Wuxia: Start with max-level Nine Yang Divine Skill

Chapter 263 Tang Xiao, the Sect Master of the Tang Clan (4k6)

Tang Fengzhi's smile was polite and warm. "My father is extremely worried about my ninth sister's disappearance. We have been searching everywhere, but we still have no clue."

Upon hearing that Officer Li had taken over the case, everyone in the Tang Clan was overjoyed and excited.

Who doesn't know the reputation of Officer Li in the martial arts world?

"With you investigating this case, I'm sure you'll find Ninth Sister soon."

He stepped aside to lead the way, saying, "Please come quickly, please come quickly. My father is already waiting in the hall. Please follow me."

As he spoke, he led the way with a leisurely pace, occasionally turning to indicate directions, his words filled with attentiveness.

He had a smile on his face and spoke warmly, looking at him as if he were a scion of a hospitable noble family.

Wherever he went, the Tang Clan disciples bowed their heads and greeted him as "Young Master," their expressions showing respect and obvious awe.

Tang Fengzhi kept his eyes straight ahead, as if those who bowed were just wooden stakes by the roadside. He neither glanced at them nor uttered a word, and walked straight past them.

Wei Ying, seeing this, couldn't help but whisper, "This young master—"

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

Uncle Tai frowned slightly and subtly moved Song Zhaoxue to his side to shield her.

Having lived most of his life and met many people, he knew that someone like Tang Fengzhi, who smiled at outsiders but treated his own disciples as nothing, must be extremely cold and hard at heart.

The more polite someone is, the more uneasy they become.

After passing through the outer gate area, we entered the inner village where the Tang family lived.

The pillars were painted dark red with intricate carvings, and copper bells hung from the eaves. However, they could not be heard when the mountain wind blew by, as the tongues of the copper bells were blocked by something, and they could only sway slightly and make a very soft muffled sound.

A medicinal scent wafted from the direction of the pharmacy in the distance, mixed with the aroma of herbs and metal. It was neither strong nor pungent, but rather like a fine needle, subtly pricking deep into one's nasal cavity, impossible to shake off.

Li Fu walked at the front, his steps were unhurried, and his gaze was indifferent.

Those terrifying legends circulating in the martial arts world—that Tangmen Manor was rife with poison, traps, and dangers—seemed to exist as if they didn't exist in his eyes.

His expression remained calm, as if he were walking on an ordinary street, rather than the heart of the Tang Clan, a place that struck fear into the hearts of countless martial artists.

Others, however, are quite different.

Although Uncle Tai remained outwardly calm, he had already silently moved a few steps closer to Song Zhaoxue, his gaze occasionally sweeping across the shadows of the pillars.

And the gaps in the corners of the walls.

Wei Ying was completely focused, her fingers slightly bent, ready to strike at any moment.

Although Song Feizhang tried his best to restrain himself, his face had turned a little pale, and his gaze involuntarily swept across the doors and windows on both sides, as if a poisoned hidden weapon might suddenly shoot out from any dark corner.

Only Song Zhaoxue remained relatively calm, but she was noticeably more restrained than usual, walking lightly and cautiously.

Of the group, only Li Fu moved with ease, as if the vast Tang Clan was no different from any ordinary street market.

The group seemed to be making a mountain out of a molehill. Even though the young master of the Tang Clan was greeting them with a smile, they acted as if they were worried about being ambushed and killed in someone else's manor, which was rather tactless.

However, they had not forgotten that the Tang Clan had previously warned the martial arts world that they would handle their own affairs and did not need outside interference.

Despite this warning, the imperial officials still came to investigate, which was tantamount to a provocation.

Given the Tang Clan's consistently ruthless, domineering, and cold-blooded style, it's hard to imagine that they wouldn't try to make things difficult for them, intimidate them, or treat them coldly.

Surprisingly, along their journey, they encountered many members of the Tang family who were different from the outer disciples of the Tang Clan.

The real members of the Tang family and the disciples of the Tang Clan can be distinguished at a glance. The disciples of the Tang Clan are still somewhat reserved and cautious in this inner manor.

