Rebirth Of The Villainous Crown Prince

"I am not." Gao Xuan hmphed and turned around.

"Bruh, I am just kidding," Ye Tian Yun laughed and tapped at the side of Gao Xuan's arm, "Come, join us for practice."

"...Alright." Gao Xuan agreed, albeit begrudgingly.

"Brother Gao, why are you acting so weird?" Zheng Xiang couldn't help but ask. Gao Xuan was indeed acting weird today.

"Hm?" Gao Xuan glanced at him, "Nothing, just my mind is not at one place."

"Oh, something troubling you?" Zheng Xiang frowned.

Gao Xuan shook his head, "It's not much, just a few clan troubles. Nothing to worry about."

Ye Tian Yun quipped, "Oh, this reminds me, are you really going to the Southern Province? What about the part we talked about?"

"No, I am not going," Gao Xuan shook his head, "My clan won't let me leave for the next few weeks. As for the thing we discussed, don't worry about that. I will get back to you by noon."

"Hmm, alright." Ye Tian Yun nodded.

And then, pointing at Jun Xie, he said, "Also, Gao Xuan, this is my friend Jun Xie. I almost forgot to introduce you guys."

"Hello." Gao Xuan nodded at Jun Xie.

Jun Xie smiled, "Nice to meet you, Brother Gao."

"And this is Miss Wu." Ye Tian Yun said, "She's also a good friend."

"Miss Wu." Gao Xuan cupped his fists.

Wu Qingwu also greeted back.

"Let's get on the field. We're already here." Ye Tian Yun said as he led them towards the practice grounds.

….

About ten minutes later, the group was practicing according to their own cultivation techniques.

While Jun Xie had taken an empty room for himself to focus on his alchemy, Zheng Xiang and Bai Qing'er were practicing sword moves with each other.

Ye Tian Yun was helping Fang Yunru in his Sword Intent.

And the final two, Gao Xuan and Wu Qingwu were sitting under a shed at the side of the practice grounds.

"Brother Gao," Wu Qingwu broke the ice as she asked, "Are you not planning to take part in the practice?"

"Unfortunately no," Gao Xuan replied while staring at Ye Tian Yun and Fang Yunru's sword spar, "I don't want to be all sweaty and sticky with practice because I have some more places to visit."

"Ah," Wu Qingwu nodded, and following Gao Xuan's gaze, she couldn't help but ask, "Are you also a Sword Cultivator, Brother Gao? You seem to be observing the spar very carefully."

"No, I am not a sword cultivator." Gao Xuan shook his head, "I prefer blade. It's much faster, lighter, and easy to use than Swords. I am just observing the level of Young Master Fang's sword intent."

"Hm, he's very powerful," Wu Qingwu frowned while observing the spar, "He's very good at hiding his cultivation. I am sure his cultivation is in at least Qi Stabilization Stage, but he only shows one realm lower."

"Oh?" Gao Xuan smiled, "How can you say for sure?"

"I am very sensitive to Qi," Wu Qingwu said, "Not many know of this fact, but I can tell if someone is hiding their actual cultivation. Of course, I not genius enough to gouge the actual cultivation, but I can tell if it's being hidden or if it's the real cultivation."

"Hmm, I get it," Gao Xuan nodded.

"Yeah, and considering his age and talent," Wu Qingwu said with a thoughtful expression, "My guess is that he's nearing the peak of Qi Stabilization Realm. But I cannot say this to be a fact."

Gao Xuan smiled, "What about you, Miss Wu? You also seem very talented."

"I am just a normal girl," Wu Qingwu sighed, "I don't like to be in the limelight.

"Hm, same here." Gao Xuan said, "I also don't like to be the center of attention. That's why I keep a low profile for most of the time."

….

While the two chatted, Ye Tian Yun and Fang Yunru continued to practice.

About five minutes later, Gao Xuan called out, "Young Master Fang."

"Hm?" Both of them their attention towards him.

"I should get going." Gao Xuan said, "I need to arrange the people we talked about. Should I return at noon?"

Ye Tian Yun nodded, "Sure, let's meet at noon."

"Good. Let's meet at noon then." Gao Xuan smiled and headed for the exit.

Fang Yunru suddenly put the sword back in his spatial ring and said to Ye Tian Yun, "I need to talk to him about something, be right back!"

"Hmm," Ye Tian Yun nodded as Fang Yunru followed Gao Xuan.

…

Near the Main Courtyard, just as Gao Xuan was about to head for the main exit, Fang Yunru caught up to him.

"Brother Gao!" 

"Hm?" Gao Xuan froze. Then slowly turning around, he asked, "What happened, Young Master Fang Yunru?"

"..." Fang Yunru rolled his eyes, "Come on, Gao Xuan, since when did we start to talk so formally? Tell me, what's going on?"

"Nothing's going on." Gao Xuan shook his head.

"Nothing?" Fang Yunru frowned, "Dude, it's been over a year. One whole fucking year!  And you're saying nothing's going on?"

"What are you talking about, Young Master Fang Yunru?" Gao Xuan frowned, acting confused.

"Aish," Fang Yunru exhaled a long breath and slowly spoke, "Gao Xuan, tell me what's going on? Everything was alright, and then one day, you started acting like a stranger. Tell me, did I do anything that offended you?"

"No," Gao Xuan shook his head.

"Did I do anything that's making you act like this?"

"...No."

"Then, why are you acting like this?" Fang Yunru frowned, "Not only you, but even Ling Yun is also like this. He's also not talking to me properly. If you both don't tell me what's the issue, how will we rectify it?"

Gao Xuan pursed his lips, "Young Master Fang, circumstances have changed. My big brother is crippled, and everything has come on my shoulders. I can't afford to dilly dally among friends like before. I have a whole clan to run."

Fang Yunru frowned, "No one is stopping you, but is there a need to ghost me? And what's with Ling Yun then? Also, don't tell me you suspect it's my clan that crippled your brother?"

"I don't know anything about Ling Yun," Gao Xuan added, "And if you will now excuse me, I have many matters to handle.

Without waiting for any response, Gao Xuan left the building.

….

The gates of the Fang Clan opened, and a carriage headed outside.

It attracted many gazes full of interest and curiosity.

"Is that…"

"It's Fourth Young Master Gao Xuan's carriage!"

There was only a slight commotion because the carriage didn't stay there for long; it had long left the street.

Inside the carriage was Gao Xuan, and he was awfully quiet.

His mind was replaying the words he had just spoken with Fang Yunru.

Closing his eyes, he let out a long sigh.

'Brother Yunru, I wish I could tell…. I wish I could tell you what happened a year ago.'

'But I can't risk your life. If you hear the truth, I am sure you will do something reckless….'

'I hope one day you forgive this elder sister for hiding the truth….'