Chapter 96: Lord Lu Invites Guests for Wine, Yet Judges Them by Their Faces?

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"Swallow and goose, heartless~"

"Going along the clouds on the western shore of Taihu~"

"A few peaks, clear and bitter~"

At the moment the breeze brushed by, a clear, lilting song suddenly rang out on the Taihu embankment, its opening crisp and winding, gradually turning low and mournful.

The singer was the young maiden among the two, a petite girl in white, holding a delicate small sword in her left hand, smoothing her tangled hair with her right hand, while she walked slowly and began to chant.

Beside her stood a middle‑aged woman, clad in a Daoist robe, wearing a wooden hairpin, also holding a sword in her left hand, but unlike the girl's joyful demeanor, the female Daoist's face was serene and plain.

"Master Sun, Miss Chen, please have some tea!"

Upon hearing the shout from behind, the person in blue robes was somewhat startled; because the distance was a bit far, he hadn't caught the earlier conversation clearly and hadn't paid much attention. He did not expect it to be the chief of the Taihu water stronghold, a disciple of Huang Lao Xie.

"Good! Lord Lu's friend, I, the true self, accept!" The blue‑clothed person's tone finally softened, and he directly said:

"Since Lord Lu regards me highly and is willing to invite, I, the true self, accept!"

Saying that, he reached out and pulled Niu Dingtian toward the cabin; Niu Dingtian, seeing this, did not hesitate, lifted his foot and followed directly.

"Lord Lu, this is the first time I've heard of the Stone brothers' name, but their martial skill is so superb, it seems they must have a famous master teaching them. I wonder whether the Stone brothers know that master Niu Dingtian who crippled the Northern Beggar Hong Qi Gong?"

Sun Buer, upon reacting, felt the hairs on his body stand up instantly, and instinctively drew his sword with full force, slashing fiercely at the man.

Immediately after, he gave a faint glance at Niu Dingtian opposite, said nothing further, and led his disciple Chen Yaojia into the cabin.

Before those words finished, his figure, which had been standing on the shore, vanished entirely, and then several after‑images sped toward the bow, and in the blink of an eye they had already swept in front of the crowd.

"What? Lord Lu refuses now? Do you look down on my face?"

Hearing that strange voice, Lu Chengfeng finally reacted; the voice was not loud, yet even from ten zhang away it came clearly.

After a moment of contemplation, he raised his fist toward that side and shouted:

"I am Lu Chengfeng, master of Guiyun Manor; friends ahead, if you do not mind, would you join us at my manor for a cup of light wine?"

"Lord Lu, you're too kind!"

"Leaning on the railing, reminiscing~"

After thinking for a moment,

It was clear that the girl named Chen Yaojia was still a rookie just entering the martial world.

Seeing Niu Dingtian, the ghost‑faced man, also walk in, Chen Yaojia immediately leaned anxiously beside her master, even forgetting to pick up the precious sword on the table.

After regaining composure and looking closely, she realized that the other's silhouette was quite young, yet the aura emitted seemed naturally refined and rather extraordinary.

"Shi Potian!"

Then she pointed at the man on the boat and introduced to the nearby girl:

"Yaojia, this is Lord Lu Chengfeng of Guiyun Manor, quickly meet Lord Lu!"

Indeed, the newcomer was Niu Dingtian.

His eyes grew brighter and brighter,

Then he slowly turned around.

This Lord Lu truly was a shrewd man; after seeing Niu Dingtian's prowess, he promptly took it as a misunderstanding, for one could, with only a pair of broken legs, carve out a huge reputation on the Taihu shore—clearly he has a real talent.

The girl seemed distracted; after hearing her master's reprimand, she hurriedly withdrew her gaze from afar, blushed, whispered a low reply, and quickly boarded the boat.

"Master Sun, hold on!"

"Master~"

"What a piece, the White Stone Daoist's Crimson Lip!"

Having pondered on the shore for a long while, mulling over the Taihu water bandits, he never expected that before he even went to their door, the water‑bandit leader Lu Chengfeng himself would come to his doorstep.

"Where are we now~"

"If that's the case,"

Just as the woman's song ended, a large ship approaching the pier let out an extremely joyous commendation.

