Kiyomi Tsuki and His Fox

Chapter 54

Qingfeng frowned and said, "Jianyue, what nonsense are you spouting?"

Qing Jianyue said indignantly, "I'm not talking nonsense. You're clearly prettier than me, but the Madam scolds me instead of you. That's not fair. Besides, you were the first of the three most beautiful women in this fortress." He counted on his fingers, one by one, "The second was the handsome brother, the third was the fortress lord, when did it become my turn?"

The expressions on everyone's faces in the hall became even stranger. Madam Lu was stunned, momentarily forgetting her anger, caught between laughter and rage by Qing Jian Yue's antics.

Xu Yun giggled and trembled, "Young Master Jianyue's words are truly amusing, actually comparing such majestic men as the Fortress Lord and the Grand Lord Qingfeng to peerless beauties."

Qing Jianyue blinked, thinking, "Did I say something wrong?" He hurriedly looked at Lu Qingcheng, then at Qingfeng. Sure enough, one was angry, and the other was fiercely glaring at him. Judging from their expressions, there was no need for Madam Lu to defy the world; they seemed ready to strangle him on the spot. Qing Jianyue bit his finger in fright, thinking, "I think I really said something wrong. What should I do? Judging from their expressions, they might strangle me." Suddenly, Qing Jianyue stopped biting his finger and slipped behind Cai Bo'an, hiding himself.

People could no longer bear it, and their laughter, which shook the rooftops, surged and echoed through the council chamber like ocean waves.

Lu Qingcheng sat back in her chair and muttered something under her breath. Qingfeng's face flushed red, and she couldn't help but laugh. Madam Lu's face twitched a few times, but she managed to suppress her laughter.

A loud announcement came from outside: "Third Lord Lei Yongxiang requests an audience."

"Please, Three Lords."

Lu Qingcheng waved her hand to the crowd below, and they hurriedly straightened their faces, their laughter gradually subsiding. Not long after, Lei Yongxiang entered the council hall, looking travel-worn. Although surprised by the strange atmosphere in the hall, he still bowed respectfully, gave Lu Qingcheng a brief report, and then ordered his subordinates to bring in Li Ying's younger brother, Li Lin.

Not long after, four warriors from Lujiabao escorted in a burly man with a thick beard. Although he looked haggard and was injured, he still appeared unruly. Qing Jianyue peeked out from behind Cai Bo'an.

Li Lin arrogantly surveyed the crowd, not only refusing to kneel but also bursting into laughter, "Lu Qingcheng, you're just a greenhorn, don't be too smug. You're lucky this time. You're still a long way from beating my second brother."

Lei Yongxiang kicked him in the back of the knee, and with a thud, he fell to his knees. He tried to struggle to get up, but was immediately held down by two burly men.

"You're about to die and you still don't know it. How rude! Slap yourself!" Madam Lu scolded angrily.

"Wait," Lu Qingcheng raised her hand to stop her, "Mother, he can be considered a tough guy. Now that he has been captured, don't humiliate him anymore."

“My son is right,” Madam Lu said, waving her hand.

The soldiers of Lujiabao released Li Lin.

Li Lin was unimpressed and sneered, "Lu Qingcheng, what skills do you have besides doting on that androgynous transvestite Qing Jianyue? If you have the guts, come down and fight me one-on-one, let's have a good fight."

On a clear day, a huge iron hammer mercilessly smashed down on Kiyomi Tsuki's head, nearly causing him to vomit blood and die.

Li Lin laughed wildly, enraging Lei Yongxiang, who kicked him, leaving his head bleeding profusely. Even so, Li Lin continued to laugh. Among the people in the hall, some looked angry, some glanced sideways, and some gloated.

Madam Lu sneered, "Now you should understand why your mother killed Qing Jianyue, shouldn't you?"

Lu Qingcheng's face was ashen, and she remained silent.

Kiyoshi strode over and said, "Third Lord, please release him. I have something to say."

Lei Yongxiang frowned, but he knew that Qing Jianyue was always clever and cunning, so he wouldn't be at a disadvantage. He then released Li Lin. He took a step to the side, ready to strike without mercy if Li Lin made any dangerous move.

Li Lin glanced sideways at Kiyomi Tsuki and the golden-eyed white fox at his feet, and sneered, "You're Kiyomi Tsuki?"

Qing Jianyue squatted down on the ground, and the white fox also came closer. The two of them, human and fox, faced Li Lin, their eyes locked. Qing Jianyue smiled slightly and said in an extremely calm yet powerful voice, "That's right, I am Qing Jianyue. Whether you're lucky or unlucky, your Sky Eagle Sect has lost, otherwise you wouldn't be a prisoner of this fortress, would you?"

Li Lin stared menacingly at Qing Jianyue, like a predatory beast. This displeased the white fox, which circled Li Lin, baring its sharp teeth and letting out a low growl. Li Lin's hair stood on end.

