Chapter 23 023[VIP]

"Tell me, what did Madam Shi mean by that last sentence?"

Lu Xiaofeng felt uneasy under those veiled admiration looks, but Shi Qingruo hadn't made any clear intentions.

He could only speculate on his own after leaving the Misty Heaven Alliance. He was lost in thought

for a bit too long, and when he came to, he was met with Sikong Zhaixing's forced smile, which looked a bit murderous.

"What's wrong with you?"

Lu Xiaofeng gathered his composure, figuring that with Sikong Zhaixing's experience, he shouldn't have noticed anything.

"I was looking at you, and now I know I'm guilty," Sikong Zhaixing said indignantly.

Lu Xiaofeng gritted his teeth. "How am I guilty?"

He wasn't guilty! At most, he felt the need to retract his previous opinion.

He had previously thought that Shi Qingruo was already married to the Saint Leader of the Misty Heaven Alliance, and Sikong Zhaixing was still forcing herself on them, simply asking for trouble. But now…

now even he seemed to be acting strangely, and he had no right to criticize anyone else.

"How dare you say that!" Sikong Zhaixing, as if suddenly realizing he wasn't that far from the Misty Heaven Alliance, quickly lowered his voice. "What do you mean by 'we're a thief and a playboy, birds of a feather?' That might be fine in front of others, but in front of her…"

Lu Xiaofeng was silent for a moment, realizing his worries were unnecessary.

He shrugged, stifling a laugh, and walked out.

"Hey, Lu Xiaoji, what's with that expression?"

Lu Xiaofeng: "Nothing, I just wanted to say… at least, I don't have to worry about you being as hypocritical as Fang Yingkan."

Sikong Zhaixing: "…?"

Wait.

He swore that Lu Xiaofeng wasn't saying that as a compliment!

Why on earth had he ended up with such a bad friend?

"Alright, let's get down to business." Lu Xiaofeng dropped his playful smile. "What do you think Madam Shi planned this for?"

Sikong Zhaixing crossed his arms, pondering for a moment before replying, "Anyway, I believe she won't let Fang Yingkan escape justice so easily. She has her own calculations and plans, and she'll tell us when the time comes."

With Lei Sun dead, the Six-and-a-half Hall scattered, and the former head lady of the Six-and-a-half Hall now forced to work as a handyman in the Misty Heaven Alliance, Fang Yingkan shouldn't be alive either.

When Shi Qingruo appeared in Bianjing City, no one could have guessed she was intent on bringing order to the Jianghu.

Furthermore, her first move was to marry Guan Qi, the Saint Master of the Misty Heaven Alliance, making her seem like a mere figurehead.

But now, even though the path ahead wasn't entirely clear, Sikong Zhaixing had an almost intuitive certainty that she would gradually achieve what she desired.

...

Chu Liuxiang, though he had only been watching for a short time, shared this sentiment.

But unfortunately, even knowing that Bianjing might soon undergo a major transformation, he could only bid farewell, unable to witness this momentous event.

The following evening, after confirming that his search in Bianjing had yielded no results, he officially prepared to depart.

"So, Commander Chu Xiang is still willing to trust the judgment of bystanders,"

Shi Qingruo said, not as a question but as a firm judgment.

After Lu Xiaofeng and Sikong Zhaixing left, Chu Liuxiang said something very interesting.

He asked if the Misty Heaven Alliance could secretly escort him out of the capital and south to search for someone,

especially away from the eyes and ears of the Beggars' Sect.

"Honestly, I don't want to doubt my friends," Chu Liuxiang replied helplessly. "And I certainly don't want to doubt their integrity. Both Beggars' Sect leader Nangong Ling and Master Wuhua, one of the Seven Wonders, are very important friends to me. If this matter is truly related to them..."

Even his easygoing nature would be distressed.

"But the Shenshui Palace doesn't leave you much time. Instead of trying your luck everywhere without thinking, you might as well be bolder."

"Yes." Chu Liuxiang's initial hesitation turned into determination when he said this word.

