https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-158-A-Classic-Conversation-A-Legendary-Scene/12536196/
Chapter 157: A Fresh Start for Li Xunhuan
Chapter 157: A Fresh Start for Li Xunhuan
Not long after, just as everyone was on edge and Long Xiaoyun was eating without his heart in it, a drenched figure stumbled in.
His eyes were bloodshot and his gaze vacant as he looked around blankly.
Ding Baiyun was startled when he saw him, "It's Afeng! What happened to him?"
You Longsheng took another bite of his food, "It's obvious that he either walked in on Lin Xian'er with Lv Fengxian, or he caught her with Shangguan Jinhong. Tsk tsk, what a pitiful man."
From Afeng's appearance, it seemed that Lv Fengxian had lost to Shangguan Jinhong, and Afeng had walked in on Lin Xian'er seducing Shangguan Jinhong, causing his entire world to come crashing down.
How pitiful!
Beaten like a dead dog, betrayed by his friend, and now drunk as a skunk, he would only become more of a laughingstock.
Afeng reeked of alcohol, his hair was disheveled, his clothes were in disarray, and he staggered as he stood, looking every bit the pathetic, drunk mess.
"Self-destructive!" Ding Baiyun frowned, "The light has gone out in his eyes. If you and Li Xunhuan don't intervene now, he really will be beyond saving!"
"Wrong!" You Longsheng tossed a peanut into his mouth, "As the saying goes, 'breakdown precedes breakthrough'. He's at the brink of awakening. Once we pierce through this layer, he'll be able to break free."
Ding Baiyun gave You Longsheng a sidelong glance, "Are you that certain?"
You Longsheng nodded matter-of-factly, "Of course. If you had read the original story, you'd be just as sure." He then waved at Afeng, "Afeng, come drink with us!"
Afeng's gaze mechanically shifted to You Longsheng and Ding Baiyun, a flicker of pain flashing in his eyes, but he looked away as if he didn't recognize them.
Then his eyes landed on Long Xiaoyun.
"So it's you!"
Long Xiaoyun stood up abruptly. Despite Afeng's disheveled appearance, he still had his sword! As long as Afeng held that sword, no one in this world could treat him lightly!
Long Xiaoyun turned to flee, but Afeng stumbled after him. Long Xiaoyun's little sister, Long Xiaoyun, blocked his path, causing Afeng to trip and fall, losing his grip on his sword...
Shangguan Jinhong's expression turned gloomy. He never expected that Afeng would be so deeply in love with Lin Xian'er. How could there be such a foolish idiot in this world? He had helped Afeng see through Lin Xian'er's true nature, guided him to take steps towards his own path, given him seven maidens, a chest of gold and jewels, and an extraordinary sword, yet Afeng was still mired in his emotions for Lin Xian'er?
Shangguan Jinhong was deeply disappointed in Afeng.
Such a romantic! He was not suited for this cutthroat martial world! Shangguan Jinhong's gaze at Afeng gradually turned icy. This man was beyond redemption.
However...
Shangguan Jinhong let out a sinister laugh and shifted his gaze to Long Xiaoyun. Even useless people could be of use. He could take advantage of Afeng's frightening appearance to scare away Long Xiaoyun, thus nullifying their sworn brotherhood!
The leader of the Gold and Silver Society's word was law!
"He's worse than a dog, and yet you're still inferior to him. Even a dog wouldn't run from him."
Shangguan Jinhong swept his eyes across the crowd, "Would any of you be willing to swear brotherhood with a dog?"
Everyone shook their heads vigorously, "Never!"
"If they aren't willing, how could I be?" Shangguan Jinhong turned to Long Xiaoyun, "I think you and that dog are a perfect match. Why don't you two become sworn brothers?"
Long Xiaoyun was stunned.
Shangguan Jinhong's expression and tone made it clear that this was no joke. If Long Xiaoyun didn't swear brotherhood with the dog at the door, the consequences would be dire!
"Th-this..." Long Xiaoyun was drenched in sweat, at a loss for words.
Shangguan Jinhong forgave the Long Xiaoyun father and son, and only then did Afeng finally stand up.
He didn't see the dejected departure of Long Xiaoyun and his father, nor the cold gaze of Shangguan Jinhong, nor the crowd of onlookers. The only thing that caught his eye was a pot of wine on the table.
He reached for the wine, but the pot was suddenly knocked to the ground and shattered.
"This wine is for drinking, not for the likes of you," Shangguan Jinhong said coldly.
He casually tossed a silver coin onto the ground. "If you want to drink, pick up that coin and buy your own."
Afeng turned his head in a daze, then slowly walked over and slowly bent down.
Shangguan Jinhong's lips curled into a sinister smile. Destroying the dignity and confidence of a master was truly one of the most wonderful things in the world, and his mood suddenly brightened.
But then, a flash of knife light flickered by.
In the blink of an eye, everyone saw a throwing knife embedded in the silver coin, pinning it to the floor tiles.
Shangguan Jinhong's expression changed drastically.
Afeng's face turned rigid.
Ding Baiyun also tensed up.
Everyone's gaze at the throwing knife was filled with unease.
"The wine here is better than what's outside. If you want a drink, I'll pour you a cup."
A gentle voice rang out, and a man walked over to pour a cup of wine, kneeling down to offer it to Afeng, completely ignoring Shangguan Jinhong's command.
But not only did Shangguan Jinhong remain silent, even the others present didn't seem to find anything amiss. Instead, they felt that this was a perfectly normal occurrence.
The man was neither tall nor short, his clothes neither new nor old. With a hint of gray at his temples, he appeared to be an ordinary middle-aged man.
Yet, everyone's gaze was involuntarily drawn to him, and many found their eyes fixated on his hands.
They seemed like ordinary hands, but why did they exude such a magical aura?
The newcomer was, of course, Li Xunhuan!
The cup of wine had already been placed in Afeng's hand, and two crystal tears fell into it.
You Longsheng made another note in his little book: "Afeng cried too."
"Hmm? Why did I use the word 'too'?"
But the next moment, Afeng suddenly roared, knocking the cup to the ground and rushing out.
Li Xunhuan turned to follow, but Shangguan Jinhong spoke up, "Wait a moment! If you're going to leave, then you shouldn't have come in the first place. And if you've come, why leave?"
Li Xunhuan paused and smiled faintly, "True, if you've come, why leave?"
The two men's gazes finally met, and it seemed as if sparks were flying in the air between them.
Shangguan Jinhong's eyes were sharp as an eagle's, his presence that of a formidable deity.
Li Xunhuan's eyes, however, were gentle as water, like a calm and clear sky over a vast ocean.
Everyone's breathing slowed, their gazes flicking between the two men, a mix of excitement and fear in their eyes. It was unclear if they were anticipating or dreading what was to come.
Shangguan Jinhong spoke, each word deliberate, "Where is your knife?"
In the next moment, Li Xunhuan casually flipped his wrist, and a throwing knife, three and a half inches long, appeared in his hand.
The entire room fell silent!
(End of Chapter)
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