System: I Can Open Martial Arts Chests

Chapter 139 - 102: Night’s End (Part 2)

This battle lasted a long time, and midway through, Chu Qing asked Bian City and Mo Duxing to escort Gentle back.

He himself, along with Cao Qiupu and Fang Tianrui’s Righteous Alliance, stormed into the Divine Blade Hall.

By the time the Divine Blade Hall was completely subdued, the east had already begun to brighten.

The slaughter of the night finally came to an end.

When Chu Qing once again stepped out of the Divine Blade Hall and onto the street, all he could see was desolation.

Fang Tianrui’s voice came from behind:

"The Martial World has been in chaos for years, and it’s always the common people who suffer.

"Those who practice martial arts are far stronger than ordinary people... Any master can easily overpower them and take whatever they want."

Chu Qing reached out as a light rain unknowingly began to fall.

He said softly:

"Now that Alliance Leader Fang has fulfilled his ambitions and taken over the Divine Blade Hall, the Righteous Alliance’s momentum should be like the sun at noon.

"However, Alliance Leader Fang must remember the promise you made to me.

"Take good care of these people and don’t let them suffer such pain again.

"Otherwise..."

He slightly turned the Single Saber in his hand, the unspoken words were already clear.

Fang Tianrui nodded earnestly:

"Please rest assured, Third Young Master. Fang Tianrui dares to do anything in this lifetime, but never to break a promise."

"Good."

Chu Qing nodded:

"I will go back to rest for a while and will be leaving Divine Blade City by noon today."

Fang Tianrui hesitated for a moment and said:

"Third Young Master, your martial arts are unparalleled, and your grace last night was truly admirable.

"More importantly, you have a chivalrous heart and are compassionate.

"May I ask if the Third Young Master would be willing to work with me?

"Fang Tianrui is willing to offer you the position of Deputy Alliance Leader, and in the Righteous Alliance, besides me, you would be the highest.

Chu Qing shook his head:

"I have no interest in such matters, but thank you for your kindness, Alliance Leader Fang."

"Very well, a gentleman does not force others."

Fang Tianrui clasped his fists and said:

"Please feel free, Third Young Master."

After speaking, he bowed to Cao Qiupu and then turned back into the Divine Blade Hall.

Cao Qiupu withdrew his gaze from Fang Tianrui and looked at Chu Qing:

"Does the Third Young Master really not consider joining the Righteous Alliance? In recent years, the Righteous Alliance has developed rapidly, and Dragon Spear Fang Tianrui is ambitious. From his behavior last night, he might achieve something great in the future."

Chu Qing shook his head:

"I like to roam the Martial World and don’t want to confine myself to one place.

"Isn’t that the case with you as well, Hero Cao? Otherwise, why didn’t Fang Tianrui even ask?"

"Hahaha."

Cao Qiupu burst into laughter:

"Perhaps it’s because my notorious reputation precedes me?"

"I don’t know about Hero Cao’s notoriety, but if you don’t control Brother Bai soon, his infamous reputation might spread throughout the Martial World."

Chu Qing said with a hint of a smile.

Cao Qiupu’s face soured, and he said bitterly:

"I really can’t control that rascal."

"By the way, how is Brother Bai after bringing that Ling Fei girl last night?"

Chu Qing said casually:

"What does Hero Cao plan to do regarding the girl?"

Suddenly, Cao Qiupu seemed a bit solemn and sighed lightly:

"The Third Brother has sharp eyes; you must have already noticed.

"She and I are old acquaintances... but we’ve been apart for many years, and I never expected we’d meet again under such circumstances last night."

"So it is."

Chu Qing nodded:

"An old flame?"

"Not really... just childhood friends who often visit my dreams."

Cao Qiupu spoke quite frankly:

"I imagine she’s endured a lot over the years..."

"So, what does Hero Cao plan to do?"

"I don’t really know... I’ll take it one step at a time."

Cao Qiupu seemed a little undecided.

Chu Qing then shrugged, thinking about childhood sweethearts meeting again in a brothel.

Hero Cao’s heart is filled with bitterness... but he won’t say it.

In any case, others have no room to comment on such matters, so Chu Qing simply clasped his fists and said:

"In that case, I won’t delay Hero Cao from meeting his lady. Let us part ways here."

