Martial Arts Crossover: My Master is Huang Rong

"See!"

Murong Fu took a deep breath, a ruthless and decisive glint in his eyes.

Regardless of whether the other person is the thief from last night, and regardless of their purpose in coming, I must see them. Avoiding them would only make me appear guilty.

He forcibly suppressed his shock and anger, quickly straightened his clothes, and the cold expression on his face instantly melted away, replaced by a warm smile.

"Follow me to greet our distinguished guest!"

He flicked his sleeve and strode towards the door.

In front of the door.

Murong Fu arrived before he did, laughing loudly, "What wind blew the great hero Young Master Lin all the way to my Jiangnan? Murong Fu is sorry for not welcoming you properly, please forgive me!"

Lin Xuan turned around and saw a handsome young man in a brocade robe walking briskly towards him with a beaming smile.

This person was none other than Murong Fu, the Murong of the South.

Lin Xuan also wore a polite smile and cupped his hands, saying, "Young Master Murong, you flatter me. I hope you will not take offense at my visit."

The two locked eyes.

In the air, it seemed as if invisible lightning was clashing.

They were both subtly trying to guess each other's thoughts, yet both wore fake smiles on their faces.

"Not at all, Young Master Lin's presence is an honor for Yanziwu. Please come in!" Murong Fu was extremely enthusiastic, warmly taking Lin Xuan's arm and welcoming him into the hall.

Azhu and Abi bowed to Murong Fu and then obediently stepped aside, but their gazes kept drifting towards Lin Xuan.

Inside the mansion, guests and hosts took their seats, and maids served fragrant tea.

The two exchanged a few more polite words, nothing more than praising each other for their youthful promise and for being the future pillars of the martial arts world. Their words were so intimate that they seemed like longtime friends who hadn't seen each other for years.

Finally, after a series of insincere pleasantries, Murong Fu couldn't hold back any longer.

He put down his teacup and asked casually, "I wonder what brings Young Master Lin all the way to Jiangnan? If there is anything I can do to help you, please don't hesitate to ask."

coming.

Lin Xuan had been waiting for these words.

Lin Xuan's smile slowly faded, he sighed deeply, picked up his teacup, then slowly put it down, his expression becoming serious.

"Alas, Young Master Murong, to be honest, I have come here today with a matter of utmost importance that I would like to ask for your assistance."

Murong Fu's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm and smiled as he said, "Oh? Young Master Lin, please speak freely."

Lin Xuan lowered his voice and leaned forward slightly, adopting an air of utmost secrecy: "This matter is of great importance. I hope that after hearing it, you will not publicize it to outsiders."

"Of course." Mu Guanfu sneered inwardly, but readily agreed aloud, "Young Master Lin trusts me, Murong Fu, so I will keep my mouth shut."

Lin Xuan then slowly said:

"Our Beggars' Sect recently received a top-secret message... It is said that a group of mysterious Mongol Tartars have secretly infiltrated the Jiangnan region!"

Lin Xuan's words were like a sharp blade, instantly piercing through Murong Fu's feigned composure.

His fingers, which were holding the teacup, trembled almost imperceptibly, causing tiny ripples to appear in the tea.

Mongol?

The two words exploded in his mind, creating a tidal wave. He tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor.

How could that be? This matter was kept extremely secret; no one except myself and my confidants knew about it.

Murong Fu was extremely shrewd. That shock only lingered in his eyes for less than a blink of an eye before he forcibly suppressed it.

His face instantly switched to an expression of shock, anger, and disbelief.

"What?! This is unbelievable?!" He stood up abruptly, his voice filled with shock and anger. "How dare those Mongol barbarians sneak into the heart of my Jiangnan region! What are they trying to do?"

Lin Xuan took in the instantaneous change in his eyes and the subtle trembling of his fingers.

His face still showed a worried expression, and he said in a deep voice, "We are still investigating the specific intentions. However, the Jiangnan region is a mixed bag, and our Beggars' Sect has limited manpower here. Our investigation is hampered at every turn, and progress is slow."

At this point, Lin Xuan stood up, clasped his hands in a sincere gesture towards Murong Fu, and said:

"The Murong family is the leading family in the Jiangnan martial arts world. The name of the Murong family is renowned throughout the Jianghu. Young Master Murong, you are an outstanding member of the younger generation, with a far-reaching reputation for chivalry, extensive connections, and excellent information."

"Therefore, Lin Xuan has come here to earnestly request Young Master Murong to lend a helping hand to our Beggars' Sect for the sake of all living beings, so as to bring out these lurking Mongol Tartars and prevent them from wreaking havoc on the martial arts world and causing immense suffering!"

