25 An Exceptional Maiden

At this very moment, Gu Xi felt that she was blushing from her cheeks up to the very edges of her ears. Taking a quick look at Zhou Yan, she said, "Brother Zhou Yan, you're becoming increasingly dishonest now. You've become a bad influence, and you've even learned to bully me."

While she spoke, she forced a pretentious yet innocent and sad look.

However, Zhou Yan could clearly see through her facade.

"Quit acting now. Back then, when your brother intentionally moved away from you, you had also intentionally nuzzled up against me. Do you still think you can do whatever you want like you used to? Look. Now you're afraid? You actually assume your brother was the same naïve child? Or were you just bragging in front of your brother that you've 'grown bigger'?"

"Whoa... brother Zhou Yan, you're such a meanie! You actually meant that, and there you were, brooding over how that b*tch Zhou Lingyi was looking down on you... and made Little Xi feel bad for you!" 

While Gu Xi spoke in a coquettish manner, she held nothing back when she commented on Zhou Lingyi.

He was the first person in her life that she had such strong feelings of compassion and love for.

Zhou Yan was absolutely certain that she had placed him in a special and important place in her heart to be treated with such sincere and genuine feelings.

As a scholar of the Frosted Bladed, a young girl who specialized in this skill and had mastered her Blade's Essence meant that her personality would be as cold as ice. However, she had instead treated him with warm compassion. This caused Zhou Yan's boiling flames of lust to instantly fade away, instead... he was incredibly moved by her sincere display of affection.

She was truly beautiful.

Judging from Zhou Yan's personality, it would be difficult for him to chain down his inner beast of lust. However, at this moment, his heart was incredibly calm while staring intently at the display of her coquettish behavior. He felt extremely blessed.

He lowered his head slightly and focused on her while staring into the depths of her eyes. It was as if he was able to look into the deepest abyss of those brightly lit eyes.

Gu Xi's heart was pounding since his gaze made her anxious. She was unable to look directly at him while her spirit-filled eyes flickered back and forth when she peeked at him. She was unable to muster the courage to look directly into Zhou Yan's warm and compassionate gaze.

While Zhou Yan continued to stare at her, he suddenly felt a stinging pain from his eyes when streaks of her blood fell into them.

The snow-white skin from Gu Xi's neck was slashed open by a ray of Blade's Essence. That slash wound was just resting silently on her neck.

He was unable to bear looking at her hence he extended his arm and said, "What happened earlier was extremely... dangerous. I was watching from a distance, and I was actually able to intervene, but I did nothing... Little Xi, I'm sorry."

"Brother Zhou Yan, that should not concern you... back then, before I recognized who you were, I even almost attempted to murder you…"

"You know, as time goes on, with just a blink of an eye, we are no longer the same naïve kids we once were. Instead, we are now able to clearly see through the facade of society in this world.

"In this cruel world, everyone would prefer to not embroil themselves in any potential troubles even in most dire situations except if the victim was someone close to them. In most cases, plenty of folks would merely spectate.

"Doing so isn't wrong since it is only by doing so that everyone who chose to walk this path of enlightenment would be able to walk slightly further."

Gu Xi buried herself into Zhou Yan's warm embrace while leaning on his arms that he used to caress the wound on her neck.

"You have a point. If I had known it was you, I would've never allowed their death to be that swift and easy. I'd skin them whole, and I'd make them beg for the sweet release of death!" said Zhou Yan calmly.

Although his tone was soft, Gu Xi's heart was completely melted by the warmth she felt from the words he had spoken.

It was no secret that Gu Xi was an incredibly pretty maiden in Zhou Yan's eyes. However, in Gu Xi's eyes, Zhou Yan was the most handsome and stunning man. He was unparalleled in his looks. Although there were more than ten thousand pupils who were practicing the art of the Frost Blade, only a few could stand to compete with Zhou Yan's looks.

After hearing what Zhou Yan had said, it would be impossible for her to feel unhappy.

"Brother Zhou Yan, you're still as caring towards me as you were in the past. I'm really happy, you know."

"I should feel blessed too since you never changed either. You're still so close to me and still hold me in such high regard," Zhou Yan chuckled.

"Brother Zhou Yan, when I held your arms earlier, I was actually really nervous, since it's been years since we've last seen each other. But now... now…. I'm no longer afraid or anxious…

"You know it's not a secret that we, women, are never in a position to speak in this world. To most men, nine out of ten women are viewed as objects of trade. We're harvested as a source to be made into a blade's specter, a puppet, or in most cases... an outlet for their pleasure.

"When we were little, both sisters Chaner, Liner and I loved to spend time with you, but my father used to tell me that if I wanted freedom, I'd have to earn it, and when I do, I will be able to fight to protect everything I love.

