Chapter 36: The Wager

Ye Gucheng had lost.

On his snow-white robes, an extra streak of blood appeared.

If Yu Liancheng's sword had entered another inch, perhaps this aloof and peerless swordsman would already be a lonely ghost.

"Half-master, you won! I knew you would win; you are the best in the world." As this battle came to an end, the people present had different thoughts, but Xue'er was undoubtedly the happiest, skipping over to him.

"The best in the world, huh." Yu Liancheng murmured softly: "Being the best in the world is inevitably too lonely, too desolate."

"Congratulations, Brother Yu, your sword technique has reached a higher level." Hua Manlou cupped his hands toward Yu Liancheng, his expression somewhat complex.

He did not have much ill will toward Yu Liancheng; or rather, for a person like Hua Manlou, as long as someone was not a heinous villain who took pleasure in killing, they were all approachable and likable.

But what made it slightly awkward was that his best friend was Lu Xiaofeng, and Lu Xiaofeng's relationship with Yu Liancheng was not very good.

Since the Jinpeng Dynasty case, Lu Xiaofeng had disliked Yu Liancheng, the mastermind behind the scenes, and hoped that one day his martial arts would surpass Yu Liancheng's, so that if Yu Liancheng committed a crime, he could immediately capture him and avoid the sense of powerlessness he felt at the Qingyi First Tower back then.

Regarding this point, Hua Manlou held a pessimistic view.

Lu Xiaofeng's martial arts were indeed brilliant, but they were always a cut below Yu Liancheng's.

This gap was not very small, but it was certainly not too large either.

With Lu Xiaofeng's natural talent, if he practiced with focus, it was not impossible for him to surpass him.

But Lu Xiaofeng was born a wanderer, lingering in wine and women all day; that he could maintain his current martial arts cultivation was already quite good.

Yet Yu Liancheng was constantly improving; his current sword technique, compared to his decisive battle with Ximen Chuixue, had already advanced a hundred steps further.

The gap between the two was constantly widening.

"Haha, Brother Hua, you flatter me." Yu Liancheng smiled: "I wonder who this gentleman beside you is..."

Jin Jiuling cupped his hands, neither humble nor pushy: "Jin Jiuling of the Six Fan School."

"So it is the number one catcher of the Six Fan School." Yu Liancheng also cupped his hands, then suddenly his palm flickered, emitting a faint glow as he struck toward Jin Jiuling.

Jin Jiuling was not surprised at all; his palms opened and closed, casting heavy palm shadows that seemed like surging waves, meeting the attack in an endless stream.

The two exchanged moves with their bare hands, the variations myriad—sometimes like a clear breeze and flowing clouds, sometimes like thunder and lightning—all of them top-tier, marvelous techniques.

Except for the uninformed Xue'er, who was somewhat surprised that this playboy-like middle-aged man could hold out for so many moves under her master, the others were indifferent.

After all, he was known as the "number one expert of the Six Fan School in three hundred years"; without such martial arts cultivation, how could he command respect?

"Another old schemer."

The two appeared evenly matched, but how could Yu Liancheng not understand that Jin Jiuling's seemingly surging palm force was actually holding back thirty percent of his strength, not using his full power.

Many famous experts in this world were old foxes who hid their true depths. Unless it was the most critical moment, they would never be willing to reveal their full strength.

When Lu Xiaofeng had his final duel with Jin Jiuling, he believed Jin Jiuling's martial arts were unfathomable, and that even Mu Daoren, Gusong Jushi, and Kugua Dashi were no match for him.

Gusong Jushi and Kugua Dashi were another matter, but Mu Daoren was yet another old schemer.

His strength was already no less than that of the later Sword God Ximen Chuixue, and both his internal energy and his schemes were firmly a cut above Lu Xiaofeng's.

"As expected of the divine catcher Jin, your martial arts are truly remarkable." After the two fought for about forty moves without a clear winner, Yu Liancheng's figure drifted backward, and he took the initiative to stop.

