Bab 22: Chapter 22 Luofeng Alliance
Editor: Atlas Studios
"Is this really feasible?"
In the pavilion, Su Mo sat down and took a sip from his teacup.
It seems that today's visit didn't accomplish much, apart from drinking tea.
"What's not feasible about it?"
Yang Xiaoyun sneered, "Although Wu Daoyou is the Deputy City Lord of Luoxia City, our Iron Blood Escort Agency is not someone to be trifled with either. Proposing a ten-year term is already giving enough face to Wu Chengfeng. If they really anger me, watch as I take up my spear, storm into Wu Mansion, and leave him with a face blooming like peach blossoms?"
Su Mo nodded, actually believing that Yang Xiaoyun was capable of doing such a thing.
The Iron Blood Escort Agency, with Yang Yizhi, the Iron Blood Dragon Spear, as their banner, indeed need not fear others.
But he was curious, "What came over Wu Chengfeng this time?"
"Ah, that's a long story."
Yang Xiaoyun rolled up her sleeves and poured more tea for Su Mo, "In recent years, Luofeng Alliance has risen significantly. Initially, it was just an offensive and defensive alliance formed by the City Lords of Luoxia and another city, Tianyu, to withstand the storms of Jianghu. But as time passed, the Alliance's influence expanded. Smaller factions flocked to join, and even the cities of Zhongfu and Jinyang joined. With its influence now covering four major cities and encompassing Three Rivers and two bays,
to the west lies Wusheng Hall, to the south—the Endless Sea, to the north—Heavenly Blade Sect, and to the east, well, there's no need to mention the bustling Dongcheng with its myriad of Sects. Although the Luofeng Alliance's power is significant, they have no foothold there.
Thus, a somewhat stable situation has formed. While it may not be possible for them to expand further, anyone who thinks of provoking the Luofeng Alliance must consider whether their own head is hard enough."
She took a sip of tea to moisten her throat after speaking so much and saw that Su Mo wasn't impatient. Her mouth curled slightly as she continued,
"Originally, this would've resulted in peaceful coexistence, but in the past two years, Wei Ruhan, the Alliance Leader of Luofeng Alliance, is getting on in years. Old and frail, he may depart this world at any time.
Although he intends to step back, the position of Alliance Leader can't be left vacant.
Among those remaining, whether it's Wu Daoyou or the other Alliance Hierarchs, they are all of equal fame and experience. Choosing someone to take over the flag of Luofeng Alliance is as difficult as reaching the sky."
Su Mo nodded, "Indeed, that is a difficult situation. If it's decided rashly, no one will be convinced by the other, and it would take but a moment for the great Luofeng Alliance to crumble."
"That's exactly what I mean."
Yang Xiaoyun smiled and glanced at Su Mo, "Do you understand now?"
Su Mo was startled, understand what?
But then something came to mind, "I remember Uncle Yang once thrust his Dragon Spear eastward, deep into Three Mountains and Seven Villages, eighteen gangs, not only establishing the golden signboard of 'Iron Blood Dragon Spear' but also strengthening many notable masters. This foundation laid the groundwork for the Iron Blood Escort Agency... Could it be that they want to take this network for themselves?"
"Luofeng Alliance finds it very difficult to expand by force now. The natural course of action would be to blaze a new trail. Who knows which childless person gave Wu Daoyou such a foolish idea, suggesting that his dunce of a son gets betrothed to me. By making this connection, they aim to tap into the network my father controls, in turn allowing the Luofeng Alliance to tear open a hole to the east."
Yang Xiaoyun was grinding her teeth, wishing she could crush the 'childless one' on the spot when she mentioned this,
"With my temperament, the first time that Wu Chengfeng appeared before me, I should have skewered him on my spear's tip and hung him on the city gate to dry for three days and nights. However, the Luofeng Alliance is no small matter, and I can't just put the Iron Blood Escort Agency on the line over this.
After beating him a few times, he was quiet for a couple of days. But I never expected him to dare come over today and pester me.
He really doesn't know how to avoid death. If you're unhappy about it, I can sneak into Wu Mansion under the cover of darkness and silently take the lad out."
"Those are just angry words."
Su Mo couldn't help but laugh and cry, "Aren't you afraid of falling into someone else's trap?"
"Oh?"
Yang Xiaoyun was taken aback, "What do you mean by that?"
"Regardless of how sincere her intentions truly are, there's one thing she should be aware of. Between you and me, a marriage promise exists. Uncle Yang might not have thought highly of me over the years, yet he never tore up that marriage contract."
At this point, Su Mo subconsciously paused. He hadn't intended to bring this up, but now he had inadvertently mentioned it in the flow of conversation.
He stole a glance at Yang Xiaoyun and saw no displeasure or any odd expression on her face, as if what Su Mo mentioned was nothing out of the ordinary...
He shook his head slightly and continued, "As for Wu Chengfeng's persistent pestering, whether he achieves his aim or not, there's a suspicion of spoiling one's reputation. From this, I start to feel that the person advising Wu Daoyou behind the scenes may not have good intentions."