But this serious tone only lasted for a moment, and he was already shaking his folding fan lightly, "Besides, Madam Shi and Mr. Lu, I hit it off from the moment we met. If we can be considered friends just by chance encounters in the martial arts world, then what's wrong with me listening to other friends?"

Shi Qingruo smiled and said, "Chu Xiangshuai is worthy of being Chu Xiangshuai, and I naturally cannot let you down. To be honest, the order of the Mi Tian League has been in chaos in recent years, and it has only improved slightly after I took over, but it is still much more capable than the Beggar Gang around Bian Jing. It is not difficult for us to let them know that you have left and where you are going."

"I will have someone send you out of the city later, and someone will cover your whereabouts. I hope..."

Shi Qingruo paused, and continued, "I hope to hear good news from you when I see Chu Xiangshuai next time."

Chu Liuxiang replied, "That's what I wanted to say."

He is an unstable person, and even his home is a ship that can drift on the sea.

Lu Xiaofeng was reluctant to come to Bianjing, and he hadn't been there often before.

But he could clearly sense the impending storm in Bianjing.

For example, the renowned detective White-Eared Divine Ear, who had been chasing him when he arrived in the capital a few years earlier, didn't come after him this time after hearing about him, a clear sign of the magnitude of his recent troubles.

"I hope next time I come to Bianjing—"

"Madam, Young Master Bai is awake!"

Shi Qingruo turned around to see the gang members she had left with Bai Choufei running over, their faces filled with joy.

Although Bai Choufei's battle had been interrupted by Tang Ling, and he wasn't officially the Alliance's Holy Leader, everyone had witnessed Madam Shi's regard for this highly skilled helper. Now that he had finally awakened, her tone of voice couldn't help but be filled with joy as she reported the news.

Chu Liuxiang closed his fan and bowed, "Since that's the case, I won't keep my wife."

Shi Qingruo said, "Take care, Marshal Xiang."

Seeing Chu Liuxiang leave, she quickly followed the messenger. "Let's go back and check on his injuries."

Bai Choufei lay there, unsure whether it was because he'd used two of his "Three Finger Sky Bombing" techniques, draining his Qi excessively, or because Wuqing's delaying manipulations had been effective, but he'd actually been lying there for a day and a half before finally waking.

By the time Shi Qingruo arrived, those most concerned about his condition had already rushed to his bedside. They had carefully helped the pale, newly awake man to his feet, leaning against the bed.

Peering in through the side window, she could see a gentle, slightly concerned face.

Shi Qingruo thought to herself, no wonder Su Mengzhen had given her so many instructions in her message a few days ago.

Wenrou has not been in the martial arts world for long. The most impressive thing for her during this year was probably the two times she fought side by side with Bai Choufei and Wang Xiaoshi.

And for a girl like her who is entitled to be arrogant because of her family background, Bai Choufei's appearance and personality are obviously more likely to make her heart move than Wang Xiaoshi.

But according to Su Mengzhen, although Jinfengxiyu Tower has cooperated with Mitian League, Bai Choufei is still considered an outsider and needs to be judged by him harshly. Then his behavior of changing his name and identity many times in his early years is obviously worthy of criticism.

This is not the behavior of a normal person in the martial arts world.

Even with Wenrou's personality, he can't handle such a busy person.

What he meant was that if Shi Qingruo has free time after work, he should try to reduce the contact between Wenrou and Bai Choufei.

But even if Su Mengzhen didn't say this, Shi Qingruo would do it.

Bai Choufei is not only not a good match!

He deserves to die.

She pushed the door open and walked in. "I heard Miss Wen's voice before I came in. Be careful that your cabbage will get a headache from your noise."

Wenrou blushed and stepped back a few steps. "What do you mean my cabbage..."

"When Bai Wu fell down yesterday, we all heard you shouting like that." Shi Qingruo teased.

Bai Choufei's gaze paused on Wenrou for a moment, then he suddenly noticed the new address Shi Qingruo had given him. He was startled, "Madam Shi, you—"

Shi Qingruo lowered her eyes and smiled, "Is my address wrong? Yesterday on the stage, the brothers in the alliance saw that your martial arts were a world apart from theirs. Even Tang Ling, who jumped out later, was driven back by your Shocking Divine Finger. Even if you stopped mid-strike, you'd still be worthy of a position among the Five Sacred Masters of the Misty Heaven Alliance." "

Right now, I'm just worried someone might question me. It's better to wait until your injuries are fully healed before going through the process again. I've always called you Young Master Bai, but it seems a bit unfamiliar. It's better to change the name."

