The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 19

62

Zhang Xiaoyuan never expected things to develop to this point.

What on earth was going on in Wen Tingting's mind? Why would she imagine undisclosed matters about the emperor, Puyang Jing and Magistrate Qi!

Based on what he read above Puyang Jing's head, Puyang Jing and the emperor must be innocent.

Puyang Jing didn't like Qi Chaoyun. He only cross-dressed as Qi Chaoyun's lover due to imperial orders.

He was in a difficult situation.

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt very sorry for him.

Puyang Jing opened his lips, wanting to explain to Wen Tingting. However, at that moment, he seemed to have no idea where to start.

It was all the fault of that dog emperor.

Puyang Jing gritted his teeth.

Wen Tingting was already scared out of her wits.

It seemed like she accidentally stumbled upon a colossal secret — the hidden intrigues of the imperial palace known only to a few, starring Puyang Jing, a key figure and the Commander of the Heavenly Mysterious Shadow Guards. According to rumors, the Heavenly Mysterious Shadow Guards carried out unspeakable deeds for the emperor. Would she be silenced to keep it all under wraps?!

"I-I-I absolutely won't utter a word about this," Wen Tingting trembled. "Rest assured, I don't know anything!"

Qi Chaoyun: "......"

Wen Tingting at least remembered that Zhang Xiaoyuan and Lu Zhaoming were present. She hurriedly signaled to them, as if urging them to take an oath with her to prevent Puyang Jing from silencing them once they left.

Zhang Xiaoyuan, looking embarrassed, nodded to Wen Tingting, indicating that he understood. He said, "Don't worry, I won't spill the beans either."

Only then did Wen Tingting turn back to Qi Chaoyun and Puyang Jing with a shaky smile. "Magistrate Qi, Commander Puyang, if there's nothing else, I'll go back and rest."

Without waiting for their response, she swiftly dragged her skirt and fled the scene with a sense of urgency.

Puyang Jing took a deep breath, struggling to maintain composure.

Qi Chaoyun, furious to the point of turning pale, held back his anger, mindful that Zhang Xiaoyuan and Lu Zhaoming were still present. Zhang Xiaoyuan glanced at Lu Zhaoming, who seemed unfazed. As they finally finished their conversation, Eldest Senior Brother calmly said to Zhang Xiaoyuan, "It's late. Time to go rest."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Huh?"

Eldest Senior Brother truly lived up to his title. After witnessing such an intense scene, he remained remarkably composed.

"You're still growing," Lu Zhaoming said. "Don't you want to get taller?"

After saying this, he subconsciously reached out to pat Zhang Xiaoyuan's head, as if comparing their height difference. Disregarding the awkwardness of Qi Chaoyun and Puyang Jing, he then led Zhang Xiaoyuan towards the county office.

As they stepped through the door, Zhang Xiaoyuan heard Qi Chaoyun's suppressed but undeniable shouts of anger behind him.

"Puyang Jing!" Qi Chaoyun exclaimed in anger. "When we get back, I'll definitely settle the score with you!"

Puyang Jing weakly replied, "It was the Emperor's order..."

He truly felt wronged.

Lu Zhaoming had already pulled Zhang Xiaoyuan away.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "The court is really chaotic."

"The martial arts world is no different," Lu Zhaoming responded. "What's chaotic is the people."

He casually said it, but Zhang Xiaoyuan felt he made a lot of sense.

From what he observed, people like Lin Yi, Mei Leng'an, and others, none of them had straightforward relationships. Those in high positions faced too many temptations, making it difficult to manage those connections.

However, the emperor, Puyang Jing, and Qi Chaoyun were different.

They were truly innocent.

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt sorry for them.

63

Early the next day, after getting up, Zhang Xiaoyuan found some paper and ink, preparing to find any reason to stay where he could see Puyang Jing.

He had made all the preparations and wouldn't rest until he emptied Puyang Jing!

However, after limping around the county office for two rounds, he didn't catch a glimpse of Puyang Jing.

The door of the room on the opposite side opened, and Zhang Xiaoyuan saw a young man in a deep-colored martial outfit emerging. Seemingly hearing the commotion outside, he glanced in that direction, spotted Lu Zhaoming practicing swordsmanship, grew curious, and leaned against the corridor to watch.

This person seemed somewhat unfamiliar to Zhang Xiaoyuan at first, and he couldn't immediately recognize who he was. However, his unique ability... obviously didn't allow such things to happen.

Zhang Xiaoyuan watched in astonishment as the name Puyang Jing appeared above the man's head. He couldn't believe that the person before him was the charming and delicate beauty from the previous night.

With such a handsome and heroic appearance, how did he manage to portray that girlishness last night?

Regardless, Puyang Jing had appeared, at least.