The Tang family members all had a hint of indifference and arrogance between their brows, as if they were completely at home.

But apart from being watched by many members of the Tang family who stood still and stared at them with indifferent eyes as they passed by, no one stepped forward to stop them or make things difficult for them.

Nothing happened until the main hall came into view in the distance.

The bluestone steps are wide and neat, with a stone beast on each side, shaped like a lion, with a ball under its paw.

The door was wide open, and several people were already inside, some sitting and some standing. They all seemed to be important figures in the Tang Clan.

"Please forgive us, everyone. The Tang family estate rarely receives outside guests. Our Tang family has strict family rules and we are used to not smiling. If we have been impolite to our guests, please forgive us."

The eldest son, Tang Fengzhi, was always very courteous and asked Li Fu and the others to be more lenient with him.

Surprisingly, no one made things difficult or tried to intimidate them, which surprised everyone.

Of course, it's not entirely true that there was no cold treatment.

Tang Fengzhi spoke to Li Fu the whole time, treating him with great courtesy, but he hardly ever looked at Song Feizhang, as if this Duke of Qinghe, the son-in-law of the Tang family, was just Li Fu's follower.

Moreover, Song Feizhang tried to ask questions several times, but Tang Fengzhi brushed them off lightly, not even offering a responsive glance.

Even Song Zhaoxue, a descendant of the King of Chu and a noblewoman of the royal family, should have received a more formal and warm welcome.

However, because of Song Feizhang's relationship with Tang Men Siping, Tang Fengzhi only bowed politely upon entering the gate and then didn't look at him again. His politeness and perfunctoriness were almost undisguised.

Li Fu witnessed all of this.

"It seems that the Tang Clan does not approve of this marriage between the imperial family and the emperor, but they have no choice but to comply with the imperial decree."

In the eyes of the Tang family, Song Feizhang, their future son-in-law, was not even worthy of being called a son-in-law; they disliked him intensely and even loathed him.

He looked away, not dwelling on the thought any longer.

Speaking of which, Li Fu had an old grudge against the Tang Clan, and it was not an ordinary friction between the martial arts world. Tang Boyong, the second young master of the Tang Clan, led a group to attack him, and was captured and thrown into prison. Later, although the prime minister intervened to bail him out, Tang Boyong died at the prison gate after his release due to "the recurrence of his injuries".

It was he who used a sneak attack, taking advantage of the injuries inflicted on the Second Young Master of the Tang Clan by Tang Yubai, the Seventh Young Master of the Tang Clan, to send him on his way.

Even if the Tang Clan was unaware of this matter and had no evidence, they should still have some speculation and suspicion.

If others knew about this grudge, they would probably have turned pale long ago, and they would not have imagined that Li Fu would still dare to step into the Tang Clan's territory, especially to conduct a provocative investigation and interrogation.

But Li Fu remained calm, as if he didn't care about the matter at all.

With the main hall for receiving guests in sight, the eldest son of the Tang Clan happened to bring up the matter at that moment.

"Speaking of which, our Tang Clan had a misunderstanding with Constable Li."

His tone was casual, as if he were chatting about everyday things, but his words came out of nowhere. Amidst the warm welcome Li Fu received upon entering the Tang Clan, the sudden mention of the word "misunderstanding" was like a knife being handed out with a smile.

Wei Ying's heart tightened suddenly, and Song Zhaoxue frowned slightly. They had both heard that Li Fu had had a conflict with the Tang Clan, and that a young master of the Tang Clan had died during the conflict.

Only Li Fu glanced at Tang Fengzhi, his tone calm as usual.

"Misunderstand?

Are you referring to the incident where Tang Boyong, the second young master of the Tang Clan, led his men to attack an official of the imperial court?

I don't understand, where is the misunderstanding?

He spoke casually, as if he were merely stating a fact that had already been established.

Uncle Tai's heart skipped a beat. This was Tang Clan territory. When someone presents you with the word "misunderstanding," it's at least an attempt to save face. To not accept it is one thing, but to coldly correct it is clearly disrespectful and shows a complete lack of respect for the Tang Clan.

