The Male Lead I Wronged Has Blackened

CHAPTER 17: The Peerless Gentleman

　　The sword’s edge was sharp, aimed straight at Si Yao’s throat, barely an inch away from leaving a streak of blood on her pale skin.

　　The man in blue robes looked elegant, his eyes like bright stars, but the gaze he fixed on her carried unmistakable hostility. Si Yao jumped, her hand trembling as the wild fruits she had been holding tumbled to the ground, rolling to the black boots etched with a dragon pattern beside him.

　　She froze like a frightened rabbit, staring at him without knowing what to do.

　　Only when she got a clear look at his face did her heart settle.

　　The man before her, with gentle manners and refined elegance, was none other than the Xuanming Sect’s eldest senior brother, Mu Yuanbai.

　　Mu Yuanbai had always been kind and fair; he probably wouldn’t do anything to her.

　　“I just came to pick some wild fruits,” Si Yao said, taking a couple of cautious steps back to keep the sword tip away from her.

　　Mu Yuanbai’s brow furrowed slightly in doubt. Since that incident ten years ago, hardly anyone had ventured into the back mountains. Why would this woman come here to gather fruits? And why was she wearing a mask in broad daylight?

　　The girl’s eyes, visible beneath the mask, blinked brightly, full of life. Looking at her, Mu Yuanbai inexplicably felt a sense of familiarity.

　　“I’ll leave now so I won’t disturb your practice,” Si Yao hurriedly added, noticing his furrowed brow as if he were thinking something over. She tried to slip past him.

　　“Wait,” Mu Yuanbai called out, his usually clear voice now tinged with some sharpness. “Who exactly are you?”

　　Though the woman seemed familiar and even called him senior brother, Mu Yuanbai clearly remembered she was not a Xuanming Sect disciple.

　　Si Yao had no idea where she had slipped up. She could never have guessed that Mu Yuanbai remembered all of the sect’s thousand disciples by heart.

　　“I am a disciple under Elder Qingxu,” Si Yao replied slowly, giving the identity she once held in the Xuanming Sect.

　　Mu Yuanbai’s expression relaxed at this, seeing that she remained calm and composed after revealing her identity. Mu Yuanbai assumed she was his newly initiated junior sister under Elder Qingxu. With that thought, he lowered his sword, clasped his hands lightly, and gave her a slight bow. A faint apologetic expression appeared on his handsome face. “My apologies, junior sister. Please do not take offense at my rudeness.”

　　Si Yao quickly waved her hand, smiling. “It’s my fault. I disturbed your practice, senior brother.”

　　Mu Yuanbai had a naturally kind and gentle disposition, warm as jade, and he was Si Yao’s favorite character throughout the entire story.

　　During her three years in the Xuanming Sect, Mu Yuanbai had been the person she was closest to. As the eldest senior brother, he had always looked after her carefully.

　　Mu Yuanbai nodded, then lifted the hem of his robe, crouched down, and carefully picked up the fruits scattered on the ground, handing them back to her.

　　Si Yao cheerfully reached out to take them, thanking him.

　　“The wild fruits are sweet and tasty, but the back mountains are dangerous. Junior sister should come here less often,” Mu Yuanbai said earnestly after giving her the fruits.

　　Si Yao couldn’t help but feel a little puzzled by his words. The back mountains were remote and home to wild beasts, yet for cultivators like them, ordinary animals and birds without awakened spirits were hardly dangerous at all.

　　Mu Yuanbai noticed the puzzled look in Si Yao’s eyes and explained further, “Ten years ago, someone struck the back mountain with a single sword, splitting it in two. From the crack, a Hellfire emerged. Low-level cultivators who step here carelessly would be burned to ashes without a chance to survive.”

　　“This area has since been set as forbidden by the sect.”

　　Si Yao nodded upon hearing this. It was a relief that she had run into Mu Yuanbai here. Otherwise, accidentally stepping into that Hellfire would have been a serious problem.

　　“Thank you for the warning, senior brother,” she said, cupping her hands in gratitude.

　　Mu Yuanbai looked at the girl before him. The hem of her pale ocean blue robe swayed with her movements. Her eyes sparkled brightly beneath the mask, and when she smiled, her brows curved gracefully.

　　Looking into those smiling eyes, Mu Yuanbai felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity stir in his chest.

　　He felt a strong urge to see the face hidden behind the mask.

　　He knew she must have put it on to prevent anyone from seeing her features. Mu Yuanbai, ever the courteous gentleman, was very curious about her appearance but did not ask her to remove it.

　　After a moment of thought, he said, “In recent years, the Hellfire has spread across the entire mountain. It has been extremely dangerous for Junior Sister to travel here alone. For safety’s sake, you should come back to the sect with me.”

　　Si Yao hadn’t expected Mu Yuanbai to offer to escort her. As the eldest senior brother of the Xuanming Sect, he was admired by everyone. Wherever he went in the sect, he drew attention. Si Yao didn’t really want to go back with him, but if she refused outright, he might start questioning her identity. After thinking it over, she agreed.

　　Following behind Mu Yuanbai, Si Yao returned to the sect. Some disciples raised doubts about her identity because of the mask, but with Mu Yuanbai at her side explaining for her, there was no trouble.

　　“The Sect Leader has summoned me to the Yuanming Hall for a meeting. Junior sister, I bid you farewell,” Mu Yuanbai said as soon as they arrived at the sect.

