I Can Devour Spirits

Ximen Yong’s gaze scanned Duan Rong’s figure up and down, finally fixing on Duan Rong’s eyes...

Ximen Yong smiled.

At this moment, facing each other, he was almost certain that these were the eyes from Black Tiger Ridge.

No mistake!

Duan Rong was perplexed as Ximen Yong stared at him. He had worn a mask at Black Tiger Ridge and did not believe Ximen Yong could recognize him.

Ximen Yong took a slice of melon from the tray and handed it to Duan Rong, saying, ”Escort Master Duan, try this melon. It’s just been chilled, aromatic and sweet.”

Duan Rong respectfully accepted it and said, ”Thank you, sir!”

Ximen Yong laughed and said, ”Kankan calls you Brother Duan, if you don’t mind, you can call me Uncle from now on.”

Duan Rong’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at Ximen Yong, but Ximen Yong merely smiled politely without any hint of abnormality.

Duan Rong said, ”I am of low status. The address between Ximen Young Master and I is just a joke between friends. How dare I presumptuously claim kinship?”

”Escort Master Duan won’t call me uncle, perhaps because my conduct doesn’t deserve such an address from you. It’s my family’s fault for having no virtue!”

”How could it be so?” Duan Rong immediately said, ”Uncle Ximen, please accept my bow!”

Ximen Yong extended his hand to support Duan Rong, smiling, ”That’s more like it!”

Ximen Yong surprisingly took Duan Rong’s hand and sat down on the two Grandmaster’s Chairs, saying, ”Nephew, it’s not that I’m taking advantage of you because of my age. We call each other such so we can be closer. During the festive seasons, it gives us a reason to meet, doesn’t it?”

”Uncle, how can you say that, it’s clear I’m the one gaining. I am just a humble person, but you call me nephew, it makes me feel uneasy!”

”A hero is not judged by his background, nephew, you don’t need to be overly modest.” Ximen Yong said, ”At noon, I have prepared a family meal in the flower hall. I wonder if nephew is willing to join this old fellow for a casual meal?”

”How could I not obey?” Duan Rong clasped his fists and said.

Ximen Yong stood up smiling, and as he left, he glared at Ximen Kankan, who was busy gnawing on the melon, reprimanding, ”The Ice Patterned Melon was cut for Nephew Duan, how many pieces have you eaten?”

The juicy melon made Ximen Kankan choke with the reprimand, coughing repeatedly.

He wiped the juice off his mouth and stopped coughing as Ximen Yong exited Snow Veil Residence.

Ximen Kankan looked at the two pieces of melon left on the table and muttered at his father’s departing figure, ”I only ate two pieces, didn’t I?”

Afterward, Ximen Kankan and Duan Rong, both eating Ice Patterned Melon, played chess and chatted until it was time for lunch. Then they went together to the flower hall in the front yard.

As they walked over, they happened to see several servants carrying trays towards the flower hall. Ximen Kankan grabbed one and asked, ”Who cooked the lunch dish?”

”Old Xu did.”

”Old Xu?” Ximen Kankan’s eyes lit up and he asked, ”Is there Eight Treasure Gourd Duck?”

”Yes.”

As soon as Ximen Kankan heard there was Eight Treasure Gourd Duck, he immediately salivated and urged Duan Rong to hurry to the flower hall.

When the two reached the flower hall’s door, Mei Qin, waiting there, suddenly blocked Ximen Kankan, saying, ”Master only invited Escort Master Duan Rong.”

”What about me?” Ximen Kankan asked innocently, ”Isn’t it supposed to be a family banquet?”

”Please forgive Mei Qin’s ignorance.” Mei Qin said, curtseyed, and then led Duan Rong inside.

Duan Rong touched his nose and glanced back at Ximen Kankan, whose eyes showed a grievance as if he were an unwilling bride forced into marriage.

When Duan Rong entered, several cool dishes were already on the table. Mei Qin opened a jar of aged wine, poured a glass for each of them, and then left, standing guard at the door.

As Duan Rong sat down, a servant brought in a covered tray, unveiling the Eight Treasure Gourd Duck.

Unaware that Duan Rong had already eaten, Ximen Yong specially introduced the dish.

The two of them ate and drank while chatting casually.