But Li Fu had already spoken; the words were already out and couldn't be taken back.

I tensed up, fearing that this young master of the Tang Clan would have a fit.

Tang Fengzhi's smile remained unchanged, as if Li Fu had merely remarked on the pleasant weather. He smiled and said...

"What Constable Li said is true. My second brother has always been reckless and audacious. He doesn't know his own limitations and has even gone so far as to attack an official of the imperial court."

It was only right and proper for Constable Li to punish him and throw him into prison.

Unfortunately, my second brother didn't have a chance to repent; he died unexpectedly at the hands of my seventh brother.

He spoke slowly and deliberately, as if he were talking about a family matter that had nothing to do with him.

"My seventh brother is indeed exceptionally talented. He created a method that integrates the cold poison of the Ice Silkworm into his own true energy, thus greatly increasing its power."

However, his training was not yet proficient enough, and he lacked restraint in his punishments, accidentally causing my second brother to succumb to his injuries. This has made Constable Li and my colleagues in Yanzhou look foolish.”

He neither denied Tang Boyong's mistakes nor blamed Li Fu, but instead attributed his second brother's death to his seventh brother's excessive force.

However, the words "lacking restraint" and "careless" sent a chill down the spines of both Song Zhaoxue and Wei Ying.

Who would believe such a thing if it were said out loud? The young master of the Tang Clan punished his own brother, but accidentally lost control of his strength and killed his own brother?

Would the young master of the Tang Clan make such a mistake?

Unless someone is an idiot, no one should accept this statement.

Doesn't the Tang Sect suspect there's more to the story?

But Tang Fengzhi's unchanging smile made it even more difficult to tell whether he was laughing or angry.

Before Li Fu could say anything, he took the initiative to gently change the subject, as if his words had been just a casual remark, and returned to his usual gentle and refined manner.

They had arrived at the lobby. Tang Fengzhi's smile remained unchanged. He stepped aside to make way and gestured, "Let's not talk about this anymore; it's really embarrassing."

My father is waiting inside the hall; please come in quickly.

Li Fu walked on the bluestone steps, his expression remaining calm and composed.

Wei Ying secretly exhaled. In that instant, she felt as if she were surrounded by tigers and wolves, with the blade already half-drawn, yet the owner of the blade was still smiling.

Li Fu didn't even flinch, as if it were just a passing breeze and he didn't care at all.

Upon entering the main hall, everyone saw the current leader of the Tang Clan.

If we were to discuss who the most feared figure in the martial arts world is, it would probably be Tang Xiao, the leader of the Tang Clan.

Even the abbot of Shaolin, the leader of Wudang, and even those evil cult leaders, in terms of "inspiring fear," are far inferior to this old man sitting deep in the Shu Mountain Villa.

His reputation has long transcended the realm of martial arts; it is a name associated with death, as if mentioning his name would silently send a poisoned dart flying from behind.

Tang Xiao sat in the grand chair in the center of the hall. His beard and hair were all white, and his face was as rosy as a baby's. He was wearing a worn gray-blue brocade robe and holding a cup of tea in his hand.

He looked like an ordinary wealthy old man, with a kind face and good complexion, but his brows were slightly furrowed, like an old man who usually dotes on his grandchildren and doesn't care about worldly affairs but has encountered a worry.

As he watched the crowd enter, he slowly put down his teacup, his gaze sweeping over each person with measured steps.

The gaze was gentle and warm, even carrying a hint of the kindness of an elder looking at a younger generation, but whoever it fell upon would inexplicably feel a slight tension in their back.

His sons stood on either side, with Tang Fengzhi on the left and a pale-faced, cold-eyed young man on the right, who was none other than Tang Yubai, the seventh young master of the Tang family whom Li Fu had met before.

Tang Yubai stood there, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his gaze lowered, like a knife hidden in its sheath.

Standing beside him were two or three other Tang Clan disciples, each with a different appearance, but all sharing the same cold and sinister aura.

The moment they stood there, the temperature in the lobby seemed to drop a few degrees.

Sitting in the center, Tang Xiao was like a warm hearth, enveloping all the chill in his presence, making people feel both comfortable and hesitant to get too close.

