The Melon-eating Swordsman In The Ancient Dragon World Chapter 45: The Clever Sibling Duo - Novel Cool

Chapter 45: The Clever Sibling Duo

Chapter 45: The Clever Sibling Duo

Yu Longsheng and Ding Baiyun stood together, criticizing Li Xinhuan, leaving Ding Chengfeng, who was riding alongside them, feeling rather uncomfortable.

In this ancient era, a patriarchal and deeply misogynistic society prevailed. While there were strong female figures and their devoted followers in the martial arts world, raising women's status slightly above that of common folk, men were still largely favored overall.

Thus, it was considered normal for Bai Xiaosheng's Arsenal Spectrum to exclude women, and even the top martial artist, Lan Xiezi, had no objections. She merely stated that if she were included, she would certainly not rank below Yi Ku.

In Ding Chengfeng's opinion, even if Li Xinhuan's actions were a bit inappropriate, his initial intentions were good, and his magnanimity was admirable. At the very least, Li Xinhuan had accomplished something that Ding Chengfeng knew he could never do—he couldn't bring himself to give away his entire family's wealth.

If Long Xiaoyun and Lin Shiyun could understand his good intentions, it would be a beautiful story.

However, listening to Yu Longsheng and Ding Baiyun's discussion, it seemed that... they also had a point? At the very least, Ding Chengfeng couldn't bear to see his sister wronged.

As a result, Ding Chengfeng felt confused, restless, and agitated, sensing that something was amiss. Moreover, seeing how Ding Baiyun and Yu Longsheng were hitting it off, chatting more and more enthusiastically, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

"Is something the matter, Brother Ding?" Yu Longsheng asked Ding Chengfeng.

"Nothing, nothing," Ding Chengfeng waved his hands repeatedly, making up an excuse, "I was just thinking about how Li Xinhuan eventually went to Mount Song, and then Ah Fei impersonated the Plum Blossom Thief. How did Bai Xiaosheng and Master Xinjian prove their innocence? And who was the real Plum Blossom Thief? Could it really have been the person Ah Fei killed at Xingyun Manor?"

Ding Baiyun frowned, "This is a secret matter of Shaolin. Brother, by asking these questions, aren't you putting Brother Yu in a difficult position?"

Ding Chengfeng: ╭(°A°`)

╮

So quick to turn against him?

"This is indeed a secret matter of Shaolin. Unless Shaolin chooses to disclose the details to the outside world, I cannot reveal the specifics. However, I can tell you both the outcome, as it is impossible to conceal a death," Yu Longsheng said.

"Bai Xiaosheng met his end at Li Xinhuan's blade, and Master Xinjian was pierced through the throat by Ah Fei's sword," Yu Longsheng nodded.

"What?" Ding Chengfeng and Ding Baiyun exclaimed in shock.

"Master Xinjian betrayed Shaolin, and Bai Xiaosheng intended to use Master Xinxin as a hostage," Yu Longsheng explained, nodding. "Unfortunately, their plot was discovered and foiled by Li Xinhuan, and they perished as a result."

"Bai Xiaosheng is dead?"

Master Xinjian had renounced his former name upon joining Shaolin over a decade ago, and his original identity had long been forgotten in the martial arts world. He was only known as one of the Seven Great Masters of Shaolin, but even then, he was far less renowned than Masters Xin Hu, Xin Mei, and Xin Hui. The news of Bai Xiaosheng's death, however, was far more shocking.

After all, Bai Xiaosheng had authored the Arsenal Spectrum over a decade ago, which was a significant event in the martial arts world, and he was revered as a wise figure. His reputation remained lofty and influential.

Even in recent years, as time passed and discussions about him waned, he was still a revered guest of various sects and factions, and his decades-long friendship with Master Xin Hu of Shaolin was well-known. Yet, he had met such an end...

"Yes, he was killed by Li Xinhuan's blade, pierced right through his throat. There's no doubt about it," Yu Longsheng confirmed.

"What exactly happened? Why would Master Xinjian betray Shaolin? And what could Bai Xiaosheng possibly want from Shaolin?" Ding Chengfeng felt his curiosity itching like a cat scratching at his heart, even more so than before.

