Even though he had long expected it, hearing that name once again from Nangong Ling's lips still stirred indescribably tangled emotions in Chu Liuxiang.
By now, he had unraveled most of the Blood Sea Fragrance storyline. What he still did not understand was what deep, bitter grudge Fang Yunhua bore against Wuhua and Nangong Ling. Was he really bent on driving them to their deaths?
"Why him?"
"Heh."
Nangong Ling answered with a cold sneer.
His power and standing had been stripped away completely. Even if he escaped the martial artists pursuing him under the banner of rooting out villains, he would live like a dog that had lost its home.
To him, such an ending was truly harder to bear than death.
He remained here now only because his unwillingness to accept it drove him on.
"Why are you the one who showed up here?" Nangong Ling demanded of Chu Liuxiang.
Chu Liuxiang did not know how to answer, but he had a vague understanding of what Nangong Ling meant.
Since Nangong Ling believed Fang Yunhua had brought him to such ruin, Fang Yunhua should also have been the one to send him on his final journey. Even if it was merely to satisfy some private impulse, witnessing this influential leader of the Beggar Gang cast down into the dust should have been the most gratifying form of revenge.
In Chu Liuxiang's estimation, there was undoubtedly a grudge between them.
Yet Fang Yunhua had not appeared.
It was an unspoken expression of contempt.
And that made Nangong Ling suffer all the more.
He had thought that, after going to such pains to lay this trap, Fang Yunhua must at least have considered him an opponent. Now, however, it seemed the Amorous Young Master had merely given a casual pinch, as though squashing an ant.
"I have a question," Chu Liuxiang spoke again.
But Nangong Ling merely raised his eyes and gave him a sidelong glance. It was impossible to tell whether the expression on his face was self-mockery or scorn for Chu Liuxiang, this pawn.
The two should have been friends. Even in the original story, when they fought to the death, they had retained some measure of dignity. But now Nangong Ling wanted only to vent the hatred pent up in his heart, and the best target available was the man before him.
"What makes you think I'll answer?"
"Because you're about to lose everything. A man who has nothing left to lose has nothing left to fear."
Those words struck Nangong Ling into silence just as he was about to deliver another few barbs.
"I want you to say one more name yourself."
"What name?"
"Who has been secretly driving you to do all this?"
Nangong Ling did not answer. He raised his head, his gaze fixed on Chu Liuxiang with savage malice.
The next instant, though his body seemed not to move at all, he flew straight up from his chair. Chu Liuxiang also appeared not to move, yet he rose into the air as well.
But even in midair, Chu Liuxiang was still seated. The great, heavy rosewood chair seemed glued to him.
They met in the air, and seven palm strikes rang out in rapid succession. In that instant, swift as a white colt flashing past a crack, they exchanged seven blows.
After the seven reports, their figures came together and parted in a flash.
Chu Liuxiang floated down with his chair, landing exactly where he had been, scarcely a fraction out of place. The heavy wooden chair touched the ground without making the slightest sound.
Nangong Ling somersaulted in midair and landed back in his chair as well, but the sturdy chair gave a creak beneath him, and his complexion had changed drastically.
Neither man had been injured, but the difference between them was unmistakable.
"You want to kill me?" It should have been a stern demand, yet coming from Chu Liuxiang's mouth, the words carried an unmistakable sorrow.
He still cherished the friendship they had once shared.
He had always been softhearted like that.
Nangong Ling's heart, however, was hard. He could scarcely believe there was such a vast gulf between his strength and Chu Liuxiang's.
In the original storyline, he could still have taken Su Rongrong hostage, allowing One Red Dot, who had underperformed throughout, a brief moment to shine here. But the Nangong Ling of the present had no such opportunity.
When Chu Liuxiang first returned to Jinan Prefecture after visiting the Beggar Gang Forbidden Grounds, he had already shared every clue he had with Su Rongrong, who had uncovered vital intelligence at the Divine Water Palace. She now knew for certain that Nangong Ling and Wuhua were the masterminds.
Naturally, she would never let herself become a fatal weakness that dragged Chu Liuxiang down.
"Come with me." Nangong Ling rose, looking somewhat defeated.
Chu Liuxiang did not move a step. He merely watched him quietly.
"Don't you want to know who he is?"
Nangong Ling grinned, his smile brimming with malice.
Clearly, the place he was about to take Chu Liuxiang was dangerous. But who was Chu Liuxiang? Danger was precisely his favorite fare.
The two then employed their lightness skills and swept swiftly along for some distance.
Mist shrouded the water ahead. They had reached the shore of Daming Lake once more.
Beneath the moonlit sky, only a single pleasure boat still had its lights burning. Through its propped-open windows, bright candles could be seen blazing in the cabin, where a table had already been laid with wine and food.
Nangong Ling waited for Chu Liuxiang to enter the cabin, then pushed off with a long pole, sending the pleasure boat toward the center of the lake. Mist surrounded them, now thin, now like rain, and the boat swayed with the waves. The boundless, silent world was filled with a mysterious, romantic air that drew one unwittingly into its spell, yet also sent shivers down one's spine.
Chu Liuxiang settled into one of the more comfortable chairs in the cabin, but his heart felt anything but comfortable.
His passive skill had taken effect. The cool evening breeze carried the fragrance of wine, food, and weeping willows, but what Chu Liuxiang breathed in was a thick, murderous aura!
Yet what deadly threat could be hidden aboard this otherwise deserted pleasure boat?
"Was he the one who told you to bring me here? What if Fang Yunhua had shown up earlier instead?"
Chu Liuxiang's question kindled a fierce murderous intent in Nangong Ling's eyes. He now looked half mad. After a chuckle that exposed his eerily white teeth, he replied.
"It would have been the same. Whether it was you or Fang Yunhua, he told me that once I could no longer deal with you myself, I should bring you here and wait for him to take care of you."
"And once he arrives, he'll be able to take care of us?"
Nangong Ling smiled without answering.
Chu Liuxiang could not quite understand Nangong Ling's baffling confidence. Then he noticed that Nangong Ling really had relaxed and was pouring two cups of wine.
"If you want to see him, wait patiently. We have fine wine and food to entertain us in the meantime."
After pouring the wine, Nangong Ling immediately drank one cup and began swaying his head in intoxicated delight.
All the while, he kept muttering.
"You'll die, and Fang Yunhua will die too, while I've lost everything. Hehehehe... good. That isn't such a bad bargain."
Then he abruptly fixed his eyes on Chu Liuxiang, who had made no move at all.
"Both cups were poured from the same pot, and you still don't trust it? I'll drink yours for you!"
Sure enough, he drank the wine in front of Chu Liuxiang as well.
Then he began mocking Chu Liuxiang.
"You don't understand what he's capable of. If he wanted to kill you, why would he resort to something as crude as poisoned wine? Besides, killing the great Fragrant Marshal Chu with poison isn't something a single cup of..."
Before he could say "wine," Nangong Ling's expression suddenly changed violently. Every vein in his arms, his temples, his neck... bulged out!
Chu Liuxiang darted over and lifted Nangong Ling's eyelids to examine them, but he could find no sign of poisoning. Yet Nangong Ling's body was already hotter than fire!
"It's Heavenly One Divine Water!"
Before you continue