230: Chapter 10 Reunion

"Ding Chunqiu?!" Kang Guangling cried out in shock the moment he saw Ding Chunqiu.

Meng Li understood this well in his heart, but feigned surprise on the surface. "Does Mr. Kang know this Ding Chunqiu?"

"Of course," Kang Guangling answered without hesitation.

By relation, Ding Chunqiu was his Junior Martial Uncle. At the same time, he and his fellow Disciples were expelled from the Xiaoyao Sect by their Master, Su Xinghe, because of Ding Chunqiu.

Back then, Ding Chunqiu had knocked Wu Ya Zi off a cliff. Fearing that the news would leak and cause trouble, he forced Su Xinghe—who knew the truth but was inferior in Martial Arts—to play deaf and mute, demanding that his Disciples also become deaf and blind.

To protect his Master, Wu Ya Zi, Su Xinghe had no choice but to comply, but he couldn't bear to harm his Disciples, so he expelled them all from the sect.

Only then did Ding Chunqiu let the matter rest.

Kang Guangling and the other seven knew all this and hated Ding Chunqiu to the core, wishing for nothing more than to kill him.

However, Ding Chunqiu's Martial Arts were formidable, and he was an expert in using poison.

There were few in the Martial Forest who could defeat him, and even fewer who were willing to provoke him.

Furthermore, Ding Chunqiu had been active in the Western Regions for years and had gained power after founding the Xingxiu Sect.

Getting rid of him had become even more difficult.

Thus, while Kang Guangling and the others had the intent to kill the villain, they lacked the power to do so.

Seeing Ding Chunqiu being carried by Meng Li like a dead dog, Kang Guangling's initial shock turned into disbelief.

After answering Meng Li, he stared intently at Ding Chunqiu once more. Confirming it was indeed him, he burst into laughter on the spot. "Old Thief Ding, so you have a day like this too!"

"Heaven truly has eyes! Heaven has eyes!"

Meng Li's lip twitched as he reminded him, "Mr. Kang, I was the one who captured Ding Chunqiu."

Kang Guangling's expression stiffened. He then reined in his wild behavior, cupped his hands in apology, and said, "My sincere apologies. I lost my composure. Please forgive me."

"It's nothing," Meng Li replied casually. He placed Ding Chunqiu and A Zi on the ground—one lying down, one standing—and clapped his hands. He then addressed the servants, A Zhu, and A Bi, who had rushed over at the noise: "Find two people to tie him up and lock him in the confinement room under guard."

As he spoke, he pointed at Ding Chunqiu.

"Yes." The two nearest servants cupped their hands in obedience and took Ding Chunqiu away.

Meng Li turned to A Zhu and A Bi, pointing at A Zi. "Have two maidservants take her to the Listening Fragrance Pavilion. A Zhu, you watch over her personally."

A Zhu was very surprised.

Have her watch over the girl personally?

Could it be that this girl had some connection to her?

Suspicious, A Zhu sized up A Zi but couldn't see anything unusual for the moment.

Then, she bowed her head in obedience, summoned the maidservants, and led A Zi to the Listening Fragrance Pavilion.

With the arrangements made, Meng Li looked at A Bi. "A Bi, brew two cups of tea and bring them to my study. I have something to discuss with your Master."

"Alright," A Bi agreed softly and turned to brew the tea.

Meng Li turned to Kang Guangling. "Mr. Kang, you wouldn't mind talking to me about Ding Chunqiu, would you?"

"Of course not."

A moment later, Meng Li and Kang Guangling were seated in the study.

After serving the tea, A Bi tactfully left.

Meng Li took a small sip of tea to moisten his throat, then asked Kang Guangling, "Mr. Kang, your relationship with Ding Chunqiu seems to be quite unusual."

Hearing this, Kang Guangling sighed and set down his teacup. "To tell you the truth, that Old Thief Ding Chunqiu is my Junior Martial Uncle..."

