Unsheathed

Given that Cao Fu was present, the old man with him was most likely Xiao Shuye.

The young girl raised her head and grabbed onto her aunt's arm in elation as she exclaimed, "Is this the Uncle Cao Fu that Wenfa is always bringing up?"

As for Sui Wenfa, he already had tears swimming in his eyes. The stories of Cao Fu's feats had made him a figure of idolization in Sui Wenfa's eyes, but he could never be certain if this was the same Cao Fu that had almost become his aunt's husband. However, he hoped with all his heart that this was the case, and to receive confirmation of this was like having a long-standing wish fulfilled.

After standing up straight again, Cao Fu hurried over to Hu Xinfeng to help him to his feet.

A wry smile appeared on Hu Xinfeng's face as he said, "Thank heavens you're here, Young Master Cao. If you hadn't arrived when you did, I wouldn't have been able to protect Brother Sui even if I had sacrificed my own life. Of course, my life is cheap, but it would've been an utter travesty had Brother Sui lost his life here."

Cao Fu hurriedly took a step back, then extended another respectful bow as he said, "You are a heroic and admirable man, Hero Hu."

"Don't be fooled by his smooth talk, Cao Fu!" Sui Xinyu harrumphed coldly. "Just now, Hu Xinfeng almost put an end to my life with his own two hands!"

Cao Fu looked up with a dumbstruck expression.

"You're too kind and trusting for your own good," Sui Xinyu sighed. "You don't know just how treacherous the world is. Forget it. It's only in times of crisis when people show their true colors. It appears that I was blind to have regarded Hero Hu as a friend of mine. You can go now, Hu Xinfeng. Let this be the end of your ties with our Sui Clan."

Hu Xinfeng spat out a mouthful of blood onto the ground, then lowered his head and cupped his fist in a salute as he said, "I'll be sure to visit your residence in the future to deliver a formal apology, and you can punish me as you see fit then, Brother Sui."

He then limped away with a hand clasped over his chest, cutting a pitiable and lonesome figure.

Yang Yuan was standing at the entrance of the pergola with a dark expression as he said in a grim voice, "Cao Fu, don't think that you can do whatever you please just because you have a powerful master! This is the Five Mountain Nation, not the Orchid Residence Nation or the Green Shrine Nation!"