Chapter Sixteen: The Eyes of Huamanlou

  Jiangnan, in the midst of hazy rain and mist, fine drizzle falls from the sky. The air is filled with a unique water town atmosphere.

  If we are to say which family is the richest in the world, it can only be one of these three families.

  When it comes to jewelry, the Yan family of Guanzhong is undoubtedly the most prominent. When it comes to wealth, the late Mr. Huo is undoubtedly the richest. As for land ownership, only the Hua family of Jiangnan can claim the most.

  The wealthy family of Hua Man Lou, he is the seventh son of the Hua Nan flower family. Their property is so vast that galloping horses from dawn till dusk in any part of Jiangnan would still be within their estate. Therefore, finding Hua Man Lou is the simplest thing in the world. Finding him is a million times easier than finding Lu Xiao Feng.

  A pavilion stands in front of a small building. The scenery is picturesque and beautiful, with countless flowers blooming in front of the building, breathtakingly beautiful. On the pavilion, someone is playing the piano, and the music has a lingering sorrow that cannot be shaken off.

  "It's been a long time since I've had the pleasure of hearing Brother Hua play the piano. I'm truly fortunate to have lived three lifetimes for this! Brother Hua, it's been too long!" Li Yunfei walked out after listening to Hua Manlou play the piano.

  Hua Manlou said: "Brother Li came to secretly listen to me play the piano, aren't you afraid I'll get angry."

  Li Yunfei smiled and said, "If I can make Huamanlou angry, then I'm too awesome. I've never seen what it's like when Huamanlou is angry before. And aren't you bored being alone here?"

  Hua Man Lou smiled and said: "With you and Lu Xiao Feng as friends, I think this life will never be dull."

  Li Yunfei asked: "Hua brother, don't know where Lu Xiaofeng is? Haven't seen him for a long time. Don't know how he's been lately."

  "Li Yunfei, you want to see me so badly, what's the matter?" A black figure suddenly flew to the outside of the pavilion, it was Lu Xiaofeng.

  Li Yunfei burst out laughing and said, "I want to try your Ling Xi Yi Zhi." After finishing speaking, he drew out his treasured sword and stabbed it forward. The sword flew towards Lu Xiaofeng like a ray of light. Lu Xiaofeng quickly retreated backward. However, Li Yunfei was faster, the sword tip closely following Lu Xiaofeng. It seemed as though it would pierce Lu Xiaofeng at any moment, but Lu Xiaofeng dodged to the side and Li Yunfei's sword grazed past his clothes from beside him. Li Yunfei didn't give up, using the back of his hand to make a slashing motion with his sword. Just as the sword was about to slash Lu Xiaofeng, Lu Xiaofeng used his Ling Xi Yi Zhi to tightly grasp Li Yunfei's sword.

  There is no language that can describe the subtlety of Luk Siu Fung's one finger, it seemed to have transcended human limits. Li Yun Fei used force to pull out, but unexpectedly couldn't pull it out.

  Li Yunfei had always known that Lu Xiaofeng's Ling Xi Yi Zhi was formidable, but he never thought it would be this powerful. Li Yunfei's current swordsmanship could already be considered very high, yet he was actually pinned down like this. Moreover, being pinned down was one thing, but he couldn't even pull out his sword.

  Li Yunfei said gloomily: "Let go, it seems that my swordsmanship is not enough, and my martial arts are far inferior to yours."

  Lu Xiaofeng relaxed his fingers and smiled, "Your swordsmanship has improved a lot, it's much stronger than when we parted last time. Your current swordsmanship is definitely among the top twenty in the martial arts world."

  Li Yunfei laughed and said: "Lu Xiaofeng, I didn't expect your Lingxi Yizhi to reach such a high level. It's really amazing."

  Just then, a servant drove up in a carriage and said: "Seventh Young Master, the old master's banquet is going to change venues. He told me to find you and bring you to the new location."

  "How can we change places? It's such a hassle."

  The servant bowed his head and said: "The master's order, I don't know either, please get in the carriage, young master."

  Three people got on the horse carriage. At this time, Lu Xiao Feng asked: "It's really strange, why do we need to change places during the birthday banquet?"

  "I don't know either, it's really too strange."

  At this time, the servant said: "Young master, the old master has something for you, and it's right behind you."

  "Alright, I understand," said Hua Manlou. He then took out a box from behind him and was about to open it when Lu Xiaofeng stretched out his hand to stop him. But before he could react, a cloud of smoke enveloped them and the three men fainted. In reality, Li Yunfei had known about this beforehand, so he held his breath and remained unharmed. However, he also didn't get up to interrupt the scene.

  He fell asleep, was moved to a room by someone, and then someone tried to wake him up. Lu Xiaofeng turned over and subdued the servant. Li Yunfei also opened his eyes and asked: "Lu Xiaofeng, what's going on? Where are we?"

  The servant said: "Please follow me, you two young heroes, and you will know the reason for this matter." After finishing speaking, he took Li Yunfei and Lu Xiaofeng out.

  In the hall, a group of people were having a heated discussion. They stopped discussing when they saw Li Yunfei and Lu Xiaofeng enter. Looking at them, Lu Xiaofeng exclaimed in surprise: "Uncle Hua, Medicine Master Song."

  Mr. Song, the medicine hero, said: "I don't dare to be called a medicine hero, but there is still one medicine jar."

  Lu Xiaofeng glanced at the others and said, "The seniors of the five major sects are all here, and Old Seventh Eagle Eye is also here. What's going on with this performance?"

