Moments later, the secret chamber door opened, and a graceful figure appeared before everyone's eyes, astonishing the two brothers.
It was a young girl in a white dress, her face bearing a touch of childish innocence, like a pure lotus emerging from mud, to be admired from afar but not profaned.
She appeared lively and mischievous, charming and lovely, with a graceful smile and captivating eyes.
Zuo Wushang couldn't help but force a smile and ask, "Are you planning to show your true face?"
Xiao Jing replied with a smile, "Except for family and Yun Tian Wei, no one has seen my face since I was ten. To catch such a big fish, one must make some sacrifices."
"The beauty trap probably won't work on him..." Zuo Wushang sighed.
Xiao Jing immediately dropped her smile, her face turning frosty again. "Everyone has a weakness; if they don't, create one. From this moment on, I am Lin'er, the sister of the Yun Xiu Zhai Master. The accompanying Yun Tian Wei will not act rashly; we must ensure a decisive blow."
Zuo Wushang and the other two, familiar with Yun Tian Wei, couldn't help but feel a chill upon hearing this.
As the leader of Yun Tian Wei, she possessed no genuine emotions, yet could easily feign any sentiment, be it pure or seductive...
How many powerful officials, who thought themselves accustomed to beauties, had fallen at her feet!
"Brother, let's quickly go see that formidable An Guo Hou, and then, wait in Jinling. The momentum has shifted here."
The obedient yet slightly playful address sent a shiver down the spines of the three men present.
After the "siblings" left, Hong Qu pouted, "Marshal, will she, like Yi Rou, get too invested while playing the part?"
Zuo Wushang shook his head, his gaze sharp. "The two are incomparable. When even we believe she's fallen for it, that's when her disguise is truly successful! Yun Tian Wei can even deceive themselves..."
Hong Qu's expression drastically changed, and he swallowed with difficulty.
So this was her true fatal flaw!
At the inn, Lin Ming truthfully reported the situation to Liang Xiao, presenting the official documents from his subordinates.
"An Guo Hou, Lin Shulei is my clansman, but his parents died early, and he has no wife or children in Chuzhou. He came to seek refuge with me alone... Only this prayer bead was found in his room."
Looking at the prayer bead on the table, Liang Xiao narrowed his eyes and stored it in his Hundred Treasures Bag.
This prayer bead was identical to the one Liang Tie Che had given him!
He now understood; this type of prayer bead was likely a token for core disciples of the Spring Return Cult!
If the target of the assassination hadn't been Liang Xiao, a killer like Lin Shulei would most likely have succeeded with a single strike!
Chen Yuanwai and the others, sitting nearby, still felt lingering fear and dared not breathe loudly.
Now, it was Liang Xiao's decision to make.
Liang Xiao asked, "Then what are your views on me now, Prefect Lin?"
Lin Ming knelt again, his words earnest, "This official is willing to serve Your Majesty and An Guo Hou, and will send my entire family to the capital to be looked after by An Guo Hou, at my own expense! My family has already been brought here and awaits An Guo Hou's disposition in the inn's courtyard!"
Everyone was stunned, even Liang Xiao was somewhat surprised.
This was an active offer of hostages to show his loyalty.
"That's not necessary." Liang Xiao shook his head.
"It must be done! Otherwise, this official truly has no way to clear his name, and An Guo Hou will not be able to trust me in the future!" Lin Ming sighed.
Lin Ming insisted.
Liang Xiao no longer refused and nodded, "Until the situation stabilizes, your family will be secretly protected and well cared for by the Liang Mansion, and you will maintain communication."
The other party voluntarily offered hostages, likely fearing that his family would be controlled by the Gongyang Clan and the Southern King in the future, and being alone would alleviate any scruples when working for him.
Lin Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief and bowed his thanks.
Seeing Lin Ming's commitment, Chen Yuanwai also felt greatly relieved and solemnly stated, "The other party almost framed me as well. I will truthfully provide any intelligence An Guo Hou requires!"
Liang Xiao was overjoyed.
With the Chen Mansion responsible for intelligence gathering, it would save him a great deal of manpower.
