Chapter 18 Sudden Change
Chu Qing held the bowl in his hand, feeling as though he were gripping a landmine.
He recognized this bowl. When he had disguised himself as a beggar in front of the teahouse, this very bowl had been placed before him.
Chu Fan had even tossed some silver into it.
Later, after accepting the mission to assassinate the Iron Horse Seven Bandits, he had been busy running about killing targets.
When everything was over, he discovered the bowl was gone.
He hadn't thought much of it then—it was just a disposable prop, after all.
Since he never disguised himself as a beggar again, he had long forgotten about it.
But never in his wildest dreams had he imagined this broken bowl would reappear in the hands of that junior sister Wen.
And more importantly—why was she giving it to him?
Back at the teahouse, he had already felt that this junior sister Wen was strange.
She had served him tea for no reason and kept staring at him, as if she were ill.
And now, she had directly returned the bowl to its original owner.
Did she know something? Had she realized he was that beggar?
Or did she simply want the servants to throw the bowl away?
As his mind raced, he felt an urge to drag junior sister Wen aside and question her.
But clearly, now was not the time or place.
If only Chu Fan were here, it wouldn't matter if his identity were revealed. But if Wu Qianhuan discovered that he was the runaway fiancé, the consequences would be unimaginable.
A dozen thoughts flashed through his mind, and Chu Qing's expression showed just the right degree of confusion.
For him, such acting came as naturally as breathing.
At the same time, countless contingency plans crowded into his thoughts.
He was just about to speak when junior sister Wen, as though nothing had happened, quietly returned to her seat.
That was it?
Chu Qing froze, feeling as though he had thrown a punch into empty air.
All the words and reactions he had prepared were swallowed back down.
"What is with this junior sister Wen? What medicine is she hiding in her gourd?"
Chu Qing's mind was in disarray. He couldn't comprehend how someone could deliberately collect such odd things.
Like that shoulder pole he had hidden so carefully—she had somehow found that too.
Still, seeing that she took no further action, he felt a measure of relief.
As long as she stayed quiet, it was fine. If he could get through today smoothly, then even if she truly knew something, it wouldn't matter—by then, he might not even still be in Tianwu City.
Feeling more at ease, he lifted his gaze toward Chu Fan and Tang Xi's duel.
Chu Fan's strength was unquestionable. The Taiyi Sect's Immutable Heavenly Scripture was profound and unfathomable. The Taiyi Divine Palm appeared simple yet contained endless variation, and the Taiyi Divine Fist could overpower ten techniques with a single blow.
Combined with Chu Fan's natural strength, ordinary opponents were no match for him.
Tang Xi, though the young hall master of Luoyu Hall, was clearly at a disadvantage in the exchange.
However, Chu Qing noticed that even while Tang Xi was being driven back, his expression remained calm.
At moments when Chu Fan forced him to retreat rapidly, his face showed panic—but Chu Qing, a master of reading people, could tell it was partly an act.
"He still has something up his sleeve? Doesn't take Chu Fan seriously at all?"
Chu Qing raised an eyebrow, feeling something was off.
Although Tang Xi had been holding back, Chu Fan hadn't fought with full strength either.
So why did Tang Xi still act as though he looked down on Chu Fan?
Moreover, since the deputy hall master of Luoyu Hall, Liu Shijie, had ties to the Iron Horse Seven Bandits, what exactly was this young hall master's stance in Tianwu City?
As he was lost in thought, Chu Fan and Tang Xi had already decided the outcome of their duel.
With a loud bang, the two figures separated.
Tang Xi staggered back four or five steps before steadying himself. He shook his hand, grinning through clenched teeth.
"Brother Chu Fan is indeed formidable. The Taiyi Divine Fist truly lives up to its name. I concede defeat."
"Thank you for yielding. The young hall master's martial arts are exquisite as well. We should exchange techniques more often when time allows."
Chu Fan's tone was noticeably more courteous than before.
Wu Qianhuan smiled lightly.
"Brother Chu Tian, have you underestimated this young hall master Tang? You should know that Luoyu Hall entered Tianwu City only three years ago, yet it has already risen from obscurity to prominence.
"The young hall master's foundation must be no weaker than yours."
As she spoke, she rose gracefully, taking the long sword from her maid's side.
"I've recently been practicing a new sword style. I'd like to ask for your guidance as well."
Before Chu Fan or Tang Xi could respond, she stepped forward, her figure blurring like an illusion. In an instant, she darted between the two men.
Her sword gleamed, its tip thrusting straight for Chu Fan's chest.
Chu Fan froze. He hadn't expected Wu Qianhuan to strike without warning, giving him no time to react.
If it had been anyone else, he would never have tolerated such behavior.
But because of Chu Qing, Chu Fan felt a deep sense of guilt toward Wu Qianhuan. Instinctively, he chose to dodge rather than retaliate.
Yet Wu Qianhuan seemed to have anticipated this. Her sword spun, splitting into three shimmering shadows that blossomed like green plums beneath the blazing sun.
In an instant, the sword light covered every vital point across Tang Xi's chest.
It was beautiful—yet deadly.
Tang Xi had been watching Chu Fan's movements, but suddenly realized the sword was aimed at him instead.
He was utterly shocked. It was too late to evade.
Even Chu Fan's eyes widened in disbelief—was Wu Qianhuan truly trying to kill someone?
At that critical instant, Tang Xi's figure flickered like a candle flame in the wind—blinking out, then reappearing several paces away.
Within that single flash of movement, he had retreated more than two zhang.
Wu Qianhuan's eyes gleamed with a hint of sharp focus.
Chu Fan clapped his hands and laughed.
"Excellent movement technique!"
Tang Xi's face stiffened for a moment, but he quickly smiled.
"Brother Chu Fan jests. Miss Wu's sword is simply too fast—truly beyond expectation."
Wu Qianhuan smiled faintly.
"Oh? Brother Chu Tian, it seems this young hall master Tang isn't as simple as he appears. He's still holding something back. Why don't the three of us spar together and see what he's hiding?"
Tang Xi's smile froze as he hurriedly waved his hands.
"Please, no need! I surrender, truly!"
Chu Fan, however, seemed eager to accept.
He was just about to speak when a sudden creak interrupted him—the courtyard door had opened.
Everyone assumed it was a servant bringing refreshments and didn't think much of it.
But when they looked over, they were all taken aback.
The one entering wasn't a Chu family servant—it was a middle-aged man.
He wore the attire of a wandering martial traveler. After entering, he nodded slightly to the crowd, then turned around and closed the courtyard door.
Chu Fan frowned.
"Who are you? This is the inner courtyard. If you are a guest, the banquet is in the front hall."
The man lifted his head and smiled faintly. With a sudden stomp, his body shot forward like a thunderbolt.
A loud crack rang out as he crossed the distance in an instant, arriving before Chu Fan.
His final step shattered the blue stone beneath him, his body coiled like a drawn bow. His right fist clenched tight and shot forth like an arrow released from the string—
With a booming sound, it drove straight toward Chu Fan's chest.
Chu Fan's eyes widened. The opponent's fist surged like crashing waves, its power fierce enough to make him feel as though he were standing amid a raging ocean.
The pressure was overwhelming—pure, violent might.
Wu Qianhuan's pupils contracted sharply.
"Overturning Sea Dragon Fist! Brother Chu Tian—he's Xin Youhen of Valley of Ten Thousand Nights! Don't take that strike head-on!"
(End of this chapter)