Suddenly someone outside the temple coldly said, "Because he doesn't need a good-for-nothing like you." The Kongtong Sect's leader was furious. "Who's there?" He shouted, "Get out here right now!" He saw the guards inside the temple spread out on both sides of the temple gate, forming a perfectly straight and unobstructed path. This temple was originally very simple and crude, but now that it was built with such grandeur, it looked like a welcoming ceremony for an important person. A man in green slowly walked into the temple. Each step he took was very light, but it carried an invisible sense of oppression.
The Kongtong Sect's leader's arrogance immediately vanished. He hurriedly bowed his head and called out, "Cao Daren." Cao Zhenyan said, "I ordered you to take good care of Escort Leader Long in the escort agency, but you brought my men here to cause trouble. Do you still have me as your master in your eyes?" Although his words contained a questioning tone, they were spoken in a gentle tone, full of reproach. His voice was devoid of any warmth; everybody felt a chill rising from the bottom of their hearts. Li Yijie thought, "Turns out these people are living in the Chang 'an Branch. That's right, they think their status is very high, so they don't want to live in an ordinary inn. "
The Kongtong Sect's Zhang Men's eyes kept darting around the temple; suddenly he saw the corpse lying on the ground. Thinking that the reason was reasonable, he felt a little more confident. "Subordinate has investigated and found out that there are spies among us who want to steal the tribute; they are plotting against us," he said. "I was afraid the thief would escape, so I acted on my own initiative and did not have time to report to Daren."
"Humph," Cao Zhenyan snorted. "Where is the spy?" he asked. "He has been dealt with by subordinate," the Kongtong Sect's leader replied. "Hmm, you did very well," Cao Zhenyan said indifferently, "I was wrong to blame you. What kind of reward do you want?" The Kongtong Sect's leader was delighted. He smiled and said, "I don't dare …" He had just raised his head when his eyes met with a pair of extremely fierce eyes, as cold as the edge of a blade; there was not even the slightest bit of appreciation. Presumably it was just a sarcastic remark. Cao Zhenyan said, "It's not your turn to clean up the Huashan sect. If you don't go back, do you really want me to find a palanquin to carry you? "
Although the Sect Leader of the Kongtong Sect did not have a high status in the Wulin world, he was, after all, the Sect Leader of the Kongtong Sect. His fellow Sect members had to be respectful to him on the surface; when had he ever suffered such humiliation? He was so angry that he wanted to quit on the spot. But then he thought that before the plan could succeed, he still had to "endure" first. Otherwise, wouldn't all the previous humiliation be in vain? He glared at Li Yijie and the others, and snorted loudly.
The officers and soldiers in the temple saw that although this Kongtong Sect Leader was proud and arrogant, insufferably arrogant, in front of them he was repeatedly thwarted and humiliated; they all thought it was extremely funny. However, she also knew that he was narrow-minded and his methods were even more vicious. If she angered him, he would really be crushed to death like an ant. She could only force herself to endure.
Cao Zhenyan did not pay any more attention to him. He waved his hand to his subordinates and said, "All of you should also go back and guard the boxes. If something goes wrong, take a look and see how many heads you have." The officers and soldiers looked at each other in dismay. They remembered the suffering they had suffered on the ship, and the memory was still fresh in their minds. One of them stepped forward and said, "Daren, their martial art skill … is very strange. Your safety is more important. It's better for us to stay here and protect Daren." They were nothing more than a group of lowly subordinates. If something bad happened to Cao Daren, their superiors would blame them, and the ones who would suffer would be the subordinates.
The Sect Leader of the Kongtong Sect had already reached the door. This time he was met with a snub, plus he saw the muscles on the officers and soldiers' faces were twitching; he must be laughing to the heavens and the earth in his heart. His anger rose, and he intended to ridicule them. Turning around, he sneered and said, "I told you to go, so go! You want to stay here and ask for a snub? What kind of character is Cao Daren? Do you think he needs your protection? If there is a strong enemy that even Cao Daren cannot handle, do you think you can defeat him? Do you think your martial art skill is superior? "
Although his words sounded like flattery, there was also a hint of mockery toward Cao Zhenyan, implying that Cao Zhenyan's martial art skill was also inferior, and he would certainly suffer a crushing defeat. This group of Manchurian officers and soldiers was indeed very disciplined; in a short time they gathered into two groups, and then they gradually dispersed.
