Xiao Nuo turned her head and said, "Uncle Cai, it seems you bet on Ji Xun to win?"
Uncle Cai smiled and said, "Yes, yes, does Third Young Master want to accompany this old servant as escort?"
Xiao Nuo said very sincerely, "He will probably lose."
Uncle Cai chuckled and said, "Don't worry, he's just using a retreat as a tactic, deliberately showing weakness so that he can use his ultimate move at the most opportune moment."
"A special move? What special move?"
"Oh, that's a long story..."
As soon as I heard Uncle Cai begin, I frowned inwardly. I had already experienced enough of this old man's way of explaining things, and once he started, he wouldn't stop for at least half a day. Sure enough, he started talking about last year's sword competition, mentioning that Ji Xun lost to Zhong Weixin by one move and failed to make it into the top ten rising stars, so he had worked very hard all year, determined to wash away the shame on the sword.
At this moment, Xiao Nuo interrupted him: "But he's practicing and Brother Zhong is practicing too. He's making progress and Brother Zhong is making progress too. This is useless for him."
"Yes, this old servant thinks so too, and Ji Xun himself realized this. So, on a dark and windy night, he secretly visited a highly respected, wise, brave, kind-hearted, white-haired, youthful-looking, and otherworldly senior in this city..." Seeing the unfriendly expressions on everyone's faces, Uncle Cai quickly stopped, coughed, and said, "The senior was moved by the young man's sincerity and, out of chivalrous compassion, taught him a sword technique. As long as he uses that technique at the crucial moment, he can turn defeat into victory!"
Gong Feicui lazily said, "Uncle Cai, just tell me straight, how much silver did you take from Ji Xun to teach him that sword technique?"
"This... Ah, Madam, are you thirsty? Your Nine Jade Hibiscus Tea should be almost ready. This old servant will go and check on it for you..."
At this moment, the red-clad youth on the field retreated to the point where he could retreat no further. Suddenly, he let out a long roar, leaped into the air, and the long sword in his hand emitted a meteor-like light, slashing straight down at the head of the blue-clad youth.
The crowd couldn't help but gasp in amazement—what a swift sword strike!
A few sparks flew, and then, *thud*, a person fell to the ground.
Cai Boren stopped halfway down, staring blankly at the person who had fallen.
The boy in blue held his sword in his right hand, twirled it beautifully in the air, shoved it back into its scabbard on his back with a clang, bowed to the crowd, and made a graceful exit.
Xiao Nuo said smugly, "I told you Ji Xun would lose."
Uncle Cai murmured, "How is this possible? This... this..."
Gong Feicui, unfazed, tucked her hair back and asked lazily for the second time, "Nuo'er, how much did you receive from Zhong Weixin to help him break that sword technique?"
Uncle Cai immediately looked at Xiao Nuo: "Third Young Master, it's you..."
Xiao Nuo lowered her head and timidly held up three fingers to show her.
Uncle Cai gasped, “Three hundred taels? Third Young Master, you’re even more ruthless than this old servant! This old servant only accepted two hundred and ninety-nine taels from that brat Ji!”
“They are three Meridian Soul-Slaying Darts.” Xiao Nuo shook her head and said happily, “Mother, you don’t know, those hidden weapons are so much fun. They have spikes on all six sides and are coated with twelve kinds of deadly poisons. When you put them under a lamp, they can change colors. They are even prettier than the Seven Treasures Earrings that you are wearing now!”
Gong Feicui and Cai Bo exchanged a glance, both speechless. At the same time, thunderous applause erupted from the audience, with some even standing up and screaming. Xiao Nuo jumped up excitedly, shouting, "Second Brother! It's Second Brother!"
The crows are gradually falling silent!
I quickly turned my head and saw a man in black dragging his sword along the ground as he slowly, step by step, walked up the platform. His dark eyes, pale face, long, flowing hair, and robes fluttering in the wind gave him an air of loneliness.
That loneliness was profound, like the sky on a stormy night.
Xiao Nuo's voice came from beside him: "Hey, didn't Second Brother go to Changbai Mountain to escape the summer heat? When did he come back?"
Uncle Cai replied, "The summer vacation is over, so he will naturally be back."
Escaping the summer heat? The rumor I've heard is that this Second Young Master Xiao has a strange quirk: he likes to go to remote, harsh places to practice his swordsmanship, staying there for months at a time. Nobody knows how he spends those times, but everyone knows that when he returns, his martial arts skills have definitely improved.
Now that he's returned from Changbai Mountain, his swordsmanship must have improved even more.
Now, even the commentator's voice became exceptionally excited: "Ladies and gentlemen, now entering the stage is our Second Young Master Xiao! This is his first time participating in the Sword Trial Tournament. The order of the matches is determined by drawing lots, and coincidentally, his opponent is none other than Lu Shuang, the winner of the previous tournament! What kind of thrilling confrontation will occur between these two masters? Let's wait and see!"
