Chapter 65: A message in danger, a desperate attempt
Li Lianhua is trapped in the Lotus Tower, burdened by Di Feisheng's paranoia and Jiao Liqiao's marriage announcement. He knows Di Feisheng has fallen into madness, and Jiao Liqiao is a man of few words. To stop the deal and uncover the truth behind Chen Gudao's death, he must contact Fang Duobing.
Li Lianhua knew Di Feisheng's strict security meant ordinary means of delivering the message were impossible. He recalled Fang Duobing's mention of a trustworthy "hidden agent" (a covert intelligence agent deployed by Tianji Villa within the Jianghu) near Tianji Villa. Taking advantage of the occasional opportunities Di Feisheng allowed him to write and meditate, he concealed a request for help within a list of tranquilizer ingredients, using a prescription as cover. He then sent it through a bribed, reluctant disciple on guard duty. The dosage and order of the ingredients held a hidden clue, pointing to the emergency contact information and approximate location agreed upon with Fang Duobing.
On the eve of his wedding, Di Feisheng, as usual, personally watched Li Lianhua take the tranquilizing decoction. Li Lianhua had already secretly replaced some of the ingredients in the "Ningxiang Pills" Di Feisheng used to calm his mind with the more potent, drowsy "Night Breath Grass" powder, and had taken the antidote beforehand. He feigned obedience as he drank the decoction Di Feisheng offered him, but in reality, he didn't swallow much. When Di Feisheng, exhausted from days of anxiety and the effects of the "Night Breath Grass," finally fell asleep beside him, Li Lianhua quickly stood up and, with a gentle movement, removed the Black Iron Leader's Token, a symbol of the Golden Mandarin Duck Alliance's supreme authority, from Di Feisheng's waist.
Holding the leader's order, the guards outside the building were surprised, but no one dared to stop the "building owner". Li Lianhua was able to leave the Lotus Building smoothly and walked quickly towards the deep woods where he and Fang Duobing had agreed to meet.
Fang Duobing had been waiting anxiously there for a long time. When he saw Li Lianhua's frail figure appear in the moonlight, he immediately rushed forward: "Li Lianhua! How are you? Is what's in the letter true? Di Feisheng..."
Li Lianhua, looking pale and breathing lightly, interrupted him, "Time is of the essence, so let's cut to the chase." His gaze was calm yet solemn. "Di Feisheng, to save me, believed Jiao Liqiao's lies and offered a marriage contract in exchange for the Rama Cauldron."
"Rama Cauldron? The legendary Nan Yin Evil Cauldron that can revive the dead and reconnect bones and tendons? The one that brings dead trees back to life?" Fang Duobing was shocked. "But how can I believe the words of a madman like Jiao Liqiao?!"
"That's right." Li Lianhua's eyes sharpened. "I suspect this has been a setup from the beginning. Jiao Liqiao is obsessed with Di Feisheng. There's no way she'd truly help him, let alone hand over the Rama Cauldron easily. What she wants is probably complete control of Di Feisheng, or... to use this opportunity to eliminate all those who stand in her way."
He paused, his voice lowered, and voiced his greatest concern. "Furthermore, Jiao Liqiao delivered Shan Gudao's head far too easily... My senior brother is cunning and suspicious, adept at escaping... I suspect he's not dead yet. Jiao Liqiao is either colluding with him to gain Di Feisheng's trust and lower his guard, or... she's plotting against Shan Gudao as well, using his head as a stepping stone for her own ambitions."
Fang Duobing felt a chill run down his spine. "If Shan Gudao is truly not dead, then he's colluding with Jiao Liqiao, and his plans must be extremely ambitious! Isn't Di Feisheng's move simply inviting a wolf into the house?"
"I must stop him." Li Lianhua's tone was firm, with a hint of pain. "I can't stand by and watch Di Feisheng compromise with Jiao Liqiao for me and fall into an irretrievable situation. I can't let this cause another catastrophe in the martial arts world."
The two of them quickly discussed under the moonlight:
Fang Duobing immediately mobilized all resources at Tianji Villa to secretly verify the authenticity of Shan Gudao's "head" and track down any possible clues to his survival. He also assigned personnel to closely monitor the movements of Jiao Liqiao and his Wanshengdao subordinates, particularly the arrangements for the wedding day, in an attempt to uncover the true whereabouts of the Rama Cauldron and any potential traps.
Li Lianhua must return to the Lotus Tower as soon as possible to avoid raising Di Feisheng's suspicions. He must feign obedience, secretly observing Di Feisheng's condition and attempting to gather more information about Jiao Liqiao's plans.
The two agreed on an emergency contact method, and if either party detected any abnormality, they would take immediate action. Fang Duobing needed to mobilize reliable personnel to seize the opportunity on the wedding day and, if necessary, forcibly stop the transaction and expose Jiao Liqiao's conspiracy.
