Zongwu: Eavesdropping on the inner voices, the female warriors have become strange

"First, you absolutely must not let him know that you can hear his thoughts. This is the most important thing. Second, you must not leak the information you heard unless it involves your own safety. Third..."

After Lian Xing finished explaining the precautions Wang Yuyan had given her, she said, "Okay, that's all for now."

"Sister Lianxing, can we go play with you?"

"I see you want to get some information?"

Sun Xiaohong and Qu Feiyan both laughed dryly.

"Unless you are willing to be concubines and maids, otherwise it will not work."

"Sister Lianxing is also a concubine?"

Lian Xing rolled her eyes and said, "Of course not. We at Yihua Palace have a deal with them."

Chapter 155 Washing hands in a golden basin

Despite receiving Qu Yang's warning, Liu Zhengfeng still decided to hold his retirement ceremony. After all, having served as an elder of the Hengshan Sect for so many years, Liu Zhengfeng had leveraged his position to vigorously develop his business and earn a fortune. He had no shortage of money; what he lacked was spiritual nourishment.

Moreover, the position of the elder of Hengshan Sect is no longer a help to him, but a burden. Liu Zhengfeng doesn't want to do it anymore. He just wants to play the zither and flute with Qu Yang, under the flowers and the moon.

Liu Zhengfeng knew that it wasn't easy to leave the Jianghu once he entered it, so he had already planned a retreat and paid for a position as a lieutenant general in the imperial court. Even if Zuo Lengchan of the Songshan Sect wanted to criticize him, seeing that he held an imperial position, he would be wary of the court and wouldn't dare to go too far with him, right?

It's just that Liu Zhengfeng thought too simply and naively. If he was a powerful thousand-householder promoted for his meritorious service to the court, perhaps the Songshan Sect would still be a little wary of him. But do you think Zuo Lengchan would be afraid of a thousand-householder with a nominal position that was bought?

On the day of Liu Zhengfeng's retirement, around noon, thousands of guests streamed into the Liu residence. Among them were the Emei Sect's Nun Miejue, the Beggars' Clan's Deputy Leader Zhang Jin'ao, the Jiangnan hero Jiang Biehe, the iron-faced and unyielding Zhao Zhengyi, the old boxer Xia from the Zhengzhou Liuhe Sect, led by his three sons-in-law, the Iron Grandmother of the Goddess Peak in the Sichuan-Hubei Three Gorges, Pan Hou, leader of the East China Sea Sand Clan, and the two friends of Qujiang, the Divine Blade Bai Ke and the Divine Pen Lucis. Some of these people knew each other, while others had only heard of them and had never met. The hall erupted in a clamor of greetings and introductions.

Chen Liu also participated in Liu Zhengfeng's hand-washing ceremony. After all, this ceremony was much more lively than the original novel, and he didn't want to miss it. Of course, not all girls like to join in the fun, for example, Mu Nianci, Azhu, Abi, and Zhong Ling don't like to join in the fun. As for Mu Wanqing, although her personality has improved a little after following Chen Liu, her temper is still hot and she will explode at any time. Chen Liu is also worried that if he takes her to Liu's house, she will be provoked by the Songshan Sect and fight with the people of the Songshan Sect. Then it will be difficult for Chen Liu not to take action. But Chen Liu really didn't want to take action. He just wanted to watch the fun, so he didn't take Mu Wanqing with him. He only took Wang Yuyan, Huang Rong, and Yue Lingshan. Of course, there is also Lianxing.

While Yihua Palace wasn't a top-tier power in the martial arts world, it was well-known in the Ming Dynasty. Furthermore, Lianxing's rank was exceptionally high, far superior to the likes of the Five Mountains Sword Sect, Jiang Biehe, and Zhao Zhengyi. Naturally, she was the last to appear. And Chen Liu, who had accompanied her to the Liu Mansion, was also the last to appear.

"Young Master Chen of the Song Dynasty has arrived with his wife and Palace Master Lianxing of Yihua Palace!" A voice faintly filled with excitement came into the Liu Mansion, and the people from the martial arts world who came to the Liu Mansion to watch Liu Zhengfeng retire from the underworld immediately became excited.

That's the Second Palace Master of Yihua Palace! Hey! Although Yihua Palace had a bad reputation in the Ming Dynasty, with more people fearing them than those who favored them, this didn't stop them from being in awe of the palace. The fact that Liu Zhengfeng could actually invite the Palace Master Lianxing of Yihua Palace surprised many in the martial arts world, and they couldn't help but give him a second look.

