Chapter 49: Chapter 49 Arrival Chapter 49: Chapter 49 Arrival Editor: Atlas Studios They have, thus far, been fairly safe on their journey.
It was only inside the Yizhuang of Funiu Mountain that they encountered the Yin Mountain Ghost Lord, and also that matter with the visit from the Seven Extremes Hall.
However, both incidents were significant: one involved the Luofeng Alliance, while the other… had even greater implications.
Someone using scripts from the renowned Cangming of Xuanji Valley sent out widespread invites, calling upon various characters to discuss matters at Xuanji Valley, warning of an undercurrent stirring within Jianghu that mustn’t go unguarded.
The Luoxing Sect’s brother and sister duo got hold of such an invitation, which is why they set out for Xuanji Valley, only to run into the Yin Mountain Ghost Lord as they passed by Funiu Mountain.
Then… did that invitation end up in Liu Suifeng’s hands?
If it did, could there have been some recent turn of events?
And could that be related to the people currently gathered in Pingfeng Town, overlooking Yuqing Mountain?
But even if he brought up these doubts now, it would be to no avail. Su Mo decided not to speak, choosing to wait until tomorrow’s arrival at Yuliu Manor for answers.
Initially, he thought this inn, teeming with a mixed crowd, would hardly afford them a peaceful night.
Unexpectedly, the night passed without incident, save for the occasional person scurrying over the rooftops, but no trouble came their way.
As for who those nighttime runners were, and their purpose?
Well, that’s the same old saying… mind your own business!
In the blink of an eye, it was already the next morning.
Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun finished breakfast at the inn and departed under the watchful eyes of Jianghu people, mounting their horses and heading straight for Yuqing Mountain.
Everything was unnervingly normal, except for the sword borrower who, like a ghost, showed up punctually every morning, but oddly didn’t appear today.
Su Mo found it somewhat strange but was happy to have it easy and didn’t inquire further…
Yuqing Mountain stretched green for miles, with lush forestry. There were paths among the trees, wide enough to ride a horse on.
Yujing Lake lay nestled within the mountain recess, appearing from afar like a gleaming mirror in sunlight, reflecting a jade-like luster.
Past Yujing Lake, you’d find Yuliu Manor.
Built along the mountain with water at its front—Yujing Lake—and a towering cliff at its back.
Its location, easy to defend and hard to assault, was indeed favorable.
The only downside was that they arrived in the evening.
From Pingfeng Town to Yuqing Mountain was precisely a day’s journey, and night had just fallen.
They had only walked along Yujing Lake for a short while when they were stopped.
Two disciples from Yuliu Manor, dressed in green outfits with crossed longswords, blocked their path.
“Halt, travelers. Beyond lies the Yuliu Manor, off-limits to outsiders!”
“Oh?”
Yang Xiaoyun glanced at Su Mo before tugging her reins and stepping her horse forward a few paces, nodding slightly:
“Yuliu Manor is renowned in Jianghu. Manor Master Liu is legendary for his martial skills, and yet I’ve never heard of a rule that forbids Jianghu people from visiting Yuliu Manor.”
“This…”
The two shared a look, their brows furrowed slightly, as one spoke up: “May I ask for your honored names?”
Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo, who nodded slightly and with a bow, introduced himself: “Lord Su of Ziyang Escort Agency from Luoxia City! This is Yang Xiaoyun from the Iron Blood Escort Agency… Over a month ago, we were entrusted with an escort mission. May I inquire if Master Liu of Yuliu Sword Heart resides within the manor?”
They declared their names and stated their purpose.
The two men eyed each other once more, one murmuring: “Ziyang Escort Agency, a name unheard of, yet somehow they’ve joined forces with the Iron Blood Escort Agency?”
“Do you have any proof?”
Another person turned their gaze towards Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun.
Su Mo simply took out the written contract he had signed with Ji Shuhua from his bosom, and with a snap of his fingers, the thin sheet of paper flew with a sharply whistling sound, hurtling straight towards the man’s chest.
The man was startled, as the skill of plucking leaves and sending them flying revealed the powerful Inner Strength of the newcomer.
He had thought he was about to be attacked, but unexpectedly, just as the paper approached, it fluttered gently to the ground.
He then reacted, hastily stretching out his hand to catch the contract.
His nerves somewhat settled, he dared not show the slightest negligence and said with a fist-and-palm salute:
“Please wait a moment, I need to report this first.”
“Do as you need to.”
Su Mo frowned slightly and waved his hand gently.
The man, holding the contract, turned and left, while the other person watched Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun cautiously.
Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged a glance; something had indeed changed within Yuqing Manor.
Otherwise, how could the disciples lack such basic hospitality?
After all, because of Liu Suifeng’s presence, Yuliu Manor had gained a significant reputation.
The number of Jianghu people visiting couldn’t be said to be endless, but it was certainly not few.
If all the people of Yuliu Manor behaved like this, their reputation would have been tarnished long ago.
While it’s essential to possess high martial arts prowess, if one does not know how to conduct oneself socially, no one would speak well of them, and how could they enjoy the zenith of success like they do now?
Nevertheless, the two did not say much. Regardless of what had happened within Yuling Manor, as long as they delivered the item they were escorting, their mission would be completed.
For now, they would just have to wait a bit.
The wait wasn’t long; after just a short while, someone returned.
Not only did the person who went in to report return, but someone else was with him.
It was a middle-aged man in his fifties.
This person was polite; he greeted them with a laugh before speaking, with fists and palms together, “I have seen two young heroes. This old man is Liu Qingkong.”
“So, it’s Housekeeper Liu, my apologies for not recognizing you.”
Su Mo immediately returned the salute.
Although they had not met before, Su Mo had heard of Liu Qingkong’s reputation.
While his achievements in martial arts were not well known, the mere title of the great housekeeper of Yuliu Manor was enough to ensure that the people of Jianghu did not dare to underestimate him.
“Don’t mention it, it’s nothing.”
Liu Qingkong slightly smiled and took out the contract, saying, “I have looked at this document. It turns out that Master Ji, Yi Qi Qian Qiu Ji Shu Hua, has entrusted you two to come here on his behalf. However, there is an important matter in the manor at the moment. I wonder… could you possibly entrust the item to me instead?”
Su Mo sighed inwardly; if possible, he would indeed like to conclude the matter this way.
The problem was that the system clearly stated that the item had to be personally delivered to Liu Suifeng.
If he handed it over to Liu Qingkong now, the effort of the past month might be wasted; hence he could only say with a salute:
“Housekeeper Liu, please forgive me. I must confess, according to the document, this item must be personally handed over to Manor Master Liu. As a young and inexperienced person taking on the role of Chief of the Ziyang Escort Agency for the first time, I have promised Master Ji face to face and must not go back on my word.
“Is Senior Liu within the manor?”
“This…”
Liu Qingkong fell silent for a moment, his expression hesitant, and after struggling for a while, he finally sighed, “Well, since Lord Su the Chief of the Escort finds this difficult, please follow me then.”
“Thank you, Housekeeper Liu, for your accommodation.”
Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun thus dismounted and followed Liu Qingkong towards Yuliu Manor, leading their horses.
It goes without saying that the journey was straightforward, and upon arrival, even though they could no longer see the scenery of Yujing Lake, Yuliu Manor was built against the mountain, with its structures layered upon one another, showcasing a magnificent grandeur.
At this time, there were people standing guard on both sides of the main gates, with piercing eyes, giving off an air that kept others at a thousand miles’ distance.