Chapter Twelve: Submerged Night

  The night was deep, and autumn had already arrived. There were no insects chirping, only the continuous sound of the lake's waves echoing in my ears. A solitary moon hung in the sky, illuminating the path brightly.

  Two people walked quietly along the lake, neither of them speaking. Xu Xian felt a little awkward and threw out a few topics, but they fell flat like a stone sinking into the sea, with no response except for the sound of the water.

  Pan Yujing was quietly thinking about his concerns, originally with his temperament, no matter how dull and inarticulate the other person was, he could always chat with them happily, without any awkwardness. According to his original thoughts, at this time, he should be having a deep conversation with Xu Xian, making the other person consider him as a rare confidant in life. But even he himself didn't know why, he just didn't feel like speaking.

  Suddenly, a rough hand grasped Pan Yu's hand in the darkness. Pan Yu was startled and tried to struggle free, thinking that Xu Xian must have a fondness for men, feeling a surge of disgust rising up within him, he thought that regardless of whether they became friends or not, he would teach him a good lesson.

  "Shh, don't stop, someone is following us." Xǔ Xiān's voice came over, and only then did Pān Yù calm down his thoughts. However, he didn't have any fearful emotions, instead he smiled and said: "With Brother Xǔ's divine power, they wouldn't dare to come over." He skillfully freed himself from Xǔ Xiān's grasp.

  Xu Xian cursed this young master for being spoiled and not knowing the height of the sky or the thickness of the earth. At most, I'll just get a beating, and at worst, I'll lose my life. But if you fall into that perverted gay's hands, it would be truly hopeless!

  Xu Xianling's intuition was far superior to that of ordinary people, and she felt those people slowly approaching. With a hint of anxiety, she said: "Wait for me to say run, then follow me and run, don't get separated."

  "We are the top scholars of Jin Tian Academy, they wouldn't dare to make a move!" Pan Yu's voice remained calm and tranquil, without a hint of fear, her internal energy cultivation was indeed extraordinary.

  Xu Xian saw that the handsome young man was still expressionless and couldn't help but scold: "Idiot! If someone dares to surround us, what's there to fear about being a scholar?"

  Being scolded as a fool was probably the first time in Pan Yu's life! He was taken aback, but not angry, "Oh, then it's up to you." His voice had a hint of amusement.

  A scholar stood on a small slope, gazing at the deep night sky. The night wind danced with his long gown, and anyone who saw him would think he was a patriot worried about the country and its people. Only a hint of cunning in his eyes revealed his true identity as a "hero of the rivers and lakes". He had failed to pass the imperial examination for half his life, so he became an outlaw and originally served as a military strategist. Later, when the leader was captured by government troops, he relied on his clever tactics to become the bandit chief.

  This time, I brought my brother to Hangzhou to handle some business, but unexpectedly encountered such a thing. The second master under his command was quite fond of Longyang, and when he saw a handsome young scholar in the wine shop, he went forward to flirt with him. He didn't want to cause trouble, but it wasn't good to restrain his subordinates too much, so he thought he would let him play around for a while. However, he didn't expect that the scholar next to him was so hot-tempered and actually took action without saying a word. The second master, who had decent kung fu skills, was knocked down, making things serious. If he didn't avenge this grudge, his prestige would be lost.

  It was not the scholar who made a big deal out of it, but he didn't think that others should be insulted for no reason. If Xu Xian really endured the humiliation, you might not have just been joking around.

  It is often said that ancient people were conservative, but in fact, the ancients had a strong tendency towards male love. The more prosperous and flourishing the era, the more so it was. And unlike modern times when homosexuality still has to be hidden, some people even openly proclaimed it without shame. Especially among scholars and officials, keeping young boys as companions was almost like a fashion trend.

  "Master, those two fat sheep are almost here." Although he was actually the leader of the thieves, he didn't like people in the gang using Jianghu titles, and only allowed them to call him "master".

  "Big, big brother, sir. Wait till I've finished with that little brat, and then I'll teach the other one a good lesson." The man who was being beaten said with a ferocious expression. His martial arts skills were originally quite good, but he had been caught off guard and hadn't had time to react, having been hit by Xu Xian's board, and in front of his brothers, he had lost face as an elder, so how could he not be gnashing his teeth?

