Schatzkammer von Jianghu

Kapitel 56

Qiu Yeyi's pale face regained some color as he turned to look down at the tower, his eyes shining with unwavering determination: "Leng Shuangcheng, come up!"

Leng Shuangcheng took a deep breath, spread her arms slightly, and soared to the top of the tower like a bullet. Her leap was as smooth as a cloud, and everyone who saw her changed color slightly. Yu Xue was the first to whisper, "She's actually a master."

Songbai, without any guile, had already shouted, "Chu Yi of Wufang Island is incredibly skilled. Apart from the young master, I've never seen anyone stronger than her." His tone was filled with undisguised pride, as if he had become a Wufang exorcist since following the young master, and that his reputation was now shining. He was obviously unaware that Leng Shuangcheng had once defeated Tang Wu due to the loss of her internal energy.

Zhao Yingcheng snorted coldly, a shadow flashing in his eyes.

Leng Shuangcheng steadied herself, her black hair and green robe fluttering in the wind, highlighting her tall and graceful figure. Qiu Yeyi glanced at her and tossed her right-hand sword, Shi Yang, over: "Test your sword."

Leng Shuangcheng pursed her lips, spread her hands out in the snow-white scabbard, and slowly drew back the Eclipse Sun Sword with a sense of reverence.

A chilling crimson light, dazzling with vibrant colors. The longsword, crimson brighter than blood, its blade as cold and crystalline as snowflakes.

The legendary Eclipse Sword, which had been rumored for two hundred years but never seen, finally revealed its true form before her eyes. If she had met the sword's owner two hundred years ago, would her fate have been rewritten?

Her eyebrows were like water, and her eyes sparkled. She murmured in admiration, "What a fine sword."

Qiu Yeyijian stopped looking at her and stared directly at Xiao Qiao.

Leng Shuangcheng realized what was happening, and bowed to Xiao Qiao with both hands, holding the Shi Yang cup: "It's not poisonous."

After sheathing the longsword and returning it to Qiu Ye, Leng Shuangcheng walked up to Xiao Qiao. Xiao Qiao glanced at her, her lips moved slightly, but she didn't utter a sound. Leng Shuangcheng took the weapon from Xiao Qiao, slightly taken aback.

Xiao Qiao wielded neither a sword nor a spear, but a metal weapon resembling a lotus lantern. Leng Shuangcheng examined it repeatedly, feeling surprised and suspicious, and exclaimed, "Sir, this is contrary to morality."

The lotus-shaped hammer, wrapped in petals and leaves, was highly likely to contain hidden traps—something anyone with eyes could see. Qiu Ye Yijian, however, coldly replied, "It doesn't matter."

Leng Shuangcheng looked up at Qiu Yeyijian: "Young Master, I am here to test the sword on behalf of the Central Plains martial arts world. Even if you personally disagree, I must uphold fairness and impartiality."

Qiu Yeyijian coldly said, "Hidden weapons are also used by masters. Including them in the final battle is not against the rules."

“Since you are so determined, young master, I need not interfere further, otherwise it would be seen as a sign of favoritism among the people of the Central Plains.” Leng Shuangcheng bowed slightly and said, “Please, gentlemen.”

Xiao Qiao had been silent, seemingly lost in thought, but seeing Leng Shuangcheng about to leave, she quickly raised her hand in a gesture of respect and said, "Young Master,"

May I speak further through the young mistress?

Leng Shuangcheng's expression changed, and she said anxiously, "I'm not..."

“Okay,” Qiu Yeyijian replied quickly.

Xiao Qiao walked over, took Leng Shuangcheng's wrist, and with a slight effort, lifted her up to the top of the tower, landing her on a tree branch far from the tower. It was a shady elm tree, dozens of feet away from the open space and the top of the tower. Unless it was a squirrel, no one could possibly conceal their conversation.

"Is there anything else that you're worried about, Mr. Xiao?" Leng Shuangcheng asked calmly.

"Madam is very intelligent. She knew I had something to tell her just from the slightest movement of my lips."

Leng Shuangcheng smiled slightly: "Call me Chuyi or Acheng, it's fine. I feel unworthy of the title of Young Madam."

Leng Shuangcheng naturally didn't want to recount Qiu Yeyijian's shameless behavior in front of outsiders. Fortunately, Xiao Qiao was preoccupied with other matters and didn't pursue the matter further. She simply interjected, "I originally wanted to kneel and beg Acheng for a favor, but there are too many people around, so I won't perform this empty formality..."

