77: The sky is blue and waiting for the rain, and I am waiting for you!

Old Handle of the Saber clutched his beard, his lips twitching constantly, trying his best not to make any sound, lest his familiarity expose his identity.

“This is your personal grudge, you resolve it yourselves. However, it must be after the operation is completed. Before the operation, he has a great use.

You absolutely cannot kill him.

After the operation, you can resolve it however you wish; I will not obstruct it in any way.”

“When? What operation?!”

“April 13th, the Heavenly Thunder Operation!”

“What do I need to do?”

“Obtain the Violet-Gold Crown from the head of Shi Yan, the Sect Head of Wudang.”

“Good!”

“You won’t ask why?”

“You will definitely tell me why!”

“Indeed, I will definitely tell you why, because to make Lu Xiaofeng do something, you must explain it clearly to him, so that he does it willingly,” Old Handle of the Saber chuckled softly.

“Because if it’s something he wants to do, he will definitely achieve it. If it’s something he doesn’t want to do, no one can force him.”

“Jianghu is a net; on the surface, it seems like a scattered mess, but in reality, it has all sorts of connections.

And these connections far exceed the understanding of ordinary people.”

“Can you imagine? Shi Yan, the renowned Sect Head of Wudang, controls the weaknesses of many famous Righteous Path masters in Jianghu.

Once these weaknesses are exposed, they can ruin a person’s reputation and bring about their downfall.

And it is by relying on these weaknesses that he has woven the entire Righteous Path of Jianghu into a giant spiderweb.

Striking down dissidents and manipulating Jianghu.”

“No one is a saint; who can be without fault? A single unintentional mistake, however, becomes a weakness that the other party seizes to manipulate a lifetime.

Is this appropriate? Is there still any justice?”

“You also have a weakness in Shi Yan’s hands!” Lu Xiaofeng said with certainty, “This is also why you established Netherworld Manor.”

“Indeed, I also made mistakes when I was young, and that weakness is hidden within his Violet-Gold Crown.

I am unwilling to be manipulated by him any longer, and I am unwilling to live perpetually in the shadows.

I want to be a human, to walk into the sunlight, not to be a wandering ghost.” Old Handle of the Saber’s voice was heavy, full of helplessness and expectation between his words.

“Alright, I agree!” Lu Xiaofeng nodded and said, “But I have one condition.”

“What condition?”

“Keep a close eye on Old Nine, find some scoundrels and villains to lure him away. He hates evil like fire, so he’ll be easily led astray.

If Old Nine also ascends Wudang Mountain on April 13th, I will not act.

If he finds out I faked my death to trick him, he will no longer show mercy when he strikes, and in front of him, I have no chance of surviving.

Old Handle of the Saber, you should understand what I mean; as long as Old Nine is present, I will steer clear.” Lu Xiaofeng said very seriously:

“I can help with your matter, I can help with all my strength, but I will not risk my life.”

“Helping with all your strength is enough!” Old Handle of the Saber nodded: “Luring him away is no problem!

There are many people in the Manor who have committed many evils, only wanting protection and not wanting to exert themselves.

Since they are not participating in the operation, then they shall be the bait to draw away the Sword Devil!”

Lu Jiuyuan looked at a crumpled piece of paper delivered by a small beggar; it had twenty names written on it, and a short message, which was very simple.

These twenty individuals are the worst of Jianghu’s scoundrels. Now that they have reappeared, they are sure to commit violence and wreak havoc everywhere.

It is heard that the Sword Saint has always harbored a hatred for evil and cultivated a righteous Qi, and will certainly not sit idly by while the common people suffer such torment.

This Daoist is preoccupied with important matters and, though presumptuous, wishes to invite the Sword Saint: May I humbly request that you eliminate these villains with your sword, leaving not a single one intact?

The signature was Daoist Mu of Wudang.

“Daoist Mu, he wants to lure you away, to prevent you from getting involved in Youling Villa’s affairs!” Ximen Chuixue said directly after glancing at it:

“He doesn’t know that you already know he is Old Handle of the Saber, and he is inviting you to punish evil under the name of Daoist Mu.”

