Chapter 497 - 297: I Know Not Who He Is
Chapter 497: Chapter 297: I Know Not Who He Is
"I rushed all the way here in a panic, and for what? I didn’t even get to draw my sword."
"That son of a bitch. If you were this capable, you should’ve damn well said so earlier! You made me rush all the way here for nothing."
At his side, Ning Yu didn’t quite understand his master’s reaction.
It wasn’t that his master seemed particularly angry.
It was more like indignant grumbling.
But he had been with Chen Yunfan for so long and had never once heard of him having any contact with "Dragon Spear" Liu Wu.
Niu Mountain was even more baffled. "Brother Yu, is the young master cursing that man with the long spear?"
"He is."
"But didn’t he already rescue the Xiao family’s young lady?"
"Don’t ask me. Go ask the young master yourself."
"I don’t dare."
Ning Yu shot him a sidelong glance. "Then shut up."
"Brother Yu..."
"Shut up!"
Meanwhile, the middle-aged man in the short coat and bamboo hat behind them overheard this and shot away before anyone else.
He was so fast, he was even a notch quicker than Chen Yi’s Meteor Butterfly Step when it was empowered by the Step Dao.
Moving ahead of everyone, he landed on the mountaintop where Puyin Temple was situated.
The middle-aged man surveyed the tracks and scars left by the great battle. His gaze fell upon Du Cang’s corpse, and his expression grew pensive.
’Jackal’ Du Cang practiced the Black Magic Secret Skill of the Jade Dragon National Preceptor from Poshisu Country, a technique capable of seizing one’s soul and thoughts.’
’’Dragon Spear’ Liu Wu is strong, but it’s impossible for him to have killed Du Cang without a single scratch.’
He examined Du Cang’s corpse closely, then carefully sensed the lingering Spiritual Mechanism of Heaven and Earth in the air. His expression shifted slightly.
’The Fist Dao... Liu Wu practices the Fist Dao as well?’
Surprised, he scanned the area, and several images of the battle flashed through his mind.
He saw Du Cang, risking injury, trying to snatch away Liu Wu’s long spear. He also saw Liu Wu smash Du Cang’s head with a single punch.
As he pictured the scene, a question arose in his mind. ’’Dragon Spear’ has a method to counter Du Cang’s Black Magic Secret Skill?’
’Neither the Spear Dao nor the Fist Dao should have the power to counter a Black Magic Secret Skill. Unless... his cultivation technique is special...’
’Something like the White Tiger Guard’s secret Four Symbols Skill, for example. If one had the complete Celestial Tier version of the cultivation technique, it could be empowered by Spiritual Essence to break through a Black Magic Secret Skill.’
After a moment of thought, the middle-aged man still couldn’t be certain. He simply committed his findings to memory and stopped dwelling on it.
But when he saw the bodies inside the Buddhist Hall—Uncle Gui, Lv Jiunan, and the young guard—he let out a soft sound of surprise.
’Lv Jiunan?’
’So he was here too.’
He had followed Chen Yunfan out of the city earlier, so he hadn’t been aware that Chen Yi had brought Lv Jiunan with him.
He was surprised, but upon detecting faint sounds approaching from behind, he made an instant decision.
He hoisted Lv Jiunan’s corpse onto his shoulder and flew off toward the Chishui River.
’No sense letting a perfectly good achievement go to waste...’
「Not long after.」
Chen Yunfan and his group finally arrived.
When they saw the state of the scene, they were all stunned into silence.
Even Chen Yunfan, who had long suspected the extent of Chen Yi’s power, wore a complicated expression.
"’The wooden men, the puppets... and the peacock tattoo on the emaciated corpse’s arm... There’s no mistaking it. That’s ’Jackal’ Du Cang, one of King Landu’s Grand Generals!’"
"’So it was Du Cang who kidnapped the Xiao family’s young lady?’"
"’Du Cang must have used the Xiao family’s young lady to force ’Dragon Spear’ Liu Wu to appear, so he could kill him and avenge Lv Jiunan.’"
"’He just never expected...’"
"’...that ’Dragon Spear’ would be able to kill him despite only having a Fifth Grade Cultivation!’"
Listening to the murmurs of praise and speculation from the surrounding Wandering Martial Artists, Chen Yunfan tightened his grip on the long sword at his waist and spurred his horse away.
"We’re leaving!"
"Sir?"
"What the hell are you still standing around gawking for?"
"That guy is a Fifth Grade who just took down a Third Grade! You two... and me, this idiot... if we don’t get back to our cultivation, we won’t even be worthy of carrying his shoes!"
This sudden burst of competitiveness left Ning Yu completely bewildered.
But seeing Chen Yunfan ride off without a backward glance, he had no choice but to call Niu Mountain and hurry after him.
Cui Qingwu witnessed this and started back toward the Prefecture City on her own, completely uninterested in the aftermath of the battle on the mountain.
Jiang Xing glanced at her but paid her no further mind. He led Lou Yuxue to a secluded corner of the mountain, concealing their presence.
Once he had a clear view of the situation, even a man of his standing—a Golden Banner Officer of the White Tiger Guard—couldn’t help but click his tongue in wonder.
