[Wuxia] The Soul of a Great Hero (Complete) - 10

[Chapter Twelve] Though Seemingly Heartless,

Yet Full of Feelings
Outside the Shuixi Gate, Yu Zhaonan was intercepting people. Jia Yan had previously drawn a dagger, intending to resist, and the two had become sworn enemies. Now, the kidnapped person had been rescued. Jia Yan, surprisingly, remained calm and composed, not avoiding the situation, and even prepared wine to entertain them, fulfilling her promise. Was she not afraid that Hua Yunlong would come to cause trouble and expose her secret? At this time, the Confucius Temple area was teeming with tourists, and patrons of the "Yixin Courtyard" were constantly coming and going. Yu Zhaonan was slightly taken aback, but before he could think further, he dismounted first, waved his hand, and said, "Please lead the way."
The madam bowed again, straightened her back, and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Young Master Yu has arrived!" She turned around, swaying her hips, and led the way. In an instant, the four words "Young Master Yu has arrived" echoed through the inner courtyard, the sound as powerful as a Cairo announcement, invigorating everyone's spirits.
Yu Zhaonan smiled slightly, turned to look at Hua and Cai, and said, "Miss Jia is indeed a trustworthy person. Please, you two."
Servants quickly took the horse harness and led away the horses. Hua Yunlong, understanding the situation, nodded slightly and said, "Trustworthy, trustworthy. Please, Brother Zhaonan."
The three walked side by side. Yu Zhaonan said, "Jia Yan's lack of avoidance has been unexpected. What are your plans, Brother Hua?"
Hua Yunlong, his breath barely concealed, also whispered, "We'll play it by ear and see how she explains herself."
Yu Zhaonan said, "It's just sophistry. Why force her ?"
"Don't use force," Hua Yunlong said. Yu
Zhaonan said, "Brother Changyi is straightforward and outspoken. I'm afraid we won't be able to do what we want."
Hua Yunlong said, "Your father is very insightful. Cutting off the clues by force is definitely not advisable. Please give us a heads-up first."
Yu Zhaonan paused for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll act according to Brother Hua's instructions." Then, he used telepathy to give Cai Changyi a few instructions. Cai Changyi followed Hua Yunlong's lead and naturally had no objections. He nodded to show that he had remembered.
The "Yixin Courtyard" was brightly lit and bustling with activity. As the three of them walked along, they saw all kinds of beautiful women, some plump and some slender, who were alluring and charming. Yu and Cai were regulars at the "Yixin Courtyard" and usually came together. They were very generous and knew most of the women. They greeted them with flirtatious glances and smiled and chatted.
But this time they came with a purpose. The three of them secretly observed the women, but instead of finding anything particularly striking about them, they found each one graceful and elegant, possessing a captivating charm that stirred the heart and moved the will—they were definitely prostitutes. Jia Yan's residence was an exquisite building with vermilion railings and green latticework, painted beams and carved pillars, surrounded by lush bamboo, and a small pond in the distance; the pond reflected the clear water, flowers lined the secluded path, and the wind chimes tinkled under the eaves, making it an extremely elegant, clean, and pleasant place. For a prostitute to have such an elegant residence, Jia Yan's status was self-evident.
Upon approaching, the madam who had led the way paused, pointed, and said, "Young Master Yu, please look, Sister Yan is leaning against the railing, waiting anxiously. Chen Er takes his leave." He said "take his leave," but only bowed deeply, never rising from his seat; he did not actually leave.
Yu Zhaonan smiled slightly and said, "Excuse me, excuse me, this is a reward for you, please don't think it's too little." He took out a silver ingot and tossed it over.
The madam exclaimed happily, "Chen Er thanks you for the reward!" Before she finished speaking, the silver ingot was right in front of her. She hurriedly straightened her back and reached out to catch it. Little did she know that Yu Zhaonan had put his true strength into it, intentionally testing her. She failed to catch the silver ingot, but the protruding edge had already grazed her palm, causing her to grimace in pain and clapping her hands and yelling. Although her palm hurt, the white silver ingot was more important than her flesh and blood. Chen Er turned around, quickly picked up the silver ingot from the ground, rubbed her palm, and hurriedly retreated.
The three of them smiled at each other, walked through the secluded path, and went straight up to the high building. Jia Yan, dressed in her finest clothes, greeted them at the top of the stairs, curtsied, and said in a complaining voice, "'Cold moon, sparse stars, heavy dew, which house is this with singing and music?' Master Yu, don't you know the way?"
Yu Zhaonan laughed heartily and said, "Liu Lang is lost in the ancient cave on Tiantai Mountain, even if he dies drunk from amber, he will not give up." Miss Jia has prepared wine to entertain me, and even if I don't know the way, I will come even if I have to borrow a crane. Jia
Yan flirted with her eyes, her lips curled into a frown, and spat, "Are you trying to kill me? You're trying to take advantage of me in front of my new friends? The ancient cave is closed, go and get lost there." With a graceful turn, her skirt swayed, and she walked away like a swallow.
The three looked at each other again, smiled, and followed closely behind, walking side by side. Turning to the east, there was a flower hall in the middle. Under the flickering palace lanterns, the wine and dishes were indeed prepared, and even the seats were arranged. Xiao Yun'er came out to greet them, gave a graceful curtsy, and said, "Gentlemen, if you hadn't come soon, the wine and dishes would have gotten cold." Upon seeing Yun'er
, Cai Changyi suddenly had an idea. He took out a silver ingot and said, "We're drinking, and you're serving us? That would be too much trouble for you. Here's a silver ingot for you to buy some perfume." He flicked his finger, and the silver ingot flew over.
Jia Yan stretched out her slender hand, rolled up her green sleeve, and had already tucked the silver in. She turned around and smiled charmingly, "Master Cai is too stingy. My identity has already been revealed. Why bother testing me further?" She paused, then looked back at Yun'er and said, "Go and bring out Young Master Hua's sword and bag. Let the three gentlemen rest assured that we have no ill intentions." Her words were blunt, but she wasn't angry. Cai Changyi blushed, staring blankly, at a loss for words. Hua and Yu were both taken aback, wondering what Jia Yan's intentions were in preparing the wine and serving them.
Yun'er took the sword and bag, smiled at Hua Yunlong, and said, "Master Hua, would you like to inspect it?"
Hua Yunlong laughed heartily and said, "I'm not afraid of lacking anything, I'm just afraid of having to prick my 'Jade Pillow' acupoint again." Jia
Yan chuckled and said, "I'm afraid I'll never have the chance in this life. If you're not afraid of poisoning the wine, please take a seat." Hua Yunlong laughed loudly and didn't reply, leading
the messenger to the banquet area. The four of them took their seats as host and guest. Yun'er came over to pour wine, but Hua Yunlong raised his hand to stop her and said, "Wait a minute, let me check. Is that wine pot a 'Mandarin Duck Pot'?"
He had a friendly smile on his face, so it was clear he wasn't serious. Jia Yan took the opportunity to act coquettishly, snatching the wine pot away and pouting her cherry lips, saying, "Don't look! To tell you the truth, the pot isn't a 'Mandarin Duck Pot,' but the wine is 'Mandarin Duck Wine.' Master Hua, you'd better not drink it."
Yu Zhaonan leaned forward, snatched the wine pot from Jia Yan's hand, poured wine, and recited in a leisurely voice, "The fairy maiden of Yaochi will surely summon me; I envy only the mandarin ducks, not the immortals." Jia
Yan glanced at him sideways with her starry eyes, her allure overflowing, and spat, "Who are the mandarin ducks and who are the immortals? Master Yu, you have no shame." Her eyes darted around, then turned to Yun'er, saying, "Yun'er, we've already given you our reward money. Do you really want us to pour our own wine?" Yun'er then took the wine pot and filled everyone's cups.
Jia Yan picked up her wine cup, first showing her face to Hua Yunlong, and said, "This servant toasts Master Hua. I've wronged you along the way; I offer this cup of wine as an apology." She raised the cup to her lips and drank it all in one gulp.
