Martial Arts Crossover: My Master is Huang Rong

"This...cough cough, yes, yes." Li Quan hurriedly tried to cover it up, forcing out a grief on his face that was more painful than crying. "When I heard the news of Old Yang's death, I was also heartbroken."

"But my health isn't good, so I retired a few years ago. I haven't been in touch with Lao Yang for a long time, so I really... I really don't know anything about the situation. I really have nothing to do with this."

"Oh? Absolutely no relation?"

Lin Xuan put down his teacup, and his eyes, which were originally gentle and refined, instantly became deep and unfathomable.

He didn't have the time to play this "guess what I'm guessing" game with this old fox.

With just one glance, he saw through the extreme fear and panic in Li Quan's heart.

"Lord Li, look me in the eyes."

Lin Xuan's voice suddenly became deep, as if it possessed some kind of irresistible magic.

Just as Li Quan was about to continue making up lies, he subconsciously looked up and met Lin Xuan's swirling eyes.

Li Quan felt a roar in his mind, and the scenery in front of him vanished instantly, leaving only a pair of huge eyes floating in the darkness, scrutinizing his soul.

Nine Yin Manual - Soul Transfer Technique!

With Lin Xuan's current level of internal strength and spiritual realm, using this soul-capturing technique on Li Quan would be as easy as taking candy from a baby.

Li Quan's originally cloudy eyes instantly became dull and empty, and the fawning smile on his face froze.

"Tell me, who killed Commander Yang? And what are you afraid of?" Lin Xuan's voice rang out in his mind like a divine revelation.

Li Quan's body trembled, and he opened his mouth like a puppet, his voice mechanical and stiff: "It is...it is Crown Prince Yanqing."

"Crown Prince Yanqing?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow. Sure enough, it was that cripple.

"How did he come to you? Explain yourself."

Li Quan recounted in a hollow voice: "A few nights ago... I was in my study when a strange man suddenly appeared. He was leaning on an iron crutch, his face was disfigured like a demon, his legs were crippled, and he couldn't speak, he could only make sounds with his ventriloquism... I was terrified, thinking that some vengeful ghost had come to claim my life."

"But... but he told me many secret stories from when we served in the palace, and the oaths that Lao Yang and I made when we followed the Crown Prince... I then realized that he was actually the long-dead Crown Prince Yanqing!"

Even under hypnosis, Li Quan's face still showed deep fear when he recalled that night.

“He…he wants us to help him regain his throne. He says the throne of Dali rightfully belongs to him, and that Duan Zhengming stole it.”

Lin Xuan: "So he killed Commander Yang?"

“Yes…” Li Quan nodded tremblingly, “Crown Prince Yanqing went to see Old Yang first. Although Old Yang was sentimental, he was now receiving the emperor's bounty and did not want to be involved in this vortex of treason, so he refused him.”

"The Crown Prince... The Crown Prince wanted to make an example of someone, and also because he was disappointed in them... No, he wanted to tell me that this is the fate of traitors."

"He...he threatened me. He said if I didn't obey, Old Yang's fate would be my example. Seeing Old Yang's sunken chest...I was scared! I was really scared!"

Lin Xuan sneered inwardly. Yan Qing's methods were quite clever, scaring these old subordinates who had long lost their fighting spirit to the point of utter panic.

"What about Duan Yu? Is the Prince of Zhennan with you?" Lin Xuan asked the most crucial question.

"Yes...yes," Li Quan stammered as he answered. "The Crown Prince captured a pale-faced scholar a couple of days ago; he's the son of the Prince of Zhennan."

"He entrusted the scholar to my care, saying he wanted to keep him for future use and also wanted to... to ruin his reputation. The Crown Prince ordered me to lock him in a secret room under the artificial hill in the backyard, and to guard him closely, so that he would not be allowed to escape."

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes.

Good heavens, so Duan Yu has been locked up in this dark place all along.

Yanqing was ruthless enough to lock his son in the home of his old subordinate.

"Lead the way to the secret room."

Lin Xuan snapped his fingers, releasing the deep hypnotic control, but still leaving a trace of mental suggestion, forcing Li Quan to obey.

Li Quan suddenly came to his senses. Although he didn't know what had just happened, looking at Lin Xuan's cold eyes and thinking about how he seemed to have said everything, he turned ashen-faced, his legs went weak, and he dared not disobey in the slightest.

"Young Master Lin, this way please."

Li Quan shakily got up and led Lin Xuan through the corridor to an inconspicuous rockery in the backyard.

He pressed a few times on a protruding rock, and with a creaking sound, the artificial rockery cracked open, revealing a downward stone staircase.

A musty, damp smell wafted over me.

Lin Xuan, unfazed by any potential trap, went down first. Li Quan followed behind, trembling.

The basement wasn't large; it contained only one stone chamber.

By the dim light of the oil lamp on the wall, Lin Xuan immediately spotted Duan Yu, who was bound hand and foot to a stone pillar.

