https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-164-The-Chains-of-the-Heaven-s-Secret-Old-Man/12536202/
Chapter 165: Finally, Afi Can Be Mocked Without Danger
Chapter 165: Finally, Afi Can Be Mocked Without Danger
Ding Baiyun's gaze shifted back and forth between the Elder of Heaven's Secrets and You Longsheng, and she even readied herself to draw her sword.
They weren't very acquainted with the Elder, and she was surprised by You Longsheng's blunt words.
However, what surprised her even more was the way the Elder's sharp gaze softened, and the formidable aura he had exuded earlier dissipated, leaving him looking like the frail and feeble old man he had appeared to be initially.
"I am old, indeed old. I can't deny it anymore," the Elder of Heaven's Secrets sighed, shaking his head. "The vigor of my youth is long gone, and it is the young who now possess the boldness to speak their minds without fear."
You Longsheng spread his hands. "What choice do I have? I am a friend of Li Xinhua. I can't just stand by and watch you walk to your death."
"But if I don't go and wear down Shangguan Jinhong, the chances of Li Xinhua defeating him will not exceed fifty percent." The Elder of Heaven's Secrets spoke calmly. "I don't have many years left. The future belongs to them."
Understanding dawned in You Longsheng's eyes as he realized the reason behind the Elder's willingness to sacrifice himself in the original story—he intended to weaken Shangguan Jinhong!
A noble but foolish decision!
"It's admirable, but a bit naive," You Longsheng thought. The Elder was overestimating himself and underestimating Shangguan Jinhong. He wouldn't even be able to injure him!
"Why take such a risk? Your presence here is the greatest support you can offer to Li Xinhua." You Longsheng suggested, "Are you aware that Lin Xian'er arranged a duel between Shangguan Jinhong and Li Xinhua at Fei Quan?"
"I know, but Guo Songyang and Bai Tianyu intervened," the Elder replied.
"Exactly. If it weren't for them, Li Xinhua would likely be dead by now. He was up against Shangguan Jinhong and Jing Wuming, after all," You Longsheng pointed out.
The Elder's eyes flickered as he understood You Longsheng's implication, but...
The Elder sighed, "I am not Li Xinhua. I doubt I can pose a threat to Shangguan Jinhong."
You Longsheng nodded. "You're right. On your own, you might not be able to act in time. Even if Shangguan Jinhong defeats Li Xinhua, you may not be able to do anything about it."
A determined look appeared in the Elder's eyes. "In that case..."
"...you'll need to send a few letters," You Longsheng finished his sentence.
Elder: ???
"With you, Guo Songyang, Bai Tianyu, and a freed-up Afi all present, do you think Shangguan Jinhong will be able to keep his calm during the duel with Li Xinhua?" You Longsheng asked with a smile.
Elder: "..."
Even Ding Baiyun laughed. "Forget about one Shangguan Jinhong. I doubt he could take on two of him, let alone defeat Li Xinhua."
The Elder clicked his tongue, feeling that something about this didn't sit right with him. It went against his principles.
"Shangguan Jinhong brought his subordinate, Jing Wuming, to duel Li Xinhua. It's only reasonable for Li Xinhua to bring his friends to watch, isn't it?" You Longsheng argued.
The Elder nodded. "Reasonable."
"Very reasonable," Ding Baiyun chimed in with a smile.
"Exactly," You Longsheng continued. "We're not saying we'll intervene at the critical moment when Shangguan Jinhong is about to defeat Li Xinhua, nor are we saying we'll gang up on him after he wins. I'm sure Shangguan Jinhong will trust our character, right?"
The Elder couldn't help but smile bitterly.
If they were all gentlemen, then yes, that would be the case. But Shangguan Jinhong was a hawkish warlord. Would he truly trust anyone other than himself?
"So, to alleviate Shangguan Jinhong's worries, you must appear after both he and Li Xinhua have shown up. That's the only way to ensure this duel takes place, right?" You Longsheng reasoned.
The Elder nodded silently, conceding, "What you say makes sense."
You Longsheng spread his hands. "You surely know where Bai Tianyu is, and I'm sure you're aware of Guo Songyang's residence as well. So, I'm counting on you for this."
"So?" Yu Longsheng prompted.
Sighing, Elder Tianji conceded, "So I'll deliver the message."
...
And so, Elder Tianji left as well.
Guo Songyang was south of Songshan Mountain. Luckily, Bai Tianyu was also nearby in Nanyang, so it was on the way. With Elder Tianji's speed, he might even be able to invite them to a meal after delivering the message.
As for Yu Longsheng and Ding Baiyun, they were, of course, off to find Ah Fei!
...
In a secluded area, a wooden house nestled in the forest.
A day had passed, and the corpse in the house had been removed. The bloodstains were cleaned up, the floor swept spotless, and the bed neatly made. The house even smelled pleasant, as Ah Fei sat there eating porridge and pancakes.
He had made the porridge and pancakes himself, and after two years, he had become quite skilled at it.
The door opened, and Ah Fei's eyes flickered, but he didn't bother to look up.
Four oil-paper-wrapped packages were placed on the table.
One contained beef, another roasted chicken, the third smoked fish, and the last some pastries.
And of course, there was a jug of wine.
Yu Longsheng sat down across from him, with Ding Baiyun taking a seat beside Yu Longsheng.
Ah Fei paused in his eating but still remained silent.
"Ah, you're no fun now that you've come to your senses," Yu Longsheng sighed.
"Crack!" Ah Fei's chopsticks snapped in half.
"I liked it better when you were stubbornly arguing with us over Lin Xian'er. Why don't you go back to that?" Yu Longsheng teased, raising an eyebrow.
To the surprise of the two, Ah Fei actually laughed.
"Wasn't I such a fool back then?" Ah Fei chuckled. "Like a lovesick puppy, blindly in love with a woman like Lin Xian'er."
Ah Fei's eyes were clear, and his smile was natural, with no hint of the torment he had suffered over Lin Xian'er.
Ding Baiyun sighed in relief. "You've finally moved on."
"Yes," Ah Fei nodded. "Thank you."
Ding Baiyun shook her head. "I didn't do anything. You shouldn't be thanking me."
"You are all my benefactors," Ah Fei smiled, turning to Yu Longsheng. "Especially you, my friend."
Yu Longsheng blinked. "I slept with Lin Xian'er."
Ah Fei blinked back, glancing at Ding Baiyun. "You can continue if your wife doesn't mind."
Ding Baiyun's eyebrows shot up. "He dares?!"
"Huh?" Yu Longsheng was taken aback, surprised by Ah Fei's sudden change in attitude. "That was fast."
Ah Fei smiled. "I just had an epiphany."
Yu Longsheng nodded. "It seems you really have figured it out. You've even lost your temper."
Ah Fei laughed. "Once I understood, there was no reason to be angry anymore."
Yu Longsheng nodded again. "So, if I were to constantly mock you about how you were tricked like a fool by her, trapped, beaten, drugged for two years, lost your friends, got drunk, and cried... you wouldn't get angry, right?"
"No, I wouldn't," Ah Fei nodded, still smiling. "But I would beat you up!"
——————————
PS: The accounts have been merged. Dear readers, feel free to check out my other book, "I Have a Seal of the Two Worlds" and see if it piques your interest.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