"Although it was my aunt's choice to have me sent to the Temple of The Frost Blades, if it wasn't for me being able to be with brother Zhou Yan, I would've never gone in the first place.

"Now, it seems that I've made the right choice!"

Gu Xi was completely honest with him and even told him her little secrets.

This exchange had surprised Zhou Yan, who had inherited the will of the ancient sage.

"The Temple of The Frost Blade is an amazing place, and you still have to head there after this. My love for you has never changed, but due to the events that happened before, I feel indebted to Ning'er. You know that if a man is incapable of defending his women, he would only be a useless piece of trash.

"I will train hard, and I'll do my best to fulfill my father's wishes as soon as possible. After that, I'll be able to visit you in the Temple of The Frost Blade. Till then, I'll be able to see who would dare bully my Little Xi, and if anyone does, I'll beat them so bad that their own mother would not be able to recognize them anymore!" explained Zhou Yan sincerely.

"Okay... brother Zhou Yan. Since we're approaching the city, come on, let's head back to the Gu family home to rest, then we'll look for sisters Chaner and Liner tomorrow."

Gu Xi was ecstatic. 

Zhou Yan was also in an extremely delightful mood since he enjoyed the feeling of having an absolute beauty in his arms.

He was able to feel that this was the first time in years that Gu Xi had been truly happy.

…

The sky was gradually turning dark.

Another evening was fast approaching.

Zhou Yan was hugging Gu Xi, who was literally hanging from his body at this point. She was not bothered by the judgmental eyes from the common-folk when the duo strolled to the outer courtyard of the Gu family home.

It was only when the duo had arrived here that Gu Xi behaved. Her entire expression once again morphed into a cold and emotionless expression.

It was ironic because when she behaved coquettishly towards him, his heart was exceedingly calm. However, after witnessing her change to a cold and emotionless lady, his heart had sparked flames of lust.

"We have arrived, brother Zhou Yan, please follow me inside."

When Gu Xi spoke directly to Zhou Yan, her cold demeanor faded into a gentle and compassionate look.

"Yes, however, let's go take a look at Uncle Gu's condition together. Let's get this done sooner rather than later. His health is more important."

Zhou Yan truly cared about these people. Hence he never wanted to rest.

Although she never showed her emotions, Gu Xi was incredibly touched by Zhou Yan's words. She said, "Father will be extremely happy when he sees you, brother Zhou Yan."

"Yeah, but Little Xi, about this, please don't tell a soul... if I've managed to heal your father."

Zhou Yan made an unexpected statement after contemplating for a moment.

Gu Xi was slightly stunned, however since she was sharp-minded, she instantly understood what Zhou Yan had meant. Hence, she immediately nodded and said, "I understand, brother Zhou Yan. The truth is, from the moment my closest servants attempted to assassinate me, I knew things are slightly different now, so I can't afford to be careless.

"I'll listen to anything you say, brother Zhou Yan. Don't you worry."

Although Zhou Yan had expected Gu Xi's response, he was touched by the way Gu Xi could obey him without the need to hesitate.

She was an extremely adorable young lady. However, at the same time, behind her intelligence, she was a one of a kind extremely charming and elegant lady.

It was only natural for Zhou Yan to absolutely adore women like her. Especially when a girl as exceptional as her had obvious feelings toward him.

…

The hidden chambers of the forbidden grounds of the Gu family.

The chambers were as white as ivory, and under the glimmering rays of brisk cold light, it filled the entire room with an eerie sense of despair.

However, in an environment like this, the torturous pain of one's fleeting life was somehow able to be slightly suppressed.

The current condition of Gu Xi's father, Gu Yan, was a lot worse than what she had described. This was probably the main reason why she looked troubled in the carriage before.

Zhou Yan's heart wrenched after seeing Gu Yan's current state.

This man was no longer the same elegant, spirit-filled man from his memories. All that remained was an inhumanly pale and wrinkled old man with a head full of white hair, shivering in a corner.

Every time the old man trembled, it was as if his flesh and blood were boiling hot and seared his skin. It seemed like the most torturous pain for a man to endure!

His current condition was almost exactly the same as Feng Lingqing!

Even though one was not directly experiencing such pain, bearing witness to such agony would cause anyone to tremble alongside the victim!

Anyone without an incredible feat of willpower and courage would never be able to endure such agony!

"Father…"

After witnessing this scene, Gu Xi, who had been staring compassionately at Zhou Yan the entire time, was tearing up... She was at the brink of breaking down into tears.

Zhou Yan held her hands while gently patting her shoulders, calming her down.

"Uncle Gu, it's me, Zhou Yan. I've come to visit you. I can save you, and you will be relieved from this pain immediately."

While Zhou Yan spoke, he glanced over to Gu Xi, gesturing toward her. Without hesitation she pulled the lever, closing the doors to the hidden chambers and immediately locking it down.