Ordre du Lotus Rouge

Chapitre 14

As Yun Ran watched his figure gradually disappear into the night, she raised her hand to touch her cheek, only to find it burning hot to the touch. Her mind was still dizzy, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for drinking that mouthful of Zhuyeqing tea.

Qi Mo ran for a while, then put his hand to his lips and whistled. Not long after, he heard a whistle echoing from not far away. A moment later, two figures came towards him, namely A Luo and Xie Feng.

Upon seeing Qi Mo, both of them showed joy on their faces and called out in unison, "Boss!"

Qi Mo smiled and asked, "How did you all get here too?"

Xie Feng laughed and said, "We received news that the Dragon Guard Army has recently dispatched many experts to Sichuan. A'Luo was worried that they might be detrimental to the Boss, so she urged us to come here overnight."

A Luo glared at Xie Feng, but Xie Feng pretended not to notice. He then continued, "We caught up with several groups of them on the way. After secretly probing them, we found that they were all highly skilled. I wonder what the Dragon Guard Army is planning by secretly dispatching them to Sichuan?"

A Luo had been watching Qi Mo closely. Seeing that he didn't seem surprised, she asked, "Did the chief already know about this?"

Qi Mo smiled faintly and said slowly, "It's not just the Dragon Guards; Wen Huaifeng has also arrived here."

Xie Feng and A Luo were both taken aback. A Luo quickly asked, "You've fought him before?"

Qi Mo shook his head and said, "It seems that Wen Huaifeng is unaware that I am also in Lezhou. Their purpose in coming here is obviously not for me." He looked into the distance, a mysterious smile on his lips, and said softly, "I can guess what the Dragon Guard is planning, but this matter has nothing to do with us, so there is no need to cause trouble."

He pondered for a moment, then asked, "Where is Shen Ye?"

Xie Feng said, "We saw that the Dragon Guards were acting suspiciously all the way, and we were afraid that they really came for the Boss. So we split into two groups. A Luo and I came first to inform the Boss about this, while Shen Ye followed them to try to find out some information."

Qi Mo hummed in agreement and said, "Everyone, be careful these days and don't let your tracks slip."

He glanced at Xie Feng, then suddenly remembered something and asked with a smile, "I remember a few days ago, you got a few boxes of Nightmare for A Luo?"

Xie Feng laughed and said, "Ever since the boss gave her that box of face powder, this girl has become addicted to it, which has made me run around looking for those Nightshade products for her."

A Luo blushed, and Qi Mo turned to her and asked, "Could you give me one box?"

A Luo was stunned. Although she didn't know what he meant, she still nodded.

Yun Ran returned to the Sima residence at midnight. Not wanting to disturb others, she quietly slipped into the room and gently closed the door. But she heard a soft laugh behind her, and a flash of light revealed that Wanwan had lit the oil lamp on the table with a tinderbox.

Seeing her with a sly smile, sitting at the table with her chin propped up and staring intently at her, Yun Ran couldn't help but ask angrily, "What are you doing in my room?"

Wanwan smiled leisurely and said, "Young Master Sima noticed that you hadn't returned for a long time, so he specially asked me to come here to wait for you."

Yun Ran lowered her eyelashes and said coldly, "Now that I'm back, you can leave."

Wanwan's face showed an ambiguous look as she turned her head and asked, "I heard you were with Sect Leader Qi just now. What did you two talk about that kept you talking until now?"

Yun Ran's face flushed slightly. She ignored her and walked straight to the bedside.

Seeing that her back was turned to him and her ears were flushed, Wanwan blinked and sighed, "Poor Young Master Sima, it seems he can't escape being cuckolded."

Yun Ran suddenly turned around, and Wan Wan had already flown out of the room. She turned back and peeked through the crack in the door, smiling sweetly at her: "Don't worry, tomorrow 'Horse King' Zhu Hong invites Young Master Sima to a banquet. He just asked me to ask if you want to go. I've already agreed on your behalf."

