Chapter 1138: Lu Xiaofeng, Ximen Chuixue

“Headmaster, the properties of the Heavenly Crystal have been identified!”
“Speak!”
Only then did Meng Yun pull her gaze away from the vast amount of information as she watched Master Zhou Yi rush over, her sharp eyes fixing on his face.
……
At this time, the former First-Class Hall, which had nearly overturned the unity of the martial arts world in the Central Plains, had reduced its operations to a simple private room in an ordinary restaurant, with its membership dwindling to less than a hundred thousand.
Meng Yun, who had thought she would have a boring time ahead, entered a state of extreme tension again after the destruction of its branches in Vietnam and Thailand. She dared not slack off day or night, forcing herself to gather every piece of information about Kai Xin and Yi Di, as well as all developments in Jinxiu Heshan. Yi Di personally led thousands of elite fighters from Jinxiu Heshan and Xifeng Tower to attack Vietnam and Thailand, not only destroying the First-Class Hall’s branches and driving them away from their temporary bases but also dismantling the Wild Wolf Organization’s foundations and restoring local forces.
These battles not only dealt another severe blow to the First-Class Hall but also served as a harsh slap to the Wild Wolf Organization, forcing Meng Yun, the Evil Emperor, and everyone around the world to reevaluate the Central Plains’ combat capabilities abroad and Kai Xin’s long-term vision.
Meng Yun was well aware that it was their repeated mistakes and underestimation of Kai Xin that had led to the current situation, so she paid even closer attention to gathering information about every move he made.
These past few days…
Kai Xin had just succeeded in taking over from the Evil King, Song Fei, who had once ruled with great power and ascended to the realm of Unity with Heaven, by inheriting the legacy of the legendary swordswoman Song Que. Now, news spread across the land that he had killed the leader of the Sword Sect. Moreover, the ancient divine weapon, the Heavenly Crystal, had reappeared in the martial arts world thanks to Kai Xin.
These series of earth-shattering events made Meng Yun realize that Kai Xin had not stopped progressing despite the failures of the First-Class Hall and the Wild Wolf Organization. Jinxiu Heshan continued to develop at an astonishing pace, and rumors in the martial arts world suggested that the “Imperial Guard” might soon strengthen Jinxiu Heshan’s dominance outside the Central Plains. All these signs, combined with the current plight of the First-Class Hall, forced its headmaster to break free from despair.
In Meng Yun’s view…
If they did not take proactive action, the First-Class Hall might go from temporary defeat to permanent expulsion—never to return to the Central Plains again!
……
“The Heavenly Crystal was originally forged from the multicolored stones left behind by Nuwa when mending the sky. Its power is said to reach the heavens. Of course, this is just a legend. But the Heavenly Crystal has always belonged to the Nangong family, serving as the sword of several generations of family heads… Thanks to the Heavenly Crystal, the Nangong family reached its peak of glory…”

Inside the private room, a disciple of Yipin Tang recounted in detail the information he had painstakingly obtained from the Zhou Yi master:
“Later, the Nangong family clashed with a powerful demonic sect, and their patriarch died in battle. The Sky Crystal was broken, and since then, the Nangong family declined.”
“The broken Sky Crystal fell into the hands of the Sword Sect. The Nangong family and the Beilei family joined forces to recast it… The leader of the Sword Sect used some unknown method to restore the Sky Crystal to its original state. But according to rumors from the Beilei family, the sword is filled with violent demonic energy and is no longer the greatest ancient divine weapon in the world. Its fierce demonic energy can harm both others and the wielder. It seems even the leader of the Sword Sect cannot control it, so he took the sword to Tianchi and spent three years sealing away the demonic energy…”
“…”
Meng Yun slowly showed surprise: “Even someone as skilled as the leader of the Sword Sect can’t control it?”
“That’s right. But after sealing it, the Sky Crystal seems to have regained most of its former power… However, a Sword Sect expert who escaped from Tianchi said that the Sky Crystal seems to contain a supreme treasure book called the ‘Sky Crystal Secret’. Combined with the Sky Crystal itself, it would make its owner invincible in the world…”
“Bang!!”
Before he could finish speaking, the Yipin Tang disciple suddenly looked up, only to see a dark, furious face.
Meng Yun appeared extremely agitated and angry.
“What a joke! He pacified the Central Plains, forced an emperor to chase down the remaining forces of Yipin Tang, yet still has such good luck… Invincible in the world—he just wants to wipe us out completely, leaving no chance for Yipin Tang to recover!”
In her view, with the magnificent lands of the Central Plains and the help of Bai Xiaosheng, no one could stop Kai Xin from obtaining the Sky Crystal and the ‘Sky Crystal Secret’.
If not for the extremely hard solid pearwood table in the room, Yipin Tang’s bill would likely have seen another addition.
The Yipin Tang disciple’s eyes moved, and he spoke up to remind her:
“Master, it’s said the Sky Crystal was stolen, and the clues point to the Tianchi Sword Sect. Kai Xin might not be able to get it!”
“The leader of the Sword Sect died at Kai Xin’s hands. Do you think some obscure little sect like Tianchi Sword Sect can stop him from getting the Sky Crystal?”
“The fall of the Sword Sect leader even drew in experts from the Heavenly Dao. That shows sect leaders aren’t easy to deal with. If Kai Xin were to go to Tianchi Sword Sect’s headquarters to commit violence, it wouldn’t be that easy.”

