"I need to talk to you with something." Jing Cheng directly said. "Alone." He added and looked at Xi Ning, Xi Shi and Xi Xing surrounding Xi Ming.

"… can I not?" Xi Ming said, hesitation was on his face as he looked at Xi Xing.

"You still like to act like a nanny." Jing Cheng said. There wasn't malice on his words.

Xi Ming wasn't offended either. "I can't leave them." he said.

"You can call for your fellow disciples and have them watch your siblings and cousin." Jing Cheng suggested.

Xi Ming bit his lip. It's not that it wasn't hard… but who he doesn't want to leave isn't Xi Ning nor Xi Shi, but Xi Xing. Xi Ning will be accompanied by their fellow disciples and Xi Shi will just tag along with them since Xi Shi doesn't know anyone in the capital aside from Chen Han, Sun Yi and the Youxiwang Sect disciples. But, they won't look after Xi Xing. Xi Xing also has low presence, thus he will be overlooked. Also, Xi Xing will just go back to the inn and pester Gong Xian… "Can I bring one of them?" he asked and raised Xi Xing who he was still holding by the back of his clothes like a puppy.

Jing Cheng hesitated. "Okay." In the end, he conceded. He looked at Xi Xing and knows that Xi Xing is an aloof person. He is not a blabbermouth unlike Xi Ning, and isn't a scheming person like Xi Shi. Thus, Xi Ming happily called for the Shanliangde Sect disciples. When they finally arrived, Xi Ming left with Jing Cheng, dragging along Xi Xing who can never escape.

In contrast with the peaceful agreement on Jing Cheng's side, Jing Bai's side was heating up. It wasn't because Jing Hei refused to go back nor he doesn't want to leave Qian Lin – unlike Xi Ming who doesn't want to leave Xi Xing alone. Instead, it was because of a group of disciples who were obscenely looking at Qian Lin, provoking disgust and anger from Jing Hei. When Jing Bai finally found Jing Hei, Jing Hei and the Nanshu Sect's eldest disciple were about to fight.

"It was his fault for being too beautiful. We were just 'admiring' him. What's wrong with that? He should be honored, right?" the eldest disciple grinned maliciously at his fellow disciples.

Jing Hei's face couldn't be any colder as he protected Qian Lin behind him. Qian Lin knows their enemies. They were the second prestigious sect of the south – the Qianxu Sect is the first. The sect leader of the Nanshu Sect has always been repeatedly suppressed by Qian Shan – Qian Tian and Qian Lin's father, and was secretly pining on their mother. He built his own sect to prove himself to Qian Su – Qian Shan's wife, but Qian Su already married Qian Tian before the Nanshu's Sect leader could woo her. Hate grew in his heart and he continuously provoked Qian Shan. However, Qian Shan was always living unfettered. Thus, the Nanshu Sect leader and his ploys were always ignored. This enmity was inherited by his son after Qian Tian – Qian Shan's eldest son, suppressed him. The Nanshu Sect's father and son felt history will be repeated. Thus, his son always provoked he weak-looking second son of Qian Shan – Qian Lin. Qian Lin's appearance also has been effeminate, thus, he is bound to be more bullied. Jing Hei had bullied Qian Lin, too, when they first met. However, Jing Hei, despite his naughtiness, he is soft-hearted due to Jing Rui's preaching. Even though Jing Rui is strict and always frowned, but he is kind by nature.

"Ah Hei." Jing Bai called as he approached Jing Hei and Qian Lin. Seeing Jing Hei's dark expression, Jing Bai could already guess what happened. He looked at Shu Mu, the son of the Nanshu Sect's leader.

"Reinforcements? Bring it on!" Shu Mu arrogantly said, a smug look on his face as he condescendingly looked at the twins and Qian Lin. "You're just on the rankings because of your sect's connections. Let's see if I can't beat you two!" he said and pointed his sword towards Jing Hei.

"Heh." Jing Hei scoffed and grinned, full of schadenfreude. "At least we're in the rankings. How about you?" he asked as he slowly unsheathed his sword. "No matter how much you yap or bark, working like a dog… but you can't even eat a single bone! In short – " he said and looked at Shu Mu like he's an ant. " – you're a worthless piece of shit." He said.

Shu Mu's face turned red from anger, then turned green because of being insulted. "Bring it on!" he said as he lunged at Jing Hei. Jing Hei, knowing Jing Bai will keep Qian Lin away from the fight, ran towards Shu Mu, worry-free, to counter his attack. The air split and a loud clang can be heard when the two swords met. The onlookers immediately cleared the way, and those at the front almost fell on their back because of the impact.

Shu Mu is the eleventh in the previous rank. Unfortunately for him, the people only look at the top ten. Thus, Shu Mu is very bitter with his place. Even though it's better than the average, but he is dissatisfied. Not only he is dissatisfied, but also his father who has green face like he just ate shit. The elders of their sect comforted him, not Shu Mu. He even punished Shu Mu and cursed at him for being incompetent. Shu Mu hated his father to the bones, but he hated the Qian family the most. If not because of them, his father wouldn't be like this.

He was pulled out from his thoughts when he saw Jing Hei's incoming foot aiming for his chest. he immediately moved his body to the side and raised his fist. However, before his fist could land on Jing Hei's face, Jing Hei cocked his head to the side. Using his shoulder, he bumped Shu Mu's chest when their body collided.

Shu Mu felt pain on his chest when Jing Hei's shoulder hit him. Blood rushed up to his mouth, but he was forced to swallow it back when Jing Hei hit his head on his face.