Chapter 101: The Xue Bing Pavilion Raid

Regarding the issue of Lu Xiaofeng disguising himself as Xue Bing, Gu Qing summoned Gong Sun Lan, who had many aliases in the Jianghu and could switch between them effortlessly thanks to her disguise art.

Gong Sun Lan’s disguise art was exceptional; in the original “Embroidery Bandit” scroll, she had competed with Lu Xiaofeng in three trials, the third of which involved her disguise art. Now, upon hearing that Lu Xiaofeng was to be disguised as Xue Bing, she immediately became deeply interested.

Under Gong Sun Lan’s manipulation, Lu Xiaofeng’s newly grown beard was shaved off again, and with meticulous makeup, he grew increasingly like Xue Bing…

“My figure won’t do.”

Lu Xiaofeng protested quietly.

As a man, Lu Xiaofeng’s physique differed greatly from Xue Bing’s; standing side by side, their body proportions were instantly obvious.

“No problem.”

Gu Qing unhesitatingly taught Lu Xiaofeng the Sinew-Shortening and Bone-Contracting Art from the Nine Yin True Scripture.

Lu Xiaofeng was a genius of the Wu Lin, having learned the Heavenly Immortal’s Flight in a single instant; the Sinew-Shortening and Bone-Contracting Art was child’s play to him, and as for altering his voice, he mastered it instantly.

Once all preparations were complete, Lu Xiaofeng donned a light pale gauze robe and appeared before the others.

Immediate soft laughter broke out around them.

Hua Manlou said with regret, “This is the second time I’ve regretted not being able to see.”

Shi Xiuxue, hearing this, turned her gentle gaze and asked, “What was the first time?”

“The first time was also because of me!”

Lu Xiaofeng grumbled, “My brother’s heart will always hold me!”

Shi Xiuxue shot Lu Xiaofeng a resentful glare; beneath her refined and delicate exterior lay a fiery temper, and she was deeply annoyed that Lu Xiaofeng had caused Hua Manlou to regret twice.

“If you left Hua Manlou now, he’d have three regrets.”

Gu Qing chuckled.

Hua Manlou, usually calm and composed, rarely begged, but now he pleaded, “Have mercy on me.”

Hua Manlou cherished a peaceful, tranquil life and truly did not wish for emotional turmoil.

Shi Xiuxue gazed at Hua Manlou, her eyes filled with tenderness.

“Let’s go.”

Gu Qing looked at Lu Xiaofeng disguised as Xue Bing, then suddenly reached out, as if to take her hand.

“What are you doing?”

Lu Xiaofeng resisted strongly.

“Nothing, just a snack substitute.”

Gu Qing grinned at Lu Xiaofeng, teasing, “Later, let your brother give you a good rub.”

“Gu Qing, you’re asking for death!”

Not only Lu Xiaofeng, but even Xue Bing’s real self couldn’t bear it, shouting at Gu Qing, “If you dare touch or think improperly, I’ll chop off your hands!”

Gu Qing merely smiled.

The Snake King ruled the infamous Black Street of Wuyang City, where fugitives hunted by the court, thieves, enforcers, and other underworld figures lurked—and the Snake King was their leader.

“I want to eat dog meat!”

Upon reaching this street, Lu Xiaofeng stopped before a soot-blackened shop and declared in Xue Bing’s voice, his tone stubborn, like a woman suddenly snapping on the street.

“If you want it, eat it.”

Gu Qing sighed as if resigned, “When the Cold Revenant’s temper flares, you can only coddle her.”

Again with Xue Bing…

Lu Xiaofeng was deeply annoyed. He sat in the dog meat shop and ordered over a dozen bowls.

The dog meat here was drowned in water, with not a single drop of blood spilled—this method gave it a unique flavor. After eating the steaming hot meat, Lu Xiaofeng grew warm all over, then had Gu Qing settle the bill, and the two set off to meet the Snake King.

This narrow street appeared unremarkable, but the Snake King’s residence was opulent and splendid. Gu Qing gave Lu Xiaofeng’s name, but upon arriving, they were not immediately granted an audience with the Snake King; instead, they waited here.

“If it were me in person, the Snake King would already be waiting.”

Lu Xiaofeng said coolly.

“Yes, yes, yes.”

Gu Qing did not press the matter further. After glancing around, he said, “Running the underworld really pays. Have you ever thought of joining it?”

The Snake King’s home was furnished with many precious items.

“I can’t run the underworld.”

Lu Xiaofeng snorted. He mingled with the likes of Hu Xiu, Mu Daoren, Ximen Chuixue, Master Kugua, and the Six Gates’ top hunters—he’d be laughed to death if he tried to join some local underworld gang.