Leng Shuangcheng said anxiously, "Please speak freely, sir. Although I am not a famous chivalrous person in the martial arts world, I will do my best to fulfill the request you made before the battle."

Thank you.

“Sir, there is no need for such formalities. I admire your martial spirit and integrity. Regardless of whether you are defeated or not, I will do my best to fulfill your wishes.”

Xiao Qiao gazed at the white clouds and sighed softly, "Even if A-Cheng hadn't said it, I would have understood. Even if we win today, Young Master Zhao's guards won't let me leave. So I'd like to ask A-Cheng to do one last thing for me. But I have no way to repay this thorny matter, so it's really hard for me to ask..."

Leng Shuangcheng smiled as before and said quietly, "When did Mr. Xiao become so clumsy?"

"Alright... I won't thank you enough. Please come closer, Ah Cheng, I have some things to tell you."

White clouds drift lazily by, pristine and untouched by dust. A light mist and the rising sun bathe the autumn leaves around Yi Jian, making his figure shine brightly like the moon surrounded by stars. He stands with his back to the crowd, dignified and unmoving, motionless among the clouds, like a noble and distant ice sculpture, yet he exudes an aura of profound loneliness.

Lonely people are often hard to understand because either no one can get close to them, or they don't let anyone get close to them.

The pale light of the rising sun illuminated the white leaves, outlining their handsome, flawless contours. His white robes fluttered as if he were about to take flight, riding the wind. He remained silent for an extremely long time, waiting patiently, his lips pressed together as he gazed at the morning mist, his entire body perfectly still.

When Xiao Qiao reappeared before him, he slowly raised his eyes, and in that instant, the radiance he exuded surpassed the morning sun and everything in the world. His sword was not yet drawn, but he himself was as sharp, cold, and ruthless as his sword aura.

Xiao Qiao tucked the lotus hammer into his waistband and calmly said, "To repay Madam's kindness, I will not use this weapon in the first twenty moves. I also want to inform you that this lotus hammer was originally called 'Sun and Moon Golden Wheel,' and it is said that there are needles hidden in the top of the mace. Be careful, young master..."

Qiu Ye Yijian smiled coldly and replied indifferently, "It's alright." He glanced at the crowd eagerly waiting below the tower, then suddenly waved his right hand, throwing Shi Yang down, and said coldly, "Leng Shuangcheng, catch it."

Xiao Qiao was shocked: "What do you mean by this, young master?"

"To be honest, my wife once privately revealed Mr. Xiao's ancestral palm technique, and I had already seized the initiative. Now that you have dodged twenty moves, how could I not retaliate?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qiu Yeyi's entire body was filled with murderous intent, his white robes fluttering as his true energy circulated. Before Xiao Qiao could wake up, he coldly shouted, "I'd like to learn from you!" His hands clasped together like locks, and with a flick of his wrist, he approached Xiao Qiao like a ghost.

The crowd below the tower had been holding their breath, eagerly anticipating a world-shaking, decisive battle. However, both fighters opted to fight bare-handed, without using any weapons, and their disappointment was palpable. It was as if a play had been going on for a while, with all the dramatic elements complete, only for the protagonist to appear and begin singing without any action, leaving even the drummers and gong players disappointed.

Yu Xue even sighed and said in a low voice, "It's almost impossible to see Prince Qiuye draw his sword."

Leng Shuangcheng's heart skipped a beat again, and he blurted out, "Why doesn't he use a sword? Why doesn't he practice swordsmanship every morning?"

No one could answer the question. After a short while, everyone glanced at the two figures flying on the tower and were once again captivated by the contemporary palm technique.

No one could describe the lightning-fast movements of the two; all that could be seen was the shimmering light emanating from the glazed tiles of the tower, and countless white shadows. Qiu Ye's pale, resilient hand, hidden within his white sleeve, made his movements indistinct. Xiao Qiao, dressed in a light gray, narrow-sleeved shirt, displayed a pair of large, powerful fingers, bright as the moon, dancing with a fierce and swift grace. Moreover, Qiu Ye's body remained swirling like a falling leaf, gracefully dancing around the stable Xiao Qiao, her movements as elegant as weaving through flowers and trees, or like white clouds emerging from a mountain peak—indescribably ethereal and light.

With a gust of wind from their palms, the air at the top of the tower was torn apart, pulling the white mist around them into a conspicuous vortex. Seeing this, everyone stared blankly, their eyes glazed over.

Leng Shuangcheng stared intently for a moment, then his face paled: "Left and right embrace, crouching eagle... it's the Great Capture Hand!"

