Chapter 231: It

A Zhu's face was pale as death, lying supine on the bed.

Wang Yuyan, Mu Wanzheng, Zhong Ling, and A Bi all watched with deep concern, gathering near after Xue Muhua's treatment to examine A Zhu's injuries.

"This little girl is lucky indeed."

Xue Muhua said: "Only because Qiao Feng used his Qi to sustain her life could she survive the impact of the Great Golden Fist."

Gu Qing was now the leader of the Xiaoyao Sect; Xue Muhua knew Gu Qing's attitude toward Qiao Feng, so he spoke of Qiao Feng with a measure of respect.

Gu Qing looked at Qiao Feng, who now carried a heavy burden of doubts, distracted and absent-minded.

"I had just returned home when a man in black came to kill my parents."

Qiao Feng, seeing Gu Qing's concern, volunteered: "I exchanged a few blows with the black-clad man, then he fled toward Shaolin Temple. I chased after him, reaching the Bodhi Courtyard—while leaping through the air, I suddenly saw a shadow moving with a speed I had never seen in my life. I immediately went on guard, focused my mind—and realized it was my own reflection…"

Inside the Bodhi Courtyard stood a massive bronze mirror; it was there that Qiao Feng lost track of the black-clad man.

Then I met Master Xuan Ku, who died in shock.

"There are witnesses inside Shaolin Temple who swear I did it. I believe the killer disguised himself as me."

Qiao Feng said: "When I left, because of me, Miss A Zhu was injured. In desperation, I heard from a Brother of the Beggar Sect that Master Xue was here…"

When Qiao Feng mentioned the Beggar Sect, a faint smile appeared on his face.

When he was falsely accused, this time the Brothers of the Beggar Sect stood firmly by his side—protecting Qiao Sanhuai and his wife beneath Shaoshi Mountain, guiding him, even carrying him to take up the position of Beggar Sect Chief once more.

Thanks to the Beggar Sect's protection along the way, the sudden deaths of Zhao Qiansun, Tan Gong, and Tan Po were not blamed on Qiao Feng.

"Dressed entirely in black, and skilled in Shaolin's supreme arts."

Gu Qing listened to Qiao Feng's account, frowned, and said: "According to what I know, outside Shaolin Temple, only the Great Wheel Mingwang Jiumozhi and Yan Longyuan—the man Murong Fu seeks to kill—can wield the Seventy-Two Supreme Arts."

Qiao Feng, hearing there was another suspect, unleashed a surge of killing intent.

"The Great Wheel Mingwang is currently in Bianliang, using his Tubo identity to rescue Murong Fu."

Gu Qing said: "As for Yan Longyuan's whereabouts, Murong Fu seems to have found him."

A Zhu, lying on the bed, and A Bi, standing silently nearby, both turned their heads at the mention of Murong Fu; only Wang Yuyan seemed unaware, utterly indifferent.

"Looks like we must go to Bianliang!"

Qiao Feng clenched his fist.

"Master Qiao."

A Zhu, tense, tried to sit up and said: "You've been so kind to me—let me go with you."

"Miss A Zhu, you must rest and recover."

Qiao Feng said: "This time, I'm only going to confront Murong Fu for answers—I won't kill him."

"No…"

A Zhu cried urgently: "Master Qiao, I want to go with you."

Qiao Feng's heroic aura had always drawn A Zhu; now, rescued by him, sustained by his inner Qi all along the way, her heart had already become bound to him.

"I saved you, but you needn't feel indebted."

Qiao Feng said. Since childhood, he had preferred the company of men, paid respects to elder female martial artists, but never felt romantic affection. Thus, though A Zhu was beautiful, Qiao Feng had not stirred.

A Bi watched Qiao Feng's obliviousness, glanced at A Zhu, then smiled faintly, her eyes turning to Gu Qing—seeing him towering like a mountain, radiant as jade, yet also possessing a windlike ease. She subtly pursed her lips.

Qiao Feng didn't understand the value of women. Gu Qing understood it all too well.

"Why don't we all go to Bianliang together?"

Gu Qing said: "Xue Muhua, you must care for A Zhu along the way."

As leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, Gu Qing's words naturally earned Xue Muhua's eager nods.

"If you're going to Bianjing, then we shall take our leave here."

Li Qiushui, veiled, bade farewell to Gu Qing. Her yoga technique had proven miraculous—her facial wounds had faded greatly, her crooked mouth and protruding eyes nearly restored; her appearance had improved immensely, all thanks to Gu Qing. Thus, when speaking to him, Li Qiushui showed a gentle, yielding submission.

Gu Qing nodded.

"Master."

Li Qiushui glanced at Wang Yuyan, then added: "I have a granddaughter, the Silver Lake Princess of Xixia—graceful, elegant, peerless. Since childhood, she has managed finances and personnel. Your Xiaoyao Sect is free and easy, but the sect and the Manuo Villa, large and small, top to bottom, cannot be neglected. I wish to bring her into your sect, send her to your side to assist you, and hope you will teach her your secret beauty arts."

During her time with Wang Yuyan, Li Qiushui had sensed the profound mystery of Wang Yuyan's Mingyu Gong, equal in power to the Everlasting Spring Technique, and wished to send the Silver Lake Princess to study the scripture.

!

Wang Yuyan, hearing this, furrowed her brow deeply. She felt her whole family was strange—her mother constantly intruding between them, and now her grandmother wanted to send her cousin… as if they couldn't bear her happiness.

Wang Yuyan turned to Mu Wanzheng… even her father's side was strange.

This family of origin had left Wang Yuyan numb.

"Agreed."

Gu Qing nodded in approval.

This Dream Girl was shrewd—after marrying Xu Zhu, she immediately gave him his quadruplets and his maid Xiao Lei to Duan Yu, killing multiple birds with one stone.

Li Qiushui bowed gracefully to Gu Qing again, her eyes holding what seemed like sincere emotion.

Wang Yuyan said nothing, feeling hopeless toward her family of origin.

Gu Qing took Wang Yuyan's hand and smiled at her; Wang Yuyan remained cold, listless—this expression lasted for a hundred li, until she saw Li Qiushui again.

On the road to Bianjing, Li Qiushui's veil had been torn, her appearance disheveled, faint bloodlines marking her body—her injuries severe. Seeing Gu Qing and the others, she spat out a mouthful of blood.

Gu Qing stepped forward, examined her wounds, and realized her internal Qi was greatly weakened, her injuries grave—both legs broken.

"These injuries…"

Gu Qing studied Li Qiushui's wounds.

"The Old Ancestor of Mount Tian!"

Li Qiushui, furious, lips bitten bloody, cried: "That old hag's thrice-decade rejuvenation is approaching! She pretended to bid us farewell, then lay in wait outside, striking when we least expected it. She learned the arts of the Flower Pavilion—her techniques changed unpredictably. Had it not been for the Everlasting Spring Technique saving my life, she would have killed me!"

Even so, the Old Ancestor had stolen roughly forty years of Li Qiushui's cultivation.

When the Old Ancestor underwent her rejuvenation, Li Qiushui would be powerless to seek revenge.

"The Old Ancestor's schemes run deep."

Gu Qing nodded.

Wang Yuyan, who had been grim-faced all along, suddenly smiled.

(End of Chapter)