Chapter 1023: Chapter 1009: Bamboo Manor Chapter 1023: Chapter 1009: Bamboo Manor Shi Xueqin looked at Ling Li, as if she had aged ten years in an instant, and said, “Can Su Zhanze be trusted?”
“He’s soone we saved. He’s trustworthy, and what’s important is that he also needs help because he needs to return to Immortal City. And we need them too. If he can return to Immortal City and beco Sect Leader again, if we can have his support in the future, reviving Dragon Slayer Island won’t be so difficult.” Ling Li knew his own capabilities were limited. He must find allies. By himself, he couldn’t make much of an impact, which was why he cooperated with Su Zhanze.
“Is the Dragon Slayer Sword in your hands?”
Hearing this, Ling Li felt shocked and asked, “How did you know?”
“I heard it was a group of people skilled in the martial arts of Dragon Slayer Island who stole the Dragon Slayer Sword, and there was also one person who knew the Dragon Slaying Secret Manual. I guess that person is Su Zhanze,” Shi Xueqin said softly.
“Yes, the Dragon Slayer Sword is in our hands. Just wait. As long as we have the Dragon Slayer Sword, we can help Su Zhanze secure the position of Sect Leader of Immortal City. By then, he will assist us to rebuild Dragon Slayer Island.”
“Isn’t Ren Xiongbei the Sect Leader of Immortal City?” Shi Xueqin asked.
“Not for much longer.”
“What do you an?”
“Now everyone believes that Ren Xiongbei killed Liu Yunzhi, drove Fang Ziren mad, and stole the Dragon Slaying Secret Manual.”
During this period, Shi Xueqin had heard a lot about the Dragon Slaying Secret Manual while on the road. Worried about these two words, Shi Xueqin asked, “Are you saying it wasn’t Ren Xiongbei who killed Liu Yunzhi and drove Fang Ziren mad?”
“That fool, how could he have the ability to do that? It was all our doing.”
“What?”
“We had no choice. Su Zhanze needed to take revenge. Ren Xiongbei had to be implicated beyond redemption in the Yellow River for Su Zhanze to have a chance to beco the Sect Leader of Immortal City. This step was crucial for us.”
Shi Xueqin had not expected Su Zhanze to be so ruthless; she was genuinely surprised. Back on Dragonfly Mountain, they had praised Su Zhanze for his many good deeds to save the realm of immortals and demons. It seed Su Zhanze was not a good person after all.
“Revenge, what do you an?”
Ling Li then explained, starting with Ren Xiongbei, all the way to Fang Ziren pushing Su Zhanze off the cliff, as well as the latter’s experiences of turning to evil, facial disfigurent, and nearly dying.
Shi Xueqin listened and slowly nodded, gradually recovering from her earlier distress.
Ling Li said, “We had no choice but to cooperate with Su Zhanze. He is, after all, the Sect Leader of the Immortal City Sect. If we want to smoothly make our way in the Central Plains, it’s best to work with the Immortal City Sect. This alliance is very beneficial for us. Even if they don’t help us in the future, once we grow stronger, we’ll have a chance to return to Dragon Slayer Island.”
Shi Xueqin was now certain that Su Zhanze wouldn’t be returning soon, but she was still a bit worried. She had understood that Su Zhanze had indeed gone so far as to drive Fang Ziren mad and implicated Ren Xiongbei beyond redemption. He certainly wouldn’t spare Longhun. As long as Longhun wasn’t rescued, there would always be danger.
She took a deep breath and said, “You should stay by our side. Even though Dragon Slayer Island has fallen, I’m still your senior brother, and I am your family.” Of course, he hoped Shi Xueqin would stay by his side, but given her current sadness and the fact that killing Longhun would let the past be bygones, the junior sister would eventually forget about Longhun, so there was no need for him to be so anxious.
But he didn’t know what Shi Xueqin was thinking.
It had beco dark, and Shi Xueqin, finally managing to elude Ling Li, ca out of Bamboo Manor.
Bamboo Manor wasn’t out of the way; nearby, there was a small town. Though not very large, it was bustling with activity, even at this ti, with grilled sesa seed cake vendors calling out.
She glanced behind her, making sure no one had followed her out, before she hurried to Yingfeng Inn. ng Xiuluo and Mo Ku were at Yingfeng Inn, which was the eting place they had agreed upon.
Before she could knock, the door of the room opened. ng Xiuluo was the one who had opened the door; she had spotted Shi Xueqin in the street.
“Co in quickly.” As soon as Shi Xueqin entered, Mo Ku quickly closed the door of the room.
ng Xiuluo blurted out, “Is the Young Master inside?” She was very anxious; ti was of the essence.
Shi Xueqin nodded slightly. She wasn’t as excited as ng Xiuluo. Torn because of the child she was carrying, she was afraid for Longhun’s safety, but she didn’t feel the sa urgency.
“Is he still alive?” Mo Ku asked.
“Alive, but he’s badly injured. The Dark Beast within him has already been forced out,” Shi Xueqin said.
“Are they going to kill the Young Master?”
“They want to kill the Young Master, but they’re waiting for Su Zhanze to return, to drain his power before killing him.”
