Martial Arts Crossover: My Master is Huang Rong

He flicked his sleeves and, without even straightening his clothes, rushed out of the room.

When Murong Fu arrived at the room, all he saw was a charred ruin.

He examined the scene carefully but found no signs of a struggle, nor any trace of Yun Zhonghe or the two women. The place was completely empty, as if it had been wiped clean, leaving no clues to follow.

Murong Fu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping over the kneeling servants. His voice was low and cold, yet more chilling than any roar:

"I want to see them alive or dead. Send men to search for them immediately, even if it means digging three feet into the ground. If anything goes wrong, none of you will live."

Although his voice was not loud, it terrified all the servants, who immediately knelt down to receive the order and scattered in all directions.

Murong Fu did not give up. He paced back and forth, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

He carefully recalled everything that night.

The masked man in black possessed extraordinary martial arts skills, capable of fighting three opponents simultaneously and suppressing the Xuanming Elders and himself. He was also able to calmly take Zhao Min hostage and escape unscathed. Such exceptional martial arts were more than enough for him to accomplish all of this!

Could it be that masked man again?

Throughout the morning, Murong Fu was in a state of extreme anxiety. While sending people to expand the search area for Yun Zhonghe and Azhu Abi, he secretly made arrangements, mobilizing all patrol and guard forces within the manor to make Yanziwu as secure as an iron barrel.

But the person he suspected most was Lin Xuan.

He ordered all the scouts who had been monitoring Lin Xuan's courtyard the previous night, along with the two servants at the gate, to be summoned to his study. Inside the study, the atmosphere was cold and stern. Murong Fu, his face ashen, sat in the main seat, his gaze sharp as a knife, sweeping fiercely over the people in front of him.

"Did Lin Xuan leave the courtyard last night?!" Murong Fu's voice was icy.

The men trembled with fear, but answered in unison, "Young Master! Young Master Lin stayed in his room all night and did not leave even for a moment!"

Murong Fu didn't slam his hand on the table; instead, his gaze, sharp as a hawk's, fixed intently on the group. His voice was even lower, yet carried an undeniable air of authority:

Are you sure?

The lead investigator, a shrewd and capable man, was now pale and his voice trembled as he explained, “Young Master, please understand! I have been hiding in the shadows around Young Master Lin’s courtyard. He did not leave the house last night. It was not until this morning when it was fully light that I saw him push open the door and come out. He was dressed neatly and looked normal, without any trace of having gone out at night.”

"By the way, young master! We servants were also keeping watch outside his door all night. Young Master Lin didn't leave the house at all." The two servants at the door quickly echoed, speaking with absolute certainty.

"Are you sure?" Murong Fu stared intently at the reconnaissance captain.

"Absolutely true! I would never utter a single falsehood!"

Murong Fu waved his hand, signaling them to step back.

Everyone gave the same answer, speaking with absolute certainty: Lin Xuan had never left the house.

This made Murong Fu feel a deep-seated sense of powerlessness.

Murong Fu sat in the study, his body stiff and his face gloomy.

Around noon, Murong Fu personally came to Lin Xuan's courtyard and invited him to have tea at the lakeside pavilion.

Outside the pavilion in the middle of the lake, weeping willows sway gently, their branches lightly brushing the water's surface as the wind blows, creating a peaceful and serene scene.

Lin Xuan, dressed in a blue robe, sat leisurely in the pavilion, his demeanor composed.

Murong Fu's gaze lingered on Lin Xuan's face for a moment. Seeing that Lin Xuan's expression was calm and normal, Murong Fu's doubts deepened. He showed no sign of it and smiled as he sat down opposite Lin Xuan.

"Young Master Lin, you seem to be in high spirits. You've certainly had a wonderful time at Swallow's Nest these past few days." Murong Fu poured Lin Xuan a full cup of tea.

"Young Master Murong, you flatter me." Lin Xuan took the teacup, sipped it, and smiled faintly. "It's just a rare moment of leisure. But, Young Master, what brings you here so hastily today?"