☆ Hidden arrows are hard to guard against

Zhu Hong, known as "Horse King," was a wealthy merchant in Sichuan and was also very famous in the martial arts world.

It is said that this man loved horses as much as his own life and was also an expert in judging and breeding horses. He kept thousands of fine horses in his horse farm, including many outstanding steeds. Even the princes and nobles in the capital considered it an honor to purchase fine horses from the "Horse King".

Sima Liuyun and Zhu Hong had a close personal relationship. As soon as Sima Liuyun returned to Lezhou yesterday, Zhu Hong sent someone to deliver an invitation to Sima's residence, inviting him to a banquet at Zhu's residence.

The Zhu residence was located outside Lezhou City. Sima Liuyun, Yunran, and Wanwan left the city early in the morning and traveled several miles before arriving at a large mansion. Wanwan noticed that a small river surrounded the mansion, and a path paved with pebbles meandered to the front of the mansion. The path was lined with osmanthus trees, which were in full bloom and filled the air with their fragrance. She couldn't help but smile and say, "This Master Zhu certainly knows how to enjoy life."

Sima Liuyun smiled slightly, and saw the gate of the house open, where Zhu Hong had already come out to greet him.

Yunran and Wanwan were both slightly surprised when they saw Zhu Hong. He was a middle-aged man in his thirties, thin and frail, with a refined and honest appearance, looking more like a weak scholar than the merchant they had imagined. Even so, they knew that Zhu Hong was proficient in grappling and pressure point techniques and was a well-known master of external martial arts in Sichuan, so they dared not underestimate him in the slightest.

Yun Ran and Wan Wan had changed into men's clothing by this time. When Zhu Hong saw them arrive with Sima Liuyun, he couldn't help but glance at the two of them a few more times. Sima Liuyun smiled and said, "Brother Zhu, I have brought two more friends to bother you."

Zhu Hong, beaming, cupped his hands to the three and said, "Welcome." After exchanging greetings with Yun Ran and Wanwan, he suddenly looked at Sima Liuyun with an ambiguous smile and whispered, "These two young ladies are both so outstanding in appearance and character, I can't tell which one is Brother Sima's ideal woman?"

Sima Liuyun's handsome face flushed slightly as he said, "Brother Zhu is joking." But he couldn't help but glance at Yun Ran. Seeing that her beautiful face still held a faint smile, as if she didn't care about what Zhu Hong said, he felt a mix of joy and trepidation.

He knew that although Zhu Hong looked honest, he was actually witty and mischievous by nature and often said surprising things. He was afraid that Zhu Hong would make another joke and upset Yun Ran. Fortunately, Zhu Hong did not say anything more and just exchanged a few words with him before welcoming the three of them into the mansion.

The servants in the manor had already prepared the banquet. After the group took their seats, Sima Liuyun noticed that although Zhu Hong was talking and laughing, his brows were slightly furrowed, and he seemed a little absent-minded. He couldn't help but ask, "Brother Zhu, has something happened at your manor?"

Zhu Hong was slightly taken aback, then smiled wryly and said, "My wife fell ill this morning, and I was a little worried. I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Brother Sima."

Sima Liuyun understood. Zhu Hong and his wife were deeply in love. Outsiders only knew that Zhu Hong loved horses dearly, but they didn't know that he truly cherished his wife. So he asked, "Is your wife alright?"

Zhu Hong seemed a little absent-minded. He casually hummed in agreement and then changed the subject, saying with a smile, "Someone recently sent me a jar of fine Zhuyeqing wine. Today, I wanted to invite you to come and taste it."

He waved his hand, ordering his servants to pour fine wine, and raised his cup to Sima Liuyun, Yunran, and Wanwan, saying with a smile, "Please, the three of you."

