Nameless Quarter Chapter Two: Don’t Speak, Kiss Me

"Xuanhong, come have breakfast quickly, or it’ll get cold," Xiaona called out as soon as Zhou Xuanhong entered the temple.

She had repurposed the leftovers from last night, transforming them into a kind of porridge that looked utterly unappetizing, and there was only a small amount. Still, it was clear she hadn't touched a bite.

The moment Zhou Xuanhong came in, he sidled up to her, pouting, "Wife, give me a kiss!"

Xiaona pushed him aside with exasperation, then sniffed the air and frowned. "I smell blood. You killed again?"

Zhou Xuanhong scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. "Haha, really? You have a nose like a hound! Fine, it was someone from the Wang family. They were tailing me, so I took care of them."

"So you’re planning to go head-to-head with them now?"

Zhou Xuanhong sat on the straw mat and shoveled the porridge into his mouth, mumbling, "We’ll head into the city soon, stay at an inn tonight. You should pack up our things."

Once Xiaona had finished packing, she noticed Zhou Xuanhong had eaten all the porridge while her own stomach was still empty. She felt a pang of discomfort.

"Heh, if I don’t eat more now, who knows if I’ll ever taste your cooking again. Come on, let’s go. I’ll buy you meat buns, candied hawthorn, roujiamo, and jianbing!"

With Zhou Xuanhong’s arm around her waist, all her irritation evaporated. She protested, blushing, "Let go of me!"

"No way. I might not get to hold you again after this."

Hand in hand, the two made their way toward the city gate, drawing odd looks from the few passersby.

They bought plenty of breakfast from street vendors with the money they’d earned begging over the past few days.

Xiaona asked, puzzled, "The Immortal Sect’s recruitment doesn’t start until tomorrow, and there’s no guarantee we’ll make it. Aren’t we spending a bit too freely? What will we do later?"

Zhou Xuanhong affectionately tapped her scarred nose and grinned, "You’re already worrying about our future before we’re even married. I’ll be lucky to have you as my wife. Don’t worry; anything from this bag could support us for years." He patted his bulging backpack.

"Maybe I’m overthinking. With your nature, you’d never end up shortchanged."

When they reached the city gate, the guard who’d given Zhou Xuanhong two coins the day before eyed them strangely. "You sure you want to go in? Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You might not make it through the night. Nobody wants you at that Immortal Sect recruitment."

Zhou Xuanhong just laughed, slinging an arm over the guard’s shoulder, careless of his own filthy clothes. "No need to worry about me, brother. Just do your job and don’t meddle in what isn’t your concern."

With that, Zhou Xuanhong led Xiaona into Luoshui City, leaving the guard staring after them, fists clenched tight around something unseen.

Once inside, Zhou Xuanhong went straight to a pawnshop. Without drawing attention, he pulled out a jade bracelet from his bag. "How much for this?"

The shopkeeper’s eyes widened in surprise. "Isn’t this Young Master Zhou? Still got treasures on you? Let me have a closer look."

After a while, the shopkeeper held up two fingers tentatively. "It’s excellent quality, but there’s a tiny crack. I’ll offer two hundred thousand. What do you say?"

Zhou Xuanhong pretended to snatch it back, swearing, "Old man, trying to scam me? I paid over a million for this, hardly wore it, and you want it for two hundred thousand? Why not just rob me outright!"

The shopkeeper sneered inwardly: You’re already a beggar. I’d rob you if I could, if not for all these witnesses.

Still, he forced a smile, pushing Zhou Xuanhong’s hand away. "You jest, young master. How about you name your price, and I’ll consider."

Zhou Xuanhong raised five fingers. "Five hundred thousand, not a cent less. If you don’t agree, I’ll go to the pawnshop in the south."

"This... Fine! For Young Master Zhou’s sake, I’ll bleed a little. Five hundred thousand it is!"

Though he seemed to be losing out, the shopkeeper knew he could have the piece recarved and sell it for several times more. His pained expression was all for show.

Zhou Xuanhong was well aware of this, but if he pressed for more, the shopkeeper might collude with others to cut the price further. Best to let the old man have his share.

"Cash or bank draft?" the shopkeeper asked.

Zhou Xuanhong pulled out a patched burlap sack from Xiaona’s luggage. "Cash. Don’t cheat me out of a single note, or I’ll walk away!"

"Of course not. Liu’s Pawnshop is known for fairness and trust."

Soon, Zhou Xuanhong was carrying a sack of cash to a clothing shop. The shopkeeper there looked down on Zhou Xuanhong and Xiaona for their shabby clothes, but when Zhou Xuanhong flung cash in his face, he hurried to apologize, suddenly remembering Zhou Xuanhong’s identity. The typical scene of comeuppance was, in truth, not all that amusing.

Once they were dressed in clean, new outfits, Zhou Xuanhong looked much more radiant. As the heir to a family, he had an innate charisma, and with his rather handsome features, he drew the eyes of many young women.

Xiaona, clad in a purple gown, was striking—her figure flawless: a swan-like neck, full bosom, slender waist, and long, graceful legs. Were her face unscathed, she would rival the famed Miss Chen of Luoshui City.

