https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-262-The-Inept-and-Clueless-Seven-Heroes-of-the-Marketplace/12536436/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-264-The-Backup-Plan-Ho-Tianqing-Prepared-for-Su-Shaoying/12536438/
Chapter 263: Duan Gu Yihe Arrives
Chapter 263: Duan Gu Yihe Arrives
The elderly man in the Taoist robe was, of course, Duan Gu Yihe.
The four young women following him were Ma Xiuzhen, Sun Xiqing, Ye Xiuzhu, and Shi Xiuxue.
Duan Gu Yihe nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Your sword techniques have improved greatly. Well done."
Su Shaoying smiled and replied, "It's all thanks to your guidance, Master."
Ma Xiuzhen and Sun Xiqing rolled their eyes simultaneously, showing their disdain for Su Shaoying's flattering behavior.
The original body was the most handsome and skilled in martial arts among the Three Heroes of Emei. He was usually full of himself and believed that his four junior sisters should be vying for his attention. As a result, none of them liked him.
Su Shaoying didn't look at Ma Xiuzhen and Shi Xiuxue but glanced at Sun Xiqing and Ye Xiuzhu instead.
With her involvement, she wasn't sure if the relationship between Ximen Chuixue and Sun Xiqing would still come to fruition. But as for Ye Xiuzhu...
Su Shaoying frowned slightly. At this point, Ye Xiuzhu must have gotten together with Huo Tianqing. Given her actions in the original story, if the plot changed, would she plot against Duan Gu Yihe?
Noticing Su Shaoying's furrowed brows, Duan Gu Yihe asked, "What are you doing here?"
Su Shaoying replied, "Because Yan Tieshan is dead."
Duan Gu Yihe's expression remained unchanged, but his hand gripping the sword tightened imperceptibly.
Ma Xiuzhen and the others changed their colors simultaneously. The reputation of Zhuguang Baoqi Pavilion resounded throughout Shanxi, and Yan Tieshan was also a famous figure in the martial arts world. How could he suddenly die?
"Who killed him?" Ma Xiuzhen blurted out.
Su Shaoying spread her hands. "Duan Feng, the daughter of the Great Golden Phoenix King. Do you know her?"
Ma Xiuzhen blinked and shook her head. "No, who is she?"
However, a hint of surprise flashed in Duan Gu Yihe's pupils, and then he waved his hand to interrupt Ma Xiuzhen's question. "Let's go to Tianquan Temple first."
As his words fell, Duan Gu Yihe turned and walked away, completely ignoring the nervous and tense Shanxi Yan and the others beside him.
With Duan Gu Yihe's departure, Ma Xiuzhen and the other three quickly followed.
Su Shaoying winked at the startled crowd and smiled softly. "Remember, people from prestigious families not only shy away from battle and value their lives, but they also play mind games. I'm weak, but I have my reasons, and they look down on such petty cleverness."
The dumpling vendor was seething with anger, but he still dared not take action. He watched helplessly as Su Shaoying waved and walked out of the porridge shop, then quickly caught up with Duan Gu Yihe.
"Boom!"
The sound of rolling thunder signaled an impending rainstorm.
...
As fellow Taoists, it was only natural for Duan Gu Yihe, the master of Xuanzhen Temple on Emei Mountain, to stay at Tianquan Temple—a simple matter.
When the torrential rain poured down at noon, the group had already finished their lunch at Tianquan Temple.
Back in the guest room, Su Shaoying recounted what had happened at Zhuguang Baoqi Pavilion the day before.
"Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou came first, followed by Ximen Chuixue."
"They said they were here to collect a debt for the Great Golden Phoenix King."
"Yan Tieshan's true identity was Yan Liben, the former chief steward of the Jinpeng Dynasty. They claimed that he had embezzled part of the Jinpeng Dynasty's wealth that was sent to the Central Plains."
"Yan Tieshan seemed to want to explain, but the Golden Phoenix King's Princess Duan Feng suddenly appeared and killed him with a sword."
"Huo Tianqing collected Yan Tieshan's body, and Lu Xiaofeng agreed to a duel at Qingfeng Temple this morning. However, the Seven Heroes of the Marketplace threatened Lu Xiaofeng with their lives, so he decided to leave, and Huo Tianqing also canceled the duel."
