Stranger Danger-Chapter 1246: Speaking of Parting Between Cups

“Joyless! Do you have business with me?”

Inside the general’s residence, Taba Xuanwu stepped into Maple Leaf Courtyard and greeted Ye Qing loudly. The young man was currently sitting underneath a tree.

“Take a seat, brother.”

Ye Qing got up and motioned for Taba Xuanwu to take a seat. Then, he poured the general a cup of wine while saying, “Apologies for disturbing your secluded practice, brother. I hope you won’t mind.”

“Bah, I was just stabilizing my cultivation level. Doesn’t matter if I enter seclusion or not.”

Taba Xuanwu drained the wine in one gulp before exclaiming in pleasant surprise, “Is this the Westwind Hunt? It tastes amazing!”

“As expected of you, brother. You recognized it immediately,” Ye Qing paid him a compliment while pouring him another cup of wine.

This time, Taba Xuanwu did not drain it all in one gulp. Instead, he took a small sip while looking Ye Qing up and down. Then, he exclaimed with a hint of shock, “It’s only been a day, and both your injuries and your exhaustion are almost all gone. Body wise, I must admit that you are my superior.”

No one knew better than Taba Xuanwu just how injured and exhausted Ye Qing was after their fight. He also knew that most people would take half a month at least to recover from such injuries. Even he, now a body-tempering Half-Sage, would need five to six days to recover to the extent Ye Qing had in one day. It was practically a miracle.

“You flatter me, brother.” Ye Qing said modestly, “I had some opportunities, that’s all.”

“‘Some opportunities’ my ass! More like some miracles!” Taba Xuanwu said enviously before asking, “Anyway, you didn’t call me over just for a drink, right? Speak!”

“You are wise, brother.” Ye Qing began, “The reason I called for you is because I wish to bid you goodbye.”

“Goodbye?!” Taba Xuanwu exclaimed in surprise, “But why? Have I, Taba Xuanwu, neglected you or mistreated you somehow?”

“You misunderstand, brother. Your ability as a host is perfect and comprehensive. I have absolutely no complaints about it.” Ye Qing shook his head.

“Have you heard some rumors, then?”

Taba Xuanwu let out a cold grunt. “Ignore them if you have. So long as I, Taba Xuanwu, am still standing, no one can lay a hand on you, so stay at Cloud Hue Pass for as long as you like.”

“And I am truly thankful for that, brother,” Ye Qing replied sincerely. He was aware of what Taba Xuanwu was talking about. To put it simply, someone—many someones—were pressuring the general to drive him out from Cloud Hue Pass.

Yep. It had only been a day, and some people had lost their nerves already. Afraid that Ye Qing would stay indefinitely in Cloud Hue Pass, they decided to pressure Taba Xuanwu. Among them were people from the Wei’s imperial court, Taba Xuanwu’s direct superior, and jianghu people.

At the same time, rumors were beginning to spread in Cloud Hue Pass claiming that Taba Xuanwu was prioritizing personal affairs over public ones and ignoring the plight of the people by taking in an infamous Dark Way warrior of the jianghu. Some claimed that Taba Xuanwu was interfering with jianghu business and ignoring his responsibility and loyalty to the realm despite being a member of the imperial court; that he had betrayed His Imperial Majesty’s trust. Some also said that Taba Xuanwu was going to bring disaster to Cloud Hue Pass if he continued to defend a monster and so on.

Besides rebukes and denouncements, negative rumors regarding Taba Xuanwu himself were spreading as well. The large majority of them whispered how vicious and brutal he was, how little he regarded the lives of the people, how he massacred hundreds without batting an eyelid...

The effects of these rumors were not to be underestimated. Rumors was a saber that kills, and slanders a sword that pierces the people’s hearts. Already, some of Cloud Hue Pass’ populace were feeling afraid and resentful of Taba Xuanwu. Given enough time, it was utterly possible for the people’s hearts to fall into disarray, and Taba Xuanwu’s reputation to fall through the roof.

