C16 He Met an Old Friend

Bai Yuxi caught Ling Xiao's encouraging gaze and nodded resolutely, gradually allowing herself to relax.

Ling Xiao motioned to the waiter, who promptly served up three appetizers and a pot of wine. These few simple dishes cost Ling Xiao a hefty sum of five gold coins, equivalent to a commoner's annual living expenses. However, Ling Xiao wasn't fazed by the cost; he was certain that he'd soon be raking in substantial wealth, rendering these coins trivial.

Ling Xiao had just taken a few sips of wine and sampled the appetizers when a commotion erupted from downstairs. It wasn't long before the sound of footsteps approached from the staircase.

The group that emerged consisted of two men and a woman.

The woman in the middle commanded immediate attention. Around seventeen, her dazzling beauty was on par with Bai Yuxi's, though she lacked Yuxi's tender allure, radiating instead a frosty aloofness that seemed to ward off others. Her fiery red dress, adorned with gold trim at the collar, made her stand out with an air of extravagance and nobility. Her delicate, pale hands held a purple whip.

To her right was a man towering and muscular, his presence formidable. His bare arms, with veins like coiled serpents, were intimidating, and the mace he wielded, spiked and menacing, added to his fearsome appearance.

The man to her left shared a resemblance with Lee Guangyin. His features were unremarkable, but his exquisite clothing exuded an overwhelming sense of affluence. His piercing, serpent-like eyes made it difficult for others to hold his gaze. The slender sword in his hand shimmered with a brilliance that spoke of its extraordinary make.

When Ling Xiao first laid eyes on the girl, he felt a vague sense of recognition, but the memory wasn't strong enough to linger, and he quickly returned to his drink.

The girl scanned the room, apparently looking for a place to sit. Spotting Ling Xiao, she pointed decisively at his table and said to the waiter, "I'll take that spot. Have them leave."

The waiter bowed and responded, "Certainly, Miss Luo. I will ask them to move immediately."

Approaching Ling Xiao, the waiter apologized, "Excuse me, but would you mind relocating? Miss Luo has requested your table."

Ling Xiao bristled with annoyance. "Why should we have to move? Is this how your restaurant treats its guests?"

"Sir, you must understand, she is Miss Luo of the Luo family. Provoking her could have serious consequences," the waiter attempted to clarify.

In Meteor City, deference to the three major families was common knowledge. The young lady in question was Luo Qingshuang, the cherished granddaughter of the Luo family head and an intermediate profound warrior, a distinction few in Meteor City could claim.

"So what if she's from the Luo family? I'm with the Ling family. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to enjoy my meal," Ling Xiao retorted, brushing off the waiter's warning. He was resolute in his refusal to yield to such an unreasonable request.

"You..." The waiter tried to say more but was abruptly interrupted.

"Isn't this Ling Xiao of the Ling family? What a fortunate day that we, the representatives of the three great families, are all present. Why not join us for a gathering?" chimed in a man who bore a striking resemblance to Lee Guangyin. He was Lee Guanghan, Lee Guangyin's elder brother.

"And you are? Please, no need for false pretenses. I don't know you, so spare me the disturbance. There's no shortage of seats here if you're looking to dine," Ling Xiao replied tersely, his patience wearing thin.

Lee Guanghan's face darkened at Ling Xiao's words, his expression teetering on the edge of anger.

The girl in red then asked, "You're Ling Xiao?"

"That would be me. You do look a bit familiar," Ling Xiao responded nonchalantly, taking a sip of his wine. In a previous life, he had a reputation for being quite the charmer with attractive women.

"We've met before," she said with an icy snort.

Ling Xiao eyed her and remarked, "I don't recall any issues between us."

"We have our differences," she retorted, her purple whip unfurling and striking towards Ling Xiao with the agility of a viper.

"Damn, are you trying to murder me?" Ling Xiao shouted, springing from his seat.

In a flash, the spot where Ling Xiao had been sitting was left in tatters by the snap of the purple whip.

"Young Master!" Bai Yuxi called out, her voice laced with worry.

Ling Xiao collapsed onto the dining table, glaring at the girl as he barked, "Hey, even if I don't give up my seat for you, there's no need to hit me. You really have no manners!"

The girl hurled an insult back at him, and her purple whip sliced through the air toward Ling Xiao's waist again, this time with even greater speed.

However, she was so intent on troubling Ling Xiao that she completely forgot there was someone else nearby.

But Ling Xiao hadn't forgotten. If he dodged the whip, it would certainly hit Bai Yuxi. Yet, if he didn't dodge, he would be hard-pressed to strike back.

"Damn it, you crazy woman!" Ling Xiao cursed, spinning around to envelop Bai Yuxi in his arms, and took the lash of the whip.

Instantly, a long gash split open across Ling Xiao's waist, blood seeping out relentlessly.

He couldn't help but inhale sharply from the pain, acknowledging her ruthlessness.

Luo Qingshuang stopped her attack, her expression turning ugly.

"Young Master Ling, you truly are chivalrous, protecting a woman to the extent of injuring yourself rather than letting her be harmed. I must admit, it's admirable," Lee Guanghan remarked with a sneer.

The giant man holding the mace said nothing, simply watching Ling Xiao with interest.

"Young Master, you've lost a lot of blood," Bai Yuxi said, her face pale and her beautiful eyes red as she looked at the wound on Ling Xiao's waist. She was overwhelmed with guilt, knowing that the Young Master had been injured trying to save her.

"I'm fine. Move back," Ling Xiao told Bai Yuxi, pushing her gently away. He then tore a long strip from his garment and tied it around his wound. Raising his eyes to Luo Qingshuang, he said in a deep voice, "You're not leaving here today without giving me an explanation."

What did her beauty matter? If she was as poisonous as a serpent, he wouldn't hesitate to fight back.

"Don't you remember what happened seven years ago?" Luo Qingshuang asked, her mouth curling into a sneer.

"What happened seven years ago?" Ling Xiao pondered, then scrutinized Luo Qingshuang's features. Suddenly, she seemed to blend with a memory from his past.