Chapter 97: Hehe, little miss, are you missing me? (Please subscribe)

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Sun-Moon Divine Sect—reward the good and punish the evil?

What the heck is this?

Before he could even consider where this sect had emerged from, Lu Chengfeng's whole body tensed, and he became alert again.

For an instant he nearly wanted to unleash the Splitting Sky Palm, slashing straight at the ghostly mask opposite him, "Damn, Lu—I've invited you for a drink, why are you trying to dig up Lu's family estate?"

But that thought flashed by in an instant; he was no match for this person.

Taking a deep breath, Lu Chengfeng quickly steadied his mind, leisurely fanned his feather fan, and then asked with some surprise:

"Brother Shi, is there some misunderstanding? Lu has long resided by Taihu Lake, and is accustomed to hearing that the Taihu water thieves are famous chivalrous bandits."

"I've heard they only ever rob the unjust wealth of the people, never kill indiscriminately, and often distribute the loot among the lakeside poor. Such chivalrous deeds, I think, cannot be considered evil, right?"

After hearing Lord Lu's words, Niu Dingtian gave a light laugh, said nothing, but a hint of mockery lingered beneath his mask.

He thought, if I were to distribute a few copies of the stolen Seventy-two Supreme Techniques to those who have no master to seek, would that count as robbing the rich to aid the poor?

Thieves are thieves; even if they brand themselves as champions of Heaven, robbing people's property still inevitably brings killing and harm to the innocent.

Then he glared fiercely at his disciple.

Lu Chengfeng, already rattled by Niu Dingtian, tightened his feather fan again after hearing Chen Yaoka's words.

"Greetings, Master Sun!"

The large ship had been sailing over ten li on the lake, eventually reaching an islet, and it stopped at a pier of blue stone.

Seeing Niu Dingtian's expression, Lu Chengfeng could only abandon any further probing, and half‑squinting, he sat there, lost in thought.

No words the whole way,

After Lu Chengfeng disembarked, the group looked up and saw a stretch of blue‑tiled white‑walled pavilions linked together; on this islet stood an incredibly grand and luxurious mansion.

Realizing his rudeness, he quickly averted his gaze and said to Lu Chengfeng:

"Father, shall we set the banquet? Master and many experts have been waiting in the living room for a long time."

After giving a command to his attendants, Lu Chengfeng was the first to push a wheelchair through the courtyard gate. Lu Guanying stood at the doorway unmoving; after Sun Bu'er and Chen Yaoka entered, he noticed another person behind them wearing a ghost‑face mask.

For now it's better to keep some distance from this Lord Lu; otherwise, when the time comes to turn hostile, it would seem heartless.

"No problem, Master Sun; it's rare to encounter a differing viewpoint, though your disciple is indeed quite straightforward."

Before reaching the doorway, a teenage boy dressed in a fine silk robe approached to greet them, about twelve or thirteen years old, bearing a slight resemblance to Lu Chengfeng, with five attendants following behind.

After steadying himself, he suppressed his discomfort and bowed to Niu Dingtian, saying:

But seeing the young lady's innocent expression, he could only smile kindly and say:

"The banquet will begin in half an hour! Do not neglect the guests inside!"

After casually leaving a remark with his hands behind his back, Niu Dingtian ignored the other's slightly startled gaze and strode straight through the courtyard gate.

Just like today's Taihang Mountain Woniu Zhai, if we were still like before, following Peng Lianhu in killing and looting, we'd have to hide in valleys to farm for years, unless we find another mountain.

Looking at the sprawling estate that turned the islet into a garden, Niu Dingtian felt a pang of inferiority and exclaimed that Lord Lu was truly filthy rich! Indeed, profit comes quickly without any capital.

"Kid, you're quite impressive."

As a senior of the Quanzhen Sect, she naturally knew whose power the Taihu water thieves wielded, but she was there to collect fees, not to overturn anyone's table. Even a pure wanderer understands such worldly etiquette.

At this moment, the setting sun had already sunk in the west; the afterglow of the sunset reflected on the glittering lake surface, turning the islet before them a blaze of red.

When the table fell silent, the young Miss Chen's gaze began to dart around furtively, as if she wanted to speak but hesitated; after a long pause she finally whispered in a soft voice:

Hearing Lu Chengfeng's seemingly casual remark, Niu Dingtian squinted slightly, but after staring at the thin face for a long time, he saw no change at all.

Lu Guanying's behavior surprised Niu Dingtian; the kid may lack martial skill, but he seems to have something else.

"Lord Lu, please forgive; the young disciple is naive and ignorant, any offense I caused, I ask Lord Lu to be lenient!"

"Miss Chen, do not be impolite!"

When he reached Lu Chengfeng's front, the boy respectfully bowed.

That was also her own interpretation, but those unintentional words made Lu Chengfeng's already awkward face even less natural.

"Isn't stealing wealth a bad thing?"

"You, hero, please come inside!"

"Father!"

After the group crossed the large stone bridge on the pier and walked another hundred steps, they arrived at the manor's gate.

