Chapter 732: Jin Banhua: You Can't Even Imagine!
Chapter 732: Jin Banhua: You Can't Even Imagine!
Unlike Ding Feng, Yuan Suoyun was well aware that Jin Banhua was no ordinary person.
When Kumei Master informed him that Hua Zhenzhen would be heading south with Jin Banhua to investigate Bat Island, he gathered all the information he could find about Jin Banhua.
The reason was simple; Kumei Master understood Hua Zhenzhen's martial arts skills, her Clear Wind Thirteen Movements rivaling the Huashan Ancestor, and having learned multiple martial arts created by the fourth-generation sect leader, Lashou Fairy Hua Qiongfeng.
With such exceptional martial arts prowess, not only did she pose a significant threat to Kumei Master, but she was also undoubtedly on par with Yuan Suoyun.
However, despite this, a person who was supposed to cause trouble for Jin Banhua not only failed to do so but ended up accompanying her to investigate Bat Island.
As the saying goes, dragons do not dwell with snakes, and phoenixes do not nest with birds. Without any prior relationship between them, this situation alone indicated that Jin Banhua was also a highly skilled individual, worthy of accompanying Hua Zhenzhen.
The more Yuan Suoyun investigated, the more he realized that something was amiss with Jin Banhua.
The case of Wuhu was one thing, but the Great Desert was a place known for devouring people, and Shi Guan Yin was a renowned expert in the martial world, not someone anyone could casually challenge.
Perhaps ordinary people only focused their attention on Chu Liuxiang, Hu Tiehua, Ji Bingyan, and Yan Dianhong, but Jin Banhua's involvement in two cases without perishing, and his qualification to join the group of experts in besieging Shi Guan Yin, proved his exceptional martial arts skills.
He was at least not far behind Yan Dianhong or Hu Tiehua; otherwise, he would only cause chaos and slow them down when they took action together.
But even this wasn't particularly noteworthy, as Yuan Suoyun himself was also exceptionally strong, and among these individuals, he only held Chu Liuxiang in high regard, disregarding the others.
However, the subsequent events became increasingly absurd.
Although rumors in the jianghu suggested that he, along with Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua, had ascended Yuancui Mansion and earned Li Guanyu's praise, Yuan Suoyun, as the young master of Wuzheng Mountain Villa, naturally had access to more exclusive information.
Yujian Gate's Xiao Shi was a frequent guest at Wuzheng Mountain Villa, and he also had connections with the leader of the Wudang Sect.
Despite being constrained by the Li Clan's reputation, these individuals couldn't provide detailed information, but Yuan Suoyun still learned more about the situation: Jin Banhua had a debt of gratitude to the Li Clan! Li Guanyu was the number one swordsman in the world several decades ago, and no matter how proud Yuan Suoyun was, he wouldn't underestimate Li Guanyu.
With the discrepancies between the rumors and the information he had gathered, Yuan Suoyun naturally became more vigilant towards Jin Banhua. Upon meeting him, he realized that this person was indeed a formidable figure who feigned madness but was not insane.
He was well aware of the abilities of the four pearl divers, and Jin Banhua's ability to remain unharmed during their sudden ambush proved that he was undoubtedly a top-notch expert.
Knowing that Jin Banhua was a skilled master who feigned foolishness, Yuan Suoyun naturally guessed that Jin Banhua had already suspected him, so he sent Kumei Master, who was above suspicion, to test Jin Banhua and see if she could gather more detailed information.
To be honest, Yuan Suoyun was also curious about the origin of Jin Banhua's Clear Wind Thirteen Movements and the extent of his martial arts skills.
However, he never expected Jin Banhua to continue making bold claims even when facing a martial arts veteran and senior like Kumei Master.
You know all the sword techniques of the seven major sects; do you think you're the alliance master of the seven sects?
And you're also the second palace master of the Divine Water Palace; aren't you afraid that Yin Ji will hear about this and come to deal with you... Hmm?
Yuan Suoyun suddenly fell silent.
If Jin Banhua were just an ignorant playboy from the capital, his words would be nothing but empty boasting, focusing on immediate gratification without considering the consequences.
But if Jin Banhua was indeed a skilled expert, how could he not know what he should and shouldn't say? Daring to joke about the Divine Water Palace, the Jellyfish Yin Ji was someone who wouldn't hesitate to kill!
