Section 88: A Second Visit to the Thatched Hut, Huang Xiao Cleans the Grave
Author: Gu Zhenren
Date: 2013-02-09
“What kind of person is Huang Xiao?” Looking at Huang Xiao kneeling before the grave like a statue, Chu Yun couldn’t help but become curious.
“He truly is an arrogant fool who doesn’t know his place!” A voice called out from behind.
A group of people then approached. The speaker was a family retainer of the Tie family, walking alongside Tie Ao. Not only him, but everyone else wore unpleasant expressions.
Tie Ao’s face was not happy. Never before had anyone been so arrogant towards him. Chu Yun had strength, and he could accept that. However, from what he knew, Huang Xiao only possessed one Great Demon at the moment.
It was one thing to put on airs once, but to do it a second time by playing hard to get.
What did he take Tie Ao for?
Last night, Tie Ao had been defeated by Chu Yun in front of everyone, forced onto the defensive, and even had his Immortal Pouch snatched away. This made him quite sensitive.
Today, he had unexpectedly been shut out. After asking a guide, he learned that Huang Xiao was actually here to sweep a grave. This was clearly a deliberate snub to Tie Ao.
“Hmm? Chu Yun!” Turning a corner, Tie Ao was stunned. Just as he was thinking about it, Chu Yun was actually here too.
His followers were all muttering curses, but as soon as they saw Chu Yun, the scene fell silent.
Chu Yun glanced at Tie Ao and then shifted his gaze away. He now possessed the Spirit Monster Sky Fox, which had surpassed Tie Ao in combat strength. Especially after last night’s battle, he felt a sigh of emotion. Tie Ao, his former formidable foe, had now been left behind by him.
He didn’t care, but Wu Datou nervously stepped forward, shielding Chu Yun and glaring at Tie Ao and his group.
Tie Ao’s attendant soldiers naturally retaliated. Their gazes were cold, meeting Chu Yun’s soldiers fiercely. Their eyes clashed, igniting sparks. A dangerous atmosphere instantly thickened.
Tie Ao’s eye twitched. Chu Yun’s indifference, more than a drawn sword, made him seethe with indignation. This was a form of contempt, the first time he had ever tasted the feeling of being looked down upon. This was unbearable for him, a proud scion of heaven.
“Chu Yun is also here to recruit Huang Xiao. What’s so special about this Huang Xiao?” He suddenly thought of this, his heart filled with shock and uncertainty.
He had learned of Huang Xiao’s name from the Ingenious Scheme Brocade Bag. However, the information in the brocade bag did not clearly reveal Huang Xiao’s true strength.
“The Ingenious Scheme Brocade Bag derives its strategies by borrowing a trace of the Dao Rhyme between Heaven and Earth, based on the user’s knowledge, to create the most effective plan. Does this mean Huang Xiao alone can solve my Tie family’s current predicament and defeat the Shu family?”
Tie Ao was already quite skeptical and had entertained the idea of giving up. But now, seeing Chu Yun here, he immediately dismissed the thought of giving up, unwilling to be outdone by Chu Yun.
Since Chu Yun wasn’t disturbing Huang Xiao’s ancestor worship, Tie Ao also didn’t want to lose face and stood in place, waiting.
However, gradually, Tie Ao sensed something was wrong. Huang Xiao remained motionless like a stone statue. How long was he going to kneel there?
“Young Island Master, the Shen family has just acquired a Demonic Plant seed. According to reliable sources, it’s a seed for the Hundred Elixir Grass.”
“Young Island Master, the Xiao family has successfully captured an Orange Rainbow Demon. It’s a Great Demon with over 900 years of cultivation, one step away from becoming a Spirit Monster.”
“I heard the Ma family obtained a bottle of Pill, which seems to be a Rejuvenation Pill!”
…
Intermittently, such news would arrive.
“Young Island Master, Rainbow Island only opens once a year. This is a rare opportunity that cannot be wasted,” someone advised Tie Ao.
With each piece of news that arrived, Tie Ao’s heart fluttered. Especially upon hearing the name Rejuvenation Pill, he felt a surge of impulse to immediately set off and seize that bottle of Pill.
The Rejuvenation Pill was one of the few miraculous Pills that could directly increase Spirit. If he, Tie Ao, were to consume it, he would have the wherewithal to control a second Spirit Monster. His combat power would soar, so why would he worry about Chu Yun?
Tie Ao glanced at Chu Yun, only to find him still expressionless, standing there with extreme calmness. He gritted his teeth inwardly, feeling resentful and caught in a dilemma. Should he go and contend for the treasures on the Rainbow Bridge, or continue to wait here to recruit Huang Xiao?
“Young Island Master, no hesitation. Every minute and second now is a loss,” the attendant general urged earnestly.
“The Ingenious Scheme Brocade Bag always has its reason. If I give up now and leave Huang Xiao to Chu Yun, it just feels wrong.” Tie Ao pondered for a moment, then suddenly commanded his soldiers: “Go and ask the elders on the island about Huang Xiao’s past life. These guides are too young and don’t know about things from years ago. Make sure to get detailed and accurate information.”
“Yes.” A squad of personal guards immediately took the order and rushed off.
Before long, someone returned with a report: “Young Island Master, this Huang Xiao is all show and no substance. He was born through a difficult labor, nearly killing his mother. His aptitude is very ordinary, and he only acquired his first Demonic Beast.”