In reality, Liu Zhengfeng was also confused. He hadn't even invited Yihua Palace. How could he possibly have the qualifications to do so? The sudden appearance of Hua Wuque, a disciple of Yihua Palace, at his hand-washing ceremony had already surprised and excited him. Now even the Palace Master of Lianxing had shown up, which made him feel a bit frightened.

Before Liu Zhengfeng could go out to greet them, he heard that Second Master had also arrived. Hua Wuque, who was seated at the top, was startled and quickly jumped up and ran out to greet him. Tie Xinlan, who had come with him, also jumped up and followed closely behind. As for Xiao Yuer, he was stunned for a moment, then continued to sit there with a clear conscience. After all, he didn't know whether Lian Xing or not.

"Second Master, why are you here?" Hua Wuque saw that it was indeed Lian Xing, and he quickly saluted respectfully.

Lian Xing nodded slightly towards Hua Wu Que and said, "Young Master Chen of the Song Dynasty and his wives wanted to watch the fun. I'm here to accompany Madam Wang."

Chen Liu:......

[Yesterday, they said they were invited to attend Liu Zhengfeng's retirement ceremony. I knew they were lying.]

Lianxing:......

Hua Wuque turned to look at Chen Liu, Wang Yuyan, Huang Rong, and Yue Lingshan, his expression slightly odd. Tie Xinlan was even odder; this was the person whose thoughts she could hear.

"Hua Wuque greets Hero Chen and Madam Chen." Regardless of whether it was strange or not, since Chen Liu and his wives could alarm Lian Xing and accompany them to watch the fun, then his identity must be extraordinary. Therefore, Hua Wuque hurriedly saluted Chen Liu, Wang Yuyan, Huang Rong, and Yue Lingshan.

[Tsk, this is Hua Wuque! He's so handsome indeed. Even his son is so handsome, so his father must be pretty good too. No wonder Yaoyue and Lianxing both fell in love with him. Yaoyue is even more determined to destroy him if she can't get him. If it weren't for Lianxing, the two brothers would have died long ago.]

Lianxing:......

Tie Xinlan: ...

Tie Xinlan glanced at Lianxing quietly and found that Lianxing was also looking at her with a cold look in her eyes. She was immediately frightened and quickly lowered her head, not daring to look again. At the same time, Tie Xinlan couldn't help but shout in her heart, she could hear it, she could definitely hear it.

"No need to be so polite." Chen Liu returned the greeting to Hua Wuque and glanced at Tie Xinlan beside him.

【Tie Xinlan, what a pity. 】

What a pity? Tie Xinlan was a little confused.

"Second Master, this is Tie Xinlan, the daughter of the Mad Lion Tie Zhan, a friend I met on the road, this one..." After Hua Wuque introduced Tie Xinlan, he was continuing to explain Xiao Yuer, but found that Xiao Yuer did not come out, and suddenly felt depressed.

"Tie Xinlan pays her respects to Palace Master Lianxing." Tie Xinlan hurriedly stepped forward and saluted respectfully.

Lian Xing nodded slightly at Tie Xinlan, not even bothering to say a word to her. Just nodding was already good enough.

Hua Wuque was afraid that Tie Xinlan would get suspicious, so he quickly explained in a low voice, "My second master has a rather cold personality. Don't worry about it. She doesn't have any objections to you. My first master has an even colder personality."

Tie Xinlan forced a smile and seemed a little absent-minded.

At this time, Liu Zhengfeng also came out to greet them in person with his disciples. They came to welcome Lianxing and also to welcome Chen Liu. After all, Chen Liu defeated the famous Jiangnan hero Jiang Biehe with just one move, and then the news came out that he was the successor of Dugu Qiubai.

"Daddy! Mommy!" When Yue Lingshan entered the hall, she saw Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze, and she ran up happily to hug Ning Zhongze.

People in Jianghu: ...

Yue Buqun is such a sinister guy. He acted so quickly and spent so much money that he even gave away his daughter.

Seeing the Jianghu people looking at him, Yue Buqun nodded gently. He couldn't help but feel a little proud. He was really wise. He had betrothed his daughter so early and didn't even try to stop her from going to Chen Liu. Even he hadn't expected that Chen Liu would injure his eldest disciple and the Jiangnan hero Jiang Biehe with a single sword strike that day. His sword technique was the Dugu Nine Swords, and it was said that Chen Liu was the descendant of Dugu Qiubai.

Linghu Chong, who was following behind Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze, saw that Yue Lingshan was indeed with Chen Liu. His already pale face became even paler.

