A smile can topple a city

Chapter 12

A burly follower behind him stepped forward and handed him a silver note.

Ye Xiao screamed, "What! One hundred taels of silver! Young Master Huang! My little box just sold for six thousand taels at auction!"

The young man in white smiled wickedly: "The young lady seemed to have said that true love is priceless, and this thing has no reserve price. Now ask around, does anyone else want this box? One hundred taels, that's still high! I was originally thinking of offering one tael of silver..."

Ye Xiao looked down and saw that the arrogant young men in brocade robes who had been so haughty just moments before were now all bowing their heads, not daring to utter a sound.

"Hehe, how about it?" the white-robed young man chuckled wickedly. "Then I won't stand on ceremony..."

Ye Xiao's eyes darted around, and he chuckled, "Since someone went back on their word just now, I'll go back on my word too. I'm not selling this jewelry box!"

Just as he was about to put the box back, he suddenly heard a clang, and a sword, scabbard and all, slammed onto the box.

"Young lady, you probably don't know who I am. If you did, you wouldn't dare to regret it!" The white-robed young man's voice was still gentle, but his breathing had turned into a hissing sound, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

Ye Xiao didn't even raise his head: "I am known throughout the martial arts world! There is almost nothing in the world that I don't know! Judging from your character and the fact that you are surnamed Huang, you must be the son of the legendary martial arts alliance leader Huang Chongshan, known as 'One Sword Cold Nine Provinces' Huang Tingfeng!"

Huang, quite surprised, exclaimed, "So you know who I am, young lady, but you certainly don't know anything about my character..."

"What is your character like? Rumor has it that the Huang family, from top to bottom, are all outwardly loyal and righteous, but inwardly vicious. They have always been bullying others with their power, and are eccentric and ruthless. Seeing them today, I can confirm it..."

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of cold light appeared, and Huang Tingfeng's sword was already aimed at Ye Xiao, straight at Ye Xiao's face.

Ye Xiao snorted and was about to dodge to the side when suddenly a figure flashed and someone rushed forward to block her.

"The Martial Alliance? Boss! I told you long ago that even the so-called righteous sects of the martial world are a mixed bag. Did you believe me today?" Xiao Xun deflected the sword that was about to take his boss's life with a flick of his sleeve.

Huang Tingfeng's sword spun around and froze in front of Xiao Xun: "What did you say?"

A lazy voice came from behind: "Wrong. It's not that they're a mixed bag; it's that there isn't a single good one in the Martial Alliance..."

"What!" Huang Tingfeng turned around at the sound, his face pale and his hand holding the sword trembling.

Behind him stood a man with an ordinary face, nearing forty.

Ye Xiao shook his head: "Master, you're mistaken! The Martial Alliance certainly has good things. For example, the sword in this Young Master Huang's hand. That's a world-renowned sword, the Chasing Sun. I heard it originally belonged to the former Alliance Leader, Li Zhong. Back then, Li Zhong disappeared along with Lu Mingfei, the Lord of Youming City, and their whereabouts are still unknown. Somehow, this sword ended up in the Huang family. The Master of Langjing Manor is very fond of collecting swords. If you get this fine sword, the old man will definitely think highly of you..."

Luo Qingcheng said "Oh" and swung his hand over.

Huang Tingfeng instinctively tried to dodge, but the outstretched hand moved like a ghost, its fingers fluttering like flower petals, and actually pried open his tightly gripping sword one by one, snatching the sword away.

Luo Qingcheng gripped the Chasing Sun sword, gently flicked his wrist, and the longsword hummed excitedly, like a dragon's roar.

"What a fine sword!" Xiao Xun exclaimed with envy.

Luo Qingcheng turned to look at Huang Tingfeng, whose expression was one of surprise and uncertainty: "If you're going to help someone, help them all the way! How about you just give me the sword sheath too?" As he spoke, the ghostly hand reached out again and pounced on Huang Tingfeng's waist.

The faint sound of a weapon cutting through the air was heard. A thin Emei dagger appeared out of nowhere and pierced Luo Qingcheng's hand. Reflected in the slanting sunlight streaming in through the doorway, it resembled a fierce lightning bolt from the horizon.

With a swoosh, Luo Qingcheng swiftly dodged with a flick of his fingers, then suddenly opened them like an orchid, as if to snatch the Emei dagger. For some reason, he suddenly stopped in mid-air, his sleeve ripped open by the Emei dagger.

Ye Xiao's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged: "Emei Vajra Fang Qin? I've heard that the two envoys under Alliance Leader Huang are actually the number one and two masters in the martial arts alliance. Among them, the left envoy Fang Qin has profound internal strength and has cultivated an indestructible body. He is also an excellent swimmer, hence his pair of Emei Daggers that can split water... Because of his profound internal strength, his alcohol tolerance is astonishing. It is said that a hundred bowls of liquor are no more than rice soup to him, meaning that a million bowls of strong liquor are nothing more than rice soup to him..."

