ATPnovel Chapter 38 Handsome Man, Beautiful Young Woman
Chapter 38 Handsome Man, Beautiful Young Woman
The next day.
It was noon.
The flow of people in Yunzhou City seemed to have increased again than before. Shops of all sizes and martial arts practitioners were coming and going, and inns and restaurants were packed to capacity.
Zhiweixuan.
The place was already packed with people at this time.
Even Li Xiuyuan, who was wearing a mask, was sharing a table with another person in a corner.
Across from him, sharing a table, was a handsome young man who looked to be in his early twenties, only slightly older than Li Xiuyuan.
That's why Li Xiuyuan agreed when the young man suggested sharing a table with him.
After all, at least this young man, Li Xiuyuan, was somewhat pleasing to the eye.
Yunzhou City, located within the Great Li Dynasty, was originally a massive city, with a complex web of dynastic forces, martial arts organizations, and more.
The number of martial arts practitioners who come and go on ordinary days is also countless.
Now, because Lin Shuang of the Lin family died in Yuan Guang City, a small town under the Blackwater County, Shangguan Xiuhong's martial arts technique has been brought to light.
This news attracted many martial arts practitioners to Yunzhou City, and naturally, there were many martial arts practitioners who wore masks and hats in an attempt to conceal their appearance.
Naturally, Li Xiuyuan, the masked man, appeared perfectly normal in the restaurant.
Inside the restaurant, all sorts of stories about the underworld were being discussed.
It's a great place to gather information. Li Xiuyuan endured his injuries to come here in order to find out the reactions of other forces in Yunzhou City after the destruction of the Li Clan's Xuanzhen Pavilion last night.
As the saying goes, the most dangerous place is the safest place.
No matter how hard the Lin family, the Shangguan family, or other people with ulterior motives try to find Li Xiuyuan, they may not even know that Li Xiuyuan is currently sitting in the largest restaurant in Yunzhou, Zhiweixuan, wearing a mask and eating and drinking.
Soon Li Xiuyuan heard the news he wanted to hear:
"I heard that the Li family's Xuanzhen Pavilion at the end of East Street was burned down by a fire. The city guards searched it all night last night, and I heard that they even sent a lot of people to the Lin family and the Shangguan family."
"The murderer is none other than Li Xiuyuan, the Li family's henchman who wiped out the Li family and the city lord in Yuanguang City and fled here!"
"Does Li Xiuyuan really have such great abilities?"
Moreover, the journey from Yuanguang City to Yunzhou City is not far. I had heard that he had killed quite a few people in Yuanguang City, including not only an eighth-rank expert from his clan, but also the seventh-rank city lord of Yuanguang City.
He would inevitably be injured; how could he possibly travel a thousand miles in just two days to reach Yunzhou City and kill someone?
"Could there be another hidden story behind this?"
Upon hearing this, many people in the restaurant looked thoughtful.
It's obvious that this statement immediately made many people think of this possibility.
After all, Li Xiuyuan's name has been one of the hottest topics of discussion in various restaurants these past two days.
News about Li Xiuyuan, from his cultivation development to his other deeds, spread throughout Yunzhou in just two days.
Therefore, the fact that someone raised this question at this time is something that many people agree with.
But soon, a burly man with a knife found a place to sit down.
He took a sip of the glass of wine that his companion had poured for him.
He opened his mouth and said:
"What secret is there that you don't know? The Li family's Xuanzhen Pavilion in Luoshan City and Heishui City along the way from Yuanguang City to Yunzhou City was robbed and everyone inside was killed by Li Xiuyuan."
"Is the information confirmed?"
"What's there to be uncertain about? My brothers and I traveled all the way from Luoshan City to Yunzhou City."
After Li Xiuyuan committed murder and robbery, he even left his name behind!
"Was the message 'Murderer, Li Xiuyuan' left behind?"
"you do not say!"
