Chapter 24 Confidentiality
In the Su Shui Pavilion, Liu Xunyi and Lin Fangda became sworn brothers. They were in high spirits and drank more than a dozen jars of liquor in a row. They still had no intention of stopping. On the contrary, as they drank, Lin Fangda became more and more appreciative of his brother Liu Xunyi. Their conversation also evolved from the initial pleasantries to gradually becoming a conversation of all kinds, even opening up to each other's hearts.

"Haha, it's true that a thousand cups are not enough when you meet a bosom friend, good brother! Cheers!" Lin Fang, with a flushed face, raised the wine glass in his hand, gestured slightly to Liu Xunyi, and drank it all in one gulp. After drinking it, he shouted in relief and said repeatedly, "Great! Great!"

"Brother, you can drink a lot!"

Liu Xunyi exclaimed, and then he put his wine into his mouth. Compared with Lin Fangda's hazy drunkenness, Liu Xunyi had to stay alert at all times to avoid saying something he shouldn't say after drinking.

Lin Fangda treated Liu Xunyi as a brother with whom he could talk about anything, and even told him the secret that he was in love with Luo Ningyu, but Liu Xunyi was taking advantage of Lin Fangda's trust in him and constantly looking for opportunities to inquire about Luo Tianjin's news. It was this vigilance and caution that made Liu Xunyi feel more and more guilty in front of Lin Fangda.

"My dear brother, tonight you and I will drink three thousand cups of wine first, and then we can sleep on the same bed." Lin Fang said to Liu Xunyi with drunken eyes, "Tomorrow morning... Tomorrow morning I will go to Lu's house, and you should leave Quanzhou as soon as possible."

"Why?" Liu Xunyi's spirit suddenly tensed up when he heard that, but he didn't dare to show too much urgency on the surface, so he pretended to be nonchalant and asked casually while picking up the dishes, "Brother also knows that I came here to see Mo Cen's retirement meeting, why do you want me to leave?"

Lin Fangda squinted his eyes as if trying to control the alcohol, and shook his head slowly, saying, "Retiring tomorrow is not a good thing. On the contrary, it may lead to bloodshed if you are not careful. I asked you to leave Quanzhou quickly for your safety. I don't want you, an outsider, to be implicated."

"What about big brother?" Liu Xunyi frowned slightly and asked calmly, "Big brother, can you go with me?"

"I'm from Prince Xian's Mansion, how can I leave?" Lin Fangda said with a wry smile, "Do you think... do you think these people really came to congratulate Mo Cen on his sixtieth birthday?" As he spoke, Lin Fangda pointed at the drunken patrons in the lobby and said seriously, "Wrong! They are actually all here for the 'Picture of the Wind and Rain'." When he said the words 'Picture of the Wind and Rain', Lin Fangda deliberately lowered his voice, which showed that he was not drunk to the point of being unconscious.

Liu Xunyi thought about it quickly and said seriously, "Brother, do you mean that Mo Cen will hand over the Shocking Wind and Rain Painting tomorrow?"

Lin Fang laughed and said, "I'm afraid he won't be able to refuse to hand it over tomorrow. Besides, Mo Cen made such a big fuss with great fanfare. Isn't his purpose to throw this hot potato away in front of the martial arts heroes? Mo Cen is old, and his ambition to dominate the martial arts world has long been worn away. Now he just wants to use the Jingfenghuayutu to seek peace for himself, his wife and children."

"Then..." Liu Xunyi hesitated to speak, and after seeing Lin Fangda's expression of "answering every question", he slowly said, "Then, big brother, do you know who Mo Cen wants to give this picture to?"

Hearing Liu Xunyi's words, Lin Fangda suddenly laughed and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "My dear brother, you are wrong. It's not about who he wants to give it to, but who wants to get this picture."

"I heard that this map contains the treasures of the Jin Dynasty and peerless martial arts. Who in the martial arts world doesn't covet this map?" Liu Xunyi asked in return.

"The Shocking Wind and Transforming Rain Map is great, but it depends on whether you have the ability to get it!" Lin Fang said, "If you don't have the ability, even if you get it, you won't be able to take it away with you."

Liu Xunyi naturally knew what Lin Fangda meant by this. The Wind-Turning-Rain Map was a double-edged sword. It certainly had great benefits, but it also concealed great disasters. Otherwise, Mo Cen would never have thought of handing over the map.

Seeing Lin Fangda's empty glass, Liu Xunyi stood up to pour wine for him and asked, "Brother, you came all the way from Luoyang to Quanzhou. May I ask if it is because the Northern Sage King is determined to get this map?"

