Chapter 31: At the mercy of others
The man was over 40 years old, more than eight feet tall, with an upright and strong figure, a dignified appearance and extraordinary bearing. The two mustaches on his mouth made him look heroic and shrewd. He walked over with a vigorous and imposing manner.

The most noticeable thing is that around this person's waist, there is an extremely eye-catching "belt" wrapped around it. It is a nine-section steel whip as black as ink. What is unusual is that each section of the steel whip is a triangular prism with clear edges and corners, as sharp as a knife. Different animal patterns are engraved on each section, including dragons, phoenixes, tigers, and wolves. They are lifelike, and their roughness is yet delicate.

The people in the martial arts world can identify this man's identity just by looking at this nine-section whip. He is none other than Deng Changchuan, one of the seven heroes of the Xianwang Mansion.

Deng Changchuan came with Luo Tianjin on this trip and stayed at Lu's mansion together. He heard that people from the Xianwang Mansion were causing trouble in the Su Shui Pavilion, and saw Si Kong Zhu leaving in a hurry, so he came to find out what happened on Luo Tianjin's orders.

Upon seeing Deng Changchuan, Sikong Zhu, who was originally approaching Lin Fangda, suddenly turned around, raised his hand and slapped the Lu Mansion guard behind him in the face without mercy. The guard who was confronting Lin Fangda was hit so hard that he saw stars and his head was confused. He could not understand the situation at all for a while.

"You bastards, everyone in the Sushui Pavilion tonight is a distinguished guest of the Lu Mansion. Who gave you the courage to be so presumptuous and draw your swords here?" Si Kongzhu scolded the Lu Mansion guards coldly, "Why don't you put away your swords quickly? Why are you pretending to be so arrogant?"

Although Sikong Zhu's change of attitude caught everyone off guard, the well-trained guards of the Lu Mansion quickly put away their swords and no one dared to ask any more questions.

"Hehe..." When Si Kongzhu turned around again, the anger on his face turned into a calm smile. He bowed to Deng Changchuan and said, "I am sorry that I didn't discipline you well enough, Brother Deng laughed at me."

"You are too polite, Elder Zhu." Deng Changchuan did not need to speak, but with a cold look, Lin Fangda and others quickly put away their weapons. "It was the boys in the Xianwang Mansion who were ignorant and offended Elder Zhu. As an elder, I apologize to Elder Zhu on their behalf. I hope you will not bear grudges and will not take it personally." Deng Changchuan bowed to Sikong Zhu in a formal manner, and then turned to greet Shen Dongshan. Sikong Zhu and Shen Dongshan hurriedly returned the greetings. The scene was peaceful, and the tension just now was completely gone.

A storm that no one knew how to end was instantly resolved with a few words of greeting between Deng Changchuan and Sikong Zhu. This made Liu Xunyi, who was standing by, feel emotional. It seemed that if one wanted to gain the respect of others in the world, one's own strength and status were the key.

"Fifth Master Deng, this is Brother Liu Xunyi, the man I mentioned to you before, who saved Ningyu and me in Lin'an." Lin Fangda felt relieved when he saw Deng Changchuan, and hurriedly explained, "Master Shen was assassinated just now, and Senior Sikong suspected that Brother Liu was involved, but Brother Liu was brought here by me, so..."

"Why is it your turn to speak? You have no respect for elders. Do you have any rules in your eyes?" Without waiting for Lin Fangda to finish his words, Deng Changchuan shouted in a low voice without even turning his head, and immediately choked back the rest of Lin Fangda's words.

"Brother Deng, please!" Shen Dongshan ordered someone to add a chair to the table. Under the guidance of Sikong Zhu, the three of them sat down and recounted in detail what had happened tonight.

After hearing this, Deng Changchuan couldn't help but show a hint of understanding between his eyebrows. He first turned his head to look at Liu Xunyi, and then smiled at Si Kongzhu and Shen Dongshan and said, "I understand what you two said. Lin Fangda did act rashly in this matter. When I go back, I will report to the Palace Master and punish him severely."