Before long, he recounted his relationship with Ding Chunqiu and how he had been forced out of the sect because of him. He didn't mention the grievances between Wu Ya Zi, Li Qiu Shui, and Ding Chunqiu. Perhaps he didn't want to air the sect's dirty laundry, or more likely, he simply didn't know.

Meng Li did not press further.

Once the story was told, Kang Guangling asked curiously, "Young Master Murong, how did this Ding Chunqiu fall into your hands?"

Meng Li replied thoughtfully, "While I was escorting my cousin back to Manda Mountain Villa, I accidentally discovered Ding Chunqiu acting suspiciously, as if plotting something nefarious, so a conflict broke out. In the end, I was fortunate enough to defeat and capture him."

Kang Guangling frowned. "Manda Mountain Villa? What was Ding Chunqiu doing there?"

Meng Li said, "I'm not sure either, which is why I brought him back to interrogate him."

Seeing this, Kang Guangling stopped asking and changed the subject. "Young Master Murong, I wonder how you plan to deal with Ding Chunqiu next?"

This was his primary concern.

Meng Li said without hesitation, "That will have to wait until after I've finished the interrogation."

"That makes sense," Kang Guangling agreed. Then, rubbing his hands together, he said, "Young Master Murong, Ding Chunqiu is not only a notorious Devil Head but also a traitor to my sect. Therefore, I have a humble request."

"Please, speak, Mr. Kang."

Kang Guangling said, "If possible, I would like to take Ding Chunqiu back to my sect afterward so my Master can personally purge the traitor."

He then added, "Eliminating this traitor has been the long-held wish of my Master and even my Grandmaster. If Young Master Murong can help fulfill this, I believe they will surely reward you handsomely. We, the Hangu Eight Friends, will also be eternally grateful to you."

Meng Li said, "You're too kind, Mr. Kang. I am naturally willing to do such a favor."

"Thank you, Young Master Murong," Kang Guangling said, bowing happily.

Afterward, Kang Guangling chatted for a bit more before leaving.

He planned to gather the rest of the Hangu Eight Friends to return to their sect together.

If all went well, they would surely be able to return to the Xiaoyao Sect, which was a cause for great celebration.

After Kang Guangling left, Meng Li exited the study and headed to the Listening Fragrance Pavilion.

As soon as he entered, he saw A Zhu hitting A Zi.

Meng Li was a bit surprised, but after a moment's thought, he guessed the reason.

It was likely that time had run out, and A Zi's acupoint had unsealed themselves. She probably tried to run, and A Zhu had stopped her.

Seeing Meng Li arrive, A Zhu instinctively stopped.

A Zi immediately seized the opportunity and turned to flee in another direction.

Meng Li flicked his finger.

A Zi's movement came to a sudden halt, but her momentum didn't. She was about to fall face-first and closed her eyes in fear.

But soon, she felt her downward momentum stall, and her whole body flew backward. Before she could even process it, she was grabbed by the back of her neck.

By the time she reacted to the change, A Zi opened her eyes to see a handsome face with soulful eyes.

"Where do you think you're going?" Meng Li asked with a half-smile.

A Zi crossed her arms, turned her head away, and huffed, "None of your business!"

Meng Li didn't mind. Instead, he took out the golden locket he had obtained from her and handed it to A Zhu.

When A Zhu saw the familiar golden locket, she was stunned for a moment. Then, as if realizing something, she hurriedly took it for a closer look. After examining it, she glanced at A Zi and then looked at Meng Li, asking with nervousness and anticipation, "Young Master, this locket..."

"It's from her," Meng Li pointed at A Zi, then added, "Also, she has the character 'Duan' on her body as well."

With that, he placed A Zi on a nearby chair.

A Zhu was both shocked and overjoyed. She looked at A Zi, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say.

Seeing this, A Zi realized something was wrong and asked, "What are you talking about?"

Meng Li spoke bluntly, "A Zhu has had a golden locket since she was a child, very similar to yours. And she also has the character 'Duan' on her body."

"In other words, barring any surprises, you two are likely long-lost sisters."

A Zi: "?!"

...