bookcurios Chapter 225 Returning the Favor
Chapter 225 Returning the Favor
Wearing a bathrobe, Duan Zhengchun rushed out of the room like lightning and stood on the stone steps, coldly looking at the several panicked assassins in the courtyard.
The assassins thought that was when Duan Zhengchun was most relaxed, but little did they know that Duan Zhengchun had already discovered them the moment they entered the plum garden.
Immediately afterwards, dozens of guards in blue robes suddenly emerged from the surrounding darkness and surrounded the assassins who had not yet managed to escape.
A skilled hunter often appears as the prey.
"Who sent you?!"
Duan Zhengchun coldly stared at the somewhat bewildered assassin, his voice icy and piercing.
The assassins brandished their weapons, clearly unwilling to surrender so easily and reveal their secrets.
"kill!"
Duan Zhengchun snorted coldly and waved his hand to give the order.
Immediately afterwards, dozens of guards in blue uniforms swarmed forward, instantly overwhelming the assassins.
A moment later, a leader of the Blue-Clad Guards slowly approached Duan Zhengchun and respectfully handed him a token.
Upon seeing the token, Duan Zhengchun couldn't help but frown.
Those are tokens from the Song Dynasty imperial palace!
These assassins were not ordinary江湖人 (jianghu people, people from the martial arts world), but came from Lin'an.
The one who wanted to kill him was the Song Emperor!
The border crisis had just been resolved when that foolish emperor had already decided to kill him, simply because he had lost face because of Duan Zhengchun.
No emperor could tolerate anyone in the world disrespecting him, or even threatening his life at any moment.
Duan Zhengchun narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched the corpses being carried away, a sly smirk slowly creeping across his lips.
Seven days later.
One night, Emperor Song was sleeping when he suddenly felt a chill on his neck. When he woke up, he found that there was nothing in his bedchamber.
Only a tuft of hair lay quietly beside his pillow, along with a token belonging to a royal guard.
This is a warning!
The panicked Song Emperor turned pale instantly and immediately issued a secret decree to stop the pursuit of Duan Zhengchun.
...
Three years later.
Qixia Mountain.
Winter has arrived once again, and the entire Qixia Mountain is covered in snowflakes, a vast expanse of white that is breathtakingly beautiful.
But in Duan Zhengchun's heart, Xiaolongnu was at her most beautiful at this moment.
"Slow down, be careful not to slip, it would be bad if our child fell."
Duan Zhengchun helped the slowly walking Xiaolongnu while reminding her with concern. His careful manner made the heavily pregnant Xiaolongnu shake her head with a wry smile.
She is pregnant.
"I'm a martial artist, my body isn't that fragile, I won't slip no matter what, right?"
Little Dragon Girl said with a wry smile.
"It's always better to be careful; it's never a bad thing to be cautious."
Duan Zhengchun revealed a simple smile and spoke slowly.
"I haven't asked you yet, but do you hope the child is a boy or a girl?"
Xiaolongnu paused for a moment, then couldn't help but ask a question, before staring intently at Duan Zhengchun.
"A girl."
Duan Zhengchun answered without hesitation.
"why?"
Little Dragon Girl was puzzled.
"Because this is my first child, I hope she will be like you, Long'er."
Duan Zhengchun looked at Xiaolongnu with deep affection and answered with utmost seriousness.
Upon hearing this, Xiaolongnu blushed slightly, her heart instantly filled with warmth.
Duan Zhengchun smiled and reached out to embrace Xiaolongnu. They stood together, admiring the snow-covered mountains before them, feeling an immense sense of peace.
"Having lived on Qixia Mountain for so long, this must be the first time we've had such heavy snowfall."
Little Dragon Girl leaned on Duan Zhengchun's shoulder and asked a question softly.
"It seems so..."
Duan Zhengchun answered softly and hugged Xiaolongnu even tighter.
Although it was cold in the snow, their hearts were filled with warmth.
Just then, the sound of shoes stepping into the snow came from behind, and then it stopped abruptly.
"What's the matter?"
Duan Zhengchun still held Xiaolongnu in his arms, gazing at the snow-covered landscape in the distance, and asked a question in a low voice.
"Reporting to the sect leader, we have just received news that the Iron Palm Clan has suddenly reappeared in the martial arts world, committing all sorts of evil deeds and harming many people in the Central Plains martial arts community. Master Yideng has already left Butterfly Valley and is heading to Iron Palm Mountain."
A guard in blue robes behind him immediately bowed respectfully and replied.
Upon hearing this, Duan Zhengchun frowned instantly.
The Iron Palm Clan was founded by the Qiu siblings and had done many things that ravaged the martial arts world. Qiu Qianren, who became a disciple of Master Yideng, was the leader of the Iron Palm Clan back then.
