Naked Sword Art

Chapter 464: Dragon King

As Xiao Fang and Xun Wei exited together, the remaining disciples could only watch in silence. Whispers rippled through the room—rumors of their relationship now impossible to ignore after seeing the two walk side by side.

"Fang, what will you do now?" Xun Wei asked once they were outside.

"Lian said her parents wanted to see me. I’ll pay them a visit—after I get a few things in order."

"Have you picked out a gift yet?" Xun Wei asked, raising a brow. "You can’t go empty-handed."

"A gift?" Xiao Fang paused, visibly thinking. "I didn’t realize I had to bring one."

Xun Wei sighed. "Seriously? You didn’t even think of that? Forget it. We’ll pick something up on the way."

"You want to come?"

"Why not? I was given the day off—I’m free to do what I like."

Knowing Xun Wei would accompany him eased his mind a little. There were many customs in this province he didn’t grow up with. Being raised in the Divine Sword Sect often left him feeling like a stranger in this country.

"Let’s get changed and head out. The sooner we do this, the better," Xiao Fang said.

Xun Wei nodded then followed close behind him as he speedily left.

They made their way to the Nameless Guildhouse. Upon arriving, Xun Wei gave a wary smile as she saw the state of disarray it was still in. Xun Wei knew both Xiao Fang and Li Lian too well to understand exactly what had happened here.

"Fang, you should really stop provoking her so much," she said, half-laughing.

Xiao Fang smirked. "Where’s the fun in that?"

Walking into the Guildhouse together, they caught the attention of Jaing Mei.

She had been sweeping broken porcelain off the floor, her brow still furrowed in frustration because Su Yun refused to help her clean around the guildhouse, but when she looked up and saw Xun Wei walking beside Xiao Fang, her expression brightened.

"Xun Wei?" she blinked in surprise, then paused in thought. "You’re not going to try to destroy the guildhouse too are you?" She quickly looked at Xiao Fang suspiciously. "What did you do this time?"

"Nothing... yet," Xiao Fang chuckled.

Xun Wei gave a small sigh. "Don’t worry, Elder. I’m just here to help him choose a proper gift. He’s going to meet Li Lian’s parents today."

"Oh," Jiang Mei said, blinking a few times. Then, her eyes widened. "Wait, did you say Li Lian?!"

She knew Xiao Fang, Xun Wei, and Li Lian shared a close relationship, but she never imagined it was already close enough for him to meet her parents.

"That’s right, we’re going as soon as we find Fei Lin," Xiao Fang said, already halfway up the stairs.

"Is she here?" Xun Wei asked.

"Ah... yeah, she’s on the 3rd floor with Li Xiang. Those two are always spending time together."

Xun Wei blinked blankly, because she had never heard of Li Xiang before, or at least Xiao Fang hadn’t mentioned her before.

After Xiao Fang was gone, Jiang Mei leaned in and whispered to to Xun Wei,

"You’re not going to let him walk out like that, are you? He looks like he dressed himself blindfolded."

"That’s probably because he did," Xun Wei smirked. She knew the truth was that swordsmen hardly ever cared about what they wore, it was more common for them to simply strip their upper bodies naked to display their scars and physique, also to represent their family clans which were tattooed on their backs.

"Don’t worry. I’ll clean him up nicely," Xun Wei said before walking up the steps. "Fang, wait up. Let’s get changed first."

Xun Wei followed Xiao Fang up the stairs, casting Jiang Mei one last knowing smile before disappearing from view. Jiang Mei remained still, an indescribable feeling lingering in her chest. There was something unfathomable about Xun Wei—so quiet, so expressionless, and yet she radiated a calm, commanding presence far beyond her years.

If she already carried such weight now, what sort of terrifying figure would she become in the future?

And somehow... Xiao Fang had not only earned her favor, but also that of the Matriarch’s personal disciple.

His luck was simply too heaven-defying.

But then again... who exactly was Xiao Fang?

He was far from ordinary. The first man to ever become a Phoenix-Class disciple—earning that title straight from the Inner Court Exam—yet no one truly knew what he was capable of. Like Xun Wei, he was shrouded in mystery. His cultivation, his past, even his intentions... all hidden beneath the surface.

And yet, to have both Xun Wei and Li Lian walking beside him...

Jiang Mei could only wonder—what kind of storm was he hiding behind that calm facade?

What power waited beneath the veil?

’Long Wang,’ Jiang Mei mused.

(The name meant Dragon King.)

’Perhaps... he truly is a dragon among men.’

Not long after, Xun Wei dragged Xiao Fang back downstairs to show Jiang Mei how they were dressed. Xun Wei looked far more approachable now, the colors on her robes were a little more colorful, which was a stark contrast to her bland personality. Xiao Fang on the other hand still dressed like an ordinary person, the only difference was that he was dressed more appropriately—clean robes, modest colors. Xiao Fang’s hair was tied properly for once. He looked almost presentable.

Almost.

Xun Wei gave him a once-over, then gently adjusted the collar of his robe.

"Do you really not have anything else to wear?" Jiang Mei asked.

"I don’t," Xiao Fang replied flatly, feeling like they were playing with him as if he was some sort of doll. "Is this really necessary?"

Jiang Mei sighed and shook her head. "Yes, you need to impress them. And this is Li Lian’s parents we’re talking about. Likely the next Matriarch of the Black Paradise sect.

"It’s fine, we’ll just find something along the way," Xun Wei said. "But doesn’t it feel like something is missing?" Xun Wei thought out loud.

"Let me have a look," Jiang Mei said.