https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-607-Cherry-Blossom-and-Green-Willow-Block-the-Way/12567833/
Chapter 606: Entering the Puppet Manor
Chapter 606: Entering the Puppet Manor
North of Hanzhong, the Qinling Mountains stretch endlessly.
After traveling deep into the mountains for several hours, the group finally arrived at a secluded spot in the forest where a grand manor stood.
"This is the main headquarters of Tianzong!" Yang Kaitai exclaimed. "It was in the woods over there that we saw Xiaoyao Hou kill Xietian Shi and Feng Yuzzi, along with Feng Songzi and the other six."
"I smell blood!" Xiao Simmering suddenly said.
With a faint smile, Feng Siniang gazed at the manor's main entrance and remarked, "I'm afraid we really are too late."
As they reached the end of the mountain road, the group saw that the manor's gates were wide open. However, several people were lying scattered and motionless by the entrance.
"They're from the Kunlun and Diancang sects!" Yang Kaitai recognized their clothing.
"Since the Diancang sect leader and the Kunlun sect elder died here, the members of their sects must have panicked." Lian Chengbi said, "And so they were the first to die."
Xiao Simmering turned over one of the bodies and saw that their faces were purple, with several crossbow arrows piercing their chests.
"Be careful, everyone. These arrows are probably poisoned and could be triggered by mechanisms." Xiao Simmering warned.
Lian Chengbi raised an eyebrow, surprised that Xiaoyao Hou had resorted to using poisoned hidden weapons. It seemed that the pressure from the large number of martial artists had forced his hand.
As they stepped into the manor, they found the front courtyard littered with various hidden weapons and the bodies of martial artists. The number of corpses here was even greater than those at the entrance, indicating the intensity of the battle.
"What tall walls!" Yang Kaitai suddenly exclaimed.
As they had entered from the outside, they noticed that the manor's surrounding walls were exceptionally high. However, upon venturing further into the manor, they discovered that there was an even taller wall at the back.
The front courtyard's walls stood at three zhang high, while the rear courtyard's walls towered at a staggering six zhang. The surfaces of these walls were smooth and offered no footholds, making them impossible to climb without supernatural means.
Feng Siniang scoffed, "Xiaoyao Hou may possess exceptional martial arts, but it seems he has a small heart. Why else would he build such tall walls? Is he that afraid of assassins?"
Yang Kaitai, driven by curiosity, asked, "But Xiaoyao Hou doesn't seem like a coward, does he?"
Xiao Simmering chuckled, "Perhaps his diminutive stature makes him favor tall walls? Isn't it said that we crave what we lack?"
Lian Chengbi applauded, "Now I understand why Xiaoyao Hou isn't interested in Siniang."
"Why?" Xiao Simmering asked.
"Because Xiaoyao Hou is getting on in years, and what he lacks is the youth and beauty of a young girl." Lian Chengbi explained with a smile.
Everyone laughed at this, except for Feng Siniang, who gritted her teeth and said, "Lian Chengbi!"
Hearing their teasing, the young master wanted to sneer, but the sight of the surrounding corpses and the quiet manor stole the smile from her face.
Shen Bijun asked, "Why is there no sound coming from the manor? Could it be that Xiaoyao Hou has already been killed and the others have left?"
"No," Lian Chengbi shook his head.
Xiao Simmering added, "If the battle had ended, regardless of the victor, they would have collected the bodies by now."
Feng Siniang's eyes lit up, "So, they must all be in the back courtyard?"
"I presume so." Lian Chengbi nodded, a hint of confusion in his tone, "Xiaoyao Hou doesn't seem the type to run away, though. He must have quite the courage."
The group quickened their pace and soon found the only entrance to the back courtyard.
As they passed through the doorway, they discovered a long, enclosed passageway with no windows. After walking for several dozen paces, they entered a large windowless room containing a table with a miniature manor on it.
The miniature manor was exquisite and intricate, featuring bamboo, pine trees, flowers, and flowing water. It had bridges, pavilions, towers, immortal cranes, and elk, as well as intricately carved dolls that resembled real people.
