Chapter 296: Soft Moonlight, Rising Conflict
A fox tail wrapped around them like a warm coat, gently enveloping their bodies. Their wine cups clinked, creating dreamlike ripples under the moonlight.
Yun Yue leaned against him, her beautiful eyes flickering, her arm around his waist, the softness and sweetness of her body undeniable. It felt like the greatest happiness in the world.
Looking at the nightscape of this ancient county, Yun Yue gently caressed his firm chest against her cheek and whispered softly: “After more than ten days of traveling, what are your thoughts now, Tianlu?”
“Seeing the people living and working in peace and contentment is naturally the best.”
Lin Tianlu took a sip of warm wine and chuckled: “I also realize that this vast world can’t be explained in just a few words, nor can it be easily changed by my thoughts alone.”
They had passed through dozens of towns and counties, with millions of residents, each with their own unique culture, customs, and local characteristics. Such a vast population couldn’t be shouldered by the cultivation of a single person.
“So, are you planning to stay out of worldly affairs, Tianlu?”
“I’m just helping within my capabilities.”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment and smiled faintly: “Saving the people before me is enough.”
“…No matter how you change in the future, we will always be with you.”
Yun Yue gently brushed the hair by her ear, took a sip of wine, and then, with an intoxicated look, raised her head and kissed him deeply, a lingering and passionate sound echoing.
Lin Tianlu held the soft and cloud-like beauty in his arms, his heart as calm as still water, silently savoring the fragrant wine in his mouth.
As their lips parted, a silver thread of saliva lingered. The beautiful fox woman’s seductive eyes were filled with tenderness and desire: “But, Tianlu, you must prioritize your safety, don’t get hurt or tired.”
“Naturally.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled and pinched Yun Yue’s soft fox ear, making her blush and tremble, a soft and sweet moan escaping her lips, making one’s body go weak.
“But with such a captivating fox wife like Yue’er at home, I’m afraid I’ll eventually become addicted and unable to extricate myself. If every night is like the tide of spring, I have to worry about my health.”
“Hu~”
Yun Yue blushed, poking his cheek with a mock-angry expression, like an elder.
But her expression quickly softened, and she smiled, kissing his face and whispering playfully: “Then I naturally have to take on the responsibility of the eldest sister and take care of you three, making sure you work diligently and don’t laze around at home all day~”
A seductive fragrance and warmth filled the night air as they exchanged cups of wine, sweet laughter and whispers echoing on the rooftop.
…
Time gradually passed.
A few scattered figures could be seen on the quiet and deserted streets.
Among them, Fuxiao walked with his hands behind his back, a solemn expression on his face, like a transcendent ascetic strolling through the streets, yet no one could see him.
But his expression was slightly dazed and distant, and no one knew how long he had been wandering alone in the county.
“…”
He paid no attention to the occasional noises around him, nor to the gradually brightening sky. His eyes flickered, lost in thought and reminiscence.
After a long silence, Fuxiao suddenly looked up and sighed.
“—Indeed, he’s truly unforgettable.”
He looked at his open right palm, as if he could still see the Go stones with their faint scratches.
The more he recalled and pondered the two Go games he had played last night, the more emotional he became.
At first glance, there were only unfathomable strategies and simple moves, but upon further reflection, he could sense a profound and mysterious Dao rhythm within them.
This was definitely not a realm accessible to ordinary demons and ghosts, nor was it a technique practiced by those ancient factions from a thousand years ago.
It was something more profound and mysterious… as if countless secrets were contained within, just a glimpse of which was enough to captivate and mesmerize.
“If I could have a real battle with him, it would be incredibly exciting!”
Fuxiao slowly clenched his right hand, an excited and eager smile appearing on his face.
“When I meet him again, I must properly probe his strength, even a brief exchange would be enough.”
Rattle
Chaotic and noisy footsteps came from not far away, making Fuxiao glance sideways. He could already hear their hushed conversation.
“Hurry up and tell me, have you found any suspicious men or women in the county these past two days?”
“N-No…”
“Hey! Did you find anything over there?!”
Such questioning voices echoed continuously, many early-rising residents being stopped and questioned by this group of people.
Only then did Fuxiao realize that these mortals, who had previously been like ants scurrying around in his eyes, were now spreading throughout the county in groups, questioning everyone they met.
“What’s going on?”
He suddenly grabbed a passerby by the collar and asked indifferently: “Why are you searching for suspicious men and women?”
“W-Who are you?!”
The burly man who had been grabbed looked bewildered, clearly not knowing when this handsome young man, who looked like a wealthy nobleman, had appeared.
“You’re not qualified to question me.” Fuxiao looked at him calmly.
The burly man, who had been struggling and shouting, suddenly froze, his face draining of color as he fell to his knees, a wet stain spreading on his trousers.
“Answer my question.”
“I… we… are… following Master Huang’s orders… searching the county for any suspicious… men or women, young or old…”
“The reason for the search.”
“I-I don’t know…”
Fuxiao waved his sleeve indifferently.