Murong Fu's thoughts raced through his mind like wild horses.

What exactly did Lin Xuan mean by those words?

Has he already determined that I'm colluding with the Mongols? Is he testing me?

Or perhaps he had just heard rumors and was genuinely asking me for help?

In either case, he cannot give himself away in the slightest.

Murong Fu's face showed an expression of righteous indignation.

He slapped his chest and said solemnly, "Young Master Lin, what are you saying! Although I, Murong Fu, am not talented, I know the difference between loyalty and treachery and the greater good! Resisting foreign aggression is the inescapable responsibility of us martial arts people!"

"This matter is my duty, Murong Fu! Young Master Lin, rest assured, I will immediately mobilize all the forces of the Murong family in Jiangnan, dig three feet into the ground, and drag those Mongol barbarians out and tear them to pieces!"

Murong Fu spoke with conviction, straightening his back and his eyes gleaming with righteousness.

Lin Xuan looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips, thinking to himself: He's really good at acting.

Lin Xuan's face immediately showed a grateful expression: "With Young Master Murong's words, I am relieved. In that case, I entrust the safety of the Jiangnan martial arts world to you!"

The two exchanged a smile, sat down again, and chatted insincerely for a while, discussing how to plan and capture the Mongol Tartars.

Murong Fu was already anxious and restless, and all he wanted to do was get rid of Lin Xuan, this plague god, so that he could discuss countermeasures with Zhao Min and see which link had gone wrong.

“Young Master Lin, it’s getting late, so perhaps…” He was about to say something to see the guest out.

Lin Xuan, however, stood up first, his face full of gratitude, and said, "Young Master Murong is so understanding and righteous, I admire you greatly! This matter is urgent and cannot be delayed."

"To facilitate our communication of intelligence and coordinated actions, I think... I'll stay at Yanziwu for a few days! That way, if you make any discoveries, I'll be informed immediately. What do you think?"

"what?!"

Murong Fu's smile almost froze!

Let Lin Xuan live in Yanziwu? What's the difference between that and inviting a wolf into the house?

He was unwilling, but he had already put it that way. He had just acted so righteously; if he refused Lin Xuan's reasonable request now, wouldn't that be blatantly telling the other party that he had something to hide?

"This...of course!" Murong Fu squeezed out the words through gritted teeth, his facial muscles twitching. "It's an honor for Yanziwu that Young Master Lin can stay here. Men, quickly arrange the best room for Young Master Lin!"

Chapter 51: Vacation Time

After settling down in Yanziwu, Lin Xuan lived a very comfortable life.

In the following days, everyone in Yanziwu witnessed how dashing this legendary "Little Zhuge Liang" was.

He seemed completely immersed in the gentle charm of the Jiangnan water towns.

In the early morning, he sipped tea by the lake, watching the morning mist dissipate and golden light spill across the lake's surface.

In the afternoon, he would row a boat among the undulating lotus flowers, listening to the rustling of the wind through the lotus leaves. Occasionally, when the mood struck him, he would pick up a fishing rod and sit in the pond in front of Huanshi Pavilion for an entire afternoon, letting time flow by.

He tasted every exquisite dish at Yanziwu, offering his critique and comments; he also thoroughly enjoyed the aged wines brought by the servants.

He exuded a sense of ease and comfort that seemed completely out of place with the tense atmosphere around him, as if he were not a martial arts hero burdened with a heavy responsibility, but a young master from a noble family who had come to seek out scenic spots.

And by his side, there were always two beautiful figures, Azhu and Abi.

“Miss Azhu, your disguise skills are truly amazing. You can make a face look exactly like a real person. However, when I watched you mix those pigments, if you could add a trace of very fine pearl powder, it might make the skin more radiant and prevent it from looking dull under strong light.”

“Miss Abi, your 'Lotus Picking Song' has a clear and melodious sound and a profound artistic conception. However, the fingering at these turning points is a bit too fast. If you could handle it more smoothly and gently, it would better show the freedom and agility.”

Lin Xuan's guidance always hits the nail on the head. His unique insights, which he casually mentioned, often made the two women suddenly realize the truth, and their eyes would sparkle with a light of enlightenment.

Faced with Lin Xuan, the two young girls, just beginning to experience love, were almost powerless. He was like a deep pool, seemingly calm, yet containing endless mysteries. Every conversation allowed them to glimpse a new world, gently stirring their heartstrings.

That afternoon, the three of them went boating on the lake again.

