"Red hair?" Hua Xing was momentarily stunned by the question. He eyed Li Jiao in confusion and shook his head. "No, not red hair. That girl has black hair."
He had no idea why Li Jiao would ask such a thing, though he vaguely guessed that the man was wary of someone.
So there was someone even Li Jiao feared? Hua Xing found that peculiar.
"Black hair, then…" Li Jiao let out a silent sigh of relief. If she had black hair, then she was definitely not Zhu Qing. Still, to be safe, he pressed further. "What is the girl's cultivation?"
"The first level of the Emperor Realm!"
Li Jiao started. "Only the first level of the Emperor Realm?"
That settled it — this was absolutely not Zhu Qing. His mind was completely at ease now.
"Exactly! That is precisely why I feel so humiliated!" Hua Xing grabbed another jug of wine and took a long, deep swig, wiping his mouth afterward. "Brother Li, you know my situation. I labored for all these years and was blessed with only a single son. I had pinned all my hopes on him inheriting my position as Pavilion Master — and then, who would have thought… who would have thought…" His voice trailed off, thick with emotion.
Li Jiao offered a consoling word. "To outlive one's own child — I can only imagine the pain in your heart, Brother Hua. Please, accept my condolences."
Hua Xing slammed his palm on the table, killing intent surging from him in waves. "I swear I will not rest until this blood debt is repaid!"
"Naturally, a grudge of this magnitude must be settled." Li Jiao hesitated for a moment, then asked, "But there is something I don't quite understand. Fengyun Pavilion is one of the most formidable powers in the Western Region, and you yourself possess cultivation at the third level of the Emperor Realm. Could you really not deal with that little girl?"
Hua Xing shook his head with a bitter laugh. "You don't understand. The girl's cultivation may be low, but her combat strength is extraordinary. I underestimated her and sent several strong members of the pavilion to capture her, but she killed every last one of them — including one at the second level of the Emperor Realm."
"Oh? She can fight above her level?" Li Jiao's eyebrows rose. "If that's the case, this girl is a thorny one indeed."
His thoughts drifted to Yang Kai, and he added with a solemn expression, "People who can fight above their rank are few and far between. Unless they meet an untimely end, they are destined for great things."
Hua Xing said, "My Fengyun Pavilion has lost face entirely because of this matter. I beg you to lend me your aid, Brother Li!"
Li Jiao replied, "You flatter me, Brother Hua. The girl may be formidable — strong enough to slay a cultivator at the second level of the Emperor Realm — but if you were to act personally, I'm sure she wouldn't be able to cause any real trouble. I know your strength well. I am willing to help in this matter, but vengeance for one's own son… surely it is more satisfying to deliver it with your own hands?"
At this, Hua Xing's expression turned bitter. "Do you think I don't understand that? Ever since my son was killed, I have not eaten or slept properly, day after day. I long to strip that wretched girl's tendons and peel her skin. If I could take revenge personally, I would certainly not show mercy. However…"
"However what?" Li Jiao regarded him with curiosity, not understanding why the man would come begging to him.
"See for yourself, Brother Li." As he spoke, Hua Xing extended his wrist.
Li Jiao narrowed his eyes and pressed two fingers to Hua Xing's wrist. After a moment, his expression shifted sharply. "You're injured, Brother Hua? Who did this?"
Hua Xing slumped in his seat. "When word of my son's death reached me, I was deep in seclusion practicing my Cultivation. The shock to my mind nearly caused a Qi Deviation. Although I managed to redirect the energy and restore balance, it left internal injuries that I could not avoid. Had that not been the case, I would have taken action long ago. Would I have let that wretched girl run around freely?"
"So that's how it is!" Li Jiao nodded slowly, a trace of sympathy crossing his face.
It was a hard lot for Hua Xing. Having only a single son and then losing him so suddenly — it must have been devastating.
"That girl was able to kill a cultivator at the second level of the Emperor Realm, so her strength is no small matter. In my current condition, if I were to act rashly — if I succeeded, fine, but if I didn't, it would be an utter disaster."
"You're quite right." Li Jiao pondered for a moment. "I understand what you're asking, Brother Hua. Rest easy. Leave this matter to me. I will make sure that little girl learns her place."
Hua Xing's face lit up with elation. He rose to his feet and bowed deeply. "My gratitude, Brother Li! With you personally taking action, that wretched girl would be hard-pressed to cause trouble even if she had the power of the heavens behind her."
Li Jiao gestured for him to rise and smiled. "I have been imposing on your hospitality long enough as it is. When a friend is in need, I cannot very well stand by and do nothing. Mm — where exactly is that girl now?"
Hua Xing replied with a grave expression, "I'll be honest with you, Brother Li. That wretched girl is currently in Changyun City, a mere fifty li outside Fengyun Pavilion."
"She has the audacity to come knocking at your door?" A cold edge crept into Li Jiao's expression, and he gave a soft snort. "The nerve of that girl."
Hua Xing said through gritted teeth, "Indeed. That wretched girl has been flaunting her strength, treating my Fengyun Pavilion as if it were beneath her notice. This time, I must trouble you, Brother Li."
Li Jiao said, "Since she is so close by, why not let her storm into Fengyun Pavilion first? I can strike then, and I assure you she will never leave."
Hua Xing's smile was wry. "If she actually managed to fight her way into Fengyun Pavilion and breach the Sect-Protecting Formation, then…"
Li Jiao caught his meaning at once and nodded. "A fair point. I hadn't considered that. Very well — I shall make a trip to Changyun City and bring that girl back."
"That is exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you, Brother Li."
"There is no time to lose. I shall depart at once." With those words, Li Jiao rose and strode toward the exit.
"I shall await your triumphant return!" Hua Xing clasped his hands in farewell.
On the mountain peak, Li Jiao shot into the sky and streaked off toward the distant horizon. Once his figure had vanished from sight, the smile Hua Xing had been wearing throughout the meeting gradually faded. He stood frowning in place, deep in thought for a long while, then gave a cold snort of his own and turned to leave with long strides.
For him, this visit had served its purpose. Securing Li Jiao's intervention was all that mattered.