https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-436-Mocking-Lu-Xiaofeng-He-Can-t-Talk-Back/12536676/
Chapter 435: A Close Call
Chapter 435: A Close Call
"Remember, there was never any Eagle's Nest, and we didn't gather there. We all just arrived in Shiyan Town today, and we will go to Wudang Mountain together tomorrow morning."
"Yes, we don't know anything about Ghostly Mountain Villa. We're just here to attend the Wudang celebration."
The group dispersed, and Su Shaoying and Hua Manlou strolled along the streets bathed in the night's shadows.
"It seems our plan is going smoothly," Su Shaoying said with a laugh, stroking his chin as he wondered if Little Gu Daoren from Bashan had informed his master about this matter.
"Indeed." Hua Manlou nodded in relief. Although there was still Shi He outside, according to Lu Xiaofeng's account, this person was a highly skilled swordsman who acted alone, so there was no need to worry about him colluding with others.
"In that case, let's just wait for the show tomorrow," Su Shaoying said.
Hua Manlou smiled and nodded, "The Hua family has a manor in Shiyan as well. Let's rest there tonight and head to the mountain first thing in the morning."
Su Shaoying: "..."
He suddenly understood why Lu Xiaofeng, who seemed to lead a carefree life, always had an endless supply of money.
...
April 13th, early morning.
Wudang Mountain rang out with nine clear bell chimes, signaling the start of a festive day. Colorful flags were hoisted on the mountain and its surroundings, announcing that the mountain would not be receiving guests today. However, a steady stream of people continued to make their way up the mountain toward the True Warrior Hall.
These visitors included local government officials, wealthy merchants, and influential figures from the martial arts world who had friendly ties with the Wudang Sect, as well as renowned martial artists who had received invitations to the celebration.
Su Shaoying and Hua Manlou, being well-known figures in the martial arts world, were easily recognized by the Wudang disciples at the mountain gate, and they were guided up Wudang Mountain.
"The celebration doesn't start until tonight. Why are you here so early?"
The one who greeted Hua Manlou and Su Shaoying was none other than the renowned master of Wudang, Mu Daoren. After all, they had shared meals at Jiuhua Mountain and witnessed the decisive battle in the Forbidden City together. They could be considered friends.
"I heard that some of the seniors in the martial arts world arrived last night, so as juniors, if we had waited until this afternoon to come, our masters would have punished us," Su Shaoying explained with a smile.
Master Mu burst into laughter, "You must be talking about Shaolin's Tie Jian. That old fellow did indeed arrive last night. Since I stayed at Shaolin Temple for a night the last time I visited, he didn't want to be outdone, so he insisted on tasting Wudang's morning vegetarian meal."
"He's staying at Tingzhu Courtyard, and coincidentally, Eagle Eye Laqi, Gao Xingkong, and Little Gu from Bashan are also there. Why don't you join them?" Master Mu suggested with a smile, "There's also someone I'd like to introduce you to."
"Who is it?" Hua Manlou asked.
"You've been active in the Central Plains for a long time, so you might not know him, but Su Shaoying has definitely heard of him." Master Mu turned to Su Shaoying, "He is the head of the Thirty-six Caves of the Miao People in the Dian Border Region, who studied under Bashan in his youth and is Little Gu Daoren's master uncle."
Su Shaoying's original memory did contain this name, "Hereditary chieftain, ruler of the southern skies, wealth and status rivaling that of royalty, Flying Lion Long Meng."
According to Dugui Yihe's instructions, this Flying Lion chieftain held power both in the imperial court and in the martial arts world. His martial arts skills were formidable, and his influence was vast. Even the Diancang Sect, known for their dominance in Yunnan, gave him a wide berth.
"Indeed, it's him," Master Mu confirmed with a smile, "He happened to have business in the Central Plains and paid a visit to Little Gu Daoren in Bashan. They then decided to come to Wudang Mountain together to join in the festivities."
Hua Manlou nodded, not noticing anything amiss, but Su Shaoying asked, "Is Dragon Flying Lion also a friend of yours, Daoist Master?"
Master Mu's eyes flickered as he replied calmly, "We've met a few times and can be considered somewhat acquainted."
