Sudden Change

Chu Qing clutched the bowl in his hand, feeling as though he were holding a landmine.

He recognized this bowl... When he was pretending to be a beggar in front of the teahouse, this bowl was placed before him.

Chu Fan had even tossed silver into it.

Later, after accepting the mission to assassinate the Seven Iron Horse Thieves, he had been busy killing people everywhere.

By the time the dust settled, he found that the bowl was gone.

But he hadn't thought much of it; after all, it was just a disposable prop.

He hadn't disguised himself as a beggar since, so he cared even less.

But... he never in his wildest dreams expected this broken bowl to appear in the hands of this Junior Sister Wen!

Moreover, why would she give it to him?

Back at the teahouse, he had already felt that this Junior Sister Wen was acting strangely.

Why would she offer him tea for no reason and stare at him... as if she had some serious illness?

Now, isn't this great? The bowl was directly returned to its original owner.

What exactly did she know? Did she discover that he was that beggar?

Or did she just want her servant to throw the bowl away?

As thoughts swirled in his mind, there was an urge to pull this Junior Sister Wen aside and question her.

However, the current situation clearly didn't allow for that.

If it were just Chu Fan here, it wouldn't matter if his identity was exposed... but if Wu Qianhuan found out he was the one who ran away from the marriage, the outcome was simply unpredictable.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind, and Chu Qing appropriately displayed the corresponding look of surprise.

For him, this kind of acting was like muscle memory.

At the same time, various countermeasures flooded into his mind.

Just as he was about to speak, he saw that Junior Sister Wen, as if nothing had happened, returned to her seat and sat down.

That's it?

Chu Qing was stunned, feeling as though he had punched into empty air.

All his follow-up moves were stifled.

"What exactly is going on with this Junior Sister Wen? What is she up to?"

Chu Qing felt his mind was a bit chaotic... After all, he couldn't imagine that some people specifically pick up strange things.

Like the carrying pole he thought he had hidden very secretly.

However, seeing that Junior Sister Wen had no other actions, he felt a sense of relief in his heart.

As long as she could remain calm, it would be fine. If they got through today, even if she really knew something, it wouldn't matter. By then, it was hard to say if he would even still be in Heavenly Dance City.

Thinking of this, he relaxed slightly and looked up to watch Chu Fan and Tang Xi's exchange.

Chu Fan, needless to say, the Great Easy Sect's Book of the Immutable Heavens was profound and unfathomable, the Grand Easy Divine Palm was complex yet simple, and the Grand Easy Divine Fist could overcome ten techniques with one force. Combined with Chu Fan's innate divine strength, ordinary people were simply no match for Chu Fan.

Although Tang Xi was the young hall master of Falling Rain Hall, he was steadily losing ground during the spar.

However, Chu Qing noticed that although Tang Xi was at a disadvantage, his expression wasn't flustered. Even when Chu Fan forced him back repeatedly at times, he showed a look of panic on his face.

But Chu Qing, being skilled in acting, could tell at a glance that these looks of panic carried a certain degree of performance.

Does he have other confidence? Does he not take Chu Fan seriously?

Chu Qing raised an eyebrow, feeling this was a bit inexplicable.

Although Tang Xi was holding back, Chu Fan wasn't going all out either.

Why would he not take Chu Fan seriously?

Moreover... since the deputy hall master of Falling Rain Hall, Liu Shijie, was related to the Seven Iron Horse Thieves, what kind of stance did this young hall master have in Heavenly Dance City?

Just as he was thinking this, Chu Fan and Tang Xi had already determined the winner.

With a bang, the two figures separated.

Tang Xi retreated four or five steps before shaking his hand and grinning as he laughed:

"Brother Chu Fan is truly formidable. The Grand Easy Divine Fist lives up to its reputation. This younger brother admits defeat."

"You flatter me. The young hall master's martial arts are also exceedingly exquisite. If we have leisure, we should exchange more pointers."

