Chapter 209: Jiang Biehe's Scheme

In front of Dilingzhuang, a crowd of martial arts experts had already surrounded the place.

Zhao Xiangling looked at Yu Liancheng, then glanced at Jiang Biehe.

He had some understanding of the Yuloudong affair and assumed that Jiang Biehe had come to take revenge on Yu Liancheng.

Jiang Biehe's reputation and status were not insignificant, so he dared not be negligent, hurriedly stepping forward to greet him with cupped hands and a smile: "I was unaware of Hero Jiang's arrival and failed to welcome you from afar; please forgive me, please forgive me."

Although Jiang Biehe was a hypocrite, he performed the superficial courtesies perfectly for everyone.

If others respected him by one point, he would respect them by ten. Although Zhao Xiangling was not considered a martial arts hero, his financial power was immense, enough to rival Duan Hefei, and he could be considered a person of some standing.

But this time, Jiang Biehe only gave an "mm" as a response.

Zhao Xiangling dared not show anger and retreated with a sheepish smile.

Tie Wushuang stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Hero Jiang, what are you doing here?"

His status and position were extraordinary; usually, when Jiang Biehe saw him from afar, he would take the initiative to come and greet him.

This time, however, Jiang Biehe only replied coldly: "Naturally, I am here to do what must be done. If you gentlemen have any doubts, you might as well wait a while longer."

Tie Wushuang and Zhao Xiangling exchanged a glance; for some reason, both felt an ominous sensation in their hearts.

Before long, the crowd surged, and eight men carried two chests up, their faces filled with excitement.

They dropped the chests with a "Bang!" in front of Dilingzhuang, and the leading man said to Jiang Biehe: "Hero Jiang truly has divine foresight; we have found that batch of escorted silver. We brought two chests over, and the rest are still there."

Jiang Biehe nodded with a smile: "Open them and take a look."

The chests were opened, and they were filled with nothing but silver, stacked neatly together, emitting a dazzling and alluring light.

At the sudden sight of so much silver, even though the martial arts heroes present were known for valuing profit over righteousness, they could not help but hold their breath.

Jiang Biehe took out a piece of silver, looked at the mark on it, and a divine light flashed in his eyes: "It really is the Duan Family's escorted silver!"

"Duan Hefei's batch of escorted silver?" Tie Wushuang could not help but be startled: "Where did you find this?"

Jiang Biehe raised his head and said coldly: "Alliance Leader Tie, I respect you as a senior in the Edo, which is why I did not act rashly before. But at this point, are you still unwilling to admit it?"

"Admit? Admit what?" Duan Hefei could not help but be stunned.

Jiang Biehe sighed: "This was found right here in Dilingzhuang, and it also has a great deal to do with you, Alliance Leader Tie."

Suddenly, seven young men in tight-fitting clothes with swords at their waists walked out from the crowd.

Tie Wushuang's eyes lit up, for these seven were the experts among his "eighteen disciples."

Today, no matter what scheme Jiang Biehe used, he had the confidence to fight it out with the other party.

Only to hear the leading youth suddenly sigh and say dejectedly: "Master, our act of robbing the escort has been discovered by Hero Jiang."

"We are your disciples, and whatever you want us to do, we should do. But this kind of act, which heaven itself cannot tolerate, is truly something we should never have done..."

"Several days ago, it was we who led a group of attendants to transport the escorted silver to Dilingzhuang."

"But with just us few, I fear our strength was far from enough to move this batch of silver, and we previously did not know the route of this escort."

"The person who actually robbed the escort not only had to know the route but also had to have very high-level martial arts. This person is—Yu, Lian, Cheng."

"After we robbed this escort, we suffered inner torment day and night. When Hero Jiang investigated us, we finally made up our minds to confess everything."

These seven people suddenly knelt before Tie Wushuang and kowtowed heavily three times.

"These three kowtows are to repay your kindness as our master; no matter what, you taught us our skills, but now..."

The leading youth stood up, unbuckled the sword at his waist, and threw it on the ground.

The other six followed his lead, and seeing him do this, they also unbuckled their swords and threw them to the ground.

"From now on, our relationship is severed, and we have no more ties!"

Tie Wushuang finally understood this conspiracy.

His face was pale, and his whole body was trembling.

Zhao Xiangling was much the same.

Luo Jiu suddenly said sharply: "My brother and I thought Senior Tie and Manor Lord Zhao were heroes, who knew that in secret they would commit such acts that no one can tolerate..."

Luo San added loudly: "Although my brother and I are untalented, we disdain to associate with such people. From now on, whatever happens at 'Dilingzhuang' has nothing to do with my brother and me."

After speaking, Luo Jiu and Luo San walked toward Jiang Biehe.

Jiang Biehe looked at the three of them—Yu Liancheng, Zhao Xiangling, and Tie Wushuang—a look of triumph and malice flashing in his eyes, and he said sharply: "The matter of you three robbing the escort has been exposed to the world; what face do you have left to see anyone?"

