Chapter 112: Brother Hides Quite Deeply

Chapter 112: This Elder Brother of Mine Keeps Some Deep Secrets

Chunying glanced at the silhouette by the window, then turned her gaze outside Baicao Hall.

Xiao Xuanshuo was holding off three men single-handedly, pinning down the three strongest swordsmen.

The remaining elite guards, working in twos and threes, were more than enough to suppress the rest of the martial artists.

"Young Master, the members of the Xiao family's Disciplinary Hall have not shown themselves yet."

Chen Yunfan poured himself another cup of tea. "The Xiao family's Disciplinary Hall is held in the grasp of the second branch, which will bound to be a disaster sooner or later."

"For now, it is still fine since the old Marquis is alive. But once the old man passes, won't that Xiao Wang ride roughshod over the heads of those from the main branch?"

Chunying nodded, then shook her head, yet she did not speak.

Chen Yunfan glanced at her and curled his lip. "Say whatever is on your mind. There are no outsiders here."

Chunying hesitated. "This servant was thinking of General Jinghong. Her mind is currently consumed by the finances and provisions of the Dingyuan Army."

"If she can successfully establish a 'mutual trade market' with the Mountain Clan, she will be able to free herself to deal with those of the Xiao family."

"Her?"

Chen Yunfan pondered for a moment, a faint smile surfacing on his face. "She does indeed possess some ability; her martial arts and military strategy are both formidable."

"Moreover, it is no easy feat to hoist the grand banner of the Xiao family in a woman's body. However, weighed down by the family, her progress in martial arts has slowed considerably."

Chunying agreed deeply. "Indeed. Xiao Fengchun died far too early."

"Not necessarily. Rumor has it that Xiao Fengchun was a man of foolish loyalty; he might not even compare to Xiao Jinghong."

"Of course, had he lived, he should have been able to keep the Xiao family safe, so they wouldn't have fallen to the point of being bullied at their doorstep by the sixth young master of the Liu family from Jingzhou."

As he spoke, Chen Yunfan's gaze fell upon the slaughter outside the window, and he sneered, saying:

"At this moment, that grandson Liu Jing might still be dreaming sweet dreams, entirely unaware that he is merely a grasshopper in late autumn, unable to hop around for many more days."

"Pushed out by others to be used as a pawn without even realizing it, he truly is foolish enough."

Chunying let out a soft laugh. "Young Master, do not say such words in the Provincial Administration Commission. Be careful lest it reaches the ears of Assistant Envoy Liu."

Chen Yunfan glared at her impatiently. "It is just some idle gossip in private, yet you still keep reminding me of this and that."

"If you truly push this young master too far, do you believe that tomorrow I will send a letter to the 'White-Robed Villa' and have them send someone else over?"

Chunying hurriedly offered a pleading smile. "This servant knows her mistake."

"Humph, now you know to admit your mistake?"

"Young Master..."

The way the two of them carried on, flirting as if no one else were around, was completely overheard by Chen Yi.

Only, his thoughts were no longer focused on these matters.

It appeared that this elder brother of his was hiding his true depth quite profoundly.

Not only did he know that people from the Liu family of Jingzhou had arrived, but he also knew of a specific young master, namely that late autumn grasshopper named Liu Jing.

Furthermore, Chen Yunfan was also well aware of the Xiao family's situation, possessing an understanding of several individuals from both the main and second branches.

Coupled with his prior warning outside Luoyi Alley, all these various signs, without exception, indicated that Chen Yunfan was not nearly as simple as he appeared on the surface.

Except...

Chen Yi still could not guess Chen Yunfan's true intentions.

Even his previous deduction that Chen Yunfan intended to deal with the Xiao family, or replace Yang Ye as the Right Assistant Envoy of the Shuzhou Provincial Administration Commission, had to be temporarily marked with a question mark.

Just at that moment.

The conversation between Chen Yunfan and Chunying came to a halt, and they both came to the window to look outside.

"Old Demon Jia actually came to Shuzhou, ha."

"Young Master, since Fairy Tingyun was lured away, the remaining people will certainly be no match for him. Will you make a move?"

"No rush, let us just watch for now."

Between their dialogue, Chen Yi also caught sight of that Old Demon Jia.

Clad in a black robe, his figure and appearance were hidden from view, with only a long xiao flute in his hand striking the eye.

No one knew from where he had arrived, but upon seeing Xiao Xuanshuo and the others, he brought the long flute to his lips.

Bursts of flute music resounded.

The bizarreness of the tune was identical to that of the four demons from the Illusionary Sound Sect earlier.

Following that, the few people currently engaged in the fight, including Xiao Xuanshuo, instantly froze in place.

Whether it was their bodies or their minds, all were completely frozen, as if their souls had been snatched away by someone.

Seeing such a bizarre scene, even though Chen Yi was well prepared, he could not help but break into a cold sweat on behalf of the Xiao family members.

Truth be told, these demons of the Illusionary Sound Sect indeed possessed quite a few tricks up their sleeves.

