Corriendo de un lado a otro y desempeñando papeles secundarios

Capítulo 38

But this is just an illusion. They outnumber her, and once this adjustment period is over, they will attack. Should she strike first? Use hidden weapons? Use the Northern Darkness Divine Art? It seems that none of these are suitable for her at this moment.

Through the human wall, Xu Qingzhi was restrained by two men, his face ashen. Wang Naigong remained seated. The others were also seated, only Uncle Fang's face showed a hint of anxiety.

The atmosphere in the hall was somewhat eerie; at this moment when a major battle was about to erupt, there was an eerie silence. She saw Yang Xiao walking towards them, and all eyes were on him.

Yang Xiao, the steward of the First Manor, was probably not much less prestigious than Wang Naigong. Wherever he passed, the crowd automatically made way for him.

He walked up to Wang Naigong and asked, "Master, isn't that enough?"

Wang Naigong shook his head. Yang Xiao remained silent, glanced at Li Yuxuan, and stood expressionlessly beside him.

Finally, someone came to help? Yang Xiao, you were so excited when you first met me, why are you so indifferent this time? Li Yuxuan stared at Yang Xiao's cold and hard face, unable to understand why he had become like this this time.

But Yang Xiao took the sword from his waist and handed it to her, saying, "Take this and be careful."

Li Yuxuan was taken aback, but still accepted the sword, feeling somewhat bewildered and unsure of Wang Naigong and Yang Xiao's intentions. She had never learned swordsmanship before; even the best sword in her hands was just a woodcutter's knife.

Yang Xiao handed her the sword, but he remained standing there, seemingly indifferent and detached, yet he stood in front of her like a tiger.

Those surrounding Li Yuxuan, unsure of Yang Xiao's intentions, retreated a few steps, hesitant to attack.

Li Yuxuan's heart skipped a beat. He had a gut feeling that Wang Naigong and Yang Xiao were also waiting, waiting for someone to appear or for the right moment to arrive. They were using her to buy time.

They weren't actually as indifferent to her life or death as she thought, were they?

Hearing Haitang's voice from behind, "Uncle Yang, what's wrong? Have you forgotten that she conspired with Prince Xin and Zhan Zhao to capture our people? Even if she's not a Khitan, we must avenge this!" Then her voice lowered, "Father, I—"

Before she could finish speaking, Wang Naigong snorted, "Which eye of yours saw her with Prince Xin, Zhan Zhao?"

“She’s just…” she said, sounding very aggrieved.

"Step back!" There was no room for negotiation.

Although Haitang remained silent, feeling wronged, her words had a remarkable effect, as those arrested were all relatives, brothers, and friends of those present. They were seething with anger and had nowhere to vent, and upon hearing this, regardless of whether the woman in front of them was truly an enemy, they all swarmed around her. Each one was filled with rage, wishing they could pounce on her and tear her apart immediately.

Li Yuxuan's expression changed when he saw Yang Xiao.

This makes it difficult to save her.

Li Yuxuan drew his sword, tossed the scabbard to Yang Xiao, and tried his best to keep his expression from getting too bad. He imitated Wang Naigong's tone and snorted, "Which of you saw a woman next to Prince Xin? You're just trying to find fault with me. Come on, I haven't fought anyone since I left Lingjiu Palace. I only accidentally absorbed sixty years of Master Wang's internal energy that one time."

Lingjiu Palace, Tianshan Tonglao, is a god-like figure in the martial arts world. Hearing Li Yuxuan casually say that she absorbed sixty years of Wang Zhuangzhu's internal energy, and that Wang Naigong himself had admitted it before, it was probably true. The angry crowd surrounded her, but no one dared to be the first to rush forward.

With Yang Xiao standing by her side, Li Yuxuan felt emboldened. That's just how she is; usually timid and cowardly, she fears death, but when danger strikes, her inherent pride rises, and she'll find a way to turn any obstacle into a smooth path, no matter how fierce. Even if she has to die, she'll die with unwavering resolve.

Besides, she believed that Xu Zhu would definitely come. Her life was certainly not in danger. She just needed to stall for time as much as possible; every minute she could hold on was a minute of hope.

