https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-322-Su-Shaoying-Say-Thank-You-Lu-Xiaofeng-Thank-You-/12536540/
Chapter 321: A Dispirited Lu Xiaofeng
Chapter 321: A Dispirited Lu Xiaofeng
Unlike Su Shaoying, Hua Manlou, and Gongsun Daniang, who remained relaxed, Chang Mantian, Jiang Zhongwei, and Hua Yifan wore solemn expressions. Having been blinded by Jin Jiuling, they took this duel seriously and hoped to witness his defeat.
They first praised Lu Xiaofeng's martial arts prowess before commenting on the fearsome Jin Jiuling.
As Jin Jiuling changed his move, the large iron mace transformed into a raging storm, its strikes wide and sweeping. In contrast, Lu Xiaofeng returned to his nimble and agile style, becoming one with the wind.
Only then did they breathe a sigh of relief.
Jin Jiuling had lost control of his iron mace, threatening to smash the furniture, indicating his waning strength. Yet, Lu Xiaofeng remained unflustered and poised to counter.
This situation was evident not only to the veteran Chang Mantian but also to Su Shaoying and the others. Jin Jiuling and Lu Xiaofeng, in the midst of the duel, were even more aware of this shift.
Jin Jiuling never imagined Lu Xiaofeng's martial arts had reached such a sublime level. Despite his own attempts to conceal his true skills, Lu Xiaofeng had done so even more profoundly!
Thus, Jin Jiuling seized an opportunity to find a favorable position. He released the large iron mace from his hand, sending it flying with the force of a thousand pounds and the speed of a gale toward Lu Xiaofeng.
Lu Xiaofeng had no choice but to dodge. The iron mace slammed into the wall with terrifying force, causing half the house to collapse in a cloud of dust. Jin Jiuling took advantage of this throw to leap backward and escape in the opposite direction of Su Shaoying and the others.
Su Shaoying remained still, but Hua Manlou took a step forward. With his palms facing upward, he displayed the Wudang-style cloud-flying sleeve technique. The iron mace, which had been heading straight for them, suddenly changed direction and grazed over their heads.
"Amazing skill!" Gongsun Daniang exclaimed, astonished. She never expected Hua Manlou's martial arts to be so formidable.
On the other side, although Lu Xiaofeng was half a step slower, his speed resembled a meteor from beyond the heavens, as swift as lightning. With a "whoosh," he dashed out in pursuit of Jin Jiuling.
"Such incredible agility!" Chang Mantian exclaimed in awe.
Gongsun Daniang pouted, wanting to mention that her own light body technique was no less impressive. But seeing Hua Manlou and Su Shaoying's nonchalant expressions, she refrained from saying anything.
True masters never boast with their words.
Then she heard Su Shaoying say, "Jin Jiuling's light body technique isn't that impressive, is it?"
Hua Manlou smiled faintly and replied, "Perhaps because he always has subordinates to rely on, he never needed to chase anyone himself."
"Who let him be the chief of the Liuxianmen?" Su Shaoying chuckled. "He's probably drenched in sweat now."
With a light leap, Su Shaoying jumped onto the roof. Although he didn't join the pursuit, he watched Lu Xiaofeng and Jin Jiuling from a distance.
"Lu Xiaofeng is the real Flower Thief! Someone stop him!" Jin Jiuling suddenly shouted.
The next moment, Hong Xian'er, San Niang, Jiang Qingxia, and the nun in blue robe appeared from a small courtyard that Jin Jiuling had passed by.
Seeing San Niang's whip entangling Lu Xiaofeng's leg and the nun's sword piercing toward Lu Xiaofeng's chest, Gongsun Daniang, who had jumped onto the roof with Su Shaoying, turned grim. She shouted sternly, "Stop!"
However, her voice was slower than their actions. As Er Niang swung her blade toward Lu Xiaofeng's head, he reached out and pinched the tip of the nun's sword. With a push forward, the nun's long sword left her hand and, accompanied by the sound of thunder, shot toward Jin Jiuling.
Before Jin Jiuling could react, he felt a pain in his back. When he looked down, he saw the tip of a sword protruding from his chest.
As he fell backward, Lu Xiaofeng appeared before him, grabbing his collar. "Where's Xue Bing? Where is she?"