She was well aware of her condition. What man could love a woman whose face was marred by scars, yet still show such passionate affection?

Zhou Xuanhong’s eyes burned with love as he examined every inch of her. "Wife, you’re beautiful. I have great taste. I’m glad I didn’t hesitate, or someone else would have snatched you up."

Xiaona blushed under his hungry gaze. This was the first time since her disfigurement that someone had looked at her with such intensity. Others avoided her face; if they stared, it was at her body, never with such evident love.

Maybe... I should just give myself to him...

But she quickly crushed the thought. Absolutely not. Soon she would leave this world; she and Zhou Xuanhong were not of the same world.

Seeing her spirits sink, Zhou Xuanhong rushed to comfort her. "Are you thinking of your family again? Don’t be sad. Look at me—my family was wiped out in an instant, but I still eat and drink as usual. Come, I’ll take you out for good food and shopping!"

Xiaona rolled her eyes. "You’re not philosophical, you’re just heartless."

"Heh."

...

In the Chen household, a servant reported Zhou Xuanhong’s movements to a middle-aged man, who listened with a glint of coldness in his eyes.

"You may go."

The woman who’d stood on the city gate yesterday entered from another room, her red lips parting. "Father, Zhou Xuanhong isn’t even among Luoshui’s top ten talents. I don’t see why we need to be so wary. If he survived that great figure for unknown reasons, it must be fate. Why not just let him attend the Immortal Sect’s recruitment?"

The middle-aged man snorted. "His survival only proves he’s not of Zhou blood. I’m not worried about his cultivation talent. I’ve met Zhou Xuanhong several times—he seems coarse and uncouth, but I have a feeling he’s anything but simple. If I’m wrong, so be it; but if I’m right, his ambition and cunning are terrifying."

"Then you mean to... tonight—"

He shook his head and sneered. "Our family won’t get involved. Too risky. Let the Wang family handle it. Last night I heard they sent an assassin after him, yet today Zhou Xuanhong walks free. They want him gone more than we do. We’ll just enjoy the show."

Meanwhile, in the Wang household, a tall man sipped tea as he listened to a subordinate’s report. He merely smiled.

"Just as expected. Even as a non-blood heir, Zhou Xuanhong has climbed far—he’s no ordinary man. He’s sly, but not invincible. Our family has always been at odds with the Zhou family. Though they’re gone, we can’t leave a remnant behind. Officially we can’t act, but that boy is cunning. He’s already eliminated one of my assassins; his resourcefulness is incredible. We can’t let him grow any further. Even if he fails the Immortal Sect tests, he must not live past tonight."

After a moment’s thought, the tall man gave his order. "Tonight, you’re in charge. See that it’s done cleanly, without a trace. The Zhou family may be gone, but their influence lingers. I don’t want any old loyalists causing trouble for our people."

"Yes, sir!"

By the time Zhou Xuanhong led Xiaona into the city’s most luxurious inn, it was already noon. After a morning of shopping and a complete makeover, they drew plenty of attention.

Truth be told, Zhou Xuanhong, though a bit unruly, was quite handsome. Now, dressed to the nines, he looked every bit the charming rogue, attracting the glances of many young women.

Xiaona, however, was even more eye-catching. At first glance, she was stunning, but a closer look drove away all interest. Her figure outshone even the city’s famed beauty, Miss Chen, but her face dragged onlookers from heaven to hell—except Zhou Xuanhong, who never tired of gazing at her, as if he could look a lifetime and still want more.

"Wife, look at you—everyone’s turning to stare. Not like me; I’d disappear in a crowd."

Xiaona ignored him. Only this odd boy could think her attractive. "This inn is so luxurious and must have powerful backers. I wonder if they can keep us safe. Maybe we should hire some bodyguards—you still have so much money."

Zhou Xuanhong shook his head. "That’s pointless. If they really want me dead, they’ll send skilled martial artists—at least masters of internal force. Bodyguards would only add to the body count."

"So you’re just going to wait for death? That’s not like you."

He grinned mysteriously. "I only hope they do come. If they try, I’ll make sure the Wang family’s reputation is ruined. Now, since we’ve already had lunch, how about we play some couples’ games?"

"Go away!"

"Don’t be like that, darling. At least let me hold your hand. You have no idea how hard it is to hold back with a beauty like you. If I don’t vent a little, I might explode—and that could affect tomorrow’s test!"

Seeing Zhou Xuanhong’s pitiful expression, Xiaona recalled their wild night together. After a long hesitation, she blushed and murmured a barely audible consent.

Zhou Xuanhong laughed heartily, scooped her into his arms, and tumbled with her onto the bed.

"Wife, don’t worry. I promise I’ll marry you for real, and when we enter the Immortal Sect together, I’ll find you a basket of elixirs to heal your face—or not, if you prefer. I love you for who you are."

Xiaona, holding his head, finally let herself go, smiling softly. "You fool, stop talking. Kiss me!"

So this is what human love feels like. Why had she never known it could be so beautiful? But...