260 Separation 1

"In any case, that went better than I had hoped, to tell the truth. I thought we would have to fight another band of soldiers here, to clean up all those who were targeting Brother Yan," Lin Liushui was the first to admit, with a smile on his lips.

"And we didn't have any other Schools and Sects interfering hereabouts. Which is always a good thing. I think we might have to thank our Brother Qin Feng for that. And how he chased away that Elder from the Snow Swallow Palace."

The Patriarch turned back to Qin Feng then, his surprise clearly shown on his face. "Eh? You did that? You chased away an Elder from that place? A proper Elder?"

"Ah! I think they are giving the wrong impression, when they say it like that," Qin Feng hurried to explain. And gave a quick description of the events that took place in his rooms.

"So basically, she was more afraid that you would steal away her disciple, rather than of your martial arts? That means you are a rather charming fellow, hey?" the old man laughed.

Qin Feng was startled when he heard that. Was that what everyone was saying? Was that what they were thinking? That was a little outrageous, wasn't it?

Then he simply smiled. Well, that would only make things easier for him, once he gets to meet Xu Yanzhi again, and set his plan into motion. If there was sufficient gossip about all of this, he would have a much easier time making trouble for the little scamp!

Besides, this was the sort of news would definitely spread, as soon as it was released. Wasn't it? All of these people seemed more than happy to gossip about the major characters that they know about, in the famous Sects. So wouldn't that be the same as his making trouble for her directly? All he needed to do was to toss out a few sighs now and again. Especially when the Snow Swallow Palace was mentioned. Lin Liushui had already given him an idea of how it should be done, hadn't he?

But Lin Liushui was speaking again, and had already diverted everyone's attention back to the issue with the Royal Prince and his lustful intentions towards Du Yan's wife-to-be.

So Qin Feng held his tongue, as Lin Liushui elaborated.

"Winter is the best time for all that plotting, so that is the best time for us to get rid of all the rats here in your family. So that Brother Yan will be ready for any move that comes from outside, come Spring. Besides, that is also the period when there is very little reason for any strangers to remain in Chuanshui Town. And that means that they will have less support, from those wanderers and such, from jianghu.

"I think Brother Yan should not have trouble wiping them all out on his own, if he has to. And Brother Changhai will be leaving him a few soldiers, just in case."

The Patriarch's eyes were as large as teacups as soon as he heard the plan. Or rather, when he heard what Lin Liushui called the man in the lieutenant's armor at his side. Then they became little crescents, hidden amidst the wrinkles that completely covered his face, as he got to his feet and dropped into a deep bow.

Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click www.novelhall.com for visiting.

"Then this is the Second Ducal Prince? I had heard that he was coming back with Du Yan, but I did not expect him to be dressed in such a fashion! I take it then, that this is a disguise, to hide him from his enemies?"

Li Changhai bowed back, although he could not resist giving out a laugh as he did so. Which completely suited the armor and the rough soldierly aura that he was giving off.

"I do beg the Du Family's Patriarch's pardon. It seemed like a good idea at the time. But after that little fight back in Ningfei Town, I doubt that I would be able to keep up the disguise for much longer," he told the much older man.

"Oh? You wish to remain incognito? To throw any enemy spies off your scent?"

Li Changhai merely laughed, as he clasped his hands and bowed at the old man again. Who looked terribly pleased at having guessed at the Second Ducal Prince's intentions. Qin Feng was not quite certain that that was what Li Changhai was really up to though. But he didn't see any need to stick his finger in the pot.

"That is a bold plan. And one that they will not be expecting.

"But you said that my Yan'er will be the only one handling the matter? What of you? Where will the three of you be headed?"

The Second Ducal Prince was the first to answer the Patriarch, and he looked somewhat awkwardly at his Brothers as he did so. "I believe I shall have to head back home. My parents, especially my mother, would definitely be anxious to hear the news that I have to share," he stated plainly.

Lin Liushui and Qin Feng smiled, and did not expose the Ducal Prince's real motivation. He didn't want his mother, Duchess Feng Xueli, to worry! Or to send more people after him. Of course, saying that out loud would make him sound like a bit of a cloistered, pampered mommy's boy, so he had to find another way of saying it, to maintain his image.

Especially the gruff, no-nonsense soldierly one that he was using at the moment!

Lin Liushui was next, and he simply gave out a soft laugh. "I suppose I should head back with you. That way, I can fill Aunt Feng in on all the details that you are bound to miss out, when you give her an account of what happened during this little trip of yours. You would probably downplay all of the danger, and push all the credit onto our shoulders."

Then he gave out an exaggerated sigh, and fanned himself in his usual arrogant fashion. "To think that I will have to be the one telling the tale! That means I shall have to downplay my own part, isn't it? How disappointing! I was hoping to be surrounded by all of your mother's palace maids, cooing at me as I recount your adventures. And my own."

Li Changhai gave out a laugh at that, and Qin Feng wore a smile as well. That sounded exactly like what Lin Liushui would do. Although both of them knew that it was nothing more than a show. Lin Liushui had already shown them all to what extent he would go to, to win his intended from the clutches of the Snow Swallow Palace.

Which reminded Qin Feng to share his own plans as well. After all, he had not spoken of how he was intending to head North, to make trouble for Xu Yanzhi.

"I think we shall be heading North. I have an appointment at Snow Swallow Mountain, to settle my little quarrel with Xu Yanzhi. So I shall need to hurry, before the Winter cold sets in, and I am prevented from ascending to the peak."

Lin Liushui gave out a strangled cry as soon as he heard that.

"Wait! You have an invitation? To visit Snow Swallow Palace? How did you ... How did you get your hands on that?"

"From Elder Ling, who else? Actually, the reason that she came to my room that night was to pass me this. So that I can head up there and show them how the White Jade Hands are really used," he exaggerated, puffing out his chest as he had seen Lin Liushui do many a time.

"In that case, may I change my plans, and accompany you there? I believe you know why I have waiting for a chance to visit that place. Lin Liushui will be eternally grateful if you will do me this small kindness."

Lin Liushui dropped into a formal bow at that. Which was enough of a hint that the youngest of the group did not have any trouble guessing what the gallant was thinking about. Lin Liushui wanted to visit his beloved, long-parted woman, didn't he? And Qin Feng was his means to get into the Snow Swallow Palace, so that he could look for her!

So Qin Feng sighed again, and gestured at the scene outside the windows. Towards the North. It looked like he wasn't going to be able to get away from the Ducal Prince or Lin Liushui anytime soon!

* * *