Die dümmsten Menschen der Welt

Kapitel 14

Ba Ying did not speak.

Tan Huan glanced at Wu Qingfeng sitting on the ground, then looked at Pei Jin in the distance. After thinking for a moment, she shrugged and said, "Whatever Alliance Leader Pei says goes." Oh well, whether she wins or loses, she's having a great time. A draw is a draw.

Pei Gumo said, "Although the two sides are tied, Wu Tanhuan is not on the list of participants, so this match is invalid. The result will be based on the previous match between Wu Qingfeng and Ba Ying. Ba Ying advances and will participate in the semi-finals this afternoon."

Tan Huan pouted, bent down, and squatted in front of Wu Qingfeng. "Do you want me to help you up?"

Wu Qingfeng was furious. "No need."

If you don't need it, then don't. She doesn't even want to help!

Wu Qingfeng stared at her with his handsome eyes, his gaze growing more and more serious, and his anger gradually subsided. He suddenly smiled and said unusually, "Never mind, you should still help me up."

Seeing his smile, Tan Huan got goosebumps. Although she felt uncomfortable, unaccustomed to, and disliked him, Tan Huan still suppressed her awkwardness and helped him up.

"Feeling good about showing off at the Lingfeng Sword Tournament?" Wu Qingfeng said softly, his tone sarcastic. "Showing yourself off among so many fellow martial artists, are you satisfied now? Are you feeling smug?"

Tan Huan rolled her eyes at him and said with a fawning smile, "Yes, I'm incredibly proud of myself. Especially after beating the person who defeated you, Wu Qingfeng, I'm practically strutting around like a mile a minute!"

Wu Qingfeng was speechless with anger. He had intended to say something sarcastic, but instead, he was angered by her.

After Wu Canyang resolved the mess between Du Suizhi and Liao Liang, he rushed to Lingfeng and witnessed Tan Huan defeating Ba Ying. His heart pounded with fear, wondering how he would answer if others asked why Tan Huan wasn't allowed to participate. Upon approaching and seeing that Pei Gumo's eyes held no reproach, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Before him lay a scene of brother and sister lovingly caring for each other. Wu Canyang was somewhat moved, patted Tan Huan on the shoulder, and then looked at his beloved son with concern, "Qingfeng, are you alright?"

"Father." Wu Qingfeng smiled gently after his initial surprise, "I'm fine, just a minor injury."

"Indulging in pleasure." Wu Canyang nodded to her.

When Tan Huan saw Wu Canyang's unusually loving gaze, which was directed at her, she was so frightened that she took a step back, her grip loosened, and Wu Qingfeng screamed and fell to the ground.

Tan Huan glanced at Wu Qingfeng's livid face on the ground, then at Wu Canyang's complicated expression, unsure of what to say. She could only chuckle awkwardly, "Father." Then, quite consciously, she helped Wu Qingfeng onto her shoulder again.

Pei Gumo, observing from the side, noticed something amiss, but it wasn't appropriate for him to interfere in their family affairs. So he stepped forward and smiled at Wu Canyang, "Master Wu, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Wu Canyang smiled apologetically, "Alliance Leader Pei, how have you been?"

"Master Wu has raised a fine son and a fine daughter; I'm even a little envious," Pei Gu Mo said. "Master Wu must have put a lot of effort into his children, right?"

Hearing these words, and reflecting on his own indifference towards Tan Huan, Wu Canyang couldn't help but feel a little guilty. "I don't deserve such praise."

“Your daughter has quite the talent for martial arts.” Pei Gumo stated his purpose directly without beating around the bush, “I would like to take her as my disciple. I wonder if Master Wu would agree.”

Tan Huan's eyes lit up. She glanced at Pei Gu Mo, then at Pei Jin behind him. Her father was right in front of her, and she dared not be presumptuous. She wanted to hold back her words, but she couldn't help it. "Alliance Leader Pei, if I become your disciple, can I live in your house?"

Wu Canyang's face was a kaleidoscope of emotions, his eyes fixed on Tan Huan. If they weren't in public, he would have definitely given him a good whack on the back of the head. What's wrong? So eager to leave the Wu family? People will think the Wu family is mistreating you!

Pei Gumo chuckled, glancing at Pei Jin out of the corner of his eye, and understood, "That's natural."