  Suddenly a shout came from the darkness: "Run, sir! Those two men have run away!"

  "Damn it, hurry up and chase."

  In the dark forest, Xu Xian dragged Pan Yu in a mad dash, trees constantly being thrown behind them. Pan Yu let Xu Xian's hand pull her along, feeling the warmth transmitted from his palm, and didn't know what to make of it in her heart.

  Xu Xian felt the sound behind him getting closer and closer, his heart was anxious, he originally thought that with his ability to see in the dark, the other party should not be able to catch up. But unexpectedly tonight the moonlight was bright, and those people were also accustomed to tracking. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake them off, instead he was being chased closer and closer, and with Pan Yu's weak physique, they couldn't run fast at all.

  Xu Xian suddenly stopped and pulled Pan Yu to a recess on the mountain slope, which was just a large patch of shade. He pushed Pan Yu in and lowered his voice, saying: "You hide here well, don't make a sound, I'll go distract them, you wait for them to pass by and then head in the opposite direction."

  In the darkness, Pan Yu's bright eyes stared at Xu Xian, yet they were clear and deep like a profound pool. He opened his mouth to say "I..."

  Xu Xian didn't have time to say more to him and ran towards the distance.

  From a distance came a cry of "Ah!" from Xu Xian, as if he had fallen.

  Pan Yuzi's mouth corners rose slightly into a smile.

  "There." "There." "Don't let him get away." The pursuers in the darkness quickened their pace, hastening after.

  Pan Yu gazed at his own hands in the darkness, but indeed couldn't see even five fingers, unable to make out anything. Only that lingering warmth still lingered on his palms. He let out a sigh, walked out, and with an expression as calm as if he were strolling in his own backyard admiring flowers, headed in the direction where Xu Xian had left.

  In the sparse woods, a clearing. Xu Xian looked around, surrounded by human shadows, he was already besieged. The blade's cold light flashed in the moonlight, Xu Xian's palms were all sweaty. He knew these people weren't like Li Si, but mountain bandits and water thieves. Although essentially no different, these people were more unscrupulous.

  A scholar emerged from the darkness with a smile and said: "I just wanted to invite you to have a conversation, why are you so timid?"

  Xu Xian was taken aback, not expecting someone like this, but since the other party didn't make a move, he was naturally happy to drag out the time waiting for Pan Yu's reinforcements, although it was probably too late. He smiled and said: "I don't know what Mr. wants to talk about?"

  "You've hurt my man, and you're just going to walk away like nothing happened?"

  Xu Xian said calmly, "I accidentally injured this good fellow, and I'm filled with regret. I was thinking of going home to fetch some money to give you for his medical expenses, but it seems you couldn't wait." But there wasn't a hint of remorse on his face.

  That old second, meeting an enemy, eyes are especially red, if not for the village head pretending to be cultured and elegant, would have rushed up early, now even more unbearable. "Damn it, today I must kill you."

  Wenshu held back the explosive second child and said with a gentle face: "You're just a poor scholar, we're all people who have suffered at the hands of fate, I don't want to make things difficult for you. The other one looks like he's from a rich family, tell me where he is? We'll detain him, you go gather enough money to pay the 1,000 taels of medical expenses, and we'll let him go."

  Xu Xian immediately hesitated, as if moved by his words.

  He was pleased with himself, always boasting that he could "fight wits, not fists", and relying on his silver tongue to achieve what others couldn't even with great effort. Now he deliberately gave Xu Xian a glimmer of hope, waiting for him to reveal Pan Yu's whereabouts before taking care of him. Seeing Xu Xian take the bait, he felt contemptuous, thinking it was ridiculous that such an unwise and cowardly person could pass the imperial exams with flying colors, while someone as talented as himself had to become a fugitive, adding to his growing dissatisfaction with the examination system.