Cao Zhenyan acted as if nothing had happened; he casually took several steps forward until he was in front of Li Yijie and the others. "Gentlemen," he said indifferently, "You are in high spirits," he said, "You have been following me all the way from Changzhou to this place. Do you really want that thing?"
Li Yijie noticed Wei Xiaobao's voice and expression were obviously tired; presumably he had been working hard on this matter for the past few days. Perhaps today he would be able to finish it. Thereupon he cupped his fists and bowed respectfully. "Zaixia is under Shifu's order," he said, "I have no choice but to do it. Just now that Miss said that this thing will definitely set off a reign of terror. Zaixia is not talented, but I cannot sit idly by and do nothing. Dare I ask what this thing is? I hope Daren can tell me clearly. As for the best solution, we will discuss it in detail later. "
His words were very refined and courteous, but Cao Zhenyan did not take it seriously. His left eyebrow rose, and coldly said, "Kid, your tone is not small. Who do you think you are that you want to talk terms with me? If you want this thing, then you have made a mistake. I am advising you kindly, don't fail to appreciate my kindness. "
Nangong Xue was unable to restrain himself; 'shua!' he pulled his sword out of its sheath, and angrily said, "How can this kind of attitude be considered advising me kindly? If you speak ill of me, are you going to draw your weapon? "Cao Zhenyan smiled indifferently and said," The one who is going to draw his weapon right now does not seem to be me. "
Nangong Xue was startled, and then he argued, "I was the one who made the first move, so what? Your guts are not small, daring to order your subordinates to withdraw. Do you think that because you are an official of the imperial court, we won't dare to touch you? If you weren't carrying a weapon, I wouldn't have taken advantage of you. Moreover, I would have let my martial brother lend you a sword. Would you be willing to use it? Don't even think about taking advantage of the fact that you are 'unarmed and unarmed'. "
Cao Zhenyan coldly said, "That's right, I am certain that you won't dare to touch me. Now that I have no intention of using force, you attacked without distinguishing between right and wrong. Isn't that against the name of 'chivalry'? Your honorable master didn't teach you to kill someone who only wants peace, did he? People like you who consider yourselves righteous sects value reputation above all else. Even if you lose your life for this worthless reputation, you won't hesitate. "
When Jiang Liechen heard this, he couldn't help but praise, "Well said! I agree with you! " He disdained people who pretended to be righteous the most, and continued, "Everyone has their own master, each doing their own duty. There is no need to force each other so bitterly." Cao Zhenyan had long admired him. He smiled slightly and said, "Young Master Jiang is right, this situation can be improved. Right now it is inconvenient to stay in the temple. Tomorrow I will wait for you at Chang 'an's' Fei Xian Lou '. "Without waiting for an answer, he turned around and left. In the face of a great enemy, he turned his back on them. It was a dangerous move, but it also proved that he had a card up his sleeve.
Nangong Xue saw how arrogant he was and was about to stab him with her sword. Li Yijie rushed forward and waved his arm to block. He pulled her arm and said, "Using numbers to bully one is not honorable! It will damage the prestige of Mount Hua! "Nangong Xue struggled to break free and angrily said," Who wants you to fight? I alone am enough to capture him! "Li Yijie still shook his head and said," If we use force to steal the tribute, what difference is there between us and bandits? The Fifth Precept of Mount Hua is to avoid forgetting righteousness at the sight of profit and stealing. You don't have to listen to me, but don't tell me you treat the rules of Mount Hua as a passing wind? "
Nangong Xue saw that Cao Zhenyan used the sect's rules as if he was a master lecturing a rebellious disciple. She was angry and amused at the same time. She said, "Are you trying to show off your martial brother's prestige at this moment?" She shook off his hand, but Cao Zhenyan had already walked far away.
