Chapter 904: Tiger's Lair and Dragon's Pond (Part )

As if sensing the murderous intent in Mei Zichuan's tone, Abaolu and Xiao Yang's faces changed immediately, and they took a step forward at the same time, protecting Xunzhen behind them while reaching for the hilts of their swords, staring at the expressionless Mei Zichuan with sinister eyes.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Su Hu and Xun Budao, who were carrying the bamboo sedan chair, wanted to step forward to help, but unexpectedly Xun Zhen spoke first: "Senior Mei is here, and Miss Pan is here, how can we allow you to be so presumptuous? Back off!"

Hearing this, Abaolu and Xiao Yang were stunned. They looked at each other, with hesitation on their faces.

"But……"

"Get out!"

Xunzhen interrupted Abaolu's defense without any explanation and his attitude was very firm.

She knew that to trouble Mei Zichuan in the tiger's den and dragon's pool was tantamount to self-destruction, and no matter what kind of masters they were, they would not dare to be arrogant here. Because once they fell out, their opponents would not only be the powerful Mei Zichuan, but also the countless poisonous insects and beasts and the hard-to-defend traps in this dark forest.

Therefore, "defeating Mei Zichuan's army" was already a last resort, and as for confronting her head-on... it was the worst of the worst.

Xunzhen took a tough stance as a last resort, with the purpose of arguing with Mei Zichuan based on reason, rather than fighting to the death.

Therefore, when she saw that Abaolu and his companions did not understand her intentions and acted rashly on their own, she felt angry and annoyed.

"No need to act so hypocritical in front of me." Facing Xunzhen's humble attitude, Mei Zichuan did not appreciate it at all. "Girl, just based on what you just said, I am enough to make you die without a burial place. Do you believe it?"

"'The Exiled Immortals of the Two Suspension Sect' is well-known throughout the world. I have no doubts about Senior Mei's teachings." Xunzhen said respectfully, "I swear to heaven that I never meant to threaten you, let alone offend you. I was really... forced by the situation..."

"Yes! Miss Xunzhen has always been well-educated and respectful to her elders. How could she threaten us?" Pan Yuyin quickly agreed, "Senior Mei, you misunderstood her."

"is it?"

Mei Zichuan looked at Xunzhen and Pan Yuyin with a meaningful look, and sneered, "Liu Xunyi is really lucky. First, Yuyin girl disobeyed the master's orders and repeatedly protected him. Now Xunzhen girl is talking without thinking, bossing me around, and even using excuses like 'forced by the situation'. Oh, what is so attractive about this kid? Is it worth you risking your life to protect him?"

Mei Zichuan's words startled Xunzhen and Pan Yuyin at the same time. The two people with different thoughts subconsciously looked at each other, but the moment their eyes met, they simultaneously dodged and moved away quickly.

"We dare not act rashly in front of the seniors, but only Granny Taohua can save Liu Xunyi's life. I beg the seniors to consider Miss Pan's kindness... and let us enter the tiger's den and dragon's pool?" Xunzhen advised earnestly, "As far as I know, Liu Xunyi is not only old friends with Granny Taohua, but also has some friendship with the two seniors 'Yangming Zichuan'. In the past, Senior Mei took your son to Jueqing Valley to look for Granny Taohua. Liu Xunyi, who was the master of the Xianwang Mansion at the time, helped out and told Granny Taohua's real whereabouts, allowing the 'old friend' to reunite smoothly after 20 years. In fact, Liu Xunyi has done a lot in this matter..."

"Even if Liu Xunyi wasn't there, I could still find out where Huaying is. What's more, I once accompanied him into the Jueqing Valley to look for Xiao Zhirou, so this is enough to repay his favor." Mei Zichuan spoke coldly. Not only was he indifferent to Xunzhen's re-mention of the old story, but he was a little annoyed. "Girl, although I'm far away from the martial arts world, I'm not blind or deaf. I've heard all kinds of news about you. I know that although you're young, you're quite shrewd and your methods are very sophisticated. In the past, you helped Luo Tianjin with his plans in the Xianwang Mansion, making him feel like a fish in water and getting twice the result with half the effort. Even Jin Fuyu suffered a great loss at your hands. I have to admit that your skills are indeed one of the best among the younger generation in the martial arts world. However, even if you have great skills, you don't have to show off in front of me, let alone be eloquent. Because I'm neither Luo Tianjin nor Jin Fuyu, I don't want to be 'in tune' with you, nor do I want to 'compete' with you."