The more he thought, the more his heart raced; after exchanging a glance with Sun Buer beside him, he softened his tone and, still very cautiously, said:

"Since you said you would invite the esteemed guest for wine, I, Lord Lu, am naturally willing, but could you give your name? Why this frightening disguise? Why not show your true face?"

In response to this Lord Lu's enthusiasm, Niu Dingtian remained unusually indifferent, did not take the tea, and merely kept appraising the tea set on the table—each cup and saucer immaculate, clearly the belongings of a great household.

She had not expected that, as a newcomer to the jianghu, she would encounter such a terrifying figure; might there be even more terrifying ones ahead? At that moment, she began to feel an unprecedented worry about how to continue her path in the jianghu.

After Sun Buer walked away, Lu Chengfeng pushed a wheelchair up to Niu Dingtian, bowed politely, and greeted, this time not mentioning the mask.

"The withered willows dance unevenly~"

After bowing thanks to Lu Chengfeng, Sun Buer was the first to step onto the bow; when he noticed his disciple had not followed, he couldn't help but frown, turned back and scolded:

"Yaojia, hurry onto the boat!"

Seeing the appearance of the Stone brother opposite, Lu Chengfeng's eyes twitched; after lifting his tea cup and taking a sip, he suddenly smiled at Niu Dingtian and said:

"I wonder what business the Stone brother has at Taihu? I, Lord Lu, have some light provisions in this Taihu area; if I could help the Stone brother, I certainly would not refuse!"

But after thinking it over, he still did not voice it; although such words would be gratifying, they would still insult a woman's reputation, and since the two held no enmity, Niu, that person, could not commit such a deed.

"Lord Lu, weren't you the one who invited the true self to drink?" Seeing the three's reaction, the blue‑clothed person turned, gave a slight smile, and, with a strange voice, retorted:

After some consideration, she decided to first bring her disciple Chen Yaojia over to see the world, then return to reunite with the two senior brothers. This also made the rookie Chen Yaojia, who had never set foot in the jianghu, so excited that she spent the night polishing her precious sword countless times.

In a panic, she was about to shut her eyes when the blue‑clothed person casually tugged, pulling her body, which had barely touched the water's surface, back up.

Entering the cabin, Sun Buer and his disciple Chen Yaojia were already seated at a square table, where tea and some delicate snacks had been served.

"Master Sun, could you give Lord Lu some face? We're just a misunderstanding; please, Master Sun, treat the matter as a major affair!"

"Ah~~"

"Who are you!!!"

"I, the true self, am now the Reward‑and‑Punishment Envoy of the Sun‑Moon Divine Sect; I've heard that on Taihu there is often a band of water thieves who plunder wealth. Lord Lu, do you think my coming to Taihu..."

Seeing the ghostly figure lunge at her, Chen Yao Jia let out another scream in fright, her foot slipped, and she toppled straight into the water.

Seeing Lu Chengfeng's face still somewhat gloomy, she then spoke to comfort him.

After seeing the people arriving on the boat, the female Daoist bowed her hands in greeting, pointed to the little girl beside her, and said with a smile.

This is my little disciple Cheng Yao Jia; I've embarrassed myself in front of Manor Lord Lu.

Daoist Sun, long time no see! I, Lu, have been waiting here for a while! Is this singer your disciple?

After hearing Daoist Sun's words, the gloom between Lu Chengfeng's brows vanished instantly, his expression relaxed, he lifted his hand to push the wheelchair aside, making room at the bow, and then smiled at Sun Bu'er and said:

Please, Daoist Sun, come aboard! Please, Daoist Sun, first share a cup of tea with your disciple; the Withered Wood Grand Master of the Xianxia Sect and the other heroes have long been waiting in the manor, and tonight I will welcome everyone together and wash away the dust!

The two walked along the lakeside embankment, heading slowly toward a pier ahead, while occasionally admiring the rolling lake water below.

Seeing that this person was unreasonable, Lu Chengfeng suddenly felt a twinge of regret; the nostalgic thought that had arisen unbidden had provoked such a troublesome fellow—I, Lu, am not afraid of you, but for now friends and foes are unclear, so it's unwise to make enemies; he then spoke:

I naturally do not look down on, look down on your face!

