https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-425-Speculations-on-the-Actions-of-Yuling-Manor/12536656/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-427-A-Trial-and-Admiration-from-Wu-Ming/12536659/
Chapter 426: The Master of Unnamed Island Comes Ashore
Chapter 426: The Master of Unnamed Island Comes Ashore
Even though they had received an invitation from Wudang Mountain, there was still some time before the 13th of April.
During this period, Lu Xiaofeng had to gain Mu Daoist's trust within Youling Manor, gather information about the other residents, and also engage in a pure romance with the Ye sisters, Snow and Spirit. Considering all this, his schedule was quite tight.
Su Shaoying and the others wouldn't just wait indefinitely for him in Jiujiang. After touring Poyang Lake, they followed the river downstream, arriving in the lands south of the Yangtze River.
According to Su Shaoying...
"Given Lu Xiaofeng's carefree and indulgent personality, he definitely won't venture into the deep and malarial Ten Thousand Great Mountains in the south. Nor will he head to the northwest to eat sand. Even more unlikely, he won't set sail for Unnamed Island and walk into a trap. He's most likely in the lands south of the Yangtze River, the place he's most familiar with."
"So, we're not just touring the lands south of the Yangtze River, but also searching for Lu Xiaofeng's trail!" Su Shaoying said earnestly.
"If you could put down the wine in your hand, we might actually believe what you say," Ouyang Qing teased.
It was a rare opportunity to follow Hua Manlou to the lands south of the Yangtze River, so they naturally had to pay a visit to the Hua family, the biggest landowners in the region, and act as guests.
Although Hua Manlou had lived alone since childhood due to certain circumstances, and despite the Hua family's vast wealth and influence, it was unrealistic to expect harmonious and selfless relationships among family members. Nevertheless, Hua Manlou himself maintained a good relationship with his family.
Firstly, he was the youngest, and his parents felt somewhat guilty towards him.
Secondly, his personality was amiable; he didn't compete or quarrel, nor was he greedy or angry, so others didn't guard against him.
Thirdly, he was blind, and even if he didn't appear so, he looked naturally weaker.
Therefore, while the first six siblings of the Hua family schemed against each other, they didn't involve Hua Manlou, and instead maintained good relationships with him and gave him face.
The reason Hua Manlou chose to live alone outside the family, even going as far as to reside in Hankou, was also related to his desire to avoid these troublesome family matters.
However, Su Shaoying and Ouyang Qing were truly good friends of his, and now that they had come to the lands south of the Yangtze River, he had to host them at his family's estate.
At this moment, Su Shaoying and Ouyang Qing had just attended the welcoming banquet held by the Hua family and returned to the separate courtyard prepared for them, where they were now having a small drink with Hua Manlou.
"The Hua family's eldest son and third son aren't at home, so I'm not sure about them, but the other four are indeed outstanding individuals. I think that in a few decades, your Hua family will be able to mix with the big families of the Jiangnan martial arts world," Su Shaoying said with a smile.
The Hua family's ancestor was a famous general who served during the founding of the current dynasty and died for the country, earning the gratitude of the court and receiving generous rewards.
Through the efforts of several generations, the family had expanded from politics to business, transforming from an ordinary clan into one of the current major landowners in the lands south of the Yangtze River. Although their influence in the imperial court was gradually weakening, they had ventured into the martial arts world, charting a different course and expanding their reach.
"When the trees grow tall, they attract the wind," Hua Manlou shook his head. "The Hua family's foundation is not deep enough. To have achieved what they have now is actually quite good. If one's virtue does not match their position, disaster will follow."
His thoughts were clear, but no one was listening to him!
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Su Shaoying smiled. "Worrying about it now is pointless!"
Ouyang Qing pursed her lips and smiled, "Isn't there still Lu Xiaofeng?"
Su Shaoying continued with a smile, "Remind me to introduce my junior disciple to the family another day and ask you to put in a good word for him in front of the Fairy of a Hundred Flowers."
Hua Manlou, "..."
Just as the three were chatting and laughing, another clear and charming voice suddenly sounded, "You guys are having fun, but Ninth Brother is still wandering around the mountains of Jiangxi."
As the voice fell, Niurou Tang appeared in the small courtyard.
"How did you get here?" Su Shaoying asked, "Aren't you with Gong Jiu?"
Niu Rou Tang rolled her eyes at Su Shaoying before explaining, "Lu Xiaofeng has gone missing."
"Hmm?" Su Shaoying's eyes flickered, and Hua Manlou's mouth twitched.
"Lu Xiaofeng wandered around the mountains of Jiangxi for about ten days. Ninth Brother was always able to find his traces, but a few days ago, his trail suddenly disappeared," Niurou Tang said. "If it weren't for the fact that we know your plans and Lu Xiaofeng's abilities, I would have thought he fell off a cliff and died."
"Did he disappear near a cliff?" Hua Manlou asked.
"Yes, it's a bottomless cliff thousands of feet high. We looked for half a day but couldn't find a way down," Niurou Tang said. "Ninth Brother suspects that Lu Xiaofeng has already made contact with the people of Youling Manor, so he asked me to come and remind you."
Niu Rou Tang was a little unhappy. While she and Gong Jiu were suffering in the mountains, Su Shaoying and the others were enjoying themselves in the Hua family's estate.
"The capable ones do more, and there aren't many people in the world who are qualified to pursue Lu Xiaofeng. Besides Ninth Brother, I really can't think of anyone else," Su Shaoying flattered with a smile.
Niu Rou Tang coldly smiled, "Don't try to butter me up. Ninth Brother might buy that, but I won't. If you're sincere, then teach me the 'Transplanted Flowers and Connected Jade' technique."
"Aren't the countless lost martial arts on Unnamed Island enough for you to practice?" Su Shaoying asked.
"None of them are as good as 'Transplanted Flowers and Connected Jade'!" Niurou Tang said.
"I have to admit that," Su Shaoying nodded. The martial arts of the Transplanted Flowers Palace were not only extremely powerful but also very pleasing to the eye, emphasizing both form and substance.
"So..."
"So, do you really need 'Transplanted Flowers and Connected Jade'?" Su Shaoying asked with a suggestive smile.
Niu Rou Tang's face was filled with spring, and she smiled, "Do you want to try it?"
"I'm flattered, but I must decline," Su Shaoying said.
Niu Rou Tang hummed and called Su Shaoying a "coward" before saying to him, "The old man wants to see you."
Su Shaoying was startled, "Has the Master of Unnamed Island come ashore?"
Niu Rou Tang smiled maliciously, "He's a person, so of course, he can walk and take a boat by himself. Why wouldn't he be able to come ashore?"
Su Shaoying was speechless. In the original story, Wu Ming, the little old man, didn't just come ashore, he didn't even make a move. But no one could deny that he was a ceiling-level expert, completely different from Wang Yu Yan.
While Wang Yu Yan only understood the theory, Wu Ming had truly managed to cultivate in just three months what others couldn't cultivate in a lifetime. All those considered top-notch experts in the martial world were his disciples, even Ninth Brother was taught by him.
However, Su Shaoying wasn't afraid of him because Wu Ming was also a man without desires or demands. The Invisible Man organization, and even the original plan to assassinate the emperor, seemed more like acts of boredom and finding something to do after knowing about Pingnan King's actions and finding them interesting.
"Where is the Island Master?" Su Shaoying asked.
"Follow me," Niurou Tang smiled and replied, and then her figure flashed, and she flew out of the small courtyard.
(End of Chapter)
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