HIDDEN EVIL [XIAO SHUXIANG THE SERIES]

HIDDEN EVIL [XIAO SHUXIANG THE SERIES]
169 - Considerations

Elder Wang Haoran and the other elders were waiting for a response from Xiao Shuxiang. They actually knew, this young man must have been very shocked. Anyone would not have imagined being offered a rare opportunity like this.


"How, Son?" Elder Chen Duan Shan asked. He felt that this young man before him was thinking too much, whereas what was offered was not at all detrimental.


".......... I actually don't know what to say and don't know how to respond.." Xiao Shuxiang said slowly. He said, "I don't want to offend the Elders, but .... What did the Elders see of me until I was given a chance to study with you? I thought, no other cultivator had gotten this kind of treatment before,"


The Great Elder of the Heavenly Flower Sect, Huan Gui Fei said. "Aren't you thinking about it yourself?"


Xiao Shuxiang exhaled, he calmly said. "It's true that I have a seal that the Great Elder Shang said. I have an uncontrollable power. But if by studying under the auspices of the Elders could make me control this power, then it would definitely be very good."


"I will certainly help you," Big Elder Shang said. "You can practice under our guidance, there's no need to hesitate."


"It's an opportunity that the Elders really want to give you," Elder Meng Hao Niang exhaled, "You don't need to worry or feel burdened. If during guidance you become uncomfortable or something feels out of your way, then you can stop. We're not going to force it, but you have to be serious about thinking about this offer."


Elder Chen Duan Shan and Elder Wang Haoran nodded slowly. The two also expressed the same opinion and did not give Xiao Shuxiang any coercion at all. They gave a choice, but of course if this young man did not want to accept it - then it would be a great loss.


Xiao Shuxiang took a breath and then nodded slowly, "I thank you. But this is something very surprising. I'm sorry I can't give you an answer right now. What .... Can I think about it first?"


"..............."


If the one offered was another cultivator, then that person would definitely not refuse would not even ask for time to think. That cultivator would definitely instantly agree and nod without blinking, very different from Xiao Shuxiang.


Elder Chen Duan Shan nodded slowly, "Of course you can think about and consider it carefully. If you've already made your decision, you can directly pass it on to Elder Meng."


"......... Mn, thank you." Xiao Shuxiang did not expect to get this kind of response. He thought he would end up being urged.


Long enough Xiao Shuxiang was with those Elders. He was asked about how his life went in the Lower Cultivation Realm and Xiao Shuxiang replied in his own style.


The dazzling young man explained about his life in the Middle Continent who only ventured to and fro and also visited the Thousand Year Inn of his friend, Nie Shang.


Xiao Shuxiang also complained about the extremely strict rules of the Sky Pagoda Sect, even complaining about the cold nature of his White Cat. He told many common things, but did not at all offend his life in the Eastern Continent.


What shocked the Elders the most to give Xiao Shuxiang a look of disbelief was when the young man said he liked visiting the Bordil house the most. Elder Meng Hao Niang choked on the wine he drank because of the speech.


At that very instant, Xiao Shuxiang instantly got the hospitality of Big Elder Chen Duan Shan and the other elders. The dazzling young man seemed to have succeeded in provoking the protests of the Old Bangka who never once set foot to the place where 'World Pleasure' was located.


Xiao Shuxiang was only able to get out of the room after four hours had passed.


*


*


On the way to his room back, Xiao Shuxiang was seen walking slowly and holding onto the surrounding wall. His legs and buttocks were completely numb.


"Shuxiang, please,"


Xiao Shuxiang flinched. He saw an all-white dressed young man with a forehead ribbon walking towards him. He knew that handsome young man very well.


"......... Lan Zhi,"


"You why?" Lan Guan Zhi asked when he had been near his good friend.


"My ass is sore from sitting down. Hiya... This sucks," Xiao Shuxiang complained. He was just about to talk back when he was suddenly startled by the actions of his best friend.


Immediately, Xiao Shuxiang spontaneously brushed off Lan Guan Zhi's hand and stared in horror at the young man nearby. "What do you want to do, Lan'Er?"


".......... Help you lighten it up,"


"Lan Zhi's..! I-I don't need that kind of help, man." Xiao Shuxiang was in deep shock, "My butt doesn't need any special treatment from you, okay?"


"Why complain to me?" Lan Guan Zhi tonelessly asked. He made Xiao Shuxiang flinch again.


"Because you asked, that's why I answered! Am I wrong?"


"......... Mn, no." Lan Guan Zhi was now not in the mood to argue with his good friend. He held onto Xiao Shuxiang's arm and helped the young man walk.


Xiao Shuxiang did not refuse his friend's help. He even went back to saying, "If you can choose. I'd rather have to fight a day and night without stopping than have to sit in a wooden chair for hours,"


Xiao Shuxiang asked, "Lan Zhi. Don't you ever have a hard time sitting for four hours, huh?"


".......... Mn, no."


"Hmph, the stamina of the Heaven Sword Sect disciples is indeed terrifying."


"..............." Lan Guan Zhi breathed softly before saying, "You have great stamina when fighting. But why can't sitting?"


"Because my feet were not taught to be silent." Xiao Shuxiang replied, "My feet are taught to break down opponents' defenses and trample over their bodies, very much different from yours or even the White Cat."


