https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-546-Night-Exploration-of-the-Pure-Mountain-Villa/12536857/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-548-Xiao-Eleven-the-Gallant-Thief/12536859/
Chapter 547: So Soon, We Meet the Carefree Marquis?
Chapter 547: So Soon, We Meet the Carefree Marquis?
By the time he saw the glint of the sword, the blade had already appeared on the tree atop the wall.
But in the next instant, the sword was already at his throat.
Wang Zhen's pupils contracted sharply. As he instinctively retracted his claws to defend himself and turned to retreat, he found that the sword had flashed before him and disappeared.
Wang Zhen turned and backed away, landing two zhang away, steadying himself.
"Ding! Ding!"
Two soft sounds rang out as Xu Qingteng blocked the Emei Spike. Startled, he stepped back and asked with a furrowed brow, "Jiang Jiao, when did you get mixed up with Wang Zhen?"
The next moment, the just-emptied chain spear was retracted, and the black-clad man took two steps back, ready to leave at any moment.
Lian Chengbi glanced at him. "The Earth Dragon Flip just now is a signature move of Finiu Mountain. I didn't expect Master Chu to make a move as well."
Jiang Jiao and Master Chu were also famous figures in the green forest, their reputations no less than that of Golden Eagle Hand Wang Zhen. However, they each held their own territories and had never been known to associate, so it was unexpected to see them appear together at Wu Mountain Villa, plotting against Xu Qingteng.
At this moment, Jiang Jiao and Master Chu were warily eyeing the pair while also glancing at Wang Zhen with the corners of their eyes, as the three of them had Wang Zhen as their leader.
"The wind is tight. Let's scram!" Master Chu said.
Lian Chengbi's sword move from earlier had startled him. While the three of them might be able to defeat Xu Qingteng, they were no match for Xu Qingteng and Lian Chengbi's combined swordsmanship.
Jiang Jiao frowned and asked, "Wang Zhen, say something!"
As his words fell, he saw a dazzling fountain of blood suddenly spurt from Wang Zhen's neck, and since he was the closest, he was sprayed with blood.
Jiang Jiao froze, stunned for a moment.
Master Chu by his side also froze, and it was only then that he reacted. That fleeting flash of the sword had actually pierced straight through Wang Zhen's throat.
The speed, accuracy in striking the vital point, and subtlety of force had all peaked, which was why Wang Zhen's movements had not been affected in the slightest, allowing him to turn and retreat.
However, as Wang Zhen landed, he was already dead, and it was only after a few breaths that the blood gushed out from the wound.
Master Chu dared not imagine the level of Lian Chengbi's martial arts, but he knew that if he hesitated any longer, it would be irresponsible to his life.
So he paused and turned to flee.
But as he turned, he felt a pain in his back and instinctively looked down to see a gleaming sword tip protruding from his chest.
...
It was only when Xu Qingteng pulled his long sword out of Jiang Jiao's body that the guests and disciples of the Wu Mountain Villa rushed over to deal with the aftermath.
Of course, Lian Chengbi and Shen Bijun then accompanied Xu Qingteng to the main hall to drink and calm their nerves.
Xu Qingteng took a sip of wine and sighed, "I didn't expect Brother Lian's swordplay to have reached such a realm."
Lian Chengbi's sword, which had just killed Wang Zhen, had occurred while he was in a crisis, and he hadn't actually seen it, but just from Wang Zhen's outcome, he could sense the subtlety and power of that sword.
Lian Chengbi smiled, "Brother Xu's Nine Palace Linked Ring Sword also has a deep attainment. Most people would not be able to face the three of them working together."
Xu Qingteng let out a bitter laugh, "But if it weren't for your intervention, I would have only been able to escape with serious injuries. I didn't expect Wang Zhen to find two such powerful helpers."
"Chang Jiang Jiao and Chu of Finiu Mountain are both famous experts in the underworld. It's understandable that Brother Xu was caught off guard," Lian Chengbi said with a faint smile.
"Don't comfort me, I don't want to compare with you either." Xu Qingteng took another sip of wine and smiled, "I have less talent than you, and I don't practice as hard as you. How can I compare to you?"
