Chapter 903 - 869: Attending the Meeting Alone with Only a Blade

Xiahou Zun said, "This person is indeed formidable, where exactly does he come from?"

Cao Mulan replied, "Currently, he is the director of the administrative office at Dongzhou Infectious Disease Hospital. Oh right, he’s also a successor of Huichun Hall."

"Huichun Hall? I’ve never heard of it." Xiahou Zun had no impression of Huichun Hall, which wasn’t surprising considering its influence was mainly in the Dongzhou Region.

Cao Mulan explained, "Huichun Hall is a rather famous medical clinic in Dongzhou, and the person who practiced there was Xu Chunliang’s grandfather, Xu Changshan."

Xiahou Zun, still puzzled, said, "I’ve never heard of such a person in Jianghu, could he also be from the Pimen Sect?"

Cao Mulan said, "Xu Changshan was not from Pimen. He was quite famous locally, but he has since shut down Huichun Hall and retired. Strangely, he did not pass Huichun Hall to his descendants."

At this moment, Hongxiu woke from unconsciousness, her throat making hoarse sounds. Cao Mulan approached her, "Hongxiu!"

Hongxiu’s eyes were filled with confusion, and her face, bruised and swollen, showed a silly grin as if she no longer recognized who she was.

Cao Mulan asked, "Father, do you think she can be cured?"

Xiahou Zun shook his head, "To untie the bell, you need the person who tied it. Xu Chunliang’s acupuncture technique is extremely enigmatic. I want to meet him." He was somewhat self-aware; Hongxiu’s madness was due to an external force, and he didn’t have the ability to heal her.

Cao Mulan looked at her father in surprise. Ever since he secluded himself, he had seen no one except her; why was he acting out of character today? Could it be he had made a significant breakthrough?

Cao Mulan said, "This person is particularly treacherous and shameless, why do you want to see him?"

Xiahou Zun said, "Such acupuncture should not exist in the world today."

Cao Mulan felt strange in her heart. What did her father mean by this? Could it be that Xu Chunliang’s acupuncture was superior to his?

Hua Zhuyue glanced at her wristwatch. An hour and a half had passed since Cao Mulan left. She couldn’t help but ask, "Should we keep waiting?"

Xu Chunliang nodded, "Good things are worth waiting for, be patient."

Hua Zhuyue reclined her car seat as well, imitating Xu Chunliang by lying down.

They locked eyes, and Xu Chunliang chuckled mischievously.

Hua Zhuyue asked, "What’s so funny?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I realized we both have the potential to be actors. Yesterday, we cooperated perfectly and convincingly fooled Cao Mulan."

Hua Zhuyue said, "I’m not as good at that as you. I’ve told you to pretend nothing happened, so why bring it up again?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "You really don’t mind?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "I don’t even remember anything happening."

Xu Chunliang pursed his lips, "Want me to remind you?"

Hua Zhuyue saw his playful gaze and guessed what he intended, but instead of being wary, she seemed curious, asking in a low voice, "How do you plan to remind me?"

Xu Chunliang placed his hand on her slender waist, "First, my hand was here, then it moved here."

"No, your hand was clearly here, um..."

The phone’s ringtone interrupted Xu Chunliang’s wandering hand, startling Hua Zhuyue into sitting up as if caught in the act, her pretty face flushing with embarrassment. Being alone with this guy had become somewhat unsafe, as he grew increasingly bold. However, this feeling was rather amusing.

Xu Chunliang glanced at the phone screen and remarked, "Told you I’d be right."

He answered with speaker on, and Cao Mulan’s voice came through, "Xu Chunliang, where are you?"

Xu Chunliang looked at Hua Zhuyue, who leaned on his shoulder, and said, "I’m on my way back. Why, you miss me already?"

Cao Mulan gritted her teeth, "I wish you’d drop dead."

Xu Chunliang replied, "I can’t die just yet. Not having an heir is the greatest form of filial piety. If I died, how could such superior genes be passed on? I should spread the lineage of Old Xu Family first before considering death; otherwise, wouldn’t it be a great loss to society?"

Upon hearing this, Cao Mulan was startled. Was he hinting at something? From her calculations, it was precisely her ovulation period these days. Could it be she had coincidentally conceived?

Even though her father, Xiahou Zun, assured her she was still a virgin of the mysterious yin body, Cao Mulan didn’t believe it. She trusted her intuition more than her father’s meridian-based judgment.

Remembering her father’s instructions, she restrained her anger and said, "What exactly did you do to Hongxiu?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Whatever I did to you, I did to her."

"You..." Cao Mulan cursed inwardly. How could there be such a shameless person in this world? Could it be that he did the same to Hongxiu... She dared not think further. If Xu Chunliang really did that, wouldn’t he be a demon reincarnated?

Xu Chunliang said, "What exactly do you want from me?"

Cao Mulan said, "My father wants to meet you."

Xu Chunliang said, "What does he want to see me for? Are we still in those times where I have to take responsibility for such trivial matters? Are you and your father making a fuss over nothing?"