The tall, burly, and ruddy-faced Fang Qin sneered: "Young lady, you truly live up to your title of 'all-knowing'! Since you recognize the power, you'd better obediently hand over the Sun Chasing Sword and the Crimson Gold Jewelry Box to the Young Alliance Leader..."

Ye Xiao pouted and was about to speak when a lazy voice interrupted, "A hundred bowls are no match for rice porridge, I think it's one bowl that's enough to make you lie down..."

Fang Qin, who was always confident in his drinking capacity and internal strength, was furious upon hearing this: "Ignorant brat! Don't think I don't know you're a mere child just because you're wearing a mask! Do you want to have a drinking contest with me?"

Luo Qingcheng said calmly, "I can't hold my liquor, so I won't compete with you. However, not being able to hold my liquor doesn't mean I can't question your ability to drink... How about we make a bet? I bet you can't even finish one bowl of wine..."

Fang Qin was furious: "You little rascal! You've got guts! Bring me the biggest bowl! And the strongest liquor!"

Without any hesitation, Luo Qingcheng immediately went to the kitchen and busied himself for a long time, picking out a large bowl used by the shop owner for sacrificial rites, which was as big as a washbasin.

They then picked out a dozen or so jars of strong liquor and placed them aside.

Fang Qin sneered, "Even if I picked such a big bowl, it wouldn't be able to hold all these dozen or so jars of wine! Kid! You should admit defeat!"

Luo Qingcheng sat down beside a bowl the size of a washbasin and called to Xiao Xun, "Pour the wine!"

Xiao Xun reached out and grabbed a jar, broke the seal, and quickly filled the bowl.

"Keep pouring!" Luo Qingcheng whispered.

Xiao Xun was surprised and poured some more wine. The wine slowly rose above the rim of the bowl, but did not spill out.

"Pour it again!"

Xiao Xun smiled, relieved, and opened another jar of wine, pouring it all in.

The wine in the bowl piled up even higher, yet it still didn't spill, as if there was an invisible rim in the air blocking it.

Xiao Xun finally realized what was going on and proudly opened another jar of wine.

Above the large bowl, it seemed as if a wall of air had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, blocking his way.

He glanced at Luo Qingcheng, who was completely focused on the tall bowl of wine that wasn't overflowing.

After a moment's thought, Xiao Xun, carrying two wine jars, lightly leaped onto the crossbeam.

The wine was poured down from above, and it poured into the large bowl very easily.

It still didn't overflow.

Fang Qin's face had turned somewhat pale. He suddenly reached out towards the top of the large bowl, as if trying to tear a hole in the invisible wall of air in the air.

Luo Qingcheng snorted coldly, and the pressure in the air suddenly increased, causing Fang Qin's hand to be pushed away. Several people standing nearby felt their breathing suddenly become difficult and couldn't help but take several steps back.

Fang Qin gathered his strength again and struck the air with his palm, attempting to break through the air barrier blocking the bowl of wine.

Luo Qingcheng's eyes suddenly turned cold: "Is Left Envoy Fang trying to renege on his promise? I only questioned Left Envoy Fang's drinking capacity, not your martial arts skills! The Martial Alliance is indeed full of bad people!"

Fang Qin blushed, but his palm still struck out with the force of thunder.

With a loud bang, the bowl of wine suspended high in the air shook violently, but not a single drop spilled.

Fang Qin was shocked and furious. He finally disregarded his image and face and struck out with all his might again.

This palm strike was aimed at Luo Qingcheng, who was sitting comfortably at the table.

"You!" Ye Xiao was shocked. He moved his right hand, and the silver wheel in his sleeve was about to be released.

Luo Qingcheng sneered and lazily raised his left hand to block Fang Qin's palms.

The suspended wine shook and vibrated even more violently, yet it still managed to keep a single drop from spilling.

Ye Xiao calmed himself down and said sarcastically, "Left Envoy Fang! Are you even capable of drinking this bowl of wine?"

Fang Qin didn't speak, but his expression kept changing, from ashen to deathly pale, and finally to a dark purple.

"Why isn't Left Envoy Fang saying anything? If you can't drink, just say so, and I won't pour any more!" Xiao Xun on the crossbeam gloated.

Fang Qin remained silent, only inwardly groaning.

Suddenly, someone appeared and swiftly reached out to brace against Fang Qin's back.

Luo Qingcheng's eyes flashed, he groaned, and flew backward, landing heavily on the ground. With a "plop," a mouthful of blood shot out like a gun!

At the same time, the wine that had been suspended in mid-air for a long time suddenly poured down, soaking the two people in front of it!

The purpose of the martial arts alliance

Ye Xiao exclaimed in surprise and rushed to Luo Qingcheng's side to check his complexion. After looking at him for a while, she remembered that he was wearing a mask, sighed, hesitated for a moment, and then put a pill into his mouth.