"Moreover, even before the Li family was destroyed, it was already rumored that Li Xiuyuan had looted the Li family's Xuanzhen Pavilion in Cangshan City and Jinshan City, and killed all the members of the Li family."
"Isn't it said that Li Xiuyuan is a good-for-nothing in the Li family of Yuanguang City, incapable of cultivation?"
At this moment, a beautiful young woman with delicate features and dressed in fine clothes couldn't help but speak up.
"Haha, Miss, you must have just heard about this. Li Xiuyuan of Yuanguang City is no good."
Think about it, Li Xiuyuan is Shangguan Xiuhong's only son, how could he be a good-for-nothing?
Moreover, if he were a good-for-nothing, could he have killed a seventh-rank martial artist at the age of eighteen?
Furthermore, if Li Xiuyuan were a good-for-nothing, how could he be engaged to Lin Wanqing, the pride of the Lin family?
"That's right... I reckon if it weren't for Lin Shuang from the Lin family coming to annul the engagement, Li Xiuyuan, who has always kept his abilities hidden, would never have revealed himself."
"engagement?"
The girl in the brocade dress frowned slightly.
"Yes, miss, it seems you're new to Yunzhou City."
Li Xiuyuan's fiancée was Lin Wanqing from the Lin family. It was precisely because of this that the Lin family probably felt that Li Xiuyuan was not good enough for her and asked Lin Shuang to break off the engagement.
This led to this whole series of events...
"Bullshit about annulment, Miss. Don't listen to their nonsense. It's just that the Lin family got wind of it from somewhere and wants to seize the mysterious cultivation technique from Li Xiuyuan."
As for the marriage contract, it's just a lie to fool fools. Shangguan Xiuhong disappeared more than ten years ago, and she was probably hunted down to death by the Shangguan family long ago.
Where would there be any marriage contract left behind? And if there really was a marriage contract, why didn't they break it off after more than ten years?
After all, Lin Wanqing of the Lin family displayed extraordinary talent for cultivation before she was even ten years old. After joining the Falling Sword Sect, she rose to become a direct disciple of the sect in just a few years.
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible hint of anger flashed in the girl's bright eyes.
"What kind of technique?"
"I don't know about that, but a technique that the Shangguan family mobilized its entire family to try to retrieve more than ten years ago, and that the Lin family is now willing to directly seize, must be extraordinary."
After all, Shangguan Xiuhong was a true prodigy in the entire Yunzhou more than a decade ago!
As Li Xiuyuan listened from the corner, he felt more and more that the matter was not as simple as he had imagined.
The Absorption Technique is indeed incredibly powerful, but what makes this technique so special that it could attract the full attention of powerful families like the Shangguan and Lin families in Yunzhou?
It seems I need to reach the maximum level of this technique as soon as possible before I can truly glimpse its incredible power.
However, even just from the initial stages, it's clear that this technique is indeed somewhat extraordinary...
Looking up at the pretty young girl not far away, Li Xiuyuan couldn't help but sigh, "This girl is really beautiful."
Because of the girl's question, what was originally a casual discussion has now turned into a question with multiple answers because of the questions she wanted to know.
Indeed, no matter where you are, beautiful women always have the strongest affinity.
Not to mention the way she sometimes frowns, sometimes clenches her fists in anger, and sometimes pats her broad chest with concern, which is not in line with her age.
The diners in the restaurant were eager to tell everything they knew.
Li Xiuyuan was also taken aback upon hearing this.
It has to be said that this world is just like the one before I transmigrated; there's strength in numbers, and they're quite adept at using the human flesh search method.
In just two days, he managed to completely reconstruct his growth trajectory and the events that had occurred in the past few days.
She said she lacked maternal love from a young age, which made her feel inferior and unsociable, leading to her being bullied within her family.
Because his father, Li Canghai, could not take revenge and dared not tell his son the truth, he was depressed and almost gave up his martial arts.
But he kept telling his son to be patient, saying that he could only reveal his power when his son reached the level of a grandmaster, and then he would tell him the whole truth.
