Liu Sumeng was about to slap his own face with his palm. Of course, the Tiger Heart Amethyst once belonged to tiger demons, how dense was he not to put two and two together?
And for some reason, Cao Sancui wasn't in the least bit surprised nor alarmed, "Please calm down! Why won't you listen to what I have to say…" Was he asking to get slapped? Liu Sumeng was teetering on the edge of his patience at this point and he knew himself to be a very patient man. But perhaps his patience was only reserved for Yuan Xuelan…
"Calm! I am calm! Who said I'm not calm!? I'm calm, can't you see that I'm calm?" Her eyes were red now, misty and threatening to water. Liu Sumeng could hardly understand what was going on at this point. But he really shouldn't have been surprised. With Cao Sancui's insane personality, it was only right that he attracted women that were equally as insane.
Xiao Rong stomped her feet, the wooden floor cracked and splintered beneath her soles. "Who do you think you are? Who do you think you are!? Here I was expecting at least an apology. Just an apology! And yet!? Even that's too difficult for you!? Get out of my sight! Just get out of my sight!"
The tigress lunged forth! Claws swiping at Cao Sancui. Liu Sumeng reacted quickly, surging force to block her attack with the sheath of his sword. The table knocked over, tea set clattered on the ground. "Please refrain from violence. We can talk it out."
"I've already talked enough with that piece of trash!" Using her superior strength, she wrestled with Liu Sumeng before shoving him aside. But he was not going to be bested so easily and twirled around to block her advance again. "Why are you getting in my way!?"
"Xiao Rong!" Cao Sancui begged repeatedly. He leaped to his feet but didn't unsheathe the blade strapped to his hip, "I don't understand…things were going so well between us. How could you throw me aside based on such a stupid rumor? I… If you keep such hateful words I will…" His voice trembled.
Liu Sumeng had a feeling that he knew what this stupid Cao Sancui was about to say. As if he was going to allow it! "Just shut up!" He yelled and between parrying and blocking Xiao Rong's attacks, he twirled around and landed a powerful kick right in Cao Sancui's chest! The rogue cultivator was sent flying with such force his body dented the wall he crashed into.
A sharp cracking sound was heard, "Gah-!" Cao Sancui's voice instantly went hoarse as something fell out of his robes. A small mirror, glass painted black lay shattered on the ground. When Cao Sancui peeled open his eyes and saw the glass on the ground he gasped in horror and coughed, "Y-You! What have you done?"
But the voice that came out of those lips wasn't at all like what he'd heard before. Lost was the deep timbre and replaced with a hoarse, but high and decisively female voice!
Both Liu Sumeng and Xiao Rong were both frozen mid-battle to stare at Cao Sancui who was struggling to pick himself- or herself!? off the floor.
"O-oh please don't look at me like that…" she whined, "i-if I didn't do what I did, I was afraid you'd hate me."
Xiao Rong pushed Liu Sumeng aside to rush up to Cao Sancui. This time, the Ivory Sword Saint didn't stop her. Somehow, he felt resigned, as though he had already invested far too much in a worthless joke. So he only stood there and watched with dark, judgemental eyes. "Y-you…is this true?" Xiao Rong knelt at Cao Sancui's side, touching the black broken glass on the floor as though in hopes of confirming its power, "You're a woman…?"
Cao Sancui nodded, "Yes…I really didn't mean to lie to you."
Tears trickled down the tigress's cheeks before she pulled the rogue cultivator into a tight embrace, "S-stupid! So you really didn't see those dumb prostitutes? I'm sorry to have doubted you. Oh, how could I hate you for something like this? Xiao Rong is sorry…!"
…
No, but weren't there too many things wrong with this scene!?!? What about the child!? Liu Sumeng couldn't even bear to watch anymore and looked away. He turned his gaze around the room, trying as he could to focus on anything that wasn't the two women embracing each other with passionate words and tear-stained faces.
A wooden box with golden edges caught his attention, tiny tigers were carved into its body and even from where he stood, he saw little embers of golden light escaping from within. That was it. That was what he came for.
While he was busy staring at the box, the two women had hauled themselves off the ground. "Stay there!" Xiao Hong commanded him before dragging Cao Sancui off somewhere.
