Chapter 264: Wild Laughter
Everyone looked toward the voice, and saw Lu Xian, Du Hui, Mei Yu, and Cui Dingzhi, the four Grandmasters, drifting over from afar. The one who spoke was none other than Lu Xian.
Although the four Grandmasters were as disheveled as Sun Yuanlang, no one dared treat their words as mere wind passing by their ears. Only Xiahou Bumie, the martial fanatic, still eyed Sun Yuanlang eagerly, itching for a fight.
“Old Four, stand down first.” Xiahou Bubai said in a low shout with a gloomy expression, his voice carrying a trace of unease.
Xiahou Bumie at least still listened to his brother. With reluctance on his face, he retreated to Xiahou Bubai’s side. The two coldly watched as the four Grandmasters approached.
Among the warriors surrounding Sun Yuanlang, there were disciples of the Cui Clan. Seeing Cui Dingzhi return safely, these people immediately became extremely excited. While shouting loudly, “Vice Sect Master is back, this is truly great, quickly go notify Sect Master Old Master!” they ran toward Cui Dingzhi.
Ever since a group of Grandmasters became trapped in the underground palace, the various clans had been thrown into chaos. Even now, several Sect Masters were still on Mount Mang, directing over a thousand laborers to dig through the mountain to rescue them, yet with minimal success. To this day, they still had no way to deal with those Dragon-Slaying Stones…
But neither the Imperial Court nor the various clans had any intention of stopping, because those trapped inside were their pillars of strength! Without Grandmasters to suppress destiny, whether the Imperial Court or the various clans, they would inevitably become objects for others to bully and prey upon!
This matter was simply too great and directly alarmed the Heavenly Master Dao. Even the contemporary Heavenly Master Xu Xuanji had brought people to provide support. Just now, Xu Xuanji sensed unusual activity suddenly appearing on the river surface here, so he came to investigate accompanied by the Xiahou brothers, and ended up running right into the newly escaped Sun Yuanlang…
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Seeing his clan members rushing toward him, Cui Dingzhi’s state of mind fluctuated slightly, but he then waved his hand, signaling them not to come forward.
Several Cui Clan members exchanged glances, having no choice but to stop in their tracks. They watched as Cui Dingzhi and the other three with Lu Xian walked toward the Xiahou brothers with expressionless faces. No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like they were coming to demand an explanation…
“Du Gonggong, Lu Vice Sect Master, it’s truly fortunate that you all are safe.” Facing the four with hostile expressions, Xiahou Bubai unusually became polite.
“Yes, it’s fortunate we didn’t die, but I’m afraid someone is thoroughly disappointed.” Mei Yu snorted coldly, her sarcasm nearly blatant.
“Indeed, those remnants of the previous dynasty plotted to assassinate us, but fortunately heaven protected us, and those thieves did not succeed.” Xiahou Bubai adopted an extremely humble posture. One must know that back in the cave, he couldn’t even be bothered to say a word to Mei Yu, let alone speak in such a nearly groveling manner.
What astonished everyone even more was that Sun Yuanlang, who had been hostile toward them, actually asked with concern about the four: “Have the others escaped as well?”
Lu Xian gave him a glance and said, “You were the last one out, why ask us?” Even if he was oblivious to social graces, he knew Sun Yuanlang was forcibly trying to build rapport, indicating that the stance between them had undergone a subtle shift.
“Thanks for Sect Leader Sun’s concern. Since even you didn’t die, we’re naturally alive and well.” At this moment, a bold laugh rang out over the Luo River. Five raggedly dressed men laughed heartily as they strode across the waves. That laughter carried boundless joy, both the relief of surviving a desperate situation and the delight of glimpsing the Great Road.
Although their words were harsh, anyone could tell these people harbored no killing intent toward Sun Yuanlang; instead, there was a strange sense of closeness.
When the five Grandmasters leaped ashore and stood before Sun Yuanlang and the four with Lu Xian, the ten Grandmasters looked at each other, then suddenly burst into earth-shaking laughter together.
“Hahahaha! This time, we can say we’ve defied heaven by half a move!” The ten Grandmasters laughed wildly without a care for others, doubling over, their laughter reaching the heavens, so much so that even the rushing Luo River seemed to pause. Even Mei Yu, who always minded her image, laughed like a madwoman, as if she had lost her mind.
