Feng Shui Chapter 131: Ruthless and Resolute

Chen Xiao checked himself carefully and found that the poison from the venomous snake was completely cleared, and almost all the malevolent energy had dissipated. He said sincerely, “With you here, Brother, I really have nothing to fear.”

Hearing this, Xi Yunqing felt a bit happy, but inside he was still weighed down by guilt over taking advantage of Chen Xiao’s vulnerable state. Not even a smile could be forced out. He lowered his gaze and said, “The venomous snake is a fierce beast. Even though the poison is gone, the damage it caused to your body will still need time to heal. Take one of these Recovery Pills every day for three days straight.” Xi Yunqing pressed a jade flask with a wide belly into Chen Xiao’s hand. “Keep the rest just in case. I know you won’t stop taking risks, but from now on, be more careful. Don’t let yourself get hurt and make your big brother worry.”

Besides the Recovery Pills, Xi Yunqing also gave him a jade box containing a full set of antidotes and medicines for various injuries. If Chen Xiao were ever poisoned by that venomous snake again, he wouldn’t have to just lie there waiting to die.

Chen Xiao felt a bit embarrassed at Xi Yunqing’s disguised reproach. After thanking him, he put away the jade box, opened the flask, and swallowed one Recovery Pill. He had already taken the elixir Xi Yunqing gave him that morning, so no more medicine was needed today. Xi Yunqing almost stopped him from taking the pill but didn’t say it in the end. How could he explain that he feared Chen Xiao would burn off all his energy and then fall asleep, dreaming those wild dreams again?

After some thought, Xi Yunqing simply refused to give him the chance to sleep. Once he confirmed the whereabouts of the other two and the children, he told Chen Xiao, “Wash up, eat, and then we’ll set off to track them down.”

Chen Xiao agreed immediately. He was very worried about the others. The venomous snake had been an unlucky coincidence. Zhao Jiao and the others hadn’t shown up yet and were likely searching in another direction.

Chen Xiao got up to dress and wash. He asked Xi Yunqing about the bedding on the floor and learned that Xi Yunqing had specially prepared it for him after arriving in Jin City. His heart warmed, and he happily tidied the bedding to store in his own storage box.

At this moment, Xi Yunqing was busy building a fire pit, planning to heat some water for Chen Xiao. He stood up and walked toward the edge of the camp to pick up some dry branches, warming them in his hands.

Chen Xiao’s gaze drifted to him involuntarily. Though wrapped tightly in his robe, Xi Yunqing had once worn only a close-fitting martial outfit when teaching him footwork. That figure was perfect, broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs. Even now, dressed neatly, Chen Xiao couldn’t help but recall in his dreams the solid chest and strong legs beneath.

His face flushed, ears burning, throat tightening. Oh no, it seemed like some forbidden door in his mind had been unlocked.

Though they had always been close, Chen Xiao had always prided himself on a gentleman’s friendship. But after those chaotic dreams, suddenly noticing the other’s physical appeal from an improper angle felt... wrong. Even though he’d never been in love and barely understood same-sex attraction, he knew feeling excited looking at a man’s chest and thighs wasn’t normal.

Chiding himself silently, Chen Xiao lowered his eyes and didn’t dare look again. He quickly finished tidying the bedding and sat by the fire pit.

That day, Xi Yunqing wore a long robe of deep indigo embroidered with swirling black patterns. His hair was tied up neatly with a jade crown, long black hair falling down the sides of his face. His features were handsome but angular, with a strong jawline giving him a masculine air. His aura was imposing yet calm, commanding respect wherever he went.

But to Chen Xiao, ignoring that intimidating aura, he couldn’t help but quietly admire Xi Yunqing’s appearance.

With eyes lowered, Xi Yunqing reached for a small pot, scooped some pure white snow into it, and began heating water. Though the act was homely and simple, it somehow exuded a solemn dignity.

Chen Xiao watched and his gaze wandered again, recalling his dreams. It puzzled him, usually when dreaming lustful thoughts, he should have been the one in control, after all, that’s the nature of men. How could it be the other way around, with Xi Yunqing so dominant and him underneath?

Thinking this made Chen Xiao’s ears burn again. He hastily grabbed a handful of snow and rubbed it on his face to cool down.

Xi Yunqing glanced at him in surprise. “Brother Xiao, didn’t you just wash your face?”

Chen Xiao tried to cover it up by rubbing snow on his hands instead. “Brother, you can use some too.” The quiet atmosphere made him uncomfortable, so he stood up and helped.

After drinking the water and eating some rations, Chen Xiao pointed the right direction, and they set off in pursuit.