  But Xu Xian thought for a while, and after some deliberation, he opened his mouth to speak but then held back several times. After a long time, he finally let out a long sigh: "He's probably already at the yamen by now! Haha, idiot, no wonder he couldn't even pass the imperial examination, ending up in this place doing such shameful things. You're probably not even a xiucai, haha." Xu Xian's loud laughter startled several birds into flight, flapping their wings as they flew over the treetops.

  The scholar's face turned pale in an instant, Xu Xian's words pierced his weak point, which should be the weak point of all scholars. A pair of eyes stared at Xu Xian fiercely, and Xu Xian did not back down, also staring straight at him.

  The last scholar unexpectedly involuntarily avoided those eyes, and suddenly thought of the so-called "Hao Ran Zheng Qi" that he had read countless times in books but never had. He felt a little ashamed. However, he would not be moved by any kind of air.

  He only felt that he had suffered a great insult, and his anger was so intense that he wanted to chop Xu Xian into pieces. Just as he was about to give the order, a soft voice made him choke back his command.

  "Chinese brother is indeed a hero, fearless in the face of danger." Xuxian, who had always been calm and composed, heard this praise but his face turned ugly, and he cursed angrily: "You stupid fool!" A figure slowly emerged from the shadows in the forest, it was Pan Yu.

  The moonlight was like water, flowing down from a robe of blue silk. The night wind blew gently, and the blue threads danced in the air, like spirits or ghosts. Pan Yudan walked out calmly and composedly, and for a moment the thieves did not dare to block his way, allowing him to walk to Xu Xian's side.

  Xu Xian scolded her from head to toe, but Pan Yu just smiled and remained silent.

  The scholar who was a thief thought himself to be exceptionally talented, but the two scholars he saw tonight were far superior to him in terms of their demeanor and bearing. His clever plans and strategies seemed like petty tricks in comparison to the two men's dignified presence.

  In his heart, he was even more resentful. With a single order, the thieves rushed forward. Xu Xian had just thought of pulling Pan Yu behind him, but grabbed nothing. The figure had already started dancing, weaving through the crowd, wherever it went, people would lightly fly up and heavily fall to the ground, without any sign of life. The moonlit dance became a deadly pursuit, the thieves' hearts were broken, and they scattered in all directions.

  Pan Yu, however, was not one to give up easily. With a single flutter of her sleeve, she caught up with them and lightly pressed her palm against the small of their back. The fleeing thief's lower back immediately sank in, and he instantly followed his companions.

  That old two is fierce and brave, seeing that running away will surely die, holding a steel knife, stabbing towards Pan Yu. Pan Yu was chasing and killing a bandit, with his back facing him.

  "Be careful!" Xu Xian shouted loudly.

  Pan Yu turned around and smiled slightly at Xu Xian. However, he didn't look at Lao Er, as if his back had grown eyes, one hand reached behind him to grab the steel knife, while the other hand pointed like a sword at Lao Er's forehead. Lao Er's eyes bulged out, and blood flowed from his seven orifices onto the ground. Pan Yu casually threw the knife on the ground, his hands still spotless, with only a few faint finger marks left on the knife.

  Xu Xian stared in shock on the side, whoever saw a small sheep suddenly transform into a fierce tiger would probably be like this!

  Pan Yu shook his pale white hand in front of Xu Xian, who was as still as a wooden chicken, and said: "Han Wen? Let's go back! Tomorrow let the government come and clean up!" His face was natural, not looking like he had just killed someone, but rather like he had just returned from a night stroll with candles.

  Xu Xian finally came back to his senses and asked: "You know martial arts!?"

  Pan Yu said with some embarrassment: "Please don't tell anyone about this, Brother Han Wen. It's just a pity that the leader of the thieves escaped."

  Xu Xian took a deep look at the gentle gentleman in front of him and said, "Let's go!" He turned around and walked towards the direction of the academy.

  Pan Yu followed behind him, walking lightly and quietly. Sometimes Xu Xian only felt that there was no one behind him, but when he turned his head back, he saw Pan Yu smiling at him.

  The lamp in front of the academy is already in sight, and Xu Xian feels a suffocating air stuck in his chest, finally stopping his footsteps and saying: "Am I like a fool tonight?"

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