The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 16

Lu Zhaoming obviously didn't know what had happened.

He picked up the sword tassel, puzzled by the gazes of the two people, furrowed his brow, and asked, "What's wrong?"

Wen Tingting, terrified, pulled Pidun forward, trembling. Taking small steps, she gradually stepped back a few feet. She forced a smile at Lu Zhaoming and said, "He-hero Lu... is truly amazing..."

Lu Zhaoming repeated, "Amazing?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan coughed and intercepted Wen Tingting's attempt to continue speaking. "Eldest Senior Brother! Chief Constable Wen just said she wants to continue patrolling the streets."

He still felt that if the words "life-threatening luck" were mentioned in front of Eldest Senior Brother, it would be too hurtful. Even though Wen Tingting's misunderstanding was difficult to resolve, he could keep it a secret and not let Eldest Senior Brother know.

With an excuse to leave, Wen Tingting naturally nodded in agreement, hastily continuing the conversation.

"Yes, yes, yes." She hurriedly tugged the dog's leash, turning to leave. "Goodbye! I still need to patrol the streets!"

Lu Zhaoming watched her run off into the distance, his brow slightly furrowed. "She's acting strangely today."

Zhang Xiaoyuan chuckled nervously. "...Really? Hahaha."

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt emotionally drained.

Ever since gaining this unique ability, he knew more than others. It seemed like he had more things to consider than anyone else.

Looking at it now, Wen Tingting's misunderstanding probably couldn't be resolved anymore.

Zhang Xiaoyuan sighed deeply, looked at Eldest Senior Brother, and still felt somewhat puzzled.

Could one person's luck truly be this excellent? Did Eldest Senior Brother know about it himself?

After careful thought, he couldn't help but ask, "Eldest Senior Brother, have you ever been to a casino?"

If Eldest Senior Brother knew about his extraordinary luck, a little gambling could make the sect rich. So why did the sect still struggle with odd jobs to make ends meet?

"No." Lu Zhaoming paused, his expression serious, and asked, "Do you want to go to a casino?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Not really..."

Lu Zhaoming: "There are regulations within the sect—"

Zhang Xiaoyuan hastily interrupted Lu Zhaoming, "Eldest Senior Brother! I was just casually asking!"

Given Eldest Senior Brother's personality, it would truly be a rarity if he went to a casino.

Lu Zhaoming slightly furrowed his brow at him, seemingly not understanding the curiosity behind such a matter.

Zhang Xiaoyuan coughed.

"I haven't been there, so I was a bit curious," he looked around, "Eldest Senior Brother, it's getting dark. Let's find a place to watch the fireworks!"

......

As evening approached, with the night unusually free from curfew, the streets were bustling with people, presenting a vibrant and prosperous sight as far as one could see.

Zhang Xiaoyuan searched for a good spot to see the nighttime fireworks, but they seemed to be a bit late. Tea houses and restaurants on the street were packed with people. Even places with better views were already taken. While Zhang Xiaoyuan felt distressed, thinking they might have to settle for standing on the street, Lu Zhaoming had an idea. He pulled Zhang Xiaoyuan's arm, borrowed a small table from the county office, and took him directly to the rooftop of the tallest establishment in the county.

Zhang Xiaoyuan's lightness skill wasn't great. He was cautiously supported by Lu Zhaoming. The rooftop was quite dirty. Lu Zhaoming set up the small tea table on the roof ridge, brushed off some dust, and sat down directly. Zhang Xiaoyuan had no choice but to sit beside Lu Zhaoming, placing the large bag of snacks they bought in the afternoon on the small table. He whispered to Lu Zhaoming, "Eldest Senior Brother, my lightness skill isn't very good."

Later, if he happened to accidentally fall, he hoped Eldest Senior Brother would catch him.

Lu Zhaoming chose this rooftop perfectly. Their location was slightly higher than the Best View Pavilion. The pavilion, seemingly rented by some wealthy household, now only showed waiters setting up fruits, tea, and wine inside. With the night fully dark, Zhang Xiaoyuan, gazing at the brightly lit streets below while enjoying candied fruits, suddenly remembered something. He turned to Lu Zhaoming and asked, "Eldest Senior Brother, don't you want to eat?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan remembered Lu Zhaoming mentioning he rarely ate such things. He wasn't sure if Eldest Senior Brother disliked sweets. He wanted to ask but noticed Lu Zhaoming, staring blankly at the pavilion, seemed completely lost in his own thoughts. Ignored, Zhang Xiaoyuan coughed and decided to pick up a dried plum, waving it in front of Lu Zhaoming. "This dried plum is a bit sour—"

Unexpectedly, Lu Zhaoming opened his mouth and took the dried plum in.

Lu Zhaoming's tongue lightly touched Zhang Xiaoyuan's fingertip, startling him to retract his hand. Lu Zhaoming also paused, sincerely apologizing, "I'm sorry."

