https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-357-We-Can-t-Let-Our-Master-Lose-Face/12536587/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-359-A-Premature-Visit-to-the-Imperial-Palace/12536589/
Chapter 358: Playing a Prank on Lu Xiaofeng
Chapter 358: Playing a Prank on Lu Xiaofeng
On the morning of September 14th, with the drifting mist still lingering, faint footsteps could be heard on the path leading to Baiyun Temple. A figure clad in brocade and a crimson cape slowly walked forward.
Lu Xiaofeng had spent half the previous night searching for Ye Gucheng, to no avail. Even Master Mu and Master Gusong seemed to have vanished.
However, luck was on his side. Thanks to a grateful monk named Sheng Tong, he obtained a bloodstained cloth with yellow pus, which led him to Ye Gucheng, who was temporarily staying in a dilapidated temple.
Thus, Lu Xiaofeng immediately confirmed that Ye Gucheng had indeed been poisoned.
Ye Gucheng informed Lu Xiaofeng that he had indeed heard the sound of a bamboo flute and seen a small red snake during his encounter with Tang Tianyi, but he had no idea who was behind the attack.
Lu Xiaofeng revealed to him that it was the work of experts hired by those who opposed the Pingnan King. Those people did not want to see Ye Gucheng win!
When Lu Xiaofeng returned to Li Yanbei's residence, he further confirmed that the people behind Gu Qingfeng were the same group who didn't want Ye Gucheng to succeed. They had learned of Ye Gucheng's poisoning and bought his influence and bets from the unsuspecting Li Yanbei, ensuring they would reap the benefits after the final battle.
"But what does this have to do with Du Tongxuan's bodyguards? Why did they want to kill Sun Laoye and Ouyang Qing?"
Lu Xiaofeng was perplexed, and he still had questions for the honest monk, so he made his way to Baiyun Temple.
"Although I missed the transaction between Li Yanbei and Gu Qingfeng, I shouldn't miss the morning vegetarian meal, right? They know how to enjoy life, but I seem to be destined for a life of toil!"
Shaking his head, Lu Xiaofeng arrived at the entrance of Baiyun Temple, only to find the gate already open, yet strangely devoid of any people. The sound of Taoist chants echoed from the backyard.
Without hesitation, Lu Xiaofeng entered the temple, passing through the front yard, circling the main hall, and traversing a narrow gate before reaching the backyard. There, he saw a middle-aged Taoist priest with a green robe and a yellow crown, his back turned as he stood under a towering Chinese parasol tree, his sword slung across his back, staring coldly at him.
Lu Xiaofeng asked tentatively, "Is Master Gu Qingfeng here? Are Master Mu, Su Shaoying, and the others here?"
The middle-aged Taoist priest did not answer, merely giving a cold smile. "You've come to the wrong place."
Lu Xiaofeng blinked. "Isn't this Baiyun Temple?"
"It is."
"Then why can't I come here?"
"Anyone can come here, except you."
Lu Xiaofeng couldn't help but ask, "Do you know who I am?"
The middle-aged Taoist priest shifted his stance, revealing the bark of the Chinese parasol tree behind him. A piece of the bark had been scraped away, and on the exposed wood were eight characters written in cinnabar.
'Xiaofeng will fly here and die under this tree.'
Lu Xiaofeng was stunned. "So, you do know who I am."
The middle-aged Taoist priest nodded. "A phoenix landing on a Chinese parasol tree. This tree will be your burial ground."
Lu Xiaofeng's mind raced, forming several speculations.
Did these people think that I've learned some secrets from Sun Laoye and Ouyang Qing, and that's why they want to silence me?
If so, are Su Shaoying and the other two in danger as well?
Have they already fallen into a trap by coming to Baiyun Temple, leaving them unable to send for help?
Lu Xiaofeng's heart sank. Although this Northern Sect leader of the Daomen and the ancestral court of the Quanzhen Longmen were not to be underestimated, he was prepared to force his way through Baiyun Temple if necessary.
However, Lu Xiaofeng sought further confirmation. "We are strangers with no grudges between us. Why do you insist on taking my life?"
"What a fine sword!" Lu Xiaofeng exclaimed in admiration. The sword, gleaming like autumn water and forged from countless refinements, was indeed worthy of the wealthy disciples of Baiyun Temple.
The sword's resonance seemed to act as a signal, for in that instant, six more Taoists dressed identically appeared in the courtyard.
Seven people, seven swords!
In the blink of an eye, the seven Taoists formed the Big Dipper Seven-Star Formation, a secret technique never passed down by the Quanzhen Sect of the Northern Sect of Taoism. Lu Xiaofeng found himself at the center of their formation, surrounded and attacked from all sides.
In the martial arts world, the Buddhist sect was known for their Diamond Arhat Formation, while the Taoist sect boasted the Big Dipper Seven Stars Array. These two protective formations were renowned and feared. The Shaolin Temple's Arhat Formation had once exhausted and killed the Blood Son of the Demon Sect, and the Quanzhen Sect had crushed countless evil cultivators with their Seven Stars Array.
Thus, when the seven Taoists formed the array, with the middle-aged Taoist—a master swordsman—as its pivot, the Beidou Qixing Array unleashed its formidable power.
The flashing swords weaved a net of light, trapping Lu Xiaofeng like a fish. Not only could he not escape, but he also found it almost impossible to fight back.
However, just as the sword net tightened around him, seemingly about to inflict injury, Lu Xiaofeng suddenly sighed.
"The sword is excellent, and the sword technique is superb. It's just a pity that all of you are mistaken."
As his words fell, Lu Xiaofeng suddenly took action. With a twist, a turn, a lift, and a pull, he brought one of the Taoists in front of him close and used the man's sword to break the formation.
The seven swords chimed in unison, but Lu Xiaofeng had already extricated himself.
Just then, a cold laugh rang out, followed by a flash of sword light along the wall of the courtyard. A chilling beam of light streaked towards Lu Xiaofeng's throat.
At that moment, Lu Xiaofeng had just broken free from the Seven Stars Array and was still unsteady, his breath uneven. The timing of this new attacker was impeccable, and while their sword technique was not as transcendent as Ye Gucheng's, it far surpassed that of the middle-aged Taoist.
But at that critical moment, Lu Xiaofeng suddenly smiled and extended two fingers.
The next instant, the sword light paused, and the sword energy vanished. The sword tip had reached just three inches from Lu Xiaofeng's throat when it was halted by those two fingers.
It was only then that the sword-wielder heard Lu Xiaofeng's laughter.
Lu Xiaofeng smiled at the astonished Yin Xian before him.
Yin Xian had also been confident that he could deflect his sword at the last moment, but he had never expected Lu Xiaofeng to stop his strike so effortlessly.
Just then, Gu Qingfeng, Mu the Wood Taoist, and Su Shaoying appeared in the courtyard.
Mu the Wood Taoist laughed heartily, "I've always said that Ye Gucheng's 'Sword of Heaven's Edge' and Lu Xiaofeng's 'Spirit Rhino Finger' are the ultimate martial arts in the world, and now you all believe it!"
Gu Qingfeng nodded and smiled, "We've finally broadened our horizons. Impressive, impressive!"
Yin Xian also sighed, "Lu Xiaofeng truly deserves his reputation."
Gu Qingfeng walked lightly to the banyan tree and, with a flick of his sleeve, erased the cinnabar writing. "I'm sure Young Master Lu has realized by now that this was just..."
"Just a prank," Lu Xiaofeng finished with a nonchalant tone.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