"We'll see..." Uncle Cai murmured, "but let's get some sleep first."
I raised my eyebrows and asked, "Why?"
“Miss Feng, you don’t know, Lu Shuang is a good kid, but he’s a bit of a troublemaker. He always has to bathe, change clothes, burn incense, and pray before the competition.” Uncle Cai said, shaking his head and sighing. “Look, last year he was the third to last to perform, which was alright, but he made everyone wait for half an incense stick’s time. I didn’t expect him to draw second place this year… Sigh, I think everyone will have to wait a long time this time.”
It seems that Uncle Cai isn't the only one in Baili City who likes to dawdle. I smiled faintly and said, "Let's wait then."
A meal's time passed, and Xiao Jian was still the only one on the waterside pavilion. Although it was autumn, the sun was still scorching, and his long shadow stretched across the ground, making him appear even more forlorn.
"It's so hot!" Xiao Nuo suddenly complained, tilted her head back and drank a cup of tea, then thought for a moment, refilled it, and ran up to the stage to hand the tea to Xiao Jian, saying, "Second Brother, are you thirsty? Have a cup of water first."
Xiao Jian stared at Xiao Nuo for a moment, then said calmly, "I'm not thirsty."
"Oh, I see. You'll have to be patient. I think Brother Lu will be here soon." Xiao Nuo patted his shoulder and came back with the tea.
However, he was wrong. Half an hour later, Lu Shuang still hadn't shown up, and the audience was starting to stir. Uncle Cai began to sigh, but Xiao Jian on the waterside pavilion remained calm as still water.
By this time, Xiao Nuo had already reimbursed a bag of chestnuts, two tangerines, and all the melon seeds for everyone at the long table. Suddenly, he stood up again, took two apples, and went up on stage: "Second Brother, why don't you eat some apples while waiting for Brother Lu? Time will pass faster if you have something to eat."
Xiao Jian glanced at the big, red apple in his hand, then at him, and said, "I'm not in a hurry."
“…Oh.” Xiao Nuo seemed disappointed that her suggestion was not accepted, and slowly walked back.
I watched coldly, and couldn't help but recall the scene yesterday at Youzhu Yourou Pavilion where Xiao Mo had him wrapped in Xiao Mo's arms. It seems that the second young master of the Xiao family is not nearly as close to his younger brother as his elder brother. No wonder he is a swordsman; he is so indifferent even to his own family.
Just then, she heard Gong Feicui say, "Uncle Cai, go backstage and see what tricks Lu Shuang is up to."
"Yes." Uncle Cai took a few steps, then turned back and said, "This old servant bets that Lu Shuang is still changing clothes right now. Anyone want to place a bet?"
“…I bet he’s sharpening a knife,” Xiao Nuo said.
"Alright! Same rules as before, ten taels of silver." Uncle Cai said, hunching over as he slowly walked away.
Xiao Nuo sat listlessly for a while, then suddenly stood up, picked up his chair with both arms, huffed and puffed his way up to the waterside pavilion, slammed the chair down on the ground with a "bang," and called out, "Second Brother..."
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jian abruptly turned his head and glared at him. He immediately shrank back, pointed a finger at the chair, and said cautiously, "I've been watching you stand for so long..."
"I'm not tired." Xiao Jian turned his head away stiffly.
Even the most patient person would probably go crazy if they were interrupted repeatedly before an important competition. I sighed, thinking to myself that this Young Master Xiao really meant well but messed things up. Why did he have to do this?
Gong Feicui couldn't help but wave her hand and said, "Nuo'er, come back and sit down properly. Don't bother your second brother."
When her mother spoke, Xiao Nuo had no choice but to huff and puff as she moved the chair back, pouting and whispering, "I didn't mean to bother him."
Gong Feicui seemed to dote on her ignorant youngest son, and patiently explained, "I know you didn't mean it. But your second brother has a martial arts competition coming up, and your running back and forth like this will disturb him and prevent him from concentrating, you know?"
“But…” Xiao Nu blinked innocently, “It’s been almost an hour and Brother Lu still hasn’t come out. Can Second Brother really calm down? I was afraid he would get agitated, so I went to talk to him. Mother, did I do something wrong?”
So that's what he meant! I was slightly surprised; I hadn't expected this seemingly dull-witted Young Master Xiao to possess such a delicate mind. In a duel between masters, the most taboo thing is to be impatient and restless. Although Xiao Jian had good composure, he was also proud. Making him wait for his opponent for so long—if Xiao Nuo hadn't deliberately distracted him repeatedly, he probably would have already left. In this way, the waiting time passed by unnoticed…
Well, well done, Xiao Nuo! What a fine young master! I truly underestimated you. It seems the next month will be even more interesting than I anticipated…
Just then, a series of footsteps approached from afar. Uncle Cai led several disciples from Baili City, panting as they ran over. They stood before Gong Feicui and said, "Madam, um...um..."
