Chapter 82 The Conference Begins

"Butterfly, Zhang?"

"What does that mean?" Shi Potian asked.

Qu Feiyan was also completely confused. Just as she was about to guess what was going on, footsteps suddenly sounded in the courtyard, and a group of people came out of the side room.

Leading the group were Wang, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of the Nanchang branch of the Fuwei Escort Agency, and Ma San, a镖师 (bodyguard/escort), followed by Zheng, Shi, Bai Er, and others.

Everyone was dressed in tight-fitting clothes, with swords hanging at their waists, and their expressions were solemn. The head镖师 (bodyguard) Wang and Ma San were even more so, wearing hemp clothes and mourning headscarves, their eyes red-rimmed, but their gazes were full of determination.

Wang, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), walked up to Shi Potian, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, and said in a deep voice:

"Young Master Escort! Today is the day we retire from the life of a镖局 (bodyguard agency) and we're all ready. We'll settle the blood debts of our Fuwei镖局 branches across the country with that old scoundrel Yu Canghai today!"

The bodyguards behind him clasped their fists in unison and whispered, "We are willing to follow our young master to avenge him!"

Shi Potian looked at Wang Biaotou and Ma San, and his heart warmed. These past few days, they had followed everyone all the way to Hengyang, enduring hardships and harboring deep hatred, all for this day.

He nodded: "Alright. Today, in front of all the guests, we will make the Qingcheng Sect pay for their crimes with their lives."

Wang, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), gritted his teeth and said, "I wish I could devour his flesh raw! Young镖师, when shall we go to the main hall?"

Before he finished speaking, two more people came out of the master bedroom.

It was Lin Zhennan and his wife.

Lin Zhennan walked to Shi Potian's side, patted him on the shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "Ping'er, let's go together and make Yu Canghai pay for his blood debt."

Lin Zhennan clasped his hands in a fist salute to Wang Biaotou and the others, and said in a deep voice:

"Brothers, I know you've all been through a lot these past few days. I know you're all eager to hear more, so I'd like to share some good news with you first."

Bai Er, always eager to please, asked, "What good news, Chief Escort? It's not that Yu Canghai suddenly died, is it? That's hardly good news."

Bai Er chuckled, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed.

Lin Zhennan pointed at Yuanfei Riyue and shouted:

"Yesterday, this righteous man from Japan killed Yu Canghai's son and cut off his head inside the Qunyu Courtyard."

Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in surprise, and the courtyard immediately erupted in chaos.

"What? Yu Canghai's son is dead?"

"Killed by this Japanese samurai?"

"Good! Well done! This is truly gratifying!"

Wang Biaotou and Ma San, both dressed in hemp clothing, clenched their fists and growled upon hearing this, their eyes red-rimmed.

"Heaven has eyes! Heaven has eyes! That Yu Canghai, who murdered over a hundred people from my Fuwei Escort Agency, will now taste the pain of losing his son!"

Chief镖师 Zheng, Chief镖师 Shi, and the others were also very pleased, feeling that the anger that had been building up for many days was finally released.

Bai Er slapped his thigh and laughed so hard he couldn't stop:

"Excellent! Excellent! When that old scoundrel Yu Canghai arrives, I'll tell him this good news first, and see if that old bastard can still maintain his airs as the leader of Qingcheng Sect!"

Ma San said bitterly, "Cutting him with one blow was too lenient for him; otherwise, I would have personally cut him into a thousand pieces."

Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiugetsu stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a firm and resounding voice:

"Chief Escort, Madam, a subject who has disgraced his lord must die! Yu Canghai's son has distorted the truth and insulted my lord; he deserves to die a thousand deaths! In my anger, I beheaded him with a single stroke. I beg your forgiveness, Chief Escort, and Madam, for my presumptuous action!"

Lin Zhennan was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, stepped forward and helped Sarutobi Higetsu up:

"Good! What a fitting end for a subject who dies when his lord is humiliated! Not only are you without fault, but you have rendered meritorious service! My entire Fuwei Escort Agency has suffered a terrible tragedy, and we were just looking for a way to vent our anger. With this strike, you have severed one of Yu Canghai's lifelines. It is truly gratifying!"