Even Ding Baiyun, who had just stopped Ding Chengfeng from asking further, wore an expression that betrayed her desire to ask more questions, though she dared not voice them. It was a difficult feeling to bear.

"I didn't say anything," Yu Longsheng quickly interrupted them. "As soon as Li Xinhuan went up to Mount Song, Bai Xiaosheng falsely accused him of being the Plum Blossom Thief. He even brought Master Xinjian down the mountain to capture Ah Fei. In their haste, they exposed their own flaws."

"The fact that they were so quick to blame Li Xinhuan as the Plum Blossom Thief suggests that they are connected to the thief, doesn't it?" Ding Baiyun said. "And it also proves that the person who died at Xingyun Manor that day wasn't the real Plum Blossom Thief!"

"Smart!" Yu Longsheng exclaimed, giving them a thumbs up.

Ding Baiyun, her face hidden under the black veil of her straw hat, couldn't help but smile proudly.

"Could Bai Xiaosheng be the Plum Blossom Thief, then?" Ding Chengfeng asked, frowning.

Yu Longsheng shook his head. "The Plum Blossom Thief is just a front. How much could one person steal?"

Ding Chengfeng's eyes lit up. "So, the Plum Blossom Thief is actually an organization!"

"At the very least, he has a lot of underlings to do his bidding," Yu Longsheng said. "So, Bai Xiaosheng and Master Xinjian were probably partners of the Plum Blossom Thief."

"Bai Xiaosheng deliberately framed Li Xinhuan, but as partners of the Plum Blossom Thief, their plot was uncovered by Li Xinhuan, which proves that Li Xinhuan isn't the thief," Ding Chengfeng said.

"Exactly," Yu Longsheng agreed.

"But now that they're both dead, doesn't that mean the real Plum Blossom Thief is still at large?" Ding Baiyun asked.

"The real Plum Blossom Thief..." Yu Longsheng mused, then smiled. "Li Xinhuan already has a suspect in mind."

"Who?" Ding Chengfeng asked, startled.

"Think about it," Yu Longsheng said. "Bai Xiaosheng is a skilled martial artist with a renowned reputation. He lacks neither fame nor wealth, and Master Xinjian has secluded himself in Shaolin. No outsider, no matter how powerful, could threaten him. Why would these two men collaborate with the Plum Blossom Thief?"

Ding Chengfeng and Ding Baiyun looked at each other and shook their heads, indicating they couldn't figure it out.

Bai Xiaosheng was an elderly man who had seen the ways of the world, and Master Xinjian was a monk of Shaolin. They never even considered the possibility of a woman being involved.

"Then consider this," Yu Longsheng continued. "Ah Fei was clearly pretending to be the Plum Blossom Thief to clear Li Xinhuan's name, yet he was easily captured by Bai Xiaosheng and Master Xinjian. And he's just a lone wanderer. But remember, the entire wealth of Zhang Shengqi's family, which Ah Fei had taken, also mysteriously disappeared."

Ding Chengfeng and Ding Baiyun's pupils contracted. "Lin Xian'er!"

Not only had the blue-robed old man from yesterday's story mentioned it, but Yu Longsheng had also just brought it up. Ah Fei had rescued Lin Xian'er, and after failing to save Li Xinhuan at Xingyun Manor, both he and Lin Xian'er had gone missing.

Could Lin Xian'er be the Plum Blossom Thief?

"But she's a woman!" Ding Baiyun exclaimed. While the Plum Blossom Thief stole immense wealth, he was also notorious for defiling virtuous women. Hua Yiyi, whom they had comforted earlier, was one such victim.

Yu Longsheng shrugged. "But she has male underlings, doesn't she? Otherwise, where did the man Ah Fei killed come from?"

Ding Chengfeng reacted immediately. "That man was her puppet. She probably intended to have the Plum Blossom Thief disappear along with his death!"

"But she didn't anticipate Long Xiaoyun's betrayal when he framed Li Xinhuan as the thief," Ding Baiyun added. "So, Lin Xian'er decided to make the most of the situation and ensure Li Xinhuan's death."

"You two are indeed a clever sibling duo!" Yu Longsheng praised them.

(End of Chapter)

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