With a sword drawn, he laughs proudly, his martial prowess dominating the heavens!

Chapter 37 Deliberately Making Things Difficult, Responding to Each Move

Li Che thought to himself, "I've never met you before, but you old bastard must have investigated me."

He didn't move, and the two sides remained nearly three zhang apart, facing each other across the street.

"I have long heard of Senior Brother Di's reputation. This morning, the Wang family sent someone to invite me, saying that Senior Brother Di is in Luoyang. In that case, how could I possibly avoid meeting him?"

Li Che smiled broadly, speaking politely but not obsequiously, and in just a few words, he completely exposed Wang Bofen.

As expected, Di Xiu frowned for a moment upon hearing this, but then returned to normal. He then clasped his hands and bowed to the west, saying, "Since Junior Brother Li has come to Luoyang, why didn't you go to Mount Song to pay your respects to Alliance Leader Zuo?"

Master Yue of Mount Hua is known as the Gentleman Swordsman. Could it be that Junior Brother has been blinded by the peonies of Luoyang and forgotten the importance of respecting his elders?!

Li Che remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he sneered repeatedly.

This morning, after breakfast, he did indeed stroll around the city with Qu Feiyan.

The peonies of Luoyang are famous throughout the world, and they are in full bloom right now, but this fellow is keeping a close eye on them.

This fellow truly showed no mercy, rebuking Li Che and his apprentice in one sentence, revealing his arrogant and domineering attitude.

One can see the whole leopard from a single spot. If the disciples of Zuo Lengchan are like this, others will surely follow suit.

Li Che replied with a smile, "Senior brother has misunderstood junior brother. As the leader of the Five Mountains Sword Sect Alliance, Master Zuo is extremely busy."

My junior brother is only the lowest-ranking disciple in the Huashan Sect. He can neither share the burden of Master Zuo nor go there rashly. Instead, he will disturb the old man's peace and quiet.

Furthermore, before I left the mountain, my master repeatedly instructed me that the Songshan Sect is full of talented people, and that my senior uncles and brothers are busy traveling the martial world every day, eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path, so I, your junior brother, should not cause any trouble.”

Li Che paused for a moment, then continued, "Leaving aside others, just look at the disciples of Master Zuo. They are truly outstanding students under strict teachers, dragons and phoenixes among men!"

I heard that... Senior Brother Shi Dengda has made a name for himself as the Thousand-Foot Pine in just a few years, truly becoming famous throughout the Central Plains and resounding throughout the martial arts world. It is evident that Senior Uncle Zuo has high expectations for Senior Brother Shi.

"Yes, I wonder if Senior Brother Shi Dengda is in Luoyang? Could Senior Brother Di please introduce us?"

Li Che's face was full of sincerity, and his words were earnest. He seemed not to see that his good senior brother's face had turned red and then white, then white and then green, and that his left hand fingers were as if they were stuck in a sword sheath, with no color left.

Li Che was secretly delighted. "That bastard is trying to poison my mind?"

Comparable to Lao Denuo, the former "foreign affairs officer" of the Huashan Sect, what difference is there between you, Di Xiu, who lingered in Luoyang for several days without doing anything of substance?

Which disciple favored by the sect leader isn't constantly honing their martial arts skills?

For example, that Mr. Li!

The streets were bustling with people and vehicles, yet the two men looked at each other across the street; one smiled gently, while the other... smiled somewhat coldly.

Li Che suddenly added insult to injury, "That's right, Junior Brother hasn't come down the mountain for a long time, so he doesn't know what Senior Brother's nickname is. Please don't take offense, Senior Brother."

Later, my junior brother will punish himself with three cups of wine, and I'll take the opportunity to tell him about my chivalrous experiences.

"Zzzzt—!"

With his left thumb slightly raised, the broadsword in his hand was already halfway out of its sheath.

Li Che glanced at it only once, then turned his gaze toward the Wang family's gate. He had already spotted Wang Bofen hiding behind the door, peeking out and spying for quite some time.

Sure enough, seeing that something was wrong, Wang Bofen hurriedly went out to greet him.

"Oh dear, I've neglected you both. Please forgive me. A banquet has been prepared in the manor. Please come in, my esteemed heroes."

Li Che smiled and then said, "Senior Brother Di, please!"