Hua Yunlong laughed heartily and said, "I've been traveling extensively, and I was originally planning a trip to Jiangnan. Even though I didn't get to see the scenery along the way, it saved me a lot of money. Haha, if you're asking for grievances, I'm willing to suffer again." He tilted his head back and downed his cup.
Yu Zhaonan watched Hua Yunlong's right eye blink, then his chin twitched slightly, indicating a nod and that the wine wasn't poisoned. He then picked up his cup and laughed loudly, "Having a lady in the carriage without seeing the beautiful scenery is a great pity. I urge you beforehand, if such an opportunity arises, Miss Jia, please don't spoil the mood by sealing my acupoints..."
Before the word "Dao" was uttered, Jia Yan glanced sideways and said with a fawning smile, "Oh, a dignified man like you, yet so narrow-minded! I've already admitted my mistake, isn't that enough?"
Cai Changyi, having tried to imitate others blindly, had run into a snag and felt uneasy. He was honest and straightforward, and never forgot the purpose of his trip. Now, thinking he had an opportunity, he quickly chuckled and interjected, "If a butcher kills the wrong person, is admitting his mistake enough? He should at least explain why he kidnapped the Hua brothers." Upon hearing this, Yu Zhaonan became extremely anxious. He felt the time was not right and feared that things would become tense. He couldn't use force then, and if he apologized, he would feel unsatisfied and find it difficult to back down.
To everyone's surprise, Jia Yan didn't seem to care. She chuckled and said, "Even if I'm a butcher, Young Master Hua isn't a pig. Master Cai's analogy is inappropriate; he should be punished." Cai Changyi had finally come up with an analogy, hoping to steer the conversation to the main point, but despite his best efforts and tactful maneuvering, he still managed to give himself a talking point. For a moment, he was stunned and speechless.
Yu Zhaonan felt a great weight lifted from his heart and hurriedly raised his cup, smiling, "Miss Jia, look what I'm holding!"
Jia Yan was taken aback and said, "A wine cup."
Yu Zhaonan nodded and said, "It's a wine cup. I think you're not very magnanimous."
Jia Yan was astonished and said, "A wine cup has nothing to do with my magnanimity?"
Yu Zhaonan smiled slightly and said, "I raised my cup first, intending to lighten the mood and then offer you another cup of wine, but you can't take a joke. You immediately accused me of being 'narrow-minded,' and Brother Changyi complained. You then mocked him as well. I think it's you who should be punished." "
Jia Yan pouted and said, "I'm not coming anymore! Three grown men are ganging up on me, a girl."
Yu Zhaonan laughed and said, "You're exaggerating. I'm issuing a decree: from now on, anyone who speaks irrelevantly will be punished with three cups of wine."
Jia Yan screamed, "Oh dear, I won't do it! I've been a servant, a prostitute, for years. Besides, you gentlemen come to this 'Yixin Courtyard' for fleeting pleasure; I'm serving you wine tonight with pleasure in mind. If Master Yu issues this decree, you're surely trying to punish me. I won't stand for it!" Hua
Yunlong chimed in with a laugh, "Alright, alright, enough joking. Drinking is the real business."
Yu Zhaonan readily agreed, "Exactly, exactly, drinking is the real business. Yun'er, pour the wine, I'll toast your young lady." "
Yun'er, being young, was so engrossed in their banter that she forgot to pour wine. When Yu Zhaonan gave her a drink, she blushed and hastily grabbed the wine pot with both hands, awkwardly refilling the empty cups in front of Jia and Hua. Then, they toasted each other, cups never leaving their hands, and indeed began to drink earnestly. All four were heavy drinkers, emptying their cups without a hint of modesty. While Jia Yan could be somewhat excused, Hua Yunlong and the others had come with ambition; to think they only knew how to drink and ignored everything else was utterly baffling."
After
several rounds of drinks, Jia Yan's face flushed a rosy hue, making her even more alluring and captivating. Cai Changyi, preoccupied with the purpose of his trip, wanted to speak several times, but feared saying the wrong thing and giving others ammunition. He was so anxious that he scratched his ears and cheeks, repeatedly giving Hua and Yu meaningful glances. Hua and Yu ignored him, continuing their cheerful conversation.
Yu Zhaonan laughed and said, "I know that you have found a new confidant, and your heart already belongs to someone..."
Hua Yunlong laughed loudly and interjected, "By 'new confidant,' Brother Zhaonan, are you referring to me?"
Yu Zhaonan smiled and said, "Brother Yunlong is so dashing and charming, and Miss Jia is a woman of extraordinary talent and beauty. Who is your confidant? I don't need to say more."
Hua Yunyou laughed heartily, saying, "Brother Zhaonan, you are handsome and talented, a guest of Miss Jia. How could I dare to accept the title of 'confidant'?" Yu
Zhaonan looked at Jia Yan, pointed at her, and said, "Ask her. I have known her for over a year. When have I ever been able to enter her inner circle? The so-called 'guest of the inner circle' is probably none other than you. Brother Yunlong, you are very sensible. There is no need for you to be modest."
Hua Yunlong acted as if he was in a hurry, and indeed looked at Jia Yan, smiling and saying, "Miss Jia, is this true?" There was an opportunity here. If Yu Zhaonan had changed the subject and said something like, "Otherwise, why would Miss Jia have gone all the way to kidnap you to Jinling?", it would have been easy to get to the point without leaving a trace.
But Yu Zhaonan didn't say that. Hua Yunlong also had a lecherous look on his face. The two of them chatted and joked, as if they had already forgotten the purpose of their trip. Cai Changyi, not one to use his brain, was furious at the sight. He slammed his fist on the table and shouted, "No need to ask, it's true. You can stay. Hmph, so this is the kind of person you are. Cai Changyi is blind." He stood up abruptly and turned to walk towards the hall door.
Hua Yunlong remained unmoved, while Yu Zhaonan grew anxious and shouted sharply, "Come back!"
Cai Changyi didn't stop, coldly saying, "Why come back? If you're after beauty, then stay. Hmph, birds of a feather..."
Before he could finish the word "fox," Jia Yan sighed softly, saying, "Young Master Hua, I admire you."
This sigh came out of nowhere, and the sudden change in address was unexpected. Cai Changyi's heart stirred, and he unconsciously turned around and asked, "What do you admire about him?"
Jia Yan said, "I admire his steadiness and his depth."
Cai Changyi frowned, puzzled, and asked, "He's steadiness?"
Jia Yan said sadly, "Yes, he's steadiness. Please come back." Cai Changyi blinked and unconsciously walked back.
Hua Yunlong clasped his hands in a fist salute and smiled, "Miss Jia, I admire you, I admire your intelligence."
Jia Yan smiled bitterly and said, "What use is intelligence? I still couldn't hold back."
Hua Yunlong laughed, "No need for idle talk. I have already used my internal energy to silently observe, and no one can hear within three zhang. If Miss Jia doesn't want to whisper in my ear, now is the time to speak freely."
Cai Changyi finally understood and shouted, "Oh, I understand, so you... Haha! Brother, I, Cai Changyi, also admire you." Amidst laughter, he sat down heavily.
Jia Yan sighed again and said, "Alas, he wants me to speak voluntarily. If once doesn't work, he can try twice. It seems you all have doubts about this 'Yixin Courtyard'." Hua Yunlong smiled silently, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Jia Yan paused for a moment, then suddenly continued, "My master is right, the descendants of the Hua family are certainly extraordinary. I was rash this time, and I'm afraid this foundation will be difficult to keep secret any longer."
Hua Yunlong was startled and blurted out, "This is your foundation. Who is your master?" Jia
Yan nodded and said, "My master's surname is Fang, and his given name is Ziyu."
Hua Yunlong frowned and asked in confusion, "Fang Ziyu?"
Jia Yan nodded and said, "Yes, Fang Ziyu. My master was originally the adopted sister of 'Lady Yuding,' and her martial arts were passed down from 'Lady Yuding.' Therefore, I am also considered a disciple of 'Lady Yuding.' Does Young Master Hua know 'Lady Yuding'?" This perfectly matched the two ancient sayings: "You search high and low without finding it, only to have it come to you effortlessly."
