Chapter 90, Chapter 90: We can't go...
Chapter Ninety: We can't go
"A challenge?" Wenrou saw the words on the challenge. "Who sent it? When and where will the match be held?" She didn't ask him if he wanted to fight.
As a member of the martial arts world, having accepted the challenge, one must naturally go to battle. To not go would be tantamount to surrendering without a fight, a grave disgrace for any martial artist, especially since Bai Choufei is currently the deputy head of the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion. If he doesn't go, he'll not only lose face himself, but the entire Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion.
"The challenge will be delivered in half an incense stick's time, right at the entrance of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion." Bai Choufei's face still wore a gentle smile, looking no different from his usual self. But only he knew that his heart was filled with rage.
There are rules for sending challenge letters in the martial arts world. It's unheard of to send one now and have the duel start half an incense stick later, let alone have a duel at someone else's doorstep. If that happens, it's considered provocation, a challenge to another's establishment. In Bai Choufei's view, this is utter disrespect.
If you respected him, you wouldn't issue a challenge like this.
"What? Ling Hao? You mean the Shadowless Sword Ling Hao?" Wenrou asked repeatedly. "That can't be, right? She's not that kind of person, is she?" She leaned closer, wanting to see the challenge letter in Bai Choufei's hand. "Isn't this just a challenge?"
She had naturally heard of Ling Hao's name; from the Fuwei Escort Agency to the Shen Family Manor, Ling Hao's reputation had spread throughout the martial arts world. In Wenrou's view, Ling Hao must be a chivalrous and public-spirited person; after all, not everyone has the courage and ability to save the Fuwei Escort Agency. How could someone like her possibly do something like deliberately causing trouble at their doorstep?
“It’s hers.” Bai Choufei handed the challenge to Wenrou. “Unless someone is impersonating her. But I’ve seen her sword before, so I won’t mistake her for someone else.” In the martial arts world, a person’s face can be impersonated, after all, there are quite a few people who know how to disguise themselves.
But martial arts and weapons are different; at least they're less likely to be impersonated. In recent days, Bai Choufei has confirmed that the person who rescued people during the chaotic battle between the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion and the Six and a Half Hall outside the capital was indeed Ling Hao. He'd seen her sword before; he wouldn't mistake her.
"We'll soon find out if it's an impersonation, cough cough cough." Su Mengzhen came out of the house. "It'll be here in half an incense stick's time."
“That’s right.” Wang Xiaoshi followed Su Mengzhen out. “Let’s go take a look together.”
"I want to go too!" Wenrou glanced at Su Mengzhen subconsciously, and seeing that he didn't object, she smiled at Bai Choufei, "Big Cabbage, I'm definitely on your side, you can win." Although she had a good impression of Linghao, she was here to challenge the champion, so she definitely had to stand on her own side.
Bai Choufei laughed, "Okay, I'll be waiting."
Half an incense stick's time passed quickly. Bai Choufei was already waiting in the open space in front of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion, while Su Mengzhen and the others stood in front of the gate. In fact, not only Su Mengzhen and Wenrou, but also some of the brothers from the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion who had not left also came out.
They definitely support their deputy leader; they're standing here to see how their deputy leader defeats the provocateur.
"It's been half an incense stick's time, why hasn't anyone arrived yet?" Wenrou stood on tiptoe and looked around. "Could it be that they're scared and don't dare to come?"
"Bai Choufei." A figure descended from the distance, graceful and light, landing in front of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion. "I've arrived."
Bai Choufei asked, "How is the order?"
“It’s me,” Ling Hao nodded.
Bai Choufei hadn't seen Ling Hao's face clearly that day; he had only guessed her identity based on her sword and swordplay. Only today did he see her face clearly. She wore a dark green dress, her hair was tied up with a fine white jade hairpin, and she wore a jade-green round pendant. She had a face as beautiful as the moon in the sky, yet her brows and eyes held an inherent resilience.
Such a woman should have been aloof and reserved, someone to be cherished and protected. However, she appears resolute and opinionated. It would be interesting to see such a strong-willed woman lose all her resolve and become utterly submissive.
Bai Choufei thought this, but his face did not reveal any of his thoughts. Instead, he smiled and clasped his hands in greeting, "I am Bai Choufei. I am honored to learn from your skill, Lady Ling." He was dressed in white robes and looked clean and refined, untouched by the world.
But Ling Kan felt disgusted. She couldn't see through his disguise, but she knew he wasn't a good person. Not because she already knew what he had done, but because her intuition told her.
Standing opposite Bai Choufei, Ling Hao felt as if he were being stared at by something disgusting and sticky.
Gongzi Yu, who was walking slowly, glanced at Bai Choufei, then looked at Ling Hao. "Ah Hao, finish up as soon as possible so we can go back for dinner." Once Ah Hao had subdued Bai Choufei, he would have someone take him away and then gouge out his damned eyes.
No one could look at Ah Hao with such disgusting eyes. Gongzi Yu was most adept at seeing through people's hearts, so he naturally saw the coldness in Bai Choufei's eyes. He was only suppressing his evil thoughts because Ling Hao was there.
"Alright." Ling Hao flicked his wrist, and the scabbard of the shattered snow flew toward Gongzi Yu. "Ayu, you hold the scabbard for me. I'll finish this quickly."
Gongzi Yu caught Sui Xue's sword sheath and said with a smile, "Alright."