“So what… Even a true master of the Heavenly Dao can’t stop Happy. He is the strongest hero in the Central Plains! In terms of strategy and strength, no one can compare to him. He won’t give up the Heavenly Crystal, an ancient divine weapon, just because of some master of the Heavenly Dao. It will eventually fall into his hands.” Meng Yun no longer dared to underestimate Happy. Shaking his head, he sighed, “In this world, the only one capable of stopping Happy is the Evil Emperor…”

But Meng Yun also knew that the Evil Emperor, having suffered a defeat in the Central Plains, would surely not make a comeback and confront the Central Plains head-on unless he found the right opportunity. With Happy and other skilled warriors leading the Central Plains, along with Bai Xiaosheng who could counter the Wild Wolves’ tactics, it was impossible to conquer them like ordinary countries. Eventually, Yipin Tang’s future would likely become increasingly difficult, with fewer chances of retaking the Central Plains.

…

With Bai Xiaosheng’s help, finding someone in the Central Plains was undoubtedly an easy task.

In an ordinary residence in the capital city, Happy met the key figure for the second phase of the Heavenly Crystal mission—Lu Xiaofeng. This crime-solving expert, almost mythologized among martial artists, seemed to have an even greater reputation as a police officer in the game than his title of “Spiritual Finger.”

However!

As a famous figure in the martial world and someone recognized by both the imperial court and the martial arts community, he wasn’t easy to see outside of official duties…

Happy was able to meet him only because he had bought two bottles of high-quality Nvruhong wine from a restaurant in advance, which helped lure Lu Xiaofeng out of the residence.

The tightly closed door of the residence creaked open, and a hearty laugh came from inside: “The scent of fine Nvruhong wine must mean a distinguished guest has arrived…” A handsome man in his thirties rushed out eagerly. As he spoke, his two sideburns trembled, making him stand out even more.

Four eyebrows.

As soon as Lu Xiaofeng stepped out of the house, he saw Happy smiling outside, along with two bottles of Nvruhong wine with the sealing mud removed. His smile froze slightly: “It’s you!”

Lu Xiaofeng’s expression and tone showed great surprise at seeing the person outside. But Happy wasn’t surprised at all. Lu Xiaofeng was connected to both the imperial court and the martial world, having information channels in both the legitimate and underground worlds—unlike secluded sects like Tianchi Sword Sect, which only controlled information within their own region.

Smiling slightly, Happy ignored Lu Xiaofeng’s stiff expression and threw one of the bottles of Nvruhong wine at him.

“…”

Lu Xiaofeng reflexively slipped out of the house, clutching the wine jar to his chest without spilling a drop. The aroma of the fine Nvnu Red wine filled his nostrils, causing his eyebrows to tremble. He tilted his head back and gulped it down, his stiff expression instantly melting away as he reverted to his usual lazy and cynical demeanor. Just like during the Tianjing series mission three years ago, Lu Xiaofeng was easily persuaded to talk, pouring out everything he knew, whether it was well-known or not. “Only my close friends would know to come looking for me with Nvnu Red. Since the Head of Happy Gate knows about this habit of mine, it’s likely he also knows that I have principles when helping others. I wonder what brings you here this time.” Lu Xiaofeng took a few satisfying sips before turning to Happy Gate and saying, “If it’s something harmful to the righteous path or to the world, no matter how strong you are, don’t expect to get even a hint of information from me.” “Since you’ve brought Nvnu Red, I naturally know Brother Lu’s rules. Don’t worry, I won’t put you in a difficult position…” Happy Gate was prepared. As he spoke, he threw out a second jar of wine! Under Lu Xiaofeng’s astonished gaze, the jar followed a unique parabolic path and was thrown toward Ximen Chuixue’s house! A snow-white figure appeared on top of the courtyard wall, with an icy temperament and a face sharp as a blade, yet carrying a faint sense of freshness and swordmanship. Calmly, he drew his sword with one hand. Tap. The jar landed steadily on the long sword, not a drop spilled. Seeing the arrival, almost everyone who had come upon hearing the news couldn’t help but gasp: Ximen Chuixue! Ever since the battle in the Forbidden City between their disciples, Ximen Chuixue had stayed secluded and never appeared in public again… Yet Happy Gate’s two jars of wine had drawn out two figures at the peak of the Mythical Realm! Faced with Ximen Chuixue’s icy swordmanship, Happy Gate’s smile didn’t fade. “Elder Ximen, there’s no need to worry. I’m not an utterly evil person; I won’t take any hostile actions against Brother Lu…” “…” Ximen Chuixue, standing high above, didn’t respond to Happy Gate, but his expression softened. “Don’t mind him. The death of the Sword Sect’s master has made him very sensitive. Besides, the crimes you committed in the capital aren’t trivial. I doubt anyone will consider you a true Shaolin disciple. Your current danger level isn’t any less than that of the Evil King.” Lu Xiaofeng sat down on the steps outside the house, still holding the jar, his face showing an indifferent expression despite his words.

“But Brother Lu isn’t afraid of me at all.” His expression remained calm, as if it wasn’t he who had done something wrong.
Lu Xiaofeng blinked: “I won’t interfere in the conflicts between your gangs. As for the Song family, you indeed did a good job in repelling the Evil King. As for the Sword Sect’s leader, it was probably an unfortunate incident caused by the Sky Crystal… Did you come to me to ask me to help you find the person who stole it?”