Worse, this was just the appetizer. Ye Qing reckoned that, should he choose to stay in Cloud Hue Pass instead of leaving, those bastards would continuously up their ante until Taba Xuanwu could bear it no longer. For example, a Sage might decide to make an appearance, or someone might send their underlings to cause trouble in Cloud Hue Pass. There were infinite ways for people to start trouble if they really wanted to.

Everyone was a wolf or a tiger before the promise of opportunities.

Taba Xuanwu made it sound like nothing, but Ye Qing knew that he really was bearing a not insignificant amount of pressure, not to mention that this matter was beyond the ability of a Half-Sage could bear.

A Half-Sage might have the word “Sage” in their title, but they were ultimately not a Sage.

“Of course I wouldn’t concern myself with the rumors and slanders. I also believe you would do your best to protect me.”

Ye Qing explained, “However, this is ultimately my personal affair. I cannot possibly allow it to drag you down.”

“Ridiculous! You are my brother!”

Taba Xuanwu subconsciously retorted, but Ye Qing interrupted him before he could finish. “Calm down and let me finish, brother. You help me because I am your brother. I completely understand that. However, I cannot take it as a matter of course, much less bite the hand that helped me.”

“Even if that isn’t the case, I can’t stay in Cloud Hue Pass forever. It is neither my will nor desire to hole up in a safe place forever. My martial way is one of fearlessness. No matter what terrors and obstacles stand in front of me, I must walk forward no matter what.”

“They think they can kill me and claim the Earthly Sovereign Bell for themselves, but I also think I can use their flesh and blood to hone my martial way and my heart. From the beginning, they are only stepping stones to me.”

“... You have great courage, brother.”

Taba Xuanwu praised Ye Qing after a long silence. No wonder Ye Qing was able to achieve what he achieved in just a scant few years.

Opportunities and fortunes were great, but they could never be the roots and foundation of a warrior. That position was solely reserved for an eternal martial heart and an unyielding martial will.

“If it is for the sake of your martial way, then I cannot stop you,” Taba Xuanwu said.

“You cannot, nor do you need to,” replied Ye Qing with a smile.

“Fine. I won’t stop you then.”

Taba Xuanwu warned, “Still, I need to say this. Be on high alert, and never let down your guard.”

“With the Earthly Sovereign Bell by my side, I fear no one and nothing so long as a Sage doesn’t step into the battlefield. Don’t worry.”

Ye Qing declared calmly and with absolute confidence.

“Hahaha... those are true fighting words, brother. You deserve your title as the Mad Lord.” Taba Xuanwu let out a guffaw before declaring, “This deserves a drink! Come!”

“Indeed! Let us drink!” Ye Qing raised his own cup and drank it all together with Taba Xuanwu.

Once done, Ye Qing put down his cup and continued, “Besides bidding you goodbye, there is a favor I would like to ask of you, brother!”

“Speak,” Taba Xuanwu said simply.

“Please keep my departure a secret for just a day or two,” Ye Qing said.

“That’s easy.” Taba Xuanwu asked curiously, “But why? Are you planning to cheat your enemies with a diversion?”

“No, it’s not like that.” Ye Qing shook his head. “I need that time to do something. Something big.”

“What is it?” Taba Xuanwu asked.

“It’s a secret.” Ye Qing gave the general a mysterious smile. “Don’t worry. You’ll hear about it in a few days. It will be something that shakes the entire jianghu.”

“Hahaha! I look forward to it!” Taba Xuanwu laughed instead of pressing Ye Qing for an answer. “Let us continue then. You and I must drink to our heart’s content today!”

“Do you have any more Nine Suns Brew?”

“It will be enough!”

“Hahaha! Good!”

The duo would continue to drink until the sun set, and orange clouds filled the sky.

When the sun had disappeared, and a thick blanket of darkness enveloped the entire Cloud Hue Pass, a shadowy figure slipped away from Cloud Hue Pass and disappeared into the night.