54: Chapter 54 Each with their own schemes

"Brother Meng, why do I feel... you seem to know everything."

As soon as these words were spoken, Hua Wuchuan and E Tongtian subconsciously nodded.

Tie Xinlan, Jiang Yuyan, and Xiao Xiao also quite agreed.

Meng Li replied: "That's because I know many things, and you know few. The disparity creates an illusion for you. If I knew everything, I wouldn't need to obtain the Qiao Duo Tian Gong Secret Manual from you through a transaction."

Xiao Yuer thought it over carefully and found it reasonable.

At this moment, the group, who had been talking while walking, arrived at the Market Town at the foot of the mountain.

Meng Li timely stopped the topic and said to Xiao Yuer: "You can consider the transaction matter slowly. If you are willing to do it, it's best to give me a reply as soon as possible. Because Xinlan and I won't stay long, at most two days before we leave."

"So urgent?" Xiao Yuer was somewhat surprised, then asked: "Aren't you here to participate in the Heroes Convention?"

Having arrived quite late, he had previously guessed based on the situation at the scene that Meng Li and the others had an unpleasant incident with Jiang Biehe and his group, but he didn't know the specifics.

Meng Li replied: "No."

"The main purpose of our trip this time is to travel and enjoy the scenery. We have no intention of participating in the Heroes Convention or getting involved in the struggle for the Wulin Alliance Leader position. Going to the Gathering Hall earlier was merely to resign from the Alliance Leader position on behalf of my father-in-law, as he entrusted, and to hand over the Alliance Leader token."

"Unexpectedly, before we could even state our business, those people, seeing my father-in-law absent, became overbearing and made unwarranted accusations."

"That's why we had the unpleasantness with them."

"Now it seems, this Alliance Leader token is dispensable to them."

"Naturally, we also have no need to get involved in the subsequent matters, lest it spoil our mood for sightseeing."

Only then did Xiao Yuer, Hua Wuchuan, and E Tongtian understand.

Subsequently, Xiao Yuer agreed: "Indeed, Brother Meng, you are clearly not on the same path as them. It's right not to mingle with them. As for the transaction matter, I will think it over more seriously and give you a reply within tomorrow."

Meng Li nodded: "Alright. Then we'll head back to the Inn to rest first."

"Okay, farewell." Xiao Yuer smiled and clasped his fists.

Hua Wuchuan nodded slightly.

After Meng Li and the others left, Xiao Yuer turned and asked Hua Wuchuan: "What do you think of this Brother Meng?"

Hua Wuchuan thought for a moment and replied: "His Martial Arts are very high, he knows many things, but as a person, he's somewhat unfathomable to me."

"I also feel I can't see through him."

Xiao Yuer echoed, then said: "But one thing is certain."

"What is it?" Hua Wuchuan asked.

"It's best not to become his enemy. Otherwise, an enemy with high Martial Arts, vast knowledge, and a clever mind... just thinking about it gives me a headache." Xiao Yuer said with a slightly pained expression, rubbing his head as he spoke.

"Then you should consider the transaction matter carefully." Hua Wuchuan advised.

He usually spoke very little, but due to an inexplicable familiarity and fondness, he always ended up speaking more when facing Xiao Yuer.

Xiao Yuer nodded, indicating he understood.

...

Inside the Inn room.

Tie Xinlan recalled the rumors about Demon Island that Meng Li mentioned. After thinking carefully, she was somewhat puzzled: "Husband, which book did you read those rumors from just now? I don't remember you reading such a book."

Meng Li thought for a moment and said: "From a miscellany called 'Jianghu Oddities Record.' I don't know when I lost it; I searched for it for quite a while back then."

Then, as if remembering something, he said with a smile in his eyes: "When did you start paying attention to the books I read?"

"Before Yu Yan came, you rarely even entered my study. Even if you did, it was to have me write storybooks for you to read."

Tie Xinlan immediately looked uncomfortable.

Because what Meng Li said was true. Before Jiang Yuyan came, she indeed rarely visited Meng Li's study. Firstly, she knew he liked reading and was afraid frequent visits would disturb him. Secondly, she and Meng Li were childhood sweethearts; when together, they played and had fun more often.