“His mother doted on him excessively, often publicly boasting that he was a genius.”
“He was sickly from childhood, thin and frail, and very unsociable. However, he had a big mouth, comparing himself to Zhuge Ming, believing himself to be a genius, and was extremely conceited.”
“Don’t be fooled by his middle-aged appearance; his actual age is over 60. He’s been using the ‘three visits to the thatched hut’ ploy. As a result, the few factions that were interested in him have all been driven away. After more than 40 years, he’s still on Rainbow Island, unrepentant.”
…
With each piece of news, Tie Ao’s expression grew more unsightly. He re-examined Huang Xiao, his gaze now filled with deep suspicion. How could such a person be someone I should recruit?
Tie Ao’s heart was already wavering.
Just then, the Sky Fox young girl descended from the sky, hugging a pile of treasures, and ran to Chu Yun to claim credit.
“Master, Master, look how many treasures I’ve snatched!” She wore a white dress, pure and natural. Her large eyes sparkled with starlight. As she spoke, her fox tail swung back and forth, displaying her happy mood.
“Heh heh heh, well done.” Chu Yun patted her small head. Such an affectionate gesture immediately made the Sky Fox grin, giggling with happiness radiating from her face.
Tie Ao’s face instantly turned ashen. Chu Yun had the Sky Fox to help him snatch treasures. What about himself? Although he had the Demon Suppressing Tower, it was meant for self-defense.
Tie Ao painfully realized that Chu Yun had the capital to wait, but he did not. His followers’ advice was correct. He needed to seize this rare opportunity to change his fate.
“Hmph, let’s go!” Seeing Chu Yun inspecting the treasures the Sky Fox had brought over one by one, Tie Ao could no longer stand it. With a cold snort, he flung his arm and left.
“The Young Island Master is wise.” The soldiers around him rejoiced. With Tie Ao going to fight for treasures, they also gained freedom to explore the surrounding misty clouds of the island for their own opportunities.
“Young Island Master…” Watching Tie Ao’s group depart, Wu Datou couldn’t help but say to Chu Yun in a low voice.
Before he could finish, he saw Chu Yun wave his hand. He could only grit his teeth and swallow the words back into his belly.
Chu Yun waited the entire morning, but Huang Xiao showed no signs of movement.
“Xiao Bei, time to go home for dinner.” An old man, hunched over and leaning on a cane, walked over.
Jiang Xiao Bei saw the old man and called out crisply, “Grandpa, I’m coming.” She then turned to Chu Yun and said, “Young Island Master Chu, you should go back. Uncle Huang Xiao won’t eat or drink until nightfall. Why don’t you come back tomorrow?”
“It’s fine.” Chu Yun waved his hand. “In ancient times, Lord of Jianghan Kingdom made three visits to the thatched hut before he could win over the great strategist Zhuge Ming. I am willing to learn from my predecessors and emulate them.”
His attitude was firm. Huang Xiao was one of the Three Divine Generals, possessing the strength of a great marshal. With his assistance, it would be like adding wings to a tiger. It was laughable that Tie Ao had let him go, being blind. However, if Chu Yun didn’t have his memories from his previous life, he probably wouldn’t have recognized Huang Xiao’s talent either.
Upon hearing Chu Yun’s words, Jiang Xiao Bei’s grandfather couldn’t help but give him a deep look before cautiously leading Jiang Xiao Bei away.
A while later, Jiang Xiao Bei and her grandfather returned, bringing lunch and wine for Chu Yun and his party.
“Young General, your discerning eye for talent is truly admirable,” the old man Jiang sighed, saying to Chu Yun.
“It seems you know Huang Xiao very well, old man. Please guide me,” Chu Yun said, momentarily surprised, then asked sincerely.
“When Huang Xiao’s mother was alive, I lived next door to their house. After his mother passed away, Huang Xiao moved here to guard her grave,” Old Man Jiang said.
Chu Yun’s spirits immediately lifted, knowing he had found the right person.
“Huang Xiao is a very pitiful child. Due to difficult labor, he was born with congenital deficiencies, his aptitude was poor, and his appearance was ugly. Therefore, he was very insecure and withdrawn when he was young. However, his mother was a truly great person. It was precisely because of her complete encouragement and support that Huang Xiao was able to overcome his inferiority complex…”
Old Man Jiang spoke slowly, recounting past events. The image of a great mother and Huang Xiao’s arduous growth gradually became clear and full in Chu Yun’s mind.
After Old Man Jiang finished speaking, everyone fell silent.
“Young Island Master Chu, Huang Xiao has studied military texts by heart. Over thirty years ago, he was already renowned on Rainbow Island, unmatched in his command of warships. However, he is arrogant and doesn’t publicize it. Few people know of his abilities. He possesses a Spirit Monster-level Yellow Light Rainbow Demon. I happened to witness this myself. Young Island Master Chu, you are a young hero with a broad mind. Your willingness to abandon the treasures on the Rainbow Bridge and wait here specifically shows your eagerness to find talented individuals. I truly hope that you, Young Island Master Chu, will come again tomorrow. The significance of three visits to the thatched hut for Huang Xiao is extraordinary.”
Finally, Old Man Jiang, with sincere hope and earnestness, advised Chu Yun.
Chu Yun nodded. After understanding Huang Xiao’s past, his gaze towards him was completely different. It was filled with admiration and respect.
Every strong person has a remarkable story.