Su Shaoying nodded in understanding, "I see."
Hua Manlou furrowed his brows slightly, deep in thought.
The three of them then arrived at Tingzhu Courtyard, and from a distance, they could hear Gao Xingkong's boisterous laughter.
"What's so funny? Let this old Daoist in on the joke as well!"
A spark of excitement flashed in Long Meng's eyes when he saw Master Mu enter, but he merely nodded slightly and remained silent.
'What similarities?' Master Mu asked.
'They can all drink!' Eagle Eye Laqi replied, eliciting a round of laughter.
Master Mu then introduced Su Shaoying and Hua Manlou to Long Meng, and the two paid their respects as junior disciples. They were then each presented with a piece of lush green jade.
Su Shaoying felt a bit embarrassed as he watched Master Mu 'silence' him with such a generous gift.
The group chatted and laughed for a moment before Wang Shidai of the Beggar's Sect arrived, followed by an old man who appeared to be Huogong Daoren. He kept his head down as he served dishes to the group.
Huogong Daoren seemed to be advanced in years, so his movements were slow, but he didn't stop.
He served braised bamboo shoots, flat-tipped hairy beans, shiitake mushrooms with tofu, Luohan-style vegetarian dish, and a big pot of aromatic jing rice porridge.
Wang Shidai looked at the assortment of small dishes on the table and couldn't help but smile at Tie Jian, 'So this is the unforgettable Wudang morning vegetarian meal?'
'I didn't come to eat just any morning meal. I came for the Wudang morning vegetarian meal!' Tie Jian laughed.
Everyone burst out laughing, and Wang Shidai turned to Master Mu, 'Aren't you always drinking? Why have you started drinking porridge now?'
'I'd like to drink alcohol, but today is a special occasion, and according to the rules, there's no alcohol,' Master Mu sighed, then smiled, 'So I drank quite a bit in the days leading up to this.'
'And he made a drinking buddy,' Gao Xingkong added.
Master Mu nodded, 'Indeed, he's quite an interesting character.'
'But I'm curious,' Eagle Eye Laqi suddenly said.
'Curious about what?' Wang Shidai asked.
'It's strange how a retired official from the capital would suddenly become a Huogong Taoist priest,' Eagle Eye Laqi said.
As soon as he finished speaking, Eagle Eye Laqi blocked the path of Huogong Daoren, who was about to leave. With a cold voice, he said, 'You can't leave. Only you can answer my question.'
Gao Xingkong also realized what was happening and quickly added, 'Indeed, he's the one who lives for alcohol. How did he end up here?'
Master Mu, Tie Jian, Wang Shidai, and Long Meng didn't make any moves. Eagle Eye Laqi and Gao Xingkong's combined strength was enough to detain ninety-nine percent of the martial artists in the jianghu.
Su Shaoying blinked, surprised that someone else was after Lu Xiaofeng, and that he had somehow crossed paths with Master Mu along the way?
Hmm? In the original story, it seems that Lu Xiaofeng indeed took the initiative to find them. Well, ask for trouble, and trouble will find you.
Lu Xiaofeng's eyes darted around, and he resumed his act of madness, claiming that he stayed here because of a bet with a jerk, and that jerk was Lu Xiaofeng himself.
However, just as Lu Xiaofeng was about to take advantage of the chaos and escape, he found Su Shaoying blocking his path.
Lu Xiaofeng: (⊙o⊙)
If looks could kill, Lu Xiaofeng would have stabbed Su Shaoying eight hundred times by now, but Su Shaoying just smiled without a care.
'You could have gone up to Wudang Mountain openly and honorably. Why did you disguise yourself as a Huogong Taoist and play tricks on us?' Su Shaoying asked.
'Do you know who he is?' Gao Xingkong asked Su Shaoying.
'Of course,' Su Shaoying nodded.
Master Mu's eyes flickered, and Wang Shidai asked first, 'Who is he?'
'He's the one who came to tease us, calling himself a jerk and making a bet with Lu Xiaofeng. With his incredible light work, there's only one person in the world who fits the bill,' Su Shaoying smiled.
'Sikong Zhaixing!' Eagle Eye Laqi exclaimed, clapping his hands.
(End of Chapter)
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