Canción nocturna

Capítulo 29

Lou Zhao, the third young master of the Lou family, was a renowned swordsman of the previous generation. Historically, those who create legends are usually highly accomplished in a particular field. For example, Li Bai was a master of literature. Zhang Fei was a master of martial arts. However, the Third Young Master Lou was skilled in both martial arts and literature, thus becoming a god-like figure.

Lou Zhao had achieved the second-highest rank in the imperial examinations and entered the court as an official. Later, he served in the Hanlin Academy, where he frequently offered insightful advice to the emperor. The emperor made full use of his talents; during the war against the Xue Kingdom, Lou Zhao served as the military advisor and accompanied the army. On the battlefield, he moved with incredible speed, wielding the Lou family sword and felling countless enemies, displaying great prowess.

But perhaps due to the immense pressure of his high position, he quietly disappeared afterward.

When Lou Sanjian reappeared in the martial arts world, he was already the leader of the Jade Luo Sect.

I asked Lou Xiyue, "The Jade Luo Sect sounds very different, what does it actually do?"

Lou Xiyue replied as she hurried on her way, "I'll do anything."

I was puzzled. "Could you give me an example?"

He whipped the horse, shouting, "Murder, arson, rape, and plunder!"

The wind whistled past my ears, and I was so startled I almost fell off the horse. "You guys are a cult?"

He glanced back at me and said, "I haven't finished yet. I'll do everything except murder, arson, rape, and kidnapping."

I patted my chest and said, “When I listen to operas, I get very excited when I hear Yue Fei. When he says ‘Good and evil cannot coexist,’ he is so majestic and cool.”

Lou Xiyue asked, "And then?"

I said, "I also had a chance to tell you righteously that 'good and evil cannot coexist,' but unfortunately, I missed it."

Lou Xiyue expressionlessly pulled on the reins and sighed, "Giddy up!"

Five days later, we arrived in Nanyang, and Lou Xiyue led me into the Jade Luo Gate.

The disciples in the sect treated Lou Xiyue with great respect, all bowing and saying, "Seventh Young Master."

Lou Xiyue, fanning herself, was talking to a disciple in a long robe.

Lou Xiyue asked, "How is Third Uncle's injury right now?"

The man replied, "This is bad; the sect leader has been in a coma for several days."

Lou Xiyue frowned. "Do you know who did it?"

The man shook his head and whispered a few words into Lou Xiyue's ear.

Lou Xiyue closed her fan and solemnly instructed, "From today onwards, I will take over the affairs of the Jade Luo Sect. Do not spread the news of Third Uncle's poisoning to anyone."

The man replied, "Yes, Seventh Young Master."

Lou Xiyue pondered for a moment, then said to me, "Xiao Xiang, I'll take you to see my master."

I asked him, "I've heard that Lou Sanjian's swordsmanship is extraordinary, capable of killing one person every ten steps and leaving no trace for a thousand miles. How extraordinary must the person who wounded him be?"

Lou Xiyue said calmly, "Third Uncle must have been injured when he was caught off guard."

I leaned closer to look at him. The lines of his profile were clear and gradually became resolute. I comforted him and said, "Don't worry, everything in the world has its counterpart. Since you are poisoned, you will definitely find an antidote."

Lou Xiyue looked at me, her brows and eyes relaxing slightly. "I was wondering, who could possibly hurt Third Uncle?"

I said, "A crime of passion."

He looked up. "Hmm?"

I explained to him, “Your third uncle is not only skilled in martial arts, but also in agility. If he is attacked from the front, he can block it. If he is attacked from behind, he can hear the sound. So, as long as he is not on guard, he is definitely unbeatable. Generally, the best way to deal with someone like this who is impossible to kill is to use a honey trap.”

Lou Xiyue tilted her head. "What you said makes some sense, but Third Uncle has been all alone for many years."

I said, "You can't control whether you fall in love or not. Let's meet him first."

Lou Xiyue led me into a room where a person was lying on a couch. Upon closer inspection, I saw that the person's eyes were closed, his forehead was dark, and his shoulders were wrapped in gauze. His features were exquisite, his appearance was handsome, and his long hair was spread out on the pillow. He did indeed resemble Lou Xiyue somewhat.

I reached inside Lou Sanjian's clothes, intending to untie the bandage. Lou Xiyue grabbed my hand. "What are you doing?"

I said, "I want to see his wound."

Lou Xiyue coughed lightly, "There are three wounds on my body: my right shoulder, my chest, and my right leg."

I said, "Then take off all your clothes and let me see."

Lou Xiyue frowned. "Isn't that inappropriate? There's a difference between men and women."

I asked him, "Do you think I'd be embarrassed to see your third uncle, or do you think your third uncle would be embarrassed to let me see him?"

Lou Xiyue curled the corners of her lips. "I think Third Uncle got the short end of the stick."

I wanted to slam my fist on the table, but there was no table nearby, so I stomped my foot and said, "We're both masters, how can you be so biased? If it weren't for the fact that your father entrusted you to me, I would have stormed off right now."

Lou Xiyue took off his third uncle's undergarment, rolled up his trousers, and said to me, "Look."

I examined Lou Sanjian's wound closely. The wound was neat, thin, and black, as if it had been scratched by a fine needle, and had already formed a purplish-black scab.

I asked him, "After he was injured, did anyone help him detoxify?"

Lou Xiyue said, "The disciples of the sect used their internal energy to force the poison out of him, but they did not force out the poisoned blood."

I took Lou Sanjian's pulse, and then looked at his pupils and tongue coating.

Lou Xiyue asked, "How is it?"

I scratched my head. "His pulse is unstable, but there's some internal energy circulating, so he's not in immediate danger. But I can't figure out what kind of poison it is."

He froze. "Is there no antidote for this poison?"