But as they talked, gradually, Duan Rong realized that Ximen Yong was subtly probing him with various questions.

After several probing questions, Duan Rong was sure that for some reason, this old man had guessed he was the person from Black Tiger Ridge. Although he didn’t know how Ximen Yong guessed it, Duan Rong was determined to deny it to the end.

Ximen Yong asked many questions and seeing that Duan Rong always answered ambiguously, refusing to reveal his identity, he finally understood.

Ximen Yong sighed deeply, finally giving up on the matter, and began chatting about Jianghu stories with Duan Rong.

Ximen Yong, accustomed to the martial world, had countless tales in his belly, and the two were soon chatting happily.

The lunch lasted nearly an hour before Ximen Yong reluctantly took Duan Rong by the hand and escorted him to the door.

As he left, Ximen Yong said, ”Nephew, if you encounter any difficulties, you must tell me. If you face troubles and remember me, then you truly regard me as an uncle. Don’t treat me as an outsider!”

Ximen Yong said, patting Duan Rong’s hand, warming Duan Rong’s heart, who repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

Duan Rong bid farewell and, after descending the steps, turned back for a bow before leaving. This bow was a sincere gesture to Ximen Yong, not just a formality.

During and after the banquet, Ximen Yong’s deep affection was evident, and Duan Rong, being perceptive, could not remain unmoved.

As Duan Rong crossed the stone lion, Ximen Kankan emerged from behind it, with arms behind his back, stopping Duan Rong like an old man, sternly asking, ”What did you do? My father treats you even more dearly than his own son?”

Slightly tipsy, Duan Rong glanced at Ximen Kankan, touched his belly, and smacked his lips, saying, ”Ah... Why is Eight Treasure Gourd Duck so delicious?”

”Why bring up a sore subject?” Ximen Kankan retorted angrily, ”Come on, tell me what’s going on?”

”Actually, I don’t know either.” Duan Rong shook his head, ”Perhaps it’s because of our saber technique practice. Your father just mentioned during the meal that your saber technique has greatly improved.”

Surprised, Ximen Kankan asked, ”My saber technique has greatly improved?”

”In retrospect, it has indeed improved a lot.” Duan Rong said.

”Really?” With his question answered, Ximen Kankan’s doubts eased somewhat.

”I have things to do, I must go.” Seeing Ximen Kankan no longer pestering him, Duan Rong waved a hand and took leave.

Watching Duan Rong’s departing figure, Ximen Kankan pursed his lips, ”What’s so delicious about Eight Treasure Gourd Duck? I’ve long since grown tired of it...”

With that, Ximen Kankan angrily returned inside.

In the main courtyard’s flower hall, Ximen Yong sat alone, sipping tea and pondering.

Duan Rong, having saved him at Black Tiger Ridge, clearly treated the Ximen Family generously. But it seemed he had reasons unknown to others for not revealing his identity.

Ximen Yong calculated and speculated internally, pausing as he brought the teacup to his lips, because a reason came to his mind, making him suddenly shiver.

”Yilin, could this person be the descendant of someone from your side?”

As soon as the thought occurred to Ximen Yong, the more he considered it, the more plausible it seemed.

Li Yilin’s family was a major family in Yuanyang Prefecture. However, Li Yilin was determined to marry Ximen Yong, even if it meant breaking off relations with her family.

The Li Family even removed her from their genealogy!

Born not to enter the Li Family door, dead not to enter the Li Family grave!

But just three years later, the Li Family was involved in a major case and executed. Li Yilin, having been removed from the genealogy, was spared. But upon learning of her family’s execution, she was heartbroken and died within half a year.

Ximen Yong suspected Duan Rong might be a surviving descendant of the Li Family.

If not, why would Duan Rong treat the Ximen Family so generously and yet refuse to reveal his identity? Perhaps it’s for fear of exposing his accused lineage.

Thus thinking, Ximen Yong lifted his head, his gaze falling on the painting that Duan Rong had made for Ximen Kankan, the earnest guidance in the poem further affirming his speculation.

He decided to summon someone to hang this painting in Kankan’s bedroom, so that Ximen Kankan could admire it daily, study diligently, and do justice to Duan Rong’s sincere intentions.