Chapter 167
Chapter 167
Chapter 167
Chapter 167 A Fight Brewing?
The figure approached swiftly, the gleam of the sword not aimed to wound, but specifically targeting the red thread. Lin Wanrong was taken aback; this person in black possessed extraordinary martial skills, comparable to those of Qingxuan.
Xiao Yuruo let out a startled cry. She stared dumbstruck at the severed red thread that now danced freely in the wind, as if she had lost her soul.
The person in black, having severed the red thread with a single slash, did not halt the momentum of the sword. The blade continued its course, lunging toward the Eldest Miss. Lin Wanrong hastily positioned himself in front of her, landing a punch on the attacker's wrist. The assailant retreated swiftly, casting a disdainful hum toward the duo.
The Eldest Miss was still in a daze, silent as she watched the severed red thread, seemingly oblivious to the aggression of the person in black. Worried, Lin Wanrong quickly tugged at her sleeve and asked, "Eldest Miss, what's the matter with you?"
Xiao Yuruo came back to her senses. A touch of sorrow in her expression, she cast a glance at him and whispered, "It's nothing, Lin San. Just... please be careful."
The person in black across from them noticed the Eldest Miss's concern and let out another dismissive hum.
The sound was familiar to Lin Wanrong's ears. Taking another look at the figure, he realized it was a woman. His heart skipped a beat. Oh no, wasn't this Xian'er? Last time during the White Lotus Cult's raid on the Xiao family, she wanted to kill Yushuang, and now she was here to kill Yuruo. My goodness, was she really out for the Xiao family?
Meanwhile, the black-clad figure who had ambushed Xu Wei was intercepted by his personal bodyguard. The two engaged in a fierce duel as other guards in the distance sped toward them.
Xu Wei, protecting Su Qinglian behind him, coldly watched the surrounding assailants. His eyes held no fear, only a glint of sharp determination.
Since Xian'er had revealed herself, it was evident that the one who ambushed Xu Wei was also from the White Lotus Sect. Having raided the cult's hideout and killed several members the day before, and having helped the Xiao family topple Tao Dongcheng today, Xu Wei was undoubtedly a thorn in the cult's side. With just a few glances, Lin Wanrong had a pretty clear picture of the situation.
Seeing more and more guards flocking around Xu Wei, a voice from the White Lotus Cult yelled, "Kill Xu Wei quickly. No delays!" The assailants abandoned their respective opponents and rushed toward Xu Wei.
Qin Xian'er glanced once more at the Eldest Miss shielded behind Lin Wanrong, let out a cold hum, and readied her sword to attack Xu Wei.
Seeing this, Lin Wanrong broke into a cold sweat. This girl, previously helping the White Lotus Cult raid the Xiao family and acting like a bandit, was already questionable, but now she intended to murder a government official, a rebellious act. She had some spirit. How had he not noticed this when they were at Miaoyu Pavilion?
"Xian'er" Lin Wanrong quickly stepped forward and grabbed her fair wrist, "Why are you here?"
Qin Xian'er's face was concealed behind a veil, her expression unreadable, but the hum that followed conveyed her dissatisfaction. "What are you stopping me for? Go on with your red thread game." The strong hint of jealousy in her voice was unmistakable.
Lin Wanrong found it amusing. This girl had quite the temper. The Eldest Miss and he were just fooling around, yet she had rushed in, ready to kill without distinguishing right from wrong. This temper of hers, he really might need to help her correct it.
Pretending not to have heard her words, Lin Wanrong gently asked, "Didn't you all return to Jining? Why have you come to Hangzhou?"
Xian'er glanced at him and snorted, "I won't tell you."
Lin Wanrong pulled her behind a column in the hallway, out of sight of her companions. He then lightly chuckled, "Did you miss me and sneak over to Hangzhou?"
Qin Xian'er's face, hidden behind the veil, did not reveal a blush. All he heard was a soft retort, "Who misses you? You have a thick face."
The White Lotus cult members and Xu Wei's guards were fighting fiercely. Several people had already died at the hands of the guards, but Lin Wanrong held Qin Xian'er back, preventing her from joining the fray. She tried to break free, but he held her wrist, draining her strength. Annoyed, she glared at him, "Why are you holding me back? I ruined your good deed just now. You can continue."
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "You've ruined my plans more than once or twice. Speaking of which, I should give your little behind a few smacks."
Qin Xian'er shyly retorted, "You're a terrible person."
Lin Wanrong chuckled, "Did you come looking for me specifically?"
"No one came looking for you specifically," Xian'er huffed. "We only arrived in Hangzhou yesterday and had no idea you were here."
"Did you come specifically for Xu Wei?" Lin Wanrong asked.
Qin Xian'er glanced at him, "Naturally. He killed many of my White Lotus sect brothers and sisters. The whole sect won't let him off. We've been hiding here in the lake for a long time."
Hiding for a long time, just to sever this red thread? Lin Wanrong was speechless. He thought to himself, your White Lotus sect has harmed so many people, what does it matter if Xu Wei killed a few of you? But it was pointless to argue with a little demoness from the White Lotus cult, so he sighed, "Miss Xiao has not offended you, why do you want to kill her?"