"Or do you want to switch places with Wang Xiaoshi?"

"That's not necessary," Bai Choufei replied quickly.

There's no difference between five and six.

He stood up to thank her, but suddenly his injuries flared up, and he coughed dryly. "I was originally worried that I had lost face for Master's wife yesterday."

Shi Qingruo noticed sharply that Bai Choufei's expression changed for a moment.

But it was not because of the recurrence of his injury that made his face pale, but because the surprise in his eyes was replaced by another look of surprise and doubt.

He seemed to suddenly realize that he had made a very serious mistake in the ring yesterday.

It was true that Tang Ling was aggressive, but with Shi Qingruo and Guan Qi in charge, there was no need for him to be provoked by that brat. In order to protect himself, he directly used the Three Finger Sky-Filing Technique.

You know, Fang Yingkan, who was sitting in the audience, had a close connection with this martial art. Who knows if he would notice anything strange!

If it weren't for his high psychological quality, he would have almost broken down the moment he thought of this.

He suppressed his worries and tried to probe in a calm tone: "I wonder what happened after yesterday?"

Shi Qingruo seemed to be completely unaware of his intentions and replied calmly: "You can rest assured. Even Chief Constable Wuqing said that your fight with Tang Ling was the highest level among the younger generation in Bianjing City. The reputation of the Mi Tian League will not be tarnished because of your injury."

"Then Tang Ling didn't escape far before he was stopped by Xiao Shitou and Chu Xiangshuai and forced to hand over the antidote. According to what he said, you were implicated by the Peacock Feather I used, and suffered an unexpected disaster. I will not blame you."

"Then..." Bai Choufei wanted to ask again, but saw Shi Qingruo shaking his head at him with dissatisfaction.

"Your top priority is to heal your injuries, not to dwell on other matters."

"Even Doctor Shu of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower said you need at least two weeks of rest before you can return to action. I don't want to see the future right-hand man of the Misty Heaven Alliance suffer any aftereffects from this unnecessary conflict."

Shi Qingruo's earnest tone immediately deflected Bai Choufei's remaining questions.

The title of "right-hand man" made him feel a surge of eagerness, even though he was still suffering from the lingering effects of the poison, causing a chill throughout his body.

As the right-hand man of the Five Sacred Lords...

this was the status he was about to attain!

And it hadn't been long since he had been personally invited to the Misty Heaven Alliance by Shi Qingruo.

It wasn't that Bianjing City lacked capacity for talented individuals; it simply needed an opportunity to soar to the top!

"Miss Wen," Shi Qingruo called softly, turning her head, interrupting their musings.

Wenrou sighed, "Ah!" and turned her gaze back to the person in front of her.

Shi Qingruo said, "Since we've seen Bai Wu is in good health, let's not disturb him from recuperating here."

Wenrou actually wanted to struggle. After all, she wasn't a member of the Mitian Alliance and could have stayed to tend to Bai Choufei's injuries. But Shi Qingruo reached out and took her hand, leading her out the door with irresistible force.

Bai Choufei sat by the bed, and with his hearing still intact, he could still hear the two men's conversation.

"I know what you mean, but everything is too much, and it wouldn't be good if you annoyed people."

Wenrou, used to being carefree, was completely out of her depth when faced with the gentle temperaments of Guan Chun and Shi Qingruo. After a long while, she could only squeeze out a single "I."

"Besides, have you forgotten what you promised me?"

Shi Qingruo's intermittent voice came from the window, causing Bai Choufei's back to stiffen.

"I think Fang Yingkan was so energetic and smiling when he left. He must have no good intentions. If he had any intentions, relying on my hidden weapons, which I've already used in public, wouldn't be enough. I'd really like you to teach me a few self-defense moves..."

"There's something else I need your help with,"

Wenrou replied quickly. "Senior Sister, please tell me."

