Chapter 35 of 100

Chapter 35

11 min read2,768 words

In the hall, the fight was in full swing. All the experts were fully focused on their moves; any distraction could lead to minor injuries or even death, and no one dared to look away.

The group of trainees stood in a corner of the hall, truly able to watch from the sidelines. First, the intense battle left no room for distraction; second, Li Wuching's sudden attack and his formidable strength were intimidating, and no one dared to provoke him.

Although Tong Zhaohuo's skills were not high, he was still above the level of ordinary soldiers. Even if Zhou Zhongying made a move, it would be difficult to kill him in two moves.

Li Wuching displayed his powerful martial arts and adopted a stance of non-interference. Anyone with a brain would not come to provoke him.

On the contrary, Zhou Zhongying, as the situation became more difficult with more Red Flower Society members arriving, glanced at Li Wuching, his eyes filled with hope, wishing Li Wuching would step in and mediate.

Even the group of trainees could no longer sit still. Liu Hongjun, looking at the chaos ahead, asked Li Wuching, "Brother Leng, are we going to be mere spectators all night? Will we not intervene?"

Li Wuching replied coolly, "It's not the right time yet. Not all the Red Flower Society members have arrived. Besides, even if we intervene later, you won't be of much help. Those who have shown up tonight are all experts."

...

Xu Tianhong, being meticulous and perceptive, noticed that Zhou Zhongying had shown mercy several times during their fight, indicating there was something else going on. He shouted, "Tenth Brother, don't be rash!"

Zhang Jin, in the heat of battle, didn't hear. Jiang Sigen swung his iron paddle at Zhou Zhongying's waist. Zhou Zhongying dodged to the side, but Yang Chengxie's steel whip struck his shoulder from behind.

Yang Chengxie, Zhang Jin, and Jiang Sigen were the "Three Mighty Warriors" of the Red Flower Society, all with astonishing strength. Zhou Zhongying, fighting against the three, gradually became overwhelmed. Jiang Sigen's iron paddle knocked his large saber out of his hand, embedding it in the central beam of the hall.

Meng Jianxiong and An Jiangang, seeing their master's weapon fly out of his hand, were shocked and rushed forward to help. But after taking only two steps, Wei Chunhua swung his twin hooks and blocked their path.

With his large saber out of his hand, Zhou Zhongying instead leaped forward, using the "Empty Hand against Blade" technique to try to snatch Yang Chengxie's steel whip.

After a few more exchanges, although Yang Chengxie was strong, he could not match Zhou Zhongying's profound skills, and his steel whip was about to be forcibly taken away.

Before Zhou Zhongying could seize the steel whip, Zhang Jin and Jiang Sigen's weapons were already swinging at him, putting him in a very dangerous position. Meng Jianxiong, in a flash of inspiration, fired a series of pellets that extinguished all the candles in the hall, plunging it into complete darkness.

This unexpected move caught everyone off guard, and they all involuntarily took a few steps back, bringing the fierce battle to an immediate halt.

The hall suddenly fell silent, but the tension was palpable, more terrifying than the previous shouting and fighting.

In the silence, the sound of footsteps was heard outside the hall. The door opened, and a bright light appeared as a man holding a torch walked in.

The man was dressed like a scholar, holding a golden flute in his other hand. He stepped aside as soon as he entered, holding the torch high, and three more people followed in the light.

One was a one-armed Taoist priest with a long sword on his back. Another was a man in a light robe, with a face like a jade crown, dressed like a nobleman, followed by a teenage boy carrying a package.

These four were "Golden Flute Scholar" Yu Yutong, "Soul-Seizing Life-Taking Sword" Wuchen Taoist Priest, the newly appointed Red Flower Society Chief Chen Jialuo, and Chen Jialuo's servant Xinyan.

"The Red Flower Society Chief Chen Jialuo has arrived."

Li Wuching whispered, his voice low but clear in the silent hall.

The Red Flower Society members, seeing their chief and second-in-command arrive, were all delighted and wanted to greet them, but they heard Li Wuching's words and looked over.

Chen Jialuo also looked over, his gaze meeting Li Wuching's. Chen Jialuo nodded and smiled, and Li Wuching nodded back coldly.

Yu Yutong held two name cards, walked to Zhou Zhongying, bowed, and announced loudly, "Red Flower Society Chief Chen Jialuo and Second-in-Command Wuchen Taoist Priest pay respects to the Iron Gall Bladder Zhou, the old hero of Iron Gall Bladder Manor."

Meng Jianxiong went up to receive the cards and handed them to his master. Zhou Zhongying, seeing the respectful tone of the name cards, with Chen Jialuo and Wuchen calling themselves juniors, hurriedly stepped forward and clasped his hands, saying, "Honored guests have arrived at my humble manor, and I did not welcome you far enough. Please sit, please sit."

By this time, the hall was in a mess, with tables and chairs overturned. Zhou Zhongying shouted, "Someone, come here!"

Song Shanpeng led several manor guards in, rearranged the tables and chairs, relit the candles, and everyone sat down according to guest and host.

On the eastern side, Chen Jialuo sat first, followed by Wuchen, Xu Tianhong, Yang Chengxie, Wei Chunhua, Zhang Jin, Luo Bing, Shi Shuangying, Jiang Sigen, and Yu Yutong. Xinyan stood behind Chen Jialuo.

On the western side, Zhou Zhongying sat first, followed by Meng Jianxiong, An Jiangang, and Zhou Qi.

Li Wuching did not hesitate and led Liu Hongjun and Fan Qi to sit on the lower seats on the western side.

Zhou Zhongying felt this seating arrangement was inappropriate and wanted to invite Li Wuching to sit in a more prominent position, but Li Wuching, who did not care about such formalities, did not agree.

Wan Qinglan, seeing the formal introductions, knew things were about to get worse. He slowly moved to the door, intending to slip out, but Xu Tianhong leaped forward, blocking his path and said, "Please stay, let's clear things up."

Wan Qinglan, seeing the overwhelming number of opponents, did not dare to make a move and had to return.

Zhou Zhongying and Chen Jialuo introduced both sides, reporting their names. Then, they asked for Li Wuching and his group's names and titles, which he introduced on their behalf.

The names of the group of trainees were all unusual. Zhou Zhongying and Chen Jialuo, upon hearing them, felt something was off but did not ask.

Zhou Zhongying, seeing Chen Jialuo, who looked like a pampered nobleman's son, leading a group of martial heroes, and the respect they showed him, found it very strange and was secretly puzzled.

Chen Jialuo, seeing Zhou Zhongying's puzzled expression and his constant scrutiny, suppressed his anger and said coldly, "Our Fourth Brother, Thunder Hand Wen Tailai, was ambushed and severely injured. He sought refuge at your manor, and you, Old Hero Zhou, extended your hand in the name of martial chivalry. All our brothers are deeply grateful, and I personally thank you here." He stood up and bowed deeply.

Zhou Zhongying hurriedly returned the bow, knowing that Chen Jialuo was using polite words to put him in an awkward position.

Zhang Jin, however, did not understand Chen Jialuo's intention and shouted, "Chief, you don't know, this old man has already harmed our Fourth Brother." Wei Chunhua, sitting next to him, pulled him back, telling him not to shout.

Chen Jialuo acted as if he hadn't heard and continued politely to Zhou Zhongying, "Our brothers came to your manor in the middle of the night, and our manners were lacking. Please forgive us, Old Hero Zhou. We heard that Fourth Brother Wen was in trouble, and we were all very anxious. How is Fourth Brother's condition? I believe you have already called a doctor to treat him. Please lead us to see him." He stood up, and the Red Flower Society members followed.

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