radicalducati Chapter 43 The White-Haired Witch, the Phoenix of the Flower Family, Make Their Grand Debut
Chapter 43 The White-Haired Witch, the Phoenix of the Flower Family, Make Their Grand Debut
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Today is the day for negotiations with the Six and a Half Hall.
The negotiation location was named "Chu River".
"Chu River" is not a river, but it is a hundred times more dangerous than the most turbulent river in the world, because it is the dividing line between Jinfeng Xiyu Tower and Liufenban Hall.
In the underworld of the capital, the Golden Wind and Drizzle Building is divided into four parts, and the Six and a Half Hall is also divided into four parts. It is not a clear division, but rather a salamander-like structure in which you are intertwined with me.
The streets and alleys separating the two major powers are controlled by all sorts of people, including Li Yanbei, Du Tongxuan, the Snake King, the Beggars' Gang, and temples, making it extremely difficult for outsiders to intervene.
Of these streets, two are the most important.
One section was controlled by Li Yanbei and was called the Han Border.
One of them, controlled by Du Tongxuan, is called the Chu River.
Linglong Pavilion operates among these forces, and its shops conduct business normally, fairly and justly, with cash and goods exchanged on both overt and covert grounds.
If Yang Miaozhen hadn't been injured, the Six and a Half Hall would never have provoked the Linglong Pavilion. However, once the Linglong Pavilion lost its military protection, it would inevitably be swallowed up.
In the martial arts world of the capital, no one can remain unscathed, and no one can enjoy glory forever. Today, one may be living a life of luxury and extravagance, but tomorrow, one may be shackled, locked in chains, and have their entire family executed.
Just like this street called "Chuhe", it was once the most prosperous street in the capital, with shops selling incense, flowers, candles and rare medicinal materials on both sides of the road.
The flames of alchemy painted half the sky red, and the fragrance of medicine permeated half of the capital. When the National Preceptor opened the altar to preach, countless high-ranking officials and nobles prostrated themselves on the ground, as humble as kowtow worms.
As time passed and the world changed, this place became ruins, a bloody arena where gangs fought to the death. The wind blowing through the broken bricks and tiles made a series of ghostly cries.
That's right, this used to be the territory of the Yuxian Gang.
The location of this negotiation, the most central, tallest, most dilapidated, and most desolate building on the street, is the headquarters of the Yuxian Gang, with knife marks on every brick and tile.
Hanging on the flagpole at the street corner is a black, white skull. The former leader of the Yuxian Gang, who once compared himself to a holy immortal, is now hanging on the flagpole, his bones bearing witness to that absurd and ridiculous alchemy feast.
To show the importance attached to this negotiation, Di Feijing had the "altar" simply repaired. On the "Ascension Platform" built for the auction of the prime minister's position, a dozen chairs were placed, and several witnesses sat there.
Yang Yan changed into the costume of the Fairy of the Startling Swan, covering her face with a veil. Xu Qingya wore a red outfit with a blood-red cloak on her back and a golden lion mask on her head, covering the upper half of her face and only revealing her jawline.
The person in charge was accompanied by Daoist Musang, Layman Lengqin, Qu Benlei, and a stern-faced elder named Suha, whose ancestors had studied the art of immortality with Panta but were later murdered.
Misled by rumors, the Su family mistakenly believed that Panta had killed many renowned doctors, thus creating a blood feud between the two families.
Five years ago, Suha sought revenge on Pan Youdi, learned the truth, and resolved the misunderstanding between the two families. From then on, he became a protector of Linglong Pavilion and was Linglong Pavilion's secret trump card.
Di Feijing was extremely meticulous in his work. Although he only wanted to test Linglong Pavilion, he still sent five hall masters and paid a lot of money to invite six witnesses in order to show that he valued it.
The five hall masters are:
Second Hall Master: Lei Dongtian;
Fourth Hall Master: Lei Hen;
Fifth Hall Master: Lei Gun;
Seventh Master: Granny Bean;
Eighth Master: The Flower-Clad Monk;
The six witnesses are all highly accomplished individuals.
