Le Premier ministre stupéfiant

Chapitre 11

"Ugh, you know perfectly well that I'm not..." Honglu's face flushed slightly. She had a strange feeling about Chu Junfeng. She clearly didn't like him, but the thought of someone else marrying him made her feel regretful. Now that Mo Xibei had pointed it out, she felt embarrassed, as if she couldn't explain herself no matter what.

"Okay, I know, you just admire him." Mo Xibei laughed as he dodged the two account books Honglu threw at him, quickly begging for mercy, but then suddenly asked in a deep voice, "Who's outside?"

Honglu was startled, unsure whether Mo Xibei was bluffing or if someone was truly outside. Her hand, holding the last ledger, froze. A moment later, just as she was realizing she'd been tricked, she heard a soft sigh outside the window, followed by a few light footsteps, then silence. Who came and went? Honglu shook her head and turned to look at Mo Xibei, only to be startled by what she saw. The person who had been lounging lazily just moments before was gone, and a window not far from her was wide open.

The moon shone brightly that night, illuminating the dark blue sky and making the stars lose their luster. Mo Xibei hurriedly chased after her and saw a slender figure leaning alone against a tree not far away. She deliberately walked over with heavy steps.

"Lianyun, why are you out alone so late?" Seeing that Murong Lianyun remained silent, Mo Xibei had no choice but to ask.

"Will you come tomorrow?" Murong Lianyun didn't turn around, but just looked up at the full moon.

“Of course.” Mo Xibei smiled, as if he could see the dried vegetable duck waving its wings at him.

"Then, will you go up into the ring?" Murong Lianyun asked another question that almost made Mo Xibei choke on his own saliva.

"Haha..." She could only manage a couple of dry laughs, then thought for a moment and said, "It's said there are many martial arts masters, this...that...haha..."

"You're not going to the arena, are you?" Murong Lianyun suddenly turned around, her eyes glistening with tears. "Actually, I'm the fool. You just left at the flower fair that day, and these past few days, I haven't come to see you, and you're happy to avoid me. You just parade around with your pretty girl every day. You don't have me in your heart. Only I was so foolish as to believe that you liked me."

Mo Xibei frowned and scratched his head, listening to Murong Lianyun ask him, "If you don't like me, why have you risked your life to save me time and time again? Why?"

“Lianyun…” Mo Xibei thought, there could be many reasons why I saved you, but Murong Lianyun suddenly smiled, a very pure and beautiful smile: “You don’t need to say anything, I just want you to go to the arena and then win against everyone.”

Mo Xibei suddenly realized something was wrong and hurriedly returned to the inn. Her room was empty except for the flickering candlelight; the red and green figures were nowhere to be seen. She stood there stunned for a moment, feeling both angry and amused. Was this a threat? But what kind of woman would threaten another woman to marry her?

Naturally, Mo Xibei did not get a clear answer from Murong Lianyun about where Honglu had gone. In the time she had been running back and forth, Murong Lianyun had disappeared without a trace. Although she chased him to the Murong family's garden, the garden was too large, and after circling around for half a circle, she could not find a single lit window, nor even a servant who came out to use the outhouse in the middle of the night.

Excessive quiet only makes people feel uneasy, and Mo Xibei was no exception. In fact, she was not very brave and hated walking outside in the middle of the night. She didn't know what she was afraid of, but today she encountered Honglu's matter. If she didn't even look for her, Honglu would definitely make a fuss when she came back. She stood on a big tree and wondered how things had become so complicated.

After thinking for a long time, the conclusion was that there was no conclusion. Considering the situation around the inn, whoever wanted to take Honglu away at this time must have some ulterior motive. For example, Murong Lianyun wanted her to go to the arena; Rongrong wanted her young lady's wish to come true; someone who wanted money would extort her; someone else... she couldn't think of any more possibilities. However, since they had taken her away, it was only a matter of time before they made demands. Rather than searching aimlessly like this, she might as well go back to sleep. In any case, Honglu should be safe until her demands were made and met.

Later, Mo Xibei was somewhat impressed with her own carefree nature. Even though she was busy until midnight, she still slept soundly. However, the next morning, she found that there was no movement in Mo Xibei's room, and Honglu, who was usually quick to run around, was nowhere to be seen. As the time for the martial arts tournament to begin approached, Chu Junfeng couldn't wait any longer and knocked on the door. Only then did he learn that someone had kidnapped Honglu the night before.

"Who did this?" Chu Junfeng asked.

"I don't know yet." Mo Xibei washed his face.

"Do you need any help?" Chu Junfeng then asked.

"Oh, that's the best." Mo Xibei answered vaguely as he brushed his teeth with salt.

