Chapter 130 Another Possibility

Chapter 130 Another Possibility

Cloud-Catching Hand Xu Ruoshen.

Xiaoyun had once mentioned that this person was an acquaintance of Yang Yizhi from his days in the martial world.

He was highly skilled in martial arts and had a noble character.

After joining the Iron Blood Escort Agency, it didn't take long for him to become Yang Yizhi's right-hand man.

Now, he had even become a figure akin to the head of the household in the Iron Blood Escort Agency.

But such a person was actually dead!?

Both Su Mo and Xiaoyun knew that Yang Yizhi and his group had gone to East City, along with the third leader of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, Wu Daoyou, planning to expand the alliance's territory from a different angle.

Logically, this mission should not have resulted in any casualties.

After all, if they truly intended to confront their enemies directly, why would Wu Daoyou go through so much trouble and take such a roundabout approach?

Wasn't it because the situation in East City was complex, and the Fallen Phoenix Alliance believed that attempting to force their way in through sheer might would be futile?

The two exchanged glances, and Xiaoyun's eyes betrayed a hint of urgency.

Su Mo held her hand, urging her to remain calm and listen to what the others had to say first.

Seeing this, Xiaoyun took a deep breath, suppressing her anxiety and listening attentively.

Someone immediately nodded in agreement as the discussion continued:

"Yes, Cloud-Catching Hand Xu Ruoshen, this person is indeed formidable. The name 'Cloud-Catching Hand' alone speaks volumes about his abilities."

"I've heard that he used to operate in East City, unaffiliated with any sect, but was known for his sense of justice and righteousness."

"In East City, he eliminated many bandits. The bandits even formed an alliance to capture him, raining down a barrage of hidden weapons, which he deflected with his bare hands, catching them effortlessly. If he could catch clouds in the sky, how much more so mere hidden weapons?"

"I've heard that too, but who would have thought that on this return trip to East City, he would be brutally murdered in an inn?"

"This trip was primarily for Yang Yizhi to work for Wu Daoyou and the Fallen Phoenix Alliance. It's said that he had already established connections with several sects in East City, and with Yang Yizhi mediating, Wu Daoyou's reputation within the alliance has soared."

"Initially, they were set to return victorious, but even Yang Yizhi couldn't have anticipated such an incident."

"Now, there are various speculations in the martial world. Some say he was ambushed by old enemies, while others suggest he stayed at a black inn. Yang Yizhi and the others sensed something amiss, but he was careless and failed to heed the chief escort's hints, ultimately being dismembered in the inn."

"The details will only be clear once Yang Yizhi returns to Sunset City. However, given the circumstances, they cannot just return now. With one of their men dying under mysterious circumstances, East City is likely to be thrown into chaos again by the Iron Blood Dragon Spear."

"To me, in recent years, Yang Yizhi's reputation in the Iron Blood Escort Agency has declined compared to before. Moreover, his current stance is overly biased... He even offered his daughter as a bargaining chip to ally with Wu Daoyou, which is despicable."

"The internal struggles within the Fallen Phoenix Alliance are intense, and his rash involvement is unwise."

Hearing this, Xiaoyun could no longer contain herself. Her face darkened, and she slammed her hand on the table.

"Enough!"

As a child, even if she had disagreements with her parents, she could not tolerate others speaking ill of them behind their backs.

Even if Yang Yizhi was duplicitous and untrustworthy, she, Xiaoyun, could criticize him, but she could not allow others to do so.

Her anger flared up instantly.

However, she managed to control herself. The table resounded with the force of her slap, and her anger was genuine, but she did not attack.

Unexpectedly, those gossiping nearby sneered: "Where did this little girl come from, daring to act so recklessly in front of us?"

"You look decent, but instead of staying hidden in your boudoir... you..."

Before he could finish, a whistling sound reached them in an instant.

Startled, the man instinctively raised his hand to block, only to feel a sharp pain. Looking down, he saw a chopstick piercing through his palm.

"Who?"

He was terrified. To use a chopstick as a projectile and pierce a hand required considerable internal strength.

He looked around, trying to identify any hidden experts near Xiaoyun.

Su Mo's gaze was cold: "When traveling, be careful what you say."

"It's you?"

The man's eyes flickered with uncertainty. Seeing Xiaoyun's companions, including Xiaochuan, standing up, he realized the situation was serious.

Su Mo's eyes gleamed with determination:

"So what if it's me?"

"..."

The man swallowed hard. Initially, he wanted to say something to save face, but now he knew his opponent was not to be trifled with.

However, having been hit, if he remained silent, his reputation would be ruined.

He laughed dryly: "What a bold young brat, venturing out without your elders? You know the dangers of loose lips... but you don't realize that today, you've brought trouble upon your elders."

"Bullshit!"

Yang Xiaoyun could no longer bear it; with a dragon's roar, the sharpness of her weapon suddenly revealed itself as a long spear appeared before the man’s face.

The man hurriedly dodged to the side and shouted, "This little wench has some skills, brothers, attack together."

The others in the group immediately rose, and Xiaochuan and the rest were about to join in.

