The flower is a tulip [Chu Liuxiang]

Chu Liuxiang was very helpless.

He clearly knew what Murong Qingcheng meant, to take Su Rongrong and the others as hostages to prevent him from escaping.He also knew that even if he didn't agree to this request at this time, Murong Qingcheng couldn't do anything to him.He knew even more clearly that if he agreed, he would bow his head to Murong Qingcheng and the Murong family.

But he still had no choice.

Because he has made up his mind to investigate this matter to the bottom, and no one can change his decision.He must eliminate all additional interference, such as the Murong family.

What's more, even though Murong Qingcheng is not a first-class hero in the Jianghu, he has high martial arts skills, powerful influence, and unscrupulous actions. What's more, he has prejudice against Chu Liuxiang.

Chu Liuxiang never wanted to add such a difficult opponent at this time.

In the end, he could only nod his head, and watched Murong Qingcheng show a smug smile that he had finally gained the upper hand, and watched the three girls who had been by his side for nearly ten years get into the carriage of the Murong family.

The only thing he can comfort himself is that Miss Lin who lives in Murong's house can probably take care of the three girls.

He only met Miss Lin once, but felt that she was a more trustworthy person than Murong Qingcheng.During the short journey from Yingtian to Songjiang, he recalled the meeting with Ms. Lin more than once, and the conversation with a few words, which he felt explained a lot of things.

So he decided to put all these things aside for the time being and concentrate on solving the biggest problem in front of him.

Chu Liuxiang is Chu Liuxiang, he never looks for trouble when he shouldn't be entangled in trivial matters.He would rather save his troubles for later, because maybe time has solved everything by then.

When Chu Liuxiang made this decision, Heizhu looked at him and sneered.

At this time Murong Qingcheng had left with all his subordinates, and the room became empty again, only four living people and four dead people.

The four dead people, of course, were the four dead people except Murong Qingqing.

The four living people are Chu Liuxiang, Huamanlou, Nangongling, and Heizhuzhu.

The black pearl remained.Chu Liuxiang also knew that no one else could change what the little prince decided.

However, Heizhu stared at him and smiled, "It's the first time I've seen such a useless man like you."

It's not that Chu Liuxiang has never been scolded by others, and he has been scolded a lot, but no one has ever scolded him as "useless".

He could only touch his nose with a wry smile, and said, "Oh?"

Black Pearl said: "A man who can't even protect a woman is useless?"

Nangong Ling coughed and interjected, "I don't think you need a man's protection."

He was Chu Liuxiang's friend, so he didn't want to see Chu Liuxiang embarrassed, so he deliberately changed the subject.Hei Zhuzhu sneered even harder, and said loudly: "I really don't need a man's protection, because I know you men are unreliable!"

Nangong Ling imitated Chu Liuxiang's way and touched his nose, "How do you know that Su Rongrong and the others need a man's protection?"

Hei Zhulu glared at him again, and said: "Arrogance! Could it be that they can protect themselves, and you just watch that Murong take them away, without even daring to let go?"

Chu Liuxiang and Nangong Lingming knew that what she said was reasonable, so they could only smile wryly at each other.Hua Manlou said slowly, "Patriarch Murong respects his identity, so he shouldn't embarrass Miss Su and the others."

This is also what Chu Liuxiang was thinking, but before he could nod his head, Heizhu hurriedly said, "Self-respecting identity? He brought so many crossbowmen like a thief, and he wanted to indiscriminately kill people and silence them. You still say he is self-respecting." Identity? Are you blind!"

Hua Manlou was startled, but Chu Liuxiang suddenly felt a burst of anger, took a step towards Hei Zhuzhu, and stared at her coldly.Heizhu was happy to talk, but when he met that cold gaze, he also shuddered, and didn't continue.

Hua Manlou seemed to be aware of the froze atmosphere, and said with a faint smile, "It seems that we will be much more lonely in the days to come."

◇ ◆ ◇

The four of them landed at the local sub-helm of the Beggar Gang.Nangong Ling is the leader of the beggar gang, so naturally he settled them down very well.

And Chu Liuxiang suddenly realized that there was an opportunity in front of him, and that was the black pearl.