"That's fantastic!" Tan Huan blurted out, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Pei Jin, no longer caring that her father was right beside her. She stepped forward and took Pei Gu Mo's hand, saying sincerely, "Alliance Leader Pei, please accept me as your disciple."

Wu Canyang's expression was not good.

Wu Qingfeng's eyes widened.

Pei Gumo was often flattered. As the leader of the martial arts alliance, some people openly praised him, while others secretly gave him gifts. However, this was the first time he had ever seen such an openly obsequious smile, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud, "You're so eager to become a disciple in front of your father, aren't you being a bit disrespectful to him?"

"Isn't that right? She's fighting with her back against the wall. If Pei Gumo doesn't agree, she'll probably get a beating when she gets home." Tan Huan said awkwardly, "Anyone who can become Pei Alliance Leader's master is on a huge honor. Father is overjoyed, how could he blame me?" Saying this, she lost her confidence and cautiously looked at Wu Canyang, "Father, is that what you think?"

Wu Canyang was filled with anger but couldn't vent it. Before him stood Pei Gumo's kind smile; what could he say? What dare he say? So, Wu Canyang patted Tan Huan heavily on the shoulder and laughed, "If my daughter could have Alliance Leader Pei as her master, it would naturally be her honor."

This slap made Tan Huan wince in pain. It hurt terribly; he probably had internal injuries.

Pei Gu Mo nodded, "After the Lingfeng Sword Tournament ends, you can start the ceremony for the new disciples." He pulled Pei Jin up as well, "Jin'er, from now on Tan Huan will be your junior sister, so you must take good care of her."

Tan Huan grinned broadly, looking at Pei Jin and imagining his future life. The pain from before vanished in an instant.

"So, Tan Huan is about to leave the Wu family?" Wu Qingfeng suddenly asked, startling everyone present.

Tan Huan looked at him with a smile, "You're happy to know I'm leaving, aren't you?" The thought of being protected by Alliance Leader Pei in the future emboldened Tan Huan, and he said whatever he wanted.

Wu Canyang frowned, looking at his daughter with displeasure.

Wu Qingfeng stared at her and smiled coldly, "You're happy to know you're leaving, aren't you?" His reply was utterly merciless.

The originally festive atmosphere was turned cold and tense by their conversation.

Tan Huan stopped smiling, looked at him quietly, her gaze as indifferent as a passing cloud, and said, "It's good that you know."

Wu Canyang finally couldn't hold back any longer and shouted, "Indulge in pleasure!"

Those who had been watching the martial arts competition were still there when they saw the commotion and turned their attention to the scene. Many of the attendees were highly skilled with keen hearing; while they dared not crowd around, quite a few were secretly eavesdropping. Besides, the people were speaking quite loudly, so it hardly counted as eavesdropping.

Oh, so this formidable little girl doesn't get along with the Wu family father and son. It seems Wu Tanhuan and Wu Canyang don't have much of a father-daughter bond either. Tsk tsk, Wu Qingfeng can't even beat his own sister; he won't be able to survive in the martial arts world anymore.

...

Pei Gu Mo sighed inwardly. What a pity, he had been a step too slow. What to do now? To go or not to go? Having made his decision, he kept his lips still and his expression unchanged, transmitting a secret message through his inner strength: Jin'er, let's go first.

Pei Jin smiled slightly, her elegance and clarity beyond words: Father, you're used to being watched by people, so a little longer won't make a difference.

"I've failed to raise my son properly," Pei Gumo thought helplessly, glancing at his beloved son before blatantly lying, "Master Wu, you all should have a good chat. Jin'er and I will take our leave now."

Tan Huan remained motionless, glancing at Pei Jin out of the corner of her eye, her expression a mixture of pleading and stubbornness.

Pei Jin was at a loss for words when she saw that look, so he stepped forward and said, "Tan Huan, what your brother needs most right now is treatment. We can talk about it later. Do you want to come with me now?"

Tan Huan grinned and was about to nod vigorously when Wu Qingfeng grabbed her tightly. "Don't go! Explain yourself!"

Greedy Pleasure snorted, "Is there anything else to say?"

Wu Qingfeng stared at her, grabbed her, his attitude as solemn as autumn.

Wu Canyang sighed, "Young Master Pei, you and the Alliance Leader should go first. I still need to talk to Tan Huan. Qingfeng's injuries are not serious. Thank you for your concern, Young Master Pei."