But Su Mo waved his hand and said, "Let her handle it herself. This trip has been uneventful, and she hasn’t had a chance to show her prowess, which has left her feeling stifled. Now that someone is talking nonsense here, her mood naturally isn’t good. It’s better for her to vent than to hold it in. We’ll just watch and support her from here."

"Yes."

Xiaochuan and the others immediately responded.

Yang Xiaoyun, surrounded by several attackers, remained calm and composed.

Her Dragon Spring Spear was a segmented spear, combining three sections into one long spear, which could also be split into three parts.

At this moment, she held half the spear in one hand and a spear shaft in the other.

With continuous footwork, she evaded the opponent’s attacks and countered with a strike.

This move was somewhat brutal and unreasonable, leaving her opponent dazed and confused. In a moment of shock, he was pummeled by the spear shaft like a torrential rain.

In an instant, his head was covered in blood.

The others tried to come to his aid, but Yang Xiaoyun’s footwork was so intricate and elusive that they couldn’t catch any trace of her.

They circled around the beaten man until he finally collapsed. Then, Yang Xiaoyun moved on to the second person.

Occasionally, she would use a sophisticated technique from the Eight Desolations of the Azure Dragon Spear.

In a flash, she forced her opponents back.

In just a few moments, the hall was filled with bloodied and groaning men.

They cried out, "Please spare us, Miss! Please spare us!"

"We won’t dare again, we swear!"

Yang Xiaoyun still wasn’t satisfied and gave each of them another dozen hard blows, bruising their bodies and swelling their faces like pigs, finally venting her anger.

Turning around, she sat opposite Su Mo, picked up her teacup, took a sip, and slammed it down on the table with a loud thud:

"Feels great!!"

Su Mo nodded, indeed it did.

At that moment, Su Mo recalled the old days when Yang Xiaoyun, with her iron spear, swept through Sunset City with a decisive and forceful manner.

Times may change, but her character never would.

It was just that in front of him, this young lady had reined in her sharpness.

Looking up, he saw the men struggling to get up, some of them unable to open their eyes. They looked at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun and couldn’t help but ask:

"Who... who are you?"

"Blind fools!"

Xiaochuan stepped forward angrily, "This is our Ziyang Escort Agency’s Chief Escort, Su Mo!"

"Su Mo!?"

A name carries its reputation.

When the words "Chief Escort of Ziyang Escort Agency" were spoken, everyone present drew a sharp breath.

The battle at Profound Theory Valley was one of the most significant events in the southwestern martial world in recent decades.

Su Mo became famous through that battle, not reaching the peak of his career, but certainly making a stunning debut.

However, those men suddenly understood why they had been beaten.

Exchanging glances, the one still holding chopsticks managed to bow and said, "Then this... must be Miss Yang?"

"Hmph."

Yang Xiaoyun gave a cold snort, but her meaning was clear.

The men were immediately at a loss and immediately bowed, saying, "Alright, alright, today we were the ones who were disrespectful. Discussing Chief Escort Yang in front of Miss Yang, we deserved this beating. We don’t dare seek revenge. Please, Miss Yang, let us go."

"Get lost."

Yang Xiaoyun waved her hand.

The men immediately turned and left without another word.

In fact, speaking ill of Yang Yizhi in front of Yang Xiaoyun today, if she had killed them, it wouldn’t have been unjustified.

Just getting a beating, they should thank Yang Xiaoyun for her magnanimity in not using lethal force.

After this incident, the inn’s hall fell silent.

Su Mo simply pulled Yang Xiaoyun upstairs and had the waiter bring food and drink to their room, while the escort agency’s men continued to eat and drink in the hall.

Inside the room, the waiter carefully brought the wine and dishes and quickly left, closing the door behind him.

Su Mo poured a cup of tea for Yang Xiaoyun, "Don’t worry too much. Uncle Yang is a master of martial arts. Although East City is dangerous, it can’t stop him."

"I know."

Yang Xiaoyun sighed, "Just thinking about what those people said today still leaves me unsettled... Not because they spoke ill of Father, but because... sigh..."

She let out another long sigh at this point.

It's not the backbiting that one fears, but the truth in their words.

For a moment, Su Mo was at a loss for how to console her. He simply drank a few cups of tea with her and finally said:

"Once Uncle Yang returns from this trip, we'll hand over the items to him and have a good talk with him.

"I still can't believe that Uncle Yang would be the kind of person who betrays trust and honor. As his daughter, shouldn't you, Sister Xiaoyun, have more confidence in him than I, an outsider?"

Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo with a pleading gaze, "Do... do you really think so?"

"How could there be any doubt?"

Su Mo paused for a moment before saying, "Actually, I have another possibility in mind, though it has no basis. Telling you might help ease your mind."

"Oh?"

Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo, "Xiao Mo, you've always been wise and resourceful. Is there something I haven't considered?"

"Ah... Your temperament is much like Uncle Yang's; once you set your mind on something, even nine oxen couldn't pull you away.

"Think carefully about that day when you had such a big argument with Uncle Yang. What exactly was it about?"

