The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 50

138

Zhang Xiaoyuan turned around and looked at the gentle smile on Pei Wuluan's face. His inner thoughts plunged into intense turmoil.

What to do? What should he do?!

If he turned away at this moment, Pei Wuluan might really never be able to wash himself clean, not even if he cleansed himself in the Yellow River a thousand times.

But he couldn't directly admit that he had overheard the conversation between Liesel and Lin Yi by the lotus pond. He couldn't justify why, with his modest martial arts skills, he could eavesdrop on their conversation. He couldn't reveal that he could see into others' thoughts. Zhang Xiaoyuan felt nervous and uneasy. Under great pressure, he unexpectedly had a stroke of inspiration and thought of an excuse that might barely suffice.

Pei Wuluan had already asked him, "Virtuous Nephew, is there anything else?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded earnestly.

Pei Wuluan: "What's wrong?"

"Uncle Pei, when I came over just now, I saw a foreign lady. She's so beautiful. Uncle Pei, do you know her?"

Strictly speaking, Zhang Xiaoyuan didn't appreciate an ostentatious and alluring appearance like Liesel's.

Yet, he had to resort to fabricating stories with his eyes closed, pretending he was captivated by a passing attractive lady, indirectly saving Pei Wuluan's life.

Pei Wuluan smiled and said, "There's only one westerner attending the Martial Arts Conference. You're talking about Liesel, right?"

"Her eyes are cat-like. I've never seen eyes like hers before," Zhang Xiaoyuan said. "She seemed to have something to discuss with you. She stood in the courtyard for a while."

Zhang Xiaoyuan hesitated for a moment, revealing a hesitant expression before continuing, "Uncle Pei, you don't happen to like her, do you?"

Pei Wuluan raised an eyebrow slightly. "How could I possibly like her?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

Thankfully! The crucial statement, Pei Wuluan said it himself!

"I saw her coming out of your study, stood in the courtyard for a while, then pushed the door into your room." Zhang Xiaoyuan frowned. "Maybe the western people don't pay much attention to such etiquette, unaware that entering someone else's bedroom isn't taken lightly."

Pei Wuluan indeed paused, pressing for more information, "She came in?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded.

Pei Wuluan furrowed his brow, as if hearing something crucial. With a thoughtful nod, he then asked Zhang Xiaoyuan, "Did you see what she was doing?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan naturally shook his head. "I was feeding the fish by the lotus pond, and she didn't open the window. I had no idea what she was up to."

Pei Wuluan pondered.

Seizing the moment, Zhang Xiaoyuan continued, "I was so engrossed in feeding the fish that I didn't see her leave. It was only when Elder Lin Yi asked what I was doing that I realized Big Sister Liesel was gone."

"Lin Yi? He's here too?" Pei Wuluan frowned deeply. "Did you see them talking?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan shook his head. "I was focused on feeding the fish. I didn't know when Elder Lin Yi came in."

At least this way, Mo Wentian could know that Pei Wuluan didn't like Liesel, and he didn't know about Liesel entering his room and doing those strange things. Judging by Pei Wuluan's reaction, he might have even raised suspicions about Liesel and Lin Yi. Killing two birds with one stone, he truly was a genius.

Pei Wuluan stroked his chin. Seemingly understanding something, he looked at Zhang Xiaoyuan's innocent eyes, then smiled gently. "Xiaoyuan, if there's nothing else, you can go back now."

Zhang Xiaoyuan obediently nodded.

Chief Pei, I can only help you this far!

Take good care of yourself!

139

When Zhang Xiaoyuan returned to the courtyard, it was already evening.

He promised to give Pei Wuluan a repentance letter tomorrow, so there shouldn't be any more delays. He should go find Cao Zilian now and make sure he squeezes out a heartfelt repentance letter no matter what.

However, the recent turmoil at Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion left him anxious. With his mediocre martial arts skills and the approaching darkness, he didn't dare to go out alone. Instead, he decided to return to the small courtyard first, hoping to ask Eldest Senior Brother for company.

Ke Xingwen, who lived next door, hadn't returned for several days. When Zhang Xiaoyuan returned, he coincidentally saw Ke Xingwen moving some personal belongings out. Curious, he stood by the door, greeted Ke Xingwen, and then blinked his eyes, staring at him.

Ke Xingwen felt awkward and could only smile awkwardly. "My master hasn't been well these days. I'm moving to take care of him for a few days."

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded.

He glanced at Ke Xingwen's head.

「Things got a bit intense last night. I might have to accompany my master for a few more days.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt that his pure heart had been tainted.

The subtle gaze he revealed clearly sent a chill down Ke Xingwen's spine. Sensing something amiss, Ke Xingwen hastily attempted to explain, "My master has always had poor health. After joining the Martial Arts Alliance, he fell ill due to the change in environment."

Zhang Xiaoyuan didn't speak.

Always had poor health, always.

Hmm...

Ke Xingwen cleared his throat heavily. He didn't even know why he was so nervous. Fearful of giving himself away, he obviously didn't dare to say more. Quickly lifting his belongings, he bid farewell to Zhang Xiaoyuan, "Young Hero Zhang, I'll take my leave. Goodbye."

Zhang Xiaoyuan lifted his head, watching Ke Xingwen depart.

There was a line of text floating there.

「If I return late, my master will surely get angry. Sigh, being too clingy is both sweet and troublesome.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan didn't want to look any longer.

He rushed back to his room, flung the door open without a second thought, darted inside, and swiftly closed the door, finally exhaling.

