Chapter 52: The Mysterious Woman

Following the honeymoon period of Bu Jingyun and Chuchu, Duan Fengyun and the others also spent a period of ordinary, peaceful days together.

But good days never last long; a new storm is waiting for everyone up ahead.

On this day, Chuchu went out to buy daily necessities, while Bu Jingyun and the others were at home cleaning; yet, several hours passed, and Chuchu still had not returned.

Worried that something had happened to Chuchu, Bu Jingyun picked up the Peerless Sword and prepared to go out to search for her; Duan Fengyun and the other two also grabbed their respective weapons, preparing to go out with Bu Jingyun.

"Bu Jingyun, no need to search; the person is with me."

A woman's voice rang out beside their ears.

"Why must you hide and skulk, Your Excellency? Is this style of conduct how a hero acts?"

Qin Shuang shouted toward the woman in the shadows.

Duan Fengyun, however, keenly sensed the woman's location and directly drew the Fire Scale Sword, slashing over with a single strike.

Following Duan Fengyun's strike, the woman hiding in the shadows finally revealed herself.

The woman was dressed in snow-white robes, with jet-black hair and a mask on her face; it was impossible to tell what she looked like.

The woman laughed: "Duan Fengyun truly has great skill."

Duan Fengyun replied: "You flatter me, Your Excellency. Why must you hide and cover yourself? Are you too ashamed to face people?"

Knowing Duan Fengyun's sharp tongue, the woman did not bother to argue with him further.

She looked at Bu Jingyun and said: "Bu Jingyun, if you want to see your wife, then come to my West Lake Leifeng Pagoda to save her."

After the woman finished speaking, she wanted to leave, but in front of Duan Fengyun and Nie Feng, two of the era's masters of movement techniques, it was not as simple as just wanting to leave.

Duan Fengyun and Nie Feng exerted their strength simultaneously, intercepting the woman who was preparing to depart.

Duan Fengyun directly fired a strike of Duanmai Sword Qi, aiming precisely at the woman's mask, and the woman's face was revealed.

Yet, the woman's face caused all four of them to be shocked; this was a face they were incomparably familiar with.

"Kong Ci? Is it you?"

Bu Jingyun asked in confusion.

The woman replied: "Haha, Bu Jingyun, you really are a fickle man; seeing an old flame makes you forget your own wife. Men really are all no good."

Duan Fengyun stared at the woman who looked exactly like Kong Ci; he had initially thought she was Ding Ning, but after thinking about it, the Ding Ning from the original story did not have the strength to escape from his hands, so he could not help but feel some doubt.

Duan Fengyun teasingly flirted: "Beauty, my Brother Yun is already a married man, but I am not. If you want to find a man, you can find me; I'm not picky."

The woman glared at Duan Fengyun with hatred; this guy's mouth was too foul. If not for her lacking strength, she would really want to sew his mouth shut.

The woman wanted to hurry back to report to her master, so she said to Bu Jingyun: "Bu Jingyun, I still stand by my previous words: if you want to save her, come to the Leifeng Pagoda at West Lake."

Before leaving, the woman glared viciously at Duan Fengyun and said: "Duan Fengyun, remember this young lady's name. This young lady is called Mu Xuanqing, and sooner or later, I will sew your mouth shut."

Having said that, the woman flew away.

Watching the woman's departing figure, the group began to discuss:

"What kind of power is this West Lake Leifeng Pagoda? We have traveled the Jianghu for many years and have never heard of any major power there. Although this Mu Xuanqing's strength doesn't match ours, she can be considered a figure in the martial arts world, yet we have never heard her name."

Qin Shuang stared at Duan Fengyun's mouth again and said: "Junior Brother Duan, you really must control your mouth; otherwise, with that mouth of yours, there is no telling how much trouble you will stir up."

Duan Fengyun did not take Qin Shuang's words to heart; this wasn't called having a foul mouth, it was called being talkative—you ancient people just don't understand.

But for now, the priority was to determine the identity of this Mu Xuanqing and what kind of power that West Lake Leifeng Pagoda actually was.

For a moment, the four of them were at a total loss, not knowing where to start.

Seeing that no one had a good idea, Duan Fengyun suggested: "Why don't we go to Zhonghua Lou to seek advice from Senior Wuming? He is knowledgeable and experienced; perhaps he knows what this West Lake Leifeng Pagoda is."

With no other options, the group agreed with Duan Fengyun's suggestion to go to Zhonghua Lou to seek advice from Wuming.

The group immediately packed up the house, took their weapons, and whipped their horses to hurry toward Zhonghua Lou.

Inside Zhonghua Lou, Wuming, having sensed something, instructed his servant: "Several distinguished guests are coming; have the kitchen prepare good wine and food so I can host them when they arrive."

Hearing the Boss's instructions, the waiter hurried to make arrangements.

When Duan Fengyun and the others arrived at Zhonghua Lou, it was just around noon.

Exhausted from the journey, the four of them saw they had finally reached their destination, quickly parked their horses, and walked into the shop.

Duan Fengyun called the waiter over, and just as he was about to order, he was recognized by the waiter.

"This young master, you don't need to order; my master already knew several distinguished guests were coming and had long ago instructed me to have everything arranged."

The waiter greeted them with a warm expression.

"Oh, Senior Wuming already knew we were coming?"

Duan Fengyun asked in confusion.

He muttered to himself, could it be that this West Lake Leifeng Pagoda is Wuming's own power? Otherwise, how would he know the four of them were coming to find him?

Duan Fengyun thought that since there was no need to order, he wouldn't waste money; sure enough, one could eat a free lunch here at Wuming's place.

The four were led by the waiter to the second floor, where Wuming had already instructed the waiter to prepare a premium room for them.

After the waiter led the four outside the premium room, he said to them:

"Distinguished young masters, the wine and food are prepared inside; please enjoy."

After the waiter left, Duan Fengyun pushed open the room door; wine and food were already prepared on the table inside, and sitting at the head of the table was their old acquaintance and the target of their consultation—Wuming.

Seeing Wuming in the host's seat, the four of them cupped their hands and said: "Senior Wuming, long time no see. We have come to disturb you at your establishment today."

Wuming waved his hand, signaling them not to be formal.

The big-mouthed Duan Fengyun could not control his curiosity and asked directly: "Senior Wuming, how did you know the four of us would come, and even specifically have your servant prepare wine and food?"

Wuming replied: "I had a feeling this morning that four old friends were coming to find me, and in my feeling, these four old friends were all dragons among men. In my memory, the only ones who fit the description of four dragons among men are you four."

Bu Jingyun said with an embarrassed expression: "We only just received your help a few days ago to escape from Xiongba. To come and trouble you again today, I am truly embarrassed."

Wuming replied: "Since there is fate, why speak of trouble? All who come are guests; you have traveled far and are exhausted, so eat first."

Wuming stood up and walked out of the room, leaving the famished four behind; eventually, hunger overcame everything, and Duan Fengyun and the others began to feast, while Bu Jingyun, worried about Chuchu, kept drinking in silence.

After they were full, the four were led by the waiter to the backyard, saying that Wuming was waiting for them there.