Chapter 351: A Sidebar

Deng Changchuan's words not only made Yin Baimei unbelievable, but also surprised Tang Afu.

"Master Fifth Deng, what did you just say?" Leng Kongyang was stunned and asked in astonishment, "Did I hear wrongly? King Beixian actually asked us to show leniency to Jueqing Valley? To stop fighting and make peace with this group of martial arts scum?"

"Asshole!" Chang Wuhui shouted angrily, "Who is the scum of the martial arts world? You old bastard, you are so mean. Have you forgotten that my valley master spared your life last year? Not only do you not know how to repay your gratitude, but you repay kindness with grievances and blame others for your own mistakes. You are so cruel and insane, worse than pigs and dogs."

"you……"

"Elder Leng didn't hear wrong!"

Without waiting for Leng Kongyang and Chang Wuhui to argue, Deng Changchuan suddenly said, "It is the intention of the Northern Sage King to let Kunlun Sect and Jueqing Valley stop fighting and make peace."

"I don't quite understand." Yin Baimei narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Deng Changchuan meaningfully, and said quietly, "It would be fine if the Northern Sage King was unwilling to help, but why did he turn his spearhead around and help the tyrant to commit atrocities?"

"Master Yin has misunderstood." Deng Changchuan said with a smile, "The Northern Sage King is impartial. He is not changing his target, nor is he aiding and abetting the evil. Palace Master Luo hopes that the two families can make peace. He does not want you to both suffer losses and perish together."

"Master Fifth Deng, don't keep us in suspense." Leng Kongyang's eyes turned cold and he asked, "Why don't you tell us the truth? Why did the Northern Sage King help Jueqing Valley?"

"To be honest, I don't know the reason." Deng Changchuan smiled bitterly, turned to Yin Baimei and said, "Master Yin, please give up today for the sake of King Beixian. I believe that it won't be long before Lord Luo will give you an explanation."

"Let's stop for now?" Leng Kongyang snorted and laughed, then stretched out his hand and pointed at a few hundred Kunlun disciples, and asked, "Master Fifth Deng, our Kunlun sect has mobilized a large number of people and traveled thousands of miles to come here. This matter has already caused a lot of uproar and the whole city is in turmoil. Today, you want us to stop for now? Why don't you tell me how to stop this matter?"

"That's right!" Yin Hefeng agreed, "Since we have already set out, how can we return without success? If this matter ends in failure, how will the Kunlun Sect have the face to survive in the martial arts world in the future? How will the Kunlun disciples face the heroes of the world?"

"Success or failure is minor, reputation is major." Yin Baimei nodded without denying, "This is about Kunlun's reputation, I can't start something without finishing it, and be laughed at by the world!"

"You are too kind!" Deng Changchuan shook his head and said, "Kunlun Sect has never announced today's incident to the world, let alone issued a call for heroes, so it is naturally not legitimate, and can only be regarded as a private grudge between your two families. Even if it is a private grudge, it should be resolved privately. How can it end in vain? Moreover, the martial arts conference is about to be held. If Kunlun Sect is seriously injured because of the Jueqing Valley incident at this time, wouldn't it be like shooting a bird with a pearl, which is not worth the loss?"

"Master Fifth Deng is wrong!" Yin Hefeng pondered, "Even if it's a personal grudge between us and Jueqing Valley, it doesn't seem like it's the place for outsiders to interfere. To be honest, the Northern Sage King's behavior... doesn't seem to be in line with the rules of the martial arts world."

After these words were spoken, Yin Baimei's eyelids could not help but tremble slightly. He always felt a little afraid of Luo Tianjin.

On the other hand, after hearing Yin Hefeng's words, the smile on Deng Changchuan's face gradually faded, and was replaced by a deep and solemn expression.

"Could it be that Elder Yin's implication is that he is blaming King Beixian for not understanding the rules of the martial arts world?" Deng Changchuan's tone was as calm as water, and one could not tell whether he was happy or angry.

"I……"

"As the old saying goes, 'Without rules, there is no order.' The Northern Wise King has been able to reach his current position by abiding by the rules, and that's why he is revered as the 'Wise King' by his fellow martial artists." Before Yin Hefeng could explain, Yin Baimei spoke first, with a hint of anger on his face, "Now, Palace Master Luo has actually broken the rules for Jueqing Valley. In my opinion, what he did is truly using a pearl to shoot a sparrow, and the loss outweighs the gain."