Having received his father's instruction, Lu Guanying greeted each in turn; when his gaze fell on Miss Chen's face, he couldn't help glancing a few more times, causing the young lady to blush.

And the claim of never killing indiscriminately is a joke; any thief with a brain follows certain codes—rabbits don't eat the grass near their burrow, they don't burn bridges, they take wealth but not lives, and they pursue long‑term benefits as a steady stream—these are merely basic principles.

Just as he was about to introduce himself to Niu Dingtian again, he realized the other had already slipped far behind, seemingly unwilling to approach, and then said to Lu Guanying:

"Guanying, come forward and pay your respects. This is the Quanzhen Sect's Tranquil Wanderer, Master Sun, and this is Master Sun's senior disciple, Miss Chen."

Sun Bu'er, realizing the situation, immediately frowned and scolded, then bowed his fist to Lu Chengfeng and apologized:

Lu Chengfeng gave a slight nod, then pointed at the boy and introduced him to Sun Bu'er: "Master Sun, this is my son Guanying; the Master directly calls him by name."

Those so‑called Robin Hood thieves merely rob the rich to enrich themselves; how many actually give to the destitute, and how much? Even this set of dishes in my hand would only feed a poor household for a few years.

"Greetings, Miss Chen!"

He then gave up looking for trouble and sat there like an old monk in meditation, closing his eyes to cultivate.

About an hour later,

Hmm?

"That Lu fellow says I'm not straightforward enough?"

Evening,

Guiyun Manor's reception hall.

The sky had turned completely dark, yet the manor was brightly lit and bustling. Because there were so many guests today, the main reception hall couldn't accommodate them all, so additional small tables were set up in the outer area.

inside the main hall

Translation: "Inside the main hall." (inside the main hall = inside the main hall). Keep as is

Lu Chengfeng, seated in the upper seat, gently waved his feather fan; his gaunt face bore a faint smile, while the Withered Wood Grandmaster sitting beside him slowly turned his prayer beads, the light in his eyes slightly withdrawn.

The crowd below, some holding swords, some holding staffs, kept whispering to each other. Since it was not yet time to begin the feast, Lu Chengfeng on the upper seat simply smiled and said nothing, not stopping them.

This is all Lu's face!

Watching the lively scene below, he couldn't help sighing.

His eyes flickered slightly as he suddenly thought of the mysterious expert Shi Potian, and he unconsciously lifted his gaze to sweep downward, but after scanning around he saw no trace of anyone.

Sigh~

I don't know whether they are friend or foe.

——

Outside,

Small table area.

Regardless of whether the inside had started the feast, although the dishes here weren't all served yet, someone had already begun to pick up their chopsticks.

Niu Dingtian, sitting hidden in the corner, had not yet touched his chopsticks, but was already sipping his little cup of wine cup by cup; the taste of his own brew was just good, as if he could drink it anywhere.

"I say, brother, don't just keep drinking; eat some dishes too—this Manor Lord Lu is being generous! It's rare to come here, you can't go back on an empty stomach,"

The sturdy‑clad man sitting beside him, seeing Niu Dingtian only drinking and not eating, while stuffing food into his own mouth, also paused his chopsticks to kindly remind him.

This is

treating Lu Chengfeng as a gullible fool?

After slowly setting down his wine cup, Niu Dingtian couldn't help glancing at that person beside him.

Seeing Niu Dingtian turn his head, the man carefully examined the ghost‑face mask, then cupped his fists and said, "I am Duan Zhengchun; may I ask your esteemed surname, brother?"

"Shi Potian!" Niu Dingtian started slightly, then replied lightly.

Hearing that name, Duan Zhengchun also couldn't help startling; after reacting, he gave a light smile and leaned in to ask quietly:

"Brother, where did you buy that mask? It looks quite intimidating; I'll get one for myself another day."

Is he taking me for a scarecrow? Niu Dingtian couldn't help but start, thinking, "No wonder the people outside keep looking at me with odd looks."

Seeing Niu Dingtian still putting on an act in front of him, Duan Zhengchun's face involuntarily turned cold; after turning his head, he began to mutter curses under his breath:

"Damn it, what are you pretending for in front of me? Everyone sitting outside knows who's who!"

Hearing that brat's words, Niu Dingtian's eyes turned cold instantly—just having a drink and still running into an eyesore! He immediately turned his head to stare, speaking in a grim tone:

"Sun scoundrel!"

"Who are you calling 'old man'?"

Hearing that, Duan Zhengchun's face darkened, and he also fixed a hard stare on him.

"Boom~~"

Just as the two were about to erupt, a huge roar suddenly came from the inner hall's parlor, startling the outside into a sudden silence.

Huh?

The sound of an iron staff?

Has the iron‑headed blind man also come?

After reacting, Niu Dingtian couldn't help start; thinking of something, he immediately rejoiced! For a moment he didn't even bother to contend with the brat.

Indeed, the inner hall then let out another cold snort and shouted loudly:

"Hmph~ Mei Chaofeng, that demonic fiend, has committed countless evils! He even killed my brothers! Whether or not Manor Lord Lu has invited Brother Ke, even if he hasn't, I, the blind man, will certainly not stand by idly!"