Shi Xiuxue rolled her eyes and casually mocked, "Cowards."
Ye Xiuzhu's cheeks twitched, and she glanced at Shi Xiuxue, a hint of annoyance flashing in her eyes.
"Yan Tieshan shouted my name, but Huo Tianqing didn't ask me anything. He just told me to leave.
A hint of surprise flashed across Su Shaoying's eyebrows as she turned to look at Duan Gu Yihe.
But Duan Gu Yihe averted his gaze, his expressionless face clearly indicating that he had no intention of offering an explanation to Su Shaoying.
Duan Gu Yihe and Yan Tieshan had never met before, yet he sent Su Shaoying to deliver a message to Yan Tieshan. Now that Yan Tieshan's hidden identity as a member of the Jinpeng dynasty had been exposed, Su Shaoying naturally suspected her master.
Yet, Duan Gu Yihe did not seem inclined to offer any clarification.
Having served as the leader of Emei for nearly thirty years, he was known for his solemnity, resoluteness, and domineering demeanor. He never listened to nor offered explanations, especially not to his disciples.
So he closed his eyes, remaining silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "Did Lu Xiaofeng not give him a chance to explain?"
Su Shaoying had no intention of interfering with her master's train of thought. "It wasn't Lu Xiaofeng, it was Shangguan Danfeng."
"But Lu Xiaofeng was invited by Shangguan Danfeng," Duan Gu Yihe said in a deep voice.
"Ximen Chuixue was also invited by Lu Xiaofeng, but he broke Shangguan Danfeng's sword," Su Shaoying added.
Duan Gu Yihe's expression remained unchanged even at the mention of Ximen Chuixue's name. After a moment of silence, he turned to Su Shaoying and asked, "Do you know where Lu Xiaofeng and the others are now?"
"They drank all night with Shanxi Yan and the others at Zhao Damao's dog meat shop in the suburbs," Su Shaoying replied.
Duan Gu Yihe didn't question how Su Shaoying knew this; he assumed she had secretly followed them.
"Go and invite him," Duan Gu Yihe said. "Ask him to join me for a simple meal at Zhuguang Baoqi Pavilion tomorrow at noon."
Su Shaoying kept her hands in her sleeves, making no move to leave.
Duan Gu Yihe suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze piercing. "Did you not hear what I said?"
Su Shaoying smiled. "Let the four junior sisters go instead."
"Why?" Duan Gu Yihe asked.
"Because I feel that Lu Xiaofeng has been tricked by someone and is being used," Su Shaoying explained, spreading her hands. "That's why Yan Tieshan didn't even get a chance to speak before he died."
A spark of insight flashed in Duan Gu Yihe's eyes, but Shi Xiuxue was already displeased. "Are you saying we can't protect our master?"
Su Shaoying nodded. "Yes."
Ma Xiuzhen, Sun Xiqing, and the others glared at Su Shaoying, their eyes filled with hatred as if they wanted to poke holes in him. They had never expected that he would not only look down on them in his usual behavior but also bluntly say such things in front of their master.
However, Duan Gu Yihe laughed. "Who do you suspect?"
"Huotian Qing," Su Shaoying answered. At this point, he had no reason to know about Huo Xiu.
"Why?" Duan Gu Yihe asked.
"Because Yan Tieshan has no son," Su Shaoying smiled. "With Yan Tieshan's death, Zhuguang Baoqi Pavilion will now belong to him."
Ma Xiuzhen asked, "But didn't he give Zhuguang Baoqi Pavilion to Shangguan Danfeng?"
"What if they're in cahoots?" Su Shaoying turned to Ma Xiuzhen, his eyes flicking towards Ye Xiuzhu. "That's why he didn't make a move after Shangguan Danfeng assassinated Yan Tieshan. Instead, he gave Shangguan Danfeng all the time she needed to speak."
Ye Xiuzhu's eyes darted about, her expression uncomfortable.
However, Su Shaoying paid no heed to her and was unconcerned about Ma Xiuzhen and the others going to find Lu Xiaofeng. As long as Duan Gu Yihe was still alive, Shangguan Feiyan had no reason to make a move against the Emei Four Beauties.
Duan Gu Yihe nodded. "Alright, Xiuzhen. You four, go and invite Lu Xiaofeng."
(End of Chapter)
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