly, her wide eyes pleaded with desperation.

Xu Xi raised an eyebrow, his tone calm. “Let go.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I believe you. Your attire and weapon are enough proof.” Xu Xi replied evenly.

“Then why won’t you help me?”

Her voice carried confusion and indignation, as if the script of her life had suddenly gone off course. Wasn’t Xu Xi supposed to swear loyalty and offer his unwavering support?

“In this world, no one is obligated to help anyone,” Xu Xi said calmly, his words shattering her worldview. “I saved you because I chose to. I won’t help you because I don’t want to.”

His tone was firm but free of malice.

“And another thing you should know—”

Before Xu Xi could finish, a loud knock interrupted him. He gestured for the girl to stay put and went to answer the door.

The visitor was a familiar face.

“Aniu, what brings you here?” Xu Xi asked, stepping across the threshold to meet the young man.

Aniu, whose real name was Zhang Tieniu, was 20 years old—two years younger than Xu Xi in the simulation. With his honest demeanor, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, he had a reputation as a simple and straightforward individual.

“Brother Xu!” Aniu greeted him with a grin, wiping sweat from his forehead. His clothes were soaked, and his breathing was heavy. “I came to tell you something important.”

“Important?” Xu Xi asked curiously.

“Yes! A group of officials arrived in town, saying they’re searching for a fugitive,” Aniu explained.

Bang!

A loud crash echoed from inside Xu Xi’s house.

Aniu glanced curiously toward the noise. “Brother Xu, what’s going on in there? Sounds like something big.”

“Just a rat,” Xu Xi said with a smile.

“A big one, then! You’re amazing, Brother Xu, dealing with even such troublesome rats!” Aniu replied cheerfully.

Despite Aniu’s obliviousness, the commotion inside continued—faint thuds and scraping sounds that Xu Xi hoped wouldn’t arouse further suspicion.

“The officials said the fugitive is a girl from the capital,” Aniu continued. “They warned she’s a murderer, though she looks honest. A real devil in disguise.”

The sounds inside grew louder, but Aniu was too engrossed in his own musings to notice.

“My mother says city girls must have arms as thick as tree trunks and can crush people with a single slap,” he joked, laughing heartily.

Xu Xi forced a smile and gently ushered Aniu away. “Thanks for the warning, Aniu. Go home now.”

After closing the door, Xu Xi returned to find Wu Yingxue pacing angrily, her fists clenched and her teeth grinding audibly.

The “rat” comment and Aniu’s crude description had clearly struck a nerve. But her rational side soon took over as she focused on the more pressing matter.

“Fugitive?” she muttered, her voice trembling. “I’m a fugitive? This… this can’t be true.”

Her shock was palpable, her fingers trembling as she struggled to process the situation.

“This is what I wanted to tell you earlier,” Xu Xi said, sitting down with a composed expression. “If you hadn’t lied, this wouldn’t make sense. Given your status, an ambush is improbable—unless your identity has changed.”

Wu Yingxue’s eyes widened in realization, her world spinning as she confronted the possibility that everything she believed had crumbled.