"What is this?" Yang Kaitai asked, "Why would Xiaoyao Hou display such a doll manor here?"
"
Xiao Shiyilang joked with a smile, "Maybe because he's a little short himself, he also likes these little things. For example..."
Xiao Shiyilang glanced at the young master, but the young master coldly smiled back, "You can think about it here for the rest of your life, and you still won't guess why my master placed this doll manor here."
Feng Siniang was nonchalant as she asked, "Why should I bother with such a question?"
Lian Chengbi calmly replied, "Isn't your master replicating the layout of the back courtyard with this doll manor? So that when people enter, they'll think they've been shrunk by magic and turned into dolls. Wouldn't that instill fear and make them willingly submit to your master's commands?"
The young master looked at Lian Chengbi in shock, his eyes reflecting disbelief.
His expression had already betrayed Xiao Yao Hou.
Feng Siniang sized up Lian Chengbi, "You guessed your master's intentions so quickly. Honestly, are you also such a person?"
"If I couldn't guess his thoughts, how could I deal with him?" Lian Chengbi nodded frankly, then affected an evil smile, "If I wanted to be a villain, I'd be worse than him. Do you believe me?"
Everyone, "..."
Yang Kaitai weakly said, "Brother Lian, don't scare me."
Feng Siniang nodded, "I believe it. If the number one swordsman in the world and the master of Wugou Manor wanted to be a villain, he could definitely throw the world into chaos."
Xiao Shiyilang nonchalantly said, "You don't need tricks. Your sword alone is enough to pierce through the martial arts world."
"That's different. Using a sword isn't as fun as using tricks." Lian Chengbi smiled and patted the young master's shoulder, "Quickly lead us to the back courtyard. I think Xiao Yao Hou has good taste. This manor would make a perfect northern branch for the Wugou Manor."
As the young master looked at Lian Chengbi's smiling face, he suddenly felt like he was facing Xiao Yao Hou.
Calm, confident, elegant, looking down on the world...
The young master shuddered, then led them through the large table and into another room, opening a small door, "Through here is the Doll Manor."
"Wow, your master really did name this manor Doll Manor!" Feng Siniang exclaimed, then flew in first.
Yang Kaitai and Xiao Shiyilang, worried about Feng Siniang, quickly followed.
Lian Chengbi held Shen Bijun's hand and walked in last.
At first glance, the layout of the garden was indeed identical to the miniature manor, complete with artificial hills, flowing water, pavilions, and corridors.
However, the numbers didn't add up. There were more people in the Doll Manor, and there were also many corpses.
Let's not talk about the corpses, but all the living people were injured, and the air was filled with a faint scent of peach blossoms.
"Brother Liu! Brother Zhu! What are you doing here too!" Yang Kaitai exclaimed in surprise.
Among the injured, Yang Kaitai spotted two more of the Six Gentlemen of the Martial World: Liu Seqing and Zhu Baishui.
Liu Seqing, a direct disciple of the Gu Daoist of Bashan, was said to have mastered the essence of the Returning Wind and Dancing Willow Sword. His swordplay was so ethereal and profound that it was said to rival that of Gu Daoist in his heyday.
Zhu Baishui, inheriting the strengths of both Emei and Diancang, was the only son of the famous hidden weapon master, Thousand-Handed Guanyin, Zhu Furen. Both his hidden weapon skills and swordplay were top-notch in the martial arts world.
It was normal for these two, who had some connection with Wan QingSong and Xie Tian Shi, to be here.
"Brother Yang? Brother Lian is here too!"
Liu Seqing was surprised to see them but soon calmed down.
Many of Tianzong's secrets were discovered and revealed by Lian Chengbi, and it was only natural for him to come here after learning about the location of Tianzong's headquarters.
"You're just in time. Quickly go to the back mountain to help Ouyang Xia, Wudang Feihe Zhenren, and Shaolin Fayue Master!"
(End of Chapter)
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