"But no matter how you lose, you can't lose your dignity, can you? The lord of this fort didn't humiliate you in every way just because you were a prisoner; he even praised you as a tough guy in public. But Brother Li, you insulted the lord of this fort in public. Aren't you just bringing shame upon yourself, degrading yourself, and losing even your dignity?"

Li Lin was stunned and didn't know how to refute it for a moment.

"Gossiping and talking behind people's backs is what long-tongued women are best at. Why? Because they're bored and just looking for amusement. She runs around to this house and that house, spitting on everyone she meets. Let me tell you, that Lord Lu of Lu Family Fortress, he's so handsome, so promising, so heroic, his granaries are overflowing with gold and silver—in short, from head to toe, there's nothing wrong with him. There's only one flaw: he doesn't love my daughter. How could he be so blind? Sigh, it's all because of that Qing Jianyue who corrupted him. Then, she cuts out a little paper figure, finds a secluded spot, takes off her embroidered shoes. Qing Jianyue, I'll slap your dead face, let's see how long you can be so arrogant."

Kiyomi Tsuki shook his head and sighed, filled with boundless pity.

"Brother Li, although you're not a gossip, you've gone from a tough guy to a gossipmonger. Do you want me to cut out a paper figure for you and find a secluded place? Feel free to take off your boots and practice a bit. Give me a piece of 'Qing Jian Yue,' and I'll slap you so hard your face will be dead. Today I'm a prisoner, but next time it'll be your turn."

With a loud "whoosh," the people in the hall burst into laughter, some falling over and some over.

Li Lin's face was red and white in patches, and he could no longer be defiant.

"Do you know why your Sky Eagle Sect lost? I'll tell you." Qing Jianyue suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Even before your Sky Eagle Sect raised its tail, our fortress lord had already planned ahead and won a decisive victory. Was it a matter of good or bad luck? Our fortress's Lord Cai Si braved hardships and traveled thousands of miles to Sky Dragon Fortress, using his silver tongue to persuade Sky Dragon Fortress Lord Long and Wind and Moon Manor Lord Kang to cooperate with our fortress willingly. Furthermore, the reason we defeated your Sky Eagle Sect was because Lord Lu had such brave and resourceful heroes under his command: Lord Xiang Qingfeng, Lord Lin Er, Lord Lei San, Enforcer Cai, Supervisor Bai, Li Anguo, Liu Xicheng, He Zhiqiang, and Du Fangwei."

These powerful words not only made Lu Qingcheng and her group radiant with pride, but even those around them couldn't help but gleam with pride.

Kiyoshi said with extraordinary confidence, "Otherwise, Brother Li, why would you be lying here like a bear? Did you crawl in by yourself?"

Loud laughter rang out again, and some even shouted that Lord Lu was young and promising, a master strategist who could win battles from afar.

Lu Qingcheng stared at Qing Jianyue in surprise, who gave her a radiant smile. In an instant, Lu Qingcheng felt her heart pound violently, and everything before her eyes changed completely.

All of this was silently observed by Qingfeng, who felt a myriad of emotions that were difficult to express in words or explain.

Madam Lu's phoenix eyes flashed with resentment as she thought to herself: Qing Jianyue, I will expose your pretense sooner or later.

The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly heated. Some senior managers and deacons rushed out, tears welling in their eyes, to express their loyalty, which then led everyone to flock to Lu Qingcheng.

Lu Qingcheng slowly rose, raising his hands. The hall fell silent instantly, countless eager eyes fixed on him. Lu Qingcheng said loudly, "Thank you all for your support of me, Lu Qingcheng. In the past, I was young and ignorant, and did many foolish things. Here, I, Lu Qingcheng, sincerely apologize to everyone. From this day forward, I promise to shoulder the responsibilities of the fortress lord, work diligently, and restore the fortress's prestige."

Cheers instantly resounded through the sky.

Li Lin's expression changed drastically, and for a moment he felt as if he was about to collapse.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Three Beauties

Today, Madam Lu hosted a banquet in Taoran Hall, inviting not only the lords and their wives from various mansions, but also her sister Tong Fengrui and her son, and Xu Lan and his sister. Although Qing Jianyue's status was no lower than the other lords, his actual position was not as high, so he had to stand. He stared intently at the large drunken crab on the table, his mouth watering uncontrollably. Not wanting to be outdone by his master's drooling, the little fox cub's mouth watered even more profusely.

Suddenly, Qing Jianyue yawned, tears welling up in his eyes and falling. He wiped his tears with his sleeve. Not far away, Lei Yongxiang and Yang Xueli, the newlywed couple, were deeply in love, completely oblivious to their surroundings. Next to them, Cai Bo'an fed a piece of crab roe meat he had carefully prepared to Cai Peng, their eight- or nine-year-old son with a chubby face, who was nestled between the couple.

Kiyomi swallowed hard. "I want to eat too. Can I have a piece of crab roe?"