He originally wanted to add: "This venerable one sees your temperament; it would actually suit Qiu Chuji quite well."

Discussing the evening rain~

Next, a wheelchair was pushed onto the bow; seated in it was a man in his forties, dressed in scholar's robes and cap, his complexion somewhat gaunt, holding a white goose-feather fan; upon seeing the female Daoist on the embankment, he clasped his hands and smiled, saying:

Sensing the probing intent in Lu Chengfeng's words, Niu Dingtian's eyes flickered; while idly playing with his exquisitely delicate cup and saucer, he slowly said:

Don't know him!

At that moment, the large boat had already set off across the lake, eight sturdy boatmen rowing and paddling, moving at great speed.

Since that day when he successfully landed on the Jiangsu coast, found a small town to rest for a few days, he then headed west all the way and directly reached the shores of Lake Tai.

Intending to share heaven's abode~

The female Daoist speaking before you is none other than the Pure and Quiet Hermit of the Quanzhen Sect's Seven Masters, Sun Bu'er.

This humble Daoist just happened to pass through Baoying a few days ago; today I brought my inferior disciple ahead to take a look, but I still have two senior brothers who will follow shortly, Manor Lord Lu, please rest assured!

After hearing her master's words, Chen Yao Jia stepped forward a little nervously, left hand gripping her sword, right hand joining it, and then she spoke softly to Lu Chengfeng.

I am the young woman Cheng Yao Jia; I have met Manor Lord Lu, I have long admired his great name.

Although the girl's words were merely customary pleasantries of the jianghu, saying them came out extremely awkward; her tone was coquettish, her demeanor quite bashful, after uttering a sentence she involuntarily paused briefly, then, forcing herself to finish, her face flushed crimson, finally she let out a breath and even stole a glance at Lu Chengfeng.

Just as Sun Bu'er hesitated, her disciple Chen Yao Jia, though fearful, mustered courage to step forward, tugged at her master's sleeve, and whispered advice.

How come? Manor Lord Lu asks people to drink but still looks at their face? It seems Manor Lord Lu truly looks down on this venerable one's face!

To Lu Chengfeng's remark, the man in green clothing paid no heed, seemingly convinced that you looked down on his face, and even the tone of his voice grew somewhat cold.

How can a Daoist priest like you have such a fiery temper?

Upon seeing the green-clad man again, he had already flashed onto the deck; after steadying himself on the boat, his gaze behind the mask swept over those present, finally settling on Sun Bu'er, and he chuckled lightly.

Lu thanks Master Ma for his trouble!

Seeing that this Stone Brother seemed somewhat impatient, Lu Chengfeng smiled and said:

Naturally, tonight Lu's fine liquor will be more than enough for Stone Brother! However, we're still some distance from the manor; please, Stone Brother, step inside the cabin and have some tea.

He then composed himself, turned, bowed his fists to Lu Chengfeng in apology, saying: "This humble Daoist has been rude, thereby letting Manor Lord Lu laugh at him."

After a moment's thought, Lu Chengfeng eased his smile and said calmly:

Stone Brother, please have some tea!

A few days earlier, while staying at her disciple's home in Baoying County, she received a message from her husband, instructing her and the two senior brothers who would arrive later to assist the Returning Cloud Manor of Lake Tai in capturing the "Iron Corpse" Mei Chaofeng.

Seated at the bow, Lu Chengfeng seemed to notice a strange look in Chen Yao Jia's eyes; following the direction she had just glanced, he also spotted the green-clad man by the lakeside.

Hearing such an arrogant name, Lu Chengfeng couldn't help but frown, thinking: before there was Niu Hao Tian, after there was Niu Dingtian, and now another Shi Potian has appeared?

A young expert bearing that name seems never to have appeared in the jianghu before.

As for probing this fellow's origins, Niu Dingtian answered succinctly, glanced at him, and then softly said: "Manor Lord Lu, aren't you supposed to be inviting this venerable one for a drink?"

Inside the cabin there was only a square table; upon entering, Lu Chengfeng nodded to Sun Bu'er, gave Chen Yao Jia a kind smile, guided Niu Dingtian to sit beside Sun Bu'er, and then moved his own wheelchair to the opposite side.

