Les bandits des montagnes sont en mouvement

Chapitre 5

"Take this hairpin, sister. As long as you take it to Qinghe Pawnshop in town, you'll definitely get a few taels of silver. Remember, you must go to Qinghe Pawnshop; you won't get any money there."

two

Su Xianhua stood across from the Qinghe Pawnshop, holding the silver hairpin, lost in thought.

Why could it be the Qinghe pawnshop? Why couldn't it be somewhere else? Would such a grand pawnshop even accept such a tiny hairpin? She muttered to herself…

However, this was ultimately a kind gesture from the young lady Ruhua. She had nothing of value to begin with, yet she still gave her this only piece of jewelry. It was truly difficult to refuse such kindness.

Thinking of this, she tightened her grip on the hairpin and walked towards the pawnshop's door.

However, he was stopped as soon as he took a step.

She saw that the other person was a complete stranger with an ordinary appearance. The only thing that was somewhat familiar to her was a blue tattoo on his neck. Although the content was not visible because it was covered by his hair, the two sharp front claws were clearly visible, extending all the way to behind his ears.

The exaggerated and grotesque pattern is the same as the one on the black-clad man I saw last night.

She waved her hand dismissively: "Get out of my way!"

The man said in a nonchalant tone, "My young master would like to invite you for a drink."

"Your young master? Who is he?"

"Young master met you briefly last night."

She blinked, as if suddenly realizing something: "So it's the person with the scorpion on their face."

The man wasn't angry. He nodded slightly and said, "My young master's surname is Cheng." He meant that the young lady should stop calling him "the man with a scorpion on his face."

Su Xianhua remained noncommittal: "Why would that cold-blooded person invite me for drinks for no reason?"

The man repeated, "My young master's surname is Cheng."

How stubborn… Su Xianhua frowned: “Alright, what does Young Master Cheng want with me?”

"You will understand when you meet the young master."

Isn't this the same as asking nothing at all? So why be so fixated on whether she calls him "Young Master Cheng," "Cold-blooded Person," or "Person with a Scorpion on His Face"? Su Xianhua rolled her eyes, glanced at Qinghe Pawnshop, and quietly slipped the hairpin in her hand into her sleeve pocket.

The place where Young Master Cheng, who had a scorpion on his face, arranged to meet her was Lanyue Pavilion, ten miles outside Qinghe Town in Qingxi.

Like the inn called Yuelai Inn, there are one or two pavilions like Lanyue Pavilion in every place. However, this Lanyue Pavilion has its own unique charm, surrounded by a clear stream, with winding paths leading to secluded spots, and exceptionally beautiful scenery.

Such a beautiful scene, yet now only two people are there.

Su Xianhua felt a little uncomfortable. She looked around and said, "It's so quiet here... Where is that older brother from earlier?"

"Tango is guarding outside the woods. The secret between you and me must not be heard by others."

The man in black I encountered last night was still dressed in black, with long, narrow sleeves. The fabric of his clothes was very fine, and they fluttered in the slightest breeze, making him look quite dashing.

In the daylight, the scorpion-shaped mark at the corner of his eye was even clearer, making his handsome face appear even more striking. However, although his words were ambiguous, his tone was cold, preventing anyone from having any improper thoughts.

Su Xianhua coughed, trying to make conversation: "How did you know my surname is Su?"

"You said it yourself." He glanced at her indifferently and reminded her, "Last night, you said that you, Su Xianhua, are not an unreasonable person."

Once you enter the world of martial arts, troubles begin (5)

Su Xianhua looked somewhat embarrassed, thinking to herself: It's been so long since I've been out in the world, how can people's memories be so good...

However, she wasn't a sheltered young lady, so it wasn't inappropriate for people to know her name. Out of politeness, she casually asked, "May I ask your honorable name, Young Master Cheng?"

The other person moved their lips and uttered two words: "Red Smile".

"Hello?"

"My name."

His name was Cheng Hongxiao.

Another name she'd never heard of... Could it be that her understanding of the martial arts world had reached a point of utter ignorance? With this wistful suspicion, she asked with a gloomy expression, "What business does Young Master Cheng have with me?"

Where is Miss Duan?

"Miss Duan?" She was taken aback. "I don't know any Miss Duan. You've got the wrong person."

Cheng Hong glanced at her with a smile and said coldly, "Stop pretending! You took Duan Ruhua away with your own hands, how could you not know where she is? You're not going to say that you don't know who Duan Ruhua is, are you?"