"Hey!" Si Kongzhu waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Brother Lin is loyal and righteous, and is willing to stick his neck out for his friends. I really admire you, so how dare I complain to the Xianwang Mansion? It's just that Brother Lin mistakenly thought that I would harm Brother Liu. In fact, I have no intention of making things difficult for him. I just want to be more cautious to ensure that tomorrow's matter will be safe and sound."

Deng Changchuan smiled thoughtfully and said, "What Elder Zhu is worried about is reasonable. I fully agree with it. I believe that Palace Master Luo will definitely praise Elder Zhu for his meticulous thinking when he knows about it."

"Brother Deng, you are too kind." Sikong Zhu said modestly, "Now that the matter has been made clear, I wonder if the Xianwang Mansion will continue to protect this little brother Liu? If Brother Deng does not want me to wrong him, then I will let him go now and never stop him again." Sikong Zhu said this last sentence with great righteousness and in a loud voice. Obviously, he intended to say it to the many guests present. The implication was that if there was any trouble at tomorrow's Jinpen Washing Hands Conference because of Liu Xunyi, it would be the responsibility of the Xianwang Mansion and had nothing to do with the Jiangnan Lu Mansion.

Sikong Zhu's move not only gave Deng Changchuan enough face, but also successfully proved the innocence of the Lu Mansion in front of everyone. At the same time, he also threw the unknown hidden dangers to the Xianwang Mansion, and interpreted the explanation to Shen Dongshan as the Xianwang Mansion deliberately obstructing it. It can be said that he killed four birds with one stone.

Shen Dongshan smiled at Deng Changchuan and said, "Brother Deng, I believe that the assassination attempt has nothing to do with Brother Liu. Brother Liu is not only Brother Lin's friend, but I just heard Brother Lin say that he also saved Miss Luo. So he must be a chivalrous man, how could he have anything to do with the people of Jueqing Valley? So in Shen's opinion, this must be a misunderstanding."

Shen Dongshan stood up to smooth things over at this time, obviously intending to please Deng Changchuan and alienate Sikong Zhu, and also to get rid of Sikong Zhu's "holding" and separate himself from this matter. Just now, Sikong Zhu insisted that Liu Xunyi and Tang Afu were in cahoots, and everyone in Sushui Pavilion knew about this. Now Shen Dongshan, who was the victim of the assassination, actually changed his words and said it was a misunderstanding, which really made Sikong Zhu feel embarrassed.

At this moment, Sikong Zhu, Shen Dongshan and Deng Changchuan each represented a faction, each with their own thoughts, using each other but also guarding against each other, and not being rude or giving others a chance to criticize them, which was really hard. And Liu Xunyi had undoubtedly become a victim of the undercurrent of these three forces.

It can be said that one's body is like catkins swaying in the wind, and life and death are beyond one's control. This feeling made Liu Xunyi suddenly realize how insignificant and ridiculous he was in the martial arts world. How easy would it be to get close to Luo Tianjin, who controlled half of the martial arts world, with such a tiny body?
Deng Changchuan was not in a hurry to express his opinion, but cast an inquiring gaze towards Liu Xunyi. His voice, as loud as a bell, gave people an indescribable sense of oppression, and he asked, "Does this brother Liu have any relationship with Jueqing Valley?"

"No." Liu Xunyi said frankly, "I just couldn't bear to see the assassin killing an innocent woman, so I helped him."

Lin Fangda nodded quickly and said, "That's right. When Ning Yu and I were being chased by Ding Qinghong in Lin'an, Brother Liu also came to our aid without hesitation. He relied on the saying that when you see injustice, you should draw your sword and help."

Deng Changchuan stared at Liu Xunyi with a deep gaze and said, "If you are upright, you don't have to worry about your shadow being crooked. Isn't that the truth?"

