Chapter 643 Life and Death Determined by Fate (I)

Hide your weapon and wait for the right time, release the hawk when you see the rabbit.

All the people are ready to go. Some are on stage, some are watching from the sidelines, some are betting everything, and some are standing still...

After much anticipation, this day has finally arrived.

When numerous guests who were ignorant of the truth swarmed in and wanted to gather together during the Laba Festival, a violent storm hidden under the clear sky suddenly came quietly.

On the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, there is no conversation during the day.

The city of Luoyang was peaceful and the palace of Prince Xian was filled with enthusiasm and joy.

At dusk, Liu Xunyi, according to the plan, wanted to send out all the disciples from the eight sects, on the pretext that "all the heroes have arrived and swear to maintain peace", and have them take turns patrolling various places in Luoyang City. Only a small number of old and weak disciples were left in the mansion to entertain guests.

Su Tang and Luo Qi both had objections to this. They argued with Liu Xunyi in the East Hall, but Liu Xunyi behaved out of character today. Not only did he turn a blind eye to their concerns, but he also insisted on his own way and was even a little domineering.

The two sides parted unhappily, Su Tang and Luo Qi left in anger. After a brief discussion, they rushed to the hall together to find Luo Tianjin for the decision.

However, when Su and Luo angrily came to the central hall, Luo Tianjin was chatting and greeting with the leaders and patriarchs of the major sects. There was laughter and conversation in the hall, and it was very lively.

According to Luo Tianjin's new classification of sects and factions, except for the Xiangxi Teng clan, the other six sects of the Earth Sect, including Shaolin, Wudang, Kunlun, Kongtong, and Tang Sect, were all present.

Three of the eight sects of Xuanzong were absent, namely Jueqing Valley, Jinjianwu and Longxiang Mountain. The remaining Qingcheng, Emei, Hexi Qin Clan, Jiangnan Lu Mansion and Sanyi Gang, which was personally supported and founded by Luo Tianjin, were all invited.

The difference is that most of the Di Sect sects had their leaders and patriarchs come in person, while the Xuan Sect sects, except for the Sanyi Gang, whose leader Xue Huzi came, the rest of the sects mostly had disciples. Their leaders and patriarchs made excuses and did not come to Luoyang City to attend the meeting.

This is human nature. After all, most of the Di Sect's members are close to Luo Tianjin, so there is no need to worry when coming here.

On the other hand, in the Xuan Sect, except for the Sanyi Gang, the rest were Luo Tianjin’s former opponents.

At present, the Central Plains martial arts world is nominally as close as a family, but in reality they are wary of each other and are wary of each other. Therefore, they dare not enter Luo Tianjin's territory alone, so as not to fall into danger.

However, due to the prestige and reputation of the leader of the martial arts world, they could not openly refuse the invitation, so they sent their disciples with generous gifts. In this way, they could avoid the danger of life and preserve each other's dignity, so as not to be regarded as an alien by Luo Tianjin.

As for the Hexi Qin family after the "change of dynasty", they should have abandoned the "Golden Sword Dock" and joined the "Wang Xian Palace". Unexpectedly, Qin Ku was extremely cunning. Despite his exaggerated words in front of Luo Tianjin, he immediately shut himself up and stopped making friends as soon as he returned to Hexi. No matter how many heroes came to visit him, he always maintained a moderate attitude, neither resisting nor getting close to them. Especially towards the Wang Xian Palace and the Golden Sword Dock, he was impartial and neither too close nor too far.

Today, Qin Ku was unable to attend in person, citing the excuse that he was a "new official with many internal affairs to attend to," and only sent Representative Qin to attend.

Everyone saw this and had a lot of thoughts in their minds, but no one would take the initiative to reveal it.

In order to fulfill his duties as a good host and demonstrate his magnanimity and generosity as the leader of the martial arts world, Luo Tianjin held banquets almost every day to entertain the guests since they arrived in Luoyang City. And every banquet made everyone feel very happy and satisfied.

