https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-418-Conspiracy-in-the-Eagle-s-Nest/12536648/
Chapter 419: The Plan Begins
Chapter 419: The Plan Begins
Lu Xiaofeng had disappeared.
There were rumors that a lavishly dressed man and woman, resembling a young noble and his princess, had confronted Lu Xiaofeng on the Qin Huai River. The man had struck Lu Xiaofeng with a single sword blow, severely injuring him and causing him to fall into the water and escape.
...
"Could Lu Xiaofeng dodge that sword strike from Gong Jiu?"
On a lavishly decorated boat, Ouyang Qing and Su Shaoying stood hand in hand by the window, gazing at the deck of another boat moored across from them. There, Gong Jiu stood proudly, his elegant figure commanding the attention of all around him.
Yes, Ouyang Qing was also in Jinling.
Once again, Su Shaoying's wish to indulge in the pleasures of Qin Huai River had gone unfulfilled. As they traveled south to Jinling, Ouyang Qing had greeted them with a playful smile, welcoming them onto her family's boat.
And so, another spectator was added to the anticipated duel between Lu Xiaofeng and Gong Jiu.
"Gong Jiu held back," Su Shaoying remarked. "The strike he just delivered was not as powerful as the one that killed the withered bamboo."
Su Shaoying laughed. "He's a considerate person. He was concerned that Lu Xiaofeng might not be able to withstand his full strength, so he promised to pursue Lu Xiaofeng without killing him here."
"But he still wounded Lu Xiaofeng," Ouyang Qing pointed out.
"Lu Xiaofeng brought that upon himself," Su Shaoying explained. "He opened a gash on his left shoulder, but it didn't affect his bones or his ability to use his light martial arts skills."
"Gong Jiu is giving chase," Ouyang Qing observed as she saw Gong Jiu and Niurou Tang disembark from the boat and board a faster vessel, heading downstream.
Ouyang Qing voiced her concern. "Gong Jiu's swordsmanship is almost on par with Xi Men Chuixue, and he seems determined this time. I hope Lu Xiaofeng doesn't fall into his hands."
"While his swordsmanship is indeed impressive, he still falls slightly short of Xi Men Chuixue in the realm of the sword," Su Shaoying shook his head. "Moreover..."
"What is it?"
"He hasn't faced much adversity in a long time," Su Shaoying continued with a smile. "In terms of escape and pursuit experience, as well as adaptability, he is far inferior to Lu Xiaofeng."
"So, Lu Xiaofeng will definitely be able to evade his pursuit?" Ouyang Qing asked.
"At least that's the most likely outcome," Su Shaoying assured her.
That was why Lu Xiaofeng was willing to take this gamble, and although Gong Jiu may have had a slight premonition, his confidence in his own abilities led him to accept the challenge.
"For the time being, this dynamic of pursuit and escape won't change," Su Shaoying predicted. "In fact, the outcome would be similar if Xi Men Chuixue had made the first move. No one would dare to stop either of them."
Shaking his head, Su Shaoying sighed, "Lu Xiaofeng is in for a challenging time ahead."
Ouyang Qing echoed his sentiments. "Lu Xiaofeng sure has a knack for getting involved in other people's business!"
"We still have a few hundred miles to go before reaching Jiangxi, and we need to wait for news to spread," Su Shaoying said with a smile, raising his eyebrows at Ouyang Qing. "We have plenty of time."
Ouyang Qing giggled and pulled Su Shaoying into the cabin's bedroom.
...
Many people witnessed the confrontation between Lu Xiaofeng and Gong Jiu, so the news spread quickly.
Gong Jiu's fame soared because of this duel, and his previous battle in Guanzhong during the previous year was also brought up again.
"Who would have thought that the prince of Taiping Kingdom is also a master swordsman!"
"Feixingzi and Lu Xiaofeng, one was the renowned number one blade of his time, and the other is a contemporary hero known for his light martial arts and finger techniques. Yet, neither could withstand a single sword strike from Gong Jiu!"
"His swordsmanship might even surpass that of Ye Gucheng, the Lord of Baiyun City."
"So now, many people want to challenge Xi Men Chuixue, replicating the battle at the pinnacle of Zijin."
"I heard that the young genius of Wudang, Ye Guxiang, has issued a challenge to Xi Men Chuixue, inviting him to a duel at noon on the Double Yang Festival at the peak of Zijin."
"What relation is Ye Guxiang to Ye Gucheng?"
"He's a distant cousin, and Ye Gucheng has even guided him in his sword techniques."
"So, he's seeking revenge for the Lord of Baiyun City?"
"That remains to be seen..."
"But aside from Ye Guxiang, I thought you, Su Shaoying, were the one closest to Xi Men Chuixue among the younger generation. I never expected the prince of Taiping Kingdom to suddenly appear, his sword skills clearly surpassing those of Ye Guxiang and yourself."
Su Shaoying and Ouyang Qing were touring Jinling when Ouyang Qing overheard the conversation and asked Su Shaoying, "You're not even a little bit angry?"
"Why should I be angry?"
"Because they said you're not as good as Gong Jiu," Ouyang Qing said. "But in reality, you're stronger than him."
"How do you know that?"
"I just know!" Ouyang Qing giggled. "You're just pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger, you little scoundrel!"
Su Shaoying smiled faintly, "You know too much..."
Ouyang Qing nibbled on her lower lip, her eyes filled with allure, "Then, how do you plan to punish me?"
...
When Lu Xiaofeng disappeared, and Gong Jiu pursued him into the mountains of Jiangxi, news of their battle spread far and wide.
Su Shaoying, who had fought alongside Lu Xiaofeng several times as a "friend," also received a letter one evening. It was delivered by a Wudang disciple, but the writer was not Shi Yan Zhenren, but rather the Wooden Daoist.
"The Wooden Daoist invites me to meet him in Jiujiang."
"Regarding Lu Xiaofeng?"
"Yes, regarding Lu Xiaofeng."
"It looks like you're going to lose your bet with Lu Xiaofeng."
"Why?"
"The Wooden Daoist is so concerned about Lu Xiaofeng's safety; he must not be the owner of that ghostly manor."
"That's not necessarily true."
"Why not?"
"He might also want to observe and test us, Lu Xiaofeng's friends, up close. To see if there's something more to Lu Xiaofeng being pursued by Gong Jiu."
Ouyang Qing shook her head, "I think you've been spending too much time with Lu Xiaofeng, and now you're becoming more and more suspicious. The Wooden Daoist is a respected elder of Wudang, with a high status. Why would he bother with something like a ghostly manor?"
"But don't forget," Su Shaoying said, gently stroking Ouyang Qing's delicate nose, "when Lu Xiaofeng wanted to bring the Wooden Daoist into this plan, Shi Yan Zhenren explicitly expressed his opposition. The internal struggles within a renowned sect are no less intense than the political intrigues of the imperial court."
Ouyang Qing had no response to that. She wasn't close with the Wooden Daoist, so how could she know more about him than the Wudang leader?
If Shi Yan Zhenren didn't want the Wooden Daoist involved in the plan, he must have had his reasons.
"But you just casually told me about this plan?"
"Because I trust you!" Su Shaoying had just finished speaking when he saw the emotion welling up in Ouyang Qing's eyes.
"Ah—"
(End of Chapter)
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