"...The Third Brother is teasing me again."

Cao Qiupu smiled helplessly, clasped his fists in return, and said:

"Until we meet again."

After parting ways with Cao Qiupu, Chu Qing returned to the inn.

The inn appeared to be somewhat empty today, and it also encountered some damage yesterday.

However, at the time, some skilled individuals from the Martial World were staying in the inn, and after a round of fighting, there weren’t any major issues, except for a few damaged tables and the front door.

As Chu Qing stepped through the inn’s front door, the errand boy carrying dishes out caught sight of him and was so startled that he fell to the ground.

It was mainly because Chu Qing looked quite terrifying at this moment.

His entire body was covered in dried blood, and though his aura of slaughter was restrained, it was enough to instill fear.

At this moment, if he were to unleash his killing intent, he might scare someone into having nightmares for several days.

Chu Qing glanced at himself and then headed upstairs, instructing the little errand boy to bring up some hot water for him to bathe and change his clothes.

The errand boy quickly nodded in agreement and, seeing that Chu Qing had indeed gone upstairs without scolding him, breathed a sigh of relief.

However, the dishes in his tray were ruined, so he had to ask the kitchen to prepare them again.

He then took hot water upstairs.

When Chu Qing emerged from his room, he was in a fresh cyan robe, identical to the previous one.

He went directly to Gentle’s room and knocked lightly on the door. Gentle opened the door, yawned, and walked inward when she saw Chu Qing:

"You’re back."

Chu Qing inferred that this was an invitation, so he followed her inside.

As he sat by the table, Gentle poured him a cup of tea:

"How did it go?"

"The situation is under control; Divine Blade Hall is now under Fang’s name."

Gentle nodded and then asked:

"Were those men in black last night after me again?"

Chu Qing sipped his tea and, recalling what he heard at Celestial Fragrance Tower, said to Gentle:

"Go and call your two senior brothers. I have something to discuss with you all."

Gentle nodded and went out to call them.

Chu Qing was left sitting alone... just about to drink his tea but suddenly realized this was Gentle’s room.

The young lady was unmarried, and here he was, a young man, sitting alone in her room, which seemed inappropriate.

But if he were to step out now, would it appear too deliberate?

Chu Qing momentarily felt caught in a dilemma. His gaze shifted and he noticed something red hidden beneath the bed covers.

Instinctively, he wanted to take a closer look, but then he caught himself.

He shook his head in resignation, waved his hand, and the covers spread out, hiding the fabric again.

"That was rash..."

Chu Qing quietly exhaled and then footsteps approached the door.

Gentle returned with her two senior brothers.

Chu Qing turned to see Bian City examining him from head to toe, seemingly checking for injuries. Even Mo Duxing, who always prided himself on being ’cold,’ looked at him with concern.

"I’m fine."

Chu Qing waved a hand, inviting them to sit.

"The Third Young Master is truly a figure of heavenly elegance."

As soon as Bian City sat down, he couldn’t help but praise:

"After a night of battle, you’re still so composed. Your Inner Power seems boundless?"

Chu Qing waved his hand:

"My own matters aren’t worth mentioning. Last night at Celestial Fragrance Tower, I overheard people discussing..."

"Discussing what?"

"The Unchanging Celestial Book."

Chu Qing immediately recounted what he heard the previous night, summarizing it in just a few sentences.

After he finished, everyone present seemed paralyzed, unable to move.

Bian City was the first to jump up:

"There’s news about the Earth Scroll? And it’s connected to the Wen Family?

"How... how is that possible?"

Mo Duxing then stood up and said:

"I’ll be right back."

"I’ll go with you."

Bian City quickly followed: "You, Mo Duxing."

After speaking, he remembered Chu Qing and quickly turned around:

"Please wait a moment, Third Young Master. We’ll check if there are any messages from the sect."

"Alright."

Chu Qing knew that within these sects, they had their own methods of communication, but these were kept secret to prevent others from intercepting or imitating them.

He suddenly recalled that back at the Ten-Mile Homeland Pavilion, Wu Qianhuan had also left him a way to contact her, yet he had not sent her a letter since arriving in Divine Blade City.

Perhaps he should write a letter to let her know... that everything is fine on his end?