"Alright, you can go now, I need to rest."
With a creak, the guard in blue gently closed the door and left the room, half-backing away.
The room was completely silent. Duan Shuixian, who was sitting upright at the head of the bed, let out a long, deep sigh. After a long while, she picked up a jade pendant and sighed again.
On the jade pendant, a cute little monkey is vividly carved, holding up a peach and gazing longingly at it.
“The chefs in the building were poached by the Xiao family, the flour they use is supplied by the Xiao family, and even the shops that manage the transportation have a partnership with the Xiao family,” Duan Shuixian frowned and muttered to herself. “So, Mr. Xiao, what role did you play in all of this?”
He gradually withdrew his hand and sighed softly, "Everyone says that Xiao Wushilang is the apple of Master Xiao's eye, so I will get close to her. I think Master Xiao will have some reservations, which will also protect the Duan family."
Master Xiao's doting on Wushilang was genuine.
When Wu Shilang was young, he was kidnapped by bandits, and it was Master Xiao who exchanged himself for him. At that time, it was an absolute life-or-death situation, so his feelings for Wu Shilang were completely genuine.
Thinking of this, Duan Shuixian immediately pictured Goruro sticking out his tongue, wrinkling his nose, and making a face. Suddenly, her heart warmed, and she couldn't help but laugh and scold, "What a monkey!" She frowned and sighed, "But how did you get involved with those two guys?"
It's really tricky.
On one side is the aloof and unparalleled young master, and on the other side is the refined and elegant gentleman swordsman. Either side will be his strongest rival.
Duan Shuixian's lips curled slightly, a smug look on her face. However, if she were to take the lead, she would probably be the one in the lead, after all, the marriage contract was written in black and white.
"Wu Shilang, I will bring Young Master Leng with me to meet you."
Bringing Leng Wushuang along naturally carries another layer of deeper meaning.
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"My stomach hurts," Ishiro said, curling up and looking at Luo Jinfeng with teary eyes. "Only Leng Wushuang's pills can suppress this pain."
After traveling for two days, having fun and enjoying themselves, the two finally arrived at the first large town near the foot of Black Wind Village. As soon as they entered the town, they chose the largest inn and settled in.
"My eyes hurt." Luo Jinfeng also squatted on the ground, tilting his head with a grin. "Seeing your stomach hurt makes my eyes hurt too."
He's all smiles and grins now, he's lost all his refined air.
Seeing that he was unmoved, Wulang could only sigh, stand up, and ask in a suppressed voice, "When are we going to find Wushuang? You promised me that you would find Wushuang as soon as possible."
She wasn't stupid. Luo Shao's obvious delays were clearly meant to make her and Leng Wushuang miss each other.
"You promised me you'd massage his uterus and open his meridians." She pouted, clearly unwilling, her big eyes widening even more, like an angry kitten—not threatening at all, just even cuter.
“Alright then,” Luo Shao flicked the corner of his clothes, glanced at him sideways, and said with a half-smile, “If you’ve made me happy, I’ll naturally help him overcome his sword tribulation.”
He slowly sat down, pointed to his shoulder with a slight smile, and sighed dramatically, "After traveling for so many days, my whole body aches."
Isoro immediately pounced on him like a sycophant, grabbing, pinching, and kneading, as if he wanted to bite off a piece of his flesh with his mouth.
Luo Shao endured her kneading until his face was contorted and he gritted his teeth. He endured it for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before finally losing his temper and slamming his fist on the table, yelling, "Are you kneading dough? Why does it hurt so much!"
Wu Shilang was stunned for a moment, then looked at him with great admiration. In fact, what she had just used was indeed the special skill of her 20th aunt in kneading dough. She was a master at kneading dough in Shaanxi, and her kneading technique was very skillful. Wu Shilang especially liked her amazing skill in kneading and pulling dough. He studied for three years before he became a master.
Seeing her staring blankly at him with a look of worship in her eyes, Luo Shao suddenly realized what was going on and immediately became angry: "You really think I'm a lump of dough? You're kneading me with such gusto."
As he spoke, he slightly removed the clothes from his shoulders, revealing a patch of bluish-purple marks on his fair and delicate shoulders.
Isoro, feeling ashamed, stammered, "Actually, there's another way to make ramen. Would you like to try it?"
Luo Jinfeng was completely speechless. Sometimes, some people are not meant to be communicated with. He knew this, but he always tried to communicate in vain.
"How about I give you a shoulder massage?" Isoro suggested shyly, fiddling with his fingers.
"This has nothing to do with kneading dough and making noodles?!" Luo Shao asked worriedly, while carefully massaging his shoulder, which was sore.