“Don’t give up on yourself.”

Gu Qing, seemingly missing Lu Xiaofeng’s implication, hurried to comfort him.

Lu Xiaofeng was utterly exasperated. Ever since he’d disguised himself as Xue Bing, Gu Qing had been teasing him nonstop—he suspected Gu Qing had some strange fetish.

After waiting a few minutes, the Snake King arrived slowly, wrapped in thick clothing. Seeing Gu Qing and “Xue Bing,” he greeted them, mentioned how Lu Xiaofeng had spoken of them before, and confirmed they had met, then asked the purpose of their visit.

“We came here ultimately because of Lu Xiaofeng.”

Gu Qing sat down and said, “You’re well-informed in Wuyang City—you must know what happened in the Pingnan Prince’s mansion. I thought I’d devised a brilliant plan, but it led to the deaths of over twenty people. I’m deeply ashamed. Lu Xiaofeng is angry with me. After reflecting, I decided to travel and investigate. You have many men under you—do you have any special information about the Embroidery Bandits?”

The Snake King’s eyes flickered slightly. “If I had information, I would have told Lu Xiaofeng already.”

“We’re prepared for that.”

Gu Qing nodded and pulled a list from his sleeve—names of those who had died suddenly in the Pingnan Prince’s mansion the previous day. He handed it to the Snake King. “As Lu Xiaofeng’s friend, I still hope you’ll investigate these people—find out their assets, their relatives and friends. I want to compensate them.”

The Snake King took the list, studied the names, and realized Gu Qing still refused to give up, hoping to uncover the Embroidery Bandits’ gang through these victims.

Unfortunately, Gu Qing and “Xue Bing” had chosen the wrong person.

“All of them are Lu Xiaofeng’s friends—I’ll help you for sure.”

The Snake King smiled warmly, clapped his hands, and summoned his men to take the list for detailed investigation. Then he set up a banquet and insisted Gu Qing and “Xue Bing” must attend.

“If you don’t drink this wine, you’re not my friend—I only help friends!”

The Snake King raised his cup to Gu Qing.

Gu Qing and “Xue Bing” raised their cups and drank deeply. As they set the cups down and were about to speak, Gu Qing suddenly turned pale, beads of sweat bursting from his forehead. He clutched his chest, staring at the Snake King in disbelief.

“Heh!”

Laughter echoed through the room. Jin Jiuling stepped out like a wealthy young master, holding a folding fan with effortless grace.

Lu Xiaofeng’s face turned ashen—not from poison, but from his brother’s betrayal. Honestly, when Gu Qing had suggested coming to the Snake King, Lu Xiaofeng had already suspected the truth: one was a Six Gates’ top hunter, the other a underworld boss—no connection between them would’ve been strange.

Now, everything proved his suspicion correct.

“Gu Qing, Gu Qing.”

Jin Jiuling spoke coldly. “You’ve caused me quite a headache.” As he spoke, he struck suddenly—a palm aimed straight at Gu Qing’s chest!

The internal energy in that palm was formidable. Lu Xiaofeng was startled by Jin Jiuling’s hidden depth.

“Crack!”

Gu Qing “struggled” to return a palm, channeling the Nine Yin’s Soft True Qi. The two palms met—Gu Qing spewed blood, flew backward, shattered the window ledge, and crashed into the courtyard.

“Hahahaha…”

Jin Jiuling laughed loudly. He sensed Gu Qing’s strength was weak, knew the poison ran deep, saw him spewing blood and crashing through the window as if he couldn’t even lift his leg—he was certain the battle was won. Glancing at the Snake King’s men surrounding them, he waved casually. “Kill him and feed him to the dogs!”

Only then did he turn to face the poisoned “Xue Bing.”

Gu Qing was faking the poison; Lu Xiaofeng was truly poisoned. Lu Xiaofeng had trusted Gu Qing completely and never expected Gu Qing to have no backup plan—just like that, he’d been blasted away by Jin Jiuling.

Before “Xue Bing,” Jin Jiuling grabbed Lu Xiaofeng’s thigh hard, sniffed it with delight, and said, “No wonder she’s a martial artist—this thigh is so firm!”

Lu Xiaofeng went numb.

How could his friends be so twisted?

“Take care of the cleanup here.”

Jin Jiuling hoisted “Xue Bing” onto his shoulder and ordered the Snake King, “You know best how to explain this to Lu Xiaofeng.”

The Snake King bowed obediently. Jin Jiuling used his lightness skill, carrying Lu Xiaofeng toward a small pavilion.

He intended to rape “Xue Bing” first, then kill her!

(End of Chapter)