Hearing Liu Xunyi's question, Lin Fangda's drunken eyes suddenly flashed with a gleam of light, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared. He looked at Liu Xunyi solemnly, and after a long time, he whispered: "Brother, you should know that there are some things in the martial arts world that the more you know, the more dangerous it is?"

"If there is real danger, I can't leave." Liu Xunyi said in a firm tone, "You and I have just become sworn brothers. If big brother is in trouble, how can I survive alone?" These words came from Liu Xunyi's heart. Although he did have other purposes for staying in Quanzhou, Liu Xunyi really wanted to lend a helping hand to Lin Fangda, who treated him like a brother.

Lin Fangda was slightly stunned, then he raised his wine glass and said to Liu Xunyi solemnly, "Xunyi, I, Lin Fangda, did not mistake you as my brother!" After that, Lin Fangda swallowed the wine in one gulp, wiped the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, and whispered, "Since you asked me, I will not hide it from you. The Lord of the Palace came here..." At this point, Lin Fangda looked around cautiously and continued, "It is indeed for this picture."

In fact, even if Lin Fangda didn't say it, Liu Xunyi could guess a thing or two. After all, the real purpose of various martial arts sects coming here is probably the same.

Liu Xunyi drank the wine silently, pondered for a moment, and waited until Lin Fangda called him again and again before he suddenly realized: "But Mo Cen has a very good relationship with the Jiangnan Lu family after all. Could it be that Lu Tingxiang, the head of the Lu family, has no interest in this picture?"

"It's definitely a lie to say he doesn't have it." Lin Fangda sneered, "It's just that Lu Tingxiang is a hard person to figure out. If he is really interested in this map, he can just get it from Mo Cen in private. Why bother to make the whole martial arts world buzz? But if he says he has no interest in this map at all, I will never believe it. Maybe... he is considering the face of Kongtong Sect."

"Kongtong?" Liu Xunyi asked in confusion, "What does this have to do with Kongtong?"

"Don't you know that Mo Cen was once a disciple of Kongtong?" Lin Fangda asked in surprise. "Twenty-five years ago, Mo Cen gathered twelve masters in the name of Kongtong Sect and sneaked into Bianjing to assassinate Wanyan Shouxu. However, after the incident was exposed, he never returned to Kongtong Sect. Instead, he became closer and closer to the Jiangnan Lu family. I believe this matter is also related to the Jingfenghuayu Tu. It's a pity that Mo Cen's talent is not good. He has been studying this picture for twenty-five years but has not been able to see through the mystery. But no matter what, as long as Kongtong Sect does not expel him, Mo Cen is still a disciple of Kongtong. According to the rules of the martial arts world, if he wants to retire, he must first give an explanation to his master for the past grievances in the martial arts world, so it is reasonable for Mo Cen to hand over the Jingfenghuayu Tu to Kongtong Sect."

"Weren't there twelve masters at the beginning? They belonged to different sects. If Mo Cen handed the map to Kongtong Sect, how could the others be willing?" Liu Xunyi asked thoughtfully. Lin Fang laughed and said, "Of course they wouldn't be willing. Otherwise, why would I say there might be a bloody disaster tomorrow?"

"Brother, are you saying that... tomorrow all the sects in the martial arts world will fight to seize the Jingfenghuayu Tu?" Liu Xunyi exclaimed in disbelief, "Won't that lead to a bloody battle?"

Lin Fangda smiled bitterly and said, "Everyone is interested in this picture, but no one wants to become the target of public criticism. So, I'm afraid no one can predict what will happen tomorrow."

Liu Xunyi nodded without denying it, then changed the subject and asked, "Then according to Big Brother, who is most likely to get this map tomorrow?"

Lin Fangda frowned and thought for a moment, then hesitantly said, "The Northern Xianwang was invited by the leader of Kongtong Sect, so our Xianwang Mansion and Kongtong Sect must share the same hatred for the enemy. As for whether this map will belong to Xianwang Mansion or Kongtong Sect in the end, that is the matter between the Mansion Master and Kongtong Sect Leader. The relationship between the Jiangnan Lu Family and Mo Cen is extraordinary. As one of the four great martial arts families, the Lu Family's background is naturally needless to say. Tomorrow, there will be many people who support Lu Tingxiang. The most important thing is that this place is Quanzhou, and tomorrow's hand-washing meeting will be held in the Lu Mansion. Lu Tingxiang can be said to have the best of both worlds. If they really fight, I'm afraid no outsider will be able to get the upper hand."

"I heard that Jinjianwu will also send people here tomorrow?" Liu Xunyi asked.

