Chapter 145: Hidden Murder
"Xiangmei, don't!" Xie Yunfeng was prepared. He moved to the side like lightning, his arm suddenly rising, and his long sword was half-drawn from its sheath. With a crisp clang of metal, he steadily blocked Chunxiang's sword and intercepted the fatal thrust!
Zhu Ziyou was terrified out of his wits. If Xie Yunfeng hadn't intervened, he would have already been a victim of the sword. He quickly retreated to a distance of several feet, pointing at the two men and roaring hoarsely, "What are you doing? This is my Zhu family territory!" Seeing this, his men instantly gathered more than a dozen people, surrounding the two men. The cold blades were all pointed at the center of the arena, and they tightly protected the terrified Zhu Ziyou at the core!
Chunxiang, blocked by Xie Yunfeng, stomped her foot in anger as she watched Zhu Ziyou retreat into the crowd: "Brother Feng! Why did you stop me?! What use is there in keeping such a lecherous, despicable, bullying beast alive if not killed?!"
Xie Yunfeng sighed helplessly, "Xiangmei! Have you forgotten the purpose of our trip? Yi Yunke is dead, and my junior brother and your junior sister are both related to the Yi family. How could Ouyang Longyuan let them go? Our primary task is to find them. If we clash with the Zhu family now, they have the numbers and power. If we get entangled, how will we escape? What if we miss the important task of rescuing people? Wouldn't we regret it then?" His words were all reasonable, highlighting a deeper concern.
Chunxiang knew Xie Yunfeng's concerns were not unfounded, but how could she easily swallow her anger and resentment at being asked to let the villain go? Her chest heaved violently as she brandished her sword again, saying, "So we're just going to let it go like this?! I can't swallow this insult! Killing him is just a matter of a moment!"
Not far away in the woods, Ling Xueyan and Ku Baidiao witnessed the entire scene. Ling Xueyan's venomous gaze was fixed on Chunxiang. She slammed her fist into a tree trunk and gritted her teeth, saying, "You little bitch! I couldn't even kill you last time!"
Ku Baidiao cast a strange glance at him, his hoarse voice filled with inquiry: "Oh? You have a grudge against her?"
Ling Xueyan raised an eyebrow, her tone icy cold: "A blood feud." As soon as she finished speaking, a glint of light flashed in her eyes as she looked at Ku Baidiao and said, "Why don't you help me kill her? Consider it a huge favor I owe you!" Her eyes were bright and deep as she spoke.
Ku Baidiao glanced at her sideways and pondered, "The Brahma Emperor ordered us to take this opportunity to disrupt the Zhu Family Manor; that's the most important thing. Creating unnecessary trouble for a woman... what if..."
"It's alright." Ling Xueyan interrupted sharply, "We've already figured out the Zhu family's porridge distribution points. If you make your move tomorrow, I guarantee Zhu Family Village will be in chaos. But this woman, if I don't get rid of her today, I won't be able to quell my hatred!" After saying that, her eyes almost spit fire, as if she wanted to glare Chunxiang to death!
Ku Bai Diao knew that she would still need Ling Xueyan's support for tomorrow's actions. Her withered lips twitched, and a hoarse echo rolled from her throat: "Fine. How do you want me to help you?"
Ling Xueyan was secretly delighted. She lowered her voice and pointed to the roadside: "See those two horses? They're their mounts. You just need to use the poison on their saddlecloths, and you'll have done a great job! Remember, make sure the poison takes effect after dusk! Wait until it gets dark before you make your move... That Xie Yunfeng is quite skilled in martial arts." She deliberately emphasized Xie Yunfeng's threat.
Ku Baidiao's lips curled into a cold smile, a hint of evil flashing in his eyes: "What's so difficult about this? Watch me!" With that, he leaned on his cane, pretending to be an old woman, and slowly walked towards Chunxiang's horse.
Ling Xueyan clenched her fists, staring at Chunxiang's retreating figure, and cursed viciously, "You little slut, tonight is your death night!"
