A Seductive Gentleman Chapter 46

Chapter 46: From a Flower Reflects a Picture – Part 3

When the two locked gazes, Huai Yu turned around with the umbrella and began to walk away.

Ming ChangYan thought: Not good!

He hastily bid goodbye to Li Li, moving to catch up to him.

"Huai Yu!"

Huai Yu turned a deaf ear and had already walked forward about 120 steps. After noticing that Ming ChangYan was chasing after him for quite a while but still couldn't catch up to him, he slowed his footsteps. As soon as Ming ChangYan approached, he burrowed under the umbrella.

"Stop running, stop running! Were you here to place the umbrella for me? After so long, I thought you forgot about me!"

Huai Yu humphed, "You're the one who wanted to leave."

After Ming ChangYan finally caught the person he wanted to catch, he no longer felt that anxious. As a result, he was all smiles, "So unreasonable, you're aware of my identity. After I've become like this, how am I supposed to stay in the palace as the emperor's wife!"

After he finished his words, he didn't wait for Huai Yu to reply, this bad guy began to sling out accusations, “And you, I seriously can't leave you alone can I? Who would've imagined that after I left, you'd be so ruthless! In the past few days, I'd go to the border of the willow every day and every time I ran over there, I'd always come back disappointed! Ai, I seriously handed these affections over to the wrong person."

Huai Yu asked, "You ran there every day?"

Ming ChangYan smiled, "I wouldn't dare lie to you, you can go find the boatmen to testify, I really came here every day, even the fish seller recognized me!"

Huai Yu's grip on the umbrella loosened, then he said, "It's raining today, why did you still come out?"

Ming ChangYan replied, "If I didn't come out today, then I wouldn't have met you? Why didn't you ask about where I'm staying first?"

Huai Yu shot him a glance.

He pursed his lips into a smile, he was just about to chat a bit more with Huai Yu when unexpectedly, the air around them began to cool down. The two were experts, even with the slightest change in the fog around them, they both simultaneously became aware of the fact that there was someone else with them.

Ming ChangYan's smiling expression vanished as he began surveying his surroundings, but because of the uninterrupted spring rain and the swirl of fog, his range of view wasn't very far. From the thick fog came a cold killing intent and the reek of blood.

The killing intent wasn't directed at him, but the scent of blood was overwhelming. It was like the body of the person who had died was deskinned and torn apart till only bones remained, then drained of all its blood.

Ming ChangYan's figure moved, just as he was about to follow the scent of blood, Huai Yu suddenly pulled him back, "You cannot, your cultivation hasn't been fully restored yet, you're not allowed to flail around."

Ming ChangYan said, "It doesn't matter."

Huai Yu was disinclined to hear him talk, merely pulling behind him, "Stand behind me."

Ming ChangYan thought that his kid wanted to look like he was under the spotlight in front of elders. He listened and didn't object. If Huai Yu wanted him to hide behind him, then he's going to hide behind him like it's his natural rights.

Ming ChangYan said, "For someone to commit murder here, how come I didn't hear anything before they died."

Huai Yu, "The scent of blood just suddenly appeared."

Ming ChangYan glanced at him, "They didn't struggle before they died?"

Huai Yu, "Let's find them first."

The two walked around for a few meters until stopping in front of a small alley up ahead.

Ming ChangYan struggled for a bit but wasn't able to throw off Huai Yu's hand.

"Let go first. Little Huai Yu, tugging my hand back and forth in the middle of the street isn't a good appearance. If this was leaked out, it could ruin your reputation as the Young Prime Minister, a lot of women at the capital would cry their eyes out."

Huai Yu released his hand. Ming ChangYan took a few quick steps forward and gradually passed through the fog, the view up ahead becoming clearer by the second.

Arriving in the middle of the alley, the scene in front of him made Ming ChangYan's complexion change.

In the middle of the alley, a person—to be precise, he didn't know if it could still be regarded as a human. This person's back was strung up by hundreds of thin threads, all straightly hung up along the sides of the alley. The skin and flesh on their body were idly falling down with some of the flesh conjoined with the thread, the whole scene utterly terrifying. Several silver needles pierced out from their throat like they had been penetrated from inside out.

