The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2613 - 2588: Cousin

"Isn't Lan Yuxin way too fierce? Cousin, can you even manage her?" Hua Yuxian questioned with a grin, her eyes shifting toward Lin Bai.

"Cousin?" Lan Yuxin gazed at Hua Yuxian and Lin Bai, full of astonishment.

Hu Xiner caught that term and felt utterly baffled!

Lin Bai's expression grew ashen at Hua Yuxian's remark, his gaze turning hostile as it fixed on her.

Hua Yuxian let out a light laugh, commenting, "Cousin, it's been years since we met, and you greet me with such a sour face!"

Lin Bai responded coolly, "Years apart, and your first move is to bind me?"

Hua Yuxian sighed in resignation, "Cousin, don't get angry. I had no option. Without staging that act, tricking the Tiger King would've been impossible!"

As she spoke, Hua Yuxian flicked her wrist, and the golden cords restraining Lin Bai and the rest instantly unraveled, retreating into her storage bag.

Perched atop Lonely Mountain, Hua Yuxian stared out at the far-reaching skies and lands!

Freed at last, Lan Yuxin and Hu Xiner hurried over to Lin Bai's side.

Both women regarded Lin Bai with expressions brimming with shock.

Lan Yuxin inquired, "Lin Bai, what's your connection to her?"

Hu Xiner brimmed with curiosity too.

Lin Bai rose with a helpless shake of his head, eyeing Hua Yuxian as he declared, "She's Hua Yuxian, my cousin!"

Hua Yuxian offered a gentle smile, pivoting to face Lan Yuxin and Hu Xiner. "I'm Hua Yuxian—no need for formalities. Cousin, I've naturally heard of the Lan Clan's heiress!"

"And this one doesn't appear to be the East Continent Academy's Quasi-Saint."

Hua Yuxian directed her words toward Hu Xiner.

Lin Bai explained, "She's Hu Xiner, a friend of mine."

Hua Yuxian noted with implication, "Oh, a friend..."

Lin Bai's countenance darkened further; he stated icily, "Don't read into it—she's truly just a friend."

Hua Yuxian pouted lightly, retorting, "I wasn't reading into anything! You're the one overthinking, cousin."

Lan Yuxin murmured softly, "Lin Bai, she's your cousin, so how did she end up as one of the Demon Sect's Eight Great Envoys?"

Lin Bai shot Lan Yuxin a look and replied, "That's precisely what I want to uncover!"

"You two rest up and mend your wounds. I'll go talk with her!"

With those words, Lin Bai strode over to Hua Yuxian.

He positioned himself next to her, surveying the expansive realms stretching toward the Dynasty of Beasts!

Though Lin Bai had told Hu Xiner and Lan Yuxin to recuperate, the pair ignored their injuries entirely, ears tuned to every word between Lin Bai and Hua Yuxian!

"How are Third Uncle and Aunt doing these days?"

Beside Hua Yuxian, Lin Bai posed the question.

Hua Yuxian smiled and nodded, assuring him, "They're fine."

Lin Bai shared, "Since arriving in the East Continent, I've meant to seek you all out, but time has slipped away!"

Hua Yuxian acknowledged with a nod, "I get it. Father mentioned you'd face plenty of turmoil upon reaching the East Continent!"

"Besides, locating our hideout wouldn't be straightforward for you!"

"Especially since you're now the Saint of the East Continent Academy, commanding vast prestige that draws endless powerhouses and beauties to your side—how could you spare a thought for us humble kin!"

Hua Yuxian delivered the final line with a teasing smirk.

Lin Bai's features chilled instantly at her words, and he warned gravely, "Want a smack? Reaching the Eighth Level of Death Reversal doesn't let you run wild."

"I'm warning you, if I decide to handle you, I can force your submission without resistance!"

Hua Yuxian gave an embarrassed chuckle, conceding, "Got it, got it! My mistake, cousin."

"Climbing to Saint status at the East Continent Academy purely on your merits, without any backing, proves your formidable strength!"

"Even without my intervention earlier, I bet cousin could've broken free from the Tiger King somehow!"

"Though that breakout would've cost you dearly, wouldn't it?"

Hua Yuxian murmured gently.

Lin Bai shook his head, pressing, "How on earth did you join the Demon Sect's Eight Great Envoys?"

Her smile vanished at the query, and Hua Yuxian answered frostily, "It wasn't my choice!"

Lin Bai probed curiously, "Are you branded with the Life and Death Talisman?"

He twisted to inspect her, pulling aside the fabric at Hua Yuxian's neck to expose her smooth skin—barren of any markings, no Life and Death Talisman embedded.

Lin Bai found this baffling.

Everyone knew Demon Sect martial artists bore the Life and Death Talisman, allowing the Demon Sect Master to control and direct them.

But Hua Yuxian lacked one.

In contrast, Shen Qin, another of the Eight Great Envoys, possessed it.

Hua Yuxian chuckled, "I lack the Life and Death Talisman!"

Lin Bai demanded, "What's really happening here?"

Hua Yuxian explained, "The Demon Sect holds my parents captive, forcing me into their service! Cousin, I have no alternative."

She gazed at Lin Bai pleadingly as she spoke.

Lin Bai's gaze iced over, his voice laced with menace, "Third Uncle and Aunt are captives of the Demon Sect?"

Hua Yuxian confirmed with a nod, "Yes."

"Cousin, please drop it. I'm working on a plan to free my parents!"

"The moment I save them, I'll quit the Demon Sect for good."

Lin Bai eyed Hua Yuxian in silence for a stretched moment before declaring, "I have no intention of going back to Lingxi City, leaving me with scant family in this world!"

"Third Uncle, Aunt, and you make up my precious few relatives!"

"I urge you not to keep secrets from me!"

"Despite our past clashes, blood ties us undeniably!"

"Got it?"

Lin Bai stated firmly to Hua Yuxian.

Hua Yuxian dipped her head faintly, replying, "Cousin, you should all depart. I'll manage my issues alone! Regarding the Dynasty of Beasts' internal matters, as you witnessed, I hold no sway over them!"

"I need to head back soon, or they'll grow suspicious."

She told Lin Bai while watching him.

Lin Bai gave a slight nod, "Fine!"

With that, Hua Yuxian whirled around and shot skyward, fading from Lin Bai's view.

Once Hua Yuxian had vanished, Lin Bai returned to Lan Yuxin and Hu Xiner, spotting their rapt attention to his exchange with her. Spotting his glance, they feigned intense focus on recovery.

Lin Bai remarked helplessly, "Enough with the act. If you're not keen on recuperating here, let's head to Golden Tree City!"

Lan Yuxin and Hu Xiner exchanged sheepish grins, rising together. They summoned the Spirit Boat, and the trio pressed on toward Golden Tree City.

After Lin Bai's departure, Hua Yuxian materialized again on Lonely Mountain, observing him aboard the Spirit Boat. A faint smile curved her lips, "Looks like cousin's quite informed—he even knows of the Life and Death Talisman..."

Hua Yuxian brushed her neck, her smile widening, "I can't wait to see cousin's face when he encounters her..."