He used to think that Zuo Youzheng, Ximenqian, Lingjiuzi, and Zamuhe had one thing in common, that is, they all received a letter and left their sect in a hurry.But when he went to investigate, he never found the letter, because anyone who might know the contents of the letter had been silenced first.

That's why he came to the Murong family, trying to open up another situation from the fifth deceased, that is, Murong Qingqing.But Murong Qingcheng was obviously unwilling to cooperate with him.

At present, the only person who may know about this mysterious serial murder case is Black Pearl.

So Chu Liuxiang asked Heizhu cautiously: "Did your father receive a letter?"

Black Pearl said without hesitation: "Yes."

Chu Liuxiang's heart suddenly jumped up, staring at her and said: "Where is that letter? Is it in your hand?"

Black Pearl said: "No."

Chu Liuxiang could only let out a long sigh.

Hei Zhuzhu said again: "But I have read the letter."

Chu Liuxiang let out another breath, but this time it was because of peace of mind.He looked at Black Pearl and said, "Little Prince, you're frightening me to death!"

Hei Zhuzhu snorted, and said coldly: "I know you are a brave person, you won't be scared to death. It's just that the letter is not that important, why do you have to read it?"

Chu Liuxiang touched her nose subconsciously, and said, "If it's not important, why did your father come all the way to the Central Plains as soon as he received that letter? Don't you have any doubts?"

Hei Zhuzhu said: "Of course! At first I thought it was some kind of trick that woman played, and after so many years, she still pestered my father, but now it seems that someone used this excuse to trick my father into coming to the Central Plains, maybe it was that Murong This matter is simply too obvious, but you still have to check it!"

Chu Liuxiang's gaze flickered, and she only asked, "That woman?"

Heizhu waved his hand impatiently, and said: "Forget it, it doesn't matter what the letter tells you. That woman was my father's lover when he was young, but she left my father many years ago and married someone else. I thought it must be strange for her to write to ask for help at this time, but my father couldn't let go of his old friendship, so he was tricked into coming here."

Chu Liuxiang asked, "Do you know the woman's name? Did she ask for help in her letter?"

Heizhu shook her head and said, "No. I only know her name is Lingsu... Oh, yes, it's Qiu Lingsu."

This name was completely unfamiliar to Chu Liuxiang, but just after Hei Zhuxiang said it, Nangong Ling, who had been quietly listening to the conversation between the two, suddenly let out an exclamation.Chu Liuxiang couldn't help but glanced at him, but Nangong Ling forced a smile and said, "I...I suddenly remembered an important matter, and I must go back to the main helm immediately to deal with it, so leave it alone!"

Chu Liuxiang grabbed his arm and said, "Do you know this woman named Qiu Lingsu?"

Nangong Lingdao: "She retired from the world to marry, I'm afraid it was 20 years ago, how could I know?"

Chu Liuxiang immediately stared at him and said, "Who is she? Why do you want to hide it for her?"

Nangong Ling stomped her feet, and said anxiously: "I told you that I don't know Qiu Lingsu, what can I hide! If you can't find out the murderer, just take your anger out on me!"

Chu Liuxiang still didn't let go, but said slowly: "The little prince didn't say that Qiu Lingsu was from the martial arts world. How did you know that she retired after getting married? And how did you know that it happened 20 years ago?"

Nangong Ling was startled, and then said: "I... I also guessed randomly..." Before Chu Liuxiang could reply, he said loudly again, "It's not that I don't want to help you investigate the case, but the beggar gang is busy with business, I really have to go back Yes. If you need something, can you come to me another day?"

Chu Liuxiang sighed, let go of his hand, and said, "Okay..." Hei Zhuzhu stared at him fiercely, but he just pretended not to see it.

Nangong Ling set off overnight without waiting until the next day.Chu Liuxiang only said that this night would not be peaceful, and with Heizhu's temper, she would definitely come to question herself, why did she let him go so easily when she knew that Nangongling must know some secrets.However, the Black Pearl never came, and Chu Liuxiang lay on the bed tossing and turning, thinking of Murong Qingcheng and Murong Qingqing, Zamuhe and Heizhu, as well as Qiu Lingsu and Nangongling... finally fell asleep hazily.

When he woke up, he found that the black pearl was gone.He hurried to find someone to ask, and the answer he got was, "The young man in black left before dawn and didn't say where he was going."