After Jiang Yuyan arrived, seeing the other woman performing acts like adding fragrance to his sleeves and grinding ink for him, Tie Xinlan started visiting Meng Li's study more often out of rivalry.

Her earlier question was merely born of surprise at Meng Li knowing so much, not because she had grown suspicious.

Unexpectedly, she ended up being teased by Meng Li instead.

Jiang Yuyan and Xiao Xiao noticed this and couldn't help but laugh quietly to themselves.

Seeing this, Tie Xinlan couldn't help but feel "flustered into anger." She pounced on Meng Li and gave him a series of light punches.

Meng Li smiled and let her make a fuss.

Once she calmed down, he looked at Jiang Yuyan: "Yu Yan, earlier at the Gathering Hall, you remained silent. Did you have other plans?"

Jiang Yuyan nodded slightly: "Regarding the family recognition matter, I plan to go to his residence."

Tie Xinlan and Xiao Xiao were utterly confused.

Tie Xinlan subconsciously asked: "What family recognition..."

Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly realized and exclaimed in surprise: "Yu Yan's biological father was in that Gathering Hall?"

Xiao Xiao showed a surprised expression.

They knew Jiang Yuyan intended to meet and recognize her biological father during this trip, but they didn't know who her father was.

Since Jiang Yuyan and Meng Li hadn't mentioned it, the two of them felt it inappropriate to press for details.

Seeing their expressions, Jiang Yuyan confessed: "Sister Xinlan, Xiao Xiao, my father is Jiang Biehe."

Tie Xinlan and Xiao Xiao were startled.

Immediately after, Tie Xinlan asked, puzzled: "Then why didn't you recognize him earlier, or even tell me? If you had recognized each other, or told me in advance, we might not have ended up in such a..."

She suddenly stopped halfway.

Because upon careful thought, she realized that the ones who had actual conflict with them in the Gathering Hall were those Sect Heads.

Although Jiang Biehe's behavior differed from the rumors, it wasn't a major issue.

At the very least, he didn't accuse Tie Ruyun, nor did he take action.

Jiang Yuyan said: "Because I actually don't really want to recognize him..."

As she spoke, she briefly recounted Jiang Biehe's actions back then and the hardships she and her mother had suffered.

After she finished speaking, Tie Xinlan's gaze at Jiang Yuyan instantly held more heartache. She gently hugged her and said: "You've suffered so much."

Jiang Yuyan chuckled lightly: "It's alright. Haven't I finally found happiness after all the bitterness?"

Tie Xinlan knew she was referring to meeting Meng Li and marrying him. She couldn't help but smile, then asked curiously: "Then why did you say you'd go to his residence for the recognition?"

Jiang Yuyan immediately smiled wryly: "Because my mother can't let go. She wants me to recognize him. So I want to test him, to see what kind of person he really is, to see if he's worth my mother pining for all these years."

Only then did Tie Xinlan understand. She then said: "But you already appeared before him earlier, and with us too."

"Could this have any impact on you?"

Meng Li smiled and said: "It shouldn't."

...

At the same time, in a secret room at the Heroes Convention venue.

Jiang Biehe, Xiao Hongye, and the East Factory's former Second-in-Command, now First-in-Command, Say Earth, gathered together.

Say Earth was sent by Tan Tian to follow up on the situation of this Heroes Convention and provide assistance to Jiang Biehe if necessary.

The East Factory Guards that Meng Li and the others encountered were arranged by him.

He had long arranged people to ambush the necessary paths up and down the mountain to prevent any unexpected incidents.

Once an unexpected situation arose, they would eliminate it.

The originally anticipated targets were the "out-of-control" sleeper agents within the various Schools. Unexpectedly, the sleeper agents were normal, but Meng Li, Xiao Yuer, and others came to "stir up trouble." So Say Earth directly activated the contingency plan, intending to eliminate them.

The result was that the ambushing personnel were completely wiped out by Hua Wuchuan alone. Only the scout, who hadn't shown himself, survived.

Upon learning the situation, Say Earth couldn't help but frown: "The people from Yihua Palace are indeed formidable. Tomorrow's Heroes Convention might face disruptions."

Jiang Biehe stroked his beard and smiled: "First-in-Command, please remain calm. He's just a novice, merely skilled in Martial Arts, nothing more. As long as Master Hongye cooperates with me, I have my own ways to easily handle him."