Compared to Chen Xiao, Xi Yunqing was much steadier and more composed. Though troubled inside, his exterior showed nothing. The only sign was that his grip on Chen Xiao’s arm loosened. Meanwhile, Chen Xiao’s mind was in turmoil, unsettled by his confused feelings. With Xi Yunqing’s presence as a trigger, he couldn’t calm down or notice anything amiss.

They lost half a day and a night. Then Xi Yunqing soared through the air at lightning speed, chasing the correct trail, but they didn’t catch up with anyone.

Tang Ru was injured, and Tong Nuonuo had a terrible sense of direction; either one could cause accidents. After some discussion, Chen Xiao and Xi Yunqing decided to widen their search along that path.

Though they didn’t find the others, they unexpectedly ran into reinforcements sent by Shen Yanxing. His steward, Wang Shu, was persuaded to lead the guards into the mountains. Without knowing the exact signs, they tracked the faint clues left by Chen Xiao’s group and finally met them here.

Both sides were pleasantly surprised and quickly exchanged updates given the urgency.

Shen Yanxing’s steward, Shen Yongqing, though titled “King." was judged by cultivation rank rather than status in front of Xi Yunqing, who wasn’t from this realm’s cultivation world. Shen Yongqing was at the Nascent Soul stage, so both Xi Yunqing and Chen Xiao respectfully called him “Senior.”

Shen Yongqing was straightforward and decisive. Since Shen Yanxing had called on him, they were close. This mission was to eliminate the cultists and boost the new regime’s reputation, but also to protect Shen Yanxing’s friends.

Hearing that two Foundation Establishment cultivators had escaped with seventy or eighty children, while Zhao Jiao, a Nascent Soul cultivator, and four Golden Core practitioners were missing, Shen Yongqing quickly divided the men. One group searched for the missing children and cultivators; the other focused on wiping out the cultists.

Xi Yunqing and Chen Xiao cared more about Tong Nuonuo and Tang Ru than Zhao Jiao and the others, so they joined Shen Yongqing’s search party.

Snow began falling again, thick and blinding, covering the few remaining traces and making the search even harder. Shen Yongqing’s men glanced at Chen Xiao and Xi Yunqing often. Though they didn’t say it, they thought Tong Nuonuo and Tang Ru had little chance of survival.

Chen Xiao felt awful. He blamed himself for not sticking with them. If he had, he wouldn’t be so anxious now, not knowing their fate. Unable to hold it in, he confided his frustration to Xi Yunqing. Xi Yunqing didn’t comfort him but said quietly, “I don’t know if your choice was right, but if you’d gone missing with them now, Brother would be even more worried.”

He wasn’t exactly offering comfort, but somehow Chen Xiao felt a little lighter inside. At least right now, he was with Xi Yunqing. Sharing the burden between them was far better than each being anxious alone.

One of Shen Yongqing’s men, skilled at tracking, finally discovered signs of their campsite beneath some uneven snow on the first layer. The camp was fresh, and after digging, they found it in disarray. Clearly, something sudden had happened, and they had left in a hurry. Suddenly, everything became clear: Zhao Jiao and his group had either caught up to them or were closing in fast.

After a careful investigation, Shen Yongqing’s men concluded that the small-framed person had likely drawn off the pursuers, while the group with many children fled in the opposite direction.

Chen Xiao’s heart sank. Whether it was Tang Ru or Tong Nuonuo, the situation was grim.

Xi Yunqing patted his hand reassuringly and said, “Tong Daoist Friend is blessed by fate. The heavy snow will cover his tracks. Even if they actively search, they won’t find him easily. As long as he wants to, he can definitely shake off the evil cultivators and escape alive.”

Chen Xiao felt much calmer hearing that. Indeed, the notorious “pathfinding disaster” had a knack for luck at critical moments. His “halo effect” could make even running in circles dizzy. Still, it was dangerous for Tong Nuonuo to be stranded in the wild with a group of children. Food was enough, but keeping the kids warm was a serious problem. They needed to find them quickly.

Thinking this through, Chen Xiao hurriedly asked the tracking expert, “Can you tell how long ago they passed?”

The tracker studied the disturbed snow and estimated, “At least three hours.”

“That means those evil cultivators are within walking distance for the same time. Whether we can rescue Tong Nuonuo in time is fifty-fifty." Chen Xiao decided, taking a risky move. “Please gather fuel and light a huge bonfire.”

Chen Xiao had told Tong Nuonuo before that if he got lost, he should stay put and wait for help. But if forced to move, he should light a smoke signal from a safe spot. Conversely, if they lit a clear signal, even the worst pathfinder would spot the giant smoke column and find their way back.

