You Promised to Be an Idle Son-in-Law, How Could You Become a Land Immortal?

Chapter 379: Chapter 246: Render Him Powerless

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. ’Fang Hongxiu?’

Liu Taoyao was the first to react. He instructed the young man by his side, "They must be from the Imprisonment Department. Go turn them away."

The young man accepted his orders and walked out of the Painted Boat.

Liu Taoyao then clasped his hands toward Chen Yi and smiled. "As the old saying goes, ’no fight, no friendship.’ Why must you keep us at such a distance, Brother Liu?"

"Besides, some rather inconvenient people have arrived outside. It’s better for you to take refuge here, Brother Liu, than to be disturbed by them."

Perhaps worried that Chen Yi would refuse again, he pointed outside the Painted Boat.

"And with this storm raging tonight, staying inside the boat is much better than sleeping in the mud outside, wouldn’t you agree?"

Chen Yi said, unmoved, "It was your people who disturbed me first."

Liu Taoyao’s smile never wavered. He offered a quick apology, then shot Lv Jiunan a look.

Lv Jiunan nodded in understanding, forcing a smile onto his face.

"My little ghost sensed something strange just now and disturbed you, young brother. I hope you’ll forgive us."

Chen Yi glanced at him. While keeping his attention focused outside the Painted Boat, he still shook his head.

"We walk different paths and cannot make plans together. I have silver now; I can buy my own alcohol."

Before anyone else could speak, Chen Yi walked out of the Painted Boat. In a flash, he drifted back to the shore.

Seeing this, Liu Taoyao frowned. He had no choice but to signal Lv Jiunan and Ge Muxiao to stay out of sight before following Chen Yi out of the Painted Boat.

At that moment, Fang Hongxiu was questioning the young man named Zhao Shichang. Seeing Chen Yi emerge, she quickly moved to intercept him.

"Wait."

Chen Yi pulled the bamboo hat from his back onto his head and glanced sideways at her. "What is it?"

He had already overheard Fang Hongxiu asking Zhao Shichang for details. The gist was that he had revealed a bit of his skill while drinking.

Fang Hongxiu sized him up, a flicker of recognition in her eyes. Her tone grew suspicious.

"Who are you? Were you the one who just made a move over Quchi Lake?"

Chen Yi tugged his bamboo hat down slightly, revealing a sharply defined jawline. He lowered his voice and chuckled, "The name’s Liu Wu."

"If Hundred Households Fang is referring to that burst of Spear Intent, then yes, that was me."

Fang Hongxiu’s eyes widened. "You..."

Before she could finish, Chen Yi leaned in closer, raised a finger to his lips in a "shush" gesture, and said with his back to the Painted Boat:

"If there’s nothing else, I’ll be taking my leave."

As he spoke, however, he made two quick hand signals to Fang Hongxiu, telling her to stay calm.

Fang Hongxiu, having recognized him, shot him a glare. She then turned toward the Painted Boat on the lake, clasped her fist, and said:

"Since it was a misunderstanding, we won’t disturb Lord Liu’s pleasant evening."

After exchanging a glance with Zhao Shichang, Liu Taoyao replied, "Thank you for your trouble."

He didn’t forget to clasp his hands toward Chen Yi with a smile. "My apologies, Brother Liu. Tonight was rather inconvenient. We’ll have to share a drink on the boat another time."

Chen Yi just smiled and shook his head. He gave Fang Hongxiu another hand signal, then leaped away into the distance.

Fang Hongxiu understood his signal. After a moment’s hesitation, she waved her hand and led her people away.

A few of the Imprisonment Officers muttered as they walked, "That guy looks kind of familiar."

"I thought so too. He looks like that guy from..."

Before he could finish, Fang Hongxiu slapped him on the back. "Less chatter," she chided. "Hurry up and scout the area for any other disturbances."

"Yes, Lord Hundred Households..."

「Once everyone was gone.」

Liu Taoyao stared into the dim, rainy curtain, the smile on his face slowly fading until his expression was completely sullen.

The young man called Shichang, however, was much calmer. After scanning their surroundings, he bowed respectfully and said:

"Young Master, let’s talk inside."

Liu Taoyao grunted in acknowledgment and turned back into the Painted Boat.

Inside, he found Lv Jiunan sitting cross-legged at the table, wisps of an icy, sinister aura radiating from his body.

Ge Muxiao stood guard beside him, his expression vigilant.

Liu Taoyao’s expression flickered. After a moment’s thought, he decided not to disturb Lv Jiunan and instead turned to Ge Muxiao.

"Is Brother Lü using a Secret Skill to track that Liu Wu?"

Ge Muxiao merely nodded, not daring to speak for fear of disturbing Lv Jiunan.

Seeing this, Liu Taoyao’s expression eased slightly. He turned his head and asked, "What is your assessment of this Liu Wu?"

Zhao Shichang pondered for a moment. "He’s rather odd."

"For one, his previous location was too close to the Painted Boat."

"With his level of Martial Arts Cultivation and Technique Realm, if he had intended to eavesdrop, he should have been able to hear our conversation."

"Secondly, judging by his attitude toward Brother Lü and Brother Ge Mu, it’s easy to conclude that he is not one of us."

Liu Taoyao nodded slightly. "My thoughts exactly."

He paused, his brow furrowing. "If he did hear our conversation, I’m afraid..."

Zhao Shichang naturally understood what he meant. His gaze fell upon Lv Jiunan as he said:

"Young Master, the crucial thing now is to confirm his identity."

"If he’s just some ordinary Jianghu wanderer, that’s one thing. The real danger is if he has connections to certain people in Shu State."

Liu Taoyao followed his gaze. "For now, we can only rely on Brother Lü."

But no sooner had the words left his mouth than Lv Jiunan’s eyes snapped open. His face was a mask of fury as he growled, "Liu Wu!"

Liu Taoyao was taken aback. "Brother Lü, what is it...?"

Lv Jiunan snorted, his tone icy. "He discovered the Secret Skill I was using."

"I don’t know what Method he used, but he was able to detect the Black Magic I placed on him. And not only that..."

He paused, looking out from the Painted Boat with a wary expression. "He was even able to destroy it in one strike."

Liu Taoyao and Zhao Shichang exchanged a look, frowning. "Brother Lü, are you saying he’s coming back for us?"

Lv Jiunan shook his head. "I don’t know."

"But to avoid implicating you both, I must take my leave first."

Earlier, besides being wary of Chen Yi’s strength, he had also been concerned about Liu Taoyao and the others being present.

If a fight were to break out here, never mind the outcome, his connection to Liu Taoyao would surely be exposed.