"How dare I show off my skills in front of you, senior?" Xunzhen was not angry at being mocked by Mei Zichuan, but became more sincere, "I sincerely ask for your help."

"Senior Mei, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. I will explain and plead in front of Master." Pan Yuyin said impatiently, "Master, please blame me. I will never implicate Senior Mei, and I will not affect Baoer..."

Looking at Xunzhen who was full of confidence and Pan Yuyin who was worried, Mei Zichuan knew that they would not give up easily, so he looked helpless and fell silent.

After hesitating for a long time, Mei Zichuan suddenly let out a long sigh, staring at the tearful Pan Yuyin with solemn eyes, and asked faintly: "Yuyin girl, do you really have to force my family and Huaying into a dead end before you are willing?"

"What?" Pan Yuyin was horrified and terrified. "Why do you say that, senior? How could I force you into a desperate situation? I..."

"You should know Liu Xunyi's situation better than I do. If we have anything to do with him now, we will not only be against the Central Plains martial arts world, but also against the Song Dynasty and even the Han people all over the world. Anyone who helps him will only burn himself, which will not only bring endless condemnation and hunting, but also the eternal infamy that will affect our descendants." Finally, Mei Zichuan told his true thoughts, "My husband and I are now over 70 years old, and our destiny is coming. I am afraid... we will not live long. But our child is immature and has neither the ability to be self-reliant nor the ability to wander around the world. Although we have retired to the mountains and forests and do not participate in the fights in the martial arts world, it does not mean that we will withdraw from the martial arts world, nor does it mean that we can act recklessly and go against the will of heaven. Once we get into trouble because of Liu Xunyi and make the tiger's den and dragon's pool the target of public criticism, even if my husband and I don't care about our life and death and false reputation, what about our child? Baoer is innocent, and I don't want him to be hurt in the slightest because of the hatred we have forged in the martial arts world..."

"This……"

"What you talked about the most is nothing more than your friendship with Liu Xunyi. I can tell you clearly that even though Liu Xunyi has some friendship with my husband and me and Huaying, it is far from the point of living and dying together. It is not worth sacrificing your reputation and life for him, and it is even more unprofitable to affect future generations because of him."

Looking at Mei Zichuan who spoke from the bottom of his heart, the eloquent Xunzhen couldn't help feeling speechless. Even the affectionate Pan Yuyin became timid and speechless.

Especially when she thought of the innocent Baoer who was suffering from a strange disease, she couldn't help but feel an indescribable sadness and pity in her heart.

Yes! They saved Liu Xunyi out of "repaying a favor", "friendship", or "taking advantage of" him, and they were willing to go through fire and water for this, regardless of life and death. But what about others? Especially outsiders like Huaying and Mei Zichuan, what right do they have to force others to jump into the "fire pit", give up their comfortable and carefree lives, and stir up trouble for no reason and ruin their future? Thinking of this, Pan Yuyin once again cast her eyes on Liu Xunyi, who was unconscious on the bamboo chair. For a moment, she was overwhelmed with worries and confusion, and she didn't know what to do?

It was impossible to stand by and watch someone die without helping, but it was also impossible to ask her to drag Granny Taohua and Mei Zichuan's family of three into the water.

"I have said everything I should and shouldn't say." Mei Zichuan said in an unquestionable tone, "Tang Afu is a disciple of Jueqing Valley. He is ordered by Xiao Zhirou to visit Granny Taohua. He can enter the Tiger's Den and Dragon's Pond. As for the others... I'm sorry I won't see them off!"

Mei Zichuan's words awakened the dreamer, and Xunzhen, whose thoughts were in disarray, suddenly had an idea. He tentatively said, "It seems that the relationship between Granny Taohua and Valley Master Xiao... is indeed extraordinary."

"Girl, what evil ideas are you thinking of?"