Upon hearing Leng Shuang's words, the people around her were first surprised that she could clearly see Qiu Yeyi's palm strike, and then they were even more astonished after they realized what was happening—because in a life-or-death struggle, grappling techniques are only convenient for grabbing the opponent's attack, and compared with the fierce palm strike, they are like worlds apart.

As expected, Xiao Qiao's solid lower body forced Qiu Ye Yijian to fly around in all directions with just a few cuts, grabs, and flicks with his palms. Qiu Ye Yijian seemed oblivious to his own predicament, his hands slightly bent as he fiercely grabbed at the opponent's arms, leaving his chest exposed.

After twenty moves, Xiao Qiao shouted, "Young Master, be careful!" and drew his Sun and Moon Golden Wheel, activating the mechanism. A barrage of projectiles, like a torrential rain of pear blossoms, shot out. Qiu Ye retreated swiftly like an arrow, most of the black projectiles striking his chest directly—even the world's number one swordsman, whose lightness skill and swordsmanship were unparalleled, failed to dodge.

Xiao Qiao froze in astonishment, her eyes gleaming with disbelief: "What a Zi Ying, what..." She couldn't finish her sentence, let out a long sigh, and slammed her palm down on the top of her head!

Leng Shuangcheng was the first to regain consciousness. She used all her strength to leap to the top of the tower in the blink of an eye. With a swift movement of her right palm, she gently lifted Qiu Yeyijian's body, which resembled a real falling leaf, and cried out in surprise, "Young Master, Young Master..."

Qiu Ye's face was ashen, his usually pale purple lips instantly turning silvery-white. His long, dark eyelashes rested on his tightly closed eyes, and he remained motionless. Blood streamed down his chest, his injuries somewhat similar to those of Mu He and the other man from a few days prior. Leng Shuangcheng glanced at his face, then swiftly struck all of Qiu Ye's vital points, her voice trembling uncontrollably: "Qiu Ye! Qiu Ye!"

A cold wind howled, and the world was shrouded in desolation. No one answered her calls, and her trembling voices echoed in the wind atop the tower.

The Ye family had never experienced such a great upheaval. The entire household gathered in the courtyard, awaiting the steward's instructions.

The fortune teller paced back and forth outside the hall, issuing commands: "Go see what the old physician needs!"

Many people gathered in the courtyard, all with worried expressions. Besides the few who had just witnessed the martial arts competition and the servants of the Ye family, Cheng Xiang and Zhuang Chuchu also rushed over upon hearing the news.

Leng Shuangcheng stood in the shade of flowers and trees, her aura barely perceptible. A constant buzzing of voices filled the air around her, yet she stood there like a wooden statue, oblivious to everything. Yin Guang turned his gaze with concern and saw Leng Shuangcheng initially motionless, then, as if in a vast ocean with towering waves, swaying unsteadily.

Leng Shuangcheng suddenly turned and walked outside. The fortune teller glanced at him, and Yin Guang understood and followed.

The bamboo grove at Ye Mansion was lush and green, rustling in the wind. Leng Shuangcheng walked deep into the bamboo grove, carefully examining the marks on the bamboo.

"First day of the lunar month, are you alright?" Yin Guang asked hesitantly.

"Stand back a bit," Leng Shuangcheng said coldly.

Yin Guang was surprised and suspicious, because Leng Shuangcheng would never speak to people in such a rude tone, but after looking at Leng Shuangcheng's pale face, he silently withdrew as instructed.

Leng Shuang stood on the grass, her eyes lowered. After a moment, her green robe fluttered slightly, and she began to dance gracefully through the bamboo forest, her hands moving in unison.

Her figure was like a bluebird, gracefully soaring and leaping through the forest amidst the delicate greenery, her fingers flexing and extending, constantly scratching claw marks on the bamboo with a "hissing" sound.

After twenty moves, Leng Shuangcheng landed steadily. He approached the bamboo body again and his expression changed drastically: "This madman!"

Yin Guang had been watching her with suspicion and uncertainty. He never expected that after she said something, she would strike out with a "bang" and cut dozens of bamboo stalks in half at the roots!

"Chu Yi, what's wrong?" Yin Guang shouted.

Leng Shuangcheng turned her head and gave a cold smile: "Your young master is really a madman!" She randomly pointed with her finger: "I just tested the finger marks and found out that he practices the Great Grappling Hand every morning!"

Yin Guang couldn't understand her meaning at all. Before he could ask, Leng Shuangcheng angrily said, "He clearly knows Xiao Qiao's palm technique and that Xiao Qiao has a solid lower body. Why doesn't he think of a countermeasure and only practices fancy grappling techniques?"