The burly man immediately collapsed to the ground, stunned by the pressure emanating from Fuxiao, even though he hadn’t released any noticeable aura.
“There are such ignorant and troublesome mortals stirring up things in this county.”
Fuxiao looked into the distance with a cold expression, a faint dark current gathering in his palm.
“…”
But after a moment of silence, he dissipated the energy in his palm and sneered: “I want to see what kind of trouble you can cause.”
“So it’s the East Fuxiao King of the ancient realm who has graced us with his presence, I apologize for not welcoming you sooner.”
A seductive and mature chuckle suddenly came from not far away.
Fuxiao turned around with a cold gaze and saw a graceful figure emerging from the shadows of the alley. She was wearing a luxurious white cloak and robe, her hair flowing freely, her arms crossed, holding a folding fan which she waved with a smile.
Although her robe was tightly wrapped around her, not revealing any skin, one could still see her alluring and curvaceous figure. Paired with her breathtakingly beautiful face, any man in the world would be captivated.
But Fuxiao’s gaze didn’t waver, and he asked indifferently: “Who are you?”
“Just an insignificant nobody, traveling the world and making friends. I’ve heard of the renowned East Fuxiao King and naturally wanted to see you in person.”
Youluo covered her face with her fan, a strange smile flashing in her narrowed eyes: “Now that I’ve seen you, you do have some skill. You’re truly not just a name.”
“Ordinary people wouldn’t know about the existence of the ancient realm.”
Fuxiao’s gaze turned even colder: “What is your true identity?”
“There’s no point in you knowing my identity, East King. After all, you only crave powerful opponents, and I don’t have the strength to withstand a fierce battle.”
Youluo strolled leisurely and said casually: “However, staying in this town isn’t a good choice for you right now, East King.”
“What do you mean?”
“Giggle~ It seems you’re so eager for a battle that you came too hastily, without knowing about the recent changes in the outside world?”
Youluo smiled and closed her folding fan, pointing at the ground beneath their feet: “This Wuchang Province is still under the jurisdiction of the Luo Xing. With the recent incidents and the changing times, the Luo Xing naturally won’t sit idly by.
Many Luo Xing Soultakers have started taking action, intending to consolidate their power in the Fengchen Kingdom and display the Luo Xing’s authority. And this Boyang County happens to be the place where a Soultaker has arrived. He’s a powerful enemy you can’t ignore, East King.”
“Powerful enemy?”
Fuxiao only heard the last sentence and couldn’t help but sneer: “A Soultaker is indeed formidable, but to call him my great enemy… laughable!”
“Forgive my ignorance, but the Soultaker’s reputation is widespread, feared by all, he’s not someone an ordinary demon or ghost can easily deal with.”
Youluo glanced sideways and said meaningfully: “Moreover, I heard that this Soultaker came to Boyang County specifically to target a true expert. He has already made full preparations and set up numerous traps, intending to kill him here and eliminate this threat.”
“…”
Fuxiao’s gaze narrowed.
“And the ancient realm has been secretly existing here for many years, it’s hard to keep it hidden any longer. It’s only natural for the Luo Xing to notice. Now… is the perfect opportunity to eliminate the enemy.”
“You, come here!”
Fuxiao suddenly reached out with his hand.
But Youluo just smiled seductively, her figure dissipating like a bubble, only the ground beneath her feet shattering into dust.
“Such concealment techniques… still have flaws!”
Fuxiao’s expression gradually darkened, and his gaze, like lightning, shifted to the distance. He immediately soared into the sky, chasing after her like a thunderbolt.
…
After about a stick of incense’s worth of time, he followed the faint and elusive aura, leaving Boyang County and entering a nearby mountain forest.
But the aura suddenly disappeared, as if it had never existed.
“—Hmph! That woman deliberately led me here.”
He quickly realized, a look of displeasure appearing on his face.
But this displeasure quickly dissipated.
Because looking up, he immediately saw a swirling torrent of soul power converging and compressing.
And within this massive formation that almost enveloped the entire mountain, the figure of a wizened old man gradually appeared, his eyes as dark as an abyss, his voice hoarse and deep: “So you’ve finally come, the ‘bandit leader’ who’s been lurking here for so long.”
“Luo Xing Soultaker, still so boring.”
Fuxiao stood with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent: “If you want to fight, then fight.”
“Such arrogant words from an insignificant villain.”
The old man’s face, like dry tree bark, twisted, and ghostly flames seemed to burn in his eyes, countless souls churning within. “Since you’ve shown yourself, I might leave your corpse intact. Or perhaps… use your soul power to nourish my cultivation!”
“Heh!”
Fuxiao laughed loudly.
Then, his laughter ceased, and he looked at the old man with disdain, waving his sleeve and pointing a finger: “It will take less than ten breaths to defeat you!”
…
Boom!
A loud explosion-like sound suddenly echoed throughout Boyang County.
The residents who were still sleeping at home were startled awake and rushed outside to investigate, worried about what had happened.
