The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 71

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt that he might never be able to wash himself clean even if he jumped into the Yellow River.

He looked at Eldest Senior Brother's innocent expression and couldn't blame him. He had to turn to the others, trying hard to explain.

"Things are definitely not what you think," Zhang Xiaoyuan said, feeling helpless. "Since my hand is injured, I couldn't hold utensils. Eldest Senior Brother just wants to help me."

Hua Liuque nodded earnestly.

"Don't worry, Xiaoyuan," he reassured Zhang Xiaoyuan, patting his chest. "I understand. I won't tell Master about this."

After saying this, he glanced at the others. Everyone nodded in agreement. Except for the heartbroken Second Senior Brother, Cao Zilian and Ashner also nodded, simultaneously promising, "We won't tell anyone."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan covered his face with one hand, feeling his heart turn to ashes.

Lu Zhaoming finally sensed something amiss. He set down his utensils, furrowing his brows slightly, and said, "Don't let your imagination run wild."

Hua Liuque: "Eldest Senior Brother, rest assured! I absolutely have no wild thoughts!"

As soon as he finished speaking, words appeared on top of his head.

「Protecting each other, protecting each other! Is this the love between fellow disciples?」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Not to mention the weariness in Second Senior Brother's heart, Zhang Xiaoyuan also felt exhausted.

Fortunately, Ke Xingwen had unknowingly arrived outside the courtyard to deliver Zhang Xiaoyuan's deposit slip. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Xiaoyuan hastily excused himself, heading towards Ke Xingwen. Suddenly, behind Ke Xingwen, half of Lu Yanfeng's face appeared from behind a big tree.

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Ke Xingwen cleared his throat and said to Zhang Xiaoyuan, "Young Hero Zhang, my master discussed your matter with Junior Martial Uncle... Junior Martial Uncle insisted I bring him to meet you."

Seeing Lu Yanfeng, Zhang Xiaoyuan felt a headache coming on. However, for the sake of Mei Leng'an's face, he could only force a smile and asked, "Elder Lu, is there something you need?"

Lu Yanfeng hesitantly said, "I... I have something I want to ask you."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Elder Lu, please go ahead."

Lu Yanfeng glanced at Ke Xingwen and cleared his throat softly.

Ke Xingwen didn't understand.

Lu Yanfeng forcefully coughed a few times. Ke Xingwen suddenly realized, hastily handing the deposit slip to Zhang Xiaoyuan and quickly saying, "Junior Martial Uncle, Young Hero Zhang, I'll take my leave first."

He turned around, but Zhang Xiaoyuan noticed something different above his head.

「In his thirties and still shy about chasing someone, sigh.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

......

Zhang Xiaoyuan faced Lu Yanfeng alone, feeling nervous.

Lu Yanfeng cleared his throat and spoke up, "I heard from my senior brother that you know quite a bit about the martial arts world. I have some things I want to ask you."

Even with his eyes closed, Zhang Xiaoyuan knew what he wanted to ask.

It was not that he didn't want to help, but with Lu Yanfeng's mouth... who could actually be of assistance to him?!

Lu Yanfeng had already begun, "I want to know Little Que'er's daily preferences."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Elder Lu, I..."

Lu Yanfeng: "I know your fees are high. Although I'm not as wealthy as my senior brother..."

He solemnly unbuckled the sword at his waist and handed it over to Zhang Xiaoyuan.

"This Cold Iron Sword is a treasure of the martial arts world, one of a kind in the world. It's truly invaluable," Lu Yanfeng explained, "If Young Hero Zhang doesn't mind, I'm willing to exchange it for your services."

Without hesitation, Zhang Xiaoyuan blurted out, "He likes beautiful big sisters."

Lu Yanfeng paused, his face showing confusion. "What...?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan was about to explain when footsteps approached from behind. Glancing back, he saw Lu Zhaoming walking towards them, eyebrows slightly furrowed, indicating a bit of tension. He asked, "Xiaoyuan, what are you doing?"