With the dried plum in his mouth, Lu Zhaoming spoke somewhat unclearly. Zhang Xiaoyuan felt he probably saw the dried plum being offered and instinctively accepted it. Feeling awkward, Zhang Xiaoyuan coughed a few times, rubbed his hands on his clothes, and hesitantly said, "I... I don't know when they'll start the fireworks."

Lu Zhaoming seemed unbothered by what just happened. He looked at the pavilion and suddenly said, "Magistrate Qi is over there."

Zhang Xiaoyuan immediately looked towards the pavilion.

Qi Chaoyun, dressed casually and accompanied by Pei Junze, hurriedly walked towards the pavilion.

In the pavilion, someone had already taken a seat without them noticing. It was a gracefully delicate young woman, with a beautiful face and elegant aura, truly a rare beauty.

Zhang Xiaoyuan looked into the pavilion, lost in thought.

Qi Chaoyun and Pei Junze entered the pavilion, dismissing the waitresses. Qi Chaoyun bowed to the woman and said, "Puyang, it's been a long time since we parted ways in the capital."

The woman smiled faintly. "Brother Qi, between us, there's no need for formality."

Qing Chaoyun introduced Pei Junze to him, claiming Pei Junze to be his most trusted confidant. With that assurance, the woman ceased to be cautious. The three sat at the table and exchanged some casual conversations. The meeting seemed ordinary, perhaps just old friends reuniting. With fireworks illuminating the sky, Zhang Xiaoyuan's attention was drawn to the spectacle. As he looked up, slightly excited, he caught a glimpse of tiny words above the woman's head, seemingly revealing her identity. Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but take a closer look.

「Puyang Jing, Commander of the Heavenly Mysterious Shadow Guards, overseeing crucial intelligence matters throughout the realm. A most trusted person of the Emperor, strictly following the Emperor's orders.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Moreover...

Zhang Xiaoyuan completely forgot about the fireworks filling the sky as he stared in terrified shock at Puyang Jing.

A moment later.

DING.

「Proficient in the art of disguise, excels in cross-dressing, often taking on the persona of a worldly woman named Puyang Jing. Currently entrusted with a royal mission outside the capital, conducting a secret investigation.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan sat on the rooftop in dumbfounded shock.

What on earth!

Zhang Xiaoyuan completely lost interest in the fireworks.

"Brother Qi, you've been away from the capital for a while, so the Emperor has been quite concerned," Puyang Jing said. "With the court in turmoil now, I find myself missing the carefree days when we served as attendants by the Emperor's side."

After saying this, a sentence appeared above each of their heads.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Those three people sitting in the pavilion... what kind of prominent figures were they...

Two close friends of the current Emperor, and the other being the son of either the Demon Sect Master or the Martial Arts Alliance Chief.

What kind of mystical place was Fengji County? It seemed like individuals with profound backgrounds from all walks of life gathered here.

"Puyang, I know why you've come. When I left the capital to avoid suspicion and took up my post, the Emperor also mentioned this matter to me." Qi Chaoyun sighed. "But I've searched Fengji County for a long time and found no trace."

"The Emperor initially sought peace of mind. When he instructed you to investigate, he wasn't in a hurry. Whether you find the person or not, it wouldn't be a big concern." Puyang Jing furrowed his brows, his expression becoming more serious. "But things are different now."

Qi Chaoyun: "Is there trouble in the palace?"

"Rumors have been spreading in the palace recently, causing unrest among the people," Puyang Jing said. "The Emperor has issued a secret decree — regardless of whether he's dead or alive, there must be a resolution."

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt a pang in his heart, sensing that something wasn't right.

While he didn't understand court affairs, he had heard plenty in dramas — at least the "swapping a raccoon for the Crown Prince" plot was familiar to him.

"Why does the Emperor dwell on events of the past?" Qi Chaoyun said. "I investigated his whereabouts. His mother did live in a small house near Fengji County for a few months, but at that time, Fengji suffered calamities, facing both plague and famine. The population halved, and as a widow with an orphaned child, how could they survive such hardships?"

Puyang Jing: "Yet you haven't found their bodies."

"It's been almost twenty years, and the records in the county chronicles, at that time, were incomplete due to the high casualties. Now that the person is nowhere to be found, isn't that the best outcome?" Qi Chaoyun had vaguely guessed Puyang Jing's concerns. Feeling a bit anxious, he hurriedly said, "The man is untraceable now. Isn't that the best result?"

Puyang Jing shook his head. "Brother Qi, you've misspoken."

Qi Chaoyun helplessly called out, "Puyang..."

"Perhaps he is still in the mortal realm. As long as he remains in the mortal realm, he poses a threat to the Emperor," Puyang Jing set down his cup, enunciating each word with cold indifference. "Brother Qi, him not being in the mortal realm is the best outcome."