Five Exchanges (Part 4)
Ming Feizhen was aware of Ouyang Xiucai’s inquisitive gaze a while ago. Whether calling Ouyang Xiucai over or not was a wise decision was up in the air. Nevertheless, every second was vital when the goal was to buy time.
Ouyang Xiucai didn’t take the exposure to heart until he heard Ming Feizhen say, “If this one isn’t wrong, you are not here just for this one.”
While Ouyang Xiucai’s combat prowess was complimented, his perceptive nature wasn’t highlighted as much. He didn’t hide in the dungeon for a childish reason as “broadening his horizons”.
Although Elder Lianhua noticed Ouyang Xiucai’s presence in the prison, too, she was unable to pinpoint his location. As soon as the eight heavy doors were lowered, he was able to show up nearby, meaning he was hiding around the vicinity of the fifth door. Based on that reasoning, it was obvious that she was his target.
“Nice head you have on your shoulders, Brother Wu. Even this one is wondering if you are truly Wu Ping now.” It wasn’t hard to see the fangs behind Ouyang Xiucai’s smile.
“Everything has its principles, like mist and like lightning. Yes is yes. No can also be yes. Is there any difference whether it is true or not, Brother Ouyang?”
“Are you admitting you’re an imposter?”
“Would you also like to test this one?”
Ouyang Xiucai mulled over the question, “Is there any difference whether it is true or not, Brother Ouyang?” for a while, then shook his head with a bitter smile. “You really have a way with words. Whether you are or not, it truly makes no difference to me, and I have no reason to oppose you.” He then said to Elder Lianhua, “Upright people shoot straight. Granny, this one is here for you.”
Ouyang Xiucai’s original plan was to catch Elder Lianhua off guard, but he was forever stuck waiting owing to her always staying cautious. For whatever reason, he decided to spill the beans – in typical Ouyang Xiucai fashion – after Ming Feizhen brought him onto the stage.
Elder Lianhua was already prepared for an attack. “May this old lady ask what you want from her?”
“Old issues.”
“This old lady has probably forgotten most of the things earlier in her life.”
“It only took place a few months ago, so there is hope. May this one ask if you recognise this weapon.” Ouyang Xiucai held out an iron lotus the size of a chicken egg. “Recently, there has been a lot of atypical activity in the pugilistic world. One of this one’s friends lost his life to this iron lotus. This one searched for its wielder to avenge his fallen friend, but he had no luck finding the culprit. When he met Jiang Chen, Jiang Chen promised to share the origins of this weapon if this one could protect this place for three months. During his stay here, this one noticed you are also a specialist at projectiles, and, coincidentally, your nickname happens to mean ‘lotus’.”
“You suspect this old lady?”
“No, this one is merely asking if you recognise this weapon.”
Elder Lianhua shook her head. “It’s commonplace for nicknames to coincidentally match something else. If having ‘lotus’ in one’s name makes them a suspect, why don’t you investigate the Western Region’s Lotus Cult? Aren’t they even more famous? Please forgive this old lady’s lack of knowledge.”
“Lotus Cult? This one happens to know they are not the culprit. As for you, I guess we will find out once we try?”
Ouyang Xiucai spun the lotus in his hand, generating loud vibrations. When he somehow launched it from his hand, it flew so fast that Elder Lianhua had no time to dodge. As a result, she had to catch it in her sleeve, essentially using her circular arm catch as a body of water to decelerate the weapon.
While many were amazed with Elder Lianhua’s skill, she wasn’t so bright; she appeared annoyed over the fact that she did something she shouldn’t have. On the other hand, Ouyang Xiucai’s interrogative gaze screamed, “You have anything else to say?!”
Yuan Kou queried, “Brother Ouyang, what was the point of that?”
Ouyang Xiucai hiked up a corner of his lips. “The lotus is no ordinary projectile. As skilled as my late friend was, he was unable to find the projectile’s secret. While the six petals look cumbersome, they’re actually wondrous when combined with the correct technique. The wilder can split the six petals off, essentially transforming one weapon into six and make it difficult to read. Although this one lacks finesse, and the one who killed this one’s friend was hundreds of times more adroit at wielding it, the principle remains the same. Unless someone knew how it worked, how could they catch it? What do you say, Elder?”
The ksana lotuses were one of Elder Lianhua’s favourite projectiles. Had it not been for the hazard’s presence, she would’ve rather let Ouyang Xiucai hurt her than reveal her secret counter for the weapon.
Elder Lianhua recoiled. “Life is truly unpredictable. In the end, who ever manages to get away?” She sighed, then continued, “I shan’t withhold it from you. I do know the origins of the weapon, but it has been a long time since I was active. I haven’t fought anyone for around twenty years. Your friend’s demise is not my doing.”
Ouyang Xiucai raised his hands in a cupped-fist salute. “This one believes that. Before he took his last breath, this one’s friend told him the assailant was a man, not an elderly woman. Howbeit, this one cannot overlook any possibilities and clues for the sake of revenge. Please pardon any rudeness.”
“I have nothing but respect for your courage to enter the tiger’s den for your late friend. As such, I am willing to be honest with you.” Seeing Ouyang Xiucai about to reply, Elder Lianhua gestured for him to pause. “This man, however, is too dangerous.” She subsequently cast her gaze Ming Feizhen’s way and added, “If you can wait, I shall tell you everything I know once I have dealt with this problem.”
In other words, “Don’t stop me from killing this imposter.”
Ouyang Xiucai smiled at Ming Feizhen. “Brother Wu, it is not this one’s place to step in between your personal grudge with Elder Lianhua.”
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