Withdrawal

Yang Cuixue squinted and looked in the direction of the sound. The newcomer was a young man dressed in black, with a high ponytail and a long sword hanging from his waist.

He seemed somewhat familiar. Just as the thought crossed his mind, he heard one of the disciples behind him call out, "Xu Qi'an, what's he doing here?"

The speaker was Young Master Liu, who had crossed paths with Xu Qi'an when they were in the capital.

Young Master Liu was quite happy to see Xu Qi'an again. They had become acquainted through a fight, although Xu Yinluo did not make a good first impression (he broke his beloved sword upon meeting him).

But as it turns out, Xu Yinluo's character is commendable. He took Rongrong away but did not take advantage of her. After realizing his misunderstanding, he not only apologized but also compensated her with a magic Law Artifact produced by the Bureau of Astronomy.

As Young Master Liu reminisced about the past, he suddenly saw his sect leader excitedly pressing his shoulder, staring intently at him, and asking for confirmation:

"He... he is Xu Qi'an?"

Young Master Liu nodded blankly, "I've seen him in the capital, and my master recognizes him too."

Yang Cuixue immediately looked at her junior brother, and Liu Gongzi's master nodded. "It is indeed Xu Yinluo."

When Yang Cuixue looked at Xu Qi'an again, he matched the portrait in her memory. It was indeed Xu Qi'an.

Liu Hu's eyes widened suddenly, and the image of the young man appeared in his eyes, reminding him of the conversation he had been having just a few days ago.

Jianzhou is two thousand miles away from the capital. Excluding large organizations with intelligence networks, it takes only about half a month for Rogue Person and ordinary people to actually hear about the Chuzhou massacre and see the emperor's edict of self-reproach.

When the news reached Chuzhou, it caused a sensation. From the martial arts world to the government, everyone was talking about it. Everyone applauded Xu Yinluo's righteousness.

Following his battle of Buddhist School, Xu Qi'an once again became famous throughout the land, becoming a hero and an incorruptible official in the eyes of the people.

Those in the martial arts world who were filled with jealousy held him in the highest esteem.

To his utter surprise, he actually saw that legendary figure in person.

Indeed, he possessed an imposing presence; Liu Hu admired him inwardly, recognizing him as a dragon among men.

The other wandering Rogue Person shared a similar feeling: a mixture of astonishment and delight.

We met Xu Yinluo in Chuzhou. This is something we can brag about.

Yang Cuixue's expression was serious. She straightened her clothes before stepping forward, bowing and saying, "Yang Cuixue from Moge greets Xu Yinluo."

For a seasoned fourth-rank master and sect leader to bow to a junior should have been an extremely undignified act. However, the martial arts practitioners present, as well as the group of blue-robed swordsmen from the Ink Pavilion, did not find anything wrong with Yang Cuixue's behavior.

Xu Yinluo's series of heroic deeds, especially his performance in the Chuzhou massacre, deserve their respect.

"You're too kind, Pavilion Master Yang. I don't deserve such a courtesy." Xu Qi'an reached out a hand to help him up.

"I have long admired Xu Yinluo, and now that I have met him in person, I am overwhelmed with emotion." Yang Cuixue smiled warmly, showing no airs of a sect leader whatsoever.

Having known each other for a long time, Xu Qi'an, who still felt something was off, smiled and said, "I have also long admired your name, Pavilion Master."

I've never actually heard of that, but mutual flattery in business is still possible.

The disciples of the Heaven and Earth Society watched this scene in astonishment. The Mo Pavilion Master, who had previously been arrogant and sarcastic towards Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen, was now completely unpretentious, smiling warmly and speaking sincerely to Xu Yinluo.

Meanwhile, the Rogue Person and blue-robed swordsmen in the distance watched with smiles on their faces, the tense atmosphere completely gone.

In an instant, the female disciples looked at Xu Qi'an with even greater infatuation; this man possessed an extremely strong personal charisma.

Chasing the brightest star is an innate human instinct.

At this moment and in this place, Xu Qi'an was undoubtedly the brightest star in their eyes.

He actually has such a strong reputation. The beautiful eyes of the White Lotus Daoist nun could not hide her surprise. She was indifferent to fame and fortune, and judged Xu Qi'an by her own standards.

"Master Yang, I was just joking about saving face."

After a few pleasantries, Xu Qi'an got straight to the point, bowing respectfully and speaking sincerely, "I have a deep friendship with the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect and Brother Chu. I was invited by them to come to the Yuezhi Manor to help protect the lotus seeds. I humbly request that the Pavilion Master be lenient."

Yang Cuixue pondered for a moment, then shook her head helplessly. "Fine, since I know Xu Yinluo is guarding the lotus seeds, I won't interfere in this matter, otherwise I'll ruin my reputation in my later years."

A tone that was half joking and half serious.

Thank you!

Xu Qi'an turned to the others and said loudly, "Everyone, it's fate that we met by chance. I hope you can be lenient and let's become friends. If you ever need anything in the future, just let me know, Xu Qi'an will do my best to help."

