System: I Can Open Martial Arts Chests

Chapter 272 - 167: Seven Plum Manor (Part 2)

"Plum..."

Chu Qing and Gentle exchanged a glance.

Gentle said softly:

"The scent is pointing here."

"Then let’s explore."

Chu Qing led Gentle directly to the manor’s entrance.

He reached out, grabbed the door knocker, and knocked gently a few times.

A moment later, footsteps could be heard, and a square hole opened in the side of the door, revealing a pair of eyes.

It was expected that the doorman would answer, but unexpectedly, a pair of big, bright eyes appeared, with delicately groomed eyebrows, and a voice that was as sweet and pleasant as a yellow oriole leaving the valley:

"Who’s outside the door?"

Chu Qing raised his eyebrows slightly and cupped his hands, saying:

"The heavy snow has sealed off the mountain, making travel difficult.

"I happened upon your manor and thought to seek refuge from the wind and snow. If there is any inconvenience, please forgive me."

"What a handsome young gentleman!"

Once those eyes saw Chu Qing’s appearance, a gleam of light flashed through them.

Immediately followed by a clack, the square hole was closed.

From inside, the sound of a door bolt being moved was heard, and with a creak, the side door opened, revealing a charming young girl in a light green gauze outfit before Chu Qing and Gentle.

"Young master, please come in quickly. Oh, there are two of you.

"Quickly, the wind is sharp and the snow is heavy outside, very cold. Please both come inside to warm."

She said, stepping aside to invite Chu Qing and Gentle inside.

Gentle’s gaze remained hollow, but there was an inexplicable discomfort in her heart.

But she couldn’t pinpoint the source of the displeasure.

She looked up at Chu Qing and saw him nod slightly:

"In that case, we’ll intrude."

He glanced back at Gentle, signaling her, then led her inside.

The young girl quickly followed them in.

She stuck her head out the door and looked around cautiously, as if afraid of being seen by anyone. After confirming no one was nearby, she quickly closed the side door and bolted it shut.

Past the main door was a screen wall, with a single large character ’Plum’ on it!

Chu Qing chuckled:

"This Seven Plum Manor has a distinct elegance. This character is written with iron strokes and silver hooks, yet I wonder whose hand it is?"

"You have a keen eye, sir."

The young girl smiled, saying:

"This was handwritten by our Manor Master; this is his secondary residence.

"Originally meant to be called Plum Manor Annex, but it was later changed... By the way, quite a few people came to the manor today, all here to escape the heavy snow. Truly a fine day."

She chatted with laughter, leading the way.

A smile lingered on Chu Qing’s face, but when the young girl walked ahead, his gaze suddenly turned cold.

The girl’s attire was rather light, a gauze layer over inner clothes, her taut figure faintly visible under the sheer fabric.

If it were an ordinary man, he might be distracted by her graceful movements, momentarily jumping and descending, the gentle sway of her footsteps and her rounded curves...

And overlook, in this cold weather, how she seemed unaffected by the chill?

Gentle followed behind Chu Qing, matching his steps, more she walked, more she felt everything around was unpleasant and vexing.

Though the manor’s interior had beautiful scenery, with pavilions and towers, rock gardens, and ponds, revealing unique craftsmanship.

But it carried an inexplicable strangeness everywhere.

She rarely experienced such tormenting moments.

Until the young girl led Chu Qing and Gentle to stand before the main hall, Gentle finally came to her senses, realizing something was wrong with her state.

Then the young girl said:

"Please wait in the main hall for tea. Our patriarch was busy all night last night and has just fallen asleep.

"Later, an elder sister will come to greet you."

She gestured with extended arm, Chu Qing nodded, leading Gentle into the main hall.

Once inside, Chu Qing raised his eyebrows.

The hall indeed had quite a few people... unexpectedly several familiar faces.

On the upper left sat a middle-aged man wearing brocade, square-faced, looking stern without a hint of a smile.

Beside him stood a long sword, while a group of people behind him dressed like darts masters.

Among them was placed several large boxes, sealed with ’Weiyuan Escort Agency’ labels.