Hua Zhuyue nearly laughed aloud listening to him tease Cao Mulan, lightly biting Xu Chunliang’s ear.

Cao Mulan said, "Coward, I won’t stop until I kill you."

Xu Chunliang hung up the phone, and Hua Zhuyue whispered in his ear, "You don’t have to worry, I’m not making you responsible."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Hua, you’re wrong about that. Aren’t you supposed to be responsible for me?"

Cao Mulan underestimated Xu Chunliang’s courage. It wasn’t long before Xu Chunliang drove back to the planting base, which meant he hadn’t left Qiaocheng at all.

This time, Xu Chunliang came alone. Although he was confident he could retreat safely, he made thorough preparations, letting Hua Zhuyue provide cover outside in case of any unexpected changes.

The momentum of the sect may not be as strong as before, but this was still Sect Leader Xiahou Zun’s territory.

As soon as Xu Chunliang’s car appeared, someone reported to Cao Mulan. Cao Mulan ordered her men to quickly set things up. She had been overshadowed by Xu Chunliang before, and this time she resolved to regain her footing. Despite her resolve, she didn’t know how to hit Xu Chunliang where it hurt.

Xu Chunliang drove all the way without obstruction and arrived at the garden where Cao Mulan stayed. As soon as he got out of the car, he saw a dump truck reversing and crashing into his Audi A6.

Xu Chunliang watched helplessly as his car was smashed beyond recognition. The driver was a bearded man who had the audacity to smile at him after causing the damage.

Cao Mulan evidently wanted to give him a show of force, but to retaliate in such a manner was too childish. Xu Chunliang looked at the damaged Audi and sighed inwardly—it was a public car, and today he must get the compensation back.

Xu Chunliang shook his head and walked into the courtyard, where two young women guarded the entrance. They immediately stepped aside upon seeing him.

Xu Chunliang walked into the Hundred Herbs Hall, and the sound of a blade cutting through the air echoed. It was Cao Mulan swinging a knife at him. Xu Chunliang stepped back to dodge the strike, realizing from her strength and speed that she wasn’t aiming to kill him, at least for now.

Cao Mulan missed her strike, then swung horizontally with the backhand. Xu Chunliang moved his steps, disappearing before her. Before she could turn, he had already grabbed her wrist from behind.

Cao Mulan bent her left arm to elbow backwards, but Xu Chunliang grabbed her left arm and twisted it, causing her to lean forward in pain, her back arching up. Xu Chunliang grabbed her long knife with his right hand and fiercely struck her raised buttocks with the flat of the blade: "You won’t learn unless you’re taught a lesson."

Cao Mulan felt the burning pain and almost cried out.

Xu Chunliang gave her a push, and she staggered several steps forward before steadying herself, her heart boiling with anger. She had been slapped twice by him before, and now he struck her with a knife. Even her father hadn’t treated her like this. She turned to lunge at Xu Chunliang: "I’ll fight you to the death..."

Xu Chunliang wouldn’t give her a chance to get close. The knife tip pointed at Cao Mulan’s throat, forcing her to stop abruptly. If she continued to rush forward, she’d likely be skewered by the blade.

A coughing sound came from behind the screen: "Mr. Xu, my daughter’s rashness offended you, and I hope for your understanding."

Xiahou Zun, with white hair and a beard, emerged from behind the screen. Xu Chunliang had sensed his presence from the moment he entered the Hundred Herbs Building. He didn’t think the sect would set up a trap for him; after experiencing several setbacks, they would surely reconsider the consequences of opposing him.

Xu Chunliang flicked his right hand, channeling inner strength into the long knife. With a clanging sound, the blade split into two, broken by his inner strength.

The purpose of Xu Chunliang’s display was to establish dominance, to show the father and daughter his prowess, stopping them from playing tricks.

Cao Mulan, seeing the broken knife, felt a pang of despair. He was so strong that she was no match for him. At this rate, she didn’t know when she would be able to avenge herself.

Xiahou Zun was taken aback too. How could someone so young possess such strong inner strength? No wonder his daughter suffered in his hands.

Xu Chunliang smiled amiably, "This knife has a poor steel quality."

Xiahou Zun said, "Mulan, prepare the tea!"

Xiahou Zun invited Xu Chunliang to take a seat, leaving Cao Mulan puzzled. Why did her father treat him as a distinguished guest? Did her father also believe he hadn’t violated her? The more she thought, the more wronged she felt. Some things can’t be judged by pulse alone. She could feel it.

When Cao Mulan grudgingly went to make tea, she instinctively rolled up her sleeves and surprisingly found that the guardian sand, which had once vanished, reappeared. Cao Mulan thought she was mistaken, blinking hard, but the blood-red guardian sand was unmistakably there.

How could this be? Last night, Xu Chunliang had clearly defiled her virginity. Was her father right? Had he used some means to create a false impression? No, my time hadn’t come; where had the blood come from? That tearing pain wasn’t just my imagination, was it?

The second update is posted, just to say that tomorrow’s update will be in the evening, and I’ll strive to finish writing it in the afternoon.