Upon hearing this, Hua Yunlong was secretly delighted, but dared not show it. He asked ambiguously, "So Miss Jia is a disciple of 'Lady Yuding,' but I wonder where this lady is now?"
Jia Yan's expression darkened and she said, "It is said that she has passed away." The implication was one of overwhelming emotion and deep longing.
Hua Yunlong, observing the expression, secretly wondered: What kind of person did that "Lady Yuding" meet? Jia Yan seemed unfamiliar with her, yet he felt a deep longing and nostalgia. He pondered this, then asked, "How long has it been since Madam passed away? Have you seen her recently?"
Jia Yan sighed deeply and said, "I saw her fifteen years ago. Her beauty and gentle nature..."
Hua Yunlong gave a soft "Oh," and continued, "Then... who told you of her passing?"
Jia Yan sadly replied, "My master."
Hua Yunlong asked, "Where is your master now?"
Jia Yan said, "My master was originally stationed here, but has already left." Hua Yunlong asked,
"Left? Why?"
Jia Yan said, "Alas, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have brought you, young master, to Jinling."
Hua Yunlong said, "Oh, is it because your master doesn't want to see me?"
Jia Yan said sadly, "Not wanting to see you is one reason, but mainly because she's worried about the secrecy surrounding this foundation. My master has gone to make other plans."
Yu Zhaonan interjected, "Miss Jia has repeatedly mentioned that 'this foundation cannot be kept secret,' so I must speak my mind. May I ask, does your master perhaps intend to establish some kind of gang?"
Hua Yunlong secretly wondered, "Strange, I don't know her master, so why doesn't her master want to see me? Hmm, that's right, her master is the sworn sister of 'Lady Yuding.' Since 'Lady Yuding' has passed away, the unique token might have fallen into her master's hands. Haha, the murder of Uncle Sima is probably related to her master."
Jia Yan nodded and said, "Yes, with Young Master Hua present, this humble concubine dares not conceal the truth. My master does indeed intend to establish a 'Charming Maiden Cult,' but..."
Hua Yunlong, already prejudiced, interrupted with a loud laugh, "'Charming Maiden Cult'? That's a heretical cult that uses women to seduce people."
Jia Yan said urgently, "Young Master Hua, you can't say that."
Hua Yunlong said, "Then how should I say it?"
Jia Yan said softly, "My master is indeed resentful and wants... wants..." Hua
Yunlong laughed and said, "What does he want? Why can't you say it?"
Jia Yan started to speak, but hesitated, paused, and then said seriously, "Young Master Hua, my knowledge is limited, and this is all I can say. In short, although the 'Charming Maiden Cult' relies on female beauty, it is not the evil cult you imagine. It mainly helps your Hua family. Whether you believe it or not doesn't matter. I only hope that you will keep it a secret for now and not reveal it to others."
Hua Yunlong said, "I wish to see your master. I would appreciate it if you could arrange it for me."
Jia Yan shook her head and said, "Please forgive me for being unable to do so."
Hua Yunlong snorted coldly and said, "That's not up to you."
Jia Yan suddenly sighed deeply and said, "It seems my master's judgment was correct. Young Master must be wondering if the murder of Hero Sima was my master's doing."
Hua Yunlong said, "Whether it is true or not, your master naturally understands. Miss Jia only needs to arrange for me to meet with my master." Jia
Yan shook her head and said, "Young master is mistaken. The Sima family's massacre has nothing to do with my master."
Hua Yunlong interrupted in a deep voice, "Miss Jia, I might as well tell you that the murderer left behind a small jade cauldron. The cauldron is the unique token of 'Lady Jade Cauldron.' Since 'Lady Jade Cauldron' has passed away, your master cannot escape the connection. If your master had nothing to do with the massacre, why would she avoid me? Miss Jia, I am not an unreasonable person, but I will not listen to pointless arguments."
Jia Yan said loudly, "Young master Hua, this is not an argument, it is the truth."
Hua Yunlong said coldly, "The truth must be supported by evidence. Can you provide evidence for your master?"
Jia Yan was stunned. Hua Yunlong continued, "Miss, you don't need to waste your breath. Although I wish to meet your master, I have not asserted that your master is the murderer or the mastermind." "However, there must be a reason why your master is unwilling to see me. I would like to hear her reason."
Jia Yan opened her mouth as if to explain something, but paused, then sighed deeply and said, "My master has already left Jinling. Even if I were to agree to arrange a meeting for you, young master, it would be beyond my power."
Hua Yunlong suddenly became agitated and shouted sternly, "You won't listen to reason, so you're forcing me to use force!" His eyes flashed with lightning speed, and his expression was extremely fierce. He was clearly enraged.
Yu Zhaonan watched coldly from the sidelines and suddenly said urgently, "Brother Hua, please calm down. Miss Jia's words may be believable. Miss Jia seems to have shown you great respect in her words, and she seems to have said everything she could." For example, her master wanted to establish a "Charming Maiden Sect," a matter that was supposed to be a secret. However, Miss Jia spoke frankly because Brother Hua was present. By analogy, it can be inferred that her claim that her master had left Jinling is credible. However, at every crucial point, Miss Jia hesitated and refused to speak directly. What is the reason for this? I don't understand."
Cai Changyi suddenly exclaimed, "That makes sense! I've remembered it too."
Hua Yunlong frowned, puzzled, and asked, "What have you remembered?"
Cai Changyi beamed, "Miss Jia's master, she's not avoiding you because of the massacre of Master Sima."
Hua Yunlong's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Do you have evidence?"
Cai Changyi said, "What evidence do I need? Isn't it enough that I have a reason? Think about it, if her master was related to the massacre of Master Sima, why would Miss Jia reveal her sect's origins? Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble?" "A few simple words, yet they made perfect sense." Hua Yunlong blinked, speechless.
Jia Yan smiled and said, "Thank you, Young Master Cai, for speaking up for me."
Cai Changyi, straightforward as ever, waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Don't thank me. I have even more questions than they do." Hua Yunlong was already deep in thought; the words of Yu and Cai had already taken effect.
Jia Yan felt greatly relieved and smiled, saying, "Please ask. I will certainly not disappoint Young Master Cai if I know the answer."
Cai Changyi's eyes lit up, "Really? Then let me ask you, why did you kidnap Brother Hua to Jinling?" He had been holding back these words for a long time, hoping that Yu and Hua would ask, but they hadn't. Now, he had asked them himself. As a straightforward person, the joy in his heart was indescribable.
Unexpectedly, Jia Yan froze, stammering for a long time without uttering a word. Cai Changyi was indignant, his eyes flashing, and he shouted, "You're a man of your word! You won't answer the first question?" Jia Yan's face
flushed, and she stammered, "This humble servant...this humble servant..."
Suddenly, Yun'er chuckled and said, "Young Master Cai, my senior sister is very fond of Young Master Hua. Why must you insist on her answering?" Upon hearing this, Jia Yan lowered her head, and Cai Changyi was stunned.
After a pause, Hua Yunlong snorted coldly and said, "Little girl, your sweet talk is unbelievable. Do you think I, Hua, believe your nonsense?" "
Yun'er said urgently, "Who's talking nonsense? If you don't believe me, ask my senior sister. Humph, how cool it is to curse people like that."
Hua Yunlong's face turned red, but he still kept a straight face and said coldly, "I ask you, did you say the saying 'the more people, the better'?"
Yun'er glared, put her hands on her hips, and said fiercely, "I said it, so what?"
Jia Yan raised her head and said urgently, "Yun'er, say no more."
Yun'er wrinkled her nose and said angrily, "His words are so infuriating."