"Absolutely not!" Isoro practically raised his hand to swear that it really had nothing to do with kneading dough or making noodles. As for the shoulder massage, it was only related to mincing meat!
"Alright, come on then." Luo Shao closed his eyes slightly, his long, curled eyelashes falling loosely on his eyelids, his red lips pursed, revealing a hint of helplessness.
“Alright,” Isoro clenched his fist, each joint cracking, and growled in a serious tone, “I’m here!”
No sooner had he finished speaking than a barrage of fists rained down on Luo Jinfeng's shoulders, the force so great that the young master Luo, sitting on the armchair, staggered and struggled to regain his balance.
"Young Master Luo, is your back sore?" Wu Shilang pounded him diligently. Considering that he was a trained fighter, and worried that he might not get enough, he specially turned the rings on his pinky and little fingers over, pointing the large gemstones at his back, and pounded hard, saying, "Young Master Luo, does it feel good?"
Luo Jinfeng was so badly beaten that he couldn't even speak. With tears welling up in his eyes, he finally managed to tremble and say, "Fine, okay, that's enough for today." His back was burning with pain. He didn't know what hard object was hitting his spine, and each blow felt like torture.
"Young Master Luo, have I served you well?" Wu Shilang's eyes were dark and bright, filled with innocent expectation. He squatted down in front of him, then looked up at him with a flattering expression, and raised his paw with a smile, swearing, "I promise! If you take me to find Leng Wushuang, I will definitely give you a massage every day."
Luo Jinfeng finally broke down, stood up expressionlessly, endured the soreness in his back and shoulders, silently straightened his back, pushed open the door and walked out.
Just kidding, if you keep hitting him, there will be one more person needing treatment.
Ichiro, you're ruthless!
The night was cool and still. In Young Master Luo's room, a group of men in black stood. The head guard, with tears in his eyes, held a medicated ointment for treating bruises and sprains and applied it to Young Master Luo.
"Young Master, who did this? They were too ruthless." The head guard in black frowned, unable to figure out who his young master had recently made enemies with.
"Young Master, just give the order and we will cripple the person who injured you."
Luo Jinfeng propped his cheek on one hand, leaning against the headboard, his long hair cascading down like flowing water, spreading across his entire shoulder and back. He smiled and said, "No need, no need. This young master will personally take her down."
He smiled smugly, with a warm and ambiguous air about him, looking extremely pleased with himself, which made the other men in black by the bedside pause in surprise.
"Young Master..." The head guard in black wanted to say something more, but was stopped by a gesture from Luo Jinfeng, who was leaning against the headboard.
"Do you have any clues about the challenge we issued not long ago?" He abruptly changed the subject.
The black-clad head guard immediately became serious and said solemnly, "Reporting to the young master, the challenge was issued by a newly emerging demonic sect in the martial arts world. This demonic sect is called Baochan Palace. It has only appeared in recent years and its methods are mostly insidious and vicious. It is said that they have also issued challenges to other gangs, claiming that they will take over the position of martial arts alliance leader at the martial arts conference in early October."
"Oh?" Luo Jinfeng frowned slightly, straightened his body a little, and asked, "Then what does 'submission' mean in the challenge?"
The challenge was sent out of nowhere. All nine gangs and thirteen strongholds in the martial arts world, including the ten major clans, received it. The wording of the challenge was extremely arrogant, making anyone who read it want to tear it to shreds.
And indeed, someone tore it up on the spot.
Those who tear up the challenge letter often meet a terrifying end. They are either torn to pieces and sent back intact, or they are given a strange poison that slowly corrodes their bodies inch by inch.
"Young Master, the challenge states that if our manor submits to the Treasure Toad Palace, the Treasure Toad Palace will guarantee our manor's invincible position in the martial world, making our manor the number one manor in the martial world."
Luo Jinfeng curled his lip, lay down listlessly, waved his hand dismissively, and said, "What's the point of being the number one manor? Their reputation is just a source of trouble. Let's ignore them and leave them alone for now. I'm going to attend this martial arts tournament to see what's really going on."
He finished speaking lazily, then slid down the half-covered blanket, ignoring the group of black-clad guards by the bed. He lazily pulled up the blanket to cover his head and fell into a deep sleep.
The guards by the bedside looked at each other for a long time. The eldest guard in charge lowered his voice and said, "Young Master has been working very hard these past few days, outwitting and outmaneuvering Wu Shilang. We should be more understanding!"
His poignant narration immediately resonated with the brothers, so they all nodded in unison, exchanged a knowing glance, and with a light step, bent down and darted out of the window one by one.
Before long, the innkeeper's wife screamed, "Husband, come out and see the immortals..."
Clearly, the people of Luoxia Manor have undergone rigorous training, with one ascending to immortality every quarter of a cup of tea's time.