"Aren't you worried? After all, Honglu is a young woman." Tian Xin couldn't bear to see her like this, and felt a pang of sadness, even though he and Honglu didn't usually get along.

“I’m worried, of course I’m worried, but it’s no use.” Mo Xibei took a sip of tea and patted Tian Xin on the shoulder. “I’m worried, but do you think someone will take the initiative to bring her back? Probably not.”

"Today is the martial arts gathering, and heroes from all over the world have gathered. Tian Xin, let's split up and inquire about the whereabouts of Miss Honglv later," Chu Junfeng said.

"Young Master, aren't you going to go too..." Tian Xin pouted, but Chu Junfeng's gaze silenced her.

Volume One: Ten Years of Wandering the Jianghu, Chapter Twenty-Two

After getting ready, Mo Xibei followed Chu Junfeng and his servant toward the Murong residence.

"I think Miss Honglv is probably alright, Brother Mo, you shouldn't worry too much." On the way, Chu Junfeng comforted Mo Xibei.

"Ah!" Mo Xibei suddenly stopped, patted his head, as if he had thought of something, and said, "With Honglu not here, I've become forgetful, which is not good. You guys go first, I'll go back and get some things and come right back."

“Then we’ll wait for you,” Chu Junfeng said.

"No need, no need, I'll be there in a bit. Alliance Leader Murong is waiting there. It's not good for a junior to be too late." Mo Xibei quickly waved his hand and then hurried back the way he came.

"This Boss Mo, to put it nicely, is mysterious; to put it bluntly, he's downright neurotic." Tian Xin frowned. He'd been getting creeped out by Mo Xibei's smile these past few days, and now he was desperate to avoid traveling with this man.

"Don't talk nonsense!" Chu Junfeng's eyes sharpened upon hearing this. He rarely got angry, and he had never treated Tian Xin like this before. At his glance, Tian Xin instinctively shrank back, only to hear her young master say, "Young Master Mo seems lazy and unruly, but..."

After walking for a long time without any further explanation, Tian Xin couldn't help but ask after walking more than ten feet, "But what, young master, please tell me."

Chu Junfeng paused slightly, tilting his head back as if chasing the clouds, and said softly and firmly, "However, he is a friend worth making. In the world of martial arts, who else could be such a friend?"

Tian Xin had grown up with Chu Junfeng and considered himself to understand the young master's thoughts. However, at this moment, looking at the person in front of him, he was somewhat confused. He didn't know why the young master valued Mo Xibei so much. Was it because the young master needed a lot of money and Mo Xibei happened to have a lot of money? After thinking about it, he felt that it wasn't. But the young master must have his reasons. If he liked him and valued him, then he could just consider Mo Xibei a good person.

As they spoke, the master and servant had already entered the Murong residence. Chu Junfeng had made a name for himself in the martial arts world at a young age, and over the years, his chivalrous deeds had earned him many acquaintances. A large group of martial arts practitioners who had arrived early had already spotted them. Some came to pay their respects, some to strike up a conversation, some to offer flattery, and many more to make small talk. In no time, the two were surrounded by layers upon layers of people, barely able to breathe. At this moment, Tian Xin suddenly understood. Mo Xibei hadn't simply left something behind at the inn; he had clearly anticipated the current situation and slipped away. "What a fox," Tian Xin thought, "and a fox that's got money inside him."

Meanwhile, Mo Xibei, after watching Chu Junfeng walk away, leisurely resumed her journey, deliberately slowing her pace. When she reached the front of the Murong residence, a large group of martial arts practitioners who lived far away arrived. She happily joined the crowd, slipped inside amidst the chaos, and found a table far from the arena to sit at. However, upon closer inspection, she found only tea and some small snacks like melon seeds on the table. Feeling somewhat disappointed and bored, she simply slumped onto the table, too lazy to lift her head.

The martial arts tournament officially began, and Murong Songtao ascended the high platform.

Mo Xibei had intended to catch up on sleep, as she had stayed up too late the night before, which was against her routine. However, the person at the table kept tapping on the table, implying that she should be more respectful to the leader of the alliance. Not attracting attention was Mo Xibei's principle, so she sat up. Although she was still lazily leaning against the table, her heavy head was finally supported by her hardworking hands.

Murong Songtao looked to be in good spirits and spoke in a loud voice. The arena was actually set up on an open space outside the back garden, with two or three hundred round tables in front of it. Mo Xibei was sitting in a very far back and on the side. Looking around, she saw a bunch of small black heads in front of her, which made her happily recall her school opening ceremony. Even Murong Songtao, who was standing on the stage and expressing his gratitude to the martial arts friends present, looked a bit like a principal giving a speech.