Fang Qin swayed, then collapsed, unconscious, his face turning blue and purple, and his whole body convulsing.

The man who had just been standing behind him immediately bent down and struck him hard in the chest and abdomen.

Fang Qin coughed loudly a few times, spitting out several mouthfuls of blood clots, and gasped for breath before finally regaining his senses.

"Old... Old Guo, this kid's background is suspicious. His internal strength... is quite similar to that scoundrel Lu Mingfei from back then..."

The man called Lao Guo slowly walked forward. He was thin, with a sallow complexion and a light beard. He was about fifty years old, and his small, beady eyes shone brightly.

"Absolutely not. If he really had the Netherworld Divine Art, we wouldn't have been able to knock him away so easily today..." The man's gaze was icy, like a knife aimed directly at Luo Qingcheng on the ground.

"So, Right Envoy Guo has arrived too! The Martial Alliance has sent its best today. Why bring so many people to Langjing Manor to propose marriage? Are they going to fight?" Ye Xiao slowly stood up and tightened the silver flying wheel in his sleeve.

"Please excuse my rudeness! I am indeed Guo Qiwu! The Alliance Leader is deeply concerned about the possibility of a marriage alliance with Langjing Manor. To show the Martial Alliance's high regard for Langjing Manor, he specially sent the two of us to accompany you, young master! Who knew that we would be robbed of the congratulatory gifts intended for Manor Lord Yuan by some villains..."

Ye Xiao interrupted without any politeness: "Right Envoy Guo is mistaken! It was your young master Huang who first tried to forcibly seize our congratulatory gifts!"

Guo Qiwu smiled faintly: "Regardless of who was at fault today... I would appreciate it if this young man would return Zhui Ri, and I will not pursue the matter further..."

Ye Xiao glanced at the group of people still crowding behind Huang Tingfeng out of the corner of his eye, weighed the strength of both sides, quickly bent down, snatched the Chasing Sun sword from Luo Qingcheng's hand, and threw it to Guo Qiwu.

Guo Qiwu sheathed Zhui Ri in Huang Tingfeng's sword but showed no intention of removing it. He coldly stared at Luo Qingcheng on the ground: "This young man is wearing a mask and hiding his true colors. Could it be that he has done something unspeakable? I'd like to see your true face!"

Ye Xiao stepped forward to stop him: "My master suffers from a facial ailment... his appearance is ugly, and he does not wish to show his true face to others. I beg Right Envoy Guo to preserve some dignity for him..."

Guo Qiwu hesitated for a moment, then heard Fang Qin behind him shout, "Old Guo! Better to be innocent than guilty! This kid probably has some connection with the Netherworld City! Don't be soft-hearted!" With a thought, he slapped Luo Qingcheng on the ground.

Suddenly, a flash of silver light appeared before his eyes. Guo Qiwu changed his move halfway through, reached out and grabbed a small wheel in his hand. It was made of pure silver and was exquisitely crafted.

Hearing the wind rushing down from above, Guo Qiwu released his wheels and exchanged a palm strike with the man who jumped down from the beam, staggering back several steps.

Once they stood still, they saw a handsome man in his early twenties standing in front of them, with an upright demeanor, who seemed vaguely familiar.

"Who are you?" Guo Qiwu's heart skipped a beat, and he asked in a low voice.

"Xiao Xun. The 'Xiao Xun' in 'searching for him a thousand times in the crowd.'" Xiao Xun raised an eyebrow angrily. "It seems my view of the Martial Alliance has been completely overturned. What a prestigious sect! They're nothing but bullies who outnumber the weak, take advantage of others' misfortunes, and are untrustworthy!"

Guo Qiwu paused slightly, then carefully examined Xiao Xun again, and said, "This... young hero's martial arts are extremely powerful and fierce. If used properly, they can surely benefit the world. But I hope you can keep your eyes open and not associate with wicked people..."

He bowed hastily, then turned and whispered something in Huang Tingfeng's ear.

It seemed that this Right Envoy Guo held a prestigious position in the Martial Arts Alliance, as Huang Tingfeng treated him with great respect, nodding frequently before leading everyone away.

After watching the group from the Martial Arts Alliance leave, the three were about to return to the inn when they heard a creaking sound from upstairs, and a veiled woman gracefully descended.

She was a beautiful young girl, especially with her pair of beautiful eyes that were like spring water, which swept over the three people's faces and lingered there for a long time.

Except for Ye Xiao, who felt nothing, the other two felt their faces burning and their minds buzzing.

Even after she left, the two of them remained dazed, confused, and directionless.

Panting, Xiao Xun carried Luo Qingcheng back to the inn and placed him on the bed.

Ye Xiao noticed that his eyes were closed and his breathing was weak.

"Qingcheng! Qingcheng!" Terrified, Ye Xiao frantically slapped his cheeks, pinched his philtrum hard, and shouted in his ear!

Luo Qingcheng let out a roar, jumped up, and flew into a rage.