Chapter 19: Taking Two in One Go!

"Yes! It is to force the issue!"

Zhang Xu stood in place, looking at his father's departing back, his chest heaving violently, and a ruthless determination and burning ambition gradually revealed in his eyes.

This thought was like a poisonous vine; once it sprouted, it spread wildly, entangling his reason.

His father had already spoken to this point, so it was not just about doing it, but it had to be done cleanly and neatly!

Otherwise, in his father's eyes, how could he, a son who failed to knock on the door and couldn't even handle small matters, compete with that steady and successful big brother for family power in the future?

He forced himself to calm down, cast aside the shame of failure and the fear of troubled times, and poured all his heart and soul into this sinister and filthy plan.

The panic in Zhang Xu's eyes faded, replaced by a kind of cold light of near-pathological calculation.

The biggest difficulty of this plan was how to create an opportunity to be alone with Liu Yiyi.

He knew the woman's temperament too well; cold and arrogant, she had always looked down on him, and a personal invitation was absolutely impossible.

Do it directly? There were many eyes inside and outside the academy, and Liu Qingshi was a Transformation of Force expert; a slight carelessness would be a disaster.

What to do.

Zhang Xu began to think quickly.

His mind might be impetuous on the martial path, but in the wind and moon scene, in figuring out human desires and calculations, he was gifted.

Soon, his tightly locked brows relaxed slightly, and a flash of light appeared in his eyes.

"Hu Tian... yes, that kid Hu Tian!"

A clear breakthrough idea emerged.

Wasn't the newly promoted junior brother Hu Tian, whom he had been pouring resources into and feeding with many benefits, the best chess piece?

"Let Hu Tian take the opportunity of his fist arts reaching the entry level and thanking the master for his kindness to set up a banquet to thank Liu Yiyi!"

Zhang Xu's mind turned rapidly, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth, "I've fed that poor kid so many bones, it's time for him to wag his tail and do things for me."

However, the smile immediately converged.

He understood Liu Yiyi; this woman appeared cold, but she was actually sharp and had a very strong sense of vigilance.

Even if Hu Tian came forward, using the excuse of celebrating with fellow disciples, she might not agree to go alone.

A rash invitation would instead easily alert the enemy.

"What if... let Hu Tian invite Su Yan at the same time?"

Zhang Xu's brows furrowed again, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously.

Although Liu Yiyi and Su Yan had different personalities, they were one of the few women in the academy who could talk and had a decent relationship.

If Su Yan accompanied her, Liu Yiyi's vigilance would definitely be greatly reduced, and the possibility of going to the appointment would be greatly increased!

Thinking of this, a more crazy, more greedy thought, like a poisonous snake, suddenly darted into his mind, making his breathing suffocate!

Two birds with one stone!

Since he was going to do it, why not just... take Su Yan down as well?!

Once this thought emerged, it was like a prairie fire, and it could no longer be curbed.

Zhang Xu felt a burning sensation mixed with extreme excitement and trembling rushing to the top of his head, and two abnormal flushes appeared on his pale face, his eyes burning with naked desire and ruthlessness.

"Yes! Just do it! Two birds with one stone! As long as it is arranged properly, have them both..."

He seemed to have seen the scene that made his blood boil, and couldn't help but swallow heavily, his Adam's apple rolling.

In his view, although this plan was daring, it was not impossible to succeed.

The key lay in secrecy, speed, and... control after the fact.

He knew deeply that in this Zhou Dynasty, no matter how noble a woman's background or how outstanding her talent, her reputation and purity were always the heaviest shackles on her.

Once the raw rice was cooked into cooked rice, the wood was already a boat.

Even if they had monstrous hatred in their hearts, for the sake of family face and their own reputation, most of them could only swallow their teeth and blood, be forced to accept their fate, or even... in order to cover up the scandal, be controlled by him instead!

This was the confidence he dared to be so crazy, and it was also one of the cruelest rules of this world for women.

"Hu Tian is the lead, the location must be chosen in a place that is safe enough and can avoid idle people... Lake Heart Small Building is not bad."

