The sky over the rivers and lakes is very clear

Chapter 38

Feng Xuese smiled and said, "On the day Master Kongkong returns to secular life, I will definitely pay a personal visit to offer my congratulations!"

The scarlet-robed monk, Nishino En, said, "That depends on whether you're still alive by then!"

Maple Snow Colors raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

Nishino En looked him up and down, then smiled and said, "I see that you have eyebrows like the moon, eyes like spring water, skin like jade, and lips like snow. Recently, the Red Phoenix Star has entered your life, and you are destined to be surrounded by peach blossoms!"

Feng Xuese smiled faintly and said, "Then can you tell whether it's good fortune in love, misfortune in love, or curse in love?" She stepped aside to let Xiye Yan into the study.

The two sat down in the room, and a waiter brought tea. After a few casual words, they got down to business.

west Yeyan suddenly asked seriously, "Xue Se, do you know a woman who calls herself Mo Xin Xue?"

Feng Xuese said with a wry smile, "I only heard Ziqian mention this person today!"

According to Iron Rooster Song Ziqian, a woman named Mo Xinxue has recently appeared in the martial arts world, asking people everywhere to help hunt down the Snow-Colored Young Master of Maple Snow City. Because it involves their master, the brothers of Maple Snow City have been keeping a close eye on things, but without their master's explicit instructions, they dare not act on their own.

Nishino En took a sip of tea and said, "It's been a few days since we last met. I imagine you've been quite busy these past few days."

Feng Xuese smiled nonchalantly: "I can still handle it. So far, I've encountered two groups: the Twelve Zodiac Envoys of the Blood Pavilion and Master Huizhi's five precious disciples from the Qiyun Sect."

"As far as I know, there are at least thirty-one groups of people from various sides who have taken on the mission to kill you."

Feng Xuese frowned: "Who exactly is this woman?" The fighting and killing in the martial arts world never stops. He is not afraid of how many people want to kill him, but he finds it a bit troublesome.

“Those who have seen her say she’s a very beautiful woman, but very mysterious; no one knows her background.” Nishino En glanced at him. “Yukiiro, you don’t have a single clue?”

Feng Xuese pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "No. Since my debut, every person I've killed has deserved their fate. I have a clear conscience. If anyone wants to kill me, it might be their relatives or friends." He then smiled, "Only thirty-one groups? You underestimate me! I really want to see who can take this life." His voice was calm and composed, yet filled with an air of domineering arrogance.

west Yeyan said, "On my way to Chenzhou, I have already prepared six batches of people for you. It is said that Fang Jianwu has also received five batches of people. Yesterday, I received a message by carrier pigeon that Yan Shenhan from the Deep Ice Realm is also leading his men on horseback. I estimate that none of the assassins coming from the north will escape his grasp. So at most, half of them will be able to reach your side."

The Sky Over the Martial World is Clear, Part Two: Chapter Twelve (5)

Feng Xuese smiled and said, "Thanks!"

"What Xiao Fang and I are really worried about is that group of mysterious black-clad assassins."

Feng Xuese's expression also turned serious: "Have you found out any new information these past few days?"

west Yeyan lowered his voice: "As you know, three months ago, two earth-shattering figures were demoted and imprisoned. These two figures were renowned overseas and their fame resounded throughout China. The people loved and respected them..."

Feng Xuese was taken aback: "You mean Generals Yu and Qi?"

west Yeyan nodded heavily: "The two generals spent half their lives on the battlefield, fighting against the Tatars and suppressing the Japanese pirates, protecting their homes and country, and loving the people like their own children. Their names will be remembered for eternity. Now, one of them is over fifty and the other is nearly eighty. After being framed, dismissed from their posts, and imprisoned, the soldiers and civilians are all indignant. Although the tyrannical emperor hates that their achievements are too great, he is afraid of inciting a mutiny among the soldiers and civilians. So, he used a pretext to detain the two generals in the capital and secretly exiled their families to the southern border. Most of these people are the elderly, weak, women, and children. Their journey is slow. The two generals are honest officials and have no savings. Their property has been confiscated. It was only because merchants in the capital raised money to pay for the escorts for the two families, and martial arts masters from the capital secretly followed and took care of them along the way, that they did not suffer any hardship."