Seeing others approaching, Lu Yanfeng hastily bowed slightly to Zhang Xiaoyuan, expressing his gratitude. "Thank you, Young Hero Zhang. I understand now."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

However, Lu Yanfeng had already hurriedly turned and walked away.

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt a bit uneasy. He glanced at the Cold Iron Sword in his hand, furrowed his brows, and started to walk back. Lu Zhaoming, standing by the courtyard gate, asked him, "What did he want with you?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan was about to answer when he saw several people in the courtyard curiously looking outside. If he spoke directly, they would overhear, so he just blinked at Eldest Senior Brother and then handed the sword to Lu Zhaoming.

Lu Zhaoming frowned. "Isn't this Lu Yanfeng's sword?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan coughed and said, "He came to me... cough, and he gave me the sword."

Lu Zhaoming understood.

Glancing at the people behind them, he took the sword from Zhang Xiaoyuan's hand, grabbed his hand, and led him into the house. As they walked, he said to Zhang Xiaoyuan, "Come with me for now."

Zhang Xiaoyuan's heart trembled, sensing trouble.

He looked back, and indeed, there was a floating sentence above Second Senior Brother's head.

Jiang Jianyu: 「Indeed, no sword for me.」

Jiang Jianyu: 「I'm tired. I want to return to the sect.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

......

Zhang Xiaoyuan followed Lu Zhaoming back into the room, closed the door, and explained Lu Yanfeng's visit.

Considering Lu Yanfeng's peculiar understanding and Hua Liuque's preferences mentioned at the beginning, he felt that Lu Yanfeng might do something strange.

"Let's return to the sect sooner," Zhang Xiaoyuan suggested. "Since the birthday banquet has ended, it's better to go back early to report to Master."

Lu Zhaoming nodded.

He also had a negative impression of Lu Yanfeng, and regarding Zhang Xiaoyuan's matter, he wanted to resolve it with Master sooner. They decided to set out in the afternoon. Later, when they went to bid farewell to Mei Leng'an, Lu Yanfeng was nearby, staring at Hua Liuque with a strange and conflicted expression.

Hua Liuque was frightened by his gaze, eager for everyone to leave soon. However, after Mei Leng'an finished speaking, Lu Yanfeng specifically stopped him and said, "Little Que'er, wait for me."

As they took a few steps away, Zhang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but look back. Lu Yanfeng was watching Hua Liuque's back, with a constant sentence hovering above his head.

「He likes beautiful big sisters.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt a tremor in his heart, a vague sense of ominous premonition.

The distance from Scatterred Blossom Palace to their sect was relatively short. After a few days of travel, they smoothly returned to Fengji County.

In the street, they bumped into Wen Tingting walking her dog and learned that Pei Junze had returned to the county office a few days earlier. It wasn't until evening that they finally made it back to the mountains. Nearly a month had passed since they left the sect. The dilapidated thatched huts and sheds were gone, replaced by several large houses made of stone and roofed with green tiles. There was also a sizable courtyard with blue bricks, adorned with flowers, plants, and trees. In the center stood a wooden stake for martial arts practice, resembling a slightly smaller training ground.

The sect finally looked somewhat like a martial arts school.

Zhang Xiaoyuan was quite pleased.

Lu Zhaoming, mindful of Zhang Xiaoyuan's affairs, found their Master playing chess and drinking tea in the room. After such a long time without seeing each other, Wang Henian was eager to scrutinize each one of them. Moreover, Zhang Xiaoyuan had brought back two potential disciples who wanted to join the sect. Wang Henian was delighted, but before they could exchange many words, Lu Zhaoming, with a serious expression, spoke up, "Master, Martial Uncle, this disciple has an important matter to report."

Wang Henian was a bit curious. "What is it?"

Lu Zhaoming said, "This matter can only be discussed with the two of you."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Xiaoyuan's ears were assaulted by the deafening DING DING sound echoing around them.

