The Legendary Master’s Wife - Chap 28

Chapter 28: Heartfelt Wish

T he Grand Master of the Tian Xin Sect, Tang Fan, had held this post for almost a hundred years. Under his leadership, the Tian Xin Sect was becoming more and more like a first class sect. Now it was regarded as the one most likely to become the leading sect on Long Xiang Continent. Someone with this level of skill was surely not a simple man. In Lin Xiao’s memory, even though Tang Fan was his shifu, he was still a mystery. Even though Lin Xiao was his cherished Eldest disciple, he still didn’t know what level of strength Tang Fan had. That was why most people had the impression that Tang Fan was like an wily old fox, enigmatic and impossible to predict.

Since he was afraid of Tang Fan, Lin Xiao had never dared to expose the tiniest bit of weakness in front of him. Most importantly, because the Tian Xin Sect was a first class sect on Long Xiang Continent, its true strength was not something that was easily revealed. It was a pity that even someone like Lin Xiao was unable to find out the true strength of the Tian Xin Sect.

Tang Fan summoning him was something Ling Xiao expected. Putting aside the huge change in his temperament, suddenly associating with a nobody from Capital Peak, just Tang YunQi running back complaining in tears was probably enough of a reason. In Lin Xiao’s memory, Tang Fan was a doting father. Anything Tang YunQi wished, as long as it was within acceptable limits, Tang Fan would surely help her achieve it. So, this time, since Tang YunQi had felt slighted in front of everyone it was a definite that she would run crying to Tang Fan.

“Da Shixiong, Grand Master was waiting for you inside.” The Shidi that brought him here left him outside the Assembly Hall. Ling Xiao looked over the grand exterior of the Assembly Hall. The plaque carrying the name was said to have been put up personally by Tang Fan. Appearing gentle on the surface, each stroke was actually incisive, with a cutting edge. It was just that it was deeply hidden.

Upon pushing open the door and walking in, the vast Assembly Hall, while not particularly sumptuous, was extremely imposing. Two exquisitely carved chairs sat facing the entrance. On one sat a middle-aged man that appeared to be about forty.

The middle-aged man had kind brows and pleasant eyes. Upon seeing Ling Xiao, he revealed an amiable smile, “Lin Xiao, you’re here. Come over to Shifu.”

Ling Xiao walked over expressionless, his lips slightly curving, “Shifu.”

This greeting of Shifu was actually too high a praise for Tang Fan. According to his qualifications, Tang Fan was simply not worthy to be his shifu. In fact, if one turned it around, Tang Fan was not even worthy of being his disciple. It was only that he was now playing the part of Lin Xiao, so he could only give Tang Fan this undeserved respect.

“Xiao-Er, it has been a long time since we, shifu and disciple, have had a heart to heart talk. Now that we have this rare time when we are both unoccupied, come sit. Let’s have a talk.” Tang Fan beamed while looking at him.

Ling Xiao was not the tiniest bit reserved, taking the first seat below Tang Fan, “Shifu is right, we really have not talked for almost two years.”

Tang Fan stroked his beard while nodding in satisfaction, “Xiao-Er, do you remember the first time we talked, the time and the place?”

“Not many are able to enter Shifu’s room. I still remember ; the first time you looked for me was in the middle of the night. Such a distinctive move, only the honorable you is capable of that.” A slight smile appeared on Ling Xiao’s expressionless face, as if recalling something from memory, showing no chink in his armor.

“As people age, the ability to remember is also reduced greatly.” Tang Fan sighed.

They continued with some small talk, mostly reminiscing. Finally Tang Fan brought up his darling daughter. Tang YunQi was really a spoiled princess, but everyone could see that Lin Xiao had always treated Tang YunQi coolly. This, even Tang Fan could see clearly, and was not worried because of this. Tang Fan was well aware of how unreasonable his darling daughter could be. That was why he didn’t ask Lin Xiao to let her have her way. He only asked that he occasionally gave in to her so that there wouldn’t be too much trouble. After all, she was a young girl, and one that loved to save face, especially in front of the other disciples. After talking for almost two hours, Tang Fan finally let him leave.

Pretending to be Lin Xiao, Ling Xiao’s performance could be said to be very relaxed, not in the least bit troubled. Leaving the Assembly Hall, Ling Xiao leisurely strolled down the long passageways. The smile on his lips getting broader and broader. What a wily old fox. Nine out of ten sentences stuck to events from the past. If he had not absorbed Lin Xiao’s memory, he would have been revealed.

Lin Xiao was a cold man, bordering on being heartless, but his popularity in the Tian Xin Sect was so good that it was quite unimaginable. Normal people would not be able to comprehend, but Ling Xiao, who had absorbed his memories, understood his motives all too clearly. In order to win over the hearts of others, he would frequently ‘unintentionally’ grant favors for the disciples by his side. These unwitting actions, for those that were in a difficult spot, seemed like receiving coal in a snowstorm. More often than not, those people would remember that he was someone that had been good to them. Lin Xiao made use of this point. That was why a lot of the Tian Xin Sect disciples felt indebted to him and worshiped him. The cold and expressionless Da Shixiong, was under that indifferent exterior hiding a warm heart. It was as if all the disciples also thought that way.

