I'm Already the Richest Man, Why Did My System Just Arrive?

Chapter 285: Chapter 174: ”A Clear Conscience.

As his consciousness resurfaced, Zheng Xiu watched helplessly as the ”Path” grew more distant and blurry.

In fact, Zheng Xiu had always found it very strange.

Two hundred years ago, extraordinarily powerful ”Mystics” like Xie Luohe had also existed, as had ”Miracle Masters” like Gongsun Mo who could perceive the Path. So why, over two hundred years ago, hadn’t an unwritten rule of the powerful hiding in plain sight taken hold? And why hadn’t a Court agency like Ye Weiyang, specializing in bizarre cases, appeared?

In the world of two hundred years ago—the very World in the Painting where Zheng Xiu now found himself, a world built from the mixed memories of Gongsun Mo and Xie Luohe—Zheng Xiu understood. Miracle Techniques, the Path, Mystics, even the Common World and Darkness, had always existed; they were simply unknown to ordinary people.

Here, there was only the ”Martial World,” only ”Knights,” and no Miracle Techniques.

Strange.

Zheng Xiu became increasingly desperate to know what had caused the decline of the ”Martial World” amidst these changes. What on earth had happened during the transition from an era of turmoil to an era of peace?

When he opened his eyes, the steam in the room had dispersed, and the bathwater had grown cool. Just as Zheng Xiu was about to step out of the tub, a knock sounded at the door.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.

Zheng Xiu plopped back down into the tub.

”Young Master, it’s me, Xiaotao. Your clothes are dry. I’m bringing them in for you.”

”Alright, come in. The door’s unlocked.”

Through the translucent screen, Zheng Xiu watched Xiaotao tiptoe in. She placed a neatly folded set of clean clothes by the edge of the screen, carefully setting down the sash, boots, undergarments, and outer robe in their proper places.

Although on their journey, it was supposedly Xie Luohe and Zheng Xiu looking after Xiaotao, who knew nothing of the Jianghu, it was really the other way around. Xiaotao was the one who meticulously cared for their every need, and she did so without a single complaint.

From behind the screen, Xiaotao caught a faint glimpse of the Young Master soaking naked in the tub. She quickly lowered her head, not daring to look.

Just that blurry silhouette was enough to make Xiaotao’s imagination run wild.

’Oh, what if the Young Master... what if he... what if we... could we... oh!’

Xiaotao’s mind was in a whirl.

’She had never experienced anything so bold!’

”Thanks, Xiaotao.”

Zheng Xiu said with a smile.

”I’ll be taking my leave, then.” Blushing, Xiaotao started to leave, but she paused at the door. Thinking back on their journey, she couldn’t help but add, ”Young Master, please don’t think me nosy, but... even though the Young Miss hits and scolds you and says she hates you, in all my years of serving her, I’ve never seen her get so... so... close to a man she’s just met. I hope you don’t think she’s a bad person.”

Without waiting for Zheng Xiu’s reply, Xiaotao quickly shut the door and fled.

Zheng Xiu sat in the tub, completely baffled.

’Xiaotao, what was all that about?’

’You’re really not afraid of Xie Luohe hearing you, are you?’

”Ahem. Look at that. Your Xiaotao is so considerate, she even knows to put in a good word for you.”

After a moment of silence, Zheng Xiu suddenly muttered in a low voice toward Xie Luohe’s room.

WHOOSH.

An arrow shot through the wall and embedded itself in the wooden tub.

The arrowhead was only a few fingers’ breadth from Xiaozheng.

Pinpoint control.

Zheng Xiu didn’t dare move a muscle in the tub. He held his breath, terrified that Xie Luohe would fire a second arrow.

’Damn it, so I’m not even allowed to talk, is that it?’

’She’s gotten addicted to eavesdropping, hasn’t she?’

Zheng Xiu carefully climbed out of the tub, got dressed, and stepped out of his room. He found Xie Luohe on the veranda, her arms casually crossed and resting on the railing as she gazed into the distance.

Seeing Zheng Xiu come out, Xie Luohe made no mention of her ”furious shot at Xiaozheng.” She simply tucked her hair back and gave a light laugh.

”Hey, Brother Zheng, come take a walk with me.”

The corners of her mouth curled upward as she deliberately stressed the two words, ”Brother Zheng.”