"This..."
Yang Xiaoyun's brows furrowed, "That does seem to make sense, but wouldn't Wu Daoyou be able to see through this?"
"Who knows..."
Su Mo said with a smile, "The schemes and machinations of these people are hard to fathom, and they may not take affairs of the young and in love to heart. Even if we step back ten thousand paces, it's possible that Wu Daoyou holds some hope..."
"Then he's deluding himself."
Yang Xiaoyun snorted coldly, "Everyone in Luoxia City knows that we have been betrothed since childhood. I am your wife-to-be, it is known to all. Yet they regard me, Yang Xiaoyun, as someone who could easily change affections?"
"..."
Su Mo was speechless for a moment, truly sensing how Yang Xiaoyun differed from ordinary women.
When it came to matters of betrothal, she didn't exhibit the usual shyness of a woman; her demeanor and tone almost made it unclear who was marrying whom.
Watching Yang Xiaoyun's changing expressions, Su Mo couldn't tell what was on her mind.
"What is it?"
He asked casually.
Yang Xiaoyun took a deep breath, "Father also remains silent on this matter; could he too be harboring such a faint hope?"
"Ah, this..."
"A man conducting himself in the world should regard a single promise as heavy as a thousand catties. In past years, it was he who personally made the marriage promise. Now that Uncle Su has passed, and they were sworn brothers, at such a time, he should be caring for you even more, supporting you, teaching you to become successful, only then does he not fail the virtue of a true man.
"But these recent years, his actions have become ever more incomprehensible to me."
Yang Xiaoyun said this and couldn't help but sigh deeply, her eyes reflecting some indescribable disappointment.
Su Mo thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps it's too early to speak such words; maybe Uncle Yang has his own reasons?"
"I hope so. He raised me as he would a son when I was young, saying that a man should act with purpose and restraint in the world, and in Jianghu, one must uphold morality and honor promises, without being deceitful. Only then can he embody Unity of Knowledge and Action."
Yang Xiaoyun shook her head slightly, then with a lift of her eyebrows, said, "But if I were to kill Wu Chengfeng, or if the Iron Blood Escort Agency and that Wu Daoyou become enemies... who would benefit the most?"
Bab 23: Chapter 23 Where Does it Come From?
Editor: Atlas Studios
That statement, in fact, already had an answer when Yang Xiaoyun asked the question.
Without waiting for Su Mo to speak, Yang Xiaoyun continued: "I heard something."
"Uh?"
"Wei Ruhan actually doesn't want to pass the position of Alliance Leader to anyone."
Yang Xiaoyun said: "Wei Ruhan originally had three sons. His eldest son, Wei Qifeng, engaged in a fight by the Heng River and was killed and thrown into the river. Wei Ruhan searched for three whole years but never found the body.
"The second son, Wei Qixiong, was a pupil of the Yin Yang Strange Guest. In order to cultivate the Heaven and Earth Yin Yang Plate, he ventured alone into the farthest north, deep into the Ten Thousand Mile Ice Field. Twenty-three years have passed since then, and he has yet to return...more likely ill-fated than not.
"The youngest son turned out to be a natural-born simpleton, raised at home, thought to be safe from disaster and unlikely to die so easily... yet he choked to death on an egg.
"The Wei Family almost lost its lineage; however, what the world doesn't know is that Wei Qifeng had a daughter before he died."
Su Mo was somewhat surprised: "Wei Ruhan actually has a granddaughter?"
Although the matters of these three sons were treated as taboos by Wei Ruhan and rarely mentioned by anyone in Luoxia City.
Su Mo naturally had heard about them.
However, he had never heard of this granddaughter.
"Not only is there a granddaughter, but this granddaughter has also been a disciple of the Third Palace Master of Lengyue Palace since she was young, learning a set of superb martial arts. She secretly returned to Luoxia City not long ago, settling in the City Lord Manor."
"Are you suggesting that this matter is orchestrated by this little princess?"
"That's hard to say."
Yang Xiaoyun shook her head slightly: "Being the City Lord of Luoxia City and the Alliance Hierarch of Luofeng Alliance, these are immense wealth and power. I believe no one would easily hand them over to others, right? However, involving others in this scheme for no reason is indeed vexing."
"The tumult of Jianghu is always such, barely within anyone's control."
Su Mo sighed.
"Exactly."
Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo, suddenly smiled again: "But you have truly surprised me, your thoughtfulness and insight are incomparable to the past. If Uncle Su knew this from beyond, he would be consoled."
At this point, both fell silent.
When they resumed speaking, they returned to the topic of martial arts.
Su Mo had arrived in the morning, and it was not until noon that he bid farewell and left.
Yang Xiaoyun wanted to keep Su Mo for a meal before he left, but Su Mo insisted on leaving, and so he could only let it be.
Finally, Yang Xiaoyun escorted Su Mo all the way to the entrance of the Iron Blood Escort Agency, repeatedly urging him to visit again when he was free.