"That's right." Lin Fangda nodded and said, "It is said in the martial arts world that there is the Xianwang Mansion in the north and the Jinjianwu in the south. If I am right, the Jinjianwu came here to help the Lu family. The Jinjianwu has a close relationship with the four great families in the martial arts world. If they form an alliance tomorrow, even the Lord of the Mansion will not be too tough. Alas!" At this point, Lin Fangda couldn't help but sigh for the situation that Luo Tianjin would face, "My dear brother, don't think that all the sects and schools in the Spring and Autumn Mansion are in harmony today and call each other brothers. I am afraid that when Mo Cen takes out the Jingfenghuayu Tu tomorrow, these people will immediately turn their faces and use swords against each other."

Liu Xunyi looked at the people in the lobby of Sushui Pavilion toasting and chatting happily, and couldn't help but sigh: "Rather than hurting each other's harmony because of a picture whose authenticity is unknown, it is better not to have this picture."

Lin Fangda looked at Liu Xunyi in surprise and said with a smile: "I have never heard anyone say this before, my dear brother. It is refreshing. If the harmony is damaged because of a picture, it is better not to have this picture. Well said! Well said!"

"Brother, can I go with you to the Lu Mansion tomorrow to attend Mo Cen's retirement ceremony?" Seeing that the time had come, Liu Xunyi pleaded without hesitation.

“This…” Lin Fangda felt embarrassed when he heard that, and explained rather bitterly, “It’s not that big brother doesn’t want to help you, but big brother doesn’t have the ability. After all, it’s to enter the Lu Mansion instead of the Prince Xian’s Mansion. Firstly, the Lu Mansion is heavily guarded and it’s not so easy to get through. Secondly, big brother is a guest who came with the Lord of the Luo Mansion, and he cannot break the rules of the host family and thus embarrass the reputation of the Prince Beixian. Therefore, it’s difficult for big brother to take you into the Lu Mansion unless you have an invitation.” When Lin Fangda politely refused Liu Xunyi, his face was already full of guilt.

Hearing this, Liu Xunyi couldn't help feeling disappointed. He originally thought that seeing Lin Fangda would give him a chance to sneak into the Lu Mansion, but now it seems that he thought too simply.

"Don't mind it, big brother. I was just being rude." Liu Xunyi didn't want to embarrass Lin Fang, so he quickly smiled and pretended not to care, "Don't take it to heart, big brother..."

"Master Shen!"

Just as Liu Xunyi was comforting Lin Fangda, the originally noisy lobby suddenly became quiet, and then a series of flattering voices were heard in various places in Sushui Pavilion. Liu Xunyi was stunned and looked curiously towards the entrance of Sushui Pavilion.

But a man in his fifties in white came over with a smile on his face. He was a little thin, with a fair and handsome face. Although he was over fifty, his gestures still gave people a kind of elegant charm. With thin eyebrows, big eyes, red lips and white teeth, he must have been very handsome when he was young.

Although this person's dress is quite simple, Liu Xunyi, who has been in the court for many years, is used to seeing powerful people, so he can see at a glance that this person has a domineering and arrogant temperament that is far beyond ordinary people. This temperament is definitely not pretended, but must be the kingly style accumulated over many years of commanding and issuing orders. Once this temperament is formed, it is even difficult to completely hide it.

The dozen or so followers following behind the man also indirectly confirmed Liu Xunyi's speculation.

"My dear brother!" Upon seeing the man in white, Lin Fangda, who had a bitter face, suddenly became energetic. He stared at the man in white intently and said to Liu Xunyi without turning his head, "The person who can take you into the Lu Mansion tomorrow is here. It's him, the richest businessman in Song Dynasty, the owner of Dongshan Trading Company, Shen Dongshan. Although he is a businessman, he has great abilities and has many connections in the government and the martial arts world. Even the Lord of my house and the Lord of Jinjianwu regard him as a guest of honor. This time he must have come here at the invitation of Lu Tingxiang. If he takes you into the Lu Mansion, no one will dare to ask you for an invitation."

Upon hearing this man's name, Liu Xunyi was secretly surprised, but before he could ask what happened, the next scene made him stunned again.

But inside the Su Shui Pavilion, a woman in white walked lightly through the lobby and slowly came in front of Shen Dongshan. In public, Shen Dongshan unreservedly stretched out his hands to gently embrace her slender waist. The two smiled at each other. The woman leaned her delicate body gently in Shen Dongshan's arms, whispered and laughed in his ear as if no one was around, and they walked together towards the private room on the second floor of the Su Shui Pavilion.

And this woman was none other than Miss Bai, the icy beauty whom Liu Xunyi saw in the Yuanyang Pavilion and mistook for his sister.

……

　My heart is filled with longing~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)