The Outcast Male Sub-Lead Stole the Female Lead’s Role - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Jiang Xu hadn’t expected Chu Weiling to be so persistent, but considering they were bitter rivals in the original novel, he found the behavior reasonable. Since he hadn’t touched the spirit stones anyway, he wasn’t afraid of a body search. He stepped forward, ready to open his sleeves and let him search.

However, just as Chu Weiling stepped up and reached out, a white sleeve blocked his path. Jiang Xu froze, staring at the owner of the sleeve, and blurted out in confusion, “Shizun?”

Wen Hexue didn’t look at him. Instead, it was Chu Weiling who glared fiercely at Jiang Xu after hearing the call before turning respectfully toward Wen Hexue. “Shizun, what is the meaning of this?”

“Since a search is required,” Wen Hexue lifted his eyelashes slightly, looking toward the Sect Leader at the head of the hall, and said calmly, “it should be conducted by someone uninvolved in the matter. What do you think, Sect Leader?”

Fu Yuchuan met Wen Hexue’s eyes. A bead of cold sweat formed on his forehead, which he wiped away with his sleeve. “Hexue is right!” He shot a meaningful look at Chu Weiling. “Weiling! Let your Martial Uncle search him.”

“Master…”

“Quickly, quickly! Don’t stand in your Martial Uncle’s way!”

With a dark expression, Chu Weiling had no choice but to grit his teeth. “Yes, Master.” He turned back to Wen Hexue. “Then I shall trouble Shizun.”

Wen Hexue gave a slight nod. He turned around but didn’t lay a hand on Jiang Xu. Just like the last time he checked Jiang Xu’s health, a faint glow flew from his fingertips. As it landed on Jiang Xu, it grew slightly larger, circling around his body.

Soon, the light was retracted. Wen Hexue glanced briefly at Jiang Xu before turning to Fu Yuchuan. “There is no trace of the spirit stones.”

Sect Leader Fu nodded repeatedly. “Since he has been checked, it seems my disciple was simply too suspicious and accidentally wronged Jiang Xu. The thief must be someone else. In that case,” he waved his hand, stroking his snow-white beard. His white eyebrows smoothed out, and as he looked at Jiang Xu again, his previous anxious and angry demeanor was replaced by a much more forgiving, benevolent air. “You may return now.”

Jiang Xu blinked, nodding as he listened. Then he heard the Sect Leader speak to Shizun, “Hard work today.”

Watching Wen Hexue give a slight nod in response, Jiang Xu couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at him. He hadn’t expected this cold Shizun to speak up specifically for him. Logically, even if the plot had collapsed and Shizun had appeared, why would he and the original host have so much interaction?

Before he could reach a conclusion, someone else spoke up for him—likely out of the same confusion. Feng Chaoxian, one of the six Peak Masters sitting nearby, spoke as soon as he opened his mouth: “I see that Hexue usually keeps his distance from all disciples. Even at the Apprentice Selection Ceremonies of the past, you wouldn’t spare a glance even for those with the best spiritual roots. It’s been so many years, yet you haven’t taken a single disciple, and you’re never close to them. Why are you so concerned about this little disciple today?”

As soon as Feng Chaoxian asked this, a rustle of whispering broke out in the hall. Jiang Xu looked around helplessly, thinking that even the great masters of the cultivation world weren’t immune to a bit of gossip; everyone was currently craning their necks to hear the reason.

It made sense, though. Wen Hexue’s cultivation was unfathomably deep. Being a cultivator, he obviously wasn’t the young man his appearance suggested. He had been at Lingyun Mountain for many years, and while the other Peak Masters had taken numerous disciples, he didn’t have a single one under his wing.

Jiang Xu assumed that given Wen Hexue’s personality, he would definitely refuse to answer. He gloated inwardly, Keep asking, Shizun isn’t going to say a word. To his surprise, in the next second, he met Wen Hexue’s gaze. He froze as the other man gave a faint smile, causing an audible gasp to ripple through the room.