Jia Yan sighed and said, "Anyway, Master has already issued a prohibition against us associating with the Hua family. It's useless to say anything more, so why bother getting angry?" She paused, her gaze shifting to Hua Yunlong, and said solemnly, "Young Master Hua, it's not that I'm shameless, but now that things have come to this, if I don't speak up, it will be difficult to dispel your suspicions." "Think about it, with your character and the prestige of your Hua family, how many women wouldn't yearn for you? I did have a selfish motive in bringing you to Jinling, but thankfully it's all in the past, and there's no need to hide it anymore."
A mist rose in her starry eyes. She paused, tears welling in her eyes, and continued, "As for Yun'er's statement that 'the more the merrier,' I don't want to hide it from you, nor do I want to explain further. In short, my master intends to establish the 'Charming Maiden Sect.' Establishing a sect is no easy task; we women alone cannot accomplish great things. If we sisters encounter someone with similar talents and share a common spirit, we intend to recruit them into the sect and bring them under our control. That's all. I've said all I have to say. Whether you believe me or not is up to you, my lord." "
These words, though somewhat veiled, were nonetheless quite frank, especially considering they involved matters of the heart. Hua Yunlong was neither unreasonable nor heartless; upon hearing and witnessing them, he found himself speechless and bewildered. Jia Yan, on the other hand, was quite resolute. Though she was clearly on the verge of tears, with tears welling in her eyes, she forcefully held them back. Suddenly, she raised her head and asked Cai Changyi, 'Young Master Cai, is there anything else you wish to ask?'
Cai Changyi was taken aback at first, then replied loudly, 'No,' he abruptly turned his head away, unwilling to look at Jia Yan's appearance."
Jia Yan smiled sadly and said, "Since there's nothing to ask, let's drink." She picked up her wine cup, downed it in one gulp, and wiped away the tears from her eyes. This gesture was truly heart-wrenching. Yu Zhaonan remained silent, and Hua Yunlong was deeply shaken.
Just then, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed along the secluded path. Jia Yan frowned, puzzled, and asked, "Is it Chen Er?"
A voice from downstairs replied, "Yes, it's Chen Er. Two guests have arrived and insist that Miss Yan accompany them."
Jia Yan's frown deepened. "You didn't say I was with the guests," she said.
Chen Er replied, "I did. The guests are being unreasonable, saying that if you don't accompany them, they'll smash up our Yixin Courtyard."
Cai Changyi, already feeling uneasy, roared angrily upon hearing this, "Outrageous! Who dares to cause trouble like this? Tell them to behave themselves, or I'll break their legs!"
Chen Er pleaded, "Young Master Cai, please calm down. We businessmen can't afford to offend them." Cai Changyi suddenly stood up, as if about to storm out.
Jia Yan said urgently, "Young Master Cai, please sit down. Let me find out." She stood up, walked out of the hall, leaned against the vermilion railing by the corridor, and asked, "Chen Er, what kind of people are those two? Are they regulars or strangers?"
Chen Er looked up, his face full of anxiety, and replied loudly, "They are strangers. One is dressed as a noble young master, and the other is dressed in a blue satin outfit. Their faces are extremely ugly, and both of them carry swords. They seem to be people from the martial arts world."
Jia Yan was slightly taken aback and frowned, saying, "People from the martial arts world? Do you know their names?"
Chen Er said, "Their surname is Qiu. They call each other Third Brother and Fifth Brother."
Upon hearing the guests' surnames, Hua Yunlong and the others were startled and moved. They all rose from their seats and strode out. Jia Yan's body stiffened, and then she said urgently, "Go quickly, keep them calm, and tell them I'm coming." Chen Er replied "Yes," and turned and ran away as fast as he could. When
Jia Yan turned back, Hua Yunlong and the others were already at the door. Hua Yunlong exclaimed excitedly, "Is it Qiu Hua? I'm just looking for him!"
Jia Yan said anxiously, "No, you can't look for him here."
Hua Yunlong's eyes narrowed, and he asked, "Then why?"
Jia Yan, her expression revealing her unease, said, "Young Master Hua, it was a grave mistake of mine to abduct you to Jinling. I always wanted to preserve this foundation, which is the real reason I prepared this feast for you. Young Master Hua, if the 'Charming Maiden Sect' can be established as soon as possible, it will be beneficial to your Hua family. Why must you force me to sell it off so cheaply, making things so difficult for me and causing me to feel ashamed before my master?" She was anxious, and her words became incoherent.
Hua Yunlong frowned and said, "I have no ill intentions to make things difficult for you. You should know that Qiu Hua is also one of the suspects in the murder of my Uncle Sima."
Jia Yan, anxious and unwilling to listen to him further, interrupted, "Young Master Hua, if you sympathize with my plight, it's best not to meet him at Yixin Courtyard. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet him there." Yu
Zhaonan, unable to bear it, interjected, "Brother Hua, from what you've said, this Qiu Hua is not that Qiu Hua. It's impossible that both are related to the massacre of Master Sima, is it?"
Hua Yunlong said, "Whether they are related or not, it's too early to say. They share the same name, and their subordinates and attire are identical. Isn't there a reason for this? This is a rare opportunity, and I cannot let it slip by."
Jia Yan became anxious and said, "Young Master Hua, are you pulling your own leg?"
Hua Yunlong was startled and said, "What do you mean?"
Jia Yan hurriedly said, "To tell you the truth, my master and I are constantly monitoring the dynamics of the martial world. Currently, there are at least two groups of people who want to harm your Hua family. If you insist on meeting Qiu Hua at Yixin Courtyard, you will damage our foundation, which will not benefit you."
Hua Yunlong was startled, and before he could react, he heard Cai Changyi shout, "Let's go, let's go! Little Yun'er, bring me that sword and bag!" Yun'er, hearing this, hurriedly took the sword and bag. Jia
Yan took it and gently handed it to Hua Yunlong, saying soothingly, "Young Master Hua, please rest assured, we, master and disciple, will never do anything to betray the Hua family. This is what my master asked me to tell you. Helping me is helping yourself. Please, please go."
Her soft voice, filled with urgency yet also tenderness, made Hua Yunlong blurt out, "And what about you?"
Jia Yan smiled, a light, cheerful smile, her head slightly raised, gazing at Hua Yunlong, saying, "I'm alright, I'll handle it. Thank you."
Yun'er then interjected, "Three gentlemen, please follow Yun'er." "So, Hua Yunlong, in a daze, took the bag and sword, his mind a complete blank. He followed Yun'er closely, circling around to the front yard, mounted his horse, and leisurely returned to the 'Medical Cottage'.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※
The 'Medical Cottage' was pitch black, without a single light. Yu Zhaonan exclaimed in surprise, 'Eek, what's going on?'
Cai Changyi also said, 'Yes, it's past midnight, only three o'clock, why are they all asleep?'
Hua Yunlong's heart tightened, and before he could think, Yu Zhaonan had already spurred his horse forward. The three of them arrived at the manor, and saw a figure dart out from around the corner, asking softly, 'Are you the three of you, Brother Zhaonan?' The person's movements were incredibly fast, appearing before them in the blink of an eye. It was Gao Songping."
Yu Zhaonan asked with increasing curiosity, "Brother Songping, what's going on? Has something happened to my humble abode?"
Gao Songping laughed and said, "No, no, it's just a precaution." He clapped his hands lightly, and the courtyard gate opened in response, and the lights in the front hall were lit.
Gao Songping replied, "I guarded the front yard, Brother Bosheng guarded the back yard, Brother Yifeng and Aunt sat in the central hall, and Uncle patrolled around, providing support. Haha, we were just waiting for the rabbit to run into the tree stump, and we only managed to keep watch on the three of you."
Suddenly, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" appeared in front of the hall door and said loudly, "Songping, your words are inappropriate. How do you know no one came?"
Gao Songping laughed loudly, "Nephew drank the northwest wind half the night. I was just telling a joke."
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said, "Jokes shouldn't hurt people. Hurting people is sarcasm, which easily creates resentment. Yifeng's idea wasn't superfluous."
Gao Songping was taken aback at first, then said loudly, "Yes, nephew knows his mistake."