Today was no exception. Luo Tianjin made an impassioned speech and expressed his heroic spirit. The guests sang along and responded to his request. The hall was filled with laughter and joy.

Upon seeing this, Luo Qi and Su Tang didn't dare to disturb them rashly. They could only stand at the door submissively, looking anxiously at Luo Tianjin, who was on good terms with everyone, and looked hesitant and speechless.

As if sensing something strange about the two, Xie Xuan, who was standing next to Luo Tianjin, leaned over and whispered a few words to him. Then he left the hall unnoticed and summoned Su Tang and Luo Qi to a secluded place.

"The mansion master is hosting a grand banquet, but you two are standing at the door stealthily. How can this be considered decent?"

Faced with Xie Xuan's accusation, Su Tang and Luo Qi could not help but look at each other and hurriedly bowed their hands to apologize.

"What's the matter?"

"Second Master, Liu Xunyi wanted to send all the disciples of the Eight Sects to patrol the city. We were worried that the mansion would be empty and thieves would take advantage of the situation to break in, so we started arguing with him." Luo Qi pondered, "But unexpectedly, Liu Xunyi was stubborn and didn't listen to our advice at all..."

"and many more!"

Before he finished speaking, Xie Xuan suddenly frowned and asked, "What did you just say? Liu Xunyi wants to send all the disciples of the Eight Sects out of the mansion?"

"That's right!" Su Tang said indignantly, "He said that on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, all kinds of people gathered in Luoyang City, and it was hard to guarantee that there would be a mix of good and bad people. Someone might take advantage of the situation and cause trouble. In order to protect the reputation and face of the Palace Master, he proposed to send eight disciples to strengthen the law and order of Luoyang City."

"This kind of thing should be handled by the government, what does it have to do with us?" Luo Qi added, "Second Master, it's not that we don't trust Liu Xunyi, it's just that he is too young and is impulsive, forgetting the pain after the wound has healed. Little did he know that it was because of his stubbornness last time that Song Yu took advantage of him, and this time..."

"No need to say more!"

Xie Xuan waved his hand and thought: "Your worries are not without reason, but Liu Xunyi's idea is also correct. This is the first time that the Palace Master has hosted a banquet for heroes since he became the leader of the martial arts world. We really can't make a fool of ourselves and lose face." "Liu Xunyi is the Black Fan Master. He can just take care of his lower three gates. Why does he have to interfere in the affairs of the upper three gates and the Zhongping two gates?" Su Tang said dissatisfiedly, "In the past, the Palace Master entrusted him with important tasks. When encountering major and minor matters, he was always willing to discuss countermeasures with us. He can be regarded as listening to both sides. But today, for some reason, he dared to suppress others and act beyond his authority. We are really angry, so we dared to advise the Palace Master and ask him to make the decision himself."

"There's no need to disturb the mansion master about this matter." Xie Xuan pondered for a moment, then suddenly straightened his eyes and said without question, "Just follow Liu Xunyi's arrangements, don't worry too much!"

"what?"

Xie Xuan's attitude was beyond Luo Qi and Su Tang's expectations. They were stunned and couldn't react for a long time.

"Second Master asked us to... obey Liu Xunyi's orders?" Su Tang said in disbelief, "But he is just Black Fan..."

"Are you questioning my decision?" Xie Xuan's face darkened and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

“I wouldn’t dare to do that!” Luo Qi hurriedly came to Su Tang’s rescue. “But, send out all the disciples from the eight sects. In case something happens in the mansion…”

"Right now, all the heads and patriarchs of the major sects are visiting the palace. It can be said that there are so many experts. The Xianwang Palace has never been as impregnable as it is tonight. Who is so blind? Who dares to run away and seek death at this critical moment?"