The ten Grandmasters laughed together wildly. Even without deliberately using true force, it was still unbearable for ordinary people. Apart from Xu Xuanji and the two Xiahou brothers, whose brows furrowed tightly without being affected, even the several Earth Rank Grandmasters present had to seal their ears, their faces flushed red as they struggled to resist the impact of the sound waves. As for the Black Rank experts, they toppled over like drunken men, sprawling on the ground.
As for the few Yellow Rank ones present, they had all without exception fainted…
The ten Grandmasters laughed wildly for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before gradually reining in their laughter.
Seeing the Grandmasters of the Pei Clan, Cui Clan, and Xie Clan actually mingling with the others, Xiahou Bubai suppressed the fury in his heart and walked up to Pei Bang, preparing to greet this uncle of his.
Who would have thought that the hot-tempered Pei Bang, upon seeing Xiahou Bubai approach, would have his old face turn icy cold in an instant. He said in a deep voice, “Lord Xiahou, you owe our Pei Clan an explanation!”
“And our Cui Clan and Xie Clan!” Cui Dingzhi and Xie Ding also said without any politeness.
The anger in their hearts even surpassed that of Lu Xian, Zuo Yanqing, and the others, because they were allies of the Xiahou Clan, yet they had likely been betrayed and abandoned by their leading big brother.
“I was just about to explain to everyone.” Today’s Xiahou Bubai was like a changed man; no matter how others vented, he could suppress his anger. Clearly, the Xiahou Clan had deeply realized that if this incident wasn’t handled properly, the alliance they had painstakingly built would face the danger of falling apart.
“Then let’s hear what your clan has to say.” Pei Bang snorted, looking coldly at Xiahou Bubai.
“Everyone may not know yet, but that day in the cave, there were two other Grandmasters hiding.” Xiahou Bubai patiently explained, “They were Zhou Huang, the former Village Master of Bai Liu Village, and Huan Daoji, the former Grand Marshal of the Qian Dynasty!”
“Oh?” This was something none of the Grandmasters had anticipated. Xie Ding said somewhat skeptically, “Really?”
“How could there be a falsehood? That day, Grandmasters from the various clans gathered outside the cave, and they all personally saw those two escape from it. My Bumie went all out to block the two, but unfortunately a mountain collapse suddenly occurred, allowing them to escape scot-free!” At this point, Xiahou Bubai sneered, “Everyone should know that Bai Liu Village was exterminated by our Xiahou Clan, and the Third Prince Xiao Cheng of the previous dynasty died by this seat’s hand. Zhou Huan and the other have a blood feud with this seat; how could they possibly conspire with me?”
“Mm…” Pei Bang and his nephew, along with Cui Xie, nodded. This matter could be verified by asking around later; Xiahou Bubai couldn’t possibly lie. Pei Yuqiu asked sullenly, “Then what were they after by sneaking into the cave?”
“Of course, to ambush us!” Seeing the four relax somewhat, Xiahou Bubai’s suspended heart eased a bit. He glanced at Cui Xie and said in a deep voice, “Do you all still remember how the four of us split up to search for the mechanisms back then? This seat suddenly discovered uninvited guests and hurriedly gave chase, which is how I found Zhou Huan and the other in that central control room, where they had already activated the mechanisms.”
“I hurriedly ordered Bumie to capture the two while loudly warning you all.” Xiahou Bubai said with complete candor, “You should have heard it at the time, right?”
“Mm.” Everyone nodded; they had indeed heard the warning shout back then.
“We various clans share the same root and suffer together; how could this seat do something like cutting off my own limbs, which pains kin and delights enemies.” Xiahou Bubai said righteously, then added with a guilty expression, “This seat isn’t entirely blameless either. When I saw the Dragon-Slaying Stone falling, I didn’t stay behind to wait for you all. Thinking back on it afterward fills me with remorse, and I couldn’t sleep at night. Back then, I really should have stayed inside with you!”
At this point, Xiahou Bubai’s eyes reddened slightly. The supremely arrogant eagle of the Xiahou was actually about to shed tears.
