Age of Heroes

But one thing bothers Arial.

'Then how did she know you? While you are talented, considering your skills and internal energy, you are barely able to take one palm strike of mine. How could my disciple know you? And how did you know her and even call her that affectionately?'

Jiexiu blushed a bit considering the way he talks about Xiyun.

'Because she was hunted.' He then tries to reply calmly

Hunted! Hearing this Arial is shocked. 

'After the Huashan Competition ended, both of them were hunted, the formidable sect in Jianghu, the reclusive clans and even some old martial artist who lived in the mountains come down to hunt them'

'Why?'

'Because Dugu Qiubai is said to be the descendant of Dugu.' He explained and in his voice there is a trace of regret.

'Descendant of Dugu?'

'Dugu Qiubai. The real Dugu Qiubai was a great martial artist during the era of the First generation. He fights the Darkly Ones, the One that came from the Black Mud. The family of Dugu possesses what is called the Nine Stances of Dugu. Reputed to be an invincible swordplay technique it was lost during the founding of the Ming Empire. When Brother Dugu announces his name, some people make the connection and seeing his domineering way with the sword, they become convinced. Brother Dugu given name was Qianren. He changed it to Qiubai to honour his first ancestor after their family was executed by the founding emperor of Ming. The name Qiubai also meant to inspire awe and to remind the world that the Dugu family is still alive. When he announces his name that day, on the stage of the competition, he was also ready to face the consequences.'

'Then why did my disciple is also involved in this? How could she be hunted too? So, Dugu Qiubai is from the Dugu family. So what? What does it have to do with my disciple?'

Arial asked and there is clearly nervousness and concerns in his voice.

'Celestial fairy Mu Xiyun is a hot-blooded woman. Brother Dugu and Xiyun swore an oath of brotherhood, to die on the same day even they are not born on the same day, to endure hardship together, climbing mountain of knives, swimming seas of fire, both will not leave each other when the time is tough. Xiyun protect brother Dugu, fighting the countless sect as they run from place to place, searching for refuge.'

Then Arial nodded, clearly satisfied and approve with Xiyun action and there is a smile on his face.

'Good! Good! My disciple is a loyal disciple. Not leaving a friend in need, to honor her oath, she is worthy to be my disciple.' 

Arial was very happy listening to this. To hear that his disciple is not only a loyal person but an important person in Ming, he could not help but feel pride concerning his disciple.

'Then?' Arial asked 

'Then, my sect offers their protection to Celestial Fairy and Sword Demon. It was then that I know those two. Tangmen Sect is like an impenetrable fortress, situated on a treacherous mountain, the sect was surrounded with ingenious traps, with white fog that could turn into poisons and forest that to the disciple of Tangmen is no different from our own backyard but a forest of death for outsiders. Not many dare venture to Tangmen and face the traps and not only that, they also have to face the Sword Demon and Celestial Fairy after that.'

Arial nodded.

'For a month, Xiyun stays in Tangmen before asking permission to pay respect to her teacher in the Human Continent.' 

Arial nodded. 

He knows this but he didn't know the circumstances surrounding her return. It was then that Xiyun and him fight for three days and three nights, Mikael as the judge and witness.

'It was during that time Brother Dugu feel into a trap.' Jiexiu said. There is that look of guilt again Arial inwardly thought when he looks at Jiexiu face.

'Into a trap? Whose trap?' Arial asked, though he could guess by now but he still ask for confirmation.

'My sect' Tang Jiexiu said dropping down his head.

'My sect decided to torture brother Dugu to reveal the Nine Stances and the manuals of the Dugu family.' 

Arial was incensed. 

He didn't know who this Dugu person is but since even his disciple is so determined to help him, it surely means that this Dugu person is a good man and worthy of his disciple concerns.

His killing intent explosively roils out and the cave shakes a bit. 

The five men could feel dread in their hearts while Jiexiu who was the closest try to endure the pressure of such potent killing intent. 

If he did not endure he would faint. This outburst was for only two second and even that is hard for six people to endure.

'Then!' Arial asked again, his tone is higher and there is a faint trace of anger in his voice.

'Knowing what my elder planned for brother Dugu, I could not stand still. I sent a message to the Human Continent and it reaches Xiyun hands. She returns with haste while I was also captured for aiding Brother Dugu.'

'You were captured but not tortured? Why?'

'Because I'm the young master of the Tangmen Sect' he said guiltily

'Oh' Arial said, finally understanding.

'Xiyun came, fighting the elders and the Poison Division, the Secret Weapon division, the Small Weapon division and the patriarch. Fighting for hours and hours, she slaughtered her way to the main hall before finally defeated because of fatigue. Three hundred people and more dies that day under her hands, blood flowed down the mountains, she was imprisoned and tortured with poisons. After ten days I was released from prison and was imprisoned in my own room. On the third day of my room imprisonment, I solve the Maze of Thousand Road to the path of the prison, and release Brother Dugu and Xiyun. The Demon and Fairy once again wanders the Jianghu, while I was exiled and is doing menial task for the Sect, never to return again to the headquarters without significant contribution' and saying this he ended his stories.

Finally Arial understand everything. How Jiexiu knows Xiyun and what is his relationship with Xiyun and what is Xiyun currents status.

He did not doubt Jiexiu words because of his heartbeats. 

As Arial began to adapt to the new abilities that manifested after consuming a divine essence he could also be able to hear more acutely than any other person. 

He could even hear heartbeat. 

There is slight disturbance on Jiexiu heartbeat during telling his stories but that is because he is on a nervous state and some time when he is excited the heartbeat spiked.

'And why do you think stealing the heavenly Blood Technique would give you enough contribution for you to return? It is not some prized manual. It is rare and is unique but I do believe there are others martial arts that sucking away internal energy like the Demon Sucking Palm and the Five Fingers Demolition technique'

Jiexiu could not believe his ears.

'Could it be Senior does not know the stories about the Three Manuals?'