https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-17-The-More-You-Explain-the-More-Confusing-it-Gets/12535921/
Chapter 16: The Horrors of Being Uncultured
Chapter 16: The Horrors of Being Uncultured
"Li Xinhuan has rejected you twice now. Surely you don't still harbor hopes? Is it truly that the forbidden fruit is the sweetest?"
"But enough about that. Why the parting jabs before you left?"
You Longsheng sat up, shaking his head awkwardly. "At least it's not two years later. Lin Xian'er hasn't publicly humiliated me yet. She's a force to be reckoned with, having embarrassed Afeng, Jing Wuming, and Lu Fengxian. She's too fierce!"
You Longsheng got out of bed, got dressed, and slowly pushed open the window, gazing at the bright moon hanging in the sky, about to set in the west.
"The moonlight is pure and flawless. Why are the hearts of men beneath it so tainted?"
"Tsk tsk, who would've thought that after traveling into a Gu Long wuxia world, even I would start spouting such poetic musings? I ought to remember this line. It'll be perfect for feigning profundity during future moonlit conversations."
You Longsheng didn't pursue Lin Xian'er. Instead, he swiftly made his way toward Xingyun Manor.
By the time he returned, the moon had set, and in the grayish-white mist of dawn, many people had gathered around the manor's main hall, whispering among themselves.
You Longsheng quickly approached and spotted his two sword servants, Duan Qian and Feng Wan, among the crowd.
"What's going on? What happened?"
Duan Qian turned around and hastily explained, "Master, yesterday, Uncle Zhao and the others set a trap at Lengxiang Cottage to capture the Plum Blossom Thief. They ended up catching Li... Li Xinhuan. Now, everyone is saying that Li Xinhuan is the Plum Blossom Thief."
You Longsheng had shared with them his admiration for Tie Chuaji and his enjoyable chat with Li Xinhuan, so they felt a bit uncomfortable bringing up this topic.
"Li Xinhuan is the Plum Blossom Thief?" You Longsheng couldn't help but laugh aloud. "How did they come to that conclusion?"
"Because Li Xinhuan said he wasn't feeling well yesterday, but he showed up in Miss Lin Xian'er's room at night, claiming that Miss Lin had invited him," Duan Qian replied.
"The Plum Blossom Thief appeared around half a year ago, and Li Xinhuan only entered the pass a month ago. It's quite a coincidence if they're not related," Feng Wan added.
"First of all, didn't they ask Miss Lin about it?" You Longsheng shook his head and climbed the steps, with the heroes and young masters of the Jianghu making way for him.
"As for the second point, the Plum Blossom Thief appeared half a year ago, and Li Xinhuan only arrived a month ago. If we're calling this a coincidence, then what about Uncle Zhao's seventh concubine giving birth to a chubby baby boy half a year ago? Would that also be Li Xinhuan's doing?"
"Puahahaha..."
"Teeheehee..."
The crowd burst into laughter, surprised that You Longsheng could crack jokes.
However, in the main hall, Zhao Zhengyi's face had turned as dark as thunder. Seeing You Longsheng enter, he couldn't contain his anger any longer. "I, Zhao Zhengyi, have always dedicated myself to upholding the justice of the martial arts world. Everyone acknowledges my impartiality. Yet, Young Master You dares to speak up for this disturber of the peace, this thief who shames our honorable name. Are you not afraid of dragging the reputation of Cangjian Manor through the mud?"
"I was merely making an analogy, Uncle Zhao. With your esteemed status, surely you wouldn't take offense," You Longsheng replied, skillfully turning the tables and causing Zhao Zhengyi's face to redden. Zhao Zhengyi then scanned the hall with his eyes.
Sitting in the main seat was Long Xiaoyun, with Li Xinhuan kneeling below the steps and two others standing by the corridor pillars.
One man was thin as a pole, his face a sickly yellow, but his temples were high and prominent, and his hands were larger than average.
The other was chubby and smiling, his hands clasped behind his back, looking like a wealthy gentleman who had lived a life of luxury.