The original questioner, Feng Chaoxian, sat there with a dazed expression. He murmured to Zi Su, who was equally stunned beside him, “Did I see that right? Did he… just smile?”

Zi Su didn’t answer him because Wen Hexue spoke.

The faint smile had not yet left his face. Because of it, the corners of his eyes were slightly curved, like melting snow. His voice was still cool and refreshing, but it carried a flavor different from usual: “One inevitably feels hungry at night; it was merely an appropriate gift of sincerity.”

Two short sentences, but they couldn’t have been easier to understand. The expressions of those present turned even more astonished. This time, however, ten pairs of eyes were fixed on Jiang Xu.

Feng Chaoxian, probably not expecting such an answer to his question, coughed lightly and took a sip of the tea prepared on the table to calm himself. “…Very well then, very well.”

Sect Leader Fu laughed loudly to ease the strange atmosphere. He likely hadn’t expected today’s hall meeting to take such a turn. He stroked his beard several times in a row. “Hexue’s point is reasonable. Ahem, I see that the theft of the spirit stones currently has no leads, so we shall discuss it another day.”

At these words, Jiang Xu snapped out of his catatonic state, only to freeze again immediately. Wen Hexue, who had just uttered those shocking words, was now looking at him. The smile that had appeared on his face—which hadn’t yet managed to fully melt the ice—had now completely vanished.

“Let’s go.”

Dazed and confused, Jiang Xu let out an “Oh” and followed him.

However, before he could catch up, he was pulled back by Peak Master Feng. This Peak Master wore light green robes and looked young with a clear, handsome face and peach-blossom eyes. He lacked the sternness Jiang Xu imagined a Peak Master would have, possessing a more approachable air instead.

Jiang Xu remembered this Feng Chaoxian. Though Peak Master Feng always seemed frivolous, his mind was the most meticulous among the Peak Masters. He was friendly and loved taking on disciples—his peak had the largest number of them. He enjoyed mechanical traps and formations, and many of the traps on the mountain were his designs.

Jiang Xu hadn’t expected him to approach him and looked at him in confusion. However, he couldn’t forget his manners; he cupped his hands and bowed. Feng Chaoxian looked at him with a smile and asked, “What is your name, little disciple?”

“Reporting to the Peak Master, this disciple is named Jiang Xu.”

“Jiang Xu…” he repeated, quickly adding, “A good name!”

Jiang Xu knew he hadn’t come over just to ask for a name. After a polite thank you, he asked, “Does the Peak Master have something to ask this disciple?”

“It’s not really a big deal…” Feng Chaoxian thought for a moment and said, “What delicious food did you give your Shizun the other day?”

Jiang Xu hadn’t expected him to ask that. Just as he was about to answer, he saw a crowd of disciples swarming behind Feng Chaoxian. Although they weren’t too close, they were all ears.

“…” He pursed his lips, thinking that Wen Hexue really was everyone’s “White Moonlight” (unattainable crush). It was just that the food he delivered that day wasn’t made by him… Sorry, Junior Sister Yan.

“Reporting to the Peak Master, because Shizun saved this disciple a few days ago, I delivered some lotus seed porridge to him.” At this point, Jiang Xu himself felt it was strange. He really couldn’t fathom Wen Hexue’s thoughts—Shizun had clearly said he didn’t like lotus seed porridge that day. However, since they didn’t ask if Shizun liked it, only what food he had delivered, he was technically telling the truth.

The eavesdropping disciples pulled back their ears. After casting a few seemingly casual glances at Jiang Xu, they dispersed.

Feng Chaoxian didn’t notice the crowd that had just gathered behind him, nor did he realize they had dispersed. He only seemed slightly puzzled by Jiang Xu’s answer, murmuring, “I remember he didn’t like that stuff anymore…”

Jiang Xu blinked. “What did the Peak Master say?”