“And from the moment you knew this, you’ve already fallen into the trap!”

“Indeed, these people are all scumbags, and very powerful scumbags at that. I have vowed to cleanse Jianghu, so I will definitely not let them go,” Lu Jiuyuan nodded.

“Daoist Mu wants to make a bet with me, so I will bet with him.

There are still twenty-five days until April 13th. Let’s see if I can kill all these Jianghu villains within these twenty-five days!

Then, on April 13th, I will ascend Wudang with my sword!”

“Do you need my help?”

“No need. This is a gamble, and also a game. I will have the Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards provide intelligence, and as for the people, I will kill them myself!”

After Lu Jiuyuan finished speaking, he walked towards a tailor shop.

“What are you doing now?”

“Replenishing some handkerchiefs!”

“Second Master, something has arrived from the capital!” A person quickly approached Lu Jiuyuan, saying.

“Hmm?” Lu Jiuyuan raised an eyebrow, stopping his steps towards the tailor shop.

“Second Master, this is something His Majesty sent you!”

The person respectfully handed over a package.

Lu Jiuyuan took it and opened it, revealing a package full of handkerchiefs.

Eight inches in size, the bottom right corner had needle and sword embroidery, looking exactly like his Guhong Sword and embroidery needle. Between the needle and sword, there was also a small character “Jiu.”

Judging by the quantity, there should be twenty of them.

There was also a handwritten letter: Second Brother, I, your elder brother, know of your intention to cleanse Jianghu, and also know of your preference, so I specially send twenty handkerchiefs. The Eastern Depot and the Imperial Guards are at your disposal.

Covered by imperial silk, the Imperial Guards will give them a decent funeral!

In this journey, those who block you shall be slain, those who obstruct you shall die! The Great Ming Empire is yours to gallop across; you need not have any worries.

I, your elder brother, will bear all consequences for you.”

Lu Jiuyuan tucked the handwritten letter into his embrace, then looked at the handkerchiefs again. They were too exquisite; those people didn’t deserve them!

Lu Jiuyuan took out five of them and put them in his pocket, handing the rest over:

“Please keep these safe for me and replenish them when needed.”

“Ah? Yes, Second Master!”

He then handed him the list: “These scoundrels are in Jianghu. Find their whereabouts and then tell me!”

“Second Master, don’t rush yet, there’s one more thing. This is something Young Miss Shangguan sent you.”

The Imperial Guard handed over another package.

Lu Jiuyuan opened this package, and it was a set of clothes, a very stylish set of clothes.

Lu Jiuyuan walked into the tailor shop: “Boss, I need twenty white cloth handkerchiefs. The quality doesn’t need to be too good, just usable.

Lend me your place; I’m changing clothes!”

A moment later, Lu Jiuyuan emerged from the tailor shop, dressed in a cyan robe, the color of the sky after rain.

Superior cloud brocade woven with subtle flowing cloud patterns, which, when he moved, appeared like surging green mist, and under the sunlight, it shimmered with a lustrous sheen, not ostentatious yet inherently noble.

The wide robe and flowing sleeves were cinched with a jade belt, and as he walked, it conveyed both an ethereal grace and a hidden upright posture.

The collar and cuffs were trimmed with silver thread embroidered with cloud patterns; when the wind blew, the corners of his robe fluttered like descending heavenly clouds.

Standing, he was like a graceful green pine; moving, he resembled flowing wind and swirling snow. Without needing to deliberately create an impression, merely standing before people, that bright yet profound cyan hue commanded the scene.

Every movement exuded an air of elegant confidence, perfectly suiting his distinguished demeanor when making a grand appearance.

It was both dazzling to the crowd and refined, truly the epitome of stylishness.

Lu Jiuyuan’s expression, however, was somewhat inexplicable:

“The sky-blue awaits the misty rain, and I await you.

Smoke rises gently, thousands of miles across the river... I only sang it once, and you remembered it by heart...”