The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 65

167

Zhang Xiaoyuan helped Mei Leng'an support Ke Xingwen, ignoring the gaze of Eldest Senior Brother following closely. They hurriedly left together.

Suddenly, he felt his heart so weary.

Just with such a sudden incident, he had to explain to Mei Leng'an and Ke Xingwen later why he knew these things. He couldn't reveal the truth, only fabricate excuses. Moreover, when he went back, he had to face the interrogation of Eldest Senior Brother and Second Senior Brother. He was only seventeen, yet living was so tiring.

Lu Yanfeng wanted to follow when Ke Xingwen suddenly fainted, but Mei Leng'an had a lot on his mind. He made others temporarily leave, taking only Zhang Xiaoyuan to help Ke Xingwen back to his room. After confirming no one was eavesdropping, he closed the door and said to Ke Xingwen, "You should wake up now."

Ke Xingwen, pretending to be unconscious for a while, touched the large bump on the back of his head and said, "Master... Master, I..."

"Today is my birthday, how could you do such an inappropriate thing?" Mei Leng'an seemed slightly displeased. "You're not young anymore, how can you still be so childish?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt that Mei Leng'an's words were not quite right. He was still present. Lovers' quarrels should at least avoid involving him. In saying so, Mei Leng'an either vaguely suspected that he was already aware of the relationship between the two or was testing him, considering him as Ke Xingwen's "ally." Mei Leng'an might believe that Zhang Xiaoyuan participated in preventing his withdrawal today, with Ke Xingwen feigning unconsciousness.

Anyway, it had to be said in front of him. Ke Xingwen was too heavy. Just now, Zhang Xiaoyuan moved him with sweat pouring down. Looking around, he pulled out a chair, intending to sit down, catch his breath, and watch the drama unfold.

Ke Xingwen, at a loss, had already made up his mind to tell Mei Leng'an everything. However, at this moment, he didn't know where to start. After hesitating for a while, he could only mutter, "Master... I lied to you."

Mei Leng'an paused, furrowing his brows slightly, but he didn't seem surprised. Instead, he calmly asked, "Lied to me? When?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan saw words flashing across his head.

「He's finally going to speak.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

He should have thought about it earlier!

Unlike the typical sect masters, Mei Leng'an rose to power as the former sect master's lover. This meant that becoming the head of the Scattered Blossom Palace wasn't based on martial arts but on his strategic thinking and methods.

Originally, it was impossible for no one in the Scatterred Blossom Palace to be unaware of his grievances with the former sect master. Yet now, no one in the Scattered Blossom Palace mentioned it. This was already quite strange. Upon reflection, Mei Leng'an must have used some means to suppress the matter. When Ke Xingwen joined, he was just a child. What could a child hide from someone like Mei Leng'an? Even if he tried to conceal it, someone like Mei Leng'an should easily see through it.

So, Mei Leng'an knew everything from start to finish. Despite this, he played along with Ke Xingwen, even waiting for Ke Xingwen to confess voluntarily.

Zhang Xiaoyuan propped his chin, feeling inexplicably sorry for Mei Leng'an.

Not only that, Ke Xingwen was also pitiful.

Ke Xingwen lowered his head, feeling a colossal mistake. Unsure of how to begin, after several attempts to speak, he finally whispered, "I... I belong to the Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion."

Although Pei Wuluan hadn't publicized the mysterious appearance of the Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion, he had mentioned it to some esteemed elders in the martial arts world. Mei Leng'an, naturally informed, knew everything. When he heard that Ke Xingwen belonged to the Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion, he didn't seem surprised. He simply nodded, patiently asking, "What else?"

"Lin Yi is from the Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion. He once saved my life." Ke Xingwen steeled himself and spilled everything. "He asked me to join the Scattered Blossom Palace."

He lifted his head, sneakily glancing at Mei Leng'an. Mei Leng'an's expression was devoid of anger. He finally gained some courage and continued slowly, "He wanted me to disclose confidential matters within the Scattered Blossom Palace that I had access to... I..."