The 'Fei Xian Lou' was the largest restaurant in Chang 'an. Since the end of the Southern Song Dynasty, it had been renovated several times, so its scale could not be mentioned in the same breath as before. The appointed time was noon. Nangong Xue suggested that they go first to 'investigate the enemy's situation' at a quarter to five. Other than Jiang Liechen, Yu Ren also had this idea. But if it came from his own mouth, it would seem like he was a coward. Right now he pretended to obey Nangong Xue's idea. When they arrived at the front door of the restaurant, they saw Cao Zhenyan standing alone with his hands behind his back. He had already changed into his official robes, which were embroidered with clouds and wild geese. His crown was adorned with a small sapphire and a green crystal, giving him a different kind of prestige.
Nangong Xue quickly stepped forward and looked him up and down. She said with a mocking tone, "Official Cao is really punctual." Cao Zhenyan put on a fake smile and said, "The time and place were set by this Mansion. If I were to be late again, wouldn't that be too unreasonable? It's as if a dignified official of the imperial court is afraid of a few thieves like you. " Nangong Xue frowned and said, "But now you've arrived early. What, are you planning to set up an ambush in advance?" Cao Zhenyan laughed coldly and said, "Last night in the abandoned temple, you were already turtles in a jar. If this Mansion wanted to make things difficult for you, why wait until today?"
Li Yijie knew that he was not lying. She felt slightly apologetic and said, "If that's the case, then we are measuring the stature of a gentleman with the yardstick of a villain." Nangong Xue stared at her and said, "Are you implying that I am a 'villain'?" Li Yijie was at a loss for words and could only say, "This … I … did not mean that?"
Nangong Xue snorted and turned to Cao Zhenyan and said, "Hey, do you want us to stand outside and 'talk in detail'?" Cao Zhenyan thought, "When did I want to talk with a girl like you, who doesn't know what's good for her?" But he said, "Of course I won't be so rude. Everyone, please." Finished speaking, he led the way inside. But when he said 'everyone', he did not look at Nangong Xue. Nangong Xue's heart was angry, but she could only pretend that she did not know. Everyone else followed him inside.
Chang 'an's number one restaurant certainly lived up to its reputation. The decorations and furnishings were extremely luxurious. Couplets were hung on both sides of the hall. On the left, it read, "Delicious food and wine, the kitchen is full." On the right, it read, "See off the guests and welcome the guests." A waiter immediately greeted them and led them to the second floor. However, in such a large restaurant, there was only a waiter and a waiter standing by the first floor counter. Other than that, there was not a single guest. The second floor was especially elegant, but also more spacious. Chu Menglin was secretly on guard. Based on her many years of experience as an assassin, she knew that the safer a place looked, the more likely it was to be filled with danger.
Cao Zhenyan seemed to have seen through everyone's misgivings. He casually said, "Today our mansion has booked this restaurant. We are discussing important matters. What's the point of having so many eyes and ears?" "That's right," Chu Menglin said, "That's really annoying!" While they were talking, the waiter had already led them to a 'square table'. The table was relatively wide, the four walls were of equal length. The table had four sides, each side could seat two people. The bottom of the table was in a circular shape. The tables and chairs were made of high-quality round wood. The bowls and plates were also made of excellent porcelain. The color was like peacock green, the color was like jade, and the color was deep and serene. The bowls and plates were as thin as paper, but as lustrous as jade. They looked as if they would fly away if blown away by the wind. The waiter eagerly introduced the dishes. "Sweet date steamed cake," "Guokui," "Lao Tong's cured mutton," and "Qinzhen's Liangpi" were all Chang 'an specialties. They were also the signature dishes of the Banished Immortal Restaurant. When Li Yijie and Nangong Xue were cultivating in Mount Hua, they ate plain tea and simple meals every day. Now that they suddenly saw these kinds of delicacies, their eyebrows were raised in delight.
Cao Zhenyan nodded his head and said, "Pour some for them as well." "Yes," the waiter replied. The distance between the wine and the rim of the cup was just right, so that immediately a burst of rich wine aroma assailed the nostrils. Cao Zhenyan nodded his head and said, "Pour some for them as well." The waiter replied, "Yes." The distance between the wine and the rim of the cup was just right, so that immediately a burst of rich wine aroma assailed the nostrils.
Shen Shiyun smiled and said, "Brother Waiter, may I ask, did this wine come from Fengxiang's Xiliu Town?" "That's right," the waiter said in surprise, "How did Miss know?"
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