Killing Monks

Not long after the old Taoist left, Guangyuan saw Lu Fei and Lu Chengming come out of the inner courtyard.

The two passed through the moon gate, one in front of the other, neither walking fast.

Lu Fei walked ahead, still wearing his bright red wedding robes. The wound on his shoulder was simply wrapped in a white cloth, and the blood had already seeped through, spreading even deeper on the dark red fabric.

He walked very steadily.

But that sense of stability was different from yesterday's.

Lu Fei's composure just now was the composure of a young man feigning calmness; deep down, there was still a hint of impetuousness and eagerness to try.

The current stability is actually a downward spiral.

It felt as if a burden had been placed on his shoulders.

As Guangyuan watched him approach, she suddenly felt that something was missing from his face.

It's that kind of smile that's always there, a mix of roguishness and laziness.

That smile is gone now.

Her features were still the same, but she seemed like a completely different person.

Chu Kuangjun also noticed this, but remained silent.

Lu Fei saw Tang Shuangshuang reuniting with her parents in the distance, so he walked closer and clasped his hands in greeting to Guangyuan and Chu Kuangjun.

"Monk, Brother Chu," he said, "thank you both."

Guangyuan shook his head.

Chu Kuangjun thought for a moment and said seriously, "What are you thanking me for? We're just here to make up the numbers."

The phrase "buying soy sauce" was taught to him by Guangyuan.

At the time, he didn't understand what "just passing by" meant.

Now he understands.

He and Guangyuan thought they had made many preparations, including scouting locations, gathering information, and even hiding something as valuable as the Guanye Mirror.

The results of it?

Lu Chengming already knew they were Lu Fei's friends.

The Heavenly Daoist has been sitting beside them from the very beginning.

That black knife will choose its own master.

Tang Shuangshuang's "Heartbreak Powder" is fake.

From beginning to end, none of their careful planning was of any use.

It's like traveling a long way to someone's doorstep, clenching your fists and saying you want to help, only to find that they've already taken care of everything.

They were merely standing in the corner of the courtyard, watching the spectacle unfold.

Like a passerby buying soy sauce.

Chu Kuangjun suddenly felt somewhat discouraged.

Guangyuan spoke up.

"This time," he said, "it taught me a lesson."

Lu Fei looked up at him. "What's the logic?"

Guangyuan said, "The martial world belongs to these old Dengs. We young Dengs must be cautious, extremely cautious."

Lu Fei was taken aback.

Then he lowered his head, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

It's not a laugh.

It just moved slightly.

"Old Deng..." he repeated the word, his voice so soft it was almost a whisper, "It really is Old Deng."

He didn't look up.

Guangyuan couldn't see the expression on his face.

The courtyard was quiet for a moment.

Lu Chengming, who had been standing three steps away, suddenly spoke up: "Even Old Deng had his youth."

He didn't look at anyone as he spoke, but instead looked towards the Lu family's backyard.

"When I was young, I was also a novice, thinking I could turn the world upside down, but I also got a lot of setbacks."

He paused for a moment, then said, "If you get too much dust, you'll turn into Old Deng."

These words were spoken to Guangyuan, and also to himself and Luffy.

A young man just entering the martial world thinks that the world is vast and boundless, that he can go anywhere and meddle in anything.

But these teenagers forgot.

Those old scoundrels in the martial arts world are more skilled, more knowledgeable, more cunning, more strategic, more powerful, have more friends, and have more connections than them.

The masters of the martial world are not the young people who are new to it, but the old hands.

Lu Fei looked up at his two friends and said, "Monk, Brother Chu, please stay at the Lu family home for a few days. I still need to take care of some funeral arrangements these few days. After I'm done, I'll come and find you two for a drink."

Just as Chu Kuangjun was about to decline, Guangyuan agreed first.

"Very well," he said, "then I'll stay for a few days."

Lu Chengming didn't say much, but simply raised his hand to lead the way, taking the two to a secluded courtyard in the east of the mansion.

The courtyard wasn't large, but it was kept tidy. Several clumps of slender bamboo grew in the corner, a thin layer of moss grew in the cracks of the bluestone bricks, and an old lantern hung under the eaves, not yet lit.

As soon as the two sat down inside, servants filed in.

One person was setting out the dishes, another was pouring tea, and yet another was waiting outside the door with a lacquered tray in hand.

The first thing served was seasonal fruits, neatly cut and arranged in a diamond shape.

Next came a pot of clear tea, its liquor bright and clear, with wisps of white steam rising from it. Several plates of pastries were also exquisite: osmanthus cake, mung bean pastry, and peanut brittle, half sweet and half savory.

The head maid put down the tray, bowed her head, and said, "Gentlemen, the wine and meat will be here shortly."

Chu Kuangjun quickly thanked him, his manner so polite it was almost restrained.

Once everyone had left and their footsteps had faded into the distance, he relaxed his shoulders and said in a low voice, "Was it really appropriate for us to disturb them like this?"

Guangyuan picked up his teacup and blew on the floating leaves.

"Why be so polite with that kid Lu Fei?"

He took a sip of tea and put it down.

"Furthermore," he looked up at Chu Kuangjun, "there were two people watching you the whole time in the courtyard."

Chu Kuangjun was slightly taken aback.

He put down the osmanthus cake he had just picked up, his brows furrowing.

"You noticed it too?" he asked. "I thought I was just imagining things. The way those two looked at each other... was definitely a bit strange."

"That's strange, that's for sure." Guangyuan's tone was very calm, as calm as if he were saying that the moonlight was nice tonight.

"Is it possible," he paused, "that they have feelings for you?"

Chu Kuangjun was stunned for a moment.

What are your thoughts about me?

Guangyuan said, "Have you noticed that the way they look at you isn't like men looking at men, but more like women looking at men?"

"There was a hint of tenderness in his eyes."

"No...no way?" Chu Kuangjun's voice was a little unsteady.

In the years he's been in the entertainment industry, being pointed at and gossiped about has been a common occurrence. Many people criticize him for his androgynous appearance, while others praise his good looks.

But this is the first time a man has ever "taken a liking" to her.

He felt a tightness in his anus.

He thought about it carefully and realized that the two people were looking at him with a little bit of...

What he didn't know was that the two people were silently reciting the "firefly" passage in their hearts at that moment.

"...You think you can hide and I won't find you? It's no use..."

"...A man as outstanding as you, no matter where you hide, shines like a firefly in the night, brighter and more dazzling than a star..."

The two men, while chanting scriptures and keeping a close eye on Chu Kuangjun, discovered that the "Mitian Scripture" was indeed true.

The fat man was over fifty years old. He had met the old cult leader when he was young and thought he was already incredibly handsome. He never expected the new cult leader to be even better.

The thin man, in his forties, had never met the old cult leader, only heard of him. Now, upon seeing Chu Kuangjun, he was utterly astonished.

The way the two of them looked at Chu Kuangjun was naturally strange, a hint of surprise, a hint of fanaticism, and a hint of dazedness.

Even though he's a man, he can't help but want to watch.

Is this the charm of the new leader?

"Probably not?" Chu Kuangjun said hesitantly, "They..."

Guangyuan said, "They're old Deng too."