https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-384-The-Apathetic-Xi-Men-Chuixue/12536614/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-386-News-Brought-by-Sikong-Zodiac/12536616/
Chapter 385: Su Shaoying and Hua Manlou, Here for the Spectacle
Chapter 385: Su Shaoying and Hua Manlou, Here for the Spectacle
Ximen Chuixue remained expressionless, while Hua Manlou wore a faint smile. Neither man showed any reaction to the statement.
Ma Xiuzhen, however, felt a bit embarrassed and couldn't help but nudge Su Shaoying. "It's all your fault!"
"I was just speaking the truth. What does it have to do with me?" Su Shaoying asked in surprise.
"But you're the one who keeps bringing it up!" Ma Xiuzhen chided.
"Well, I wasn't wrong, was I?" Su Shaoying waved her hand dismissively. "But rest assured, even if Ximen Chuixue and Hua Manlou are up to something, they won't use Lu Xiaofeng as a pawn."
"Why is that?" Hua Manlou asked, intrigued.
"Because those people are merely Lu Xiaofeng's casual acquaintances. They might know him to some extent, but not well enough to manipulate him. Their clever plans will only backfire," Su Shaoying explained.
"But they are his good friends. Knowing his character, they won't hold any unrealistic expectations," Su Shaoying added seriously. "So, they are unlikely to treat him as a mere tool."
"Makes sense!" Hua Manlou applauded, laughing. "If I ever plot something devious, I'll make sure to stay far away from Lu Xiaofeng."
Ximen Chuixue asked, "Do you think Fang Yifei is plotting against Lu Xiaofeng?"
Su Shaoying countered with a question, "Are you interested in witnessing Lu Xiaofeng's troubles?"
Ximen Chuixue remained silent. Unlike Su Shaoying, he had no interest in observing Lu Xiaofeng's misfortunes. However, if the situation escalated beyond Lu Xiaofeng's control, he wouldn't stand idly by.
"Fang Yifei is not a match for Lu Xiaofeng," Hua Manlou stated, then smiled faintly. "But if it's about watching Lu Xiaofeng's spectacle, count me in."
Sun Xiqing, who was pregnant, stayed behind with Ximen Chuixue to care for her.
Ma Xiuzhen and Shi Xuexue also did not accompany Su Shaoying and Hua Manlou to find Lu Xiaofeng. Having been away from the mountain for several months, they took the opportunity to return with the new information they had gathered.
Thus, the only ones heading to Guanzhong were Su Shaoying and Hua Manlou.
During their journey, Su Shaoying asked Hua Manlou, "Are there any exceptionally skilled female warriors in the martial arts world?"
"Gongsun Daniu is extremely formidable," Hua Manlou replied.
"Gongsun Daniu doesn't count," Su Shaoying shook her head. "Anyone else?"
Hua Manlou was puzzled. "Why do you ask?"
"Sun Shimei has Ximen Chuixue, and Shi Shimei has you. My uncle is an honest monk, so I'm thinking of finding a formidable wife for Xiao Did. Otherwise, his life will be too miserable," Su Shaoying explained.
Although he found the question a bit odd, Hua Manlou gently obliged and provided some suggestions. "There's Lei Daji, the young mistress of the Thunder Hall in Jiangnan. Fei Qiong Xianzi of Mount Hua, and Li Yuniang from the prestigious Huang family. They possess exceptional martial arts skills and are of good character, befitting the 'Three Heroes and Four Beauties of Emei.'"
"What about the Hundred Flowers Fairy?" Su Shaoying recalled several famous female martial artists in the Hua family.
Hua Manlou blinked, "She's my little aunt. Although she's remained unmarried, she's already in her thirties this year. Are you sure about that?"
Su Shaoying nodded earnestly, "A woman past her prime brings gold bricks. Little martial brother, you're a lucky man!"
Hua Manlou, "...'
The two bantered casually as they traveled through Yanbei and Shanxi, eventually crossing the Fengling Ferry into Guanzhong.
As soon as they entered Guanzhong, they noticed a shift in the atmosphere. The streets of the nearby towns were filled with mysterious figures from the jianghu.
Hua Manlou frowned, sensing malevolent gazes directed at them, "Has the news gotten out?"
"I doubt it." Su Shaoying was also puzzled. In the original story, this was merely a side story. Aside from the Black Tiger Hall, the Western Demon Cult, and Jia Leshan, who had received the news, no one else was involved.
The next moment, they arrived at an inn in the small town and saw a funeral parlor. Outside the parlor hung a funeral couplet.
The left couplet read: "The myriad gods of the nine heavens enter our fold, obedient to our commands!"
The right couplet read: "The myriad demons of the ten realms come to guard, ascending together to ultimate bliss!"
The banner proclaimed: "Eternal life to the Divine Son!"
Hua Manlou asked Su Shaoying, "Do you smell the sandalwood and burning paper? Is this a funeral parlor?"
Su Shaoying nodded, "Indeed, it is a funeral parlor."
"Whose funeral parlor is this?"
"It belongs to the Western Demon Cult."
Hua Manlou's expression changed, "Who died?"
Su Shaoying replied calmly, "If I'm not mistaken, it should be the Young Master of the Western Demon Cult."
In the original story, after Gu Song framed Lu Xiaofeng for killing Yu Tianbao, he quickly escorted him on a journey that lasted a month or two. The entire story took place on this journey, including a trip to the Songhua River.
However, there was no mention of what happened to Silver Hook Gambling House during this period.
It seemed that Gu Song and his companions hadn't come alone. Su Shaoying had already spotted several people from outside the pass at the funeral parlor.
At that moment, these people were carrying flags and a coffin, preparing for the funeral procession.
A group of more than a dozen people, with white banners leading the way, scattered paper money, and suona horns playing in the background, creating a solemn atmosphere as they headed towards the west gate of the town.
Hua Manlou furrowed his brows, "How did the Young Master of the Western Demon Cult end up dead here?"
"Of course, someone killed him."
A voice suddenly sounded beside them, and they turned to see a withered old man sitting outside a teahouse, beckoning to them.
"Sikong Zodiac, what are you doing here?" Hua Manlou asked.
Sikong Zodiac smiled, "How do you know it's me?"
Hua Manlou approached and whispered with a smile, "The thief's scent on you is too strong. What are you up to here? Are you planning to steal the Rakshasa Card?"
Sikong Zodiac said, "I wanted to, but unfortunately, the Rakshasa Card has already been stolen."
"It was stolen?" Hua Manlou asked, "What exactly happened here? Where's Lu Xiaofeng?"
"Lu Xiaofeng?" Sikong Zodiac chuckled, "He fell for a beauty's trap and was captured by the Three Friends of Cold Seasons, who are now forcing him to retrieve the Rakshasa Card!"
(End of Chapter)
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