Liu Xunyi was stunned when he heard this. He didn't quite understand what Deng Changchuan meant. Looking at the people who were looking at him, he hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying, "Yes."

"In that case, you don't have to be afraid to go back with Master Zhu and get to the bottom of the truth." Deng Changchuan said.

Before Liu Xunyi could speak, Lin Fangda interrupted in a hurry, "Master Deng Wu, this is absolutely not allowed. If Brother Liu goes back with them, he will be severely tortured and get into trouble..."

"presumptuous!"

Deng Changchuan glared and interrupted in a cold voice, "The Jiangnan Lu Mansion has always been fair and strict, and has a good reputation in the martial arts world. Mr. Lu is the first gentleman in the martial arts world. How can they allow you to talk nonsense here?"

Si Kongzhu raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "If Brother Lin doesn't believe me, then just let your brother leave. I will never stop you." "You can't leave." Deng Changchuan shook his head slowly, then turned to look at Liu Xunyi and said, "If you leave now, it will be equivalent to confirming this crime. You have an unclear relationship with Jueqing Valley today, and you will never be able to gain a foothold in the martial arts world in the future."

"I am willing to go back with Senior Sikong." Liu Xunyi made a prompt decision and said solemnly, "As Fifth Master Deng said, I am not afraid of any slander."

Before Sikong Zhu opened his mouth, Deng Changchuan continued, "Although you can't just walk away, going back with Master Zhu may not be the only way to prove your innocence."

Deng Changchuan's words startled everyone. Shen Dongshan asked suspiciously, "Brother Deng, what do you mean..."

"I wonder if Elder Zhu and Mr. Shen can trust the fairness of our Xianwang Mansion?" Deng Changchuan said, "This brother Liu has done a favor to my young lady, which means he has done a favor to Xianwang Mansion. My mansion master has always been clear about gratitude and resentment, and will repay a favor. If you two trust me and Lord Luo, then why not hand this brother Liu over to me? From now on until the end of the Golden Basin Retirement Conference tomorrow, I will monitor his every move and never let him have any chance to secretly communicate with the outside world. How about it?" Deng Changchuan looked at Sikong Zhu who pretended to be in deep thought and Shen Dongshan who was silent, and continued, "Of course, if you two suspect that our Xianwang Mansion is also secretly communicating with Jueqing Valley, then you can leave this person to you to deal with as you please. Deng will not say anything more."

"How dare I! How dare I!" Si Kongzhu waved his hands and said, "Lord Luo is an upright person, and he is also a distinguished guest of my young master. Now we live and eat together in the Lu Mansion. How dare I doubt Lord Luo's character? Everything will be as Brother Deng said. This little brother Liu is left to you."

Deng Changchuan nodded with satisfaction, and then turned his gaze to Shen Dongshan, who smiled generously and said, "Brother Deng has spoken, so how can I not obey? Everything will be done according to what Brother Deng says! Haha..."

"It's getting late now, I'll take my leave first!" Deng Changchuan was a man who would do what he said. He bowed and said goodbye, then left the Sushui Pavilion with Liu Xunyi. Before Liu Xunyi left, Lin Fangda gave him a comforting smile, and Liu Xunyi finally let go of the worry in his heart.

It was dark outside the Su Shui Pavilion. Deng Changchuan was in front and Liu Xunyi was behind. Both of them walked silently without saying a word.

"If you want to leave, you can leave now." Deng Changchuan suddenly spoke on the way.

"If I leave, wouldn't that mean I'm admitting that I'm involved in some shameful business with Jueqing Valley?" Liu Xunyi replied, "And if the people from the Lu Residence ask about it tomorrow, Senior Deng won't be able to explain. I haven't done anything wrong, so how can I let Xianwang Mansion be suspected in vain?"