Who is Duan Ruhua?

She blurted it out, then suddenly remembered something and exclaimed in surprise, "My God, she's actually Duan Datie's daughter?"

Cheng Hongxiao looked at her coldly, without saying a word.

She quickly explained, "I really don't know who she is."

But he clearly didn't believe her, a sneer playing on his lips, his gaze like two venomous snakes. She was displeased and snorted, "Saving someone is saving someone, I don't care who you're saving. Stop pretending to be profound, I don't know what that look means. I hate riddles more than anything, just say what you mean, or I'm leaving."

Having said that, he actually stood up, turned around, and left.

"Wait." Cheng Hongxiao was clearly taken aback by her reaction. Even though he wasn't one for words, he had to explain now: "Duan Wenzheng is a notorious miser. The only treasure he'd be willing to spend a fortune on is his daughter, Duan Ruhua. You knew about this all along, which is why you took her away under the guise of rescuing her, wasn't it? Su Xianhua, I advise you to hand over Duan Ruhua as soon as possible, otherwise..."

He didn't say what would happen otherwise, but just from his icy tone, you could tell it wasn't anything good.

Su Xianhua finally understood what he meant, but she was even more confused: "You're really unreasonable. I clearly watched her hang herself with you. You didn't want to save her, so why are you blaming me for hiding her? Do you have a grudge against Miss Ruhua? Or did you fall for her, but she didn't want you?" The more she thought about it, the more likely this seemed, and she couldn't help but gloat. "Actually, I think that although your appearance is a bit strange, you're not bad-looking. It's probably because of your personality that Miss Ruhua didn't like you..."

Seeing Cheng Hongxiao's expression grow increasingly unpleasant, she finally wisely shut up. After a long while, she cautiously asked, "Isn't that right?"

Cheng Hongxiao had never encountered a woman like this in her entire life. Her already limited patience had been completely worn down. Her brows furrowed, and she said coldly, "Since we are all after the Sword Saint's 'Heaven and Earth Remnant' sword manual, why are you putting on this act? Just state your conditions."

What sword saint? What does the sword saint have to do with this?

Su Xianhua finally couldn't hold back any longer, slamming her hand on the table and shouting, "I don't care where your Sword Saint is crippled! Weren't you talking about Duan Ruhua? How did you bring up the Sword Saint again? Don't think you're so great just because you're loud. I'm not easily intimidated. Fine, let's have a fight. Black Wind Stronghold always does things the fairest way: whoever has the faster blade gets to speak!"

She was about to draw her Hundred-Scale Dragon Blade when a dark shadow flashed before her eyes. One hand pressed down on her blade, while the other hand wrapped around her waist, pinning her against a vermilion pillar. Cheng Hongxiao's cold, sharp voice echoed from outside the pavilion, stopping the approaching footsteps: "Tange, don't come in."

Su Xianhua's first reaction was: He actually failed to control my pressure points!

Before she could react, Cheng Hongxiao was already frowning less than a foot away from her, and asked in a low voice, "You really don't know about that matter?"

Once you enter the world of martial arts, troubles begin (6)

She looked directly into his light-colored eyes, without a trace of pretense or fear: "I don't know what you're talking about."

He lowered his head and remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Do you want to know?"

His face was originally cold and expressionless, but when he smiled, it was like a spring breeze melting ice and snow, giving people an indescribable sense of joy and comfort.

It was only then that Su Xianhua realized that the two of them were standing too close.

Her face flushed, and she quickly took a few steps back to the side, replying hastily, "Go ahead and tell me, I love hearing stories from the martial arts world."

"This is not a rumor, but the most famous event in the martial arts world in the past decade."

"Because of the Sword Saint?"

"Because the Sword Saint needs to choose another successor."

A successor to the Sword Saint? That's truly a big deal!

In the history of the martial arts world, ever since the renowned elder Longya Baiming drafted the "Longya Ranking," it has been passed down through generations and has been updated nearly a hundred times. Whether it's interesting or boring, the fact remains that anyone whose name is on the list becomes famous throughout the martial arts world, becoming a highly sought-after figure.

Every three years, Huilongju, a branch of Longya Baiming, would hold the Golden Goblet Wine Gathering, inviting all the figures on the Longya List to gather together. Year after year, it gradually became a major event in the martial arts world.

Three years ago, the Dragon Tooth Ranking listed the most revered figures in the world as the One Sage, Two Virtuous Men, Three Beauties, and Four Manors. This year, although the rankings have not yet been released, it has already been rumored that the "Five Young Masters" have been added to the list, including Bai Nianchen of Jade Unicorn Manor.

