Phoenix Destiny

They were all martial artists, and Zhou Ruying and Lu Mingshu used a sword. Even though Ling Wuxia didn’t, she practised sword energy too. Thus, there was nothing wrong in calling them swordsmanship cultivators.

But what’s wrong with that? Why can’t we go out freely?

Not mentioning Zhou Ruying and Ling Wuxia, but Lu Mingshu had access to the Heavenly Wheel, so she knew that, in this kind of world, swordsmanship cultivators were normally part of the upper class, as their ability was mostly above average and they could fight well.

So why did Su Ze make it sound like they were discriminated against here?

“Misses, could you spare some of your time?”

Seeing the trio staring at each other, Su Ze laughed. “It’s not appropriate to chat here, and there are three kids here too. It wouldn’t be nice if they were dragged in.”

“Are you threatening us?” Zhou Ruying asked coldly.

“Of course not.” Su Ze shook his finger. “I only suggest that because it’s beneficial for both of us. If others were to know that I fought a swordsmanship cultivator, I’d be in trouble too.”

The trio exchanged glances, and Zhou Ruying nodded. “Okay, lead the way.” ƒ𝑟𝐞𝗲𝘄𝙚𝚋𝑛ｏ𝙫𝒆𝒍.𝒄𝘰𝓂

It wasn’t because of Su Ze threatening them; the Lu Mingshu trio and the Xiang Zichen trio couldn’t be considered close anyway. But what if Su Ze was telling the truth and the rooftop was an unsuitable place for them to have a talk? Even if Su Ze was lying, they could easily defeat the cultivators in this world, so there was nothing to be afraid of.

Of course, if there was a Solid Pellet Realm cultivator supporting Su Ze, there was nothing they could do. But if that was the case, there would be no difference if they went with him or not since it would be easy for such a cultivator to take them down either way.

Around ten minutes later, Su Ze pushed open a back door to a building.

Lu Mingshu stared at the place. “Isn’t this a restaurant?”

Su Ze turned to her and smiled. “Please be at ease, Miss. This restaurant belongs to my friend, and I assure you that it’s safe.”

Zhou Ruying and Ling Wuxia turned to Lu Mingshu.

Lu Mingshu scanned around before nodding.

There weren’t any traps here. Even though there were some runes around, it was a normal arrangement for defence.

The restaurant had already closed for the day, and it was so quiet that it was like a completely different place from how it was in the morning.

The shopkeeper greeted them and lead them to a private room on the second floor. “Sir, Gentleman Su is here.”

In the private room, there sat a young man who was about the same age as Su Ze. He was ice-cold, different form Su Ze who was always smiling.

Hearing the shopkeeper, he looked up.

The shopkeeper closed the door and went off.

“This is my friend, Yan Fei,” Su Ze introduced.

Yan Fei stood up and bowed. “How may I address you, Misses?”

Zhou Ruying glanced over at the other two and replied for them. “My surname’s Zhou, hers is Lu, and Ling for her.”

Yan Fei nodded and pointed to the chairs in front of him. “Please take a seat, Misses.”

The five of them sat down, and Yan Fei poured them tea. Seeing this, Ling Wuxia furrowed her eyebrows. “Can you make this quick? We are all busy, so why waste each other’s time?”

Lu Mingshu smiled hearing Ling Wuxia. As soon as she arrived here, she became aggressive! Is it for tolerating too much back in our world? No matter how upset she was, she always had to remain gentle and polite.

But she’s better like this.

“Yeah, what’s the problem?” Zhou Ruying nodded.

Yan Fei and Su Ze exchanged glances. Su Ze smiled at her, “Misses, you’re not from around here, right?”

“Yeah.”

“No wonder why Misses are unaware. Volt Wing City does not welcome swordsmanship cultivators.” Su Ze smiled thinly.

The trio had already guessed it, so Zhou Ruying didn’t beat around the bush. “Why?”

“Misses should be aware of what the government structure in Volt Wing City is like; a ranking match is held every thirty years to decide who gets control. Around thirty years ago, the ranking match was just a show because the power of one force, in particular, was too strong for anyone to overcome.”

“A swordsmanship cultivator’s force?” Lu Mingshu furrowed her eyebrows.

“Yes.” Su Ze nodded.

“When a force becomes too strong, it would become more and more arrogant. Since it’s no longer in control, it must’ve been forcefully disbanded by some other forces, and now Volt Wing City does not welcome swordsmanship cultivators?” Before he could continue, Ling Wuxia finished his story for him.

“Miss is right.”

“So why did you call us over? Just to warn us?”

Looking at Su Ze, Yan Fei continued. “The ranking match you fought in was just an inferior competition, so there weren’t many who would take notice of it. However, you three will be in danger if anyone else discovered that you are swordsmanship cultivators.”

“So? What does it have to do with you?” Zhou Ruying crossed her arms and stared at them cautiously. “You’re not going to say that you were just being nice, right?”

“How could that be?” Lu Mingshu raised her eyebrows. “There’s only one possibility why they are so sensitive to swordsmanship cultivators.”

Ling Wuxia nodded. “You two are swordsmanship cultivators too.”

“...” The answer may not have been hard to guess, but the Lu Mingshu trio constantly finishing their story for them had them at a loss.

“Two swordsmanship cultivators lurking around in a city where they aren’t welcome... what are you here for?” Zhou Ruying laughed.

“This restaurant must’ve cost quite a lot to be opened in such a place, right?” Lu Mingshu looked around.

“Oh, not only that.” Ling Wuxia laughed. “Besides the cost, there must be some relationships involved too.”

“Hmm, that’s weird.” Lu Mingshu caressed her sword. “Having relationships in a place where the people here hate swordsmanship cultivators... you two are interesting!”

“Ai, what’s there to guess?” Zhou Ruying “You’re obviously undercover!”

“...”

Su Ze smiled bitterly and bit his lip. “Misses, I’m sorry for sending someone to test you. I’m sorry for offending you, but can you please leave us some face at least?”

“Cut the nonsense,” Ling Wuxia said coldly. “Just get to the main point. I can’t stand people who always beat around the bush.”

“A man who has nothing is not afraid of losing while a man who has everything is.” Zhou Ruying grinned. “Don’t think of threatening us. We have nothing here and can just leave.”

Lu Mingshu didn’t have anything else to add. She just shot a glance over.

Su Ze wanted to say something, but Yan Fei stopped him. “Nice, I like it. Then I’ll just get to the point. As swordsmanship cultivators, Misses are strong. I’d like to ask for help from you three.”

Zhou Ruying clapped, looking satisfied. “Okay, say it then, what kind of help?”

“Rescue someone,” Yan Fei said. “Help us rescue someone.”

“Ah?”

...

It was already midnight when they exited the restaurant.

The trio walked along the street slowly back to the monastery.

After a while, Zhou Ruying broke the silence. “What do you two think about it?”

Lu Mingshu looked at her. “Ask Miss Ling.”

“You’re willing to let her decide?” Zhou Ruying stared at Lu Mingshu weirdly.

Lu Mingshu looked at Ling Wuxia, who was in front. “Miss Ling is very aggressive right now, and a bit emotionally unstable. I’m afraid that, if we don’t listen to her now, she’ll go crazy and drag all of us into trouble.”

Zhou Ruying nodded. “That’s true.”

Since arriving here, Ling Wuxia did not have a good temper. It was understandable though. She lived a luxurious life in their world as if she was a goddess. Now, they did not have a good environment, and she only had two “friends” with her. Compared to Lu Mingshu and Zhou Ruying, the difference was too big. Among the three of them, Ling Wuxia must’ve been the one that wanted to get back the most.