socalfunplaces Chapter 23 Invitation
Chapter 23 Invitation
A bead of cold sweat appeared on Ouyang Ke's forehead, and he quickly explained.
"Your Highness has misunderstood. Miss Nianci is in the villa and is safe and sound."
"I rescued Miss Nianci by chance from a group of villains. When I learned that she was your sworn sister, I quickly sent someone to inform you. I had no other intentions."
Yang Kang sized up Ouyang Ke a few times and instinctively felt that Ouyang Ke's complexion had become pale and his steps were unsteady after not seeing him for several months. It was clear that he had been indulging in lust during this time.
"A villain? The villain you're talking about is probably yourself, isn't it?"
"Now, bring Nianci to me immediately, will you, Young Master Ouyang?"
A slight smile appeared on Yang Kang's lips, but his eyes grew increasingly cold.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ke immediately gave instructions to the maid beside him.
"Go and invite Miss Nianci out." The maid obeyed and left.
Before long, the maid in white led Mu Nianci, who was dressed in green, and another girl in yellow into the living room.
As soon as Mu Nianci saw Yang Kang, she exclaimed with delight.
Yang Kang looked at Mu Nianci and nodded calmly.
"Don't do such risky things again."
Having said that, he didn't continue to blame her, but simply gestured for her to stand next to his chair.
Then, Yang Kang turned his gaze to the girl in yellow, looked her up and down, and then stared at Ouyang Ke and asked.
"I think I only have this one adopted sister, right? You brought two... and you brought this girl out, what's the meaning of that?"
Before Ouyang Ke could speak, the girl in yellow immediately cupped her hands and addressed Yang Kang.
"Senior Brother, please accept my name! I am Cheng Yaojia, and my master is Sun Bu'er, the Pure and Serene Hermit. We are both disciples of the Quanzhen School."
Cheng Yaojia continued.
"On this trip down the mountain, I unexpectedly encountered this wicked villain."
"That scoundrel Ouyang Ke forcibly abducted innocent women and ruined countless reputations."
"My sister is utterly incompetent and fell victim to his schemes. Fortunately, she met Sister Nianci and, with the help of your prestige, senior brother, she was able to preserve her innocence. Senior brother, you must not let this villain who harms women get away with it!"
Cheng Yaojia came from a prestigious family and traveled extensively in the martial arts world, so she naturally had some knowledge of the rumors circulating about the world.
She had long heard of Yang Kang's formidable reputation. Now that she had met her fellow disciple, she naturally wanted to give Ouyang Ke a good dressing down.
Upon hearing this, Yang Kang immediately understood, and quickly stood up, cupping his hands in greeting to Cheng Yaojia.
"So you're a disciple of Uncle Sun. Yang Kang greets you."
Yang Kang turned his head and looked at Ouyang Ke.
Ouyang Ke immediately broke out in a cold sweat, and his face turned extremely ugly.
Yang Kang said calmly.
"Young Master Ouyang, it seems you haven't taken my advice to heart."
"Have you prepared your own coffin?"
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ke's face turned deathly pale, and cold sweat poured down his forehead. Although he was terrified, he tried his best to remain calm and composed, and slowly said.
"Your Highness misunderstands. It was precisely because I heeded your advice that Miss Nianci and Miss Chen are safe and sound today, wasn't that right? Otherwise..."
He paused, not continuing, but his meaning was clear.
Yang Kang narrowed his eyes slightly, stood up and looked at Ouyang Ke, who clearly had some confidence, and asked with great interest.
"You kidnapped my sworn sister and abducted my fellow disciple, and you still dare to come and beg me?"
"Interesting, Ouyang Ke. What gives you the confidence to speak to me like that?"
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ke quickly cupped his hands and said:
"Your Highness, please understand that I had no intention of offending you. To be honest, I had important matters to discuss with you, which is why I resorted to this measure. Please forgive me."
Yang Kang looked at Ouyang Ke and said calmly.
"You think you're qualified to discuss things with me?"
Ouyang Ke's face stiffened, and he quickly whispered.
"I am naturally not qualified. It is my uncle, Ouyang Feng, who is interested in cooperating with the young prince."
Yang Kang raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.
"Ouyang Feng, the Western Poison? Is he nearby too? No wonder you dared to come looking for me."
"Is there something he wants to discuss with me?"
Ouyang Ke quickly cupped his hands in greeting.
"My uncle instructed me to convey to the young prince that he wishes to invite the young prince to jointly plot the martial arts treasure, the Nine Yin Manual."
"If the young prince is willing to help him obtain this treasure, he is willing to do everything he can to help the young prince compete for the 'Wumu Legacy'."
