Martial Arts Secret Realm: Only I Can Know the Plot?

He had met Hua Tieqian's niece, Hua Yurong, twice. She was indeed beautiful, but spoiled and arrogant, completely pampered by the Hua family. What use would he be for marrying such a woman? Just to cause himself trouble?

But he needs to use the Hua family's power, and this woman is quite attractive; it's not like he can't have some fun with her.

Besides, he won't be staying here for long. After he leaves, who cares if the Hua family suffers a devastating disaster?

"Uncle, I can agree to this." Yan Gaotian picked up his teacup and took a slow sip. "However, there is something more important right now."

"What is it?"

"These past few days, I've been investigating the whereabouts of an enemy." Yan Gaotian put down his teacup, his expression turning grave. "That person's surname is Sun, and his given name is Fan. He's not very old, but he's extremely cunning and adept at manipulating people and stirring up trouble. I suspect that the recent upheavals in Jingzhou City were orchestrated by him."

Hua Tieqian frowned slightly: "Jingzhou? The Ling Tuisi incident?"

The arrest of the prefect of Jingzhou for committing a serious crime is major news, and they have received the news as well.

"Exactly." Yan Gaotian nodded. "Although Ling Tuisi wasn't a good person, it's impossible for a dignified prefect to fall so suddenly without the guidance of a powerful figure. I've investigated, and before Ling Tuisi's downfall, a scholar named Sun came to Jingzhou City for study. He was very close to the Shen family. After Ling Tuisi's downfall, that scholar disappeared."

"You mean, that scholar is your enemy?"

"I'm about 70% confident," Yan Gaotian said. "This man is ruthless and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He's caused such a commotion in Jingzhou; he certainly won't stop here. I'm worried that his next target might be Jiangnan."

Hua Tieqian's expression changed.

If the other three people in the room were from Luohualiushui, they might all dare to say, "A person with a clear conscience has nothing to fear."

But only Hua Tiegan dared not, because his buttocks were never clean.

"Are you sure?" Hua Tieqian's voice turned serious.

"This junior is not certain, but we must be cautious." Yan Gaotian stood up and bowed deeply to Hua Tiegan. "This junior humbly requests that you accompany me to Jingzhou, Uncle. If it is indeed the work of that scoundrel, we can capture him and rid the people of this scourge. If not, it will only be a wasted trip, with no loss whatsoever."

Hua Tiegan was silent for a moment, then nodded: "You're right. I'll go and discuss it with Brother Lu and the others."

Yan Gaotian was secretly delighted, but remained outwardly calm: "Thank you, Uncle."

That afternoon, Hua Tiegan summoned the heads of the four major families to the Lu family residence.

Lu Tianshu, Liu Chengfeng, Shui Dai, and Hua Tiegan sat in the Lu family's council hall, while Yan Gaotian stood respectfully to the side.

Hua Tiegan repeated Yan Gaotian's words, then looked at the other three.

"Brothers, what do you think?"

Lu Tianshu was a burly man in his fifties with a full beard. His voice boomed like thunder: "What ability can a scholar have? The downfall of that corrupt official Ling Tuisi was orchestrated by the Shen family in collusion with powerful figures in the court. What does it have to do with a traveling scholar? Gao Tian, ​​aren't you overthinking this?"

Liu Chengfeng was a thin, middle-aged man dressed in a blue Taoist robe, looking like a Taoist practitioner. He pondered for a moment before speaking, "Brother Lu is right, but Gao Tian isn't just making things up. Before Ling Tuisi's downfall, a scholar surnamed Sun did come to Jingzhou City, and he was indeed very close to the Shen family."

Shui Dai was a refined middle-aged man, dressed in a blue robe with a long sword hanging at his waist, exuding an extraordinary air.

He didn't rush to express his opinion, but seemed to be deep in thought.

He looked at Yan Gaotian and asked, "Gaotian, what grudge do you have against this enemy you mentioned?"

Yan Gaotian's heart skipped a beat, but his face showed a look of grief: "He killed my brother."

Shui Dai frowned slightly.

"The hatred for killing my brother is irreconcilable." Shui Dai nodded. "We understand your desire for revenge. But you asked us to accompany you to Jingzhou just because of a 'suspicion'?"

"Uncle Shui, I did not ask you uncles to avenge me," Yan Gaotian said, cupping his hands in greeting.

"I will not entrust the matter of revenge to others; I will personally take action."

"What I'm worried about is that after that person causes trouble in Jingzhou, he'll come to Jiangnan next. Jiangnan is the territory of all of you elders. I've been living here for a while now and I'm grateful for your care. I really can't bear to see the martial arts world of Jiangnan turned upside down by that person."

He paused, his voice lowering, "Besides, that person has a knack for it—he can always find other people's weaknesses and then exploit those weaknesses to completely control them. Ling Tuisi is a perfect example of that."

Hua Tiegan stroked his long beard, seemingly lost in thought.

"Gao Tian is right," Hua Tiegan said. "If this person is truly a schemer skilled at stirring up trouble, as he claims, then we must be on guard. Rather than waiting for him to come to Jiangnan, we should take the initiative to go to Jingzhou and find him out."

Lu Tianshu was still somewhat dismissive and was about to speak when a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

A servant rushed in, pale-faced and panting, "Master, something terrible has happened! Miss Shui—Miss Shui has been kidnapped!"

Shui Dai suddenly stood up, her face changing drastically: "What? Who kidnapped them?"

"The Blood Blade Sect! An old monk, riding a yellow horse, kidnapped the young lady!" The servant's voice trembled. "The young master chased after him but was beaten by the old monk and is still lying on the road!"

Shui Dai's face was as white as paper. Without saying a word, she turned and walked out.

Lu Tianshu and Liu Chengfeng exchanged a glance and stood up at the same time.

Like fallen flowers and flowing water, they have always stood together through thick and thin. If something happens to Shui Dai's daughter, there is absolutely no way they can stay out of it.

"Brother Shui, wait for us!" Lu Tianshu grabbed the large sword that was placed against the wall and tried to catch up with Shui Dai.

Logically, Hua Tiegan should have gone out with him at this time.

But he had some different thoughts at this moment.

His eyes lit up and he came up with a story.

"Brother Lu, Brother Liu, the Blood Blade Sect villains are cunning. If we all go together, I'm afraid they'll use this as a diversionary tactic. It would be better if Gao Jiang and I stayed here while you go after the villains. With the three of you on the case, it's always a piece of cake."

Liu Chengfeng was somewhat surprised. He gave him a deep look and said, "Then I'll trouble Brother Hua to take care of the house."

The three of them rushed out the door, leaving only Hua Tiegan and Yan Gaotian in the courtyard.

Hua Tiegan stood at the door, watching the three figures leave, his expression somewhat complicated.

"Gao Tian." He turned around and looked at Yan Gao Tian. "I'll go with you to Jingzhou."

Yan Gaotian was overjoyed, but his face showed gratitude: "Thank you, Uncle!"

"Don't thank me yet," Hua Tiegan waved his hand. "I have two conditions."

"Please speak, Uncle."

"First, if that person is really in Jingzhou, after we capture him, you must hand him over to me. I need to interrogate him to see if he has any designs on Jiangnan."

"Of course." Yan Gaotian nodded. "This junior only wants to avenge my brother. The interrogation is entirely up to Uncle."

"Secondly," Hua Tiegan looked at him, his eyes sharpening, "what have you decided regarding my niece's matter?"