Time was running out, and Li Lianhua had to return before dawn. He returned the Alliance Leader's Order to Fang Duobing, asking him to keep it safe and perhaps forge a replica to confuse the enemy.
Before leaving, Fang Duobing tightly grasped Li Lianhua's arm, his eyes full of worry: "Li Lianhua, you must be careful! Di Feisheng...if he knew you..."
Li Lianhua gave him a soothing, yet slightly bitter smile. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Right now... stabilizing the situation and finding out the truth are the most important things." He paused, then said softly, "Xiaobao, everything... please."
Under the moonlight, the two figures separated, one quietly returned to the exquisite cage, and the other quickly disappeared into the darkness, running to stop a storm.
Li Lianhua felt heavy in his heart. He knew that the game with Jiao Liqiao had just begun, and Di Feisheng's paranoia was still the biggest variable.
The moment Li Lianhua pushed the door open and entered, she was met with Di Feisheng's eyes, as deep as a cold pond. The flickering candlelight in the room only served to highlight the lingering chill and hostility surrounding Di Feisheng. He sat upright beside the couch, like a cold jade statue suppressing a storm.
Li Lianhua's heart suddenly sank, and his fingertips subconsciously curled up. He knew exactly why Di Feisheng was so angry. Although his private meeting with Fang Duobing was to find out the truth and prevent the disaster, it was tantamount to betrayal and risk for Di Feisheng.
The air was so stagnant that it was suffocating.
Li Lianhua lowered his eyes, avoiding the sharp gaze, and slowly approached. He offered no explanation or comfort, but instead did something unexpected—he leaned forward, extended his cool fingers, and gently stroked Di Feisheng's tense jaw, where fresh stubble lay, giving it a rough touch.
Di Feisheng's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, a hint of coldness lingered in his eyes, and a trace of surprise flashed across his eyes.
Li Lianhua didn't stop. He raised his eyes, their shimmering light, and with a tenderness and allure that bordered on a desperate gamble, he slowly moved closer and pressed his trembling, medicinal-scented lips against Di Feisheng's tightly pursed, thin lips, which still smelt of blood.
It was an awkward but extremely proactive kiss, with obvious flattery and comfort, but also mixed with indescribable guilt and determination.
Di Feisheng's breath suddenly stopped, and all the anger and questions swirling in his mind were shattered by this sudden intimacy. He had never seen Li Lianhua so proactive, so... close to him in a sacrificial manner.
His mind was still struggling, but his body had already reacted. Almost instinctively, he suddenly reached out and grabbed the back of Li Lianhua's neck, taking control and deepening the kiss. His force was filled with uncontrolled ferocity, as if he wanted to devour the person before him, merging them into his bones and blood, leaving him no chance of escape.
"Hmm..." Li Lianhua let out a slight whimper, but did not struggle. Instead, he opened his lips gently to respond, even tentatively sticking out his tongue, awkwardly responding to the heat that almost burned him.
This obedience and initiative completely shattered Di Feisheng's last remaining self-control. He growled and fiercely pulled the man into his arms, his arms tightening around his slender waist like iron clamps. He spun around holding him and fell onto the bed.
Clothes were ruffled between rapid breathing and entanglement. The cool air touched the skin, stirring a small shudder, which was then covered by the even hotter body temperature. The candlelight crackled softly, casting the tightly entwined figures in the tent on the wall, swaying and swaying, ambiguous and unsettling.
Di Feisheng's kiss was like a torrential rain, falling on Li Lianhua's eyebrows, eyelids, and nose tip, and finally grabbing her slightly swollen lips again, biting and sucking them with a sense of punishment, but when he touched the other's slight trembling, it involuntarily turned into extreme tenderness and pity.
Li Lianhua took it all in, his eyes hazy and misty. He took the initiative to put his arms around Di Feisheng's neck, his fingertips unconsciously digging into her dark hair, enduring and responding to the intense emotion that threatened to drown him. Every touch, every caress, seemed to carry the weight of a desperate gamble.
As the night deepened, the sounds of panting, sobbing, and the subtle patter of skin against skin intertwined into a melody. As Li Lianhua's emotions surged and his consciousness faded, he seemed to hear a flute calling out "Lianhua" in a low, hoarse voice beside his ear. The chill in that voice faded, leaving only a bottomless desire and fear that nearly swallowed him.
He closed his eyes and buried his face deeper into the other's sweaty neck, responding with a tighter hug.
Outside the window, the moonlight is as cool as water, while inside, spring is in full swing. All suspicion, anxiety, and the impending storm seem to be temporarily isolated. Only each other's breath, body temperature, and heartbeat truly intertwine and entwine, building a turbulent yet fiery world.
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