Whereas the Cloud Catcher stood aside with words on the tip of his tongue, yet in the end, he did not manage to express himself.
...
...
In the study!
Amidst the curling wisps of blue smoke, Yang Yizhi sat straight-backed behind the desk, with a book in hand.
The sound of footsteps approached—it was the Cloud Catcher, Xu Ruoshen.
"Chief."
He bowed with hands clasped.
Yang Yizhi's eyes did not move from the book, simply asking softly: "Has he left?"
"Left."
"He spoke?"
"The young miss was with him the whole time; he didn't manage to speak."
Yang Yizhi nodded lightly: "Then we'll talk next time."
"Yes."
Xu Ruoshen furrowed his brows slightly: "During this time, Lord Wu of the Wu Family came to visit."
"And then?"
"The young lady told him to come back in ten years."
Yang Yizhi's lips twitched slightly, shifting his gaze from the book to the window: "Has he left?"
"He's waiting outside the escort agency gate."
Only then did Yang Yizhi turn to look at Xu Ruoshen.
Xu Ruoshen stood quietly.
"After all, it was inevitable to meet, sooner or later, that's all it is. Go now, do not overthink the affairs of the young ones."
"Yes."
Xu Ruoshen agreed and departed.
Yang Yi sat silently behind the desk for a long while before putting down the book he was holding.
...
After leaving the Iron Blood Escort Agency, Su Mo did not go straight home.
It was almost noon, so he decided to grab a bite to eat.
Though Uncle Fu wasn't a picky eater, every meal he cooked for Su Mo was prepared in a rush.
Uncle Fu probably expected him to have lunch at the Iron Blood Escort Agency, so Su Mo thought it might be nice to give the old man some leisure time for once.
He casually found a dumpling stall and ordered a bowl of wontons.
Before he could even speak, someone sat down across from him.
"Are you Su Mo?"
The man spoke with a tone that was neither cold nor warm, his eyes scrutinizing as he looked over.
Su Mo glanced at the man, who appeared to be in his early twenties with his hair tied up with a jade crown. His appearance would have been quite good if it weren't for the unhealed bruises, half of his eye area being blue with a contusion.
What Su Mo intended to say got stuck when confronted with this man's 'makeup', momentarily stunned, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Yang Xiaoyun really doesn't pull her punches."
Perhaps the comment struck a chord with the man, as he subconsciously nodded and touched the bruises on his face, "Indeed too harsh, and aimed particularly at the face..."
Su Mo fell silent.
Wu Chengfeng also became quiet.
However, the silence didn't last long before he slapped the table, "Shopkeeper, a bowl of wontons."
Then, looking at Su Mo, he said, "It's on me."
"Suit yourself."
Su Mo snorted lightly, indifferent.
Two bowls of wontons arrived one after another, and the two men ate in silence without further conversation.
In a short while, the two bowls of wontons were completely finished.
Wu Chengfeng was the first to stand, "Come with me."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Without hesitation, Su Mo turned and walked toward the escort agency.
Wu Chengfeng had walked a fair distance before he realized there were no footsteps behind him. Turning his head, he saw Su Mo was nearly out of sight.
Startled, he hurriedly chased after him. In several leaps, he caught up to Su Mo, "Wait for me!"
Su Mo stopped and turned around with a smile, "Did I forget to thank Lord Wu for his generous invitation?"
"...I told you to come with me!?"
"Did I agree?"
"...No."
"Well, there you have it."
...
Wu Chengfeng, furious, "Are you making a fool of me?"
"I wouldn't dare."
Su Mo shook his head, "As the son of the Deputy City Lord of Luoxia City, you are also considered our Young City Lord. How could I, merely a head of a declined escort agency, dare to make a fool of you?"
"Good... all of Luoxia City says that you, Su Mo, are a wastrel beyond shaping, but I didn't expect you to also have guts."
Wu Chengfeng burst into laughter, "Well then, I won't beat around the bush with you. Let's have a contest. If I win, you'll go to the Yang Family to break off your engagement. If you win, from now on where you and Yang Xiaoyun are, I will stay back a fair distance!"
Su Mo looked Wu Chengfeng up and down, shook his head slightly, and said, "Goodbye."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Wu Chengfeng was taken aback and hurriedly reached for Su Mo's shoulder, "Wait a..."
He didn't finish his sentence before he saw Su Mo's shoulder tremble slightly, and a tremendous force suddenly burst forth from Su Mo's shoulder, sending Wu Chengfeng flying through the air.
His trajectory was so swift that the Inner Strength sent him straight into a restaurant by the street.
Several young men were drinking and chatting when Wu Chengfeng flew through the window and happened to land at an empty seat at their table.
All of them were taken aback and, on closer inspection, recognized him, surprised:
"Brother Wu, where did you come from?"
Wu Chengfeng: "..."
While Wu Chengfeng sat there dumbfounded, unsure of how to explain, a pair of eyes in the darkness of the street had already witnessed everything.
At this moment, eyes filled with astonishment.
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