The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 25 Part 2

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Zhang Xiaoyuan actually didn't know if Six Fingers had truly understood his meaning.

But he had no other choice. He couldn't speak directly or reveal his identity. Trying to entice Six Fingers with money was out of the question. He couldn't afford it, and he lacked the strength to threaten Six Fingers into silence. Considering all this, he had to make Six Fingers believe that Zhao Chengyang harbored murderous intentions. As soon as Six Fingers revealed the whereabouts of the late emperor's orphan to seal his lips, there was a high chance he would end up dead at the hands of the Heavenly Mysterious Shadow Guards.

However, if he claimed ignorance and said the child from back then was already dead...

With the throne not under threat, the emperor would quickly return to the capital in peace. He wouldn't hold a grudge against an old beggar who claimed ignorance of everything.

Six Fingers spat again.

Besides, he did know the person's whereabouts, but... if he disclosed it and the emperor refused to let the person off, in the end, if something happened, Wang Henian might not spare him either.

This mouth of his could easily lead to his demise.

He would rather play dumb than open that particular door.

Zhang Xiaoyuan took a few steps and looked back.

Six Fingers and Little Lame still cowered by the wall, fiddling with the worn-out bowls. The silver notes and ingots had long been hidden, but as Zhang Xiaoyuan's gaze fell on them, four words popped up perfectly above Six Fingers' head.

「Preserving life is crucial.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan breathed a sigh of relief.

He swaggered away. The members of the Heavenly Mysterious Shadow Guards indeed didn't notice him. He paid particular attention to their heads, but they showed no signs of suspicion. Thus, Zhang Xiaoyuan slipped into a narrow alley, removed the straw raincoat and bamboo hat, tossed them aside, patted his chest, and eased the overly tense mood.

The next task was to get a scabbard for Eldest Senior Brother.

There were a few blacksmith shops in the county, but Zhang Xiaoyuan wasn't satisfied with what he saw. He knew that for Eldest Senior Brother, the scabbard not only needed to sheathe the sword but also serve as an odd form of defense against strikes and blocking blades. The scabbard had to be sturdy and resistant. The iron in the shops on the street was likely poor quality, showing marks or dents after a few hits. They might look beautiful as decorations at most but were unsuitable for Eldest Senior Brother.

Unable to find a suitable scabbard, Zhang Xiaoyuan had to turn back.

He thought, time was on his side. He would eventually find the right scabbard for Eldest Senior Brother.

Back on the main street outside the county office, he spotted Lu Zhaoming leaning against the willow tree, waiting for him.

Lu Zhaoming, in his white attire, didn't notice the willow fluff falling on his hair and shoulders. He simply smiled faintly.

Zhang Xiaoyuan ran over quickly, and Lu Zhaoming asked him, "Did you find a scabbard?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan shook his head.

Lu Zhaoming said, "No matter, we can look for it later."

Zhang Xiaoyuan grabbed his arm, tiptoed, and patted the willow fluff off his hair. He extended it towards Lu Zhaoming and said, "Eldest Senior Brother, you have willow fluff on your head—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Lu Zhaoming also reached out, plucking a tuft of willow fluff from his head.

The two glanced at each other, and Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but laugh.

Stepping into the county office, he saw Zhao Chengyang coming out with Puyang Jing and Qi Chaoyun. It was already midday, so they were probably going to find Six Fingers. Zhang Xiaoyuan watched them leave, feeling a bit uneasy. Six Fingers had promised not to reveal the matter, but what about later?

He was somewhat afraid.

......

Zhang Xiaoyuan returned to the county office, not having had a proper lunch. He was troubled, and even the most delicious food would taste like wax. Wen Tingting suddenly arrived.

She took the initiative to sit beside Zhang Xiaoyuan, ignoring Lu Zhaoming across from them. Her face was mysteriously unreadable as she whispered to Zhang Xiaoyuan, "Xiaoyuan, do you know!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan had already guessed what she was going to say.

He knew, of course, he knew!

Xiao Mobai and the Dog Emperor were having an affair. They were truly a pair.

Wen Tingting, in a mysterious tone, said, "This morning, I saw Xiao Mobai in Zhao Chengyang's room!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Oh..."

Wen Tingting: "Aren't you surprised at all?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "They were in the same room... so what?"

Wen Tingting nodded. "I forgot, you don't know their identities."

After saying this, she sighed deeply, as if burdened with a belly full of secrets wanting to share with someone but finding nowhere to express it.

As she stood up and took a few steps towards the door, she quickly returned, sat back beside Zhang Xiaoyuan, and whispered, "Xiao Mobai is coming!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan was poking at the rice in his bowl with chopsticks. He looked up, indeed seeing Xiao Mobai walking in. Xiao Mobai smiled at them and said, "No one delivered food, so I came over to check."

Wen Tingting muttered under her breath, "We officials usually come here to eat. Magistrate Qi has never had someone deliver his meals."

Xiao Mobai didn't seem particularly angry and just said, "After being around Ah Yang for a while, it's inevitable to get used to days with someone serving you."

"Young Hero Lu, I've never known any other martial artists," Xiao Mobai said. "Is the martial arts world truly as carefree and unfettered as it's depicted?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan, swallowing a mouthful of rice: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt that even if Xiao Mobai's questions were somewhat silly, ignoring him entirely wouldn't be polite. So, he gently nudged Lu Zhaoming's arm and whispered, "Eldest Senior Brother, he's talking to you."

Lu Zhaoming snapped back to attention.

"Huh?" Lu Zhaoming looked at Zhang Xiaoyuan. "Who's talking to me?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Xiao Mobai looked quite awkward.

He cleared his throat and continued, "I heard scholars mention the martial arts world affairs, and it inevitably sparked my curiosity."

Lu Zhaoming: "Oh."

Xiao Mobai: "......"

Xiao Mobai forced himself to continue, "It seems like people in the martial arts world prioritize loyalty and righteousness, walking the world with honor. It sounds somewhat enviable."

Lu Zhaoming: "Hmm."

Xiao Mobai: "...I wonder if Young Hero Lu has heard any interesting tales?"

Lu Zhaoming: "Huh?"

Xiao Mobai: "......"

A man's pride – never admit defeat!

Xiao Mobai turned back, blinked at Lu Zhaoming, and flashed a sweet smile.

Zhang Xiaoyuan stared at him in amazement as words suddenly appeared on Xiao Mobai's previously blank head.

「Appearance: Charming and captivating.」

「Appearance improved!」

「Appearance: A beauty who can overturn nations.」

Huh?

What is this?

What improved?!

Zhang Xiaoyuan looked at Xiao Mobai's face.

Compared to just moments ago, this face... didn't seem to have changed at all?

He glanced at Wen Tingting and Eldest Senior Brother. Wen Tingting's eyes widened as she stared at Xiao Mobai's face, while Eldest Senior Brother continued to gaze at the empty bowl in front of him without any reaction.

"Young Hero Lu," Xiao Mobai said gently, "You must have heard some interesting tales about the martial arts world, haven't you?"

Lu Zhaoming finally turned his head to look at him and earnestly replied, "No."

Xiao Mobai: "......"

Xiao Mobai suddenly deflated.

DING.

「Appearance: A beauty who can overturn nations.」

「Appearance decreased!」

「Confidence decreased!」

「Appearance: guy by the roadside.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Wen Tingting rubbed her eyes, showing a puzzled expression.