Could it be...
No, it can't be, Yuan Suoyun thought as he furrowed his brows, then couldn't help but smile.
"Indeed, a skilled expert from the capital, your words are a mix of truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, leaving people unable to see through or guess your intentions."
"Yuan Suoyun nodded in admiration, 'Interesting! Impressive!'"
...
At this moment, Kumei Nun had not yet revealed her identity, so Hua Zhenzhen naturally couldn't stay here.
After exchanging messages with Kumei Nun, the two of them bid farewell and left.
"Kumei Sect Leader said that they encountered an attack at the river mouth, but they didn't catch the culprit. It was Yuan Suoyun who saved them." Hua Zhenzhen frowned, "In that case, her identity was exposed long ago?"
"If that's the case, if Yuan Suoyun is from Bat Island, shouldn't she have known Kumei Sect Leader's identity long ago?" Hua Zhenzhen was puzzled, "If so, why would they want to kill her now?"
Jin Banhua thought for a moment and asked Hua Zhenzhen, "If you were disguised as Kumei Nun's maid, and suddenly Kumei Sect Leader was ambushed by those four pearl divers, what would you do?"
Hua Zhenzhen glanced at Jin Banhua, curious as to why he was asking this question.
"Although those four women's internal energy isn't profound, they are indeed incredibly strong. Even Kumei Sect Leader might have fallen for their trick." Hua Zhenzhen thought for a moment before admitting this first.
Although she didn't understand Jin Banhua's intention, Hua Zhenzhen had already acknowledged his wisdom. She pondered for a moment, thinking seriously.
"If Kumei Sect Leader was suddenly ambushed, it means Bat Island already knows her identity, and they are aware that she came for the Clear Wind Thirteen Movements. Moreover, the mastermind is on this ship."
But he made a move against Kumei Sect Leader and not me, which means they haven't discovered my identity yet. I must not expose myself in a hurry; everything will have to wait until we reach Bat Island."
Hua Zhenzhen thought for a moment and said, "In a situation where the culprit is unknown, I would probably continue the disguise. Even if others think I'm just an ordinary Huashan Sect disciple, I can relax my guard a little."
Jin Banhua understood.
In the original story, Kumei Nun died too quickly. Gao Yanan and Hua Zhenzhen couldn't rescue her in time. Gao Yanan, with her hot temper, openly accused Yuan Suoyun, while Hua Zhenzhen continued to hide and observe secretly.
Of course, Kumei Nun's resurrection and her accidental encounter with Gao Yanan, threatening Jin Lingzhi, was another matter entirely.
Thinking of this, Jin Banhua couldn't help but shake her head, feeling that Yuan Suoyun and Bat Island seemed incredibly mysterious, but there were flaws everywhere, and their actions were so crude. If Hua Manlou were the Bat Island Lord, with his meticulous mind, wouldn't he manage things better than Yuan Suoyun?
Then they met Yuan Suoyun.
"Brother Jin!"
"Brother Yuan!"
"Thank you again, Brother Jin, for your help just now. If anything had happened to Blue Lady, I wouldn't have been able to face the Blue Family when I returned to the Central Plains." Yuan Suoyun bowed in gratitude.
"Don't mention it, I also gained a lot of enjoyment, and I didn't lose out at all!" Jin Banhua laughed heartily.
Yuan Suoyun nodded and smiled, "Brother Jin has a carefree and unfettered personality; I truly envy you."
"There's no way, it's not something to envy. We're just born different." Jin Banhua waved his hand.
Yuan Suoyun was taken aback, "What do you mean, Brother Jin?"
"You're under a lot of pressure! Carrying the reputation of the Tranquil Mountain Retreat for over three hundred years, but in recent decades, the Retreat's prestige has declined. You were also born with a disability, which is a great pity."
Jin Banhua shook his head and sighed, "It's not an easy task to restore the Tranquil Mountain Retreat's former dominance and status in the martial world."
Yuan Suoyun's smile almost faded.
"I'm different." Jin Banhua pointed at himself, "I was born into a wealthy family in the capital, and my maternal grandfather is a high-ranking official in the court. I have no pressure and no motivation; I do as I please, and life is all about enjoyment. Isn't that carefree and unfettered?"
Yuan Suoyun took a deep breath and nodded with effort, "Brother Jin's words make sense."
(End of Chapter)
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