This scene was too sinister and way too familiar. It was different from the Thousand Needles Piercing the Throat, even though up till now, there were countless rumors about the Thousand Needles Piercing the Throat stating that they were done by him, but apart from witnessing it a few times, he's never thought about it nor has he ever done it.

The method of death in front of him was something that he had truly and honestly done before. Moreover, it was something that he's done only once in his life. It was the technique he had used back then when he was in a fit of rage to kill Wan QianQiu!

Bad memories began to reappear in front of his eyes, Ming ChangYan was a bit short of breath when he said, "…It's happening again."

"If I'm in the palace, then they're going to commit a murder in the palace. If I'm out of the palace, then they're going to commit murder outside the palace. It seems like this person insists on targeting me."

Huai Yu noticed that there was something amiss with his complexion, supporting him he said, "Calm down."

Ming ChangYan's body trembled slightly, Huai Yu reassured, "It's not them. The murders in the palace were caused by the Thousand Needles Piercing the Throat, although this person here used needles, it's clear that their cause of death was due to the threads connected to their body."

Ming ChangYan was mute, it was only after a while when he said, "Yes. Lingchi, that's how I killed Wan QianQiu back then."

Just then, Huai Yu suddenly crouched down. In the middle of this cruel state of death and concentrated blood-pool, he picked up a flower petal.

The flower petal was pure white like jade, fresh and uncultivated. But when it fell into the pool of blood, it stained it with the blood making the contrast quite prominent. Therefore, Huai Yu was able to easily catch sight of the little thing.

Ming ChangYan commented, "Flower petals?"

Huai Yu opened his mouth, "This region doesn't grow June Snows*, in addition, it's not in season for them to begin blooming yet."

(TN: They're actually called Serissa or Snow Roses in English, but I'm going with June Snows cause MCY chooses to say the next line and mess everything up.)

Ming ChangYan nodded his head, "June Snow, as the name suggests."

This flower bloomed in June, because of its snow-white color when it bloomed in masses, it looks exactly like the winter snow, thus the name June Snow.

Huai Yu, "Where do you think flowers that are supposed to bloom in June instead blooms in March?"

Ming ChangYan calmed down, saying, "From the looks of it, this was specially crafted for me, it seems like I'm obligated to attend the Flower Viewing Festival."

Huai Yu, "I'm going with you."

Ming ChangYan smiled, "I was going to go with you anyway."

Seven days later, the Flower Viewing Festival held at the capital invited heroes from all over the world. For a moment, the originally rich and bustling capital's fame and power appeared even more conspicuous.

Ming ChangYan changed into a new set of clothes and went forth alongside Huai Yu.

Just as they arrived in front of the door, Ming ChangYan yelled in exaggeration, "Zhao XiaoLan this person sure is rich!"

Before his eyes were several high-rise buildings interlinked together with noisy crowds and heavy traffic. The roads were filled with people, horses, even foreigners from other countries, along with those from the imperial court, and not to mention the heroes from Jianghu. Ming ChangYan stood outside, besides his attractive appearance, there wasn't anything else eye-catching about him.

He suddenly turned around and began groping around Huai Yu's chest. Huai Yu was caught off guard by this unexpected movement but didn't get the chance to react before Ming ChangYan pulled out the glass lens and slipped it on Huai Yu's face.

"You should properly wear the glass lens to avoid anyone recognizing you and causing more trouble."

Ming ChangYan was very satisfied with his glass lens, admiring it from left to right before striding into the building.

The Flower Viewing Festival is held once a year in April. For the sake of Ming ChangYan in previous years, Zhao XiaoLan had always hosted the Flower Viewing Festival in Lin'an. After he fell into the Yanbo River, the Flower Viewing Festival was moved to the capital. Hosting and setting up the festival, opera and music, making it all the more lively. Everyone who attended the Flower Viewing Festival, food, drink, and lodging were all undertaken by the Zhao family. However, even though this festival was called the Flower Viewing Festival, in actuality it was a way to expand connections. Everyone was all well aware when you entered the building the first thing you'd do was talk to such-and-such brother then call out to your so-and-so old pal, as for the flower viewing, it became the second agenda.

