Chapter 132: The Art of Human Ingenuity

"Are you incapable of understanding what we're saying? How on earth did someone with your intellect ever become one of the Eight Lords?" Qingyan mocked him mercilessly.

Klara, however, was not the least bit offended. "Whatever the young lady says, goes."

Qingyan rolled her eyes at Klara and ceased the conversation.

After processing Klara's explanation, Xi Yan pondered for a moment before pushing open the door and stepping out into the service area's courtyard.

The courtyard was already crowded with people, but the moment Xi Yan stepped out, the previously boisterous space fell into sudden silence.

Every gaze locked onto him. Xi Yan pursed his lips, puzzled as to why this group had suddenly gone quiet.

"It's Xi Yan!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, and the mob erupted once more.

"Kill him! Kill him!"

"Xi Yan!!"

The scene descended into chaos; everyone wanted him dead.

Seeing the situation, Xi Yan immediately turned and sprinted back to his room. The mob, however, stopped short at the intersection leading to his dwelling.

There was a distinct path leading from the courtyard to his quarters, but the crowd halted at the threshold, not one of them daring to take a single step further. They glared at him with predatory eyes, wishing they could kill him with their stares alone.

Once inside, Xi Yan slammed the door shut, leaned his back against it, and patted his chest to calm his racing heart.

Qingyan, watching him from the sofa, lazily lifted her head and asked, "What happened out there? You look terrified."

After catching his breath and taking a long drink of water, Xi Yan replied, "That crowd outside is absolutely terrifying."

Klara, who hadn't yet left, smiled. She stood up and said to Xi Yan, "This is a gift I’ve prepared for you. Make good use of it to improve your strength." With that, she turned and left the room.

Seeing Klara go, Qingyan’s expression softened. She asked Xi Yan for the specifics of what had just transpired. Upon hearing the details, she felt a mix of amusement and deep concern. While this method could indeed boost Xi Yan's strength in the short term, there was no guarantee he wouldn't be killed before he could make it back to safety.

"Are you truly prepared to use them as target practice?" Qingyan asked.

Xi Yan gave a bitter smile. "Do I have any other choice?"

"Would you like me to take you away from here?" Qingyan probed tentatively.

Xi Yan thought it over carefully before declining her offer. He stood up from the sofa, walked to the window, and watched the crowd still lingering at the intersection. "Klara is right; this is a genuine opportunity for training. Without sufficient strength, how could I ever survive in this Land of Survival?"

A sudden, profound sense of sorrow emanated from Xi Yan. Qingyan, unaware of the situation regarding Xilin, did not understand why he was suddenly overcome by such emotions.

"Thank you. Would you... would you mind staying here with me for a while?" As he spoke, his face flushed slightly.

Qingyan didn't immediately grasp his implication and replied nonchalantly, "Oh, don't worry. I won't leave you. I haven't finished what I promised to do yet."

Xi Yan licked his lips awkwardly and clarified, "I meant, would you be willing to stay and live in this room with me for a few days?"

Silence filled the room as Qingyan stared at him blankly. After a moment, she asked uncertainly, "You mean... you and I, living in the same room—a man and a woman together under one roof?"

Xi Yan nodded, offering a smile he hoped would ease the tension, though to Qingyan, it came across as slightly lecherous and ill-intentioned.

"What on earth are you thinking about?" Qingyan’s irritation flared.

Seeing her anger rising, Xi Yan hurriedly explained himself. "Don't misunderstand! I meant that the environment outside is very unsafe, and I was hoping you could stay here to protect me for the time being."

Xi Yan felt he had never spoken so quickly in his life. Qingyan listened, stunned, and sat there motionless. Just as Xi Yan braced himself for a rejection, she lowered her head and whispered, "Fine."

Thinking he had misheard, he risked his life to ask again, "Did you just say 'fine'?"

Qingyan looked up, her expression cold. "If you're not happy with that, I can leave."

She rose to depart, but Xi Yan caught her by the arm. The moment his hand touched her, Qingyan felt a sudden wave of heat rush to her face.

"What... what are you doing?" she stammered.

"I didn't mean anything by it. I truly didn't hear you clearly. I'm sorry."

Xi Yan’s sincerity was evident. Qingyan used her other hand to push his grip away and stepped back, stuttering, "Then... then you’ll have to arrange a place for me. I can’t exactly share a bed with you."

Seeing that her anger had dissipated, Xi Yan smiled and began tidying up the space. Although it was a one-person dwelling, the room was large enough to accommodate two. He cleared off the sofa and said to her, "I'll take the sofa, and you can have the bed."

Qingyan looked from the sofa to the bed and nodded, satisfied with the arrangement.

"Since you’re being sincere, don't worry. I will help you. If you’re being hunted and can't make it back in time, I’ll go bring you back."

With that promise, Xi Yan felt much more at ease. "Then I’m going to try again."

Qingyan nodded, and Xi Yan left the room. The crowd waiting at the intersection hadn't dispersed. Seeing him emerge, they began to shout.

"Kill him! Kill him!! Then we’ll be the masters of the Ninth Land of Survival!"

"Yes! Then we can claim all the resources of the Ninth Land!"

Watching the crazed mob, Xi Yan shook his head helplessly. He cleared his throat and addressed them, "You want to kill me? Fine. But there is only one of me, and only one position as master of the Ninth Land. So, which one of you is going to sit on the throne?"

His words caused the crowd to fall into sudden silence as they looked at one another.

"Ah!"

Suddenly, one man in the crowd lunged and killed the survivor standing right next to him.