Zhao Xiangling's teeth were chattering with fear, and he hissed: "Jiang Biehe, what grudge do I have with you that you would harm me like this?"

Jiang Biehe said sharply: "I have no grievances with you, but for the sake of Edo righteousness, I cannot tolerate you today."

Tie Wushuang's figure also seemed to be trembling, his gaze cold and desolate as he swept it over his disciples one by one. Those seven disciples lowered their heads, as if they dared not meet the old man's eyes.

"Good, good. I, Tie Wushuang, am known for 'loving talent as if it were my life,' yet I never thought the disciples I took in would be a pack of ungrateful wolves. Oh Heaven, oh Heaven, if I die today, how can I close my eyes in peace?"

Now that things had reached this point, with both human and material evidence present, did they still have room to argue?

Yu Liancheng looked at Jiang Biehe and said indifferently: "Jiang Biehe, you had better think this through. I will only give you one chance to live; if you cannot deal with me this time, then you will have only death."

"Hahaha." Jiang Biehe laughed loudly: "Yu Liancheng, I know your martial arts are high, but I have secretly invited martial arts colleagues from all walks of life. If you want to kill me, you must ask if the martial arts colleagues will agree!"

Then, Jiang Biehe's expression turned solemn, and he said loudly: "Everyone, Duan Hefei's escorted silver has been found. Yu Liancheng is the mastermind, and Zhao Xiangling and Tie Wushuang are the accomplices. Whoever is willing to step forward and kill these three will not only receive Duan Hefei's reward but will also be acting on behalf of Heaven and making a name for themselves."

His words were very seductive, and there were quite a few of his cronies in the crowd. As soon as he spoke, he was immediately met with a chorus of agreement.

But a single discordant voice exploded from the crowd: "Whoever wants to make a move against Young Master Yu, I, Shen, will be the first to disagree!"

Another person stepped out from the crowd with large strides.

This person also seemed to have a great reputation; as soon as he appeared, someone immediately identified him.

"So it is Escort Chief Shen of 'Flying Flowers Fill the Sky, Landing Without a Sound'."

"Escort Chief Shen, for the sake of that batch of escorted silver, did not hesitate to fight the Twelve Zodiacs and was trapped for fourteen years. Now he has finally escaped and has even escorted that batch of silver back completely intact."

"Indeed, Escort Chief Shen is both faithful and brave, with unparalleled wisdom; he is truly a role model for our generation."

The person who walked out was none other than Shen Qinghong, the Escort Chief whom Yu Liancheng had saved in the Back Mountain of Emei.

Although he had not appeared in the Edo for over a decade, his reputation had only grown brighter.

Shen Qinghong walked out, first cupping his hands toward Yu Liancheng, then said in a clear voice, "Everyone, can you trust me?"

"Head Escort Shen's word is worth a thousand gold; I might not believe anyone else, but I cannot fail to believe Head Escort Shen's word."

"That is exactly so."

Shen Qinghong nodded and continued, "Over ten years ago, I was escorting a major shipment when I was targeted by the Twelve Zodiacs; everyone must be very clear about this. In reality, for these past ten years, Xianguoshenjun and I were trapped in a cliff cave in the Back Mountain of Emei, and fortunately, we were rescued by Young Master Yu."

"If not for this, Shen would still be in that cave at this moment, keeping company with monkeys. And after Young Master Yu rescued me, he did not ask for any reward, nor did he move a single bit of that escort silver. If not for this, how could Shen have completed this escort mission after a lapse of over ten years?"

"That major shipment was far superior in wealth to Duan Hefei's six hundred thousand taels of silver; if Young Master Yu could remain unmoved by that, how could he have plundered this six hundred thousand taels of escort silver?"

These words of his were spoken with resounding force, carrying far into the distance.

Many martial arts heroes present changed color, asking themselves in their hearts that if it were them, they would absolutely be unable to treat treasure-laden escort silver as dirt.

Lianxing remained indifferent and calm.

For experts like them, as long as they did not act like Yan Nantian, being a peerless hero who bound his own hands and feet, monstrous wealth was merely something easily obtained.

Lianxing's eyes rippled, a trace of curiosity in her beautiful pupils.

She wanted to see how Yu Liancheng would break this deadlock.

With Yu Liancheng's martial arts, let alone escaping, even if he killed all these experts, she would not be the least bit surprised.

But she could also see that Yu Liancheng was not a person who loved to kill.

What's more, Yu Liancheng had also said that he wanted to make Jiang Biehe lose in complete submission and have his reputation ruined, which was not something that could be achieved by the simple word "kill."

As for this Shen Qinghong before them, it did not seem to be Yu Liancheng's doing; even he himself felt surprised.

Jiang Biehe's gaze sank, and he said in a clear voice, "I naturally trust Head Escort Shen's words. But a person always changes; one moment they are upright and honorable, the next they are sinister and despicable—such things are not rare. Moreover, how can Head Escort Shen know that all of this is not just something this person deliberately pretended to be, to make you think so?"

