Chapter 406 - 195: The Arrival of Miao Feichan
Chapter 406: Chapter 195: The Arrival of Miao Feichan
"If I don’t ask for details, I suppose I can still stay out of this."
Fang Shuwen asked thoughtfully, "So, this trouble you’re in... can you handle it on your own?"
"..."
Miao Feichan fell silent. If she could have handled it, she wouldn’t be in such a passive position.
Her silence was, of course, an answer in itself.
Fang Shuwen said with a smile,
"In other words, even if I heal your injuries, you’ll still have a hard time escaping their grasp.
"In the end, you’ll most likely still end up dead, right?
"We’ve known each other for a while. I even asked you for pointers on my Lightweight Technique. And what’s more..."
As he spoke, Fang Shuwen subconsciously glanced at Miao Feichan’s chest.
’Maybe it’s better if I don’t finish that sentence.’
Miao Feichan noticed his gaze, her black, jewel-like eyes narrowing slightly.
"’And what’s more’ what?"
"And what’s more, I am an upright man, a perfect gentleman. How could I see an old friend in peril and simply turn a blind eye?"
Fang Shuwen lifted his chin, his face filled with righteous indignation.
Miao Feichan almost laughed out of exasperation and instinctively pinched his waist.
The pinch stunned not only Fang Shuwen, but Miao Feichan as well.
The gesture was rather forward, perhaps inappropriate...
Fortunately, neither of them dwelled on it, sharing a tacit understanding to pretend it never happened.
Miao Feichan sighed and said,
"Alright, I won’t mince words with you. Right now... I truly do need someone to save my life.
"The people hunting me are from Night Rain Tower. Have you heard of them?"
"Never heard of them."
Fang Shuwen shook his head firmly.
"Is there such an organization in the Northern Domain?"
"They’re from the Central Domain."
"...Then why did you ask me?"
Fang Shuwen rolled his eyes. He’d never even been to the Central Domain, so how would he know about Night Rain Tower?
Miao Feichan said,
"Actually, it’s not just you. Even most people in the Central Domain don’t know about them.
"This organization is very mysterious... If not for a recent twist of fate, I would have never heard of them either."
"Another mysterious organization?"
Fang Shuwen complained internally. ’The Central Domain is already teeming with sects, all flourishing like a hundred flowers, and now mysterious organizations are popping up one after another. Is there someone out there running a wholesale business for them?’
’I’ve never even been to the Central Domain, and I already know of two such mysterious organizations from there.’
’It’s honestly... baffling.’
"Another?"
Miao Feichan paused, slightly taken aback.
"What other mysterious organizations do you know of?"
Fang Shuwen’s mind stirred. ’Miao Feichan seems to have been active in the Central Domain for years. With her masterful Lightweight Technique, she must be well-informed. Maybe she knows something about Dragon Abyss?’
’But she’s in a world of trouble herself right now. I can ask about that later.’
At this thought, he shook his head.
"We can talk about that later. First, tell me about this Night Rain Tower."
Seeing his reluctance, Miao Feichan didn’t press the matter. She collected her thoughts for a moment before speaking.
"I originally had no dealings with Night Rain Tower. The reason I’ve been traveling through the Central Domain all these years was to find something..."
As she spoke, she took out a dagger from her robes.
The dagger was exquisite. The hilt and sheath were inlaid with a total of seven gems, making it look extremely valuable.
Fang Shuwen casually took it and drew the dagger from its sheath.
The blade wasn’t straight, nor was it a simple curve. It snaked like a serpent.
"This dagger is named ’Seven Stars,’ for the seven gems on it.
"It was an heirloom of my sect.
"Unfortunately, my master was tragically killed and my sect fell to ruin. This secret heirloom was lost.
"For years, I conducted a long and secret search for it, and I finally found a lead...
"But at the time, I sensed the path would be perilous, so I hesitated."
"This was before you went to Yuqing Pavilion?"
Fang Shuwen suddenly asked.
Miao Feichan nodded.
"I was once traveling in the Eastern Domain and met Yu Yaoguang by chance.
"We hit it off right away and became fast friends.
"So I thought that if this journey proved perilous and I didn’t return, I should at least go see this dear friend one last time."
Fang Shuwen finally understood. ’No wonder I always felt she had something on her mind, and why she left so abruptly after seeing Yu Yaoguang... so that was the reason behind it all.’
"Fortunately, the trip was a success. Despite a few setbacks, I finally obtained Seven Stars. I thought I could make a clean getaway, but I never imagined..."
Miao Feichan’s expression soured.
"Night Rain Tower appeared. Their goal was also Seven Stars.
"I’ve crossed blades with them. Their Martial Arts are superb.
"My Lightweight Technique may be masterful, but... as you know, direct combat isn’t my strong suit.
"At first, I didn’t know how strong they were. I clashed with them once and nearly lost my life.
"I’ve been on the run ever since, but I don’t know how they do it. They’re always able to find me.
"Their Lightweight Technique isn’t as good as mine, but they’ve chased me day and night without ever stopping.
"Because I had no time to treat my wounds, and would even sustain new ones from time to time, my injuries grew more and more severe...
"I fled aimlessly to the Northern Domain and, as it turned out, heard news of you here.
"Only then... did I feel a glimmer of hope."
"Sounds like you have pretty good luck, then."
The corners of Fang Shuwen’s lips curled up slightly.
"Where do you plan to go next?"
"...If I can survive, I’ll go to the Eastern Domain."
"Yuqing Pavilion?"
"Divine Deer Valley!"
"As it happens, I’m heading back to the Eastern Domain myself. How about this? I can tell your journey ahead won’t be a peaceful one. Why don’t I escort you?"
Fang Shuwen said with a smile,
"Once we arrive, you can give me some kind of reward—silver, or something else. We’re acquaintances, so there’s no need to be so formal. Just give whatever you think is fair."
Miao Feichan fell silent for a moment before finally nodding.
"Alright."
[Ding! A new guard mission has been detected.]
[Escort Miao Feichan to Divine Deer Valley in the Eastern Domain!]
[Do you wish to accept?]
Seeing the prompt, Fang Shuwen finally let out a sigh of relief.
He immediately chose to accept.