22: Huang Rong was jealous? Because of Mu Nianci!

The candlelight in the lobby of the Inn flickered, casting shifting shadows. Ke Zhene's iron staff thudded against the blue brick floor as he spoke in a heavy voice, "I just received news that the Crown Prince of Jin is personally coming to the Central Plains. He claims it's to discuss 'cooperation' with Prince Zhao, but in reality, he wants to seize the Nine Yin Manual and recruit evil experts from the Jianghu. We must prepare in advance."

Xie Hui had just sat down when he saw Huang Rong walking over with a bowl of freshly warmed rice wine. Her smiling face instantly darkened when she saw Mu Nianci helping Guo Jing tidy his lapel. She slammed the rice wine down in front of Xie Hui. "Drink your wine! Be careful not to get drunk, or someone might steal the manual without you even knowing!"

Xie Hui was stunned for a moment. Following her gaze, he finally understood—Mu Nianci had noticed dust on Guo Jing's clothes and had simply patted it off and straightened his collar. In Huang Rong's eyes, this had become an "intimate gesture." Suppressing a laugh, he leaned into Huang Rong's ear. "Are you jealous?"

"Who's jealous!" The tips of Huang Rong's ears turned red, but she intentionally raised her voice. "I just think some people don't respect themselves. They clearly know Brother Jing is honest, yet they still deliberately get so close to him!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Mu Nianci's face flushed bright red. She quickly backed away two steps and whispered, "Huang Rong, you've misunderstood. I was just helping Brother Jing tidy his clothes..."

Guo Jing also scratched his head and explained, "That's right, Miss Huang. Sister Nianci didn't mean anything by it. Please don't be angry."

"I'm not angry!" Huang Rong snapped, but she turned around in a huff, turning her back to everyone. Xie Hui quickly tried to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, it's all a misunderstanding. Let's discuss how to deal with the Crown Prince of Jin instead. Don't let this little matter ruin the mood."

Ke Zhene nodded as well. "Young Friend Xie is right. The Crown Prince of Jin has many experts by his side, and he might have even asked Ouyang Feng for help. We need a foolproof plan."

At the mention of Ouyang Feng, Quan Jinfa frowned. "That Old Poison's 'Toad Skill' is incredibly powerful. Even all of us combined might not be a match for him. What should we do?"

Xie Hui's heart stirred—Ouyang Feng was a top-tier expert in the legend of the condor heroes. If he could subdue him, or at least prevent him from helping Jin, things would be much easier. He smiled and said, "I have a way to deal with Ouyang Feng, but I'll need Huang Rong's help."

Huang Rong immediately turned around, her eyes brightening. "Me? How can I help?"

"Ouyang Feng dotes on his nephew Ouyang Ke the most," Xie Hui said. "We can start with Ouyang Ke. As long as we capture Ouyang Ke, we can force Ouyang Feng not to help Jin. Besides, Huang Rong, you're so smart; you'll definitely find a way to catch him."

Huang Rong lifted her chin proudly. "Of course! But you have to promise me that you won't get so close to Sister Nianci in the future, otherwise I won't help you!"

Xie Hui smiled helplessly. "Fine, I promise. I'll keep my distance from Nianci from now on, alright?"

Mu Nianci, listening from the side, didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but she didn't say much—she knew Huang Rong had a childish temper and would be fine after a while.

The next morning, the group split into two teams: the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan took Guo Jing to scout for news of the Crown Prince of Jin, while Xie Hui took Huang Rong and Mu Nianci to track down Ouyang Ke. Just as they left the Inn, Huang Rong deliberately grabbed Xie Hui's hand, occasionally looking back at Mu Nianci like a little fox staking her claim.

Mu Nianci shook her head helplessly and quickened her pace to catch up. "There's a teahouse ahead. Let's rest there for a bit and gather some information while we're at it."

The three of them entered the teahouse and found a seat by the window. As soon as the Waiter came over, Huang Rong beat them to it, asking, "Waiter, have you seen a Young Master dressed in white, looking all slick and oily, with a group of beautiful women following him?"

The Waiter thought for a moment and nodded. "I have! He was drinking tea in our shop yesterday. I heard he's some Young Master Ouyang. He's very generous with his money and has even booked the entire Yuelai Inn in the west of the city."

Xie Hui was delighted. "Great! Let's go to Yuelai Inn right now!"

Just as the three of them stepped out of the teahouse, they saw a group of people walking toward them, led by none other than Ouyang Ke! He was dressed in white, fanning himself with a folding fan, and followed by a dozen beautiful women, looking exceptionally ostentatious.

"Oh, isn't this Young Friend Xie?" Ouyang Ke said with a fake smile upon seeing Xie Hui. "And these two lovely ladies... care to introduce them to me?"

Huang Rong immediately stood in front of Xie Hui, hands on her hips, and shouted, "So you're Ouyang Ke? You're so ugly, and yet you dare to come out and make a fool of yourself!"

Ouyang Ke's expression darkened. "You little brat, you dare speak to me like that? Believe it or not, I'll make you regret it!"

Xie Hui held Huang Rong back and said with a smile, "Young Master Ouyang, let's talk this through. I've heard your martial arts are superb. Why don't we have a match? If you win, I'll introduce these two ladies to you. If you lose, you come with us. How about it?"