　　【This is a critical point where the plot is breaking. Host, please proceed to ensure the storyline develops normally.】

　　At that moment, the system’s voice sounded.

　　Si Yao quickly said, “I also have matters to attend at the Yuanming Hall. It works out that I can go with senior brother.”

　　……

　　Mu Yuanbai was a refined gentleman, and Si Yao was warm and straightforward by nature. The two of them got along very well. They chatted easily as they walked, reaching the Yuanming Hall in no time.

　　“Both the Beast and Demon realms are restless. Calling my junior nephew back now is truly out of necessity. The Xuanming Sect sits atop the Sunset Peak and serves as the first line of defense between human and demon realms. If it is breached, the Beast and Demon races can advance unimpeded, and then all living beings will be in danger.”

　　As Si Yao reached the entrance of Yuanming Hall, she heard an old, serious voice coming from inside.

　　It sounded like they were discussing matters of utmost importance for all living beings.

　　“Though I have achieved much in recent years, do the Sect Leader and the elders truly believe I possess the strength to resist both realms?”

　　A familiar cold, clear voice spoke—it was Jiang Shuo.

　　“The Sect Leader may be a peak Ascension-level powerhouse, but many years have passed without further breakthroughs. He is old now, his life nearing its end,” another elder’s voice rumbled, sounding like a warning. “If the Sect Leader falls, the Beast and Demon realms will strike without hesitation.”

　　“We are powerless. Apart from the Sect Leader, no one in the Xuanming Sect has reached Ascension Realm. If the Beast King and Demon Lord attack, without a Ascension Realm expert to hold the line, most of our cultivators will not be able to resist.”

　　“Even though you have made a name for yourself in the world, you are still a disciple of the Xuanming Sect. We hope you will accept the position of Sect Leader and lead our disciples to defend against the Beast and Demon races,” the elder said, making their intentions clear to Jiang Shuo.

　　After the elder’s words, a long silence filled the hall. Everyone was waiting for Jiang Shuo’s answer, including Mu Yuanbai. Though he had arrived at the Yuanming Hall, he had not gone inside. He stayed by the door, listening to the discussion.

　　“Please forgive me, but I cannot accept,” came Jiang Shuo’s calm refusal after some time.

　　“Junior nephew, the sect has raised and trained you. Now the sect faces danger…” another elder began to reason, but Jiang Shuo interrupted.

　　“Although I have achieved what I have today, the things I encountered in the Xuanming Sect are still etched into my memory. They haunt me to this day,” Jiang Shuo said evenly.

　　“Ten years ago, I suffered countless injuries and came close to death many times. Though I later avenged myself, thinking back, the hatred still runs deep. I truly have no desire to remain long in a place filled with nightmares.”

　　“Ah,” one elder sighed heavily, full of worry. “That incident back then… it was our negligence. We failed to see clearly and let you suffer so many grievances.”

　　“But now the matter concerns all living beings…”

　　At that moment, Mu Yuanbai, standing at the door, seemed unable to listen any longer. He stepped forward, pushed the door open, and walked in.

　　After Mu Yuanbai pushed open the door, all eyes in the room turned toward the entrance. Si Yao quietly followed behind him.

　　Mu Yuanbai carried himself with an air of righteousness. Upon entering, he bowed politely to the elders, then turned to Jiang Shuo, who was sitting calmly to the side, and bowed again. “The Beast and Demon realms are restless. I hope you will consider the bigger picture.”

　　Jiang Shuo only glanced at him coolly.

　　Mu Yuanbai’s expression darkened for a moment, but as a composed gentleman, he held back any personal offense. He added carefully, “This crisis concerns not just the Xuanming Sect, but the fate of the world. I hope you will consider it seriously.

　　Jiang Shuo still ignored him.

　　The atmosphere grew a little awkward. According to the original storyline, their first meeting was supposed to feel natural, as if they were old friends at once, not like this.

　　Si Yao couldn’t help but fume silently at the script. This broken storyline has gone completely off-track.

　　She tugged gently on Mu Yuanbai’s sleeve from behind and whispered, “Senior Brother, don’t worry. The elders might be able to persuade him.”

　　Mu Yuanbai knew she was trying to comfort him. For some reason, he felt a flicker of resentment toward Jiang Shuo. Could someone so arrogant and uncaring really lead the Xuanming Sect?

　　Despite his irritation, Mu Yuanbai still smiled warmly at Si Yao.

　　Jiang Shuo did not miss the cozy little scene unfolding before him. His normally calm gaze gradually turned cold. Memories from ten years ago flashed in his mind, of how Si Yao had clung to this man, calling him Senior Brother and following him everywhere.

　　A sharp frustration welled up in Jiang Shuo. Seeing Si Yao and Mu Yuanbai standing together was almost unbearable. He furrowed his brows and coldly commanded, “Come here.”

　　“Ah?” Si Yao froze. Was he talking to her?

　　Seeing her hesitate, Jiang Shuo’s aura darkened further. He repeated sharply, “Come here.”

　　Si Yao was now certain he was calling her. But with most of the elders around, she only wanted to stay in the corner, observing and figuring out how to fix the storyline. She had no intention of going to Jiang Shuo.

　　Mu Yuanbai had never liked Jiang Shuo much. Now, seeing him act high-handedly and order others around, his anger flared. His usually gentle face was unusually contorted with rage.

　　He stretched out his arm to block Si Yao and coldly said to Jiang Shuo, “Can’t you see she doesn’t want to go to you?”

   

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