Liu Zhengfeng personally introduced the people present in the martial arts world to Chen Liu and Lian Xing, such as Master Dingyi of Hengshan, Taoist Tianmen and Taoist Tiansong of Taishan, Master Miejue of Emei, the hero Chang Jingzhi of Kongtong, Jiang Biehe, Zhao Zhengyi, etc.

[Extinction? This old thief is here too? Is Zhou Zhiruo here?]

Zhou Zhiruo: ...

Old thief?

Chapter 156 Same-sex love is true love

As expected, Chen Liu saw Zhou Zhiruo among the crowd of Emei Sect members. Although Chen Liu had never seen Zhou Zhiruo before, he knew that it was Zhou Zhiruo.

It is as graceful as an orchid, elegant and refined. It embodies the spirit of the Han River and the beauty of Mount Emei, like a fairy lost in the world, with the beauty of the water and moon in the south of the Yangtze River, clear as water, beautiful and extraordinary, as if a fairy has descended to the earth.

[She is elegant, pure, graceful, spiritual, and celestial. Pure and fragrant, beautiful and extraordinary. Her demeanor exudes the pure and ethereal aura of the Emei Mountains and waters. Only Zhou Zhiruo possesses all these qualities.]

Zhou Zhiruo's face was faintly flushed.

Wang Yuyan: ...

Huang Rong:......

Although Wang Yuyan and Huang Rong hated her to bits, they had to admit that Zhou Zhiruo was indeed very beautiful, not much inferior to them, even comparable in beauty. Her gentle and elegant demeanor, a quality that the ethereal Huang Rong lacked, was particularly striking. Wang Yuyan was also starting to become somewhat scheming. There was nothing she could do about it. She had too many sisters, and they all had ill intentions towards Chen Liu. If she wasn't scheming, she'd be backstabbed by them at any moment.

[Unfortunately, she was eventually driven to a dark side by her master, the old thief Miejue.]

Zhou Zhiruo: ...

Zhou Zhiruo quietly observed the expressions of her master and fellow apprentices from the corner of her eye, realizing that she seemed to be the only one who could hear Chen Liu's inner thoughts. None of them seemed to react. Of course, that wasn't necessarily the case. What if they were faking it, just like she was? But it wasn't likely. If her master and fellow apprentices heard that person calling their master an old thief, they would definitely not be able to bear it.

[Of course, Zhang Wuji was also to blame. If Zhang Wuji hadn't run away in public at their wedding, Zhou Zhiruo wouldn't have been so evil later on.]

Zhang Wuji? Brother Wuji? Is that Brother Wuji, the son of Wudang's Fifth Hero? He ran away in public at our wedding? Zhou Zhiruo's body swayed slightly. She didn't want to believe it, thinking Chen Liu was lying. Okay, she did think, but it seemed a little inexplicable. He didn't seem to know that she could hear his thoughts, otherwise he wouldn't be thinking these things. But how could this be possible? Could he see into the future? Perhaps this was the only explanation.

Zhou Zhiruo looks about sixteen or seventeen years old. This suggests Zhang Wuji should have almost mastered the Nine Yang Divine Art.

[Speaking of that old thief nun Miejue's appearance here, could she be trying to invite the Hengshan Sect and the other Five Mountains Sword Sects to attack Bright Summit? In the original novel, Miejue's hatred for the Ming Cult stems from her former lover and senior brother being angered to death by Yang Xiao. Later, her beloved Ji Xiaofu was defiled by Yang Xiao, further fueling her hatred for the Ming Cult and her ruthless determination to annihilate anyone and everything connected to the Ming Cult.]

Zhou Zhiruo: ...

Ji Xiaofu is also ill. She was engaged to Yin Liting of Wudang, but became pregnant after being raped by Yang Xiao. She even named her daughter Yang Buhui. Could she be suffering from Stockholm syndrome?

Zhou Zhiruo: ...

Stockholm syndrome? What does it mean?

Yi Lin glanced at Zhou Zhiruo quietly, then looked at Chen Liu quietly, and found that Chen Liu's eyes were looking at her. She was immediately startled, and quickly lowered her head, closed her eyes and chanted "Amitabha".

[No way? Yi Lin is so scared of me? Could it be because I killed Tian Boguang? Is she captivated by Tian Boguang and has developed feelings for him?]

Yilin: ...

Wang Yuyan and Huang Rong looked at each other secretly and sighed slightly. It seemed that they had to find an opportunity to meet Yi Lin and Zhou Zhiruo to prevent them from accidentally revealing the truth.