"It was naturally because he betrayed his word, not only breaking past agreements but also allowing Wu Chenfeng to relentlessly pursue me! How could I not be angry?"

"Yes."

Su Mo nodded, "Your temper is as fiery as your principles, and you have a clear sense of right and wrong. Others might not understand your limits, but... having raised you, doesn't Uncle Yang know you well?"

"I've thought about that too."

Yang Xiaoyun said, "But he did allow Wu Chenfeng to pursue me and form an alliance with Wu Daoyou first. Once he took those actions, it was just a matter of whether he told me or not. That day, he just laid everything out."

"Have you considered why Uncle Yang kept it a secret before that?"

Su Mo continued, "And then suddenly laid everything out afterward?"

"That was because I kept going to Ziyang Escort Agency, and he finally reached his limit, realizing his dream of becoming kin with Wu Daoyou was impossible. So he just gave up... right?"

By the end, Yang Xiaoyun herself was unsure.

Earlier, she was driven by anger, focusing only on how unreasonable Yang Yizhi had been. Now, after some time had passed and with this reminder, she became more calm, thinking it over and frowning again:

"This... seems a bit off."

"Yes."

Su Mo nodded, "Wu Chenfeng had already made his stance clear, retreating when you and I were around. Uncle Yang, with a temperament as fiery as yours, must have known this news long ago.

"Even before Wu Chenfeng's message reached you, he might have known.

"If he wanted to give up, why wait until now?

"Yet, despite all this, he still allowed you to travel with me on the escort mission.

"Why did he suddenly fly into a rage after I gained some recognition in Profound Theory Valley?"

"This..."

Yang Xiaoyun frowned, "But he did those things, didn't he?"

"Still, a father knows his daughter best."

Su Mo shook his head, "Uncle Yang knows your character very well. Even if he tacitly allowed Wu Chenfeng to pursue you, would you really have agreed? Do you remember when we discussed their intentions?"

"Feigning one path while taking another!"

Yang Xiaoyun's lips twitched, "It can't really be like that, can it?"

"This is actually the most reasonable explanation."

Su Mo said, "If I were in his position, with a future son-in-law who is a hopeless case, what would I do? Whether to break the engagement aside, I would have to consider my daughter's future. Even if you were determined to stay with me, a hopeless case, if there was the support of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance behind us, our lives wouldn't be too hard.

"After I gained some recognition in Profound Theory Valley, Uncle Yang suddenly acted, causing you to leave Iron Blood Escort Agency and come with me...

"On the surface, he drove you out of Iron Blood Escort Agency, but in reality, he pulled you out from under the internal struggles of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, allowing you to stand on your own.

"Afterward, he had no more reservations, leading to this trip to East City.

"Doesn't this seem reasonable?"

"This... is it really like that?"

Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo, her eyes full of hope.

Su Mo smiled, "Why don't we wait until Uncle Yang returns from East City, and you ask him yourself? You and he share a deep bond, relying on each other for years. If you ask directly, he surely won't hide anything from you."

"Alright."

Yang Xiaoyun nodded, "If it's true, I'll ask him myself."

Her expression brightened as she spoke.

She didn't blame Su Mo for having these thoughts without telling her earlier.

After all, it was just a guess, with no solid evidence.

At that time, she was so angry that she wouldn't listen to anything.

But now, bringing it up is just right.

Therefore, not only does she not blame him, but she also feels that Su Mo has thought things through and always considers her, which warms her heart.

"Hmm."

After thinking for a moment, Su Mo said, "However, if you really want to know the truth, it would be best not to go in openly, but to secretly investigate the Iron Blood Escort Agency at night."

Yang Xiaoyun was taken aback, about to say, do I have to sneak back into my own home?

But then she understood; if Yang Yizhi truly wanted to keep them out of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance conflict, going back openly might not get her any answers.

It could even lead to another confrontation.

She sighed, "Xiao Mo, your mind is much more delicate than mine."

"I can't help it. You're so straightforward, so I have to be more meticulous. That's what we call complementary."

Su Mo smiled.

Yang Xiaoyun's lips curved slightly, a hint of sweetness in her eyes. After a soft sigh, she shook her head:

"Father takes the Fallen Phoenix Alliance too seriously. Although it is indeed significant, I still believe that your future achievements will be boundless."

"Why do you always have such confidence in me?"

Su Mo was a bit puzzled; Yang Xiaoyun's confidence in him seemed to surpass his own.

"In the past, I didn't have this confidence, but the longer I spend with you, the more I am convinced of this."

Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo, "I trust you more than I trust myself."

This wasn't exactly a sweet nothings, but hearing it made one's heart warm.

Yang Xiaoyun came back to her senses, instinctively lowering her head, then picked up her chopsticks and placed a chicken leg on Su Mo's plate, "Eat, eat."

"I'm already full."

"You haven't eaten yet."

"Haven't you heard of the phrase 'beauty can be savored'?"

"…If you keep this up, I won't talk to you anymore."

In that instant, the bold and spirited Yang Xiaoyun hid again, and the girl before him, with her coy smile, was simply captivating.