37: Chapter 37: Public Discussion and Increased Fame

The afternoon sun was high in the sky, and the streets were bustling with noise.

Chen Xuan turned the imperial jade plaque over and over in his hands as he walked, muttering, "Can this thing be eaten as a meal? If I'm hungry when I enter the palace later, can I knock it twice and trade it for a bowl of noodles?"

Zhao Hongling, walking beside him, glared at him upon hearing this. "Stop being glib! The Empress has personally summoned you—something so many people would beg for but never receive—and you're just thinking about bumming a meal?"

"I just want to live a little more practically."

Chen Xuan scratched his head and grinned. "Besides, I've been fighting in the arena all morning; my stomach is already empty. Heroes have to eat too, don't they?"

Leng Shuang walked a few steps behind, listening to their bickering without saying a word, her gaze merely sweeping across the crowd on the street.

She noticed that quite a few people were secretly stealing glances in their direction; some were pointing and whispering, their eyes filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

Liu Ruyan walked at the back, holding a scroll of paper she had just bought. She wrote as she walked, saying, "The storyteller at the teahouse has already started recounting your affairs; even details like your 'Severing Stream, Breaking the Heavy Hammer' are being described vividly."

"Oh? Have I become the protagonist of a storybook?" Chen Xuan chuckled. "Well, did he collect any money? He should give me a cut."

"Do you think everyone is as thick-skinned as you?"

Dugu Xue spoke indifferently, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as her gaze swept across the alley entrance. "However… the whole city is talking about you now, and that isn't necessarily a good thing."

No sooner had she spoken than a loud voice rang out from a tavern at the street corner. "Hey! That's Young Master Chen, isn't it? He took on five people by himself, and even Tuoba Lie fell at his hands!"

"Indeed! I heard he even exposed a corrupt official and saved the orphan of a loyal official. Truly chivalrous!" another person replied.

"He's impressive, sure, but he's being far too showy."

A man in gray clothing said slowly, "What Martial Artists fear most is showing their edge too sharply. By suppressing so many people all at once, he's likely going to invite trouble."

The volume of these words was neither too high nor too low, just enough to reach Chen Xuan's ears. He paused in his step, turned his head to glance in that direction, but said nothing, merely offering a faint smile.

"Whoever dares to cause trouble, we'll fight them back one by one!" Zhao Hongling said, hands on her hips, her voice loud and clear, causing passersby to cast glances their way.

"Don't shout," Leng Shuang finally said, her tone calm. "The more ostentatious you are, the more people will keep their eyes on you."

"She's right." Liu Ruyan closed her scroll, her expression turning more serious. "I've already had my subordinates make inquiries; as early as this morning, several groups of unfamiliar faces were asking about your residence and whereabouts."

"Oh?" Chen Xuan tilted his head. "Who is so concerned about me? Could it be they want to treat me to a meal?"

"Can't you be serious for once?" Zhao Hongling said, anxious.

"I'm being quite serious. If people want to know where I am, it means I've become famous. Only when you have fame do people think of you, and only when people think of you does it mean you're useful. Isn't that a good thing?"

"What's good about that?" Dugu Xue frowned. "You are currently at the center of the storm; one slight misstep and you will be pushed down."

"Then I'll just have to stand firmly." Chen Xuan shrugged and continued walking forward. "Besides, I haven't done anything wrong, so what is there to fear?"

The group passed through the bustling market, turned into a quieter alley, and returned to their small, temporary courtyard. A servant quickly brought out hot tea, and they all sat around to rest.

Liu Ruyan organized the information she had gathered and said softly, "The Disciples of the Nangong Family, the Heavenly Blade Sect, and the Iron Bone Temple are all gossiping in private, claiming you only won by relying on clever tricks and that it wasn't real skill. Some have even declared that they want to challenge you to a private sparring match."

"Sparring?" Zhao Hongling sneered. "If they can beat you, they call it 'sparring'; if they can't, they call it a 'sneak attack.' These people are experts at finding excuses for themselves."

"However…" Leng Shuang suddenly looked up. "There seems to be movement from the Northern Territory as well."

"Tuoba Lie's defeat was decisive; his fellow Disciples won't let this go easily." Dugu Xue nodded. "I fear someone will come to test the waters before tonight is over."