The latter gave him a cold look, snorted angrily, and walked away first, as if Wang Bofen were invisible to him.

Li Che did not rush to take a step, but instead looked at Wang Bofen with a half-smile, "Brother Wang."

"Ah? What advice do you have for me, Young Master Li?"

"If you're too preoccupied with your thoughts, you're prone to making mistakes. Be more grounded."

After saying that, Li Che patted him on the shoulder and walked past him.

But the moment his palm touched his shoulder, Wang Bofen felt as if he were carrying a heavy cauldron on his shoulder and his feet were sinking into the blue bricks, making him feel suffocated and his forehead was already soaked.

The press and release took less than three breaths. After Li Che left, he looked at the cracked bluestone slab under his feet with lingering fear, his eyes filled with shock, but he dared not harbor any resentment.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and then let out a long sigh of relief.

He then tidied his clothes and hurriedly chased after them.

Upon entering the Wang residence, one is truly overwhelmed by a dazzling array of flowers.

A pretty maidservant led the way with her head bowed. Along the way, there were brocade flowers, carved beams and painted rafters, strange rocks in the garden, and flowing water from the artificial hill to form small waterfalls. Even the low trees and green plants had been carefully pruned.

The main hall was even more impressive, made entirely of huanghuali wood, with candlesticks painted gold. A broad-backed gold knife lay across the table in the center, its handle wrapped in gold thread. It was not only sharp but also undoubtedly valuable.

Li Che secretly curled his lip. So incredibly wealthy, yet still flaunting it everywhere. If that Zuo guy doesn't cut you off, who else will he cut off?!

Di Xiu sat at the head of the table without hesitation, and Li Che nodded and smiled from afar, while Di Xiu only gave him a disdainful look.

As soon as he entered, he was greeted by an elderly man dressed in fine clothes, with a full head of silver hair and a ruddy complexion.

"It is a great honor for the Wang family that Young Master Li has accepted our invitation. Please forgive us if we have been negligent in any way."

Since the other party was being polite, Li Che didn't hold back either, immediately cupping his hands in a salute, "I dare not! In front of the great hero of Zhongzhou, how could this junior dare to call himself a hero? The Golden Saber Sect is famous throughout Zhongzhou, guarding this area of ​​Jianghu, and is a model for our path. My master has also mentioned it in many praises."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanba stroked his beard and laughed heartily, feeling greatly smug and relaxed all over. "Enough, enough! I greatly admire the Gentleman Sword Master Yue of Mount Hua, but unfortunately I am old and frail. Otherwise, I would definitely go to Mount Hua to pay him a visit."

"Heh~ I've never seen the 'Great Hero of Central Plains' speak so highly of Alliance Leader Zuo!"

Before he finished speaking, the hall fell silent. The Wang family members remained silent, and although Wang Yuanba had a smile on his face, his eyebrows twitched uncontrollably.

The scene was very awkward.

Li Che glanced around but didn't see the other two Songshan disciples who had come with Di Xiu.

He then laughed and said, "Senior Brother Di, you've gone too far. A gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. I imagine that Senior Uncle Zuo, as the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance, wouldn't care about such polite words at the dinner table."

Di Xiu's face turned cold. "Junior Brother Li's deeds of slaying the two snake-like beggars and the two northern bears have spread throughout Luoyang. I have witnessed Junior Brother's verbal skills, but I wonder how much of Uncle Yue's Gentleman's Sword has he learned!"

"Junior brother just said he would punish himself with three cups, does that still count?!"

Before he could finish speaking, a burst of snickers erupted.

Di Xiu flicked his right wrist, sending the wine cup flying at an angle, heading straight for Li Che's face.

Everyone in the hall was shocked. They hadn't expected Di Xiu to make a sudden move; it was far too domineering.

Wang Yuanba hesitated for only a moment before raising his hand to stop Li Che. He had already noticed that Di Xiu had used internal energy in the wine cup. He couldn't afford to offend either Songshan or Huashan. It would cost money to anger Di Xiu, but it was better than having Huashan disciples die or get injured at home.

However, apart from Li Che, only Wang Bofen in the hall looked relaxed, even somewhat excited, probably thinking to himself, "Fight! Let's fight! Damn it, it would be best if we crippled that bastard Di Xiu!"

......