Shock jolted ng Xiuluo upon hearing this, and he quickly guessed the truth. “So Su Zhanze isn’t at Bamboo Manor, is he?” he blurted out. He had heard of Su Zhanze’s formidable martial arts; if he was absent, it would be easier to make a move.
“Hmm.”
Mo Ku grew anxious as well and, knowing that ti was of the essence, asked, “Then when will he return?”
“Probably in three days.”
“Then we must rescue the Young Master before he returns, or else the Young Master will be in mortal danger,” Mo Ku said with concern.
ng Xiuluo added, “Exactly, if what you’re saying is true, once Su Zhanze returns, it will spell the end for the Young Master.”
Although Shi Xueqin did not seem anxious, ng Xiuluo’s words made him realize how desperately Longhun was needed; delay was not an option. Longhun might not last a few more days—after all, his bloodied body was made of flesh, and he was already half-dead. Suddenly he, too, began to worry.
“I know Miss Qin’er despises him for killing your father, but this is our only chance to save him. If we don’t, Su Zhanze will surely kill him upon his return,” ng Xiuluo was very clear. If they were to save Longhun, they needed Shi Xueqin’s help; without it, they would be like headless flies. Shi Xueqin knew where Longhun was detained; all she needed to do was to be willing to disclose it. Moreover, he knew that Shi Xueqin did not wish for Longhun to be in danger. Had she not cared, she would not have ventured to Bamboo Manor. The only worry was that she might hesitate and delay their rescue of the Young Master.
Finally, with a nod of assent, Shi Xueqin took out a map from her bosom, a hand-drawn one of Bamboo Manor. Though a bit rough and not very clear in places, it was still better than nothing, and most importantly, it showed the location where Longhun was confined.
Pointing at the map, she said, “He’s in this dungeon, guarded by seven or eight people.”
“That’s great,” ng Xiuluo pressed on. “How many people are inside? Are the Four Great Experts around?”
“Apart from the maids and house guards who don’t know martial arts, there are roughly fifty or so patrolling. The Four Great Experts have followed Su Zhanze to handle other matters, so they’re not at Bamboo Manor.”
Upon hearing this, ng Xiuluo’s excitent surged; hope seed to blaze before his eyes, a hope he had almost forsaken. His persistent efforts hadn’t gone to waste.
Studying the twisting paths on the map, with this guide and the patrol layout, as long as Shi Xueqin was inside and Su Zhanze along with the Four Great Experts hadn’t returned…
Mo Ku was still uneasy. Who could guarantee that Su Zhanze and the Four Great Experts wouldn’t return ahead of schedule? Clearly, they had already spent two days here; they couldn’t afford to wait any longer. “I think we can act tomorrow. Tonight, I will make the arrangents,” he said.
ng Xiuluo agreed, “Yes, I think we should act quickly. Who knows if Su Zhanze might return earlier? If he returns, after draining Longhun’s strength, he will certainly kill the Young Master.” At this mont, the Dark Beast had already departed, and every additional day Longhun stayed at Bamboo Manor ant more danger.
“When the ti cos, if Miss Qin just helps us from the inside and clarifies the situation, once we rescue the Young Master, we can all leave together. We’ll definitely have a full chance of success,” Mo Ku said.
Shi Xueqin didn’t speak.
ng Xiuluo could see Shi Xueqin’s internal struggle, yet she knew the opportunity was too rare to waste more ti. “Mo Ku, go make the necessary preparations,” she urged.
Hurriedly, Mo Ku left to get things in order. Though their group wasn’t large, neither were the occupants of Bamboo Manor. It was an even match, and they were more than capable of handling just Ling Li.
ng Xiuluo looked at Shi Xueqin, who seed to have lost her spirit, unsure of what words of comfort to offer. She truly understood, saying, “The Young Master truly shouldn’t have done what he did. I understand your hatred for him. If it were , I’d have a hand in killing him, too. He went too far.”
Shi Xueqin’s eyes reddened again.
“I’m truly grateful to you. Without you, we would have definitely given up.”
For Shi Xueqin, whether her actions were right or wrong was unclear, but she felt as though possessed, acting on impulse, seemingly beyond her own control.
“Or shall I go get sothing to eat?” ng Xiuluo offered.
Then Shi Xueqin stood up, declaring, “I’m going back to Bamboo Manor.”
ng Xiuluo wanted to clarify things with her.
But Shi Xueqin said, “Don’t let them discover you. It’s better I go back alone, so they don’t get suspicious. Tomorrow morning, wait for by the lake. I’ll co to you then.”
“Okay, I’ll escort you back.”
“Better not. It’s not appropriate to be seen now. They recognize you, and any accident at this point would be disastrous,” Shi Xueqin didn’t wish to stay any longer.
“Alright, just be careful. If anything happens, we can talk by the lake tomorrow,” ng Xiuluo conceded.
Shi Xueqin stood up and quickly left the inn, heading back to Bamboo Manor.
ng Xiuluo remained excited. She had to consult with Mo Ku on their plans for the next day, what preparations were needed; all had to be set up just in case.
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