Therefore, Li Xiuyuan pretended to be a good-for-nothing during the day and cultivated like crazy at night.
But just a few days ago, Lin Shuang came to break off the engagement, questioned the mysterious technique, and even killed Li Canghai.
The death of his father, and the pent-up resentment of countless years, finally drove Li Xiuyuan to decide to no longer endure and to exact a furious revenge...
Of course, there is a version that is closer to the truth, saying that Li Xiuyuan's father died a few days ago, and that mysterious technique was mastered overnight, and his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds!
Li Xiuyuan couldn't help but smile speechlessly.
I couldn't help but feel that the wisdom of the masses is indeed limitless.
However, Li Xiuyuan did not take these rumors to heart, and even felt that this would speed up his completion of the "famous in a small area" level requirement.
But this pretty girl listening so attentively is quite interesting.
The more Li Xiuyuan looked at the girl, the more he thought she was quite nice.
However, this girl clearly had a powerful background, because three people were sitting next to her. These three people remained silent, but Li Xiuyuan could tell that they were definitely experts.
It's obvious that they're protecting this girl.
"Young man, I just saw you laughing when you heard about Li Xiuyuan. Do you also know about this kid named Li Xiuyuan?"
Just as Li Xiuyuan put down his wine glass, he immediately heard the young and handsome man in front of him look at him and speak.
Li Xiuyuan quickly waved his hand.
"I only heard about it these past two days. But this Li Xiuyuan is quite audacious. He looted all the Li Family Xuanzhen Pavilions along the way. It's one thing if he didn't do it in other small towns, but to commit such a major crime in Yunzhou City will surely alarm the imperial court!"
"That's right... I heard that the city lord's mansion issued an arrest warrant early this morning."
"I heard that the Lin family and the Shangguan family have sent many people to search for Li Xiuyuan's whereabouts."
Oh, and there's one more thing you might not know.
"What news? Is it about Li Xiuyuan?"
The young woman in the brocade dress immediately looked at the person who had spoken and asked.
"Yes...it's about Li Xiuyuan. Just yesterday afternoon, Li Xiuyuan sneaked into the Shangguan family's residence and was discovered by Shangguan Yunting. But...it seems Li Xiuyuan had been suppressing his feelings for too long. He not only humiliated Shangguan Yunting but also cruelly murdered her!"
"This... can't be right? Shangguan Yunting is a genius among the younger generation of the Shangguan family, and she's only sixteen years old this year!"
"Besides, how could word of something like this happening to the Shangguan family possibly get out? It would be such a disgrace."
What?
These words immediately startled many people present, igniting a strong sense of gossip.
Just as people were talking amongst themselves about the latest news about the Shangguan family...
Li Xiuyuan sat there, and suddenly tightened his grip on the wine glass.
His anger even made the wound on his chest seem to be about to burst open, and the sword energy he was suppressing with all his might made his body tremble slightly.
Entering the Shangguan family home to insult and brutally murder Shangguan Yunting?
Damn, I don't even know which way the Shangguan family's door faces.
As for Shangguan Yunting, Li Xiuyuan didn't know her at all!
He insisted on taking the blame for this himself.
The thought of Guan Hongtao leading a group to attack him last night, and then stabbing him with his sword, filled him with rage.
Li Xiuyuan had already made up his mind; it seemed he really should make a trip to the Shangguan family sometime.
In just two days, he figured it out.
Back then, my mother, Shangguan Xiuhong, was expelled from the Shangguan family and hunted down to her death because of the "Absorption Technique".
Although the rumors all say that Shangguan Xiuhong disappeared more than ten years ago, Li Xiuyuan knows that this is a martial arts world, and that she has not been active for more than ten years, especially under such a terrifying manhunt and bounty.
It's probably gone!
As for her mother, Shangguan Xiuhong, her predecessor didn't actually harbor any resentment in her memories; all she had were fond memories, which were all instilled in her by Li Canghai.
