Chapter 63: Who Is This?

“I ended up like this because I was being pursued by the authorities on my way back. After much difficulty, I managed to shake them off and make my way here,” Ling Xiao explained his situation. He had come today mainly to bid farewell, carrying with him a heart full of gratitude for Zhang Xiaolan’s sincere kindness during those days—a warmth that lingered within him.

“Hurry, let me help you dress your wounds,” Zhang Xiaolan said, worried by the disheveled state Ling Xiao was in, with injuries that were clearly not just one or two.

“Miss, the lord is in the manor today,” Xiao Lian whispered quickly, her first concern being that Li Rui would discover them. She hoped Ling Xiao would say his piece and leave swiftly—if Li Rui found out, he would surely hand him over to the authorities.

“Oh, that's right—go close the door at once,” Zhang Xiaolan was reminded by Xiao Lian’s words, and quickly instructed her to shut the door while she herself hurried to fetch some medicine for Ling Xiao’s treatment.

Just as Xiao Lian rushed to close the door, she froze. Li Rui was already standing at the threshold, and she stammered nervously, “M-master... Master!”

“Brother Li!” Zhang Xiaolan, startled by Xiao Lian’s cry, instinctively shielded Ling Xiao behind her and called out to Li Rui.

But her action only drew Li Rui’s attention. How could Zhang Xiaolan possibly block Ling Xiao’s figure? Glancing inside, Li Rui immediately noticed the unfamiliar man, battered and ragged, and his expression shifted subtly.

Ling Xiao, in turn, tensed, ready for confrontation. He recognized this man—he was the one who had grievously wounded him during the assassination attempt on the Left Chancellor. Last time, Ling Xiao had narrowly escaped; he hadn’t expected to run into him here. So this was his territory. However, Ling Xiao had worn a mask that time, so even face-to-face, Li Rui did not recognize him.

“I heard a noise just now and came to see what was happening. Who is this?” Li Rui’s keen ears had caught the sound Ling Xiao made vaulting over the wall. He had set aside his brush, opened the door, and vaulted over to check, only to find a wounded stranger inside.

“He... he’s my friend,” Zhang Xiaolan replied nervously, knowing Li Rui’s upright character. As a prince, he would certainly investigate the background of any suspicious person.

She also understood that, as an assassin, Ling Xiao must have had his share of missions—if any of this were exposed, Li Rui would not hesitate to hand him over to the authorities.

“A friend of yours?” Li Rui’s gaze was sharp. “Your friend is wounded, and those are blade wounds. Who has he angered, or is he simply an outlaw?”

Li Rui didn’t know when Zhang Xiaolan had made such a friend, but seeing Ling Xiao’s injuries and demeanor, he suspected the man had enemies or was not a good person at all. Such a person was a threat, and if he really was wanted, Li Rui would certainly turn him over to the authorities.

“He—he was just injured sparring with someone, that’s all,” Zhang Xiaolan tried desperately to hide Ling Xiao’s identity, but his stance made it all too obvious.

Li Rui narrowed his eyes, clearly not believing her. His sharp gaze swept over Ling Xiao, and then he caught sight of something that shocked him—a clear insignia revealed where the tattered sleeve had fallen open. In a flash, Li Rui lunged forward and seized Ling Xiao’s arm, demanding,

“Guangfu Sect! Speak—who are you? Are you one of the remnants of the Guangfu Sect?”