She held the sword horizontally in front of her chest, ready to transform the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand into the Tianshan Plum Blossom Sword if anyone rushed at her. The essence of the Tianshan Sect's martial arts, which had dominated the martial world, should be enough to gain the upper hand in the first move, even if she had only learned a third of it!

However, she probably wouldn't be able to dominate the room before she caught a glimpse of four people entering through the door—four people who could truly command the room's attention.

Xiao Feng, Li Xinyun, Xiao Lei, and a distinguished stranger.

All eyes on the field were focused on Li Yuxuan, and few people noticed their arrival.

Li Yuxuan put down his sword and couldn't help but burst into laughter, shouting, "Couldn't you have shown up sooner? You almost made me a human meat bun for these people!"

Xiao Feng laughed heartily from outside the crowd: "If you were to be so easily preyed upon, you wouldn't deserve the long journey I, Xiao Feng, have taken to come here."

Xiao Feng!

Li Yuxuan saw that everyone in the hall turned around and looked at the source of the conversation as if they had seen a ghost, and then scattered in all directions, including the people who had been surrounding her.

Murong in the South and Qiao Feng in the North—the present-day Xiao Feng, the past Qiao Feng—were once the pillars of the Northern martial arts world, the undisputed overlords. Their battle at the You Family Manor years ago terrified all martial artists, including those from the First Manor.

Li Xinyun and Xiao Lei quickly walked to Xu Qingzhi's side, and then the three of them stood together next to Li Yuxuan.

Li Yuxuan glanced at Li Xinyun gratefully: "I didn't expect you to come too."

Li Xinyun chuckled: "Xu Zhu is here, how could I not come?"

Wang Naigong then stood up: "How has Master Xiao been lately? I've kept you waiting."

Xiao Feng stepped aside to let the stranger pass, and chuckled, "I was bored, so I came to Master Wang's place to find an old friend."

After the conversation ended, everyone present confirmed Xiao Feng's purpose for coming. In fact, many of them did not understand the truth about Xiao Yingying back then, nor did they know who Xiao Yingying was. After all, twenty years had passed, and apart from a few old men around Wang Naigong, most of the people who had seen Xiao Yingying back then had changed generations.

The belief that Li Yuxuan was a Khitan was, frankly, based on instigation. They were somewhat skeptical at first, but in the end, it was the hatred of their compatriots that drew them to her, which led to their shared hatred of the enemy.

But now I can't disbelieve it anymore.

When Haitang saw Xiao Feng appear, her face lit up with joy.

Wang Naigong stepped out of his seat and said, "Master Xiao, you must have received my invitation. I have entrusted the manor to Madam Xiao's daughter and I need your strong support."

These words stunned everyone present once again. This was too unbelievable, too chaotic; it was simply impossible. To let Xiao Feng, a Khitan, manage the First Manor? The First Manor had always been an enemy of the Khitans.

Li Yuxuan stared dumbfounded at the room full of people, utterly bewildered. He noticed Haitang's face was ashen.

Flowers have fallen, leaving only sorrow in the city.

Li Yuxuan suddenly felt a pang of pity for Haitang. Hadn't Su Shi said that her orchid paintings were exceptionally good? How could a proud woman who painted orchids have fallen to such a desperate gamble? She couldn't even see through Wang Naigong's obvious intentions.

Wang Naigong placed himself at the height of public outrage. In essence, by doing so, he became a lackey of the Khitan, handing over the luxurious estate of the First Manor to them.

This is the best opportunity for anyone who wants to take their place.

After a moment of shock, a historic turning point occurred in the hall: a sword was now at Wang Naigong's neck. Behind the sword was Uncle Fang's hand—the hand of Uncle Fang, who had been sitting there silently the whole time.

Then he said, "Wang Naigong, the people of our First Manor have followed you through thick and thin. How can you say such a thing? We are citizens of the Great Song Dynasty. No matter what, we cannot become lackeys of the Khitan. Since you say this today, don't blame me, your old brother, for disowning you as the manor lord."

This was so unexpected that even Li Yuxuan was stunned.

Immediately, we heard different people calling out, "Brother Fang!"