"Good!"

Hearing the resolute stance of the Flying Bat Ke Zhen'e, Lu Chengfeng couldn't help but rejoice, almost unable to keep from rising from his wheelchair. The two had been old partners who had cooperated many times; who would have thought that after so many years, this Hero Ke would still be so effective.

Hearing the commotion inside, Niu Dingtian thought for a moment, then flashed to his feet; in Duan Zhengchun's astonished gaze, he instantly appeared within the parlor.

"Mei Chaofeng has arrived!!!"

After someone's cry of alarm,

Everyone in the parlor thought the main culprit had stormed in; after reacting, they all jumped up in shock, grabbing their weapons to surround and attack, while the blind Ke Zhen'e even swung his iron staff and smashed down.

"Hold your hands!!!"

Lu Chengfeng was greatly alarmed and shouted to stop them.

But it was already too late; no one had reacted, and the few people in front had already swung their weapons close to Niu Dingtian's person.

"Hmph~~"

Finding that the person he wanted to see was not inside, Niu Dingtian gave a cold snort; his aura burst forth, and the powerful inner energy within his body exploded instantly, sending the few people near him flying backward.

"Big brother!"

"Big brother!"

"Hold your fire! They're our own!"

Only then did the crowd realize the newcomer was not the main culprit; despite seeing that terrifying ghostly face and skill, they each still gripped their weapons, wary in secret, but dared not step forward.

A bunch of trash!

After sweeping his domineering gaze over the crowd, Niu Dingtian's eyes finally settled on Ke Zhen'e, and he couldn't help furrowing his brow:

This old blind man really has a lot of nerve!

"Who are you, sir?"

Seeing Niu Dingtian not making another move and realizing it was a misunderstanding, Ke Zhen'e quickly rose, his face turning iron‑blue, and he demanded in a deep voice:

Just now I lost face big time!

Niu Dingtian, however, paid no heed; if it weren't for giving Sister Han face, this old blind man wouldn't have been able to get up today.

Seeing that Han Baoju and Zhu Cong were both present behind him, yet Han Xiao Ying's figure was nowhere to be seen, he couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed.

Has she not come out?

He quickly scanned again, and finding that the little girl Chen Yaojia was also not in sight, Niu Dingtian leapt up and darted toward the hall exit, disappearing from everyone's view.

"Lu Zhuangzhu, this person is…"

For a moment, the people in the hall began to chatter endlessly.

Niu Dingtian paid no mind to the opinions of those heroes and great men; at present he only wanted to find Sister Han quickly, reward the good and punish the evil, and, using Shi Potian's identity, give her a proper reward.

After leaving the reception courtyard and circling twice, at a courtyard gate he suddenly spotted the youngster Lu Guanying. He immediately stepped forward, ignoring the frightened look in his eyes, and said calmly:

"Where is your family's guest room?"

"Huh?" Lu Guanying was slightly stunned, and after regaining his composure he quickly beckoned, "This way, please!"

He then led the way forward.

Following Lu Guanying, after looping around twice more, just as they were about to reach the end, Niu Dingtian suddenly asked:

"Are all the rooms here for male guests?"

Hearing Niu Dingtian's words, Lu Guanying didn't think much, pointed to a nearby courtyard and said, "This courtyard is for receiving female guests."

Then he pointed to a courtyard ahead and said, "The one in front is for receiving male guests."

After that he fell silent, and honestly led Niu Dingtian toward the courtyard ahead.

After entering the male guests' courtyard, he immediately found the nearest room, placed Niu Dingtian inside, and then Lu Guanying took off running.

When Lu Guanying had gone far away, after a while Niu Dingtian quietly left his own room, and after confirming no one was around, he silently made his way toward the female guests' courtyard.

Upon entering, he discovered that the vast courtyard was empty; after searching around, only two guest rooms had lights on, and they were separated from each other.

Sneaking up, Niu Dingtian found the aura in the east room to be very weak, and since the little girl hadn't been seen in the living hall that night, he thought, this must be that rookie Chen Yaojia.

Then he darted to the west guest room doorway; the aura inside was indeed much richer. Finding a crack, Niu Dingtian felt a different thrill and quietly peered inside.

Han Xiao Ying was a bit tired today, and the welcome banquet that night was just an excuse she didn't attend.

She now subconsciously refuses to mingle among jianghu people as before; even her return to Jiangnan this time was only because she couldn't resist her brother's soft‑hard pressure.

Just after taking a hot shower in the room, with nothing to do, she sat at the table, idly twirling the sword in her hand, and thought of that little brother.

For some reason, returning to this part of Jiangnan again gave her an indescribable melancholy.

"Hehehee~~ Little miss, have you missed me?"

While she was lost in thought, a sudden chilling voice reached her ears; realizing it, she instantly bristled, and instinctively drew her sword to slash behind her.

But the sword had only been half‑drawn when she felt a pain in her waist, and she could not shift even a fraction.

Thinking of that place, Han Xiao Ying's face turned deathly pale in an instant.

(End of chapter)