Wanwan touched the wine glass to her lips, but didn't drink any. Yunran glanced at her and naturally followed suit. Sima Liuyun, however, drank it all in one gulp and smiled, praising, "Indeed, fine wine." He put down his glass, only to see Zhu Hong staring blankly at him, holding the glass to his lips but not drinking. He couldn't help but call out, "Brother Zhu?"

Zhu Hong snapped out of his daze and quickly raised his cup to drink. A servant stepped forward to refill their cups. Sima Liuyun thought to himself: It seems my sister-in-law's illness is quite serious, otherwise why would Brother Zhu be so distraught?

He wanted to take his leave early so as not to worry Zhu Hong, so he picked up his wine cup again and said with a smile, "I still have some urgent matters to attend to at my residence, so I'm afraid I can't keep Brother Zhu company for a good chat today. I'll punish myself with three cups as an apology to Brother Zhu." After saying that, he drank the wine in his cup in one gulp and reached for the wine pot on the table. But he heard two strong gusts of wind beside him. Yun Ran and Zhu Hong had simultaneously thrown their wine cups, knocking the wine pot to the ground.

Sima Liuyun was taken aback. He saw Zhu Hong's face darken and he said in a hoarse voice, "The wine is poisoned." Yun Ran had already drawn her soft sword, kicked over the wine table, and pulled him out.

Suddenly, a loud voice was heard from inside the hall: "Since Young Master Sima has arrived, why not stay a little longer, lest others blame the host for not being hospitable enough?"

Yun Ran's expression changed as a figure emerged from behind the screen. The man had a smiling face, a dashing demeanor, and sharp, piercing eyes. He was the mysterious man who had been hiding in the tent and had attempted to assassinate Sima Liuyun.

The man glanced at the Purple Thorn Soft Sword in Yun Ran's hand and recognized her as the one who had broken his longsword yesterday. His eyes flickered and lingered on her face for a moment.

Yun Ran's heart pounded, but he remained calm and ordered indifferently, "Take down all of these people."

As soon as he finished speaking, a series of footsteps were heard, and dozens of men in black rushed into the hall, each wielding a weapon, and attacked the three of them.

Yun Ran swung her sword, severing the weapons in the hands of the first few men, and turned back to ask, "Young Master Sima, what do you think?"

Sima Liuyun was already feeling a sharp pain in his abdomen and was using his strength to suppress the spread of the poison. He said in a low voice, "It's nothing." As he spoke, he waved his palm and knocked the two men in black beside him back several steps.

Yun Ran instructed him late into the night, "Protect Young Master Sima." With a flick of her soft sword, she attacked the people in front of her.

The man stared intently at the fighting crowd. He saw that Yun Ran's movements were strange and her attacks were ruthless and swift. Her soft sword could cut through iron like mud. In a short while, several men in black had died or been injured by her sword.

He watched with growing astonishment, then suddenly leaped into the circle, his longsword flashing past Yun Ran's soft sword, meeting her blade. Yun Ran felt a sharp, pungent internal force surge through the sword; without thinking, her wrist trembled slightly, and her purple thorn soft sword suddenly flipped, slashing towards his longsword. The man's face darkened, and he abruptly withdrew his sword, demanding in a deep voice, "Where did you steal this swordsmanship from?"

Yun Ran bit her lip and didn't answer. She turned around and saw Wanwan's hair was loose and her forehead was covered in sweat. She was struggling to hold on under the attack of several men in black. She was only able to hold on with the help of Sima Liuyun. Yun Ran was shocked and was about to turn around to help the two of them when she heard the man sneer. The long sword in his hand flashed with a blue light and he thrust it towards her.

The man's swordsmanship was different from before. His moves were swift and lightning-fast. Before the swordsman could even touch the Purple Thorn Soft Sword, he would quickly change his moves. His sword moves were unpredictable and difficult to grasp. In addition, several men in black attacked from the side. After a few moves, Yun Ran began to feel somewhat exhausted.