  Eagle Eye Old Seven is the overall leader of the Twelve Linked Rings Fort. His power is extremely great, and the place where Eagle Eye Old Seven is stationed is called "Eagle Eye". All actions and orders under the jurisdiction of the Twelve Linked Rings Fort are directly issued from "Eagle Eye". He has a very high status in the Jianghu.

  These five major sects are also the pinnacle figures of the orthodox way in Jianghu, and they are all surprised to be here, but with the skills of Huamanlou's father, it is not surprising that these people come.

  "Eagle Eye Old Seven said: 'Young brother, you've also arrived. Long time no see.'"

  Hua Ru Ling said: "Lu Xiao Feng, Li Yun Fei, you must be curious, why I invited you here in this way."

  Li Yunfei smiled and said: "I may not know anything else, but I know this must be related to Hua Manlou. Because you want to deceive him."

  Hua Rulian said, "Not bad, you and Lou'er have a deep relationship, and together solved the case of Huo Xiuyi, eliminating the notorious Qingyi 108 Lou. Your feelings are good. However, do you know how Lou'er's eyes became blind?" As he spoke, Hua Rulian's tone was tinged with sadness and self-reproach.

  Li Yunfei said in surprise: "Didn't Huamanlou's eyes go blind because of an illness when she was a child?"

  "Hua Rulan sighed and said: 'Alas! That's just what we say to outsiders. To be honest with you today, Lou'er's eyes were harmed by someone.'"

  Lu Xiaofeng's eyes snapped open, his tone carrying a hint of chill "Who is it?"

  "Bandit in iron shoes!"

  "Could it be that you are the Iron Shoe Great Thief who once wreaked havoc in the Central Plains?"

  Hua Rulian nodded and said, "That's right, it was him! Fifteen years ago, this Iron Shoe Thief wreaked havoc in the Central Plains, committing all sorts of heinous crimes. At that time, all the major sects sent people to hunt him down, but he managed to escape several times. Because the Iron Shoe Thief's movements were mysterious and unpredictable, often pulling off multiple big cases in a single night, rumors spread throughout the Jianghu that he was the reincarnation of the Earthly Fiend Star."

  "Hua Rulian sighed and continued, 'At that time, Lou'er was still young, and the Iron Shoe Thief came to our door seeking revenge. I was momentarily careless, which led to this happening.' Hua Rulian's tone was filled with self-blame and sorrow."

  Li Yunfei asked: "Uncle Hua, hasn't the Iron Shoe Thief already been eliminated by you?"

  Hua Rulian sighed again, this old man's heart must be filled with sorrow and self-blame.

  At this time, Song Shen Yi said: "However, that experience left a deep shadow on Hua Man Lou. It became an obsession. In Hua Man Lou's heart, he stubbornly believed that the Iron Shoe Thief was not dead. This obsession tormented him every moment. Even searching for the best medicine in the world would be useless!"

  At this time, Hua Rulian interrupted: "A few years ago, I got a serious illness and it's already lucky to have held on until today. Recently, I feel unwell. I'm afraid I won't be long in this world. Thinking of my life, I, Hua Ruliang, have been upright and will die without regret, but the only thing that can't let me put down is Lou'er's heart disease!"

  Lu Xiaofeng said: "I understand, but what can we do?"

  Song Sheng said, "To untie the bell, we need the person who tied it. We've come up with a plan to create an illusion that Iron Shoe Thief is still alive. Someone will disguise themselves as Iron Shoe Thief and let Lou personally take care of him. Only then can we resolve Lou's psychological knot and cure his heart disease."

  "Are you sure?" asked Lu Xiaofeng.

  Song Shen Yi burst out laughing: "I don't dare say I have a 100% guarantee, but this is Hua Da Xia's lifelong wish, so we can only take the risk and try. We're all friends here, if we don't help him, who will? Of course, it's just an act, no one will get hurt."

  Li Yunfei said: "But Hua Manlou is cleverer than ordinary people, how can it be easy to deceive him?"

  Hua Rulan smiled and said: "So we need to find a master with excellent martial arts skills, wisdom, courage, and chivalry to play the role of Iron Shoe Thief."

  At this time, Eagle Eye Old Seven walked over, laughing loudly: "Haha, Lu Xiaofeng has heard it, right? He's praising you!"

  Lu Xiaofeng smiled wryly and said, "It's better if you don't say such flattering words."

  At this time, Song Shen Yi said: "Lu Xiao Feng, you don't have to be modest. Apart from you, no one can take on this important task. You are Lou Er's closest friend, and you must help with this matter. Moreover, in this play, you are the main character, while we are supporting actors; everyone will benefit."

  "Several seniors, it's been many years since I last took action. This time, for the sake of Uncle Hua's matter, I'll make an exception and take action. How could I refuse? When will we make our move?"

  Li Yunfei also said: "Hua Manlou is our bosom friend, his affairs are our affairs, and we will not disappoint the hopes of his father."

  Hua Rulian said: "That's troubling you two, I'm preparing to start tomorrow."

  Lu Xiaofeng exclaimed: "Tomorrow is the Meng River Lantern Festival!"

  Song Shen said, "The Lantern Festival can be held at any time, the sooner the better."

  Lu Xiaofeng and Li Yunfei took Hua Manlou to a room that was sealed off on all sides, with steel plates covering every inch of the walls. Once inside, there was no way out. They lay in bed waiting for Hua Manlou to wake up.