136. Guilty Yet Defiant

Qu Buping, Xiao Yu, and Xiao Yun understood the situation, and Qu Buping felt a jolt of anxiety. They had once heard Peach Blossom speak of Chief Escort Feng's formidable reputation, knowing full well that their own strength was no match for him. Neither could they afford to offend Wu Yijie of the Taihu Sect. It seemed their meddling just now had stirred up a real hornets' nest.

"A mere Taihu Sect cannot frighten this young master!" Qu Buping said aloud, though he flashed a meaningful look at Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu stood up, stretched lazily, and said, "Well then, we've had our fill of food and drink, so it's time we were on our way. Little girl, you're coming with us."

The young girl retorted, "Why should I go with you? You've been so nice to me, but you must have ulterior motives! What will I do if you turn on me along the way?"

Xiao Yun comforted her, "Don't be afraid, little girl. I'll let you into a secret: my two elder brothers are truly pathetic. Whenever they meet a beautiful woman, bad luck is sure to follow. If you don't believe me, just wait and see."

The girl clapped her hands and asked, "Is that really true?" Then, noticing the heavy-hearted expressions on the faces of Qu and Chu, she smiled and said, "Indeed, judging by their gloomy faces, they must have gotten themselves into trouble and are about to suffer a terrible fate."

Qu Buping snapped angrily, "What trouble could we possibly be in? At worst, we'll just hand you over to them to make peace."

The girl scolded, "How dare you!"

Qu Buping replied, "Why wouldn't I dare? You're not my wife; I'd even sell you without a second thought."

Xiao Yu intervened, "Alright, stop bickering." He then turned to the girl and asked, "Where are you from, little girl?"

"The capital," she answered.

Xiao Yu continued, "And what brings you here?"

The girl smiled and said, "To sightsee. I heard Gusu City is an earthly paradise and the most fun place under heaven."

Qu Buping remarked, "That may be true, but this 'most fun place under heaven' only applies to men. For women, it's a completely different story."

Xiao Yun chimed in, "Do you find this Gusu City beautiful or not?"

The girl thought for a moment before replying, "With peach blossoms, weeping willows, and small bridges over flowing streams, it is truly lovely."

Xiao Yu said, "Alright! Stop chatting nonsense. We need to figure out our next move." He then asked the girl, "What is your surname?"

"Surname Zhu," she replied.

Qu Buping sneered, "No wonder you have a pig's brain—you're utterly stupid."

With a sharp *slap*, the girl immediately delivered a resounding blow to Qu Buping's face, snapping, "Impudent!"

Qu Buping flew into a rage. "I've never been hit by anyone in my life! Today, I'm going to beat the pulp out of this little wench!" As he cursed, he raised his fist to strike.

Before his punch could land, the girl covered her face and burst into bitter tears, sobbing, "A big, grown man bullying a little girl—have you no shame?"

She wept with such pitiful grace that Qu Buping could only let out a sigh and mutter, "Consider it my bad luck to have run into another jinx."

Seeing the girl was about to fly into a rage again, Xiao Yu hurriedly intervened, "Will you two please stop arguing? Little girl, what are your plans for the future? If you think we are bad people, you can stay behind by yourself, because we are leaving."

The young girl surnamed Zhu quickly asked, "Where are you going?"

Xiao Yu replied, "We still have many matters to attend to; we can't stay here and keep you company forever."

Miss Zhu inquired, "What matters do you have to attend to? Can you tell me?"

Xiao Yun answered, "Well, since you asked, my two brothers wish both to accomplish great things and to take a beautiful, clever wife."

Miss Zhu asked, "Do you mean to marry a clever and beautiful girl like me?"

Qu Buping, thoroughly exasperated, retorted, "You, beautiful? Wait a few more years! As for clever—you'd let someone sell you and still help them count the money. You're hopeless!"

Stunned by his harsh words, Miss Zhu whispered to Xiao Yun, "Am I really that terrible?"

Xiao Yun smiled and said, "Don't listen to his nonsense. He's just like the fox who couldn't reach the grapes and called them sour."

Just as Qu Buping, Chu Xiao Yu, and the others were preparing to leave, Qu Buping spotted three figures entering the tavern: Peach Blossom, Hua Sanxiao, and their servant.

Delighted at the sight, Qu Buping hurried forward and called out, "We meet again by fate! Lady Peach Blossom, Young Master Hua, we truly are bound by destiny. Come quickly, my treat today!"

Seeing his uncharacteristic warmth, Peach Blossom asked in astonishment, "You're being so polite today—did you strike it rich?"

Qu Buping replied, "Even if I didn't strike it rich, does that mean I can't treat you to a meal?"

Peach Blossom laughed, "I'm just afraid you're pulling that old trick again: you do the inviting, but I pay the bill."

Qu Buping assured her, "Rest assured, it won't be like that today. I'm not that petty all the time."

Hua Sanxiao said, "If you're paying, I'd feel rather embarrassed."

Qu Buping waved his hand. "Nonsense! All men within the four seas are brothers. I was only joking with Young Master Hua before, so I hope you won't take offense. Actually, we still remember how Young Master Hua helped us reason with the River Four Wolves last time, so it is only right that we treat you today."

Xiao Yun found this rather strange. Given Qu Buping's usual personality, upon seeing Peach Blossom and Hua Sanxiao together, he would surely have stepped forward to mock them—asking pointed, sarcastic questions like, "Lady Peach Blossom, has Young Master Hua already carried you over the threshold?" To see him acting so deferential now meant he must have an ulterior motive.

Miss Zhu was equally perplexed. She whispered to Xiao Yun, "What's wrong with him? He clearly just ate two meals, yet he's inviting people to eat again. Is he a pig? Always obsessed with food."

Hearing this, Qu Buping leaned over and muttered angrily, "You're the pig! Hanging around with a Zhu like you is turning me into a pig, too—can't think of any other ideas, just endlessly eating."

Before long, the wine and dishes were served, and Qu Buping sat down to dine with Peach Blossom and her companions.

At that moment, another group of people walked into the tavern. Qu Buping thought to himself: *The people who ought to come have finally arrived.* Leading this new group were precisely the lackeys under Boss Gao who had been driven off earlier. At their head was a sharp, capable-looking man of about forty.

The innkeeper hurried forward the moment he saw them, bowing and saying, "Ah, honored guests! What kind of wind blew you here, Hall Master Yu?"

Despite his welcoming words, the innkeeper glanced over at Qu Buping's table, thinking to himself that they were in for a world of hurt. At the same time, a wave of anxiety washed over him, dreading that a massive brawl in the tavern might end up destroying his establishment.