Mysterious Lotus Casebook

Chapter 16: Wudang Golden Sword (Part 1)

Although Puchu was not a very prosperous town, with only a few hundred homes, it at least had an inn, which was like a paradise for the few men who had just climbed out of a tomb.

Huo Pingchuan ordered a few disciples of Fobi Baishi to send Wang Yuji and Feng Ci back to Qingyuan Mountain on horseback, and with that, the matter was settled.

Later, at the paradise-like inn, Sun Cuihua served her guests with a joyful expression on her average face as her eyes continuously flickered over Yang Qiuyue. It seemed that she truly was in love with her husband.

Fang Duobing and Li Lianhua picked up their chopsticks and all but stuffed their faces without saying a word. Huo Pingchuan was more polite and chatted with Yang Qiuyue about the whereabouts of his uncle Huang Qi.

"Uncle Huang Qi did indeed come here to Puchu at one point, but there was no sign of the Wudang Golden Sword in Xiling Tomb. Perhaps Uncle Huang Qi escaped from the tomb and fled somewhere," Yang Qiuyue said simply. Surprisingly, he didn't seem to be too distracted by his wife's fluttering eyes and loving looks.

Huo Pingchuan nodded, "Master Huang Qi was gifted the Wudang Golden Sword by the previous leader of Wudang. His martial arts, intelligence, and cultivation skills helped him become the top choice for your sect. Moreover, when he disappeared, he was in his prime, so it would not surprise me if he did escape from the tomb."

Fang Duobing was busy devouring a chicken leg when he suddenly raised his head and gazed over at Li Lianhua for a long moment. Li Lianhua was picking up some vegetables with his chopsticks and frowned slightly when he noticed Fang Duobing's distress.

"What's the matter?" he asked gently.

Fang Duobing sighed, "There's still one thing I can't figure out."

Li Lianhua frowned again, "What is it?"

Fang Duobing explained, "It's strange - my martial arts skills aren't too bad, and I wasn't very far from the forest earlier. So why didn't I hear anyone else besides the three of you? I didn't even see that mysterious fourth person enter the forest, let alone leave."

Li Lianhua frowned deeper, "What do you mean?"

Fang Duobing sighed, "Damn it, Lianhua! It was you who immobilized those two men with the Whistling Step skill, wasn't it? I never feel like I can believe your words. If you say something is black, it's most likely white. Your martial arts skills are comparable to a three-legged cat's, but maybe you're just pretending. That's why when you said you didn't see anyone, I thought that maybe, just maybe, it was actually you."

Li Lianhua inhaled deeply and coughed, "If I was able to use the Whistling Step, I would have caught Wang Yuji when I first found out he was the murderer. Why wait until the last minute?"

Fang Duobing thought for a moment and then rolled his eyes, "Well, I guess that's true..."

While the others were chatting, a green-clad woman walked in. In contrast to Sun Cuihua, her skin was fair, her eyebrows were light-swept, and she was a delicate beauty.

Sun Cuihua glanced at her and said with a smile, "Are you here to pick up some food and drinks?" The woman in green had a rather sad expression, but she smiled gently and nodded.

Fang Duobing asked quietly, "Who is she?"

Yang Qiuyue replied, "She's from Yihong Court. They call her Xiao-ru."

Fang Duobing was amazed: this woman worked at a courtesan house, but she had a sort of innocence about her, which was quite rare.

"She sure doesn't look like it," Fang Duobing said. Yang Qiuyu just shrugged, showing no interest.