Previously, Jiang Wuming had been too eager to know everything about his father, Jiang Zhan, and hadn't noticed the words on the plaque by the door.
At this moment, his heart pounded, and he secretly thanked the girl for the timely reminder, or he would have been in danger.
Because he could clearly sense the aura of a Three-star War God inside the house.
Without a doubt, the owner of that aura was Xia Xueqin!
Although he didn't know why Xia Xueqin had erected such a plaque, his reason told him that since Xia Xueqin had put up a warning, it was definitely not a joke.
"Thank you."
Jiang Wuming came back to his senses and thanked the girl.
"You're welcome."
The girl still blinked her big eyes, looking at Jiang Wuming with curiosity, and didn't go into the house to find Xia Xueqin.
Because she knew that Xia Xueqin must have heard the commotion outside.
At the same time, she was also very curious why the young man in front of her, who had no martial artist aura on him, had come here.
"Teacher Xia Xueqin, Master Ren sent me to find you. May I come in?"
The next moment, Jiang Wuming spoke, addressing Xia Xueqin in the house from a distance.
"Why did he send you to find me?"
Soon, a cold voice came from inside the house. Xia Xueqin did not allow Jiang Wuming to enter Sword Valley.
"To inquire about Jiang Zhan," Jiang Wuming replied truthfully.
"Who are you? Why are you inquiring about Jiang Zhan?"
This time, Xia Xueqin replied quickly, and her tone showed a hint of abnormality when she mentioned the name Jiang Zhan.
That hint of abnormality was very faint, but Jiang Wuming clearly caught it!
This made Jiang Wuming realize that this woman named Xia Xueqin was probably an old acquaintance of his father, Jiang Zhan!
"My name is Jiang Wuming, and Jiang Zhan is my father."
Understanding this, Jiang Wuming truthfully revealed his identity.
Whoosh!
As Jiang Wuming's words fell, a sound of air breaking echoed.
Xia Xueqin's figure darted out of the wooden house and instantly appeared in front of Jiang Wuming.
She had waist-length white hair, but her face had no wrinkles, and her skin was well-maintained, making it impossible to determine her age.
She was graceful and wore a dark green robe that matched the scenery of the courtyard and the entire valley.
Originally, she exuded a cold aura, and her expression was indifferent, but the moment she saw Jiang Wuming, her entire aura underwent a drastic change.
Her aura was no longer cold, her expression was no longer indifferent, and a rare gentleness appeared in her eyes.
That gentleness was something even the girl not far from her had never experienced!
"Your eyes are very much like his."
Xia Xueqin stared at Jiang Wuming for a full ten seconds before she couldn't help but speak. Then, realizing her lapse, she adjusted her emotions and said, "Child, come in quickly."
"Okay."
Jiang Wuming nodded and stepped into Sword Valley.
"Mom, you put up a plaque strictly forbidding men from entering the valley, yet he can. Is it just because he's Uncle Jiang Zhan's son?"
Not far away, the girl noticed Xia Xueqin's attitude towards Jiang Wuming. Seeing Jiang Wuming enter Sword Valley at this moment, she was so shocked that her eyes widened.
At twelve years old, she had never seen a man step foot into Sword Valley since she could remember!
Not even Ren Xiaoyao, the dean of the East Sea Martial Arts Academy!
Moreover, she had also heard that it had been like this for a full twelve years since Xia Xueqin moved into Sword Valley!
"Because this is his home," Xia Xueqin said something astonishing.
"Uh..."
Both the girl and Jiang Wuming were stunned by Xia Xueqin's words!
"Mom, isn't this our home? Why did it become his home?" the girl asked in confusion, still shocked.
"Wuming, this was your father's former residence. Twelve years ago, your father died on the battlefield, and I moved in here."
Xia Xueqin stopped and didn't respond to the girl, but instead explained to Jiang Wuming. Then she introduced the girl, "Her name is Xia Dong, and she is my daughter. Xia Dong, quickly greet your Brother Wuming."
"Brother Wuming."
Xia Dong immediately greeted Jiang Wuming. Her bright, dark eyes darted around, and she pouted, her pretty face showing her displeasure. "Mom, you're so biased. You've never been as gentle to me as you were to Brother Wuming just now."
"Practice your sword well."
Xia Xueqin deliberately softened her tone, but it was still not as good as before.
"Hmph, is this the magic of love?"
Xia Dong snorted indignantly and then turned her back, forcefully poking the vegetable patch with her sword to express her dissatisfaction.
"Hello, Sister Xia Dong."
Jiang Wuming walked towards Xia Dong, while digesting the information he had just received in his heart.
From Xia Xueqin's words and reaction, Jiang Wuming felt that Xia Xueqin's relationship with his father was definitely more than just ordinary friends!
"All men are unfaithful," go away!"
Just as Jiang Wuming reached Xia Dong and was about to reach out to pat her head, Xia Dong turned around and glared at Jiang Wuming indignantly.
Jiang Wuming: "???"
"Wuming, come in with me."
Xia Xueqin stopped again and invited Jiang Wuming into the house.
"Okay, Aunt Xia."
Jiang Wuming nodded, then awkwardly withdrew his hand and walked into the house.
Xia Dong immediately put away her sword and tiptoed towards the wooden house as if she were a thief, preparing to eavesdrop.
"Xia Dong, go to the mountain and fetch two buckets of water."
At this moment, Xia Xueqin's voice came out.
"Mom, you're bullying me too much!"
Xia Dong stomped her feet in anger, but after struggling for a moment, she still turned to fetch water.
"This child is a bit precocious."
Inside the house, Xia Xueqin said to Jiang Wuming with a wry smile.
"I think Sister Xia Dong is very cute."
Jiang Wuming said with a smile, while clearly noticing with his peripheral vision that the room was very simple, with only basic wooden furniture and no electrical appliances, only a tablet computer.
"By the way, Wuming, the information I received was that you are an eight-star martial artist, but you don't have the aura of a martial artist. Is the information wrong?"
Xia Xueqin looked at Jiang Wuming with some confusion.
"Aunt Xia, your information is correct. I am an eight-star martial artist, but I have hidden my aura."
As Jiang Wuming spoke, he revealed his eight-star martial artist aura.
"So that's how it is!"
Xia Xueqin realized it suddenly. A hint of unconcealable surprise appeared on her ageless face.
She didn't expect Jiang Wuming to possess the legendary secret art of aura concealment!
"Aunt Xia, you must have been very close to my father back then, right?"
Jiang Wuming also asked the question that was on his mind.
"Thirty years ago, I met your father for the first time and fell in love with him at first sight.
Eighteen years ago, your father married your mother Ye Jinmei. I was in seclusion in the Xia family's ancestral land, cut off from the world.
Twelve years ago, your father died on the battlefield. I turned white overnight and brought Xia Dong here."
Xia Xueqin picked up a Buddha charm, as if lost in memory, and said with a dazed expression, "The world says I am his confidante, but I know he only loved your mother, Ye Jinmei."
As her voice fell, the Buddha charm dropped, and the words on it entered Jiang Wuming's eyes.
Ten thousand streams of weak water, only one ladle to drink.
Three thousand splendors, to drink sorrow and joy for one person alone.
...