https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-297-Lu-Xiaofeng-I-m-Asking-for-Your-Help/12536495/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-299-Visiting-the-Western-Garden-and-Meeting-Ouyang/12536501/
Chapter 298: Ye Gucheng Makes an Appearance
Chapter 298: Ye Gucheng Makes an Appearance
Since Xue Bing's carriage was still there, Lu Xiaofeng drove it with Sikong Xiaoxing by his side as they rushed towards Lingnan.
Su Shaoying did not follow them. After all, he had promised Lu Xiaofeng to stay and wait for Xue Bing. Since he had taken on this favor, he had to wait for at least a day.
What happened at Bixia An was not exactly a spectacular event. As long as they didn't miss Lu Xiaofeng's upcoming encounter with Ye Gucheng at Pingnan Wangfu, receiving that heavenly sword technique, it would be fine.
In the original story, after Lu Xiaofeng sent Sikong Xiaoxing to Bixia An, he found out that Sikong Xiaoxing and Xue Bing had tricked him. Sikong Xiaoxing hadn't been poisoned, and it was Xue Bing who delivered the red satin to Bixia An.
Then, Sikong Xiaoxing escaped, Jiang Zhongwei and Jiang Qingxia appeared, followed by Xue Bing. Finally, Lu Xiaofeng tested them, causing Jiang Qingxia to reveal a flaw, and she fled with a flying leap.
Jiang Qingxia wore red shoes, and Jiang Zhongwei finally remembered that the Embroidered Bandit also wore red shoes!
"Xue Bing collaborated with Sikong Xiaoxing because she realized that the red satin was the red shoe-face of the Red Shoes Organization. She probably thought that this matter was related to the organization, so she took proactive measures."
"Jiang Qingxia is the fifth member of the Red Shoes Organization and Jiang Zhongwei's unmarried wife, nominally his sister. Because she could get close to Jiang Zhongwei and steal the keys to the Wangfu treasury, Lu Xiaofeng suspected her."
Of course, all of this was part of Jin Jiuling's scheme, and Xue Bing's involvement was an unexpected bonus. However, his true intention was to make Lu Xiaofeng suspect the leader of the Red Shoes Organization, Gongsun Daniang, through Jiang Qingxia.
Indeed, Lu Xiaofeng became suspicious of the Red Shoes Organization, which was why he was so excited when he heard that the Snake King was going to deal with Gongsun Daniang, and he even volunteered to take his place.
Speaking of the Snake King, he was the underground ruler of Yangcheng in Lingnan. Most of the fugitives, thieves, and fighters in Yangcheng worked under him.
After Lu Xiaofeng and Xue Bing left Bixia An, they went to Yangcheng to find the Snake King. They obtained the architectural plans of Pingnan Wangfu from him, after which Lu Xiaofeng entered the Wangfu alone, and Xue Bing disappeared.
"We still need to save Xue Bing. Even though her methods were a bit cruel, she can't be considered a bad person. It would be a pity if she died at Jin Jiuling's hands."
"But how do we save her...?" Su Shaoying stroked his chin, deep in thought.
...
After two more meals and two more drinks at Jusheng Garden, Su Shaoying finally set out leisurely southward. He didn't need to rush like Lu Xiaofeng, as he not only had to take a detour but also wait for the terrain map and patrol schedule of the Wangfu.
"Who goes there? What business do you have here?"
"I am Su Shaoying from Emei. I'm here to find Master Jin."
Su Shaoying waited briefly at the entrance of the Wangfu before Jin Jiuling, Hua Manlou, and Shi Xiuxue arrived together.
"I was just hired as the new master of the Wangfu a few days ago. How did you find out so quickly?" Jin Jiuling asked with a smile.
"The information network of the Emei Sect may not be very extensive, but we won't miss such important news." Su Shaoying looked at Hua Manlou and Shi Xiuxue, "I just didn't expect you to come back so soon as well."
Hua Manlou explained, "Chang Mantian is an old hand at this. He's already told me everything he noticed. I couldn't get any more information out of him, so I decided to come and meet up with Master Jin."