"Lady Tiger, you were right."
"That ’Dragon Spear’ is indeed worthy of the Lord Pavilion Master’s attention."
Lou Yuxue didn’t respond. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Du Cang’s corpse, a mixture of joy and melancholy swirling in her heart.
She was certainly glad that Liu Wu had killed Du Cang.
But it also meant she could no longer seek her "revenge" against him.
That was a "grudge" worth one hundred fifty thousand taels of silver, after all.
Lou Yuxue watched the surrounding Wandering Martial Artists, their chatter growing louder, and took a deep breath before speaking softly.
"For ’Dragon Spear’ to face Du Cang alone with only a Fifth Grade Cultivation... his potential is far greater than I imagined."
"Sir, do you think we need to ask the Pavilion Master for further instructions?"
Jiang Xing considered her words for a moment, then nodded. "You’re right. We should send a message and ask the Lord Pavilion Master for instructions."
"Along with the other two matters..."
...
「About an hour later.」
Carrying Xiao Wan’er, Chen Yi arrived outside the Xiao Family estate. He gazed at the brightly lit residence in the distance and said softly,
"We’re here."
Xiao Wan’er snapped back to her senses. She lifted her head to look at the bright patch of light in the darkness below and blurted out,
"Already?"
"Soon?"
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Young Lady, you were the one who said we couldn’t let the old... er, the Marquis, worry."
Xiao Wan’er heard the teasing in his voice. Her cheeks flushed, and she couldn’t help but pat him lightly.
"Stop teasing me."
Chen Yi chuckled. "I wouldn’t dare."
Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither spoke.
After a moment, Xiao Wan’er’s face grew even redder. She lowered her head slightly and murmured,
"It’s getting late. You should take me back."
"Alright."
"And you...?"
"Don’t worry about me. I’ve already made arrangements."
Chen Yi thought of how he had used the one hundred Opportunity points he’d just accumulated to upgrade his Painting Dao before he left, and a smile touched his lips.
Just as he’d guessed, now that his Painting Dao had reached the Great Success stage, his paintings possessed a certain power to create illusions of himself.
Although it couldn’t be used for assassinations like Du Cang’s pocket dimension, it gained a certain level of sentience when infused with the Spiritual Mechanism of Heaven and Earth.
It was more than enough to deceive prying eyes.
As he spoke, Chen Yi descended while still holding Xiao Wan’er, leaning close to her ear to whisper,
"Remember what I told you. One day, I’ll explain everything."
Xiao Wan’er flinched slightly and hummed in agreement. "I’ll wait for you."
Chen Yi smiled, then landed with Xiao Wan’er outside the gates of the Xiao Family estate. He called out in a clear voice, "Marquis! I have fulfilled my duty. The young lady is safe and sound!"
The steward and the Armored Warriors who had been standing guard at the gate all rushed over.
"Thank the heavens, the young lady has returned safely!"
"This subordinate deserves death for failing to protect the young lady!"
"Please punish us, Young Lady!"
Amidst the clamor, Xiao Wan’er waited for some strength to return to her limbs, then gently slipped from Chen Yi’s arms and stepped forward. "Please, rise. I’m alright..."
Seeing this, Chen Yi smiled faintly and turned to leave.
’Xiao Wan’er was back safely, and he could finally breathe a sigh of relief. It was time to get back to Spring Lotus Garden before his painting-decoy caused any trouble.’
As if sensing his departure, Xiao Wan’er glanced over her shoulder. Seeing him leave, a small smile graced her lips.
It was a smile of sweetness, and perhaps, pride.
A short while later, Elder Master Xiao arrived, having heard the news. Seeing Xiao Wan’er returned safely, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Xiao Wan’er hurried forward to greet him. "Grandfather," she said apologetically, "I’ve made you worry."
"As long as you’re back, that’s all that matters..."
Elder Master Xiao helped her to her feet, dismissed the surrounding Armored Warriors, and led her into the manor.
"Ah, Wan’er, this is all thanks to Chen Yu. If he hadn’t stepped in so righteously, I... I fear I would have had to..."
He had already buried too many of the younger generation; he couldn’t bear to lose another family member.
But when Xiao Wan’er heard the name "Chen Yu," she froze, her eyes filled with confusion.
"Grandfather, are you saying that Chen... Yu... is ’Liu Wu’?"
"That’s right."
"Now, don’t blame your grandfather for meddling, but you’re not getting any younger."
"This young man, Chen Yu... I’ve had a look on your behalf. Not only are his Martial Arts profound, but his skill in the Medical Dao is also excellent. He would be a fine match..."
"Grandfather, that’s... that’s not appropriate!"
"How is it not appropriate? If he were to become your husband, there might be hope for your illness to be cured."
"It’s really... really not appropriate..."
Xiao Wan’er stammered, unable to explain why. An impatient urge welled up inside her.
She desperately wanted to go find Chen Yi right now and ask him just how many secrets he was hiding from everyone.
But before she could leave, the Elder Master continued, "Enough. I will arrange your marriage."
"Coincidentally, Jinghong is about to return. When she does, I’ll have her vet him for you."
"What?!"