“Ah, nothing, nothing.” Feng Chaoxian smiled again, patted Jiang Xu on the shoulder, and winked. “But little disciple, your Shizun seems to like you quite a bit. Work hard, and you might even become his direct disciple.”

Without waiting for Jiang Xu to say anything, he sauntered away.

Jiang Xu shook his head, thinking this Peak Master was truly an odd person. Anyone looking at this personality would find it hard to imagine him as the master of a peak.

But he was indeed quite likable. Jiang Xu smiled and turned to leave. Passing by the Liulan Terrace where the Apprentice Selection Ceremony had been held, a breeze blew by, rippling the lotus leaves in the water. The lotus petals danced with the wind, creating quite a beautiful sight.

Jiang Xu had always loved plants and flowers. Before coming here, he used to grow them. Now, seeing these lotuses, he couldn’t move his feet. In an instant, he forgot that Wen Hexue had told him to leave with him.

He was enjoying the view so much that his mood improved significantly, and he didn’t even notice someone approaching.

Chu Weiling’s expression was quite unpleasant. Looking at how intently Jiang Xu was staring at the lotus pond, he spoke coldly, “Junior Brother Jiang is in high spirits.”

Jiang Xu was startled by the voice and instinctively took half a step back. After seeing who it was, he patted his chest. “…Oh, it’s Senior Brother Chu.” Why does he walk without making a sound?

Chu Weiling acted as if he hadn’t heard the “Senior Brother Chu” address. Crossing his arms, he said, “The Soul-Gathering Jade has suddenly vanished, yet Junior Brother has the leisure and elegance to admire lotuses here.”

The way he said it made it sound like Jiang Xu was the one who lost the Soul-Gathering Jade. Ignoring the sarcastic tone, Jiang Xu said, “Senior Brother is right. I really shouldn’t be here admiring flowers—this is truly inappropriate! I’ll go back and reflect on my mistakes immediately!” If I can’t win a fight, can’t I at least run away?

“You certainly run fast,” Chu Weiling grabbed him by the collar, spun him around, and gripped his robes at the chest. He said harshly, “Where exactly is the Soul-Gathering Jade!?”

“Hey, hey, hey, Senior Brother. I didn’t take the Soul-Gathering Jade. Didn’t the truth just come to light?” Jiang Xu tried hard to pry his hand away to no avail, so he had to continue helplessly, “Why are you so convinced I took it? The array guarding the spirit jade is so powerful; I’d need the ability to take it, wouldn’t I?”

Chu Weiling let go of him. “All I know is that I saw you acting suspiciously near there last night and touching the barrier.”

“Sometimes seeing isn’t believing,” Jiang Xu loosened his collar and took a breath. “If you put it that way, I saw you last night too, Senior Brother. Should I say you were the one who took the Soul-Gathering Jade?”

“Nonsense!”

Jiang Xu spread his hands. “You said it yourself—it’s nonsense. So stop wrongly accusing me, Senior Brother.” He looked at Chu Weiling innocently. “Do I look like someone capable of moving freely within that sword array?”

“Your spiritual roots may be mediocre, but your spiritual power is passable,” Chu Weiling said impatiently. He looked at Jiang Xu with a frown. “I will be watching you.”

“…”

“Senior Sister, this isn’t good, is it…” a cautious voice came from afar.

Jiang Xu quickly turned around. He saw Fu Bihan leading two younger sisters toward the distance. She still wore her arrogant expression. “What’s wrong with it? Just consider it a trial for her.”

“But what if Junior Sister Yan doesn’t know how to swim?”

“Then there will naturally be a way to save her at that time…”

Junior Sister Yan? Yan Huan!

Jiang Xu jolted. He shot a look at Chu Weiling, grit his teeth, and said, “Senior Brother, you’ll have to watch me another day. I have something to do, I’m leaving!” With that, he headed toward the path the three sisters had just taken.

Chu Weiling watched the retreating Jiang Xu with a sinister gaze, his hand at his side tightening into a fist. After a long time, he finally turned and left.