The two of them acted as if no one else was around, completely disregarding Bai Choufei.
"Are you looking down on me?" Wenrou was furious. "What do you mean by 'quick victory'? What do you mean by 'go back for dinner'? You're insulting me!" The sky was already showing the colors of sunset; it was dinnertime. If they wanted to rush back for dinner, wouldn't that imply that Bai Choufei was someone who could be defeated very quickly?
How outrageous! That's incredibly disrespectful!
"So what if it is?" Ling Hao raised the broken snow, her gaze as cold as ice. "I just look down on people." As soon as she finished speaking, her sword flew towards Bai Chou.
The sunset was as brilliant as fire, yet it seemed to carry a chill due to the approaching night. The glow fell upon the two of them, blurring their silhouettes.
The figures of the two people were reflected in Wenrou's wide eyes. Everything seemed to slow down, yet everything also seemed to move very fast. All she knew was that she clearly saw the blood splattering from Bai Choufei's wrists. So much blood; his tendons had probably been severed.
"Cabbage!" Wenrou wanted to rush forward to rescue Bai Choufei.
"Wenrou," Su Mengzhen grabbed Wenrou's arm, "You can't."
"Senior brother, Da Baicai's tendons have been severed! Both of his tendons have been severed!" Wenrou struggled to break free from Su Mengzhen's grasp. "If we don't treat him soon, his martial arts will be crippled!"
“I’ll go.” Su Mengzhen stepped forward. “Miss Ling, you’ve won.”
Ling Hao flipped and leaped, kicking Bai Choufei in the chest. Then, with another flip, she shattered his Qi Sea with her left hand. With another flip, she trampled Bai Choufei under her feet. She looked up at Su Mengzhen, "Yes, I won, so he is my trophy."
“I’m afraid that won’t work.” Su Mengzhen coughed twice more. “You have to return my brother to me.” With that, he leaped forward.
However, before he could reach Ling Hao, someone suddenly appeared and struck him with a palm strike, knocking him back several steps. "Cough cough cough..." Su Mengzhen had been feeling unwell lately, and now he coughed several times in a row.
"Big brother."
"Senior brother."
Wang Xiaoshi and Wenrou helped Su Mengzhen up, their eyes filled with disbelief as they looked at the person. "Who are you?"
All the onlookers from the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion were ready to make their move. In their eyes, Ling Hao had come to challenge them, crippled Bai Choufei's hand, and now her accomplices had even injured the Pavilion Master. If they didn't capture them, they would be ridiculed by the entire martial arts world.
Bai Choufei was their brother and their deputy leader. If even he couldn't protect him, they would be ridiculed by the martial arts world for decades.
Gongzi Yu raised his right hand. "If any of you from the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion make any unusual moves, you will be charged with treason. If you are not afraid of death, then are your entire families equally resolute?"
"Cough cough cough..." Su Mengzhen's face was very pale, it was hard to tell whether it was because of his own health or because of Gongzi Yu, "A member of the royal family?"
Gongzi Yu did not answer, but simply smiled and said, "So, is Pavilion Master Su going to sacrifice the entire Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion?"
"Of course not." Su Mengzhen still looked pale and weak, but he had a fierce and courageous air about him. "Su Mengzhen may not be the master of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion, but he will not abandon his brothers."
"You treat him like a brother, but he uses you as a stepping stone." Ling Hao stomped hard on Bai Choufei's foot, ignoring the blood he spat out. Since it's already dirty, a little more dirt won't matter; he can just wash it off when he gets back. "Master Su, do you know he's cooperating with the Six and a Half Hall? Guess why he's cooperating with them?"
Su Mengzhen said, "I will not doubt my brother based on a few words from others."
Ling Hao said, "Then you just wait for the evidence. I won't kill Bai Choufei; he'll be sent to the Divine Marquis's Mansion. I suppose you trust the Divine Marquis's Mansion?"
Su Mengzhen's eyes flickered slightly. The fact that she dared to hand the man over to the Divine Marquis's Mansion meant she was certain Bai Choufei had done something. Betraying the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion wasn't enough to warrant the Divine Marquis's Mansion imprisoning Bai Choufei. Or perhaps, Bai Choufei had not only betrayed him but had done something else entirely.
Thinking of this, Su Mengzhen felt a tightness in her chest and coughed several times.
"Please rest well, Master Su." Ling Kan looked at Gongzi Yu. "Ayu, let's go."
“Alright.” Gongzi Yu stepped forward, grabbed Bai Choufei from the ground, and flew away with him.
It was good for him to go with him.
Watching them walk away, Wenrou rushed forward, shouting, "Give the cabbage back!"
Wang Xiaoshi also wanted to catch up.
"Manager Yang."
Upon hearing Su Mengzhen's words, Yang Wuxie stepped forward and blocked Wenrou and Wang Xiaoshi's path.
Wenrou was very anxious, "Senior brother, they..."
Su Mengzhen said, "My order is that no one in the Golden Wind and Fine Rain Pavilion is allowed to go to them."
Wenrou and Wang Xiaoshi looked grim, but had no choice but to stop their pursuit.
Su Mengzhen said, "I'll go myself." He looked towards the horizon, where the last rays of sunset were disappearing into the sky.
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Author's Note: Ah Hao: I have to make a grand entrance (hands on hips)
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