"Let them test, then." Chen Xuan took a sip of tea, leaning lazily against the doorframe. "If one comes, I'll meet him; if two come, I'll meet both. It's not like I haven't seen the world."

"You're certainly relaxed." Liu Ruyan looked at him, a trace of worry in her eyes. "But you aren't just by yourself anymore; we are all by your side."

"That's why I have to be even steadier." He set down his teacup and swept his gaze across the four of them. His tone remained casual, yet carried a newfound sense of composure. "You've helped me hold on until now, and I don't want my arrogance to cause you to be implicated as well."

When these words were spoken, the four of them fell silent. Zhao Hongling felt a sting in her nose; she turned her head away and huffed, "That's finally something like a human thing to say."

Leng Shuang lowered her head, stroking the hilt of her sword without a word, though her shoulders relaxed slightly. Dugu Xue glanced at him and gave a slight nod. Liu Ruyan smiled, pursing her lips, and reopened her scroll. "Then I will continue to keep an eye on the rumors outside and let you know the moment there is any news."

"Alright." Chen Xuan stood up, walked into the courtyard, and looked up at the sky. The sunlight was blinding, reflecting a white glare off the roof tiles. He squinted and raised a hand to shield his eyes.

"Back in modern times, I just stayed home every day ordering takeout; nobody knew who I was. Now, it's a different story; no matter where I go, someone recognizes me." He muttered to himself, "It's hard to hide from debts when you're famous."

He said it with a smile, but his tone no longer held its previous flippancy. Leng Shuang stood by the wall, her gaze fixed on his back. She could tell that while he claimed not to care, he had actually known what to expect all along.

Zhao Hongling sat on a stone stool, hugging her knees, and stared blankly at the old cat basking in the sun in the corner of the courtyard. She usually hated silence, but today, she didn't want to make a sound.

Dugu Xue stood under the eaves, her fingers unconsciously brushing over the tassel of her sword. She knew that the coming days would not be peaceful.

Liu Ruyan sat at a small table by the window, dipped her brush in ink, and wrote a few characters on the paper: "The wind rises from the tip of the green duckweed."

After writing, she gently blew on the ink and looked up at Chen Xuan in the courtyard. He was still standing there, staring at the distant roof ridges, motionless.

Footsteps echoed from the mouth of the alley, approaching from afar, then gradually fading away. A sparrow flew down onto the courtyard wall, tilted its head to look inside, then flapped its wings and flew off.

As the sun set, the shadows in the courtyard stretched longer and longer. Chen Xuan finally moved, turned, and walked into the courtyard, clapping his hands. "I'm hungry. Who's going to get something to eat?"

"I'll go!" Zhao Hongling jumped up immediately.

"Wait," Leng Shuang said suddenly, her gaze fixed on the branches of an old locust tree outside the courtyard wall. Everyone followed her gaze, but there was no one there, only the rustling of leaves in the wind. Yet, Leng Shuang's expression did not change.

After a few moments, Chen Xuan smiled. "Alright, I know."

He walked to the door, picked up the outer robe hanging nearby, and draped it over his shoulders. He turned back to look at the four of them. "Don't wait for me for dinner. I'm going out for a stroll."

"No!" Zhao Hongling rushed over to stop him. "Who knows if there's an ambush out there!"

"It's precisely because there might be that I have to go out." He blinked. "I can't let people think that I, Chen Xuan, defeated a master only to be afraid of a few people watching from the shadows, can I?"

"I'm coming with you." Leng Shuang straightened up, picked up her sword, and stepped forward.

"I'm going too." Liu Ruyan closed her scroll and stood up.

"Nobody move," Chen Xuan said, waving his hand. "When I say stroll, I mean stroll. It's easier with just one person."

With that, he pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped out. The street outside was becoming deserted. The evening breeze brushed against his face, swirling up a fallen leaf.

He casually stuffed the jade plaque into his robes, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and strolled slowly along the base of the wall. Behind him, the courtyard gate was left slightly ajar, and four pairs of eyes watched through the gap, their gazes tightly fixed on his retreating figure.

The last ray of the setting sun fell upon his shoulders, only to vanish in an instant. At the end of the alley, a dark shape slipped from the top of the wall, fell into the muddy water, and spread into a dark stain.