Of course Chu Liuxiang immediately guessed that Heizhuzhu must be chasing Nangongling.Although he didn't want to embarrass his friend, the stubborn little prince refused to let go of this clue.

"Let's go too." Hua Manlou said immediately after hearing his sigh.

Chu Liuxiang seemed to be taken aback for a moment, and repeated: "Let's go?"

Hua Manlou said: "Master Nangong knows about Qiu Lingsu, doesn't he? Besides that, what other clues do you have now?"

Chu Liuxiang hesitated, "But...but I..."

Hua Manlou said: "If you are worried that Chief Nangong may be involved in this case, then you should not let the little prince find him alone."

Chu Liuxiang's gaze suddenly turned cold, and she stood up, saying in a deep voice, "You're right."

◇ ◆ ◇

The two did not ride in a car, but rode a horse.

Fast horse.

The fast horse has been galloping for a whole day.

It stands to reason that Nangong Ling only traveled half a day earlier than them, and even if they didn't catch up, they were still not far away.But they traveled all the way, but they didn't even see a trace of the black pearl.

After walking for another day, the two of them arrived at the foot of Mount Langya in the southwest of Chuzhou.It is exactly the Langya Mountain that Liuyi Layman said in "Drunkard Pavilion" that "there are mountains around Chu. The peaks in the southwest of it, the forests and gullies are especially beautiful. The one that looks magnificent but deep and beautiful is Langya Mountain".

Chu Liuxiang looked at the green mountains in the distance, took a deep breath, and said, "If you can forget all the trivial things in the world and live here in a hut, it will be a joy in life."

Hua Manlou chuckled and said, "Will Chu Liuxiang have such thoughts?"

Chu Liuxiang also smiled and said, "Although Chu Liuxiang is a layman, he occasionally has arty thoughts."

Hua Manlou stopped for a while before saying: "You are not an ordinary person, you just can't let go of too many things."

Chu Liuxiang's expression seemed to move, but she just turned her head to look at Huamanlou quietly and said, "What about you?"

Hua Manlou smiled and said, "I'm really an ordinary person. As long as I have enough food and clothing, I can live well."

Chu Liuxiang shook her head and said, "I'm not asking this. There are some things that I may not be able to let go of, but you can."

Hua Manlou said: "Probably...but I don't want to let go."

Chu Liuxiang said: "Oh? Why?"

Hua Manlou pondered for a while, and then said in a low voice, "Maybe because...you are Chu Liuxiang..."

Chu Liuxiang sighed and did not speak again.

He knew that Hua Manlou would follow and help him.Although there were hesitation and wavering in the process, it is now clear that he has made up his mind.

He also knew that although Huamanlou had a gentle appearance, he had a firm will.

So he didn't really want to persuade Hua Manlou to let go of these things, and he didn't even want to.

In this short time of getting along for less than a month, Chu Liuxiang seems to have gotten used to having such an elegant and friendly young man with keen insight and unexpectedly exquisite martial arts by his side.The days spent with Huamanlou are like sipping a glass of light rice wine little by little. The taste is sweet but not slightly tipsy.

He just suddenly wondered why Hua Manlou was so determined to help him.Is there any other reason besides knowing some deeds of yourself that seem to be commendable in later generations?

"Because you are Chu Liuxiang", this is really not an answer.

Chu Liuxiang could only sigh softly, and walked up the mountain path first.

The mountain road soon became a narrow bluestone path, only for one person alone, so they jumped off their horses and walked one after the other.

After a while, the trail in front of me was suddenly cut off by a mountain stream.The stream of water is spread on the moss-covered valley bottom like Bai Lian, with splashes and roars, and there are steep rocks on both sides. There is only a small bridge built of wooden boards to connect the passage across the stream.

However, on this small bridge, there is a person sitting alone!

A man in black clothes, a black scarf covering his head, and a black cloth mask.He sat squatting on the damp bridge deck in a posture of steel or stubborn stone, as if he had grown there from the beginning.

On his lap lay a long, narrow, unsheathed steel knife.

The sound of the water under his feet was deafening, but the black man didn't make any noise, but Hua Manlou stopped quickly and asked softly, "Is there anyone?"

Chu Liuxiang let out a "hmm", keeping his eyes on the black man, and said in a tone almost to himself: "It's a Japanese ninja."