The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 63

164

Lu Zhaoming looked serious, making Zhang Xiaoyuan somewhat afraid.

Zhang Xiaoyuan didn't know what Lu Zhaoming was thinking. He was afraid that Lu Zhaoming might guess what he wanted to do. Feeling nervous, he could only respond quietly, "I... I'm just curious..."

Lu Zhaoming: "Just curious?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded incessantly.

Lu Zhaoming furrowed his brows slightly. He still felt concerned. After a while, he said to Zhang Xiaoyuan, "If you want to make money, it's fine, but don't get involved in shady business."

Zhang Xiaoyuan was extremely nervous, "Eldest Senior Brother! I really am just curious!"

He almost felt that Lu Zhaoming had figured out what he wanted to do. He felt panicked and scared, thinking that with Eldest Senior Brother's character... Eldest Senior Brother would surely not agree to do such things.

Lu Zhaoming nodded. "Don't learn from Puyang Jing."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Wait, Puyang Jing?

How was this matter related to Puyang Jing?

He was momentarily perplexed, struggling to understand the meaning behind Lu Zhaoming's words.

Hua Liuque was the first to comprehend.

He chuckled initially, intending to suppress it, but soon burst into laughter. Seeing Zhang Xiaoyuan still looking bewildered, he couldn't resist teasing, "Eldest Senior Brother is afraid you'll learn disguise techniques, turning into a spitting image of Puyang Jing, hahaha!"

Zhang Xiaoyuan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly understood.

Puyang Jing was also skilled in disguise, but his technique was unique. While others merely altered their appearance, Puyang Jing transformed into a graceful and charming beauty, even adopting the identity of the alluring "Puyang Jing." It was unclear what experiences led him to master such a unique form of disguise.

Zhang Xiaoyuan blushed, uncertain how Eldest Senior Brother linked disguise techniques with cross-dressing, especially considering Puyang Jing's fondness for impersonating courtesans. Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but let his imagination run wild. He was aware that such individuals existed in the brothels and entertainment establishments. Perhaps Eldest Senior Brother's words were unintentional, but Zhang Xiaoyuan felt he should be angry. In the end, he found himself merely embarrassed, finding Eldest Senior Brother's remark a bit too much to bear.

Zhang Xiaoyuan abruptly stood up, furrowing his brow as he glared at Lu Zhaoming for a moment, then turned and walked away.

Perplexed, Lu Zhaoming turned to Hua Liuque, who couldn't stop laughing, and earnestly asked, "What's wrong with him?"

Suppressing a laugh, Hua Liuque replied, "Isn't he angry?"

Lu Zhaoming: "Angry?"

Hua Liuque nodded seriously. "Or maybe he's just shy?"

Lu Zhaoming was even more puzzled. "Shy?"

Seriously contemplating his recent words, he felt it was merely a senior brother's advice to his junior brother.

......

When Lu Zhaoming returned to the room, he found Zhang Xiaoyuan had covered his head with a blanket, as if already asleep.

Lu Zhaoming didn't dwell on it, considering an afternoon nap normal. After a brief stay in the room, he left again, searching for Jiang Jianyu to deliver the birthday gift prepared by Martial Uncle.

Very well.

Zhang Xiaoyuan, who had been pretending to sleep without moving, peeked out from under the blanket, convinced that he had assessed the situation.

Eldest Senior Brother had probably just mentioned it casually, with no additional meaning. Indeed, he had overthought the situation.

Eldest Senior Brother, being the person he was, not only would he ignore playful remarks from young women, but he probably had no idea about the peculiarities of men cross-dressing in the entertainment world. In the end, Zhang Xiaoyuan realized he had overanalyzed things.

Emerging from his covers, Zhang Xiaoyuan decided to take advantage of Eldest Senior Brother's absence to contemplate and write some unique stories about Lu Yanfeng. He was confident he could make some money from the intriguing tales of the martial arts world.