Murong Songtao said, "I have invited you all here today, my friends from the martial arts world. Some of you may know the reason, while others may not. It is said that this is to choose a husband for my daughter. In fact, choosing a husband for my daughter is a minor matter, and I would not have dared to trouble you all for such a thing. Today, I mainly have two things to announce. First, I have been honored by the kindness of you all in the martial arts world to hold the position of leader of the martial arts alliance for twelve years now. As the saying goes, the new generation replaces the old. When one gets old, one must accept one's age and make way for the younger generation. Do you all agree?"

"Why does the Alliance Leader suddenly say such a thing? The martial world is just beginning to settle down, and we all still rely on the Alliance Leader for guidance." The Shaolin Abbot was the first to put his hands together in response. The other sect leaders sitting in the front row also nodded and said, "Alliance Leader Murong is the pillar of the martial world, and everyone in the martial world looks up to him and relies on him. He is in his prime now, and he really shouldn't have such thoughts. None of us can agree to this."

On the contrary, the young people sitting in the back, upon hearing that Murong Songtao intended to step down and give way to a more capable person, became excited regardless of their own martial arts skills. Some whispered to each other, some couldn't help but bang on the table, and many more were rubbing their hands together and stroking their weapons under the table. Mo Xibei, however, ignored all of this and only looked at the person on the stage, a slightly mocking smile appearing on his lips.

Murong Songtao was also observing the crowd below the stage. He pretended not to hear the words of the six major sect leaders. This wasn't his first time in the martial world. He had completed his apprenticeship at eighteen, single-handedly defeated eighteen bandit strongholds on Taihu Lake at twenty, and by twenty-five, he had few rivals left in the martial world. Yet, it took him another twenty-three years of painstaking effort to ascend to the position of martial arts supreme. He had witnessed countless storms, open and hidden attacks, and the wickedness of human nature, just as much as the old foxes below the stage. Many coveted the position of martial arts alliance leader, but one had to demonstrate genuine skill. Thinking of this, he chuckled twice. His seemingly ordinary laughter, combined with his refined internal energy, easily drowned out the chaotic sounds emanating from the thousands of mouths below the stage.

"Esteemed sect leaders, please hear what this old man has to say. I appreciate your kindness, but I feel ashamed of your trust. I only hope you will not try to stop me, for my mind is made up. After wandering the martial world for so many years, it is time for me to enjoy some peace and quiet. I must retire from the turbulent waters. We are getting old, and the martial world belongs to these young people. It is time to give them a space to show their skills. Otherwise, we will be the ones who do not know when to advance or retreat." Murong Songtao said this to the six sect leaders with a smile. His voice was not loud, but it struck everyone like a thunderclap, and the audience fell silent instantly. "Continuing from what I just said, this year, I invited everyone here in the hope that we can take this opportunity to elect a new leader of the martial arts world to rule over it. The method of election has long been established, and I believe everyone is aware of it. Character is the most basic consideration. Let me be clear from the start: anyone can step onto this stage, but if one's character is flawed, even if one wins, it will not count. The final winner, who is recognized by the leaders of the six major sects as having impeccable character, will be the next leader of the martial arts world."

"The second thing I want to say is a heavy responsibility that I will pass on to the next leader of the martial arts alliance. I believe everyone has heard that the seas in the southeast have been very turbulent recently. Many Japanese pirates have come ashore, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities. Because these pirates are skilled and fast, the government troops' defenses are often breached or they simply cannot reach the rescue in time. I think it is time for the martial arts world of the Central Plains to step forward. We cannot let those Japanese pirates look down on us. Their martial arts originated from our Central Plains. Now, we might as well show them what the authentic style is and what a true master is."

Before anyone could comment on the matter of the martial arts alliance leader, Murong Songtao launched into a speech, employing both kindness and force, which ultimately invigorated the crowd and even energized Mo Xibei. The invitation she received stated that Murong Songtao had commissioned renowned chefs to prepare a feast, inviting her to a gathering in Henan Prefecture that day. Rumors circulated that Murong Songtao was finding a husband for Lian Yun, but she hadn't given it much thought, preoccupied with the delicious food. It turned out there was more to it than met the eye. However, some questions remained unanswered. Mo Xibei wondered how Lian Yun's husband would be chosen. Would the winner be her husband? It was said that Murong Songtao himself became the alliance leader at the age of forty-eight—good heavens, wouldn't that be like a beautiful flower stuck in cow dung? Wait, Lian Yun might have captured Hong Lü. Didn't she say she absolutely had to go on stage and win? How could this be possible? Mo Xibei painfully rubbed her head, deciding that finding an opportunity to rescue Hong Lü was the more practical approach.

Naturally, after Alliance Leader Murong finished explaining the important matters, many people, still dazzled by the Alliance Leader's throne, hurriedly asked, "Then what should be done about Miss Murong's marriage?"

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