Since the three elders had described the duel in detail, Yin Guang had some doubts and asked, "Does the young master have some ulterior motive?"

"Who knows what's going on in his head?" Leng Shuangcheng said angrily. "No wonder he ignored the possibility of traps on the Sun and Moon Golden Wheel, pretended to be a righteous person, and deliberately abandoned the Eclipse Sun. He was just trying to get himself killed!"

Silverlight was shocked: "How is this possible..."

“Why not?” Leng Shuangcheng sneered. “He has had this idea for a long time. Even if he didn’t expect Mr. Xiao to bring firearms today, he has been practicing grappling techniques for many days, which means he has wanted to lose this competition for a long time!”

"But Young Master could not have foreseen Xiao Qiao's actions today!" Yin Guang exclaimed anxiously.

“That’s right! What happened today might have been an accident, but I can assure you that my previous deduction was absolutely correct. These bamboos can prove it!” Leng Shuangcheng gathered his sleeves and took two steps back, then said angrily, “I was wondering why I felt something was off. Turns out, he never practices swordsmanship and was too certain!”

Yin Guang looked astonished and asked in a daze, "What is your purpose in doing this, young master?"

"Whether he can be saved depends on his own efforts." After glancing back at the silver light, Leng Shuangcheng asked again, "Does the Ye family study have any medical texts?"

"yes."

Leng Shuangcheng strode away, his sleeves billowing a cold wind. Yin Guang hurriedly followed.

The study was furnished as before, quietly bathed in soft light. Leng Shuangcheng pushed open the door, walked directly to the bookshelf, stopped, and after searching through the books, pulled one out and carefully flipped through it.

After a long while, Yin Guang saw her staring intently at a page with a stern expression. Surprised, he leaned closer and saw a line of small seal script on the book: Mei Luoying, the eldest son of a family of doctors in Jiangnan, the head of the medical profession, and the second-generation successor of the Plum Blossom Divine Needle.

“The Plum Blossom Needle, the alternation of numbers, the warmth of spring in the medical field, saving heaven and earth.” Leng Shuangcheng uttered a few words, then said coldly, “Your young master knows that I am the third-generation successor of the Plum Blossom Needle, and he has even thought of a way out. Unfortunately, he did not expect that a change would occur to me, that is, I cannot perform acupuncture after drinking alcohol.”

30. Fickle-minded

Amidst the profusion of flowers, the Xuange Manor was filled with shadowy figures. Roses swayed gently, pear blossoms smiled, and everywhere in the Ye Mansion of Spring City was brimming with beauty, yet these worried people had no heart to linger.

A simple, elegant figure emerged from around the corner of the corridor. With a soft tinkling of jade pendants, everyone turned to look at her.

If Cheng Xiangyan was as beautiful as a peach blossom, with delicate, misty eyes and a soft, charming beauty, then this woman must be as elegant as an orchid. Dressed in a dark blue embroidered Xiang skirt, her slender waist and graceful steps attracted many eyes. Even the maids in crimson gauze skirts behind her could not overshadow her elegant demeanor with her beautiful eyebrows, large eyes, and kind heart.

As she passed through the rows of flowers and trees, along the winding corridors and long staircases, she moved with an elegance and naturalness as if she were strolling through a painting.

The fortune teller had already stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Princess Linghui."

Apart from Leng Shuangcheng, who stood silently in a corner, everyone bowed or prostrated themselves before her. Linghui's bright, beautiful eyes swept over the people in the courtyard, landing on Leng Shuangcheng's face with a slight smile: "Rise, everyone." — That smile was also so gentle and approachable.

Leng Shuangcheng did not recognize this young woman in palace attire who was not yet twenty years old. However, when the fortune teller addressed her, he remembered that she was the "Princess Linghui" mentioned by Cheng Xiang. It was rumored that the current emperor was trying his best to arrange a marriage between her and Prince Qiuye.

When Leng Shuangcheng saw Ling Hui's eyes fixed on his face, he bowed slightly in greeting. Ling Hui smiled gracefully again, stepped forward to the doorway, turned her elegant neck, and said to the fortune teller following behind her, "I know everything, Steward, there's no need to worry too much."

Although Linghui only said two sentences, a closer look at her proper and elegant manners and graceful figure deeply impressed everyone present. They all thought the same thing: it is said that Linghui is the emperor's favorite. She is indeed a princess with the qualities of an orchid and the bearing of royalty.