"Moreover, I know your situation. The entire Wu Mountain Villa depends on you alone.
Based on the current situation, Xu Qingteng seemed to have good intentions and a kind personality. In the original story, he had also acted as a peacemaker at Shen Jiazhou and was the first to express regret when he heard that Zhu Baishui intended to become a monk.
"I was prepared for Wang Zhen's retaliation," Xu Qingteng said. "But I didn't expect him to dare to make a move at Wujia Manor, especially with you here."
"The second unexpected thing was that he managed to bring along Chang Jiang Jiao, the Overturning River Giant, and Chu Laojiu, the Recluse of Mount Finiu. How did they become acquainted with Wang Zhen?" Xu Qingteng wondered aloud, perplexed.
Lian Chengbi shook his head, indicating that he had no idea either...
Wait a moment!
People who should have had no connection to each other actually knew each other and even joined forces.
This scenario sounded oddly familiar.
Could they be people of the Carefree Marquis?
Lian Chengbi blinked. Could he have encountered the Carefree Marquis so soon?
"Since it's incomprehensible, let's not bother thinking about it," Xu Qingteng said with a hearty laugh. "Anyway, they're all dead now, and it doesn't matter how they knew each other! " He raised his cup and drank, "Death repays all debts, and this matter is concluded."
Lian Chengbi shook his head and sighed, feeling that ignorance truly was bliss.
...
Early the next morning, Xu Qingteng sincerely invited Lian Chengbi and Shen Bijun to visit Hangzhou before their return to Shandong. Not wanting to impose, he could only await their return and invite them again later.
After seeing Xu Qingteng off, news spread that Jin Peng Shou, Chang Jiang Jiao, and Chu Laojiu had all perished at Wujia Manor.
"The Six Gentlemen of the Martial World stand together, their friendship deep!"
"How dare Jin Peng Shou strike at Wujia Manor? Did he really think that the Immaculate Young Master's sword was no match for him?"
"I heard that Xu Qingteng hosted a grand banquet in Hangzhou, praising Lian Chengbi's swordplay as transcendent. It is said that he pierced Jin Peng Shou's throat with a single strike, and Jin Peng Shou didn't even realize it before he died."
"That's a bit of an exaggeration. Lian Chengbi's martial arts may be exceptional, but it's not to that extent. Xu Qingteng is simply returning the favor."
"The Wang family of Huainan has prepared lavish gifts and is on their way to Wujia Manor to express their gratitude to the Immaculate Young Master for eliminating the traitor from their family."
"Then they are already too late."
"Why?"
"Because the Immaculate Young Master has already departed north with his wife to visit Dame Shen at Daming Lake."
A horse-drawn carriage passed by the bustling wine shop, and a servant bought two jin of wine, some peanuts, and braised meat. He also asked for hot water to make tea, amusingly glancing at the group before returning to the carriage.
Seated next to the coachman, the servant handed the items into the carriage and reported in a low voice, "Young Master, the news of you slaying Wang Zhen with a single sword strike has reached north of the river."
Inside the carriage, Lian Chengbi picked a peanut and popped it into his mouth, chuckling, "Killing a mere Jin Peng Shou has caused such a stir. I wonder what would happen if I were to kill Xiao Simiao—wouldn't I become famous throughout the world?"
Shen Bijun poured a cup of wine for Lian Chengbi and said, "Husband, you are already famous throughout the world."
Lian Chengbi shook his head. "The protruding nail gets hammered down first. I only intended to be one of the Six Gentlemen of the Martial World, not to attract too much attention. Otherwise, there would be too many matters to deal with, leaving me no time to accompany you."
Shen Bijun smiled shyly and held Lian Chengbi's hand, caressing it gently. "I am already very content. Husband, you can't stay secluded in the mountain villa forever, or people in the martial world will start gossiping about me."
At this point, Shen Bijun asked curiously, "I heard that this notorious bandit, Xiao Simiao, has exceptional martial arts skills, but he commits all kinds of evil deeds, harms lives, and does all sorts of despicable things. Is that true?"
"It's not true," Lian Chengbi said calmly. "He's just a fool."
(End of Chapter)
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