13 Gongsun Manor (1/2)
Nangong Le was looking pale as he walked in the streets. Even though Priest Ling Kongquan wanted to support him but Nangong Le refused.
Priest Ling Kongquan was surprised that Nangong Le could continue to walk so dignifiedly despite breaking his ribs.
He asked, ”Are you really alright?”
Nangong Le smiled bitterly, ”What do you think?”
Priest Ling Kongquan managed an awkward smile, ”You really can smile. I have heard that you been practicing the Exuberant Divine Skill for more than ten years now. That is indeed a most extraordinary inner martial skill.”
Actually Nangong Le was feeling real awful and miserable now. But he had to maintain his refine mannerism and his dignity for the congregation. He did not want his enemies and opponents to know that he was injured.
All of a sudden, Nangong Le began to increase his walking pace much to the surprise of Priest Ling Kongquan. It was as though his injuries had suddenly vanished!
Nangong Le was heading towards a handsome young man and an alluring beautiful lady in white. In fact, it seemed that the entire street was also looking in their direction!
A handsome young man with a charismatic aura with a white long sword walked down the street. If anyone were to look into his face, it seemed to be glowing and untainted with malice. He was pleasing to look at and caused everyone to remember that there was still righteousness and goodness in the world.
As for the alluring maiden that was beside him, was like a fairy maiden that had descended upon the mortal realm. She was extremely beautiful and graceful. Even though she was very pale and white, she was filled with vitality. Her smiles were wondrous and piercing, everyone instantly thought she was amicable and intimate, an illusion that caused everyone to think that she alone was smiling and friendly to them alone.
They were indeed Yi Ping and Ji Lingfeng.
When Yi Tianxing had left the valley to visit the grave of his late wife Shui Yichi, he warned them not to look for Gongsun Bai and instead spent the time to practice hard on their martial skills until he was back.
Yi Ping and Ji Lingfeng knew that he would be away for at least six months.
So when Ji Lingfeng had said to him, ”In a few days, there will be a huge gathering hosted by none other than Gongsun Bai himself. With so many people, there is no better time than this to sneak into the Gongsun Manor amidst the confusion. What more, we can take the opportunity to embarrass him in front of the heroes of the martial fraternity.”
He had asked her, ”How did you know and what is your purpose of going there?”
She said, ”I was already aware of it three months ago. Moreover, this gathering is not a secret and almost everyone in the fraternity knows about it. I want to attend the gathering and if possible, to disrupt it. However I am acting alone as my brother disapproves of it. The orthodox pugilists would probably fight for leadership and it is an excellent opportunity for me to witness their martial skills so that I can forewarn my brother.”
With that in mind, they had set off hurriedly for the Gongsun Manor.
He turned to ask her in a low voice, ”You say that today is the day the Gongsun Clan will host a grand congregation that invites the majority of the orthodox fraternity. And it is the best time to infiltrate into the residency of the Gongsun Clan and to kill Gongsun Bai. Why is that as soon as we entered the town, we seem to be monitored? Have they already known of our plans or because they know who you are?”
Ji Lingfeng smiled and said endearingly, ”I have never walked in the martial fraternity before. It is not possible for anyone to have ever seen or heard of me. Look at you, getting nervous even before we are there. To be honest, we don't have any invitations. Even though the number of pugilists and renowned people that have been invited are numerous, the Gongsun Clan will be vigilant against strangers and will not allow any heretic and unorthodox exponents into the gathering.”
Yi Ping growled softly, ”You are the one that says that there will be confusion with so many people and there is no better opportunity to sneak in than this.”
Ji Lingfeng was smiling at him endearingly, ”I have thought that we may be able to sneak into the Gongsun Manor but look at all the attention we are getting. Now I don't think it is possible now.”
Yi Ping asked, ”Then how?”
Ji Lingfeng said, ”We just have to try our luck and look for an opportunity.”
All of a sudden, Yi Ping halted his steps. It was because he suddenly saw a refine man approaching him. Behind him was a middle age priest in his fifties.
The refine man bowed respectfully with his hands and asked, ”I apologize for interrupting. Are you going to the Gongsun Manor as well?”
Even though he was bowing respectfully, his eyes had never left Ji Lingfeng.
Yi Ping was forthright and he answered without hesitation, ”That's right.”
Perhaps the refine man sensed that he was not being recognized or being look upon favorably by Yi Ping and Ji Lingfeng, so he quickly said, ”Alas, what a coincident! I too, am going there. I apologize again for intruding all of a sudden. I, Nangong Le, enjoy making friends from all over the fraternity. May I have the honor of knowing your name and this maiden?”
Who had never heard of Nangong Le the Joyous from the Nangong Aristocracy Clan? He was one of the four most influential and renowned young masters of the martial fraternity and was destined for greater things in the future. Among the four young masters of the martial fraternity, he was said to be the richest and his wealth rivaled that of the imperial treasury.
Nangong Le pointed to Priest Ling Kongquan and said, ”This is Priest Ling Kongquan. He is a prominent elder of the Tranquil City.”
Priest Ling Kongquan was startled at how spirited Nangong Le was. Just a moment ago, he was looking so pale and weak. He sighed to himself, ”Is that how he got his nickname of Nangong Le the Joyous?”
Yi Ping simply said, ”I am Yi Ping.” He did not introduce Ji Lingfeng or appeared to be interested in the conversation.
Nangong Le was slightly startled. Usually when he announced his name, everyone would be trying to flatter him and be acquainted with him. But this young man did not appear to be interested.
Nangong Le awkwardly said, ”Young hero must be someone who comes from a renowned clan or an established orthodox clan to be invited to the Gongsun Manor. May I have the honor to know your illustrious background?”
Ji Lingfeng smiled and said, ”My younger protégé brother Yi Ping is the son of the Yi Tianxing. We don't have any invitations from the Gongsun Clan. But because Gongsun Bai was the sworn brother of our protégé master, we thought of paying him a visit. That is all.”
Nangong Le was startled that Yi Ping was the son of the Great hero Yi Tianxing who had seemingly disappeared from the martial fraternity twenty-five years ago. His exploits were many and till today, was often mentioned by many. He was even more startled that this maiden took the initiative to talk with him.
So he thought, ”Is she also interested in me? That is excellent! So she is the older protégé sister of this Yi Ping. This must be their first time that they are traveling in the fraternity. They seem to lack caution.”
So he said amicably, ”I have heard of the exploits of the Great Hero Yi Tianxing. In all my life, I have only admired him!”
When he noticed that Yi Ping's eyes had shone, he quickly added, ”Today I can be acquainted with his descendant, I am greatly honored! If I am born twenty years earlier, I might have the opportunity to be acquainted with this legendary hero…alas!”
Yi Ping said respectfully, ”My father will be pleased to know that!”
Even Priest Ling Kongquan had heard of the renown of Yi Tianxing and he quickly said, ”Young hero, you are the son of Great Hero Yi? I am Priest Ling Kongquan. I enjoying making friends and if young hero did not feel I am unworthy, we can be friends too.”
Yi Ping quickly said, ”The Tranquil City is a renowned clan in the fraternity. It is my honor to be acquainted with you instead.”
Ling Kongquan smiled and said, ”That is my honor as well. Is your father well? The martial fraternity has not heard of him for a long time.”
Yi Ping sighed, ”It is a long story. Maybe I can share with you later.”