Chapter 381 185: The Four Evil Sects (Part 2)

At the critical moment, Cheng Tianyang woke up.

But he was severely injured. Even awake, he couldn't be of any help.

In the pitch-black darkness, he had no idea who was chasing them. He assumed it was still the fiends from Heterodox Manor.

He thought he had been rescued by Ximen Feng.

They were trapped with no way out. If this kept up, death was certain.

That was when Cheng Tianyang suggested they head for Qifeng Manor.

He explained that a Young Hero Jiang—a champion of justice whom he had met a few times—was currently at Qifeng Manor and would surely not refuse to help someone in mortal peril.

Ximen Feng was adept at operating in the shadows, but direct confrontation wasn't a thief's style.

Upon hearing this, he immediately changed direction. Relying on his supreme Lightweight Technique, he managed to make it all the way to Qifeng Manor.

However, he was injured as well. By the time he reached Jiang Ran's rooftop, his legs gave out, and the two of them tumbled down.

He had intended to leap away and continue his search for this Young Hero Jiang…

…but to his surprise, the person who opened the door was Jiang Ran himself.

He recounted the tale, giving a rough explanation of the situation.

Of course, he was deliberately vague about certain details.

For example, when asked where he had hidden treasures like the Purple Jade Gourd, his answers were evasive—sometimes a barren mountain, sometimes a forest, sometimes a mineshaft...

But on the whole, the main thread of the story was clear.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Ran found that the details lined up well enough.

He gave a slight nod, glanced at Ximen Feng, and asked,

"What grudge do you have against the Hundred Treasures Association?"

"A huge one!"

Ximen Feng snorted.

"The Hundred Treasures Association is rich and unscrupulous. There are so many poor people in this world, yet all they care about is amassing wealth, never considering using it to benefit the people.

"They show no sign of the principle: 'In poverty, tend to your own virtue; in prosperity, share it with the world.'

"Since they've hoarded the world's wealth, isn't it only right that I take it and give it back to the common folk?"

"…"

Jiang Ran shook his head. "Twisted logic, and you deliver it with such conviction."

"Oh, cut the crap. You're cut from the same cloth as them."

Ximen Feng shot Jiang Ran a cold glare.

"That old man must be blind, calling you a good person.

"A champion of justice… a chivalrous heart?

"I don't see a trace of it. You're nothing but a despicable, shameless villain who launches sneak attacks."

"To think my true nature would be seen through by a thief. In that case, I'd better kill you to silence you."

Jiang Ran smiled, his hand resting on the hilt of his saber.

Ximen Feng swallowed hard.

"Young Hero Jiang is a refined gentleman. Surely you wouldn't be so ruthless as to kill a man who can't fight back?"

"A moment ago, wasn't I a villain?"

"I don't want to die, so I'm changing my tune. Is that alright?"

"…"

Jiang Ran almost laughed. 'This Ximen Feng is quite the scoundrel.'

'He's so thick-skinned, too. He'll take back his own words in the blink of an eye.'

After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Ran asked Ximen Feng if he knew the origins of the group he had encountered tonight at Heterodox Manor.

Ximen Feng thought for a moment before replying,

"From the looks of it, they were from the Flower and Rain Alliance."

"Them?"

A thought stirred in Jiang Ran's mind.

The Flower and Rain Alliance was one of the Thirteen Gangs.

'For them to show up here at a time like this, they must also be after Jiaowei.'

And don't be fooled by the name. The Flower and Rain Alliance might sound poetic and picturesque,

but in practice, their methods are tyrannical—even more so than the Blood Saber Hall.

Jiang Ran mulled this over for a long moment. When he looked up, he saw Ximen Feng's eyes darting around, obviously scheming.

With a soft chuckle, he suddenly flipped his saber and, in a wide arc, brought the pommel down.

Ximen Feng's darting eyes instantly froze in terror. The pommel connected squarely with his neck.

His head lolled to one side, and he passed out.

"Guards."

Jiang Ran called out softly.

The sound of hurried footsteps immediately approached his door.

"Disciple is here."

With a flick of his sleeve, Jiang Ran sent the door flying open, revealing several disciples in Blood Saber Hall attire standing respectfully outside.

Although Xuanyuan One Slash had left to handle matters for Jiang Ran, he had left behind a number of disciples around Jiang Ran's small courtyard to act as his retinue.

Jiang Ran didn't see it as surveillance, and he certainly had no qualms about using them.

"Take this man away. Find an empty room and lock him up.

"Keep an eye on him. The moment he starts to come to, knock him out again."

"Yes! We obey the Supreme Gang Leader's command!"

The leader immediately waved a hand, and two Blood Saber Hall disciples hauled Ximen Feng away.

After the door was closed, Jiang Ran let out a soft sigh.

'Hundred Treasures Association, Thunderbolt Hall, Flower and Rain Alliance, Heterodox Manor… and even minor players like Qifeng Manor and the Rain Listening Tower.'

'This Tea and Zither Appreciation Gathering is shaping up to be quite a lively affair.'

Glancing at the still-unconscious Cheng Tianyang, Jiang Ran walked over and tapped an acupoint on his body.

Cheng Tianyang slowly came to.

His eyes scanned the room before finally landing on Jiang Ran. He couldn't help but grimace.

"Young Hero Jiang, did you press my sleeping point?"

Jiang Ran nodded slightly.

"Chief Cheng needed a good rest. How are you feeling?"

"…Alright."

He had barely gotten the word out before he was wracked by a coughing fit, his brow furrowing in pain.

"If not for that young man tonight, I'm afraid I would have been done for."

Jiang Ran smiled. He knew Cheng Tianyang was trying to plead on Ximen Feng's behalf, so he deftly changed the subject. "Was it the people from Heterodox Manor who attacked you?"

"That's right."

Cheng Tianyang nodded, then sighed.