Tang Xiao exchanged a few pleasantries with Li Fu and said, "I have long admired Officer Li's name. Meeting you today, I can see that you are indeed a young hero."

"The abduction of my Ninth Sister of the Tang Clan has made us a laughingstock in the martial arts world. It's truly a great favor that Constable Li has personally made this trip."

His voice was not loud, and it was a little hoarse, as if his throat was dry from age, or as if the melancholy in his words made his tone a little heavy.

After saying that, he waved his hand and said, "Someone, bring tea."

Then servants brought out teacups and placed them in front of each person.

That tea is Mengding Shihua, with a bright green liquor and a fragrant aroma, making it a top-quality tea for entertaining guests.

But none of Song Zhaoxue, Wei Ying, Tai Shu, or Song Feizhang reached out to touch it.

Their gazes fell on the teacup, as if they were looking at a cup of tea in which snakes were swimming.

Tang Xiao seemed oblivious, his smile unchanged, and he said politely, "Gentlemen, you have come from afar and must be tired. This is Mengding Shihua, a tribute tea harvested this year. Ordinary people can't get to drink it."

Please, everyone, make yourselves at home and have a taste.

Song Zhaoxue nodded slightly, her tone polite yet perfectly measured: "Sect Leader, you're too kind. We've already had a drink at the foot of the mountain, so we're not thirsty right now."

As soon as she finished speaking, Wei Ying and Uncle Tai nodded in agreement. Even Song Feizhang didn't touch his teacup. He realized that in the eyes of the Tang Clan, he probably wasn't even considered half a relative.

They couldn't believe that the rumored, sinister leader of the Tang Clan, who controlled the business of hidden weapons and deadly poisons in the martial arts world, was really just an ordinary rich man.

The Tang Clan's reputation speaks for itself; they deal in weapons of mass destruction and sell deadly poisons.

Even though the old man was all smiles at the moment, the presence of his sons standing behind him was enough to make it clear that beneath his kind and gentle exterior lay no ordinary people.

"I almost forgot, tribute tea is a rare treat for other visitors, but it's nothing special for Miss Song and your family."

Seeing this, Tang Xiao did not insist. He simply picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and appeared as calm as a hospitable old man.

He put down his teacup and sighed.

"Alas, I know that the reputation of our Tang Clan in the martial arts world is like that of a viper. People in the martial arts world say that everyone in the Tang Clan is vicious, cold and ruthless, but there is nothing we can do about it."

Once you're in the martial world, you're not in control of your own destiny.

If we don't inspire fear, our business won't survive. The more terrifying the reputation of our Tang Clan in the martial arts world, the more secure we are.

But in the end, we Tang Clan members are also human beings, with hearts and feelings. How could we be as cold and ruthless as the hidden weapons we sell, or as fierce and vicious as the deadly poisons we sell?

Putting aside my identity as the leader of the Tang Clan, I am just a father.

He spoke in a lower voice, tinged with melancholy.

"Now that my daughter is lost, I am heartbroken."

I don't know which scoundrel dared not fight my Tang Clan openly, but only dared to kidnap my little girl.

My little girl has loved flowers and plants since she was a child, and dislikes those poisonous hidden weapons. She is the most gentle-natured member of the Tang Clan.

That thief must have planned it all out; he only dared to pick on the weak.

Li Fu listened to his words without any change in expression.

He picked up the teacup, took a slight sniff, and confirmed it was indeed good tea, but he didn't drink it; he simply put the teacup back on the table.

He ignored Tang Xiao's sentiments and his remarks about "Tang Clan members being human too," and went straight to the point.

"Sect Master, I have come today to investigate the disappearance of Miss Tang Ling."

The sect leader meant that the thief's attack on Miss Tang Ling was more likely aimed at the Tang Clan. Does this mean that someone has doubts in their heart?

I also think that the Tang Clan has been operating in the martial arts world for many years, with influence extending throughout the north and south. It's highly unlikely that they would have no clue about this matter.

If the sect leader knows anything, he/she may speak frankly so that we may all consider it together.

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