Une jeunesse errante

Chapitre 183

As the disciple of the world's number one chef, the food he prepared naturally had a unique flavor. Everyone ate with great relish, praising it endlessly. The food was completely devoured. Since they hadn't known beforehand how many mouths would be fed, Qing Jianyue, with Xiaoqian's help, cooked a few more dishes. Cai Bo'an and Su Haibo even said they would go home and ask their wives to come and learn a few tricks from Jianyue.

Lu Qingcheng was radiant and extremely proud.

After a pleasant breakfast, Lu Qingcheng and everyone began their important meeting. Qing Jianyue, feeling embarrassed, quickly left with Xiaoqian and the little fox. Their next target was Feiyun. According to a servant's report, Feiyun had kicked and injured another stable boy who cared for it. Therefore, he had to go and comfort Feiyun as soon as possible. If it kicked someone again, no one would dare to take care of it anymore.

Upon arriving at the stables, they saw from afar a very tall and powerful horse, its coat pure white. It stood arrogantly in the middle of the stables, and the other horses were terrified, keeping their distance and not daring to approach. It snorted and pawed the ground with its hind legs. The stable boys were all terrified.

Seeing this, Qingjian Yue was both annoyed and amused, and shouted, "Yun'er, you naughty thing!"

Upon hearing Kiyomi Tsuki's voice, the horse reared up, head held high, and neighed loudly. The stable boys all dropped to the ground, trembling. A streak of white light flashed, and the horse leaped out of the stable, appearing instantly before Kiyomi Tsuki. The stable boys screamed in terror. Unexpectedly, the horse suddenly turned, circling Kiyomi Tsuki several times with effortless grace and boundless joy, before stopping and kissing her cheek. The stable boys were all dumbfounded.

Kiyoshitsuki laughed and hugged it, "Yun'er, why aren't you staying in your own stable? You're really naughty."

The white fox accompanied Xiaoqian as she slowly approached, snorting, "It's never been well-behaved to begin with. Master, you only need to pamper the fox; why bother with this naughty, stinky horse?"

Feiyun snorted, and the little fox, shamelessly, hid inside Xiaoqian's fragrant skirt.

Kiyoshi was already used to the endless rivalry between the horse and the fox for his favor. He decided to enjoy the thrill of riding a horse and ordered Huang Chong and the others to prepare.

Under the sunlight, Kiyomi Tsuki rode on a cloud, leaping up so gracefully and nimbly, like an arrow whizzing past an obstacle. His posture and his imposing presence were indescribably elegant and dashing.

Outside the racetrack, Xiaoqian rode a docile pony, with Huang Chong, Mao Ying, and Guo Guo watching over her. She silently watched Qing Jianyue galloping away, her feelings extremely conflicted and complex. She quietly observed the strict security and guards around her, her right hand unconsciously clenching.

On a tall wooden stake, a white fox wagged its large, snow-white tail, gazing with utter adoration at its master as he drove the arrogant, smelly horse. Ah, how envious! Only the master could make that stinky horse obey.

A warhorse galloped in from afar like a whirlwind. As it approached, the rider shouted, reining in his horse—it was Zhang Lang. He glanced at him, then shouted again, and his steed carried him into the racetrack. Soon, he met Qing Jianyue, accompanying him as they leaped over obstacle after obstacle. After one lap, they both reined in their iron steeds.

Kiyomi Tsuki asked, "What is it?"

Zhang Lang said, "Young Master, something has happened in the council hall."

Kiyomi Tsuki pulled her gaze away from the distance and gently stroked Hiyū's neck with one hand in a comforting manner.

Zhang Lang added, "I heard that the envoy from Tianlong Fort was extremely arrogant and rude, and repeatedly provoked and offended the fort lord with his words. In a fit of anger, the fort lord ordered him to be expelled."

Kiyoshi asked in surprise, "The envoy from Tianlong Fortress you mentioned, is it Lü Xiu?"

“That’s right,” Zhang Lang said. “Lu Xiu was not convinced and challenged the fortress lord, who accepted.”

Qing Jianyue frowned, thinking to herself: That Lü Xiu is indeed annoying, but Qingcheng is far too impatient. In this situation, we absolutely cannot afford to antagonize Tianlong Fortress and Fengyue Manor.

Thinking of this, he ordered, "Return to the council chamber."

With a shout, Feiyun leaped into the air, its four hooves flying as it passed the wooden stake. Qingjian Yue reached out her hand, and the white fox soared into the air, shooting off like a bolt of lightning, its timing and distance perfectly timed. It lay peacefully in its owner's warm embrace, wagging its tail proudly.

You stinky horse, what's wrong? If you don't carry me, my owner will carry me. Hehe...

The smug grin of a petty person who has achieved their goal.

Dismounting outside the council hall, Qing Jianyue could hear thunderous cheers from within. She put down the little fox and rushed inside. Inside, not only were the leaders of the Lu Family Fortress gathered, but also Old Madam Lu and the Xu siblings were present. In the center of the spacious hall, Lu Qingcheng and Lü Xiu were engaged in fierce combat. Seeing this, Qing Jianyue was filled with anxiety. What should she do?