Xiao Nuo asked excitedly, "How did it go? Was Brother Lu changing clothes or sharpening his knife? Did you win the bet or did I win?"
"Reporting to the Third Young Master, neither of us has won, but neither of us has lost either." Uncle Cai said, bending down and lowering his voice, "Lu Shuang is neither changing clothes nor sharpening his knife, because—he is dead."
Gong Feicui slammed the lid of her cup against the glass with a clang, spilling half the tea inside. I was also shocked at the same time—dead? Lu Shuang, ranked first on the Baili City Rising Stars list, was actually dead in the locker room?!
Suddenly, a storm was brewing.
Raynaudella
A gust of wind blew by, carrying with it a subtle sense of impending doom.
Gong Feicui's face was ashen. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Uncle Cai, go and inform the city lord immediately; Yu Cui, go and gather some reliable people; Miss Feng..." She turned to look at Feng Chenxi, hesitating to speak.
Feng Chenxi smiled slightly and said, "I'll go back to my room first."
With such a major event occurring in the city, it was naturally inconvenient for her, a newcomer, to get involved; it was better for her to voluntarily avoid it.
To her utter surprise, she was wrong.
"No," Gong Feicui said, "What I really want to ask is, did your master teach you everything he knew?"
Feng Chenxi's eyes flickered, and she nodded, saying, "I understand Madam Xiao's meaning. I will do my best and dare not refuse."
A warm smile spread across Gong Feicui's face as she patted her and said, "Come on."
After speaking, she rose and led the way, followed by Feng Chenxi and Xiao Nuo. Upon reaching the back of the waterside pavilion, Gong Feicui beckoned to the male commentator and whispered instructions in his ear. The man then returned to the pavilion and announced loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, Lu Shuang has suddenly fallen ill and is unable to participate in the competition. I apologize for the long wait on behalf of the city lord. However, the sword-testing tournament will proceed as planned. Next up is…"
When the crowd first heard that Lu Shuang was unable to go on stage to compete, they were slightly disgruntled. However, when they heard that the sword-testing tournament would continue, they felt relieved and watched the competition with great interest.
When Xiao Jian saw his mother suddenly leave her seat, he knew something had happened. Before the guide could finish speaking, he went down from the waterside pavilion, greeted Gong Feicui, and asked, "What happened?"
Gong Feicui shook her head and pointed to the waterside pavilion, saying, "Let's go inside first."
Originally, there was a door on the base of the pavilion that was above the water, leading directly to the bottom of the pool. On both sides of the passageway were rooms, which were used by the disciples of Baili City before the martial arts competition.
Upon arriving at Lu Shuang's room, two disciples stood guard outside the door, their faces filled with grief. After bowing, one of them pushed the door open, and a rich aroma of incense wafted out.
Feng Chenxi looked up and saw a small incense table directly opposite the door.
On the platform were three sticks of incense, long since burned out, leaving only a thin layer of ash. Below the platform, a man in blue robes lay motionless on his side, as if fast asleep.
“Brother Lu…” Xiao Nuo’s voice choked with emotion.
Xiao Jian frowned, while Feng Chenxi stepped forward to check Lu Shuang's breath. After a moment, she withdrew her hand, shook her head at Gong Feicui, and was about to speak when her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. After a slight hesitation, she stood up and said, "Lord Xiao."
Gong Feicui turned her head and saw that Xiao Zuo had arrived, followed by Xiao Mo, Cai Bo, Yu Cui, and others.
“Husband…” She looked up at him, her eyes filled with undisguised worry.
"I'm here." Xiao Zuo took her hand and said softly, "Don't worry."
Don't worry? Gong Feicui's lips trembled. How could she not worry? Thirty years had passed, and Baili City had not experienced any unnatural deaths for thirty years... Although she didn't want to recall it, she still thought of one person—Baili Chenfeng.
Thirty years ago, Baili Chenfeng was also the number one swordsman in Baili City, and he too met a violent end. Even if she could forget the gruesome scene of his death, she would never forget the terrible conspiracy that led to his demise.
In the darkness, Gong Feicui seemed to sense the impending arrival of yet another ruthless conspiracy.
Compared to Baili Chenfeng, Lu Shuang's death was more peaceful and serene. Not only was there no injury on her body, but there was also no trace of a struggle in the room.
As one of the most skilled martial artists among the younger generation in Baili City, there are only two possibilities for killing Lu Shuang without him noticing.
First: the crime was committed by an acquaintance; second: the perpetrator was poisoned, and the poison was highly toxic.
Xiao Zuo summoned the two Baili City disciples guarding the gate and asked, "When did you arrive?"
"Reporting to the city lord, we arrived before the contestants drew lots for the competition."
"Have you left?"
"No."
"Did Lu Shuang leave after entering this house?"
"No."