16 Fake Xi Yao

Nighttime raids were a common tactic among dark cultivators, but Ji Guanqi had assumed that with Wu Xingbai present, no petty miscreant would dare entertain such thoughts. Yet, he had underestimated the recklessness of these dark cultivators.

When a knock sounded at the inn’s outer door, Ji Guanqi, who had been leaning against the doorframe, snapped awake. He swiftly turned toward the entrance, hand gripping the hilt of his sword, ready to draw at the first sign of trouble.

“Are there any rooms available? Just one night,” a voice called from outside. It seemed to be a traveler seeking shelter for the night. The sound roused not only Ji Guanqi but the other disciples as well. Yet, Wu Xingbai remained as calm as ever, seated on his bed with eyes closed, immersed in meditation.

This time, Wu Xingbai had brought disciples to gain experience; it was no matter of life or death, so he generally refrained from intervening.

“There are no rooms left. Please try another inn,” a disciple responded loudly.

Ji Guanqi cast a sideways glance at the speaker, sensing something amiss. Indeed, after hearing the reply, the figure outside ceased knocking. But just as everyone relaxed, the door was suddenly kicked open. A surge of dark spiritual energy unique to evil cultivators flooded the inn. Ji Guanqi saw a figure standing in the doorway, exuding a sinister black aura. Long hair masked his face as he emitted a grating laugh.

“So, there really are cultivators inside. Such fragrant spiritual energy, such a delightful scent!”

Before anyone could react, he charged forward. The disciple who had spoken initially staggered backward in terror. The dark cultivator moved with terrifying speed, closing the distance in an instant. The disciple barely managed to draw his weapon but had no time to wield it. Death seemed imminent—until a flash of sword light suddenly appeared, intercepting the dark cultivator.

The sword light was piercingly cold, yet the spiritual energy was expertly restrained. The dark cultivator staggered back three steps, tilting his head to inspect his wounded arm. Sniffing the air, he exclaimed in surprise, “Gentleman’s Sword, Ji Guanqi?!”

“Qiao You, accompany me to confront them,” Ji Guanqi ordered. From a single clash, he realized these dark cultivators were no mere lackeys. Had they been the petty thugs he’d encountered in his previous life, they would have been slain by his sword already, not merely injured.

However, last time, they hadn’t rested in this small town. Something had evidently changed.

Xiao Tangqing was assigned to protect the remaining disciples. Though reluctant, Qiao You drew his Moon-Chasing Bow. Spiritual energy condensed into sharp arrows upon the bowstring, which he then released rapidly toward the dark cultivator.

The Moon-Chasing Bow was well-known; the dark cultivator immediately recognized its wielder.

“So, the young sect leader of Xuanyuan Sect,” the dark cultivator chuckled. “If I kill you, that old geezer will surely weep!”

“Despicable fiend!” Qiao You shouted in fury. “Insolent! You’re courting death!”

With Qiao You engaging upfront, most attacks were directed at him, leaving Ji Guanqi relatively untroubled.

But more adversaries soon burst inside. Ji Guanqi raised his sword to meet them and glanced back.

“We don’t yet know their origins. Don’t let them get near the other disciples.”

“Do you even need to say that?” Qiao You grumbled, launching three increasingly rapid arrows.

The two newcomers were clearly weaker than the first. They couldn’t even withstand the edge of the Gentleman’s Sword. Ji Guanqi struck their innate weapons fiercely, shattering their integrity. With their weapons damaged, the owners coughed up blood repeatedly, gravely wounded.

Seizing the moment, Ji Guanqi decisively slit their throats.

Meanwhile, the dark cultivator battling Qiao You faltered, seemingly seeking an opportunity to escape. Qiao You would not let him flee, especially not in Ji Guanqi’s presence—he wouldn’t risk being mocked for it. With a swift leap onto the railing, he nocked nine spirit-infused arrows, which streaked through the air with a piercing whistle toward the fleeing figure.

The arrows pierced the man’s body. Before Qiao You could smile, a sharp “clang” resounded as a black short blade struck the ground nearby.

Qiao You’s expression changed drastically; a cold sweat appeared at his temple. Instinctively, he glanced at Ji Guanqi, who calmly sheathed his sword.

If Ji Guanqi hadn’t intercepted, the blade would have injured Qiao You. The black blade blended seamlessly with the night, a specially crafted weapon with exceptional concealment. Even Qiao You had barely noticed it.

“Meddlesome fool,” Qiao You said sharply, irritation lacing his voice. “Who asked you to interfere? Do you think his blade could harm me?”

