Chapter 1025: Terms of Exchange

Editor: Henyee Translations

Zeng Huo couldn’t help but remark, “Look at that, those girls are terrified of you.”

“A bit of intimidation is good,” Xuan Louze replied, not fond of being bullied. He picked up his chopsticks and leisurely began eating.

“By the way, why did the eldest son of the third branch send me food?” Xuan Louze asked after eating for a while.

“In this mansion, the only bit of warmth Xuan Louze received was from the third branch’s eldest son. They had the best relationship, supposedly because Xuan Louze saved his life once,” Zeng Huo explained.

“I should meet this eldest son of the third branch. Sending me food at this time probably has some underlying meaning,” Xuan Louze said.

“Let’s go and see,” Zeng Huo agreed.

…

The eldest son of the third branch was named Xuan Xibing, a young man in his twenties who had once been a promising talent. However, a fall from a horse had left him paralyzed from the waist down, confined to a wheelchair.

Xuan Xibing was in his room reading. It was already dark, and given his limited mobility, he spent his evenings in the study.

Suddenly, the door opened, and a handsome figure appeared at the entrance. “Cousin.”

Seeing Xuan Louze, Xuan Xibing’s expression turned excited. “You finally came to see me. I thought you wouldn’t come.”

Xuan Louze smiled faintly. “There were too many things happening during the day. I’m sorry.”

“The family has wronged you. Don’t hold it against them.” Xuan Xibing gestured for Xuan Louze to sit by his bed, but Xuan Louze chose a nearby chair instead.

Xuan Xibing’s eyes dimmed for a moment, but he quickly recovered. “How are things with that leader now?”

“He’s dead,” Xuan Louze replied honestly.

“Dead?” Xuan Xibing was visibly pleased but quickly reined in his emotions.

Xuan Louze was puzzled by his reaction.

Xuan Xibing quickly changed the subject. “How long are you planning to stay?”

“Until the succession ceremony is over,” Xuan Louze said, adding internally that he wasn’t sure the family would last until then. Despite the family’s supposed strength, it was full of bizarre individuals, leaving him exasperated.

“So soon?” Xuan Xibing’s mood clearly dropped.

“You know my situation in the family,” Xuan Louze said, feigning difficulty.

“Yes,” Xuan Xibing nodded.

“Cousin, you shouldn’t have sent me food today. Everyone in the family is against me now. Being kind to me will only cause you trouble,” Xuan Louze said, feeling no need for kindness from the Xuan family. He had come to see Xuan Xibing to return the favor of the meal.

“I knew you would come to see me if I sent food. I have something to tell you,” Xuan Xibing admitted.

“You want me to do something?” Xuan Louze sensed there was more to it.

“I want you to stop the succession ceremony,” Xuan Xibing said seriously.

“Why?” Xuan Louze knew there was a story behind this.

“If the family leadership goes to Xuan Dongsheng, it means the Xuan family will align with the Xia Sang Kingdom,” Xuan Xibing said gravely.

“What do you mean?” Xuan Louze’s expression turned serious.

“Xuan Dongsheng has already allied with the third prince of the Xia Sang Kingdom, and grandfather intends to hand over the family leadership to him. Tonight, at midnight, someone from the Xia Sang Kingdom will come to the mansion and stay until the ceremony ends,” Xuan Xibing trusted Xuan Louze completely and told him everything.

“How do you know all this?” Xuan Louze studied Xuan Xibing, wondering how someone confined to his room knew so much.

“My father handles the family’s intelligence, and I help him occasionally,” Xuan Xibing admitted, hoping Xuan Louze would stop the ceremony.

“So that’s it. Why the urgency to align with the Xia Sang Kingdom?” Xuan Louze wondered.

“I don’t know either, and I’ve been trying to find out,” Xuan Xibing replied.

Aligning with the Xia Sang Kingdom puzzled Xuan Louze. “Keep investigating, cousin. I need to go.”

“Take care,” Xuan Xibing nodded.

Tonight, there were no stars or moon, only darkness illuminated by the faint lights around.

As Xuan Louze walked along the corridor, he pondered what Xuan Xibing had told him. The Xuan family indeed had secrets.

…

In the woodshed, Zeng Huo stood behind Fifth Master Xuan, his head slightly bowed. “Fifth Master, what do you want?”

Fifth Master Xuan did not turn around. “How did you handle the matter I assigned to you?”

“I was about to get the key, but Xuan Louze gave it to someone he liked. That person was of equal martial prowess to me, so I couldn’t get it. Later, that person was killed by Chu Qingzhi, and the key fell into Chu Qingzhi’s hands,” Zeng Huo explained.

“Isn’t Chu Qingzhi dead?” Fifth Master Xuan’s face changed, turning to Zeng Huo.

“She got the key before she died. Now, the item should be with Tang Jinghong,” Zeng Huo said calmly, almost revealing too much.

“Can you steal it from Tang Jinghong?” Fifth Master Xuan was anxious. How did it end up with Tang Jinghong?!

“Fifth Master, asking me to steal from Tang Jinghong is like sending me to my death. Sorry, I can’t do it.” Did he think Zeng Huo was foolish enough to accept such an impossible task?

“That’s a harsh statement. You’re highly skilled; what if you succeed? Think about it. If you bring me the item, I’ll give you the book ‘Shadow.’ We both win, isn’t that great?”

Nonsense, only you would win!

Zeng Huo felt he must have been out of his mind to agree to such unfair conditions in the past.

“Fifth Master, I’m sorry, but I can’t accept this. Besides, I’m planning to retire. Find someone else.” Zeng Huo firmly refused.

Fifth Master Xuan drew a long sword, pointing it at Zeng Huo’s neck. “Don’t forget who helped you back then.”

“Yes, you helped me, but do you remember how many things I’ve done for you over the years?” Zeng Huo was unafraid. “If you kill me, all your dirty secrets will be exposed!”

“You…” Fifth Master Xuan was furious.

“Fifth Master, let’s part ways amicably. Our cooperation ends here.” Zeng Huo gently pushed the sword aside and left the room.

“Stop!” Fifth Master Xuan called out.

“What else?” Zeng Huo was getting annoyed.

“If I tell Xuan Louze about our cooperation, do you think he will spare you?” Fifth Master Xuan threatened.

This matter should not be widely known. If it became public, obtaining the item would become even harder.