Chapter 108: Long Xiaoyun

Xingyun Manor, a blaze of brilliant lights.

Yu Liancheng paced out from the small building, his demeanor leisurely.

He had just acted as an unwelcome guest, yet not only did he not flee, he instead strolled through Xingyun Manor with ease, his gaze scanning the manor, and seeing the rockeries, gardens, flying eaves, and steep walls, he could not help but click his tongue in admiration.

He was in temporary need of a residence; why not choose this place?

However, this place seemed to already have an owner, and the silver on his person could not buy such a large manor.

Just at this moment, he saw torches surging in the distance, and a group of people walked toward him.

"I do not know which guest has come from afar; Long Xiaoyun has failed to welcome you properly, and I hope you will forgive me." The man in the lead was a dignified-looking middle-aged man; he wore brocade robes, had a light beard under his jaw, and walked with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger. One look and it was clear he was a righteous, chivalrous hero.

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly: "May I ask who you are?"

"I am the master of Xingyun Manor, Long Xiaoyun."

Long Xiaoyun approached with long strides, every step taken with extreme steadiness.

Long Xiaoyun was actually following behind him, his gaze toward Yu Liancheng flickering with venom and fear, but he quickly lowered his head, appearing pitiful, aggrieved, and well-behaved.

Yu Liancheng truly admired Long Xiaoyun a little.

That "Seeking Death Needle Technique" was vicious and cruel; if it were an ordinary person, even if Yu Liancheng had already pulled out the needles, they would now be aching all over, unable to even move.

Yet Long Xiaoyun was not only able to move, he could even bring people to cause trouble for Yu Liancheng.

Besides Long Xiaoyun, a large group of heroes and good men followed behind Long Xiaoyun, among whom three were particularly extraordinary; one look and it was clear they were not ordinary extras.

One of them had high cheekbones and a face full of majesty, his graying beard not dense, revealing a wide mouth with drooping corners, which made him appear even more majestic and grave, usually carrying a hint of murderous intent.

The second person had a face like red dates, a long beard reaching past his abdomen, and was draped in a purple satin cloak with floral patterns; his glances were arrogant and self-important, clearly a person accustomed to issuing orders.

The last person was a handsome youth; this person was full of heroic spirit, his attitude overbearing, his gaze as sharp as a sword, and he also carried a sword in his hand; he was a young swordsman.

Long Xiaoyun walked up close, his expression serious: "Judging by your attire, I imagine you are also a figure in the Edo."

Yu Liancheng nodded.

Long Xiaoyun continued: "Then you should also know that Xingyun Manor values heroes and good men most. If you had the ability, even if you were a thief climbing over the wall, it would not be a serious matter. But in any case, you should not have harmed my child. He is only a child."

Long Xiaoyun hid behind his father, his large eyes filled with tears, pointing his finger at Yu Liancheng.

"Father, he is a lecherous thief. He snuck into Meixiang Small Abode, wanting to peep at Aunt Lin. I discovered him, and he wanted to kill me. If I hadn't been quick-witted, I wouldn't be able to see Father anymore."

As he spoke, he was tearful, looking as pitiful as could be.

This child was truly very clever.

If it were said that he had bumped into Yu Liancheng in Lin Shiyin's room, it would inevitably affect his mother's reputation. And unless Lin Shiyin were invited out, there would be plenty of room for debate in this matter.

But if it were said he came to peep at Lin Xian'er, it was much more logical.

Not far away was Lengxiang Xiaozhu, and Lin Xian'er held the title of "Number One Beauty in the Edo," which indeed could make many people go to such lengths.

There were quite a few of Lin Xian'er's admirers here; upon hearing the name Lin Xian'er, their blood would inevitably surge.

What's more, the reputation of a lecherous thief could be said to be the most shameful thing in the Edo; everyone looked down on them. As long as one was labeled with this, one would never be able to hold their head up for the rest of their life.

Sure enough, the majestic-looking old man had already spoken: "Hmph, what a rude scoundrel. If you surrender obediently now, we might still spare your life."

The second old man with a face like red dates followed closely: "You are still young, full of Qi and Blood, and it is understandable that you made this mistake, but you should not, above all, have attacked Young Master Long."

The last young man holding a sword had an even colder expression: "For a shameless rat like you, I fear even seeing you would dirty Miss Xian'er's eyes."

Yu Liancheng clapped his hands and laughed: "Good, good, good. What you all say is truly excellent, making me feel truly ashamed and unworthy. I wonder what the backgrounds of these three are, so that I may pay my respects."

Long Xiaoyun said in a deep voice: "These three are all famous big figures in the Edo. Once you hear their names, be careful not to have your thief's guts scared out of you."

Yu Liancheng laughed: "I am all ears."

Long Xiaoyun pointed to the majestic-looking old man and said: "This is none other than 'Iron-Faced and Selfless' Zhao Zhengyi, Old Master Zhao. He has always been impartial and fair in his dealings, never biased. With him here, no thief can ever hope to quibble or escape."

Zhao Zhengyi stroked his beard; he indeed looked meticulous and full of majesty.

Long Xiaoyun then introduced the old man with a face like red dates: "This is none other than 'Iron Gall Shaking the Eight Directions' Qin Xiaoyi, Old Master Qin. Not only is his hard-style martial arts remarkable, but the Iron galls in his hands are also extraordinary hidden weapons in the martial arts world."

Qin Xiaoyi showed a majestic expression, yet carried a hint of smugness.

Long Xiaoyun coughed and pointed to the last young man: "As for this one, he is the Young Manor Master of Sword Mountain Manor, Young Master You Longsheng. He is not only the son of Canglong Old Man, but also the disciple of the number one swordsman of that year, 'Tianshan Xueyingzi'. If we speak of attainments in sword technique, there are few in the world who can surpass him. Only such a talented young man is worthy of Miss Lin."

You Longsheng still had a cold sneer on his lips, but his chest had involuntarily puffed out.

These three truly had significant backgrounds and great reputations.

Ordinary Edo figures, upon hearing the name of just one of them, would likely be scared out of their wits, let alone three.

These three were also looking coldly at Yu Liancheng, as if waiting for him to be scared out of his wits.

"Hmm, very good. It seems none of you are nobodies."

Yu Liancheng first shifted his gaze to Zhao Zhengyi: "In the Edo, there are only wrongly taken names, never wrongly taken nicknames. But if a nickname is associated with a person's character, it often has the opposite effect. For example, 'Gentleman Sword' Yue Buqun, for example, 'Laoshi Heshang' who died at my hands before, and for example... Iron-Faced and Selfless Zhao Zhengyi."

On Zhao Zhengyi's majestic face, there was already a hint of anger.

Yu Liancheng looked at Qin Xiaoyi again and smiled slightly: "There are also people who clearly only have a little bit of ability, yet can brag to the heavens. For example, some 'River-Turning Dragon', 'Mountain-Descending Tiger', 'Iron Gall Shaking the Eight Directions', who in reality cannot even shake a little mouse."

Qin Xiaoyi's face also turned cold, cold enough to kill.

Yu Liancheng's gaze finally rested on the last person.

You Longsheng only sneered, his gaze like a sword, as if he could poke two holes in Yu Liancheng at any moment.

"And there are others who bring up the reputations of their masters and predecessors to speak, which only proves that they have absolutely no ability and are a complete and utter waste."

You Longsheng's hand was already on the hilt of his sword, and his whole person also seemed like a sword, emitting a sharp Sword Intent.