Chapter 59

While Liang Wenjing and Bai Pu were evaluating the painting, Li Wuqing was also observing, but to him, the painting was just a painting, and he could not discern anything else.

Regarding ancient ink-wash landscape paintings, Li Wuqing really had no research at all. He knew nothing about painting techniques or implications, and could only appreciate the surface.

Therefore, he could not join in the conversation about the painting between Bai Pu and Liang Wenjing.

Later, the reason Liang Wenjing was highly regarded by Gongyang Yu and wanted to be taken as a disciple was closely related to his ability to see through the meaning contained in the painting.

Bai Pu said, "To be honest, this painting was created by my teacher when he passed through this place, out of a sudden inspiration."

Liang Wenjing was surprised, "Ah, your teacher is truly remarkable, but... I always feel that this painting is not just wild, it also contains a mysterious sorrow..."

"Sorrow?" Bai Pu was puzzled.

"Yes, this painting is very peculiar. At first glance, it is exquisite, but upon closer inspection, it is full of contradictions, as if it is fragmented. The flowers and grass, mountains and water, water and people, people and words, none of them are in harmony. When your teacher painted this, he must have been in great distress, as if his heart was broken."

"My teacher's actions are indeed hard to understand," Bai Pu's expression was surprised, "But I watched my teacher paint, and I didn't see what the young brother mentioned. The young brother can see what others cannot, truly remarkable."

"Not at all, not at all," Liang Wenjing smiled broadly.

"You brat, talking nonsense," a voice suddenly came from outside the inn, "Here, take this back."

A streak of white light shot in, incredibly fast, heading straight for Liang Wenjing's face.

Liang Tiande hurriedly reached out to grab it, but the white light suddenly accelerated, and Liang Tiande missed it. Just as it was about to hit Liang Wenjing's face, Li Wuqing moved.

Liang Wenjing felt a blur in front of his eyes, and a shadow flashed, intercepting the incoming white light.

Upon closer inspection, Liang Wenjing saw that the white light was actually a jade token, which looked very familiar and was now in Li Wuqing's hand.

After a careful look, Liang Wenjing suddenly exclaimed, "Oh! Wasn't this stolen?"

Liang Tiande's expression changed upon hearing this, and he turned around to see Bai Pu's face ashen.

Duanmu Changge opened his eyes for the first time, staring intently at the jade token.

Yan Gang stood up abruptly, exclaiming, "Nine Dragon Jade Token." He then leaped up, ready to chase after the person.

Bai Pu, quick to react, grabbed Yan Gang, dejectedly saying, "You won't catch him, it's my teacher." Everyone was shocked.

"This kind of long-range, weak-close-range projectile technique is called 'Tiger Head, Snake Tail,' a unique skill of my teacher, who roams the world." Bai Pu's gaze fell on Liang Wenjing, "But why did my teacher say, 'Take it back,' and you said, 'It was stolen'? Hey, young brother, you must explain clearly..."

Before he finished speaking, Duanmu Changge's eyebrows shot up, and he moved with lightning speed, grabbing for Liang Wenjing's wrist, while Yan Gang moved three feet to the side, blocking the door.

Anticipating this, Li Wuqing formed a fist with his left hand and punched, hitting Duanmu Changge's hand.

Duanmu Changge's hand recoiled in pain, and he saw a large swelling on his hand. He looked at Li Wuqing with caution and scrutiny, remaining on guard but not attacking again.

Bai Pu slowly stood up, bowing slightly, "Please, old hero, explain."

The current situation left Liang Tiande confused, hesitating and indecisive.

Duanmu Changge sneered, "If the old one won't speak, the young one will."

He attacked again, trying to capture Liang Wenjing, but with Li Wuqing's interference, he could not succeed. After several exchanges, he realized he was no match for Li Wuqing and stopped wasting his efforts.

Duanmu Changge said angrily, "Young Master Leng, are you going to obstruct us?"

As he spoke, Bai Pu, Duanmu Changhe, and Yan Gang moved into positions, surrounding Li Wuqing, ready to attack at any moment.

Li Wuqing glanced at the three of them, indifferent to their positioning, and smiled, "I know what you want. Follow me."

Li Wuqing led the way, with Bai Pu, Duanmu Changhe, and Yan Gang following behind. Liang Tiande, who did not want to get involved, could not escape and had to follow with Liang Wenjing.

They hurried along until they reached the Immortal Ferry.

"Here it is."

Li Wuqing pointed to the distance.

At the edge of the cliff, the grass and trees were as they were, seemingly untouched by anyone.

After a moment of silence, "Thud," Yan Gang suddenly knelt down, lying on the young man's body, sobbing loudly.

Bai Pu and Duanmu Changge also knelt, tears streaming down their faces.

"Master Leng, thank you for protecting my son. I am deeply grateful," Liang Tiande quickly thanked Li Wuqing.

Despite his lingering suspicions, Liang Tiande was not ungrateful. Thanks to Li Wuqing, Liang Wenjing had not suffered, and his gratitude was sincere.

Li Wuqing waved his hand, "No need to be polite, Uncle Li. It was just a small effort. Besides, this was an unforeseen disaster."

Protecting Liang Wenjing was Li Wuqing's mission. Indeed, in the entire plot of "Iron Blood Hero," Liang Wenjing would not die, but Li Wuqing was still wary of any unexpected situations.

Even though Li Wuqing downplayed it, Liang Tiande insisted that Liang Wenjing thank him, and Liang Wenjing did as he was told.

The atmosphere was cordial, but suddenly, Bai Pu stood up, shedding tears and singing, "Though the body is dead, the spirit remains; the soul is resolute, a hero among ghosts..." The words, carried by the autumn wind, sounded particularly mournful.

"What is he saying?" Liang Tiande, distracted by Bai Pu, asked casually.

"Ah, these are words from Qu Yuan's 'National Mourning,' meaning: Though you are dead, your spirit endures; your soul is resolute, a hero among ghosts."

"If you had put as much effort into your training as you do into reading, you wouldn't have such half-hearted skills," Liang Tiande glared at him.

As they were talking, Duanmu Changge suddenly leaped up, his palms creating two powerful gusts, striking towards them.

Liang Tiande, unable to block, rolled backward without thinking.

Liang Wenjing, however, was stunned, standing still, his clothes and hair blown backward by the oncoming force.

The palm strike was incredibly fierce, and it seemed Liang Wenjing would be either dead or injured. Li Wuqing punched from the side, a gust of wind rushing out, colliding with Duanmu Changge's palm, scattering the force and forcing Duanmu Changge to retreat several steps.

Standing in front of Liang Wenjing, Li Wuqing shouted, "Duanmu Changge, with me here, you will not succeed in your attack."

"Duanmu Sir, what are you doing?" Bai Pu also asked.

Duanmu Changge said hatefully, "These two clearly know that the young master was killed here but refuse to reveal it, clearly hiding something."