"The drugs must be fully prepared to ensure they have no power to resist... just use that forbidden drug—Beauty's Drunkenness!"

"How to appease, how to negotiate, how to maximize benefits after the fact..."

Zhang Xu was completely immersed in the sinister planning, and one by one, poisonous schemes formed and connected in his mind.

The haze brought by the failure to knock on the door of the Hidden Force realm seemed to be swept away, replaced by an excitement about to carry out a dangerous "hunt."

He seemed to have seen that he would not only regain his status in his father's heart, but also take down those two...

"Hahahaha!!!!!!"

Zhang Xu became more excited the more he thought about it, and then quickly summoned a confidant, telling him to go to the academy to find Hu Tian and explain some things.

"Mm? Isn't that Zhang Xu's lackey, Zhang Wang? What is he doing here?"

Jiang Ye, who was conserving his energy at the gate, narrowed his eyes.

He saw a man wearing black martial attire with a rather unkind face rushing toward the academy.

This person was Zhang Xu's confidant, Zhang Wang, and also a good hand at the Great Accomplishment of the Bright Force realm.

Zhang Wang looked hurried and didn't even look at Jiang Ye, walking straight into the academy.

Inner courtyard, the quietest corner.

"Hu Hu Shidi Hu Tian, Young Master Zhang Xu... has a small matter he would like to ask for your help with."

Zhang Wang lowered his voice and said softly to Hu Tian.

Hu Tian had been hanging out with Zhang Xu for the past few days and had long since become familiar with Zhang Wang. Upon hearing this, he immediately puffed out his chest, his face piling up with a warm and slightly flattered smile:

"Hu Hu Shidi Zhang Wang! You are too polite! If there is anything, just order me! As long as I can do it, I have no second words!"

"Good! Painless! Worthy of being someone the Young Master values!"

Zhang Wang praised, looked left and right, lowered his voice further, leaned close to Hu Tian, and said:

"The matter is like this... Young Master previously, because of some unintentional mistakes, may have slightly... offended Zhang Zhang Shixiong Xu Xu Shijie Liu Yiyi and Zhang Zhang Shixiong Xu Xu Shijie Su Yan in his words."

"This matter has been stuck in the Young Master's heart, becoming a knot."

"Young Master has always wanted to find a suitable opportunity to set up a banquet to apologize to the two senior sisters in person, clear up the misunderstanding, and see each other in the academy in the future."

He paused, observing Hu Tian's expression, and continued:

"But you also know the Young Master's temperament... to invite them directly, I'm afraid the two senior sisters won't give face, and it will be awkward instead."

"Isn't it just right that you reached the entry level of fist arts today and entered the inner courtyard? This is a great happy event!"

"Young Master thought, could you... take advantage of this 'thanking the master for his kindness, celebrating the entry' excuse, and come forward to invite the two senior sisters to Lake Heart Small Building for a small gathering?"

"At that time, Young Master will naturally 'happen' to appear, apologize in person, and clear things up."

Seeing Hu Tian listening carefully, Zhang Wang patted him on the shoulder, his tone becoming more earnest:

"Don't worry, your task is to invite the two senior sisters to Lake Heart Small Building."

"As long as the people arrive, the Young Master will handle the subsequent matters properly and will never make it difficult for you."

"If this matter succeeds, Young Master will remember your kindness in his heart, and the brotherhood between us will be even more unquestionable!"

Hu Tian suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly, "So that's it! I said, I always felt that Zhang Zhang Shixiong Hu Hu Shidi Zhang Xu and Zhang Zhang Shixiong Xu Xu Shijie Su Yan seemed a bit... not getting along, so it was a misunderstanding!"

He showed an expression of being willing to help and promised by patting his chest: "Hu Hu Shidi Zhang Wang, don't worry! This matter is on me! I will definitely find a way to invite the two senior sisters over!"

If it were before, he really wouldn't dare to talk to core disciples like Liu Yiyi and Su Yan.

However, after reaching the entry level of fist arts today, he was full of confidence, as if he had also entered the ranks of core disciples and could talk to them on equal footing.

