Fairy, Please Listen to My Explanation

Chapter 3: Knocked Out

The woman whose beauty could ruin a nation drew closer step by step. The icy aura she emanated made Xu Yuan feel as though he were trapped in an ice cellar.

At this juncture between life and death, Xu Yuan’s mind was remarkably clear.

His words had already been spoken; regret was useless. He wanted to cry, but his clear way out was only by continuing to act his way through this.

Under the oppressive weight of Ran Qingmo’s presence, Xu Yuan slowly released his grip on the wooden pillar, steadied himself, and gritted his teeth while meeting her gaze.

“Heroine Ran, you seem surprised?”

Ran Qingmo: “…”

Withstanding the pressure, Xu Yuan forced a smile.

“Indeed. How could my father let a good-for-nothing like me know about such high-level secrets?”

As he spoke, Xu Yuan’s phoenix-like eyes narrowed.

“But, Heroine Ran, compared to me, my father’s good-for-nothing son, I am far more curious how a mere disciple of the Sword Sect like yourself came upon such classified information?”

“…”

The air in the temple instantly became deathly still.

Currently, the only people who knew about this matter were his father and his most trusted confidants. The implication of Xu Yuan’s words was clear.

Ran Qingmo’s eyes locked onto the young nobleman before her. The dim light of the rainy night did nothing to obstruct her gaze as she spoke word by word.

“What do you mean by that?”

As she spoke, her footsteps halted, and the blade of her sword dipped slightly.

Xu Yuan noticed the mountain-like pressure on him suddenly ease, and seeing this, he inwardly sighed with relief.

The stimulus of facing near-death moments made Xu Yuan abandon many of his inhibitions. At this moment, he absolutely could not falter.

“What do I mean?”

Taking slow steps, he circled Ran Qingmo with apparent interest in the darkness, his gaze sweeping back and forth over her graceful figure, his tone growing heavier bit by bit as he spoke.

“From a public standpoint, the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty has reigned for over thirteen hundred years. The Heavenly Origin Sword Sect was established alongside the founding of Great Yan, and every generation’s Sect Master has served as the Great Yan State Preceptor. The current Sect Master is even honored as the esteemed martial arts tutor to the Crown Prince. Strictly speaking, the Sword Sect and the Great Yan rise and fall together.”

“Personally, my father and your master have been close friends for decades.”

“And you, Heroine Ran, are the disciple of the Sect Master. I’m curious about who could possibly make you believe that my father would move against the Sword Sect. Is that so difficult to understand?”

“…”

Hearing his words, Ran Qingmo slightly tightened her grip on the sword.

She felt the man before her had somehow changed.

From when he was unconscious until he woke up just now, he seemed like a completely different person.

Her keen perception of Qi allowed her to sense that this seemingly calm Third Young Master’s heart was beating rapidly; his inner state was far from as composed as his outward appearance suggested.

But when widely-known rumors could no longer be trusted, she couldn’t be certain how much this Xu Yuan actually knew, or what cards he might have up his sleeve.

Watching the ice block standing silently in place, Xu Yuan’s inner turmoil gradually subsided.

His footsteps suddenly changed direction, and he walked straight toward the black-clothed woman, meeting her gaze.

Under Ran Qingmo’s watchful eyes, the man stood before her, just a meter away, looking down at her.

“Heroine Ran, put away your sword.”

Her expression remained indifferent, but she could feel his heartbeat slowing, his composure returning.

And in the next moment, she saw the man before her smile.

He leaned down slightly in front of her, reached out with two fingers, and pinched the blade of her lowered sword. He slowly lifted it, placing it against his own unguarded throat.

With the blade at his throat, he looked into her eyes.

“Since you won’t put it away, why don’t you just kill me, Heroine Ran?”

Knowing the plot, Xu Yuan was certain that the woman wouldn’t kill him on purpose.

As soon as he finished speaking, Ran Qingmo’s hand on the sword hilt tightened slightly. The blade placed against his neck instantly emitted a humming sound.

An overwhelming killing intent surged forth. For a moment, Xu Yuan saw an image of his own head flying high.

But in the next instant, the illusion vanished. The woman still stood before him with her sword in hand, and his head was still firmly attached to his neck.

The near-death experience made Xu Yuan’s eyes widen slightly. Born in an era of peace, he had never encountered such a display of force. The aura of death the woman emanated in that instant made his legs feel weak.

This woman, with just her aura alone, could reduce him to such a state. But her action of merely releasing her killing intent also confirmed that she indeed wouldn’t kill him for the time being.

Xu Yuan stared at her and repeated word by word.

“Heroine Ran, a threat that cannot be carried out is nothing but a joke. Put the sword away. Let’s talk. I can help you.”

The cold wind whistled mournfully. The sword blade against his throat felt truly cold.

Xu Yuan had no system, no good ole spirit geezer to rely on. This Third Young Master’s body was just that of an ordinary person. His familiarity with the plot and characters of Ancient Origin was his greatest asset, yet this greatest asset was also effectively a death warrant.

In the plot of Ancient Origin, this Third Young Master of the Grand Chancellor’s family met a miserable end. Always, without any exception.

To survive, Xu Yuan had to act proactively and had to gamble on certain things.

Ran Qingmo lowered her eyes slightly, seemingly lost in thought. But she did sheathe her sword.

With a flourish, a ripple of azure light flashed in the darkness as the blade returned to its scabbard.

Very cool.

Xu Yuan instinctively touched his neck.

Yes… His head was still there, no cuts or anything.

Ran Qingmo gave Xu Yuan’s action a somewhat strange stare.

Xu Yuan smiled slightly at her, mentally preparing his words.

But in the next moment, Xu Yuan’s smile froze.

After putting away her sword, Ran Qingmo silently picked up that thick, long wooden stick from the ground and held it in her hand.

Xu Yuan: “…”

His pupils constricted as he hurriedly opened his mouth to say something.

“Wait—”

Thud!

With a dull thud, Xu Yuan collapsed straight to the ground, unable to finish his sentence.