…Why did he even have to stay? From the beginning to the end, he was just some outsider in this whole mess in the first place. Liu Sumeng felt almost light-headed, dizzy from the ridiculousness he'd just witnessed.
But now, the Tiger Heart Amethyst was right in front of him and how easy would it be for him to simply pluck the jewel and run off in escape. Temptation rife, he inched closer towards the box. The entire residence was quiet, not a sound could be heard. It clicked open and slowly he revealed the brilliant jewel within.
He needed this jewel.
But Liu Sumeng was no thief. However, privately he wondered if Cao Sancui was? Just how did this eventually end up in that woman's hands. Was it a gift from Xiao Hong?
"Those that dare touch the Tiger Heart Amethyst without my permission will not leave unscathed. There is a reason why I don't bother hiding that thing." The voice came out of nowhere, startling Liu Sumeng from his thoughts. It was only his naturally stoic countenance that saved him from embarrassment as he slowly closed the box and turned around, seeing Xiao Rong watching him from the shadows. Her steps did not make a single sound.
"I was only looking," he said.
"That's what they all say when I watch them red-handed." She grinned, flashing a full set of jagged teeth.
There was no point in emphasizing his innocence or honesty so Liu Sumeng changed the topic, "What happened to Cao Sancui?"
Her sinister smile turned into a more amused one, "Her name is actually Cao Sanmei. She's scorned a lot of people so she thought it would be easier to hide as a man. She's so cute so I decided to play with her a little. But it looks like she's tired out now, and went to sleep in the guestroom."
Liu Sumeng narrowed his eyes, weighing just who out of the two women had a worse personality. Also, he couldn't help but think that the name Cao Sanmei was extremely familiar! But there was no time to ponder the thought. "I want this Tiger Heart Amethyst," he said honestly.
"So the truth comes out quite easily," she scoffed, the pupils in her eyes turned vertical.
But Liu Sumeng remained calm, "I am no thief. I will pay for it."
She raised a brow, intrigued, "And what have you to offer me? I will have you know, there is not much in this world I desire. Money will not sway me."
"Anything on my person. I shall offer freely."
"Your life then."
Liu Sumeng hesitated, "…That price is too steep."
She clicked her tongue at him, scolding. The room seemed to grow even colder as Xiao Rong left the shadows, each step slow and languid. "What? And here I thought you were offering everyone on your person freely. Who are you to lie to me? Stupid human."
"..." He stood his ground as she approached, not even raising his sword. And soon they stood barely a hair's length apart, chest to chest.
She looked up at him, smile sly and sinister, "A bold and stupid man you are. Do you know what I do with men like you?" She opened her mouth wide and made a biting motion before snickering playfully. "But you're not too bad. I can play with you longer."
"..."
"How about this? I shall give you the Tiger Heart Amethyst if you can agree to my terms…"
"Ok," he said easily.
Xiao Rong's terms were not for the faint of heart but Liu Sumeng agreed without even batting a lash.
"It's not for yourself then?" Xiao Rong, whose name was Chu Mirong, questioned as Liu Sumeng pocketed the jewel. Her smile was easy, her previously aggressive mood alleviated.
"...No," he admitted.
"Well if you were interested in obtaining the power of the Tiger Heart for yourself, it wouldn't make sense to agree to my absurd terms," she chuckled, "a lover then?"
He shook his head, a faint smile upon his lips, "No, just someone precious to me."
She gave him a questioning look but did not pry any farther. Afternoon was fading into evening when Chu Mirong saw him out. "I hope your unrequited love one day returns your feelings," she said cryptically. When he said nothing in return, she continued, "then we shall meet again one day."
Liu Sumeng nodded, "Farewell."
And thus, Liu Sumeng left Boling town with a curse mark on his chest and the Tiger Heart Amethyst in his hands. Quick to hop onto his flying sword, he wanted to return as quickly as possible. Feeling a surge of happiness and satisfaction, Liu Sumeng decided not to think too much about the odd character he met during that time.
But it was for that reason that he was only struck with realization halfway home to Wangyun Peak. He remembered the name Cao Sanmei! She was Yuan Xuelan's mother!!