A man, as fat as a pig, with a squinting smile and eyes narrowed to slits, was named Zhu Yueming, the deputy commander of the Six Doors, nicknamed "Smiling Chief Detective".
Don't be fooled by his ever-smiling face. He's the most dangerous person in the Six Doors. You can offend the God of Arrest, you can offend the Four Great Constables, but you absolutely cannot offend this fatso, or you can only pray to die quickly!
Furthermore, don't fantasize about striking first; Zhu Yueming's greatest skill in life is escaping.
In the original storyline, Guan Qi, who was like a god and a demon, used his innate body-breaking invisible sword energy to strike Zhu Yueming twice. In one of the strikes, he revealed his murderous intent, but Zhu Yueming still managed to escape.
The man was in his forties, handsome, and carrying a folding fan worth a thousand gold pieces. His clothes were the latest style from Fu Rui Xiang, made of top-quality Suzhou embroidery, costing one gold piece per foot.
His name was Jin Jiuling. He entered the police force at the age of thirteen and served as a constable for thirty years. His disciples and followers were all over the world. He loved to enjoy life and insisted that everything he wore, ate, lived in, and traveled must be top-notch. He spent money like water.
The man was over sixty years old, still vigorous despite his age, dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guard, with a long knife at his waist.
This man is named Zhang Fengfu, a disciple of Wudang. He is proficient in Tai Chi Cotton Palm and Five Tigers Breaking the Gate Saber. He is a good friend of Zhang Danfeng, the head of Tianshan Sect, and is honest and upright.
Rumors circulated that once Liu Dinghuan made his move and dealt with Cao Shaoqin, Cao Yu, and Cao Renchao, the position of Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would undoubtedly belong to Zhang Fengfu.
The woman, in her early twenties, was stunningly beautiful with a slightly sharp look in her eyes. She was none other than the domineering rich woman, Yin Susu. Sensing Yang Yan and Xu Qingya's prying eyes, Yin Susu recognized them at a glance and gave Xu Qingya a flirtatious wink.
A woman wearing a mask, with a slender figure, was clearly a stunning beauty. Her hair was a beautiful silver-white, and a long sword hung at her waist. She exuded a sharp aura.
The last person was also a beauty, with a face that rivaled Yin Susu's. Her eyebrows and eyes appeared gentle, but in reality, she was more sharp, more domineering, and more unrestrained than Yin Susu.
Who is this person?
Is there such a person in the capital?
Xu Qingya subconsciously looked at Yang Yan.
Yang Yan quietly introduced Xu Qingya. She recognized everyone in front of her. As for the woman wearing a mask, Yang Yan didn't know her identity and could only guess based on her hairstyle.
"Qingya, based on my observation, this person is most likely Lian Nishang, the leader of Mingyue Village in Dingjun Mountain. It is said that Lian Nishang comes from the six paths of the two sects of the demonic sect, either the Yin Gui Sect or the Tianxie Sect. She went astray in her cultivation, which caused her hair to turn white and her personality to become extreme and ruthless."
Who was the last woman?
"I don't know him!"
"I'll go ask!"
"No need for that. Given Lei Dongtian's personality, he will definitely inform us on his own. Let's just wait and see how I handle things before we take action."
"Can you handle it?"
"Absolutely foolproof!"
Yang Yan stepped forward with full confidence and plopped down in the chair opposite Lei Dongtian. Xu Qingya and the others sat on either side of Yang Yan, closing their eyes to rest, naturally exuding a sharp sword intent, testing Lei Dongtian with their sword intent.
Lei Dongtian truly lives up to his reputation as a veteran master, with combat experience far surpassing Xu Qingya's. When Lei Dongtian was young, he once fought Guan Qi head-on and even struck Guan Qi with a palm. To think that you can make Lei Dongtian back down with your aura is simply overthinking things.
After a brief probing, he immediately withdrew.
Now that everyone's here, let's get down to business!
Lei Dongtian stroked the purple clay teapot, then glanced at the composed Yang Yan: "Fairy Jinghong entering at the crack of dawn makes me seem overly eager. Could it be that Linglong Pavilion has received too many 'big orders' lately, and even the invitations to the Six and a Half Hall are not enough to fill our seats?"