Recalling the proximity of Weiyuan Escort Agency’s vehicles to here, this person was evidently Southern Ridge Iron Sword Chen Zhengnan!

And below him sat a curled-up old man on a chair, fiddling with a pipe stem...

Not long ago in Dingxing City, the Separation Sword appeared intending to kill Liu Yulai.

This old man, recruited by Liu Yulai as an expert in the martial world, fled the moment he recognized the Separation Sword.

Unexpectedly, he ended up here.

Sitting beneath the old man was someone Chu Qing didn’t recognize.

This person, dressed in black, had a gloomy complexion. His head was lowered, intently fiddling with his fingernails, as if his ten fingers were his entire world.

Opposite Chen Zhengnan sat, strictly speaking, two people.

The one sitting was the White Horse Golden Sword Cao Qiupu...

Standing behind him was Hua Jinnian, Ling Fei, one of the seventy-two experts on the Evil Extermination List.

When Chu Qing saw these two people, he could hardly believe his eyes.

Didn’t these two go find a place to retire?

Could it be they’re eyeing Seven Plum Manor, planning to take it over?

When the quest chain activated, Chu Qing had considered secretly killing Hua Jinnian, but later felt it wasn’t the right time... Meeting her now, could it be a secret opportunity for him?

A familiar face also sat below Cao Qiupu...

Little Flower Boy, Hua Jinnian!

However, Hua Jinnian now looked listless, seemingly unwell, though the reason was unclear.

The last person was the scholar Chu Qing had encountered in Iron Ring Town.

He was indeed here.

In a glance, Chu Qing took in everyone present, feeling speechless for a moment. Were these people gathered for a meeting?

And everyone turned their gaze to Chu Qing, each with different expressions.

Cao Qiupu looked delighted, but for some unknown reason, he instinctively protected Hua Jinnian behind him.

Hua Jinnian quickly stood up and walked over to Chu Qing:

"Third Young Master, we meet again!!"

As he spoke, he looked at Gentle, appearing bewildered, clearly not recognizing her immediately.

Chu Qing clasped his hands:

"Brother Hua, it’s only been a few days since we last met, how is it that you..."

He almost said ’how is it that you look as though you’ve been drained,’ but it didn’t seem appropriate to say such a thing in public.

Moreover, if anyone were to be drained, shouldn’t it be Cao Qiupu?

Could it be Hua Jinnian was first victimized by a male bandit and then a female rogue?

That would be truly unfortunate...

Hua Jinnian’s lips moved as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t.

Cao Qiupu stood up:

"Third Brother, it’s been a long time."

Chu Qing glanced at him, then at Ling Fei behind him, and chuckled:

"Have you two been well?"

Ling Fei furrowed her brows, remembering how she was nearly killed by Chu Qing with a palm strike at the Observatory. She had planned to set a trap, only to fail miserably, leading her identity to be exposed to Cao Qiupu.

Seeing him again, she couldn’t help but feel annoyed.

Cao Qiupu laughed:

"Thanks to you, it’s going rather well."

The scholar watched these few people reminisce, unsure of his thoughts, nodding to Chu Qing without saying much.

The two had only met once in Iron Ring Town and weren’t acquainted, so a nod sufficed.

However, the three people opposite were somewhat bewildered; how did these individuals all know each other?

Chen Zhengnan spoke:

"Third Young Master? Could it be the one who... filled Divine Blade City with corpses, and fought Mad Saber Ling Beichen before Luochun Manor?"

His eyes turned to Chu Qing, a gleam flashing within them.

Hua Jinnian’s expression changed:

"And if so? Chief Chen should know... Ling Beichen committed many evils, deserving to be eradicated by all!"

"Hahaha!!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhengnan laughed heartily, his laughter accompanied by inner strength, causing the hall to slightly quiver.

Snow on the eaves fell, creating showers of petals.

After laughing, Chen Zhengnan’s expression abruptly darkened:

"What a deserving eradication by all!

"What a noble and righteous young hero in the martial world...

"I salute you, sir!"

With these words, he suddenly slapped the table.

The cup on the table jumped, Chen Zhengnan flicked his sleeve, sending the cup flying toward Hua Jinnian!