Hua Yunlong thought to himself: This senior is like a gentle spring breeze, always remembering to admonish the younger generation. What's more, he is kind and pleasant, making those who are taught sincerely convinced. The "Five Young Masters of Jinling" following him around must have benefited greatly. The three had already dismounted. The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician," seeing the sword and bag in Hua Yunlong's hand, asked with surprise, "What? Brother Long, did no conflict occur on this trip?"
Hua Yunlong replied, "Thank you for your concern, senior. Although no conflict occurred, I am still quite bewildered."
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" asked in confusion, "Oh? What exactly happened?"
Yu Zhaonan interjected, "Jia Yan did not avoid us; she even prepared wine to entertain us."
Cai Changyi, who had a good impression of Jia Yan, quickly added, "Jia Yan treated Brother Hua well; she answered all our questions frankly." The
"Jiangnan Confucian Physician" exclaimed in astonishment, "That's strange! Could the person who came to investigate tonight be unrelated to Jia Yan?"
Gao Songping raised an eyebrow and exclaimed, "What? Someone really came tonight?"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" frowned and nodded, saying, "Around midnight, a figure appeared in the southeast courtyard. The figure seemed to sense that we were on guard, glanced around briefly, and then retreated."
Cai Changyi asked urgently, "Who was that person? Why didn't you stop him, Uncle?"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" replied, "That person was too fast. By the time I arrived, he was already gone. He looked like a woman." He paused, then changed his tone, suddenly saying, "Anyway, the situation is not simple. Let's go and talk in the main hall. Yifeng and your aunt are both there." He turned and led the way through the front hall, heading straight to the back.
Hua Yunlong and the others exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of who the newcomer was or what his intentions were. Gao Songping unconsciously stuck out his tongue, as if to excuse his slip of the tongue. The group paused for a moment before taking their steps and following him. Upon reaching the central hall, Li Bosheng had already returned from the backyard. Yuan Yifeng rose to greet him, and Madam Yu, with a smile, nodded to Hua Yunlong, saying, "Brother Long is back? How did the trip go?"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" replied, "It was extremely strange. Let's sit down and talk."
The old lady looked surprised and asked, "How was it so strange?"
Everyone sat down, and the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said, "That woman surnamed Jia not only didn't leave, but she also treated everyone to wine. In the east wing, I discovered another woman coming to scout the way, but by the time I arrived, she was gone. There must be something fishy about this."
The old lady frowned, saying, "Oh, is that so? Who was that woman who scoutd the way, and why didn't she reappear?"
The "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" said, "That woman seemed to have no ill intentions; she left after a short while. I initially thought it was related to that woman surnamed Jia, but after hearing what Brother Long and the others said, it seems that's not the case." He paused, looked at Hua Yunlong, and continued, "Brother Long, you should go first. Tell us the whole story in detail."
Hua Yunlong nodded, paused for a moment, and then said, "When we arrived at Yixin Courtyard, the madam, Chen Er, came to greet us. After we met Jia Yan, we drank and flirted..." At this moment, servants brought out fragrant tea, and everyone sat silently, listening attentively to Hua Yunlong's account of the trip.
Among those present, Li Bosheng and Yuan Yifeng were wise and intelligent young men, and the Yu Shangde couple were even more senior figures, with experience, wisdom, and talent that were truly exceptional. They listened attentively to Hua Yunlong's narration, sometimes frowning, sometimes widening their eyes. After he finished speaking, they were still confused, sharing the same bewilderment as Hua Yunlong.
A moment of silence fell over the hall. Cai Changyi, feeling the atmosphere was heavy, suddenly shouted, "What are we doing? Jia Yan is a good person. Even if he has something he doesn't want to say, he must have his reasons. What can we possibly come up with by sitting here and pondering?" The
"Jiangnan Confucian Physician" raised his eyes and said, "Changyi, you're just too impatient. Even if Jia Yan is a good person, he's too mysterious. Besides, the one who came to investigate tonight is a woman. Who can say for sure that the woman has nothing to do with Jia Yan? Alas, the affairs of the martial world are treacherous and deceitful. If you don't use your brain, you'll be easily fooled."
Cai Changyi was naturally honest and straightforward. Asking him to use his brain was like driving a sheep up a tree. He raised his thick eyebrows and shouted, "What's the point of using your brain? No matter how treacherous he is, I'll always remain unchanged. Brother Hua has been unconscious for many days, and..." "After all that commotion for half a day and a night, it's time to sleep. If you need to think about it, you can think about it tomorrow."
Just then, Old Madam Yu stood up and said, "Old Master, Changyi's words make sense. Brother Long has been commotion for half a day and a night, and the matter is still confusing. We can't figure it out in a short time. It's late, get some rest, and we'll talk about it tomorrow."
Having said his wife's words, the "Jiangnan Confucian Physician" couldn't say anything more. He glanced at her, stood up, and said, "Alright, get some rest. There's no rush anyway."
This "Medical Cottage" had many rooms; the east and west courtyards were where the guests stayed. The old couple lived in the back courtyard, while Yu Zhaonan lived alone in the middle courtyard. Friends like Yuan Yifeng and Li Bosheng would also rest there when they visited. Hua Yunlong was led to a guest room on the east side. After a quick wash, he went to bed. He couldn't sleep at all, tossing and turning in bed, thinking only about the "Yixin Courtyard."
The more confused he became, the more he realized that the murderer of Sima Changqing and his wife had left behind a small jade cauldron, a unique keepsake of "Lady Yuding." Even though "Lady Yuding" was dead, such a keepsake shouldn't have fallen into the wrong hands. Moreover, his grandmother had carefully entrusted him with "Lady Yuding's" last letter, sewing it into his protective armor. Didn't this imply that the murder was related to "Lady Yuding"? If it was related to "Lady Yuding," then Jia Yan's master—Fang Ziyu—couldn't escape involvement. But why was Jia Yan so frank, making no attempt to hide her background? As Cai Changyi said, she was asking for trouble.
No one in the world willingly seeks trouble, unless they are an idiot. Another possibility is that Jia Yan secretly admires him and is truly devoted to him. But Jia Yan made it clear that her master had issued a prohibition against associating with the Hua family, which shows that Jia Yan prioritizes her master's orders. He rolled over forcefully, pulling the blanket over his head, and muttered to himself, "I still need to go south to investigate. It seems Fang Ziyu has nothing to do with the bloodshed." Even as he said this, his thoughts continued to race.
Fang Ziyu's actions were unpredictable; she seemed to harbor a deep grudge against the Hua family, yet she also seemed to be extremely considerate of them. What was the reason for this? Furthermore, the name "Charming Maiden Cult" itself suggested a cult that relied on female allure to bewitch men. Jia Yan knew that the Hua family, being chivalrous and righteous, would never allow such a cult to appear in the martial world, yet she spoke of it without hesitation. Was it because they were confident in their righteous principles? Or did they assume the Hua family was powerless to stop it? Lost in thought, he seemed startled, jerking over and widening his eyes, muttering to himself, "What does this mean? There are at least two groups of people who intend to harm your Hua family..."
These words were spoken by Jia Yan. At this moment, he suddenly remembered the words of the girl in black outside Luoyang City, which flooded his mind. He remembered the girl saying, "...a great upheaval is brewing in the martial world, and Sima Changqing is the first to bear the brunt, merely taking the blame for someone else..." She also said, "Your father dominates the martial world, his prestige soaring like the sun at its zenith, but his enemies are few and far between..." These words flooded his mind, and he suddenly felt there was some truth to them. His heart grew heavier, and he found it increasingly difficult to fall asleep.
He was originally a carefree young man, not caring much about anything. Now, with a heavy burden on his shoulders, he had become burdened with worries, showing that although his nature was open-minded, his sense of responsibility was extremely strong. Therefore, memories surged like a stormy sea: Madam You, the black cat, the ugly Xue Niang, the beautiful Ruan Hongyu, Ruan Hongyu's senior brother Xiao Chou, and Qiu Hua, whom he had seen before and after—all appeared before his eyes, haunting him.