After a brief but fierce exchange, the man thrust his sword forward, but midway through its trajectory, the blade suddenly dipped, shifting its momentum to stab at her side. Yun Ran was about to change her stance and parry when several weapons belonging to the men in black beside her were simultaneously aimed at her vital points. Yun Ran used her soft sword to deflect the attacks of several men in black, but she couldn't keep up and it seemed she couldn't dodge the man's thrust aimed at her side.

Just then, a long sword suddenly shot out from the side, blocking the man's sword strike. Yun Ran turned her eyes and saw that Sima Liuyun's face was pale, and he was wielding his long sword repeatedly, having already parried all of the man's sword moves.

Sima Liuyun said in a low voice, "This poison won't be fatal. You and Wanwan should go first."

Yun Ran's heart sank. She glanced over and saw Wanwan wearing a pair of dark gold gloves. She was holding a single knife in her left hand and throwing a grappling hook in her right hand, which had already torn a bloody hole in the man's chest.

After Wanwan put on the black silk gloves, she found it much easier to fight back than before. Meanwhile, some of the black-clad men fighting her shifted their focus to attacking Sima Liuyun and Yunran. With this shift in power, the situation improved slightly. Her eyes flashed, and finding an opening, she suddenly leaped to Yunran's side and whispered, "Let's go first. We'll find a way to save your young master Sima when we get back."

Seeing that Sima Liuyun's back was completely soaked with sweat, Yun Ran knew that he wouldn't last much longer. Unable to bear seeing him die on the spot, she flicked out her soft sword and stabbed at the two black-clad men attacking Sima Liuyun from the side. She replied in a low voice, "This matter has nothing to do with you. Go and save your own life."

Wanwan knew that without Yunran, she would never be able to escape. Seeing that she was unwilling to leave Sima Liuyun, she became very anxious. Various thoughts flashed through her mind. Suddenly, she whispered, "Fool, these people will not kill him. Otherwise, they would have already put a deadly poison in the wine. How could Young Master Sima have survived until now?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Ran's expression shifted, and Wan Wan suddenly tugged at her, urgently saying, "Quick!"

After weighing the options in her mind for a moment, Yun Ran made up her mind and then had no more hesitation. She lightly touched the ground with her toes and disappeared into the hall door like a swallow skimming the waves. Wanwan immediately followed closely behind her, never leaving her side.

Seeing the two women trying to escape, several men in black rushed to the hall door to block them, but fearing the sharpness of Yun Ran's sword, they dared not engage in close combat. Those who did get close were either sliced in the blade or stabbed by Yun Ran with her soft sword, with Wanwan following up with throwing grappling hooks, instantly killing several more. This group's goal was to capture Sima Liuyun, and they did not want to send too many men to intercept them, so the two women gradually fought their way out of the encirclement and out of the hall.

After leaving the Zhu residence, the two ran for several miles before turning back to see that there were no more men in black chasing them, and then they stopped.

Wanwan clutched her chest, panting, "That was close. I almost lost my life at the Zhu family's place. I don't know who that man is. Not only is his martial arts so high, but he even managed to bribe 'Horse King' Zhu Hong."

Yun Ran's face was gloomy, and she remained silent.

Wanwan blinked and pondered for a moment, then said, "The only way now is to go back to the Sima family and inform them of this matter, so that they can be prepared, and then we can try to rescue Young Master Sima..."

Yun Ran, who had been silent all along, suddenly asked, "Why didn't you drink a drop when Zhu Hong offered you a toast?"

Wanwan was taken aback and blurted out, "You suspect me?" Seeing Yun Ran's cold eyes staring intently at her, she couldn't help but retort angrily, "If I wanted to harm you, I would have done it already. Why would I have dragged you out of here?"

Yun Ran's expression softened slightly, but she still looked at Wanwan with suspicion. She slowly said, "You usually avoid dangerous situations, so why did you risk your life to help me rescue Sima Liuyun this time?"

Wanwan's expression shifted, and she snorted, "I wanted to help you, but you really didn't get a good reward!"