Zhang Xiaoyuan raised the pen and paper in his hand, laid them on the chair's surface of the gallery railing, fixed his gaze on Puyang Jing's head, and began to write fervently.

Wealth and prosperity starts today!

64

「Yesterday's martial arts world intel: 10」

Zhang Xiaoyuan picked up his pen, feeling excited.

「Firstly, Mei Leng'an, the Scattered Blossom Palace Master, and his top disciple, Ke Xingwen, seem to be genuinely in love.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan's pen paused, leaving a long ink trail on the paper, his eyes widening in astonishment.

How could it be them?

No.

They are genuinely in love?!

Zhang Xiaoyuan focused even more on Puyang Jing's head, simultaneously lifting his pen and writing the word "plum" on the paper.

Wen Tingting suddenly emerged from behind him, patting his shoulder cheerfully. "Xiaoyuan! What are you writing?"

Startled, Zhang Xiaoyuan accidentally created another ink blot on the paper. He was in the middle of writing the word "plum" when he awkwardly twisted the strokes, producing a crooked and distorted plum blossom. Shaking his head, he said, "I... just drawing randomly!"

Fearful of arousing her suspicion, Zhang Xiaoyuan dared not continue writing. However, words continued to appear above Puyang Jing's head. After a moment's hesitation, he resolutely drew a crouching figure next to the plum blossom and connected them with a black line.

I'm sorry, Scattered Blossom Palace's senior disciple.

Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't recall his appearance, only remembering the heroic stance when Eldest Senior Brother kicked him off the stage.

Wen Tingting asked, "What is this?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan was about to speak when he saw the next sentence appearing above Puyang Jing's head.

「Although Mei Leng'an is now the Palace Master, he was originally a servant of the Scattered Blossom Palace. Chosen by the former Scatterred Blossom Palace Master for his beauty, he served with his body and secured a worry-free life. Later, he ascended to the position of Palace Master, sparking many rumors within the sect. Only Ke Xingwen never doubted him.」

"Zhang Xiaoyuan," Wen Tingting said, "Are you writing some kind of secret code?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan wanted to explain.

After struggling for a while, all he managed to say was, "I... I'm drawing Commander Puyang and Eldest Senior Brother!"

"This... this plum blossom naturally represents my Eldest Senior Brother!" Zhang Xiaoyuan insisted, "Facing the wind and snow with unyielding spirit, fearless of the harsh cold!"

Wen Tingting rubbed her chin, then nodded seriously. "Hmm, when the plum blossom blooms, other flowers wither and die. Resilient against adversity, quite fitting."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Wen Tingting: "What about this one? What is it?"

"This is a... person," Zhang Xiaoyuan almost couldn't continue, "just... um... a person!"

At that moment, in the courtyard, Lu Zhaoming sheathed his sword, and Puyang Jing leaped into the courtyard, praising, "Impressive swordsmanship!"

Lu Zhaoming turned to look at him, evidently not recognizing who he was.

Puyang Jing arched a hand and picked up a sword from his waist. "Brother, care for a match?"

Lu Zhaoming responded indifferently, "Blades and swords are blind."

Puyang Jing laughed heartily. "Brother, though I come from the military, my martial arts are by no means weaker than those of you from the martial arts world."

As he finished speaking, Zhang Xiaoyuan saw new words appearing above his head.

「Skilled in military strategy, strong in martial arts. If ranked in the martial arts world, could be among the top hundred.」

Lu Zhaoming continued to ignore him.

Puyang Jing looked around, spotted a small tree with a bowl-sized trunk in the courtyard, and said, "Alright, if you're afraid of hurting me, let's do it this way."

He walked over, broke off two branches, tossed one to Lu Zhaoming and said, "We don't need real swords. We won't get hurt, right?"

Lu Zhaoming: "......"

Lu Zhaoming took the branch, gave it a swing in the air, and remained silent.

Wen Tingting happened to look up and was surprised by their actions.

Wen Tingting: "Oh no."

Zhang Xiaoyuan looked up at her.

Wen Tingting: "That's the only surviving tree planted by Magistrate Qi!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

65

Zhang Xiaoyuan wanted to speak.

Bang!

Qi Chaoyun: "......"

Puyang Jing: "......"

Qi Chaoyun's face turned pale in an instant.

After a moment's pause, infuriated, he stomped his foot, swept his sleeves, and left. Puyang Jing, unaware of what he did wrong, held his aching shoulder, coughed a few times, and asked, "What's wrong with him?"

"So, he can endure this." Wen Tingting muttered softly to herself, "It seems Magistrate Qi truly likes him."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

"Look, Chief Constable Wen," Zhang Xiaoyuan nervously spoke, "This figure... is none other than Commander Puyang!"