Chapter 32: The Emotions of Living Beings

After effortlessly dealing with the two assassins from Six Leaves, Xiao Kaitian questioned them for a bit. Unfortunately, the pair had no “goods” on them, so he gave up the idea of robbing them. Assassins did have money, but their financial channels were rather different from ordinary people. Xiao Kaitian had no desire to entangle himself too deeply in such matters, so he wasn’t particularly interested in what assets they possessed.

Besides, since he had already resolved to go after Six Leaves, he figured that when the time came, it would be far more effective to “rob” them then.

He glanced at the two crumpled figures on the ground, then returned to Jiang Churan’s side, wrapping an arm around her waist as he led her out.

Jiang Churan was still tense and uneasy. Though she had mentally prepared herself for Xiao Kaitian’s recent changes, witnessing what had just happened with her own eyes brought an extra shock.

“Kaitian…” Her teeth chattered, making her words stammer out: “You… you’re a martial cultivator…”

Martial cultivators weren’t exactly a secret in this world, but for ordinary people, they remained a distant, almost mythical presence. Tales of soaring through the skies and striking down enemies with a flick of a leaf belonged more to the realm of cinema than reality.

Xiao Kaitian had always been considered an imbecile since childhood. Forget being a martial cultivator—if he could even run properly, that would have been a blessing.

“Kaitian,” Jiang Churan’s face was pale, and her legs felt weak. “I… I’m scared…”

“Don’t be afraid,” Xiao Kaitian steadied her, holding her close as they continued on. “Don’t be afraid,” he comforted her, “I am still the same Xiao Kaitian.”

“It’s just that I’m a bit different now. I can protect myself—and you. That’s the only difference.”

Perhaps it was his words that reassured her, or perhaps it was the warmth and sense of security she felt pressed against his solid frame, but Jiang Churan gradually managed to steady her emotions.

Just as he’d said, whether this was reincarnation or transmigration, someone Jiang Churan didn’t know was now inhabiting her brother’s body. But as he’d reassured her, he was still himself. If he’d meant her harm, she would already be just another lost soul in this foreign land.

When they finally reached the bustling street market, Jiang Churan breathed a sigh of relief. She took small, careful breaths, not wanting Xiao Kaitian to notice her lingering anxiety. The hand that clutched his arm was no longer so stiff, and her steps grew steadier.

“I’m alright now,” she gasped, cheeks flushed. “Please, don’t make me worry like that again, alright?”

Xiao Kaitian might have become formidable, but in her eyes, he was still her younger brother—someone to be protected. She hadn’t realized that, from now on, the roles of protector and protected might well be reversed.

In this universe, the emotions of “humans” were truly wondrous. Xiao Kaitian did not reject such feelings, even if those who had taught him always claimed that emotions were the greatest shackles upon the strong.

Was that really so? He didn’t know. He’d never experienced such feelings before. But after becoming Xiao Kaitian, it felt as though an entirely new world was quietly opening its doors to him.

He looked at Jiang Churan. Even after such a fright, she was able to quickly regain her composure and maintain her dignified bearing. She was someone worthy of his protection. He couldn’t help but smile. “You should be careful of that Wutian you mentioned. Besides being from a prominent family, he’s also a martial cultivator.”

“What?” Jiang Churan was taken aback. Not being part of that world, she had no way to tell who was a martial cultivator and who wasn’t. As in Han-Tang, it wasn’t uncommon for scions of great houses to train in the martial arts, but discovering so many “experts” around her at once still surprised her.

The Xiao family differed from other prominent families mostly because of the “imbecile” Xiao Kaitian, and with Jiang Churan being a woman, the involvement of martial cultivators in the family’s younger generation had been rather limited.

“He’s quite strong,” Xiao Kaitian said, unaware of her thoughts. “By this world’s standards, I’d say he’s at the mid-stage of the Profound Realm.” Wutian’s combat power was around 205, higher than his own at present.

But if it came down to a real fight, the outcome would be far from certain.

Jiang Churan clearly wasn’t interested in this topic. To her, Wutian was just a classmate. She had already applied to return home, and wasn’t even planning to attend the graduation ceremony. It was unlikely she’d have any dealings with Wutian in the future.

After seeing Jiang Churan safely to her nearby residence, Xiao Kaitian took out his phone and dialed a number. After a few rings, Ogihara Rin’s impatient voice sounded on the other end.

“What do you want?” She was nearly fuming. Xiao Kaitian always acted the part of a hands-off boss, while she was left running herself ragged for him. And where was he? Either holed up at home or wandering around aimlessly.

“Do you know about Six Leaves—the assassin organization?” Xiao Kaitian’s tone was casual, without the slightest hint of apology for ordering her around. “Send me all the information you have on their headquarters, immediately.”

“Six Leaves?” Ogihara Rin was baffled. How had he gotten mixed up with Six Leaves? “That’s a D-rank assassin group—they just handle routine contracts. Did you provoke them?”

“Mm. Just get me the info as soon as possible. I’m hanging up.”

Listening to the dial tone, Ogihara Rin could only simmer in frustration.

After Xiao Kaitian and Jiang Churan had left for the street market, a figure emerged from the shadows of the city park. Dressed in a polo shirt, a backpack slung over his shoulder, his gaunt cheeks and sunken eyes gave him a brooding appearance.

“A younger brother, is it…” This was none other than Wutian Zhe, whom Jiang Churan had just rejected. He had long since investigated her family background—the Xiao family from Han-Tang—and had been captivated by her poise and grace. Yet he could never understand why Jiang Churan refused him.

He was the eldest son and heir of the prestigious Wutian family in Kai Prefecture, a man holding real power. In terms of status and influence, he was no less than the Xiao family. Although the Wutian clan’s political stance was not exactly pro Han-Tang, a marriage alliance between the two houses could only broaden their networks.

Not to mention, his own investigations had shown Jiang Churan to be exceptionally intelligent, gentle, and elegant—an ideal candidate for the future head mistress of the Wutian family.

Yet Jiang Churan had never shown even the slightest interest in him. Throughout all their years at school, she’d barely interacted with any other men.

But today, she’d turned around and was so intimately close to Xiao Kaitian. That kind of closeness was hardly that of ordinary “siblings”—it was more like that of lovers with years of understanding.

The thought made him clench his fists. “Xiao Kaitian!”

A noise came from the trees behind him. Several leaves drifted down, and a figure in black appeared at his back.

Wutian Zhe didn’t turn around, only frowned slightly. “This is the capital. Who allowed you to be so brazen?”

“Your Highness,” the man in black respectfully dropped to one knee. “His Grace has urgent business to discuss with you. Please forgive the intrusion.” He held out a sealed letter with both hands.

Suppressing his annoyance, Wutian Zhe realized the matter must be of utmost importance. To avoid the risk of wiretapping, they’d even dispatched a ninja messenger. He took the letter, opened it, and read only a single line:

Kill Xiao Kaitian!