Chapter 584 - 255: Fishing
Chapter 584: Chapter 255: Fishing
Luo Shuqing rubbed her forehead and shot Fang Shuwen an indignant look.
"You hit me?
"Think you can do whatever you want just because your Martial Arts are strong?
"I’m talking about serious business with you. If you’re interested, now’s a really good chance.
"But if you’re not, you’d better be careful tonight.
"She might invite you for tea, or drinks, or something, and then slip an aphrodisiac or a knockout drug into your wine.
"You close your eyes, you open them, and the deed is done."
Fang Shuwen frowned at Luo Shuqing.
"I preferred you when you were timid and meek. Can you change back?"
"Guard... Guard Fang, you, you really won’t consider it?"
Luo Shuqing’s expression changed as quickly as flipping a page.
"Sister Lan, she... she’s very beautiful.
"Much... much prettier than me."
"Stop it."
Fang Shuwen rubbed his temples.
"Everything you say now is just dripping with insincerity."
"Huh?"
Luo Shuqing was confused. She hadn’t been drinking tea, so where would that flavor come from?
She wanted to say more, but Fang Shuwen had already begun to circulate his Profound Technique, ignoring her.
Luo Shuqing pouted, secretly shaking her fist at Fang Shuwen’s back a few times before lying down with a muffled huff.
Before, when she lay on Fang Shuwen’s bed, she had always been prim and proper.
Now that she had revealed her true nature, she stopped pretending, crossing her legs and relaxing however she pleased.
Fortunately, she knew to stay quiet. Otherwise, Fang Shuwen would have surely grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and tossed her out.
Fang Shuwen hadn’t taken Luo Shuqing’s words to heart, but unexpectedly, that evening, he really did receive an invitation from Suhe Lan.
This made Luo Shuqing extremely smug.
She secretly winked and made faces at Fang Shuwen.
But with the mask on, her eyes could only be seen through the eyeholes. If the angle wasn’t right, she couldn’t even pull off a flirtatious glance.
...
...
The meeting tonight wasn’t in a room.
It was in a gazebo within Tingtiao Pavilion.
Many buildings had collapsed or burned down during the chaos of the previous night, but this gazebo had remained perfectly intact.
Suhe Lan had someone prepare a lavish spread of food and wine, inviting Fang Shuwen to take a seat.
Fang Shuwen didn’t stand on ceremony. After sitting down, he poured himself a cup of wine and looked up at Suhe Lan.
"Second Miss, what is this all about tonight?"
’He didn’t think Suhe Lan would resort to the kinds of tricks Luo Shuqing had mentioned, but being invited here alone so late at night still felt off.’
Suhe Lan let out a soft laugh.
"You all will be leaving Tingtiao Pavilion tomorrow. Tonight is naturally a farewell for you."
"Just for me?"
"If it weren’t for you, I’m afraid I would have followed in the footsteps of Suhe Xiaojin.
"I can never repay you for your help. At the same time, there is also a matter I’d like to ask of you, Young Master Fang."
Suhe Lan looked at Fang Shuwen, her gaze filled with sincerity.
Fang Shuwen shook his head slightly.
"I’m listening."
"Regarding the so-called secret of Tingtiao Pavilion’s inheritance, I must ask Young Master Fang not to speak of it to anyone."
Suhe Lan began to speak softly.
"The Tingtiao Pavilion of today is a shadow of its former self. After last night’s battle, our entire foundation and heritage were squandered.
"I may call myself the Pavilion Master of Tingtiao Pavilion now, but it’s just an empty title.
"In reality, we are just barely hanging on... If news of the inheritance secret were to leak, it would undoubtedly attract countless greedy eyes."
After hearing this, Fang Shuwen couldn’t help but smile.
"Such a big secret, for just one meal?"
"...How about I treat you to two more, then?"
Suhe Lan said.
"Right now, other than this, I have nothing else to repay you with.
"After you all leave, I might take the remaining disciples and leave this place as well..."
Fang Shuwen pondered this for a moment, then nodded.
"Leaving for now is a good idea.
"But there’s no need to abandon this place completely...
"Keep an ear out for news in the Jianghu. Perhaps you’ll be able to return one day."
"But even if we come back, what if the other..."
Suhe Lan trailed off mid-sentence, a look of sudden realization dawning on her face.
It was immediately followed by a sharp intake of breath.
’Using Tingtiao Pavilion as an example, the remaining Forbidden Lands of the East Sea might have slightly different attitudes toward the Profound Celestial Iron Mirror, but the difference probably isn’t that great.
’Therefore, Fang Shuwen’s journey is bound to be fraught with peril!
’But whether that peril is for Fang Shuwen, or for the other Forbidden Lands of the East Sea... that’s hard to say.
’It’s entirely possible that in a few months, the Eight Forbidden Lands of the East Sea will exist in name only, just like Tingtiao Pavilion.
’Besides, Tingtiao Pavilion was only able to preserve a part of its foundation through a strange twist of fate. If the Suhe father and son hadn’t schemed against me in an attempt to set up Fang Shuwen, and if Fang Shuwen hadn’t saved my life, leading us to inexplicably end up on the same side, the final outcome would have been completely different.
’The other Forbidden Lands might not be as lucky as I was.
’When that time comes, the entire East Sea will be in turmoil... and this island occupied by Tingtiao Pavilion could very well become a place for them to rest and rebuild.’
Thinking of this, Suhe Lan sighed softly.
Fang Shuwen glanced at her.
"Figured it out?"
"Young Master Fang."
Suhe Lan suddenly looked at Fang Shuwen.
"If I were to say that I want to lead the remaining members of Tingtiao Pavilion and pledge allegiance to you...
"I wonder... what would you think?"
Fang Shuwen shook his head.
"There’s no need."
Suhe Lan laughed self-deprecatingly.
"You’re right..."
"It’s not that I look down on you. It’s that it’s genuinely unnecessary."
Fang Shuwen raised his wine cup.
"The East Sea will soon descend into chaos, a time of great upheaval.