They were the renowned Gongsun Moyun, known for his 'Fourteen Styles of Pummeling Clouds', and Tian Qi, the wealthy merchant from Luoyang.
Gongsun Moyun nodded in acknowledgment, while Tian Qi chuckled and returned the gesture, "Young Master You, there's something you may not know. Li Xinhuan is renowned throughout the jianghu. Even without his fighting prowess, he has numerous friends in the jianghu who would vouch for him. How could Miss Lin dare refute his words?
As for the Plum Blossom Thief, he only appeared half a year ago..."
"Li Xinhuan is an extraordinary figure. If he wished, no one in the jianghu could trace his movements. He could have easily committed crimes in the Central Plains half a year ago, only to return later and mislead everyone into believing he has nothing to do with the Plum Blossom Thief. This would make it convenient for him to commit more crimes without anyone suspecting him." Lord Tian explained, earning a look of admiration from You Longsheng.
Do not underestimate the intelligence of ancient people; they can be quite formidable when engaged in intellectual sparring.
Fortunately, You Longsheng had the benefit of an internet-influenced mindset. No matter how flowery Tian Qi's words were, attempting to lead him into a trap of his own rhythm, You Longsheng refused to be fooled.
"Lord Tian's reasoning makes sense, but..." You Longsheng glanced at Li Xinhuan, then at Long Xiaoyun, before shifting his gaze to Zhao Zhengyi and Gongsun Moyun. Finally, he looked back at Tian Qi and said with a smile, "According to Lord Tian's speculation, the five of us here are all suspects."
"Lord Zhao is known for upholding the justice of the jianghu, and his impartiality is recognized by all. As for Long Xiaoyun, his silver spear strikes fear into the hearts of the Yellow River region. Hero Gongsun and Lord Tian have a wide network of friends, their connections spanning the entire jianghu." You Longsheng explained, his tone indifferent.
"And as for me, I just so happened to have left my manor and ventured into the jianghu in the past six months, which coincides perfectly with the emergence of the Plum Blossom Thief." He added, causing the crowd to fall silent, exchanging uncertain glances.
A spark flashed in Tian Qi's eyes, and Gongsun Moyun clenched his fists. Only Zhao Zhengyi took a deep breath and spoke in a cold tone, "So, Young Master You believes that Li Xinhuan is not the Plum Blossom Thief."
"No, I didn't say that." You Longsheng quickly clarified, causing Zhao Zhengyi's anger to flare up. "Then what's the meaning of all this rambling?!"
"My point is that Lord Tian's speculation is reasonable, but it's just that - speculation. It could apply to any prominent figure in the jianghu. If you want to prove that Li Xinhuan is the Plum Blossom Thief, you need evidence. Even finding a single plum blossom needle, the signature weapon of the thief, on him would suffice. Making baseless accusations is unacceptable." You Longsheng sighed, unable to hide his exasperation.
"Lack of education is truly frightening. An emperor, when framing someone, would at least prepare a set of yellow robes and armor. How difficult would it be to prepare a few silver needles as evidence?" You Longsheng's last sentence carried a clear message - he wasn't speaking up for Li Xinhuan out of goodwill, but because he feared the embarrassment and ridicule that this baseless accusation would bring upon everyone present if it spread throughout the jianghu.
A lie may deceive some people forever, and it may even deceive everyone for a short time, but it cannot deceive everyone forever.
Moreover, Li Xinhuan was not some unknown figure. This incident would undoubtedly spread, and more people would come to know the truth. As a result, everyone in the hall would become a laughingstock in the jianghu.
You Longsheng, being present at Xingyun Manor, would not escape the scrutiny and ridicule of the jianghu community.
In a sense, You Longsheng was trying to save them from future humiliation.
Tian Qi and Gongsun Moyun were stunned, their faces frozen in place. Long Xiaoyun and Zhao Zhengyi's faces turned red with anger, but it was Li Xinhuan, still kneeling on the ground, who burst into laughter.
(End of Chapter)
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