Just as Chunxiang was about to draw her sword, Zhu Zixing rushed over against the wind and shouted, "You two, stop fighting!" He walked with composure, his magnificent scholar's robe accentuating his handsome figure, and his elegant demeanor was evident in the fluttering of his clothes.
Zhu Zixing stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said in a humble tone, "Please calm down, gentlemen! I am Zhu Zixing, the eighth son of the Zhu family, and I apologize to you both." He then turned his head, his gaze turning cold, and sternly rebuked the crowd beside him, "Get out of here!"
Seeing this, everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon. They all sheathed their swords, bowed, and replied in unison, "Yes!" They then retreated to a distance to await further orders.
Zhu Ziyou, barely suppressing his lingering shock, stepped forward and said in a trembling voice, "Eighth Brother! They're so arrogant on my Zhu family's territory, I..."
"Third Brother!" Zhu Zixing's tone suddenly rose, his eyes devoid of any gentleness. "Father ordered you to distribute porridge to help the people, and here you are, swaggering around! If you ruin Father's important plans, how will you explain yourself to everyone?!"
Zhu Ziyou was speechless for a moment, glared venomously at Chun and Xie, and slumped back into his chair in a huff.
Zhu Zixing immediately put on a big smile and turned to Chunxiang and the other woman, saying, "I am truly sorry! My brother offended you two without reason, please forgive him. If you don't mind, please come to the manor for a short visit, and I will prepare some wine to express my apologies."
Seeing this, Chunxiang barely managed to suppress her anger, sheathed her longsword, and asked in a clear voice, "Young Master Zhu, your family's act of distributing porridge is a good deed, so why did you exclude this old man and child?" As she spoke, her gaze fell on the old man and child who were embracing and sobbing to the side.
“This…” Zhu Zixing then noticed the crying grandfather and grandson beside him. His gaze swept over the spilled porridge and the broken bowl on the ground, and he understood what was going on. He quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said gently, “Grandpa, I’m so sorry to have frightened you.”
Hearing this concerned voice, the old woman's previously dim eyes suddenly lit up, as if she had grasped a lifeline. She looked intently at Zhu Zixing. He quickly walked to the porridge stall, took two earthenware bowls, filled them with hot porridge, and personally brought them over, his tone sincere: "Grandma, little sister, it was my third brother's recklessness that disturbed you both. I apologize on his behalf." After saying this, he handed the porridge to his subordinate beside him, bowed deeply to the old woman, and then bowed to the little girl.
The old woman's eyes reddened with emotion, and she said in a trembling voice, "How can there be such a big difference between people... Young man, you are so kind-hearted, old woman... Thank you so much, young master!" As she spoke, she was about to bow in return.
Zhu Zixing quickly helped her up, saying, "Grandma, you mustn't do that!" He personally handed the bowl of porridge to the grandmother and granddaughter, gently instructing the little girl, "Take your grandma aside quickly, the porridge is still warm. Come early tomorrow, there will be more."
The little girl nodded emphatically with tears in her eyes, bowed deeply to Zhu Zixing, and helped her grandmother carry the porridge away, taking small, hesitant steps.
Seeing this, Chunxiang stepped forward and praised, "Young Master Zhu is so kind; these refugees are truly blessed. Distributing porridge and providing relief in these chaotic times is a truly immeasurable act of merit!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zixing sighed softly: "Baiyun City has suffered from war for a long time, and countless people have been displaced. We have set up more than a dozen soup kitchens in various places, but this is only a small contribution to help them get through this difficult time."
Xie Yunfeng stood with his arms crossed and said, "Young Master Zhu, Baiyun City is now under the control of the Zhu family. As the saying goes, 'When the people are prosperous, the city is rich.' The people are the foundation of the country. If the people all leave their homes, the position of city lord will be meaningless. In chaotic times, the hearts of the people are precious. I hope you will cherish them."
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