"Good! Young Master Zhang Xu really didn't misjudge Hu Hu Shidi Hu Tian; no wonder Young Master has always treated you like his own younger brother!"

Zhang Wang saw Hu Tian confidently accept the matter, nodded slightly, and then reached into his bosom, took out a neatly folded banknote, and stuffed it into Hu Tian's hand without saying a word.

Hu Tian's peripheral vision caught the words "One Hundred Taels" on the banknote, and his heart jumped, but he still suppressed his excitement and pretended to refuse: "Hu Hu Shidi Zhang Wang! What are you doing! I am doing things for Zhang Zhang Shixiong Hu Hu Shidi Zhang Xu; that is my duty! I can't take this money, you take it back quickly!"

Hearing this, Hu Tian's heart warmed, sighing that he really hadn't followed the wrong big brother, and no longer pretended to be coy, accepting the banknote.

About a cup of tea later.

Hu Tian glanced at Liu Yiyi and Su Yan, who had finally stopped practicing not far away, took a deep breath, pretended to be calm, came to them, and bowed slightly, trying to make his voice sound steady: "Hu Tian, greets the two senior sisters."

Liu Yiyi heard the sound and just glanced at him extremely faintly, with no intention of opening her mouth.

It was Su Yan, whose personality had always been exquisite, who saw Hu Tian suddenly come over to talk, a trace of surprise flashing in her beautiful eyes, and then a gentle smile that made people feel like a spring breeze bloomed on her face, her voice crisp: "What's wrong, Hu Hu Shidi Hu Tian? Is there something?"

Hu Tian calmed down and, according to the words Zhang Wang had instructed in advance, opened his mouth word by word, clearly:

"Zhang Zhang Shixiong sisters, Hu Tian is fortunate to have entered the martial arts academy, and today I luckily reached the entry level of fist arts, all thanks to Liu Shi's careful guidance. The disciple is grateful in his heart and has nothing to repay, so I thought... to set up a thin banquet to express my gratitude. I would like to invite the two senior sisters to appreciate my face..."

"Oh?" Su Yan raised her beautiful brows, the smile on her face did not diminish, but her tone carried a bit of playfulness, "Since it is to thank Liu Shi, you should invite Liu Shi, why invite the two of us?"

Hu Tian was prepared and hurriedly said: "Liu Shi has a noble status and is busy with official duties, so the disciple dare not disturb him easily. I thought... to invite Liu Shi's beloved daughter, Zhang Zhang Shixiong Xu Xu Shijie Yiyi, to convey my respect on my behalf."

"Just... if I invite Zhang Zhang Shixiong Xu Xu Shijie Yiyi alone, a man and a woman alone, I am afraid it will cause gossip and damage the senior sister's reputation. Therefore... I boldly want to invite Zhang Zhang Shixiong Xu Xu Shijie Su to go together, so that there will be a companion, which is more appropriate."

He said these words stumblingly, but he made the posture of being considerate and not daring to be abrupt fully.

Su Yan looked at Hu Tian with some amusement, "So I'm just an afterthought."

"No no... senior sister, I didn't mean that."

Hu Tian replied somewhat awkwardly.

Su Yan looked at his green and hard-working appearance, and her vigilance dropped a little.

If it were before, she really wouldn't pay attention to a lackey like Hu Tian around Zhang Xu.

However, Hu Tian showed the potential to reach the entry level of fist arts within seven days today; as long as he didn't die halfway, he would definitely be a core member of the academy in the future.

Even, not limited to the academy.

Although she had no intention of deep friendship, keeping a good relationship and leaving face was always beneficial and harmless.

Like her, a big lady from a wealthy family, she always considered more things.

"Since you have invited me so sincerely, then senior sister shouldn't reject your heart."

Su Yan said, her gaze turning to Liu Yiyi beside her, and said softly: "Yiyi, how about it, let's go eat a meal? We haven't eaten out for a long time."

Hearing this, Liu Yiyi's gaze moved slightly; her eyes never looked at Hu Tian from beginning to end, but fell on Su Yan, her head nodding slightly, "It seems it has been a long time since I ate out with you."