As he spoke, his footsteps shifted slightly, blocking the front of Shen Qinghong, and he gave a wink to several people nearby.

"Yu Liancheng, pay with your life!"

"What a thief, I want to avenge the heroes of Yuloudong."

"Kill! Whoever kills him will not only become famous in the martial arts world but also receive the reward of ten thousand taels of silver from Duan Hefei."

In an instant, over ten experts flew up into the sky, the light of blades and shadows of swords weaving into a brilliant and dazzling radiance, enveloping Yu Liancheng like a net from heaven and earth.

These ten or so people were all forces Jiang Biehe had gathered in secret, each possessing no small amount of ability; when they attacked together, no one could underestimate them.

Of course, if they wanted to kill Yu Liancheng, it seemed they were still lacking.

But as long as someone was willing to strike first, how could the others sit still?

Sure enough, many experts were already restless.

As long as Yu Liancheng was killed, fame and wealth would be theirs; at this moment, who would care about the truth?

Just at the moment their hearts were moved.

A streak of sword light had already flown up.

The sword light was light and ethereal, like a wisp of gentle wind.

No one saw how this sword was drawn.

Before the sword was unleashed, no one could imagine its speed and power. Once the sword was unleashed, the crowd seemed completely unable to perceive it; it was just this ethereal and light, making it impossible for anyone to estimate its might.

The sword light vanished in an instant.

Someone rubbed their eyes, thinking it was their own eyes playing tricks on them.

But they soon knew it was not.

Because those ten or so experts who had attacked together suddenly froze in mid-air, then fell from the sky, landing on their backs, their eyes wide with rage, their breath already gone.

From head to toe, except for a faint trace of blood on their throats, there was not a single wound.

The experts who had originally prepared to make a move were now chilled to the heart, secretly feeling fortunate.

If it had been them who struck just now, they feared they would be no different from the dozen corpses lying on the ground.

Tie Wushuang was also sweating profusely, rejoicing that he had not turned against Yu Liancheng in the main hall earlier.

Their gazes gradually turned toward Yu Liancheng, shifting to the sword in his hand.

The sword was dripping blood.

This sword was not "Heart-Snatcher"; these ten or so people were not worthy of dying under "Heart-Snatcher."

This was just a sword Yu Liancheng had picked up from the ground at random; Tie Wushuang's seven disciples had thrown seven swords.

Yu Liancheng turned his gaze toward Jiang Biehe.

Jiang Biehe could not help but take a step back.

He had calculated many things, but he had not anticipated this unexpected turn of events with Shen Qinghong. Even less could he have imagined that Yu Liancheng would shock the heroes with just a single strike.

Yu Liancheng smiled: "I said, you only have one chance. But rest assured, I will not kill you yet; I want to make you lose in complete submission, I want to make your reputation ruined."

He said again in a clear voice: "Shenxi Daozhang, please come out."

As soon as the words fell, two figures had already flown over from not far away.

One of them was a thin, refined Daoist with a black hairpin, high bun, white socks, and a blue robe.

It was none other than the leader of the Emei Sect, Shenxi Daozhang.

As for the other person, it was a young Daoist, handsome in appearance, though his complexion was slightly pale.

Someone had already recognized him as Shenxi Daozhang's beloved disciple, a standout among the younger generation of Emei Mountain, Mingwang.

Seeing these two, Jiang Biehe could not help but frown, especially at Daozhang Mingwang.

Shenxi Daozhang swept his gaze over the heroes, nodded toward Yu Liancheng, and said in a clear voice: "Everyone must have heard of the Emei Mountain Treasure Map affair; this matter was clearly someone fanning the flames in the dark, widely distributing the Treasure Map, intending to let our Emei Sect and the martial arts heroes who obtained the Treasure Map fight until both sides were injured. Fortunately, Young Master Yu resolved it, otherwise, it would have been another bloody account that could not be explained."

"And the reason our Emei Sect laid an ambush in the forbidden area was because someone tipped us off in advance, allowing us to be prepared."

He paused, then looked at Daozhang Mingwang, and said coldly: "Rebellious disciple, speak, who notified you of the news? Point that person out now, and you can still be treated leniently, otherwise—I will definitely not spare you."

Jiang Biehe immediately felt an ominous premonition, yet he forced himself to remain calm.

Daozhang Mingwang was silent for a long while, finally trembling as he raised his hand and pointed at someone.

——Jiang Biehe.

Boom!

The crowd was in an uproar.

The "Great Hero of Jiangnan," Jiang Biehe, is actually the treacherous villain who instigated the Treasure Map conspiracy?

PS: Seeking monthly votes. I'm pushing for "Quality Work" status at the end of the month, so these are all two-in-one chapters. Although there have only been two chapters recently, they are eight thousand words long, so it's not short, brothers. I still owe ten chapters.