Even the inn where Lin Tianlu and the others were staying was no exception.
“That truly scared me.”
The middle-aged innkeeper returned from outside, still shaken, patting his chest repeatedly: “Could it be that the heavens have sent down divine punishment? The sky has just brightened, the sun hasn’t even risen yet, and there are no clouds, where did that thunderclap come from?”
“There have indeed been some strange deaths in the county recently.”
“I heard that someone died in the Qian family’s house a few days ago! A gruesome death! Yesterday, on New Year’s Day, they hadn’t even had time to deal with the body.”
“It’s truly not peaceful recently…”
A few guests in the inn were also whispering.
Lin Tianlu had just come downstairs when he heard these rumors.
He had naturally heard the loud noise and could also sense a shocking amount of Yin energy drifting from afar, as if demons or ghosts were fighting fiercely.
But the conflict quickly subsided, as if the battle was already over.
“There are other powerful demons and ghosts lurking in Boyang County?”
As Lin Tianlu murmured to himself, he was about to ask the innkeeper to prepare breakfast when he suddenly saw several burly men walking aggressively down the street outside the inn, making the surrounding pedestrians quickly avoid them, afraid of bumping into them.
“These people are…”
“Sir, you’re from out of town, you don’t know.” The middle-aged innkeeper walked past him and whispered: “Those are servants of the Huang family, but in our eyes, they’re just bullies and thugs, idling around the county all day, causing trouble. It’s best for you and your family to stay away from them, sir, don’t get involved with them.”
“Yes, these people are like parasites, hard to get rid of.”
A few others also echoed, their faces filled with disgust.
Clearly, the so-called Huang family had a notorious reputation in Boyang County.
Lin Tianlu’s thoughts stirred, and he quickly recalled the scene he had encountered on the street last night, the speeding carriage…
It seemed to belong to the Huang family.
“Thank you for the warning, innkeeper, I’ll remember to stay away from them.” Lin Tianlu smiled and cupped his hands in gratitude.
“Have you seen any suspicious outsiders in the county these past few days?!”
Just then, two arrogant men barged into the inn, looking around and shouting: “If anyone has seen any suspicious outsiders, tell us immediately, don’t try to hide anything! Whoever tells us will be rewarded with a hundred taels of silver by Master Huang!”
Hearing this, the inn immediately erupted in commotion.
A hundred taels of silver… was a fortune that ordinary people couldn’t earn in half a lifetime!
But before anyone could respond, the burly man in the lead suddenly narrowed his gaze.
Lin Tianlu frowned and cupped his hands: “Why are you staring at me, sir—”
Before he could finish speaking, the burly man grinned: “Since when was there such a scholar in Boyang County? Those weaklings in the academy are all pathetic and cowardly, you must be from somewhere else, right?”
“Come with me!”
His expression suddenly turned cold, and he waved his hand: “Tie him up!”
“This—”
Seeing the large group of men rushing towards them from outside, the people in the inn all backed away in fear and unease. The portly innkeeper’s face turned pale, he hesitated to speak, and his whole body trembled from this sudden turn of events.
But Lin Tianlu, who was gradually being surrounded, just glanced at them casually:
“Are you all… from the Huang family?”
“That’s right. If you know we’re from the Huang family, then surrender obediently. If you don’t resist, I might let you suffer less.”
“I think…”
“Cut the crap, kneel down!”
“Alright.”
Looking at the ferocious and menacing smiles on their faces, Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but sigh: “Since you’re all so aggressive, there’s nothing more to say.”
“Heh! Bring the rope, let me tie this brat’s hands and feet—”
Slap!
A crisp sound suddenly rang out.
The burly man, who had been grinning and asking his companion for rope, now lay unconscious on the ground, blood gushing from his nose, which had been flattened.
The surrounding men froze, their faces filled with shock and confusion.
Lin Tianlu retracted his fist expressionlessly, his calm gaze sweeping over them: “You are all surrounded.
If you don’t want to suffer like your leader, then kneel down with your hands behind your heads and surrender. Don’t try any tricks.”
“…”
The atmosphere in the inn became deathly silent.
They looked down at the burly man, who had been knocked unconscious, and swallowed hard.
Their leader had a strong physique and had practiced martial arts for many years, even capable of fighting against skilled martial artists. That was why he had gained some trust and status in the Huang family.
But now, he had been defeated with a single punch.
Since when did scholars…
Possess such extraordinary martial arts skills?
“Still not reacting?” Lin Tianlu turned to the stunned innkeeper and said: “Innkeeper, lend me your feather duster.”
With a wave of his hand, the feather duster hanging behind the counter flew into his hand.
A kind and gentle smile appeared on his face:
“You’ve been acting so arrogantly in this county for years, it’s time for someone to teach you a lesson.”
Hearing this, the servants immediately backed away, shouting: “Y-You better think this through, we’re from the Huang family—”
“Perfect.”
Looking at their panicked expressions, Lin Tianlu’s gaze narrowed: “After dealing with you thugs, I’ll pay a visit to the Huang family!”
