Li Guanqi furrowed his brows and narrowed his eyes. "Just that?"
Yu Hua's expression froze. She pressed her lips together, meeting his gaze, before finally gritting her teeth. "That dog of a man actually dared to grope me! I could never stomach that!"
The corner of Li Guanqi's mouth twitched at her words. In a calm voice, he said, "Tell me what you really think. My patience is wearing thin."
Yu Hua gave a helpless sigh, looking up at him with a slight shrug. "To be completely honest, three years ago I hid in the distance and witnessed the battle where they laid siege to Lu Tian!
"Furthermore... the Xiaoxiang Palace possesses an ancient heritage. Though we know very little about the Seventh Domain, we are at least aware of its existence!
"And we are even more aware of the Seventh Domain's Eight Generals!"
At that point, the woman's voice hitched slightly. Her fox-like eyes locked onto the space between Li Guanqi's brows as she said in a solemn tone, "And your ties with the Eight Generals run exceedingly deep!
"Because of that, from that day forth, I knew that under no circumstances could I ever make an enemy of you!"
After finishing her words, Yu Hua let out a sudden sigh of relief, none of which escaped Li Guanqi's notice.
He realized that she did not seem to be lying. From start to finish, her mental state had remained utterly calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion.
Li Guanqi did not believe she had the strength to lie while he was actively unsettling her mind.
A peculiar glint entered his eyes as he looked at her, his brow furrowed...
This woman had marched with the others to attack the Great Xia Sword Sect, yet she had turned around and pleaded for help from him—an 'enemy.'
Her pledge of allegiance had been paid with the lives of her companions, delivered with ruthless decisiveness and without the slightest hesitation.
She had not even stopped to consider that if he refused to save her, her soul would inevitably be obliterated under Lu Tian's control!
Just as Yu Hua herself had said, she was gambling—gambling that Li Guanqi harbored countless questions he wanted answered!
Li Guanqi felt somewhat helpless.
Yu Hua asked softly, "Does Young Master Li have anything else to ask?"
Li Guanqi narrowed his eyes. Yu Hua gave a faint smile and sat down cross-legged on the spot.
Shrugging, she said with a hint of resignation, "I know Young Master Li possesses methods for soul searching. Please, be my guest."
Li Guanqi did not stand on ceremony. He raised a hand and clasped it over the woman's crown, murmuring under his breath, "Soul Search!"
*Buzz—!*
In an instant, the woman's soul was drawn forth. Directing his divine sense, Li Guanqi meticulously sifted through her memories.
It was just as she had claimed. Before arriving at Blood Blade Hall, she had no idea that Zhao Pei was already Lu Tian's man.
Not only Yu Hua, but Guan Xing and the others had been equally kept in the dark, knowing absolutely nothing.
By the time they learned the truth, it was already too late. Lu Tian's appearance meant they had no choice but to submit, whether they wanted to or not!
*Buzz!*
Yu Hua opened her eyes, her cheeks faintly pale. "Can you believe me now?" she asked softly.
Li Guanqi raised his hand and tore through the surrounding barrier formation, saying calmly, "You may go."
With that, Li Guanqi turned to depart.
Seeing this, Yu Hua grew frantic. She blurred into motion, following closely behind him while always keeping a respectful step's distance.
"I... I have nowhere left to go..."
"The Xiaoxiang Palace is no more..."
Li Guanqi's brow knitted tightly. He had not expected her sect to be wiped out because of this!
He could clearly sense the profound, indelible dejection in her eyes the moment she uttered those words.
Though he seemed to have guessed her intention, he did not point it out directly.
Instead, he tossed the problem back to her, asking coolly, "And what does that have to do with me?"
Yu Hua gritted her teeth and could not help saying, "I know your sworn brother is under Lu Tian's control. The enmity between you and Lu Tian can never be resolved!
"Therefore... I want to join the Great Xia Sword Sect to seek vengeance!"
Li Guanqi halted his steps and slowly turned to look at her. "The Seven Domains are the Seven Domains. The Eight Generals are the Eight Generals. And I... am merely myself," he said softly.
"Do you... still feel the same way?"
Yu Hua froze for a moment, clearly surprised that Li Guanqi would distance himself from his ties with the Eight Generals.
Anyone else would have jumped at the chance to proclaim close ties with every single one of the Eight Generals.
Someone like Li Guanqi, who severed all association so cleanly, was truly a rare sight...
At the same time, Yu Hua pondered the meaning behind his words.
Li Guanqi's intent was plain: if she wished to join the Great Xia Sword Sect because of who he was, he could consider it.
If it was merely for the sake of the supposed factions and backing behind him, then he would refuse.
As for why Li Guanqi was willing to consider accepting Yu Hua at all, it was because he held plans of his own.
Yu Hua fell silent for a long moment. Taking a deep breath, she said solemnly, "I have given it careful thought. The reason I want to join the Great Xia Sword Sect is solely because of you, Young Master Li!
"While the forces and backing behind you are indeed a factor, what matters most is that we share a common enemy!"
Li Guanqi gave Yu Hua a deep look. In her eyes, he could sense a stifled, suffocating grief...
As a palace master, she had watched all the disciples under her command get converted into demonic cultivators by Lu Tian, while she herself had been forced to resort to such extreme measures just to escape his grasp.
Li Guanqi sighed inwardly. It was hard to imagine the sheer pressure and indignant sorrow weighing upon this woman's shoulders.
Her casual demeanor was merely a facade concealing her grief as she sought a chance for retribution.
Had it been anyone else, they could have simply walked away after offering their explanation to Li Guanqi.
With her strength and cultivation at the late Body Integration Realm, Yu Hua would be treated as an honored guest by whichever clan or sect she chose to join.
Yet she swallowed her pride and sought refuge in the Great Xia Sword Sect, solely for the chance to avenge the disciples and elders of the Xiaoxiang Palace in the days to come!
Looking at the resolute gaze in the woman's eyes, Li Guanqi stood in place and said softly, "Give me a reason to trust you completely."
Yu Hua closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. Without a moment's hesitation, she extracted a sliver of her natal divine soul and sealed it into a jade slip!
Her shoulders trembling faintly, she offered the jade slip to Li Guanqi. Staring straight at him, she asked in a heavy voice, "Is this enough?"
Li Guanqi accepted the jade slip, a surge of profound shock welling within him...
This act...
Was no different from placing her very life in his hands!
Li Guanqi gave the woman a searching look, a sharp gleam flashing deep in his eyes before he flipped his hand and stowed the jade slip away.
Extending his hand, he tossed over a high-grade healing pill and said softly, "Welcome to the Guanyun Pavilion!"
Yu Hua started slightly, but then her brow smoothed out and a radiant smile blossomed on her face.
"Understood, Pavilion Master."
The reason she smiled was because, at this very moment, Li Guanqi had finally lowered his guard and treated her as one of his own.
Had she joined the Great Xia Sword Sect, she would at most have become a guest elder or something similar.
Because... the Great Xia Sword Sect belonged to Lu Kangnian.
But the Guanyun Pavilion belonged to Li Guanqi!
Li Guanqi quietly transmitted a message to Ji Yuchuan, along with the aura lingering on Yu Hua's soul jade slip.
Before long, Li Guanqi felt a reply return through the jade slip, bearing only four words:
*Trustworthy. Do not disturb!*
Li Guanqi rubbed his nose in slight embarrassment, then flew toward the Guanyun Pavilion with Yu Hua in tow.
Chapter 1035