Jin Jiuling stared blankly at Lu Xiaofeng, and then a peculiar and cruel smile tugged at his lips. Even as he faced death, he wanted to make Lu Xiaofeng suffer for a lifetime. "I'm about to meet her now, but you won't be able to see her for a long, long time... a very long time..."
...
When Su Shaoying and the others arrived, they saw San Niang holding the two broken halves of her whip and Er Niang looking at her curved dagger, which had also snapped in two.
Lu Xiaofeng's fingers were sharper than the most exquisite treasure swords in the world.
"That's right, we all heard it!" The girl in red nodded vigorously.
Er Niang, San Niang, Hong Xian'er, and the nun exchanged glances, surprised at how much had changed in just a few days. Previously, Lu Xiaofeng had identified Gongsun Daniang as the Flower Thief and took her away after winning the bet.
At this moment, Lu Xiaofeng stood up from Jin Jiuling's side, his face ashen and his expression dazed, looking utterly dispirited—a stark contrast to his spirited demeanor during the duel.
Gongsun Daniang was the first to notice Lu Xiaofeng's odd behavior, having heard his loud question to Jin Jiuling.
Seeing his expression, she knew she didn't need to ask any further questions.
"It's a pity you can't see his face now; his expression is quite fascinating," Su Shaoying said to Hua Manlou.
Hua Manlou had also heard Lu Xiaofeng's question to Jin Jiuling and knew that Lu Xiaofeng believed Xue Bing to be dead, even though he had just parted ways with her and Shi Xiuxue.
However, having promised Su Shaoying, he naturally wouldn't reveal the truth just yet. Instead, he advised Su Shaoying, "Moderation is key. Don't go too far."
While Hua Manlou was referring to Su Shaoying hiding Xue Bing's whereabouts, the others thought he was telling Su Shaoying to stop mocking Lu Xiaofeng.
"You're being too hard on Lu Xiaofeng. He's already heartbroken," Jiang Qingxia said, glaring at Su Shaoying.
"You underestimate Lu Xiaofeng. He's a strong-willed person," Su Shaoying said earnestly. "All he needs is a good drunk, and all his sorrows will be forgotten."
While these words seemed like praise, they didn't feel like it in the current context.
Lu Xiaofeng harrumphed heavily. "Then let's drink! I want to drink!"
...
After handing Jin Jiuling's body over to the officials in Yangcheng, Chang Mantian, Jiang Zhongwei, and Hua Yifan stayed behind as witnesses while the others returned to the small courtyard.
This place was originally one of Hong Xian'er's bases, and while it didn't have much else, there was plenty of alcohol.
Lu Xiaofeng drank heavily, his eyes soon glazing over in drunkenness.
Gongsun Daniang, meanwhile, explained the situation to her sisters, finally saying, "When Jin Jiuling escaped, he clearly knew you were in Yangcheng, so he deliberately took that route."
Gongsun Daniang's eyes turned cold as she said, "So the traitor must be one of you four!"
Eventually, Gongsun Daniang unmasked Er Niang's true identity, but just as Er Niang was about to commit suicide, Lu Xiaofeng stopped her.
"Since you've made a mistake, why compound it? Your heart may be dead, but why should you die as well? We've had enough old grudges; why add new sorrows? Enough blood has been shed; why spill more?"
"Have you ever seen Lu Xiaofeng in such a state?" Su Shaoying asked.
"Never," Hua Manlou replied, shaking his head.
"Are you surprised?"
"Yes, I am."
"What a pity. He's just missing a few tears. I never expected that at this point, he wouldn't shed a single tear. Do you think he doesn't love Xue Bing?" Su Shaoying asked.
Hua Manlou smiled bitterly, thinking that Su Shaoying was stirring up trouble between the two. "Men don't cry easily. His heart is already in pain."
Ouyang Qing also tugged at Su Shaoying's sleeve, shaking her head slightly.
But Su Shaoying seemed unconcerned and continued to provoke Lu Xiaofeng. "Drinking alone is no fun. You need food with your drink. I remember someone saying that if Gongsun Daniang wasn't the Flower Thief, he would eat that red satin."
Lu Xiaofeng finally slammed the table and stood up. "Gongsun Daniang and her sisters' debts are settled. Now it's time to settle the score between you and me!"
"What score?" Su Shaoying narrowed her eyes and said with a strange smile, "Do you believe me when I say that by the time we're done settling this score, you'll be thanking me?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
