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Chapter 123: Visiting Xingyun Manor
Chapter 123: Visiting Xingyun Manor
"Of course, I'm aware that there are no treasures hidden in Xingyun Manor." You Longsheng said, "But it depends on whether others believe it or not. After all, Li Tanhua has served as an official for three generations, and his wealth is undoubtedly extensive."
Long Xiaoyun heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing the first sentence, but a trace of indiscernible resentment flashed in her eyes when she heard the name "Li Tanhua."
However, You Longsheng seemed not to have noticed, or perhaps he truly didn't see it, as he continued to ask, "Little Brother Long, have you seen Li Tanhua in the past two years?"
Long Xiaoyun shook his head innocently. "No, after Brother You and Uncle Li left together two years ago, I never saw him again."
"A cold-blooded and heartless fellow." Ding Baiyun coldly hmphed. "He's really a despicable person!"
Long Xiaoyun couldn't help but glance at Ding Baiyun, but she didn't seem inclined to offer any explanation for her comment.
After all, Long Xiaoyun was the son of Lin Shiyin and Long Xiaoyun, and she couldn't very well discuss Lin Shiyin's melodramatic love triangle in front of her son.
But Ding Baiyun's denunciation of Li Xunhuan caused a slight warmth to grow in Long Xiaoyun's heart towards her, and he glanced at You Longsheng with a hint of confusion.
You Longsheng had previously spoken up for Li Xunhuan and even helped him kill Yi Ku and the Five Poison Boys. Long Xiaoyun had even come to resent him for it. During this meeting, he had been merely going through the motions with You Longsheng.
Logically, You Longsheng should be considered a friend of Li Xunhuan's, yet You Longsheng's companion held such disdain for Li Xunhuan. Why was that?
However, You Longsheng didn't seem inclined to offer any clarification to Long Xiaoyun either. Instead, he asked curiously, "By the way, Little Brother Long, have you researched and developed any new hidden weapons or light martial arts techniques?"
You Longsheng had once encouraged Long Xiaoyun with stories of Wu Qing's exploits!
Long Xiaoyun's heart skipped a beat, and he slowly shook his head. Of course, he hadn't researched any hidden weapons or light martial arts techniques because he had found something even better.
However, this matter involved a shocking secret that must never be revealed to You Longsheng.
Moreover, he couldn't let You Longsheng discover that his martial arts skills had recovered!
So, Long Xiaoyun could only smile bitterly and say, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Brother You, but I haven't made any breakthroughs with hidden weapons, and my light martial arts skills are still as elusive as a flower reflected in a mirror or the moon in the water."
Ding Baiyun patted You Longsheng's arm and frowned slightly, shaking her head to indicate that Long Xiaoyun was just a child of thirteen or fourteen and that he shouldn't bring up sad topics.
Although she had heard about Long Xiaoyun's exploits from You Longsheng, she didn't fully understand that Long Xiaoyun was no ordinary child.
You Longsheng nodded, not exposing Long Xiaoyun's lie, and steered the conversation back to its original topic. "The purpose of this letter is not to claim that there are treasures hidden in Xingyun Manor. Their goal is to lure Li Tanhua out of hiding because Xingyun Manor used to be his residence."
Long Xiaoyun interjected, "And also because Uncle Li and my mother were good friends."
Ever since Lin Shiyin had revealed Long Xiaoyun's plan to assassinate Li Xunhuan, it was no longer a secret, and Long Xiaoyun saw no need to pretend otherwise.
"Unfortunately, Uncle Li hasn't visited in the past two years." Long Xiaoyun added.
"If Li Tanhua shows up, there would be no need for this letter." You Longsheng said.
Long Xiaoyun asked with feigned concern, "Is the person who wrote this letter an enemy of Uncle Li?"
You Longsheng nodded. "I assume they wish for Li Tanhua's immediate death."
Long Xiaoyun's eyes lit up. "So, Brother You, are you here to help Uncle Li?"
"Of course not." You Longsheng replied matter-of-factly, "I'm afraid I'd be dragged down to my death along with him."
"Ah?" Long Xiaoyun's face was filled with confusion.
Long Xiaoyun blinked, reflecting on Ding Baiyun's earlier behavior. He began to wonder if he had misunderstood You Longsheng's intentions; perhaps he was simply being pragmatic and impartial.
Was You Longsheng just an arrogant, hot-blooded youth? Over the past two years, had he become more pragmatic, now that he knew fear and understood that some people were not to be trifled with?
Long Xiaoyun decided to probe further. "Then, Brother You, why did you come this time...?"
You Longsheng replied, "I stayed at Xingyun Manor for a period of time last year. Lord Long and his wife treated me well, and I consider you, Little Brother Long, a friend. So, when I heard about this letter, I came to let you know."
Hearing these words, even Long Xiaoyun felt a touch of warmth.
Although it might not seem like much, Xingyun Manor had fallen from its former glory, and its friends and relatives had scattered. Yet, You Longsheng still took the time to deliver this message. It was a meaningful gesture.
"Alright, the message has been delivered, and we should take our leave now." You Longsheng said, signaling their departure.
"There's no rush, Brother You and Miss Ding, please stay for a meal," Long Xiaoyun invited.
"No need," You Longsheng waved his hand in refusal.
"Lady Long has dismissed the servants, and there aren't many people left in the manor. We wouldn't want to trouble you," You Longsheng explained, taking Ding Baiyun's hand and winking at Long Xiaoyun.
A hint of confusion crossed Long Xiaoyun's face, but he quickly replaced it with a naive smile. "Alright then, take care, Brother You!"
And with that, You Longsheng departed.
As Long Xiaoyun watched their retreating figures, a thoughtful look entered his eyes before he turned and headed back to the manor.
"Why are you leaving?" Ding Baiyun, in contrast to You Longsheng, seemed inclined to stay. "Regardless, Lin Shiyin is innocent. What if she gets implicated?"
From the very beginning, when she had heard about the love triangle involving Li Xunhuan, Long Xiaoyun, and Lin Shiyin, she had felt the most sympathy for Lin Shiyin.
In her eyes, Long Xiaoyun was a self-righteous chauvinist, and Li Xunhuan was a despicable man who valued beauty over brotherly loyalty. They had treated Lin Shiyin like a commodity to be traded, and if Ding Baiyun had been there, she would have drawn her sword against them.
You Longsheng shook his head. "It's not just the small households and rogue cultivators outside the manor. There's more."
"There's also..." Ding Baiyun started, but her words trailed off as she noticed two riders on fast horses emerging from a nearby alley and speeding away.
"The Gold and Silver Society?" Ding Baiyun's eyes narrowed. "Why are they here as well? With Official Shangguan Jinhong's skills, he should've realized this is a trap."
"Perhaps he simply doesn't care if it's a trap," You Longsheng replied. "The Gold and Silver Society's style is to crush any traps and take whatever benefits they can."
Ding Baiyun glanced at the alley the riders had emerged from. "This alley is right behind Xingyun Manor. Could there be something amiss there?"
You Longsheng smiled. "We'll know if we go take a look."
(End of Chapter)
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