System: I Can Open Martial Arts Chests

Chapter 274 - 168: Silk Cave (Part 2)

"Originally, this had nothing to do with me, but who would have thought that the little brother-in-law who escaped happened to jump out from the very spot where I was eavesdropping over the wall.

"We stared at each other, wide-eyed, and that Xu family brat got a wicked idea.

"He actually pointed at a deer and called it a horse, claiming I was the adulterer!

"The Xu Patriarch’s wife was even worse, going along with the story, saying I forced myself on her!"

Saying this, Hua Jinnian ground his teeth in anger, snapped open his folding fan with a crack, and despite the cold weather, started fanning vigorously:

"The Xu Patriarch was blind and foolish, saying his wife would never lie to him.

"He wanted to kill me on the spot...

"I wasn’t afraid of them, but unfortunately, that Golden Hook Thirteen Techniques restrained my Inconsistent Swordsmanship quite a bit.

"After a brief exchange, I didn’t gain the upper hand, and nearly got surrounded.

"I had to turn and flee... and ended up running for several days until I got here...

"Third brother, what do you make of this?"

Chu Qing pursed his lips, feeling that things might not be so simple.

Hua Jinnian probably wouldn’t do such a thing, and the Xu Patriarch might not actually be blind and foolish.

Maybe he knew exactly what’s going on but just couldn’t let the matter be known.

Family scandals are not to be publicized; how could he, in front of everyone, say his wife is unvirtuous, and his son-in-law is unfilial? The little brother-in-law tried to seduce the elder sister-in-law?

Since there’s someone to take the blame, might as well let him bear it first.

Kill Hua Jinnian, and then deal with his own family’s issues later.

After all, preserving the family reputation comes first.

Of course, this was just Chu Qing’s own speculation; without knowing the full picture, it’s better not to comment.

Meanwhile, the others in the room were quite satisfied hearing such a juicy gossip, feeling that this trip was worthwhile.

After Hua Jinnian finished recounting his plight, he asked Chu Qing:

"What brings you here, third brother?"

Chu Qing smiled and was about to make up a reason when a charming voice sounded:

"The eldest sister is here!!"

Everyone in the hall perked up at once, knowing that the head of the house had arrived.

They had been here for varying lengths of time, yet had not met the master of the house.

Footsteps came from the back hall, and before long, a fragrant breeze reached them even before the person appeared.

Following closely, four women with graceful figures walked in successively.

Each was poised and charming, their clothes light and beautiful, varying in figure, making it hard to look away.

As the women stood in front, the oldest and most charismatic among them sat at the main seat and said with a light smile:

"It’s truly an honor that such distinguished guests have come to our Seven Plum Manor with the heavy snowfall blocking the mountain.

"I am called Die Wu, a pleasure to meet you all."

She bowed slightly, a gesture that only accentuated her bust, inviting more than a few thoughts.

Chu Qing, having refined himself with the Mingyu Scripture, remained unmoved.

Gentle, being a woman, found her earlier disdain even more pronounced now.

The other people reacted differently; Chen Zhengnan kept his gaze steady and undisturbed.

The little old man craned his neck as if he wanted to bury his head in her chest, almost drooling at the mouth.

The sickly man in black lifted his eyes from his fingers, narrowing them slightly.

Cao Qiupu took a glance and quickly pulled his gaze back as if it had been electrified.

As for the scholar, he seemed absent-minded, lost in thought, unaware even of Miss Die Wu’s arrival.

Yet Hua Jinnian, who had just claimed to be wrongfully accused of coercion, glanced at the women, growing even paler as if seeing something filthy.

Chu Qing cast a surprised glance at him; this reaction lent more credibility to his earlier words.

At that moment, Chen Zhengnan clasped his hands:

"Thank you, miss, for taking us in and letting us intrude."

"You’re too kind, esteemed guests. This snow, who knows how long it will last before it stops.