At dawn, he was still thinking, pondering the woman who had come to inquire about his path. Was she related to Jia Yan? If not, what was her background? What was her purpose? His thoughts were a jumbled mess, yet he couldn't find a clue, couldn't reach a conclusion. Frustrated, he rose, sat upright, and began to circulate his internal energy, gradually entering a meditative state. After entering meditation, his mind was clear. He didn't know how much time had passed when he suddenly sensed someone entering the room. He opened his eyes and
saw
Cai Changyi tiptoeing, closing the door. Hua Yunlong was startled. Cai Changyi turned around, raised his right index finger, and made a shushing gesture with his lips before whispering, "Brother, come with me."
Hua Yunlong was even more surprised and whispered back, "Is something wrong?"
Cai Changyi said, "Nothing. You wash up first, quietly and quickly. I'll wait for you."
Hua Yunlong frowned inwardly, got up and dressed, and asked, "Have Brother Zhaonan and the others gotten up yet?"
Cai Changyi said, "Don't worry about them, let's sneak away quietly."
Hua Yunlong said, "Sneak away? Why?"
Cai Changyi said, "To have fun. I'll take you to see the famous historical sites."
Hua Yunlong hesitated, "This..."
Cai Changyi said urgently, "Hurry up, if they get up, we won't be able to leave." He paused slightly, then continued, "You don't know, there are countless famous historical sites in Jinling, like Qingliang Mountain, Lion Mountain..." "Mountains, Zhongshan, Beijige, Jiming Temple, Yuhuatai, Yanziji... As for Mochou Lake and Xuanwu Lake, those go without saying."
Hua Yunlong said, "Even if we go to play, we can't just leave quietly, we have to..."
Cai Changyi interrupted, "We have to what? If we tell Uncle Yu, we definitely won't be able to leave. Once they get up, they'll be thinking and deliberating, talking about Jia Yan's matter, it'll give them a headache. I just feel a connection with you, so I'll take you to play quietly, so you won't be bothered by him. Are you coming or not? If not, don't bother, I'll go alone."
Hua Yunlong was naturally playful, and after hearing Cai Changyi list so many fun places, his mind was already racing. Now, hearing Cai Changyi's words, he felt even more reluctant to disappoint him. However, since he was staying at the Yu family's house, and the Yu father and son were very kind, he felt it wouldn't be right to skip his business and sneak out to play.
Seeing Hua Yunlong hesitate, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't, Cai Changyi quickly added, "Opportunities are fleeting. We'll go out to play during the day, and tonight I'll accompany you to 'Yixin Courtyard' to see what's going on and find out the whereabouts of that guy surnamed Qiu. That way, we can play and do business at the same time, isn't that better?"
Hua Yunlong thought it made sense, and after a moment's thought, said, "Well... we should leave a note..."
Cai Changyi beamed and waved his hand repeatedly, saying, "Go wash up, I'll write the note, quick." He went to the table, ground ink, dipped his brush, and wrote it in
one stroke. The note read: "Brother Yunlong and I went out for a trip, returning in the evening." The signature was even simpler, just the character "Yi" (义). He put down his brush and turned around, only to see Hua Yunlong smiling and waiting behind him. Cai Changyi gave a thumbs-up and said, "Come with me." He turned around, quietly opened the door, and slipped out. As the sun rose, servants at the Yu family's residence were already sweeping and cooking. The two men stealthily approached the side courtyard, and seeing no one around, leaped over the wall and ran off.
After running two or three li, nearing the city walls, Hua Yunlong asked, "Brother Changyi, shall we go into the city?"
Cai Changyi replied, "Yes! Let's go into the city first. Qingliang Mountain, Jiming Temple, and Beiji Pavilion are all within the city."
Hua Yunlong asked, "Where shall we visit first?"
Cai Changyi said, "Qingliang Mountain. Jiming Temple is on the mountain. We'll fill our stomachs there, then go to Yuhuatai to collect pebbles."
Hua Yunlong didn't understand what "collecting pebbles at Yuhuatai" meant, or why "filling our stomachs at Jiming Temple" was, but seeing Cai Changyi running tirelessly, he didn't bother to ask further and simply followed closely behind. The two men crossed the city and soon arrived at the west side. The so-called "Qingliang Mountain" is actually just a large hill, less than a hundred feet high and only about twenty miles in circumference. However, above the mountainside, there are dense Buddhist monasteries. Every summer, a gentle breeze blows, the cicadas sing, and the breeze is refreshing and invigorating, effectively relieving sweating and promoting saliva production. This is how the name "Qingliang Mountain" came about.
Jiming Temple is located at the summit of Qingliang Mountain. Although it is not large, it is very popular. Even though it is early morning, pilgrims are already flocking to the mountain to worship Buddha. The reasons for this are twofold. First, the Zen monastery is tranquil and the air is fresh. City dwellers take advantage of the opportunity to climb the mountain to offer incense and make wishes, as well as to exercise their muscles and bones. Thus, everyone rushes to climb, and this has become a tradition. Second, the monks of Jiming Temple cook porridge for guests. Although it is thin porridge, the vegetarian dishes served with it are the monks' own creations, crisp, fragrant, and delicious, and they are not charged extra. No one else can imitate it, so many people come for just a bowl of vegetarian porridge. This is one of the reasons why Cai Changyi said, "Jiming Temple fills one's stomach."
The two of them reached the foot of the mountain, slowed their pace, and mingled with the pilgrims, slowly walking towards the summit. This path is in a remote area, and not many people go up the mountain. When they reached the halfway point, people from all directions came together, and the number of people increased, but there were no conspicuous people. Even if there were, those who were conspicuous would probably not notice them because they were focused on sightseeing.
A loud chanting of sutras came from the sky, as the monks had not yet finished their morning prayers. The sounds of bells and wooden fish drums, the chanting of sutras on palm leaves—listening to these, Hua Yunlong felt a sudden sense of peace, the worries of the previous night vanished. He unconsciously quickened his pace, following the sound of chanting straight to the mountaintop. Jiming Temple consisted of only one main hall, one side hall, one rear hall, a dining hall, and a reception hall for pilgrims. The dining hall was behind the reception hall, and the rear hall was to the right of the main hall. The kitchen and side hall were also at the back.
At this moment, twenty or thirty monks were gathered in the main hall, hands clasped in prayer, chanting sutras with utmost concentration. Hua Yunlong seemed captivated, heading straight for the main hall, listening intently. After a while, Cai Changyi became somewhat curious. A little impatient, he whispered in Cai Changyi's ear, "What's wrong, brother?"
Hua Yunlong was slightly startled, then suddenly realized what was going on. He himself was puzzled, wondering why the wooden fish chanting had captivated him. He shook his head awkwardly and laughed, "Nothing... Oh, let's look around." Without waiting for Cai Changyi's reply, he turned and slowly walked towards the side hall.
His absent-minded appearance left Cai Changyi completely bewildered, but it had already made another person smile and nod. That person was a thin, wrinkled monk with drooping eyelids and a silver beard that reached his belly. This monk was unremarkable, wearing a string of prayer beads, a gray robe, and a pair of hemp shoes with many loops—that was all. However, ever since Hua Yunlong climbed the mountainside, this monk had been watching Hua Yunlong from afar.
After visiting the temple, Cai and Hua came to the southeast corner to look out over the city. The southeastern part of Jinling City was densely populated, with houses standing side by side, truly a bustling and vibrant place. Even though it was only dawn, vendors were already bustling about amidst the rising smoke from chimneys. But in the northwest area, although there were many houses, most were the grand mansions of nobles and officials; the streets and alleys were deserted, not a soul in sight.
Suddenly, Hua Yunlong's expression froze, his gaze fixed intently on the direction of the Drum Tower. Cai Changyi was quite surprised and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Is something amiss?"
Hua Yunlong pointed and said, "Look, Jia Yan's carriage."
Cai Changyi followed his finger and indeed saw a carriage speeding towards the bustling city. His eyesight wasn't as sharp as Hua Yunlong's, and he couldn't make out the carriage's appearance. He casually remarked, "There are many carriages in Jinling City, how can you be sure that's Jia Yan's carriage?"