The boy looked quite disheveled. His once spotless white clothes were now covered in dust, his hair was messy, and he had a rag stuffed in his mouth as he whimpered helplessly.

Upon seeing someone enter, Duan Yu instinctively shrank back.

But when he saw that the person who came was actually Lin Xuan, dressed in fine clothes and with an elegant demeanor, his peach blossom eyes instantly burst with amazing brilliance, as if he had seen Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

"Waaah!"

Lin Xuan stepped forward, ripped the rag out of his mouth, and casually flicked his finger, cutting the ropes binding him.

"Brother Lin! It really is you!" After regaining his freedom, Duan Yu staggered and almost fell over.

He forced himself to stand firm, his eyes reddening, and bowed deeply to Lin Xuan, his voice trembling but sincere, "Duan Yu thought there was no hope in this life, but Brother Lin's help is like a second life!"

"I was imprisoned. That strange man's words and actions were bizarre, and his face was terrifying. He often threatened me and did many incomprehensible things, which made me very uneasy. Every day felt like a year..."

Lin Xuan patted his shoulder and said calmly, "Alright, thankfully it's all over now. I came here specifically to find you on behalf of your uncle and father. Now that everything's alright, come with me."

Duan Yu was extremely grateful to Lin Xuan at this moment.

To have a miracle happen at this time is like a benefactor in my life!

Once outside the secret chamber, they saw the light of day again.

Duan Yu took a deep breath of fresh air and felt as if he had come back to life.

At that moment, a series of orderly footsteps sounded outside the door. It turned out that Lin Xuan had already given the signal, and the imperial guards inside the city had surrounded the Li residence.

"Men, seize Li Quan and take him to jail for rigorous interrogation!" Lin Xuan coldly pointed at Li Quan, who was already slumped on the ground.

Although Li Quan was coerced, he harbored a serious criminal and aided and abetted evildoers, so he was also guilty of a capital offense.

"I'm innocent! I was forced! Young Master Lin, spare my life!" Li Quan screamed as he was dragged away by several fierce guards.

After dealing with matters here, Lin Xuan didn't delay and took Duan Yu straight to the Zhennan Prince's Mansion.

Inside the flower hall of the Prince of Zhennan's Mansion.

Duan Zhengchun paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, looking anxious.

Dao Baifeng sat in the chair, her pretty face showing a troubled expression, clearly indicating that she was also unsettled.

"Your Highness! Your Highness! Great joy!"

A servant scrambled in to report, "Young Master Lin is here! We've brought the young master back!"

"Yu'er!"

Dao Baifeng disregarded all decorum and rushed out of the hall.

As soon as they arrived at the courtyard gate, they saw Lin Xuan leading Duan Yu in, who had a smile on his face as if he had survived a disaster.

"Mother!" Duan Yu's eyes reddened when he saw his mother, and he ran over and knelt on the ground.

"My son! You scared your mother to death!" Dao Baifeng touched her son's face with trembling hands, looked him up and down carefully, and after confirming that he was safe and sound, tears finally welled up in her eyes. Her voice choked with sobs, but she tried her best to control her emotions.

Duan Zhengchun also rushed out at this time, and seeing this scene, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was finally relieved.

He turned his head and looked at Lin Xuan, who stood with his hands behind his back, looking calm and composed. His eyes were full of gratitude and admiration.

"Young Master Lin! We are truly grateful to you this time!" Duan Zhengchun stepped forward and patted Lin Xuan's shoulder heavily, his tone sincere. "If it weren't for your help, my son would likely be in grave danger. I will never forget this kindness!"

Dao Baifeng wiped away her tears and bowed gracefully to Lin Xuan: "I will remember your great kindness, Young Master Lin."

When she heard Duan Yu speak haltingly about the "villain with a face full of scars and leaning on an iron crutch," Dao Baifeng's face turned deathly pale, and a look of extreme fear and complexity flashed in her eyes.

"It was nothing, just a small favor." Lin Xuan didn't boast about his achievement, but instead cupped his hands in a casual gesture.

"Now that Brother Duan has returned safely, I will not disturb you any longer. Farewell."

After saying that, without waiting for Duan Zhengchun to stop him, he transformed into a gentle breeze and disappeared gracefully outside the gate of the Prince's Mansion.

Chapter 208: Prince Duan is drunk, there's someone under the table (Thanks to the author Suibian)

The next day, Lin Xuan leisurely entered the palace.

He had a private conversation with Duan Zhengming in his study for about an hour. The two discussed strategies for dealing with Duan Yanqing, who was lurking in the shadows.

Duan Zhengming greatly admired Lin Xuan's insights and held him in even higher regard.

By the time Lin Xuan walked out of the palace gate, the sun was already setting.

He did not return directly to his own residence, but instead headed towards the Prince of Zhennan's mansion.

