Chapter 1092: Mediation (Part )

"This is complete nonsense! Tang Afu is clearly trying to evade the main point and confuse the public!"

Facing Tang Afu's well-founded accusation, the upset Xie Xuan could no longer bear it and retorted mercilessly: "You only said that the disciples of Jueqing Valley died tragically under the sword of Xianwang Mansion. Why don't you say that the conflict between the two families was probably provoked by you? Why don't you say that the number of Xianwang Mansion disciples who died tragically under the sword of Jueqing Valley is several times more than yours? You only said that I and Beixian Wang killed the disciples of Teng clan, why don't you say that they were the ones who imprisoned Beixian Wang in Xiangxi first? Why don't you say that the one who tipped off Xie was... your valley master? If you want to settle accounts one by one, why don't you first find out the whole story of that year?"

"In such a big world, why does Jueqing Valley not offend anyone, but picks on Xianwang Mansion?" Tang Afu laughed angrily, and his eyes became more and more contemptuous when he looked at Xie Xuan, "Why didn't the Xiangxi Teng Clan imprison others, but imprisoned Luo Tianjin? Why did my valley master inform you? Luo Tianjin deceived her feelings, took advantage of her innocence, and betrayed her kindness. Not only did he abandon her after having sex with her, he broke his promise, and he turned black into white, repaying kindness with hatred. How can we settle this account?"

"Love is a matter between two people. How can we put all the blame on the Northern Sage King alone..."

While Xie Xuan and Tang Afu were arguing and attacking each other, Liu Xunyi suddenly noticed that Xiao Zhirou's eyes were dim and her face was pale. It seemed that Xie and Tang's repeated mention of the past was like exposing the scars buried deep in her heart. Every word they said was like a knife and a sword, stabbing at her soft spot, making her miserable, but she couldn't confide in anyone.

"enough!"

Seeing Xiao Zhirou silently enduring humiliation and torment, Liu Xunyi, who had come to his senses, suddenly felt a pang of heartache. He was filled with anger and suddenly shouted loudly, interrupting the argument between Xie and Tang.

Xie Xuan looked at Liu Xunyi with astonishment, as if he was confused about the reason for his change of mood.

"Second Master Xie, are you going to say 'A fly won't bite an egg without cracks' next? The reason why the Northern Sage King is obsessed with Valley Master Xiao is not only because he is fickle, but also because Valley Master Xiao...is deliberately seducing him?"

"This... absolutely not! Absolutely not!" Xie Xuan, who understood the source of Liu Xunyi's anger, was shocked and quickly explained, "If Tang Afu hadn't pressed me just now, I would never have criticized the past between the Northern Sage King and Valley Master Xiao. Even if my words were inappropriate, I definitely didn't mean to humiliate Valley Master Xiao."

"Xie Xuan, you..."

"Ah Fu!"

Seeing Liu Xunyi taking the initiative to stand up for her, Xiao Zhirou's cold heart suddenly felt warm. She was extremely relieved but also didn't want to embarrass Liu Xunyi anymore, so she said quietly, "I've just said that once Luo Tianjin dies, the past grudges will be gone with the wind, and there's no need to mention them again. What's more, in the past conflicts, Jueqing Valley and Xianwang Mansion provoked each other and suffered casualties. It's meaningless to care about the right and wrong of the past today."

"Valley Master..."

"Valley Master Xiao is very righteous, and every word he said is precious. If Valley Master Xiao is willing to stop fighting and make peace with the Xianwang Mansion, Xie would certainly be more than happy." Seeing Xiao Zhirou give in, Xie Xuan secretly rejoiced, and took the opportunity to continue, "Xie only hopes that Valley Master Xiao will not mention what happened last night again in the future, and I have no other requests. As long as Valley Master Xiao agrees, Xie dares to guarantee with his life and property, and the Xianwang Mansion will definitely treat the disciples of Jueqing Valley as brothers, and from now on we will share happiness and difficulties, be loyal to each other, and share honor and disgrace."