Among these people, there was only one person who very earnestly appreciated the flowers.

This person was Zhao XiaoLan.

Today he was wearing a lotus colored* vest with a dark blue silk waistband drooping from his waist. He wore a white inner robe, although it was white, the linework on it was mired with minor details, and one could tell that it wasn't made from ordinary fabric. Zhao XiaoLan held a jade fan from who knows where as he elegantly strood forward. When he didn't speak, everyone merely thought that this young master's face was like jade, lucid and elegant, extremely handsome. As a result, when he saw Ming ChangYan and began talking, his temperament seemed to change drastically, appearing utterly foolish, "Yan-jiejie!"

(TN:https://gss0.baidu.com/-4o3dSag_xI4khGko9WTAnF6hhy/zhidao/pic/item/b999a9014c086e0671f9ac030f087bf40ad1cb21.jpg )

This single 'jiejie' drew everyone's attention to wait and see what kind of Immortal sister this Immortal young master had.

"Immortal sister" Ming ChangYan gave a hollow laugh as he said, "Why are you shouting in broad daylight, that's inappropriate."

Zhao XiaoLan noticed that Ming ChangYan was wearing men's clothes, promptly walking forward, "Yan-jiejie, why are you posing as a man again! Your disguises are beginning to look more and more like a man these days."

Ming ChangYan, "You're too kind, my realm of perception is high. Why are you by yourself today, where are your friends?"

Zhao XiaoLan said, "They were busy so they'll be coming later. Come, let me take you somewhere first."

Ming ChangYan said, "Where? Nowhere too far, I came here today for a more important matter."

Zhao XiaoLan was very anxious, "My matter is also very important!"

Ming ChangYan, "Important matters must always come first in order of arrival. First, tell me what this important matter of yours is?"

Zhao XiaoLan's face turned red and opened his fan, "I want to see Maiden Li Li! But…but I don't have the guts, Yan-jiejie, accompany me!"

Ming ChangYan pondered for a bit before sighing, "Then it seems like your matter is still more important, let's go."

Just as he took a step, his collar was grabbed by Huai Yu. Ming ChangYan defended, "Pursuing a beauty is a big event in one's lifetime, it's very important. If I became the stick to cause the break up of such a couple then I'd be too shameless!"

Huai Yu coldly stared at him.

Ming ChangYan stoked his hair, saying, "If you have something to blame, then blame me for being too handsome. Forget it, XiaoLan, I'm afraid that if your Maiden Li Li saw me it would cause her to stop in her tracks. If she falls in love with me, wouldn't that outweigh your benefits?"

Zhao XiaoLan only ever saw him as a woman and never put this into consideration, simply saying, "But you already have Huai Yu-gege?"

His words were startling, causing Ming ChangYan to suddenly burst into a fit of coughs.

At this moment, a few monks from XiaoHan Temple walked in front of the parterre. They didn't comment on the flowers but instead commented on Ming ChangYan.

The first to talk was a fat monk. He spoke rudely, the moment he approached, he began spitting curses about Ming ChangYan, "It's not peaceful even after having that guy die, hiding that Common People's Order so that we can't find it!"

A second monk instantly responded, "As for the Common People's Order, it's supposed to be XiaoHan Temple's in the first place. That yellow-haired boy held onto the Common People's Order for so long, he won't even hand it over after death! Shameless!"

"That's right, the Great FengShan Feast is near at hand, it's out of the question if the Common People's Order doesn't show up. With my strength, it won't be a problem to obtain control of the Common People's Order."

"Humph, it's just that the Noble Gentleman died too easily. In my opinion, that shameless piece of shit should be hacked into pieces!"

"Back then, he exhausted all his tricks to steal the Common People's Order from XiaoHan Temple and now not a skeleton of him remains! Serves him right! Ai, after we finish repair our sect in Huating who in this world would dare say a single 'no' to us!"