When he was just a child, it was difficult for him to discern right from wrong. Lin Yi had saved his life, so whatever Lin Yi asked, he naturally did.

At that time, he didn't know how to resist, but things were a bit different now.

Ke Xingwen whispered, "I haven't contacted him for a long time."

Mei Leng'an nodded. "So why did you stop me today?"

"A few days ago, Lin Yi found me. He wanted me to... make you retire as soon as possible." Ke Xingwen nervously clutched his own clothing. "He wanted to slander you and Junior Martial Uncle today, making the martial arts world think that you two have private shortcomings, and then transfer the position of the sect master to someone else."

Earlier, he didn't know how to straightforwardly advise Mei Leng'an, so he could only indirectly persuade him not to retire, not to give up the position of sect master. However, Mei Leng'an persisted in doing so. In the end, he lacked the courage to directly confess everything.

Mei Leng'an: "Why did you tell me about this today?"

Ke Xingwen: "It's Young Hero Zhang..."

Both of them paused, turning around simultaneously, as if they finally remembered there was an outsider happily watching the drama.

Zhang Xiaoyuan coughed. "Continue with what you're doing. I'm non-existent."

Ke Xingwen spoke first, "Young Hero Zhang, why do you know what I did?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Well..."

Mei Leng'an also frowned. "How much do you actually know?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Just... a little more than you guys, I guess."

He was somewhat nervous.

On the way here, he had already crafted a set of nonsense-like excuses. He didn't know if the two would believe him, but now that it had come to this, if he didn't spin some tales, he would have to reveal the truth.

Zhang Xiaoyuan let out a deep sigh.

"Originally, I didn't want to tell you," Zhang Xiaoyuan said, "Whether you two are lovey-dovey or at odds has little to do with me."

Ke Xingwen stiffened. "You... even know about that too?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan awkwardly smiled. "The walls in the Martial Arts Alliance room are too thin. I overheard everything..."

Ke Xingwen: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan, with a forced smile, looked at Mei Leng'an and asked, "Elder Mei, don't you find it strange?"

Mei Leng'an: "I find everything about you strange."

After saying this, Zhang Xiaoyuan saw words popping up above his head.

「Current suspicion level: 90%」

Zhang Xiaoyuan was stunned.

Wait, what's this new development?

"My master has several disciples. Apart from me, they either excel in martial arts or possess exceptional lightness skills. The worst among them is a former master of a dark sect who switched sides to the righteous path," Zhang Xiaoyuan said earnestly. "As for me, I'm not skilled in martial arts. I come from an ordinary background, and seem to be good at nothing."

Mei Leng'an slightly furrowed his brows, as if contemplating the truthfulness behind his words.

「Current suspicion level: 70%」

Good! It decreased!

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt that the lies he concocted might have some effect. He breathed a sigh of relief and continued speaking.

"I know many things in the martial arts world. I have my own methods and sources," Zhang Xiaoyuan said. "And it's precisely because of this that my master accepted me into the sect."

He was trying to protect himself.

Looking at it now, Mei Leng'an, aside from having an ambiguous relationship with his disciples, hadn't done anything outrageously wrong. He was kind to his juniors, even tolerating the eccentric Lu Yanfeng. But Zhang Xiaoyuan didn't dare to bet that Mei Leng'an wouldn't harm him. He could only fabricate lies and pretend that Wang Henian knew about these things.

Considering Wang Henian's well-known protective nature, if Mei Leng'an dared to touch him, Wang Henian would certainly not easily let it go.

Zhang Xiaoyuan smiled confidently at Mei Leng'an. "Elder Mei, rest assured. Those in our line of work have principles. I will never disclose this matter."

Mei Leng'an, seemingly pondering, nodded and replied, "I understand your customs. No problem. Money is not an issue."

DING.

「Current suspicion level: 30%」

"Things that can be solved with money are not significant matters."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Huh?

Did Mei Leng'an misunderstand?