[Forget it, this little nun is too good to be messed with. Besides, we don't even know if Dongfang Bubai is a man or a woman. If Dongfang Bubai is a woman, then Yi Lin must be her sister.]

Girls:...

Yilin: ? ?

Invincible Easterner? My sister?

Chen Liu was not very interested in the Ming Dynasty gangsters present. Even when he saw Yu the Dwarf, he was not interested.

After introducing all the relatively high-status people present to Chen Liu and Lian Xing, Liu Zhengfeng's retirement from the underworld entered the most important stage.

Just like in the original novel, when Liu Zhengfeng was about to wash his hands, three of the Thirteen Guardians of Songshan Sect, namely, Fei Bin, the Great Songyang Hand, Ding Mian, the Tower Hand, and Lu Bai, the Crane Hand, suddenly appeared and asked Liu Zhengfeng to take over the flag of the Five Mountains Leader and not to wash his hands.

【Tsk, the fun is about to begin.】

Chen Liu immediately perked up.

[The Songshan School is truly arrogant.]

It must be said that the Liu family also deserved to die, and it was Liu Zhengfeng himself who caused their deaths. Qu Yang had already warned him, but he believed that the court official position he bought would prevent the people of the Songshan Sect from touching his family. After the people of the Songshan Sect actually captured his family and threatened him, he finally realized that the Songshan Sect would never let his family go, but by then he knew it was too late.

Moreover, because of Liu Zhengfeng's friendship with Qu Yang, not only did Master Miejue of the Emei Sect and other martial arts people who hated the Demon Sect and were hypocritical, such as Jiang Biehe and Zhao Zhengyi, turn to the side of the Songshan Sect, but even the Taishan Sect and Yue Buqun were reluctant to speak out. Only Master Dingyi spoke out for justice, saying that killing family members was against justice, but when she wanted to save them, she was knocked back by Ding Mian with a palm and vomited blood.

As for Chen Liu, he was just watching the show and had no intention of intervening in the dispute between Liu Zhengfeng and the Songshan Sect. Moreover, Chen Liu felt that Liu Zhengfeng's indifference towards his family and disciples was a bit frightening.

Despite being threatened by the Songshan Sect, Liu Zhengfeng remained remarkably calm. Even when he saw his wife, children, and disciples die before his eyes, not a muscle on his face twitched, as if those people had nothing to do with him. But when his youngest son, Liu Qin, betrayed him under the pressure of death, he became furious and shouted, "Little bastard, are you worthy of your mother?"

When Liu Zhengfeng's wife, children and disciples died in front of him, he was very calm, but once Liu Qin did something weak, he immediately became agitated. Why was he so agitated? The original book later gave the answer.

Qu Yang asked Liu Zhengfeng, "Brother Liu, from what you said in your flute, I still feel a sense of resentment. Could it be that your son, in a moment of crisis, was so afraid of death that he brought disgrace upon your reputation?" Liu Zhengfeng sighed and said, "Brother Qu, you guessed correctly. I doted on Qin'er too much and didn't teach her enough. I didn't expect she would be such a spineless person without a trace of integrity."

Liu Zhengfeng was furious because his youngest son, Liu Qin, had disgraced his reputation by being a coward. In other words, in Liu Zhengfeng's eyes, the shock of his wife, children, and disciples being killed couldn't outweigh the damage to his reputation or his friendship with Qu Yang.

Chen Liu couldn't understand why, facing the massacre of his entire family, Liu Zhengfeng's final thought wasn't the blood feud with his wife, children, and disciples, but rather the fact that Liu Qin hadn't sacrificed his life, or even willingly submitted to a brutal slaughter, to protect his reputation. What kind of Liu Qin did he envision? He'd be chopped into a human pig by the Songshan Sect, yet still cry out, "Dad, you did a great job, you made great friends. I'll be tortured to death to defend your reputation."

Are Jin Da Da's Liu Zhengfeng and Qu Yang truly in love? Are their wives, children, and disciples all free gifts for topping up their phone credits? They say same-sex love is true love, while opposite-sex love is for procreation. Perhaps Jin Da Da was trying to portray a Brokeback Mountain couple, but he didn't make it obvious, leaving us to figure it out for ourselves?

Girls:...

Chapter 157: The Smiling, Proud Wanderer (Part )

A resignation from the underworld turned into a tragic massacre. Although Chen Liu disliked Liu Zhengfeng's coldness towards his family, he disliked the Songshan Sect's brutality in wiping out entire families. Chen Liu thought he was used to the violence of the underworld, but when he saw Liu Zhengfeng's entire family die at the hands of the Songshan Sect, he still felt a little uncomfortable.