"But the abolished site of the farmhouse is truly strange, just as we finished the construction project, a few people died."

"What are you afraid of, when we get our hands on the Common People's Order what demon or ghost would dare rebel against us!"

The more the monks from XiaoHan Temple opened their mouths, the more unpleasant their words were. If not for Ming ChangYan's high self-esteem, then they wouldn't be aware that the person they were bad-mouthing was right beside them and he would've thought that they were deliberately cursing him for him to hear. He couldn't help but sigh in sorrow: How much hate does his enemies have for him just because of a single sword? It's already been so long, why do I still hear these idle gossip whenever I bump into them?

But Zhao XiaoLan was at the end of his patience, stepping forth and arguing, "Old monks! Aren't your words a bit too rude! If you say another word, I'm going to have someone kick you out!"

When the monks from XiaoHan Temple saw Zhao XiaoLan, they restrained themselves a little.

Zhao XiaoLan wasn't done after just a few sentences, feeling extremely angry, he began ranting, "I don't want to hear you guys say another word criticizing Ming shaoxia, you guys simply don't understand him!"

One of the monks laughed, "Young Master Zhao, XiaoHan Temple respects you as the host of the Flower Viewing Festival so we give you respect to some degree, don't be unable to tell the good from the bad."

Zhao XiaoLan widened his eyes, "You know that I'm the host of the Flower Viewing Festival and you only give me respect to 'some degree'?! Fine, I don't want the rest of your respect, get out, the Flower Viewing Festival doesn't welcome you!"

The monks from XiaoHan Temple were alarmed like they didn't expect the host of the Flower Viewing Festival to not give them any face. In Jianghu, they had never suffered this kind of big loss, as a result, they rubbed their fists like they were ready to exchange blows.

Zhao XiaoLan said, "Humph, if you want to fight then let's fight, just you wait!"

He turned around, Ming ChangYan said, "Good, XiaoLan I'll help you vent your anger."

Zhao Xiaolan waved his hand, "No need, this is unrelated to you, from now on this is a personal grudge between me and XiaoHan Temple. They're a thorn in Ming shaoxia's side, when have I not disliked them, today is the day settle accounts with them!"

Ming ChangYan raised his eyebrow, "Do you know martial arts?"

Zhao XiaoLan promptly pulled out that copy of《The Noble Gentleman Way》, carelessly took a few glances at it before brazenly boasting, "Don't worry, don't worry, I've studied Ming shaoxia's sword techniques, it's not a problem!"

He turned around like he was actually going to find a sword.

Ming ChangYan sighed, saying, "It's better if I do it!"

Unexpectedly, the monks of XiaoHan Temple had already decided on a plan to teach Zhao XiaoLan a lesson, and immediately blocked him, "How does this matter have anything to do with you, stop meddling in other people's business!"

Ming ChangYan said, "This matter relates to me more than anyone else in the world!"

They still couldn't come to an agreement after saying a few words, thus XiaoHan Temple gained the leverage by advancing first.

Ming ChangYan and XiaoHan Temple were enemies that were bound to meet each other. When they met, it didn't matter if they recognized each other or not, there will inevitably be all sorts of unusual reasons for them to harbor mutual disgust towards one another. During this matter of life and death, they heard the far off shout of a lovable woman, "Who dares to touch her!"

Ming ChangYan was slightly distracted as a large sword blocked the space between him and XiaoHan Temple.

He turned around to look at Huai Yu, Huai Yu didn't make a move, presumably very confident in his martial arts. Ming ChangYan looked back and discovered the person who had made a move was Jun. More precisely, it was Duan Min. However, Duan Min only listened to Jun, for him to make a move, equaled to Jun lending a hand.

"Duan Duan, hit them!"

XiaoHan Temple was utterly flabbergasted at the sudden appearance of the youngster, after the sudden shock, they discovered that this youngster's body was very tricky. Even having so many people fight against him at once, none of them was a match for him.

