Martial Arts Crossover: Something's Wrong with This Evil Sect

Chapter 224 Back, everyone is back

If we were to rank the richest person in the Ming Dynasty, there would be many hidden millionaires.

But ultimately, everyone will only have two choices in their hearts.

One is Wan Sanqian, a mysterious figure who appears and disappears only occasionally. His business spans all walks of life and extends across the country.

No one knows exactly how much money Wan Thirteen Thousand was, but it was said to be several times more than the national treasury of the Ming Dynasty.

Furthermore, he was a kind and generous man, and countless people throughout the world had benefited from his kindness.

Therefore, if he encounters any trouble, there are few people in the world he cannot persuade to help.

The other one is the Hua family in Jiangnan, which is the home of Hua Manlou.

It is said that half of the land in Jiangnan belongs to the Hua family, who are equally wealthy!

There was once an extremely exaggerated saying that in Jiangnan, a fine horse could run from sunrise to sunset.

I'm afraid they haven't even left the Hua family's business territory yet!

Meanwhile, Shan Tianxie sat upright inside the carriage, having spent several days traveling.

He kept stroking the jade pendant given to him by Sai Diaochan in his hands, his expression complex and unreadable.

He truly hadn't expected Sai Diaochan to be able to go to such lengths.

This Diao Chan's bold and passionate personality is quite to his liking.

The patriarch once said, "If you have no woman in your heart, you will naturally be a god when you draw your sword."

But what does it have to do with my sword practice?

Just as Shan Tianxie was thinking about this,

Xia Xueyi's voice suddenly came from outside the carriage.

"Young Master, the Hua family is just ahead..."

"Hmm. Pretty fast."

Dan Tianxie responded. The location of the Hua family was not hard to find. In Jiangnan, even a three-year-old child would know where the Hua family was.

Moreover, with Mei Niansheng, a famous swordsman from Jiangnan, accompanying them, the group didn't take any unnecessary detours this time.

A short while later, with a whoosh, the carriage came to a steady stop.

Then, Shan Tianxie slowly stepped down from the carriage. The moment he stepped down, he was slightly shocked by the sight of the Hua Mansion before him.

The size of the Hua Mansion was beyond imagination.

Even though Shan Tianxie prided himself on being a worldly man,

Seeing this scene, I couldn't help but think to myself, "The Hua family is really rich! It's so good to be rich!"

If he could be as rich as the Hua family, he would be willing to eat, drink, and have fun every day!

Just then, the vermilion gates of the Hua residence slowly opened.

A gentle and refined young man emerged from within, dressed in pristine white robes and holding a folding fan.

He walked gracefully to the group, then turned to Shan Tian with a wicked smile.

"Young Master Shan, I heard about your upcoming arrival a couple of days ago, and I've been waiting for you for quite some time."

The young master exuded a gentlemanly and refined air, and was none other than Hua Manlou, the seventh child of the Hua family.

"You, Hua Manlou! You personally greet Brother Shan when he arrives, but what about me, Lu Xiaofeng?"

Suddenly, Lu Xiaofeng appeared out of nowhere, put his arm around Hua Manlou's shoulder, and asked in a feignedly fierce tone.

"I suppose..."

What are you thinking about?

Lu Xiaofeng, his appetite piqued, couldn't help but ask curiously.

Hua Manlou smiled slightly and stopped joking with Lu Xiaofeng, "I suppose I will have to receive you personally."

Lu Xiaofeng nodded when he heard the answer that satisfied him, and then looked at Shan Tianxie and the others beside him.

"Young Master Shan, it's been a long time..."

"Yes."

Dan Tianxie smiled and then continued, "It's nice to see you again."

Who can understand how much of an impact the scene of the two talking to each other had on someone like me who's a fan of the pairing!

No wonder people say that Lu Xiaofeng's favorite person is not Xue Bing, but Hua Manlou, who is Lu Xiaofeng's true official partner!

Looking at Mei Niansheng and Gu Santong, two unfamiliar faces, Lu Xiaofeng couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Young Master Shan, you haven't introduced us yet. May I ask who these two seniors are?"

Lu Xiaofeng's ability to make friends all over the world is not without reason; his sensitivity to masters far surpasses that of ordinary people.

Just by looking at Mei Niansheng's white hair and beard, one could tell he was a master.

The other Gu Santong looked ordinary, but when Lu Xiaofeng saw it, he got goosebumps all over.

My sixth sense is screaming, "Danger! Danger! Danger!"

"Look, I almost forgot."

Dan Tianxie looked as if he had just realized something, and then introduced them one by one, "This is Master Mei. I'm sure you two have heard of his name. He is quite famous in Jiangnan."

