Chu Qing clutched the bowl in his hand, feeling as if he were holding a landmine.
He recognized this bowl... In front of the teahouse, when he disguised as a beggar, this bowl was placed before him.
Chu Fan had even thrown some silver into it.
Later, after taking on the task of assassinating the Seven Iron Riders, he became busy with killing all over the place.
When the dust settled, he found that the bowl was missing.
However, he didn't think much of it, considering it just a disposable prop.
After that, he never disguised as a beggar again and cared even less about it.
But... he never dreamed that this broken bowl would appear in the hands of Junior Sister Wen!
And why was she giving it to me?
At the teahouse, he already felt this Junior Sister Wen was strange.
What was she doing, handing him tea and staring at him... as if he were gravely ill?
Now it was good; the bowl returned to its original owner.
What exactly did she know? Did she discover he was that beggar?
Or was it just that she wanted a servant to throw the bowl away?
As thoughts swirled in his mind, he had an urge to pull Junior Sister Wen aside and question her.
However, in the current situation, that obviously couldn't be done.
If only Chu Fan was here, it wouldn't matter if his identity was exposed... but if Wu Qianhuan discovered he was that runaway, the consequences were unimaginable.
Thoughts flashed quickly, and Chu Qing appropriately displayed the corresponding bewilderment.
Such an act, for him, was like muscle memory.
At the same time, various countermeasures swarmed into his mind.
Just as he planned to speak, he saw Junior Sister Wen acting as if nothing happened, returning to her seat.
Was that it?
Chu Qing was momentarily dumbfounded, feeling like he had punched the air.
All his follow-up plans were stifled.
"What on earth is with this Junior Sister Wen? What's this mystery?"
Chu Qing felt his mind was a bit jumbled... after all, he couldn't imagine some people specifically picking up strange things.
For instance, the stick he thought was well-hidden.
But seeing that Junior Sister Wen made no further moves, he also felt relieved.
As long as she stays calm, it's fine. If she truly knows something, it doesn't matter. Whether he is still in Celestial Dance City by then is uncertain.
Thinking this, he slightly relaxed and looked up to watch the duel between Chu Fan and Tang Xi.
Needless to say, Chu Fan, with the profound and unfathomable Unchanging Celestial Book of the Taiyi Sect, the Taiyi Divine Palm's grandeur in simplicity, and the overwhelming force of the Taiyi Divine Fist, combined with Chu Fan's innate Divine Power, ordinary people were simply no match for Chu Fan.
Though Tang Xi was the Young Hall Master of Luoyu Hall, he was overwhelmed in the martial arts exchange.
However, Chu Qing noticed that despite Tang Xi being at a disadvantage, he did not seem panicked. Even when Chu Fan forced him to retreat repeatedly, he feigned a look of panic.
But with Chu Qing's trained eye in acting, he could tell that this panic was somewhat theatrical.
"Does he have hidden confidence? Does he not take Chu Fan seriously?"
Chu Qing raised his eyebrows, feeling a bit baffled by this.
Although Tang Xi was holding back, Chu Fan was not using full strength either.
What gave him the confidence not to regard Chu Fan?
Moreover... considering Liu Shijie, the Vice Hall Master of Luoyu Hall, had connections with the Iron Horse Seven Rogues, what kind of stance did this Young Hall Master take in Celestial Dance City?
Just as he was pondering this, Chu Fan and Tang Xi had already decided the winner.
With a loud bang, the two figures separated.
Tang Xi stepped back four or five paces, then shook his hand with a grin:
"Brother Chu Fan is indeed formidable, the Taiyi Divine Fist is well-deserved, and this junior admits defeat."
"You praise me too much, Young Hall Master's martial arts are also immensely refined. If there's leisure, we should exchange more ideas."
Chu Fan's tone was not as harsh as before.
Wu Qianhuan smiled at this:
"Second Brother Chu, did you underestimate this Tang Young Hall Master?
"You should know, it's been only three years since Luoyu Hall entered Celestial Dance City, yet it has developed to this extent from nothing.
"The Young Hall Master's family background is probably nothing less than Second Brother Chu."
While speaking, she stood up, drew a long sword from the body of her maid next to her:
"I've recently learned a sword technique, and I'd like to ask both of you for some pointers."
Without giving Chu Fan and Tang Xi a chance to speak, she took a step, turned her form into a blur, and suddenly burst between the two.
The sword blade swept forward, directly targeting Chu Fan's heart.
Chu Fan froze, not expecting Wu Qianhuan to attack so suddenly without giving any time to react.
If it were someone else behaving thus, Chu Fan naturally wouldn't let it slide.
But owing to matters involving Chu Qing, Chu Fan felt guilty toward Wu Qianhuan, and instinctively dodged.
Wu Qianhuan, however, seemed to have already anticipated Chu Fan's reaction. With a turn of her sword, it split into three, sprouting like green plums in bloom, akin to the sun in full bloom.
In an instant, it enveloped all the key acupuncture points on Tang Xi's chest.
This sword technique was visually pleasing yet filled with deadly intent.
Tang Xi was initially just enjoying the spectacle of Chu Fan's fight but was astonished when the sword turned toward him.
This shock was no small matter, and it was too late to evade.
Even Chu Fan couldn't help but widen his eyes, feeling that Wu Qianhuan intended to kill.
At this critical moment, Tang Xi's figure flickered, like a lamp flickering in the wind, suddenly extinguished then revived.
With this flicker, his body already retreated more than two zhang!
A hint of intensity flashed in Wu Qianhuan's eyes.
Chu Fan, however, clapped and laughed:
"Such a fine body technique!!"
Tang Xi's face stiffened momentarily but then he smiled:
"Brother Chu Fan, you mock me. The Miss's sword technique is just too fast, catching me completely off guard."
Wu Qianhuan smiled and said:
"Oh? Second Brother Chu, you see, this Tang Young Hall Master isn't simple; he's concealing another skill yet to be displayed. Why don't the three of us have another match?
"Let's uncover all his hidden skills?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Xi begged for mercy, while Chu Fan showed eager anticipation.
Just as he was about to speak, they heard a creak, and it was the sound of the courtyard door being opened.
No one paid much attention, assuming it was another servant delivering something.
But when their eyes glanced over, they all showed a bit of surprise.
The person who entered was not a servant of the Chu Family, but a middle-aged man.
He was dressed in the attire of a wanderer from the Martial World. Upon entering, he nodded to everyone, then turned to close the courtyard door.
Chu Fan frowned:
"Who are you? This is the inner courtyard; if you're a guest, you may partake in the banquet in the front yard."
The man glanced up at Chu Fan, smiled slightly, and with a sudden exertion of force from his foot, a crashing sound was heard as he charged forward, arriving in front of Chu Fan in an instant.
At the final step, with a crack, he shattered the bluestone beneath, his form like a drawn bow, right fist clenched and shot forward like an arrow, straight for Chu Fan's chest and abdomen with a bang.
Chu Fan's eyes widened, feeling as if the man's punch was like raging waves, making him feel as if he was amidst a vast ocean.
The momentum was fierce and extremely ruthless.
Wu Qianhuan's pupils contracted sharply at the sight:
"[Sea-covering Dragon Fist]! Second Brother Chu, this is Xin Youhen of the Valley of Myriad Nights, do not attempt a direct strike!!"