This speed and this orderly process greatly impressed the proprietress.
"Everyone, keep your formation. When you leap, maintain your graceful movements and don't disgrace Luoxia Manor." The black-clad guard captain leading the group was quite proud. He deliberately circled the inn and led everyone to ascend several more times.
Alright, as the young master once said, face is above all else.
What's a little extra effort for the sake of Luoxia Manor?
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In the middle of the night, Isoro was awakened by a series of loud screams.
"Fifty, open the door!" The inn door was being pounded on so hard it was almost falling apart. "If you don't open it, I'll kick it down."
Isoro looked down out the window. Outside, everything was ablaze with red light. Flames licked at the wooden frame, crackling and popping as they rose. Thick black smoke billowed in through the window, choking Isoro and leaving him feeling weak all over.
“I’m coming in. If you’re not dressed properly, cover yourself with the blanket.”
As they were talking, the door was kicked open by Luo Shao. He was wearing a pale yellow robe, and a large bloodstain was stained on his arm, like a large, bright red rose in full bloom.
"Young Master Luo, I can't move." Wu Shilang gasped for breath, leaning against the window, thick smoke still billowing in. "I feel completely powerless."
"Damn it," Luo Jinfeng said, his face pale. With his uninjured hand, he grabbed the blanket, tore off a piece of cloth, and covered Wu Shilang's mouth and nose, saying, "Don't inhale that black smoke, it's poisonous."
Sweat beaded on his forehead. He bent over, stretched out his arm, and scooped up Isoro with one hand, forcing a smile as he said, "If you don't hook your arms around my neck, I'm afraid I can't carry you."
As he spoke, his face stiffened slightly and unnaturally for a moment, but he quickly regained his smile.
"Little Fifty, hold on tight, I'm taking you out." He kicked the wooden window frame on the second floor, took a deep breath, and leaped out.
Upon landing, he gasped, staggered, and knelt down on one knee, embracing Isoro at an angle.
"Ouch, you hurt me." The weak and powerless Giro tumbled off him, his arms and legs wobbling, and rolled a long way away.
She struggled to sit up, half-lying on the ground, and saw that Luo Jinfeng was still in the same position, kneeling on one knee, his head lowered, his hair covering most of his face.
Drops of sweat dripped from his forehead, quickly wetting a small patch of ground in front of him.
"What's wrong with you?" Even the careless Goruro noticed something was wrong. He crawled over on all fours and peered over, only to gasp in shock.
A huge, slanted wound was torn open on his back, the skin wrapped in his clothes and blood tangled together. The wound was extremely deep, turning the flesh inside out, making it look gruesome.
Isoro reached out and brushed his hair aside, only to find that Luo Jinfeng, who was kneeling on one knee, had fainted from the pain. His face was ashen, and his teeth had bitten his pale lips until they bled.
"Young Master Luo," Wu Shilang was so frightened that he couldn't help but check Luo's breath, "Don't scare me like that."
Luo Jinfeng lost his balance immediately when she touched him lightly, tilted slightly to the left and right, and fell to the ground.
The fire at the inn spread far and wide, and many guests were unable to escape. The survivors knelt in front of the inn, wailing and crying out in despair.
"Young Master Luo, wake up!" Frustrated by the crying, Wu Shilang crawled towards Young Master Luo on all fours, placing half of his body under him, fanning himself while trembling: "You're so capable, aren't you? Wake up now."
She dared not touch his back, for fear of touching his wound.
So his hand was left there helplessly, and his elbow was bleeding profusely from being pressed against the stone on the ground.
"The person is here."
The sudden shout made Igarashi reflexively look up. Several figures swept across from the other side of the fire, holding curved swords. Upon seeing Igarashi, they shouted, "She's not dead yet!"
This call summoned everyone over.
The one who was closest immediately swung his hand, bringing his curved sword down towards Isoro's head.
With his arms half-embracing Luo Jinfeng, Isoro saw the curved blade coming down and, without thinking, bent down to shield Luo Jinfeng beneath him.
"What a fool."
Suddenly, Luo Shao, who was pinned underneath, opened his eyes wide, his pupils filled with fiery red flames. He gritted his teeth and endured the pain, turning over with force. With the momentum, he flipped over and pressed Wu Shilang firmly under his body. Only then did Wu Shilang become truly terrified.
“You’re the real fool,” Isoro said hastily as he saw the curved sword raised high, about to fall. “Get out of here!”
Luo Jinfeng just smiled, as if he were enjoying a peaceful moment amidst green mountains and clear waters, with a small, terrified figure reflected in his eyes.
"It's too late, Fifty." Closing his eyes, Luo Jinfeng hugged Fifty Lang even tighter.