Luo Bing was clearly familiar with this area, leading Hua Wu Que through these alleys. After a while, they arrived at the back door of a large mansion. She turned around to carefully check for any pursuers before stepping forward and gently knocked three times, followed by two short taps.
Someone was clearly guarding this door for a long time. Hearing the sound, a low voice asked, “Earthquake and High Peak, a view of the Western Mountains for ages. Who is at the door?”
Luo Bing replied softly, “Door faces the sea, three rivers converge, flowing for ten thousand years. I am neither the Father nor the Mother of Heaven and Earth. I am the Eleventh Branch of Red Flower Pavilion.”
Hua Wu Que watched this underground party's code-word exchange with interest. He saw a crack open in the door, and a person emerged. Upon seeing Luo Bing, he exclaimed in delight, “It’s the Red Flower Society's Lady Luo. The Grandmaster and your leader have been inquiring for a long time!” He had just noticed Hua Wu Que behind Luo Bing and felt a little confused. However, not only was Luo Bing the eleventh leader of the Red Flower Society, but her husband, the "Thunderbolt Hand" Wen Tai Lai, was ranked fourth. He couldn't possibly question someone of their stature. Stepping aside, he led the two into the house.
After thanking him, Luo Bing led Hua Wu Que towards the back hall, cautioning, “Don’t speak carelessly. This place now gathers all the famous heroes from the martial arts world. One wrong word, and I don’t know if I can protect you.”
Seeing her sincere words and concern for a stranger like him, Hua Wu Que was moved. He didn’t reveal his identity and replied softly, “Sister, don't worry. I won’t cause you trouble.”
Hearing this, Luo Bing turned to look at him with reassurance. Only then did she see Hua Wu Que’s appearance clearly. Under the moonlight, a handsome and elegant young man followed behind her, his eyes burning with passion as he looked at her. She had not expected this outstanding figure to be the one she had rescued on a whim. Stunned for a moment, she turned and continued leading the way.
She appeared calm on the surface, but deep down, she was filled with self-reproach. For a moment, she had felt like throwing herself into the young man's embrace. Thankfully, she had regained her senses in time, otherwise, how could she face her husband?
Hua Wu Que was also a little frustrated. Earlier, he had seen the beautiful and graceful back of this young woman and was moved by her words. He instinctively used the Heavenly Demon Bewitching Heart Technique. Fortunately, he regained his senses in time, otherwise, this young woman would have been transformed into a lustful and passionate woman, losing her original charm.
Both had secrets on their minds. They walked silently towards the back hall. As they turned a corner, their eyes lit up. They saw several rows of red lanterns hanging at the front of the hall, with groups of martial arts practitioners scattered throughout the courtyard. Some had their hands behind their backs, others wore head coverings. They were gathered together, loudly discussing the gossip of the martial arts world.
Luo Bing led Hua Wu Que into the hall. They saw two long rows of chairs, filled with martial arts heroes. Upon seeing them enter, they all looked at them with curiosity. Hua Wu Que secretly observed, noting the appearance of a middle-aged man dressed as a Quanzhen Daoist. Following Luo Bing, he walked towards the inner hall.
Chen Jia Luo and others, who had received the news from the servants, came out from the inner hall. Seeing Luo Bing, they rushed to greet her. A scholarly young man with a refined air led the way, joyfully saying, “Eleventh Sister, you finally came. Just now, Chen Grandmaster and I received news that for some unknown reason, the Tartars have sealed the city gates. We thought you had encountered some misfortune and sent people out to investigate.”
Luo Bing cupped her fist and said, “I've caused the Grandmaster and Chen Grandmaster to worry. I'm utterly guilty. However, today I brought back a young hero. It was he who slaughtered several squads of Tartar dogs within the city, which caused such a commotion!” With that, she introduced Hua Wu Que to everyone.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall looked at Hua Wu Que. At this time, Hua Wu Que's cultivation was concealed. They couldn't sense his strength, thinking that the Eleventh Leader of the Red Flower Society had taken a liking to this handsome young man and was praising him. They all sneered inwardly.
Chen Jia Luo also had some doubts, but out of respect for the Eleventh Sister, he bowed to Hua Wu Que. The Black and White Imps behind him did not have such reservations. The White Imp, Chang Bo Zhi, stepped forward, sizing up Hua Wu Que and said with a smile, "Eleventh Sister, you're not being fooled by this little white face, are you? How could someone as frail as him cause such a stir? I don’t believe it!”
Hearing this, the Black Imp, Chang He Zhi, also laughed, "Exactly. This kid doesn’t have an ounce of martial arts skill. How could he accomplish such a feat? Eleventh Sister, we’re not trying to criticize you, but the martial arts world is treacherous. You can't just go by appearances."
The two brothers were trusted aides of the old leader Yu Wan Ting. Chen Jia Luo had recently taken over, and his position was unstable. Many within the society were dissatisfied and had been clamoring for the fourth leader, the "Thunderbolt Hand" Wen Tai Lai, who was responsible for managing society affairs, to take over. Now that they had found an opportunity, they wanted to use Luo Bing to undermine his reputation.
Luo Bing, hearing their insincere words, clearly understood that they were saying she was infatuated with Hua Wu Que's appearance and was recommending him. For a moment, she was so angry that she couldn’t speak.
Chen Jin Nan, hearing their lewd comments, wanted to defend her, but he thought this was an internal matter of the Red Flower Society and it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to get involved. Sighing, he remained silent.
Hearing their suggestive words, everyone in the hall burst into laughter, infuriating Luo Bing so much that she trembled and was about to step forward to argue, but she felt a large hand press down on her shoulder. A gentle voice entered her ears, "Sister, don't worry. Let me avenge you!"