Jin Jiuling smiled and said: "Young Master Yu is joking. If the Duoqing Sword were unsheathed, I would have no choice but to await death."

After exchanging a few polite words, Yu Liancheng suddenly changed the subject: "The Embroidered Bandit has been causing quite a stir lately; I wonder how the Six Fan School's investigation is going?"

Jin Jiuling sighed: "It is my incompetence; I have yet to find any key clues. However, I have already invited Lu Xiaofeng to take action, and I believe we will be able to uncover the truth soon."

Hua Manlou said: "Brother Yu is interested in the Embroidered Bandit?"

"In just a few months, the Embroidered Bandit has committed dozens of major crimes; the sins are heavy. For such a bandit who harms lives, righteous people like us should naturally all call for his capture."

Yu Liancheng spoke with righteous indignation, then changed his tone: "I heard that Huayuxuan, the Zhenyuan and Zhendong escort agencies, the Jinsha River... dozens of forces have offered rewards, accumulating a massive amount of wealth to place a bounty on the Embroidered Bandit, dead or alive. I wonder if that is true?"

Hua Manlou was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

"Good, such a sinful bandit should be dealt with by a righteous hero like me." Yu Liancheng's expression was solemn.

Hua Manlou and the others were speechless.

Only Jin Jiuling's eyes flickered as he said: "With Brother Yu taking action, it seems the capture of the Embroidered Bandit is just around the corner."

"That goes without saying." Yu Liancheng nodded with a smile, showing no false modesty, and added: "You just said Lu Xiaofeng is also investigating this case?"

Jin Jiuling said: "That is correct, I entrusted it to Lu Xiaofeng."

Yu Liancheng looked at Hua Manlou and said: "I know that kid is very dissatisfied with me, but since he is no match for me in a fight, he has been sulking and looking for a chance to fix me and make me look foolish."

Hua Manlou could only nod.

Yu Liancheng smiled: "You are friends with Lu Xiaofeng; go tell him that we might as well make a wager regarding the Embroidered Bandit."

Hua Manlou asked: "What kind of wager?"

The others also pricked up their ears, wanting to hear what exactly Yu Liancheng meant.

Yu Liancheng said: "Let's bet on who can solve the Embroidered Bandit case first. If Lu Xiaofeng catches the Embroidered Bandit first, I lose. He can make me do something very embarrassing, like digging up hundreds of earthworms, or taking off my clothes and doing somersaults."

Hua Manlou couldn't help but ask: "And what if Lu Xiaofeng loses?"

"I have already seen Lu Xiaofeng with four eyebrows, Lu Xiaofeng with two eyebrows, and Lu Xiaofeng with no eyebrows."

A playful expression appeared on Yu Liancheng's face: "But I have never seen a Lu Xiaofeng with neither eyebrows nor hair, so if he loses this time, he must shave off both his eyebrows and his hair."

Shangguan Xueer clapped her hands and laughed: "Then wouldn't he become a bald head, like a big marinated egg?"

Yu Liancheng laughed heartily: "Exactly, it will surely be very interesting."

Hua Manlou could only smile bitterly: "Fine, I will take these words to Lu Xiaofeng. Whether he agrees or not, however, is his business." But Hua Manlou knew that Lu Xiaofeng would definitely agree; he would be eager to do so.

"Hahaha, I already have a clue. To make it a bit fairer, you can bring three more words to Lu Xiaofeng."

"Which three words?"

"Invisible Man."

After saying this, Yu Liancheng and Shangguan Xueer drifted away, leaving behind the others, each with their own varied expressions.

Hua Manlou smiled bitterly.

Ye Gucheng remained indifferent.

The Prince's brows were tightly furrowed, for it seemed Yu Liancheng already knew of their plan.

Jin Jiuling's expression also seemed somewhat unnatural, for he was the Embroidered Bandit.

……

PS: Seeking recommendation tickets, seeking monthly tickets, seeking follow-up reads. I already have nearly thirty chapters of stock, waiting to burst forth upon release.