Tao Yu hadn’t even spoken when the boat captain launched into such a fervent tirade, leaving Hou Xibai momentarily stunned.
Hou Xibai’s own cultivation was not weak, and his mindset would also have been strong, had it not been suppressed by the Mercy Temple faction.
He could sense that the boat captain’s anger came from the heart, and it was hard for him to imagine that the man was lying about his feelings.
This caused Hou Xibai to waver internally, and he thought of Shi Feixuan’s request to him.
’Although Tao Yu has the style of the Demon Sect, Feixuan doesn’t see him as someone who delights in slaughter without cause... There might be other reasons...’
It was for this reason that Hou Xibai had come alone this time.
Otherwise, given the rumors that the otherworldly Heavenly Demon demanded the lives of three children at a meal, if he still harbored a resisting mindset, he would simply be coming to throw his life away for nothing.
Now, even though there was still a great risk, he decided to trust Shi Feixuan.
Little did he expect that before even hearing a response from the man himself, the heartfelt revelation of the boat captain would astonish him so.
He couldn’t help addressing the others present,
"If what he says is true, why don’t any of you explain?"
Snort~
Kou Zhong, who didn’t get his share of the meat, chuckled with derision,
"Explain? To whom should we explain? Can explanations make things clear? Can they prove our innocence?"
He was quick to learn; previously, Tao Yu had rebuffed him with such words, and now he threw them right back at Hou Xibai.
Tao Yu let Bai Qing’er attentively serve him dishes without acting as if it were his affair.
"Well..., you should at least explain something, otherwise misunderstandings could cause harm, couldn’t they?"
Hou Xibai glanced at the upset boat captain again, pondered for a moment, and thought that since many had escaped from Yangzhou, there should be informed people among them.
"Hasn’t Tao Yu sent a message challenging heroes across the world to a sword test? Anyway, as we are on our way to Chang’an, there will be plenty of opportunities to ’explain.’"
Ba Fenghan said with a grin, emphasizing the word ’explain’ in his speech.
For others, even for a powerhouse like Bi Xuan, he had a thousand grievances and ten thousand resentments, especially after finding out that he could grow stronger by killing the living dead and proving himself to be the Chosen One, which made him unbearably arrogant.
But after witnessing Tao Yu’s power during a few small encounters, Ba Fenghan now acted as meek as could be, referring to him respectfully as "Tao Yu" at every turn.
Hou Xibai appeared hesitant, and looked at the boat captain again, recalling Shi Feixuan’s words, then hesitantly spoke up after a moment,
"It’s admirable that you gentlemen can disregard the rumors of the world, but as things stand, the calls to crusade against you have become a foregone conclusion. Perhaps when your ships slow down in the swift currents of the Yangtze River, you may encounter some trouble..."
Hou Xibai hinted vaguely.
"Oh? Is someone lying in ambush for us, ready to hunt demons and exorcise evil?"
Tao Yu looked at Hou Xibai with a mocking smile, guessing that the Amorous Gentleman would not have shared this information without Shi Feixuan’s instruction.
Tao Yu viewed Shi Feixuan through a decidedly negative lens, but he couldn’t deny her capabilities were formidable.
But having spent time together, she found herself unable to do so.
Since her master would be coming, naturally she would have to explain things clearly herself.
Yes, indeed, fear that her master might get killed on the spot was also a major concern...
"May I ask who your master is..."
"’Master of Yi Sword,’ Fu Cailin."
This caused Hou Xibai to pause, further confirming that this matter had nothing to do with them.
Although Hou Xibai was somewhat ingratiating, his martial arts from the Hua Jian Sect made him quite a sentimental person, easily moved by his own emotions.
Now that he had a direction in his heart, he pondered for a moment and said,
"I wonder if I could join your party and help secure some opportunity for explanation when the time comes."
"Aren’t you from the Hua Jian Sect? That’s part of the Demon Sect, isn’t it? You’re not here to make trouble, are you?"
Tao Yu asked with some curiosity, causing Hou Xibai’s expression to stiffen.
Indeed, what made me think I was on the side of righteousness?
Tao Yu’s unintended comment indeed made Hou Xibai frown and ponder.
"By the way, let me take a look at the techniques of the Hua Jian Sect. You’ve heard about the message released by the Yin Gui Faction, right? I need to complete the Demon Strategy."
Tao Yu’s blunt statement left Hou Xibai somewhat dazed.
Brother, what were you just saying?
Wasn’t everything going well at the start?
Why are you suddenly asking me for my techniques?
"Without my master’s permission..."
"I’ll personally go to Shi Zhixuan when there’s a chance and discuss it with him; he won’t mind. Anyway, bring out your techniques first."
Tao Yu didn’t care about such details. Seeing that Hou Xibai wanted to speak, he directly entered the "Unity of Heaven and Man."
For a moment, silence enveloped the world, a terrifying pressure instantly descended upon Hou Xibai, making the air around him feel viscous and his lungs compressed to the point of breathlessness!
This filled Hou Xibai with a sense of horror; even when facing Shi Zhixuan, he had never felt like this!
The sensation was as if he were not facing the pressure of a ’person,’ but someone connected to the heavens and the earth. Although the other did nothing, it made him so frightened he didn’t dare to move a finger.
The rumors were indeed true, and he had even underestimated them!
This was definitely not the pressure of an ordinary Grandmaster-level expert!
How powerful it was, Hou Xibai didn’t know, because his horizons were only so wide.
But...
Just based on this aura alone, it seemed even stronger than his own master...