Having rescued Duan Yu yesterday, Prince Zhennan, Duan Zhengchun, has specially prepared a family banquet today, extending a warm invitation to Lin Xuan to come to his residence for a chat, in order to express his gratitude.

Upon arriving at the gate of the Prince's Mansion, the steward, who had been waiting for some time, respectfully ushered Lin Xuan into the inner courtyard flower hall.

At this moment, the afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window lattice onto the large mahogany round table in the flower hall, which was already laden with delicacies and fine wines.

Duan Zhengchun, Dao Baifeng, and Duan Yu and his family of three, who were still in shock from the ordeal, were already waiting there.

Upon seeing Lin Xuan enter, Duan Zhengchun greeted him with a hearty laugh, a stark contrast to his usual distant and polite demeanor.

"Hahaha, Young Master Lin, you've finally arrived! If it weren't for you rescuing Yu'er yesterday, I, as his father, would have regretted it for the rest of my life!"

Duan Zhengchun grabbed Lin Xuan's hand, his words earnest, his eyes filled with sincere gratitude, his every gesture displaying the demeanor of a prince and the kindness of an elder.

Lin Xuan smiled slightly and said, "Your Highness Duan is too kind. I have been entrusted with this task, so I will do my best. Moreover, I have hit it off with Brother Duan at first sight, so how could I sit idly by?"

"Excellent! What a perfect match! Truly, heroes emerge from among the young, with chivalrous hearts and righteous courage!"

Duan Zhengchun exclaimed in admiration, then pulled Lin Xuan to sit down.

In fact, Duan Zhengchun had always harbored some resentment towards Lin Xuan.

Although Duan Zhengchun didn't say anything openly about Gan Baobao's incident at Wanjie Valley, he was naturally unhappy because of Lin Xuan's interference.

Furthermore, seeing his wife Dao Baifeng and Lin Xuan standing very close together on their first meeting, he became extremely jealous and unleashed a rare outburst of rage.

But now that her beloved son has returned safely, this great kindness has instantly dispelled all jealousy and suspicion.

Looking at the dashing and eloquent young man before him, Duan Zhengchun even felt a little ashamed, realizing that he was not as broad-minded as a younger generation.

The family sat down, and the atmosphere became lively.

Today, to show her respect, Dao Baifeng changed into a jade-white palace dress.

The skirt was embroidered with delicate white peacock patterns, and a wide, flowing ribbon tied around her waist, outlining her mature and voluptuous figure in a curvaceous way. Her originally loose hair was styled into an elegant high bun, adorned with a red-gold hairpin that swayed gently with her movements.

Although she is no longer a young girl, her skin is still as white as snow, even more delicate than that of a sixteen-year-old girl, exuding a mature peach-like charm.

Those eyes, which usually carried a hint of melancholy, now shimmered with a captivating light under the lamplight.

That dignified yet alluring charm, that pure yet captivating allure, exudes a fatal temptation.

"Brother Lin, this cup of wine is for you! I will never forget your life-saving grace!" Duan Yu stood up and respectfully offered a cup of wine.

Lin Xuan smiled and drank it.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the sky gradually darkened, and red candles were lit in the flower hall.

Duan Yu was a weak scholar who couldn't hold his liquor. In addition, he hadn't fully recovered from the fright he suffered the night before. After drinking a few cups, he felt dizzy and lightheaded. He apologized and was helped back to his room to rest by his maid.

At this point, according to common sense, Dao Baifeng, as a female member of the family, should have stepped down.

But Duan Zhengchun was in a good mood today and insisted on drinking with Lin Xuan. As the mistress of the house, Dao Baifeng stayed behind to pour wine and serve dishes to show respect to the distinguished guest.

Only three people remained in the large flower hall.

After a few drinks, Duan Zhengchun was in high spirits. He looked at Lin Xuan and found him increasingly pleasing to the eye, a feeling of mutual respect between heroes welling up within him.

"Young Master Lin, as the saying goes, a thousand cups of wine are not enough when drinking with a bosom friend. In my life, the people I respect most are those who value loyalty and righteousness."

"Young Master Lin, you are so young, yet you possess such a free and easy spirit. You have both the swift and decisive means to save my son from dire straits and such a gentle and refined gentlemanly demeanor. It is truly rare. Come, let me offer you a toast!"

Lin Xuan raised his glass to clink glasses, his gaze sweeping over Dao Baifeng, who stood dignifiedly to the side, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Prince Duan is a hero of our time, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and extremely loyal to his friends. I admire you very much."

"Hey, what's with all this talk about princes?"

Duan Zhengchun waved his hand and smiled elegantly, “Once we leave the imperial court, we are fellow travelers in the martial world. If you don’t mind, just call me Brother Duan.”

Dao Baifeng listened to the two men flattering each other. Although she felt that Duan Zhengchun was a little drunk, his words were still appropriate and there was nothing excessive about them.

She picked up the wine pot, gracefully walked to Lin Xuan's side, and filled his wine glass.