With a sword drawn, he laughs proudly, his martial prowess dominating the heavens!

Chapter 99 Hengshan Conservatory of Music, Liufu Branch

The three of them together... Li Che is having a real headache.

One person was in the middle, and his junior sisters were on either side.

One held a sword with his head turned to the side, while the other lowered his head and took small, hurried steps.

But all four gazes were fixed on Li.

Handsome men and beautiful women walked along Hengyang Main Street, heading towards the Liu Mansion.

After walking through two alleys, Li Che suddenly stopped, thinking to himself, "Something's not right. Why does it feel like I've done something wrong?"

"With the husband's authority weakened, the household is unstable. How can I, Li, be controlled by two young women?!"

The two women were already half a step behind him, and before they could stop, they both bumped into Li Che's shoulders.

"Hey, why did you suddenly stop?" Yue Lingshan said angrily.

Huo Shiyu remained silent, her face flushed, feeling a slight tingling sensation in her slender waist and a lingering pain in her chest.

This naive and inexperienced girl was getting so close to a man for the first time, and she also realized for the first time that this senior brother seemed to be different in her heart.

Li Che turned around, his expression visibly darkening.

Upon seeing this, Yue Lingshan's sharp edge vanished, and she lowered her head instead.

"You two, come with me!"

"what?"

"oh."

The three walked to the corner of the street under the willow tree. The tender new shoots of the willow branches swayed in the wind, brushing against their heads and faces, making them feel a little itchy.

"Lingshan, Hengshan is not Huashan. Why do you think I came so early? And why did I forget to practice my skills this morning?"

"Back in Huashan you threw a little tantrum, and I coaxed you. But now Hengyang is rife with undercurrents. Judging from your behavior, aren't you giving the villains an opening?"

"Huh?" Yue Lingshan panicked upon hearing this. Wasn't she here for the banquet? It seemed like something big was about to happen, according to Senior Brother Li.

She suddenly remembered that Senior Brother Lu, Junior Brother Linghu, and Junior Brother Lin had left Mount Hua long ago. Could it be... could there be another hidden story behind it?

Li Che showed no mercy, "What 'huh'? Before we return to Mount Hua, neither of you are allowed to wander around alone. We're not here for fun!"

Then he turned his head and said, "And you, Junior Sister Huo!"

"Oh, I'll listen to whatever your senior brother says."

Li Che: "?"

Her voice was soft and gentle, lacking any trace of the dashing spirit of Lady Huo from Chang'an.

"Oh dear, Senior Brother Li, don't be angry. Shan'er knows she was wrong~"

Li Che's arm was wrapped around his, and he nodded in satisfaction. "Let's go, let's visit Uncle Liu first. We have nothing to do today, so your senior brother will show you around."

"I knew you were the best, senior brother!"

Hmph, you came fast and went fast. Dealing with you, you brat, is a piece of cake.

Huo Shiyu glanced at the empty left arm, suppressing the urge to lift her heel. She inexplicably recalled the last time she went home, her father Huo Quan's hesitant and indirect questioning.

It turns out that the one who was blinded by a leaf was himself all along.

The three resumed their journey and soon arrived at the Liu residence.

Before me lay a vast courtyard, comparable to the Shigu Academy of last night.

It is evident that this Uncle Liu is quite wealthy.

Sword-wielding disciples stood facing each other at the gate. It was not even half past Chen Shi (7-9 AM), yet guests were already coming and going.

Li Che's lips twitched, and he could already hear the sounds of string and wind instruments playing in his ears. It was so early in the morning; no wonder he came from the Hengshan Conservatory of Music.

I must say, it actually sounds pretty good...

Li Che presented a visiting card, saying, "Li Che of Mount Hua, along with his junior sisters Yue Lingshan and Huo Shiyu, are here to pay a visit to Martial Uncle Liu on the orders of our master!"

Before the two Hengshan disciples could speak, a person walked quickly from inside the gate. "Senior Brother Li, my master knew you were coming today and has been waiting for you for a long time."

Oh, Junior Brother Xiang Danian.

It was him!

Li Che subconsciously glanced at the newcomer, who wore a light purple long robe embroidered with cloud patterns and was about the same height as Li Che.

Approaching thirty, his eyebrows were rather thick, and his face had a rather honest and simple appearance.