"If I don't agree, will the Xianwang Mansion and Jueqing Valley be irreconcilable?" Seeing Xie Xuan deliberately swearing sincerity in front of Liu Xunyi while vaguely proposing his conditions, Xiao Zhirou couldn't help but feel indignant and sneered, "Xie Xuan, when I said 'past grievances are gone with the wind', I meant that Jueqing Valley should let Xianwang Mansion go, not Xianwang Mansion let Jueqing Valley go. Don't put the cart before the horse. Now you are not only ungrateful, but also take advantage of the opportunity to force me to sell out my own flesh and blood. Do you think I will agree?"

"This..." Xie Xuan was stunned. He looked at Liu Xunyi who seemed to be thinking about something, as if he was complaining to him about his grievances. "Master Xiao, aren't you insulting me with your words? When did I ever ask her to sell out her own flesh and blood?"

"You don't have to be picky! If I give up the chance to take Xunyi away, it would be the same as selling out my own flesh and blood." Xiao Zhirou's eyes turned cold, and every word was as cold as ice. "I can respect his choice, but I will never restrict his freedom. It's true that the man surnamed Luo is his biological father, but it doesn't mean Xunyi must become the second Luo Tianjin, nor does it mean that he must bear the so-called 'Luo family foundation' for the rest of his life, and it doesn't mean that he should be bound by you in this seemingly magnificent, but in fact dangerous 'cage'."

"It is only natural for a son to inherit his father's business..."

"But Luo Tianjin has never been my husband, let alone being Xunyi's father."

"Master Xiao, you..."

"I think... I already know what happened last night." Liu Xunyi's voice sounded again, but compared to the first time's firmness and the second time's anger, this time his voice sounded tired, helpless, and full of bitterness. "Since your problem is no longer about past grudges, but about me, then... instead of letting you fight over it, why not listen to my thoughts?"

"Looking for clothes..."

"Second Master Xie, the relationship between Valley Master Xiao and me... was told to me personally." Liu Xunyi gave the anxious Xie Xuan a grateful smile and asked calmly, "As the saying goes, 'even a tiger won't eat its own cubs.' Even the vicious Ling Xiaoxiao wouldn't harm her own children. Do you think Valley Master Xiao would harm me?" "Of course not..."

"That's right!" Liu Xunyi didn't give Xie Xuan a chance to say more, and cast a complicated look at the indignant Xiao Zhirou, "Valley Master Xiao, ever since the Northern Sage King was killed, Second Master Xie has endured shame and humiliation, risking his life... Let's not talk about whether he did it for me? Or to repay the Northern Sage King's kindness? Just say that he was willing to exchange his life for another to save me from danger, does that count as a favor to me?"

"Mother admits that Xie Xuan has done you a favor, but I'm worried that he will become arrogant and interfere too much with you..."

"If Second Master Xie could influence my decision, Ling Xiaoxiao and the Wudang disciples wouldn't have gotten away unscathed yesterday." Liu Xunyi also didn't give Xiao Zhirou a chance to explain, and shook his head slowly with confidence, "One of you gave me life, and we have a blood relationship. The other saved me from the sea of ​​suffering, and you have done me a great favor. To me... you two are the people closest to me, the people I trust the most, and the people I can rely on the most. Even if you say that you are my 'closest relatives'... it's not an exaggeration. Now, the two of you actually doubt each other, guard against each other, and even attack and fight each other... How can you teach me to deal with it? And how can you teach me to deal with it? Could it be that... you want me to become the second 'Luo Ningyu', forever immersed in the pain of 'love dilemma' and unable to extricate myself?"

"Looking for clothes..."

"Don't be impatient! Let me finish."