Uncle Fang continued, "I know that you are only trying to force out the murderer who killed Wang Rou today, but if you want to find the murderer, you can't lose everything of our First Manor. Do you think you can get the First Manor back after handing it over to Xiao Feng? Anxi is the northern shield of the Song Dynasty. Losing Anxi is equivalent to losing half of the northern country. Wang Naigong, you are too confused."

The stranger who came with Xiao Feng chuckled: "You're right. Master Wang is indeed confused."

Li Yuxuan looked at the man curiously, and began to search his mind for the people around Xiao Feng. After thinking for a long time, he still couldn't think of anyone other than Duan Yu and Xu Zhu.

Sensing Li Yuxuan's gaze, the man made no attempt to hide the amazement and excitement in his eyes as he approached the three of them: "This is none of our business, let's go!"

Li Yuxuan helped Xu Qingzhi, who was still pale, up: "Brother, are you alright? Let's go! Let them fight amongst themselves; they're not good people anyway."

Xu Qingzhi nodded.

A sword pierced straight towards Li Yuxuan from the side, but Li Xinyun deflected it with his whip. Looking up, he saw Haitang standing in front of them, sword in hand, her expression stern and righteous: "Is the First Manor a place where you Khitans can come and go as you please? Everyone, charge! Don't let them out!"

The stranger was incredulous at Haitang's actions, a slight smirk playing on his lips: "Young lady, are you going to stop me?" It was as if he had seen the funniest joke in the world.

The encirclement that had just been lifted was replaced by another one.

Li Yuxuan sighed helplessly and pulled a stool over to Xu Qingzhi, saying, "Brother, sit down first. Let's just watch the show." He forced Xu Qingzhi to sit down.

The stranger expressed the same disbelief at her action, just as Xu Qingzhi had shown her when they first met. "With so many people surrounding us, you're going to sit down and watch?"

Li Yuxuan chuckled: "You can sit down and fight, I didn't say I wouldn't participate while watching. Besides, with you here, what business is there for us? Judging from your posture just now, weren't you very arrogant?"

Xiao Feng's hearty laughter rang out: "Master Wang, did you invite me here just to watch a show? I'm afraid I won't keep you company. I have no interest in the First Manor either. I'll take my friends and leave immediately."

"Master Xiao, you may come and go as you please. As for your friend Li Youying, you may take her with you. She has been poisoned by my Soul-Slaying Grass. There is no antidote, and she will surely die in forty-nine days." This was Uncle Fang's voice.

"You!" "You!" "You!" Three voices came from Wang Naigong, Yang Xiao, and Xiao Feng, all filled with disbelief and exasperation.

Li Yuxuan was stunned. When had she been poisoned? She had been eating with Xu Qingzhi the whole time.

Uncle Fang chuckled coldly, "Wang Naigong, don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You won't do anything to Li Youying at all. Even if you want to use her to find the murderer who killed Wang Rou, it's just a coincidence. You want Li Youying to know her background so she can go back and avenge your junior sister, right? Do you think we really believe you? You gave her your sixty years of internal energy willingly, didn't you? You genuinely want to hand over this First Manor to her, don't you? You even secretly called Xiao Feng over to protect Li Youying, didn't you? You're afraid things will get out of hand if things escalate, right? Don't treat us like fools. I know you've been suspicious of us ever since Wang Rou died. Let me tell you, even with Xiao Feng here today, you won't get out. On the first day Li Youying arrived, I had someone put my unique poison, Soul-Slaying Grass, in her tea. This poison won't take effect forty-nine days later. You didn't expect that, did you?"

Li Yuxuan remembered the water she drank after entering the courtyard, and her body swayed. She remembered that Xu Qingzhi had also drunk that water. They had chatted together that day until they parted after lunch.

Xu Qingzhi held her hand, and the warmth emanated from his palm.

Seeing Li Yuxuan's expression, Li Xinyun knew he was telling the truth. She lashed out at Uncle Fang with a whip, saying, "You actually used despicable means to poison me. I'll kill you first."

Haitang intercepted the whip, and the two immediately began to fight.

