Chapter 11

The Lin family's old house was situated in Xiangyang Lane, a typical traditional residence in Fuzhou. It consisted of three sections and had a roof adorned with delicate tiles, indicating that before Lin Jiayuan Tugong amassed his fortune, the Lin family belonged to the middle class. Despite their subsequent wealth and relocation to the Fuwei Escort, the old house remained untouched. The surroundings were overgrown with luxuriant grass, rubble covered the ground, and years of fallen leaves added to the desolate atmosphere. Only the courtyard boasted majestic trees, casting a soothing shade and leading to secluded paths.

The tranquility of the late spring afternoon was suddenly shattered by a cacophony of footsteps from all directions. A multitude of Jianghu masters, donned in diverse attire but acting in unison, surrounded the old house of the Lin family. Yu Canghai, wearing a somber expression, strode into the premises, treading upon the accumulated leaves.

"Brother Yue, why trouble yourself searching through this dusty place? Allow me, your brother, to lend a hand," Yu Canghai projected his voice, infused with internal energy, into the house. However, the neighbors on the other side of the wall could not discern his words clearly.

No response emanated from within the house.

Infuriated, Yu Renyan unsheathed his sword and attempted to proceed forward.

Apprehensive about Yue Buqun's martial prowess, Yu Canghai intervened, halting him momentarily, before emitting a resounding laughter, "Brother Yue, you possess remarkable elegance. Although you have never taken the imperial examination, I, Shorty Yu, have wandered the Jianghu for many years. A few mere words won't dissuade me. Today, with hundreds of disciples from the Qingcheng faction present, even with your mastery of Zixia and Huashan swordsmanship, you remain unmatched. I advise you to reconsider and prevent any harm to the harmony between our Qingcheng and Huashan factions!"

Du Yu, hidden at a distance, breathed a sigh of relief.

His suspicions had proven correct; Yue Buqun had indeed arrived at the Lin family's old house and was poised to seize the sword manual. Consequently, his earlier deduction appeared plausible: the adventurer who joined the Qingcheng faction had been swayed by Yue Buqun, revealing the precise location of the evil sword manual.

However, this revelation led to further speculation. If adventurers from the Qingcheng School were capable of seeking the evil sword manual, could disciples from the Shaolin Temple, the Wudang School, the Hengshan School's Five Poison Sect, the Haiyan Gang, and even the middle-aged white tiger elephant or the rabbit Yunhao girl also leak or sell information?

Du Yu remained vigilant, considering the possibility of other formidable individuals covertly observing the situation.

He still harbored one question: if the adventurer could inform Yue Buqun from the outset, why did Yue Buqun choose to seize the sword manual only now?

Within a month, adventurers had limited involvement in the plot, and the evil sword manual was an essential item for their missions. It was conceivable that spatial restrictions hindered Yue Buqun and other informed individuals, compelling them to wait until their arrival in Fuzhou before making a move. Otherwise, they could only watch helplessly, awaiting their demise.

The concept of space did not present mortal missions without providing opportunities. Success hinged on one's strength and seizing the moment.

Du Yu focused his attention on the confrontation between Yue Buqun and Yu Canghai.

Yu Canghai sneered, "Brother Yue, it is a pity that you never took the imperial examination. However, Shorty Yu has roamed the Jianghu for numerous years. How can a few words deter me? Today, with hundreds of Qingcheng disciples present, even with your Zixia and Huashan swordsmanship, you cannot best my disciples and grandchildren! I advise you to retreat and spare the harmony between our Qingcheng and Huashan factions!"

Du Yu observed Yue Buqun closely, noting no conspicuous bulge on his chest or beneath his clothes. It appeared that he had not yet located Yuan Tugong's cassock, which put Du Yu at ease. This item was a treasure of the Lin family, and it likely held significant value in the realm of space. It would not be casually left unattended for anyone to claim. The description in the novel seemed improbable. Thus, thoroughly inspecting the Lin family's old house was necessary to yield any results.

Yue Buqun's countenance grew somber. He had acquired the precise whereabouts of the evil sword manual from an adventurer named Qingkong during the Qi Wang Conference. In exchange, Yue Buqun furnished him with a copy of the Huashan School's "The Thirteen Swords of the Jade Girl" and a small red pill capable of enhancing one's skills for three months. This information was relayed to Yu Canghai as an internal informant.

