https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-304-Ye-Gucheng-Prepares-to-Challenge-Ximen-Chuixue/12536515/
Chapter 305: Going Their Separate Ways
Chapter 305: Going Their Separate Ways
Lu Xiaofeng shared his discovery in the wine cellar and expressed his suspicions about Jiang Qingxia.
The wine cellar is located right beneath the treasure vault! The security outside the cellar is rather lax! He suspects that Jiang Qingxia stole the keys from Jiang Zhongwei and gave them to the Embroidered Bandit, who then infiltrated the wine cellar and subsequently the treasure vault! Now, Lu Xiaofeng is certain that Jiang Qingxia and the Embroidered Bandit are part of the same organization. Thus, as long as he can find Jiang Qingxia, he will be able to track down the mysterious thief.
"How do you plan to find Jiang Qingxia?" Hua Manlou asked.
"I intend to start by finding a pair of red shoes. I'm looking for someone who shouldn't be wearing red shoes but is doing so anyway," Lu Xiaofeng replied. Only after finishing this sentence did he ask, "What about Ye Gucheng?"
"He's gone to sleep."
"I hope he really is sleeping," Lu Xiaofeng added.
Now that they had a lead, and unable to stop Ye Gucheng, Lu Xiaofeng could only break into song. However, before he could finish two verses, Su Shaoying interrupted, "You really can't carry a tune."
Lu Xiaofeng smiled provocatively. "You can choose not to listen."
Su Shaoying replied calmly, "I just feel that now that you're out of danger, you're drinking and singing here, while others may still be worrying about a heartless jerk out in the cold."
Lu Xiaofeng immediately fell silent and then jumped up as if startled, rushing out at a speed even faster than when he was chased by Ye Gucheng's sword aura.
A fleeting trace of cruel amusement flashed in Jin Jiuling's eyes before it turned into a gentle smile. He spoke in a soft, pleasant voice, "Is Xue Bing waiting for him outside?"
Hua Manlou laughed, "I know Xue Bing has always liked him, and he's always liked her too!"
Shi Xiuxue pouted, "But he's so heartless, singing and drinking here."
Hua Manlou smiled, "Because he's worried about Ximen Chuixue and Ye Gucheng. He's a good friend, but when it comes to emotions, perhaps he hasn't matured yet."
Su Shaoying nodded in agreement. Hua Manlou's words rang true. The characters in the Gu Long universe had distinct strengths and flaws.
However...
Su Shaoying turned to Jin Jiuling. At this moment, Xue Bing was likely already in the hands of the Snake King.
In the original story, after Lu Xiaofeng discovered Xue Bing's disappearance, he went to find the Snake King. Incidentally, when Lu Xiaofeng and Xue Bing first arrived in Yangcheng, they sought out the Snake King and obtained a map of the Pingnan Royal Palace. Xue Bing also acknowledged the Snake King as a friend.
When Lu Xiaofeng found the Snake King, he was told that Xue Bing had come to drink with him and then left. The Snake King had sent two men to follow her, but they were killed, and Xue Bing had gone missing.
The Snake King suggested that Lu Xiaofeng get some rest, and when Lu Xiaofeng woke up, he found that the Snake King had arranged a date with Gongsun Daniang. Thus, Lu Xiaofeng decided to stand in for the Snake King and meet Gongsun Daniang, allowing the Snake King to search for Xue Bing.
Lu Xiaofeng and Gongsun Daniang fought in the Western Garden, and while chasing her, he encountered the Snake King's subordinates and met Jin Jiuling and his men. In a small house, they discovered Xue Bing's clothes.
When Lu Xiaofeng and Jin Jiuling went back to find the Snake King, they found that he had already died, slain by Gongsun Daniang's red ribbon.
—In truth, all of this was part of Jin Jiuling's scheme. He deliberately manipulated the Snake King into instructing Lu Xiaofeng to meet with Gongsun Daniang, only to kill the Snake King and abduct Xue Bing, framing Gongsun Daniang for the crimes.
Now that the sequence of events was clear, their subsequent course of action was obvious.
The Snake King had died during the day, and Jin Jiuling's own setup in the room with Xue Bing's clothes indicated that...
"The night has grown deep, and we've drunk quite a bit. It's time to part ways.
Jin Jiuling smiled back, "While I may not have a beauty by my side, you certainly do."
Shi Xiuxue glanced at Jin Jiuling, her dislike for him evident. She felt that despite his refined and cultured exterior, there was an air of pretense about him, a common flaw she associated with officials.
"However, I still have a duty to the Six Doors. I must not neglect my responsibilities. The Six Doors' representative in Yangcheng is Lu Shaohua, a former subordinate of mine. I'll pay him a visit tomorrow to see if we can gather any clues. As for the royal palace, please keep a close eye on it." Jin Jiuling instructed Hua Manlou.
Hua Manlou nodded, "Alright, I hope we can bring the Embroidered Bandit to justice soon. I have a bad feeling about this."
Jin Jiuling's eyes flickered, and he turned to Su Shaoying, "What about you?"
"Me? Can I... visit the royal palace tomorrow?" Su Shaoying asked with a smile.
Jin Jiuling laughed heartily, "With the token I gave you, you can access most places! Go wherever you like."
And so, the group dispersed.
...
The next day, Jin Jiuling spent most of the day at the royal palace and even crossed paths with Hua Manlou and Su Shaoying. It wasn't until the sun started to set in the west that he finally left.
Waiting at the palace's back gate was a small green velvet carriage. Jin Jiuling boarded it, and after turning down three alleys, he transferred to a black lacquered horse-drawn carriage.
"Where's Lu Xiaofeng?" Jin Jiuling asked in a low voice.
The carriage driver pulled his hat brim down, revealing a strand of prematurely white hair at his temple, but his voice remained youthful, "He has left the Snake King's lair and is headed towards the Western Garden."
(End of Chapter)
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