These words were pleasing to the ear, and everyone found them very agreeable.

What's most important for someone navigating the world of martial arts?

It's about giving someone face.

If you don't give people face, what kind of life are you in the underworld?

Moreover, someone like Xu Yinluo, one kind word from him is more effective than ten thousand words from an ordinary person.

Liu Hu grinned and said loudly, "My mother loves listening to other people's gossip. She heard about your deeds the other day, and when she got home, she kept praising Xu Yinluo, saying you're a great honest official. I'll make sure she knows I'm going against you!"

"I'm quitting too, damn it, I don't want to be talked about behind my back by the villagers." Someone shouted in agreement.

"Xu Yinluo, a man's word is his bond; if he says he'll participate, he won't. We may not be able to write such words, but we understand this principle," someone else said.

"This is a truly prestigious person. A truly prestigious person is one that no one would dare to oppose." Li Miaozhen puffed out her cheeks, feeling a little jealous.

Unbeknownst to him, Xu Qi'an had already accumulated such profound prestige.

He remembered that he had once used the Earth Script to send a message, asking her to help him capture Zhou Chixiong, a centurion of the Golden Guard who had fled to Yunzhou. At that time, he was both weak and lacked connections.

More than half a year has passed, and he has caught up with her in both cultivation level and reputation.

This prestige would make even the highest-ranking officials in the imperial court envious. Chu Yuanzhen watched silently. Having traveled the martial world for many years, he had never seen anyone rise to such a rapid level as Xu Qi'an. He was not just a rare breed, but one of a kind.

Yang Cuixue hesitated for a moment, then transmitted her voice. "Moge will not participate in this matter, but the Martial Alliance has many forces and is full of experts. The same goes for the orthodox Daoists of the Earth Sect. Xu Yinluo, remember to act according to your ability and do not be reckless."

"I will come to watch the battle tomorrow, in this critical moment."

He didn't say it explicitly.

"Is the leader of the Ink Pavilion very chivalrous? No wonder Jiang Luzhong and the others often say that the martial world is very interesting, a thousand times more interesting than the officialdom. I'll also travel around the martial world when I have time." Xu Qi'an nodded, not refusing the other party's kindness, and transmitted his voice, "Thank you, Pavilion Master."

Yang Cuixue waved her hand, bowed again, and left with the disciples of the Ink Pavilion.

Liu Hu and the others then left as well.

The disciples of the Heaven and Earth Society breathed a sigh of relief, then beamed with joy.

"Young Master Xu."

A beautiful young woman stepped forward with a sweet, delicate voice, her hands clasped behind her back, and pursed her lips. "Thank you for your help, Young Master Xu."

She had a pair of bright, expressive eyes that seemed to hold unspoken words. She was young, and after losing her baby fat, her newly sharpened chin revealed a delicate fragility that made her seem pitiful to behold.

In another year or two, she'll be able to have her beloved husband pinch her delicate chin and tease her, "My little lady, today you're mine."

"How old are you, girl? Do you have a boyfriend? Can I add you on WeChat? "Xu Qi'an asked himself these three questions, but remained outwardly indifferent, simply nodding.

The girl mustered her courage and said, "Disciple, disciple's name is Qiu Chanyi. Young Master Xu, you are also a holder of the Earth Book fragment, right?"

Upon hearing this, Master Hengyuan, Chu Yuanzhen, and Li Miaozhen instinctively looked over.

"Holy crap, girl, you're too vicious! You want me to be publicly shamed?" Xu Qi'an said with a straight face, "I didn't."

"Ah?"

This answer surprised Qiu Chanyi. She opened her mouth slightly, somewhat disappointed. "Then, so you really came because of the friendship between Senior Sister Miaozhen and Senior Brother Chu?"

The other disciples also looked over.

They hoped that Xu Yinluo was a member of the Heaven and Earth Society, and that he was not helping out of a sense of duty or personal affection.

This is important.

"I'm here to investigate a case," Xu Qi'an said, rolling his eyes.

"Investigating a case?"

Qiu Chanyi tilted her head, looking innocent and naive. "What cases could our Heaven and Earth Society possibly have?"

Why do the mother cats scream incessantly at night? Why does the 60-year-old Daoist priest often lie dead? Why are all the female cats in the mountain villa pregnant? Is this a distortion of human nature or a decline in morality? Do these count as cases?

A smile unconsciously crept onto Xu Qi'an's lips as he said, "I have a very close relationship with Daoist Jinlian. Even if I'm not the holder of the Earth Book fragment, I'm not an outsider."

The White Lotus Daoist nun gave him a strange look, not understanding why Xu Yinluo would deny his identity.

"Huh, where's Senior Yang?" Xu Qi'an turned around and looked around.

"I don't know. He disappeared after those scoundrels appeared," a disciple replied.

Where has Yang Qianhuan gone to show off again? Xu Qi'an analyzed, "The news of my arrival will definitely spread through those people. There's a small town not far from the Yuezhi Manor, right?"

The disciple who had just spoken nodded.

"What is your Daoist name, Junior Brother?" Xu Qi'an asked.