168

Zhang Xiaoyuan sat in Ke Xingwen's room, holding a box of hefty silver notes that Mei Leng'an had just arranged to be delivered, lost in his own contemplation.

Mei Leng'an seemed to have genuinely misunderstood.

Zhang Xiaoyuan only wanted to emphasize his discretion, but Mei Leng'an appeared to have misconstrued that statement as him asking for hush money.

However, Zhang Xiaoyuan had no intention of clearing up this misunderstanding.

Not only that, he felt like he had discovered a new way to get rich quick. However, this method... was a bit unethical. Threatening others was something Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't bring himself to do.

Holding the box of silver notes, he struggled internally, unsure whether he should return them to Mei Leng'an.

"Elder Mei..." Zhang Xiaoyuan whispered, "I actually didn't intend to..."

Mei Leng'an raised his hand, silencing what Zhang Xiaoyuan was about to say next.

"No need to worry. It's just some petty cash," Mei Leng'an said. "Coincidentally, I have some things I want to ask you."

Here it comes.

The first deal! It's happening!

Zhang Xiaoyuan sat upright, looking serious, and nodded earnestly. "Elder Mei, please go ahead."

"Xingwen, you probably don't know Lin Yi's identity, do you?" Mei Leng'an bluntly asked. "Do you know his position within the Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion?"

Ke Xingwen shook his head. "I... he didn't tell me those things."

Mei Leng'an turned to Zhang Xiaoyuan.

Zhang Xiaoyuan blurted out, "He's the head of the four elders in the Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion, and the Heavenly Drizzle Pavilion intends to replace the Demon Sect to become the overlord of the dark path. Besides wanting to tarnish your reputation today, he also considered making a move against Chief Pei."

Mei Leng'an was slightly surprised. He remained silent, but a line of words appeared above his head: 「Truly overestimating one's abilities.」

「Current suspicion level: 10%」

Zhang Xiaoyuan cleared his throat and continued, "If Elder Mei trusts me, I actually have some methods."

Mei Leng'an looked at him.

"I don't know how much Elder Mei knows about Lin Yi's affairs. Since we're doing business together, I'm willing to share his information with you," Zhang Xiaoyuan said. "However... I need Elder Mei to agree to a few things."

Mei Leng'an asked, "What do you want to do?"

"The reason for my initiation is known only to my master. None of my senior brothers are aware. They always thought I was accepted as a disciple because of my father's close relationship with my master," Zhang Xiaoyuan said. "I hope Elder Mei can help me keep this secret from them."

Mei Leng'an nodded. "That's doable."

"The risks in our line of work are enormous, and I shouldn't have exposed my identity," Zhang Xiaoyuan whispered. "Today's sudden event, I received last-minute information that Lin Yi intended to harm Elder Mei. I had no choice but to resort to this..."

Upon careful consideration, Zhang Xiaoyuan felt he had made a significant sacrifice, yet strangely, he found fortune in the midst of adversity — securing the first deal in his Bai Xiaosheng career.

Mei Leng'an understood. "You want me to conceal your identity for you."

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded.

Mei Leng'an remained silent for a moment, then asked him, "How much do you know about my affairs?"

Unsure of Mei Leng'an's intention, Zhang Xiaoyuan felt a bit nervous but truthfully replied, "Most of it."

Unexpectedly, Mei Leng'an nodded, restoring his calm demeanor.

"I agree," Mei Leng'an said. "Since we both have leverage over each other... after this matter concludes, we can maintain a long-term relationship."

Zhang Xiaoyuan nodded calmly, though his hands holding the box of silver notes trembled slightly.

"Alright," Mei Leng'an said. "What else do you want me to agree to?"

DING.

「Current suspicion level: 0」

Zhang Xiaoyuan took a deep breath.

"Lin Yi is a false gentleman, but he cares a lot about his reputation," Zhang Xiaoyuan said softly. "He wanted to tarnish your personal virtue, not realizing that he is the one with the most questionable moral character in the righteous martial arts world."