Upon hearing this, Murong Fu's heart stirred. His intuition told him that Lin Xuan's question was not unintentional.

He remained calm and smiled, "Not at all, Murong Fu just heard that Young Master Lin has been free these past few days, so he wanted to invite Young Master Lin to enjoy tea and scenery together. It would also save Young Master Lin from feeling bored by himself."

He exchanged a few more polite pleasantries, mostly about the scenery of Taihu Lake and the local customs of Suzhou. While speaking, he subtly observed every subtle change in Lin Xuan's expression.

However, Lin Xuan maintained his calm and composed smile, his eyes clear, completely unaware of the probing in his words.

Murong Fu coughed lightly, preparing to slowly change the subject.

However, Lin Xuan spoke first, speaking calmly.

“Young Master Murong, speaking of which, I had a very pleasant conversation with Miss Azhu and Miss Abi a few days ago, and I was planning to invite them to go boating on the lake again this afternoon to enjoy the scenery.”

"But why haven't I seen either of them in the manor today?" Lin Xuan asked casually.

Murong Fu's gaze froze for a brief moment.

He took a deep breath, and in less than a moment, he concealed all the surging emotions in his heart, revealing a gentle and natural smile on his face.

"Oh? Young Master Lin still misses them?" Murong Fu forced a smile. "It's quite unfortunate. Yesterday I had two important matters to attend to, which required their attention, so I sent them away from the manor. Therefore, Young Master Lin will probably not be able to see them today."

"I see." Lin Xuan's lips curled into a regretful smile as he sighed softly and shook his head.

The sigh carried an indescribable regret: "What a pity... I was hoping to invite them to enjoy the lake view with me today. I never expected to miss it."

"Without them, the refined pleasures of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting have lost their appeal..." Lin Xuan said, a look of regret on his face.

"However, since Young Master Murong has something he needs them to handle, it must be something important. That's fine, Lin Xuan can have some peace and quiet by himself."

Murong Fu suppressed the surging anger in his heart: "I am truly honored that Young Master Lin has such an elegant interest. When Azhu and Abi return in the future, I will certainly let them entertain Young Master Lin to his heart's content and make up for today's regret."

Lin Xuan picked up his teacup and took a leisurely sip.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Young Master Murong," Lin Xuan said softly, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

After chatting casually about the scenery of Taihu Lake for a while, Lin Xuan stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Murong Fu, and said, "Thank you for hosting this banquet today, Young Master Murong. I'd like to take a stroll around Taihu Lake, so I'll take my leave now."

"Young Master Lin, please!" Murong Fu stood up and escorted Lin Xuan to the outside of the pavilion.

Lin Xuan moved with light steps, and his figure quickly disappeared by the pavilion.

Chapter 55: The Return of "Crane in the Clouds"

A few more days passed.

The misty waves of Taihu Lake remain unchanged, and the scenery of Yanziwu is still as beautiful as ever.

But Murong Fu grew increasingly anxious.

The men they sent out practically turned the entire Taihu Lake upside down, but they couldn't find a single hair on Yun Zhonghe's head.

Azhu and Abi seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.

That morning, just as dawn was breaking.

"Young Master Murong."

A servant whispered outside the door, "Young Master Lin says he is leaving the manor today and has come to bid you farewell."

"Shh!"

Murong Fu suddenly sat up from the couch, a very complex light flashing in his eyes.

Is he leaving?

This news was like a boulder thrown into Murong Fu's already turbulent heart, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.

On the one hand, he couldn't wait for Lin Xuan to get out of here.

Every extra day this person stayed in Yanziwu felt like he was being stared at by a venomous snake; a chill ran through his body, and he felt indescribably uncomfortable.

On the other hand...

Yun Zhonghe's mysterious disappearance, A Zhu and A Bi's whereabouts unknown, and that masked man with strange martial arts skills that night...

Everything seemed to be vaguely related to Lin Xuan.

But unfortunately, he had absolutely no evidence.