Yang Yan removed her cloak and handed it to Xu Qingya. Her skirt remained perfectly still as she chuckled, "The Chu River and Han Border are inviolable; once a move is made, there's no going back. Since we've arranged to meet at the 'Chu River,' we naturally need to prepare enough resources before daring to participate. Does Hall Master Lei know who I just met? Didn't Steward Di tell you?"
Lei Dongtian's pupils contracted slightly. It was said that the disciples of the Six and a Half Hall all trusted Di Feijing, but how could Lei Dongtian, as the second-in-command of the Lei family, willingly let an outsider completely sit on his head?
Even if he knew he was no match for Di Feijing, and that it would be better for the Six and a Half Halls to have Di Feijing as the head of the hall, who could maintain "absolute rationality" forever?
Humans are not rational machines.
It is said that rumors stop with the wise, but listening to too many rumors can more or less interfere with judgment.
Therefore, Lei Dongtian chose to "ignore" it.
Lei Dongtian said, "What a stunning fairy! I will now introduce the witnesses to the Pavilion Master..."
Yang Yan's gaze swept over the six witnesses.
Zhu Yueming, Jin Jiuling, Zhang Fengfu, Yin Susu, Lian Nishang, a mysterious girl...
"...Finally, this is Fenghuang'er from a collateral branch of the Hua family in Jiangnan. Although she is a collateral branch disciple, she should still give them face regarding the business of three hundred acres of medicinal fields!"
Hua Baifeng rubbed the golden bell with her fingertips: "This humble woman is just here to listen to the excitement. The family business has always been handled by the elders, and I don't understand business dealings."
Yang Yan tapped the table lightly with her teacup: "The main branch of the Hua family has seven sons and no daughters, but the branch has a young daughter who fell seriously ill five and a half years ago. She went to the Western Regions to seek medical help from an old man on the frontier. It seems that the girl is blessed with good fortune and has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. She truly deserves to be called the phoenix of the Hua family."
Hua Baifeng smiled and said, "Sister, you truly live up to your title as the Pavilion Master of Linglong Pavilion. Even such a small matter couldn't escape your discerning eyes. Sister, you're amazing!"
These words, ostensibly praising, are actually meant to sow discord.
Linglong Pavilion is in the intelligence business and is best at finding secrets. They can find out even such trivial matters and tell them off casually. How much do they know about the backgrounds and origins of those big shots who are under more scrutiny?
Yin Susu suddenly scoffed, "Master Lei's choice of witnesses is so careless! My Ziwei Hall just did a medicinal herb deal with the Hua family, how come I didn't know they changed their manager? As for this Phoenix, since Fairy Jinghong says there is one, I'll take it as true!"
Lei Dongtian slammed his hand on the table and stood up: "Miss Yin! Judging from your tone, it seems you intend to make things difficult for me?"
Yin Susu sneered, "Master Lei, don't you know why I came to the capital? I agreed to be a witness out of respect for Di Feijing! If you don't appreciate my kindness, do you think I'm easy to mess with?"
Yang Yan gently stroked the golden peony on her sleeve: "Master Di sent you, the second best expert of the Lei family, to discuss cooperation, but you even messed up this little thing and offended a good friend for no reason. Miss Yin, if Six and a Half Hall does not want to be friends with you, Linglong Pavilion will welcome you with open arms."
"That depends on who's on the bed!"
Yin Susu made a couple of jokes and smiled broadly.
Lei Dongtian was so choked up that his blood boiled: "I've long heard of Fairy Jinghong's sharp tongue! Today, I've truly experienced it firsthand. You must know that the martial world isn't about words; it's about cooperation and battle. Words don't count!"
Yang Yan said, "Then let's get down to business. Last night, Jin Feng Xi Yu Lou gave up 30% of its dock business in exchange for some intelligence from Linglong Pavilion. They also asked me to tell you this news word by word. I think the thing you should be considering most is dealing with Su Mengzhen!"