Jun let out a haughty snort then laughed, "A tribe of bald monkeys, open your dog eyes and take a closer look at who you're trying to teach a lesson to!"

Ming ChangYan silently smiled. It seemed that in the time he was in the palace, he mixed in with the right people. At this moment, Jun had already regarded him as part of her own team which was why she couldn't bear to see XiaoHan Temple humiliating him, thus directly charging in.

XiaoHan Temple wasn't able to ward them off, so in order to save face and not beg for forgiveness, they could only curse at them while running away.

Among them, the fat monk raged, "Take a look at yourself, a man with strong martial arts listening to the words of a little girl, just like a dog! Aren't you ashamed of yourself!"

Ming ChangYan knew that Duan Min's mind was incomprehensible and wasn't aware that the monk was trying to humiliate him. On the contrary, when Jun heard those words, her entire body exploded like a firecracker that was ignited. She completely forgot about asking someone else to fight for her, instead, rolling up her sleeves like she was about to tackle the monk like her life depended on it.

Seeing this, Huai Yu's complexion slightly sank.

Duan Min turned around, just in time to take the pouncing Jun into his arms. She's recently reached a marriageable age and her stature was petite. Hanging from Duan Min's body, she bared her fangs and claws, making her look like a cat with puffed-up fur.

The monks didn't dare to rashly advance after exchanging blows with Duan Min. It just so happened that Jun chose this moment to create a ruckus, so they took it as a way to escape. They shared looks with each other before waving their hand, "Go!"

Jun yelled, "Go! Where do you think you're going! This princess…"

"Jun!" Ming ChangYan hurriedly called out to her to prevent her from exposing her identity.

Jun realized what she said just now and lowered her voice from finishing the rest of her sentence, snorting she said, "If they fall into this princess's hands again, I'm going to pull out their tendons, skin them, and throw them into a deep fryer to eat!"

After quite a while, Duan Min dryly said, "Not tasty."

Jun was still fuming, looking at Duan Min, her anger suddenly deflated. Reaching out, she patted his head, "So what if it's not tasty, I'll give it to someone else to eat or throw it into the sewers."

At this moment, someone from outside shouted, "Maiden Li Li is here!"

Zhao XiaoLan was so nervous that his hand began trembling, hastily, he pulled Ming ChangYan over.

Ming ChangYan said, "Why are you pulling on me?"

At the entrance, the two men who were standing there originally stepped aside and a woman clad in white slowly walked in. Li Li was holding onto a delicate small umbrella, seemingly to be unable to handle the sunshine.

She caught sight of Ming ChangYan, faintly smiled and gave him a nod.

Zhao XiaoLan instantly turned into a rigid block of wood, "SHE SHE SHE SHE SHE DID SHE SMILE AT ME?!!!"

Ming ChangYan was just about to say "I think she smiled at me," but before he did, he felt an indescribable feeling of dread.

He subconsciously glanced at Huai Yu, the other's expression was cold, having not said a single word.

Zhao XiaoLan was completely unaware, blushing with shame as he said, "Yan-jiejie, come with me to meet her!"

Ming ChangYan didn't know why but felt that if he went, he didn't know how he would properly explain himself in front of Huai Yu. As for what he was explaining, it was beyond his comprehension. He thought for a long time but couldn't come to a conclusion. In the end, Jun bluntly said, "Why are you asking her to come with you? Huai Yu-gege's going to be upset later!"

Zhao XiaoLan glanced at Huai Yu and saw that the other really did look quite upset.

This was translated by , any repost of this is stolen and if you steal my work I'm frying you then dumping you into the sewers.

Huai Yu: *dies from consuming too much vinegar*

I'm still alive! I got ample amounts of sleep this week so I'm once again back from the dead (ง ͠° ͟ل͜ ͡°)ง

Not much happened this chapter except fluff and some vinegar eating from Huai Yu. Woooo, how I wish I could just skip to the exciting bits guys I'm really trying here =U

If you see any grammatical/translation errors please notify me! I try my best but I rush through sometimes.

Have a fantastic week, love you~

Chapter end