Master Yideng's trip was likely to settle all these matters on behalf of Ci'en.
"Go ahead, I'll wait for you to come back with the children."
At this moment, Little Dragon Girl said something softly.
She knew that Duan Zhengchun owed Butterfly Valley a favor, and now that Master Yideng was in trouble, Duan Zhengchun had no choice but to help.
Should I go?
Duan Zhengchun frowned, his face showing hesitation.
Firstly, because Xiaolongnu was already pregnant, and secondly, because he had not been involved in the affairs of the martial arts world for three years.
"We should go."
Little Dragon Girl said something seriously.
"Okay, I'll be back as soon as possible. Wait for me."
Duan Zhengchun hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded.
He never owed anyone favors, but since Master Yideng might be in danger, he had to go.
Immediately afterwards, Duan Zhengchun sent Xiaolongnu back to Yunyu Pavilion, bid farewell to his women, and went down the mountain alone, heading straight for Iron Palm Mountain.
He hasn't been seen in the martial arts world for three years. I wonder if it's still the same martial arts world he knew.
...
Five days later.
Qiyun City.
In a roadside teahouse, Master Yideng and Ci'en sat facing each other. On the table were two bowls of tea and four vegetarian buns, but neither of them touched their chopsticks.
The tea hadn't been touched, and the vegetarian buns had gone cold.
Master Yideng closed his eyes slightly, twirled his prayer beads in his hands, and chanted incessantly.
Cien, dressed in black, clasped his hands together, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, his body trembling slightly, as if he were about to explode.
Although his hands and feet were all heavily shackled, it still didn't seem to make him appear harmless.
The teahouse owner and staff had long since kept their distance, watching Ci'en with tense expressions, not daring to approach.
Passersby stopped in their tracks, their faces showing apprehension, yet they lingered, unwilling to leave.
"Master...this disciple can't hold back any longer..."
"Perhaps you should give up. I'm afraid I can never be your disciple in this lifetime. Maybe my murderous intent is too strong, and even Buddhism won't save me..."
Ci'en slowly opened her eyes, spoke excitedly, and a fierce glint flashed in her eyes.
“Ci’en, calm down. You have been chanting scriptures and reciting Buddhist mantras for many years and are already a Buddhist.
"As long as one's mind is free of distractions, one is naturally a member of the Buddhist community..."
Master Yideng said something earnestly, and then spun the prayer beads in his hand even faster, continuing to chant.
Ci'en's expression was conflicted, and the murderous intent in his heart surged again and again.
The resurgence of the Iron Palm Clan has stirred up his forgotten past once again, like a ferocious beast about to break free.
Just then, a hand suddenly landed on Ci'en's shoulder, and the previously restless Ci'en suddenly trembled and calmed down.
The onlookers gasped in surprise at the sight, curiously observing the young man in white who had suddenly appeared, carrying a sword case on his back.
Master Yideng also sensed something, and slowly opened his eyes. Then, his face lit up with joy, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Benefactor Yin, it's you?!"
Indeed, the white-clad youth who suddenly appeared was none other than Duan Zhengchun.
"Master Yideng, it's been a long time."
Duan Zhengchun smiled and nodded, then withdrew his right hand and slowly sat down to the side.
"Thank you, Benefactor Yin."
Master Yideng glanced at Ci'en, who had finally calmed down completely, and breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at Duan Zhengchun gratefully and said something.
"It's just a little effort."
Duan Zhengchun smiled faintly, said something indifferently, and picked up a vegetarian bun from the table without any politeness, taking a bite directly.
"What brings you here, Benefactor Yin?"
Master Yideng smiled meaningfully and slowly pressed for an answer.
"I have already heard about the Iron Palm Clan."
“I once said that owing someone a big favor is something I’m indebted to, and now it seems like it’s time to repay it.”
“On this journey to Iron Palm Mountain, I wish to travel with the master.”
Duan Zhengchun answered with a smile while eating a steamed bun.
"Amitabha, thank you for your righteous help, Benefactor Yin. Your battle outside Xiangyang City three years ago has spread throughout the entire martial arts world."
"I never imagined that three years later, I would meet Benefactor Yin here again. With Benefactor Yin accompanying me, this trip is sure to be successful."
Master Yideng clasped his hands together, nodded slightly, and spoke with deep gratitude.
"Shopkeeper, ten more steamed buns, please!"
Duan Zhengchun smiled, without offering any further explanation, and directly turned to shout loudly at the shopkeeper who was hiding not far away.
As everything calmed down, the surrounding crowd gradually dispersed. Although they were surprised that Duan Zhengchun had so easily quelled the unrest of Ci'en, no one knew that the young man before them was the same Lingxiao Sword Demon who, three years ago, single-handedly repelled a Mongol army of 300,000...