As for "the Saint" in this sentence, it refers to the Sword Saint.

The Sword Saint is a legendary figure. He entered the Dragon Fang Hundred Famous List at the age of sixteen, and rose through the ranks from "Fourth" to "Third" and then to "Second" until finally becoming the Supreme One. He remained on the list for almost twenty generations without ever falling off the list.

However, he himself was not very enthusiastic about this great honor. He was a very eccentric person and always appeared and disappeared mysteriously. He missed eighteen out of twenty Golden Goblet Wine Gatherings. The two times he did attend, one was to see Hua Mengyuan, the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world at the time, and the other was to accompany his old friend "Knife Soul" to the gathering for fun.

Even in those two rare public appearances, he simply blended silently into the crowd, only becoming noticeable after he left.

Legend has it that the Sword Saint's "Heaven and Earth Remnants" twelve-form swordsmanship is the greatest sword technique in the world. The sword moves with the will of the heart, invincible and unstoppable. He once single-handedly challenged the leader of the Demonic Sect and his four protectors, ultimately wounding all five and forging an alliance to never again invade the Central Plains martial arts world. Others say that twenty-three masters from the ten righteous sects took turns challenging him, but all were defeated, accepting their defeat wholeheartedly.

The name "Sword Saint" originated from this.

In conclusion, the Sword Saint is a towering figure in the hearts of this generation of martial arts figures, a respected senior in the martial arts world for all young people, and a super god.

The Sword Saint is choosing another successor, which means he originally had a successor... Why have I never heard of him?

Seeing the initial surprise, then excitement, and finally bewilderment on Su Xianhua's face, Cheng Hongxiao's eyes revealed a hint of amusement. He had seen many people who were good at disguising themselves, but he found it difficult to discern this woman's thoughts.

He spoke half-truthfully and slowly, saying, "The Sword Saint had a son, and the 'Heaven and Earth Remnants' twelve-style sword technique was not passed on to outsiders. However, a few months ago, for some unknown reason, the Sword Saint entrusted 'Blade Soul' Sanxi Qingke to convey a message that he wanted to choose another successor in the martial world to teach the 'Heaven and Earth Remnants' sword technique and inherit his mantle."

"What about his offspring..."

"No one knows what became of his descendants, but Sanxi Qingke never lies. Since he says it happened, it must be true. As soon as the news spread, every young man in the martial arts world wanted to take this opportunity to witness the 'Heaven and Earth Remnant's' prowess..."

"That's a very euphemistic way of putting it. Actually, everyone's scrambling to become the Sword Saint's apprentice, right? You're one of them, aren't you?"

He gave a faint chuckle: "What do you think?"

Once you enter the world of martial arts, troubles begin (7)

"But what does this have to do with Duan Ruhua?"

Cheng Hongxiao tapped her fingers on the table, looking at the curious woman with a scrutinizing and suspicious gaze, as if considering how to start the conversation. A large emerald ring on her finger dazzled Su Xianhua, who could only close her eyes.

She finally opened her eyes again after he spoke again, only to catch a fleeting glimpse of a strange mischievousness in his eyes.

"Because the Sword Saint set three questions, only those who can complete these three questions are qualified to become his successor."

She nodded in agreement: "With so many people, it's reasonable to give them a test. What are the three questions?"

"First, we need to find four treasures—things that a stingy person would be willing to spend a fortune for, and things that a generous person would never give up..."

She was listening with great interest when Cheng Hongxiao suddenly stopped talking, so she had to ask, "Anything else?"

Cheng Hong smiled but remained noncommittal: "If you want to know, go ask yourself. This is all I have to say."

"you……"

“You want to know about Duan Ruhua, and I’ve already told you. This is enough as a bargaining chip.” He picked up the wine pot and filled his own cup. He then glanced at the empty wine glass in front of her and poured one for her as well, saying, “Your alcohol tolerance is quite good.”

"Not bad, not bad... Wait, something's not right!" She frowned. "You mean, Duan Ruhua is the treasure that Duan Datie, that miser, was willing to risk his life for, and you want me to tell you Duan Ruhua's whereabouts so you can complete the challenge set by the Sword Saint?"

"yes."

"If that's the case, you clearly saw her hanging herself last night, why didn't you go and save her yourself? If you had, Miss Ruhua would have been in your hands long ago."