Hua Yunlong confidently replied, "Although there are many carriages, they vary in style. I recognize Jia Yan's carriage; I'm certain."
Cai Changyi said, "So what if it is Jia Yan's carriage? She's a prostitute; she might be summoned at night and return at dawn. That's possible."
Hua Yunlong shook his head, saying, "Impossible. Have you forgotten that Qiu Hua went to cause trouble last night, specifically requesting her company? How could she have gotten away?"
Cai Changyi smiled slightly, "So what if she couldn't get away? Even if there's something suspicious, we'll go tonight, and the suspicious points will be easily resolved. Come on! Let's go have some porridge."
He grabbed Hua Yunlong's arm and headed towards the dining hall. This man wasn't one to put in much effort; if he couldn't answer, he'd resort to force. Hua Yunlong had no choice but to patiently follow him. Upon entering the dining hall, he realized that it was packed with diners, no less than a restaurant or tavern. The dining hall, with its twelve tables, was almost overflowing. There was no one waiting; those eating porridge had to serve themselves, making it quite chaotic with people coming and going.
Hua Yunlong, indulging in local customs, followed Cai Changyi to get his thin porridge. The two found two empty seats and sat down to eat. The meal consisted of four dishes: fermented tofu sheets, braised vegetarian chicken, fermented bean curd, and crisp yellow mustard greens. These were no different from ordinary vegetarian dishes served with porridge, but they were incredibly delicious, far superior to what was available in the neighborhood. When they were half full, Cai Changyi stopped and asked, "Brother! How does this vegetarian food taste?"
Hua Yunlong looked up and smiled, "Wonderful...wonderful..." He suddenly stopped, his smile vanishing, his gaze fixed, as if stunned.
Cai Changyi frowned, puzzled, and said, "Brother, what's wrong with you today..." Suddenly noticing the strange look in Hua Yunlong's eyes, he paused, following his gaze.
At another table sat a young man in a scholar's robe and carrying a sword, beside him a young woman in her prime, her face veiled in black. They were playing with a black cat with gleaming red eyes. Upon seeing the black cat, Cai Changyi was also taken aback. Just then, the young man put down his chopsticks and looked up, revealing himself to be Xiao Chou, Ruan Hongyu's fellow disciple. Cai Changyi didn't recognize Xiao Chou, but he had heard Hua Yunlong mention the black cat. Xiao Chou's gaze sharpened, and he abruptly stood up, smiling sinisterly, "Hua boy, it's been a long time." As soon as he spoke, the woman with the black veil looked up abruptly, then trembled.
Even though she wore a black veil and wasn't carrying the black cat, Hua Yunlong could recognize her at a glance. She was You Shi, the one who seemed to be "guarding" the mourning hall and claimed to be Sima Changqing's "maid." The most serious suspect was right before him; no wonder Hua Yunlong was stunned. Then, Lady You tugged at Xiao Chou's sleeve and whispered, "Don't cause trouble, let's go."
Cai Changyi, quick-witted as ever, suddenly asked in a deep voice, "Go? Where to?"
Hua Yunlong slowly replied, "Let them go. This is a sacred Buddhist site; it cannot be tainted with blood."
Cai Changyi raised his thick eyebrows and said, "What? Isn't she..."
Hua Yunlong nodded and interjected, "Yes, she is Lady You, there's no mistake."
Xiao Chou snorted coldly and said, "Hua Yunlong, I'll be waiting for you at Zhongshan. Do you dare to come?"
Hua Yunlong's eyes sharpened, and he said, "It's a deal. I'll be there at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM)." He paused, then looked intently at Madam You and said, "This agreement is made with Madam as the final authority. I have something to ask Madam, and I hope she won't break her promise."
Madam You stammered, "This humble servant... this humble servant obeys."
Hua Yunlong smiled slightly, stood up, and said, "Brother Changyi, let's go." He strode out the door gracefully.
Cai Changyi followed blankly until they reached the mountainside. Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, he asked, "Brother, do you really believe that Lady You will keep the appointment?"
Hua Yunlong replied, "Although she is a valuable clue, she's only a minor character. Whether she goes or not is irrelevant."
Cai Changyi asked in surprise, "Then...then why bother inviting her?" Hua Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "If she doesn't go, it proves she has a guilty conscience, and the bloodshed must be related to her. Even if nothing else is discovered, we can still pursue her relentlessly
. The truth will eventually come out."
"What if she goes?" he asked
. Hua Yunlong replied, "Judging from the situation that day, this You Shi is related to the bloodshed. In my judgment, if she goes, she will naturally invite other helpers to join forces against me, which is exactly what I want."
Cai Changyi was taken aback at first, then laughed loudly, "I understand, I understand, haha, I didn't expect you..."
Hua Yunlong gently patted him on the shoulder and said, "Too much talk leads to mistakes. It's good that you understand. Let's hurry." So, the two of them walked hand in hand, hurrying down Qingliang Mountain. At this moment, deep in the Zen forest, the thin, bony old monk emerged, looked at Hua Yunlong's rushing figure, gently shook his head, then rolled up his cloth robe and shakily walked down the mountain as well.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※
Zhongshan is located northeast of Jinling, encircling the city for more than fifty li. Hua and Cai, leisurely and at ease, exited the city through the Shuixi Gate, first strolling around Yuhuatai, then sped off in their off-road vehicles like lightning towards Zhongshan Mountain. Reaching the foot of the mountain, it was already early morning. Looking up at the towering peak, they saw a purple aura surrounding it, its majestic form earning it the name Zijin Mountain (Purple Gold Mountain). Cai Changyi paused, catching his breath, and said, "Zhongshan is so vast; I forgot to mention the exact location earlier. Where should we wait?"
Hua Yunlong thought for a moment and said, "Fortunately, it's still early. Let's climb to the summit first. When someone arrives, we'll have a clear view." This was the only feasible option at the moment, so Cai Changyi naturally had no objection. The two resumed their pace, heading towards the summit.
In a moment, the mountain peak was near. Suddenly, a hoarse woman shouted, "Stop! If you take another step forward, I'll cut off your dog legs!"
Hua Yunlong was startled and said, "Is it Xue Niang? How could she..." Just as the doubt arose, a man's voice sneered arrogantly, "Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, haha, you ugly old woman, you don't know what's good for you, you dare to..."
Before he could finish speaking, Hua Yunlong suddenly shouted, "Quick, it's Qiu Hua!" With that, he soared into the sky and rushed towards the peak. When
the two of them reached the peak, they saw an uneven grassland, about ten zhang in circumference. The east and west sides were dense forests, and the northeast corner had a cliff with an unknown depth. At this moment, except for the cliff side which was unguarded, the other three sides were surrounded by sixteen burly men in purple tight-fitting clothes. In the center of the grassland, a young girl of about sixteen years old in black clothes held a short sword and glared angrily.
Xue Niang stood in front of her, her ugly face contorted with rage, her muscles twitching, her hands as black as ink, clearly indicating she was gathering her full strength, ready to strike. But Qiu Hua, his eyes filled with lust, ignored her, his sinister smile still laced with lewdness, advancing step by step. Another young man in his early twenties, dressed in brocade, stood to the side, seemingly also with Qiu Hua. This display indicated that Qiu Hua had succumbed to lust and was about to lay a hand on the girl in black.
Cai Changyi, a man of fiery temper, felt a surge of anger at this sight. He suddenly shouted, "Halt! Who do you think you are, bullying a woman?" His shout, delivered from his dantian, resonated in Qiu Hua's ears. Qiu Hua was startled, his feet pausing, and he turned around.
The girl in black, upon seeing Hua Yunlong, exclaimed with a joyful cry, "Young Master Hua!"