"Master Yin, you know the character of the Northern Sage King very well. If he was sincere in opposing the Kunlun Sect, why would he send me to negotiate peace?" Deng Changchuan saw Yin Baimei's displeasure and hurriedly explained, "The Northern Sage King must have his reasons for everything he decides. But no matter what, I dare to guarantee with my life that the Northern Sage King has no intention of targeting the Kunlun Sect. Before coming here, the Palace Master had repeatedly warned me not to let Master Yin have any misunderstandings, and also said that Master Yin and he have been close friends for many years, and the friendship between the two of you is as high as the sky and the sea, and it is difficult for anyone and anything to shake it in the slightest."

"This..." Yin Baimei seemed to realize that Luo Tianjin had made up his mind, and couldn't help but become a little hesitant.

“Master Yin, today you should give the Northern Sage King some face and stop making things difficult for Jueqing Valley and for me, how do you do that?” Deng Changchuan saw that Yin Baimei was wavering, so he struck while the iron was hot and added hastily, “All the losses of carriages and horses, food and drink expenses for Kunlun Sect’s trip will be borne by our Sage King’s Mansion, and we will double the compensation. I only ask Master Yin to consider our fellow comrades and make some concessions. One day, the Northern Sage King will give Kunlun Sect a satisfactory explanation!”

"This……"

"Master Yin!" Ling Qing took the opportunity to speak, his attitude was extremely sincere, "To be honest, the Palace Master wanted to come here in person to resolve the misunderstanding, but the Xianwang Palace has been in turmoil for several days, and Master Yin must have heard about it. First, Longxiang Mountain teamed up with the Mongols to cause a big commotion in Luoyang City, and almost took advantage of the situation to enter and slaughter innocent people. Not long after, when Di Mo, the Black Handling Fan, sneaked into Longxiang Mountain, he was ambushed by mistake, and all his disciples who accompanied him were killed. He himself was also cut off one arm and returned in defeat. Now is a time of trouble, and the Palace Master had to stay in the palace to preside over the overall situation. That's why I sent the Fifth Master here. I hope Master Yin will forgive me!"

"I also know a little about the recent news about the Xianwang Mansion." Yin Baimei nodded slowly and said, "Of course I have to give face to the Northern Xianwang. But you must tell me why Lord Luo intervened in this matter?"

"Master Yin, I don't know about this either..."

"Deng Changchuan." Without waiting for Deng Changchuan to evade, Yin Baimei suddenly waved his hand and said, "Don't try to find excuses to deceive me. I am not a three-year-old child. I can tell which one is true and which one is false. If you tell the truth, I may consider my friendship with Lord Luo and let it go today. But if you just say it casually, even if I risk breaking up with the Northern Sage King, I will definitely make a break with Jueqing Valley."

"This..." Facing Yin Baimei's aggressive pressure, Deng Changchuan couldn't help but hesitate. After thinking it over again and again, he simply made up his mind and bowed to Yin Baimei and said, "Master Yin, may I ask for your permission to talk?"

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Yin Baimei, full of doubts, followed Deng Changchuan to a remote place.

"Everything you say now will come out of your mouth and enter my ears. Heaven, earth, you and I will know it. No one else will know it." Yin Baimei urged, "Tell me! What is the connection between Lord Luo and Jueqing Valley?"

"I dare not deceive you, Senior. Actually, my Palace Master and Jueqing Valley Master..." Deng Changchuan looked embarrassed and stammered, "Maybe they are old friends."

"Old friends?" Yin Baimei was skeptical and asked, "Why did you use the word 'maybe'? Are Palace Master Luo and Xiao Zhirou old friends?"

"I dare not make a definite statement. The Palace Master only said 'maybe', so I can only answer 'maybe'." Deng Changchuan smiled bitterly, "The Palace Master helped Jueqing Valley out of siege, somewhat out of consideration for the friendship between us. I hope that Sect Master Yin will help."

"An old friend?" Yin Baimei's eyes turned, and after a little thought, he had a guess in his mind, and asked with a smile, "Is it an old friend? Or a lover?"

