CHAPTER 74: CHAPTER 72: COLLIDED

When Xie Liangchen made another move, Song Xian was already aware of it. Years of habit made him react almost instinctively, but as he grasped her wrist, he still reduced most of his strength.

Even so, Xie Liangchen still fell hard to the ground.

Xie Liangchen didn’t cry out; to be precise, from the moment she fell to now lying on the ground, there hadn’t been the slightest sound from her for a long while.

At first, Song Xian didn’t pay attention, just waited for her to get up on her own. The waiting time dragged on, and he began to recall what he had just done.

Then he started to suspect, could it be that he used too much force, directly causing her to faint?

After all, she was a woman, not as sturdy as the soldiers he trained.

If he had known teaching someone was this troublesome, he shouldn’t have stayed here.

Song Xian took a few steps forward, standing beside Xie Liangchen, lowering his head to look at her.

The bun on her head had long come undone, and a gust of wind blew the strands of hair onto her face and then back down. Her eyes were tightly closed, still maintaining her lying position on the ground.

Song Xian gently furrowed his eyebrows, about to instruct Chang Yue to check her out, but found it troublesome to give orders. So, he squatted down and used his hand to feel Xie Liangchen’s breath.

Putting his fingers by her nose, he could feel her breathing.

Song Xian sighed in relief and called out, "Xie Liangchen."

The person on the ground didn’t respond.

"Xie Liangchen." His voice was slightly louder.

Under the moonlight, those long lashes didn’t flutter a bit.

Song Xian reached out to push her shoulder, wondering if this fall had aggravated an old injury, could the wound on her head still be unhealed?

Thinking of this, Song Xian had to lower his head, focusing on looking at the back of her head. While slightly distracted, Song Xian suddenly sensed a hint of danger, an unusual gust of wind in the dark rushing fiercely towards him.

Song Xian’s response was slightly slower than usual.

The person on the ground sprang up in the darkness, charging head-first towards his face, swinging a fist straight at his chest.

Everything happened in an instant.

First, he reached out to stop her fist, then immediately tilted his head accordingly.

However, they were ultimately too close; even though he reacted, the top of her head still grazed past his chin. If he had been a moment slower, it would have been a solid hit.

Song Xian used force to stand up, moving backward to completely widen the distance between them. Seeing that the situation was lost, Xie Liangchen on the ground also had no intention of further pursuit, simply sitting on the ground regulating her breath.

The pair of bright eyes of the young girl were vividly flickering with complex emotions, embodying regret for the failed ambush and anticipation for the next encounter.

Song Xian should have been angry, but upon meeting her gaze, he only showed a faint smile.

Finally revealing her true colors, all that well-behaved behavior of hers was a facade; in truth, she was a hidden wolf in sheep’s clothing.

He had saved her once and was dragged here, now offering her guidance and being calculated against by her.

Song Xian said indifferently, "It’s too early to ambush me."

Xie Liangchen got up and saluted Song Xian, "For now, even if I use all my might, I won’t be able to harm the General."

Song Xian said, "As long as you know that." Without self-awareness, she’d end up the same as in her past life.

Xie Liangchen said, "I will practice diligently in the future, hoping for further guidance from the General."

Song Xian said indifferently, "Work carefully, I never shortchange my people."

Xie Liangchen responded.

Song Xian then stepped outside.

Hearing the rustling of clothing, Xie Liangchen looked up to find he had disappeared without a trace. Only then did she lift herself, and a wave of pain surged through every bone and joint.

Xie Liangchen held her waist with her hand and felt the top of her head.

Song Xian’s chin bone is indeed very tough.

...

Outside the Chen Family courtyard, while Song Xian and Xie Liangchen were exchanging punches and kicks, brothers Chang Yue and Chang An were rarely gathered together.

Watching Xie Liangchen being tossed to the ground, Chang An couldn’t help closing his eyes, then elbowed Chang Yue.

Chang An said, "Next time, try to persuade the master a bit." Treating a woman like this isn’t appropriate.

Chang Yue uncharacteristically said, "Why should I persuade?"

Chang An said, "The force used was too much."

Chang Yue was expressionless, "The master held back, he was already being courteous."

Chang An didn’t know what to say; compared to how he trained them, it really was courteous.

Chang Yue remembered Song Xian’s usual criticisms: "If you want to learn, you must suffer. Suffering now will save your life in the future."

Chang An closed his mouth and completely gave up on the idea of persuading the master. If he couldn’t even convince Chang Yue, there was no point in hitting that brick wall with the master.

Song Xian left Xie Liangchen’s house and took Chang An away from Chen Family Village.

Returning to his small courtyard, the servant offered tea and then withdrew.

Sitting in the quiet room, Song Xian instinctively touched his chin. Indeed, he had fallen for her plan, with soft strands of hair brushing past his cheeks.

At this moment, Song Xian thought again of Ji Yuan, wondering if she dealt with Ji Yuan the same way? An image of her facing Ji Yuan appeared in his mind, although he hadn’t witnessed it, he couldn’t help guessing.

Feeling a bit displeased, was she treating him like Ji Yuan to coax him, or was she sincerely doing things on his behalf?

...

Early in the morning, Old Mrs. Chen took Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng to the outskirts of the village.

They weren’t going to the paper mill or collecting herbs today; they were taking Chen Zigeng to meet a master.

Xie Liangchen, while walking, was stretching her shoulders. She had used too much energy last night, waking up with her whole body sore, as if her muscles and bones were coming apart.

"Miss Chen, is there something wrong?"

Old Mrs. Chen and Chen Zigeng deliberately slowed down, looking at Xie Liangchen with concern.

"Nothing," Xie Liangchen said, "I might have overexerted myself gathering herbs."

"Then rest more," said Old Mrs. Chen, "don’t get up early with Brother Geng to practice martial arts tomorrow."

Xie Liangchen reassured Old Mrs. Chen, "Don’t worry, Grandma, although practicing is tiring, it strengthens the body."

Old Mrs. Chen, knowing her granddaughter’s stubborn nature, could only humor her: "You eat so well every day, yet I don’t see you gaining weight. How will you withstand the winter? A strong wind could knock you over."

Xie Liangchen agreed with Old Mrs. Chen, "After we deliver the gift, I’ll join Grandma in buying some things for the house; supplementing in winter will prevent illness."

Old Mrs. Chen glared at her granddaughter’s nonsense, "We didn’t bring any silver coins."

Xie Liangchen glanced at Old Mrs. Chen’s waist, "I know the silver coins are tucked in Grandma’s waistband."

The family of three chatted and laughed all the way to the small courtyard where Mr. Dongli lived.

Old Mrs. Chen stepped forward to knock on the door.

The door opened after just two knocks, and seeing the person in front of her, Old Mrs. Chen smiled, her face wrinkling up, "Mr. Li, it’s you."

The three of them bowed to Li You.

Li You said, "Come in quickly, the gentleman is waiting inside for Zigeng."

The three family members entered the courtyard, and Old Mrs. Chen was about to pay respects to Mr. Dongli.

"Wait a moment," Li You looked at Chen Zigeng, "I’ve prepared a set of new clothes for you, change into them before paying your respects to the gentleman."

Chen Zigeng was a bit stunned, never expecting Mr. Li to prepare such things for him.