Except for a few trusted subordinates, no one knew that there was a motive behind these actions. Truthfully speaking, Ling Xiao only absorbed his memories because it was convenient. He never expected that Lin Xiao was actually hiding such a huge secret. Ambition was really a good thing!

Since he was replacing him, Ling Xiao decided he would help him fulfill that teeny, tiny, heartfelt wish!

“Da Shixiong, you’ve finally returned.” A young man turned around. Upon seeing him, the young man was delighted, running over without stopping to take a breath, whispering softly, “Did you find that thing?”

Ling Xiao was all smiles, “Zhou Peng, since I handled it myself, of course it was easy as reaching out my hand.” He knew what Zhou Peng was referring to. It was also because of that thing that Lin Xiao came across him, and lost his life.

Zhou Peng was stunned for a moment. This was the first time he saw Da Shixiong with such a gentle smile.

~~~

You XiaoMo had planned to go back to his dimension when he returned to the Tian Xin Sect, to water the level one and level two seeds on the ground. But after the unexpected event, he did not dare to. Who knew when someone would come over suddenly to look for him.

After spending the whole morning reading in his room, he finally guessed that Ling Xiao would not be coming over at this time. You XiaoMo looked down at his flattened stomach and decided to go have lunch at the canteen. Even if the heavens were going to collapse , it would still have to wait until he had finished his lunch. Of course these bold words were only said when Ling Xiao was not around.

What was special about today? It seemed that there were more people than usual in the canteen. You XiaoMo didn’t really care. He was only worried that all the dishes would run out so he hurried inside. He was not sure if it was his imagination but the people coming and going, including those already seated, seemed to be giving him strange looks. Most of them were scrutinizing him and sizing him up as if puzzled, they occasionally whisper to each other.

You XiaoMo didn’t realize that he was already very famous. After receiving food from the cook, he looked all around and saw that there were no empty seats. Just as he was hesitating, a voice suddenly called out to him from a table near his right side, “Xiao Shidi, over here!”

You XiaoMo turned around to look and was surprised to find it was actually Da Shixiong Fang ChenYue. There just happened to be an empty spot by his side. So , without hesitation, You XiaoMo walked straight over holding his food tray. Having not seen each other for about two days, Fang ChenYue was just as familiar as before, actually helping him to pull out a chair on his own accord. You XiaoMo thanked him politely and sat down.

Fang ChenYue looked at the food on his tray and said with a smile, “Xiao Shidi, do you eat this little for every meal?”

You XiaoMo nodded, “This is enough, I’m not used to eating too much.”

Fang ChenYue laughed out loud. This was the first time he heard someone saying they were not used to eating too much. As far as he knew, eating was a human instinct ; but he was the only one laughing. The other disciples at the table couldn’t help look ing at each other in dismay. Finally , one of them couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Shidi, we hear d that you have a good relationship with the rising star from the Warrior Division, Lin Xiao. This morning, you even came back together with him. Is it true?”

You XiaoMo looked up in surprise and saw that everyone who heard those words was now looking intently at him. He finally understood why people were looking at him in that way when he came in earlier. It l ooked like the matter from this morning had gotten around. It was obvious who spread the news. Other than the disciples that were with him this morning, no one else could have spread the story around Capital Peak so quickly.

Looking at the burning stares from everyone, You XiaoMo laughed in embarrassment, “Actually, it was a misunderstanding.”

“How could it be a misunderstanding? A lot of people witnessed it.” That disciple frowned , thinking that You XiaoMo was trying to hide the truth.

“It’s really a misunderstanding…” You XiaoMo pouted uncomfortably, feeling uneasy being the target of their stares. Other than a misunderstanding, what else could he say? He definitely couldn’t say it was because he discovered Ling Xiao’s secret , so he was now being threatened by him. If he didn’t experience this personally, he wouldn’t believe it either.

“Alright, don’t badger Xiao Shidi any more. He said it was a misunderstanding , so it was a misunderstanding. After all, the canteen is a place for meals, not a place to talk nonsense.”

Fang ChenYue spoke out to rescue You XiaoMo from his difficult position. He was probably the only one in the whole canteen who was not curious about the relationship between You XiaoMo and Ling Xiao.

After the rest left, You XiaoMo quietly thanked Fang ChenYue. The latter only replied warmly that he was welcome. Ah , now this was the image of a Da Shixiong that fit what You XiaoMo had in his heart!

With tears flowing, he thought, what of Ling Xiao? That one was truly not a fitting Da Shixiong !

t/n: -Er: equivalent to Japan’s honorific -kun, -chan, -tan