The number of loyal and reliable personnel in the Liang Mansion was limited, and most of them were guards. Intelligence collection had always been handled by his Xiao Shuang Zi's people.
After Lin Ming went to bid farewell to his family, Chen Shaoling said, "An Guo Hou, that Great Hero Yang should be arriving soon!"
Liang Xiao nodded, "Let's go see."
A martial artist named Yang Chen was gathering other martial artists to seek out Liang Xiao. It was said that this person had a reputation for chivalry and had also offended the Dugu family, forcing him to flee to Chuzhou.
Yang Chen had specifically entrusted Chen Xinyue to provide information about Liang Xiao, and Chen Xinyue and Chen Shaoling wished to seek Liang Xiao's opinion.
Liang Xiao happened to need a large number of martial artists to promote his cause, so he readily agreed and had the Chen family inform Yang Chen.
"Second Young Master, those martial artists are waiting outside the inn, there are more than three hundred of them!"
Considering security concerns, Liang Xiao left Yue Lian and Zhuo Xun this time, taking only Jian Qin Wan and the Tianshan martial artists with him.
In the plaza outside the inn, more than three hundred men and women of the martial world were murmuring to each other, each with anticipation on their faces.
As Liang Xiao appeared, seeing the female hero Chen Xinyue and the great hero Chen Shaoling behind him, the crowd instantly understood and cupped their fists in salute to Liang Xiao.
"Greetings, An Guo Hou!"
Liang Xiao returned the salute, "It is an honor to have your favor!"
The burly middle-aged man with a full beard at the forefront was Yang Chen. He said loudly, "An Guo Hou's words, 'For the country and the people, the greatest of heroes,' were like a divine revelation to us; we cannot help but be convinced!"
Liang Xiao chuckled.
The Tianshan martial artists had indeed spread the word.
However, for safety reasons, Liang Xiao still did not approach the martial artists.
The quality of these martial artists varied, some were gentle and refined, others were boisterous and uninhibited. If another assassin like Lin Shulei were hidden among them, it would be disastrous.
"Killing one man in ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles! After the deed, he wipes his sleeves and departs, hiding his name deeply..."
The martial artists seemed to have prepared themselves and recited the two lines of poetry Liang Xiao had written for the Tianshan martial artists that day.
On a tall building in the distance, Hong Jie and Xiao Jing, who had resumed her disguise, quietly watched Liang Xiao in the crowd.
"Brother, what kind of person do you think An Guo Hou is?" Xiao Jing's voice was exceptionally sweet.
Hong Jie felt goosebumps all over. "There's no one here, you can stop pretending."
"Brother, you need to get used to it in advance," came the same sweet voice.
Hong Jie's hand holding the wine cup trembled, and he sighed, "The greatest enigma in history is a nightmare for our restoration cause."
"Brother, you might be exaggerating. No matter how powerful, he is still just a person," Xiao Jing replied noncommittally, looking back at the crowd.
After everyone fell silent, Yang Chen said loudly, "An Guo Hou, please forgive our presumption, but we feel that these two lines of poetry are incomplete and seem to lack something..."
Seeing everyone gazing at him expectantly, and considering the presence of references to the Tai Xuan Jing and the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, Liang Xiao smiled and said, "It was just a fleeting sentiment that day. Now that you all are so gracious, I should find a way to complete it."
Thus, Liang Xiao wielded his brush and ink in public, reciting as he composed, and the complete poem "Xia Ke Xing" was finally written!
"Zhao guests wear their turbans, their Wu sabers gleaming like frost and snow. Silver saddles illuminate white horses, swift as shooting stars..."
"Killing one man in ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles! After the deed, he wipes his sleeves and departs, hiding his name deeply..."
"Three cups of wine, and promises are made, the Five Peaks weigh lightly..."
As the crowd recited, many martial artists were moved to tears.
"Even in death, his chivalrous spirit is fragrant, worthy of the heroes of the world! Exquisite!"
Exclamations of admiration arose one after another!
"Brilliant!" Even Hong Jie couldn't help but clap his hands in approval.
Xiao Jing's eyes, after a brief moment of surprise, instantly turned cold.