It was terrifying. Scatterred Blossom Palace was truly terrifying.

He hastily scanned the room. It seemed Eldest Senior Brother wasn't inside. He tossed the chicken coop by the door, and Zhang Xiaoyuan rushed to the table, pouring himself a cup of tea. As he lifted the teacup, he suddenly heard a faint sound of water.

He paused, hurriedly turned around, looking at the screen behind him.

Eldest Senior Brother's clothes were hanging on the screen.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Lu Zhaoming must be inside the room. Not only that, the sound of water just now... could it be that Eldest Senior Brother was bathing?!

They were martial brothers in the same sect and often shared a room. Such matters were usually not a big deal. However, after meeting Pei Wuluan and Ke Xingwen, along with Ke Xingwen's ambiguous thoughts, Zhang Xiaoyuan suddenly felt awkward in this situation.

He slightly raised his voice, trembling as he asked, "Eldest Senior Brother? Is that you?"

Indeed, Lu Zhaoming's voice came from behind the screen, "Yes."

Zhang Xiaoyuan awkwardly stood up, "I'll go find something to eat first."

"Wait." Lu Zhaoming stopped him. "Have you really considered Cao Zilian's matter?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Can't we discuss serious matters later? Isn't it awkward talking through a screen!

Zhang Xiaoyuan had no choice but to stop in his tracks and respond to Lu Zhaoming, "I don't think he's a bad person."

At least he couldn't discern any ill intentions from Cao Zilian and Ashner. These two were simply ambitious but clueless individuals, eager and motivated when presented with an impressive goal. Despite their shady background, they valued loyalty and righteousness. Bringing them to Wang Henian, he believed that their master could guide them well.

Lu Zhaoming frowned and told him, "Knowing the surface doesn't mean knowing one's mind."

What did he mean by not knowing one's mind? He knew them best!

Zhang Xiaoyuan tried a different approach and straightforwardly said to Lu Zhaoming, "Eldest Senior Brother, their martial arts skills are far inferior to yours. Even if they have ill intentions, there's nothing to fear."

Lu Zhaoming, who dared to keep the mysterious Xing Yan by his side, someone with skills surpassing Cao Zilian, certainly had no reason to be afraid.

Silence fell in the room again.

Zhang Xiaoyuan, steeling himself, directly asked Lu Zhaoming, "Eldest Senior Brother, I've already talked to Chief Pei."

Lu Zhaoming: "Hmm."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Chief Pei said that Cao Zilian just needs to submit a repentance letter, and he'll agree to this matter."

Lu Zhaoming: "Alright."

"I'll write to Master about that part," Zhang Xiaoyuan said. "However, tonight, I might need you to accompany me to visit Cao Zilian..."

Lu Zhaoming: "......"

Lu Zhaoming didn't respond, and Zhang Xiaoyuan felt anxious.

He lifted the teacup, took a big sip, then heard Lu Zhaoming getting up and putting on clothes. After waiting for a moment, thinking Lu Zhaoming probably finished changing, he hurriedly took two steps to the screen. Meanwhile, he anxiously considered his words.

He never expected that the fat pigeon was still tied under the table, sleeping.

Accidentally hooking the rope attached to the fat pigeon, he successfully tripped himself. Amidst the startled and alarmed coos of the awakened pigeon, he fell to the ground with a thud. At the last moment, he managed to support himself with his elbow, avoiding a miserable face-first landing.

However, the ground was quite rough, and his elbow and knees scraped against it. The pain made him grit his teeth, and the situation was embarrassingly awkward...

Zhang Xiaoyuan, with teary eyes, couldn't immediately stand up. He could only pitifully turn his head and finish the sentence, "I'm a bit scared."

Lu Zhaoming: "......"

Lu Zhaoming's clothes were still disheveled, the collar loose, revealing his neck and the prominent collarbone with a healed scar below.

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt a fiery pain in his elbow and knees. Looking at the scar below Lu Zhaoming's collarbone, he sniffed, struggled to sit up, and asked Lu Zhaoming, "Eldest Senior Brother, have you been injured?"

Lu Zhaoming vaguely replied, "Got hurt practicing swordplay when I was young."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Must have been painful."

With tears still in his eyes, looking pitiful, Zhang Xiaoyuan glanced at Lu Zhaoming. After a moment, Lu Zhaoming sighed lightly, crouched down, and asked him, "Where are you hurt?"

When he asked, Zhang Xiaoyuan felt even more wronged. But as he turned to look at the shocked fat pigeon, he couldn't blame a bird. In the end, he could only reluctantly tell Lu Zhaoming, "Elbow and knees."

His sleeves were already worn through on the floor. Lu Zhaoming untied the tightened cuff strap, carefully pulled up the sleeve, and saw scraped skin on the elbow, looking somewhat severe, with blood starting to drip. Lu Zhaoming stood up to find the medical supplies in his luggage, but heard Zhang Xiaoyuan pitifully asking from behind, "Eldest Senior Brother, will you go out with me tonight?"

Lu Zhaoming: "......"

"The people from Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion might still be in Baicang City," Zhang Xiaoyuan sensed that Lu Zhaoming didn't want to agree. He was already thinking of giving up, but muttered softly to Lu Zhaoming, "I'm just a little... scared."

Lu Zhaoming took a deep breath.

"Appl the medicine first. If you don't cry," Lu Zhaoming placed the ointment on the table and slightly frowned, "I'll go with you."