Pei Jin nodded in acknowledgment, but his gaze remained fixed on Tan Huan's face, waiting for her to make a decision. "Tan Huan?"

Tan Huan glanced at him and smiled, "I'll come find you later." She wanted to leave a good impression on Pei Jin. Continuing to argue with Wu Qingfeng would only tarnish her obedient image in Pei Jin's eyes. With Pei Jin around, she didn't dare to speak recklessly.

Pei Jin sighed, "So be it." Before leaving, he glanced around, and soon everyone had dispersed. Then he left with Pei Gu Mo.

"Father, you're not satisfied with my going to the Pei family?" Tan Huan asked directly, raising her head and puffing out her chest.

Wu Canyang said calmly, "I have nothing to say, and I'm neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. You've grown up and can make your own decisions. The Pei family may be powerful, but their situation is also complicated. Just don't regret it later." He paused, then added, "Qingfeng has something to say, which is why I kept you here."

Tan Huan nodded and gestured with her chin towards Wu Qingfeng, "What do you want to say?"

I hate her! I hate her! This is the person I hate most in my life! I hate her when she's in front of me, and I hate her when she leaves! Wu Qingfeng said, enunciating each word clearly, "Wu Tanhuan, don't think you've already won!"

Tan Huan raised her eyebrows in surprise and smiled. "Is everything else alright?" She shrugged, looking at the two not-so-close relatives in front of her, and took a step forward. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

The weather has already warmed up a bit. At midday, the sun is not too strong, and the earth is bathed in light.

She said she was leaving first, but Tan Huan didn't go to find Pei Jin. Feeling depressed, she wandered aimlessly on Lingfeng Peak, walking further and further away. She walked for a while, then stopped, not knowing what she was thinking. Leaving the Wu family had always been her wish, but now that she was actually leaving, her feelings were somewhat complicated.

Tan Huan scratched her head in frustration. "Forget it," she thought, "even a puppy will find a familiar spot to pee." Even if it wasn't a great place, even if it was just a spot like a puppy's, it was still her home for the past few years. Anyway, for her future, all she needed to do was hone her martial arts skills. Pei Gu Mo valued her talent, so she naturally had to perform well in the future.

Thinking this, Tan Huan started practicing on the spot. The enthusiasm from her earlier sparring with Ba Ying had not yet dissipated. She used a few moves of the Wu family's kung fu, a few moves of the Pei family's kung fu, and even tried a few of Ba Ying's sword techniques. Although there were many mistakes, they were still quite impressive.

Suddenly, she heard a strange sound. Tan Huan paused slightly, but continued to pretend nothing was wrong. The person was a master; it was best not to disturb them. Perhaps they weren't looking for her, so she shouldn't be too eager to approach them.

"Hehe." A soft, unrestrained laugh rang out, and a white figure suddenly appeared before them, with jet-black hair and a thin, smiling mouth. His face was clearly cold and indifferent, yet when he smiled, even Jiang Xue would melt.

Chapter Eight: The Number One Martial Arts Master

Tan Huan blinked, her heart filled with helplessness. Oh no, he'd come out on his own. Could it be he really came looking for her?

The man in white didn't even glance at Tan Huan. He stood there gazing up at the sky and said, "Luo Yi, come out."

"Master." In the blink of an eye, a handsome young man with purple eyes appeared in front of Tan Huan. He looked to be about the same age as Pei Jin and was bowing to the man in white.

There were actually two people? Tan Huan's eyes widened suddenly. She had clearly only heard one voice. What did this mean? Undoubtedly, both of them were experts, but one of them was far beyond what could be described simply as an "expert."

So, which one is it?

Tan Huan slowly shifted his gaze, fixing it on the man in white.

"Luo Yi, it seems you haven't been practicing martial arts seriously enough, as you were actually recognized by a little girl." The man in white smiled faintly, turning his head to look at Tan Huan, "What's your name?"

Tan Huan raised her chin and took a step back. "Why should I tell you?" Should she run away? There were two experts in front of her. If they attacked her, she definitely couldn't win. Her intuition told her that they were up to no good. But could she escape?