Yun Ran frowned and said, "We are not related, so why are you helping me?"

Wanwan didn't answer for a moment. Her gaze fell on the Purple Thorn Soft Sword at Yun Ran's waist. Her expression was ambiguous. After a long while, she said, "It's because you killed Su Yunjin with your own hands."

☆, Trapped in a dangerous situation

When Yun Ran saw the resentment in Wan Wan's eyes when she mentioned "Su Yun Jin," a thought suddenly flashed through her mind. She raised her eyes and asked, "The one who offered a thousand gold pieces for Su Yun Jin's life, could it be you?"

Wanwan's expression changed slightly, then she chuckled and said, "Miss Yun is indeed clever; you actually guessed it. Although the Absolute Killing Sect is efficient, their prices are quite high... Sigh, I really don't know how long it will take to earn back my thousand gold coins."

Seeing that she seemed relaxed, but her smile revealed a hint of bitterness, Yun Ran recalled what He Zhenyang had said that day: after Su Yunjin's death, he still secretly went to Kongtong Mountain and stabbed his wife and children to death. This showed how deep his hatred for him was. However, she did not know what deep hatred existed between the two of them.

She glanced at Wanwan, then stopped asking and said calmly, "Let's go."

The two returned to the Sima residence and informed Sima Liuyun of the attack. By the time the Sima family sent people to the Zhu residence, the entire mansion was deserted.

By evening, the Sima family had searched almost every inch of Lezhou City, but there was still no trace of Sima Liuyun. Everyone was at a loss, and even Wanwan couldn't help but frown and shake her head, sighing, "These people are really strange. They disappeared as if they vanished into thin air, leaving no clues. Now that we don't even know their identities, it will be even more difficult to gather information."

Yun Ran's heart stirred. She suddenly remembered that Qi Mo's words the night before seemed to indicate that he knew the origin of the mysterious man. She reached into her pocket and took out the Killing Token.

Wanwan's eyes lit up, and she said happily, "The Absolute Killing Sect is powerful and has many experts under its command. Why don't you ask Chief Qi for help? When he gave you this Absolute Killing Token, didn't he also say that he intended to help you?"

Yun Ran looked down at the token, hesitated for a moment, and finally made up her mind. She said softly, "Yes, I will go to Ruyi Restaurant to find him tomorrow."

The next morning, Yun Ran left the Sima family and headed straight for the west of the city. The manager of the Ruyi Restaurant was a amiable middle-aged fat man. When he saw Yun Ran reveal the kill order, his face immediately became more solemn. He said in a low voice, "Please wait a moment, young lady. I will go and tell the sect leader right away."

Yun Ran nodded and sat down by the window on the second floor to wait. Her eyes glanced out the window unintentionally and she caught sight of the back of a man in brocade robes in the middle of the street, and she was stunned. The man seemed to notice her, slowly turned around, looked up to meet Yun Ran's gaze, and smiled faintly at her. It was none other than the mysterious man who was an enemy of Sima Liuyun.

Yun Ran's expression changed, and she hurriedly went downstairs to chase after him.

The man seemed to be waiting for her, remaining where he was. Only after she left the Ruyi Restaurant did he gracefully disappear into an alleyway at the street corner. Yun Ran followed closely behind. The man led her through several alleys, and seeing that the area was quiet and deserted, he stopped, turned around, and calmly asked, "Are you a disciple of the Jade Sword Sect, or someone from the Twilight Shadow Pavilion?"

Yun Ran had been suspecting that he had recognized her, but when she heard him ask her this question, she felt a sense of loss.

Seeing that she remained silent, the man sneered, then suddenly lunged forward and struck her with his palm.

Seeing his sudden attack, Yun Ran didn't have time to think. She drew her soft sword and thrust it towards his chest. She intended to use an attack as a way to deflect his palm strike, but the man ignored her sword and continued his attack, meeting her head-on.