Perhaps due to the numerous birthday gift deliveries, Lu Zhaoming and Jiang Jianyu returned only by evening. Trying to maintain composure, Zhang Xiaoyuan pretended as if nothing had happened today. Just as he was about to greet them, Jiang Jianyu sat down, poured himself tea, and furrowed his brow. "Eldest Senior Brother, didn't you feel anything?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan paused, curious, and asked, "What happened?"

Lu Zhaoming shook his head. "I didn't notice anything."

Jiang Jianyu finished his tea, turned to Zhang Xiaoyuan, and said, "Earlier, when Eldest Senior Brother and I went to deliver the birthday gift, they registered it as usual. However, after glancing at the list, they suddenly became polite to us."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

With a puzzled expression, Jiang Jianyu continued, "Even Ke Xingwen mentioned wanting to come personally to thank us. I don't understand... if they have something to say, why not say it directly?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Was there a list for the birthday gifts?"

Lu Zhaoming nodded. "Yes."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "You didn't check the list?"

Jiang Jianyu: "Martial Uncle wrote the list, and the envelope was sealed tight. I didn't feel right tearing it open."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

So, they had no idea what She Shuyi had actually gifted Mei Leng'an.

Why would he not respect them? Considering that She Shuyi's gift was, at the very least, worth tens of thousands of taels of silver, if not more, it was like offering personal funds to enhance the prestige of the sect. Martial Uncle's dedication to the sect was profound, but the thought of such a staggering contribution made Zhang Xiaoyuan hesitant to contemplate.

165

Mei Leng'an's birthday arrived quickly. Scatterred Blossom Palace set up hundreds of banquet tables to host the martial arts world colleagues who came to congratulate him.

Zhang Xiaoyuan, belonging to a small sect, should have sat far from the main table. However, She Shuyi's generosity secured them a prime location. Now, they were seated not far from Mei Leng'an. The surroundings were filled with influential figures and heirs from renowned families in the martial arts world. Some had even experienced Eldest Senior Brother's blows during the martial arts tournament, leaving Zhang Xiaoyuan feeling uneasy.

Yet, it was an excellent spot for observing the spectacle.

Zhang Xiaoyuan knew Mei Leng'an intended to retire today, so he kept a close eye on the people around him, anticipating the most thrilling moment of the birthday celebration.

Mei Leng'an had already taken his seat, his demeanor calm as he engaged in occasional conversation with guests offering toasts. It seemed he had made up his mind, unwavering in his decision, free from any hesitation or doubt.

Beside him were Lin Yi and the Mountainous View Sect Sect. Pei Wuluan should have attended, but the situation with Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion proved too tricky. He cited numerous alliance affairs, prepared only a birthday gift, and chose not to show up.

Ke Xingwen sat lower down, still considered a junior. At the birthday banquet, he couldn't sit with the senior sect masters who came to congratulate. He appeared uneasy.

Zhang Xiaoyuan remembered Ke Xingwen's previous lack of support for Mei Leng'an's retirement. Now, it seemed his stance had not changed.

Meanwhile, the soon-to-be successor, Lu Yanfeng, sat with the elders from Scatterred Blossom Palace, oblivious to the impending events. He kept sneakily glancing in their direction, undoubtedly searching for Hua Liuque, as Zhang Xiaoyuan knew.

However, Hua Liuque was absent.

To avoid awkward encounters with familiar faces at today's birthday banquet, Hua Liuque had taken Cao Zilian and Ashner down the mountain earlier to stroll through the city of Xianglin.

Zhang Xiaoyuan watched as Lu Yanfeng sighed deeply, words forming in his mind.

「He's avoiding me. He's genuinely afraid of me.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan sighed along.

Mei Leng'an unexpectedly passing the leadership to Lu Yanfeng signaled the imminent demise of Scatterred Blossom Palace.

They had already informed Jiang Jianyu about Mei Leng'an's retirement today. Now, Jiang Jianyu, cracking melon seeds, stared intently at the main table, his eyes filled with excitement. When Zhang Xiaoyuan glanced at him, he saw a string of endless words above Jiang Jianyu's head.

