https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-372-The-Night-of-the-Full-Moon-Arrives/12536602/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-374-Ascending-to-the-Peak-of-the-Purple-Forbidden-City/12536604/
Chapter 373: Six Ribbons, Nine People
Chapter 373: Six Ribbons, Nine People
"Did he learn his mischievous ways from me?"
Before the honest monk could finish his sentence, Lu Xiaofeng's voice rang out among the group. "This kid is far worse than me. It's more like he's the one who corrupted me!"
Su Shaoying retorted, "Don't you slander me! I taught you well, suggesting that you bring Xue Bing to witness the duel. Who else could be so envied?"
Lu Xiaofeng glared at him and then turned to Su Shaoying and the alluring Ouyang Qing by his side. "I think you just don't want yourself to stand out too much!"
Su Shaoying casually replied, "Being at the pinnacle of the Purple Forbidden City, accompanied by an unparalleled beauty, and witnessing an unparalleled sword duel—these are life's greatest pleasures. I merely invited you to share in this joy, but since you don't appreciate my kindness and instead malign me, it truly breaks my heart."
Su Shaoying turned to Ouyang Qing. "He clearly has a ribbon, yet he's unwilling to invite Xue Bing. Isn't he far inferior to me? Don't you think someone should have a word with Xue Bing about this?"
Ouyang Qing nodded vigorously. "Yes, indeed, someone should talk to her."
Lu Xiaofeng was about to jump up in protest. "Xue Bing is far away in Jiangnan, and I only got the ribbon yesterday. How could I have invited her to come?"
Ouyang Qing's voice was ethereal, and while it sounded pleasant, it sent shivers down Lu Xiaofeng's spine, carrying an eerie aura. "But you never even thought about that. You didn't even ask me where she is right now..."
Lu Xiaofeng turned to the honest monk. "Tell me, was Ouyang Qing always like this?"
The honest monk just shook his head. "Amitabha. Don't drag me into your bickering. I, the monk, just want to enjoy my meal in peace."
As they spoke, the sky gradually darkened. At the same time, an elderly man in Daoist robes with a head of white hair and cloth shoes, and a middle-aged man with an impressive bearing and sword-like eyebrows, hurried over together.
Mu Daoren and Sima Ziyi had arrived.
"Now, that's a carefree monk," Mu Daoren smiled. "Enjoying a meal under the Jade Belt Bridge—I bet none of the civil or military officials are as relaxed as you."
"The worries of civil and military officials are many," the honest monk said. "Monks naturally have fewer troubles than them."
Sima Ziyi nodded to the three of them and looked around before asking, "Now that everyone is here, shall we..."
Before he could finish his sentence, two more figures appeared in the moonlight behind the Xihe Gate, making their way towards them.
One of them had exceptional light work, but his movements were peculiar, while the other was a burly man whose solid martial arts skills were evident, but whose light work was clearly lacking.
Sima Ziyi blinked and, as the two figures drew closer, recognized them as Tang Tianzong and Bu Ju, but...
Sima Ziyi looked back and forth between them, finally asking, "Weren't there supposed to be only six ribbons? Why are there eight people here now?"
Su Shaoying, Ouyang Qing, the honest monk, Lu Xiaofeng, Mu Daoren, Sima Ziyi, Tang Tianzong, and Bu Ju—there were indeed eight people.
"Not eight people," Lu Xiaofeng said.
"Not eight people?" Sima Ziyi asked. "Then are there two ghosts?"
"There are nine people," Lu Xiaofeng said.
At that moment, a figure flashed at the east side of the Harmony Gate. A man in wide robes seemed to move slowly but was actually fast, as if riding the wind, drifting over gracefully. His light work was even more exceptional than Tang Tianzong's or Mu Daoren's.
Sima Ziyi's eyes widened, and the figure's graceful movement indeed resembled that of a ghost. "Who is he?"
Mu Daoren laughed. "There are only a handful of people in the world who can match such light work, and since Lu Xiaofeng is here, then this person must be..."
Lu Xiaofeng twisted his mouth. "He's a monkey spirit!"
Mu Daoren chuckled. "Sikong Zodiac, a monkey spirit. I heard about him this afternoon."
Mu Daoren nodded. "It's as simple as that. As for why there are three extra ribbons, what does it have to do with us?"
Sima Ziyi glanced at the cold and aloof Tang Tianzong and Bu Ju, then at the nonchalant Su Shaoying and Sikong Zodiac, and finally at Lu Xiaofeng, who wore a thoughtful expression...
Despite being the oldest one here, why did he feel like the only novice wanderer among them?
Damn!
I am the direct disciple of Tie Jian, the Iron Sword Master, and the master of the Chang Le Manor in Tiger Hill, Jiangnan!
"Wood Daoist is absolutely right!" Sima Ziyi nodded solemnly, then looked up at the full moon overhead. "Tonight is the night of the full moon, but we are not at the peak of the Purple Forbidden City. When will we be able to enter?"
"Of course, we'll enter after the emperor has retired for the night," Mu Daoren replied. "For example..."
"Now!"
A figure suddenly flashed under the Grand Harmony Gate. Yin Xian's light body technique was not weak either, as he swiftly glided onto the Jade Belt Bridge. Before he even arrived, his official tone rang out, "I know that all of you are top figures in the martial arts world, but do you know..."
Yin Xian suddenly stopped, his eyes widening in shock. "Why are there nine people?"
Yin Xian turned sharply to Lu Xiaofeng. "What's going on here?"
Lu Xiaofeng blinked innocently. "What do you mean, 'what's going on'?"
"We only gave you six ribbons!" Yin Xian exclaimed.
Lu Xiaofeng nodded. "And I only sent out six ribbons."
Yin Xian's eyes narrowed, and he asked in a low voice, "Who are the three extra people?"
Lu Xiaofeng honestly replied, "Su Shaoying, Ouyang Qing, and me."
Yin Xian was taken aback by his response and couldn't react for a moment. "You, too?"
"Yes, me too!"
"Are you one of the extra people?"
"I am one of the extra people."
Yin Xian was bewildered and still didn't understand. "How did this happen?"
Su Shaoying answered, "Of course, it's because there's an inside man in the palace. After you released the ribbons, more were taken and given out."
Yin Xian turned to Su Shaoying. "Where did you two get your ribbons from?"
"From inside the palace, of course." Su Shaoying replied, "But I think what you should be considering is not the fact that there are three extra people on our side."
"Then what should I be considering?"
"You should also be thinking about whether there are other people at the other two gates." Su Shaoying said, "We know each other, but that doesn't mean everyone here is trustworthy."
A glint of fear flashed in Yin Xian's eyes, and he gnashed his teeth. Turning to the group, he said, "Follow me!"
At this moment, he couldn't bring himself to say the lines from the original story. All he wanted to do was to quickly bring these "known" people to the Hall of Supreme Harmony and then find Wei Ziyun to discuss countermeasures.
Of course, before that...
"Lu Xiaofeng, come with me. Someone wants to see you!"
"Who is it?"
"Ximen Chuixue!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
