Chapter 53: Chapter 53: A Nighttime Exploration Chapter 53: Chapter 53: A Nighttime Exploration Editor: Atlas Studios Should we stay for the night or come back tomorrow?
This question is almost not worth pondering.
On one hand, there’s nowhere around Yuliu Manor to rest—it’s unthinkable to sleep wild in the wilderness…
On the other hand, the uncertainty within the manor remains unresolved. Even if we leave today, can we truly meet Liu Suifeng upon our return tomorrow?
The longer the delay, the more unexpected events may occur, and this escort mission might just end in disarray.
Immediately, he said with a smile:
“Yuliu Manor extends its invitation, and it would be impolite to refuse. Therefore, the two of us shall impose ourselves for a night’s stay here.”
The woman took another deep look at Su Mo before turning away without saying a word.
Seeing that everyone agreed to stay, Liu Qingkong nodded, “In that case, please follow me.”
Liu Qingkong was well-organized in this aspect, dividing the nine persons into three courtyards.
The Monk, the woman, and the scholar were placed in one courtyard.
The two Blade users and the rude man stayed in another courtyard.
Su Mo, Yang Xiaoyun, and the gentleman-like person were allocated to the same yard.
At this moment, the two sat in their room, with candlelight flickering, its light waning and waxing.
Su Mo couldn’t help but ask Yang Xiaoyun, “Sister Xiao Yun, what happened to you just now?”
By Yang Xiaoyun’s capabilities, there was no reason for her to be distracted in that situation, and if she had thought of something, now was the right time to speak.
Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo and frowned slightly.
Suddenly she said, “Extend your hand.”
“…?”
Su Mo extended his hand, somewhat bewildered.
Like she was facing a formidable enemy, Yang Xiaoyun reached out and gently grasped Su Mo’s hand.
Then, under the candlelight, they faced each other, both utterly confused.
“???”
Su Mo felt as if these three question marks should be carved into his forehead.
“…It’s nothing.”
Yang Xiaoyun shook her head, “I don’t know how to explain it, but earlier it felt as if I was poisoned… Yet, as I circulated my skill to check internally, I found no abnormalities. This Yuliu Manor is indeed unfathomable!”
“Poisoned?”
Su Mo was surprised, “What does that have to do with my hand?”
“Just now in the hall, when you pressed my hand… I then felt a sudden weakness all over.”
Yang Xiaoyun spoke and then lightly laughed, “However, it seems that I was just being paranoid.”
“…”
Su Mo blinked, gave a slight cough, and then said,
“On our journey here, did Sister Xiao Yun notice anything amiss?”
“Are you referring to Yuliu Manor? Or those several individuals?”
While Yang Xiaoyun asked that, she didn’t wait for Su Mo’s response before continuing: “Yuliu Manor is indeed strange. Though I’ve been discreetly using my skill throughout our journey here, I noticed that there seem to be much fewer people within the manor than expected. And the maids and servants we did encounter all had a forbidding look to them.
“Yuliu Manor’s reputation in the Jianghu is significant, and the demeanor of its residents doesn’t add up.
“And such a large estate cannot be managed by the few we’ve seen.”
“Indeed.”
Su Mo nodded in agreement, “Moreover, that gentleman-like person…”
Upon reaching this point, he twitched the corner of his mouth, feeling somewhat guilty about his words; it’s almost impressive how Gou Youhu could unabashedly paint those four characters on his fan.
He shook his head and continued, “He said they came to visit Yuliu Manor today, which seems to imply that their arrival was unexpected. However, the waiter in Pingfeng Town told us that while most visitors have been staying in town, some had already made their way to Yuliu Manor before us. Where are they now?”
“Have they already said their goodbyes and left?”
“It’s difficult to say… The one’s from Pingfeng Town might just be a small fraction; when you account for people coming from other directions, it could be a significant number. How come there is no sign of so many visitors to Yuliu Manor?”
Su Mo shook his head slightly, “The visitors today probably all have their own agendas. Liu Suifeng’s avoidance doesn’t seem to have surprised them. These various behaviors give me an uneasy feeling… By the way, did you manage to discern the origins of today’s visitors?”
Yang Xiaoyun shook her head and sighed, “The world of Jianghu is vast, and my vision is ultimately limited. Except for the two Blade users, I can hardly see the depths of anyone else. As for those two Blade users… during that fleeting glimpse of Blade Light earlier, I could make out the moves of the Heavenly Blade Sect.”
“Heavenly Blade Sect.”
Su Mo’s eyebrows furrowed slightly; the Heavenly Blade Sect was a force to be reckoned with.
This Sect has a legacy of control over a territory, which lies to the north of the Luofeng Alliance.
If the Luofeng Alliance wished to expand northward, the first force they would encounter is the Heavenly Blade Sect… Yet to this day, the Luofeng Alliance has not moved an inch northward, indicating their deep reservation about the Heavenly Blade Sect.
“But if it’s them, it does explain the prowess of their Blade Technique and their frosty demeanors.”
Su Mo nodded slightly.
The Heavenly Blade Sect’s Blade Technique was stringent; its founder hailed from the Taoist tradition, striving for the Tao of the Heavenly Person and diverging from convention.
The more deeply their Sect’s mental method was cultivated, the weaker the practitioner’s emotions became, and the fiercer their Blade Technique would be.
At the pinnacle of this path was the unity of man and sword, becoming one, leaving nothing but sharp edges wherever one goes.
However, this man and sword become one realm is merely legend, and it’s said that only the Kai Shan Hall master of the Heavenly Blade Sect ever reached such a level.
Legend has it that at his peak, he could slice through seas of clouds and clear the skies for miles around, causing such a sensation that the name Heavenly Blade Sect rang through Jianghu for three hundred years.
Of course, that was in the past, and whether the tales are true is debatable.
The people of Jianghu often exaggerate the truth, and the reality might not match the legend.
But the fierceness of the Heavenly Blade Sect’s Blade Technique is undisputed.
“The two Blade users from the Heavenly Blade Sect, mysterious figures of the Jianghu with depths unknown, the visitors from earlier who have now disappeared, and Liu Suifeng who is avoiding meeting his guests…”
Su Mo’s fingers lightly tapped on the table.
“What is your plan?”
Yang Xiaoyun glanced at Su Mo.
“I intend to explore Yuliu Manor tonight.”
Su Mo spoke, “This night is long, and unpredictable. If I can’t meet Liu Suifeng soon, I’ll remain restless.”
“Alright!”
Yang Xiaoyun nodded and said, “Be careful. I will stay here just in case.”
Su Mo smiled faintly, always finding that Yang Xiaoyun’s thoughts matched his own.
Then, Yang Xiaoyun patted the Sword Box and said, “Also, take this with you. If you manage to meet Liu Suifeng, there’s no need to wait; hand it over directly. After that, whether we advance or retreat, our worries will be behind us.”