She called both Shi Qingruo and Lei Chun "Sister." Lei Chun, according to their seniority, had to call Shi Qingruo "Mom." It was a matter of personal relationship, not a conflict.

Seeing the pair of gentle eyes before her, filled with expectation, she practically patted her chest and promised to do it.

"You should have heard about the recent incident at Prime Minister Fu's mansion. Yesterday, Chief Constable Wuqing told me about it after he helped General Bai Wu force the hidden weapon out of his body." "I

originally thought that Bao Xiruo and Yang Tiexin were separated when the officers and soldiers were arresting bandits, and Fu Zongshu happened to pass by and rescued the pregnant Bao Xiruo. Who knew that the initial unrest was caused by him." "

I'm afraid it was because he was tempted by her beauty back then that he arranged this disaster. I didn't expect that Yang Tiexin didn't die, but survived with a different identity, and now he meets his wife again by chance."

"This is the first case supervised by Qi Shaoshang, the Nine-Manifested Divine Dragon, since he left Lianyunzhai to join the Six Gates. He will never wrongly accuse anyone because of the grudge between him and the Prime Minister's Mansion."

"What?!" Wenrou was suddenly filled with indignation.

"What's even more troublesome is that Fu Kang was born in the Prime Minister's residence and has been with Fu Zongshu since he was a child. Although he is nominally an adopted son, he values him far more than adopted sons like Gu Xichao. It's not an exaggeration to say that he is his biological son."

"Now that he suddenly knows his own identity, he not only didn't stand on the side of his parents and accuse Fu Zongshu of his misconduct, but instead planned to continue staying in the Prime Minister's Mansion..."

"..."

The voices of the two gradually faded away, and only Wang Xiaoshi was still nearby, saying to Bai Choufei: "Brother, you must get well soon. Madam Shi said that although you and I are not yet the title of Holy Lord, we are ready to help take over the things that the Holy Lord should do. While you need to rest, all these things will fall on my head."

Bai Choufei's hands, hidden in the quilt, had already clenched the mattress tightly. He replied perfunctorily: "I will, you go and do your work first."

Only when Wang Xiaoshi's figure disappeared from his sight did Bai Choufei breathe a sigh of relief.

But when he thought of the news just revealed in Shi Qingruo's words, his breath was only half-let out, and it was hanging in his heart again.

She said—

Fang Yingkan left in high spirits, beaming...

Bai Choufei harbored a guilty conscience, but he didn't think it was just because he saw something fun within the Misty Heaven Alliance, but more likely because he saw something more advantageous for him.

This was definitely not good news for Bai Choufei!

No way.

Judging from his conversation with Madam Shi today, she wasn't just unaware of this matter, she hadn't even considered it.

Even asking indirectly wouldn't necessarily yield any information.

He had to ascertain the situation himself.

Bai Choufei was indeed a capable individual.

At least in Shi Qingruo's opinion, his behavior was distinct from that of ordinary jianghu people when they first met him in Hubei. It was no different now.

If he hadn't been paying too much attention to him, it would have seemed as if he were simply resting peacefully within the Misty Heaven Alliance, preparing to take over the position of Saint Leader in two weeks.

At most, he was a bit childish. From among the foods he could eat to recover from his injuries, he selected two renowned Bianjing delicacies and asked members of the Misty Heaven Alliance to run errands for him.

But on the third night, taking advantage of his improved condition, he used his lightness skills to evade the Alliance's observation and slipped away from a corner of the camp.

His martial arts were a blend of strengths from various schools, and his lightness skills were also exceptional.

He slipped away like a wisp of smoke, not alerting the guards. As if to avoid detection, he headed to a modest one-story building not far from the Misty Heaven Alliance's headquarters.

He pushed open the door and found the person he had arranged to meet there already waiting.

Under the candlelight, a young man in a long robe clutched a large bundle, his pale, hardened face gazing at the flickering flames, as stoic as a corpse.

Hearing Bai Choufei's arrival, he looked up, a sharp look flashing across his face. "You're late."

"It wasn't easy for me to get out," Bai Choufei replied in a deep voice.

The severity of his injuries was palpable even in his breathing.

