https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-150-Befriending-You-Longsheng-What-a-Fortunate-Three-Lifetimes/12536188/
Chapter 149: Visiting Li Xinhuan in Prison
Chapter 149: Visiting Li Xinhuan in Prison
The next day was bright and sunny, a rare windless winter day, and the gentle rays of the sun lent a pleasant warmth to the air.
You Longsheng once again arrived at the corner of the large mansion's back door and saw Hu Bugui still dressed as a beggar, sitting in the sun and picking lice.
"I thought Master was disguising as a beggar to confuse Li Xinhuan. I didn't expect Master to actually join the Beggar's Sect?" You asked.
Hu Bugui clicked his tongue. "If I joined the Beggar's Sect, Jin Sanbian would have to retire and spend his remaining years in seclusion."
Jin Sanbian was the current leader of the Beggar's Sect, known for his exceptional martial arts skills and reputation in the jianghu, though he was evidently not held in high regard by Hu Bugui.
You Longsheng raised an eyebrow and then asked, "How is Li Xinhuan doing?"
"He was subdued by Long Xiaoyun, who sealed his acupoints and locked him in the underground chamber at the back of the mansion," Hu Bugui said. "Long Xiaoyun comes to reinforce the seal on his acupoints every morning. Li Xinhuan doesn't stand a chance of escaping."
"Tsk tsk, that's rough," You Longsheng sighed, shaking his head. "So, he's just keeping Li Xinhuan locked up like this?"
Hu Bugui shook his head. "Of course not. Long Xiaoyun left last night. It seems he intends to use Li Xinhuan as a bargaining chip in a deal. Who do you think still wants Li Xinhuan's life?"
"Quite a few people want Li Xinhuan dead, Long Xiaoyun included. But the one who could make Long Xiaoyun hold back and use Li Xinhuan for a trade is only one person," You Longsheng said.
Hu Bugui and You Longsheng exchanged a glance, and both had an answer in mind.
However, the difference between the two was that Hu Bugui had guessed, while You Longsheng knew from having read the original novel.
"Long Xiaoyun is quite bold. Unlike Shangguan Jinhong, he's not afraid of biting off more than he can chew and ending up ruining himself in the process," You Longsheng said with a laugh. "After successfully dealing with Li Xinhuan, a top-notch expert, he seems to think he's on the same level now, so he naturally believes he can deal with Shangguan Jinhong as an equal."
How naive, yet how typical.
Not just Long Xiaoyun, a jianghu warrior with little education, but even many cultured individuals in later generations fell into this psychological trap.
"Let's go. I'll take you to see Li Xinhuan," Hu Bugui said, getting up.
"Did Master bring food to Li Xinhuan last night?" You Longsheng asked.
"I did," Hu Bugui nodded. "The guard Long Xiaoyun assigned is also an idiot. I hit him with a sleeping point, and he thought he fell asleep naturally."
You Longsheng then saw the guard slumped at the door of the underground chamber—indeed, an ordinary man.
"Long Xiaoyun has become a lonely man, so he's eager to strike a deal with the Jinqian Gang," You Longsheng said.
It's only when something is lost that one realizes its true value.
Two years ago, Xingyun Manor was bustling with guests, and countless martial artists vied for the honor of becoming Long Xiaoyun's guest.
Two years later, Long Xiaoyun hid in his courtyard, and the best guard he could find was an ordinary man without any martial arts training.
Without even approaching, Hu Bugui flicked a small pebble that hit the guard square in the head, causing him to slump over, fast asleep.
"Master's skill in integrating the soft force of the 'Drifting Cloud Sleeve' into throwing hidden weapons, incapacitating without causing injury, is truly awe-inspiring. I'm impressed!" You Longsheng exclaimed.
Hu Bugui shot You Longsheng a sideways glance. "If I didn't know that your martial arts had reached the pinnacle of the jianghu, I would think you're a sycophant."
"I'm just stating the truth, Master. This skill of yours is something I couldn't achieve," You Longsheng said with a smile.
Hu Bugui shrugged and glanced at the food box in You Longsheng's hand. "Alright, go on. The guards change shifts in half a period of time."
...
Li Xinhuan sat in the underground chamber, leaning against a pile of clutter, his expression forlorn and his eyes filled with sadness.
His mind replayed the conversation he had with Long Xiaoyun the day before, where they had laid open the events of the past.
The three of them had suffered for over a decade.
"Whose fault was it?" Li Xinhuan sighed. "Was I wrong?"
He recalled Ding Baiyun's reprimand in the small shop the other day, the unconcealable joy on Lin Shiyin's face when she saw him that night, the love and encouragement that Sun Xiaohong had shown him, and the shame, anger, and murderous intent hidden in Long Xiaoyun's eyes yesterday.
"I was wrong... I was wrong..."
Li Xinhuan murmured, unable to hide his sadness. "But time flies, and I can't turn back the clock. Do I even have a chance to make amends?"
"Squeak—"
The door to the underground chamber opened with a soft sound.
Li Xinhuan's eyes widened slightly, and he wiped the melancholy from his face, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his eyes.
Although Hu Bugui had tricked him, he wasn't a despicable villain like Long Xiaoyun. The previous night, Hu Bugui had brought him two chicken legs, several steamed buns, and a jar of water.
Was it evening again? Time flew by so quickly, perhaps because he had been immersed in his sadness and memories, oblivious to the passing hours.
As the footsteps drew closer, Li Xinhuan's eyes sharpened.
These weren't Hu Bugui's footsteps...
"'Li Xinhuan, the third-ranked expert on the 'Weapon Spectrum,' was subdued by his senior brother Long Xiaoyun for the first time, falling prey to an ambush and having his acupoints sealed."
A teasing voice echoed in the darkness. "The second time, he was close to his friend Guo Songyang, who sealed seven of his major acupoints. Honestly, I never imagined I'd see you being subdued for the third time."
Li Xinhuan's sharp gaze softened as he smiled helplessly. "How did Brother You find this place?"
"When Master Hu ambushed you yesterday, what kind of martial arts did he use?" You Longsheng asked as he walked into the underground chamber with a food box and a lit candle in hand, stopping in front of Li Xinhuan.
"He used the 'Eighteen Falls of the Drifting Cloud' and the 'Seventy-Two Capture Techniques of Wudang,' and then he followed up with the 'Muscle and Bone Separation Technique' and the 'Wrestling Technique of the Frontier,'" Li Xinhuan replied without hesitation.
Li Xinhuan's eyes then lit up. "Master Hu? He's..."
You Longsheng nodded. "My father and Lingxu Daoist of Wudang were close friends."
Li Xinhuan smiled bitterly. "You really do have connections with everyone."
"It's not easy to survive in the jianghu. I'm just trying to get by," You Longsheng said as he spread a mat on the ground and laid out four dishes—two meat and two vegetarian—along with two bowls of white rice and a jar of wine.
"The environment here is indeed unpleasant, but please bear with it," You Longsheng said sincerely as he handed a pair of chopsticks to Li Xinhuan. "Also, if there's anything you'd like to eat, just let me know, and I'll bring it tomorrow."
Li Xinhuan blinked, looking bewildered. "You're not going to rescue me?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
