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Chapter 549: A True Gentleman Unfazed by Beauty
Chapter 549: A True Gentleman Unfazed by Beauty
The topic of Xiao Shi Yi Lang became a pleasant diversion for the married couple.
Two days later, they approached Huai'an.
Just as their carriage was about to enter the city, a man in gray stepped forward from the crowd, took a few quick steps, and asked in a low voice, "Are you Lord Lian and Lady Lian?"
The servant, Lian Qing, sitting at the front of the carriage, gave the man a cautious glance.
"I am under the employ of Master Duan of Huai'an. I was instructed by the King of Eagles with Jade Talons, Wang Xuanfei, to look out for the mark of the Pure Heart Manor. I've been waiting outside the south gate specifically to welcome the both of you to our humble abode." The man in gray explained.
Lian Qing turned to look back at the carriage.
A gentle and clear voice emerged from within, "We apologize for your long wait, but may we inquire as to whom we have the pleasure of addressing?"
Upon hearing this voice, the man in gray felt his bones turn lighter, deeply honored. He quickly replied, "My name is Liu Daqian, but Lord Lian may simply call me Old Liu."
"Then we are grateful for Old Liu's guidance." Lian Chengbi said.
"Yes, yes, please, this way!" Liu Daqian smiled, leading the way with quick, small steps.
Inside the carriage, Lian Chengbi explained to Shen Bijun, "Duan Hongzhang, a renowned martial artist in Huai'an, is skilled in wielding a nine-section steel whip. As for Wang Xuanfei, he is the current master of the Eagle Claw Sect in Huai'nan."
Shen Bijun shook her head, "I've never heard of them before."
Lian Chengbi smiled, "They are merely local powers. The Eagle Claw Sect only holds influence in the two Huai regions. Duan Hongzhang rarely leaves Huai'an, so it's not surprising if you haven't heard of them."
Shen Bijun was puzzled, "But why are they waiting for us?"
"It's probably still because of Wang Zhen. By killing him, I gave them a reason to express their gratitude and, at the same time, forge a connection with us." Lian Chengbi laughed.
The Pure Heart Manor had been operating in Suzhou for three hundred years and had produced several formidable figures during that time. Currently, its reputation in the Jiangnan region was at its peak, even overshadowing some of the low-key old aristocratic families.
With a radius of nearly a hundred li, the area was firmly under the control of the Lian family. They also had their hands in overseas trade, involving immense interests and backed by sufficient military power. Naturally, many wanted to get close to them.
In the original novel, the head of the seventy-two escort agencies in the sixty-three provinces of South China and North China, known for his unwavering stability, Situ Zhongping, wanted to forge a connection with Lian Chengbi and ask him to agree to a request.
However, the original owner believed that he wouldn't agree, so he killed Zhongping.
Lian Chengbi thought about it and guessed at the most likely request he would have made, probably related to overseas trade and possibly smuggling.
But Zhongping had a high status and thus, bold ambitions. Duan Hongzhang and Wang Xuanfei, however, definitely wouldn't dare to have such grandiose plans.
As Lian Chengbi and Shen Bijun alighted from the carriage, they saw several people standing at the entrance of the Duan Mansion, greeting them together.
A tall, elderly man with florid cheeks and graying hair, and a short, sharp-eyed man with an eagle-like gaze—these were none other than Duan Hongzhang and Wang Xuanfei.
However, in addition to them, Lian Chengbi also spotted a familiar face.
A person familiar to his previous self.
It was the formidable Li Gang, one of the renowned 'Six Gentlemen of the Martial World'. At that moment, he stood with an air of authority, his eyes sharp as blades and his aura fierce, overshadowing even Duan Hongzhang and Wang Xuanfei.
And aside from Li Gang, Shen Bijun also recognized someone.
"Cousin?"
Standing unobtrusively in the corner, with a calm demeanor and a steady aura, was Shen Bijun's maternal uncle's nephew, the Xiangyang Swordsman, Wan Chongshan.
Seeing Lian Chengbi holding Shen Bijun's hand, Wan Chongshan smiled and nodded at the couple.
"You flatter us."
"We are the ones honored."
Lian Chengbi then turned to Li Gang and asked with a smile, "Brother Li, what brings you here as well?"
"The Wudang Sect was irresponsible, leaving after destroying the 28 camps on Hongze Lake. However, there are still remnants of the bandit gang causing trouble for the surrounding villages," Li Gang huffed. "I'm here to help clean up their mess."
Li Gang dared to criticize the Wudang Sect, but Duan Hongzhang and Wang Xuanfei did not dare, and could only smile awkwardly on the side.
Before Lian Chengbi could return the greeting, Wan Chongshan stepped forward, "Brother Li and I came together. We were about to leave, but when we heard you might be coming, we decided to wait for a couple of days."
Wan Chongshan, known as the Xiangyang Swordsman, had a connection to the Wudang Sect and had answered their call to arms, destroying one of the camps on Hongze Lake.
He stayed behind to see how Shen Bijun was doing, and he was pleased that Lian Chengbi had brought her along on this trip to visit her family right after their marriage.
Lian Chengbi chatted briefly with Wan Chongshan, then followed Duan Hongzhang into the mansion, turning to ask Li Gang, "In that case, why didn't you keep Xu Qingteng here? He returned to Hangzhou very early on."
Li Gang explained, "When he left, there was no issue. Those bandits had just lost their camps and were too scared to come out. It's only after most of us left that they dared to show their faces again."
The Wudang Sect, being far away, naturally wouldn't go to great lengths to chase after a few small fries.
"Didn't that just play into your hands?" Lian Chengbi laughed. "If Xu Qingteng and the Wudang Sect were still here, those scattered bandits wouldn't even be worth your time."
The 28 camps on Hongze Lake were interconnected, filled with traps and dangers. They kept to themselves and didn't offend anyone, so the righteous sects usually left them alone as well.
But now that they were in distress, their camps destroyed, and their strong members scattered, it was only right for the heroes to step in and bring justice.
Li Gang stretched out his hands, displaying his iron palms with pride. "If they were all gathered in one place, I could wipe them out within half an hour. Unfortunately, they are now scattered around Hongze Lake, and it's hard to even find them."
Li Gang was the first among the 'Six Gentlemen of the Martial World' to gain fame. He was known for his 36 styles of the Great Open Stele Hand, and his iron palms were feared throughout the martial world, having crushed countless skulls of bandits and villains.
Shen Bijun looked at the dignified and righteous Li Gang, finding it hard to imagine that he was, in reality, a ruthless and lecherous man who killed to silence his victims.
However, she trusted that Lian Chengbi wouldn't make such accusations lightly. The fact that he singled out Li Gang among the Six Gentlemen indicated that he had absolute certainty.
As they entered the main hall and took their seats, Wang Xuanfei finally stepped forward to express his gratitude for Lian Chengbi's help in dealing with Wang Zhen.
"Wang Zhen's night raid on the Pure Heart Manor was his own doing, and I just happened to be there at the right time," Lian Chengbi said dismissively as he gently lifted Wang Xuanfei, making him stand up straight without any effort.
Duan Hongzhang laughed heartily and invited everyone to the dining hall.
Just then, Liu Daqian, who had guided Lian Chengbi earlier, rushed in, "There are bandits causing trouble in Siyang, Huaiyin, Peijiatown, and Qingjiangpu!"
(End of Chapter)
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