Madam Wang said, "A swordsman should be beheaded with a single stroke. You did a good job. Chief Escort Zheng, find a suitable sword for Sarutobi. A swordsman cannot be without a sword."

Sarutobi Hiyori, overwhelmed with gratitude, bowed deeply to the ground: "Your subordinate thanks you for your kindness, Madam! I would go through fire and water for your lord, even unto death!"

Zheng, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), immediately replied loudly, "Madam, rest assured, I will arrange it right away and select the sharpest and most suitable knife!"

The surrounding镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) were filled with both respect and excitement. No one had expected that a Japanese samurai from afar would be so subservient to their young镖头 (bodyguard/escort leader).

Lin Zhennan looked around at everyone, his expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice:

"Today, Liu Zhengfeng is retiring from martial arts, and all the members of the Five Mountains Sword Sect and the martial arts community are present. Yu Canghai invited us to settle our grudges, so we will definitely come. After losing his son, he will only become more insane."

He paused, his gaze falling on Shi Potian, and said with a look of satisfaction:

"Ping'er, the task of avenging our family rests entirely on you. Your father has faith in you."

Finally, the day had come. Shi Potian did not hesitate at all: "Reward the good and punish the evil. All disciples of the Qingcheng Sect who participated in the branch's killings must pay with their lives."

"Luo Renjie, Li Renhong, come out here!" Madam Wang shouted.

The two had already resigned themselves to their fate and hadn't had any other thoughts lately, obediently fulfilling their duty of leading the way. Hearing Madam Wang call, they quickly stepped out from behind the crowd.

With their martial arts skills completely sealed, their minds calmed down, and they no longer had the anxious state they used to be in.

The moment the thought of defecting to the enemy arises, the world suddenly seems vast.

This road is blocked; go and join the young镖头 (bodyguard/escort).

It's clear that there's nothing new under the sun; those who surrender always live the most comfortable lives.

Madam Wang stared coldly at the two of them, her expression filled with murderous intent:

"It's time to use you. Come with us. When the time comes, point out each of the disciples who participated in the massacre, and don't let a single one get away."

"If you dare to show favoritism, don't blame me for chopping off your heads."

Qu Feiyan smiled and said, "They wouldn't dare to show favoritism; I have plenty of ways to deal with it."

Luo Renjie and Li Renhong were both alarmed. They wondered what kind of tricks this girl of unknown origin had up her sleeve.

Li Renhong quickly pledged his loyalty:

"How dare we show favoritism when our fellow disciples have committed such heinous acts! Every Qingcheng disciple involved in the massacre must be identified without exception! We will not conceal anything!"

Madam Wang nodded in satisfaction.

As the sun rises in the east and the clouds disperse, the distant sounds of guests exchanging greetings can be faintly heard. The Liu residence is brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the grand ceremony of washing hands in the golden basin is about to begin.

"Let's go." Lin Zhennan waved his hand and took the lead.

The crowd followed closely behind.

As soon as the group stepped out of the courtyard gate, they were greeted by the Liu family's steward, who hurried over and bowed, saying:

"Chief镖头 Lin, Third Master Liu is already waiting in the main hall. Most of the seniors from the Five Mountains Sword Sect and heroes from all sides have arrived and are just waiting for the auspicious time."

Lin Zhennan nodded his thanks, and the group walked along the garden path toward the main hall. The path was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and servants of the Liu family were constantly moving about, all beaming with joy.

Before long, the main gate of the Liu residence came into view.

The hall was bustling with noise. Heroes from Shaolin, Wudang, the Five Mountains Sword Sects, and all walks of life had arrived, except for the Songshan Sect among the Five Mountains.

The members of the Fuwei Escort Agency were about to step into the hall.

Shi Potian paused in his steps.

At that very moment—

A sudden, violent shout came from behind, the voice so piercing and filled with boundless resentment:

"Lin Pingzhi! You killed my son!"