Should we... force him to stay?

The moment the thought crossed his mind, Murong Fu nipped it in the bud.

No.

Lin Xuan, known as the "Little Zhuge Liang" of Xiangyang, is a renowned figure in the martial arts world and not someone who can be easily manipulated.

To completely break ties with him now would be detrimental in every way.

Murong Fu took a deep breath, flicked his sleeves, and once again put on his signature gentle and refined smile.

He straightened his clothes and quickly walked out of the room.

Lin Xuan was already sitting leisurely in front of him, waiting for him.

Murong Fu cupped his hands and smiled, "Young Master Lin, why are you leaving after only a few days? The matter of the Mongol Tartars has not yet been investigated, and I am truly reluctant to see you go."

"Young Master Murong, you flatter me."

Lin Xuan smiled and rose to return the greeting, "I received the news at the last minute and have an important matter that requires my personal attention. Please keep an eye on the investigation, and let me know if there are any developments."

He paused, looked at Murong Fu, and slowly said:

"Farewell, Jianghu."

He spoke those four words with profound meaning, causing Murong Fu's heart to skip a beat.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Lin Xuan took his leave.

Murong Fu personally escorted him onto a small boat.

The small boat cut through the morning mist and quickly disappeared into the vast expanse of Taihu Lake.

Murong Fu stood motionless on the shore, hands behind his back.

Only when the shadow of the small boat completely disappeared between the sky and the water did he slowly withdraw his gaze, his eyes filled with a terrifying gloom.

A few more days passed.

One dark and windy night.

A message finally reached Murong Fu: Yun Zhonghe, the "most vicious" of the Four Evils, had returned.

That night, Murong Fu went alone to the room where Yun Zhonghe was.

Push open the door.

The dim candlelight flickered, casting long, thin shadows on the wall, like ghostly figures.

The figure, as thin as a bamboo pole, was sitting on the couch, his face frighteningly pale.

But those distinctive triangular eyes still gleamed with a lewd and greedy light.

Murong Fu's gaze was like a knife, scrutinizing him inch by inch.

From head to toe, from his clothes to his expression, he was exactly the same as Yun Zhonghe before.

If he hadn't personally experienced the bizarre events of the past few days, he would almost have thought that this guy had just gone out to have some fun for a few days and had just returned.

"Brother Yun, you're finally back."

Murong Fu suppressed his thoughts, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Where have you been these past few days, brother? Did something untoward happen to you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, "Yun Zhonghe" jumped off the couch, his movements revealing an undisguised embarrassment and lingering fear.

"Young Master Murong, that night... that night scared me to death!"

His voice trembled slightly, as if he were back on that terrifying night.

"I was just about to take those two beautiful young women right there and then, when suddenly, a dark shadow flashed in through the window!"

"That guy's martial arts skills are incredibly high, he's practically inhuman! I just felt a blur before my eyes, a numbness in the back of my neck, and then... and then I fucking don't know anything anymore!"

His eyes were filled with fear as he gestured wildly.

"When I woke up again, guess what? I was in a dark cave, my hands and feet were tied tightly!"

“Young Master Murong, that place is gloomy and chilly. I’m certain that it’s not a place where any living person lives; it’s practically a ghost cave!”

Murong Fu's face darkened, and he snorted coldly in his heart, listening silently as Murong Fu continued.

"Crane in the Clouds" vividly describes:

"Inside that cave, besides me, there was a masked man in black, whose martial arts were terrifyingly high, and whose attacks were both ruthless and vicious. The first thing he asked me was, 'What exactly do the Four Evils want from your Murong family's Swallow's Nest?'"

"Who do you think I am? I'm very stubborn! Young Master Murong, you know that perfectly well."

As he spoke, “Yun Zhonghe” patted his sunken chest with an air of self-importance, looking as if to say, “I have a lot of backbone.”

"I didn't tell him anything. Whatever he asked, I just said I didn't know!"

Murong Fu looked at his demeanor and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Yun Zhonghe? Stubborn?