"We live here with nothing much to do daily, so having so many people around makes it lively."

Die Wu chuckled as she spoke.

The little old man, curled up on a chair, laughed and said:

"Ah, such beauty with a kind heart, saving us from peril.

"Such great kindness cannot go unrepaid."

"Oh?"

Miss Die Wu glanced at the little old man, showing no disdain for his age, and with a smile, she asked:

"If you’re thinking of repayment, how do you plan to repay us, senior?"

"How about offering myself to you?"

The little old man, shamelessly, laughed out loud after he finished speaking.

But rather than be offended, the women in the room giggled.

Miss Die Wu also laughed, her laughter resounding with joy.

Chu Qing suddenly heard a voice by his ear:

"Be cautious, these women possess Charm Art and are not trustworthy!"

It was Chen Zhengnan’s voice.

He looked up at him, finding him expressionless and staring straight ahead.

The voice came again:

"Hmph, if not for the little bit of connection you share with my senior brother, I wouldn’t have warned you.

"This is a dangerous place; if something goes wrong, I will act first, and you should use the opportunity to escape!"

Chu Qing didn’t know what to say.

Before killing Ling Beichen, he had known that taking this man’s life was a mixed blessing.

It would surely bring some trouble, but also bring some benefit.

He had thought Chen Zhengnan was the former, but it turned out... he was the latter.

Only, even with good intentions, he was so awkward about it; could it be that this old man was actually a bit of a tsundere?

Chief Escort Chen, wake up, the tsundere persona is not popular these days!

As he was thinking this, one of the three women walked gracefully to the little old man, nestled in his arms, and whispered in his ear:

"Senior, are you serious? Because I’m taking it to heart."

The little old man’s eyes glazed over, his face turning an unusual shade of crimson.

He dumbly replied:

"I am...even if it costs my old life, I’ll give it to you."

"He’s been bewitched!"

Chu Qing was slightly stunned, not knowing when this man had fallen for the trick. As he thought, he grabbed Gentle’s wrist.

He transferred a breath of Mingyu Scripture’s Inner Strength to her.

Looking up at her, he found the girl staring unblinkingly at the little old man and the woman, her eyes clear and full of curiosity...

What are you curious about!

This little girl is picking up bad habits:

"Close your eyes!"

Chu Qing’s voice sounded in Gentle’s ear.

Gentle seemed reluctant but obediently closed her eyes.

Seeing this, Chu Qing breathed a sigh of relief. Looking around the room, he noticed that Cao Qiupu was drenched in sweat at some point.

Ling Fei had her arms wrapped around him from behind, whispering sweet nothings, the atmosphere intimate.

Chen Zhengnan had already stood up, reaching behind to tap a few darts masters, each touch rendering them unconscious as they collapsed one by one.

The sickly man in black also had a flush on his face, but that was the extent of it...

The scholar, on the other hand, swayed as he got up, heading towards Miss Die Wu.

Chu Qing knew this person was no ordinary individual and was about to see what he was up to, when Hua Jinnian suddenly approached him, reaching out to touch him.

"Oh no."

Chu Qing brought down a swift chop with his hand, making him collapse without a sound.

Though Hua Jinnian’s actions weren’t dangerous, they gave Chu Qing quite a scare.

This group of women seemed to have formidable techniques; not only did they make people lose their senses, but they also blurred gender lines...

He nearly got touched by a grown man.

His eyes already held killing intent; whether this place was connected to the Celestial Evil Cult was still unclear.

But judging from the current situation, it seemed like the Spider Spirit’s Silk Cave.

Those four missing Cross-sword Five Tigers members... could they have been...?

At this thought, he saw the scholar already at Die Wu’s side.

Die Wu fell into his embrace and smiled, saying to Chen Zhengnan:

"Why struggle? Life is short; indulge while you can..."

As she spoke, a hand suddenly grabbed her throat, and the scholar coldly said:

"Shameless! Tell me, where are the people you captured being held?"