"Heh!" Deng Changchuan suddenly stopped, looked at Liu Xunyi, and said faintly, "In fact, Sikong Zhu and Shen Dongshan have long known that you have nothing to do with Jueqing Valley. You don't have to think too highly of yourself. After all, you are just a chess piece for them to achieve their own goals. They will be thrown away after use. There is no question of suspicion or no suspicion. Before Lin Fangda stood up for you, Shen Dongshan used you to make friends with Sikong Zhu, and when Lin Fangda stood up for you, Shen Dongshan wanted to keep things quiet and used you to please the Xianwang Mansion. This is your use to Shen Dongshan. It's just that Sikong Zhu is relentless towards you, which makes things so troublesome."

"This..." Liu Xunyi frowned, thinking to himself, "After all, I am just a chess piece used by them to scheme against each other? It doesn't matter who I am. Even if Liu Xunyi wasn't there tonight, they would just find Zhang Xunyi or Wang Xunyi to be the chess piece. It's really sad to think about it now."

After thinking about it, Liu Xunyi asked, "I just met Senior Sikong by chance, and I have never offended him before. Why is he so persistent in pestering me?"

Deng Changchuan looked at Liu Xunyi suspiciously, and slowly said, "Since you saved Ningyu, I will teach you once. Sikong Zhu actually has his own plan to deal with you, for four reasons." Deng Changchuan explained slowly, "Killing you, an unknown junior, to show his respect for Master Shen and to please Master Shen, this is the first. Imprisoning you based on speculation, under the pretext of protecting the smooth progress of the Jinpen Retirement Conference tomorrow, to prove to the martial arts heroes that the Jiangnan Lu Mansion is cautious and careful in doing things, and rewards and punishes clearly, this is the second. Killing the chicken to scare the monkey, using the fact that Lin Fangda protected you to hint to the heroes not to try to cause trouble in the Lu Mansion's territory, and to distinguish who is the host and who is the guest, this is the third. Through the farce just now in Sushui Pavilion, Sikong Zhu has achieved these three goals. In addition, there is a 'fourth' that is not known to outsiders."

"I'd like to hear your advice." Liu Xunyi asked for advice humbly.

Deng Changchuan narrowed his eyes slightly and asked with a half-smile: "Although you have never offended Sikong Zhu, you have offended his master Lu Tingxiang. That's why Sikong Zhu is so aggressive towards you. This is the fourth reason."

Liu Xunyi was even more confused now, and asked hurriedly, "I have never met Mr. Lu, so how could I have offended him?"

"Did you risk your life to rescue Bai Shuang from Tang Afu?" Deng Changchuan suddenly asked.

"Yes." Liu Xunyi didn't understand what Deng Changchuan meant, and just responded subconsciously.

"This shouldn't be the first time you've seen Bai Shuang, right?"

"Yes." Liu Xunyi answered truthfully, "I met her once in Yuanyang Pavilion during the day. Miss Bai gave me a valuable gold hairpin at that time, but I have just returned it to her in Sushui Pavilion."

"That's it!" Deng Changchuan said with a joking smile, "Lu Tingxiang, the first gentleman in the martial arts world, is the most gentlemanly person in the world, but he is also the most stingy person in the world."

"Senior Deng means..."

"Beauty is a disaster. Some women only allow Lu Tingxiang to send them to others, but not others to touch them. Deng Changchuan smiled and said, "Tonight is just a small punishment and a big warning. You are lucky to have escaped. But no one can protect you for life. Even if the Lu family doesn't kill you today, you will die in the hands of others tomorrow. The most terrifying thing about walking in the world is not death, but not knowing why you die. Young people walking in the world, can't be as confused as they are today, and accidentally become someone else's scapegoat. Considering your kindness to the Xianwang Mansion, I will warn you that if you want to live longer in the world in the future, you must remember a rule first."

"What rules?"

"The more beautiful a woman is, the more you should stay away from her."

……

(End of this chapter)