Seeing the two agree, Hu Tian's anxious face suddenly revealed a look of ecstasy: "Thank you two senior sisters for appreciating my face!"

The sky was getting dark.

It was time to close the academy again.

Most of the disciples had left, and Jiang Ye opened his drowsy eyes, a flash of light flowing in his eyes, "Tonight, I can knock on the door of the Hidden Force realm!"

At this time.

"Old Man Jiang!"

A voice full of vigor and carrying habitual respect rang out.

Shi Lei walked quickly from the courtyard, still with sweat stains from his hard practice during the day, but his eyes were brighter and firmer than usual.

"Mm."

Jiang Ye nodded slightly, which counted as greeting him.

What surprised him a little was that Shi Lei did not leave after bowing as usual, but walked to him and stopped.

Then, the youth carefully took out the familiar blue porcelain bottle from his bosom—it was exactly the Blood-Replenishing Pill bestowed by Liu Qingshi today.

Shi Lei pulled out the soft wooden cork, poured out two dark red pills that emitted a faint medicinal fragrance without hesitation, spread them in his palm, and handed them to Jiang Ye.

His movements were a bit clumsy, but his eyes were unusually serious, "Old Man Jiang, this pill... I heard it can replenish Qi and blood and strengthen tendons and bones. You are old, and your body needs nourishment... please accept this."

Jiang Ye recognized the pill at a glance, and his heart was stunned for a moment, followed by a complex emotion.

For a disciple like Shi Lei, who came from a poor background and relied entirely on blood and sweat, the value of these two Blood-Replenishing Pills was far from being measured by silver.

Yet this child was willing to take them out and give them to him, this "dying" gatekeeping old man?

Jiang Ye shook his head slightly and pushed the pills back, "Why would an old man like me eat this stuff? You are at the critical moment of tempering Qi and blood and preparing to knock on the door of the Bright Force realm; this pill is crucial to you, take it back quickly, don't waste it."

"Old Man Jiang, if it weren't for you waking me up last night..."

Shi Lei still wanted to insist, his eyes filled with genuine gratitude.

"Little Shi, for an old man like me, drinking some blood-strengthening soup is enough to nourish my body; if I nourish it any more, I will be unable to bear the nourishment."

Jiang Ye said with a firm attitude.

Hearing the words "unable to bear the nourishment," Shi Lei was stunned for a moment. Looking at the old man's eyes, which were old but unusually calm and firm, he seemed to understand something.

After a moment of silence, he no longer insisted, solemnly put the two pills back into the bottle, carefully corked it, and put it back close to his body.

Then, he took half a step back, bowed respectfully and seriously to Jiang Ye, and then turned and disappeared into the deepening night with big strides.

Jiang Ye stood still for a moment, looking in the direction he left.

Outer courtyard.

Lin Xiaohe did not leave early like other disciples.

She deliberately stayed until the end, her fingers twisting the corner of her clothes unconsciously, her gaze frequently looking toward the moon gate leading to this place from the inner courtyard.

She was waiting for Hu Tian.

Hu Tian had officially entered the inner courtyard today, and his status was already different. Her sense of crisis grew like a vine, and she had to seize the time to push the relationship one step further; it would be best to finalize something.

Then, she saw the scene that made her heart shrink suddenly.

Hu Tian followed two figures walking out of the inner courtyard with a respectful expression she had never seen before, almost sycophantic.

Those two were the two brightest and most unattainable pearls in the martial arts academy.

Liu Yiyi, as cold as snow, and Su Yan, gentle and bright.

Glancing over the figures of the two, a trace of inferiority flashed covertly in Lin Xiaohe's eyes.

Fortunately, her face had always been thick. After being stunned for a moment, a bright smile bloomed on her face, and she opened her mouth to the three:

"Zhang Zhang Shixiong Xu Xu Shijie Liu Yiyi, Zhang Zhang Shixiong Xu Xu Shijie Su Yan, Hu Tian..."

She had just opened her mouth, not even having time to finish.

Hu Tian turned his head and saw her, as if pricked by a needle, and his face sank instantly.

