Chapter 174 — Section 176: The Way to Solve It [Second Update]

Tang Tang's soul very nearly left his body.

The woman seated in the chair of honor — he recognized her at a single glance. She was the female guard who had crossed blades with him during that ambush! And then it struck him: Zhai Hengzhan had said they were people of the Martial Marquis Manor.

The Martial Marquis Manor... could it truly be a place of such towering background?

Gu Xue might be the host, but her standing here was plainly not enough for the seat of honor. Faced with the Star Lord's high-handed usurpation of the role, she showed not the slightest objection. Still, she took note of the woman in that seat — and not she alone; anyone in the hall with even a shred of sensitivity could hardly have failed to notice her.

The reverence with which the Star Lord treated the woman made it plain she was someone of consequence.

What puzzled Gu Xue was not only the Star Lord and that woman, but Tang Tang as well. Strange. A Tian was being far too quiet today. A Tian had been perfectly normal while he was provoking Old Yu at the door, but after that he had turned thoroughly abnormal.

A Tian simply stood behind her without a word!

No fidgeting, no whispering!

Too out of character!

But with everyone present, she did not dare ask.

The Star Lord's gaze swept over the gathering, and he said calmly, "I have come this time to borrow the Gu family's grounds, to convene the heads of every clan on Feilin Star for discussion of an important matter. I gave no notice beforehand, and I am told some of my men, lacking sense, clashed with the Gu family head. I must beg the Gu family head's forbearance. Forgive the intrusion!"

Xu Changtian, Yan Xia, and the others standing to one side were streaming cold sweat.

Gu Xue collected herself and answered with a smile, "A small misunderstanding, nothing more. The lord need not trouble himself over it. Your arrival brings glory to our house — an honor beyond measure! As for intrusion, you are far too courteous! Whatever the lord requires, simply give the order."

A satisfied smile spread over the Star Lord's face. "The Gu family head is indeed a person of reason. There will be other matters later, to be discussed with the Gu family head."

Gu Xue answered, neither haughty nor humble, "Whatever Gu Xue can do to help, she will not shirk."

"Very good, very good." The Star Lord nodded again and again.

This exchange left the crowd below shaken to the core. Could the Gu family and the Star Lord truly share some connection? What matter could the Star Lord need to trouble the Gu family with?

Those martial artists who had kept clear of the feud between Old Yu and the Gu family all wore looks of relief, while the faces of Old Yu's faction shifted — including the old man who had just traded blows with Tang Tang.

The Star Lord looked around and said mildly, "In a few days, when everyone has arrived, we shall discuss what this matter is. But from this day on, arms are forbidden in Black Mountain City!"

Every heart in the hall tightened, and they answered in unison, "Yes!"

The Star Lord rose and said mildly, "Then I shall put you all to trouble for a few days. Go and rest."

He turned and smiled at Gu Xue. "Gu family head, please come with me."

Gu Xue followed behind the Star Lord, uneasy at heart. The woman in the chair of honor gave her a warm smile. "Do not be nervous, Gu family head. It is no bad thing."

Only then did Gu Xue feel somewhat reassured.

Tang Tang did not go along. Instead he ran swiftly back to the small courtyard, keeping wary the whole way for anyone tailing him. Arriving at the courtyard, he happened to see Ling Yan practicing his spear.

"Little Xuxu, come here, quick — we're in trouble."

Tang Tang lowered his voice.

A burst of keen light flashed suddenly in Ling Yan's eyes. He stopped, and without a word fell in behind Tang Tang; the two entered the room.

Tang Tang hauled out the two captives, one large and one small, and pulled the silk gags from their mouths.

"Who exactly are you?" Tang Tang asked in a low voice.

"Zhai Hengzhan, guard of the Martial Marquis Manor. She is Princess Mingzhu," Zhai Hengzhan said frankly. He was a seasoned hand in the jianghu; one look at Tang Tang's expression told him something had changed. "You have run into someone from the Manor?"

"The female guard who fought me that day." Tang Tang looked at Ling Yan. "That woman seems to be somebody big — even the Star Lord does whatever she says."

"That formidable?" Ling Yan blinked.

"So what do we do now?" Tang Tang spread his hands. Bing drifted out as well.

The three looked at one another.

"Let us go, and all grudges past are wiped clean," Zhai Hengzhan said in a low voice. "I swear it!"

All three rolled their eyes in perfect unison.

"Do you believe him?" Tang Tang asked Ling Yan.

Ling Yan's eyes went wide with anger as he glared at Tang Tang. "Are you insulting my intelligence?"

"See? Even he doesn't believe you!" Tang Tang spread his hands at Zhai Hengzhan with an innocent look, then turned to Bing. "Uncle, any good ideas?"

"Kill them and shut them up!" Bing stroked his chin. "A bit old-fashioned, but very effective. Once they're dead, bury them wherever — who's going to find them?"

The girl's face went white as a sheet, and even Zhai Hengzhan's color turned poor. He said in a low voice, "I can swear an oath!"

"Which do you trust — oaths, or killing them quiet?" Bing asked Tang Tang.

Tang Tang tilted his head and thought. "Depends. If it were Qianhui swearing, I'd believe her for certain."

"Unfortunately, they are not her," Bing said with a chuckle. "If you can't bring yourself to do it, I will. As an instructor of the Bingxuanheng, I absolutely will not put them through excessive pain, and there absolutely will not be a case of a single slash failing to finish the job."

Tang Tang scratched his head, hesitation surfacing on his face. Had these two been villains steeped in every evil, he would have acted long ago. But these two were merely the fruit of an accident.

"No! We can't do that!" Tang Tang shook his head. "This is a misunderstanding — a misunderstanding we caused. How can we let them bear the consequences in the end?"

"Exactly!" Ling Yan shook his head as well. "I will not let my spear touch innocent blood."

Seeing how resolute the two were, Bing's poker face twitched. "Then the two of you sort it out yourselves," he said indifferently.

Tang Tang looked at the girl. She had already recovered from her first fright, and her eyes were darting about. Tang Tang slapped his forehead — here was such a clever little thing, sitting right here unused. He really was a fool.

Tang Tang said to the girl, "You're the cleverest one. You think of a way!"

Smugness bloomed at once on the girl's face. "So now you know I'm clever. A way? I do have one — but it comes with conditions."

"What conditions?" Tang Tang looked wary.

The girl smiled slyly. "I sneaked off to Feilin Star this time to go adventuring. But then they caught me and meant to haul me back..."

Zhai Hengzhan grew frantic. "Milady, do not be reckless—"

Ling Yan promptly gagged Zhai Hengzhan's mouth.

The girl licked her lips. "My request is simple. You come adventuring with me. And besides, I happen to be short a teacher. Your level is a bit low, but you will just barely do. I can announce to the world that I have taken you as my master. That way, naturally, no one will dare trouble you."

Tang Tang was delighted. "Your head really does work well."

"Of course it does. Good plan, isn't it?" The girl's face was full of pride.

"Then we'll do just that." Tang Tang went on, as though it were only natural, "Come, let us sign a martial soul contract!"

"A martial soul contract..." The girl's face froze.

"Mmph! Mmmph!" Zhai Hengzhan struggled with all his might. Bang — a fist smashed into his head, and he went limp, out cold.

Facing the stares of the others, Ling Yan said without expression, "Too noisy."