Although the ghostly face grew more hideous the longer he looked, Lu Chengfeng still endured the discomfort, showing his utmost tolerance in his words.

Just as she was about to draw her sword and attack, Lu Chengfeng beside her loudly intervened, urgently advising:

Ah?

Seeing the man on the boat cast his gaze toward her, the singing little girl suddenly felt shy, unconsciously tightening her grip on her sword, and leaned toward the female Daoist beside her.

Oh~

But the sword's cold light had only just flashed halfway when a sudden force surged through her hand; having drawn the sword only halfway, it was immediately slapped back.

Just as Sun Bu'er was drawing her sword, Lu Chengfeng had already gathered strength to strike, but the opponent's movement, taking but an instant, startled him so that his pupils contracted sharply, and even the palm he was about to thrust was pressed straight back.

Suddenly seeing the ghostly face turn toward them, Chen Yao Jia let out a startled cry, dove straight behind her master Sun Bu'er, her small hand trembling, and she almost couldn't keep hold of her sword.

Lu Chengfeng? Drinking?

That person stood silently by the lakeside, the rolling lake water continually lapping, yet he seemed frozen in place, half a day passing without so much as a twitch.

By the fourth bridge~

Stone Brother, please take a seat!

Hahaha~ splendid tune!

Seeing this, Lu Chengfeng across from them gave Chen Yao Jia a kind smile, then turned his gaze to the female Daoist, his face suddenly growing solemn, and he clasped his hands again, saying:

Daoist Sun, this time the 'Iron Corpse' Mei Chaofeng has revealed traces in the Lake Tai region, likely to stir up considerable trouble; I, Lu, hereby thank the Quanzhen Sect for this righteous assistance! If we can capture Mei Chaofeng this villain, I will surely present a generous gift to Master Ma.

After saying that, he then glanced briefly at Chen Yao Jia hiding behind her master; the meaning was clear: you've frightened the child!

No wonder Lu Chengfeng is so cautious; indeed, the situation has been unusual lately—his long-lost senior sister has already shown traces in the Lake Tai area, and judging by this, she surely came to seek him for revenge; moreover, the sudden appearance of a ghostly face at his doorstep truly makes him fear that it is an envoy summoned by the enemy.

Master~

This humble Daoist has thanked Manor Lord Lu!

After changing to a brand-new tea set, Lu Chengfeng personally brewed a pot of tea, filled each person's cup before them, then raised his hand and invited:

After all, she is a recluse who has cultivated for many years, so she does have a bit of refinement; after she calms down, she also realizes that she overreacted just now.

"Little brother, fine skill! I, Lu, admire you! May I ask your honorable surname?"

Ah~

Just now that old fool was about to swing a palm, and he saw it clearly. But since he had already put on a mask, he naturally had to assume a different identity, and simply announced the big name of Gou Ge.

Facing Lu Chengfeng's enthusiasm, Niu Dingtian replied coolly with a single sentence.

Sun Bu'er slightly nodded, lifted his tea bowl and sipped twice; Chen Yaoka mimicked him and took a sip, then sat beside the master, subtly eyeing the ghost‑faced man nearby.

The scene seemed somewhat familiar—how many years had passed since he last saw it? Looking at the blue‑clad figure in the distance, Lu Chengfeng suddenly felt a flash of bewilderment.

Lu Chengfeng suddenly let out a deep shout. When he saw the snarling, angry ghost‑faced man opposite, his whole body involuntarily tensed. Beside him, Sun Bu'er's gaze also hardened sharply, his right hand already gripping the sword hilt tightly, the treasured sword in his hand ready to draw at any moment.

Having heard the mocking tone in the ghost‑faced man's words, Sun Bu'er couldn't help to feel a surge of anger, recalling his own earlier disgrace, and couldn't resist wanting to step forward and spar with the man again.

The female Taoist, upon hearing this, visibly softened her expression, then modestly smiled at Lu Chengfeng and said:

"Lord Lu, you are being too distant! That Mei Chaofeng has committed countless misdeeds, wreaking havoc on the jianghu for years; our Quanzhen Sect ought to lend a hand."

"For what purpose?"

Having said that, she stared at Lu Chengfeng with burning eyes.

(End of chapter)