"........... Then you must learn to sit quietly like Miss Ling,"


"That's torture! Not willing," Xiao Shuxiang refused loudly. He protested as he continued to be led by Lan Guan Zhi, although the aches on his buttocks gradually began to disappear.


"..............."


A few passing disciples were seen frowning as they watched how close Xiao Shuxiang was to Lan Guan Zhi.


They wondered about the relationship between the two young men. Not a few thought that Lan Guan Zhi with Xiao Shuxiang was Big Brother and Adopted Brother. While there are also those who see the relationship of the two people from a more unique side.


"D-Yuan?"


Lan Guan Zhi and Xiao Shuxiang turned their heads when they heard a foreign voice that was quite close to them. The two then looked at Elder Jing Yufeng who was walking with her right hand holding a white fan behind her waist.


"......... Uncle," Lan Guan Zhi courteously saluted Elder Jing Yufeng who was met with a friendly smile by the Thousand Sword Palace elder.


"A-Yuan, you don't usually look this happy. Is it possible because of Young Master Xiao's presence?"


Xiao Shuxiang gasped at Elder Jing Yufeng's words. He blinked and watched Lan Guan Zhi intently.


From the looks of it, the facial expression of his good friend remained calm and flat. It does not show a face full of pleasure. So how could Elder Jing Yufeng know Lan Guan Zhi was feeling 'Happy' at the moment?


Xiao Shuxiang shook his head slowly and as if trying to digest the situation. He looked at Elder Jing Yufeng and then asked, "Elder? Who is this 'A-Yuan' you mean?"


"Mn?" Elder Jing Yufeng frowned and used the look in her eyes to point at Lan Guan Zhi. He made Xiao Shuxiang flinch until he subconsciously opened his mouth.


"Lan Zhi's..." Xiao Shuxiang looked at his good friend and as if he was about to confirm something.


Lan Guan Zhi breathed softly and with a shady look in said, "Yuan is my little name."


Xiao Shuxiang flinched, "Really?! Why can't I know?!"


"Nobody ever mentioned it and you didn't ask."


"G .... It seems like I've never thought of anything this detailed before." Xiao Shuxiang gave a smile and said, "But you fit the call. From now on, I'll call you 'A-Yuan', too',"


Lan Guan Zhi gasped, yet his facial expression remained the same. He clearly saw the strange smile of his good friend and felt that Xiao Shuxiang was now teasing him.


Lan Guan Zhi chanted coldly, "There's no need to do that."


"Why?" Xiao Shuxiang had an innocent expression, he smiled as well. "Calling by a small name will bring us closer. I'll also tell you my little name, hm? A-Yuan,"


"..............." Lan Guan Zhi held his breath and then replied to the words of the young man nearby. He said in a tone that made Xiao Shuxiang startled by goosebumps.


"A-Xiang, please,"


"Lan Zhi's..!"


Elder Jing Yufeng up flinched and blinked a few times. Lan Guan Zhi's call to Xiao Shuxiang was truly heart-shaking. He did not hesitate to call it intimate.


Lan Guan Zhi snorted softly seeing his good friend's reaction, "I won again."


"So you just got revenge on me?" Xiao Shuxiang shook his head and clucked softly, "Well .... Justjust wonderful. I can't beat the joking young man of today,"


"You're acting like an old man, now,"


"Lan Zhi, you're starting again--"


"The two of you are very friendly," Elder Jing Yufeng interrupted and finally opened her voice, "I don't know what to say to you guys."


"Chairman Jing, please don't say such strange things." Xiao Shuxiang was amused at hearing that, "I don't want my friendship with this child to be misunderstood anymore,"


"They're just teasing you. No one is seriously responding to the relationship between you. Everyone knows you're A-Yuan's best friend," Elder Jing Yufeng smiled. He made Xiao Shuxiang flinch.


"Chairman Jing ...." Xiao Shuxiang blinked, though,


"Yes .... I think A-Yuan talked to me quite often about you, "Elder Jing Yufeng rubbed his chin slowly, "I thought he was missing his girlfriend at first, but it turns out that the guy named 'Shuxiang' is a boy."


"Chairman Jing," Xiao Shuxiang refrained from exclaiming. He said, "Does the elder think 'Shuxiang' is a woman? I'm a real man, you know. This kid already thinks of me as his 'Grandfather',"


Xiao Shuxiang placed emphasis on the last word he said. He continued as he looked at Lan Guan Zhi, "That's why this person is so considerate of me. In his eyes maybe I was Old Bangka who needed to be taken care of very well,"


".......... Mn, no." Lan Guan Zhi did not think so.


"Then? Why are you so concerned with me?"


"........... You want me to say it?"


Xiao Shuxiang flinched, "No need! I can feel you're going to make my pride fall again,"


"Mn, okay." Lan Guan Zhi smiled faintly.


Xiao Shuxiang himself seemed to have given up on dealing with this sort of thing with Lan Guan Zhi. That's because the more he replies to his best friend, it's he who will be more in an unfavorable position.


Xiao Shuxiang exhaled and spoke for quite a while with Elder Jing Yufeng before he was finally ushered by his good friend back into the room.


******