"Xu Yinluo, my name is Ling Yun," the young disciple replied.

Xu Qi'an nodded. "Junior Brother Lingyun, I have a favor to ask of you. Disguise yourself immediately and go to town to gather intelligence and see how the various factions are reacting."

The young Daoist priest Lingyun nodded excitedly, "Don't worry, Young Master Xu, I will definitely complete the mission."

In a secluded corner, Yang Qianhuan squatted on the ground, drawing circles on the surface with his finger, muttering, "I understand, I understand. First, I need to accumulate enough reputation."

A dozen or so miles away from the mountain villa, there was a small town, not very big, which ran a low-class brothel, two inns, and a restaurant.

The restaurant is called Sanxianfang, and its signature dishes are roast chicken, crab roe buns, and plum wine, which are collectively known as the "Three Immortals."

On a hot summer day, a jar of chilled plum wine and a plate of roast goose are one of life's greatest pleasures.

In recent days, countless martial arts practitioners have flocked to the town. Both inns and brothels are full, yet they still cannot accommodate the martial arts travelers who have come upon hearing the news.

So some people stayed overnight in private homes. People in other places would not dare to accept martial arts practitioners, especially those with young wives at home.

However, the people of Jianzhou have a high tolerance for martial arts practitioners.

Because the Jianghu gangs in Jianzhou play a certain role in maintaining public order, when some Jianghu people from other places come here, no matter how powerful or powerful they are, they will restrain their claws and teeth to avoid provoking the behemoth that is the Martial Alliance.

There are also masters who are not afraid of the Martial Arts Alliance, but such masters, regardless of their character, disdain to cause trouble for ordinary people.

Since the heroes who went to test the Yuezhi Manor returned, the whole town has been in an uproar.

Xu Qi'an has arrived.

That's right, it's Great Feng Xu Qi'an, the Xu Qi'an who beheaded the Duke at Caishikou.

This news was explosive. The capital city was two thousand miles away from Chuzhou, and news of the Chuzhou massacre had just reached Jianzhou a few days ago, shocking both the martial arts world and the government.

Just a few days later, Xu Yinluo, who was rumored to be a man of great righteousness, actually appeared in Jianzhou.

"Did you know that Xu Yinluo has come to Yuezhi Manor? He actually knows a traitor from the Earth Sect. Pavilion Master Yang of the Ink Pavilion has announced that he will not get involved in this matter."

"Hey, Pavilion Master Yang is an upright man who prefers to befriend chivalrous people, so naturally he won't fight with Xu Yinluo."

"I'm curious, how many people do you think will leave our Sword State sects? If it's just the Ink Pavilion, hehe, then Pavilion Master Yang will be overjoyed."

"Yes, the Mo Pavilion has taken all the good reputation. I won't get involved anymore. Xu Yinluo is a man of great integrity. How could I possibly take away what he wants to protect?"

"You haven't drunk much, but you're already confused, huh? Someone like you, Xu Yinluo could crush you with a single finger."

Three people happened to be passing by the inn and overheard the entire conversation.

The trio was a strange group. In the middle was a handsome young man in a white robe and jade belt, with a face as fair as jade and an excellent appearance, but there was a deep sense of coldness between his brows.

Behind him stood two nine-foot-tall "giants," wearing straw hats and black robes, flanking the white-clad young man on either side.

"Xu Qi'an has come to Jianzhou too?"

The young man in white robes curled his lips into a sinister smile and said, "I've been searching high and low, but here he is, without any effort at all. I was planning to meet him sometime later, but I didn't expect to run into him today. This trip wasn't in vain."

The giant on the left whispered, "Young Master, our master told you not to provoke him."

The giant on the right remained silent.

The young man in white robes said with a smile, "He's just a nobody who's usurped someone else's place. How long can he be so arrogant? One day, I'll strip him of his life force, skin him alive, and suck his marrow dry."

His words carried an air of confidence, as if it were something that had been destined all along.

The giant on the left said, "Although this young man has not yet achieved great success, his skills are by no means inferior to yours, young master. You must understand the principle that pride comes before a fall, and never let your guard down."

The giant on the right remained silent.

The young man in white robes said impatiently, "I know, I know. I've never underestimated him. You two, one is mute, and the other only knows how to give advice. You're both very boring."

The Left and Right Envoys were his protectors, assigned to him by his father. Though a bit of a hassle, they were exceptionally brave and skilled warriors. The young master in white robes had never seen them lose.

The young man in white robes stroked his jade thumb ring and said leisurely, "I heard that Xu Qi'an's sword was personally forged by the supervisor. Hmm, it wouldn't be unreasonable to take his sword first and settle some score, would it?"

The giant on the left commented, "This blade is incomparably sharp, comparable to 'Moon Shadow.' It's quite good that the young master has taken it."

The giant on the right remained silent.

The young man in white robes laughed loudly, "Let's go! I heard there's a gathering at the Three Immortals Pavilion. Let's go join the fun. The owner of the Myriad Flowers Pavilion is a rare beauty."

PS: Time to write Chapter 3.