"This……"

"Liu Xunyi is right to worry. Most of the people in the city are honest and unarmed. They will be terrified when encountering a storm, and even spread rumors, causing a commotion in the city and making people panic. This is extremely detrimental to the reputation of the mansion lord. At present, heroes from all over the world have gathered in Luoyang City. They come from all over the world and have different thoughts. It is very easy for conflicts or even fights to break out. Therefore, the threat hidden in the city is far greater than that in the mansion. There is no doubt about this." Xie Xuan ignored Luo Qi and Su Tang's reactions and ordered, "You two don't have to hesitate, just follow Liu Xunyi's arrangements!"

Facing Xie Xuan's toughness, Luo Qi couldn't help but feel disappointed. Su Tang, however, was unwilling to give up, and mustered up the courage to ask, "May I ask, Second Master, is it the Lord's intention to hand over all the disciples of the Eight Sects to Liu Xunyi for command? If there is any trouble, will Second Master... take responsibility for Liu Xunyi?"

Hearing this, Xie Xuan's eyes suddenly condensed, and he stared at the uneasy Su Tang with a secretive gaze. Although he did not say a word, an invisible momentum rose rapidly, pressing Su Tang so hard that his whole body trembled and he could hardly breathe.

Seeing this, Luo Qi hurriedly tugged at the corner of Su Tang's clothes, signaling him not to be stubborn.

"Second Master, please calm down. I just said something wrong..."

Finally, Su Tang could no longer bear Xie Xuan's pressure. He fell to his knees with a plop. Sweat was pouring down his body. He kowtowed to Xie Xuan while panting and apologizing.

"Second Master, we know what to do." Luo Qi took the opportunity to smooth things over, "The two of us will return to the East Hall immediately and obey Liu Zhishan's orders."

"Remember, Liu Xunyi is... different from you!"

Leaving behind a confusing reminder, Xie Xuan suddenly turned around and walked quickly towards the main hall.

At the same time, Su Tang let out a sigh of relief, and then his legs went limp and he collapsed to the ground.

"It's really strange. When did the Mansion Master and the Second Master think so highly of Liu Xunyi?" Luo Qi looked at Xie Xuan's back and kept muttering to himself.

"Old Luo!" Su Tang, who had just woken up from his dream, sat there blankly, and said with deep emotion, "At this point, can't you guess what the Palace Master is thinking?"

"Thoughts?" Luo Qi was stunned and asked suspiciously, "You mean..."

"Although the Second Master didn't say it directly just now, his implicit meaning is enough to show the Palace Master's true thoughts." Su Tang said bitterly, "In the Palace Master's heart, Liu Xunyi's status has long surpassed you and me. In fact, the Palace Master intends to let Liu Xunyi take charge of the life and death of the Eight Sects' disciples. As for you and me... we have already been sidelined by him without knowing it."

"No way?" Luo Qi was shocked. "At the beginning, the Lord of the Palace divided the Eight Gates into three because he was afraid that someone would monopolize power and act presumptuously. For many years, the Eight Gates have always been controlled by the three Fan Holders, each of which restrains each other. Even the Seven Heroes in the Palace have no right to interfere. How could they break the rules today because of a little Liu Xunyi?"

"Little Liu Xunyi?" Su Tang said self-deprecatingly, "Compared to this little Liu Xunyi, you and I are probably not even worth mentioning. In my opinion, the mansion master has long been drugged by Liu Xunyi, otherwise he would not be so confused. Now, the mansion master's trust in him is no less than that of the seven heroes in the mansion back then, or even more."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Luo Qi said solemnly, "Since the Second Master has given the order, you and I don't have to speculate, just follow his orders. Otherwise, it is unknown whether Liu Xunyi can succeed, and you and I will definitely not end well."

Hearing this, Su Tang couldn't help but smile miserably. Then, with the help of Luo Qi, he slowly stood up, shook his head and sighed as he left in dismay.

However, shortly after Su Tang and Luo Qi left, a beautiful figure suddenly appeared in the dark corner.

Just now, she had heard the conversation between Su and Luo clearly, and a sinister sneer quietly appeared on her bright red lips.

……

　I am traveling with my kids during the holidays, so the updates may be unstable. Please forgive me! I also wish you all a happy National Day holiday.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)