Uncle Fang sneered: "Wang Naigong, Xiao Feng, even if you are invincible heroes, you can't think of a good solution, can you? If I die, make Li Youying pay with her death! Otherwise, you should obediently cripple your martial arts and get out of this First Manor."

Wang Naigong said in a deep voice, "Fang Huai, I never expected it to be you! We've been brothers for so many years, why would you do this?"

"We've been brothers for so many years? When you killed my son, did you ever think of that?! Hmm?" Fang Huai continued to sneer, "When you killed my son, you were already thinking of this day!"

"Your son raped a woman and killed a family of four. He deserved to die!"

"Other people's lives are their own, I don't care, but my son's life is my son's, and I must avenge him!" Fang Huai brandished his sword: "Xiao Feng, I advise you to take your men and leave immediately, and not get involved in my feud with Wang Naigong."

"What if Xiao Feng says no?"

"I'd rather commit suicide than give the antidote to Li Youying."

Why does everyone like to use her as a bargaining chip? Li Yuxuan sighed, pulled his hand out of Xu Qingzhi's, and stood in front of the three: "Uncle Fang, as long as you release Master Wang, we'll leave you immediately. You can give me the antidote if you want, or not if you don't. You can be the master of First Manor if you want, or not if you don't. We'll never look at First Manor again, not even once. How about it?"

She knew that someone like Xiao Feng disdained haggling, only caring about fighting. Once a fight broke out, Wang Naigong would lose his internal energy, and Fang Huai would cut him with a single sword strike.

Thinking about Fang Huai's words, Wang Naigong doesn't seem so hateful after all. If he revealed his background just to get me to avenge Madam Xiao, then it's understandable.

Sigh, she's such a kind-hearted girl who's easily moved to tears.

The sounds of clashing weapons echoed outside the hall again. Where was the fighting taking place again? Li Yuxuan lowered his head in frustration. This First Manor was truly chaotic.

Someone reported that Wang Naigong's men and Fang Huai's men had started fighting outside.

Go ahead and fight! As the Red Sun said, only by destroying the old world can a new world be created. Fight as hard as you can, don't hold back. It would be best to smash this First Manor into pieces so that even super glue can't piece it back together.

Then someone came to report: "A large group of people of unknown origin are surrounding the village."

Another report came… As he approached, Li Yuxuan realized this person wasn't there to deliver a report. This blood-covered figure was none other than Zhan Zhao! Behind him followed five veiled women, their attire clearly indicating they were from the Lingjiu Palace. Seeing them, Li Yuxuan suddenly remembered Xu Zhu mentioning that the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand could cultivate Life and Death Talismans. He had taught her to demonstrate one before, but she thought it was too wicked and she didn't know how to undo it, so she hadn't taken it seriously.

Without waiting for instructions, Xiaolei pushed through the crowd and pulled Zhan Zhao in. The whip marks on Zhan Zhao's face were strikingly obvious to Li Yuxuan, and the blood-stained robe stuck to his body was a gruesome sight.

She helped him up, her voice trembling: "Brother Zhan, what's wrong with you?" Xu Qingzhi quickly offered Zhan Zhao a stool to sit down.

Zhan Zhao leaned against Li Yuxuan and sat down, looking up at them all: "You're all alright, that's great. I'm fine, Xu Zhu has already set my bones, the rest are just superficial wounds. When you're in the martial world, you're bound to get hurt."

Li Yuxuan clenched his fist.

Li Xinyun was still entangled with Haitang when she saw the Lingjiu Palace subordinates arrive. She handed Haitang over to them and withdrew, returning to Li Yuxuan's side. Xiao Feng and Fang Huai stood facing each other, neither of them able to come up with a good solution to the chaotic scene.

Fang Huai couldn't have imagined that the people from Lingjiu Palace, who lived outside the mortal world, would get involved in such a trivial matter. Now, he had no choice but to gamble with the lives of Wang Naigong and Li Youying.

Judging from the situation, they realized they had made the right gamble with Li Youying's life, and none of them dared to gamble with it. Otherwise, with their manpower and martial arts skills, flattening the First Manor would have been a piece of cake.

Li Yuxuan called out, "Brother Xiao!"