Inside the valley where the Qing-Yun disciples had been resting in, the people were chattering curiously. “Shixiong Xiao left with such haste. Is he worried about Shixiong Fang’s safety so much that he wants to save him?” In particular, those who had been saved by Fang Xing all prayed with longing, “I hope Shixiong Xiao Jianming is successful in saving him!”

　　However, others who held no good intentions towards Fang Xing were also thinking to themselves, ‘It’s been so long already, the kid is surely dead by now. Besides, even if Shixiong Xiao Jianming is a genius, it’s impossible that he’d be able to defeat a Foundation Stage beast. How would he save him?’

　　As for Qin Xing’er, she sat while leaning against a short pine tree, her eyes gazing off blankly into the distance. Liu Heihu walked over to her and handed her a few pellets he’d requested from the Danxia disciples. “Take these pellets, they’ll help you recover.”

　　Qin Xing’er let out a long sigh. “You know, Heihu, I grew up inside the sect doors. To me, everything within this world is based on resources and how to obtain them through various methods. Even from my parents and grandfather, there had been no warmth at all growing up. So I’ve always thought that this is how everything is: heroes only exist in stories. Yet who would have thought…. Why, why do you think he would sacrifice himself to save us? Is he… is he not afraid of death at all?”

　　As she spoke on, Qin Xing’er remembered the kiss she’d received from Fang Xing, causing her heart to skip a beat and her cheeks to blush. ‘Is it because he likes me too that he’s willing to sacrifice himself for me?’ When she thought of this, however, her emotions became even more bitter.

　　She had always been clever, but even if she were ten times more so, she would not have guessed that Fang Xing had only done so because he saw the chance to do so. It was with the mindset of “Only a bastard doesn’t take advantage of an obvious opportunity right in front of them” that Fang Xing had kissed her.

　　At that exact moment, a loud cry could be heard. “Help! The pretty boy is chasing after me!”

　　Qin Xing’er was dumbstruck, believing she was definitely imagining things.

　　“Ahh! Help!”

　　The voice rose up again, and the expression on Qin Xing’er’s face changed as she hastily stood up. The rest of the Qing-Yun disciples were also surprised, and everyone stood up at almost the same time while looking around.

　　“Why does that sound like Shixiong Fang?”

　　“He’s not dead?”

　　“It’s… it’s definitely him. That’s his voice….”

　　While the disciples debated, Xu Linyun drew herself up into the air as her white crane flew towards her to pick her up in the sky. Just as she rose above the tips of the trees, a gold-colored silhouette flew in close—a giant golden crow with a youth on top. The youth was screaming as he steered the crow with an [Immortal’s Snare] while holding onto a large saber with his other hand; who else could it be other than Fang Xing?

　　“Shixiong Fang, is it really you?” Qin Xing’er and the Duanzhen disciples grew extremely excited as they leapt out from the crowd.

　　The golden crow circled before landing hurriedly to the ground. Xu Linyun had already drawn her sword as she asked, “Who is chasing after you?”

　　After jumping off of the golden crow’s back, Fang Xing kicked away a mournful Duanzhen disciple who had wanted to hug him from excitement before wiping off the sweat across his forehead. “Xiao Jianming!”

　　“Eh?” All of the Qing-Yun disciples were left flabbergasted. Even Xu Linyun showed confusion in that moment.

　　“F*ck, you know, that Xiao Jianming. Man, it turns out he’s a pretty boy that wants to touch me! How disgusting!”

　　These words were even more astonishing for the disciples, causing everyone to pause. “What… what rubbish are you spouting?” a woman scolded, her face bright red. It was Shanhe Valley’s lead disciple, Feng Qingwei.

　　“What exactly happened? Why is he chasing after you? And how did you survive?” Xu Linyun did not believe Fang Xing’s explanation and sent a string of questions his way.

　　Fang Xing anxiously answered, “Simply put, the Foundation Stage beast didn’t kill me, it simply left after taking something from the side of the valley. Then I found this guy and tamed him. Yes, that’s right, this very flashy giant golden crow— uhh, then Xiao Jianming arrived, and as soon as he saw me, I swear his eyes brightened at seeing how handsome I am. Then he wanted to touch me using the excuse of searching me, so I had to run….”

　　Everyone gulped upon hearing these words. This was just too surreal! Although the boy was very serious in his tone of speech, it just didn’t sound credible in the slightest….

　　At that moment, the loud cry of an eagle could be heard as Xiao Jianming arrived as well. “Come over now, Fang Xing. Once I search you, I will allow you to live.”

　　As soon as he’d spoken such words, the Qing-Yun disciples’ expressions all changed.

　　Seeing that Xiao Jianming had arrived, Fang Xing quickly slid himself behind Xu Linyun, placing his hands on his hips before yelling out, “You disgraceful pretty boy, do you really think everyone is the same as you? Unlike you, I am a real man! I can spare my blood and my head, but not the innocence of my body. For Shijie Linyun’s sake, I shall not let you touch even a single one of my fingers!”

　　Xu Linyun couldn’t help but to send a glance his way, as though to say ‘What does this all have to do with me?’