Feng Xue's face suddenly turned cold: "Where are the families of the two generals now?"

After a moment of silence, Nishino En said, "A month ago, both families disappeared."

Feng Xuese impulsively stood up, paced around the room a few times, picked up the cold tea on the table, took a few sips, barely suppressing the anger in her heart, and asked, "Where is it?"

He was usually calm and rarely felt so anxious, but... the matter involved the safety of the country and the lives of the people, so he couldn't help but feel anxious!

Generals Yu and Qi fought for the country for many years, winning every battle. Foreign invaders trembled at the mere mention of their names. With them around, the country was at peace and the people were happy. Now, the foolish emperor has destroyed the Great Wall, and I fear that this beautiful land of China will once again be trampled by foreign invaders.

west Yeyan said, "I have already sent people to investigate along the route out of the capital. However, there are no reports of the two generals' family members passing through the government checkpoints along the way."

Maple-colored hands were placed on the tea table. With a "crack," a crack slowly appeared in the rosewood table. He clenched his fist and said, word by word, "Contact Fang Jianwu and keep a close eye on the movements of Japan. As for the waters around China, I'll trouble him to take extra care."

"Yan Shenhan suddenly came from the north because he was worried that the Tatars might make some unusual moves, so he came to discuss countermeasures with everyone."

Feng Xuese gripped the longsword, her fingers gently stroking its blade: "Whenever there is a change in the imperial court, the martial world is bound to be thrown into turmoil. This martial world, which has been peaceful for more than ten years, is probably going to be in chaos again!"

Excitement also appeared on Nishino En's delicate face. He strode over and pushed open the study window.

Outside the window, the grass was lush and the bamboo was tall and straight. He smiled proudly: "My precious sword hasn't drunk blood properly in a long time!"

Feng Xuese walked over and stood beside him, saying in a deep voice, "Brother Yan, I suddenly have a very ominous feeling—the massacre that Zhu Huihui saw might very well be..."

Nishino En continued, "The families of the two generals!"

The two young martial artists stared at each other, their eyes filled with gloom.

Those two generals dedicated their lives to defending the country. Even their enemies would speak of them with admiration, praising their unwavering loyalty and integrity. In the imperial court, who exactly intended to kill both generals and their entire families? Was the heavens truly so blind as to rob these two eternally renowned loyal ministers of their loved ones?

After a moment of silence, Feng Xuese raised her voice and said, "Someone, go and bring Zhu Huihui—the one who came back with me—up here!"

A slender bamboo outside the window replied, "Yes, young master!" Its branches swayed gently, and a guard in white retreated.

A moment later, a clattering sound came from outside the door.

"Young master, the person has been brought!"

Feng Xuese sat back down in her chair and said, "Let him in!"

With a creak, the door opened, and four burly female servants escorted a person in.

The Sky Over the Martial World is Clear, Part Two: Chapter Twelve (6)

The four women were soaking wet, their clothes torn, their faces bruised and swollen, covered in bloody scratches as if they had been cat-scratched. The man they had brought in looked dejected, like a defeated chicken.

Feng Xuese frowned: "How did it get like this?"

The woman on the left bowed to Feng Xuese and said, "Young master, this...this one has a rather bad temper. This is the first time we've ever encountered someone who acts like taking a bath is a matter of life and death!"

Feng Xue smiled bitterly, "You've all worked hard. Go to the accounting office and each of you collect five taels of silver!" He dismissed the four men and turned to Zhu Huihui. This guy had fought four women all by himself, but he probably hadn't gained any advantage and was exhausted. Ever since he entered the room, he had been sitting on the carpet with his head down, panting heavily.

She wore a new white dress with light red trim. Her hair was very clean, jet black and shiny, and tied in a braid with a red ribbon. Her skin must have been scrubbed raw during the bath, as her neck and hands were snow-white and delicate.