Chapter 183 — Hard to Cross
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 6 of 6
Before Su Wan could answer, Tian Buhui had already said with a touch of anger, "Tomorrow. I told you to get out—did you hear me?"
He Dachuan fell silent as a cicada in winter, and with a whoosh he retreated, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.
Su Wan shot Tian Buhui a look. "What are you taking it out on them for? There's no call for it."
Tian Buhui's face was heavy with thought. He paced back and forth, then suddenly raised his head and said to Su Wan, "Tell me—Old Seven... do you think that man might be nearby as well?"
Su Wan pondered a moment, then said mildly, "That man has always set the greatest store by old affections. If he had a mind to see you once, that would be only natural. But given his station, he most likely cannot show himself."
Tian Buhui's expression changed, and on his plump face fair and foul weather alternated in a way that defied description. Su Wan glanced at him and sighed. "I know what's worrying you. That day outside the Illusory Moon Grotto-Heaven, though he was wounded by the Ancient Sword of Immortal Slaying, he did not die after all—and wasn't it said that accomplices carried him off? When Daren and the others reported back to us afterward, they all said the grey monkey was not at his side. The way I see it, perhaps he knew the danger then and deliberately kept the monkey from him. And after he fled, gravely wounded, the monkey was left wandering the wilds of Mount Canglan; unable to find its master, it is no wonder it came running to us."
Tian Buhui's brows knitted tight, and suddenly he mumbled something under his breath, as though cursing. Su Wan had not caught it clearly and pressed him. "What did you say?"
Tian Buhui did not answer. He gave a snort, his brows relaxed, and with his hands clasped behind his back he walked toward the rear hall. Su Wan watched his back, shrugged her shoulders in some helplessness. Just as she was turning her head away, a low cry suddenly came from Tian Buhui behind her. Su Wan started in spite of herself and turned quickly to look—and could not help but smile.
Tian Buhui, it seemed, had his mind on other things and was not watching the ground as he walked; he had chanced to step on a fruit pit and slipped. But Tian Buhui was no ordinary man after all—with his cultivation, he steadied himself in an instant. Even so, Su Wan had already laughed aloud.
Having made a small fool of himself before his wife, Tian Buhui felt thoroughly ashamed, and his face darkened several shades. He cursed bitterly, "Damned monkey—one day I'll flay you alive and see whether you eat then!"
With that he entered the rear hall without a backward glance, leaving Su Wan standing with a smile in the Hall of Guarding Stillness, its floor strewn everywhere with fruit pits.