"hehe....."

Upon hearing this, Mei Niansheng smiled modestly and waved his hand. "It's nothing but empty fame!"

"Master Mei? Jiangnan?"

Hua Manlou muttered a few words, and after thinking for a moment, he seemed to finally understand the situation when he considered Mei Niansheng's age.

"Iron-Boned Ink Calyx! Could the senior be none other than Mei Niansheng, the great hero known as Iron-Boned Ink Calyx?"

"If there isn't a second Iron-Boned Ink Bud, then it's this old man."

Mei Niansheng nodded happily, especially when she saw the look of surprise on Hua Manlou's face.

Right now, he's feeling just one word: awesome!!! So awesome!!!

After enduring so much frustration following the injury, things are finally back on track.

This is the kind of treatment a grandmaster should enjoy! I must have been in the wrong circles the other day!

And before, when others called me by the nickname "Iron Bone Ink Calyx", I never felt this good!

Was I really pretending like this before?

But not anymore, things are back, everything is back!

"Greetings from Hua Manlou."

"Lu Xiaofeng greets Senior Mei."

Hua Manlou and Lu Xiaofeng clasped their hands in greeting at the same time, and then said in unison.

After all, Mei Niansheng had a great reputation in Jiangnan, and a very good one at that. He had protected countless ordinary people in Jiangnan.

Both of them were chivalrous people, and therefore greatly admired Mei Niansheng.

"This senior gentleman..."

Dan Tianxie paused for a moment before continuing to introduce the two men: "Brother Hua and Brother Lu, you can just call him Senior Gu."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaofeng, who already felt something was amiss, had a sudden realization.

A master surnamed Gu—is it Gu Santong? Gu Jianhun? Or Gu Mutian?

Judging by his age, could he be Gu Santong? But shouldn't Gu Santong be on the ninth level of the Heavenly Prison?

Even if Young Master Dan and the Bliss Valley are incredibly bold, they wouldn't openly oppose the imperial court, would they?

I'm probably overthinking it. I should observe for a while longer and see.

As Lu Xiaofeng's thoughts raced, his gaze inevitably drifted to Gu Santong, who was no ordinary person.

After healing his grief and returning to his peak, he was only half a step away from becoming a celestial being!

He even possessed the ability to sense the autumn wind before it blows, so Lu Xiaofeng's gaze naturally couldn't escape his eyes.

Gu Santong couldn't help but grin; the martial arts world truly is teeming with talent.

Logically speaking, a grandmaster shouldn't be able to tell when someone has condensed their true energy.

With this in mind, Gu Santong then concealed his true energy even deeper, making his appearance even more ordinary.

However, this only made Lu Xiaofeng more suspicious. Sometimes, compared to his eyes,

He trusted his intuition more. Because of it, he had saved himself from countless deadly dangers!

"Senior Gu, Hua Manlou greets you."

Hua Manlou was the first to cup his hands in a fist salute and say...

Hua Manlou applied the same standards to everyone, treating everyone equally.

I would never think more highly of someone just because they are skilled in martial arts, nor would I look down on someone just because they are not skilled in martial arts.

This is Hua Manlou's principle of doing things. Although it seems silly.

But that's who he is. No one else in the entire martial arts world can find another Hua Manlou like him!

Lu Xiaofeng, due to his sixth sense, restrained his usual carefree attitude.

He bowed respectfully to Gu Santong, afraid of offending this unremarkable senior.

Seeing that he had gotten to know most of the people, Hua Manlou turned to thank Shan Tianxie.

"Young Master Shan, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to come and celebrate my father's birthday. I will remember this kindness!"

"Brother Hua, you're too kind. What are you saying?"

Upon hearing this, Shan Tianxie waved his hand before continuing, "Isn't this what friends should do? I just wonder what Grandpa Hua is busy with these days?"

"My father is currently entertaining other guests in the living room."

At this point, Hua Manlou looked at the crowd in front of him, as if he had remembered something, and continued.

"Why don't you all come with me? We can have some tea and rest. There aren't many guests this time; they are mostly my father's friends."

"Okay!"

Lu Xiaofeng was the first to agree, "Let's go!"

Then, led by Hua Manlou, the group headed in a grand procession toward the Hua family hall.

After all, the Hua residence is so large that if everyone were to search for it, it would probably take most of the day.

"Hey... Brother Hua, you've kept this birthday banquet very low-key. Why are you being so frugal this time?"

Lu Xiaofeng frowned as he looked at the scene before him.

After all, this wasn't his first time attending Old Master Hua's birthday banquet.

