Sudden Change

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

He recognized this bowl... It was the bowl placed in front of him when he was disguised as a beggar outside the Teahouse.

Chu Fan had even thrown silver into it.

Later, after taking on the mission to assassinate the Iron Horse Seven Heroes, he became busy killing people everywhere.

When the dust settled, he realized the bowl was missing.

However, he didn't take it seriously, as it was just a disposable item.

He hadn't disguised himself as a beggar since then, so he didn't care about it anymore.

But... he never dreamed that this broken bowl would appear in Junior Sister Wen's hands!

And why was she giving it to him?

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

Why was she offering him tea for no reason, and staring at him... as if she had a serious illness.

Now, the bowl had been returned to its owner.

What did she know? Had she discovered he was that beggar?

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

As thoughts raced through his mind, he felt an urge to pull Junior Sister Wen aside and question her.

However, the current occasion clearly did not permit such an action.

If Chu Fan were the only one here, it wouldn't matter if his identity was exposed... but if Wu Qianhuan found out he was the runaway groom, the consequences were unpredictable.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind, and Chu Qing displayed the appropriate look of astonishment.

For him, such acting was like muscle memory.

At the same time, all sorts of countermeasures flooded his mind.

Just as he was about to speak, he saw Junior Sister Wen, as if nothing had happened, return to her seat.

And that was it?

Chu Qing was stunned, feeling as if he had punched into empty space.

All his follow-up moves were held back.

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

Chu Qing felt his mind was a bit jumbled... After all, he couldn't imagine that some people could specifically find such strange and peculiar things.

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

However, seeing that Junior Sister Wen had no other moves, he breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as she could hold steady, it wouldn't matter if she found out anything after today. By then, it was uncertain if he would even still be in Heavenly Dance City.

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

Chu Fan went without saying. The Taiyi Sect's Book of Unchanging Heaven was profound and unfathomable, the Tai Yi Divine Palm was simple yet complex, and the Tai Yi Divine Fist could overcome any force with sheer power. Combined with Chu Fan's natural divine strength, ordinary people were simply no match for him.

Although Tang Xi was the Young Hall Master of Luoyu Hall, he was steadily retreating in their spar.

However, Chu Qing noticed that although Tang Xi was at a disadvantage, his expression was not flustered. Even when Chu Fan forced him to retreat repeatedly, his face showed panic.

But Chu Qing, who was skilled in acting, could tell at a glance that these panicked expressions contained some degree of performance.

"He has other confidence? He doesn't take Chu Fan seriously?"

Chu Qing raised an eyebrow, finding it a bit baffling.

Although Tang Xi was holding back, Chu Fan was not using his full strength either.

Why would he not take Chu Fan seriously?

Moreover... the Deputy Hall Master of Luoyu Hall, Liu Shijie, had connections with the Iron Horse Seven Bandits. Then what kind of stance did this Young Hall Master hold in Heavenly Dance City?

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

With a bang, the two figures separated.

Tang Xi retreated four or five steps consecutively before he shook his hand and grinned, baring his teeth.

"Big Brother Chu Fan is indeed formidable. The Tai Yi Divine Fist lives up to its reputation. I, your humble subordinate, admit defeat."

"You are too kind. Young Hall Master's martial arts are also extremely exquisite. If you have free time, we should spar more."

Chu Fan's words at this moment were not as harsh as before.

Wu Qianhuan smiled upon seeing this.

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

"You must know that Luoyu Hall has only been in Heavenly Dance City for three short years, and it has developed from obscurity to its current state.

"The Young Hall Master's family heritage is profound, and I fear it is no less than Second Brother Chu's."

As she spoke, she stood up and drew a long sword from a maidservant beside her.

"My Younger Sister has recently learned a set of sword techniques and wishes to ask for your guidance."

Without giving Chu Fan and Tang Xi a chance to speak, she turned and her form became a blur, suddenly charging between the two.

Her sword edge struck first, aiming straight for Chu Fan's heart.

Chu Fan was stunned. He hadn't expected Wu Qianhuan to attack so suddenly, giving him no chance to react.

If it were anyone else acting this way, Chu Fan would not have tolerated it.

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

Wu Qianhuan seemed to have anticipated Chu Fan's reaction. She spun her Long Sword, which split into three. Each bloom of Green Plum Dance unfurled like the bright sun.

In an instant, she had enveloped the vital acupoints on Tang Xi's chest.

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

Tang Xi had initially been watching Chu Fan's predicament, but he hadn't expected the Sword Edge to turn and target him.

This surprise was no small matter, and it was too late to dodge.

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

At this critical moment, Tang Xi's figure flickered, like a candle in the wind, suddenly vanishing and then reappearing.

In this brief flicker, he had retreated more than two zhang!

A hint of seriousness flashed in Wu Qianhuan's eyes.

Chu Fan, on the other hand, clapped his hands and laughed:

"What a movement technique!!"

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

"You jest, Big Brother Chu. Eldest Young Lady's sword techniques are too fast, truly catching one off guard."

Wu Qianhuan said with a smile:

"Oh? Second Brother Chu, look, this Young Hall Master Tang isn't a good person. He's still hiding some skills. Why don't the three of us fight again?

"Let's strip away all his trump cards?"

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

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

Everyone initially paid it no mind, thinking it was just another servant coming in to deliver something.

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

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

He was dressed as a Wuxia Wanderer. After entering, he first nodded to everyone, then turned and closed the courtyard door.

Chu Fan frowned:

"Who are you? This is the Inner Courtyard. If you are a guest, please proceed to the front courtyard for the banquet."

The man looked up at Chu Fan, smiled slightly, and then suddenly exerted force with his feet. A loud bang was heard as his figure charged forward, and in the blink of an eye, he was in front of Chu Fan.

As his final step landed, a cracking sound echoed as he shattered the bluestone beneath his feet. His body coiled like a bow, his right fist clenched like an arrow loosed from a bowstring, and with a bang, he charged straight towards Chu Fan's chest and abdomen.

Chu Fan's eyes widened, feeling as if the opponent's Fist Momentum was like Raging Waves and Surging Tides, making him feel as if he were adrift on a vast ocean.

The aura was fierce and extremely savage.

Seeing this, Wu Qianhuan's pupils contracted sharply:

"[Overturning Sea Dragon Fist]! Second Brother Chu, he is Xin Youhen from Ten Thousand Night Valley, do not confront him directly!!"