"Who said she didn't offend me?" Qin Xian'er glanced at Xiao Yuruo and snorted.
Xiao Yuruo, hidden behind Lin Wanrong, was surprised to hear that the assassin was a woman. Hearing the familiar way she spoke to Lin Wanrong and that she was from the White Lotus cult, she was even more shocked. How did Lin San know the White Lotus cult? Could Lin San be a part of it too? Had all the past events been him deceiving her?
Her mind was a whirl after the red thread was severed, her judgment severely impaired. With a heart full of sorrow, she pointed at Lin Wanrong, "Lin San, you... you're colluding with the White Lotus cult?"
Sweating, Lin Wanrong had forgotten that Xiao Yuruo was still present after talking to Xian'er. Seeing Xiao Yuruo's tear-filled eyes, he smiled bitterly, "Miss Xiao, how could I be in league with the White Lotus cult? Please think about it."
Although Xiao Yuruo had been shocked today and felt uncomfortable, when she thought about it carefully, everything that Lin San had done, although sometimes naughty, had never harmed the Xiao family. He had rescued her from the White Lotus cult and had acted out of anger on her behalf today. All his actions were genuine.
Xiao Yuruo felt embarrassed. What was wrong with her today? She had completely lost her composure and had even started suspecting Lin San, this rogue.
Although she admitted her mistake inwardly, she was too embarrassed to acknowledge it out loud. Further irritated and hurt by Qin Xian'er's actions that day, she whimpered, "If you have no association with the White Lotus cult, then why are you engaging so intimately with this demoness?"
Before Lin Wanrong could respond, Qin Xian'er retorted angrily, "Who are you calling a demoness? Explain yourself!"
The Eldest Miss harbored a deep hatred for the White Lotus cult and responded fearlessly, "The White Lotus cult is full of evil beings who kill and pillage. If you're not a demoness, what are you?"
Qin Xian'er, offended, stamped her foot and exclaimed, "You call me a demoness, then I, this demoness, will kill you today!" The term 'demoness' was one only Lin Wanrong was allowed to use; its usage by anyone else touched a raw nerve for Qin Xian'er.
"Just because you know martial arts doesn't mean I'm afraid of you," the Eldest Miss huffed, looking at the severed red thread. For some reason, her heart ached more and more.
"I won't use martial arts today; instead, let me show you just how formidable a 'demoness' can be." Qin Xian'er gritted her teeth and, incredibly, tossed away her long sword, seemingly prepared to engage in a scuffle, much like a street woman would.
Xiao Yuruo was usually strong and gentle, but today she seemed bewitched. Staring at Qin Xian'er, she declared indignantly, "I'm not afraid of you, demoness!"
Lin Wanrong sighed. These two girls were more stubborn than the other. They had just met and already they were squabbling and even preparing to fight. Did they not regard him at all?
"Had enough yet?" he grunted, looking at the pair.
His voice held an undeniable authority. At his words, Qin Xian'er dared not argue, and the Eldest Miss shot him a look but remained silent.
Seeing the two girls silenced, Lin Wanrong thought to himself, Now that's more like it. From now on, you're not allowed to interrupt when I'm speaking." He sternly told them, "You're both young ladies. Instead of learning to fight, why not do something more constructive? Xian'er, continue your mission to kill Xu Wenchang. As for you, Eldest Miss, let's get back to tying the red thread."
Both women were momentarily stunned. What a unique way to defuse the situation! Despite themselves, they both burst out laughing, then realizing the awkwardness of their shared mirth, they exchanged glances and huffed dismissively through their nostrils.
The Eldest Miss blushed and retorted, "Who said I'm going to tie the red thread with you? You're so shameless."
Qin Xian'er clenched her little fists, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and said, "You two go ahead and tie your red thread, I'll go do my killing."
From somewhere nearby, a voice called out, "Where's junior sister? Where is she? We need her help."
Their eyes turned in the direction of the call, only to see the fight had intensified. The White Lotus cult was launching fierce attacks, but Xu Wenchang's numerous guards were steadily arriving to surround them.
"This White Lotus cult is really loosely organized," Lin Wanrong sighed. Qin Xian'er bit her lip and said, "Young Master, I must go now, take care."
Seeing her pitiful expression, Lin Wanrong took her hand and advised, "Xu Wenchang is not easy to kill. You should just try to intimidate him. Don't actually kill him, and don't get yourself hurt either. If you can't beat them, run." He was well aware that with Xu Wenchang's numerous skilled guards, the White Lotus cult stood little chance of success, but he was also confident in Xian'er's formidable martial arts skills to protect herself.
Joy appeared on Qin Xian'er's face, but tears began to fall steadily. "Young Master," she said, "there's no red thread binding us. Will you remember Xian'er?"
Upon hearing these words, the Eldest Miss felt a mixture of embarrassment and irritation. How could this demoness from the White Lotus cult utter such words so brazenly, truly shameless!
Having spoken, Qin Xian'er gazed deeply into Lin Wanrong's eyes, turned on her heel, and with a light tap of her lotus feet, she dashed off into the distance.
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