Chu Fan's words were not as unpleasant as before this time.

Seeing this, Wu Qianhuan smiled:

"Second Brother Chu underestimated this Young Hall Master Tang, didn't you?

"You must know that Falling Rain Hall has only been in Heavenly Dance City for a mere three years, yet it has developed from being completely unknown to its current state.

"The young hall master comes from a distinguished family and is likely no less skilled than Second Brother Chu."

As she spoke, she stood up and reached out to draw a long sword from the servant girl beside her:

"Recently, I've been practicing a sword technique, and I'd like to ask for your guidance as well," Junior Sister Wen said.

Without giving Chu Fan and Tang Xi a chance to reply, she shifted her steps, her form blurring like an illusion, and instantly darted between the two of them.

Her sword flashed first, aiming straight for Chu Fan's chest.

Chu Fan was startled, not expecting Wu Qianhuan to attack without warning, giving him no time to react.

If it were anyone else acting like this, Chu Fan wouldn't have indulged them.

However, because of Chu Qing, Chu Fan felt guilty towards Wu Qianhuan. Seeing her attack, he instinctively dodged.

But Wu Qianhuan seemed to have anticipated Chu Fan's reaction. Her long sword twisted, splitting into three, like blooming green plums dancing, resembling the opening of a bright sun.

In an instant, the blades enveloped the vital points on Tang Xi's chest.

The sword technique was beautiful, but the killing intent was even deeper.

Tang Xi had been watching Chu Fan's predicament with amusement, but he never expected the sword's target to suddenly shift to him.

The shock was immense, and by the time he tried to dodge, it was already too late.

Even Chu Fan couldn't help but widen his eyes, feeling as though Wu Qianhuan intended to kill.

Just as the situation hung by a thread, Tang Xi's figure flickered, like a candle flame in the wind, suddenly vanishing, only to reappear calmly.

In that flicker of presence and absence, his body had retreated more than two zhang!

A look of concentration flashed in Wu Qianhuan's eyes.

Chu Fan, however, clapped his hands and laughed heartily:

"Excellent footwork!!"

Tang Xi's expression froze for a moment, but then he smiled:

"You flatter me, Brother Chu Fan. Miss's sword technique is too fast, truly catching one by surprise."

Wu Qianhuan said with a playful smile:

"Oh? Second Brother Chu, look, this Young Hall Master Tang isn't a good person. He's still hiding a move he hasn't used. How about the three of us fight again?

"Let's expose all his hidden skills?"

Hearing this, Tang Xi repeatedly begged for mercy, while Chu Fan was eager to try.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard a creaking sound as the small courtyard gate was opened.

Initially, they didn't pay it much mind, thinking it was another servant coming to deliver something.

But when their gazes fell upon the newcomer, they were all somewhat taken aback.

It wasn't a Chu Family servant who entered, but a middle-aged man.

He was dressed like a martial artist. After entering, he first nodded to everyone, then turned around and closed the courtyard gate.

Chu Fan frowned:

"Who are you? This is the inner courtyard. If you are a guest, you should go to the front courtyard for the banquet."

The man looked up at Chu Fan, smiled slightly, and suddenly exerted force with his feet. With a loud bang, his body charged forward like a bull, reaching Chu Fan in the blink of an eye.

His final step landed with a crunch, shattering the bluestone beneath him. His body was coiled like a bow, his right fist clenched like an arrow released from a string, and with a bang, it shot towards Chu Fan's chest and abdomen.

Chu Fan's eyes widened. He felt the opponent's fist strike like raging waves and surging tides, making him feel as though he was adrift on a vast ocean.

The force was fierce and utterly brutal.

Seeing this, Wu Qianhuan's pupils suddenly contracted:

"[Overturning Sea Dragon Fist]! Second Brother Chu, he's Xin Youhen from the Valley of Ten Thousand Nights! Don't take it head-on!!"