Qiao You was renowned for his bravado, though in truth, he knew the blade could indeed inflict minor injuries. Only when it was knocked away by the Gentleman’s Sword did he realize how close it had come—less than two centimeters from his body.

Ji Guanqi sheathed his sword and crouched to examine the three fallen dark cultivators. He picked up the black throwing knife, scrutinizing it carefully.

To be honest, cultivators of their level were highly sensitive to hostile intent, especially when weapons approached closely. Yet Qiao You had failed to detect this blade within two centimeters—a surprising fact.

Ji Guanqi did not attribute this to Qiao You’s cultivation. His third senior brother was a renowned prodigy, rivaling many elders in strength.

He noticed a faint rune at the base of the blade. But upon a brief glance, the rune rapidly dissipated, vanishing completely by the time he looked again.

“What are you looking at?” Qiao You complained. “I’m talking to you.”

“You just got saved, and this is your attitude?” Ji Guanqi replied without looking up, pocketing the blade. “Three dark cultivators. Looks like the evil sect has infiltrated here.”

Other disciples went to search the bodies, finding them dead. The one Qiao You killed was particularly mangled, riddled with arrows.

“Senior Brother, these three are dead. Aside from spirit stones and some pills, they carry nothing else,” a disciple reported.

Before Ji Guanqi could respond, Qiao You asked sharply, “Did they have any other black blades or weapons?”

“No,” the disciple shook his head. “Nothing else.”

This suggested the black throwing knife was a rare find; if they had more, the disciples would have found them.

“I... I have some rudimentary knowledge of runes. Maybe I can take a look,” Xi Yao, who had been silent until now, suddenly said softly, almost timidly, as if he had mulled it over for some time.

Upon hearing this, Qiao You immediately looked to Ji Guanqi. Before requesting the blade, Ji Guanqi had already tossed it to him.

Ji Guanqi wasn’t well-versed in runes and planned to leave Xuanyuan Sect soon. He wanted no part in this mess and handed over the blade without hesitation.

Ji Guanqi instructed two disciples to keep watch overnight. Just as he prepared to guard the door himself, a sudden thought struck him. He turned sharply toward Xi Yao upstairs, his voice turning slightly cold.

“Junior Brother Xi Yao, stay.”

Xi Yao, about to return to his room, halted and turned, asking gently, “Senior Brother, is there something you need?”

Ji Guanqi silently gripped his sword, lips tightening as his gaze fixed on Xi Yao. The younger man wore his traveling clothes, appearing slightly weary, but his spiritual energy was unchanged—yet—

“I never said there was a rune on that blade,” Ji Guanqi said coldly. “How do you know?”

His words drew the attention of the other disciples.

Indeed, Ji Guanqi had never mentioned runes. When had Xi Yao learned this?

Xi Yao’s smile suddenly froze. His eyes flickered nervously before he replied, “I just... saw it.”

“Lying.” Ji Guanqi stepped forward, seemingly ready to confront him. Yet in the next instant, the Gentleman’s Sword appeared behind the “Xi Yao,” who swiftly sprang away, leaping down from the second floor. Ji Guanqi flew after him, sword in hand.

Qiao You and Xiao Tangqing reacted immediately, blocking the exits and closing in from both sides.

The false Xi Yao was trapped in the middle, overwhelmed within three moves. Qiao You’s arrow pierced his throat, killing him instantly. His true identity was revealed—it was none other than the innkeeper.

“Where’s Junior Brother?!” Qiao You’s face darkened, and Xiao Tangqing’s gaze grew grim.

The other disciples hastened to search for Xi Yao, while the two went to report the situation to Wu Xingbai, who remained seated quietly in his room.

Soon, a shout came from the backyard: “Found him! Senior Brother Xi Yao is here!”

Qiao You and Xiao Tangqing rushed to the backyard. Passing by the innkeeper’s corpse, Xiao Tangqing paused subtly but soon caught up.

“Master,” Ji Guanqi said cautiously upon seeing Wu Xingbai still seated unchanged. Having just encountered the false Xi Yao, his vigilance sharpened.

“Hmm,” Wu Xingbai opened his eyes briefly in acknowledgment.

One glance was enough for Ji Guanqi to confirm this was the genuine Wu Xingbai, not an impostor. Such imposing presence could not be feigned.

As he stepped out of the room, Ji Guanqi shook his head wearily and sighed softly, “Truly a troublesome time.”

None of this had occurred in his former life. He wondered what new upheavals this time might bring.