Zhan Ri Fei replied, “Don’t forget, the ‘Three Lives Water of Jade Flame’ is actually a corrosive poison that rots the gut and bone. If, as the Moonlight Emissary claimed, this boy has been drinking it since childhood, perhaps he is born with a rare constitution. Moreover, while Chang Hong Bi is said to be Han Shui Palace’s treasure for a hundred years, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s always been the same person. After all, even in your Ling Long Manor, hasn’t each generation’s eldest daughter been named Huo Ling Long?”
At the mention of the name “Huo Ling Long,” Huo Xiao Di involuntarily flinched. He stared at Zhan Ri Fei in silence for a long moment before finally letting out a deep sigh. “Sometimes, I truly wonder whether you’re a man or a ghost. You know far too much about Ling Long Manor!”
Zhan Ri Fei smiled and said, “Perhaps it’s not that I know too much, but that your Ling Long Manor is simply too famous.”
— It was common knowledge in the martial world that Ling Long Manor owed half its renown to Huo Ling Long. Whenever a Huo family’s eldest daughter married, it became a grand event that shook the martial world. And whenever an eldest daughter remained unmarried, the matchmakers and suitors practically broke down Ling Long Manor’s gates.
For the first time, a flicker of pain appeared in Huo Xiao Di’s eyes. Could it be that everything about Ling Long Manor, like its master, was growing old and withering away?
Zhan Ri Fei noticed the change in his expression but chose not to press further.
Huo Xiao Di, on the other hand, seemed oddly satisfied with this response.
— Perhaps, deep down, he knew this was the best answer Zhan Ri Fei could give him. Besides, his mind was already brimming with questions about the boy they now called Chang Hong Bi.
“Since Ge Yun Fei already knew the boy’s secret, wouldn’t Jiao Chao Gui, the great manor lord of Xing Yun Manor, also know that he’s Chang Hong Bi?”
Zhan Ri Fei considered this carefully and replied, “Perhaps Jiao Chao Gui knew that Chang Hong Bi was in Ge Yun Fei’s possession and even received a message from him to come and assist. However, Ge Yun Fei likely didn’t have time to reveal the boy’s true secret.”
“By that time, the Tang Sect must have already discovered that Ge Yun Fei held Chang Hong Bi. They would have pursued him relentlessly, not allowing him a moment to send a new message.”
“This might explain why Jiao Chao Gui came to the inn on Little Hammer Mountain with only Mu Xiuquan as backup. He likely underestimated the situation and didn’t expect the contenders for Chang Hong Bi to arrive so quickly—let alone someone like you unexpectedly complicating matters.”
Huo Xiao Di mirrored Zhan Ri Fei’s contemplative expression and asked, “Of all the factions vying for Chang Hong Bi, the Tang Sect’s motives stand out. They don’t want to possess the treasure—they want to destroy it! This boy, having lived in Han Shui Palace, should be well-versed in the ways of the world. Knowing of the rivalry between Xing Yun Manor and the Tang Sect, he should be relieved. Yet, when I suggested taking him to Xing Yun Manor, he was terrified. Why?”
Zhan Ri Fei replied, “He likely knows that both Xing Yun Manor and the Tang Sect are equally formidable. While the Tang Sect wants to destroy him, do you think Xing Yun Manor would treat him kindly? Given his situation, he might prefer to fall into Xing Yun Manor’s hands rather than the Tang Sect’s. But either way, his secret would eventually be discovered. Rather than passively await his fate, he chose to take a gamble. That’s why he incited your ‘San’er’s’ dog to attack during the fight between the Tang Sect’s Wu Ning Hall assassins and Xing Yun Manor’s men.”
Huo Xiao Di was thunderstruck. His voice trembled as he asked, “What did you just say?”
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