"A Confucian Sword Immortal, yet cursing someone's death behind their back." A voice tinged with amusement suddenly sounded from outside the house.
Without hesitation, Xie Xuan flicked his wrist, and the Wan Juan Shu resting beside his book chest flew into his hand. He chuckled, "It's been years. Now, seeing that annoying little mustache of yours, I must address you as 'The Head.'"
Su Changhe pushed the door open, his hands tucked into his sleeves, the Sleeping Dragon Sword hanging at his waist, and half his face concealed behind a silver mask. "No need for such courtesy, Confucian Sword Immortal. You can still call me 'Little Changhe'—it’s more endearing!"
"Hmph." Xie Xuan sneered. "Seems I’ll have to stay in Qiantang City a while longer."
"Oh? You trust Su Muyu being here, but the moment I arrive, you assume trouble is brewing?" Su Changhe sighed helplessly. "Looks like my reputation in the martial world really is quite terrible."
"Your alias is your reputation, Undertaker. Does that sound like an auspicious title to you?" Xie Xuan retorted.
"Ah, well. Then Muyu and I shall leave tonight," Su Changhe stretched lazily. "How about that?"
Su Muyu was taken aback. "Leave tonight?"
Su Changhe shook his head with a faint sigh. "Seems the head of our Su Family has grown fond of Qiantang City. Or perhaps it's our Miracle Healer he can't bear to part with? Your tone is dripping with reluctance!"
"Good, then." Xie Xuan sheathed his sword, simultaneously dispersing the Sword Qi around him. "Otherwise, facing both of you at once would have been quite the predicament."
"Hahaha! Qiantang City also houses a century-old Academy, rumored to shelter several reclusive masters. I’ve only just become The Head—I’m not that reckless." Su Changhe glanced at the wooden table, his eyes lighting up. "Wine?" With a flick of his hand, the wine pot flew into his grasp. But upon closer inspection, his face fell—the pot was empty. He tilted it back, shaking it vigorously, managing only a few drops from the dregs.
"Give that back." Xie Xuan raised his hand, snatching the pot away.
Su Changhe licked his lips wistfully. "This wine carries the fragrance of peach blossoms. Who brewed it? I’d like to buy a jar."
"Brewed by Zhao Yuzhen, the leader of Qingcheng Mountain. Even if you want it, it’s up to him whether he’ll give it to you." Xie Xuan hoisted his book chest, preparing to leave.
Su Changhe grinned. "Ah, the renowned Taoist Sword Immortal. If the chance arises, I’d like to meet him someday."
"Then I’ll take my leave. If all goes well tomorrow, I too shall depart Qiantang City." Before leaving, Xie Xuan cast a glance at Su Muyu and smiled. "I’ve always felt you and he walk entirely different paths, yet you journey together. I couldn’t understand it—until I recalled a passage from a book, and then it made a little more sense."
Su Muyu asked calmly, "What passage?"
Xie Xuan adjusted his book chest, walking past Su Changhe. "Hearing the snowstorm beyond the window, so near yet worlds apart."
Su Changhe laughed. "Meaning we stand close, but in truth, we’re far apart?"
"No. It’s that the distance between you—whether an inch or a world—lies in a single thought." Xie Xuan stepped out the door. "Take care."
Watching Xie Xuan leave the Medicine Manor, Su Changhe exhaled softly, though a faint smile still played on his lips. "Seems even for one of the Dark River, seclusion isn’t so simple. You’ve only been in Qiantang City a few days, and already you’ve drawn a Sword Immortal here?"Su Muyu replied, "I never intended to hide my identity. Some things are better clarified. But you—why have you come here so suddenly? Just the day before yesterday, I received your carrier pigeon message. Has everything in Dark River been resolved already?"
"Three officials of the Soul Extraction Hall are missing, but the remaining stragglers are no threat. I’ve left them to Mu Qingyang and the others to handle." Su Changhe walked over and sat on a stool. "I came here to ask you to accompany me somewhere."
"Where?" Su Muyu asked.
Instead of answering directly, Su Changhe picked up the Sleeping Dragon Sword at his waist. He lightly brushed his finger over it, and the dragon’s eyes on the sword slowly opened. "Do you know why the family heads back then completely disregarded Dark River’s rules yet still insisted on seizing this sword before daring to claim the title of The Head?"
Su Muyu frowned slightly. "Is there something unusual about the Sleeping Dragon Sword?"
Su Changhe nodded. He pressed a finger against the dragon’s eye, then lifted it slightly. With that motion, the entire hilt came loose. A flash of golden light gleamed from within the hilt. Su Changhe grasped it firmly, then with a flick of his left hand, reattached the hilt.
"There’s something hidden inside the hilt," Su Muyu said solemnly.
Su Changhe opened his palm, revealing a key made of pure gold, exquisitely crafted. Engraved on the key were four characters: Underworld Pawnshop.
"Underworld Pawnshop," Su Muyu repeated slowly, syllable by syllable.
"The most mysterious bank in the world and the most mysterious assassin organization—what secrets lie between them?" Su Changhe tucked the key back into the hilt. "Could it be hiding the secret of Dark River, as The Head once mentioned?"
"Let’s go," Su Muyu said, lowering his head.
"Your days in Qiantang City will end tonight," Su Changhe remarked with a faint, ambiguous smile.
"It was always just a fleeting dream. It had to end eventually." Su Muyu glanced at Bai Hehuai, who was asleep on the table, and said to Su Changhe, "I’ll take the Miracle Healer back to her room first. The spring nights are chilly—sleeping like this might give her a cold." As Su Muyu approached Bai Hehuai and was about to lift her, she suddenly sat up and made a face at him. "Boo! Scared you!"
Su Muyu took a step back and chuckled helplessly. "So the Miracle Healer was pretending to sleep all along."
Bai Hehuai shrugged. "I was asleep at first, but then something stinky came in and woke me right up."
Su Changhe turned his head away, whistling nonchalantly as he gazed at the sky.
"Miracle Healer, I must leave," Su Muyu said softly.
"Go on, go on. You’ve always had unfinished business—this day was bound to come. But this place isn’t just a fleeting dream. It’s the endpoint of your journey. When you succeed and return, Hehuai Medicine Mansion will still be here waiting for you. And all the beautiful women of Qiantang City will still be here waiting for you too!" Bai Hehuai patted Su Muyu’s shoulder encouragingly.
"Thank you, Miracle Healer." Su Muyu turned his head and looked at Su Changhe.Su Changhe raised his hand and leaped over the courtyard wall in a single bound. Su Muyu didn't look back as he walked out slowly. Bai Hehuai sat on the bench, watching Su Muyu's retreating figure in silence for a long time. Just as Su Muyu was about to disappear from view, she murmured softly, "Come back soon and make me a delicious bowl of beef noodles."
Su Muyu heard her and smiled faintly, lowering his head. "Alright."
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