Abi played the zither, its melodies lingering; Azhu, meanwhile, rested her chin on her hand, her bright eyes fixed on Lin Xuan.

"Young Master Lin, I really don't understand. How can you seem to know everything at such a young age?" A'Zhu finally asked the question that had been lingering in her mind for a long time.

Lin Xuan chuckled softly, gazing at the vast, misty lake in the distance with a touch of melancholy: "Perhaps it's because I've met more people and walked more roads than the average person."

He didn't offer any further explanation, but instead looked at A'Zhu and asked gently, "Miss A'Zhu, did you and Miss A'Bi grow up in Swallow's Nest?"

This question seemed to touch the softest spot in Azhu's heart.

Her eyes dimmed for a moment, then brightened again: "Yes, we were taken in by the Murong family when we were little and have lived here ever since. Yanziwu is our home."

"Then... have you ever thought about your own biological parents?"

Lin Xuan's voice was gentle, yet it was like a pebble that stirred ripples in the calm lake of A Zhu and A Bi's hearts.

Abi paused slightly as she played the zither, and quietly lowered her head.

A'Zhu was silent for a moment before forcing a smile and saying, "Why think about those things? The Murong family has been incredibly kind to us. We'll be content as long as we serve the Murong family for the rest of our lives."

Although she said that, Lin Xuan still saw a hint of undisguised longing in her eyes.

Lin Xuan did not press the matter further.

That's enough for today.

Lin Xuan skillfully changed the subject, telling interesting stories about the martial arts world, which quickly dispelled their previous worries. The two women were amused by him and giggled, their eyes crinkling with laughter.

In their eyes, this young master Lin was not only a renowned hero, but also a kind older brother who could listen to their troubles and bring them warmth. Unbeknownst to them, their dependence on and affection for him had quietly grown.

In stark contrast to Lin Xuan's leisurely and carefree attitude, Murong Fu's suspicion and vigilance deepened day by day.

Inside the study, the incense burner was filled with the finest calming incense, but Murong Fu's heart was more troubled than ever before.

He sat upright behind his desk, his face as still as water, his posture as straight as a sword. He simply sat there quietly, motionless, yet he possessed an imposing aura that made the air in the entire study seem to freeze.

"Tell me what he did today." His voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, but the invisible pressure in the air made the servant who came to report almost unable to breathe.

The servant bowed and answered tremblingly, "Reporting to...Young Master, Young Master Lin was playing with Miss A'Zhu by the lake this morning..."

"In the afternoon, I spent the time in the pavilion instructing Miss Abi on her musical skills..."

"That evening, he had the kitchen prepare squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, and... he also drank two pots of Daughter's Red wine..."

With each word spoken by the servant, Murong Fu's eyes grew deeper.

After hearing the report, he did not get angry as usual, nor did he show even a hint of impatience.

He simply sat there quietly, his slender fingers tapping lightly on the surface of the precious rosewood table, producing a rhythmic, soft sound.

But the servant felt that the young master was more terrifying when he was silent than when he was furious.

"Okay, I understand. You can go now."

After a long while, Murong Fu waved his hand dismissively.

After the servants withdrew as if granted a pardon, Murong Fu's fingers, which were tapping the table, suddenly stopped.

In the study, you could hear a pin drop for a moment.

The calm in his eyes was instantly shattered, replaced by a chilling aura and deep doubt.

Games? Piano skills? Food, drinks, and entertainment?!

A young hero who claims to be investigating Mongolian spies runs to Yanziwu to ask for his help, but he himself is indulging in romance and neglects his important business.

That's absolutely impossible!

Something unusual must be going on. Murong Fu felt a heavy weight in his heart. He sensed an invisible force quietly approaching, as if he were caught in a silently spreading net. Lin Xuan was truly an unfathomable person.

What exactly does he want to do?

Was he secretly observing me? Or had he already found some clues?

Or perhaps... he's waiting for me to lose my composure and reveal a weakness?

A'Zhu and A'Bi, who were by his side, appeared to be just maids, but they were the people Yanziwu knew best and were least wary of. Was his closeness with them merely youthful flirtation, or was he subtly probing the secrets of the Murong family?

Countless thoughts, like venomous snakes, were frantically gnawing at Murong Fu's heart. In the past few days, he appeared calm as usual, but in reality, his spirit had been stretched to the limit.

He slowly got up, walked to the window, and looked at the pavilions and towers under the moonlight.

No, we can't continue to be so passive.

"Someone come here," his voice was particularly clear in the quiet night, "Go and invite the two young ladies, Azhu and Abi, and tell them I have something to ask them."