He found Qingfeng and asked, "Why didn't you try to dissuade Qingcheng?"

Qing Feng said coldly, "This is really going too far. Even if we tolerate it, there should be a limit."

“He deserves to be taught a lesson.” It was Cai Zhonghe who spoke; he was standing to Qing Jianyue’s right.

Qing Jian Yue was surprised that even Cai Zhong He said so. He calmed down and watched intently. It was obvious that Lü Xiu was indeed very strong, which explained his arrogance. Unfortunately, his opponent was the even more powerful Lu Qing Cheng. Qing Jian Yue was captivated by the sight; Qing Cheng was undeniably handsome. After watching for a while, Qing Jian Yue, certain that Lu Qing Cheng was safe, turned his gaze to Guo Gang and his wife not far away. The couple looked extremely displeased, whispering to each other from time to time.

Qing Jianyue felt very sad and puzzled. Why was Lü Xiu, who was entrusted with the important task of Tianlong Fort, so arrogant and ignorant of manners? How did Tianlong Fort select people?

Suddenly, laughter erupted from all around. Qing Jian Yue hurriedly looked over. The two who had been fiercely fighting in the arena had separated. Lu Qing Cheng had one hand on his sword and the other on his hip. His indomitable aura captivated Qing Jian Yue. Looking at Lü Xiu, he was leaning to one side, one hand gripping his sword, the other fiddling with the stray hairs on his face. His head was bald in the front, back, left, and right, leaving only a small patch in the middle and a tuft at the back, making him look like a country bumpkin who had shaved his head.

Qing Jianyue couldn't help but chuckle. After laughing, he quickly covered his mouth, thinking, "Qingcheng is too naughty. A little discipline would have been enough. Why did he have to make him look like this? How is he going to go out and pick up women?" But then he thought, "Qingcheng's shave isn't pretty enough. If it were me, I'd leave some bangs." Ugh, what am I thinking? Lü Xiu has lost face completely. I wonder how he'll retaliate? He'll definitely go back and exaggerate Qingcheng's accusations. No, I have to find a way to salvage this.

With that in mind, he walked toward Guo Gang and his wife.

Liu Xicheng shouted, "Boy, what do you think? With your meager skills, you actually dare to challenge the lord of this fortress? You're really overestimating yourself. Get out of here on your own!"

Lu Xiu's face was contorted with rage, and she was so angry she almost ground her teeth to powder. Just then, Qing Jianyue's voice rang out from behind.

"Brother Guo, Sister Guo."

Lu Xiu glanced sideways and saw Qing Jianyue talking to Guo Gang and his wife just three steps away from him. He was immediately filled with malice and revenge made him lose his mind. He pounced on Qing Jianyue from behind like a tiger, and the cold, sharp blade of his sword instantly pressed against Qing Jianyue's neck.

The council chamber was so quiet it was as if steam had evaporated under the intense sunlight; even breathing sounded like thunder. Old Madam Lu's hand trembled, and she dropped her teacup. Xu Lan, who was about to leave on the steps, turned back, and Xu Yun emerged from behind her. Below, the people who had initially watched the spectacle with amusement now stared at Lü Xiu with shocked and disbelieving eyes.

Lu Xiu smiled smugly and said, "Lu Qingcheng, do you see? Your sweetheart is in my hands."

The shocked looks from the crowd instantly turned into contempt.

Shang Wanxia screamed, "Lu...Lu Xiu, are you crazy?"

"Lu Xiu, release Young Master Jianyue at once!" Guo Gang roared like a lion in fury.

The council chamber, which had been as silent as a stagnant pool, suddenly sprang into action, as if an invisible flood had instantly surrounded Lü Xiu and Qing Jianyue, except for the matriarch Lu, who was seated at the head of the chamber, and the Xu siblings who were serving on either side.

"Don't move! Nobody is allowed to move!"

Lu Xiu's roar indeed stopped the raging flood instantly, but the pressure created by this stillness was so great that he felt suffocated.

Lu Xiu stood directly opposite Lu Qingcheng. On the surface, no matter how you looked at it, Lu Qingcheng did not lose his composure because his lover had been kidnapped. However, his calmness and the imposing aura he exuded were like a black demon god emerging from hell, which terrified Lu Xiu from the pores of his hair to his very bones and chilled him to the bone.

To Lu Qingcheng's left was Qingfeng, and to her right was Cai Zhonghe. Both of them were handsome and dashing young men. However, at this moment, they were staring at Lü Xiu with eyes as fierce as tigers eyeing an antelope.

Surrounding Lü Xiu were martial arts masters such as Lin Feng, Lei Yongxiang, Cai Bo'an, Liu Xicheng, He Zhiqiang, and Du Fangwei, their dark stares conveying a desire to tear Lü Xiu to pieces. Not to mention, there was also a snow-white fox; its bloodthirsty wildness was far more terrifying than simply being chilling.

Guo Gang looked furious. "If you dare to harm Young Master Jianyue, not only will the Grand Master, the First Madam, and the Manor Lord not forgive you, but I, Guo Gang, will be the first to kill you."