Ouyang Ke's eyes lit up. "Fine! I'll compete with you! If I lose, I'm at your disposal!"

The two of them moved to an open space outside the teahouse. Ouyang Ke drew his sword and pointed it at Xie Hui. "If you're scared, it's not too late to admit defeat now!"

Xie Hui pulled out his military dagger and said with a smile, "I'm not afraid of you. Bring it on!"

Ouyang Ke brandished his sword and thrust at Xie Hui, the blade's wind sharp and carrying a hint of Killing Intent. Xie Hui was prepared; he sidestepped to dodge while simultaneously stabbing his dagger toward Ouyang Ke's wrist. Ouyang Ke hadn't expected Xie Hui to be so fast and hastily withdrew his sword to retreat, his face showing surprise.

The two exchanged over a dozen moves. Ouyang Ke gradually grew impatient and deliberately left an opening to lure Xie Hui into attacking. Xie Hui feigned falling for it and lunged with his dagger, but Ouyang Ke suddenly pivoted, extending his leg to trip him.

Huang Rong saw it clearly and shouted, "Watch out! He's cheating!"

Xie Hui reacted instantly, pulling back his foot while stabbing his dagger toward Ouyang Ke's knee. Ouyang Ke let out a scream of pain as his knee buckled, nearly causing him to kneel. Xie Hui took the opportunity to kick Ouyang Ke in the chest. With a thud, Ouyang Ke fell to the ground, grimacing in pain.

"You lost!" Xie Hui pressed his dagger against Ouyang Ke's throat.

Ouyang Ke's face was ashen, but he had to admit, "I lost..."

Huang Rong and Mu Nianci ran over. Huang Rong said triumphantly, "Well? Xie Hui is the better one after all! If you dare to be so arrogant again, I'll have Xie Hui beat you until you're crawling on the floor!"

Ouyang Ke trembled with rage but didn't dare to argue. Escorting Ouyang Ke, Xie Hui said to Huang Rong and Mu Nianci, "Let's go find the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan and tell them the good news!"

As they were escorting Ouyang Ke back, they were met halfway by a group of people led by Ouyang Feng! Dressed in black and holding an iron staff, his eyes were fierce. "Release my nephew! Or I'll turn you all into souls under my 'Toad Skill'!"

Xie Hui felt a chill—Ouyang Feng had indeed come! He quickly pulled Ouyang Ke in front of him as a shield and said to Ouyang Feng, "Senior Ouyang, don't be impulsive! As long as you promise not to help the Crown Prince of Jin and not to oppose us, I'll release Ouyang Ke."

Ouyang Feng stared at Xie Hui, his eyes filled with Killing Intent. "You dare to negotiate with me? Believe it or not, I'll kill you right now!"

Huang Rong suddenly jumped out and shouted at Ouyang Feng, "If you kill Xie Hui, I'll kill Ouyang Ke! A life for a life—let's see who gets the better deal!"

Ouyang Feng hesitated. He doted on Ouyang Ke more than anyone; if Ouyang Ke died, he would have no heir. He wavered for a moment before saying, "Fine! I promise! As long as you release my nephew, I won't help the Crown Prince of Jin, nor will I oppose you!"

Xie Hui nodded. "Good, it's a deal!" He released Ouyang Ke, who scrambled to Ouyang Feng's side.

Ouyang Feng glared at Xie Hui. "We'll see about this!" With that, he turned and left with Ouyang Ke.

Watching their departing figures, Huang Rong breathed a sigh of relief. "That scared me to death. I thought Ouyang Feng was actually going to attack just now!"

Xie Hui smiled and said, "It's fine. With me here, he won't dare to do anything. Let's hurry and find the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan to tell them the news."

The three quickened their pace toward the meeting spot. Sunlight bathed the streets, feeling warm and pleasant. Xie Hui looked at Huang Rong and Mu Nianci beside him, thinking to himself—not only did they catch Ouyang Ke, but they also forced Ouyang Feng to agree not to help Jin. It was truly killing two birds with one stone. Next, it was time to deal with the Crown Prince of Jin.

Just as they reached the agreed-upon teahouse, they saw the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan and Guo Jing waiting anxiously. Upon seeing Xie Hui and the others, Ke Zhene quickly asked, "How did it go? Did you find Ouyang Ke?"

Xie Hui nodded. "We found him, and we even forced Ouyang Feng to promise not to help the Crown Prince of Jin." He recounted the events, and the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan couldn't help but praise him. "Young Friend Xie, you truly have a way!"

Guo Jing also said happily, "That's great! That way, we don't have to fear Ouyang Feng anymore!"

Huang Rong said proudly, "This was all thanks to Xie Hui and me. If it weren't for me, Xie Hui wouldn't have been able to catch Ouyang Ke!"

Everyone laughed. Mu Nianci looked at Huang Rong and said with a smile, "You really are getting more and more mischievous."

Huang Rong's cheeks flushed red, and she quickly lowered her head, muttering, "I'm not mischievous!"

Just then, the sound of galloping horses suddenly came from outside the teahouse. A soldier ran in and shouted to the group, "This is bad! The Crown Prince of Jin is coming with a large troop, saying he wants to take the Nine Yin Manual from you!"

Everyone's expressions changed instantly—the Crown Prince of Jin had finally arrived!