He stared intently at the man before him. "I think you should understand."

"What do I understand?" the robed young man sneered, raising an eyebrow. "Understand that you nearly ruined my plan earlier, and now you're running into trouble yourself and asking me for help?"

If anyone else who had participated in the Mi Tian Alliance's wedding ceremony that day were present, they would have recognized the white-faced young man in the robe sitting there as the one who had fought Guan Qi and narrowly escaped. He

was the one mentioned in Shi Qingruo and Su Mengzhen's conversation—

the son of the corrupt official Wen Zhang, a disciple of Yuan Shisanxian, and one of Fu Zongshu's current capable men, Wen Xue'an, the "Seventh Under Heaven."

Wen Xue'an sneered again: "I can guess why you came to me, because the young Marquis Fang has mobilized a lot of manpower to investigate your background these days. How did you offend him to be investigated like this?"

Fang Yingkan has the manpower left by Fang Geyin, and it is very likely that he will dig up all those things.

Bai Choufei's eyes were fierce: "I didn't kill Mei Xingfei."

"What's the point of saying this? Yes, you are grateful for his support and cultivation of you, and you are reluctant to kill him. I took his head in response to the order issued by the Prime Minister to get rid of this troublemaker in Hubei, but what's the difference between him and dying in your hands?"

Wen Xue'an's reply was full of sarcasm. "You, in order to seize the Sky Divine Finger, took advantage of your trust and poisoned everyone in the He Gang. You also failed to completely transform this martial art. Now that your tracks have been discovered, you can't blame me for this."

On that day, he saw Bai Choufei as a talented person, and because his help had made the operation so smooth, he didn't fight him. Instead, they agreed to keep the secret.

To prevent the situation from being leaked, even if they met again, it would be best not to recognize each other and just treat each other as strangers.

However, since they shared the same secret and were in trouble, it would be best for them to help each other.

"That day, I was responsible for assassinating the wife of the Holy Lord of the Misty Heaven Alliance. You were clearly there, so capable of pretending to rescue someone while actually killing someone, yet you did nothing."

Bai Choufei argued confidently, "But it was Chief Constable Wuqing who was in the bridal sedan at the time. Even if I had moved, it would have been useless."

"Okay, then I won't argue with you about that matter." Wen Xue'an raised his eyes and added, "Then you shouldn't have come to me now."

"The young marquis knows how to act. Even if he really wants to investigate this matter thoroughly, he will implicate me after finding you. He may even find that it was the Prime Minister's Mansion that issued the mission to destroy the Changkong Gang. So what?"

Jinfengxiyu Tower and the Misty Heaven Alliance have joined forces to suppress the Shentong Marquis Mansion, and even the Six Gates are involved. If Fang Yingkan wants to maintain his foothold, he can only ally with the Prime Minister's Mansion.

"Is his cooperation sincere?" Bai Choufei was not shaken by Wen Xue'an's doubts.

Wen Xue'an remained noncommittal: "Sincerity or falsehood doesn't matter. What the Prime Minister wants is a result."

"You're wrong." Bai Choufei slowly revealed a smile, and the appearance of this smile made him seem even more calm and composed. "In the Mi Tian Alliance, Madam Shi has Guan Qi's support behind her, and Fang Yingkan has Fang Geyin's support. It's clearly the same situation.

You can't just assume that just because Madam Shi acted faster and dealt with Lei Sun first, that the young Marquis Fang can only be a vassal of the Prime Minister's Mansion." "He has investigated me thoroughly and implicated you. Who knows if he is preparing to draw a clear line between himself and the Prime Minister's Mansion in the future. In my opinion, he is a precious wolf, but when he bites, he is much more vicious than an ordinary dog!"

Wen Xue'an narrowed his eyes: "Then what do you mean?"

Bai Choufei calmed his breathing, which had increased due to injury, and replied: "The Mi Tian Alliance can be calculated by the young Marquis Fang because I also feel that my position in the alliance is not stable enough."

Wen Xue'an: "You are indeed an ungrateful beast."

"So what?"