At that moment, Qiu Hua also spotted Hua Yunlong. His brow furrowed, and he said in a sinister tone, "We're destined to meet, haha! You falsely claimed to be Bai Qi, and tampered with my clothes, abducting the girls from that brothel. Aren't you afraid of tarnishing the reputation of your Hua family?" Hearing this, Hua Yunlong was secretly startled, thinking: What? Has Jia Yan exposed my secret? Just who is she?
Before his doubts could subside, he heard the girl in black scream, "Heavens, you..."
The scream seemed to carry a hint of disappointment, but it came out of nowhere. Before Hua Yunlong could even process what was happening, Xue Niang coldly interrupted, "Miss, don't forget our purpose. It's none of our business whichever girl he kidnaps." In that instant, the girl in black burst into cheers, then screamed again. Combined with Xue Niang's interruption and Qiu Hua's sarcastic remarks, Cai Changyi was truly confused.
Hua Yunlong let out a long sigh, stepped forward, and walked towards the girl in black, saying, "Miss, don't be sad. I've already pieced together some clues about the matter. It has nothing to do with you. As for your father's matter, I will do my best to help in the future. Please take your leave now..." Before he could finish speaking
, Qiu Hua burst into laughter, "Hua, are you going to get involved in this again?"
Hua Yunlong ignored him and continued, "Miss, I speak from the heart. The Hua family would never break their word or dishonor the family's reputation. Please leave. I will handle this matter." The girl in black was on the verge of tears, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Xue Niang remained cold and showed no intention of leaving.
Qiu Hua sneered, "You want to handle this? Hmph, you're too busy taking care of yourself to interfere in other people's business?"
He glanced at another young man in brocade robes and said, "Fifth brother, let's go, no matter if we live or die." He swung his arm and struck Hua Yunlong's back.
Hua Yunlong turned and dodged the incoming palm strike, shouting, "Wait! I have something to ask you."
With a clang, the young man in brocade robes withdrew his longsword and swept it horizontally towards Hua Yunlong's waist, coldly saying, "There are plenty of confused ghosts in the underworld, what difference does one more make?" His words were harsh, and his sword strike was fierce. This sword strike was as fast as lightning, incredibly powerful, and had the potential to kill. The girl in black robes glanced at it and couldn't help but scream in surprise, her eyes widening.
Hua Yunlong, however, was unconcerned. With a flick of his left hand, a gust of wind swept through, striking directly at the incoming sword.
He shouted, "Who are you? Explain yourself before you fight!" Qiu Hua's palm missed its mark. He reached back and, in the process, drew his sword, unleashing a "Thousand Miles of Sailing" move, thrusting his wrist at Qiu Hua's master, saying, "Qiu Hua, did you hear me?" Qiu Hua? The young man in brocade robes was also named Qiu Hua . Wasn't that the third Qiu Hua?
Hua Yunlong's mind jolted. He narrowly escaped a sword wound to his left side. Cai Changyi was alarmed and was about to leap up to help when he suddenly heard the girl in black cry out, "Young Master Hua, catch my sword!" As she spoke, her gleaming, nearly foot-long short sword flew swiftly towards Qiu Hua's back. Qiu Hua, not caring about injuring his enemy, quickly withdrew his attack, sheathed his sword, and took a step to the side to dodge.
Cai Changyi felt a sense of relief, thinking to himself, "This woman has a grudge against Brother Hua, yet she also has feelings for him. It's a case of 'seemingly heartless, yet full of affection.'" While pondering this, his gaze didn't waver for a moment. He saw the short sword still hurtling forward, and Hua Yunlong, seeing he had no choice but to parry, quickly extended his right arm, tightly gripping the gleaming sword between his index and middle fingers.
With the sword in hand, Hua Yunlong was like a tiger with wings. With a swift swing, he launched a powerful attack, forcing the two enemies to retreat repeatedly. During the offensive, Hua Yunlong secretly thought, "Where in the martial world do so many enemies come from? The young man in brocade robes is called the fifth, so the horse-faced man must be the third? I'll let them go for now, observe their martial arts style, and then decide what to do." With this thought, he immediately feigned exhaustion, slowing his sword strike.
In a battle between masters, how could there be the slightest carelessness? Both Qiu Huas were masters of martial arts, yet a single moment of negligence cost them the initiative and put them at a disadvantage. Now, seeing Hua Yunlong's swordplay slow, they saw this as a golden opportunity to redeem themselves, and they were unwilling to let it slip away. Their faces lit up with joy, and they tightened their swordplay, unleashing three rapid strikes, instantly regaining the upper hand.
Previously at a disadvantage and unable to fully utilize their swordsmanship, they now wielded their longswords with effortless skill, like fish in water. Indeed, their swordsmanship was sharp but lacked composure; when used in combination, it displayed a strange and unpredictable quality, strikingly similar to the swordsmanship of Qiu Hua from Luoyang. After testing it for over twenty moves, Hua Yunlong secretly thought: "Their swordsmanship is identical; they must be from the same school. But how many Qiu Huas are there with the same name?" Suddenly, he swung his sword, aiming at Qiu Hua, who was dressed in brocade robes, while shouting, "Speak? Are you disciples of the 'Xuanming Sect' leader?"
This sword strike was like a rainbow from the sky, extremely swift and fierce. Qiu Hua, dressed in brocade robes, was startled and unconsciously took a step back. Qiu Hua, with his horse-like face, stepped forward, his sword tip flashing with a cold light, and recklessly aimed for three vital points on Hua Yunlong's back, intending to relieve Qiu Hua's danger. Little did he know that by desperately trying to save someone, he would expose his own vulnerability. Hua Yunlong suddenly spun around, his short sword flashing, and in an instant, he felt a chill on the top of his head, and he was stunned in shock.
Hua Yunlong smiled and retreated, saying, "May I ask, what are the consequences if my sword strike sinks three points?" "What will the consequences be? That goes without saying." Horse-faced Qiu Hua's scalp tingled, cold sweat poured down his body, and he exhaled a deep breath. Hua Yunlong smiled slightly, then asked, "May I ask, how many people with the same name as Qiu Hua are under your master's command?"
Horse-faced Qiu Hua, as if hypnotized, blurted out, "Eight."
Hua Yunlong's face suddenly turned cold, and he said, "Eight people with the same name, that means they're coming for our Hua family. Does your master have a grudge against the Hua family?" Horse-faced Qiu Hua was suddenly stunned, realizing he had spoken out of turn. His face turned ashen, and he was flustered and speechless.
Brocade-clad Qiu Hua suddenly said loudly, "Third brother, one sentence is one thing, eight or ten sentences are another. Since we've already spoken, let's talk about what we know."
Hua Yunlong's eyebrows twitched, and he thought to himself, "Senior brothers are about the same age, have the same name, and address each other without any distinction of seniority. Their master's character is self-evident." Thinking to himself, he said aloud, "You are indeed a man of integrity. May I ask where the headquarters of the Xuanming Sect is located?"
The man in brocade robes, Qiu Hua, replied, "Our sect has not yet opened its headquarters. On the day it opens, we will certainly issue a martial arts invitation to inform your Hua family."
Hua Yunlong nodded and said, "Were Ambassador Sima and his wife from Luoyang killed by your men?"
The man in brocade robes said, "Yes..."
The man with the horse-faced Qiu Hua immediately added, "No."
Hua Yunlong's eyes sharpened, and he said in a deep voice, "Is it yes or no?"
The man with the horse-faced Qiu Hua said, "We brothers have already told you." Hua Yunlong
frowned and said, "How so?"
The man in brocade robes said, "Yes or no, it's all the same. What's so hard to understand? Stop nagging."
Hua Yunlong's anger surged, but he paused, then forcibly suppressed it, and said, "It seems you won't admit it without solid evidence." "
Jin Yi Qiu Hua's eyes cleared, and he was about to speak when a strong voice suddenly interrupted, 'If the boy wants to know, he can ask this old man.'
Hua Yunlong was startled and hurriedly looked in the direction of the voice. He didn't know when, but four elderly men, all around seventy years old, had appeared to the south. You Shi, who was holding a black cat, and Xiao Chou, who was wearing a scholar's robe and carrying a sword, stood on either side of them."

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