Hua Liuque: 「They're about to spill the beans! They're going to spill!」

Cao Zilian: 「The righteous path is not only open but also direct.」

Ashner: 「Central Plains people! Truly courageous!」

Jiang Jianyu: 「Oh, I'll take my leave.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Although Wang Henian didn't know what Lu Zhaoming wanted to say, he nodded and asked the others to leave for now.

Lu Zhaoming cleared his throat and said, "Master, this matter concerns Xiaoyuan, and he needs to stay."

Hua Liuque: 「Oh oh oh!」

Cao Zilian: 「Wow wow wow, can I eavesdrop?!」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan's heart was tearing up.

He felt they shouldn't have accepted Hua Liuque and Cao Zilian into the sect. These two always had strange things on their minds!

After everyone else had left, Lu Zhaoming, still worried about eavesdroppers, specifically invited Wang Henian and She Shuyi into the inner room. Only then did he speak, laying out in detail Zhang Xiaoyuan's ability to peer into others' minds.

Faced with such an unusual matter, Wang Henian couldn't believe it at first. He frowned at Zhang Xiaoyuan and asked, "Xiaoyuan, what is Master thinking about?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan, looking at the top of Wang Henian's head, muttered quietly, "After building the houses, the sect only has three or two silvers left."

Wang Henian: "Uh..."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "The disciples are all back, and we're soon not going to afford meals. What should we do? It's really worrying."

Wang Henian: "......"

She Shuyi: "......"

Wang Henian forced a smile, nodded earnestly, and said, "I believe you."

Seeing that the sect had limited funds, Zhang Xiaoyuan thought it was the perfect time to propose his idea of becoming an informant in the martial arts world to earn money for the sect. After a slight hesitation, he gathered his courage and laid out all his thoughts.

Although Lu Zhaoming agreed to speak on his behalf, before he could say anything, Wang Henian had already furrowed his brows slightly and said, "No."

Zhang Xiaoyuan sighed.

Indeed, Master didn't approve.

Lu Zhaoming: "Master, about this matter..."

She Shuyi directly interrupted him.

"Not allowed?" She Shuyi made a slight tutting sound. "Do you have the ability to earn money yourself? Always saying 'not allowed' without any feasible alternatives."

Wang Henian: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan was stunned.

Wang Henian cleared his throat, attempting to counter, "Junior Brother, a virtuous man acquires wealth—"

She Shuyi: "In what way?"

Wang Henian: "It's... it's about walking the righteous path!"

"Righteous path?" She Shuyi raised an eyebrow slightly. "You've walked this 'righteous path' for so many years. Leaving aside not taking in a single disciple, have you earned enough money to even cover one or two silvers?"

Wang Henian: "......"

"What Xiaoyuan is proposing is not an evil deed, nor is it ill-gotten wealth," She Shuyi said. "You only think about taking disciples and expanding the sect, but don't all these things require money?"

Wang Henian muttered softly, "This matter is too dangerous... What if Xiaoyuan is discovered by someone?"

She Shuyi: "I have my ways."

Wang Henian seemed like he wanted to say something, but seeing She Shuyi's expression, he shut his mouth. Holding the tassel of his sword with a bit of resentment, as if nursing some grievances of being abandoned by disciples and junior brother, he said, "Then... then I'll leave it to you."

Zhang Xiaoyuan watched helplessly as a sentence floated above his head.

Wang Henian: 「Today is also a day of being rejected by my junior brother and disciples. Sigh.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan looked at She Shuyi.

She Shuyi made a gesture, inviting him and Lu Zhaoming to speak privately.

Ignoring Wang Henian, who was almost pulling the tassel of his sword into baldness while slumped in the chair, She Shuyi led the two a bit farther away. He turned around, his expression serious, and frowned as he looked at Zhang Xiaoyuan.

"Xiaoyuan," She Shuyi asked in a deep voice, "Have you also figured out my identity?"