Although Ouyang Feng was unaware of Yang Kang's feat of defeating Huang Yaoshi earlier that day, Ouyang Ke had already lavished praise on Yang Kang's martial arts in his letter. Coupled with Yang Kang's reputation for fighting his way through armies, Ouyang Feng immediately had the idea of inviting Yang Kang to assist him.
Of course, Ouyang Feng clearly didn't think much of Yang Kang either, otherwise he wouldn't have sent Ouyang Ke to deliver the message.
As they were talking, a shout of battle suddenly came from outside the courtyard, and flames shot into the sky.
It turned out that the Beggars' Sect disciples, led by Elder Li Sheng, had surrounded the area in an attempt to rescue the woman who had been kidnapped by Ouyang Ke.
A group of Beggars' Sect disciples kicked open the gate, and dozens of them rushed into the courtyard, each holding a torch and looking furious.
Li Sheng pushed through the crowd, walked to the courtyard, and shouted angrily at Yang Kang:
"You must be the villain who has been abducting innocent women these days, right? You look dignified and have an extraordinary bearing, but I never expected you to be such a wicked person."
"Now that we, the disciples of the Beggars' Sect, are here, we urge you to be sensible and release the women you have abducted immediately!"
As soon as Li Sheng finished speaking, dozens of Beggars' Sect disciples in the courtyard, holding torches and sticks and looking furious, shouted loudly. They clearly thought that Yang Kang, who was in the main seat in the hall, was Ouyang Ke's substitute and had taken the blame for Ouyang Ke.
Upon seeing this, Cheng Yaojia quickly stood up to defend Yang Kang.
"Seniors, you've misunderstood. It wasn't Senior Brother Yang who abducted the woman, but that treacherous Ouyang Ke!"
However, unlike in the original story, she did not know Li Sheng and the others beforehand; instead, she was kidnapped by Ouyang Ke in advance.
Li Sheng and the others assumed she was being coerced by Yang Kang and did not listen to her explanation.
The crowd surged into the hall, stood opposite Yang Kang, drew their swords and cursed him incessantly, and the scene immediately became tense.
Looking at Li Sheng in front of him, Yang Kang couldn't help but think of the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan by the shores of Taihu Lake.
He admired these people's chivalrous actions, but he felt extremely disgusted by their self-righteous and condescending attitude.
"What you perceive as good intentions and kindness is sometimes not much different from foolishness."
Looking at the group of beggars who were spewing foul language and reeking of stench, Yang Kang couldn't help but frown and cover his nose in disgust.
"You lecherous scoundrel! What did you say? You're about to die, and you're still spouting nonsense!"
Seeing Yang Kang's arrogance, Li Sheng was furious.
He had a fiery temper and, without saying another word, rushed forward and unleashed a move from the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms at Yang Kang.
Yang Kang raised his hand to block, unleashing a burst of force that instantly sent Li Sheng flying, crashing through the eaves of the door and landing in the courtyard, coughing up blood.
"The Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms? That's nothing special!"
The Beggars' Sect disciples were horrified to see Li Sheng severely injured in one move. They fell silent, too afraid to speak, and the scene froze.
Cheng Yaojia and Mu Nianci stared blankly at Yang Kang, unsure of what to say.
Yang Kang glanced at Ouyang Ke with disgust, then pointed a finger at Ouyang Ke's right shoulder.
Like Li Sheng, Ouyang Ke tumbled and flew backward, landing in the courtyard, barely alive. The bones in his right hand were shattered by Yang Kang's force, twisting and turning like a noodle on his body.
"If Ouyang Ke is not dead, have him tell Ouyang Feng that if there is anything he needs to say, he can come to me himself."
Yang Kang said casually. He hadn't used his full strength, but it was still more than Ouyang Ke could withstand. However, he didn't care whether Ouyang Ke would die or not.
Then, Yang Kang turned his head and spoke to Mu Nianci and Cheng Yaojia.
"Nianci, Yaojia, come with me and leave this place."
His tone left no room for argument.
Cheng Yaojia and Mu Nianci were also intimidated by Yang Kang's aura and simply followed behind him silently.
"You villain, don't run away!"
When Li Sheng saw Yang Kang about to leave, he assumed that Yang Kang had coerced the two weak women, so he struggled to get up and tried to rush forward again.
Yang Kang frowned slightly, and was about to raise his palm to end the beggar's life.
Suddenly, a long howl rang out.
"So this is all the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms has to offer! The Quanzhen Sect has produced such an extraordinary figure."
A figure came from the roof. Under the moonlight, everyone looked up and saw a disheveled old man standing on the eaves.
The old man moved slightly and in the next instant, he flashed into the courtyard.
"Boss!"
Upon seeing the old man, Li Sheng exclaimed in delight.