"It's alright if you don't want to say, I won't force you." The man in white gently raised his hand, and before Tan Huan could react, the hand was already on her shoulder, just resting there gently. The slender, white fingers were terrifying to Tan Huan, making her freeze in place, afraid to move at all. Moving even slightly might mean certain death.

Tan Huan didn't know much about the stories of the martial arts world, and she had only heard the name Baili Liushang a few times. Looking at the white-clad man before her, a sudden thought flashed through her mind, and she blurted out, "You're Baili Liushang?"

The man in white laughed, a laugh that sent chills down Tan Huan's spine. "That's so unfair. I don't even know your name, and you already know mine." He casually patted her shoulder, and Tan Huan stumbled, her face turning deathly pale. "I've been watching you practice martial arts for a while now. Your skills are impressive, and your talent is good too. Tell me, what's your name?"

"Wu Tanhuan." Realizing the power before him, Tanhuan fawned over him with a fawning smile.

Baili Liushang nodded in satisfaction, "Do you have a master?"

Tan Huan wanted to avoid his arm, but when she saw the coldness in Baili Liushang's eyes, she shrank back. "I've got it, Pei Gumo." Regardless of whether the apprenticeship ceremony had been performed, she would say it first, otherwise she didn't know what tricks this guy would play.

In fact, whether she said it or not, Baili Liushang didn't mind; it was just a different way of playing. "That old man Pei Gumo, um..." Baili Liushang lowered his eyes and thought for a moment, then turned back to Luo Yi and smiled, "Luo Yi, come over and have a match with this girl."

The purple-eyed boy said calmly, "Master, fighting with a little girl, even if you win, is not honorable." Luo Yi glanced at Tan Huan, "This is not the territory of Zhengyang Palace. Master, you should hurry up and do your business. Don't waste time."

Baili Liushang suddenly remembered something important and nodded, "That's true." He looked at her gently, "Tanhuan, the sword in your hand is the Lonely Dust Sword, isn't it?"

Tan Huan shrank back and forth, but upon hearing these words, she immediately shook her head with quick reflexes, "No, I've already returned the Lonely Dust Sword to Pei Jin." She dared not make any unnecessary movements, but her hands unconsciously tightened their grip on the long sword in her hands.

Baili Liushang didn't care and reached out to take the sword from Tan Huan's hand. "I was worried you wouldn't be willing to part with it. Even if it's not the Lonely Dust Sword, then give it to me."

Tan Huan was almost in tears, shaking his head and nodding repeatedly, agonizing for a long time, his face full of bitterness, "Although it's not the Lonely Dust Sword, I still can't bear to part with it."

Baili Liushang said in a very cheerful tone, "If you're unwilling, then there's nothing I can do." After saying this, he saw Tan Huan unconsciously breathe a sigh of relief, and he added maliciously, "If you won't give it to me, I'll have no choice but to take it by force."

Tan Huan finally understood what was going on; this person had been toying with her. She stopped talking and hastily retreated several feet, but no matter what she did, she couldn't shake off the person in front of her. She said pitifully, "Aren't you ashamed to be fighting with a child over something?"

Baili Liushang thought about it and agreed. This girl only had so little martial arts skill, so it wouldn't be fun to fight her. So he turned around and smiled at his disciple, "Luo Yi, come here and take back the Lonely Dust Sword."

Greedy for pleasure, he cried out to heaven and earth in vain, clutching the Lonely Dust Sword to his chest, his eyes gazing hopefully at the purple-eyed youth before him.

Luo Yi, expressionless, charged forward without even a greeting. In a brief instant, the two met face to face, exchanged a single blow, and then retreated simultaneously. Luo Yi was astonished by Tan Huan's martial arts skills, while Tan Huan felt even more dejected. Not to mention Baili Liushang, she couldn't even defeat his disciple, Fou.

"Impressive skills!" A hint of appreciation appeared in Baili Liushang's eyes, and he was unusually kind-hearted. "Tanhuan, if you can defeat Luo Yi, I won't take your Lonely Dust Sword today."

Tan Huan's eyes shone brightly, blinking rapidly.

Baili Liushang said slowly, "Luo Yi, if you lose to this little girl today, you don't need to continue practicing martial arts. I will expel you from the sect."

Luo Yi nodded expressionlessly.

Tan Huan felt a glimmer of hope. Although her martial arts skills weren't as good as the boy's, she could still win if she used some tricks.