The reason why Li Xiuyuan harbored some resentment towards his mother, Shangguan Xiuhong, was also due to the fact that he had transmigrated from another era.
After all, the pain of being hunted down and the murder of his father, Li Canghai, which Li Xiuyuan had just transmigrated from, was essentially caused by his mother, who had never been by his side since childhood.
Both the engagement and the mysterious "Absorption Technique" were brought by this mother, whom he barely remembered.
But the disaster that just occurred was also due to all of this.
But after these few days, Li Xiuyuan's resentment had lessened considerably.
Especially after learning that his mother had disappeared from the martial arts world for more than ten years, and that the reason she hadn't been around since childhood was to protect them, he gradually changed his opinion of her.
Now, the fact that this infamy of insulting and murdering this woman named Shangguan Yunting has been pinned on him must have been deliberately spread by the Shangguan family.
Because of this sudden revelation, discussions arose throughout the restaurant.
Some people cursed, while others felt sorry for Shangguan Yunting.
Some even said with murderous intent that they wanted to avenge Shangguan Yunting and find and kill Li Xiuyuan.
Only then did Li Xiuyuan realize that Shangguan Yunting had a good reputation in Yunzhou City. As the genius young lady of the Shangguan family, she often took care of ordinary people in the city.
He can be said to have a good reputation.
Now that he has suffered such a terrible tragedy and passed away, countless people are naturally indignant on his behalf!
However, there were also people who spoke up for Li Xiuyuan.
"Li Xiuyuan committed such an outrageous act at the Shangguan family this afternoon, and last night he even dared to rob and kill at the Li family's Xuanzhen Pavilion. Is this person really only eighteen years old? And has he always lived in a small town like Yuanguang City?"
"Who says otherwise! It's too bizarre. Looting the Li family's shops and killing the Li family members, I find it believable."
But to insult and murder Shangguan Yunting is impossible!
"Imagine what kind of place the Shangguan family is. Shangguan Yunting is an eighth-rank official. How could she be so easily insulted and killed by Li Xiuyuan, who came from a small place?"
Are all the experts in the Shangguan family incompetent and useless?
"While that may be true, Li Xiuyuan has been able to conceal his abilities for over a decade. Now that he knows the truth, he has a strong motive to take action against the Shangguan family!"
"But Li Xiuyuan committed such a crime, he's probably already on the run..."
The handsome man sitting in front of Li Xiuyuan smiled slightly and then said:
"Young friend, what do you think?"
Hearing the handsome man in front of him speak, and hearing his mature and arrogant manner, Li Xiuyuan couldn't help but feel a little suspicious.
But Li Xiuyuan quickly suppressed the many thoughts in his mind.
He also said calmly:
"What do I think? Even if Li Xiuyuan wiped out the Li family and insulted and killed the Shangguan family's prodigy, what does it have to do with me? I'll just listen to it for fun."
The young and handsome man smiled slightly.
"Are you really okay?"
Ok?
Upon hearing this, Li Xiuyuan's expression changed slightly, and his brows furrowed. Fortunately, he was wearing a mask, otherwise his expression alone would have given him away.
He was even more shocked. Did this young man know his identity?
Suddenly, Li Xiuyuan stared intently at the handsome man in front of him, but couldn't discern anything.
But at this moment, Li Xiuyuan felt extremely uneasy.
At that moment, Li Xiuyuan saw that the young girl was blushing and clenching her fists.
It seemed like he was about to slam his fist on the table and stand up.
The young girl was immediately held down by an old woman next to her. The old woman then whispered something, and the young girl got up and left the restaurant.
Seeing the woman leave, Li Xiuyuan glanced at the handsome man in front of him with slight apprehension, then got up, paid, and left without saying goodbye.
From the moment the handsome man sharing the table with him opened his mouth, especially his last question, "Are you really okay?", alarm bells rang in Li Xiuyuan's mind.
After walking out of the restaurant, I sensed that no one was chasing me.
Li Xiuyuan immediately glanced at the four girls not far away, and strode over...