　　Xiao Jianming was left confused as well. “You want to prove your innocence? Then let me search you!” he coldly exclaimed

　　“Definitely not! Why don’t you ask others, would they let you touch them?” Fang Xing yelled back.

　　Xiao Jianming’s attention then swept around, and those who felt his gaze either all looked away or took a frightened step back. Everyone felt a touch of fear, as they hadn’t anticipated their Shixiong Xiao to prefer things a little differently.

　　As for Shanhe Valley’s Feng Qingwei, she was so anxious that her eyes had even moistened.

　　When he saw that the looks the disciples were giving him were a little odd, Xiao Jianming only felt that perhaps asking to search Fang Xing might have crossed the line. A body search was a bit insulting, after all. However, he was certain he had seen a glimpse of purple when he was chasing Fang Xing, and so he was certain that Fang Xing had the Purple Mist Orchid. There was no way he would give up this opportunity to search him.

　　Even though Xu Linyun didn’t know precisely what had happened, Fang Xing was hiding behind her and so she had no choice but to get involved. She creased her eyebrows and asked Xiao Jianming, “What exactly happened?”

　　Xiao Jianming considered it for a short moment before answering directly, “I suspect that this kid has stolen something of mine!”

　　Fang Xing yelled back, “Bullsh*t! It was clearly that Foundation Stage beast that took it, you’re only saying this so you can touch me!”

　　Xiao Jianming’s gaze grew frosty. “Are you that handsome that I would want to touch you?”

　　Fang Xing touched his own face with his palm and turned to Qin Xing’er. “Am I not handsome?”

　　Qin Xing’er’s eyes moistened as she looked at Fang Xing. After he spoke to her, tears began to roll down her cheeks without restraint.

　　In truth, nobody knew how to react to this. They could all tell that Fang Xing was being a troublemaking pest and was likely making the entire story up, but a large portion of these disciples had been saved by Fang Xing and wouldn’t speak against him, while another portion did not dare to offend him. Thus, as if they had all agreed in advance, no one spoke a word.

　　“What exactly did you steal from Shixiong Xiao?” someone suddenly spoke up with a cold voice as they looked towards Fang Xing. It was none other than Feng Qingwei.

　　Someone else soon followed suit, “This is only to be expected from someone like him. It’s not like it’s unthinkable he would steal something!” This time it was Shen Lo. He and Fang Xing had developed an enmity by now, and although he wouldn’t normally dare to speak up against Fang Xing out of fear of the boy slicing him in half, his nerves steeled now that Xiao Jianming was here to back him up.

　　Everyone else remained silent. No matter how thankful they were to Fang Xing, they did not dare to anger Xiao Jianming on his behalf. And in times like these, it was also an act of kindness to not kick somebody while they were already down.

　　Fang Xing turned his head towards Shen Lo and exclaimed with full seriousness, “You little bastard, I’ll tell you clearly right now, one day I’ll split you in half and no one will be able to save you!” The words caused Shen Lo’s heart to sink as he took a step backwards. Ignoring him, Fang Xing then turned to Xiao Jianming. “You’re saying that I’ve stolen something of yours, but do you have any evidence? If not, then this is a blatant act of framing me, trying to destroy my innocence and name. Watch me report you to the sect master when I return!”

　　Xiao Jianming’s pupils dilated. He knew very well that the boy was a special case within the Qing-Yun Sect since he’d been under Bai Qianzhang’s care; if Fang Xing were to report to the sect master, there was no way it would be ignored. Furthermore, his uncle had also advised him to try to get the boy to reveal anything about whether he’d learned anything else from Bai Qianzhang. With all of this, Xiao Jianming did not want to truly offend Fang Xing unless there was absolutely no other choice, but the Purple Mist Orchid was also extremely important and he didn’t want to give up on even the hint of a possibility.

　　As Xiao Jianming thought on it, he softened his tone. “Whether or not I’ve framed you will be known as soon as I’ve searched you!”

　　Feng Qingwei interjected, “That’s right, if you’re really innocent, what’s wrong with being body searched?”

　　Fang Xing turned to her and cursed, “Stupid bi*ch, I suspect that you’ve stolen my underwear, so why don’t you let me do a body search on you?”

　　“How dare….” Newly embarrassed, Feng Qingwei’s face reddened and she glared hatefully at Fang Xing.

　　“Stop arguing!” a voice rose up. Xu Linyun couldn’t hold her tongue any longer, and everyone else quieted down as soon as she spoke. Even Fang Xing and Xiao Jianming turned their attention towards her to see what she wished to say.

　　“Shixiong Xiao, Shidi Fang here is the lead disciple for Duanzhen Valley. He has the favor of Elder Tie Rukuang, and he was also at the side of Grand-Shishu Bai Qianzhang for three years. His status within the sect is rather special, and even our Danxia Valley Chief Elder Qin’nyao and the sect master himself see him as someone of importance. He is not someone that can be accused at will. You said that he’s stolen something of yours; do you have evidence?”

　　Her words sided clearly with Fang Xing.