"I don't dare!" Xunzhen thought to himself and said intermittently, "If I say that Granny Taohua will definitely heal Liu Xunyi's injury, what do you think, senior?"

"It is impossible..."

"I said 'if'." Xunzhen repeated seriously, "If Granny Taohua's friendship with Liu Xunyi is as deep as her friendship with Valley Master Xiao... I would definitely be willing to make an exception for him. If Granny Taohua regrets her life because of your obstruction, wouldn't it be difficult for you to explain to Granny Taohua in the future?"

"Nonsense!" Mei Zichuan's face darkened and he said unhappily, "Do you think I will be fooled by your evil tricks?"

"This is a tiger's den and a dragon's lair, a forbidden place. Even if I had ten times the courage, I would not dare to act in front of you." Xunzhen explained quickly, "I am just talking about the facts. I don't want Liu Xunyi's sake to affect your relationship with Granny Taohua."

Xunzhen's words made Mei Zichuan feel depressed. After all, she still had to rely on Granny Taohua to treat her child.

Seeing that she was so confident and not bluffing, Mei Zichuan's rock-hard heart could not help but waver a little, and he said in a deep voice: "What do you want to say?"

"Senior, you are not Granny Peach Blossom, how do you know her thoughts? She disappeared from the Jianghu for more than 20 years, but suddenly showed up to accept Miss Pan as her apprentice. Isn't this strange? Even such a strange thing can happen, how can you assert that she is unwilling to treat Liu Xunyi's injuries?" Facing the suspicious Mei Zichuan, Xunzhen deliberately kept him in suspense and said something else seriously, "In fact, the news of our coming to Changbai Mountain has been known to many people in the Jianghu. In a sense, Granny Peach Blossom and you are already related to Liu Xunyi. Even if we leave now... even if Liu Xunyi dies of serious injuries, outsiders will think that Granny Peach Blossom is unable to save him, rather than unwilling to save him. By then, even if you try your best to explain, I am afraid you will not be able to eliminate the rumors in the Jianghu. After all, people are treacherous, and those who watch the fun... never think it's a big deal."

"Are you threatening me?" Mei Zichuan's eyes turned cold and his tone became increasingly unfriendly.

"Absolutely not! I am just giving you a friendly reminder. I don't want you to lose both the wife and the army."

Xunzhen likened Granny Taohua to "Madam" and the reputation and lives of Mei Zichuan's family of three to "soldiers". In name it was a reminder, but in reality it was a threat.

"Do you believe I will kill you now?"

Mei Zichuan, who could no longer bear it, flew into a rage. He slammed the snake-head cane in his hand to the ground, creating ripples of energy that made the surrounding flowers, plants and trees rustle, and also made Xunzhen and his companions retreat again and again.

"Senior Mei, please calm down..."

"I am the meat and you are the butcher. Senior, it is easy for you to kill me. It won't take any effort at all!" Before Pan Yuyin could try to smooth things over, Xunzhen, who was not afraid of danger, suddenly stepped forward and said righteously, "You can kill me, but not now. At least... before you verify whether my 'guess' is true or not, killing me... will not do you any good."

"How dare you tease me?"

"Senior, have you ever seen someone playing with others' lives?"

Xunzhen's attitude made Mei Zichuan hesitate. She suppressed her anger and murderous intent and asked coldly, "In your opinion, what should I do so that I won't regret it?"

"Take us into the tiger's den and dragon's pool, and let Liu Xunyi meet Granny Taohua." Xunzhen was calm and answered fluently, "If Granny Taohua is willing to treat Liu Xunyi's injuries, it proves that my guess and reminder are correct. If Granny Taohua is unwilling, it proves that I am talking nonsense and talking nonsense. By then... you can kill us or cut us up at will. We are in the tiger's den and dragon's pool, with no power to resist or escape, and there is only one way to die. After we die, the senior can hand over our heads to Qingfeng, not only can we prove our innocence, but also gain a reputation throughout the world. In this way, wouldn't it be fearless and have the best of both worlds?"

……

　I'm asking for leave! I'm not feeling well these days and I'm afraid I'm at the end of my strength. I beg you to allow me to rest for two days to strengthen my body. Please forgive me...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)