At this time of day, it's usually a scene of deafening drums and gongs, crackling firecrackers, waving red flags, and massive crowds.

Even the servants at the Hua residence were so busy they barely had time to breathe.

This time, the scale is considerably smaller compared to previous years.

There were no special decorations anywhere, so it didn't give people the feeling of a joyous birthday banquet.

The Hua family had seven sons in total. Hua Manlou was the seventh, so he was also known as Qi Tong (Seventh Child).

Each year, Hua Ruling's birthday banquet was handled by her seven sons in turn.

The other six sons, who are not in charge, don't need to appear; they can just do their own thing.

This year it was his friend Hua Manlou's turn to host the event, but now it's in this state, which makes Lu Xiaofeng a little worried.

The struggle for the crown prince is as it seems, cruel and simple. Although the Hua family is not royalty, such a large fortune is almost equivalent to the throne.

"These are all my father's wishes."

Hua Manlou said with a hint of helplessness upon hearing this.

As a son, he naturally wanted to hold a grand celebration and make his father's birthday banquet a lively and joyous occasion.

However, my father had made it clear beforehand that this birthday banquet should be low-key.

Even the list of invited guests was drawn up by his own father, so he didn't have any good ideas.

After all, he's not the kind of person who would force others.

"Oh......"

Lu Xiaofeng gave an intrigued "oh," feeling that Old Master Hua must have a deeper meaning behind his actions.

Could they be planning to cause trouble during this opportunity? It seems my plan to eat in peace is ruined again.

Meanwhile, Shan Tianxie listened to their conversation from the side, his face expressionless.

However, he knew the ins and outs of the incident all too well.

Hua Ruling's offer to volunteer was simply an excuse to put on a good show.

This allows Hua Manlou to personally overcome the inner demons he experienced in his childhood.

That's the guy who blinded Hua Manlou—the Iron-Shoe Thief!

Hua Ruling, as a father, did nothing wrong in putting on an act for his child, it's just a pity...

Just as Shan Tianxie was thinking about this, everyone had already followed Hua Manlou into the hall.

The guests invited by Master Hua were already seated, and each of them, judging from their attire, was no ordinary person.

"Father, Lu Xiaofeng and Young Master Shan and the others have arrived. The great hero Iron Bone Ink Plum has also come specially to wish you a happy birthday."

"What? The Iron-Boned Ink Plum Blossom Hero is here too?"

Hua Ruling was slightly taken aback, then a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

He had naturally heard of Mei Niansheng's reputation, and now this charade was becoming increasingly sophisticated...

"You're too kind. I apologize for my unauthorized visit today and hope I haven't disturbed you, Master Hua."

Mei Niansheng stepped out from the crowd, cupped his hands in greeting to Hua Ruling, and smiled.

"What are you saying, Master Mei?"

Hua Ruling laughed heartily, "It is an honor for Master Mei to grace me, Hua Ruling, with his presence."

He then turned to the side and asked, "Young Master Shan and Hero Lu have arrived too? You must have had a long journey."

"How could Lu Xiaofeng dare to neglect your birthday banquet, sir?"

Lu Xiaofeng stroked his beard as he spoke, before continuing.

"However, despite rushing, I still fell behind others."

"Captain Jin and Zen Master Kuzhi have arrived very early."

"Lu Xiaofeng, Lu Xiaofeng, it's been a long time. Why are you still the same as before, mocking this old monk?"

Master Kuzhi laughed and scolded, then looked at Shan Tianxie beside him.

"May I ask who this benefactor is?"

After all, those who can come here are basically prominent figures in the martial arts world, not to mention myself and Jin Jiuling.

One was from the Southern Shaolin Temple, and the other was a powerful figure from the Six Doors, one of the imperial court's violent agencies.

Although he had never met Mei Niansheng before, he had heard of her name.

Dan Tianxie has yet to introduce himself, and he doesn't look very old. Could he be a disciple of some major sect?

Wudang? Doesn't look like it.

"Shan Tianxie of Bliss Valley greets you both."

A smile played on Shan Tianxie's lips; he made no attempt to conceal his identity.

Firstly, Hua Ruling and others all knew his identity as a member of the Blissful Valley.

Secondly, with Gu Santong by my side now, is there any need to hide my identity?

Playing dumb to fool others? There's no need for that. If you play dumb for too long, sometimes you'll actually be the one being treated like a fool by others.

He couldn't quite understand why someone with such an impressive background would hide it.

Although it feels really good when your identity is revealed.

However, it also brings a lot of side effects. It dares to bare its teeth at any Tom, Dick, or Harry, and coincidentally, he is a person who hates trouble.