After a short while, the flute music ceased.

Just as the black-robed man was about to enter Baicao Hall, he abruptly turned his gaze toward the clothing shop on the other side.

A cold gleam was seen cutting through the empty air.

Old Demon Jia turned his body to dodge it.

Subsequently, Shen Huatang drifted out from the clothing shop, asking in a cold voice, "Old Demon Jia, was it you who made a move outside the relay station earlier?" Old Demon Jia did not answer, a pair of eyes hidden beneath the black robe staring at her chillingly:

"The 'Blade Madman' spared your life; you should know to cherish it."

Shen Huatang's face turned even colder. Pointing her long sword diagonally, she instantly drifted forward, her figure crossing several chang like the wind.

The sword qi showered down upon Old Demon Jia like snowflakes.

"If Fairy Tingyun were here, I would still harbor three parts of dread. With only you alone, hehe..."

Amidst his cold laughter, Old Demon Jia did not play his flute again, merely using the long flute in his hand as a weapon to spin twice, blocking the sword intent outside his body.

In the next instant, his figure darted out like a phantom, the long flute thrusting forward in tandem.

Unbelievably, the sound of the flute rang out.

Shen Huatang blanked slightly as she charged forward, as though her mind had been captured by the flute music, her long sword failing to rise for a long time.

Just at this critical juncture.

A whistling sound rushed over, and with a clink, it struck Old Demon Jia's long flute askew, causing him to flash away and retreat.

Immediately after, he looked toward the tavern where Chen Yi was located, his voice hoarse and indifferent: "Who is there?"

Chen Yunfan was heard saying with a smile, "An insignificant passerby, who in his life can least bear to see a beautiful woman lose her life."

"For the offense caused, I hope Old Demon Jia will show forbearance."

Chen Yi: "..."

Damn it, his martial arts are that powerful?

Clearly, Old Demon Jia outside did not think so, saying with a grim gaze, "Come out and accept your death!"

Chen Yunfan was still smiling as he said, "You'd better take care of yourself first, then I'll send Yun'er flying."

Before his words had even settled, a figure flew in from afar, followed by a sharp, feminine scold:

"Jia Guo'er, you dare to bully my youngest disciple from the Tian Shan Sect?"

"Today, I, the old devil, have the Tianying Sword soaked in dew just to send you straight to the King of Hell!"

Jia Lao Mo looked back, fell silent for a moment, then without a word darted off in another direction.

Clearly, he knew it was unwise to proceed and was trying to escape.

"Run? Jia Guo'er, you better stand there!"

After that, Xie Stopyun floated over, took a quick look, and then chased after Jia Lao Mo again.

Shen Huatang came to his senses, looked at the two figures flying away, and bowed respectfully, saying, "I am Shen Huatang, a junior disciple of the Tian Shan Sect. Thank you, senior, for your timely intervention."

"Well, well, well..." he chuckled.

His voice boomed, making her momentarily confused about the direction it came from.

Chen Yi noticed this and subconsciously scoffed, his elder brother was indeed quite the master of appearing mysterious.

However, he felt a bit relieved.

If it hadn't been for Chen Yunfan's intervention, Shen Huatang should have already been killed by Jia Lao Mo.

Not long after, the guards and the judicial officials of Shuzhou City rushed over.

Looking at the situation around, several commands were issued:

"Capture those who dare to cause chaos in Shuzhou!"

"Then check for any casualties!"

"..."

Chun Rong scanned the area and said, "These judicial officials and city guards must have been tipped off in advance."

Chen Yunfan nodded, "The Liu family of Shuzhou isn't bold enough to clash with the Da Fang family of Jingzhou, so they must show the proper attitude."

"My lord, the commotion is over, let's go."

"Indeed, we should leave."

Chen Yunfan stretched lazily, "If I had known Xie Stopyun was here, I wouldn't have come all this way for nothing."

Saying that, he turned and walked away.

Chun Rong followed, covering her mouth and smiling, "My lord wasn't saying..."

Before she could finish, Chen Yunfan interrupted, "If it's not related, don't mention it. Watch out for my big punishment."

"I humbly obey your command, so I'll keep quiet."

"Good..."

[Witnessing the peril at Bai Caotang, various figures converged. The Xiao family learned of the Liu family's presence in Shuzhou, the Huan Yin Sect's whereabouts were exposed, and they were pursued by Tian Shan Sect's top disciples. Reward: Four Symbols martial arts skill level increased to Earth level, opportunity +50.]

[Evaluation: Presence, hearing the sound, seeing the scene. Though limited, it had prior preparations, performance was acceptable.]

Seeing the floating text, Chen Yi finally stood up, stretched his limbs, and prepared to leave.

The outcome was quite good; Bai Caotang was indeed spared from danger.

As for the aftermath, it remained to be seen how the Xiao family would handle the Liu family.

Thinking this, a voice came from behind him: "You must have slept well, brother."

(End of chapter)