Shi Xiuxue's expression was somewhat unpleasant. She had just witnessed the deaths of thirty-six blind men, and it hadn't been a pleasant experience.
However, this also made her appreciate Hua Manlou's extraordinary skills even more.
"Where's Lu Xiaofeng?" Jin Jiuling asked.
"I estimate that he's already entered Yangcheng," Su Shaoying said, recounting his encounter with Lu Xiaofeng in Hangzhou. "After Sikong Xiaoxing stole the red satin from him, I waited for Xue Bing for a day but didn't see her, so I came here."
"But if he hasn't succeeded yet, why would the mastermind want him silenced?" Hua Manlou asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Perhaps Lu Xiaofeng will provide us with the answer." Jin Jiuling speculated, "Since he's entered Yangcheng, he should be here to meet us soon."
However, Hua Manlou wore a slight smile, "But he might not take the same route as Su Shaoying and come through the front entrance."
"Lu Xiaofeng is coming?"
The speaker was a stranger, his ethereal voice carrying a hint of detachment, as if he was unaffected by worldly affairs.
Su Shaoying turned around and saw a middle-aged man with a pale face and a slight beard.
Dressed in white, he carried a long sword with a black scabbard. If one didn't look at his face or hear his voice, Su Shaoying might have suspected him to be Ximen Chuixue.
While Jin Jiuling and Hua Manlou maintained their composure, Shi Xiuxue's eyes flashed with a hint of resentment.
"Su Shaoying?" The white-clad man looked at Su Shaoying and asked indifferently.
"Su Shaoying pays his respects to Lord Baiyun," Su Shaoying turned and bowed, laughing loudly, "I've long heard that Lord Baiyun is like a celestial cloud, ethereal and formless, with sword skills akin to a celestial being. Meeting you today, I can see that your reputation precedes you. I am truly fortunate to encounter you, and I am full of admiration!"
Everyone else, "..."
But Ye Gucheng was, after all, Ye Gucheng. He maintained his composure and asked coldly, "How is Sect Master Dugong doing lately?"
"He's getting old, and his sword is getting heavier to wield," Su Shaoying replied seriously.
Ye Gucheng finally lost his patience, "But Shi Xiuxue said that your master is still one of the top swordsmen in the world."
"The young girl just wants to save face. Which child doesn't think their family is extraordinary?" Su Shaoying laughed.
Ye Gucheng looked at Su Shaoying, then at the sword in his hand, "Are you afraid I'll challenge your master to a duel?"
Su Shaoying shook his head, evading the question, "The Crown Prince of Pingnan is your disciple, and the Chief Guard of the Shu Kingdom is my master's junior. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for you to duel my master?"
"Matters of the martial world have nothing to do with the affairs of the court," Ye Gucheng said indifferently.
"In that case, you shouldn't challenge my master," Su Shaoying said.
Ye Gucheng asked, "Why?"
"If you are standing up for the Crown Prince of Pingnan and causing trouble for the Shu Kingdom, my master will definitely accept the challenge. But if it's not the case..."
Su Shaoying blinked, "My master's goal is to revive Emei, while your goal is to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship. Your goals and pursuits are different, and you may not even have a common language. What's the point of dueling?"
Ye Gucheng remained silent for a moment before finally nodding.
Jin Jiuling's eyes flickered, Hua Manlou smiled, and Shi Xiuxue felt both relieved and resentful.
Ye Gucheng looked at Jin Jiuling, "Is Lu Xiaofeng coming?"
Jin Jiuling nodded, "With Lu Xiaofeng's character, if he has arrived in Yangcheng, he will definitely test the defenses of the Wangfu personally and search for clues about the Embroidered Bandit."
"I understand." A gleam flashed in Ye Gucheng's eyes, and he turned to leave.
Su Shaoying stroked his chin, "Could he be planning to test Lu Xiaofeng's One-Finger Zen?"
Jin Jiuling nodded, a hint of schadenfreude flashing in his eyes, but his face remained solemn, "That must be it."
Shi Xiuxue asked Hua Manlou, "Aren't you worried about Lu Xiaofeng?"
Hua Manlou shook his head and smiled, "He will definitely be able to handle it."
(End of Chapter)
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