The leader of Shen Yongqing’s team warned him, “Daoist Friend, this might attract the evil cultivators to us.”

Chen Xiao nodded. “I understand. But if we draw them all here, then Nuonuo and the others will be safer over there.”

Most of these men were at the Golden Core or Foundation Establishment level. There were many of them, so they weren’t afraid of a few evil cultivators. Seeing Chen Xiao’s determination, they collected a large pile of damp fuel and lit an enormous column of smoke.

Thick black smoke soared, twisting into a mushroom cloud that stood out clearly even through the relentless wind and snow.

Chen Xiao scanned the area anxiously, trying to steady his nerves as he waited. After about fifteen minutes, a thinner column of smoke slowly rose in the distance. It wavered under the wind and snow, barely holding together, but it was an unmistakable signal.

Chen Xiao’s heart dropped. “Oh no!” he exclaimed. If that was Tong Nuonuo’s doing, it wasn’t just sending a message, it also exposed their location right in front of the evil cultivators.

Xi Yunqing immediately said, “Golden Core cultivators, follow me! We must rescue them quickly!”

Without waiting for a reply, he rose into the sky and sped toward the thin smoke signal.

At his command, several Golden Core cultivators took off, flying or sprinting with swift movement techniques. Chen Xiao and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators raced after them. Though Chen Xiao’s movement skills were good, without true energy support, he couldn’t keep up with the others. Luckily, he had spirit travel talismans which he used one after another, managing not to fall behind. This impressed the other cultivators greatly.

Halfway there, the smoke signal had already vanished, but Chen Xiao’s sense of direction was excellent. Even without it, he didn’t stray an inch. After a while, he heard the sounds of a fierce battle ahead, magical explosions and the clash of spiritual energy. His heart tightened and his eyes reddened. His speed surged as if his movement skills had broken through a barrier.

Ahead, spiritual energy and true energy tangled wildly. Spells of many colors collided fiercely, with residual magic flying like stray bullets on a battlefield. Someone nearby grabbed Chen Xiao’s arm, warning, “Daoist Friend, it’s too dangerous ahead. Your cultivation level is too low to protect yourself. It’s best to wait here.”

With that, he stopped paying attention to Chen Xiao and, like the other Foundation Establishment cultivators, raised a true energy shield and charged toward the battle.

There were only three evil cultivators facing Xi Yunqing, a Golden Core sword cultivator unmatched in combat. They stood no chance, especially with several Golden Core reinforcements and a group of Foundation Establishment disciples backing him. They were overwhelmed before they could even react.

Shen Yongqing’s orders were to capture them alive for execution as a warning to establish the new regime’s authority. Xi Yunqing honored Shen Yongqing’s wishes and held back his killing strike. Although the enemies were half dead, they were still breathing.

Once the magical aftershocks faded, Chen Xiao hurried over. His eyes searched frantically until he spotted a scattered fire pit in a corner. Running over and searching nearby, he quickly found Tong Nuonuo. Cloaked in a snowy disguise, he was nearly invisible unless you looked carefully.

“Nuonuo!” Chen Xiao exclaimed, part surprised, part relieved. Tong Nuonuo immediately dropped the disguise and ran to him. “Chen Xiao!” They exchanged glances. Chen Xiao looked fine, but Tong Nuonuo was exhausted and clearly worn out.

Chen Xiao asked about the children’s condition. Tong Nuonuo replied that they were in bad shape and that he couldn’t possibly bring them all along quickly. Lighting the smoke signal to summon Chen Xiao’s reinforcements had been a desperate gamble.

But Tong Nuonuo had cleverly hidden the children, set up traps, and kept up his disguise long enough for Xi Yunqing to arrive.

Chen Xiao finally relaxed a bit and asked if Tong Nuonuo knew what had happened to Tang Ru. Tong Nuonuo said, “I don’t think you need to worry too much about her. Arou is a spirit plant master, she has ways to hold off her pursuers. When she left, she only shouted two words at me. I knew she wouldn’t be in danger.”

Chen Xiao was curious. “Which two words were so special?”

Tong Nuonuo’s expression shifted strangely before he said, “Cat beast.”

Chen Xiao froze. The mention of “cat beast” immediately reminded him of the creature’s nature, said to be very protective of its young, with rumors that it sometimes adopts human children. Tang Ru, looking just like a lost child, didn’t even need a disguise. Sending Zhao Jiao and the evil cultivators to face such a powerful beast was as ruthless and decisive as forcing a venomous snake to swallow a foul-smelling poison, brutal and absolute.