Originally, Yue Buqun had planned to pilfer the sword manual earlier. However, the past month had been fraught with significant events. Master Fangzheng of the Shaolin Temple and Daoist Chongxu of the Wudang School had successively requested his presence, arousing his suspicions. Finally liberated and arriving in Fuzhou, Yu Canghai unexpectedly discovered the sword manual's whereabouts and led hundreds of individuals to the location.

Yue Buqun seethed with frustration. He realized that he should have brought more reinforcements. Smirking, he said, "Brother Yu, do you believe victory hinges solely on quantity? I shall accompany you to the very end!"

Before he could finish his sentence, sounds of galloping hooves and people approaching emanated from the distance. Lin Zhennan, Mrs. Wang, and Lin Pingzhi surged forward with numerous guards, brandishing steel weapons. They shouted, "Who dares to harbor ill intentions toward my Lin family?"

Upon sighting Yue Buqun and Yu Canghai, Lin Zhennan exclaimed, "Master Yue, Master Yu!"

Aware that these two were preeminent masters of the martial arts world, Lin Zhennan grew apprehensive. "Are they also here to seize the evil sword manual?"

Just as Yu Canghai was about to speak, Yue Buqun chuckled, "Brother Zhennan, your timing couldn't be better. I was just persuading Sect Master Yu not to intrude upon your old house of the Lin family. He claimed to have brought his disciples to Fuzhou for a visit, and how could he not pay a visit to the Lin family's old house? You, as the proprietor, should persuade him accordingly."

With a swift change in the conversation, Yue Buqun shifted the responsibility of Yu Canghai's attempted acquisition of the sword manual to Lin Zhennan.

A stalemate ensued between the two factions, each consisting of hundreds of people.

Amidst this, Du Yu sneered inwardly. How could he capitalize on the chaotic situation?

He whispered to Tian Boguang, "Brother, there's an opportunity to acquire the seventy-two evil sword manuals!"

Tian Boguang's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Really?"

"Yue Buqun, Yu Canghai, and Lin Zhennan are locked in a standoff. Why hesitate?"

"Very well! This can't be false!"

"Brother, if

 you can steal the seventy-two evil sword manuals and master the peerless martial arts of Yuan Tugong from the past, what will be beyond your reach? Which school of righteous women will remain beyond your grasp?" Du Yu's smile took on a devilish quality.

Tian Boguang chuckled, "If I succeed, I owe it to you!"

He vanished into the treetops.

As the most renowned thief, Tian Boguang excelled in stealing women, let alone material possessions.

Yilin stood atop the tree, face-to-face with Du Yu.

Observing Tian Boguang's departure, Du Yu quietly asked Yilin, "Little Master, did you carry out the task I entrusted you with last night?"

Yilin giggled, "What do you need that for? Do you plan to become a monk?"

Du Yu forced a smile, "My dear Little Master Yilin, your parents were a monk and a nun. Now you are a nun. If I don't become a monk, how will I ever find a suitable match..."

Yilin blushed, throwing a package at Du Yu in anger before turning away, ignoring his presence.

Du Yu collected the package, sighing sadly.

Although Yilin was angered by his frivolous remarks, her curiosity as a young girl couldn't help but be piqued. She turned back, questioning, "Why are you sighing?"

Du Yu mustered a forced smile, "To be honest... everything I did was to deceive Tian Boguang and make him leave..."

"The despicable scoundrel has departed?" Yilin suddenly comprehended, her surprise evident. "You went through all this trouble to save me?"

Du Yu nodded solemnly, "I simply couldn't bear the thought of parting ways with you. But if you had stayed, you would have inevitably fallen victim to that scoundrel. Master Yilin, it is best for you to leave swiftly!"

A surge of excitement flushed Yilin's face. Had it not been for the strict rules and regulations governing her order, she would have rushed over and embraced Du Yu, expressing her gratitude for saving her life. Yet, upon witnessing Du Yu's crestfallen expression, Yilin's mind raced. "If I take this opportunity to leave, and the vile Tian Boguang returns to find me missing, what will you do?"

Du Yu forced a smile, "As long as I can save you, what does it matter if I'm torn to pieces by the thief?"

Yilin's heart weighed heavily, tears welling up in her crystalline eyes. When Du Yu uttered those words, it was evident he had resolved to sacrifice himself to ensure her escape from the clutches of evil!