Before the shocked Xiao Zhirou and Xie Xuan could argue, the emotional Liu Xunyi waved his hand, ignoring the wounds all over his body, and stated his position righteously: "I cannot judge your past, nor do I have the right to interfere with your future. But I must tell you that if your incompatibility is due to me... it is not necessary. Because I will neither abandon my 'closest relatives' nor be bound by my 'closest relatives'. More importantly, I, Liu Xunyi, do not want to... and will not become the second 'Luo Ningyu'."

When Liu Xunyi said the last sentence, her calm eyes suddenly flashed with a determined gleam. She could not allow Xie Xuan and Xiao Zhirou to persuade her, let alone object.

"Of course I hope you can put aside your past grudges, and the Xianwang Mansion, Jueqing Valley, and Xiangxi Teng Clan will support and help each other from now on. If this can be done, in a few years or even decades, I believe that no one in the Central Plains martial arts world will be able to threaten your position, let alone shake the foundation of the three families. The situation in the martial arts world is unpredictable, and if you can join forces... it can be a way to settle down and prosper forever. However, I know that it is extremely difficult for you to resolve the grievances of so many years, so I never expected you to be as close as a family, but at least... you can put aside your hatred and live in peace with each other. If you can't even coexist peacefully... I can take a step back and let you fight on, and we will go our separate ways from now on. In the future, I will not interfere with you, and I hope you will not interfere with me."

"This……"

Liu Xunyi's words seemed to be tactful and modest, but in fact they were gentle yet firm and resolute. Xiao Zhirou and Xie Xuan, who were distracted by their thoughts, were shocked and their faces changed color uncontrollably.

"My attitude is very simple. Both Master Xiao and Second Master Xie are extremely important to me. I will never distance myself from one because of the other. If someone threatens me with 'friendship' and forces me to make a choice, putting me in a 'dilemma'... then I can only become a 'heartless and ungrateful' person and be the first to draw a clear line with him. At that time, whether it is 'blood is thicker than water' or 'gratitude is as heavy as a mountain'... I will not care, let alone succumb."

After saying that, Liu Xunyi ignored Xiao Zhirou's worries and dissuasion, and insisted on getting up from the bed. He walked to the table unsteadily, poured two cups of tea himself, and smiled at Xiao Zhirou and Xie Xuan who were looking at each other in bewilderment: "If you two are willing to understand my feelings and difficulties, I dare to ask you to drink this cup of tea. From now on, we are a 'family' who support each other. If you insist on not wanting to, I will not force you, after all, everyone has their own aspirations. At worst... we will 'go our separate ways' in the future. It's up to you whether to drink or not, don't make it difficult, and don't wrong yourself."

The threat lurking in the mud from Liu Xunyi made Xiao Zhirou and Xie Xuan overwhelmed with emotions and thoughts.

Relying on his special status, he was sure that Xie and Xiao would not dare to break with him. Although Liu Xunyi kept saying that he would not force anyone, the fact was that he was forcing them to sit in the same boat.

This move was not fair, but it was simple and effective. After all, Liu Xunyi had the capital to be "arrogant because of his favor" nowadays.

Making use of one's advantages to the fullest extent possible to achieve one's goals, cutting the Gordian knot without delay or entanglement, is exactly the law of reality that Liu Xunyi has slowly learned after going through hardships.

As expected, under Liu Xunyi's silent scrutiny, the loving Xiao Zhirou suddenly stood up, walked to the table in two steps, and said resolutely: "My son is determined, and I am very pleased. This cup of tea, I drink it!"

"Master Xiao!"

As if he was worried about being left behind, Xie Xuan could not wait to rush forward, and took the two cups of tea on the table first. He pretended to be generous and handed one of the cups to Xiao Zhirou, with a respectful attitude and sincere words: "From now on, Master Xiao is the 'mistress' of the Xianwang Mansion. As the head of all the disciples in the Xianwang Mansion, Xie will use tea instead of wine today, and offer a cup to Madam first!"

……

(End of this chapter)