Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Think Thrice Before You Act Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Think Thrice Before You Act Editor: Atlas Studios “Master Cang Ming, how are you feeling?”
Su Mo quickly stood up and walked up to him, worry flickering through his rat-like eyes.
“…Is it the ugly gentleman?”
Master Cang Ming was startled, then heaved a sigh of relief.
Su Mo’s mouth twitched: “Gentleman is a gentleman, my appearance is just as it should be, where is the ugliness?”
“Who doesn’t know that though the ugly gentleman is ugly, he has the kindest heart…”
Master Cang Ming smiled weakly, his eyes filled with confusion as he turned to look at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, but when his gaze landed on the silver spear in Yang Xiaoyun’s hand, he suddenly realized: “Dragon Abyss Spear… Judging by your age, you must be the daughter of Yang Yi, right?”
“Junior Yang Xiaoyun of the Iron Blood Escort Agency, greets Master Cang Ming.”
Yang Xiaoyun clasped her hands in a formal salute, then introduced Su Mo, “This is Su Mo, Chief of Ziyang Escort Agency.”
“Ziyang Escort Agency…”
Master Cang Ming’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, seemingly unable to remember, but did not probe further. His expression darkened as he looked around, “Where… where is this?”
“Below the Sword Testing Building of Yuliu Manor.”
Su Mo spoke softly: “May I ask Master Cang Ming, the Steward of Yuliu Manor, Liu Qingkong, said that half a month ago, you visited Yu Liu Sword Heart, but we are not sure what exactly happened?”
“Half a month ago… a visit…”
Master Cang Ming’s brow furrowed tightly, his expression showing subtle pain, with large beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
Seeing this, Su Mo quickly said, “Master Cang Ming, there’s no need to rush, take your time to think.”
“…I’ll be fine, I’ll be fine!”
Master Cang Ming suddenly stretched out his hand: “I remember now! Months ago, perhaps two months, or even longer, I can’t recall exactly… all I know is, that night, enemies suddenly attacked Xuanji Valley.
“These people were skilled in martial arts and extremely ruthless, the leader’s martial arts were no weaker than mine, with a few others assisting him.
“I was outnumbered, and eventually captured by them.
“After that, I was attacked day and night with their Demon Technique, and my consciousness was faint.
“Thus I spent a period in darkness, in a daze, until one day, the leader suddenly returned severely injured…
“After regaining my consciousness again, someone from them suddenly appeared before me, using some baffling method, I stood up involuntarily and obeyed this person’s orders, even though I had a rare moment of mental clarity, my body wasn’t my own.
“That person glanced at me and said ‘Not yet perfected, though forced, but it’ll have to do for now.’
“After saying that, under his manipulation, I followed him to the guest area of Xuanji Valley.
“That’s when I found out, someone from Yuliu Manor had come with a letter for me.
“After receiving the letter, I sent away the people from Yuliu Manor, my consciousness once again became hazy.
“And the next time I was clear-minded, I was on the way to Yuliu Manor.”
Master Cang Ming’s subsequent words could all be matched with what Liu Qingkong had said earlier.
Under that person’s control, Master Cangming visited Yuliu Manor, and Liu Suifeng, despite being severely injured, met with Master Cangming in his room. Unexpectedly, a confrontation ensued right there in the room.
The person who came with Master Cangming disguised themselves as one of his attendants.
Though their martial arts were inferior to the leader’s, Liu Suifeng was, after all, severely injured. As time went on, the tide turned against him, and they eventually captured Liu Suifeng.
“Upon my visit with that person to Liu Suifeng, we captured him.
“Others launched an attack on Yuliu Manor.
“With a pincer move from inside and outside, Yuliu Manor ultimately could not withstand the siege.
“When I came to my senses, the last thing I remember was them discussing how to deal with Liu Suifeng.
“From what they said, they intended to take Liu Suifeng back to Xuanji Valley, harnessing the strength of their entire group to turn him into a Blood Slave.
“They claimed that once successful, at critical moments, he could be extremely useful.
“After that, I knew nothing more… They seemed to have dealt with me mercilessly, leaving me in a confused stupor all the way until now when I regained clarity, only to find myself before all of you.”
While Master Cangming spoke these words, he seemed to still be affected by the remnants of the Blood Transformation Divine Skill, occasionally plagued by splitting headaches and bouts of weakness.
After struggling to finish speaking, he tried to stand up: “What time is it now? What has happened inside Xuanji Valley? Is Liu Suifeng still safe? And how… have you come to be here?”
“Master, please stay calm, we really do not know what has happened inside Xuanji Valley at the moment, and as for this Yuliu Manor… let me tell you about it.”
Luo Zhen hurried to support Master Cangming, helping him to sit down, and began to explain everything from the beginning.
On the other hand, Yang Xiaoyun had come over to Su Mo, and after exchanging a glance, they both fell silent.
This escorts mission was paid for by Ji Shuhua with one hundred taels of silver for their delivery.
Su Mo accepted this escort assignment partly because it fit seamlessly with a system task and would hopefully bring some clarity to the situation with the Luofeng Alliance.
Who could have predicted that this task would involve so many unforeseen complications?
The matter was far more extensive than Su Mo had originally anticipated.
“Xiao Mo, this trip has proven far too perilous,” Yang Xiaoyun noted, speaking in a low voice to Su Mo, making sure Master Cangming and Luo Zhen did not overhear. “Though in Jianghu honor comes first when we travel, the involvement of the Youquan Sect and the lives and deaths of so many Jianghu personalities means that our slightest misstep in navigating this situation could be catastrophic. We must consider our actions carefully.”
Yang Xiaoyun’s words took Su Mo by surprise. He had expected that with her daring nature, not even a sea of flames or a mountain of knives would halt her advance.
Yet, it was her who hesitated first.
Sensing Su Mo’s surprised look, Yang Xiaoyun glared at him: “When journeying through the Jianghu, it’s essential to uphold honor and commitments. However, taking risks without thinking it through isn’t just irresponsible towards oneself but also neglectful of one’s honor and promises. If things go awry this time and you rashly go, only to die at the hands of the Youquan Sect, you would not only lose your life but also fail to fulfill the promises you’ve made.
“Think thrice before acting; it’s not about inaction, but I don’t want you to act recklessly.”
Su Mo smiled: “What you say makes perfect sense, Sister Yun. If it were up to you, how would you proceed?”
“First, assess the situation. If there’s anything that can be done, handle the matters at Yuliu Manor first. If it’s not viable, we retreat, then send a letter to the Iron Blood Escort Agency, requesting assistance from Dad. We’re not alone in Jianghu; if we can’t handle it ourselves, we have to turn to our elders.”
Yang Xiaoyun spoke as if it were the most natural course of action.
Su Mo was left feeling both amused and exasperated, merely sighing: “If we had ample time, that would indeed be the best option, but now… my only concern is that we may be running out of time.”