Hearing this, Deng Changchuan's face suddenly changed, and he hurriedly said, "Master Yin, you can't joke like that! My master and his wife treat each other with respect and respect, and everyone in the world knows that they are a perfect match made in heaven. Don't ever mention the word 'lover' again."

"Although I have never met the Lord of Jueqing Valley, I have heard from Leng Kongyang that she is also a charming and beautiful lady." Yin Baimei smiled faintly, "Since ancient times, beauties love heroes, and heroes are reluctant to be seduced by beauties. For a hero like the Northern Sage King, who would not love him?"

After that, without waiting for Deng Changchuan to explain, Yin Baimei suddenly sneered and said, "Does Lord Luo want to admit it? Or... dare not admit it? Everyone knows that Madam Luo is the only daughter of Taoist Qingfeng, the head of Wudang. Lord Luo has been able to go smoothly over the years, and has transformed from an unknown person to the current Northern Sage King. Madam Luo's family... has put in a lot of effort. Now that an 'old lover' has suddenly appeared, won't Lord Luo's secret be exposed and his backyard be in trouble? The reputation he has worked so hard to build up will surely be burned to ashes. His reputation as a 'sage king' will be destroyed in an instant."

Yin Baimei's words made Deng Changchuan's eyes change suddenly. His friendly expression froze instantly and gradually turned into a gloomy look.

He stared at Yin Baimei without blinking, and said word by word: "I don't find the joke that Sect Leader Yin told funny at all. Sect Leader Yin and King Beixian have been friends for many years. Friends should trust each other and respect each other. They should not be suspicious of each other and fabricate rumors. What's more, King Beixian has always disliked people interfering in his private affairs. Sect Leader Yin and I are family. It's okay for you to tell me this kind of joke, but don't spread it outside, so as not to... play with fire and get burned."

There was no expression on Deng Changchuan's face, and his tone was so cold that it was a little scary. Even an old hand like Yin Baimei, who had seen many ups and downs, couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine at this moment.

He was not afraid of Deng Changchuan, but was wary of the power behind Deng Changchuan, the Prince Xian's Mansion.

Being stared at by Deng Changchuan, Yin Baimei felt uncomfortable all over. His throat moved slightly a few times, and then he smiled calmly and said, "It was just a joke. If Master Deng Wu doesn't like to hear it, I won't say it."

"Thank you, Master Yin, for your understanding." Deng Changchuan replied dimly.

"No need to thank me!" Yin Baimei changed the subject and continued, "Leng Kongyang once told me that when he came to Jueqing Valley last time, there was also someone from Xianwang Mansion. It is said that the person had a very pleasant conversation with Jueqing Valley's second disciple Chang Wuhui, and they seemed to be quite familiar with each other."

"Are you talking about Liu Xunyi?"

"That's right." Yin Baimei nodded and said, "Since Liu Xunyi was also in Jueqing Valley at that time, he should know why Kunlun Sect wanted to cause trouble for Jueqing Valley. I just wonder if he reported this to Palace Master Luo?"

"The 'Seven Star Sword Formation' of Jueqing Valley is quite similar to the 'Big Dipper Formation' of Kunlun Sect." Deng Changchuan replied without denying it, "So, Kunlun Sect came to accuse Jueqing Valley of 'stealing'."

"That's right! Since the Northern Sage King knows my purpose, how do you plan to give me a satisfactory explanation? 'Stealing skills' is a taboo in the martial arts world. No matter which sect in the martial arts world, it will never tolerate such a thing."

"What do you mean?" Deng Changchuan frowned and asked, "After all, Master Yin is still unwilling to give this face to the Northern Sage King?"

"Of course I have to give face to the Northern Sage King." Yin Baimei shook his head and smiled, "But I can't ignore the face of Kunlun Sect either."

"Why don't you get straight to the point, Master Yin?"

"Well!" Yin Baimei said righteously, "Today, I can give in for the sake of the Northern Sage King. But within three months, Palace Master Luo must give me a reasonable explanation for the Kunlun Sect. Otherwise, I will come back and massacre Jueqing Valley. By then, Palace Master Luo, please don't blame me for disregarding the friendship of our fellow practitioners!"

……

(End of this chapter)