Chapter 1211 - 1047: Duel in the Plum Grove
Chapter 1211: Chapter 1047: Duel in the Plum Grove
Gu Chengyu’s eyes flashed fiercely as he dodged the arrow and flew towards the direction of the attack.
The Map Master fired two arrows but failed to hit Gu Chengyu, causing a panic to rise in his heart. He had hoped the ambush would injure Gu Chengyu, but unexpectedly, all were dodged by him.
Since Gu Chengyu could appear here, Bu Ke must be in dire straits. The Map Master glanced around and started to run quickly.
"Is it Yifei? Could the girl inside the carriage be Miss Lv?" Gu Wanqian was startled, looking at the round-faced little maid, his heart tightened.
He hadn’t seen this carriage stop here just now and didn’t know when it arrived.
Did this pair of master and servant see the Map Master getting off his carriage? All over the Capital, the Map Master’s portrait was posted everywhere, even on the gates. If recognized by these master and servant, what should be done?
At this moment, Gu Wanqian saw Lv Yunqing appearing at Ten-mile Pavilion, and an uncontrollable thought suddenly emerged in his heart.
"Young Master Gu, what a coincidence! I’m here with the lady to gather plum branches for the vase at home, and we’re just about to head back."
Yifei smiled cheerfully, at thirteen or fourteen years old, her face full of innocence.
"It’s quite a sight to see Young Master Gu here. Could it be that Young Master Gu is here to gather plum branches as well?" Since they met, Lv Yunqing couldn’t avoid it any longer.
She had encountered Gu Wanqian twice before, and the Gu Mansion had business contacts with her family. She wasn’t the strict aristocratic lady with rigid rules.
Besides, her family is merely a wealthy household with a small fortune, how could there be so many rules?
Lv Yunqing stepped out of the carriage and bowed towards Gu Wanqian.
"Meeting Miss Lv here is truly unexpected. I and my friend enjoyed the plum blossoms at the plum grove earlier and were about to leave. I hadn’t seen Lv family’s carriage before, did Miss just arrive?"
Gu Wanqian squinted slightly, unable to suppress his inner tension and panic. His right hand tightly held a dagger inside his sleeve, hesitating whether to act.
"Mother hasn’t been feeling well these past two days and heard the plum blossoms have bloomed at Ten-mile Pavilion. I thought I’d gather some to cheer her up. Just arrived not long ago, and was getting ready to leave."
Lv Yunqing’s delicate face smiled gently as she softly explained her actions.
"Indeed? But it’s getting dark, and it’s not safe for a lady alone. How about I drive along behind and escort Miss back?"
Gu Wanqian carefully observed Lv Yunqing’s expression, noting she didn’t avert her gaze and her smile was genuine. He relaxed his grip on the dagger inside his sleeve.
He had never killed anyone and couldn’t bring himself to do it. Since she hadn’t seen anything, better not harm the innocent.
Moreover, if two women’s bodies were found in the plum grove, it would attract the government, making things difficult.
"Thank you..." Lv Yunqing was about to express her gratitude when suddenly the sound of weapons clashing could be heard, drawing closer and nearer.
"Miss! What’s that sound?" Yifei’s face turned pale; although she hadn’t seen a fight, the sound was unmistakably that of swords and blades.
Gu Wanqian was shocked; the Map Master was still deep within the plum grove, why was there a fight?
Could someone have discovered the Map Master, or was there already an ambush prepared in the plum grove?
Gu Wanqian had no time to think, he climbed down the carriage, ready to investigate.
Lv Yunqing and her maid were caught by surprise at the sudden turn of events, both were scared out of their wits.
The Map Master was tangled by Gu Chengyu, unable to escape, and grew increasingly anxious. Now, dealing with Gu Chengyu alone already proved challenging; if Gu Chengyu’s subordinates arrived, he was bound to end up like Bu Ke.
The Map Master swung the Nine-section Whip constantly in the plum grove. But this place, filled with plum trees, hindered the full use of the whip.
The plum blossoms suffered greatly from the fight, blown by the strong wind, swirling and floating everywhere, creating a spectacular sight.
The Map Master tried to lure the battle outside the plum blossom forest, his Nine-section Whip was restricted, facing Gu Chengyu’s long sword, he was at a disadvantage.
Gu Chengyu didn’t dare to underestimate the Map Master as he had fought him once before. The man wielded the Nine-section Whip with extraordinary skill, and even with his deep Inner Strength, he had to remain fully alert to manage.
"Gu Chengyu, why chase me so relentlessly? Once my reinforcements arrive, next year on this day will be your death anniversary."
The Map Master fled swiftly, even while constantly defending himself with the Nine-section Whip, yet his body still accumulated numerous minor cuts.
Gu Chengyu remained unmoved and disregarded the threat, solely focused on seeking opportunities.
He felt disdain towards the Map Master’s seemingly fierce yet cowardly demeanor; if truly there were reinforcements, neither the Map Master nor Bu Ke would be fleeing in such panic.
The assassins had already been captured, and even Bu Ke became a prisoner, whom could the Map Master expect to rescue him?
Gu Chengyu spotted a flaw and thrust his long sword forward.
The Map Master had just exited the plum grove, intending to demonstrate his skills, but outside, he saw the approaching Gu Wanqian.
His heart burned with anxiety, why was the Young Master still here? If Gu Chengyu discovered his identity, wouldn’t it be exposed?
Gu Wanqian saw the flying Map Master and opened his mouth to speak but stopped abruptly upon seeing Gu Chengyu swiftly following, frightened into silence.
"Miss, let’s go quickly!" Yifei grasped her lady’s sleeve; the two figures moved so swiftly, their faces couldn’t be discerned.
Those who could soar among plum trees were most likely martial artists. If they stayed here and got accidentally injured, it would be a grievance untold.
Lv Yunqing snapped out of her daze, preparing to climb into the carriage. But as she glanced back, she found Gu Wanqian staring blankly at the fighting pair as if shocked stiff, causing her great urgency.
"Young Master Gu! We must leave here quickly."
Gu Wanqian, at this moment, was deaf to Lv Yunqing’s words, his entire focus on the two combating figures.
Simultaneously, his heart sank heavily; how could he not recognize the figure? Wasn’t it his Little Uncle Gu Chengyu?
Could his Little Uncle have followed him? Gu Wanqian’s mind was a blank at this point, where could he find the thoughts to analyze?
Seeing Gu Wanqian unresponsive, Lv Yunqing stomped her foot, choosing not to bother anymore, focusing solely on her own escape.
The Map Master, in a momentary lapse, got slashed by Gu Chengyu across the waist, blood gushed out and merged with the swirling red plum blossoms.
His body halted slightly, and the motion of swinging the Nine-section Whip pulled on his waist wound, causing a more severe blood flow than before.
Not good! The Map Master realized if this continued, he’d surely perish here today. His eyes darted and spotted Lv Yunqing climbing onto the carriage.
With a flick of the Nine-section Whip, Lv Yunqing was pulled into the Map Master’s grasp just as she was about to enter the carriage, yet Gu Chengyu seized the opportunity and stabbed towards him, adding another bloody hole in his back.
Enduring tremendous pain, the Map Master drew a dagger from his pocket and swung at Gu Chengyu’s long sword, staggering and collapsing.
Despite this, he refused to release the young woman he held. He swiftly leapt forward, "Don’t move, unless you want her to meet a swift death."