He almost dashed to her side, grabbing her and dragging her to a further corner without saying a word, with such force that Lin Xiaohe staggered.

"Lin Xiaohe! Why are you still here?!"

Hu Tian's voice was very low, but it carried undisguised displeasure and irritability, his brows tightly knitted, his eyes full of blame, as if she were some invisible trouble.

Lin Xiaohe was stunned by his sudden bad attitude, the smile on her face stiffening like a flower suddenly encountering frost.

She looked at Hu Tian at a loss, her voice becoming timid unconsciously, carrying grievance:

"Hu Hu Shidi Hu Tian, I... I was waiting for you. Didn't you say before that you wanted to taste the sesame seed cakes I made myself? My mother prepared the best flour and sesame seeds today, I..."

"What sesame seed cakes! I'm not interested!"

Hu Tian interrupted her impatiently, his eyes glancing at Liu Yiyi and Su Yan, who seemed to be looking over here not far away, his tone becoming more urgent and cold:

"Lin Xiaohe, listen well, stay away from me in the future, I'm afraid the senior sisters will misunderstand."

Hearing this, Lin Xiaohe was struck by lightning, the whole person petrified and stunned there.

The face that was deliberately maintaining a sweet smile was drained of blood, leaving only pale and unbelievable confusion.

This sentence, why does it feel so familiar.

Why is it so familiar? So harsh?

In a flash of lightning, she suddenly remembered!

In front of everyone in the outer courtyard, didn't she use the same cold, mean, and eager-to-clear-the-relationship tone to say almost the same words to Shi Lei, who was full of scars and had dead eyes?

But how in the blink of an eye...

This sentence was like a poisoned boomerang, returning in a more ruthless and humiliating way, stabbing back at herself fiercely?!

Retribution? Reincarnation? Or is this world inherently so absurd and cruel?

Lin Xiaohe stood there blankly, watching Hu Tian turn around without any nostalgia, his face instantly piling up with a smile again, trotting back to Liu Yiyi and Su Yan, whispering something, his posture humble and eager.

Those two slender figures didn't even look at her again, as if she were just an insignificant speck of dust on the side of the road, stepping lightly, and continuing to walk toward the gate of the martial arts academy.

Hu Tian followed closely, like the most loyal pug.

"Old Man Jiang, we're leaving, you rest early."

Su Yan walked to the door and, as usual, showed a gentle smile to Jiang Ye, who was sitting on the small stool, and greeted him crisply.

She was always like this, with perfect etiquette, making people feel like a spring breeze.

"Old Man Jiang."

Liu Yiyi just nodded slightly, her cold gaze lingering on Jiang Ye for a short moment, which counted as a greeting.

Her temperament had always been like this, sparing of words, but she always maintained basic respect for this old man who had kept the gate for decades.

Seeing the two most eye-catching senior sisters in the inner courtyard take the initiative to greet Jiang Ye, Hu Tian, who was following behind, didn't dare to be negligent, hurriedly squeezed out a smile, and cupped his fists at Jiang Ye politely: "Old Man Jiang."

Immediately after, the figures of the three soon merged into the sparse lights and heavy night outside the gate, drifting away, their outlines gradually blurring.

"Something is wrong, Zhang Xu's lackey Zhang Wang came to the academy in the afternoon, and Hu Tian invited them to dinner in the evening."

Jiang Ye looked at the blurred backs of the three, a cold chill flowing in his eyes.

Based on his seventy years of experience, this matter was nine parts wrong out of ten.

If Hu Tian had only invited Su Yan, Jiang Ye wouldn't have bothered, but with Liu Yiyi added, that was a different matter.

Liu Qingshi had treated him well; twenty years of shelter and protection, a rare stability in troubled times—these were all real kindnesses.

And Liu Yiyi, although cold in temperament, was also someone he had watched grow up.

Regardless of his position.

He would not watch Liu Yiyi have an accident.

"I want to see what kind of tricks this Zhang Xu wants to play."

Jiang Ye pulled a cold arc on his old face.

A cold arc curled onto Jiang Ye's aged face.