Shi Qingruo's offer was already quite high, even allowing him, a recent member, to become one of the Holy Lords. But he was so ambitious that he couldn't be content with being just one of the Seven Saints of Mitian, let alone one of the Five Saint Lords, who were only called Holy Lords but were actually Dharma protectors.

He also didn't want to be pulled down by Fang Yingkan when he was only so close to making the next step!

“But the young Marquis Fang must not escape unscathed. It would be even better if he was dealt with directly, lest he grow into a scourge in the future.”

“By then, I’ll be there to mediate in the Misty Sky Alliance, and Su Mengzhen of the Golden Wind and Drizzle Tower is a sickly person, so there’s no need to worry about not accomplishing great things!”

Perhaps the second half of the sentence is still a long way off, but at least for now, this plan presented to Wen Xue’an is several times better than the Prime Minister’s Mansion sitting on the mountain and watching the fight between the two tigers, and raising Fang Yingkan, an uncontrollable jackal.

After all, Bai Choufei doesn’t have the background of Fang Yingkan…

“

Even in comparison, Wen Xue’an’s teachers and the support he can get are much more than Bai Choufei’s.

“I’ll go back and think about it, and give you an answer the day after tomorrow at the latest. "

Recently, there have been many spies staring at Bai Choufei, so Wen Xue'an didn't dare to stay here for long. Noticing that there was no unusual aura around, he left the place quickly.

Bai Choufei also blew out the candle, letting the place return to darkness as if the owner was sleeping, and he returned to the Mi Tian League at a faster speed than when he came.

But he didn't see that in the shadow behind the house, as the two people left, two figures slowly walked out.

Su Mengzhen released the hand that had previously pulled the person into a dead end, and a moment of disappointment flashed across his face, but he only said calmly: "Master's internal strength is really strange."

"Is this the most important thing that Master Su should ask now? "

Shi Qingruo reached out to tidy up her hair that was messed up by the night wind, and raised her eyes to meet the scrutiny of the person in front of her.

Her internal strength was indeed very strange.

Lei Sun had difficulty detecting that she had a foundation in martial arts that day, and Bai Choufei and Wen Xue'an were also unable to perceive her breath.

Otherwise, she would not have dared to come.

As for Su Mengzhen... his skills were above Bai Choufei and Wen Xue'an, so there was no need to worry about being discovered.

"I asked Master Su to come with me, instead of asking Seventh Brother to accompany me to catch the traitor in the alliance, because I wanted you to see the situation clearly."

Su Mengzhen responded: "I know. "

He must understand this.

What she wants him, her partner, to see is that although Fu Zongshu is tied up by family affairs, he can still easily take advantage of the opportunity to reap the benefits because of the hidden talents among his guests.

This old fox is much more difficult to deal with than Lei Sun.

They worked together to solve the problem of Lei Sun, but they couldn't stop there.

Another thing she wanted him to see clearly...

the information Chu Liuxiang got from the Beggar Gang may not be accurate. With Bailou as his support, he might not be as passive as Chu Liuxiang.

But there are always some things in this world that only one person or two people know, and this kind of connection, if not guarded against as soon as possible, will sooner or later become a serious concern!

Shi Qingruo said in a light tone: "Since Master Su understands this truth, I will not say much and say goodbye. For the next thing, we are prepared and we will just deal with it as it comes. "

Su Mengzhen followed Shi Qingruo's sight and saw a shadowy figure in the distance. It seemed that she had arranged for Guan Qi and others to be here to pick her up.

It really made people feel that they should trust this partner, but also felt... a little funny.

It was indeed time for each of them to go back and make arrangements, but at the moment Shi Qingruo turned around and took a step, Su Mengzhen suddenly spoke instinctively, "Wait."

Shi Qingruo

looked back in confusion. The face that was frail but still majestic was filled with confusion that could not be concealed.

Now this confusion fell into a pair of eyes like a sea of fog.

"Madam Shi, there is something I wanted to ask before, and I want to ask it even more today when I accepted your invitation."

He didn't like to let himself get involved in unnecessary entanglements, and now is no exception.

"Excuse me for asking," Su Mengzhen suppressed a cough in his throat, and his tone became more serious, "Have I seen you before - where? "