「It's happening, it's happening, it's happening, it's happening...」

Even though they were just words, Jiang Jianyu's voice echoed in Zhang Xiaoyuan's ears. Unable to bear it, he turned his head, feeling disturbed even by his own gaze.

Eldest Senior Brother was better. Eldest Senior Brother remained calm.

Zhang Xiaoyuan turned to look at Lu Zhaoming, only to find Lu Zhaoming coincidentally looking at him.

Lu Zhaoming clearly disliked the noisy and formal scene that required polite responses. From the moment he took his seat, he coldly fixed his gaze on Zhang Xiaoyuan. Others, seeing his expression, naturally dared not approach him for conversation.

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt that amidst the crowd, Eldest Senior Brother seemed somewhat nervous.

Unable to restrain himself, he smiled at Eldest Senior Brother. Lu Zhaoming was slightly taken aback, lips pursed slightly as if about to speak. However, the main table erupted into a noisy commotion, and Mei Leng'an stood up with a wine cup in hand.

After some customary words, he raised his cup to everyone, downing the wine. Today, many had toasted to him, so he had already consumed quite a bit. His cheeks were slightly flushed, eyes showing signs of intoxication, but his courage seemed bolstered.

"I'm deeply grateful to all of you who have specially come to celebrate my birthday," Mei Leng'an declared loudly to the crowd. "Apart from the birthday celebration, there is another matter today that I'd like you all to witness."

Zhang Xiaoyuan looked around.

Lu Yanfeng glanced at Mei Leng'an, his face showing confusion. It seemed Mei Leng'an hadn't informed him of this matter beforehand, and he had no idea what Mei Leng'an was about to say.

Ke Xingwen tightened his grip on the wine cup, nerves causing a slight tremble.

Zhang Xiaoyuan found it very strange.

If Mei Leng'an was retiring, why was Ke Xingwen so nervous?

"After today, I, Mei Leng'an, will be over fifty," Mei Leng'an said. "In recent years, I've felt the weight of age, my body weakening. I believe this martial arts world should belong to the younger generation."

Lin Yi laughed, "Master Mei, you're just making jokes again. Look at the people at our table. Is there anyone who looks younger than you?"

While saying this, there was no hint of a smile in his eyes, and even a line of words appeared above his head.

「Someone who rose to power through dubious means, yet has the nerve to openly declare retirement.」

Wait a minute.

Zhang Xiaoyuan began to feel that something was off.

How did Lin Yi know that Mei Leng'an would retire today?

Even Lu Yanfeng was unaware of this matter. Mei Leng'an wouldn't have a reason to inform Lin Yi, right?

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt something was off — very off.

He felt a sense of panic and an ominous premonition, sensing that something significant was bound to happen today.

However, Eldest Senior Brother suddenly held his hand.

"Xiaoyuan? What's wrong?" Lu Zhaoming quietly asked. "You seem quite uneasy."

Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't find words.

He was uneasy. He withdrew his hand, unsure how to explain. When he turned to look at Mei Leng'an and Ke Xingwen again, he noticed several lines of words had appeared above Ke Xingwen's head.

「Parents died in a famine, once saved by Purple Mist Tower Master, Lin Yi. Later, to repay the kindness, acting on Lin Yi's orders, infiltrated Scatterred Blossom Palace, became Mei Leng'an's disciple, stealing secrets for Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion's use.」

「Ke Xingwen, senior disciple of Scatterred Blossom Palace, Lin Yi's adopted son, member of Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan's eyes widened, unable to believe what he was seeing.

Just yesterday, they were An'an and Wenwen. How did he suddenly become an undercover agent for Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion?

Why did he only see Ke Xingwen's identity now?

He blamed himself for not paying enough attention to Ke Xingwen in the past, not scrutinizing his actions closely. But now... now that Mei Leng'an had decided to retire with Ke Xingwen, everything seemed irreparable.

DING.

Another light sound.

Zhang Xiaoyuan lifted his head, looking at the words above Ke Xingwen.

「Master, it's this disciple's fault.」

Something was off.

Zhang Xiaoyuan frowned.

There must be a way to salvage the situation.