This person was Liu Zhengfeng's first disciple. In the original story, he and his junior brother Mi Weiyi protected their master and died for him, showing righteousness and integrity. Li Che had long admired these two.

"Junior Brother, I apologize for disturbing you."

"Senior Brother Li, you're too kind. Junior sisters, please."

The front courtyard of the Liu residence is extremely spacious, enough to accommodate a thousand people.

As Li Che walked to the back of the house, he looked up and saw an old man lying on his back on the west roof.

The man was dressed in a plain white robe, his face obscured, but he was holding a hand drum and striking it with a rhythm that matched the sounds of the qin and xiao coming from inside.

The two women, Yue and Huo, marveled at the sight. If they were on Mount Hua at that moment, all they would hear would be the clanging of swords.

Xiang Da said softly, "That's Uncle Fang Qianju. He doesn't like to be disturbed when he plays. Uncle Fang's hand drum technique is superb. Alas, it's a pity that I, his junior brother, don't have that talent and can't appreciate such refined music."

Li Che chuckled to himself; the Hengshan Sect was indeed quite interesting.

The sounds of the qin and xiao grew stronger.

The clanging sound emanating from the zither seems to carry a sense of killing intent, accompanied by the gentle and melodious sound of the xiao (vertical bamboo flute), rising and falling, with ups and downs, pleasing to the ear and moving the heart.

The group unconsciously slowed their pace.

Li Che and the other two simply found the music pleasant to listen to, but Xiang Danian looked on with admiration, his heart surging with emotion, and his steps seemed to be moving in sync with the rhythm of the music.

A moment later, a sharp "clang" was heard from inside the room, and the music stopped abruptly.

"Haha, you've ruined your own 'Burnt Tail' zither, do you regret it now?"

The latter laughed heartily, saying, "The zither is destroyed, but the person remains; I've already achieved a sense of satisfaction!"

"Ha ha--!"

When the laughter subsided, he asked, "Is that Da Nian? What brings you here?"

"Master, Senior Brother Li from Mount Hua has sent a visiting card."

"Oh?"

"Squeak—!"

At first glance, the newcomer was short and stout with a wide waist, wearing a dark brown silk robe, with a square face and graying hair.

He perfectly embodies the image of a wealthy merchant.

"Li Che/Yue Lingshan/Huo Shiyu of Huashan pay their respects to Martial Uncle Liu."

Liu Zhengfeng was very amiable. "Brother Yue has traveled a long way to keep this appointment; it is I who have been negligent. How are your master and mistress?"

Li Che bowed in thanks, and Liu Zhengfeng then asked, "Are you all knowledgeable in music? What did you think of the piece just now?"

Li Che:

""

A moment later.

The two women, Yue and Huo, were taken aside to be entertained.

Only Liu Zhengfeng, Li Che, and Qu Yang remained in the room!

The zither and flute were arranged in rows, and books on music were piled up on the table. The floor was covered with crumpled papers, the ink still wet on them.

Incense burner emits wisps of smoke, strong tea fills the cup.

The two old men had messy hair, but were in good spirits.

Li Che couldn't help but gasp in amazement; indeed, he was completely out of step with the world of artists.

"Nephew Li, Brother Qu was able to escape this predicament thanks to your help. In the future, if you ever need anything—whether it's people, money, or goods—Liu Zhengfeng will certainly not refuse!"

Li Che made a startling remark, "Does Uncle Liu truly believe this? What if I wanted Uncle Liu to side with Hengshan, and for the Huashan and Hengshan sects to form an alliance?"

Liu Zhengfeng's expression stiffened, and he sighed, "Nephew, you've put me in a difficult position. How can refined tastes be combined with worldly concerns? I, Liu, admire the lofty sounds of flowing water and seek kindred spirits throughout the ages, but I cannot bear to hear the pathetic whining of the world's downtrodden!"

It's normal that the apprentice, who is unfamiliar with music, would find it difficult to understand.

The Liu family can form an alliance with the Huashan Sect, but they cannot be the masters of Hengshan.

"Once Liu retires from the martial world, his meager fortune is yours to take if you, my nephew, are interested."

Li Che expressed his understanding of the stubbornness of veteran musicians.

He turned to Qu Yang and said, "Senior Qu, do you remember when we were in Luoyang, I said that you were just one opportunity away from success?"

Now, the time has come!

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